Chapter Seventeen: Only Good Snake is a Dead Snake
"Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn."
- C.S. Lewis
It took weeks to find him. Now that may not sound like a long time, but considering he had the usage of Space–Time Ninjutsu at his disposal, and Iruka could send out Ryuu and Kokoro separately to look for him – well, weeks were a long time to look for just one person. But they finally tracked him down in a small village outside of Amegakure. He was much younger than the last time Iruka had seen him. The young man had just eaten lunch and was walking through the trees when Harbinger slipped up beside him, as quiet as the wind. The man had bright red hair and had his face completely full of facial piercings. He drew a sword because he appeared startled by sudden appearance of someone beside him.
"Are you challenging me?" Harbinger asked, pointing to the sword in his face.
The pierced man shook his head and began to put his sword away. "No."
"Why not, Pein?" Harbinger sounded disappointed.
"You know my name?" Pein looked at the masked man with contemplation. "You are this…Harbinger, correct?"
Harbinger flew backwards through the air and danced on chakra for a moment and landed a few feet away from Pein and then spoke. "Yes, I am Harbinger."
"I don't see you as a strong fighter." Pein said in a mocking tone of voice.
"So you withdraw the offer because you feel that I would not be a challenge?" asked Harbinger. "Or are you afraid that I will beat you?"
"Beat me? Ha! Hardly. I've just never seen you fight."
"So you are afraid of me?"
The pierced man huffed and then crossed his arms across his narrow chest.
"It's your funeral. When?" Pein asked, looking mildly interested.
"How about now? I am free for the next half hour." Harbinger jumped up into the air again, appearing carefree.
Pein barked out a harsh laugh. "For a half an hour?"
"Fifteen minutes better for you?" Harbinger chuckled.
"You are going in the wrong direction! I'm just getting warmed up after an hour." Pein pointed angrily at the masked man.
"So you are withdrawing your offer?" Harbinger was now dancing through the air lightly.
"I cannot have a decent fight in fifteen minutes." Pein folded his arms across his chest and snorted.
"How do you know unless you try?" Harbinger's laughed lightly. "Unless you are afraid."
"I am not afraid of you." Pein countered.
"Then the challenge is still on? You're burning daylight here…Nagato." Harbinger said his name lightly but he knew what he was doing when he said it. It was a calculated move.
Pein tore his weapon free and suddenly engaged in a flurry of heavy slashes, balanced thrusts and flashes of chakra.
Harbinger moved with him, blocking each move with practiced ease. They locked together and pushed away from each other again, sliding backward and holding their bodies in fighting position.
"You already know how to quickly study your opponent, how to anticipate and block his moves. You know how to read the ebb and flow of battle and you react swiftly to sudden moves." Pein paused.
Harbinger grunted as a jab of one of Pein's swords ripped through his haori. He tugged the thing off and tossed it aside. He fought now in his hakama pants only, freely using Space–Time Ninjutsu and a few Kage Bunshin clones to win the match. It wasn't cheating but he really wanted to convince this man – it was vital. There were three Harbingers at one point fighting three Pein's, but then the other man paused and he stopped. He sheathed his weapon and looked at him.
"Only the savage regard the endurance of pain as a measure of worth. I like your tattoos; they remind me of my piercings." Pein said quietly.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Harbinger asked still holding both of his wakizashi blades lightly in his hands. He twirled them in the air a few times with a flourish. "Are you a savage or do you like my tattoos?"
Pein laughed. "Both, I suppose. So, ne, Harbinger, are you here to try and kill me?"
"No." Harbinger shook his head. "That is not my destiny."
The pierced man looked a little confused. He reached up and scratched his red hair. "No, well…I'm afraid your reputation is a little mistaken then…?"
"Oh, no you are correct. I usually kill criminals and murders and such. But…Nagato you have a fate just like all of us." Harbinger paused. "And we all have a path that we must follow…but I do not want it to be set in stone..."
"Eh?" Pein frowned, perplexed.
"One thing really." Harbinger said.
"What is it?"
"Nagato, I truly do not think you are all bad." Harbinger spoke. "A brute kills for pleasure. A fool kills from hate."
The redhead glared at him for a moment. "Stop speaking in riddles. I thought you wanted to challenge me. Now you want to bore me to death?"
Harbinger blinked and was gone from the clearing, and then re-appeared a few paces away, now wearing another, clean, unmarred black silk haori.
The pierced man frowned following him with his eyes.
"I would like you to read this book." The masked man paused and held out a slim book towards the shorter, younger pierced man. "You might find it…enlightening."
Pein took the book and said in a baffled voice, "The Tale of the Utterly Gutless Shinobi?"
But when the redhead looked up there was no one in the clearing except for the wind in the trees.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Iruka was back in Konoha that night eating dinner at the Uchiha compound. He smiled across the table at Itachi. It was a few weeks later; they had been meeting like this steadily. Funny how one's life changes in a short manner of a few weeks, he thought to himself. He would usually be eating by himself or with Jiraiya in his apartment in Tanigakure. Now he was blissfully in love – with Itachi – and he regularly ate dinner with him in Konoha. It was surreal and amazing and too good to last. He kept waiting for the other zori to drop.
"You're here again?" Sasuke complained from the doorway.
Iruka smiled wryly. It wasn't all roses, of course.
Sasuke scowled as he stood in the doorway holding his dinner plate. "Do I have to eat in here with you two? May I be excused? I think I've lost my appetite."
Would the younger Uchiha ever be pleasant in any timeline, Iruka wondered to himself.
"Sit down." Itachi ordered him.
Sasuke huffed and sat down petulantly. The boy began silently eating the dinner that Iruka had actually cooked; nori-wrapped salmon with somen noodles. He seemed to enjoy it because he was rapidly inhaling the food in large bites as fast as he could shovel it in his mouth with his chopsticks.
"How was your training today, Sasuke?" Itachi asked.
"Kakashi-sensei is a pervert." Sasuke said casually between mouthfuls.
Iruka laughed.
Itachi gripped his chopsticks tightly in his fist. "What makes you say that, Sasuke?"
"He shows up late every day, and lies about why. Then he barely trains us, and all he does is sit around reading his stupid pervert books!" Sasuke snorted disgustedly. "Underneath the underneath, my ass!"
Iruka laughed again.
"You should ask your brother for training, Sasuke-kun." Iruka suggested.
"He is helping me." Sasuke said, glaring at Iruka again. "Shows what you know."
They had told Sasuke a little bit, that he was Harbinger, and that they were in a relationship. But not the timeline stuff. That would've just been too complicated. Too confusing. Someday – they would have to. Especially the part about being distantly related. Yeah, that was going to be a fun conversation. The boy seemed to be under the impression that Iruka ran off to be some sort of hero. Naruto, on the other hand thought that Iruka was even cooler than ever and while he missed his Nii-san, was happy that he was back albeit sporadically and was doing his very best to keep it a secret. Thankfully Sasuke was there to smack the back of his head every time he accidently almost said something.
"Sasuke, you're being rude to our guest." Itachi said.
"He's not my guest; he's your guest." Sasuke took another large bite of salmon.
"He made that food you're eating with such apparent glee." Itachi pointed at it with his chopstick.
The younger boy grimaced, but continued to eat.
"Oh, I bought something for you!" Iruka remembered suddenly. He blinked back out of the Uchiha compound and back to his apartment in Tanigakure. He had picked up a box of the most beautiful sakuramochi while he was searching for Pein in Amegakure. But he had left it on the counter back in his apartment.
Jiraiya was sitting on the couch eating take-out and watching TV. "Where have you been?"
"I'm at Itachi's tonight." Iruka laughed. "I told you earlier."
"What are you doing back?" Jiraiya took a sip of beer. The old man leered, "Lover's quarrel?"
"No!" He rolled his eyes at his sensei then turned around to look on the kitchen counter, where he spied the box. "I forgot something." He picked up the pretty box of sakuramochi.
"What?" Jiraiya asked.
"Dessert." Iruka shook the box of confections.
"I think you've got the wrong idea of what 'dessert' should be this soon in a relationship, Dolphin!" Jiraiya teased, taking another sip of beer.
"Old man, it's more for his brother really." Iruka sighed as he leaned against the counter. "Little brat really doesn't like me very much!"
"You're fucking his big brother. And he thinks you deserted Konoha. Can't really blame him." The Sanin shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess." Iruka sighed. "Well, I'm off."
Jiraiya held his beer bottle to his head and saluted. "Have fun with the broody brothers!"
Iruka snickered. "Tch…don't call them that."
Then he blinked back to Konoha and set the box of sweets on the table.
"I picked those up in Amegakure this morning." Iruka smiled.
"You were in Amegakure today?" Sasuke looked at him with disbelief.
Iruka nodded and shrugged.
"Liar!" Sasuke stood and tossed his chopsticks down. "You're worse that Kakashi-sensei! At least his lies are just absurd. Yours are bordering on the ludicrous!"
"Sasuke-" Itachi started.
"Have you ever been to Amegakure, Sasuke?" Iruka asked him calmly.
"No." He yelled back.
Iruka reached over, seized his hand and then the two of them were gone.
They were standing in the middle of a very bustling metropolis; people walking quickly on either side of them. Very tall buildings on both sides of the streets, loud noises of the city assaulting their ears. A foreign, almost alien looking skyline surrounding them. The city sounded different. It smelled different. It was the sound and smells of different languages and people around them; an active city alive around their ears. It was also a different time of day here. Much later at night. Sasuke looked around wildly, twisting his hand out of Iruka's grip instantly.
Iruka could see the boy was biting his lip, obviously believing it was genjutsu. Smart boy. But it wasn't.
"Where!" Sasuke gaped, holding his stomach.
Iruka put his fingers under the younger boy's chin and forced him to look at him in the eyes. Unfortunately his sharingan eyes chose that moment to swirl to life. Damn things really have a mind of their own, and he still hadn't learned to control them very well yet. Sasuke stared at him bewilderment and frustration.
"Amegakure." Iruka said.
"Wha-?" Sasuke started.
"Now stop being such a brat all the time, will you? Your brother has enough to deal without you being such a jerk to me. I love him, you know." Then Iruka put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and they blinked back to the Uchiha compound.
Sasuke fell to his knees and puked in a potted plant
"I'm not cleaning that up." Iruka declared.
Later that night, they were in bed and Iruka was playing with Itachi's hair idly.
"He took that remarkably well, actually."
"What? That I'm related?" Iruka quirked an eyebrow. "Or that I'm totally amazing and have amazing teleportation jutsu."
"Hn." Itachi grunted. "Do you even realize how conceited you sound?"
Iruka flapped his hand dismissively. "It is pretty cool, you've got to admit."
"Do you also realize how much you're starting to sound like Naruto?"
"No, Naruto sounds like me, not the other way around."
"Neither one of these comparisons is highly flattering, Iruka."
"I think you're just embarrassed to admit it turns you on."
"Hn."
"Is that a yes 'hn' or a hell-yes 'hn'…I have to admit the two sound startlingly similar." Iruka bit on the younger man's ear.
"I'm beginning to go back to my theories where I contemplate your lunacy, Iruka."
"You have no idea how much it turns me on when you contemplate it, 'Tachi."
They laughed lightly in bed.
"I can't stay too late." Iruka said after a moment.
"Oh?" Itachi said.
"Yeah, Jiraiya has me doing some extra chakra training. So I probably won't be able to come by for a few days." Iruka ducked his head and nibbled on Itachi's neck until the man panted. He didn't want him watching his eyes too carefully while he lied.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The Hokage leaned back in his chair and contemplated the young man before him. Uchiha Itachi was wearing a standard jounin uniform and his typical stoic expression. However, the man had a tension running across his body and throughout his features. Sandaime looked down at the piece of paper in his hands again and frowned.
"You would like to retire from ANBU, Itachi-san?" He asked mildly.
The man nodded. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Is there any particular reason?" The Hokage set the paper down and picked his pipe up and began the tedious, yet enjoyable process of filling it.
"I believe it is time for me." The young man paused. "And I have accepted a position as head of the Konoha Toshokan Archives."
The Third's eyebrows shot up as he stopped his ministrations with his pipe. "The public library?"
"The Archives at the Konoha Public Library are a valuable asset to the community." Itachi said calmly. "Additionally I would like to take on a genin team next spring."
Sandaime nodded. "Of course." He resumed the process of filling his pipe and then lit it.
Itachi paused, seemingly struck with the desire to say something. The younger man reached up and patted his long black hair, which was held back in a low pony tail, in what appeared to be a nervous gesture. Sandaime regarded this oddly, for Uchiha Itachi was not a nervous man.
"Hn." Itachi said.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" The Hokage leaned back in his chair. He puffed on his pipe.
"You know our…mutual acquaintance?"
The Third was not a fool. He knew that Iruka was still visiting Itachi. In fact, Iruka was probably the reason why the man was quitting ANBU and desiring to take on a genin team. Both of these things were good things for the man, so the Hokage couldn't complain. He probably should be angry but he couldn't find a reason to be at the moment. He sighed internally.
"Do you remember how he stated that you would die at the chuunin exams? And how it would happen? And by who? I believe the idiot decided to do something about it." Itachi stated in a rush. "Like now."
The Hokage sat up in a rush, accidentally dropping his pipe into his lap. "What!"
"He told me he wouldn't be around for a few days, but I know he was lying." Itachi sighed.
"You know for sure?" Sandaime rubbed his chin.
The younger man nodded.
"Orochimaru?" The Hokage stated, as if to clarify. He needed to hear the name. To be sure.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Itachi nodded again. "Is there anything we can do? May I…lead a team? Possibly as my last ANBU mission?"
The Third sighed and looked back down at the paper the young man had handed him. He tapped it lightly.
"Intelligence gathering only." The Hokage said after a moment. "That is what the mission will be officially listed as such."
"Hai." Itachi bowed.
"Take Tiger and we will bring Kakashi in on this mission. He will lead the team."
Itachi looked startled. "What? Why? Isn't he retired?"
"Because I want him to contact Jiraiya and work with him on this mission and he knows the man well. Don't you want the best team?" Sandaime said testily. "Also you will need his tracking ability since you do not know exactly where Iruka is going, right?"
"You are correct." Itachi nodded.
The Hokage began making out a mission scroll, then passed it to the younger man, who took it solemnly and was about to leave. Sandaime stopped him with a gesture.
"Before you leave, young man…" The Hokage stood, holding his pipe and looked out the window to survey all of Konoha with a glance.
Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"You know that our mutual acquaintance did not tell you about this, I assume, for his own reasons?" The Hokage said.
"I am aware." Itachi nodded, again.
"Then why are you trying to intervene?"
"What is the point of having free will if one cannot occasionally…spit in the eye of destiny?" Itachi said and even smiled slightly.
The Hokage turned away from the window and peered at the solemn young man for a moment.
"You've changed, Itachi-san."
"They say love does that, right?" The younger man replied, flushing slightly.
Sandaime smiled. "I suppose it does."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The first thing Kakashi noticed about Harbinger, was that it was like watching a beautiful, choreographed dancer; the grace and fluidity of every movement a true depiction of what a shinobi should be.
The second thing Kakashi noticed about Harbinger was that he recognized the shinobi and it was like a harsh pain in his gut. He tasted blood in his mouth and he realized he had bit down on his tongue. Harbinger was Iruka. Umino Iruka. What was the man thinking? What was he doing? What was he hoping to accomplish?
Kakashi glanced over at his companions. Jiraiya realized it, too. Iruka was just as familiar, if not more so, to him. The last two members of his team had finally met up with him this morning. They had set out to this location in Hidden Sound this morning after Pakkun had tracked Iruka's scent here. And, it appeared to be true. Kakashi glanced over at his other two teammates. Genma and Itachi.
Itachi was peering intently at the figure, but he did not appear startled or surprised. Kakashi felt fury pass through him – the Uchiha had already known that Iruka was Harbinger and hadn't felt the need to pass on the information to the rest of his teammates. How thoughtful of him.
Kakashi knew they all recognized the weapons. It was Samehada from that mission long ago. Harbinger strapped it to his back after easily dispatching a foe, then whirled pulled out his two wakizashi, in an impressive twirl, nearly decapitating two shinobi next to him. He leapt into the air off their falling bodies and killed the next set of enemies easily. He was laughing and slashing, spinning, and diving - easily evading enemies. After a few minutes the clearing was empty of opponents and Harbinger wasn't even breathing hard. He stood there and shook the blood off his blades, then re-sheathed them and looked at the sun as if he was waiting for someone. The man had just killed twenty enemies in the span of five minutes with nothing more than blades. It was impressive – nay fearsome.
"Kakashi." Genma said quietly. "Someone is approaching. Should we let them come?"
"Continue to stay hidden for now." Kakashi said quietly.
Harbinger continued to stand in the clearing amongst the bodies. The approaching figure finally reached the clearing.
The approaching man was taller than Harbinger, wearing all leather with silver hair, and a very large scythe on his back. He was a striking figure.
"Fuck, you started without me!" The newcomer complained. "Hey, can we fuck now, or are we going to fuck later?"
"Then you shouldn't have been late." Harbinger chuckled.
"But look at all of these sacrifices!"
Harbinger looked around the clearing and shrugged.
Hidan pointed to a particularly huge shinobi.
"Look at that big one!"
"Homoerotic humor before noon, Hidan? I'm impressed. I thought you'd be off your game this early."
"Huh?" Hidan looked a little confused, and then he got it and started laughing.
"Okay, we've had our fun, let us be on our way." Harbinger stated and turned away.
"Aww, but-"
"Tch." Harbinger waved his hand dismissively. "Hidan. We don't have time at the moment-"
"But you said-" Hidan interrupted.
"Yes, I know."
"But-"
Harbinger leaned forward put his arm around the other man's shoulder. He slapped Hidan once. "Yes. I know. But there are countless more enemies inside if we stop now for every fucking body for you to complete your sacrifice we will never finish. So. Stop. Fucking. Complaining. Okay?"
"You're so fucking hot." Hidan said.
"Oh shut up, would you?" Harbinger said.
Two figures walked up to them, a small girl wearing a beautiful pink kimono with little bunnies on it and zori sandals with neon blue hair in pigtails.
The second figure was a tall blond man wearing a green t-shirt and khakis.
Hidan looked at them in confusion.
"Otousan, you were correct. We found guards and I was able to use the mind-control jutsu I told you about. I now have access to memories of all of the tunnel systems."
"Excellent, Kokoro." Harbinger said. "And Ryuu? I believe you can take your true form. No need for disguises at this point."
The tall blond man instantly flickered into that of a dragon.
Hidan flinched slightly then chuckled.
"So if that's a fuckin dragon, what's ta little girl? She can't just be a little girl, huh? You've gotta be something cooler than that?" Hidan asked.
Then Harbinger took off his mask and shook out his hair.
Hidan was stared at him shock.
"The mask gets unbearably hot. And those tunnels are going to be dark and tight. I don't want to be wearing it in there." Harbinger smirked at the expression on Hidan's face. "Besides, who would believe you if you told them I took my mask off, ne?"
Hidan continued to stare in shock.
Ryuu was absently running a hand through the little girl's pigtails as she smiled up at him lovingly.
"And yes, Kokoro is not a little girl." Harbinger looked down at her. "What would you call yourself?"
"I have been called many things over many thousands of years, Otousan. But I think the Immortal here might easily refer to me as a demon."
Hidan's eyes widened a little and then he barked out a harsh laugh. "You're so hot!"
"So crude, Hidan!" Harbinger laughed. "Anyways, so that's about it, then. It's just us. Well and there are some people over there eavesdropping…if they want to come they can, but other than that, it'll just be the four of us."
When Kakashi heard that he knew his game of masking his chakra was completely pointless. He didn't know how Iruka knew, but he knew.
Iruka turned around and put his hand on his hips. "Well?"
Itachi moved first, before Kakashi had given him the order to do so. He was already walking…crossing the clearing towards Iruka. Then Genma moved and Jiraiya and Kakashi followed.
"Hey 'Tachi." Iruka smiled. "I shouldn't be surprised to see you although I am a little surprised to see…Kakashi?"
"What the fuck is going on?" Hidan yelled.
"Calm down, Hidan." Iruka yelled back. "We're going to get going in a minute."
Iruka turned back to Itachi who, had walked up to him.
"You're not here to talk me out of this, are you?" Iruka asked Itachi.
"No." Itachi said.
"I thought I told you I wouldn't take you in there." Iruka said. "Orochimaru is twisted and has a dangerous desire for the Uchiha blood. You do not want to get captured."
"What about yourself?"
"Don't worry about me." Iruka shrugged. "He wants perfection – I am not perfect."
"Well, damnit, I am worried about you." Itachi argued.
"Is this your boyfriend, Harbie?" Hidan looked with interest at Itachi. "You know, when you said it was complicated?" The man scratched the side of his head with the tip of his scythe.
"This should be interesting." Ryuu quipped.
"You've got fleas, Ryuu." Iruka spat out.
"That hurts, Dolphin." Ryuu pouted.
"Dolphin?" Hidan looked confused.
"Weasel is his new boyfriend. But he used to date the Scarecrow. It's like a soap opera! Who knew that ninja's were so gay?" Ryuu snorted. "And I do not have fleas. Ask Kokoro!"
"Hey, sensei how did they drag you into this?" Iruka turned to Jiraiya.
The older man shrugged. "Apparently I am to talk sense into you?"
"Do they realize you don't have much sense in you in the first place, old man?" Iruka said with a smile.
Jiraiya sighed. "Does he really do this?"
Iruka nods firmly. "I didn't want to ask you of course. I knew you were once friends. It shouldn't be you that has to do it, sensei."
Jiraiya shook his head. "That is very kind of you, but I'm afraid you overlooked something. You don't become a Sanin by accident. You need every bit of assistance you can get. Overconfidence is a fool's gambit, Dolphin. I am coming with you."
"We're all coming with you." Genma said firmly. "You don't leave teammates behind, Owl."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Iruka used Kokoro's memories from the mind-control jutsu of the security guard to guide them through the tunnels. He had to admit, the jutsu, while completely from the forbidden archives, was entirely worthwhile. Not all the time, he amended. He would never use it most cases, but in this instance, and against the enemy – it was wholly useful and justified. He was still a little shocked that he was here, that the time was now and that he was leading a team to kill Orochimaru in Hidden Sound.
From what Kokoro had gleaned of the bases plans, there were three levels to the bunker. Orochimaru typically resided in the lowest level of course where all the laboratories were. They were going to use the air ducts and access tunnels and travel down through garbage tunnels as far as they could. And then they would begin fighting. They broke up into two teams, to synchronize and rendezvous later. Iruka, Itachi, Hidan, and Kokoro. The other team was Kakashi, Jiraiya, Genma and Ryuu.
Iruka was suspicious. It was going too well. The ducts were too empty. There were no sentries. There was just that little nagging voice in the back of his head. But he pushed it aside. They crept forward, downward towards the third level of the bunker. Soon they were meeting up with the second team just in time for the rendezvous. The group silently walked along the concrete path past multiple doors as Iruka shook his head at each one. He remembered from Kokoro's mental diagram that the one they wanted was the second to the last.
They stood at the door finally and he pressed an exploding tag to the door handle. Now was no longer the time for subtly. Jiraiya was on the other side of the door. He nodded to him, and then vanished from sight. Iruka grinned, and then blew the door open.
Iruka raced into the room and was surprised when he saw what was on the other side. Orochimaru was already dead. Madara stood in front of his corpse with a katana still bloody in his hands. Shisui was standing next to him, eyes blank.
"Ahh…Umino Iruka…we keep meeting like this." Madara smiled cruelly.
Iruka slowed his walk and he took a deep breath. He was…not ready for another confrontation with Madara yet. He was not ready for this. But…he would have to be, he had to get the man away from his friends. He was…their only salvation until Naruto could be ready.
"I have to thank-you, Madara." Iruka said lightly. "I was coming to kill him." He pointed towards the dead Orochimaru. "Maa…did he offend you in bed?"
Iruka smiled. Yes, he was playing a very dangerous game. He was actually taunting the man. Hoping to draw his fire. Did he just really tease Madara? He tensed, getting ready for impact.
Instead, the man laughed. He was now looking behind Iruka, at the other people. No, he couldn't have that.
So Iruka spoke again. "I saved myself from death, for Konoha."
"Is that why you've done all this? Are you looking for immortality? I can help you with that." Madara offered.
"Madara, I'm not afraid to die. At times I've welcomed death." Iruka said specifically and then he was suddenly just not there.
Then five Iruka's appeared using Space–Time Ninjutsu fighting. In a blink, there were another five Madera's also fighting, were laughing happily. Two of the five Iruka's jumped on top of one of the Madara's and blew him apart.
Madara turned to Iruka and raised an eyebrow, "Kamikaze doppelgangers? Space–Time Ninjutsu? It appears I'm constantly underestimating you, Umino."
A second Madara appeared and stated "I think I'm starting to find you...worthy."
A third Madara clone blew up.
Iruka wrapped his arms around Madara and took him to a beach far, far away where they would not harm anyone. There was a crescent moon hanging low over the water. Both men sunk to their knees in the soft sand and oncoming, rushing water. Madara was the first to recover. He quickly stood and looked down at the younger man.
"How did you learn how to do this?" Madara asked casually.
"Does it make a difference?" Iruka stood up, taking a few paces away from the other man.
"Not really."
"Then I shall keep my secrets."
Madara flashed a small smile. He liked secrets. But He preferred being in on the secret.
"You love that Uchiha, right? I saw him back at Orochimaru's…"
Iruka felt his blood run cold. He couldn't speak. He didn't know what to say. What could he say that wouldn't give himself away? Denial would surely admit his feelings as clearly as admitting them would. His tongue felt leaden.
Madara chuckled. "Why don't you just work with me?"
"I don't want to destroy what I love!" Iruka looked appalled. "And are you asking me to join the Akatsuki?"
"Konoha will wither one day. Your efforts will not stop that, Harbinger." Madara scoffed.
He almost contemplated for a moment, saying yes. Not because he wanted to for any reason. But to stay yes, in order to get close enough to possibly kill Madara. But the other man would have to know it would merely be a ploy. He couldn't be that stupid. Iruka wouldn't seriously take him up on the offer. Did the man actually think he would?
"No, no." Iruka shook his head.
"I didn't think you would say yes, but I was curious." Madara cocked his head to the side. "You know, you've got the Uchiha blood now…curious how much of a difference it makes." The man paused. "You are a cunning little shit, I'll give you that."
Iruka nodded his head in acknowledgement – yes.
"By now I assume you've used a clone and Space–Time Ninjutsu to get all of your friends away from that bunker?" Madara sighed and looked down at his nails in a bored tone of voice.
"Of course." Iruka nodded.
Madara sighed and looked around. "Where are we? Land of Mist?"
Iruka nodded again.
"This isn't over." Madara said finally.
"I did not believe that it was." Iruka responded, preparing himself to fight. But surprisingly, Madara just blinked away. He was not sure if he was relieved or even more greatly disturbed by this.
A/N – Please Review – And thus ends the end of the "Training Arc" part of the story. We will be into the third and final arc of the story in the next chapter…aren't you excited? Always in groups of three-! The final arc…! I'll tell you what it's called when we get there. Don't want to give it away, but I'm sure if you're smart and you put your thinking cap on, you can probably guess!
Special shout out to – the following people:
WhitenyRose- She is my beta reader and muse. She also has amazing taste in literature. Thank-you for everything-!
Fred-the-Moose – Who is a majestic moose, and a one-eyed, one-armed zamboni driver and let's me vent and even though he's a total tard who actually reads disgusting things like Kakashi x Asuma (Honestly, really? That's just wrong, man!) I still speak to him.