Displaced
Act I— A Complicated Truth.
Hey-ay-ay!
Hey-ay! If crazy equals genius,
Then I'm a fucking arsonist!
I am madness, rage, and flames. I may hardly know what I'm doing anymore, but I remember the most important thing: I remember why.
Whatever the repercussions, it's far too late in the game for me to stop.
"Look, Uchiha, you're putting me in a difficult position. You do understand that I can't actually do anything about this." She gestures towards the manila folder I'd placed on her desk nearly fifteen minutes ago, data painstakingly organized to describe what is happening in the dark underbelly of her village. Our village. Besides the scroll listing the Uchiha children appropriated by Danzou, I salvaged quite a bit of information about Root's recruiting policies before common sense drove me to retreat in order to avoid discovery.
You mean you won't do anything about it. I'm not even asking for a sanctioned mission!
"It would be a wild goose chase. And before you open your mouth to argue Uchiha, I do not want to know where or how you got this information."
Is that it? You'd rather bury your head in the sand?
Pushing the folder back in my direction, and waving a hand in dismissal, she declares, "Let it go, and just be very, very glad I haven't decided to demote you for this." In other words: by pursuing this, I am dallying with insubordination. I could be docked pay, put on probation, or even punted back to genin rank... I could be dismissed from the ninja forces. Hell, I could be buried in a dark hole and forgotten—alive or dead.
Although, what's to stop me from acting? Loyalty to Konoha?
Is it really treason, if the organization never existed in the first place?
"Now shoo, I need to finish these clinical notes before they inevitably drag me back to the tower."
So... you are an adversary and not an ally, after all. I should have kept my initial impression of you, Senju.
Despite her casual dismissal, I continue. I won't back down. Screw my career; this is more important. Eyes narrowed in a fierce glare, I can feel chakra simmer under my skin, responding to my emotional state. I am rapidly losing my temper.
I will not let some old lush intimidate me into doing nothing, Godaime Hokage or no.
Perhaps I've completely lost my mind, but— my palms slam against the smooth surface of the Hokage's desk, piles of hospital-related paperwork shifting at the sudden tremor. "And if there were Senju children among them, what would you do, Tsunade-sama? Let them disappear further into an organization that doesn't officially exist?!"
Because we are both orphans, alone in the world but for the family we choose ourselves. Because there is as much of a Senju Clan in Konohagakure now as there is an Uchiha Clan. Yes, there are differences. The Senju have been dying a quiet death, whittled down in number during the past three shinobi wars, while the Uchiha went down in flames, in part due to internal politics.
But, damn it all, you should be able to sympathize!
"Don't raise your voice at me, Uchiha. Your so-called proof is suspect, considering how you likely found it." The woman grits her teeth, her returning glare no less ferocious than mine. Unyielding. "While I understand your position—" And I can feel the last vestiges of control I have over my temper snap at those words.
Bullshit!
"I do not need your understanding!"
How can you know something like this is going on and just look away?!
"Do not raise your voice at me, chuunin."
Struggling to reign in my temper, I lower my voice back to what could be considered a reasonable volume. "Those children don't need your understanding. I am not trying to submit a request for an official mission. I'm not even asking for your explicit approval at this point." There was, after all, more than one reason I'd broached this topic in her office in the hospital, after ensuring proper privacy seals were activated, and not in the tower.
At this point... Just look the other way. Look the other way, and I will find a solution to this. Somehow.
"All I want you to do is acknowledge, here and now, what that unscrupulous son of a bitch has been doing."
I'll erase that man from existence even if it kills me.
"My. Hands. Are. Tied." She forces out from between her teeth, anger in her eyes, the air heavy with both our chakra. "Leave. Do not bring this up again."
...And so, Senju, you choose to do nothing at all? If this is what– I am starting to understand my father's decisions.
Fuck Konoha.
My rage shifts from hot to cold. I take a slow, measured breath. Then another. A third. I am infinitely surprised she hasn't thrown something at me yet, especially when I started yelling; her volatile temper is infamous.
The silence becomes uncomfortable as the seconds pass. "I see." Damn it all to hell; I don't even know what I was expecting from you. Even as I regain my outward calm, my thoughts become more poisonous. I hope Naruto sees you for what you truly are. A coward, a slave to village politics. No, forget hope, I'll make sure of it.
"Thank you for your time, Hokage-sama." I bow stiffly and exit, swiftly, out the window.
Well. I probably just set off every alarm possible in her head. Surprising she didn't have the ANBU on duty drag me from that room in chains.
Still. I should have a little time before Danzou gets wind of this.
What does this change? Ultimately, nothing. So what if I have to move up my timeline? I go ahead with my plans and declare it a clan matter if called to defend my actions. If I succeed, I'll have enough legal backing to at least stay an execution. Otherwise... the alternative is to cut ties and run.
And if I fail— I'll be dead anyway.
Shit, but Naruto is going to kill me. And Itachi... I don't know.
I'll have to live and find out.
A warm, relaxing afternoon.
The sun occasionally darts out from between the clouds, keeping the day pleasantly warm but not too much so. He had so been looking forward to a few hours of quiet when Tsunade appeared, visibly annoyed and, ostensibly, seeking his advice.
I'm retired. He thinks petulantly, though none of that shows in his demeanor. Can't you just leave me to enjoy my research, my shogi, and training my grandson?
"Tsunade-chan, what do you want me to say?" Folding his hands over the cover of the book he'd been planning to enjoy before he was interrupted, he arches a brow at his former student, "Given the information he discovered, did you really expect him to respond differently?"
He's an Uchiha; they're notoriously hot-blooded and have obsessive tendencies. That said, considering the circumstances— you probably would have been better off supporting his venture, if surreptitiously. Unless... using him as a distraction? Both cunning and more than a little cruel.
The kunoichi in question huffs, and shakes her head, muttering vehemently under her breath, "Bloody obnoxious Uchiha; granduncle was right." But it is not quietly enough to escape his notice; Hiruzen may be old, but his senses are as sharp as ever.
So that old rivalry lives on after all.
Pausing to gather her thoughts, Tsunade continues her search for an explanation for the scene she'd both witnessed and contributed to earlier that day. "Hiruzen-sensei, what else can you tell me about Uchiha Sasuke? My interactions with him have been limited— besides the collaborative work we did studying the side effects of sharingan-based illusions about three years ago, and some other medical research of similar nature. He seemed reasonable enough, then. Sure, I had to listen to Naruto-kun talk my ear off about the brat for far too many hours... Those don't mean much in the grand scheme of things."
"Beyond what can be found in mission records and the like?" A thoughtful hum, as Hiruzen considers his options, "Do you remember the secrets you were read in to after formally taking the seat? Sasuke is aware of the one pertaining to his family."
"What." Tsunade deadpans, "You're telling me one of the—much as I hate to admit it— most talented young shinobi in this village is aware that—"
That the near-complete eradication of his family, his clan was planned by a faction in the village? That the people that orchestrated that mess still live and remain unpunished? Yes.
She bites back the rest of the sentence, looking disturbed, "And he's still loyal."
Interesting, that you say it as a statement rather than a question, Tsunade-chan.
The Sandaime Hokage sighs, retrieving his pipe from a pocket, filling it, and setting the contents alight with a minor Katon jutsu. "Don't fool yourself. Uchiha Sasuke's allegiance lies with the people he considers family. He is fiercely loyal to Naruto-kun, to his teammates and Kakashi-kun. Possibly to the rest of his former classmates. But that young man holds no great love for this village." Not like Itachi-kun. And considering how long a fire can smolder, and how hot an Uchiha's hatred can burn... we are perhaps lucky Sasuke-kun fixated more on protecting his friends than pursuing revenge.
A tendril of smoke rises from his pipe. He follows its rise with his eyes, watching it dissolve into the air. The heady scent of his favored tobacco is soothing. "Do you have a clearer view now, Tsunade-chan?"
This is going to mean trouble. Still, I wonder if the boy is rash enough to confront Danzou directly. That would be a very dangerous choice... No doubt my scheming old friend has heard news of your argument by now.
"Unfortunately." The Godaime Hokage scowls, brows furrowed, "What's worse is that he applied for a block of nearly three weeks of leave, to be taken at his discretion. And it was approved, considering he almost never takes time off, barring the time off required after high rank missions, or those with increased risk of psychological trauma. So, of course, it was approved. Last week."
Hiruzen chuckles softly at his student's obvious ire. So he outmaneuvered you, Tsunade-chan. He was already prepared for you to dismiss his findings. "I see."
"Then, I suppose your options are to either apprehend him now..." And not only make yourself an enemy for life if you let the boy live, but also alienate many of the shinobi in his generation, including Naruto-kun. And you will draw the ire of Konoha's clans if his reasons come to light. "Or wait and see what happens, and deal with the fallout." Which, amusingly enough, sounds close to what you implied he should do.
"But you knew that already." The Sandaime Hokage concludes, dark eyes sparkling with mischief, "Could it be you just wanted someone to talk to while avoiding your paperwork, Tsunade-chan?"
I return home more incensed than disheartened. I suppose by now, I expect people in power to disappoint me.
Storming into my bedroom with a bitter sigh, I head for my desk, quickly signing the notice of leave before setting it aside. It would be delivered to the correct department immediately after my departure. Sliding out of my chair, I arch my back, stretching until I hear the rumbling crackle of popping joints, and turn to leave the room.
And then, I reconsider.
My will is up to date and stored in a secure place. It's a habit strongly encouraged in shinobi, especially in children from recognized clans, both minor and major. The salamanders will deliver a notarized copy to the appropriate people if I die.
No; there is something more important than that. I should— I have to— write things that I would regret not saying if I do not make it back from this damned venture. Hn. The similarities are getting a little unnerving; it really is starting to sound like I'm planning to commit suicide. Shaking my head, I flash a sardonic smile at the place my thoughts are headed. Well. This is a mission I'm not likely to return from, one way or another.
My expression turns bitter as I sit back down at my desk and consider how to word the first letter.
How morbid... This should be good for getting my head on straight, if nothing else.
Sensei,
About my decision— in this case, I have no regrets.
Please tell Ino not to cry. I know her; she would cry, after she stopped punching things. This is simply something I have to do. (It is probably foolish of me, to throw my life away on a chance to change fate, but... Well, I never believed in fate anyway.) I can honestly say I died fighting for what I believed in. The best way to go, really, besides protecting the people precious to you.
My family is precious to me.
But, back to the point— I wanted to say thank you.
For watching out for Team Seven, for teaching us to survive even when we acted like ungrateful little shits (me most of all), for helping us take the first steps on the path to realizing our dreams. For being like a second father to us. Thank you, for being my mentor and my friend. I would not be half the shinobi I am today without your guidance.
I'll see you on the other side. (Don't hurry, and do try to eat healthier. I can't be the only one you know that can cook a decent curry.)
Uchiha Sasuke
I don't know why that letter was the first to come to mind. Except, perhaps, I don't wish to give the man another person to mourn. The next two letters are to Shino and Ino, then to my most annoying little brother...
Naruto,
I couldn't keep my promise to stand as your shadow after all. I'd rather be at your side, but— you know me, I find trouble almost as well as you do. There was so much I wanted to say when I started this letter, but—I think I'll just say the most important.
I love you, brother.
You'd better become the best damn Hokage ever or I'll never forgive you.
So, I'll see you when I see you. (But I better have little blonde grandnieces and grandnephews before then!)
Stay safe,
Sasuke
Rolling the pen between my hands like a cat, I play with the thought of writing a letter to Hotaru, but eventually decide against it. I have some things set aside for her in my will, genjutsu notes and the like, and the note I wrote to accompany them will suffice.
I pause, considering my rationale before penning the last letter I intend to write, not including the one I will send to Itachi. That will be written and sent separately, immediately before I set out. "Heh... Ino-chan will gloat. She was right; I am rather fond of Suna-chan."
Suna-chan,
Ha! I can practically see you scowling adorably at the paper.
Don't worry Temari-chan, this won't be a long missive.
In the short time we've known each other, I'd like to believe we became friends. You are a brilliant, beautiful young woman and a fantastic kunoichi. (I have to admit that a small part of me wishes we weren't friends. I'm greedy; despite the complications it would have caused, I hoped we could have become more. Considering— well, I suspect you felt the same.)
Kick ass, and good luck keeping your little brothers in line!
Farewell,
Uchiha Sasuke
Deftly folding the letters, I seal them, and label the envelopes with names. Index finger drawing an invisible line over the edge of the last envelope, I ponder where to store them safely.
A knock on my window rouses me from my thoughts. "Hn?"
Ino glares at me from beyond the windowpane, obviously irate. Shino, looking as stoic as ever, is hovering behind her. Rolling my eyes, I set the letter to Temari aside, and stride over to the window, unlocking it and sliding it open. "I have a door, you know."
"You weren't answering it," She deadpans, easing herself through the window and into my room, Shino right behind her.
"Invite yourself in, why don't you." I murmur in response to the intrusion, tone teasing. Given her scowl, Ino is not in the mood for teasing.
Hands on her hips, she leans forward— were Ino a little taller, we'd be nose-to-nose. Instead, since she's half a head shorter than I, the scene looks a little ridiculous. "So, Sasuke-kun. I heard you had an interesting argument with our esteemed Lady Hokage... Our names had better not be in that pile of letters on your desk."
I shrug, stepping away from Ino. "Hn." Better to neither confirm nor deny. Gathering up the letters, I stuff them into an innocuous wooden box— it has some particularly lovely carvings of the Uchiha crest, really— and slide said box between several books on a nearby shelf. "If you're going to yell at me, let's do this somewhere a bit more secure."
Although I can't sense anyone else in the vicinity, I cloak the three of us in a genjutsu before leading my friends to the Naka Shrine. "Please wait here a moment." I gesture to the stairs at the front of the shrine, and head inside.
Closing my eyes, I breathe out a sigh, taking a moment to gather my thoughts before unlocking the path to the hidden room in the bowels of the shrine. The massive stone door slides away with a grinding sound, revealing a familiar stairwell. I could lock the door behind me, leave through a different exit... But that would be the coward's way out. Running away. I backtrack to the entrance of the shrine, and gesture for them to enter.
While the door slides shut behind us, I reach for the nearest sconce, plucking the torch from its confines, and light it. Wordlessly, I turn and follow the stairs downward. Until I am back in that room, that place I consider a sanctuary, despite the foul deeds that were once planned there.
What better place to discuss treasonous ideas?
After ensuring we have enough light for the foreseeable future, I settle down, cross-legged on a cushion. The room is bare but for the cushions I'd scattered on the floor, and the giant stone, engraved with words only legible to sharingan eyes, situated behind me.
Arm crossed loosely in front of my chest, I arch a brow at Ino and Shino, both having taken a seat close by—we're sitting in a circle. "I'm going. Root's not an officially recognized group, anyway. Not anymore." There is nothing you can say that will change my mind. "And technically, this is clan business." You don't need to get involved.
Shino's unimpressed stare is a work of art. "Ha. Ha, even." I startle slightly at the uncharacteristic outburst, staring at my longtime friend.
Ino interjects, "If you think, we're going to let you run off on some half-baked, madcap suicide mission without so much as a word—" Ino takes a deep breath, clenching hands into fists and placing arms securely at her sides. "Damn it, Sasuke. Then you're dumber than Naruto looks."
Smiling faintly, I pointedly narrow my eyes at Ino, "That's my little brother you're talking about, Ino-chan. Look, I understand what you're saying. But helping me scout is one thing, I can't just ask you two to—" to throw away your lives trying to kill a village elder and his private army. That sounds mad even in my head.
There is a loud buzz from Shino's coat; his allies are riled, more so than I've ever seen, and he is visibly upset. "You do not have to ask. Why? Because we are telling you. Whatever madness you've planned on this time, you are not going alone. Must I repeat myself incessantly? I thought you understood: where you go, we go."
And I am torn. I don't want you to risk death for me. And while that's more than a little hypocritical, it's still the truth. But I need backup besides the salamanders.
Ino derails my train of thought, "You idiot. You— you jerk! Why would you even think of going alone? Of course Shino and I are going with you. How could you even consider leaving us behind?! No, absolutely not. Out of the question! We will be there to watch your back. Just like last time."
Whether I want it or not, huh?
"Ino-chan, you—" A deep breath, trying to steady my tumultuous thoughts, "This, what I'm planning to do, is barely a hair's breadth away from treason. That I can legally argue otherwise is irrelevant. You should be trying to apprehend me!"
"Shut up, Sasuke! Don't you think we know that?!" Her yell echoes in the room. And then, more quietly, she murmurs, "I know that." Her voice wavers, eyes glimmering with unshed tears before she reigns herself back in, back ramrod straight. "But we're a team. And what kind of best friends would Shino and I be, to let you just walk to your death?"
Shino, arms crossing in front of his chest, quotes in a somber tone, "Those who break the rules are trash. Those who abandon their friends are worse than trash. Even if I will probably not agree with your methods; I understand the logic behind your decision. Besides, you need us."
You—
I—
I'm sorry.
Under their combined glares, I fold like a wet piece of tissue paper. "Together or not at all, huh?" For perhaps the first time, the smirk feels awkward on my face. There is a familiar stinging in the corners of my eyes. I glance away. Thank you. "Hn." After you insisted on helping last time, I really should have known you two would do this. "Very well. Then you should also know I'm planning to write to my brother." So this venture could be called treasonous twice-over.
"What would writing to Naruto do?"
There is an awkward pause as Shino and I stare at her, expressions pointedly blank... and Ino blushes furiously, mortified. "Oh. That's... Right. I'm never going to live this down." The positively evil smirk I give her in response says it all. About time we had something to hold over you.
Recovering, she claps her hands together, smile strained, but still enthusiastic. "Right. So! Let's get started. Given that request for leave on your desk, you planned on heading out tonight, right? Then we'd better make a workable plan quickly. What are we going to be doing?"
Okay, that's... interesting that neither of you want to comment further. If you want to ignore the obvious, I'll play along, I suppose. I trust you.
"We're going to tempt the spider out of his web."
Shino quicks a brow, skeptical, "...How? You're thinking of attacking his operations, right? If I were him, I would just send my forces to eliminate you."
"We will systematically destroy his bolt holes and incapacitate his shinobi, until he is forced to deal with the problem himself."
"You'll run a significant risk of killing those you are trying to rescue."
Don't you think I know that? Nails dig into the flesh of my palms, until tiny droplets of blood pepper the flagstone floor. I may already have their blood on my hands. Danzou could just decide to remove anyone incriminating from his forces.
"I know. Better dead than— than the fate they will have if I walk away from this." A treacherous thought worms into my mind at that resolution. How different are you from Itachi, then? Making a choice in their place. Hypocrite. I grit my teeth and ignore it. If I live, then I will do so with the consequences of my actions.
"You're going to conduct a guerrilla war. On a man that has controlled an offshoot of the ANBU for something like the last thirty years, if not longer." Ino covers her face with a groan, "Kami-sama, what are you thinking! What are we thinking?!"
"You saw the records we found, too. As far as we can deduce, the turnover rate for Root operatives is abysmal. Far worse than it is for ANBU." And Shino and I are in ANBU. "Doesn't that say something about their combat training? And we know where a significant number of their bunkers are already. So long as we're careful, we'll never have to face more than a handful of Danzou's minions at once."
Shino catches on to my reasoning quickly, "Your summons are poisonous, as are some of my kikkaichuu. We are both capable of detecting humans at a distance. Ino can sow havoc in their ranks, turning their own against them... It is still riskier than I would prefer, but better than a direct frontal assault."
"And they will know it's me. As you said, the rumors about my meeting with the Godaime are already all over the village. And I'll leave an appropriate calling card." Lips curling into a malevolent smile, more teeth than humor, "I'll burn everything to the ground."
Ino groans. "You're crazy. Absolutely and completely insane." Then, with a sad smile, she adds, "But you're ours, so I guess we'll just have to deal."
It's a short letter.
Shorter than any letter he's received from Sasuke since those first tentative motions towards reconciliation. And how crazy is that? That Sasuke not only discovered the deception he struggled to create and maintain, but had heart enough to forgive him? Sometimes, Itachi fears waking up to find that the past three years have been a fanciful dream.
This, on the other hand, is a nightmare.
He stares at the words, feeling incredulous, terrified and proud; only Sasuke can evoke so many feelings from him in rapid succession.
Help me take down Danzou.
He blinks, then narrows his eyes, squinting with the hope the words will change.
This should be proof enough.
Help me take down Danzou.
But his vision isn't that poor. His improved health, courtesy of Sasuke being a mother hen, has allowed him to minimize his use of the mangekyou.
The words don't change.
This should be proof enough.
Help me take down Danzou.
I don't care what happens to me afterwards, so long as this is resolved. Something like this; it's a reality I can't accept. I know I am asking a lot from you, but... Please, Itachi.
Please.
Itachi sets the letter aside, but the words are burned into his mind, echoing in his thoughts— I don't care what happens to me afterwards.
But I care. Itachi thinks, understandably bitter. He has the right to be more than a little frustrated that Sasuke would throw away his future. Doesn't he?
Still, having examined the proof that Sasuke provided, duplicates of duplicates of documents that his brother retrieved at not insignificant risk... The documents he'd helped Sasuke retrieve, by providing information about Root. It is unlikely they are falsified; what would be the point? Sasuke would have been a useful tool for Danzou.
I understand. Because Itachi's life has been one impossible decision after the other. Often, all of the possible outcomes of his decisions have been different degrees of terrible. And yet, I don't want you to throw your life away, Sasuke.
The letter burns away to nothing in his hand. The stack of documents are likewise engulfed, courtesy of a Goukakyuu no Jutsu. And Itachi rises from his seat, resolved.
Regardless of what else happens— Sasuke will live. I will make sure of it.
And the clearing is empty of life. Only scattered ashes remain, stirred by a light breeze.
So, this chapter spun out of my control quickly...
Is Tsunade using Sasuke, like the Sandaime suspects? Is Sasuke going to set Danzou on fire and laugh since nobody will even piss on him to help put it out? Is the author completely loony?
(The answer to that last one is probably yes.)
Keep in mind that Sasuke is an unreliable narrator and marginally influenced by his spotty knowledge of canon. Also, he's not exactly the paragon of mental stability. (Surprising no one.)
Finally, I had a lot of difficulty formatting and uploading this chapter... so if shit is weird, blame FFnet. Fair warning. If things do get weird, I'll remove this chapter and try to repost as soon as possible.
* Lyrics from "Crazy = Genius" by Panic! At The Disco.