10. Confrontation!
"How long have you known Yuri?" Yuki asked.
It was out of the blue, and really random, so it threw Naruto off guard. "W-What?"
"How long have you known Yuri?" Yuki repeated patiently, unlike his hotheaded half-sister. He did look incredibly like Yuri, but behaved totally different.
"Um, for a month?" Naruto answered.
"And she talked. To you?" Yuki continued on.
Kakashi didn't say anything, but he could've sworn he detected a bit of jealousy in Yuki's voice. Sakura definitely did. Sai (being formerly emotionless and currently clueless) noticed nothing.
"Um, yeah." Naruto said, a little confused.
"Yuri never talked to me." Yuki pouted. "And we're both different sides of the same coin."
"You guys are coins?" Naruto was even more confused.
"You're stupid." Yuki told him.
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are."
"No, I am not."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Well, the rest of their conversation was a lot like that. Sakura rolled her eyes but didn't do anything. Leave it to Naruto to get into a fight with a four-year-old! Kakashi was too busy reading his Icha Icha book, and Sai wanted to intervene, but didn't know how.
They had been heading to the Akatsuki "homebase." Yuki said that they were VERY close. But privately, Sakura and Kakashi thought that he was lying to get Naruto angry. (Poor, clueless Sai, he actually believed in him, too.)
Although Yuki looked like Yuri, his personality was much different. He was even more mature, much more serious, and didn't like Naruto. He seemed to think about things a lot, and (from what the others deduced) had a close relationship with Yuri.
"Yuri doesn't like peanuts." Yuki had stated once when Naruto offered to share some. (This was before they started arguing.) "She likes almonds, though. Didn't you know that?"
Yuki's last sentence was so smug that Naruto had to resist an urge to punch him in the face. This little brat was probably jealous that he and Yuri got along so well. But Naruto had to admit, Yuki knew a lot more things about Yuri than he did. And Naruto felt the smallest twinge of jealousy. Just the teensiest bit.
Whenever Yuki and Naruto talked, sparks flew. So they didn't talk much unless it was about the route to Akatsuki or how to rescue Yuri.
Yuki had also described his other siblings as much as he could, Jongo, Jooyeon, and Christo. He told them about their abilities, favorite things, personalities, and pasts. He described them as best as he could. Just in case.
"If Father has Jooyeon and Yuri, he could also have Jongo or Christo. Or both." Yuki said. "And I don't want them to get hurt either."
"But Yuri seems like your favorite." Sakura remarked.
They had been taking a short break during their long travels. They had been making extremely good progress. Even though it was harder on Yuki than anyone else, he never complained. Not even once.
"Yeah." Yuki said, but didn't elaborate. He looked away, and his eyes met Sai.
"I don't like you." Yuki told him in a casual tone. "You look like Father."
"W-What?" Sai said. (Oh look people, Sai is practicing his emotions.)
"I said that I didn't like you because you look like Father." Yuki repeated even slower. Jeez, the kid had a subtle way of making you feel stupid.
"But according to 'The Book of Basic Friendship,' looks don't matter as long as you and the person share a deep bond." Sai spluttered. "The book does not lie!"
Sai fumbled around his bag, and got a much-read copy of a crappy, girly looking book called "The Book of Basic Friendship." It had a sparkly flower on the front cover. (Oh great, now Sai's going around trusting in that stupid book. Never buy those kinds. They are rip-offs!)
"What the! Sai!" Naruto snatched the book and started skimming through it. "Sleepovers, bonding time, what you feel in your heart, etc.! This book is-"
"Pure gold." Sai beamed. (Ah, Sai is looking quite happy.) "It has helped me considerably in the field and knowledge of making facial expressions."
Naruto returned the book and sat down. The other four were careful to avoid eye contact. Yes, even Yuki.
Little did they know that a pair of sharingan eyes were staring at them.
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"Uncle! Uncle!" a red-faced Christo cried out. He ran up to Sasuke.
"Where the hell have you been, Christo?" Sasuke asked. "I was beginning to get worried."
"I found my brother!" Christo squealed, excited.
Sasuke was shocked. Brother? Christo had a brother? Was this one of Itachi's children (aka another nephew)? And why was he here?
"Pipe down, ya little pipsqueak." came Suigetsu's muffled voice from the tent. "Can't ya guys see we're trying to get some sleep here?"
Both Christo and Sasuke ignored him.
"It was Yuki!" Christo continued on, but obediently fell silent when Sasuke raised up a hand.
"First, tell me this. Why didn't you tell me you had brother?"
"I dunno. Forgot, I guess. And I have two brothers and two sisters." Christo replied. "But it was Yuki! And he was with some Konha ninja!"
Sasuke finally got Christo to slow down and explain. So Chirsto told him about Yuri, Jongo, Yuki, and Jooyeon.
Sasuke thought about this turn of events for a minute. Would it benefit him to drag around another little brat? Should be confront this other nephew of his? Should he try to find his other nephews and nieces?
"Can you describe Yuki for me?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes! He's really serious, and he and Yuri hang out a lot together. He's sorta strong but quiet most of the time, unless Yuri is around. And he was a lot of asthma attacks." Christo said this all very, very fast.
"I would like to see him." Sasuke declared.
"All righty then!" Christo smiled. "This way!"
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"The Basic Book of Friendship' clearly states that sharing your worst fears with another peer can bring you closer together." Sai said.
Naruto groaned. Why was he here again? With Sai? Reading the damn "The Basic Book of Friendship." It was Yuki's fault! (No, it wasn't. Naruto just felt like blaming someone. Poor, poor little Yuki, being blamed for something he didn't do.)
"Share your worst fear. We will go around in a circle. Who would like to start?"
The other four stared at him dully. They were all huddled around a campfire at night, and Sai had somehow convinced him to follow his "friendship rituals." (Kakashi suspected he had used genjutsu to influence them.)
"All shy? Then I will start. My worst fear is breaking my bonds. Imagine!" Sai shuddered. "Bonds are a necessity in life! How else must one express oneself through artistic means?"
How pathetic. That was everyone's thought. Except for Naruto. He didn't quite understand everything. (Yes, this is very corny, but I need something to fill in the space.)
"Your turn, Sakura." Sai said.
"My worst fear is piranhas." Sakura easily lied.
"I sympathize with you." Sai nodded. "Their teeth are so sharp! Your turn, Naruto."
"Not bringing Sasuke back." Naruto grunted. "Or getting captured by Akatsuki and having Kyubbi slowly and painfully removed by a three day process, and that power being used for world domination."
"Um, interesting fear." Sai acknowledged. "Kakashi?"
"Brekng bonds also." Kakashi lied.
"Yuki?" Sai turned to the next victim.
"This is stupid. Why should I reveal my worst fear to you?" Yuki snapped. "Leave me alone. I hate you. And Naruto."
There was a rustling noise that they all detected. Instantly, all of them had weapons in their hands and were staring at the general direction the noise came from.
"Relax. We don't mean any harm." a voice said.
Everyone except Yuki recognized the voice and froze. Was that…? Could it be…? It was! Sasuke emerged from the bushes. And he wasn't alone. There was a little boy grasping onto his arm
"Yuki! Hi!" the boy yelled, and waved.
"Hey, Christo. Where were you?" Yuki said easily. Both of them were oblivious to the tension of the older ones.
"S-Sasuke?" Naruto asked.
"Well, duh! Who else would I be?" Sasuke scoffed.
Yuki ran to meet Christo, and vice versa. Finally, Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi's attention came to the black haired boy who was chatting with Yuki.
"How've you been, Christo?" Yuki smiled.
"Fine! I've been traveling with Uncle, though." Christo answered with a similar smile.
"Christo? Isn't that your brother, Yuki?" Sakura asked. (Jeez, everyone is asking questions.)
"Yup!"
Sasuke gave Yuki a quick examination. He looked like Itachi. (Not unexpected. Dominant Uchiha genes.) He seemed friendly with Christo. Perfect.
"Yuki, come join us!" Christo pulled on Yuki's arm. "We're on a quest for vengeance to kill Father!"
If it weren't for the two kids, the others would've burst into action. But seeing the two little boys exchange words made them all hesitate.
Naruto felt a swirl of emotions. Anger, joy, confusion, mostly. Here was Sasuke. But why was he here? And how dare he leave Konoha! (Grrrr…)
"Nah. Sorry, Christo. We're on a mission to save Yuri. And we have an uncle? I thought they all died?"
"Yuki, please take five big steps back." Kakashi said sharply.
"Why?"
"Just do it!"
Yuki took five big steps back. Christo didn't know why, but he also took five big steps back.
"Uncle, can I go now? I'm hungry!" Christo whined.
"Shut up." Sasuke told him, and Christo zipped his lips and threw away the key.
"Sasuke." Sakura began, but was interrupted by Naruto, who started ranting the following: "You're here for Yuki, aren't you Sasuke? You don't give damn about me or Sakura or Konoha at all! Why did you have to run away? I'm going to drag you back!"
"Yawn. Where have I heard this before?" Sasuke jibed. "Now you shut up. It was pure coincidence we bumped into you. Christo and I are going to Akatsuki's base."
"Then it's not coincidence!" Sakura said and dropped her kunai. "We're also going to the Akatusuki base."
Sasuke pondered this little bit of info. "Then, perhaps it would be best to put aside out differences and work for the common goal."
"You're going to join us?" Naruto asked in disbelief. "Just like that?"
"Yes."
Naruto nearly choked. Sasuke was temporarily joining them for a "common goal." After all he had done to get stronger, Sasuke decided to join them on a freaking whim. No!
But Sai interrupted Naruto's thoughts when he said, "Ah! Perfect! You are in time for our bonding session. Now to begin…"
Sai smiled at his new victims. Poor, poor Sasuke and Christo. They didn't deserve torture like this.
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"Momm-eee! We here!" Ann yelled excitedly.
"Yes, Ann. We're here." Blue Hair sighed. Having a daughter was just so annoying! Couldn't she just leave little Ann at an orphanage at a village far away? But then again, Ann was needed.
Blue Hair felt a little bit of nervousness, but squashed that. She's been thinking about Ann's father. Officially, he was Pain, the feared Akatsuki leader. But there was a chance, the smallest chance, that her father could be someone else.
Ann looked too much like her, the same blue hair (except shorter and curly), eye shape, skin tones, etc. But her eyes were a pitch black, which had struck some fear into Blue Hair. They were dark as Itachi's. But it was just the color of the eyes that seemed to resemble the other potential father's. Surely, she couldn't be Itachi's! And Pain had once mentioned that some of his family members had been dark-eyed.
Ann was the only child in Akatsuki. Except for Itachi's brats, of course. When Itachi's five children were here, Ann and they would sometimes play together. But Ann was always the youngest and sweetest.
While Blue Hair was lost in her thoughts, Ann stole a quick, worried glance at her. She knew something had been bothering her mother lately, but didn't know what.
"There her is!" Ann squealed and ran up to Pain. She pretty much glomped him.
Pain made no move to hurt Ann, but didn't show any affection towards her either. Instead, he impatiently pried her off.
"Why does she have to be with me?" Blue Hair asked.
"I have no time for the girl." Pain answered. "Nor do I want to get attached to her."
Ann didn't seem to notice the tension in his voice as he said his next words. "It's almost time."
Blue Hair nodded.
"Don't tell me you have gotten attached to it." Pain frowned. "Yes, it is our child, but once it serves our purpose it'll be no more. Itachi recommends on referring the child to 'it' to grow estranged from it."
Ann stared curiously at her parents. She had no idea what they were talking about, but it sounded pretty intense from the tone of their voices.
"I go now, Momm-eeee?" Ann asked, but was staring at her father.
"Yes." Pain answered unemotionally.
Ann smiled even wider, turned around, and ran into the Akatsuki base. Too bad that she had to killed.
Chapter 10 is finished, which means I'll go back and revise the other chapters. (Adding more detail, fixing typos, etc.) I'll also somehow squeeze Konohamaru in the plot.
Thanks to all who reviewed!