Inverted Cross: The Case of Uchiha

Author: Ayane Selznick
BetaPsychotic Female of Many Names

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II. Rebellion is in the Blood of Youth

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All four field members stared at their vampire monitoring device fixed on each of their vehicles. It was developed by Shikamaru three years ago and Ino named it "Undead Tracker". It could detect any vampires within a one kilometer radius and said to be effective in road battle. Sasori also developed a device which they all must equip in every mission. He called it "Sight". Years ago, they were able to discern vampires from humans, but it didn't go quite well enough. Wearing a pair of transparent contact lenses and a piece of earring to activate the effect of the sensors, the wearer's ability to detect vampires highly increases. Unfortunately, the vaccine they developed years ago to nullify blood transmutation when a vampire bites them was rendered ineffective right after the new type of vampires were born. They needed blood sample from a vampire of this new breed to produce a new vaccine.

They all parked their vehicles adjacent to their target. The team of four spread out to search for tonight's main dish. Kisame was eying them but not once did he give any commands. The Elites would move alone.

Deidara took the entrance area with a loud bang. He used this tactic to take on some of part of the seven-hundred undead. He didn't know exactly how many would gather before him, but it gave him the thrills to flaunt his ability to a certain young brother of an Uchiha.

"You should have gone in this area with me." Deidara mocked in his mouthpiece.

KSSHHT.

"No, thanks." Sasuke's breathing could be heard from the other line. "Beheading two hundred vampires would make me busy anyway."

Deidara's brow knitted. "It's just numbers, kid. Hmm."

KSSHHT.

Sasuke smirked. "We'll see."

-----+-----

In a 23-story abandoned building, the team of four might take long before they meet their main target. Sakura was told to stay close to Sasori to carry out the search. She was worried for Sasuke and thought that he might have forgotten about getting information from their target. Nonetheless, she'd try to find a way to bring out that particular action. Sasori, who was best at long range and close range battle, made the battle quite painless for someone who thought that she was still new for Elite.

"Twenty. Behind." Sasori muttered.

Sakura turned around after the command and pulled the trigger of her gun in rapid succession.

5… 8… 15… 20… She narrowed her eyes. "You missed two, Sasori-san."

BANG! BANG!

After shooting last two vampires in the head, Sakura turned back to following Sasori.

"They're bonus."

"Isn't accuracy your favorite word, Sasori-san?"

Sasori glanced at her for a moment then instantly resumed searching. "Well, I'm teaching you to work on it, too."

KSSHHT.

Sasuke's voice came in her line. "Sakura, where are you?"

They headed fast towards the stairs and saw the number of the floor. "Tenth floor. And still no sign."

Sasori saw a small bunch staring at them. "Looks like we're near."

Sakura stared at Sasori before her eyes slowly landed on the same group. "Eleventh isn't it?"

The senior Elite signaled the junior Elite to attack.

-----+-----

Deidara left his area as soon as he heard Sasori and Sakura's conversation. He told them he'd follow and make sure that they didn't get the head yet. After bombarding at the lobby, Deidara immediately took the stairs and fled towards the designated floor. During his run, he saw Sasuke fighting against a mob in the sixth floor. He decided to spoil the junior's fun by throwing bombs away from Sasuke's safe zone.

KABOOM!

KSSHHT.

"What the hell!?"

"Do you have to be so childish?" Deidara shot back after decreasing the number of vampires.

Sasuke glared at Deidara who stood in front of him. "You're stealing my prey."

Even when Sasuke got irritated at Deidara's nonchalance shrugging, he unwillingly accepted the senior's assistance to get rid of the vampires and then escape.

-----+-----

Sakura jumped high and in the exact moment, she twisted her body in mid-air to shoot vampires on ground. She landed on her knees before she rolled to the left side to shoot an incoming assaulter. She bit her lower lip once she discovered that some of the vampires she thought she'd shot earlier were still on her tail.

They're few, but they're skilled.

She jumped backwards and rotated to the right when the pursuer almost scratched her arm. The tip of her gun was only an inch away from the head of the vampire.

BANG!

She raised her other arm as an unsuspecting pursuer came to her right. She shot him in his leg to decrease his speed. Sasori came in to the view, right behind the vampire, beheading the target using one of his twin blades. A figure was on its way to land behind Sasori with an extended hand, but Sasori already rolled forward. Sakura was once again interrupted by another vampire who hindered her from assisting the senior Elite. The vampire who persistently followed Sasori ended up being hacked in half after Sasori disappeared from its view only to land his blade from the top of its head then down to its lower torso.

The battle ended after the junior-senior duo killed thirty four vampires.

Sakura was on her knees breathing heavily as Sasori swung his blade to get rid of fresh blood stains. He, too, was breathing hard.

"Where are you two?"

KSSHHT.

Sakura heard a pair of running steps drawing near. She breathed in for a while then pulled herself up.

"Right about where I can see you guys." Deidara answered as they arrived at the tenth floor.

Sasori turned around to see Deidara and Sasuke walking towards them.

"They've got skilled people." Sasori said out loud while he stared down at the corpses around them.

Sasuke patted Sakura's head. "You okay?"

Sakura slowly removed Sasuke's hand from her head. "Quite so." She gave him a smile. "Let's head to eleventh."

After their silent agreement, they quickly headed towards the stairs to the next floor.

-----+-----

"I'll call you back later." A feminine voice echoed in her so-called office after realizing she has guests. She shoved her cellphone in to her back pocket. "I was wondering what business you guys have with me in this deserted place."

Sasuke was the first person who stepped forward and glared at her. Unfortunately, his glare only stunned her – more like mesmerized her.

"Wow, darling, I love your menacing glares. You've got lovely pair of eyes." She stood up from her seat with interest as she locked her eyes to the young Uchiha. With her tongue wetting her lower lip, the woman tried to seduce Sasuke. "I feel as though you're dominating in bed. I like that."

Sakura's patience was wearing thin as she stepped beside her boyfriend. "Get your own man, bitch."

The woman with striking red hair and black glasses raised a brow at Sakura. "My name is Karin, cockroach."

With a stony glare, Sakura hastily pulled out her gun – aiming its tip on Karin. Sasuke glanced at his girlfriend, proud to know that his woman would do anything to keep her man. Well he was also interested why Sakura immediately got jealous because the woman in front of them didn't appeal him.

Knowing the length of Sakura's patience, Deidara stepped up to start interrogation.

"Bitching aside, why don't you tell us how you easily convert humans to vampires?"

Karin blinked her eyes towards the yellow haired Cross. She placed her fingers on top of her lips with feigned expression of surprise.

"I was so fascinated by that man with absolutely cold eyes that I failed to notice that there are other ones in here."

Deidara tried to keep his rising temper at bay. "Make yourself useful before you die. Hmm."

The female vampire pushed up her glasses before she half-heartedly laughed. "That would be a…" She winked at him. "S-E-C-R-E-T."

She threw her throwing knives at lightning speed. They quickly evaded all her knives by spreading out inside the room. When Karin was having favoritism to kill Sakura first, Deidara took the chance to lay bombs on each area he covered. Once when he was almost hit by one of her throwing knives, Deidara had jumped backwards several times to look for another opportunity.

Sakura tried shooting or even wounding Karin, but her attempts were futile. Karin could easily tell where she was aiming. Sasori noticed this so he tried to back up the junior Elite.

"Don't spoil my entertainment." Karin told Sasori before she threw her knives to him.

Sasori blocked the knives using his twin blades and subsequently tried to stall her from harming Sakura. Karin got annoyed from Sasori's persistent attacks. Finding her momentum, she twisted her body then kicked his chest. Apparently, Sasuke utilized Sasori's body as a screen to conceal his next movements.

"Damn!"

Karin felt her left cheek with her left hand, when she detected sticky liquid oozing from her cheek then discovered that she has an open wound, her playful jeers completely stopped.

"I was going to hate you for hurting my face, but since it was you…" Her eyes drifted to Sasuke's attacking stance at the same time, she leveled the hand she used to check her wound and lick her own blood. "…I wouldn't mind at all."

Sasuke gave her a disgusting look.

"Break out."

Sasori, Sakura and Sasuke glanced towards Deidara who was standing at the entryway with an expression of firmness. Sasuke was disappointed that he wouldn't have a chance to interrogate more, so he hastily picked up Sakura and started running towards the exit. Sasori soon followed, but not before he gave Deidara a knowing look which told his comrade to get out alive.

Karin's eyes followed the trio fleeing away from the room before she set her eyes on Deidara.

"I was about to get the cockroach. Oh well." She glared at Deidara. "It was a grave mistake to be left behind."

Deidara shot her a devious smile. "Or should I say, it's a grave mistake to be my prey."

Before she could even blink an eye, Deidara activated all the bombs he placed inside the room. A deafening explosion blasted throughout that night.

-----+-----

Sakura was looking at the Undead Tracker to see if every vampire in the building have banished. She was worried for a moment when they weren't able to contact Deidara. She looked at the scorching building in front of them.

"How is it?" Sasori asked out of the blue.

Sasuke and Sakura looked at him and saw that he was actually looking at the adjacent abandoned building. They followed his gaze and there they saw Deidara walking towards them.

"She escaped. But I got her cellphone."

Sasuke stared at Deidara before he resumed watching the building turning into ashes.

"Except for Karin, everybody's dead." Sakura reported.

-----+-----

Sasuke deeply sighed after accomplishing a strenuous review on their investments. He never liked this job and yet he continued to pursue this course of life because he wanted to start preparing for another chapter in his life. Even so, he would do anything for the sake of their future.

He looked at his wristwatch to check time. Lunch already?

To relieve from stiffness, Sasuke stretched out his arms while standing from his seat when suddenly his cellphone rang. He checked the name of the caller from his screen and before he knew it, he was already smirking.

"What's up blockhead?"

"Sasuke-teme! It's been a long time eh?" A rowdy yet cheerful voice greeted the receiver.

"You called us three months ago and I don't think it's been that long."

"Heh! You're only saying that. You know you missed us all."

Sasuke pulled his cellphone from his ear and glared at it although he returned it to its place after a while.

"You sound so gay, idiot."

Nevertheless, Sasuke stayed in his office, listening to Naruto's stories. He told stories about new members of Cross by the names of Lee, Shino, and Kiba. He mentioned that they were easily taught and among them are excellent in search missions. Sasuke would occasionally drop comments which infuriated Naruto but the story-telling continued since its only part of how they usually converse to one another. Until of course, Naruto mentioned how he missed a certain girl friend.

"How's Sakura-chan doing?"

Sasuke checked the door, somewhat paranoid about anybody that might accidentally enter his room as soon as he mentioned about Cross.

"She's fine. We've got MORE dangerous missions, so you're way far behind."

"Heh. Don't be ridiculous. Of course we've improved."

Sasuke already imagined Naruto glaring at him which made him chuckle for a while. "Whatever you say, blockhead."

Naruto became silent for a moment which Sasuke instinctively thought that he might ask questions about—

"So how're you doing?"

—him.

At one time, he was glad to hear his friend's voice, but each time he tried to learn something about Sasuke, the sudden positive atmosphere would simply slip away.

"…"

Naruto was fidgeting. Sasuke knew that because there were always a time that the cheerful guy would stay silent as if choosing right the words. And he was never wrong because Naruto's quite predictable.

"What about your clan records? Found anything yet?"

"Naruto."

"Yeah?"

"Stop concerning yourself with our objectives. It's a family problem and no one but ourselves can take care of it."

"But—"

BEEP.

On the other line, Naruto stared at his cellphone before he pressed the button to end his call. "He's still bitter about it."

-----+-----

Her grin was reaching almost ear to ear upon monitoring her account. The bids for her painting were getting higher and higher. She had a hard time using her paintings to sustain her living but it was all thanks to Kisame who introduced her to auctions. Kisame was auctioning his old stuff but it costs bunch of money. Her paintings were new and it surprised her that even if they're new, some would instantly bid money for it.

"I didn't know that I'd get rich here…" But even if this would be my reason if I ever resign in my company, Gaara and Temari will sue me! Sakura added as an afterthought.

She resumed monitoring her account at the same time managing her work when an uncannily familiar voice, which irritated her nerves, destroyed the moment of her life.

"So that's how it is."

Sakura leaned on to her monitor to cover all the things she's working and dealing with. "Have you no manners?" She added a glare.

"I still wonder why those people bid at high price when your paintings aren't… that… good."

She turned around with hands on her hips. "Pardon?"

Sai smiled at her as he started walking towards her desk. "Sloppy brush strokes, slightly unfinished background details… What else…"

Her brow rose. "Artists do not have the same techniques and styles in their artworks."

The bringer of criticism lowered his head but Sakura could still see that he was smirking at her. "How about you get to improve a little so your artworks would catch up mine?"

"I don't need your advice." Sakura raised her head with a steel glare. "Would you please get out of my room?"

Sai raised his hands in a mocking defense gesture before he turned around and left her room.

When he was out of sight, Sakura hastily locked her room and glared at the door. After forcing her anger to fade away, Sakura slumped back to her chair and opened her e-mail account. She had been sending and receiving e-mails from Hinata, Naruto's girlfriend, right after they left Japan. She trusted Hinata to share about anything that had been going back in Japan and Sakura would do likewise. Sakura had a bad feeling that every time she shared their story in London, Naruto would immediately call them which would surely irritate Sasuke. Naruto had a tendency to tap people's lives and would want to involve himself just so he could help. Nonetheless, it was only because he had a pure heart and one narrow mind to mix. On the other hand, Hinata was trustworthy and she could keep secrets. She also knew what and what not to say to her dear boyfriend.

The bottom line is, they were the best of friends and they trusted one another.

She sent Hinata their mission status and the primary purpose that she and the Uchiha brothers were aiming. So far, Itachi had vague leads. Sakura convinced Sasuke to monitor Karin's cellphone since the possibility that she was contacting important targets was not entirely high, but might give them some results if they research more. Additionally, she warned Hinata about the risk of new breeds and told her to be careful.

After successfully sending her message, Sakura logged-out of her accounts then shut down her computer.

"The sleep I need…"

-----+-----

It was late at night and none of the members were dispatched for tonight.

Itachi sat quietly in front of his computer, a mug of coffee sitting still beside the keyboard. His eyes scanned the contents of a file he got last month. He wanted to review some things to carve a clear path for their search.

The clan produced an absurd medication and performed it on their experiment. Information regarding the experiment is zero. Names of the people involved still researching; progress is 10 percent. The aftermath of the failed experiment divided the Uchiha clan. Those who supported the experiment became one of them and those who opposed created a community to destroy them. The origin of 'vampires' was covered up by means of the anti-vampire community, which was of course, the Uchiha clan.

Itachi leaned back on to his chair.

To heal their wounded pride, the clan created mutiny against the operation. They passed it down to the successors of each family in the clan. After Orochimaru killed Uchiha Madara, he instantly acquired the title as the creator of vampire race. The ancestors used him to poison the minds of the successors – to keep the truth away from them. From us.

He took his mug and sipped coffee within it. He remained staring at the monitor, returning to a particular part that needed a lot of research.

Orochimaru's vampire army didn't have any improvements for the past decades. The only thing that helps these new breed to take on the next level is…

He closed his eyes, savoring his coffee.

Somebody from the research facility is still alive.

-----+-----

Sakura stretched out her arms after finishing her digital works. She was tasked to make new designs for the season. Temari had given her ideas of what the clothes would look like and it was up to her to put on details. The night they failed to get Karin made her uneasy. The said vampire would most likely search for them in daylight, then eventually attacking in the open, which would unfortunately reveal their underground job.

Sighing, she saved her files and laid her head on the desk near the keyboard.

"Done already?"

She looked up to Temari. "Yep. Just finished."

As soon as Temari heard her weary tone, anxiety immediately shone in her eyes. "Seems like you don't feel up to it. Did you go to some place last night?"

Sakura looked defiant for a second. "I stayed at home." Then she sighed. "Well, you know that this isn't the only work I'm getting tired of."

Temari raised a brow. "What else could it be?"

Sakura immediately continued. "The painting. You know, auction."

Out of the blue, Sakura's cellphone rang. She politely excused herself to answer the call. Temari heard bits of information about their conversation and eventually found out that Sakura was called by her boyfriend. Her signature 'forbidden love' devious grin appeared so quickly.

Her victim finally finished the call. "Sasuke wants to eat lunch with me. Do you want to come?"

She didn't think twice. "Of course!"

-----+-----

They were at an expensive restaurant eating lunch when Sakura noticed that Temari had been glancing at Sasuke. She couldn't blame her. The guy had an unparalleled magnetic force to attract any woman who had first seen with him. Surprisingly enough, the younger brother wasn't alone. She discovered years ago that Itachi had the same ability which made his days strenuous. Politely refusing any women who came in close to them certainly tired them. It happened when Sasuke asked her to talk to his brother about financial matters. She went to his office at noon and witnessed a huge number of women asking him to eat lunch with any one of them.

"So Sakura," Her female companion started.

She jerked her head. "What?"

Temari made a face. "God, are you even listening?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I wasn't listening. What did you say?"

The older female waved a hand at Sakura. "So it really doesn't matter that I take this guy home with me, huh?"

"What?" She quickly turned to Sasuke who just had ignored a waitress. "What are you saying?"

Temari started laughing. "Oh well, you can get my younger brother for as long as you want."

"That's not funny, Temari." Sakura pouted.

"Besides, I'm only for Sakura." Sasuke interjected, eying his girlfriend.

"Such a sweet boy, isn't he?" She sipped on her juice. "If only my brother could act sweet sometimes."

"Gaara's cool, but he takes everything seriously."

Strange sparkle flickered in Temari's eyes. "So you're saying—"

"No way. I'm not leaving Sasuke-kun."

Temari chuckled. "Think about it, sister." She sent Sasuke a seductive look. "If this little girl breaks up with you, I'm always available."

The young Uchiha could only shake his head with a tired smile. The trio spent most of their time chatting over meal, but it was mostly of Temari and Sakura. Sasuke had no idea why Sakura invited Temari but he already found his answer when Temari kept linking Sakura to her little brother. Sakura wanted her to know that there will be no other way that she'd entertain Gaara. After all, the young man didn't have a thing for her.

They had finished eating, but the telltale stories hadn't finished yet when Temari's cellphone suddenly rang. She excused herself to answer the call – leaving the two lovers at the table. Sakura was sighing tiredly after Temari left for ladies' comfort room. Sasuke smirked at her and in an instant, he put his hand over her lower arm. Sakura slowly turned to him.

"I don't think there'll be any assignment tonight, we'll take a rest."

She smiled at him before he leaned in to her forehead and kissed it.

He was smirking when he added, "Of course, the rest will be after that."

Sakura pushed herself slightly and looked at his eyes. Damn sexual desire.

When Sakura saw Temari walking to their table, she eyed Sasuke to act normal. As soon as Temari got near them, she had an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry, guys, I've got to go. My older brother called me."

Sakura and Sasuke nodded at her and watched her leave the restaurant.

-----+-----

As Sasuke predicted, there weren't any assignments for tonight's menu. The members lower than Elites where dispatched at some areas, but the Elites were given time to rest. However, the persistent lab rats, Sasori, Zetsu and Deidara, were working on information they previously got the other night. Once Sasuke asked about Karin's cellphone, but the senior Elites didn't let him have it because they wanted to verify every name in her contacts. So to vent out his frustration, Sasuke used their training facility and tried out some new weapons.

The battle simulation was similar to Japan, but of course, after some years of developing – thanks to Japan's help – they had added a difficulty for Elites. Sasuke had conquered most of his records during his stay in Japan, but right now, he wanted to make sure he'd survive on any missions they would have in the future. So not only did he train with his standard weapon, but he was also using a pair of guns, just like Sakura.

When the simulation started, Sasuke concentrated on shooting all of his targets. He should be careful, however, because not only was he engaged with holographic vampires, but also holographic hostages.

He started shooting at one o'clock before halting when a holographic hostage appeared. He turned around and rolled to shoot at targets and control his trigger when he noticed that hostages are around. He ran to another area and jumped backwards to shoot incoming enemies who were trying to corner him. When the mob in his front disappeared, he ran once again and jumped sideways. While in mid-air, he kept shooting all holographic vampires on the ground.

Right after the last bullet killed the vampire, the alarm echoed in the training area – signaling him that his time was up.

He went up to the control room to return the gadgets and review his training. He was at the door when he saw Itachi reading his status on the screen.

"Aniki."

Itachi continued to stare at the monitor. "Don't let yourself get cornered. Remember that vampires are always walking in packs."

Sasuke raised his eyebrow when Itachi reset the simulation. He just shrugged it away and walked towards the area where he put down the training guns.

"Any leads?" He asked to his older brother.

The sound of buttons was all he heard at first before Itachi decided to talk.

"There was a test subject during the development of the virus (which turns humans to vampires) which surprisingly enough still exists today."

The younger one's eyes grew wide. "And I thought every test subject was a failure." Itachi took the training guns. "So where's this test subject?"

"I'm still looking." He walked towards the exit of the control room which was connected to the training area. "The list of Madara's staff is still incomplete."

Sasuke grabbed a chair near the control keys. "Considering the test subject does exist, could he be the reason of this new breed?"

Twenty seconds before Itachi's training began, he looked over his shoulder. "Take all the chances to find out your hypotheses."

Sasuke sat quietly on his chair – watching his older brother training – while burning the advice into his memory.

To be continued…

Author's Note: I can't believe I wrote chapter this long. So many inputs, no? I hope you enjoy reading! And thanks for the reviews from the first chapter! You guys made my day :D