Disclaimer: While the idea of MABU is mine, the characters are not my creation as much as I wish they were. I do not own Naruto
Time Line / Spoilers: This takes place during the time skip and contains spoilers for events pre time skip as well as a few jus slightly post time skip. If the MABU universe does diverge from cannon (Manga) possibility, I will make note of it when it happens.
Warnings: Language, Violence, Sexual situations, Sex of a probably Hentai and Yaoi nature. Same basic warnings as Water Runs Red.
Beta by: HGirl69
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Sand Stained Red – Chapter 4
Kankuro rushed down to the front gate. He had to break into a jog, and with the heavy scrolls on his back, he did not appreciate it. The message had come from the front gate that there was a summons demanding entrance to Sunagakure. Kankuro was willing to bet it was the response from Konohagakure. When he got there, his suspicions were confirmed. The Leaf-jônin had informed them that this would be a possibility.
A single dog paced anxiously in front of the gate. She was a pale tan greyhound. Her sides were still heaving from the race across the better part of two countries and her fur was soaked in sweat. He looked down at the dog, which had a scroll securely attached to the blue jacket over her torso. The henohenomoheji symbol proudly proclaiming that she was the summons of Hatake Kakashi.
For some reason, Kankuro got along well with animal summons, even though all he pulled from his scrolls were inanimate puppets. Something about the flesh and blood summons agreed with him. He looked down at that animal, knowing she was under orders either to give that scroll to either Gai or Izumo. "You. Follow me."
Although the greyhound narrowed her eyes at Kankuro, she did as he said and followed him as he led her to the hospital. Her stance and sharp glare made it clear that although she was willing to follow him, he would not be able to touch that's scroll around her neck as long as there was life coursing through her body.
He hurriedly walked to the hospital, passing the guards and the security doors without even a nod to anyone. He led the summons directly to the hospital room where he knew Gai would be since this was time for the man's watch over the unconscious leaf. What he hadn't expected was for the chuunin in question to be awake and talking to the leaf jônin in hushed tones. Evidently, his sudden arrival hadn't been expected as both Leaf-nin looked at Kankuro, years of training hiding any surprise they might have other wise shown.
Izumo simply sat up in bed, even though according to the doctors the pain medications they had him on should have made that impossible even for one of the Suna ANBU forces. The chuunin reached down to take the scroll the dog carried. Cutting his own finger, he undid the seal holding it shut and opened it. A quick scan and the already grim looking chuunin looked even more so. Once she was assured the scroll was safely delivered, she disappeared in a cloud of chakra smoke, her mission accomplished.
Midnight blue eyes met Kankuro's brown as the chuunin swung his legs over the side of the bed to be sitting and facing the sand-nin. With a polite bow of his head, the chuunin slipped into a formal speech the type that was only used for highly ritualized meetings. No one still requested a meeting with a Kage this formally. "I, Kamizuki Izumo, Chuunin of Konohagakure, in the Land of Fire, and upon direction of The Hokage Tsunade-sama, request a private meeting with Gaara-sama the powerful Kazekage of Sunagakure, in the Land of Wind. The matter to discuss is of a most secretive and urgent item that is critical to the safety of both our villages.
As if with one mind, Gai and Kankuro objected. There was no way Gai was going to leave a seriously wounded comrade's side, and there was no way that Kankuro was going to allow this unknown shinobi to have a private audience with Gaara. Even if his younger brother was protected by the one-tailed demon raccoon, there was no need to be foolish. Eventually it was agreed that Gai would accompany Izumo and that Kankuro and Temari would be at the Kazekage's side.
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Izumo and Gai were led into the Kazekage's office. Izumo was still very week and had only been taken off the IV medicines in order to perform his duty of briefing the Kazekage. Black circles marred his eyes and he was forced to walk slowly the entire distance. However, he did not lean on Gai; he walked from his hospital room to the imposing office in the administrative building under his own power. A fresh leaf hitai-ate adorned his head, pressing his long bangs over one eye. He was also in a brand new uniform. Gai's team had come prepared when they had gone to pick up a comrade, and that included clothes.
Neither shinobi was armed, unlike the three sand-siblings. Kankuro stood to his brother's left, an imposing figure in his kabuki makeup and his dark puppet master outfit. The scrolls containing his deadly puppets were strapped to his back. On the young Kazekage's other side stood his blonde haired sister, Temari. Her abilities with the powerful fan strapped to her back were well known.
Even though the two leaf shinobi were not armed, they were far from helpless. Gai was well known as a master of Taijutsu and Izumo had how own powerful jutsu. However, they were not there for battle. As the door closed behind them, Izumo strode to the table. "Kazekage-sama, I must apologize for not speaking earlier. However, I needed the permission of my Hokage."
The young redheaded Kage nodded, "Of course. Now explain what this is about." There was a not to subtle threat, but nearly everything from the demon possessed Kazekage had a hint of a threat to it. This, however, was one time when the more diplomatic sister did not step in.
Izumo went into explanation without pause. "I am sure that you are well aware that the Akatsuki is looking to capture the bijuu to use their power for some purpose. However, their former member, Orochimaru is also eyeing the same source of power." He glanced at Gai for a second when the green clad jônin showed surprise at this. The expression did not go unnoticed as the sand siblings' eyes shifted for a second.
Clearing his throat, and leaning on the desk to emphasis his point, or in actuality to support his weight. His injuries still bothered him more than he was willing to let others know. "As you know from the deception Orochimaru used to have Sand forces aid him in attacking Konohagakure. The man used subterfuge and covert operatives and deep plants. We have every reason to believe that not only does he have agents working in Konoha," Izumo did not even pause as Gai shifted uncomfortably at the admission of Konoha's weakness, "he also has agents working in Sand."
Gaara's eyes narrowed as his siblings watched him for reaction. "And what proof do you have of this, Leaf?" Although his voice sounded harsh and he was challenging the assumption. He appeared honestly to want the proof. He would have to be a fool not to acknowledge the possibility after Orochimaru had orchestrated the killing of his father, the former Kazekage."
Izumo looked around the room before speaking. "While I have the Hokage's permission to share this information, I must insist that it is not discussed outside of this room. We do not know who is a double agent and we can not risk this knowledge in more hands than the absolute minimum." He paused and looked around again. What he was about to say was information he had never had to tell anyone. His involvement in undercover work for Konoha was a strictly kept secret. The more people knew that he worked undercover, the greater the danger for him and his friends.
He knew he would have to explain things simply yet concisely. "While all the hidden villages have Hunter-nin and ANBU forces or a similar unit, Konohagakure has another type of unit that is not well known and has not been publicly acknowledged since the war with Rock fifteen years ago. The second Hokage formed a unit for undercover work similar in structure to the ANBU forces. This unit was named MABU or Mayakashi Senjutsu Tokushu Butai. Unlike the ANBU, we rely on our skills of deception and stealth to perform mostly undercover work."
As expected, the observant shinobi in the room did not miss his use of the word 'we'. "There was a MABU operation on the border of Rain and Grass. Information about Orochimaru's movements was uncovered and further steps were taken to find out what was happening. I will supply a fully detailed report for both my Hokage, and you, Kazekage-sama, but the essential information is that Orochimaru seems to be diverting interest from obtaining blood-traits, most likely due to his possession of the Uchiha, and had instead started to concentrate on competing with the Akatsuki to obtain Bijuu. Reports of your training schedule, patrol schedule and daily activities have been passed to Sound. It is my recommendation that you up your guard and completely redo your schedule."
Gaara narrowed his eyes. "You are implying someone close to me is working for Orochimaru in order to betray me?" The young Kazekage stood as if to challenge Izumo and his assumptions.
Izumo met his stare without budging. "No I am stating it as a fact. Someone wants to see your body handed over to that snake bastard and have the Bijuu in you ripped out so that the sadistic bastard can do Kami knows what with the power."
Gaara nodded, not many people had the courage to stand up to him. The leaf ninja gave no sign of lying and he could not see what benefit would come from him taking added security precautions. "I will. I assume there is more to this."
Izumo nodded, "The Hokage wants me to propose some inter-village cooperation. Suna would be a much better base of operations for the infiltration work that needs to be done, as well allowing us to take a two-pronged approach. There appear to be two major areas where information from Konoha and Suna are being gathered. The thought is if we send two forces and infiltrate both at the same time; there will be less chance of actions at one alerting the other that they have been discovered. The hope of course is to discover the identity of the traitors."
Gaara nodded and Kankuro stepped closer to the table, this was something they could agree with. Traitors to Sunagakure had to be treated with the utmost force. "And who will make up these two forces?" The Kazekage's defensive posture could not be mistaken. Yes, he trusted the alliance between Sand and leaf, but putting his shinobi in danger without hard evidence would be asking a lot.
Izumo did not pause. "I will be the primary undercover agent for the team based out of Suna. Team Gai will serve as backup. The official reason for their extended stay will be my continued recovery. I must ask that everything continue to appear that I am incapacitated in the hospital." When Gaara nodded, Izumo continued, "We will also need a trusted Shinobi from you to serve as a guide through the desert and to deal with any Sand-nin we run into. I assume you will also want someone you trust to keep an eye on us incase this turns out to be an elaborate plot against Suna."
Gaara had not been about to say that such a thought had crossed his mind, but if the serious Chuunin was going to say it, the Kazekage was not going to disagree. "Kankuro will be assigned." He stated it with finality and no one was going to question the decision.
With a nod, Izumo closed his eyes and stood straight, removing his weight from the hand that had been on the desk. "That is agreeable. Tomorrow at Noon, I will require Kankuro-san and Gai-san to meet with myself so that we can go over the plans. I will also get word to Konoha that all is agreeable and that we will commence our mission in one week's time.
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Gai led Izumo back to his hospital room. It had been decided that the man should rest there for at least another day. A messenger had been sent to tell Ten-Ten to report to the man's room. The jônin did not say anything as he led Izumo through the corridors; it was not until they reached the hospital room that the larger man spoke. "You work for Ibiki as well."
Izumo simply nodded as he sat on the side of the hospital bed and removed his vest. He did not look Gai in the eyes. Although the man wasn't much older than he was, the jônin had served in the war between Rock and Leaf. That was almost the last time that MABU forces had been officially acknowledged in front of the general shinobi population. After the death of the Fourth, all MABU references had gone underground since the Third no longer felt such things should be done by Konohagakure.
Gai was more socially aware than most gave him credit for. Just because he normally chose to speak in flowery speeches did not mean he was incapable of quiet. Sometimes his speeches were in whispers. This was one of those cases. "Konohagakure is a beautiful and rich village and she is made up of many clans and many people. The diversity of her residents is what makes her powerful. Everyone from the Hokage to the youngest child is vital to her success. The shopkeeper to the gate guard. All are vital to her vitality and beauty. As long as the fire burns in each of us, Konoha will forever be in an eternal springtime of youth. The Genjutsu user or the Taijutsu user, the genius or the dedicated, many times make up her wonderful essence. What MABU forces did back in the war was as vital to Konoha's glorious victory as the actions of the forces fighting in the trenches."
Izumo looked up at Gai. His shirt had been set aside during the long speech. Still thinking about what the other man had said, he reinserted the IV with a disturbing ease and lay back on the bed. "Thank you." He did not have any other words to say to the jônin whom he had previously disregarded as just a crazy friend of Kakashi's. Not that Kakashi wasn't crazy, but Kakashi was the lover to one of his best friends and thus was a friend as well.
Gai did not seem to need further thanks for his speech; instead, he struck a pose and flashed a smile. He was still in his trademark pose when Ten-Ten walked into the room. A slight sigh escaping her as she saw her sensei once again in the 'good guy' poses. Behind the young Kunoichi, a nurse was brining in a tray of hospital food. Completely ignoring the two shinobi that were standing in the room, she placed the tray next to Izumo and launched into an obviously often recited speech on how important it was for a recovering patient to rest and eat his food. In what seemed an instant to the tired Chuunin, she had gotten Ten-Ten to agree to make sure the man ate and Gai was leaving the room in order to let the other man rest.
Almost before he could blink, Izumo found himself alone in the room with Ten-Ten and a tray of very questionable looking food. Both he and the young kunoichi looked down at the tray. When she saw the look on his face as he poked some grey glop on the tray, she could not hold back a giggle, "I think they are trying to kill you with the food."
Normally Izumo didn't try to use any of his MABU training on shinobi from his own village. Of course, anything with his co-operatives was exempt from that rule, so all bets were off with Kotetsu, Iruka, or Anko. Ten-Ten was not an operative, but the tray of food-like substance called for desperate measure. He looked up at the young kunoichi. His eyes held a vulnerable look and his lip was almost giving the impression of a pout. "It's fine. I am sure it is very nutritious. I've lived on field rations for months before, how much worse can this be?" He took a mouthful of the grey substance, which admittedly was not as bad tasting as it looked, however he shuddered and made sure his swallowing looked almost painful. Quickly grabbing a glass of water, he swallowed the cool liquid.
The look in Ten-Ten's brown eyes showed his performance had been bought perfectly. "Izumo-san, there is a yakitori vendor out front of the hospital. I could be back in five minutes."
Of course, Ibiki would not have been impressed with his ability to con a girl into getting him food. However, Izumo was very proud of himself when not five minutes later had had yakitori and was thanking Ten-Ten for being so kind. The grilled chicken was the first real food he had had in a long time. The trip to the Kazekage's office had taken a lot out of him and he quickly found himself sound asleep, the comforting presence of the young kunoichi.
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Kankuro turned to his brother and sister as the door closed behind the two leaf-nin. "Think we can trust 'em, or is that why I am being assigned?" He folded his arms across his chest as he sized up his siblings.
Temari was wearing a frown as she suddenly asked, "Is it safe to send Kankuro with them. We don't know anything about how they know this or who he really is or what the hell this organization is."
Gaara looked from his sister to his brother. "The story confirms much of what we had independently verified. It also agrees with many things the leaf-nin should not know that we had discovered. If Sound is after Shukaku, then it is a threat to the entire country. That man in control of such a thing is a grave danger. I need to send someone I can trust, and that means one of you." After the battle with Naruto, Gaara had started to realize the bond he had with his siblings, but still, both looked surprised that the youngest of them would say such a thing.
Kankuro nodded. His brother, his Kazekage, needed him for this mission. He would not fail him. He could not fail his family or his country. "I won't fail you, brother." He looked straight into his bother's eyes. The significance of calling him brother and not calling him Kazekage or even his name was not lost on anyone.
Without another word, Kankuro walked from his brother's office. The knowledge of how much his baby brother needed him and depended on him causing an uncharacteristic heaviness to his stride. He could not fail his baby brother. If that sound bastard was after the Bijuu contained in the young redhead, than Kankuro was going to make sure any sound nin that tried it, choked on their own blood.
He went to begin preparing. He only had a week, and his third puppet had only been used in practice, never real combat. He had a lot of work to do, traps to set, poisons to mix, and spying to do on that leaf team. His brother might trust leaf, but that did not mean Kankuro did – not at all.
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Thank you for reading. As always I would appreciate if you took a moment to write a review.
