AN:
Armchair Sailor: yeah, that's probably some of the problem- I know I have readership, I've crossed 30k hits, and I've got more than 60 people on alerts, plus anywhere between 40 and 70 people with it on favorites… (it bounces around a lot- which is even more of a clue that people read it)…. So- thanks for taking the time to sit forward in your armchair and review wink
DarkRavie: . err… echo?
Serenity Maxwell: Yeah, shika is- well- screwed… to put it bluntly xD
Xelena: thanks, I just write what I like, It's rewarding to find like minds reading my work, even as far as planning ahead goes I try not to bog myself with too much forethought- 'cause whenever I do I never finish the story…
Also- sorry for the MASSIVE delay between chapters… my muse has been gaming with me these last few weeks- err however long it's been…
End AN:
"They're headed for Rain village," Ice relayed from a moth that landed in his palm, he cupped it gently, before releasing it back out.
"Rain, but isn't that- yes, rumors seem to be correct," Sasuke smiled, "That changes things just a little bit."
"You don't plan to follow them, do you?" Shiev looked uncomfortably at Ice, "That's-"
"I know," Sasuke reassured.
"But you haven't heard the rumors I've heard about-" she turned away nervously.
Suddenly Sasuke was curious, "What rumors have I missed."
"I- Nothing… just- I can't go with you into Rain."
"I certainly can't go- Akatsuki will catch me for sure!" Ice proclaimed.
"Hmm," Sasuke put a hand to his chin, "All my plans were under the assumption we'd have to directly confront Akatsuki to single out Itachi," Sasuke thought aloud, "Perhaps a change in tact is in order."
Sasuke turned dramatically, his flowing gi swirling in the process, "Yes," he continued. "Akatsuki is exactly where I need to be now."
Ice and Sheiv looked shocked, Sasuke turned towards them, "Obviously I can't extend the offer to you Ice, but I don't see why you can't come as well," he said turning from Ice to Sheiv
"I-" Shiev struggled to speak- "I can't go- my… creator… joined them- I refuse to have anything to do with him- he'd dissect me on sight- just to see why I was so much more successful than he planned."
"So," Suigetsu spoke at last, "It's not like it'd kill you."
"Yeah- and cutting off your hands wouldn't kill you either- let's see how you like THAT!"
"Fine," Sasuke dismissed. He turned his back on both of them, "If you're coming then follow- if not- you're of no concern to me anymore."
Ice was dumbfounded, standing with the appearance of a man who was no longer even certain which direction was up. Shiev however was looking angrier with each passing moment as Sasuke and Suigetsu shrank away into the horizon.
"No concern," Shiev's nostrils flared as her face scrunched in rage, "We'll see what concerns you have after Zorn has you on a cold metal table- playing hide and seek with your innards!"
Sasuke paused, just barely within sight, "I don't care if he can't die- so long as I can still rip him limb from limb," he called back, just loud enough to be heard.
Shiev started to move off, huffing as she turned away. She quickly stopped and looked back at Ice who was still standing there like an abandoned puppy. Shiev ran a hand through her hair in tired annoyance.
"Ice."
…
"Ice!"
…
Shiev sighed again, and put a hand to his shoulder. He flinched in response and looked up as if just realizing she was there.
"How… How can I control the demon- if I don't have a reason?"
This time she groaned in a way that was halfway between a growl and another sigh. "Ice, do you want to come with me- be my protector?" 'Not like I need one,' she added mentally…
There was a long pause while Ice ran it through his mind. "For the moment- I guess… but- in time- I want you to help me- help me to think for myself again- like before the demon."
Shiev managed to smile at that, "Well, I'd say that's a good start. Come on, let's go find that other Jinchuuriki kid, if we want to protect you from Akatsuki, the best way to do it is to join with the only other group that has a chance to win."
Ice followed slowly, but he was thinking again. It some ways it was like coming out of a haze- or awaking from a dream. Ever since the eight tail had been sealed in him he'd been just going from person to person, being their tools in the hopes they might fix him. "And it would help you to find a way to get back at your creator," he said at last.
"Yeah," Shiev chuckled, "That too."
"I think," Ice stopped again. Shiev stopped too and looked back at him, she tilted her head to clarify that she was listening…. "I think the eight-tail- when I first got it- went wild- tried to break free by its own chrysalis- hatch out of me like a shell. After a while it realize- it couldn't- now- now it's kind of like I'm coming out instead."
Shiev puzzled back for a moment, "What do you mean- like the eight tail is giving up?"
Ice shook his head- "No, like- I dunno- I don't even know why I'm telling you this I-"
"No, it's good- thinking…. Thinking is good. I couldn't think clearly when I first awoke like this either…. It took a couple years of help before-" Shiev got caught in a sad memory for a moment, before she shooed it back to the past where it belonged. "Let's go."
itITitITit
Lyle was still bandaged, but he insisted he was well enough to travel. Itachi watched him carefully as he threw his medical equipment into his bag. His teammates were more silent than the day before, when they had been playfully taunting him about his failure and more importantly, he's reactions to said failure. Today however, they were all business again. True Shinobi, Itachi had to scoff at the concept these days. More often the 'true' shinobi's he'd met in is life were those that thought for themselves and ignored the rules when they got in the way of what they felt was right. The 'tools' who could claim true shinobi status inevitably became little more than pawns and soldiers, as they were intended, but without spirit, and unable to defeat opponents who were willing to break the rules.
Itachi was trying to figure them out. They're whole organization was a minority. The small group that held onto the idea that Pein was wrong in Rain, that he was no god, and should pay for his crimes. Unless Pein could be beaten, they're existence would be short lived, Itachi had done what he could to extend that time while he'd been hidden inside Akatsuki, but it was only a matter of time.
They had a plan and, as a group, were willing to re-write the rules as needed, clear because they planned to use three tails. But how far would they have to do to defeat a group collecting the tailed demons. How far were they willing to go?...
Lyle was clearly aware of Itachi's penetrating eyes. Though he refused to turn and acknowledge him. After quite a stretch of the journey had passed, everyone was aware that Itachi was staring at Lyle, but everyone seemed determined to ignore it at long as Lyle did…
'I don't know how anyone could ignore Itachi's glance for so long,' Sakura began to wonder.
They were reaching dangerously close to Rain Village and still Lyle had said nothing, and Itachi had not explained why he was staring…
'Maybe it's some sort of Jutsu," Naruto pondered through various Jutsu it could be.
They were going underground when Itachi finally broke the silence, "You're related to Hanzou, aren't you?"
Lyle glared back at Itachi menacingly, "Salamander Hanzou is dead, all his family was slaughtered."
"Never the less, you look like him."
Lyle maintained his return glare, "How would you know," he asked venomously.
"Pein can be in more than one place and once, but even he can't be everywhere, I saw more than enough of his now dead relatives, as well as him originally once before Pein made his move."
"You helped."
"I did my job as a Shinobi, which was to infiltrate Akatsuki's ranks. Where I could however, I hindered. Such as your organization's leader, so not all of Hanzou's relatives are dead."
"No, I suppose they're not, but I'm just a bastard child, I'm no heir."
"Rain doesn't need an heir, we both know that."
Lyle turned away and led them the rest of the way in silence…