A/N: Up! And a bit more info, so no one is confused, the reason why Mahan told Ino to 'choose' will not be answered in this chapter or in the next few, but perhaps that will be answered at one time or another, keep reviewing if you wanna find out more.
Disclaimer: Do not own it!
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Chapter Six
"Wow, if you were anyone else I'd be worried about Hinata's chastity." Ino grinned at the peeved expression. "Just what have you two been doing since I left?"
"Jealous?" He opened the door wide enough to let her slip inside. Sasuke locked it quietly, as not to wake the other girl. He hadn't long stepped out of the shower after waking up. "And what do you mean by that?"
"No, I'm not jealous but I know of some that would be." Ino almost cheered smelling the fresh aroma of strong coffee, just what she needed to deal with this crap that had been dumped on her shoulders. "I'm just saying that I know she isn't your type. I left her in your care and you answer the door half naked and she is in your bed, clearly exhausted."
"I showered and I wasn't expecting you to return until morning." Sasuke went back towards the table where he had been reading. He had already scanned over both journals, wanting to read all of it. The plan was to look at some of the evidence that was written down. He had taken great care not to wake up his company. "I will also point out that you have no idea what my type is or what I would like in a partner."
"You know, you're right." Ino went to fetch two cups and brought them to the table. She poured both before taking a seat on the other side. "So did you discover anything else while I was gone?"
He reached out for the cup, "Not going to ask what it is? And I have merely gone over the information you have already told me. After reading the journal in whole, it is more enlightening. I tried to inspect the scroll but I am unable to open it."
"Probably because you aren't daddy's little girl and I'm not going to ask." Ino took a sip of the coffee before grabbing the fat scroll container that had been part of their find. "I just know that Sakura apparently isn't your type, I'm not your type, so you're either into girls like Tenten, or you secretly would like to bang my sister."
"Thinking of her as such already?" He watched as she tried to open the scroll with the use of fingernails. A few good points had been made because he didn't like Sakura's type, Ino's, and he didn't want a girl that was boyish. Ino was more of his type than Sakura, but he had never been able to see her as anything other than a friend. "It is a blood seal, your nails aren't going to work."
"Well, I don't feel like bleeding unless I got to. Should wake her up for this," Ino grumbled and bit her finger. "Besides I already know that it is a forbidden jutsu of some sort."
"How do you know that without having seen inside it?" Sasuke let his gaze wander to the one still sleeping on the bed. The long mane was cascading across the pillows, the hands that could be lethal were tucked firmly beneath the pillow, and she hadn't stirred from the position since he had slid off of the mattress four hours ago. To have slept most of the day and well into the night, she must have been exhausted. Truth be told, she was the first female to be allowed to fall asleep on his bed.
"Dream, and there is a good chance that the seal I had is gone, if all this is true." Ino willed her stomach not to growl. It was way past time to feed it but she didn't want to make a lot of noise. "He said this thing would give me a choice on who would be assisting me. Whatever the hell that means, let's see what it has to say."
"Go ahead, I'm going to turn the oven on, and make some food." Sasuke could hear the rumbling of both of their stomachs.
"It's a summoning scroll," Ino carefully examined the damn thing in annoyance. Why not just give her the fucking thing to begin with? Why go through so much trouble for just one jutsu? How much blood would she have to lose before she got to see this thing? She was starting to seriously dislike the man that had supposedly sired her. "I am so tired of not knowing what is going on. He told me to use whatever this is and also warned me that for some reason Hinata would be in danger, and you as well."
"Did he by chance make mention of the exact words of this prophecy? Words can be interpreted many ways," he wanted to know exactly what had gotten his clan killed. Anything besides the prejudices of a council that had been known for centuries to support the actions of the Senju clan.
"No, but he said the location he left would provide more answers." Ino jerked back when the tube appeared on the table. All that for this little thing? There better be something really killer inside, or shiny. She popped the top and placed a hand to catch whatever was inside. Something brushed across her palm before it was filled with something heavy, "Got something here."
"Looks like blood," Sasuke leaned over the table, putting himself practically over the blonde's shoulder. The vial was put aside for now and she removed a scroll to begin unrolling it. Both quickly scanned the written words and what it entailed. This kind of jutsu was something that should have been sealed more than once. How the hell had anyone managed to get their hands on this?
"Oh, oh I see," Ino shivered at what it meant. That was the reason behind his parting words and she trembled at the thought of performing such a justu, what it could mean for someone. "I'm going to burn it."
"No," Sasuke shouted the denial loud enough to cause the girl on the bed to stir. The man had left it for a reason, "What else did he say to you? Did he say why he had given you something like this?"
"Who gave what?" Hinata rubbed her eyes, her mind was groggy from sleep, but she immediately picked up on the tension in the air. What was going on? When had Ino arrived? How long had she been asleep?
"The scroll that was left behind, we just got a good look at it, and I say we should get rid of it." Ino didn't want to use it, who would be stupid enough to use it? "I know why he said it, he wants either Hinata or myself to bring him back, and I refuse."
"What did he say to you?" Sasuke couldn't make out one last part of the scroll, it was still hidden, and he was sure it was the last thing needed. What else did they need? The blood, the jutsu, a part of the wielder's soul, and what else? The man obviously meant for one of them to use the jutsu to bring him back to this world, so what was the last ingredient.
"Bring him back?" Hinata frowned at the idea of reanimating someone's body. "He knew the reanimation jutsu?"
"No, this isn't a simple reanimation jutsu. It is a jutsu to physically revive someone and at a great cost, which is why I don't understand why he would think for a moment that either of us would do it." Ino wasn't giving up part of her soul for anyone. She knew what the last part was because he had made the intentions clear.
"Perhaps because this Mahan knows something we do not. He warned you that we would be in danger and that is why he left such a scroll in your possession. Perhaps he wanted to be here to protect you," Sasuke wanted to know what the last ingredient was. "This jutsu is very powerful and can only be used once, so what did he say to you?"
"I'm not telling you because none of us are using this thing. Did you miss the part about losing a piece of your soul? Who knows what would happen if you lost part of it?" Ino wasn't sure any risk was worth the price. Right now she really hated that asshole for not telling them everything up front. What was so fucking horrible about this prophecy that Sasuke's life would always be in danger and so would theirs once it was discovered? Besides, Sasuke had helped to save the damn world, they wouldn't order his death.
"Can you tell us what he said?" Hinata asked, her voice pleading with the blonde girl. There had to be a reason why the man would want to be revived at such a great price. What kind of danger were they in? "I think Sasuke is right and he wouldn't have left that without a good reason."
"He said to go to the location that was written down to find what he left for us." Ino wanted to whine like a child at having them both urging her to spill. "He said the person it would revive would be the one to guide us to fulfill the legacy and that it was my choice. It could be a father or a brother, not long after he asked about Itachi. I'm positive that the last ingredient is the person's original body and that is why he left us his. There, and let me point out that we don't even know what kind of blood that is."
"It is a life creation jutsu," Sasuke picked up the vial and stared at the liquid within. He didn't care whose blood it was, he was going to use it. "If you two aren't going to use it, I am."
"You can't be serious, even if he suggested it." Ino rolled her eyes at the announcement. She understood that he still longed for his sibling but this wasn't the way. "You don't know what this jutsu will do to you and we kind of need you alive."
"And this could bring my brother back." Sasuke took both and placed them back inside before snapping it closed. "I know where his original body is stored and do not try to convince me otherwise."
"Um, how are you going to do that?" Hinata joined them at the table, wanting to voice her opinion. "I understand why you would wish to do so but think of the consequences of doing so, before you do so. It is a forbidden jutsu most likely and it can only be used once. I know technically your brother is a hero to some for stopping the reanimation jutsu but if what Mahan Uchiha fears is valid, you'll be bringing him back only to put him in danger."
"Then I take his corpse to this hidden location and revive him there. I will also discover the true reason behind the assassination of my clan and my family. If I am to one day be hunted, I will know the reason why. I no longer believe it was the simple matter of a planned revolution on my father's part." Sasuke was relieved when both no longer seemed insistent on arguing the point of him using the jutsu. "Also, as one that fought and sealed Kaguya, may I inform you two of a few not so minor details. The woman that almost destroyed the world possessed the byakugan and also the sharingan, remind you of anyone?"
"That doesn't mean anything," Ino almost smacked him for planting unnecessary fear. What did it matter if Hinata had both? It wasn't like the man that did the sowing had known it was possible or that it would be the outcome.
"It means she will soon possess the two of the abilities that made Kaguya Otsutsuki indestructible. If I am a threat, what do you think they will see her as?" Sasuke didn't think he needed to point out that the bitch had been sealed again, not destroyed. What was to keep either of them from having an 'accident' once it was discovered what they were. "I say we go and find out exactly what was so damn important in this prophecy that they suddenly had to kill off my clan. Or do you think your village's love for you is so sound that you aren't expendable?"
"Alright, sheesh, I get your damn point, stop fussing already." Ino shoved away from the table. "But I'm not the only one, Hinata has a say in this also. She does have a family to think about and if we leave, we might not be able to come back."
"Um," Hinata wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to leave the family she had grown up with but did she have a choice? What would happen when they realized that the man that sired her really was Mahan Uchiha? She would be the daughter of a shinobi that had died a traitor. They had killed her birth mother because of it and her life could be in jeopardy if she were to remain behind. Part of her was also curious as to why they had become so feared after so long. The Uchiha and Senju clan had fought for centuries, the Leaf had allowed the clan to remain despite all that, so what had changed? Something only the Kages of that time knew of. If there was a way to find out, shouldn't they try? She wasn't that close to Sasuke but she did want to help, and she wanted answers. "I think we should go. If I do become hunted, I'd like to know why."
"Fine," Ino gave in hearing that it was two against her undecided. So much for her medical career, "I'll agree but only one three conditions. First, Sasuke, you have to help Hinata with her eye issue whenever you can. Maybe you have a point and she is going to end up with both and as it is, it might interfere with her being an asset in battle. Second, revive your brother asap, because we might need more help once it is discovered that we've turned rogue. Third, I'm not going anywhere without breakfast."
"I will agree to some of that, not all." Sasuke knew they would argue at first but this had to be done his way. "Even if I am to do this jutsu, it will probably take a few days for him to be able to move. The jutsu doesn't explain any of the details after performing it. I want a few extra days to give him time to recover before we are forced to perhaps take on a group of angry trackers. If all three of us leave at once, it will be noted immediately. I will go ask Kakashi for a few days off to clear my head after the fight with Naruto, I'm sure he will give it. If my abandonment isn't noticed after a week's time, then leave and meet up with me."
"And if it is?" Ino asked knowing that his not returning would be noted before a week was up. By then Naruto and Sakura would be back and would be on a Sasuke-seeking mission. "They will form a group to hunt you down."
"Then so be it, if that happens, depart immediately and head to the rendezvous point." He fingered the container, "I will be there at dawn on the seventh day and will give you to the tenth day to join me?"
"And if we don't or can't?" Hinata wondered what would be the chances of them escaping if that were to happen.
"Then I will come looking for you, I'll need you to unlock the door to his hideout most likely." Sasuke stood and walked towards the closet. He needed to pack immediately because he wasn't going to ask for any time off, he didn't owe them anything.
"Nice to know you worry for our safety." Hinata flushed when the dark head spun back at the comment she had spoken more to herself. Ino merely laughed and walked to the kitchen to see about breakfast.
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"That fucking idiot, I can't believe he did this." Ino threw the dish, not caring that she was trashing the place in the process. Didn't he realize what he would be doing? How was Hinata supposed to hide out at his place when Anbu was all over it? Kakashi had someone tear the place apart hours after it was discovered that Sasuke wasn't in the village and then the reports of him being seen walking out of the village had rolled in. The former sensei was livid and wanting to know where the young shinobi had ran off to.
"It's okay, we just have to hide out for one more day, and then we can depart as well." Hinata didn't mind hiding out at Ino's place, it was more valid. Everyone thought she was spending time with the blonde to get over her breakup. Nothing had been found at Sasuke's because he had taken the three books with him. He had said he might need them to convince his brother to remain at his side.
"It isn't going to be that easy, you saw who arrived back this morning. We both know that Naruto is going to want to leave to go search for him. They will also be watching everyone that comes and goes out of the village for the next few weeks. If he would have asked for permission, Kakashi would have thought that he was just rebelling and not returning on time. His flat out walking off is a slap in the face to those that pardoned him and stood up for him. How are we going to explain us trying to leave as well?"
"Why don't we use one of the escape routes? Or just knock out whoever we come across?" Hinata tensed when the banging echoed in the home. She sighed before reaching for the eye patch that she'd been given. After being forced to stay at Ino's place, they had thought up a believable lie as to why she was wearing one and why she had gone to see Sasuke that morning.
"Coming," Ino answered the door, figuring it was either Naruto or Sakura, it was both and another. She smiled at the male in front, "Shika, what can I do for you?"
"May we come inside?" Shikamaru stuck both hands in his pockets as he was invited inside. His luck was holding, Hinata was inside as well. "How's the itch?"
"F..f..fine," did he have to say it like that? It made it sound like she had a personal problem that didn't involve her eyes! Hinata didn't bother to give the other two the courtesy of a nod. She didn't have anything to say to either of them, "it's getting better."
"What's wrong with your eye, Hinata?" Naruto exclaimed seeing the black eyepatch that was covering up the area. Had she been injured while they were gone? He was concerned for his friend but it pained him to think she may have gotten hurt.
"Sasuke stuck his tongue in it!" Ino snapped in irritation, "What the hell are you doing here? Don't you have anything better to do besides ask stupid questions? Everyone knows that she has an infection in it and I'm treating it."
"Yeah, I'm forming a team to track down Sasuke, orders from the Hokage. We are supposed to bring him back for questioning." Shikamaru didn't see why it took putting together a team. At this point it was all volunteer, "you two are welcome to come along. If you decide to come, meet at the gate in half an hour."
"We'll think about it," Ino was sure they weren't really welcome. Shika was merely inviting her because they were normally teammates. "Besides, I'm sure he probably just needed a few days alone after having his friends turn on him."
"Ino!" Shikamaru held up his hands before the two females could start going at it like normal. Everyone knew that Sasuke was most likely pissed off because he had been sent home because of Naruto. That was the reason Kakashi wanted him to take a few to try to find and talk to him. Naruto was already upset over being the cause of Sasuke's distress.
"I'm not going to help you track him down," Hinata fisted her hands at the offer. Why should they help them? Without knowing the truth, she still wouldn't help them. Before this Sasuke had decided to be a good shinobi to help protect the village his brother loved. To have his effort as a shinobi demeaned because those two couldn't be mature while on a mission. "He has every right to be upset over what happened. That was his first A rank mission since coming back, his first step into being trusted with something important, and you two ruined it for him."
"But Hinata," Naruto hadn't meant for it to turn out that way.
"We didn't order him back," Sakura hadn't wanted him to leave but she hadn't been the leader. She had been upset because Naruto had sworn that they were kissing. Shikamaru assured them that Hinata and Ino were questioned when they last saw him. Hinata had last seen him before the mission, when she had asked him about a possible strain to her eye. Which she had gone to Ino for and it was an infection. There had been no kissing involved and they had gotten upset over nothing.
"Shut up, I didn't ask you." Hinata was tired of their acting like everything was perfect in their little world. They knew Sasuke hadn't been about to kiss her so did they think it would be okay to waltz in and say sorry for the accusations? Sorry for getting you kicked off of the mission? "Neither of you had the right to say anything to start with, nor the right to get angry if we had been doing something. Despite what you might want to believe you two aren't together so he is still free to find someone else and if you were a true friend, you would support his decision."
"Not true, no friend would go after his best friend's girl." Naruto knew it wasn't the case now but he had been concerned. He still didn't understand Hinata's sudden dislike for Sakura. "But I will apologize to him when I find him."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night and she isn't your girl," Ino was tired of the talk and they had to pack. "Shika, take them and get out of my house. You are welcome but they are not, because they are upsetting my guest."
"Very well," Shikamaru hated that Kakashi had ordered him to take Naruto along as well. This was going to be troublesome and it would probably piss the missing shinobi off, not help. If Sasuke was just out getting some time to think, sending a group after him could plant doubt of the village's trust in his mind.
"Idiots," Ino locked the door and slid the chain in place. This couldn't be more perfect if she had timed it herself. Hinata was already heading to the bedroom at a fast pace. No one would think otherwise when they showed up a bit late to join the search party and no one would know that they had left until it was too late.
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Please review for me, don't make me beg because I will darnit! I want reviews and David Thewlis, if you can't get me one, I want the other, got it?! And Itachi makes an appearance in the next chapter, YAY!