Behind the Mask
Rated: T for language and violence
Disclaimer: Naruto characters (c) Masashi Kishimoto
Summary: We all wear masks. But that only makes it harder to tell the difference between truth and lies.
Note: Thank you so much, all your reviews were beautiful T.T
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022: 騙術
( trick )
Naruto sprang through the forest, his steps cheerful as he flounced back to the clearing where he and Yugito had stopped. "I'm back Yugito, we can start…" Naruto trailed off as he finished wiping off his hands on his pants and looked around the forest in confusion. Yugito was nowhere to be seen.
Naruto looked around, scratching the back of his head in confusion. He had only gone to the bathroom a few minutes ago. Where could she have gone? They had been traveling for the better half of two days, but with periodical and often lengthy rests so that Naruto could keep practicing on his control over the Kyuubi. Naruto had sent Pakkun ahead of them, to let Kakashi know that he was on his way. Also, he suspected the dog was bored to death with Naruto's repeated failures. So far, he had limited success and Naruto was beginning to expect it was wearing on Yugito's nerves as well. She wasn't the most patient of females, but it wasn't Naruto's fault that his Bijuu was a whole lot more stubborn than hers.
Naruto stared high up into the trees, the sun partially blinding him through the leaves. He couldn't spot her anywhere among the tree branches. Naruto closed his eyes and tried to feel out her chakra. Unfortunately, wherever she was, she was doing a good job of masking it. Maybe she was testing him? Perhaps she wanted him to find her? Naruto let out an aggravated sigh. He sniffed at the air, hoping to pick up her scent, yet all he could make out were the earthy tones of the forest, accompanied by the cold sting of air. He obviously wasn't as good at it as she was. Naruto pulled a kunai out and shifted into a ready stance.
The snow drifted around him lazily, as if a leisurely breeze just rolled past. The forest was eerily quiet.
"Ok, Yugito!" Naruto yelled out. "Cut the crap and come out!" His voice seemed to echo around him.
"N-Naruto…"
Naruto spun around and whipped his kunai at the voice. It thudded into a tree, shaking snow from its branches. "Whose there?" Naruto growled. He could feel the hair standing up on the back of his neck. Something wasn't right.
"Were you trying to hit me with that?" A weak feminine voice called out.
Sakura stumbled out from behind one of the trees. There was a faraway look in her glazed over eyes. She had one hand clutched to her stomach where Naruto could make out blood staining her clothes. There was a weak smile on her face. Naruto's eyes widened. "Sakura!" Naruto cried as he ran over to her.
He reached out to her, but she fell to the snow just as he reached her. She doubled over in pain and grimaced. "Sakura!" Yelled Naruto, already forgetting that Yugito was still no where to be found. His hands frantically hovered over her, unsure of what to do. "What happened Sakura? How did you get hurt?"
Sakura pulled her head up, and Naruto could see her forehead shining from sweat. "I-I tried to look for…" Whispered Sakura.
"Temari?" Asked Naruto frantically. "Did she do this to you?" He asked, his voice seething in rage. His hands clenched into fists. "How did you find me here? Is Temari close by?" Naruto demanded.
Sakura faintly shook her head. "I…" Sakura clenched her teeth in pain and doubled over again. "I-It hurts Naruto…" She whispered.
Naruto bit his lip angrily. "Let me see the wound, Sakura." He demanded.
Sakura looked up at him, her green eyes glistening. "I don't think I can…I don't have enough chakra…" She whispered faintly. Her hands fell away from her stomach and Naruto saw they were stained with blood. Slowly, Sakura's head hit the snow. She was slightly shaking.
"Sakura!" Naruto yelled. His hands went toward her but she yelled out, "Don't touch me!" She squeezed her eyes shut. "It hurts…" She whimpered.
Naruto quickly brought his clenched fists to his side. "Sakura, you can use my chakra! Use it to heal yourself! Please!" He cried.
Sakura smiled up faintly at him, half of her face buried in the snow. "It's too late Naruto…I only wish…
"You wish what, Sakura?" Asked Naruto. Tears had begun to fall from his eyes, coursing down his face and piling at the base of his mask. He lay down on the snow, his face inches from Sakura's. His hands reached out to touch her, but he held himself back. "What do you wish? I swear I'll make it happen." He vowed.
"I wish that I could have confessed to you…the way I feel…" Her voice was growing fainter and fainter. She was still whispering words to him, but no sound was coming out. Then slowly, the words died and her lips stopped moving. Her lidded eyes continued to stare, yet they were not seeing anything.
"Sakura?" Naruto whimpered.
There was silence, only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
"Sakura." Said Naruto once more, his voice louder.
There was no response. Sakura's blood stained hand was limply stretched toward him.
"Sakura!" Naruto screamed. His yell ripped through the forest, causing a few resting birds to take to the air in fright. A strong gust of wind whipped out from around Naruto, creating a stir up of snow.
A laughter, high and delicate rang through the forest. Naruto snapped his head up, his eyes burning with anger and his tears still falling freely.
Temari stepped out from behind a tree. The Tian Tang Jian was gripped in her right hand. Blood was staining its blade. She was smiling and tilted her head at Naruto. "She thought she could beat me." She said to Naruto. "Guess she was wrong."
Naruto let out an angry yell and jumped up, ready to snap Temari's neck between his hands. Temari danced out of his way, barely in the nick of time. She seemed unperturbed by Naruto's rage. "It was so easy," She stressed, "To plunge the Tian Tang Jian straight into her stomach. She really didn't stand a chance."
Naruto stood, staring menacingly at Temari. He didn't notice the red chakra that seemed to be leaking out of his every pore.
Temari's mouth slid into a wicked smile. "I bet I could take care of you easily as well. Then you can join poor little Sakura." She mimicked.
Naruto snapped. Red chakra swirled around him as he charged straight for Temari. Temari only grinned and her hands snapped into a seal. Suddenly, the world went dark around Naruto. He could still see Temari standing in front of him. She was still grinning as she drew back the bloody Tian Tang Jian in her hand. Naruto was too scared to move and then the sword plunged straight into his stomach. Naruto's eyes widened dramatically behind his mask as he felt the cold steel twist into his abdomen.
Temari pulled the gleaming blade out and wiped some of the blood off the sword with her finger. Naruto fell to the snow on his knees. There was an incredible rage building inside of him. Naruto looked down at his wound. How could he just let Temari kill both him and Sakura? Naruto had no intentions of dying, especially not by someone as inexperienced as Temari. It was still his dream to be Hokage, and he still needed to avenge Sakura's death. With another yell of rage, the red chakra poured out of him, changing his bright blue eyes into a daring red.
The darkness around him vanished, as did the wound on his stomach and he charged at Temari. She still stood there smiling, as if she had never moved as Naruto swiped at her, the red chakra burning through her. Then, everything vanished. Temari vanished, as if she had never been there. Sakura was no longer lying dead on the snow covered ground. In fact, there was no evidence that she had been there at all.
Naruto skidded to a stop as he spun around, looking for Temari and Sakura. Confusion overwhelmed him, pushing back the intense rage he felt only a minute ago. He stood there limply, staring at his surroundings, trying to make sense of what had happened. The red chakra dissipated from around him, receding back into the recesses. Naruto fell to his knees. "Sakura?" He called.
"She was never there." There was a crunch of snow and suddenly Yugito was walking toward him. Her eyes were solemn and her face weary.
Naruto looked up at her bewildered. "What do you mean, she was never there?" He asked, his voice demanding.
Yugito sighed. "It was a Genjutsu. I placed a Genjutsu on you, get it?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"What?" Asked Naruto, jumping to his feet. "It was an illusion?" He cried.
Yugito nodded her head. Yugito was actually quite proud of her Genjutsu abilities. The Narakumi no Jutsu was actually quite common and it was easy to spot out especially among trained shinobi. Yugito's version of the jutsu was adapted so that it was more subtle. It infiltrated the mind, instead picking out immediate worries that could be used to turn against an opponent. Yugito had doubled that with the Kanashibari no Jutsu to crack Naruto. An illusion within an illusion.
Naruto was on her within a second. "How could you?" Naruto yelled as he slammed Yugito into the trunk of a nearby tree. She choked out in surprise and her multicolored eyes widened as Naruto grasped her by the throat. "Are you crazy?"
Yugito sputtered and clawed at his hand, but Naruto's grip was like iron as his blue eyes darkened with rage. Yugito was about to kick out at Naruto when he suddenly released her, the anger receding from his eyes. Yugito dropped to the ground and her hands went to massage her throat. Naruto stormed away as Yugito coughed a couple of times before glaring at Naruto.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Naruto yelled as he rounded on her again.
"Why do you complain?" Yugito snapped, her hand still on her throat. "That's the most progress I've gotten out of you this whole time! If you didn't notice, that was the Kyuubi's chakra you were using."
"And if I lost control?" Naruto demanded. He raised an eyebrow under his mask.
Yugito took a moment to stand up and then leaned against the tree. Her eyes were still angry when she looked at him. "I would have stopped Genjutsu in time if you had not. You should be proud. Your massive out pour of chakra stopped it."
"Hmph." Snorted Naruto. "Forgive me if I'm not more enthusiastic."
"Fine." Snapped Yugito. "Get underwear in a twist. I thought you would be happy if you finally made progress."
Naruto's nostrils flared and he shook his head angrily. "But…just so we're clear…she's not dead?" He asked.
"No." Said Yugito irritated. "It was illusion." She said, walking over and knocking him on his head. "Now if you could just think of those emotions that you felt without getting angry, you should have no problem unlocking the Kyuubi's chakra!"
Naruto ran his head through his blond hair and sighed wearily as the anger ebbed away. His heart felt heavy and he felt emotionally drained. Naruto brushed past Yugito, ignoring her enthusiasm. "Just…just don't do that again." He mumbled.
Temari stumbled wearily through the forest. Her throat was parched and her mouth dry, in a contrast to the rest of her body which was cold and numb from traveling out in the cold for so long. Dark circles hung underneath her eyes from lack of sleep. She was defenseless, having had thrown the Tian Tang Jian into the water. Most of all, she missed her family terribly.
Temari stumbled onto a rock, sitting down wearily. At first, she had felt so invincible. She had really believed she could have gone anywhere, done anything that she pleased. Now, she was realizing the harsh reality of it. She had no place to go and no money, having left everything behind at Tenten's warehouse. She would never be able to see her family again, never be able to see Shikamaru again. She would be alone forever. Temari choked out a sob and ran a tired hand through her hair.
As she sat on the rock, an irresistible scent came drifting through the air, shaking Temari out of her stupor. She leaned forward, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath, taking in everything she could of the delicious aroma. It was food, that was for certain. Temari couldn't pin point what kind of food, but at this point, it didn't matter, she would eat anything.
Temari crept forward with new found stealth, already feeling rejuvenated by the smell of food. Pressing her back against a tree, Temari slid around to find a small fire smoldering over some collected firewood. Some kind of meat was being roasted over it.
The smell was more intense now and Temari's mouth was watering, from both seeing and smelling the food. She inched closer as her stomach started to growl. Who would just leave food sitting there? Temari stuck her head out and glanced around. There was nobody nearby. Temari's fingers started to itch. What would be the harm of helping herself to a bit of food? There didn't seem to be anyone else around. Temari took in a deep breath, waiting for a second. When no one came back for it, Temari practically dove for it.
Temari sunk her teeth into the meat, all at once reveling at how good it tasted. Her senses were over flooded as the meat all but melted in her mouth. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath as the meat slowly traveled down her throat, leaving the path it traveled down warm. She licked her tongue over her parched lips, savoring the flavor left behind by the meat. She quickly took another bite, repeating the process. She let out a moan, finding that this meat was too good to be true. Was this what it felt like when one didn't eat for more than a few days?
Temari was so engrossed in eating the meat that she neglected to hear the footsteps enclosing behind her.
"What the hell is going on?" A male voice said as she was yanked back by her hair and her neck was exposed to a kunai.
Itachi picked off an imaginary piece of lint off his clothes as he stood amid the tall trees in a forest just outside of Peking. The sky held little life in it and the tall trees covered Itachi in their shadowy arms. Beside him, Kisame stood looking bored, his hands and chin resting on the handle of the large, bandaged sword that he had propped in front of him.
"You would think," Said Kisame yawning. "That bosses could at least manage to be on time."
"You never are, so why should he?" Said Itachi with indifference.
A single snap of a tree branch echoed suddenly throughout the silent forest and alerted both Itachi and Kisame to another presence. Straightening, Kisame took his hands off his Samehada and quickly flipped it into the sheath strapped to his back before folding his hands politely before him. This was probably the only decorum Kisame showed to anyone.
A shadow clothed in a dark robe stood before them, hidden under the shadows of a particularly large tree. "Itachi-gong," The figure said. "It has been a while. I'm glad you could take time out of your busy schedule to come here." The figure bowed his head and Itachi was quick to follow.
"Of course, Pein-gexia." Said Itachi. Pein was right; it had been practically ten years since the last time he had been face to face with him.
"The two of you have you have been faithful to our cause for some time. This has not gone unnoticed. Our strive for peace has been slow in coming, but has not been in vain." Itachi could see Kisame glancing at him from the corner of his eye, but Itachi did nothing to say that he acknowledged this. Kisame eventually turned back to face Pein.
"The assignment I am about to give you is of much importance. You are the first to be entrusted with such a mission." Pein continued. Although soft spoken, his voice was authoritative and confident.
"You have heard of the legend of the Jade Emperor and the Bijuu?" Pein asked. He did not bother to wait for either Itachi or Kisame to answer before continuing. "Bijuu, are in fact not legend at all; they are as real as you and I. Therefore you will be tasked with gathering information on the Hachibi Jinchuriki."
"The Eight Tailed Ox." Said Kisame suddenly surprised.
Itachi looked from Kisame to Pein, his mind beginning to turn. He quickly hid his surprise behind a question. "You are referring to a host…a human host?" Itachi questioned.
"Very intuitive, Itachi-gong." Said Pein. "Yes, you will be looking for the human host of the Eight Tailed Ox. I have reason to believe he is somewhere in the Land of Lightning. Jinchuriki possess traits of the Bijuu it hosts. This should make the task of finding the host a bit easier." Explained Pein.
"Finding one person who looks like an ox throughout the whole Land of Lightning…" Muttered Kisame incredulously.
Pein ignored Kisame. "Find out anything you can about the individual. Family, friends, where he lives, what he does every day, what his weaknesses are. But whatever you do, do not engage." He said, and at this he looked directly at Kisame.
Kisame saluted Pein. "You got it, boss."
"Good." Said Pein. "I want you two to leave within the next day. Can that be expected?" At this, he looked at Itachi.
Itachi's brain was still turning with thoughts, but he diligently bowed his head. "Of course. I can get my affairs in order by then."
"Good." Said Pein. "Do not speak of your mission to anyone. You will report only to me. Understood?"
Although they couldn't make out the features on Pein's face, Itachi could suddenly feel the weight of Pein's gaze upon him like a sixth sense. But Itachi didn't respond, too lost in his own thoughts. Kisame glanced over at Itachi, and as if sensing his indisposition, he quickly answered.
"Sure thing, boss." Kisame said finally. "Our lips are sealed."
"Don't disappoint me." Pein stepped backward and disappeared, as if consumed by the shadows.
"What's up with you?" Asked Kisame as he turned on Itachi after he was sure Pein had gone. "Something's ticking in that brain of yours, I know it. What is it?"
A series of suspicious coincidences, Itachi realized. A string of seemingly unrelated events that no normal person would even think to connect…until now. Itachi shook his head. "Do you remember the first words you said to me?" Itachi asked instead.
Kisame frowned. "…No, why?"
Of course he didn't, but Itachi did, with remarkable clarity. Itachi didn't like the sight of Kisame when he first saw him. He looked dumb and menacing and not at all what Itachi supposed an agent for world peace was supposed to look like. So naturally, he voiced his complaint.
And Kisame had only smirked at him and said 'I was recruited, unlike your punk ass. And do you know why? Because I know things, kid, things that normal people only think is the stuff of myth, of nightmares. Stuff that will help you attain your world peace whether you like it or not.'
"You knew about the existence of Bijuu." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. "You didn't act surprised when Pein said it." Itachi looked at Kisame.
Kisame's eyes turned alarmed for a minute, but he quickly masked it. "What?" He finally said, almost defensively. "Don't tell me you didn't know. The Kyuubi practically stomped through your backyard and you're telling me you don't believe?"
Itachi didn't answer. Itachi had only been a boy of five years when the Kyuubi supposedly came rampaging through, Sasuke only a newborn baby. Itachi hadn't seen it, but he had felt it. It was a peculiar feeling, like his insides were burning and he felt something disgusting and had wanted to throw up. Itachi hadn't understood what was going on, but when he went to his parents, it was as if they didn't feel a thing.
Kisame suddenly grinned at Itachi. "So, it looks like it's just you and me partner, for a couple of days, cow hunting. Isn't that special?"
He was changing the subject, so Itachi only spared him a glance before there was a pop and he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Shit." Said Kisame with a dumbfounded expression on his face. "A Kage Bunshin…"
Glossary:
Gexia – Important person
Bijuu – Tailed beast
Hachibi Jinchuuriki- Eight Tailed Ox Host
Kage Bunshin- Shadow Clone
"So I'll be seeing you next week then, the usual location and time?"
"Yes, Bixia."
An aging dark haired man, his face withered with years of war, yet still youthful looked on at the bowing man before him, a kind-hearted smile on his face."Till then, Mizukage-gong."
The man before him looked up and the dark haired man gave a nod of his head before turning around and stepping into a sedan. The sedan was then whisked off into the crowd surrounding them.
The bowing man, a blue dragon mask adorning his face, gave a content sigh, his hand reaching to his head as he smoothed his hair that was pulled into a top knot on top of his head. Folding his hands into his sleeves, the man turned around, disappearing into the crowd himself.
Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure was once a former member of Kiri's elusive group of hunter shinobi and used to in fact hate the village that he now led. Living in the "Village of the Bloody Mist" had been cruel, especially for Yagura who had always been told – and often with leering faces – that he was too kind, that he had a soft heart. When his younger brother was killed during his graduation trial, Yagura made a promise to himself that he would change Kirigakure for the better. And his wish happened to come true the day he met Yukimura Saizo, the current emperor of Chekiang - the Land of Water.
Yagura had originally been planning on assassinating the Third Mizukage – the source of all of Kiri's bad fortune, but Saizo had advised him against it. After the Third Great Shinobi War had passed, Saizo had forced his will upon the emperor of the time, using words instead of violence to persuade the emperor to abdicate and give the throne to him. Although Saizo was once an accomplished war general within the Land of Water's own army, and truly capable of taking the throne by force, Yagura found it admirable that he didn't. And in due time, Yagura was rewarded for his patience as well when the Third Mizukage was mysteriously killed and Yagura was appointed the next Mizukage by Saizo.
Together, they managed to shape the Land of Water from a formidable land full of blood, to a prosperous country. They successfully repaired their relationship with the Land of Waves, whose own government and wellbeing had been rapidly deteriorating since before Kiri's own bloody decent. Trade routes with other foreign countries had been repaired and enhanced as well as within the mainland itself. The economy picked up exponentially, especially within the city of Shanghai which transformed into the Land of Water's direct connection with the outside world.
And Yagura personally loved Shanghai. He loved the hustle and bustle of different people, the way that you could never be sure where each person was from. He loved the sound of the sea crashing against the wall and the magnitude of different boats that collected in Shanghai's harbor. He loved the way the city lit up at night; a collection of different colored lanterns hanging everywhere and on everything. He loved that Shanghai was the only place where so many people from different cultures and ethnicities could mingle together to share experiences and ideas. But most of all, he loved that he had a hand in creating this place.
Yagura pulled up the collar of his fur trimmed outer coat higher around his neck as he walked along the banks of the Huangpu He. Normally as a shinobi, despite being Mizukage, he wouldn't be dressed so richly, but he tended to splurge on the days he was meeting with Saizo.
"Hello, Mizukage-gong."
Yagura whirled around, surprised. His eyes widened at the sight of the masked man in front of him. "Amekage-gong." He whispered. Yagura slowly fumbled in his sleeve for a kunai.
Yagura had heard the reputation of the famed Amekage. And Yagura knew that if Kirigakure had any enemies, even if they had remained neutral for all these years, it would be this man in front of him. "What are you doing here?" Yagura demanded, his confidence returning to him. This was his country dammit and he was a formidable shinobi in his own right.
The Amekage cocked his head and an uneasy feeling washed through Yagura. "I have a proposition for you, Mizukage-gong."
Glossary:
Bixia - Your Imperial Majesty
Yan Wu Long - Mist Dragon
Huangpu He - Huangpu River
Kirigakure- Village Hidden in the Mist
Mizukage- Leader of Kirigakure
Amekage-Leader of Amegakure
Gong - Chinese honorific, equivalent of Lord
Kakashi plopped down on the sofa, a light blue book in his hands and his hair freshly washed. The house was quiet, for the first time in days as well as comfortable and most of all, empty. Kakashi realized with finality that she was gone. She accomplished what she had come to do – there would be no reason for her to return now. Kakashi knew that he should rejoice in finally ridding himself of her, or at least feel relieved, but he couldn't.
Kakashi opened his book and began to read. After a few minutes of going through the motions of reading the words on the page, he stopped. Despite this book being new in the Icha Icha series, he couldn't seem to get into reading. It was truly a shame, because out of all the books in the series, he hadn't read this one quite as frequently.
Tossing the book aside, Kakashi stood up. Remembering that he had a fish sitting in the kitchen and he had not yet eaten dinner, Kakashi moved toward the kitchen, prepared to start cooking. Halfway through scraping the scales off the fish, Kakashi stopped.
He gripped the knife in his hand and moved toward the front door. Sighing, he grabbed his mask off the table and went outside. The air was nippy, but it didn't seem to bother Kakashi. He stood by the door. "What are you doing here?"
Asuka sat with her back to him but spared him a look out of the corner of her eye before turning away. "A scaly, smelly knife. Interesting choice of weapon."
"I figured I would take my chances." Said Kakashi. But after a beat, he moved to sit on the steps making sure he was of an adequate distance away from her. Two red lanterns hung from the porch, illuminating the area. Asuka stared out into the darkness. Her dark hair was pulled into a pony tail and she had civilian clothes on, although they seemed closer to a man's style than a woman's.
"Why are you here?" Kakashi asked again, breaking the silence.
"I know what you saw…" Said Asuka. "Or at least what he saw and then told you about."
Kakashi couldn't help it – he winced at Asuka's accusation. He didn't know why, but he felt as if he was in the wrong from knowing what he did, as if he had committed some sort of crime despite the fact that he hadn't been the one to infiltrate her mind. What was there to say? "I'm –"
"Don't." Asuka snapped, her eyes burning as she looked at him. Then, as if the fire had died, she sighed and looked away. "I know what you're going to say. I don't want to hear it. It won't…make a difference."
Kakashi remained silent. There was so much to ask, but it was all so insensitive. There was nothing he could say. He stared out into the darkness. He finally figured out the final piece to the puzzle, but it left Kakashi feel more bitter than satisfied.
Asuka's nose twitched and she frowned. "My mother was ready to betray her village, to commit treasonous acts all in the name of peace." She said softly. "And…I don't know if my father was doing his duty as Tsuchikage or if he was letting his pride, his ego, his hate cloud his judgment. What would you do?" She asked, turning toward him.
Kakashi didn't look at Asuka. He honestly didn't know if she was asking him if he would repeat the same actions as her father…or if he would follow in Asuka and her mother's footsteps. Kakashi lowered his eyes. "Sometimes, we can't really know what we will do in a situation until we are confronted with it."
Asuka let out a huff and when Kakashi turned to look at her, he saw that she was shaking her head, a small smile gracing her lips. "Should have known you would give me an answer like that."
Kakashi couldn't bring himself to smile. "I think that…your mother, if anyone, would have been proud of your decision."
Asuka's gaze was skeptical, yet kind – the kindest look that Kakashi could ever remember seeing from her. "You don't know that."
Kakashi shrugged. "I don't. I didn't know your mother. But I could only assume she would. This is what she intended, did she not? Two enemies, sitting here, talking like civilized human beings without trying to kill each other."
Asuka gave a wry smile. "You and I have tried to kill each other plenty of times."
Kakashi allowed himself a chuckle, the first in a long time. "All for good reason I suppose."
"And we'll have plenty more opportunities on the battlefield." Said Asuka with a sigh.
Kakashi's mood instantly soured at the mention of the impending war with Iwa. Kakashi's eyes turned serious as he looked down at Asuka. "When this war does start…"
"I won't go back on my word." Asuka vowed, an earnest look in her amber eyes. "When I return to Iwa to give my father my report, I will have no doubt earned his complete trust. Communication will be hard, but I will try my best."
"Konoha is placing its trust, its safety, in your hands." Said Kakashi, a slight, ironic smile finding its way onto Kakashi's lips. As their only ally in Iwa, what he said was true enough although others in Konoha would no doubt be suspicious and doubtful of Asuka once word of the war broke out. For Kakashi however, although he could not claim to know Asuka, he somehow knew that he could trust her. After everything that had transpired, he could trust her.
Asuka blanched a bit by Kakashi's words, perhaps realizing for the first time how much weight she had placed on her own shoulders. But with the perseverance of a trained shinobi, she controlled her expression. It would be a lot of pressure, but she would deal with it when the time came. Asuka's hand found Kakashi's and for a brief second, he could feel the warmth of her bare skin before she pulled away and disappeared.
Sasuke blew out the flame on the incense, and the musty odor washed over him as the smoke curled in the darkness. Sasuke looked around the barely furnished main room, a light smile on his lips. It would be the last time he stepped foot in this house again. Sasuke couldn't say that he would miss it. Every day he remained in the Uchiha household was like a bitter reminder of what had happened to his parents, to his clan. If Sasuke really concentrated, he could almost see the blood stains that had littered the whole house. Sasuke remembered how it had taken weeks to finally scrub them out, and that's only when they found new maids that were willing and not afraid to work for the Uchiha.
Sasuke walked to the couch and gathered a few select clothes into a pack before quickly securing it. He picked up his sword and clipped it to his waist. He had already removed a few provisions from kitchen and they were safely packed away. Sasuke cast one last look at his parent's portraits sitting on the family altar. His father sat there, staring back at him as stoic as ever while his mother smiled gracefully at him, always the picture of serenity.
"I'm going to get more powerful, baba, mama. And when I do, I swear on every god out there that I'm going to kill the man that murdered you, even if it takes my last breath."
Sasuke ran a hand over his cursed seal and then picked up his pack and left the Uchiha house, for what he knew would be the last time.
Glossary:
Baba- Father
Sakura wiped some tired sleep out of her eyes as her horse trotted toward the Western Gate. Sakura rolled her neck and stretched out her stiff limbs – a product of both sitting on her horse for countless hours and the winter cold. She had attempted several tracking techniques that had left her low on chakra and she was weary from traveling for so long. She planned on checking in with Kakashi and hopefully jumping into a nice warm bed and burying herself under the covers. As she stifled a yawn, she wondered if Naruto had returned yet.
The moon was high in the winter sky and Sakura guessed that it had to have been pretty late. She lost track of how long she had been traveling. What would have been a simple journey back to Peking had turned into an entire expedition across the forest as Sakura had continually tried to track Temari. Although Tenten had knocked some sense into her, she couldn't completely avoid the onslaught of guilt she felt now and then.
She gave a weary nod to the guards at the gate as she came to a stop before them and fished for her passport. They gave her a sympathetic smile as if they could understand how tired she was. She had just found her passport when something in the air made her pause. Her head snapped up and her eyes, suddenly alert, roved the dark forest around her.
Beside her, the guards tensed as they sensed her discomfort. "Is there something wrong, xiaojie?" One of them asked, almost nervously.
"Do you feel that?" Sakura murmured as she looked around. It was a faint aura, yet it felt somehow familiar. The feeling though, was sinister and it made goose bumps stand out on her arm.
The guards exchanged glances but both quickly shook their head. "Sorry, xiaojie, feel what?" One of the guards asked.
Sakura shook her head, choosing not to explain. She slid off her horse and absentmindedly handed the reins to one of the guards. The guard gave a befuddled look to the other who shrugged his shoulders. The aura was fading away, as if it was getting farther from her.
"Did anyone else pass through here not too long ago?" She quickly asked. One guard opened his mouth to speak, but Sakura quickly shook her head and cut him off. "Sorry, if I'm not back soon, could you return my horse to Tsunade-furen's estate?"
Then, without waiting for an answer, Sakura quickly disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
Glossary:
Xiaojie – Chinese honorific, equivalent of Miss
Furen – Chinese honorific, used for women of high rank
The wind whipped through Sakura's hair and the cold stung her ears. Fatigue was threatening to overcome her, but she fought against it, determined to stay awake and as vigilant as ever. The aura, while still faint, seemed to be getting stronger as Sakura jumped through the tree branches, at least signaling that she was getting closer to whatever it was.
The forest was as dark and Sakura had to duck her head more than once to avoid being hit in the head by a low hanging branch. Sakura saw a small clearing up ahead, the grass covered with a thick layer of snow. When the hairs on the back of Sakura's neck stood on end, she slipped a kunai from her pouch and landed with a soft crunch in the snowy clearing.
A dark figure was marching through the clearing ahead of her with a bundle settled against his shoulder. Cold spirals of air were curling out from his mouth as he trudged slowly through the snow. Sakura noticed the pale glean of the man's exposed neck and suddenly, she understood all too well the familiar but dangerous aura she was feeling.
The male figure, who still hadn't noticed Sakura behind him yet, ran a tired gloved hand through his hair. But the fact that this man was in the forest wasn't what made Sakura nervous. It was the fact that she recognized the three tomoe symbol that was emblazoned on the man's pearly white neck. And the fact that she knew this person made things all the more complicated.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke froze as his name rang through the air and his hand tightened around his pack. It was her. Her voice was forever imprinted in his memory and it almost stung his heart to hear it again. Almost. He turned to face Sakura.
Sakura's heart was beating furiously in her chest and not necessarily from fear. Sasuke had been marked with the Cursed Seal of Heaven. Sakura was well acquainted with the seal and she knew for a fact that it came from Orochimaru. She had studied the affects of the seal since one of Konoha's own shinobi, Mitarashi Anko had been marked with it herself before Orochimaru was forced from Konoha. Anko's seal had been weak and unrefined at best. Sakura had a dreading feeling that Orochimaru had ample time to have perfected it.
Sakura gritted her teeth. How had Sasuke even gotten the seal to begin with? Why would Orochimaru be after Sasuke? "What are you doing Uchiha-hou?" She said in a low voice. "Aren't you supposed to be out, searching for your wife?"
Sasuke glare was cold and dark. "Well if it isn't Wu He. What are you doing here? It was you who said I should never come near you again, isn't that right?" Sasuke had a cold smirk plastered on his beautiful face.
Sakura's hands clenched. "If you think that you are going to run off to that parasite Orochimaru…" She ground out.
Surprise flashed in Sasuke's eyes and his hand immediately jumped to the back of his neck. "How did you know?"
"I've been personally acquainted with Orochimaru. I know that nothing good can come from him." Said Sakura. "You should turn around and go back home."
"How would you know?" Asked Sasuke, tilting his head. "You've never felt power like this before." His hands clenched into fists and he felt giddy, thinking about the power he would achieve.
"You won't be able to handle it, Uchiha." Spat Sakura.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "I don't need your permission. I never have. I suppose if you really wanted, I could allow you to join me, but if not, then leave me the hell alone." He said turning around.
"If you think I'm going to let you run off to Orochimaru, Konoha's number one enemy…then you've got another thing coming." Sakura's words were like ice that cut through Sasuke.
When Sasuke turned back to Sakura, his eyes were red. "The only way I'm going back to Peking is in a body bag." He threatened.
She couldn't just let Sasuke walk into Orochimaru's clutches. Not that she cared a bit about Sasuke, but it could be a threat to Konoha for Orochimaru to get a new follower. And for Orochimaru to have personally marked Sasuke? It couldn't have been a good thing. And Sakura didn't appreciate threats.
Glossary:
Hou - rank below lord
Jutsu:
Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu- Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique
A Genjutsu that draws out an image from one's heart that they never want to see and turns it into reality.
Kanashibari no Jutsu- Body Freeze Technique
A Genjutsu that freezes the opponent by showing them a disturbing image-most likely of their own death.
Character Corner
Name: Feng Gaara
Age: 18
Height: '5-11"
Gaara is the youngest son of Governor Feng and his wife Karura. He was born in Peking and was very sickly as a child. When he was only a couple of years old, he contracted a severe illness which was then passed onto his mother. His mother died from this illness while he survived. Gaara began his studies at the age of 7. He was able to complete his Civil Service Examination at the age of 15 with the rank of jieyuan (ranked #1) which caused his father to name Gaara his heir instead of his brother Kankuro who only ranked in the Top 20.
Gaara was never able to relate well to other children his age, so the other children feared him, thinking he was scary. Because of this, Gaara didn't waste time on trying to build friendships or social ties with others, but worked on helping establish his father's political reputation. He has a close relationship with his sister Temari as she was the one that helped raise him for most of his life. He thinks his older brother Kankuro is a lazy fool, but still trusts his brother. His relationship with his father is very cordial although sometimes strained from the amount of pressure his father puts on him.