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Naruto's POV
''Okay, calm down. I'll have the paperwork in a few moments. ''
The warmly lit room erupted into an airy groan. He had figured on owing his assistant some extra paperwork for sleeping in, but everyone knew at once it was going to be a rough day. Naruto slipped a shaky palm across his face, trying to calm down.
The office was decorated from head to toe in all sorts of genuine symbols, with plants hanging from the corners, and chairs that were covertly placed near random doorways. In all, it made the room seem comforting. Friendly, even.
But when the eye moved toward the main table, one realized it was overflowing with everything made by Naruto's leadership. It was a room that choked the life out of him, slowly but surely.
''Really, sir. A-are you s-sure I c-c-cant...''
''No, no! I have it here. Just-'' Shaking his head, the Hokage skimmed through a number of papers on his desk, knocking half of the assortment onto the floor. His assistant, Mai, motioned to help him pick up said things when Naruto snapped backward, beaming like a fool.
''Here it is! The Rank B mission statement, right?'' Looking to Mai as an acceptance, she grew somewhat poised under the rapt attention. So, when she said nothing, the taller male pursed his lips, and handed her the slip anyway.
It was only six in the morning.
He'd gotten three hours of sleep last night(which to him, counted as sleeping in), then tumbled back to the office in hopes of getting on with some actual conferencing. What he found.. was this.
A whole new load of incoming information about various requests or missions that had been completed while he was away. Atop this pile was something Naruto recognized as Lee's writing, requesting the immediate termination of the Uchiha search.
''Pardon, Hokage-sama. I was wondering...'' Perching at the edge of his chair, Naruto shuffled the papers closest to him. He was just starting to skim over the second page when he heard somebody clear their throat; obviously determined to have his attention. ''Hokage?''
''I'm sorry, what?''
''I said, some of the jounin have requested to know if you have..''
It would never end, would it?
Sasuke's POV
It was just early dawn when the roosters were heard singing their morning hymn. Sasuke was still asleep and far from waking up yet.
Karin was the first one to wake herself up and then the rest of the team, passing from each one with a different good morning message.
To Jugo, it was a soft tag on his shoulder and a faint uneager whisper of ''wake up.''
To Suigetsu, it was a harsh kick on the ribs accompanied by her deadly silence and a death glare shot right at the slumbery eyes of his.
To Sasuke , it was more of an intense lovesick stare on his closed eye lids, before finally deciding to put her fan girlish obsession aside, with a soft caress on his pale cheek, which was more than enough to send him perfectly awake and alert for any thread in his surroundings.
Then, once he made sure it was his teammate's soft hand which he had felt brushing against his facial skin so lovingly, he gave her a soft glance and muttered a good morning, faking his mood for the sake of the team's ethic.
Detaching his teen body from the ground, he stood up, clenching his fists and facing the rising sun, with a bold look on his overall figure.
''Today, you are going down, …hokage.'' he thought to himself, his dark side surfacing inside him, hungry for revenge.
Karin wrapped a vest around him and took on tying up the laces for him.
Upon his frustration growing bigger on the womanly gesture, he gently but surely placed his hand over her soft one and hold it in his, looking in her eyes intensely for a few but yet infinite moments, before pushing it away and ending any physical contact between him and the worried red head.
''Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself and the others.'' he told her as he walked past her without looking back.
Karin nodded silently. Even if everyone knew Sasuke's powers were equal or even bigger to Naruto's, she couldn't help but worry , being well aware that a missing nin wouldn't just have it easy walking up to Konoha and fighting with the hokage.
Probably, a whole village would walk out all the way against him in order to protect its hokage and fight him to death, or even Naruto's hurt feelings for his ex teammate betrayal would eventually surface and allow him to let the world see the terrible but powerful demon residing in him, the nine tailed beast.
Karin knew Sasuke wasn't as stupid as to walk up straight to Naruto in front of everyone else and say'' I want to kill you.''
or even attack him out straightly for that part. But also she knew the hokage was surrounded by high security guardians-ANBUs- all the time and it would be hard if not impossible secluding him for the needed amount of time for the battle to initiate, take place and get over with, with either of them dead, neither, or maybe both.
She didn't want to see Sasuke dead but she was under his orders and she placed the devotion she had for him over his life.
So under all and every dark thought that crossed her mind and tormented her infatuated heart, she was nothing more than a mere pioneer in Sasuke's hands in order to achieve his revenge to Konoha, just like the rest of the team Taka.
They had already walked a long road, while Karin was thinking of all that stuff but Sasuke didn't seem phased.
And this weirded her out since his deeply pensive image of yesterday still wandered in her mind, creating a big contradiction between his past and present attitude.
She walked right after him, not missing a step. It didn't matter what she did to protect him now, out of Konoha. Cause once there, she wouldn't have the chance to do anything. She looked at his retreating back in sadness, which Suigetsu noticed and thought he'd tease her for that.
''You dumb red head, you'd better focus on the journey than your little silly worries on what color you're gonna paint your nails next.'' the purple haired man said which had Karin snap out and slap him viciously across his head.
''Shut up, you moron. I am just anxious for this mission, thats all. So, please, do mind your own business, water boy.'' she said, the last two words pronounced mockingly.
In reality, Suigetsu was only trying to piss her off in order to take her mind from the dark thoughts she replayed in her head non stop over her Sasuke-kun's future to be.
Sasuke shot them both a frustrated glare, which spoke volumes on its own and soon Karin calmed down while Suigetsu still insisted on angering her by doing improper hand signs which she ignored with a cold heart.
Jugo following closely after Sasuke, he was the only one of his companions to remain as calm and determined as Sasuke was about this.
They were very close now, just standing out of the borders of Konoha and Sasuke came to a halt, the rest of Taka imitating him.
Suddenly, a weird emotional aura surrounded them.
Even Suigetsu seemed to be worrying over their leader now.
Tears threatened Karin's eyes but Sasuke gave her a pleading look, he didn't have time for such girlish scenes and Karin not wanting to burden him more, masked her worry behind a serious mask and nodded calmly.
''You've done your job so far in this. All you got to do now is to hide in these woods here and wait for me till I come back. If I don't after the period of 4 days, then leave and don't come back for me.'' he said, in a rather emotionless way, which would make them admire his bravery if it wasn't for his typical self to be so unexpressive.
''Just don't make us come in there and kick some ass.'' Suigetsu said, looking at him rather embarassed for the sake of the moment.
''I won't.'' Sasuke returned, looking at him in a neutral way.
''Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?'' Jugo asked, looking at Sasuke in a warm friendly way.
''No, I need to do this alone.'' Sasuke said, clenching on his katana and stabilizing it on his shoulder, and everyone automatically knew that their brief and dry bye scene had come to an end.
He made some steps forward but Karin ran after him and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him from behind.
''Sasuke-kun,..please,… take care.'' she said , her voice broken from her effort to hold back her childish tears.
''Karin, let go.'' Sasuke said after a prolonged silence, during which he had remained completely still.
Karin wiped off her tears that had finally fallen and stained her pale cheeks and forced herself to pull away.
A soft and relieved sigh was heard from Sasuke's part at that.
Once he felt himself freed from Karin's grip, he turned his head and shot them all one last glance.
''Bye.'' he said dryly and with that he resumed his walking and with a steady but unreadable pace, vanishing behind the bushes that covered the borders which connected the forest to the village.
Naruto's POV
Naruto was a little concerned about how he was going to get these papers distributed. Especially since he doubted Mai would let other ninja deliver them while she was filing reports. And he most certainly didn't want to spend the night here, like always. Not with everyone's stupid stares digging into his back. Honestly, couldn't they find something better to do?
... Maybe he could just- no, no slouching! He was anxious to get this work done, knowing some of it would mean the difference between life or death for his people.
''I-i'm back, Naruto. I-is there... anyt-thing else?''
Well, ********. Did she really want an honest answer to that? Naruto peeked up at her through heavy lids. He noticed her dark hair had been set in tendrils today, poofed out in a mild assortment of curls. No, he realized. She didn't. He could not say what it was he really wanted, no matter how many times she asked. It wasn't good having this thing (although it seemed pretty invisible to others) hanging over him, yes, since it was ready to crush him if he couldn't keep a good hold on it. But he wouldn't share it. Nor speak of it.
Because Mai was a sweet girl, and didn't need to know about his imperfections. Wasn't allowed to, actually. Cus' he was a 'role model'.
''Um.....'' She fidgeted, waiting for him to continue. Unfortunately, an errand wasn't coming to him. Nothing, absolutely nothing.
''Well I...uh...'' He shrugged, scratching the recesses of his mind for the things he had just been worrying about. When he finally remembered, the male frowned.
''It's not important, just some stupid stuff.'' He lifted a rather large stack of crinkled papers, handing them off.
Mai nodded in her own little way, slipping her arms around the files and shuffling out. It was probably best to just keep his distance today, maybe start writing slower. His name had been scribbled across countless papers already, to the point Naruto had to stop once in a while to massage the crimp in his arm.
''s**t. I forgot one. Hey Mai-?''
Lifting the letter of recognition, Naruto reread it's content afore cursing inwardly. This was Lee's request. The one about Sasuke. And there, at the bottom of the page in frail lettering.. perhaps a bit too neat and precise.. was his name.
''I'll just do it myself. Those papers are gonna take her forever.''
Sighing, Naruto tucked the letter into his large overcoat, automatically rummaging around for a scrap of paper to entail where he'd be going. She may have had a problem with one of the ninja delivering her messages, but he was her boss. He could get away with stuff like that, right?
One of the Anbu guards, regarded his actions with interest. The other, seemed resolute. Naruto tapped the curious fellow on the shoulder as consequence, just as he was passing. It was a silent request of sorts. If only, so Naruto wouldn't be lectured later. God knows how many times he'd heard that one. An anbu guard was plenty of protection when considering that he was already capable of protecting himself.
''Hokage-sama, where are we going?''
''Lee's.''
''Wouldn't you rather I do this for you?''
''No, no. I need the exercise.'' He faked a smile. It was easier to do this with the aid of sunlight blinding his companion for a moment. ''As your fellow ninja, I believe it would be poorly noted if I got fat.''
Sasuke's POV
While his team taka had stayed back in his angonious awaiting, Sasuke made his way through the little old familiar side roads of Konoha, that weren't often used by civillains, if only for some emergency reason.
He knew his secret ways around, what paths and ways to take in order to be the least noticed. It was like he was planning his suicide, only procrastinating while at it, by following less popular routes.
He just needed to keep attention off of him till he had managed to make Naruto's heart stop beating. Till he fulfilled his revenge against the ignorant village.
He threw his hood over his head, completely covering his spiked raven hair and his pale, tired but determined face where his onyx eyes shined dangerously with murderous instinct.
His katana, his shurikens and kunai were resting well hidden inside the plains of his vest and pants.
He could come off as someone slightly suspicious or even as a plain villager minding his own business.
It wasn't uncommon for villagers of Konoha to walk around in hoods and robes every now and then and even if this didn't pass, he knew that he might be considered an evil b*****d but not a crazy one so far.
So who would expect Sasuke Uchiha to make a direct attack to the fifth hokage, entering Konoha completely unaccompanied and lightly armed?
He was to play his greatest cards with his raw powers and jutsu, the armor was just an extra burden he had to carry with him for the sake of old typicalities regarding a ninja's physical safety revolving around armory protection.
Every now and then he'd run onto a simple villager on his way into Konoha-they'd pause briefly to look at him weirdly and then they continued their way.
As the raven villain had guessed, no one was crazy enough to think Sasuke Uchiha would ever dare such a suicidal act.
He knew where he wanted their battle to take place.
The hokages' heads at the other end of Konoha seemed like the perfect place.
How dramatic and spectacular would it be if he cut the present hokage's life string in front of the souless ''eyes'' of Konoha's past heroic benefactors?
But the thing that kept torturing his busy mind the most was how to get the hokage there. And with no protection to guard his skin whatsoever.
He had to base on his luck for that but he never liked letting himself go on unsure things like this. But he had really no choice though at this very situation, since risking to lure Naruto along somehow would be far too risky, even for the actions he had engaged himself into so fearlessly, so far.
He lost no more time thinking about this for right then he had to get himself out of the dangerous for him village and onto the rocky surfaces. He fastened his pace till he made it unnoticed to the end of the village, spread in front of the rocky leaders.
He looked upon them from under his hood. Time didn't seem to have had a notable effect on their surface. And it seemed as if Naruto and Konoha as in general had taken good care of them.
His heart racing in the renewed thought of Naruto as someone he knew personally and not simply as the current hokage of Konoha, he looked one last time back at the village in struggling melancholy and after making sure he didn't sense any foreign chakra around, he set off for the cliffs.
Once, there, the missing nin, started climbing the big rocks, till he had made it slowly to the top of them.
He nested behind the rocky heads. He had a good view of the village from that spot, spreading as a color pallet in front of the feet of the soulless giants.
He brought out his water bottle and drunk some of it, as he had forgotten to make use of this essential liquid long ago after the sun had risen.
Once letting some drops slid into his thirsty mouth, he regained his composure , as characteristicall of him, and placed the bottle back inside his robe's folds.
He sat down and rested his back against a brown rock, the back of his head coming in contact with the hard and cold surface as he let out a relieved sigh and closed his eyes in fatigue.
The hardest part had been done. He was where he wanted to be, and in the position to inspect all of Konoha on top of that hill ,visible by no one, the great hokages' heads protecting and hiding him from human view.
Now it was a matter of fate if he'd leave this village again alive or if he'd fall on these grounds dead by the hokage's hands or someone else's.
He wished with all his heart that he could only be as lucky as to have the chance to encounter Naruto on his own, deprived by the ANBU guardiance.
He remained still, eyes closed, all of his senses still alert for any chakra located around his spot or any sound that should worry him, the singing of the birds being his only companion in his agonious awaiting.
Naruto's POV
The worst part about bringing a guard with you, was that everyone had to acknowledge your presence. It didn't help that he was required to wear such an overbearing coat, either. The sticky heat melted down his neck, making the Hokage yawn with an exaggerated sense. It really wasn't so bad out today, but definitely not a type of weather he'd like to sit in for long. Naruto was careful to smile at passerby's, wanting to seem polite as he made his way through the town. Some would even follow him, asking small questions or requesting further council at a later hour.
Nonetheless, all were handled with the utmost gentleness, provided his guard wouldn't let them get within an arms reach. Dust kicked up underneath his toes, making a loud scratching noise as they walked. Maybe that's why he kept kicking his feet, long after they left general population and came upon Lee's estate. Because the noise kept him more at peace than anything else had in a long time.
His guard on the other hand, didn't seem to share the same opinion. He frowned openly from underneath the tilt of his mask, no doubt cursing the Hokage for such a childish manner. They approached the home in record time, a few swift gusts breaking past the pair as they proceeded to enter the gate and move upon the grounds themselves. Naruto almost became distracted by the heavy greenery in this place, blue eyes flashing to every hue and meager whim of the home.
How am I not surprised it's all green? Snorting, Naruto branched outward to the east entrance, knowing that by this time, Lee was probably still training. His mind raced with images of the boy he was about to forsake with this letter, and god, it hurt. Had he been alone, Naruto would have surely clasped a hand over his heart.
''Uzumaki? What are you doing here?'' Naruto smiled as he came across a familiar figure, already putting up his best charade to the question. Quietly, he began to withdraw the paper he had been keeping tucked away for safe keeping. Lee watched him then, trying to remove the fact that Naruto's hand was shaking as they entered the building.
He just... couldn't stop. The blond teetered on his feet, shifting from one spot to the next. He was so nervous.
Naruto's search had meant the world to him; everyone knew that. And ending it meant breaking a promise to Sakura, giving up on a friendship, and so much more.
''Oh Naruto, I could've..''
''No.'' A slight sting of irritation stabbed at his spine. Did everyone think him incapable of delivering a message? Besides, he didn't want to risk someone finding out about this. He heard the door close and then the Anbu guard moved to sit on a nearby table.
Naruto sighed, rubbed his temples and decided that perhaps it wouldn't hurt to just let Lee take over as Hokage for a while. He'd keep the village in line and it would show everyone that he could be a responsible person, permitting Naruto vanish for a while. Make this search more private, yeah? Nothing could go wrong with Lee in command.
''Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.'' Lee's hand brushed along the paper, opting to remove it from Naruto's possession in one swift move. Once it was gone, the blond realized how empty he felt, and stumbled away.
''Yeah, well... I think your right.'' he said. The last thing he needed was for Lee to get all sappy on him, exploring the reasons why Naruto might still feel attached to the Uchiha.. even after all these years.
''The money would be better spent on weapons.''
Inwardly, he rolled his eyes. People had been pushing for this new weapon exploration lately, and it was beginning to annoy him. The weapons they had were fine, by all means. Shuriken and scrolls had worked for years. Why did they need something more sophisticated?
''..Do you want to stop searching, Naruto?'' The thought hadn't even occurred that Lee would ask him that. Naruto chuckled his little forced sound and then started toward the door.
''I'll see you later, Lee.'' before he left and felt his guard jog up beside him, the other's last words ringing in his ear,
''Wait Nar-'' By now he had made it to the gate and hesitated for a few moments before putting on a serious face and crouching down to the ground. He felt like he was gonna puke, and as luck would have it, as soon as he had lurched forward to the grass...
He did.
For a moment Naruto just sat there, his back to the iron door, arms at his sides, eyes down. He realized that he was going to have to go back to the office and finish up his work now, cheerful and charming just as he always was. But it wasn't going to be easy. Because now, he knew it was over. All his researching and silent prayers for finding their lost friend, was finished.
Minutely, he remembered how before, his life had been so simple. He had a goal. He had friends. He had Sasuke. Now, there was nothing left for him to do but carry out his life, safe-guarding the village like the others had. He had lost two of the things on his list, and was left to wander aimlessly in the dark.
Or was it light?
''Hey, would you do me a favor?'' Naruto suddenly said, looking up at the Anbu.
''Sir?''
The anbu was obviously worried, after seeing his Hokage start barfing on the lawn. The man was even hovering at an abnormal range, his hands extended in a state that it seemed he was prepared to catch Naruto from a fall.
Everyone thinks I'm so weak lately..
''Trade me clothes.''
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