Author's Notes: This has taken a while but I managed to get it out. I'll make this short but I'm going through some personal problems right now. I won't go into details but I'm sorry to have taken so long for this fic. From this chapter on, things are going to get different and this is a warning that unless I change the dynamics of the series, such as replacing a character with another, I won't be describing the fight scenes. Why should I when those who have been watching the series and reading the chapters know what's going to happen? So enjoy and tell me what you think in a review, if you don't mind. :) Also on another note, I'm sorry that I have a lot of misspelled words, my spellchecker isn't working very well.
Oh, before I forget! I got the title of this chapter from an AMV to the song "Sick Cycle Carousel" by Lifehouse. I really liked the song and the video was great (yes I would very highly recommend you all to watch it via animemusicvideos (.) org), though I can't help but feel bad for anyone going to that snake for power--It's not worth it in the long run.
Many Thanks to: dalia76, Kaida Fox, dhh, and DarkRavie as well as everyone else for your reviews. This is why I keep writing and posting.
Disclaimer/Warnings: From now on I will only post these on the first chapter. I don't want to fill up the chapters with these things and annoy you, the readers. Sound fair?
"Family Ties"
By: Beloved Shadow of Light
+ Orochimaru's Pawns +
Barely a week after the mission to Cha no Kuni and already every available shinobi in Konoha were working on all missions that came in via the office. Even the academy had been shut down as the students were called out to help out. The village was still reeling from the invasion but they were doing their best to help in whatever way they could. Even Hatake, who was still to be recovering, was called out to the field as was Umino. But something important was going on in the hokage's office where several elite jōnins stood as witnesses.
"I honestly don't know the details… but since the final exams was suspended, there have been many who feel no one should pass," she began to explain. "But I heard that the now deceased Sandaime thought highly about the matches." She reached into a box and pulled out a brush, running it through the ink then began to write something on the papers that lay before her. "It also seems that he intended to recommend that you two become chūnins. The feudal lords, who were watching the battles, and the examiners, also feel the same way. If that's the case, then there is no reason for me to say otherwise. I expect to see excellent work that lives up to the reputation of the village on that hitachi. Congratulations; you two are now chūnins!"
Shiruba and Shikamaru said nothing but the pale girl was fidgeting up a storm. It took everything she had not to go to the doorframe and start rubbing her back along it as though she was trying vainly to get rid of an itch she couldn't reach. "… I don't like it," she grumbled as she scratched at her neck where her new hitachi lay resting. Her mercenary collar from her mother was in her pocket but the Konoha hitachi was so brand new it was driving her crazy; already her neck was red and irritated.
The lazy chūnin sighed as he rolled his shoulders, feeling the strange weight of the padded vest settle on his shoulders even with his hands in his pockets. He really didn't know what to say but he knew what his team would say. "Mendokusē."
Giving her neck a final scratch the young girl looked at herself, going in a full circle but she was still frowning even as she looked herself over. Sighing she turned to face the busty blonde and growled deeply in her chest. "The only reason this isn't shoved down your throat is to honor the memory of several damn important and brave people, so don't get used to it." With that she spun on her heel and left, angrily slamming the door open then shut, causing everyone in the office to wince.
"Um Tsunade-sama, are you sure it was a good idea to promote her? She's listed as a mercenary and technically not an active shinobi of Konoha," Shizune spoke up.
"It was in Sarutobi-san's wishes. I've also received word that outside Hino she has a well-known reputation. She's a great asset to the village."
"Be thankful she's not here to hear you say that," the Nara heir said as he slowly pulled the zipper close before explaining himself. "I don't know her but if she's anything like her 'kaasan if you treat her like a chained dog she'll do more than bite back." Nodding to the elites and leader he left a bit more silently.
Meanwhile, Shiruba was making her way down the streets, scratching even more at her neck. The reason she liked her collar was that it was made of a material that didn't irritate her sensitive skin and settled comfortably to the point that she rarely noticed it but the headband's cloth was new and like new outfits until it was broken in it irritated the hell out of her. And she couldn't very well throw it in the washing machine a few dozen times. Sulking her way past everyone she entered Ichiraku's Ramen and plopped herself down on a stool.
Ayame looked up and beamed at the young girl. "Shiruba-chan! You're a chūnin!"
"Don't rub it in, Ayame-chan," she groaned, resting her elbows on the table and dropping her chin into her hands. "How am I gonna wear my jacket over this? It'll just make me look bulky and I feel weird. And this stupid thing is so itchy!" She raked her nails around her neck once more that she was lucky she hadn't broken the skin yet.
"So if you didn't want it why did you take it?" Teuchi asked as he set her usual bowl before her. Shiruba was silent even as she broke her chopsticks apart but didn't start eating yet.
"Because of my chichi, my aniki, and jiji; they all died protecting this village. I want to be as strong as them but I don't know if I can live up to that." She stared down at the noodles she jumped and looked up when she felt a slightly withered hand ruffle her hair.
"I think they'll be proud of you no matter what," he said with a caring smile as did Ayame. The newly appointed chūnin softly smiled and began to eat. Now she had two more people to protect with her very life.
--
Naruto stared at Sasuke as though he had grown a second head. He had come to see how he was doing and knew something wasn't right with the way Sakura was standing there with a dejected look on her face, a peeling knife as well as an apple laying on the floor not that far away. Before he could ask what happened the raven-haired teen whirled to look at him and gave him a look full of such intense hatred it made the blonde match it with his own in defense, acting on animal instincts alone. He was caught off-guard when he demanded to fight him.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"I said, I want to fight you. Right now."
"… Iie."
"Sasuke-kun…"
"Fight me, Naruto!!" he bellowed angrily even as he slowly struggled to get out from the bed.
"I said no," he answered calmly, pissing the Uchiha off even more.
"Are you afraid?!"
"I was never afraid of you. In fact, I pity you." An angry tick began forming along the boy's eye. "You have the village in a silver platter, people throwing themselves at your feet, and you treat it all for shit. I have no reason to fight someone as callous and manipulated as you, and I never will." He turned to walk out of the room but he just had to drive the final nail into his coffin. "Itachi was right, you're not worth the effort."
In that instant something within Uchiha Sasuke's mind snapped and his world turned to crimson. He remembered charging forward, actually throwing the kuniochi-genin into the small nightstand, grabbing a hold of that bright orange jacket but snarled when the figure vanished and he felt arms grab him from behind. The next thing he knew was they were on the roof top, the freshly laundered bed sheets moving in the breeze like wandering spirits. He huffed as he glared at the blonde across from him, his neck burning from the seal. Said genin was quiet but the anger was raging in his eyes. When he saw Sakura being thrown aside, colliding with the nightstand and slumping to the floor, he knew that this teme wanted to fight. He didn't like the girl very much but you never treated a teammate like that. Never!
"I will never forgive you for striking Sakura like that. A real man would never hit a lady, but you're not a man. You're not even a ninja. You're nothing and that's all you'll ever be!" he said angrily, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"Don't talk to me like that! I can do whatever I want and I will beat you here and now!"
"Bring it on, Sasuke-chan!"
The two went at each other with the full intent to kill, punches and kicks being thrown and blocked, moving into offensive and defensive moves fluidly but that was never where their true strength lay. Once given the opportunity Naruto quickly summoned enough bushins to cover just about every inch of the fence-in roof but Sasuke used moves he had stolen from Lee to destroy them. It wasn't enough as they combined together to use their own form of taijutsu, sending him into the air. Before the blow to the head could connect he released his own signature move at them.
"Katon, Gōkakyū no Jutsu!!"
The powerful blast of fire swept over the roof top, incinerating sheets, scorching the roof tiles, destroying clones but as he watched the flames were quickly buffered out as Naruto stood there, parts of his clothes singed with a clone next to him, moving his hands in rapid succession, a swirling ball of wind laced with chakra building. The winds kept picking up around them, nearly enveloping them.
'Na… Nani… What is this jutsu?' he asked himself, watching in awe at the force behind it.
"I won't let you're arrogance kill innocent people!!" he snarled angrily even as the clone vanished he gripped the Rasengan tighter, the soft blue very slowly turning fire red. He watch in horror/anticipation as he saw his hand glow bright, the sound of chittering filling the air, the living sparks of lightning dancing along the pale skin even as he began to come down. With a push they two genins had the full intent to stop the other but someone else stopped them before they literally tore the hospital into the ground, or killed one another.
Gripping their wrists tightly the figure snarled and snapped her arms to the side, sending both boys flying into opposite water towers. The force of the wind nearly tore the sand-colored cloak off, whipping the moonlit braid around her shoulders as the lightning singed parts of her hand and arm but she didn't care. "How dare you two get into a fight, a top a hospital no less!!" Hidama bellowed so angrily, so loudly, all of Fire Country heard her. "Do you realize if those two techniques have collided, not only would you have destroyed the hospital but the surrounding area, resulting in the deaths of over a hundred innocents?!"
Sasuke grunted as he managed to pull his hand free, ignoring the water as it gushed over him from the puncture mark. Looking over at Naruto he smirked at the tiny pin-prick from his water tower. He felt satisfied that he was stronger but looked up at the voice.
"Sasuke, were you trying to kill Naruto?" Kakashi asked from where he sat atop the tower. When he felt the chakra and heard the Chidori, he came running in time to watch the mercenary literally throw the boys. He had to hide his astonishment at seeing how the blonde knew that jutsu but held it in check at the moment. When he said nothing he sighed deeply. "Why must you insist on being superior. I taught you Chidori to protect your teammates, not to use it against them."
"Another strike against you and your prized student, Hatake," the pale woman snapped angrily before turning to the boy. "You are very lucky he never touched you, Uchiha; or there wouldn't even left of your remains to spread on a cracker."
He frowned, not believing her words but when he left he looked behind the water tower Naruto struck, and stared. The entire back was warped, the metal jagged as though someone had slapped a hundred or so paper bombs on the inside and set them off. A deep frown marred his face as he struck the wall with a fist. She had been right, had that jutsu struck him, he would have been killed.
Kakashi sighed and looked at Naruto who refused to look at anyone, even as he slowly jumped down to the roof, ignoring the sound of Sakura crying pitifully in the doorway. And Hidama still looked mad enough to kill. "Why did you teach him that jutsu?" he asked. Jiraiya said nothing, arms crossed over his chest. "In worse case scenario, he could have really killed Sasuke. I understand that you did it to protect him from Akatsuki but-"
"You're in the same boat, Kakashi," he interrupted. "You taught Sasuke your jutsu long before I taught Naruto. But even I didn't think he would use it against his own teammate-"
"He did it to save this building and the people inside," Hidama snapped coldly at them, still bristling. "In case you missed it, that Uchiha gaki nearly burned this building to the ground with people still inside. He attacked Haruno and charged at Uzumaki like a rapid beast. He used it because he had no choice. I should have never allowed this to happen, you two are slowly destroying him and I swore I would never let that happen." With determined steps she looked down at the blonde, muscles tense as he refused to look up at her. "I have never been so disappointed in you in my entire life. You should have gone for help or something, not take him head on like that. Do you even realize how dangerous a stunt like that was? What were you thinking?!"
"DAMARE!!!!" The force behind that single word made her freeze in place but he wasn't done. "You think this is easy for me?? Well it's not!! I was trying to get him to stop the only way I knew how, but why the hell do you even care? You're not my mother you're just the only person who took pity on my because of the kitsune baka!! I hate you; leave me alone!!" Without looking back Naruto took off, tears blinding him as he ran. Had he looked, he would have seen the most hurtful and rejected look on his adoptive mother's face.
Shiruba and Haku didn't know what to do but they had never seen their brother blow up like that. Nor had they ever seen Hidama look so crushed. They couldn't even think of words that could describe the look on her face. Even the jōnin and sennin were shocked but no one dared to move or say anything. What could they do?
A tear silently fell and hit the ground but it made the strong woman cringe. Slowly she reached up and gripped at her chest tightly, feeling her heart beat painfully in her chest. She felt like the world was rapidly spinning out of control, like the ground was disappearing under her feet as those hurtful words continued to deafen her. She didn't realize someone was calling out to her, didn't feel arms wrap around her. She didn't feel anything.
Dark eyes frowned as he tried to get a response but there was nothing. He didn't like it one damn bit. Glaring at the two men he turned to the kids and nodded. "I've got her," he told them even as he slipped her arm around his neck and his arm around her waist. "I'm going to see if I can get her to snap out of this."
"Zabuza… Naruto didn't mean it, did he?" Shiruba asked, torn between helping her mother, or going after her brother.
"He's upset. Give him some time to cool off." With that they were gone in a cloud of mist.
Haku sighed and nodded to the nurses behind him to have Sakura looked at, walking up to his sister he gently touched her shoulder. "Shiruba?" She looked at him and it took all he had not to break down as well.
"What's happening to us, Haku?" she asked, trying very hard to stop the tears.
"I wish I knew."
Kakashi sighed as he slowly stood, seeing nothing more he could do. "Rivalry is a difficult thing," he concluded.
The sennin couldn't agree more. "Maybe I should talk to him."
"Then I'll leave Naruto up to you. I've got a mission and I still need to talk to him about Chidori." Wrong choice of words as the moment his feet touched the roof tiles he was laying flat on his back, a knee digging into her chest and hands wrapped tightly around his throat. He was gasping for air even as he tried to get those hands off he found himself paralyzed at the enraged look in the girl's face.
"What did you just say? Answer me, teme! Did you just say you would leave my brother with that pervert?!" she seethed behind clenched teeth. "You are your teacher yet once more you are favoring that jackass over him! I should crush your skull right here, right now…" Her hands tighten around his hand, fingers digging into the scalp, thumbs pressing into the bottom of his eyes, the force enough to go through with her threat but as fast as she struck she pulled back and got to her feet. She watched as he heaved for breath, rolling onto his side away from her. "You're not worth the effort. And to think, he was hoping for something more between you two…" Her leg tensed, wanting to literally kick his sorry ass but left with her feminine brother following right behind. Jiraiya waited the jōnin was on his feet before he silently left. Once more Hatake felt like a fool; would he ever be able to repent for his mistakes? Or would he lose his only chance at happiness?
--
"Orochimaru-sama, was it truly necessary to send all of them?" Kabuto asked the injured sennin.
"They all have an interest in him, I see no point in denying them their chance at meeting the last of the Uchiha," he explained with a cruel smirk.
"At his current strength, Sasuke-kun is no match for them. But the girl will give them difficulties." He still remembered her match and he was certain if the invasion hadn't gone wrong, she would have won.
The snake summoner just laughed as he looked at him from beneath his long hair. "That is why he will come to me, seeking power." It seemed as though everything was slowly falling into place.
--
Sasuke glared at the four strangers that invaded his spot, knowing immediately that were not only from Konoha, but that Orochimaru sent them. Three men, one woman, all strange looking with bad attitudes. But he wasn't the least bit intimidated. And ever after talking with Kakashi, well he wasn't sure what to think or do really.
"Who the hell are you all?" he asked bitterly. He was in no mood for this. The man with six arms smirked as he answered for them.
"Otogakure no Shinobi Yonin Shū. Kidōmaru of the Tōmon."
"Same. Sakon of the Seimon," the pale man with the extra head growing out the back of his neck said.
"Same. Jirōbō of the Nanmon," the large one said. He looked like he could beat even Chouji in a eating contest if he wanted.
"Same. Tayuya of Hakumon," the only girl said but her expression seemed to be a mix of Shikamaru's lazy eyes and Temari's bitchy exterior.
Sasuke didn't say anything, knowing that they knew who he was but why were they here per say? Without warning they vanished but he knew they weren't gone. It was still a bit of a surprise when they began to attack him but he wasn't going to roll over for a bunch of freaks. He barely had time to block as the spider freak charged at him and the unseperated twins tried to get him from behind but a kick to his chest send him crashing into his former spot. The girl landed next to him but when the fat guy tried to overpower him he sent the both of them flying into the other two. He waited as a cloud of dust surrounded them, blocking his view but as it slowly dispatched he frowned. They had used Kawarimi but now, they were behind him, standing on a rooftop and while he was a bit winded, they didn't look so much as ruffled. How strong were they!?
Frowning he glared at them over his shoulder and said in his usual emotionless tone, "I'm in a bad mood right now. If you want a fight, I won't hold back."
The one called Sakon smirked at him. "Big talk from such a weakling," he taunted, stirring the rage in the Uchiha even more. "Well, come on then. I'll play "do re mi fa so la ti do" on your broken ribs."
The two fought with serious intent and for a moment it seemed as though Sasuke had the upper hand when he used nin wire to tie Sakon to the roof top but a sudden sound attack literally punched him in the face and sent him flying, crashing back first into the thick tree. He was certain he heard bones crack but he didn't have time to breathe as Kidōmaru charged forward. Even in the air he wasn't safe as the freak spat webbing from his mouth, catching his arms and sending him flying into Jirōbō who body slammed him into Sakon's direction. Before his punch could connect Sasuke sent him flying into the air, using Lee's stolen moves to send him crashing into the roof shingles. For that small moment, he knew he had won and proven that he was not weak. How sadly he was mistaken.
--
Teuchi and Ayame were normally very happy to see three of their favorite customers but the dark clouds hanging over their heads was something not even ramen could dispatch. The loveable blonde had come in first, quietly asking for his usual but he didn't touch it. Then the other two came in and ordered as well but no one ate or said anything. Neither of them knew what to do or what was going on.
"… Gaara has been appointed the new kazekage," the young girl finally said as she ate a piece of egg from her bowl. "He gave mom a letter for me. The council, feel that they would get more respect if they have a demon leading their village but everyone still fears/hates him. The only reason he didn't give it to Temari or Kankuro was they weren't ready."
"Does that mean we won't be seeing him?" Haku asked softly.
"I don't know. He said he really took the job, because he wants to be like Naruto and protect his precious people."
Naruto didn't say anything but slowly a smile came to his face. "Then, he'll be the best kage Suna has ever seen. And we can still visit him 'cuz he's still one of us. Right?"
"… Hai." For the moment, the tension had been lifted but the guilt for the blonde was still sitting heavily on his chest yet no one dared bring up the woman who had acted as their mother for most--if almost all--of their lives.
Back at their home, Hidama was looking at the leather bound journal in her hands that continued to withstand the years of time. She quietly trailed her fingers along the name engraved into the cover even as a single tear landed. Silently she held it to her chest, and closed her eyes. As much as she hated to do this, she knew that the time had come.
It was time that Naruto knew who his real parents were.
--
"Why does Orochimaru-sama want a weakling like this?" Sakon asked as he held the defeated Uchiha up by his ankle, like some shot duck hanging from a butcher's window for display. Even though all of his hits connected none of them seemed to hurt or even faze the man in the slightest while he was bruised, battered, and bleeding. All Sasuke could do was listen with his pride lying in shambles all around him.
"If you continued to stay in this shitty village you'll never be better than an average person," he taunted. "You'll never become stronger. If you continue to play ninja games with your pals, you'll just rot."
Tayuya landed quietly, looking at him with cold, heartless eyes. "Come with us. If you do, Orochimaru-sama will give you the power you seek."
Just hearing his name made his curse mark react but the seal kept it from growing and surging out of control. It was as though it was proclaiming just how weak he really was.
Kidōmaru smirked as watched the twist of pain etched on his pale face. "Its pointless if we force you to come. You must decide," he told him.
"Orochimaru-sama sure gave us a troublesome job," Jirōbō complained as he made his way towards the two. "So what's it gonna be?"
"You comin'?"
"Or not!?" Sakon threw his prey into the wall where he slumped down in pain. "Make it clear."
"Tch. I feel like killing this weakling just for being so hesitant."
"Try it!" he finally snapped as he gripped at his shoulder, the curse slowly spreading down his left side, the sharingan red bleeding out at he glared at them with hatred. The Oto shinobi were clearly taking back at the fact that he was releasing the curse seal. But even so when he tried to attack he was once more slammed into the wall.
"Don't flatter yourself, gaki. You're not the only one Orochimaru-sama likes." Smirking he ran his hand through his hair, revealing a network of strange marks covering his body though in a different pattern. Like Sasuke, these ninjas had been given the curse mark as well.
"You shouldn't be using it so carelessly, not when you can't control it. If you stay in the first stage for too long, the seal will eventually consume your body," he explained even as the Uchiha's seal began to burn out. "The decaying is slow but once it completely consumes you, you'll lose yourself. Forever."
"In return for gaining power through the cursed seal, you will be under Orochimaru-sama's command," Tayuya brought up. "We have no freedom. In order to gain something, you must throw something away. What is your purpose? To stay in this joyful village and lick each other's wounds? To forget everything, including Uchiha Itachi?"
Forget about him? Kakashi's words came back, him telling him to forget about his revenge, that it would lead to nothing in the end but, he couldn't do that.
"Don't forget your purpose," Sakon said. "This village is nothing more than a shackle; you should break such worthless ties. That way… you'll be able to gain an even greater power." Once more they left him, jumping high into the air and vanished from sight. "Don't forget your purpose!"
Sasuke just continued to sit there, breathing hard from the pains of being defeated, of their words rolling around in his head, of being forced the choice of forgetting Itachi or going to a traitor for the power he seek. He crushed a stray leaf in his hand.
His choice had been made.
--
The evening was quiet at the edge of the village, the light of the full moon lighting up the streets. For the fabled guardians of Oto, they were waiting. They knew he would come but their master's orders have been very specific. Seek out the two he had marked and bring them by any means necessary. For the Uchiha he had provided them the bait but the other would be harder. But if they came back with only one, he would not be pleased. They watched as the genin quietly came up to them, his pack slung over his shoulders but before they could bow to him they froze.
"You're really going to him, after everything this village has given you." Shiruba glared at him, even with her hands in her pockets her body was tense and ready to attack. He turned and if he was surprised at the appearance of the chūnin vest he didn't show it but she didn't care. "Where do you get off doing something so stupid, kwaïdan?"
"You don't know anything about me so don't bother trying to stop me, or I'll kill you," he threaten.
"You failed to kill Itachi how many times and you think you can kill me? Kami, I told him it was a mistake but he believed in you… he told you what to look for and you still don't get why he killed everyone," she sighed, looking off to the side.
"You know my brother? Tell me where he is! Tell me, or else!!" he yelled, not caring it the guards heard and came.
"I don't have to tell a spoiled little gaki like you anything." She looked over the Oto nins and snorted. "Birds of a feather flock together. You sold your souls to a cowardly snake for power and look where it led you. Chained to his side, forced to answer his every beck and call. Tell me, do you warm his bed as well, or does Kabuto do that?"
"Watch your tongue, you little bitch!!"
"Tayuya don't!!" But when the redhead got close enough she was struck and sent flying into the other three, gasping for breath and clutching at her chest. Shiruba slowly moved out of the attack position, flexing her fist.
"You can tell whatever lie you want but my answer will always be no. I want nothing more than to kill a majority of the people in this village, to gut them open like the pigs they are, to gouge out their eyes and rip out their tongues, to have them begging for mercy before I crush their skulls under my boot," she seethed, her curse mark reacting, spreading along the side of her face and creating a strange mark on her forehead but she forced it dormant with barely a blink.
"Then why did you accept their ranks? Aren't you a chained dog as well?" Sasuke snapped angrily. How could she do what he could not? Why wasn't her curse consuming her? How could she freaking control it like it was nothing?!
"I serve this hellhole because my adoptive father, my step-brother, and my grandfather all served this village. And they all died, believing what they did was right. Even now, my family is fighting for what they believe is right and will continue to do so. You want to know why we're so different?"
"…"
"Because unlike you, I have seen more death, more suffering, more hatred that this world has to offer than you have ever seen even through your brother's eyes. But I also know that despite the carnage, there is still hope in this world. Konohagakure is that hope and I'll be damned if I let anyone even think of snuffing it out."
"But we all have a purpose in life." Her eyes widen and she turned to face the stranger behind her but he stabbed at her shoulder with a needle, rapidly injecting the liquid into her blood stream.
Snarling she knocked his arm away and aimed a kick for his stomach, watching as he nimbly jumped out of the way. However this guy was she knew she didn't stand a chance and made to run off to warn someone but she was shocked to feel her legs go numb and stumble to the ground. "Damn you..." she hissed, struggling to get up but her body refused to listen.
"K-Kimimaro! What are you doing here!?" Why did Orochimaru-sama have to send him? Did he think they were that weak?
The pale young man said nothing as he knelt and lifted his captive over his shoulder, ignoring her futile attempts at escaping. Even when she stabbed at his arm with a kunai he grabbed her wrist, forcing her to drop it. Still she was fighting instead of falling unconscious. "Kabuto-san was wrong. This medicine wasn't strong enough to stop her," he said to no on in particular.
"Damn you…" she hissed, wishing she could pull out her sword but her chakra felt stagnant. Whatever this drug was that teme didn't take into consideration that she had the similar immune system as Naruto. But it would take a while. She watched as they began walking, leaving the village behind she frowned but used her nails to pierce her palms until she broke through the skin. 'I just hope they can find it,' she thought as she felt blood drop.
The group traveled well through the night, never pausing for a moment but they finally stopped around mid-morning in a small clearing. Sasuke looked over at Shiruba but she continued to be quiet. No one said anything even as the one called Kimimaro placed her down.
"Sasuke-sama. Around here is good," Sakon told him.
"What for?" he asked with a slight frown.
"There is something Orochimaru-sama ordered us to do once we left Konoha." At this everyone (except the pale young man) gave an evil smirk, as though they were going to enjoy what was going to happen next. "You and Shiruba-hime… must die once."
A silver-blue eye silently cracked open. "Care to run that by me again?" she asked. The freaky twin just smirked and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small bottle filled with tiny pills the color of dried blood.
"This is Seishingan, a mind drug that you both must take."
"Why should we?"
"Your curses are at a Stage 1," Tayuya explained. "That pill will forcefully awaken Stage 2."
"I'm sensing a 'but' here…" the girl sighed, resting her head back against the tree she was sitting against.
"However, once you get to Stage 2, the speed the seal spreads will increase rapidly. If left like that, you will die immediately. In order to take control of that stage, a lot of time is needed to control it. That is how you will gain power equal to ours." Sasuke frowned, starting to have doubts about this but with this power he could kill Itachi…
"After it awakens it will take a few minutes for you to die." Sakon smirked and slowly walked up to the genin. "That's what we're here for." Taking his hand he placed the bottle in his palm. "With our barrier jutsu we will reduce the side effects. We can soften that eternal death into an apparent death."
Shiruba watched under her lashes, knowing that the ass would take the stupid pill but there was no one in hell was she going to take it. So she waited, watching as they all seemed so dead on focus on Uchiha the moment she saw him put the pill into his mouth, she was gone.
"She's getting away!!" Tayuya shouted.
"I got her!" Jirōbō's hands rapidly moved through the seals, forcing his chakra into the ground he created a huge rock wall to appear but she smashed right through it. However, it was enough for Kimimaro to catch up. The girl wasn't nearly as fast as she usually was but he reached out and grabbed her by the back of her vest. She slipped out of the loose material and was ready to run but caught a heavy kick in her stomach that sent her flying back to the others.
Kidōmaru smirked and braced himself as their target was literally kicked back. As soon as her back connected with his chest he wrapped his arms around her tightly just in case she had thought of rushing off once more but she was too busy gasping. "Nice try, Shiruba-hime, but Orochimaru-sama has plans for you," he breathed into her ear. Without warning, he made sure her mouth stayed open and forced the tiny pill down her throat.
The pale young man quietly walked up to her, watched as she had no choice but to swallow and waited until the effects kicked in before speaking to her. "They say it's better to be the right hand of the devil, than to stand in his way." She looked at him with eyes so haunted he was taken back until she began to convulse.
"Get her in now," Sakon ordered. The spider-freak didn't waste anytime as he placed her in the drum and moved into position, summoning their chakra. "Shikoku Mujin!!" A dark cloud began to arise, surrounding the drums, encasing the darkness that surrounded the two youths within. Once the lid was formed they were trapped within but it wasn't over just yet. Taking several slips of paper out Sakon bit his thumb until it bleed and quickly wrote the seals that were needed, then threw them out. "Fūkoku Hōin!!" The tags immediately sealed themselves. The sealing technique, was complete.
"Good. Let's go." Jirōbō quietly placed the drum containing Sasuke on his back but Kimimaro quietly took the other. When Sakon made to question him he forced to remain silent when pale green eyes pierced into his own, commanding him to keep quiet. While Orochimaru told them that they would follow Uchiha should he come, he was told to protect the princess no matter what.
Author's Notes: Ugh I was crying when I wrote the argument between Hidama and Naruto, in fact I was crying through some of this and then I would get so mad. Trust me, I was really debating on making Naruto a chūnin with Shikamaru but the council would find someway to say no. Oh trust me though, he will be climbing the ranks pretty soon.
More drama between Kakashi and Naruto's relationship but it'll get worse before it gets better. Though I'm gonna try to squeeze in a pretty wet dream but this time it'll be Kakashi dreaming it up :D
Next chapter will have the rescue team on the trail but as the group splits off one by one, will they have any hopes of succeeding or will they die trying? Well, we know the answer to that now don't we. And more of Shiruba's past will be revealed, such as why she holds little to no respect for certain kages and council members.
Katon, Gōkakyū no Jutsu: Great Fireball Technique
Otogakure no Shinobi Yonin Shū: Sound Ninja Four
Tōmon: East Gate
Seimon: West Gate
Nanmon: South Gate
Hakumon: North Gate
Kawarimi: Body Substitution
Shikoku Mujin: Four Dark Mist Array
Fūkoku Hōin: Dark Sealing Method