Chapter 6

Debts Paid and Promises Made

Ibiki continued working with the individual members of Team Kakashi for two straight weeks. He'd devoted a couple of hours to each of them every day – and after a few setbacks where one or another of the kids became dangerously withdrawn, he was ready to start the next level. He'd made appointments for the three of them to meet him at Ichiraku Ramen for lunch. It would mark the first time the three were together since they'd returned from the mission – a fact that came as quite a surprise to the Hokage when Ibiki had informed her of it yesterday.

Ibiki couldn't be one hundred percent sure what the meeting would trigger – so he chose a site that would be familiar and soothing to the kids. That – and it was an easily defensible position – which was why he had a dozen ANBU operatives stationed around the Ramen stand. All it would take to put them into action would be a subtle hand signal from Ibiki – just in case things turned sour.

Ibiki approached the Ramen stand with mixed feelings – he still wasn't convinced that these kids were stable yet – but he also knew they needed to move forward or they'd run the risk of being permanently damaged – something that no ninja wanted to be labeled as. . . especially at such young ages.

Ibiki made it a point to wait until it was almost time for the meeting before he approached Ichiraku Ramen. He knew his presence was enough to keep people from coming near – and it was not his intention to harm the welfare of one of Konoha's most prominent civilian business owners.

When he reached the stand he was somewhat surprised that none of the kids were there. Had he misjudged their level of readiness? Ibiki scowled at the thought. He might have made an error with one of them – but he could not accept that he'd do that for all three.

The proprietor's voice interrupted his line of thoughts. "If you're looking for Naruto and his friends, he said to tell you they'd meet you at Training Ground Five . . . oh yeah – and that they picked you up some lunch as well."

Ibiki raised an eyebrow – honestly not sure how to take this new information. On one hand – the fact that they'd shown up was a good sign. On the other hand – they hadn't stayed...but...they did move elsewhere – presumably together...and left word for him to join them. Ibiki moved closer to the counter, his hands deep in his coat pockets.

"You know Naruto better than most, Teuchi...how did he seem to you?"

A sad smile crossed the owner's lips. "I'll admit he wasn't as loud as he usually is...and he only ordered two bowls of ramen for himself." He paused, a contemplative look settling on his face. "When I asked what was wrong he looked at his two friends, shrugged, and then said he was just missing Kakashi-sensei too much. The others seemed to agree with him."

Teuchi scratched at the back of his head and then met Ibiki's gaze. "You know – until Naruto mentioned his sensei, I hadn't even realized that we haven't seen him in awhile. Is he out on another one of those long missions?"

Ibiki frowned. He wasn't in the habit of discussing the whereabouts of elite jonin with civilians – it went against every fiber of his being.

"I'm not at liberty to say." His gruff voice sounded harsh – even to his own ears.

Teuchi flushed a bit – his eyes opened wide – and he raised his hands up between them. "Oh no...no...I wouldn't want you to tell me anything critical...it's just that Naruto was so down – I wanted to know how long Kakashi-sensei had been gone is all...but I'll just make sure the boy's mind is on something else the next time I see him."

The frown on Ibiki's face settled into something a little less sinister. Teuchi pulled on his earlobe, something Ibiki had seen him do anytime he was thinking hard. The man's face was transformed with a broad smile.

"I know! Next time I see him I'll have a new type of ramen for him to try! That always seems to cheer the boy up."

Ibiki nodded once, hiding his surprise that a civilian had taken such an interest in the well-being of the brat. He turned to head toward Training Ground Five when Teuchi's voice caught his attention once more.

"Ummm – sir..."

Ibiki turned back to face the ramen stand owner and met him with a steely gaze.

Teuchi flushed a bit and held up a thin slip of paper. "Naruto left this for you."

Curious, Ibiki took the slip from the man's grasp and glanced down at it. He nearly choked when he saw it was the bill for the lunch the others had left with. Once he settled down, Ibiki actually allowed a small smile to grace his lips. If Naruto had enough wits to stick him with the bill, then perhaps the kid was on the road to a full recovery after all.

He glanced at the balance again, reached in his pocket for his money, and paid the bill...thankful that Naruto only ordered two bowls of ramen. Teuchi waved happily as Ibiki shoved his hands back into his pockets and headed on his way. He'd submit the receipt to the Hokage when he got back to his office – after all, this was part of his mission, wasn't it?

-- --


Kurogane paced back and forth in the room. Every now and again he'd pause to stare out at the ship now docked in the harbor. This time, there were no gaping holes in the ship's decking, and the mast was still in one piece. He frowned. Hopefully that simply meant his nephew was still subdued...and not that they'd failed in the task.

He took a deep breath and, for the thousandth time that day, reminded himself that he'd taken everything into account, and that he could relax now. And for the thousandth time today – those thoughts failed to convince him that nothing would go wrong with his plans. After all – the boy was a Hatake – and as he well knew – Hatake's rarely did what was expected by the majority of people.

Kurogane's thoughts moved to his brother. Sakumo had certainly not done what anyone expected – that was for sure. When word got to him in the bowels of the Asylum that his elder brother responded to the disbandment of the Clan by abandoning the Lightning Village – and him, Kurogane thought it had to be a mistake. His brother's loyalty to the village was stronger then any other shinobi – and he couldn't believe that the fight he'd provoked could possibly have shaken that faith. But it had – at least partially.

It took Kurogane many long, lonely years of contemplation to figure out what truly sent his brother running into the arms of the Village Hidden in the Leaves – and away from him. He'd concluded it had to be the fact his wife was expecting a child...and Sakumo didn't want that kid to grow up in a village where his family name had been erased. The idiot always held the family honor far higher then he should have.

Throughout his years in the Asylum, Kurogane continued to hear whispers of the fate of Sakumo. Or more appropriately – he'd continued to hear updates on the wonders of 'The White Fang of Konoha' – of how his brother had become one of the leading shinobi of the Leaf Village – often mentioned with the same level of respect and fear that he'd hear folks use when describing the Legendary Sannin from that very same village.

He'd also learned of the fact his brother's child was born into that very village – a 'Son of Konoha' was how the brat had been described to Kurogane. The genius offspring of the living legend. A child so gifted that he was already a genin by the time he was five.

Kurogane found himself staring at the ship again. He'd assumed most of what he'd heard of Kakashi were exaggerated stories – fantastical adventures based on a kernel of truth. But after seeing what the boy had done to the last ship – and receiving the preliminary report of this current extraction, he was starting to wonder if those tales were based more in fact, rather then fantasy.

A smile turned the corners of his mouth up. Kurogane was looking forward to seeing if his nephew was capable of living up to his legend.

-- --


Wolf thought he'd already experienced the pinnacle of pain during his violent lifetime...he was wrong. Never before had he felt such agony as he did when the four shinobi approached his chained body with scrub brushes, soap and buckets of water.

The moment they applied brush to skin, all hopes of maintaining any control left the jonin. He was unable to stop the screams that ripped loose from his throat. Each stroke of the bristles across his skin felt like they were flaying him alive. The soap that worked the layers of tea-stain, dirt and blood from his body might just as well have been acid. Each molecule of filth pulled free from him felt like it was being dragged from the very core of his being. When the cascade of icy cold water streamed over his head to rinse the remaining tea from his silver hair, Wolf thought he'd lose his mind from the intensity of the electric shocks that seemed to drive themselves into every nerve-ending of his body.

And then it happened – just as he thought for certain his grasp on reality would break – they finished. Wolf was left hanging in his chains, gasping for air, shaking from the cold and water. His muscles were beyond his control now – still reeling from the over-stimulation of the cleansing. When the manacles were released from the wall, Wolf fell to the floor in a heap – unable to take advantage of this possible opportunity to break free.

He felt himself lifted up by his arms and pulled into a roughly standing position. Akuma smirked at him – making Wolf want nothing more than to lunge forward and rip the bastard's throat out. That thought firmly in place allowed him to still the shaking in his body. His captor frowned when he saw the change, and he motioned for the two men holding Wolf to follow him.

Wolf still had no idea where they were – only that he was to be delivered to a third party. Still – he promised himself that he'd track Akuma down no matter how long it took, and make him pay for what he did in Hyoukai Yobou to the folks who had been trying to help him. He thought about Chuutetsu and Samidare and wondered if they were safe – then returned his focus to his surroundings.

He was pulled through the bowels of the ship and up into the daylight. Wolf squinted against the brightness but refused to close his eyes...he needed to gather as much information as he could about where he was – if he was to have any chance of escaping later. They pulled his non-responsive body across the deck and to the gangplank. The man who'd demanded he be washed was waiting for them on shore – with a half dozen more shinobi. This was Wolf's first clear view of the headbands marking his enemies affiliation – Lightning Country.

Wolf tried to think of why Lightning would be so eager to capture him – but he drew a blank. In all his time in ANBU – he'd never actually interacted with Lightning at all. At the most he'd only been involved in a few retrieval missions along the outskirts of the country...and even those involved no contact with anyone. All in all – this was one of very few countries that Wolf hardly knew beyond what the history scrolls told.

This didn't bode well. After all – he'd be at a distinct disadvantage once he broke free, simply because he was unfamiliar with this land. And Wolf hated being uninformed.

The guards holding him were flanked by the others and continued their way through the village. The streets were wide – with brightly painted houses lining either side – and with pale-skinned villagers staring at the strange procession as they passed. Wolf noted several of the men and women pointing at him and whispering to each other.

He caught bits and pieces of their words - 'I thought he was dead...';'Do you think it's his heir?';'I heard he's gonna kill him...'

Wolf filed these snippets away and tried to focus on where he was being dragged...the group was winding its way up a steep incline toward a house that seemed precariously perched on a cliff overlooking the water. The building was impressive – reminding Wolf of the Hyuga complex back in Konoha. The closer they got – the firmer that comparison became.

Whoever his mysterious captor was – they were evidently held in high esteem here...although Wolf did note that the complex had seen better days. Some of the facades of the outer buildings were in need of fresh paint, and the vegetation lining the walkways seemed a tad overgrown in spots.

Wolf's pondering came to a stop when he was dragged into an inner courtyard and unceremoniously dumped onto the ground. His arms were shackled behind his back – limiting his ability to break his fall – and his body was still under whatever jutsu Akuma had placed on him days ago. Still – Wolf was becoming accustomed to the steady flare of pain caused by that jutsu – so he was able to concentrate on other stimuli around him.

The sounds of footsteps on the gravel of the courtyard path caught his attention – so he was not taken by surprise when someone stopped in front of him. Their voice was a rich baritone – and it held a familiarity to it that Wolf couldn't quite place his finger on. It was as though he'd heard the speaker before...a lifetime ago...

"Well...don't keep me waiting. Lift him up so I can look him in the eye!"

Wolf felt the hands of his enemies drag him back up to stand in front of this new arrival and he fully intended to glare his deadliest glare once their faces met. Instead – Wolf felt his breath catch in his throat and his heart wrench in his chest when his face took in that of his captor. Wolf's mind spun. He was staring into the face of his father! Was he caught in one of Akuma's dream-like states again?

The silver hair of the man in front of him was longer then Wolf remembered – and the eyes seemed colder – and not quite as blue-gray as he remembered...but the jawline, the stance...they matched his memories to a tee. But no – this couldn't be Sakumo – he'd buried his father decades ago. Wolf clung to that fact and waited for the strangely familiar man to speak again.

That man's lips curved into a feral grin. "Well done Akuma. You've brought the boy home – and even managed to meet my deadline."

Akuma stepped forward and bowed. "I assume this clears my debt with your house, Lord Kurogane."

The silver-haired man reached out and pushed Wolf's hair back from his face. "I suppose it does Akuma. Boudachi will draw up the necessary papers for you once you've released this jutsu without injuring him further – and we've moved Kakashi to his accommodations, that is."

"As you wish. Although you may want to wait until he is secured before you have the jutsu released."

Kurogane's voice held an amused edge to it. "Really? Can I assume he proved more difficult then you'd expected, Akuma?"

Wolf saw Akuma's muscles tense at the words. "Let's just say that you have one less guard to pay now."

Kurogane grinned – reminding Wolf of a wild dog about to devour its catch. "Really? Then perhaps we should secure him before he manages to break free from us again."

Wolf was pulled into one of the larger structures within the compound, and brought into a dark hallway. He counted seven doorways before the small group entered a room. He was dragged to the far side where he was pushed face first onto a bed set along the wall. Someone released the locking mechanism between his manacles and his arms were no longer attached together – although the thick metal cuffs still encircled his wrists.

Rough hands pulled him to his feet once more, and then picked him up and placed him face up on the mattress. His arms and legs were firmly secured to waiting chains within the framework of the bed, and only once he was restrained, were the chakra dampening manacles from the ship finally removed from his wrists.

Akuma moved closer and leaned over Wolf's face, glaring down at him. "Are you sure you want the jutsu removed? He's liable to prove difficult."

Kurogane's face moved into view from the opposite side on the bed. "Just do as you're told, Akuma – before I change my mind on releasing you from your debt."

Akuma's face transformed into a scowl and he raised his hands into a complex hand-sign. A moment later and the aura of yellow-tinged chakra that cloaked Wolf's body lifted away and dissipated into the air. Wolf fought back the urge to scream out at the strange pulling sensation along his nerve endings. The only sign that he felt anything at all was the sudden clenching of his fists.

Akuma stepped back. "He's been released, Lord Kurogane. My end of the contract has been fulfilled."

Kurogane waved a hand toward his aide. "Boudachi – see that Akuma gets his paperwork and go away."

"Yes sir. This way, Akuma." The two men left the room and Wolf shifted his concentration back to the silver-haired man staring down at him.

Something in the man's eyes unsettled Wolf...and he wasn't sure if it was the similarity to his father's gaze that shook him, or the obvious touch of madness he could sense behind those eyes. Either way – he needed information if he was going to get out of this alive.

"Why did you bring me here?" His words were delivered with no hint of emotion.

Kurogane's lips twitched and Wolf wondered – not for the first time – just who the hell this was. "Is that any way to greet me, Kakashi?"

Wolf's brow furrowed. "Am I supposed to know who you are?"

Now a grin stretched across the man's face. "I suppose not – seeing as we never officially met before today."

The man backed up a step and made a formal bow – the move causing Wolf to tense a bit. "Forgive my manners – I am your humble host – Kurogane Hatake." He stood back up with a sly smirk on his face. "Welcome home, nephew."

Wolf stared back at the man – running his words over and over within his mind...Kurogane Hatake? Nephew? What the hell is going on?

Kurogane leaned over him once more – this time to whisper conspiratorially into his ear. "I look forward to having you help me regain what is rightfully mine..."

With that – Kurogane placed a kiss on Wolf's forehead, and then walked out the door whistling – leaving a handful of guards behind to keep an eye on him. Wolf blinked and felt his mind spin from this latest twist.

-- --


Tsunade stared at the meticulously detailed report in her hand. She had to hand it to Ibiki – he could certainly get the job done. Although there were still sections of the report that were lacking – she had to admit that Sai answered more then a few of the burning questions left by Naruto's sorry excuse for a report. She sighed and placed the eight sheets of paper back on the desk.

If Sai's report was right – and she knew in her bones it was – then Lightning shinobi of ridiculously high rank and capabilities were already working for Kurogane's cause – and didn't feel they were betraying Lightning by doing so. This didn't bode well for the less then firm truce between Lightning and Leaf...and likely didn't bode well for poor Kakashi if he made it into Kurogane's hands.

An insane shinobi of Kurogane's level was bad enough – but an insane shinobi with loyal followers was even worse. You couldn't use normal logic when dealing with people like this...as was proven in Leaf's attempts to track and subdue Orochimaru over the years. These madmen tended to do beyond the unexpected – and it usually ended badly for both sides.

Tsunade rubbed at her eyes and wished – not for the first time – that she'd walked away from the title of Fifth Hokage. She never liked making decisions that could result in life or death for the shinobi of Leaf Village – and she liked it even less when it involved those she held close to her heart. Kakashi was one of those few...being the only remaining link she had to a man she'd counted as a dear friend.

Tsunade wondered what Sakumo would have done in her place. She closed her eyes and could almost hear his soft-spoken words...'Whatever you do, Tsunade – don't let Kashi stay in that bastard's hands. He'd be better off dead then twisted by Kurogane's logic.'

She chuckled to herself. Even in her imagination, White Fang had a way of summing everything up in black and white. Tsunade opened her eyes – her decision made.

"Shizune! Bring me Team Gai and Team Shikamaru."

The dark-haired jonin bowed low. "Yes, Lady Tsunade." With that she darted out the door – leaving Tsunade alone with her thoughts.

-- --


Iruka noticed a distinct tension growing between Crow and Bear the closer they got to Lightning Country. The two barely spoke more then two words to each other in the past four days. He hoped it wasn't anything to worry about.

Chuutetsu's voice at his side pulled him from his thoughts. "The ship's Captain spoke with Crow last night, and they decided to pull in to a port down the shore from where we think the other boat went."

Iruka nodded his head absently. "Makes sense. We wouldn't want them to know we were on their trail, I suppose."

The medic sighed. "I guess. It's just that it's going to take even longer to get to Kakashi if we have to add traveling on the ground to the equation."

Iruka smirked and looked into Chuutetsu's eyes. "Keep thinking like that, Chuutetsu, and we'll make a shinobi out of you yet."

The medic scratched the back of his head and smiled. "I guess you and your companions are starting to rub off on me. But seriously, Iruka – aren't you worried about adding more time onto this trip?"

Iruka sighed and glanced to where Crow and the other ANBU were gathered in deep discussion. "Whether I'm worried or not won't make a difference in the long run. We just have to keep faith in the fact Crow and the others have dealt with situations like this far more often then either of us. They probably have already taken into account all the probable angles and know what needs to be done."

Chuutetsu's face twisted into one full of doubt. "Are you trying to tell me that these ANBU are used to sneaking in to villages and dealing with a bunch of murderous villains?"

Iruka grinned. "Actually – yes, they are."

The medic's features changed to a look of shock. Iruka chuckled. "Chuutetsu, I won't lie to you – the ANBU are the elite of the elite. They can go places and do things that you couldn't even begin to comprehend...and they do it without hesitation. It's what makes them, well...ANBU."

He placed a hand on the medic's shoulder. "I trust that they know what they're doing – and I trust that they will do whatever is needed to get Kakashi back again."

Chuutetsu took a deep breath. "OK, Iruka...but for Kakashi's sake, I hope they don't take too long."

As though beckoned by the medic's words, Crow walked across the deck to join them. "We're about an hour away from shore. Once we hit land there will be no time to explain what to do – so I need you to listen carefully Iruka-sensei."

Iruka swallowed deeply and nodded. Chuutetsu shifted nervously beside him before speaking up. "Forgive me, Crow – but what about me?"

The ANBU leader turned his face toward the medic. "What about you? You are to stay here until we return."

Iruka watched Chuutetsu's hands ball into fists and his face flush with anger. "But he's likely injured! He'll need my help! And the sooner I can treat him the better it will be for him. There's no way I'm waiting here while you go and get him back!"

Crow crossed his arms – and Iruka wondered if the medic had crossed some unseen line in the sand. The ANBU's voice was impassive as he laid down the law.

"We are trained for this. You are not. You are a liability that we cannot afford in this extraction. You will wait here – and be ready to treat Wolf once we've returned."

Crow turned toward Iruka. "You – Iruka-sensei – will be responsible for getting Wolf ready to travel back here. I know you have advanced field medicine training – it's part of why the Hokage sent you with us. You will not fight, unless all other options are exhausted – is that understood?"

Iruka nodded. "Yes, Crow."

"Good. Now pack up and be ready to move out the moment we reach shore."

Crow turned and walked away without waiting for any response. Iruka sighed and turned toward Chuutetsu. "You shouldn't take it personally, Chuutetsu. In fact – in his own strange way – Crow paid you a compliment."

The medic's eyes narrowed. "Did he? Was that before or after he said I'd be a liability?"

Iruka scratched at the back of his head. "After – actually."

Chuutetsu blinked at him. "It's a compliment to be told to stay behind?"

Iruka shrugged. "No – but it is a compliment to be told you're trusted enough by the ANBU to have you in charge of caring for their former leader once we get him back here."

The medic's eyes went wide. "Oh..."

Iruka almost laughed at the elder man's reaction, but his time was limited, and he needed to ask the man a few things. "Chuutetsu, I need you to detail everything you can remember about Kakashi's injuries. I want to make sure that I understand what was already present before this latest abduction."

Chuutetsu nodded, and the two spent the next half an hour discussing various topics before Iruka reluctantly left the medic's side to prepare his pack for the next leg of this adventure. His mind went back to the day he'd requested to be assigned to this mission...to the glimmer of hope in Naruto's blue eyes when Tsunade agreed to let him go. Whatever came to pass – Iruka would do everything he could to bring Kakashi back to his Team.

-- --


Naruto kicked at a stone that was lying at the foot of the tree he, Sakura and Sai were leaning against. Since their first lunch meeting a week ago, the three were in the habit of coming here at the start of each day. Usually they'd chat about what Sakura was learning at the hospital, or what Sai was drawing – but today the conversation was turning to what others in the village were doing.

Naruto saw Shikamaru and Gai-sensei heading toward the Hokage Tower earlier, and couldn't help but wonder what was up. After all, Shikamaru wasn't known for hanging out with the overly energetic Gai – it went against everything the notoriously lazy ninja stood for. So obviously it had to be a mission. The question was – what could that mission be?

"What makes you think it's a mission, Naruto?" Sakura's voice still held an edge of wariness to it – but the pink-haired kunoichi's eyes gleamed when she looked at him.

Naruto shrugged. "Would you hang out with Gai-sensei if you didn't have to?"

She chuckled. "No – I guess not." Sakura bent down and plucked a wildflower from the ground, staring at its petals while she continued to speak. "I just have to wonder why Lady Tsunade would match Shikamaru's team up with Gai-sensei's team."

Naruto crossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah – that's what I was wondering too. How bout you, Sai?"

Sai had been sitting on the ground – sketching in his book the entire time they were talking – making Naruto wonder if he ever gave a damn about anything.

"Dammit – Sai! Are you even listening?" Naruto clenched his fists, and was about to pummel some sense into the arrogant bastard's head, when Sakura walked over to sit next to the dark-haired twit.

Her eyes filled with tears when she looked over Sai's shoulder to see what he was drawing. Naruto felt a knot form in his stomach as he moved closer to find out what caused her reaction. He lowered himself to the ground and peered at the book in Sai's lap. His eyes went wide.

The drawing showed himself, Sai and Sakura standing in front of Kakashi-sensei. All of them had smiles on their faces – even Sai...and the picture showed Kakashi's visible eye crinkled up in that way that anyone who knew the masked man took to mean he was ridiculously happy.

The drawing was flawless – and had something Naruto had never seen on any of Sai's other works...it had a title. In neat lettering across the bottom of the page it proudly declared... 'TEAM KAKASHI – REUNITED.'

The newest member of Team Kakashi sighed. "I think they're going to help bring him back to us."

Naruto smiled and looked at his teammates. "Yeah – I hope so."

The three continued to stare at Sai's drawing – silently hoping that their Sensei would be safely brought home soon.