Chapter 10
Unexpected Allies
Boudachi walked into Kakashi's room with an armful of clothing and saw the man was wide awake. He frowned. He'd hoped the Copy-ninja would be asleep when he came to do this. Oh well – it's not like it would change anything. He walked to Kakashi's bed and placed the pile of clothing on the floor. Then he pulled out a syringe and held it up so the man could see it.
"Okay Kakashi, I'm going to give you the choice of doing this the hard way or the easy way."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "I thought that bastard said he wasn't expecting me to perform again so soon."
Boudachi chuckled and sat down on the edge of the mattress. "He's not. That isn't what this is about."
Kakashi shifted his gaze to the syringe. "Then enlighten me."
Again, he chuckled. "I figured you'd like the chance to clean up and put some real clothes back on. I just need to know if you can do that without trying to kill me – or if I'm going to need to do it for you."
Kakashi raised his eyebrows. "You expect me to believe you are giving me the option of not being injected?"
Boudachi sighed. "You can believe whatever you'd like to believe. I know that this will be easier for me if I have your cooperation, and don't have to knock you out and physically clean and dress you myself."
He glanced up to where they both knew others were watching them. "But this task was assigned to me – and it will be done – even if you have to be unconscious. In the long run, you'll sustain less injury if you are awake." He shrugged. "It's your choice."
Kakashi's eye closed and he took a slow breath before speaking. "I don't understand why you would care one way or another."
Boudachi smiled once Kakashi's eye opened again. "I don't exactly understand it myself. So – what's it going to be?"
The Copy-ninja furrowed his brow. "I assume the keepers will have me on a short leash again?"
Boudachi's grin stretched into an actual smile. "Of course."
Kakashi sighed. "I'd prefer to be awake."
"Good. Let's get started then." He stood and walked to a table set up by the door and set the syringe down. He glanced back toward the bed. "I'd rather not have to use this – but I will if you leave me no other choice."
Kakashi growled. "I get it."
Boudachi took one last look up to the observation room and nodded. He saw the chain attached to Kakashi's collar loosen up to show the others were ready, and he moved back to the bed with a key in his hand. He took a deep breath and proceeded to unlock the manacles – starting with the one located on the broken right arm, and working around until he got to the man's left arm. To Kakashi's credit, he stayed perfectly still – although some of that was likely that the man was physically exhausted after his ordeal. Once the manacles were released, Boudachi moved to help the young man sit up.
Kakashi's body tensed at his touch, but he accepted the help all the same. Between the chakra dampening collar and the cocktail of drugs which was still working its way out of the man's system, it was no wonder Boudachi felt Kakashi lean into him when they finally stood him up. Boudachi knew he should have felt on edge with the man so close to him – after all, even this worn out, Kakashi could likely kill him in an instant – but somehow he felt more at ease with Kakashi then he'd ever felt with the young man's uncle. Boudachi frowned and pushed the traitorous thought away to concentrate on his task.
They worked their way slowly to the shower and, once there, he removed the bandage around Kakashi's broken arm, and the soiled yukata, and tossed them both away before signaling for the others to start the water. Boudachi stayed within reach of the silver-haired man while he watched him scrub away the filth from the past few days. He saw Kakashi's eye fall to where the shower drain plate had been removed, and knew then that escape was never far from the man's thoughts.
-- --
Iruka found that the closer to their goal the retrieval squad went, the more difficult it was getting for them to remain unseen. At the moment, they were broken into three groups and hiding amidst the shadows along the borders of the Hatake lands. There were jonin-level guards scattered throughout the area, and Iruka felt his own chances for surviving this mission lowering with each new group spotted. He spent his time suppressing his chakra and calming his heart rate in an attempt to keep himself unseen. Again he was amazed at how calm the ANBU could be in such dire scenarios. Assuming they got out of this alive – he'd have to take Genma aside and ask him what the secret was. Maybe he could apply it at the Academy when the kids became impossible. His thoughts returned to their current situation when Crow's hand signal warned him to stay still.
Another patrol of Lightning jonin approached and stopped right in front of where he and Crow were settled in the branches of a tree. The two men pulled out their canteens and drank. Iruka pushed down to urge to whimper and hoped they'd move on soon.
The first man lowered his canteen and ran the back of his free hand across his forehead. He leaned against trunk of their tree and pulled out a cigarette and lighter. The other jonin took out his own and the two settled in to enjoy a break.
"They said Akuma was on the hunter team that brought the kid in." The first man's deep voice was met by a nod from the second man.
"Yeah – I heard he actually had his nightmare jutsu break on the trip back."
"No way...you're kidding, right?"
The second man took another sip from his canteen before answering. "Nope. In fact the kid managed to break the neck of one of the guards before Akuma got him back under control."
"Damn. Which guard?"
"Saikyou." The second jonin took another drag from his cigarette. "They say the kid was chained to the wall and used his legs to break Saikyou's neck while Akuma watched."
"So then the rumors could actually be true. We have the Copy-ninja here."
"What makes you so sure?"
The first man pushed himself off the tree and pinched his cigarette out. "Who else do you think would have the ability to break out of the nightmare jutsu and kill Saikyou?"
The second man chuckled. "Yeah – I guess you're right." He pushed off the tree too. "That means we'd better be on the lookout for those Konoha pests. You know damn well they aren't just gonna let us keep him once they figure out we have him."
"What makes you so sure they'll figure it out?"
"Heh – have you ever known the Leaf Village to keep their nose out of Lightning's business?"
The first man grunted in agreement, and then the two returned to their patrol.
Crow placed a hand on Iruka's wrist, signaling it was time for them to move on. Iruka swallowed back his fear and followed the ANBU captain into the shadows. His mind was going a million miles a minute...who the hell was Akuma...and what the hell was a nightmare jutsu?
-- --
Wolf tried his best not to show his weakness while showering, but his right arm decided to ignore him completely and caused him to drop the washcloth he'd been using. The chain on his neck made it impossible to bend down for the cloth, and Boudachi was at his side immediately handing him a new one. He had to admit, the aide was smarter than most...if the man had bent down to pick up the dropped cloth, Wolf could have snapped him like a twig with his legs.
"I'll have the medic check your arm again when we're finished here." Wolf registered a touch of concern in the man's voice.
"Don't bother. He's done enough already." Wolf flexed the fingers on his right hand and cringed when a spasm ran through it. What he wouldn't give for an ANBU medic right about now.
"Listen, Kakashi...they can't hear us over the water right now...so just listen." Boudachi turned his body so his face wasn't toward the observation room. "Your uncle will kill us both if he finds out that I'm trying to help you."
Wolf made it a point to continue going through the motions of washing. "Then why would you?"
Boudachi sighed. "I'm not really sure. Let's just say this job isn't what I signed on for and leave it at that."
Wolf grunted in acknowledgment and the aide continued. "You'll find a thin strip of metal in the edge of the washcloth. Palm it when you can. You'll be able to slip it into the connection of the chakra dampening collar while you get dressed. It won't deactivate the thing – but it will make it a hell of a lot less effective – and won't trigger any of the alarms in the observation room."
Wolf barely had enough time to register the information when Boudachi turned back toward the others and signaled for the water to be cut off. He found and palmed the promised strip of metal a moment before the aide pulled the washcloth free of his hand and tossed it with the one already on the floor.
The chain on Wolf's neck tightened – making it obvious he was meant to step away from the shower. He slowly made his way back to the bed where the clean clothes were waiting. He glanced into Boudachi's eyes once more and narrowed his gaze. Why would this man risk so much to help him?
For his part, the aide gestured toward the clothes. "Get dressed. Then I'll take a look at your arm."
Wolf knew they needed to keep their roles in place so no one would guess at the plan. He growled and glared. "And what if I don't?"
Boudachi walked toward the table by the door and picked up the syringe. "Do we really have to go over this again, Kakashi?"
Wolf sighed and moved toward the pile of clothing. He spread them out to see what he had to work with. There were dark gray boxers, a pair of dark blue slacks, and a matching collared sleeveless shirt. They weren't exactly what he'd choose to wear – but it was a hell of a lot better than a yukata.
He kept the strip of metal pinched between the thumb and palm of his left hand as he deftly donned the clothing. First the boxers – then the slacks – and finally the shirt...making sure to turn toward the observation room while his left hand moved to straighten the collar of the shirt – and carefully slipped the palmed metal where Boudachi had directed at the juncture of the chakra collar and the chain. When Wolf was certain the strip was secure, he moved to lift his right arm up to finish smoothing the collar and didn't have to fake the excruciating pain that shot through him.
Boudachi's brow creased and he set the syringe back on the table, picking up a basket filled with bandages and salves instead. "Sit down."
Wolf considered arguing, but the wave of pain in his arm convinced him otherwise. He glared for the audience and sat on the end of the bed. Boudachi frowned when he looked at the arm. Wolf turned his head to see what elicited that reaction and he felt his anger return. The skin was bruised from his elbow to his wrist – but that wasn't unexpected – after all, Wolf noticed it during the shower. It was the way that the skin was bulging out at various points that was concerning him.
"Where the hell did that bastard get get that so-called medic? From under a rock?"
Boudachi's answer came through clenched teeth. "I warned Kurogane he wasn't as good as he claimed."
Wolf watched as the man placed a cooling layer of salve down before loosing wrapping the bruised area with several layers of gauze bandages. He chuckled low in his throat. "I think you likely have more skill than he has."
Boudachi finished and stood back up. "You'll be allowed limited movement within the room so long as you behave. I'll have some food brought in a little later – along with some pain killers."
The aide didn't wait for him to reply before leaving the room. Wolf placed his hand over the freshly bandaged arm and frowned. This shoddy patch-up was liable to put a wrinkle in his plans to escape. His right hand was necessary to perform the majority of his jutsus – and without the ability to control his fingers sufficiently on that hand it would limit his jutsus even farther.
Wolf moved up to the head of the bed and leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the chakra paths within his body. True to Boudachi's words, he could already feel an increase in his chakra stores – which meant that eventually he just might be able to figure a way out of this mess. He'd need to make sure to suppress that growing pool of chakra so it wouldn't be discovered until it was too late – especially if Akuma was still around. Until then – he'd hope that sick bastard who claimed to be his uncle didn't come up with anymore 'missions' to help reseed the Hatake clan.
Wolf frowned. He'd need to find out where those women were sent before he could truly be done with this nightmare. With luck, once he'd finished killing Kurogane and Akuma, Boudachi would supply him the details willingly. But one way or another – he would get the answers he needed.
-- --
Shikamaru knew time was starting to run out. They had encountered or avoided four patrols since entering into what the Raikage deemed 'Hatake lands,' and it would only be a matter of time before the one patrol they'd had to eliminate would be noticed missing. He motioned for the others to stop and remain still when a flash of white up ahead caught his eye. Was it just the sun playing with his head?
Raidou moved to his side. "Shikamaru – tell me you saw what I just saw."
Shikamaru scratched at the back of his head. "I suppose that might be easier if I was a Yamanaka. But I don't read minds, Raidou."
The older jonin chuckled. "Fair enough. I'm pretty sure I just saw one of the retrieval team up ahead. Permission to scout forward and make contact if right?"
A single nod from Shikamaru's head sent the scar-faced man on his way. One more signal from Shikamaru's hand and Neji joined his fellow jonin, while the rest of them blended into their surroundings in the hopes of remaining undiscovered. Although the possibility of meeting up with the retrieval team was covered in his many plans, Shikamaru honestly hadn't thought it would happen. He sighed to himself. Perhaps this won't be as troublesome as he'd first feared.
-- --
Raidou knew Shikamaru would send Neji to back him up – it had been one of many plans the two discussed over the course of the past weeks' travel. The fact Shikamaru planned for every eventuality sometimes annoyed Raidou – but in this case, he found it strangely comforting. He stopped on a branch and waited for Neji to catch up. At a silent hand signal the Hyuga lad activated his Byakugan and scanned the area in front of him.
"There are three – no – four ANBU scattered in front of us. The nearest is one hundred meters straight ahead."
Raidou nodded. "You wait here and keep watch on me. If anything turns sour head straight back to Shikamaru and let him know."
Neji frowned. "You think it could be a trap?"
Raidou shrugged and scratched at his burn scar. "It wouldn't be the first time I'd seen the enemy dressed as our ANBU."
Neji nodded and remained where he was while Raidou moved swiftly through the trees. His heart beat loud in his own ears at the prospect that this could be a trap, but he pushed down that thought and continued forward. Trap or not – they needed to make sure – one way or another.
Raidou moved silently through the trees and was almost to where Neji had directed him when he stopped short – a kunai blade resting against his exposed throat. For a moment Raidou thought he was finished – until the blade was lowered and a slightly muffled voice hissed into his ear.
"Dammit, Raidou – I almost killed you! What the hell are you doing out here?"
Raidou relaxed at the voice and looked back over his shoulder. "And a pleasant good day to you too, Crow."
The two men stepped apart and Raidou took a moment to signal back the 'all-clear' to Neji before addressing his roommate once more. "I take it this means you haven't found Kakashi yet?"
He saw Genma make his own hand sign and a moment later a second ANBU landed next to him. Raidou looked at the blank mask and blinked. "Since when do you take recruits on retrieval missions?"
Genma growled behind the mask. "We don't."
The man wearing the blank mask moved it to the side and revealed who he was. Raidou raised his eyebrows. "Iruka-sensei? I would have sworn by the way you were moving that you were one of them."
He watched Iruka's face redden at the compliment. "Ah – well I was bound to learn a few things working with Crow and the others."
Raidou chuckled at that and looked over his shoulder toward where the others would be coming soon. "So what's the situation?"
Crow rubbed at the back of his neck in a very Genma-like manner – confirming even more that Raidou's guess at his identity was accurate. When the ANBU captain spoke it brought the situation fully back into focus.
"We know his location – and we have an idea of who is holding him – but we still lack information on how many of Lightning's forces are involved."
Raidou nodded. "Fortunately for you, Shikamaru's leading our group. Turns out the kid's a whiz at strategy. He can supply you with everything you need."
He caught a grin on Iruka's face at his obvious praise of one of his former students. Raidou met the teacher's gaze. "You and Asuma taught him well, Sensei."
The others arrived and Crow and Shikamaru promptly moved off to another tree to converse about what they might do. Raidou settled back against the trunk of the tree and took a sip from his canteen, content to let the others map out the best strategy. A moment later, Iruka moved next to him.
"Raidou – I'm surprised to see you on Shikamaru's team."
Raidou raised an eyebrow. "And why would that be, Iruka?"
The academy teacher scratched at the scar across his nose. "I always thought you preferred staying closer to the Village."
Raidou smirked. "I would have thought the same about you, Sensei. But I have to admit – you seem to have taken to the role of ANBU surprisingly well."
It was Iruka's turn to smirk. "Yeah – well Crow is an excellent teacher."
Raidou resisted the urge to laugh. He'd be able to abuse Genma to no end about his teaching the teacher once they got back to Konoha. He was about to make a comment to that effect when Shikamaru and Crow returned.
Raidou focused on the two while Iruka slipped his mask back into place. Crow spoke for them both.
"We now know a basic layout of the Hatake compound. Or first issue of business is to get a hold of someone from inside the main house and find out where they're holding Wolf. I've sent Bear and Badger to do just that – so until then – we wait."
There was no need to question the logic – after all, this was a plan agreed to by Genma and Shikamaru – two men Raidou now knew were the very best at strategies. He nodded agreement and moved off with the others to hole up until the two ANBU returned with additional information. With luck – they would be able to set a solid plan in action sooner rather than later.
-- --
Akuma hated the Land of Lightning with a passion. If he could turn back time, he never would have agreed to take the job from Kurogane which kept him tied to the humid land. But he was getting closer to being freed from his formal contract. This latest job should have been enough to wipe away the final third of his debt – so all that remained was for him to receive the paperwork from Kurogane's aide and he just might be a free agent before the end of the week.
Of course it wasn't all bad...the jobs he was sent on for the self-proclaimed ruler of Lightning were always challenging. It's just Akuma never enjoyed owing his services for anything other than top dollar. How the hell Kurogane had managed to trick him into this ridiculous contract was still beyond him. He'd dream-scraped the man the night before meeting with him, and had found no deceit in his thoughts around that initial job. Of course – now that he'd been working for the man for over a year he was aware of certain abnormalities within his brain that likely masked his true intent from Akuma during that first dream-scrape.
He walked into the small house he'd set himself up in and toed his shoes off at the door. He rolled his neck and shoulders to work the kinks out of them and then settled onto the sofa in the living room. What worried him more at the moment was Kurogane's nephew – if he was to believe Boudachi's claims, that is.
That one was able to break his nightmare jutsu – something no one had ever done prior to this – and Akuma had a sneaking suspicion that the man would have figured a way past the cell-binding jutsu as well – if given enough time. Akuma stared up at the ceiling. There was something different about both Hatakes – and it did nothing to put him at ease. Akuma had come too far to let his lifestyle be controlled by such an unstable clan.
A knock on his door brought him out of his musings. He rose and crossed the room to pull open the door. Boudachi stood there looking more than a bit nervous. The two stared at each other for a moment before Akuma stepped aside and motioned the shorter man inside.
Akuma settled back onto his couch before addressing the visitor. "I trust you've come to bring me the final paperwork, Boudachi?"
The aide took a slow, deep breath. Akuma knew that look – and frowned when the man started speaking. "About that, Akuma...Lord Kurogane has decided there is one last job that you need to perform before he'll sign off on your debt."
Akuma balled his hands into fists and narrowed his gaze. "You have got to be kidding...what the hell does this madman think he can do? Extend the service contract indefinitely?"
Boudachi tipped his head to one side and gave him his usual blank stare. "I know better than to guess at Lord Kurogane's intentions, Akuma. But if it makes you feel any better – I managed to get him to sign a presumptive release form for your benefit."
The aide held a slim scroll out to him. Akuma narrowed his eyes and grabbed the document. He turned his gaze to the characters and slowly smiled. This paper was exactly what he needed. It stated in black and white that the completion of the task set to him today would officially act as the final criteria for meeting his current contract. Kurogane had even signed and dated it. Akuma rolled the document back up and slipped it into his pouch.
"Very well, Boudachi. What does he want this time?"
Boudachi sighed and pulled a second scroll out of his pocket. He walked to the edge of the low table in front of the couch and set the scroll on top. It was sealed with Kurogane's personal seal – and meant to be opened only by Akuma.
"He wants you to complete the task listed within the next two weeks. Once finished – your contract is met in full."
Akuma's eyes shifted to take a closer look at the scroll – he knew once he'd broken the seal there would be no going back. Sighing he lifted the scroll and sent a trickle of his chakra into the seal. Once it recognized him, the seal disappeared and he unrolled the parchment, careful to keep it from the aide's view. It was a list of twelve people within Lightning that Kurogane wanted eliminated. Akuma scanned the names and he cursed under his breath. He should have known the bastard would find a way to make this difficult. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, pushing it neatly behind one ear, then rolled the scroll back up.
"Tell your master I accept the challenge."
Boudachi nodded and moved toward the door to pull his shoes back on. Akuma briefly wondered if the aide already knew his name was listed as the last one needing to be eliminated. He watched the man leave his house and smiled. As jobs went – this one, at least, proved to be interesting.
