Chapter 20
Nothing Is Simple
It was the third day since Kakashi woke up, and they were still waiting for Bear to regain consciousness. Iruka was busy filling up the surface of a scroll with neatly written characters when a shadow fell over him – effectively blocking out his only source of light. He frowned and gripped his pen tight in frustration. Couldn't these people see he was trying to get some work done? He turned his head, ready to admonish the idiot and was brought up short when he was face to face with Kakashi.
"Oh!" His startled sound caused the Copy Ninja's eye to crinkle in amusement – which in turn caused Iruka to blush slightly.
"Writing the mission report already, Iruka-sensei?"
Kakashi was leaning forward to look at the scroll, pressing against Iruka's shoulder in the process. Iruka couldn't quite suppress the shudder of fear that ran through his body at that close contact. He forced a smile onto his face and placed his pen down so he wouldn't snap it with his increased tension.
"Heh-no, no...that honor still falls to Crow." He watched one silver eyebrow arch ever so slightly.
"So then what are you writing? Is it a story?"
Iruka frowned. "Even if it was Kakashi-sensei, I doubt I could write anything that could capture your attention."
Kakashi's face twisted into a look of mock hurt. "What would make you say such a thing Iruka? I'm sure your writing isn't that dull."
Iruka shook his head. "True – but you wouldn't like it...it's not porn!"
Kakashi frowned – then with a speed that showed just why the man was a jonin, he snatched the scroll off of Iruka's lap and tipped it toward the light to get a better look. A mischievous look fell over the Copy Ninja's face.
"Are you so sure this isn't porn, Sensei?"
Iruka felt his anger growing and snapped at the man. "What are you talking about?"
By now, Ibiki, Chuutetsu and Crow's attention was on them. Kakashi let a low chuckle out of his throat and gave a glance toward the others.
"Why don't we let them be the judge of it..."
Kakashi cleared his throat and started reading from the scroll...his voice was low and deep, and he said each word in a way that sent shivers down Iruka's spine for a far different reason than the fear from earlier.
"When restraining the wrists, make sure to use a material that will hold up to thrashing but is still gentle on the skin."
Iruka felt the heat of embarrassment sting his cheeks as he made a clumsy grab for the document. "Give me that back, Kakashi!"
The Copy Ninja skillfully spun out of his reach and chuckled. "Oooh-how about this line then..." Kakashi continued to dodge him as Iruka tried to pull the scroll loose. "Make sure to apply firm pressure on the opening while sliding it through the flap of skin."
Iruka groaned and Kakashi paused to leer at the others. "Did any of you know Iruka-sensei had such talent?"
Chuutetsu's eyes were wide, while Ibiki had his hand over his mouth-obviously trying to hide his smirk. Crow, on the other hand, stepped over to Iruka's side and nudged him with a shoulder.
"And here I thought you were a prude, Iruka. Read some more Kakashi!"
Iruka leveled one of his patented 'Sensei glares' at Crow. "Don't encourage him!"
Kakashi chuckled and looked back at the scroll – obviously eager to pick out just the right phrase to twist to his needs. From one moment to the next, Iruka saw the cheerful look fade away to be replaced by a furrowed brow and a definite frown behind the man's mask. One dark gray eye narrowed as Kakashi faced Iruka, and it was clear to him what section of the scroll the Copy Ninja must have read. Iruka frowned and averted his gaze to the floor.
Kakashi's voice, though still deep, no longer held a sensual edge. Instead it sounded painfully tight. "What is this Iruka?"
He couldn't bring himself to meet Kakashi's eyes...and he desperately hoped the man would just let it drop. Instead – he saw Kakashi's feet enter into his line of sight. "Iruka...answer me!"
Iruka tensed and slowly lifted his gaze until he saw the distressed features of the Copy Ninja. He knew exactly what section of the scroll the man had read by the look on his face. It explained everything the Wolf had done to him in exacting detail – including the man's comments and threats – and was under a section titled 'Examples of Extreme Multiple Personality Disorder.' It also stressed the importance of carrying stronger sedatives on retrieval missions for just this reason.
Iruka swallowed with a throat that felt dry as dust. His words were a whisper. "It's meant to be used as a teaching document, Kakashi-sensei."
Iruka watched Kakashi's hand grip the scroll tighter – causing the document to crinkle. "That doesn't answer the question Iruka."
Crow moved between the two. "Kakashi – what is this about?"
Iruka's heart was beating loud in his ears as Kakashi tossed the scroll to the ANBU captain and glared at him over the man's shoulder. A moment later – Kakashi shook his head and walked toward the door.
Ibiki's stern voice caused the Copy Ninja to tense and pause in his movements. "And just where do you think you're going kid?"
Iruka felt the wave of killing intent roll off Kakashi's shoulders toward them before it was briskly cut off. "I need some air."
Ibiki met Iruka's eyes with a look that clearly meant he'd be back to speak with him later, and then the head of the Torture and Interrogation Unit strolled over to Kakashi's side. "Let's go then."
The two walked out the door – and those remaining let out a collective sigh as the tension level noticeably dropped. Chuutetsu moved closer and took the document from Crow's grip. The medic scanned the characters and then sighed.
Iruka scratched at the back of his head. "I just wanted to document my thoughts while they were still fresh. I never intended for him to read them."
Chuutetsu handed the scroll back to Crow and smiled softly. "I know Iruka. You can tell you're a teacher...the account was very detailed. It's no wonder Kakashi reacted the way he did. Hell – I can't believe he actually did those things either...but I know you likely didn't exaggerate too much."
Iruka's eyes went wide. "Exaggerate?!? If anything I didn't put enough detail in!"
During this time, Crow was scanning the information and sighed. "Iruka-sensei, you left out how he threatened you while you were splinting his arm." He handed the paper over to him. "And – that he countered the Shadow Jutsu."
Chuutetsu's eyes widened. "You...you didn't make any of that up?"
Iruka lowered his head and frowned. "No."
Crow's voice had a hard edge to it. "Why didn't you record all of it Iruka?"
Iruka looked up into the masked face. "I...I didn't want to make him out to be a monster."
Crow shook his head. "If you truly intend on teaching anyone the signs to look for to prevent harm in the future, then you can't leave details like that out, Iruka. It isn't fair to the people who need the information in the days to come."
Iruka lowered his head in shame. He hadn't thought that far ahead. What kind of teacher was he if he was allowing personal feelings to skew what needed to be recorded? He clenched the scroll tightly – adding more wrinkles to its already damaged surface.
"Iruka?" Chuutetsu placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me everything he did?"
Iruka took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He turned until he was looking into Chuutetsu's eyes. "I wanted Kakashi to come back to at least one person who didn't think he was a psychopath."
Chuutetsu squeezed his shoulder. "I wouldn't have thought that regardless, Iruka. I've dealt with this condition before. Wolf and Kakashi are not the same person."
Iruka narrowed his eyes. "How can you be so sure?"
The medic shrugged. "Let's just chock it up to experience...and a gut feeling."
Iruka sighed and looked toward the door where Ibiki and Kakashi so recently walked out. "I just hope your gut is right."
-- --
Kakashi and Ibiki walked down the path outside the shack in silence. The last rays of daylight were filtering through the leaves of the trees, and for the first time in days there was no rain falling from the sky. A bird took flight – breaking that silence and, in Kakashi's view, acting as a cue for the impending discussion to begin.
"So what the hell was that all about, hmm?" Kakashi cringed at the harshness of Ibiki's tone.
"What was what about?" He tried looking innocent, but the scowl on Ibiki's face made it clear he'd failed. He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing. "I guess I was just surprised by what I did."
Ibiki frowned at him and narrowed his eyes. "I know for a fact you've done far worse in your time in ANBU."
Kakashi kicked a stone lying on the path, sending it sailing into a tree and embedding it deep into the bark. He turned away from Ibiki and stopped walking – letting his shoulders slouch farther and his head hang down.
"It's the first time I've ever attacked a fellow Leaf ninja."
Ibiki's loud bark of laughter caused Kakashi to spin toward the man and glare.
"What do you call what you did to me and Gai then?"
Kakashi cringed at his words. "There's one major difference Ibiki. I wasn't trying to kill you."
'Maybe you should have...'
Kakashi groaned and pressed the heel of his right hand to his temple in an attempt to suppress Wolf's voice.
"Kakashi...what's wrong?" Ibiki's concerned tone made him sigh.
"Ibiki – how much longer until you and Bear can work on reinforcing the seal?"
Ibiki frowned at him. "I take it Wolf's no longer just background noise?"
'It won't work Kakashi...we're getting stronger with each passing moment...they'll be too late...you'll be too late!'
Kakashi's mind was assaulted by visions of his past failures. He was too late to save his Father from himself...too late to keep the boulder from crushing Obito...too late to keep the Uchiha's sword from stealing Rin's life away...too late to keep the Kyuubi from making Minato-sensei sacrifice himself...too late to keep Sasuke from turning traitor...and the scenes kept filling his mind. Kakashi's hands gripped either side of his head and he dropped to his knees with a pained moan. He desperately tried to stop the flow of visions. He instinctively knew what Wolf hoped to accomplish – after all – it had been these very scenes which allowed Wolf to emerge during Akuma's torturous Nightmare jutsu. But although the memories were the same...they lacked the supercharged emotions which were part and parcel of Akuma's attack. So although the scenes were disturbing...they were not enough to break the seal which still held Wolf captive.
Still, Wolf did manage to incapacitate Kakashi for far longer then was acceptable. When the assault was over, he was left gasping for air with Ibiki kneeling in front of him – his hands gripping Kakashi's shoulders. Ibiki's eyes held something Kakashi rarely saw in them – fear.
"What the hell just happened, Hatake?"
Kakashi took a full breath and willed himself to stop shaking before he answered. "Wolf tried his hand at a poor excuse for Akuma's Nightmare jutsu."
Wolf's growl resounded in his mind...Kakashi laughed. "He failed."
Ibiki grabbed Kakashi's chin firmly and tipped his head back until their gazes met. The look in his dark eyes made it clear he was trying to ascertain whether Wolf had resurfaced. It was more than a bit unsettling, and Kakashi dealt with it in the only way he knew how.
"You know Ibiki – you could at least buy me dinner first."
Ibiki's eyes narrowed slightly but then he seemed to make his mind up and cuffed Kakashi on the side of his head – which he made no move to block.
"You're not my type, kid."
Kakashi shrugged. "That's not what Genma said."
He twisted to loosen his muscles before standing once more – Ibiki following his lead. The two men started to head back to the shack when they felt the flare of Raido's chakra approaching fast. They turned to face the jonin as he landed on the path.
"We've got company, Ibiki."
Kakashi tensed at the words, while Ibiki slipped back into mission mode. "Details!"
Raido shifted his gaze back over his shoulder. "At least six jonin-level shinobi...all headed straight for us with purpose."
Ibiki scowled. "So Lightning caught up..."
Raido interrupted. "Nope...not Lightning...they're from Sound."
"Shit!" Ibiki wasted no time and took off toward the shack with Raido and Kakashi following behind.
Kakashi turned toward Raido. "Anyone we know?"
The jonin shook his head. "Never seen any of them before. But I doubt they're here for fun."
Wolf's taunting voice caused Kakashi to falter slightly. 'What's wrong Kakashi? Disappointed Sasuke wasn't with them? Wanted one more chance to fail with the boy?'
Kakashi pushed down his agitation and resumed his pace without the others noticing. This wasn't going to turn out well if he kept being distracted like this. The laughter in his mind did nothing to set him at ease.
-- --
Kiteki pushed his blond hair behind his ear and glanced over at the leader of the team. Senkyoku noticed the look and raised one eyebrow in silent question. Taking it as the invitation it was, Kiteki asked what was on his mind since the start of their journey.
"Let me get this straight. Lord Orochimaru doesn't want us to kill them – and he doesn't want us to capture them?"
Senkyoku locked her pale blue eyes onto Kiteki's face. "Right."
They ran on for a few minutes before his confusion pushed to the surface once more. "So then what the hell are we doing this for? Does he want us dead?"
A quiet laughter filled the air. "No fool...Lord Orochimaru trusts in our ability to delay the Copy Ninja and his companions. You should feel honored."
"Delay them? For what?"
The young red-haired woman sighed and returned her eyes to the path ahead of them. "So Akuma and Kabuto have time to get to the prize, of course."
Kiteki swallowed and turned to scan the rest of the team. So they were merely a delay tactic. Well, with that thought in mind he could start to understand the choices for the team. Between the six of them, there were enough methods to distract and confuse the strongest of shinobi. Whether it was from the genjutsu woven into the songs of Kyuuei, Aishouka and Senkyoku, or the ability to mask movements through the use of specific sounds by himself and Takanari, or perhaps most dangerous – the technique of wiping away all sounds by Sasayaki...this team would be able to counter anything the Konoha ninjas threw at them.
Better yet – they technically didn't have to actually get close to the targets. Their techniques meant they could succeed in the mission and never have to even let them see they were there. One of the perks of being a Sound ninja, he supposed. Plus with their success, Lord Orochimaru would finally see what they were capable of. And maybe – just maybe – he might finally be gifted with his very own curse mark. Kiteki smiled broadly and followed Senkyoku without another word.
-- --
Sakura stifled a yawn while she stared at the chart on her desk – trying to make sense of Lady Tsunade's hastily scribbled notes. She knew the Hokage had even reason to require her to be confined to desk work until her final psych exam was reviewed, but what she hadn't known was that the woman was going to use her ability to read her handwriting as an excuse to not transcribe her own notes.
Sakura concentrated on her current nemesis...a barely discernible handwritten entry which was scribbled in the margins of the patient's chart. It was detailing one of two things...either the patient was going to die a horribly painful death in the next four hours, or the patient needed to receive hourly pain meds for the next four hours, Sakura sighed. What she wouldn't give to be out on the floor helping with even the worst procedures. Instead, she was trapped in the office with only the four walls to keep her company.
She glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled. It was finally lunchtime. At least that would add a change of scenery to her day. Sakura took a moment more to legibly print her take on the scribbled note – opting for the pain med variation – and then pushed herself away from the desk and grabbed her lunch. Maybe she'd check and see if Ino was able to join her in the courtyard. That way she could catch up on the gossip while she was at it.
Sakura smiled to herself and headed down the brightly lit corridor. She paused to stick her head into the main administrative office to let the medic in charge know where she was going and the sight that met her eyes caused her heart to jump into her throat. Lady Tsunade was talking with Gai-sensei and someone from ANBU.
Sakura blinked while her mind tried to wrap around what she was seeing. Wasn't Gai-sensei sent to backup the retrieval team? If that was true – why was he back? Where were the others? Where was Kakashi-sensei? Was he dead after all?
She felt her mind starting to spin out of control, and used one of the many calming techniques she'd learned from her therapist over the past month to keep it in check. There was no point in jumping to conclusions...she just needed to listen and she'd learn what she needed to know.
Gai's fists were tightly clenched at his side, and the ANBU's very essence seemed to radiate the urgency of the matter. Lady Tsunade was concentrating so hard on what they were relaying to her that she doubted the Hokage even noticed she was eavesdropping.
The Hokage frowned. "So then they've had to split into two more groups?"
Gai nodded his head. "Yes Hokage. It was thought that the best way to ensure maximum efficiency and success would be to send the unfortunate Mother-To-Be ahead instead of waiting for My Eternal Rival to resurface."
The ANBU picked up the conversation. "Shizune's group is at least six to ten days behind us – depending on how far they can travel in a day with the woman carrying so many."
Sakura's mind went into overdrive. Mother-to be? Waiting for Kakashi to resurface? What the hell was going on? She pushed down her fears and continued listening.
Tsunade pushed air through her clenched teeth in a way that Sakura was all too familiar with. It meant the Hokage was frustrated over something she had absolutely no control over. "How many are we talking, Locust?"
The ANBU made no move to shift his position while he replied. "According to Iruka Umino, three."
Tsunade's face twisted into a look of surprise. "And just how does an Academy Teacher know how many little Hatakes are being carried...did he have a dream?"
Sakura thought she saw the ANBU's shoulders hitch a little at that comment...perhaps in amusement at the question...before he responded. "He had the Hyuga boy scan her womb before Ibiki's team arrived. Neji is part of Shizune's team now in order for them to get additional updates beyond what the medic can sense through chakra use."
Tsunade's expression switched to one of contemplation. "Hmm...I have to hand it to Iruka for thinking outside the norms."
Sakura noticed Gai was shifting nervously from foot to foot once Locust began talking about Iruka-sensei, and now the Hokage seemed to be picking up on it as well and focused her stare on him. "What aren't you telling me Gai?"
The dark-haired man pulled at the collar of his spandex uniform and did something Sakura had never seen him do...he sighed.
"I am sorry to report, oh Illustrious Hokage, that the amazing person of Iruka Umino was the target of Wolf's overenthusiastic attention this time around."
Tsunade paled – and Sakura was left wondering two things...who was Wolf – and what had happened to Iruka-sensei! She listened closer.
"Gai...what do you mean by 'overenthusiastic?' Is Iruka still...alive" Tsunade's voice broke on the last word, causing Sakura to hold her breath.
Gai shook his head emphatically. "What have I done?!? I didn't mean to make you think Iruka-sensei was dead – forgive my misleading tongue Hokage! I will make myself walk up to the top of the Hokage Monument on my hands one hundred times for ever making you think such a fate befell our beloved Academy Teacher. I should swallow boiling water to wash such incorrect words out of my mouth..."
He was interrupted by the Hokage waving her hands in front of the man. "That's not necessary Gai. Just tell me what happened to Iruka."
Gai lowered his chin to his chest and slouched in defeat. "I can not provide you with that information as the damage was already done before my team met back up with the Retrieval Squad."
Locust took over the flow of the conversation. "Wolf sliced his neck – but Crow stopped him before it became fatal. Then Shikamaru and Crow were both needed to keep Wolf from using Chidori to eliminate the Sensei later in the mission."
Tsunade went pale and Sakura felt sick to her stomach. Not just because her Academy teacher had almost been killed – twice, but more because of the technique being used in that second attempt...the Chidori. She only knew of two people who used that jutsu...Sasuke and Kakashi. She doubted Sasuke would ever be referred to as Wolf...even if by some fluke he was there...so that only left Kakashi.
Sakura hadn't realized she'd gasped until the eyes of the three in the other room locked on her. Tsunade's frown did nothing to ease her uneasiness.
"I suppose you heard it all, Sakura?"
She felt a nervous blush creep over her cheeks. "Umm – yes, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade sighed and motioned for her to join them. "Sakura...are you okay?"
She swallowed deeply and whispered her reply. "I suppose that depends on whether or not Wolf is who I think it is."
The Hokage crossed her arms. "And who would that be?"
Sakura clutched her hands in front of her and stared at them while answering. "Kakashi-sensei."
Tsunade's resounding sigh told Sakura she'd guessed correctly even before the words reached her ears. "Yes, Sakura, Wolf is Kakashi. But I've already sent Ibiki and Shizune to help. Don't worry – he'll be okay."
Sakura looked up into the face of her mentor and saw a look in the woman's golden eyes that showed she didn't quite believe what she'd just said. Another question popped into Sakura's head before she could dwell on Tsunade's gaze much more.
"Lady Tsunade...what did you mean when you talked about the 'little Hatakes' and the 'unfortunate Mother-to be?' Who's pregnant?"
Locust tipped his head to the side. "That would be one of the women who took Kakashi's seed against his will."
That was most definitely not what Sakura expected to hear, so she responded with the only thing that came to mind. "Oh."
-- --
Tenzou sat on the porch of the shelter he created and waited for some sign that those inside were ready to move on. They'd been traveling for three days and hadn't even made it to the border of Lightning yet. He sighed in frustration. At this rate they wouldn't reach Konoha for another seven days, if not more.
Tenzou hadn't wanted to go with Shizune's group. He'd wanted to stay with Kakashi-senpai and offer whatever support he could to the man who had helped him become the shinobi he was today. When others shunned him for being tainted by Orochimaru's experiments, Kakashi had worked with him to gain a level of control over the blood-trait that was forced upon him. The silver-haired man had gone out of the way on more than one occasion to include him in his own training when others would refuse to give him the time of day.
In fact – Kakashi had been the one to suggest Tenzou join his ANBU squad, and had been the one to bestow him with his persona of Mouse. At first, others thought the mask was an insult – but Tenzou knew better. During their private training, Kakashi used a common field mouse as a means of teaching him what strengths lay in being underestimated. He'd shown how the field mouse could get into places no one else could get into, and how once there, they could make themselves integrated into the area and cause damage to the very foundations before escaping once the job was done. He'd also pointed out how that small insignificant creature – when backed against a wall – could become fierce and frightening.
Tenzou wore his mask with pride, and over the years others throughout the Five Great Countries learned to fear its presence – all because Kakashi was willing to ignore what others thought of him. So sitting here – waiting for the others to be ready to continue their journey – was something he'd never intended to be doing when assigned to the Retrieval Squad. But Kakashi also taught him the value of following orders...so he'd continue to sit here until they were ready to travel.
He sighed once more, and was just about to check on the others again, when Neji appeared at his side. "We have a problem, Mouse."
He stared back at the younger man. "Has the woman taken a turn for the worse?"
Neji shook his head and turned toward the distance. It was then that Tenzou noticed the boy's Byakugan was activated. "No – but there are two shinobi coming this way."
Tenzou looked in the direction Neji was staring and couldn't see anything...not that it was surprising. "How far away are they?"
Neji frowned. "At the speed they're traveling, they'll catch up to us in half a day if we don't move soon."
Tenzou cursed their luck. "Tell Shizune to be ready to move out in one hour."
"Mouse – there's one more thing."
He looked at the boy and saw how tense he was. "What is it Neji?"
"I recognize one of the chakra signatures." Neji deactivated his Byakugan and turned to face him. "It's Kabuto."
Tenzou was glad for his mask as he knew he paled at that simple statement. "Shit. Let's get the others moving. We've just run out of time."
