Chapter Nine

"The Lure"


Something wasn't right, and they could feel it in the air like a thick foreboding cloud as both Sasuke and Tsunade approached the Kazekage office, they took note of the missing guards outside. There was no Shinobi or Kunoichi in sight.

"Sasuke, listen to me. No matter what happens, tell them you were abducted and forced to come along."

His head yanked in her direction. "No, I'm not going to tell them that. I made my decision."

"Look, I'm sure that man knows by now that you're his mate. They'll use you as bait with or without your corporation. If they believe you still work with them, they might spare torturing you or worst."

"What about you?" When he realized how much he still needed to learn, anger rose inside him. To succeed, he needed to become stronger. To protect the ones he cared for, he needed to become stronger.

Despite this, he was willing to fight. Dedicated to becoming the best version of himself, he worked hard to achieve this goal.

"I'm a big girl, just trust me," Tsunade and Sasuke approached the Kazekage doors.

Tsunade with her shuriken drawn and held at chest level, and even though his palms began to sweat Sasuke held his kunai at the ready. She signaled him to be quiet with her index finger placed against her lips, then slowly pushed the door open causing it to creak.

The door was unguarded and there was no Kazekage on the other side. Their senses were untouched until a large black crow flew into the office through an open window.

Their visitor perched on top of the Kazekage desk, and slowly tilted its head at them curiously. Its dark gaze fixed on them. As the faint copper scent filled their nostrils, they stood frozen.

The crow began to croon as they came closer, you need to leave this place Sasuke! Hurry! Run!

He felt his breath hitch as he looked at Tsunade, but she was staring at the desk suspiciously. She did not hear the creepy crow talking, which made him think was it all in his head?

That's when they saw a hand peeking out from the Kazekage desk. When the two swung around the desk and got a full view of fourth Kazekage Rasa lying face down in a bathe in his own blood.

He was impaled through the back by a sword that penetrated so deep that it splintered the wood underneath. Tsunade's honey pools narrowed as she came into contact with the sword.

It couldn't be...

"Shit! We were set up!" She hissed as they heard hurried footsteps heading in the direction of the office.

Sasuke turned back to the crow but it was gone, however, as soon as the door to the office was opened and the guards came through they were attacked by a swarm of crows.


Naruto emerged from the tunnel he had created, feeling a sense of loneliness once again. He sighed. However, there was no time to dwell on his feelings even if he felt like his heart stopped beating in his chest.

Sasuke was mad at him that was evident, intuitively he placed a hand on his right hip, starching his hair in thought. He had to think about his next approach because he had two lives to consider.

He had to prevent his kin from slipping through the fragile veil between the demon realm and the Blood Moon while stopping Akatsuki and Donzo's plan.

And then Sasuke would love him and would have sex with him.

He was ready to go! Yes! Yes! He must hurry!? Now with a heightened sense of motivation and blazing eyes. He was ready to depart. That old lady mentioned the Land of Demons.

That place would be easy to locate if he searched for it. He could fly if need be. He covered a lot of ground by himself.

"It looks like it's back to Fire Country for me..."

In the end, Naruto could only hope he made the right decision.

He gave one final glance in the direction where he knew Sasuke was, before exhaling through his nose and taking to the tree tops leaping from branch to branch. He had a lot of distance to cover. He quickly dispelled his shadow clones laughing as he did so.

I'll come back for you Sasuke, I promise.


The rumor of the Konoha natives being responsible for Rasa's death spread quickly throughout the village, causing fear and panic among its citizens.

Many believed that the two were powerful ninjas with the ability to take on a Kazekage. Despite the rumors, there was no concrete evidence that the two were actually responsible for the murder.

One of the ninjas was captured and apprehended by Suna guards and was due to be tried in less than a week, while the other one managed to escape.

Clearly visible to all, the effects of the war between humans and demons were devastating. Families were torn apart, villages destroyed, and countless lives were lost. In the wake of this destruction, a new era of fear, mistrust, and hatred arose.

Sasuke sat across from his Hokage. His hand was bound behind his back and his mouth was gagged. Donzo had signaled for his guards to remove the gag.

"So Sasuke we are in a little dilemma aren't we?"

Sasuke stared the man down.

"You see I don't quite trust you, however, I have two witnesses saying you were forced to go with that demon. I need to hear from your own mouth what happened."

Sasuke contemplated what Tsuande had said the swarm of crows gave enough time for her to escape but he stayed behind. He knew that Genjutsu, and he wanted to see his brother's face.

"The demon threatened to kill my friends if I did not leave with him. I manage to escape him in Suna."

"I see, and your allegiance is still with your village?" Donzo's dark pool bore into Sasuke's own.

"Yes."

"I need to know if you're telling the truth, and I have just the man to help me with that." He signaled for his guards to open the door.

"Sasuke meet Orochimaru. If anyone is good at getting information it will be him." Sasuke had no time to react when he was grabbed and lifted to his feet.

This Orochimaru individual reminded him of a snake his skin was translucent and those smiling slits they called eyes laughed at him as if he was the only one in on the joke.

"We are going to have so much fun. You'll see. Come now let us not overstay our welcome." The hand that he placed on Sasuke's shoulder made him visibly recoil.


He hadn't slept in four days and grew to hate the taste of leather as another leather gag was harshly ripped from his chapped lips. He was stripped of his dignity as ice-cold water was thrown on him to help startle him from his daze.

The shock of the cold caused him to breathe harder, as he glared dagger at the man. He was unable to move he was strung up by the wrist like a plucked goose.

"You are quite the specimen Sasuke, but I gave my word that I would reframe from experimenting on you, that does not mean I could not have a bit of fun with you, and it has been enlightening. Hasn't it?"

As he spoke he circled Sasuke like a vulture would. Just then, the door to the place he was housed was barged into by his partner, Kabuto Yakushi. He leaned in to whisper something into his tormentor's ear.

Orochimaru looked pleased.

As Sasuke heard the words. "He's here." Kabuto's cold drawl slipped from thin lips. The room was so still that he might as well shouted it.

Sasuke found the strength to lift his head. "Who's here? Huh?" He said through clenched teeth. The ambered-eyed sadist just smiled, though there was no warmth to it.

"You already know the answer ta-ta."

As both men left they made sure the room was pitch-black. He mentally cursed.

That idiot!

He slumped in his restraints. His energy depleted once again the blonde did something impulsive. He couldn't wait to wrap his hands around that damn idiot's throat !

He didn't have long Orochimaru was never gone for too long, mustering up the last bit of energy Sasuke began to stretch both his thumbs back until he felt a sharp pop shortly followed by a burning sensation. He had popped his thumbs out of their socket, creating the perfect amount of space to slip the handcuffs off, gravity doing the rest he flopped to the floor like a wet fish.

It had been four days since his feet touched the floor, but he had no time to rest. He dragged his body over to the door but as soon as he lifted himself up to reach for the door hand it was jerked open bathing him in light.


Naruto was lost. He growled tearing his map into shreds. He didn't need that damn map no how. He would just continue north, whichever way that was.

"Dammit, I wasted too much time already!" He continued to bound his way over where he perceived north was.

However, his determination was extinguished once he realized he was back where he started again, "How the hell is this even possible I made no turns!?!" He began to rant, stomping in the other direction.

He heard someone clear their throat causing him to whip around. That's when he saw that familiar face," old woman!"

"What the hell kinda greeting is that! Brat!" She snapped.

"Wait, if you're here then that means," he looked behind her.

"Sasuke?"

He looked back in front of her.

"Sasuke?" and was about to look behind her again but was slapped in the back over the head by her.

"He's not here moron!"

"Oh." He assumed Sasuke was back in Suna, probably waiting for him and hating him at the same time.

"Aw, why'd you leave him?"

"We were set up. They made it appear as if I or Sasuke killed the Kazekage. Someone intervened, however, giving us a chance to escape but Sasuke choose to surrender."

"Why the hell he do that?" Naruto willingly put his life in danger for Sasuke only to hear Sasuke had returned back there!

"I haven't the foggiest clue." Well, she had her theories.

"I'm on my way."

"Nah-uh we find the priestess first. If Sasuke is smart he'd take my advice and say we forced him against his will."

"No, Sasuke first and then the priestess!" He was not going to leave his mate there.

"Fine then you go and ill find the priestess! Time is short and we don't have much time before the next Bloodmoon."

"Getting in and out will be no issue." He said.

"You know it's a trap, right," she replied.

"Of course! No need to worry though. I got this, trust me."

"I hope so." She said before heading in the way of the Land of Demons which was the complete opposite direction that he was attending on going.

"We will meet back in the Land of Demons if you are successful." And if he was not then she'd have to go there to save their sorry asses again.


As he gazed up at the person he wanted to see, Sasuke felt anger well up inside him.

"W-why," he managed to splutter out.

As his older brother crouched down to his level, he looked up at him. Despite his black and red Akatsuki jacket and straw hat covering half of his face, those red pools were still visible.

"You've grown," he said.

He felt betrayed, broken, and angry. He felt like his own brother had stolen his life away from him, and he had no way to get it back. He wanted to lash out and make Itachi feel the same way he did, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He was powerless.

"You are determined I'd give you that, but if you think you could just waltz out this door. You are surely mistaken."

Itachi grabbed him by the shoulder and helped him to his feet.

"Fortunately, for you, the security systems are down. Your little friend has caused quite the stir."

"Why are you helping me?" It wouldn't be far fetch for him to be skeptical. He had popped his thumbs back in their socket feeling instant relief.

Itachi handed Sasuke his clothes before turning and walking away. He did not completely shut the door behind him.

Sasuke used a nearby wall to keep himself stable. The last time he had seen Itachi was when he was eight or nine. His older brother had killed their parents and slaughtered his people and Sasuke never understood the reason why. Upon stepping out his vision had to adjust to the light.

He had never seen anything like it. The streets were filled with chaos and confusion, with people running in all directions, and the air smelled of smoke and fear. He could hear screams and shouts in the distance, and the sound of clashing blades. He felt a chill run down his spine as he stepped outside and into the unknown.

"Sasuke?" He stood in front of her, a shell of his former self. His eyes were sunken, his skin pale and wrinkled, and his clothing hung loosely on his thin frame. Sakura was stunned by the drastic transformation in his appearance.

"I was worried sick about you! You look like shit," she said, breaking the ice.

"What's going on?" He gasped, feeling a rush of lightheadedness as his vision began to blur and his head began to spin.

"There have been hundreds of shadow clones throughout the village! Our sensei's been fighting trying to locate that demon lover of yours to no success!"

She reached out to him, offering her assistance. He shook his head, but she persisted, placing her arm around his waist and gently pulling him closer. She could feel his body trembling from exhaustion, but he still managed to give her a grateful look.

Even the torture he suffered at the hands of that vile snake of a man was nowhere near as severe as Naruto's. Once again the image of his back flashed through Sasuke's mind.

"You can come to my dorm to rest," she said.

"No, they might come looking for me, Sakura. I don't want you to get involved."

"Look around you, no one is focused on you, it is the demon they are seeking."

"He's searching for me," just then Sasuke remembered Tsunade telling him to leave a scent trail back on Suna.

"I'll take you up on the offer," he sighed. In return, Sakura smiled and nodded leading the way through the thong of bodies, toward the female dorms.

Sasuke had said nothing when they made it back to the dorm.

He had lost consciousness on her bed.

"What happened to you?" However, he did not answer.


It's been a minute but I'm ready to get back on that grind!