DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. (Though the OCs are mine.)
REWRITTEN
Webs of Deception
Chapter Five
Round and Round
Haruno Sakura was beyond bored, she was close to falling into a comatose state. Her hand limply held a stick that occasionally stabbed at the inflame wood of the fire. For the last couple of days, she's been doing nothing but sleeping, gathering food to cook and eat, and staring at god forsaking trees with only her thoughts to keep her company. No, these last days have not been exciting at all. She even grudgingly admits to only herself that having Sasuke around was at least interesting. Even though she hates him and that he was particularly a cold brick wall. But a brick wall that she could aggravate to her heart's content.
There was a plus side though, to this situation, at least Akuma wasn't around. Which put her at some ease. That team made her extremely nervous. You never know when they're going to turn on you. And it didn't help that they didn't seem to like her.
She was brought out of her bored induced daze when she heard a noise to her right. She immediately stood and brought out a kunai, gripping the cold metal in her hand. The noise came again, accompanied with the bushes moving. She tensed further when shadows formed into human sized figures. But when two members of Akuma emerged from the foliage she relaxed. She may not feel comfortable in their presence, but that didn't mean she would stupidly attack any of them.
"Are we the first ones back?" the woman with the Tiger mask asked. She couldn't remember her name, it was something that was insignificant.
She nodded her head. "Yes. . . I guess. You two are the only Akuma members who've been back." Putting the kunai back into her weapons pouch. The member with the Wolf mask caught her eye. The mask was familiar, but not to Akuma. . .
The Tiger masked woman took a couple of aimless steps. "I thought one of the other groups would be back before us. We took a longer route."
Sakura's eyes narrowed at the Wolf mask, ignoring the Tiger woman all together. "Sasuke? Is that you?"
Sasuke smirked underneath his mask as he lifted his hand and took it off. Saying coldly, "Took you long enough." Pushing his hood back to let his raven colored hair loose.
"Have you joined them or something?!" her voice becoming shrilly with anger.
He ignored her as usual, not gracing her with any response as he sat down on the ground a good distance away from Sakura. He actually enjoyed the company of Akuma than her or any of the Konoha residents. The time he's been around them, he didn't feel isolated or judged for every action that he took. They accepted him for no reason that he knew of, even knowing his past. Not like in Konoha, where he was considered a traitor to most people. Even if it was his own doing, he's still proven time and time again that he could be trusted once more. But no matter what he did, it made no difference. He was always judged and always alone in a village he's stopped calling home.
"It's not like Taichou would mind it," Tara said to Sakura. "He has quite a liking for the Uchiha."
Sasuke stared up at Tara when she said that. He didn't expect that Tatsuo would even think of letting him join. Even though it hasn't really crossed his mind either. But now that it was brought up, the first question that popped into his mind was, Would I join if I got the chance? And he really couldn't answer with a definite yes or no. It was ridiculous really. He's only been with this team for a couple of days and he was already beginning to change his loyalties. Ridiculous. . . or was it?
It was Tatsuo who made him question himself. That familiarity he just couldn't shake. It made him feel things he felt ashamed in feeling. He only felt those repressed emotions whenever he thought of a certain blond, or whenever he used to be near. It was infuriating. He didn't understand why these emotions kept surfacing again. Especially every time Tatsuo was near. But what bothered him most, wasn't the fact that it was Tatsuo, it was fact that he didn't know one way or another if Tatsuo is who Kane said he was those years ago. Or was he just hearing what he wanted to hear while in the middle of being conscious and unconscious?
He was brought out of his thoughts when Ryutaro and Hikko emerged from the foliage on the opposite side of where they entered. "Are you two the only ones back?" Ryutaro asked instantly.
"Yes," Tara answered simply.
"You mean Tatsuo and Kane haven't come back yet?" Hikko asked. "They're usually the ones back first." She walked over and sat a few feet away from him.
"Are either of you hurt?" Tara asked absentmindedly, most of her attention focused on the trees lining the clearing. But she turned away from the trees and to them when neither of them answered. "Well?"
"Ryutaro got a small cut on his arm," Hikko answered lowly, sounding hesitant to even speak of it.
Ryutaro's head turned like he was giving her a look and said, "It's fine."
Tara walked over to Ryutaro and ordered firmly, "Assume the position."
"I said I'm fine."
"Now!"
He saw Ryutaro flinch at her loud voice. Sasuke's never heard her raise her voice louder than normal speech. And even then, it held a softness. Ryutaro pulled back his cloak to reveal a tight black shirt with fishnet underneath. His pants were navy blue and half way up the legs, they were bandaged with white bandages. A loose white wrap was wrapped around his torso from his right shoulder to his left hip. Black ninja sandals were on his feet and several weapons pouches were attached here and there.
Tara moved closer and positioned her hand a few inches from Ryutaro's chest. Soft green chakra enveloped around her hand as she moved her hand down slowly. After a couple of minutes, she pulled back. "Alright." Ryutaro then closed his cloak, silently walking over to a tree and leaning against it. "Hikko, over here now," she ordered the Dog masked woman.
Hikko obediently rose from her position on the ground and stood in front of Tara, assuming the position. Underneath her cloak, she wore a sleeveless purple colored Chinese style dress with gold trimmings and designs. A yellow sash was tied around her waist, black arm warmers covered most of her arms and tight ankle-length black pants she wore under her dress. Black ninja sandals were on her feet and weapon pouches were tied in various places.
Tara performed the same procedure as before on Hikko. Once done, Hikko went back to her spot on the ground and Tara turned her head to him. "Uchiha, over here."
His brows furrowed at the request, wondering why she would want to check him. He wasn't part of Akuma. She had no obligation to help him. He was kicked in his leg then, by Ryutaro. "There's no point in saying no," Ryutaro told him. "That is, if you were going to say anything at all. So, you might want to get over there and let her check you or she'll forcefully check you. And trust me, you don't want that."
A sigh of small frustration left his lips. He untied his cloak and placed the piece of material on the ground beside him. There was reluctance in his movements as he stood. He didn't particularly like medic-nins getting so close to check him. His trust in them was like zero. Hell, his trust in anyone was zero, but it seemed he had no choice in this matter. He could argue the point, but as Ryutaro pointed out, it clearly was a waste of breath and energy. He might as well subject himself to her wishes and get it over with.
He only took a couple of steps toward Tara before Sakura spoke up. "He's a Konoha shinobi, he's my responsibility to check for injuries."
Sasuke had to resist from rolling his eyes at her comment. Like she really cares if I'm dying or not. She probably would ignore injuries on purpose if she had the chance. Too bad for her though, he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction in doing just that. He took the last remaining steps and stood in front of Tara. "Check away." He pretended he didn't hear the indignant sound that came from under Sakura's Hawk mask.
He stood perfectly still as Tara held her hand a couple of inches from his chest. She moved her hand in the same motion as the ones before. The warmth spreading through his body felt the same as the time years before. . .
"You should be happy, Haruno-san," Tara began sweetly, "This way you will have less contact with a traitor."
The smirk that appeared he just couldn't suppress, because the way Sakura abruptly turned and stomped to the other side of the clearing like a child was too much to hold back. He looked down at Tara when the warmth was gone, and found that she was already done. He gave a curt nod as a sort of thanks and went back to sit on the ground.
The air became tense as everyone waited for Tatsuo and Kane to return. And it only became thicker as minutes ticked by.
"Do you think something happened to them?" Hikko asked for the second time in ten minutes, interrupting the silence. No one answered her, probably because the others were asking themselves the same question.
Tara paced back and forth, occasionally turning her head toward the trees. Ryutaro remained leaned against the tree in silence. Sakura didn't seem to care one bit, casually sitting to the side and sighing every now and then. And Sasuke—for reasons he rather not think about—peered at the trees surrounding the clearing's perimeter with his Sharingan. His thumb tapped against his crossed arms in impatience and annoyance. The impatience because they were taking so long, and annoyance because he felt something akin to worry for Tatsuo.
He clenched his jaw in defiance against those emotions and looked in another direction. That's when he caught sight of movement. He stared more intently in that direction, waiting to see if it was his imagination or not. When another, more clear movement occurred, he stood up and said to the others, "There's movement."
"Where?" Hikko inquired as Tara stopped, and both her and Ryutaro stared in the same direction as he said.
All waiting. . .
Naruto pushed the branches out of his way, his cloak being snagged on them and scraping the palm of his hands. Itachi followed right behind him, silent as ever as he moved. As he stepped into the clearing, he came face to face with the rest of Akuma and Sasuke. Wow, a welcome home party.
"Taichou, Kane. . .are you both all right?" Ruri asked upon they're entrance, moving toward them. "What took so long?"
Immediately, Itachi wrenched his cloak back, prepared for Ruri's upcoming request. He stopped arguing about this procedure years ago, it did absolutely no good. Not with Ruri. The only thing it did was anger her. And he found that was a frightening side to see.
Naruto grinned at how quickly Itachi assumed the position. The eldest Uchiha wore a black, long-sleeved turtleneck shirt and black long pants. Black fingerless gloves covered his hands, black ninja sandals were on his feet and several pouches were strapped on his legs to hold weapons and scrolls. Stepping aside, he let Ruri check Itachi first. Since he was already prime and ready for her.
"We had a little trouble on our way here, but nothing we couldn't handle," he informed them, then asked mostly to Ruri since she probably has already examined everyone involved in the mission. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes Taichou, everyone is fine," she said, finishing up with Itachi. She then turned to him, "You're turn."
He clutched his cloak tightly around his body. "Can't we do this later?" His cheeks heating up at what he wasn't wearing under his cloak.
"Now, Tatsuo. . ." Itachi spoke smugly. He could just imagine a smirk under that mask. "There isn't something wrong where you don't want Tara to check you, is there?"
Ohhh ohh oh, I'm gonna kill him. He glared at Itachi. "I'll get you back for this Kane. Just you wait, revenge is a bitch."
Several heads turned toward 'Tachi and then back to him. Like they were trying to guess what was going on between them. Just wait, he thought as he fidgeted on the spot. He continued on like this until Ruri crossed her arms over her chest, a clear warning sign that she was losing her patience. With an exaggerated sigh, he dramatically flipped his cloak back.
Miki burst out laughing, clutching his stomach and falling to the ground from the force of it. Kyoko laughed hysterically also, leaning against a tree to keep herself standing. Ruri giggled loudly and Itachi sat there, his eyes on him from the tingling in the back of his neck. The Uchiha smirk most likely in place, because Sasuke was smirking at his predicament also.
Now, he expected this reaction from his own team, it was expected, but Sasuke—damn. He guessed it wasn't everyday you'd see the leader of the notorious team Akuma standing in front of you in nothing but a black t-shirt, boxers, and black ninja sandals. Plus, he doubted that it helped any that his boxers were decorated with ramen cups. Nope, it probably made the situation that more hilarious. Maybe that's why Sasuke was close to cracking a smile.
"What the hell are you smirking at Uchiha?!" he yelled in a playful tone, finding the rare amusement in the raven's eyes something to cherish. The only reaction he got from the usually stoic Uchiha was a lifted eyebrow. He huffed in mild annoyance. "Can we get this over with?! I would like to put some clothes on!"
"Hai—hai. . .Tai. . .chou." Ruri managed to say between fits of giggles. He rolled his eyes as she moved to stand in front of him and did the usual examination. Halfway though, just below his ribcage, the shaking produced from her giggles stopped completely. And the location already told him what she was about to say next. "There's. . . a very slight build-up beginning." Silencing the others.
He nodded in acknowledgment, closing his cloak in the process. He wasn't going to let this bring him down. It wasn't like it was anything new. He glanced at Sasuke and knew right then that in some ways it was new. He now had to deal with the possibility that it could all unravel right in front of the youngest Uchiha. And how would he deal with that then?
"Should we still go to Konoha?" Miki asked, breaking the solemn atmosphere.
Naruto snapped out of his thoughts, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly and moving over to where he placed his clothes and things before he left. "What not?" He turned his head so he could glance between each member of his team. Their worry was plainly written in their stances, and he didn't want them to worry over him. Forcing his voice to hold a cheerfulness he just wasn't feeling, he tried to reassure, "Guys, I'll be fine. There's nothing to worry about."
A snort came from Itachi, and he had to restrain from retorting to the silent jab at his attempt to sooth their concern for him. Instead, he haughtily grabbed his pile of stuff and brought it closer to the light of the fire. As he was still bent at the knees, Ruri came up to him and handed him pills he was all too familiar with. He stood straight and turned around, in a direction where Sasuke or Sakura couldn't see his face as he lifted his mask and threw the pills into his mouth. In one gulp, they were on a journey down his throat, and he was turning around with his mask perfectly in place.
"What's wrong with him?" he heard Sakura ask bluntly.
He shook his head softly as he bent down and grabbed his camouflaged pants. Still doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut. He stepped into his pants and yanked them up under his cloak in one shift movement.
"Like that's any of your fucking business!" snapped Miki as he pushed himself off the ground.
Naruto watched closely as he moved over to stand near Sasuke, then swinging his arm over the raven's shoulders. His eyes narrowed and a low growl vibrated deep in his throat at the contact. "You know, Tatsuo," began Miki. "I like this guy!"
Sasuke glared, shoved Miki's arm off him and stepped away from the contact. This didn't seem to be noticed by Miki since Kyoko came up and whacked him over the head. Which in turn caused them to get in a heated argument. Sasuke focused back on him. "So what are Bijuu and Jinchuuriki?"
Naruto paused in putting his sandals back on, and then proceeded like the question didn't bother him and explained, "Bijuus are the nine-tailed demons, ranging from Ichibi to Kyuubi." He grabbed his weapons pouches and strapped them on his legs, hoping to get out of answering about Jinchuurikis.
"And Jinchuurikis?"
He cursed under his breath. He really shouldn't be all that surprised. Sasuke doesn't let anything go, especially when he wants to know something. By now Miki and Kyoko had stopped fighting and were paying attention to their discussion like Itachi and Ruri were. "Jinchuurikis are considered human sacrifices to the Bijuu. Each Jinchuuriki has a Bijuu sealed within them."
"Alright, then who are the Jinchuurikis?"
He snorted, looking up once he was done with his weapons pouches and stared at Sasuke. "And why should I tell you and bubblegum over there? It's not like it's any of your business." He held out his hand toward Itachi, who dug in his pocket and brought out his bracelet. 'Tachi tossed it to him, and he caught it with ease. He began wrapping the strings of leather around his wrist, waiting for Sasuke to say whatever reason he had to tell him the identities of the Jinchuurikis.
"Because I was part of the mission, and have right to know information obtained on that mission."
"For one," he said as he finished tying his bracelet. "you're going by the morals of a village and we're –" He used his hand to point to his team. "– not a village. And two, that was just plain ass weak of an excuse." He smiled beneath his mask when he received the usual glare from the raven.
An exaggerated sigh came from Miki. "Oh for gods sake just tell him!" He flung his arms up in the air. "It's not like half of them aren't dead anyway!"
That really wasn't the point, and Miki knew it. He gave the man – even if he couldn't see it – a look like he was crazy. Then turned to Itachi to get his opinion. The elder Uchiha shrugged and said, "Might as well." Naruto didn't have to look at the other two to know they were nodding their heads.
"I guess I'm outvoted," he murmured, and then pouted. "Fine, fine. . . Let's see, why don't we start at the beginning." He bent his knees and rested his arms on them. "Ichibi, the one-tailed Tanuki, also known as Shukaku is sealed within the eighteen-year-old male named Sabaku no Gaara. Obviously he's alive."
"Kazekage-sama!" exclaimed Sakura from her spot in the clearing.
"Nibi," Naruto continued like he didn't hear anything from Sakura. "the two-tailed cat, also known as Matatabi is sealed within a four-year-old male named Kyosuke. He's still alive and currently under the protection of Akuma. Sanbi, the three-tailed turtle, also known as Isobu was sealed within Yagura. He's dead. Yonbi, the four-tailed gorilla, also know as Son Gokuu was sealed within Roushi. He's also dead. Gobi, the five-tailed dolphin-horse is sealed within a thirteen-year-old female named Nakaizumi Cho. She's still alive and also under the protection of Akuma. Rokubi, the six-tailed slug, also known as Saiken was sealed within Utakata. He's dead. Nanabi, the seven-tailed beetle, also known as Choumei was sealed within Fuu. Again dead. Hachibi, the eight-tailed octopus, is sealed within Killer Bee. He doesn't need our protection."
Miki laughed, "It's more like we'd need protection from him. He's crazy."
"He's eccentric," Ruri corrected.
"He rhymes with everything he says. . . and he rhymes badly."
He rolled his eyes at Miki's regular complaints about Octopops. This was the reason why he's never offered Octopops a position on Akuma – not like he'd take it anyway – because those two in the same place gave him a headache within five minutes. Octopops talked just to annoy Miki, and Miki complained every time Octopops talked. It was a never ending vicious cycle.
"Who's the last Jinchuuriki?" Sasuke said, snapping him back to their previous conversation. "The one for Kyuubi."
He cringed, and took a deep breath to stave off his rising panic. He kept his eyes on the ground, refusing to look at Sasuke as he spoke. "Kyuubi. . . the nine-tailed fox, also known as Kurama is sealed within a male named. . ." He hesitated before saying, "Uzumaki Naruto."
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled, her voice frantic. The sounds of her shifting body indicating she stood and crossed the distance between them. "You did say Naruto, right?!"
He turned his head toward the now hovering Kunoichi. "Yes, I did."
"Well?" she said in a demand. "You known about all the other Jinchuurikis. Is he alive or dead?" Her voice quivered at the end.
Opening his mouth to end whatever they expected, he stopped. His eyes unwillingly shifted to Sasuke, whose complexion had paled so badly that now he looked sickly. Dammit, he couldn't do it. "His condition is. . . unknown."
"Unknown?" Sasuke said. "What does that even mean?"
He was already regretting his decision. "It means. . ." Where did the need to put doubt about his death in the raven's head come from? He couldn't change his mind though, the damage had already been done. ". . .that there's no real evidence that he's alive or dead."
"Then he could still be alive?"
What the hell? There was no way Sasuke actually cared about him. He's spent years learning to read him, and there was no way to deny the hope in those onyx eyes. Damn, my decision making skills are going down the tubes these days.
No shit, brat. You have officially put doubt in that boy's mind. And at the same time dug yourself a hole. You should feel so proud.
Oh, will you shut up with your sarcastic remarks.
Why? It's only reminding you where you get it from. Kurama finished with a loud chuckle.
Naruto chose not to respond to Kurama, it would only fuel him to talk more. Right now, he had to concentrate on the mess he had created with his momentary lack of judgment. "It's possible. . ." He swallowed deeply at the rising pile of new lies on top of old ones. Kurama wasn't kidding when he said he was digging himself a hole. A six-feet deep hole.
"Don't you dare put hope where there is none!" Sakura yelled with tears brimming her eyes while her finger was an inch from his face. "Naruto died on a mission and that's it! There's no possible way that Naruto would still be alive and not return to Konoha!"
A mission. . .? So, I died on a mission. And they believed it.
Gullible friends you had there. I think even the Uchiha believed it.
Yeah. . . but isn't that how it's suppose to be?
I guess so.
Then why do I feel like shit about it?
Oh, is that conscience of yours finally catching up to you. And here I could've sworn you got rid of it.
I wish I had.
"Haruno-san. . . I'm just saying that I have no evidence that proves that he's either alive or dead. He could easily be alive and hiding himself pretty damn well." Which personally I think I am. "Or he could be dead like everyone believes. It merely depends which one you think is more likely." He stood, wanting out of the conversation. "I'm starved. Anyone else hungry?"
All four members of his team nodded, probably sensing his need to escape. "We'll catch the food," Itachi said as all of Akuma headed to the edge of the clearing.
"What do you think is more likely?" came Sasuke's soft question before he enter the forest.
Naruto stopped, and closed his eyes at the defeat in Sasuke's voice. His chest constricted at what he had to do. He couldn't let his stupidity continue, he had to do some damage control. "I think. . . with such a sudden disappearance that he's. . . dead." He didn't wait for any reaction, he hastily walked into the forest. He wouldn't be able to take it.
Itachi and the others followed after Naruto as he stomped through the forest. What a mess things turned out to be. But what did he expect when it came to Naruto. He was too thick to realize what was right in front of him.
"For someone who wants to remain dead, you sure are trying to resurrect yourself!" Miki shouted, thankfully when they were far enough away.
"What was that unknown part about?" Kyoko said. "I was so sure you were going to say dead right off the bat."
Naruto fell against a tree. "I don't know why I said that. It just came out." He stuck his hand underneath his cloak and rubbed his neck. "But at least I covered my ass for my mistake."
"Barely!"
Itachi shook his head in disappointment. "I believe you should tell him."
"No."
"Tatsuo. . . You're making both your lives miserable. He still loves you."
Naruto gave a hollow laugh. "He didn't love me then and he doesn't love me now. The only reason he said it that time was because. . . it just fit with the moment."
Stubborn as ever. If only he knew. "So naïve."
"Look, it doesn't matter one way or another! He deserves someone that can give him more time!" Naruto yelled, before the anger drained out him, causing his shoulders to droop and his head to sag. "And I can't give him that. . ." He turned and headed off by himself.
"You know this kind of reminds me of one of those forbidden love stories," Kyoko said.
Itachi scoffed, holding his arms over his chest. "Not forbidden. Stupid and ridiculous maybe, but not forbidden."
"You're planning something, aren't you Kane?" Ruri asked.
She knew him all too well. He smirked. "Now Tara, why would you think that?"
She didn't answer, instead Miki asked, "So then what are you scheming? Anything we should watch out for?"
"I was going to go with something more discreet. Hints here and there and maybe some pushing in certain directions. I'm just hoping my dear otouto figures it out. Of course, I could be overestimating him and he'll never figure it all out."
"You wouldn't have happened to already start this little scheme of yours with the ramen cups boxers?" Ruri asked, sounding suspicious.
Smugness swelled, but he kept quiet and walked in the direction where Naruto went.
"Mmmnn. . ." Kyoko hummed behind him. "who wants to bet to see when Uchiha finds out? I say three months for 23,000 yen."
"No no no, 35,000 yen for one month!" Miki bet. "If Uchiha doesn't figure it out because of Kane then Tatsuo will surely snap and tell him himself!"
He doubted it. Something extreme would have to happen for Naruto to tell Sasuke himself without being threatened with death, and even then Naruto might choose death. The blond could be far too stubborn for his own good. It frustrated the living hell out of him.
"Ahem. . ." sounded Ruri's soft voice. "I would like to put 50,000 yen for two months."
Even Ruri. . . He sighed, he might as well. "100,000 yen for one week."
Silence followed his bet before Miki said, "Great! The bet's on!"
