hi again guys! I just want to say thanks to the reviews I've gotten for this :)
This took a while to write - I was constantly re-assessing the flow of the story in this chapter, but I'm pretty satisfied and sure you'll enjoy it!
Once more: Naruto isn't my creation, or all this would be manga and anime already, and i'd be rich :)
Itachi had a habit of being a little too cryptic for Kisame's liking, so in times when his partner started speaking in riddles, Kisame just looked on and laughed.
"You know, sometimes it helps to just get to the point. It would've done you some good to take a leaf out of Sasori's book; he didn't dawdle with information. Now what did the scroll say?"
"You're a wanted man." Itachi responded coolly.
Kisame burst out into laughter again.
"And they said you're a genius! Are you just figuring that out now? I thought those eyes of yours were sharp on the uptake." He lifted his blade and began down the path they had momentarily strayed from.
"I mean, as of today you're a wanted man of the five nations." Itachi repeated.
"I have been for some time now Itachi. Now let's get going."
"You don't understand. According to that scroll you're extensive list of crimes now includes an assassination attempt on the Feudal Lord of the Greens Country."
Kisame halted, "The Land of Vegetables? I've walked through it in the past but I've no cause to do something like that...now." He brushed off the information as a mistake.
"I'm aware of that. However, this report states the assassin was a man clad in Akatsuki garments and wielding a sword resembling Samehada. You've an admirer, my friend." Itachi risked a coy smile.
"I don't mind others being inspired by my style, but you said assassination attempt. The amateur didn't manage to kill the Daimyo?" He asked.
"It seems not; the scroll mentioned asking witnesses within the Wind and Mountain nations if any other Akatsuki figures were present in the attempts. It was a multiple hit, and it appears none of the killers got their target." Itachi mused.
"So that's why the sky's got full of messenger birds, huh? It'll also explain why routes such as this are quieter than usual. All those ninja will be stuck on border patrol, considering how paranoid the Kages will be about the situation." Kisame's musing trailed off into Itachi's.
"But why go into the trouble of impersonating a known felon, surely it would be more beneficial for an assassin to be unremarkable in their appearance, leave no clues to their identify, you know?"
"Leader said nothing about hitting Feudal lords, as much of a fun challenge as it is. It's not our business." Kisame's tone expressed his boredom of the subject; he wished to continue on their path. Itachi was more interested in the subject.
"I don't think you can just brush this off. The Konohagakure scroll ordered you to be killed at all costs; the tone of the letter seemed more ruthless and final than what their Hokage usually orders. Whether or not you were there isn't important to the village, I'm guessing you just went to the top of their bingo book. This can only hinder our mission's success."
"Or help it." Kisame responded ominously, smiling like a killer.
"Do explain." Itachi ordered; walking alongside him, leaving the smoking remains of the scroll and eagle carrying it.
"If Leaf Shinobi are after me, there's every chance that the Kyuubi Jinjuriki Uzumaki will opt to hunt us; he knows you'll be with me. This could be a good chance for our target to hunt us."
"You're logic is commendable, but as I have stressed; the Nine-Tails comes last, on Leader's orders. I think it best to hurry and collect the Four-Tails." Itachi sighed.
"'Hurry up'! You're the one slowing us down with conspiracy theories." With that the two walked on for a few minutes before curiosity sunk into Kisame's mind. He turned to his partner. Itachi grinned again; he knew Kisame was too easy to read when it came to issues like this.
"Why do you think they impersonated me out of all the Akatsuki?" he asked.
"I don't know. I doubt it is out of honour. The culprit may have a grudge against you. And it doesn't help that you've history in this subject. I guess it's easier to brand you an assassin since that's what you are." Itachi explained.
"So someone is out to get me, but is getting Konoha to do the dirty-work, huh? Crafty, I guess, but tedious and cowardly. No matter, it may serve us well." Kisame smiled again, clutching the handle of his prized sword.
"Anyway, I'm hungry, let's get a move on and find some place to eat." Kisame complained.
"Huh, first you ridicule me for stalling as I mused over possible threats to our operation, then you wish to waste more time by requesting we stop and eat," Itachi responded elegantly, "why not eat the bird? It's well done."
"Hey I may look like a monster, but I'm still a cut better than eating like one. I'm in the mood for something spicy or bitter. We're stopping if we see anywhere that'll serve food." He sounded as if arguments were going to be pointless in stopping him. Itachi resigned himself to agreeing, and the two started down the road they were on.
They travelled on down the path, unaware that they'd cross paths with Konoha Shinobi sooner than they thought.
"Come on! I'm starving!" Konohamaru begged.
"I don't care! We haven't even been travelling for a day – we're late enough as it is without you stopping to fill your stomach." Hanabi nagged.
"But we'll be slower if I haven't got the energy to move! That means you're making us late!" Konohamaru declared obnoxiously.
"What! You're blaming this on me now? It's not my fault if you're so hungry! And anyway, if you've got the energy to whine, then you've got the energy to keep moving." Hanabi's words seemed final. Had it been anyone else; the resolute tone of voice she inherited from her father would have been enough, but she didn't count on Konohamaru being ignorantly immune to such authority.
"But I'm Hungry!" He moaned, grabbing his audible stomach. The growl was magnificent.
"Yes...I can hear...unfortunately." She replied, gritting her teeth in agitation.
"Okay! It's decided! We stop at the next place serving food! Now Let's Go!" Konohamaru's burning passion for food had revitalised him, causing him to rush ahead; leaving a cringing Hanabi in his wake.
"Oh god! How do I keep this guy in check!" Hanabi moaned to herself before chasing after him.
Hanabi chased her comrade further down the road for what felt like an hour, until Konohamaru's seemingly unstoppable will of fire suddenly burnt out. Catching up to him, Hanabi composed herself, in the assumption that he'd given up his foolish chase for food.
"Well, I'm glad you're slowing down. Honestly, are really that hungry?" She asked, but received no reply, apart from a finger on Konohamaru's hand pointing forwards. What he saw was a rickety old cart.
The cart, belonging to a deranged old man was packed to the brim with pickles. Hanabi was then struck with a sharp pain to the face; the stench from this cart was unbelieving! Gripping onto her precious nose for dear life, Hanabi began to wretch at the mere thought of going closer to the cart. Turning green and facing her partner, intense horror flooded through her body as Konohamaru stepped forwards, a look of dazzling desire radiating from his face.
"Hey! Hey! Old man!" He cried, dashing forwards to the cart.
Hanabi swore she could see a hazy stench coming from the cart; it was possible, considering her eyesight and the level of fumes resonating from it.
"Gimme some of those pickles! I love pickles!" Konohamaru had reached his goal, and danced around the spot. Hanabi likened him to a child – though she had to admit the two of them where still kids. His carefree persona wasn't what she would have recommended a person have for their line of work, but it intrigued her slightly.
A distraction stopped her thinking, when Hanabi noticed two other figures approaching on the road.
Turning slightly so her vision could identify them, she suddenly regretted her senses pulling her from her thoughts – things were more pleasant before these two arrived.
If the cart stunk badly for Hanabi, the chakra levels from these two were profoundly more demonic.
"Konohamaru...let's go..." She called, placing emphasis on them departing. Her comrade didn't listen.
"Aha, come on now dear. Let your little boyfriend have some pickles, have some yourself!" The old man beckoned sweetly. Had it not been for the arrival of the two men, she would've been polite enough to decline respectfully.
"I...I hate pickles, okay! And this guy smells! Now come on!" She shouted, hastening to march off. This rattled Konohamaru.
"Hey! There's no need to be so rude about it! Say sorry!" He yelled. Hanabi cursed under her breath. The two men were well within hearing distance now. There'd be no way the two could leave before the strangers got a good look at them.
"My, my! Your sweetheart is a little temptress, isn't she?" the old man laughed off the remark, and turned to see he had two more customers. Four already; today was a good day.
"And what can I get you two gentlemen?" He asked, not noticing the size and stature of his two customers. Konohamaru was too busy chewing down on his pickles to notice.
"How much do we get for this?" The taller man asked, producing a pouch full of gold. The old man faltered, that would be enough for three carts. However, as senile as the old man was on some things (his son's marriage, his constant run-ins with death etc) he was well aware of 'suckers' when he saw them.
"Err, that would get you two bags full of these delicious pickles." He grinned.
"...he's ripping you off, no deal." The shorter and slimmer man said blatantly.
Peering into the eyes of this man from beneath the straw hat he was wearing, the old man felt a cold stare and pondered whether men could really have red irises.
"H-hey! Now there'll be no talk of ripping off or conning here! I'll give you three bags."
"Six." The man responded.
"Four." The old man came back.
"The Wagon!" The larger one joined in. He seemed to have taken his comrades advice on board and any slight sympathy he had for the old man had vanished.
"I don't think so." The old man waved off the statement. It was at this point that Konohamaru turned. He sincerely wished the old man wouldn't insist on haggling with this man; his sword was enormous.
"Err, err, Hanabi!" He called, seeing his friend sheepishly scurry over to the wagon.
"You can't have my wagon you hooligans! This young couple are having their fill first." The old man declared.
"Oh, is that so?" The taller one spoke, looking down on the two 'lovebirds'.
"Do they look familiar to you?" He asked his comrade.
"The girl...her eyes..." The smaller one began.
Oh No! Hanabi thought, if she didn't find a way to distract these two men quick, she'd be identified as a Hyuga. If he knew her family, he was a part of the ninja world, which at this time was only bad news.
"Err, great pickles sir!" She gleefully commented, taking one and eating it furiously.
"I thought you said you hated them-" Konohamaru interrupted.
"Shut up!" She whispered violently, stomping on his foot.
"Huh. Don't look like a couple, do they Itachi?" The taller one spoke.
The terror that Hanabi first felt had materialised as if a satanic force had slower wrapped its twisted claws around the two of them; with the intention of bringing them into the reaches of hell. There it was. Hanabi put together the rest in an instant; the cloaks, the red clouds, the straw hats, the money – Akatsuki. They had just stepped into hell.
Itachi - of the Uchiha Clan. The children at the academy used to tell horror stories about him. A lot of the facts about the Uchiha massacre was blurred by the time these young ears had heard the story. People of the village ranked Itachi as horrific as Orochimaru – if not more.
Daring to glance at her friend, she noticed Konohamaru was smart enough to also feel the gravity of their situation. These two had so far not examined the Genin close enough to recognise the Konoha symbol on their bands. But if they didn't manage to keep it that way, they'd be liable to death from one of the Leaf village's 'boogie men'.
"Say child, let me take a look at your eyes." The words lingered in the air; his tranquil voice ringing as if bells were tolling for Hanabi's doom.
"Um, um-" She began before a pair of lips crashed into hers. The rest felt like a blur. Was Konohamaru kissing her?
She kept enough of her senses to hear Itachi's large friend groan in discomfort.
"Have you ever seen a more sickening image?" He asked Itachi.
"Once...in the Land of Birds; Zetsu, he was as hungry as you, he had this child up against a wall..." Itachi responded.
Hanabi couldn't believe it. The two Akatsuki began having a conversation. Focusing on the 'kiss' she fought every part of her body not to wretch at the smell of pickles swirling around both mouths – though Konohamaru was the worst offender since he'd eaten far more of them.
Breaking for fresh air, Konohamaru turned to Itachi without breaking a sweat and said; "sorry pal, you say something to my girlfriend?" With a cocky grin.
Silence ensued.
"...I've had enough. Kisame, give the man the money and let's go." Itachi finally spoke.
"Huh, fine. Here. Four bags!" Kisame demanded. The old man indignantly gave him his pickles and the two Akatsuki began to depart.
Hanabi's head was swirling. She wasn't sure if it was of the situation they were just in, the stench of the cart, or Konohamaru kissing her, but she was swirling.
Konohamaru turned to her and giggled. "Ha-ha, sorry about that! But I needed to distract them and they already thought we were an item, so..."
Hanabi just waved off his apology. "I-it's doesn't matter, it worked, okay, it worked. Oh, god, I think I'm gonna throw up!" She cupped her hand to her mouth and retched. Konohamaru looked offended.
"Well, hey! You now I'm right here! You weren't all that special either you know! You could've tried to make it believable, but you thought it would be better to sit there comatose!" He shouted.
Across the way, Kisame and Itachi were in hushed conversation.
"Why are you letting those Konoha Genin go? The girl's a Hyuga; I'd stake my sword on it!" Kisame remarked.
"I know. And that boy, there's something about his facial structure that tells me he's related to Hiruzen and Asuma Sarutobi. But, they're no concern to us, unless you feel threatened by a couple of shaking Genin?" Itachi had a tone of mockery in his voice.
Kisame gave a hearty laugh. "I guess not. And we've got the food. Besides, I don't think the two are here for us anyway." With that the Akatsuki headed to leave, leaving the two Genin utterly confounded at how much luck they had been bestowed.
"That…could have been so bad…you squared up to Itachi Uchiha!" Hanabi's illness had gone, and the horror at imagining her friend face the monstrous Itachi invaded her thoughts, "What were you thinking!"
"I don't know! I just did what came to mind. What are you so worried about?" Konohamaru asked.
"Err, nothing! I just thought it was a bit reckless, that's all." Hanabi crossed her arms and looked away in annoyance.
Just then, the four ninja were made blatantly aware of a new presence in the area. Coming over a nearby hilltop the four were quick to spot several Shinobi arm themselves and thrust Kunai at the Akatsuki.
Hanabi could not comprehend exactly how the two parried the array of weapons, but in an instant the ground beneath Itachi and Kisame was coated in broken Kunai.
"The kids were decoys?" Kisame shouted, brandishing Samehada. Konohamaru wasn't paying attention to that however; the offending ninja had now revealed themselves. He couldn't believe it. They were Konoha Shinobi – seven of them, to be exact.
"W-what! Leaf Ninja? Here?" He screamed, as the Shinobi charged head on. Despite his initial surprise at their arrival, his second thought was only of sympathy for his allies; even he knew a straight attack against these two was suicide, nothing more.
"A frontal attack? Now where's the fun in that?" Kisame screamed as he threw his mighty sword onto his shoulder and paced forwards.
"Konohamaru! We have to do something! They're gonna get killed!" Hanabi cried, grabbing him. He wished he could help, but what could he do? He couldn't even beat those bandits by himself, now she expected him to help these amateurs take on the Akatsuki. He couldn't. As if paralysis had seized his body, all Konohamaru could do was watch, and pray.
He felt so helpless; like when he was in the clearing, tied up as bait – for all his boasting and declarations, he was still just a child, unable to do anything. Hanabi stared into his fear-stricken eyes for a moment and groaned in disappointment.
"Come on, Konohamaru! We have to do something!" She screamed.
"Like What! All I've got is my stupid sexy Jutsu, and I remember you're big 'awesome' cousin couldn't match that shark-guy when they met! It's hopeless!" He cried, assuming the foetal position behind the cart. Hanabi looked at him with disgust before she saw one of the ninja being tossed in their direction via Kisame's brutish strength. The target; the now shaking old man (who was fully aware of this situation), Hanabi decided to take matters into her own hands.
Leaping to the old man's aide, she managed to drag him to the ground as the body smashed into his cart, raining down pickles as the monstrous battle played out. As Hanabi rose from the ground, she noticed the old man was now unconscious – probably for the best. Turning her attention to the Sharingan wielding ninja, Hanabi saw three of the ninja collapse onto the floor in a state of shock – what did he do to them?
She couldn't ponder on this any further as she saw only two of the ninja were still standing, after one fell to Kisame's blade.
The two Konoha Shinobi stood resolute before the Akatsuki, though she saw an expressionless face plastered onto each of them. Did they have no fear?
"Kisame, by order of the Hokage, you are to be slain on sight, you monster!" One called out, in a rather wooden manner.
"Hahaha! 'Monster'? Flattery will get you nowhere, fellas!" Kisame retorted. Today was a good day; first he got some food, and now he's got some heads for his collection.
"Kisame…something is the matter." Itachi interrupted, but his words fell on deaf ears, save Hanabi's. She too thought something didn't add up in this situation, and on closer inspection of the passive ninjas' faces she thought they were very familiar. Had she passed these fool-hearty men in the village once? Or maybe they were amongst the ninja with Hatake Kakashi and Nara Shikamaru at the border. Had the two had so little faith in hers and Konohamaru's abilities that they immediately sent backup?
"Let's end this!" Kisame cried, dashing forwards.
"Even if you strike us down, you demon, the might and wrath of Konohagakure will bear down upon you. You cannot win." The second Konoha Shinobi stated, in an almost obnoxious tone.
"Oh, that is it! You die first!" Kisame yelled; beheading the man, as his comrade only looked on. Hanabi was confused as to why he didn't flee (and why she and Konohamaru didn't do the same, for that matter) or even react to his impending doom, like he was actually waiting for the final blow.
He didn't wait long. Within a moment of his comrade's head hitting the floor, his had accompanied it. Kisame smiled in a deranged manner as he admired his handiwork, before turning to his partner.
"Sorry, Itachi. Did you say something?" He asked, carrying his sword over his shoulder.
"I was saying, these men weren't entirely themselves. When placing them under Tsukuyomi -" He began.
"What! You wasted your chakra to use a technique that powerful on these guys!" Kisame intervened.
"When placing them under Tsukuyomi, I couldn't help but feel another Genjutsu already in use over these men."
"…whatever, like that's important." He paced over to the head of the obnoxious ninja and frowned.
"This guy pissed me off, big time. Right! Change of plan! If the Hidden Leaf wants us so bad, then I say we let them have their way!" He roared.
"Kisame -" Itachi began.
"Don't try and talk me out of this Itachi! I'm no moron; I know Leader wouldn't approve of this, but if we…let's say landed the Kyuubi in the process, then it would be a siege worth trying for. We've slipped into their land once before." Kisame's plan was sprouting many paths the Mist ninja could take; he didn't care how he did it, but he wanted more blood from that arrogant nation.
"This is reckless!" Itachi shouted, revealing a rare moment where Hanabi saw something in his eyes; not a change in technique, but a change in persona. Had she not been aware of who they belonged to, she would have sworn they had revealed a deep fear within Itachi.
"Don't try and wave this off! We find the bird with my death-sentence on it!" Kisame began.
"The same bird and death sentence you were all too eager to ignore!" Itachi retorted, his composure established after his outburst, yet still carrying a demonic air of threat.
"And now they're sending ninja out in parties of seven to reel me in. If you ask me, ignoring all this will only slow our progress down. We've got to deal with this situation before we move on."
"There is a good reason why neither of us are in charge with the plans in this organisation; because it would break down the structure of the Akatsuki's final goals! You know this! We have evaded the greatest Shinobi the five nations could muster for over seven years! Leagues of ninja have fallen to our exclusive band! And do you know why, my reckless friend? Because we stick to the plan!"
Kisame just stared on; Itachi's words weren't hitting the mark.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with…other issues, would it?" The mist ninja finally spoke.
"…what?" Itachi was taken aback by his partner's sudden attack on his own ambitions.
"Well, you seem to be very peculiar when it comes to your homeland, with or without Sasuke there. This behaviour you're showing makes me wonder just how loyal you truly are to our organisation." Kisame pondered out loud, never once breaking eye contact with Itachi. It was as if we was asking for the Uchiha to activate his Genjutsu. Itachi didn't show it, but he was beginning to feel trapped.
"Those are bold words from a man willing to break the rules of his precious organisation. Just how loyal are you?" Itachi knew he was being foolish, but Kisame's words had struck closer to his heart than anyone could have realised. He was panicking; he admitted Kisame was right about more Leaf Shinobi coming after them, but that only enforced the idea of avoiding them, plus his comrade's behaviour was becoming more and more ruthless. He was answering to Itachi less and less of late.
These reasons, coupled with the fact Itachi's withering conditions meant the difference in his and the Mist ninja's skills were now in disrepute. If he didn't talk Kisame down from his mantle, he'd be forced to knock him down – if he even could anymore.
By the wrecked cart, Hanabi didn't dare breathe unless she would risk catching the men's attention as Konohamaru covered his ears with hands, if he didn't hear or see them, maybe they'd go away.
"Well, let's put your loyalty to a test; ever since your clan's massacre I'd say you're due a new one." With a flash Kisame appeared behind Hanabi. She saw the whole thing, but was too slow to react.
Lifting her up by her neck, Kisame laughed at how helpless the frightened girl.
"Okay Senpai! We've got a wriggling little Konoha rat here, now kill her." He spoke plainly.
"…this is pathetic." Itachi responded.
"No! She is pathetic! Her little boyfriend – cowering over here, he's pathetic. And you, you're looking a tad pathetic -"
"Kisame! Put…that girl…down!" Itachi's voice echoed around the hills. He'd stepped forwards.
"…why?" The mist ninja wasn't afraid in the slightest.
"Because I said so. You work under me! You walk where I tell you, you bark when I tell you, you shit when I tell you! because you are inferior to me and my skills. I do believe I am due a test of loyalty to the Akatsuki…by dealing with insubordination from its more moronic members!"
Kisame dropped Hanabi, and lifted his sword.
"Okay then. If truth be told, I've thought about this for a while…partner."
The two men began pacing to one another, as Hanabi and Konohamaru watched in total fear. As the sun hit high into noon, the two missing-nin clashed.
Well? How was that? A bit longer than I expected, but I needed to build up the fight for the next chapter. As always, It'll be much appreciated if you reveiw what you've read. I'll do my best to get back to you, and as always, keep on reading!