A/N: Okay already, I get the point… I suck at this whole updating thing. But everyone should be happy with the fact that the chapters are getting longer because of it. Once the beast is done with, I will be going over it with a fine tooth comb, fixing some of the spelling errors, combine a chapter or three, and make the story a little less intimidating when it comes to reading it. But that's just me. Meanwhile, I will get out of the way and let everyone read.
Warning: Oooo… A new one this time around besides the standard I don't own it… From here on out, I will be touching on some themes that could possibly be offensive to some people. It is not my intention to be offensive, or anything of the like. This story is purely for entertainment, and that's it. If anyone has any questions, or needs clarification on any of the themes presented, I will be happy to answer the questions.
And now, without further ado….
Chapter 87: Return to Me
Deuce had studied his 'Original". He could recall any moment from the training videos that he watched like a bad movie, over and over again. The videos were a part of Deuce's education. He could walk like Sasuke with a feline predator's grace. He could be silent and brood like Sasuke. He could be arrogant and commanding like Sasuke with an icy chill that rivaled the deepest winter.
"You can't smile like that Brother. He never smiles anymore." Deuce heard Trace's words echo in his head. He could mimic every move Sasuke made down to the emotionless, aloof expression on his face; however, he had never mastered "the Glare".
The Glare was something indicative to the true Uchiha, as the Master had explained it. As it was, Deuce knew he wasn't a true Uchiha. He was nothing more than a copy; a creature put together in a test tube and brought to life by the will of the Master. Of course none of them were. Not even his perfect sister, the favorite of the Master, had the one ability that differentiated a true Uchiha from the rest of the clones. They were all made with the lack of the Sharingan. But there was a way for him to take his place alongside his Master and be called a true Uchiha. If the mission were successful, Deuces reward would be Sasuke's eyes.
Deuce stood and stared at the opulent house of his Original. He couldn't help but think that this was where Sasuke lived with the woman. She was supposedly very pretty. The clone really didn't understand the need or want for possessions; he had been given everything he needed. But looking at the house and what he COULD have emboldened thoughts and feelings Deuce had never considered.
This could be… No… SHOULD be mine! He thought bitterly. If I bring back the boy, I get my Original's eyes. Why shouldn't I ask to have his life too? It's not like he's going to need it if he's dead.
He stepped up to the door and opened it slowly. Rich dark wood framed the entry room. Pictures of friends and family hung on the walls further reminding Deuce of what could be his. Deuce was no stranger to the green monster of jealousy. He felt that way anytime the Master dotted on Nakamiko, the perfect copy of HER. He had yet to figure out what was so special about HER to begin with. Deuce found a group picture of the famous Konoha twelve. SHE was in the picture too, standing next to the Jinchuriki, his arm around her waist holding her closely. Sasuke was there too, looking bored by the whole thing.
Deuce removed the picture from the wall and studied it carefully. The first thing he noticed was that Nakamiko shouldn't have cut her hair. The second thing was an interesting discovery. Sasuke was looking at the camera, but his eyes were trained on the pink haired girl standing next to him. There was softness in Sasuke's eyes that Deuce had seen before. And, almost imperceptible to anyone that didn't know Sasuke, there was a very small curve of his lip. Deuce looked that the girl standing next to Sasuke. She WAS very pretty. The clone closed his eyes and mentally went over the reels of video he had instant play back with a thought. Deuce had seen that look in Sasuke's eyes before. There were numerous instances where Sasuke would be training, or just lounging around and he would look off in a direction. For just a moment, one singular moment, his eyes would take on that softness, before Sasuke would shake off whatever he was thinking, and go back to the being the emotionless bastard he was famous for.
A smirk curled at Deuce's lips for an instant before he had to remember NOT to do that. He had found Sasuke's weakness. He had found the girl that Sasuke had come back for. Deuce replaced the picture and continued into the house. He would take the girl away from his Original. He would have what his Original had squandered away for power. Deuce would take her away from him and be the man Sasuke should have been from the beginning. Deuce ignored the place meant to remove his shoes and continued boldly into the house. It would be his house soon enough and he would do away with such an antiquated custom.
The living room was large space sparsely furnished. There was a playpen set up near the glass picture windows. Inside, was the boy he was supposed to take back to his Master. Minato was quietly playing with the mass of stuffed animals until Deuce was fully into the room. Deuce watched as the boy completely stilled and turned his violet eyes to Deuce. Minato knew the man standing a few feet away was NOT his Uncle. The man didn't look right, first of all, and he didn't FEEL right. Sasuke always felt cold with underlying warmth buried deep below surface. That heat would slowly spread to the surface in those moments when Sasuke thought he was alone with Sakura and Saiyuki. But the man standing feet away, this imposter didn't feel cold in that way. He felt slimy cold like a worm. There was malice laced in his aura and a budding desire Minato couldn't understand.
The boy's reaction was swift, but his movements were slow and calculated. The boy's eyes shifted from human to feral purple slits that pierced through Deuce's very soul. Minato was young, but he had eyes that could see more than most humans. Deuce tilted his head slightly and regarded Minato curiously. There was an intelligence and awareness beyond the boy's age. It didn't matter though. Minato backed up to put as much distance between the imposter and himself as the playpen allowed.
A small growl ripped from the boy's throat that sent an odd chill up Deuce's spine causing hair to stand on end. The growl was a warning, and not just for Deuce to keep his distance. Deuce hesitated for a moment and took a step closer. The growl was louder this time, and Deuce felt it just as much as he heard it. Minato wasn't going to go without a fight, but he wasn't going to take any chances either. He was scared, and he wanted his father to know he was scared.
0 – 0 – 0
Naruto rolled over and groaned. There was a large rock poking him in the side. Apparently, it was going to take a few days or so to make the den habitable. Large blue feral eyes blinked open and immediately shut against the invasion of the bright sun light filtering through the mouth of the den. He would have to do something about that, maybe get a few trees or some ivy to hide the entrance. He opened his eyes and squinted through the light, focusing on the trees just beyond the mouth of the cave.
He stepped forward out of the cave, yawning and stretching the kinks out of his back. He supposed it was time to get up and do something, food sounded like a good idea. His stomach growled in agreement to the idea. Ramen sounded good, but for some reason raw cow, or three, sounded even better. There was a farm not far from the village that had a whole herd of cattle, not to mention a few pigs. The large black fox darted forward and melded into the shadows of the forest. He smirked the only way he could, which would have looked more like a snarl had anyone seen his muzzle. It felt good to run. It felt good to be free.
Not far away from the mouth of the cave, the few ANBU still stationed around the area were hard pressed to keep up with the large creature. They didn't know where he was going, and Naruto didn't really care. He wouldn't pay any attention to them if they just stayed out of his way. The smaller animals and birds of the forest scampered out of the way of the fox slinking across the forest floor. It didn't take Naruto long to reach the edge of the forest where he could smell the tell tale sign that domesticated livestock were not far beyond the hedges of dense forest. Blue eyes peered through the brush, and his large body hunkered down. There was a gathering of three cows napping in the afternoon shade of the trees.
Naruto allowed his newly found instincts to take over. He had never really hunted while he was human. Sure, he had those missions to track that blasted cat and there had been a few times he had been to track down a rouge ninja or two, but he was never the tracker. He had been the man of action, the man that did the catching. Kakashi had done the tracking, or the ninja dogs had. Naruto had followed the dogs. Several tracking lessons came rushing back to Naruto, and all of them had proven one thing. Naruto lacked the patience. Well, he was going to forgo being human, so if he was going to learn patience now was a good time to learn should he want to eat. He took a step forward and a fallen tree branch broke under the weight of his large paw.
The three napping cows weren't napping anymore. Naruto couldn't wait any longer and burst through the underbrush clawing and biting at his prey. The three cows bolted into the open meadow, seemingly taunting Naruto's lack of skills as they went. He watched them trot away and felt the grumble in his stomach as they did. He would try again and again until he got it right. He was determined to get it right and he was determined to have beef for lunch.
He caught the scent of more cows in the vicinity and set off to try again. Several hours later and several failed attempts later, Razor sharp fangs finally connected with sweet flesh. There was a scream of pain, a spray of blood and gore and Naruto had his first kill dangling from his maw. Naruto had what he came for. There would be other cows. There would be other catches. There would be more blood. Naruto spat the bloody carcass to the ground and sniffed at the thing. There was something about the rawness, the death, the blood that appealed to him in a way he had never understood.
His heart pounded in his chest. He felt powerful. He felt the adrenaline rushing in his veins giving him a high he had never experienced. He licked the blood from his lips and the sweet tang of it tingled on his tongue. There was more than the blood on his tongue. It was the smell of fear in his nostrils that mixed with the blood. Naruto never liked the smell of fear, but mixed with the scent of blood it was almost intoxicating. He wanted more. The dead bovine was devoured in a matter of moments. Naruto was licking his lips with sublime satisfaction making the experience linger. He would have to do that again.
Now, he was full and surprisingly sleepy. A back paw scratched behind his ear before he was slinking back towards the den for his mid afternoon, after lunch, nap. Now he understood why the old fox slept so damn much. If hunting and eating was this much trouble, but oh so satisfying, you had to sleep just to have the strength to do it again.
Naruto took his time getting back to the den. He spent the time just lollygagging his way back. There was no urgency, or need to go back to the den, beside the want to sleep. He was having fun just being a fox. Vague flashes of memories from when he was human came back to him, running in an open field chasing butterflies, training in the trees, or chasing after a black haired woman under the moonlight. His mind lingered on that memory. He had felt the same things while chasing her. Though her arousal was much sweeter than fear and the end result just as orgasmic… The large fox stopped and shook his head. His ears flopped from side to side and a snarl escaped his lips. He wasn't going to think about her. He wasn't going to remember those times as a human. He wasn't human anymore.
Anger and grief flooded his mood. He roared at the trees for being in his path. Birds took flight as the swath of trees paid the price for his anger. He promised himself he wouldn't cry anymore. He promised himself he wouldn't shed another blasted tear because of her. He sat in the newly formed clearing to clear his head of his melancholy thoughts. Grey clouds had started to gather in the distance. The distinct smell of thunder and rain tickled his nostrils. It would rain in a few hours. A shower would feel good, or just playing in the rain sounded like an exquisite idea.
Humanity forgotten again, the fox got up and was once again headed back to the den he had carved out for himself. Little did he know that no matter how much at the moment he may have wanted to forget his humanity there were still things that connected him to the human world. And it hit him harder than he expected. Naruto stopped and blinked. It was a slight nudge at first, like something that would just get your attention. He shook his large head again and padded a few more feet when the second wave hit him, nearly knocking him sideways.
Naruto's mind instantly cleared from the fog he had cast around him in the last week and a half. Now that he was listening, he could hear his son's call loud and clear. Minato was scared and in danger. And that just wouldn't do. Grief or not, angry or not, Minato was just as important as Myra. At that moment Naruto could have slapped himself silly. Minato was just as important as Myra. He had gone off and been an idiot thinking he could shut out the world. Now his son was in danger, scared out of his little mind, and what was Naruto doing, running around the forest like a wild animal because he was pissed off at the world! Naruto snorted. He really could be an idiot sometimes. He was still pissed off at the world, but he shouldn't let his son suffer because of it. Naruto hung his large head. He would beg for Minato's forgiveness later.
Right now, something or someone was scaring Minato. Minato felt that he was in danger for some reason. Naruto was angry at them because they obviously weren't doing their job. There would be more blood and Naruto's lips formed a sadistic smile. He knew what human fear smelled like. He was extremely curious to find out what human blood tasted like when laced with fear. So now he was excited and almost giddy with the anticipation. There would be more blood and the blood wouldn't stop flowing until Minato was safe.
0 – 0 – 0
ANBU had finally caught up with Naruto as he was heading back to the cave. They were staying far enough back to make sure they wouldn't get in his way. Yamato's wallet was a little lighter because the farmer was a might bit upset about the loss of his cow. When Naruto stopped, they stopped. When he moved, they moved. But this time, they couldn't do much but stare in awe of what they saw.
The black nine tailed fox, stopped in the middle of the forest and seemed to be thinking, or at least that's what Yamato wanted to believe. Then there was a burst of menacing chakra that was extremely difficult to ignore, followed but yet another new clearing of trees. The five ANBU had to fall back a few hundred or so feet to be clear of the debris. It was a few moments later when the fox started to move again, it seemed as if there was something changing about the fox. Yamato watched as Naruto's feral blue eyes flashed back to human pupils for a split second. The fox shook his head and let out a snarl of displeasure. Naruto hadn't taken more than half a step when recognition was evident in his now very human looking eyes. The fog had cleared from Naruto's vision that much Yamato could tell. But there was something wrong, something urgently wrong. Now that Yamato had been alerted to something being amiss, he too stretched out his senses to see if he could sense the same thing.
Though Yamato couldn't hear of feel Minato's call for help, the ANBU captain could sense the urgency in the very trees. Someone close to Naruto was calling for help and it had been enough to pull the grief stricken youth from his depression. For that, Yamato was glad, but was very upset that it took someone Naruto cared about to be in trouble. There was a loud pop and billow of smoke when Yamato turned his attention back to the new clearing. The smoke hadn't cleared when the yellow flash of light illuminated the cloud, giving the smoke an eerie glow.
Yamato shook his head. They would never catch him now. The ANBU captain put his hand to his throat to activate the communication link. "Bravo Leader to Base. Naruto has left the forest. Bravo team returning to base."
There was a moment of static. "Base to Bravo Leader, any ideas on where he could have gone?"
"I've got a few ideas, but nothing I can confirm. The only thing I would say is to be on the lookout and approach with extreme caution; strike that, do not approach at all until we can be sure of Naruto's state of mind. Until then, if he is spotted, report his location and follow at a distance. In the meantime, apprise the Hokage of the situation. Bravo Leader out."
"Understood Bravo Leader, Base out." There was a moment of static before the communication link was silent once again.
0 – 0 – 0
Sasuke exited the Hokage building. He was mad. Contrary to popular belief, he wasn't always pissed about something. In actuality he had always been a very calm person. But when he did get angry about something, his actions were usually swift, decisive, violent and deadly. In this particular case of anger, Sasuke couldn't do anything. There was a clone in their midst. He wondered vaguely if she knew that she was a clone, or did she really believe the false hood they had fed her?
Sasuke shook off the uncomfortable thoughts. They would try to appeal to Naruto, using the strategy the fox had devised. They would cautiously approach the den and see what happened from there. If Naruto could be reasoned with, which is what Sasuke hoped for, they would leave the forest and it would be done. If Naruto refused to see reason, which Sasuke believed more likely, they would take Minato and run. Hopefully, it would spur Naruto into a fight. Not that Sasuke wanted to fight, because he didn't, neither did Kitsuya, but the idea was to wear Naruto down until his human side came back to the surface.
Kitsuya had explained it. Right now, Naruto was functioning on his animal instincts. His awareness allowed him the emotions needed for survival. Though he was prone to the higher cognitive levels that could be seen in his outbursts of rage, Naruto had buried his human emotions so deep that he couldn't or wouldn't feel them. They had to trigger those higher cognitive emotions. Putting Minato in danger could possibly trigger the fog to lift, because in order to protect Minato beyond being an animal, Naruto HAD to snap out of it.
Sasuke let out an exasperated sigh. This was going to be more difficult than it needed to be. The Uchiha was about to head home to get the ungrateful ex Kyuubi and his over developed nephew when something, or rather someone caught his attention. His mood soured further, which wasn't a surprise. He wanted to laugh, which was something he didn't do outside of at home with Sakura or in the presence of a select few. He thought he had told Kitsuya to stay with Sakura and Minato. Well, to stay at his house, but out of sight for the time being, Sakura still didn't know, and Sasuke wanted to keep it that way. But Kitsuya was standing, or rather leaning against the wall across the street, looking cool, aloof, and remarkably inconspicuous.
Sasuke had felt an odd pulse on his senses, causing him to turn his head. That's when he first noticed the demon standing across the way. Everyday people were passing Kitsuya as if he was just a normal part of the background. Now that Sasuke really looked at the tall red head, if he didn't know who the man was, even Sasuke would believe Kitsuya was just another random Leaf ninja hanging around the village. Kitsuya didn't look different, but he still stuck out in a few ways. There was the long red hair, pulled back in a tight pony tail at the nape of his neck. He was wearing the standard jonin uniform, complete with bandana and insignia plate displayed almost proudly around his arm. The strange boots he wore made Kitsuya stand out as well, but even with all the differences, no one paid him any heed. There was a smirk that played on the demon's human looking features. As Sasuke approached Kitsuya, the Uchiha took note that even the man's eyes had changed to look human in shape, but they maintained the red color.
Sasuke shook his head as he got closer to Kitsuya. "Hn."
"Once again, you amaze me with your communication skills."
"Hn."
"I didn't want to stay at the house. I am a free demon now. I can do what I want, when I want, and even you can't stop me."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Really now?"
Kitsuya smirked. "Just because we have a common goal at the moment, doesn't mean I won't kill you later."
"How many times have you said that to Naruto?"
Kitsuya narrowed his eyes and they flashed back to slits. "Don't make me do something you would regret."
Sasuke turned towards the direction of his house. "You are nothing but talk, demon." He spat. "You have been nothing but talk for a very long time."
It was very fast and Sasuke wasn't expecting it. Time slowed to a crawl and Sasuke was slammed, HARD against the wall of the Hokage building. The plaster cracked under the force of the blow, and Sasuke's back stung from the impact. Kitsuya's hand was around Sasuke's throat, claws prickling the skin. Feral red eyes bore into Sasuke's black ones. "I can show you a thing or two about talk, boy."
Sasuke was about to release the sharingan and show the damn demon where he could stick it when Sasuke was stunned into complete stillness by a nose lightly sniffing around him. It was an extremely awkward moment because Sasuke had been thrown off his game. Kitsuya was…sniffing him? What in the seven hells?
Kitsuya dropped Sasuke to the ground and took a step back. Time sped to normal and Sasuke felt the full brunt of the impact against the wall. The air left his lungs and Sasuke was coughing to catch his breath. Kitsuya was just standing over him with a look of shock. The man was blinking rapidly as if trying to recall something in his memory deeply buried. Red eyes widened and right before the demon vanished into the crowd Sasuke could have sworn he heard Kitsuya whisper, "Beloved…"
0 – 0 – 0
Itachi watched and waited. Of course he watched and waited for far longer than he thought he would have to. The prison he was required to infiltrate was a lot more heavily guarded than he remembered. However, there was an odd sense that flitted around his mind that he could get in without any resistance. After all, he had inside information on how to get in. He pushed those thoughts aside. He would take the safer way of getting in. The plan had been to get to Kisame first, then reveal himself to Sasuke, but in retrospect, he changed his own plan. Sasuke first, then check on Kisame.
In all honesty, Kisame wasn't overly important to the current situation but he would become an essential part of the later plan. Kisame had spent several years as Madara's personal body guard and head of the security detail at the Mizukage's palace. If anyone knew all the secrets of the palace, or even Madara's greater secrets, Kisame might just know. Itachi, nodded to himself and took interest in the coming and going of the Hokage building instead.
Itachi spotted Nakamiko walking of the Hokage building with an arrogant air, followed closely by Shizune. The elder Uchiha brother stared in vague recognition. He had never met Shizune, but for some reason he knew her. He figured it was other memories that were not his surfacing. He also had an intense want to burst out laughing. Apparently Nakamiko's plan had not worked as she had intended. Itachi suppressed those thoughts, thoughts that were not his, and continued to watch the front of the Hokage building. He knew Sasuke was in there and walking down the stairs. It was a few moments later that his little brother emerged from the Hokage building, looking like he was deep in thought.
Itachi was about to approach Sasuke, but he was held back by the appearance of the tall red haired man walking towards Sasuke. Itachi blinked several times to get his less than perceptive eyes to focus the way he wanted them to. The man intrigued Itachi, though the nagging voice in the back of his mind was not impressed at all. His eyes refused to focus on this strange ninja and he cursed his lack of sharingan, something he would regain once he reconciled with his estranged little brother. The tall red head looked like a fuzzy outline with splotches of color. There was nothing about the man that made him stand out, save his red hair. He looked like a random ninja, but the enormous amount of power thinly cloaked behind layers of transformation jutsus made him all the more interesting. Once again Itachi had the impression that he would be extremely surprised when he figured out who the man was.
The man bodily threatened Sasuke, but no one seemed to notice the faster than thought movements by the Red Ninja, pinning Sasuke to the wall. As quick as the altercation started, it was over. Itachi was moving closer to his younger brother to render aide, but as soon as Itachi had blinked, the Red Ninja was gone. Sasuke was recovering from the slam against the wall. The younger Uchiha cursed under his breath and stared off in the direction of the Hospital. Itachi took his opportunity to stalk closer to Sasuke.
0 – 0 – 0
It didn't take long for Sasuke to sense the danger in the air. He moved with lightening reflexes to the deeper shadows of the park area near the Hokage building. Itachi followed. The two were at the near the cliffs of the Hokage Monument. Sasuke had his back to the cliff face and the tree line in front of him. Someone familiar was following him, but did not want to make himself known until they were alone. Sasuke stood quietly sensing the area, battle ready for the worst. He wasn't expecting Itachi to step out of the tree line into the perfectly sunlight of the afternoon. Sasuke glared and let Itachi know he was not exactly happy about the situation.
"How?" Sasuke was REALLY angry now.
Itachi was calm as ever. He schooled his features to remain unemotional. He didn't expect a fight, but was ready for it none the less. "Not really important. Where did Shizune take the girl?"
"You aren't Itachi at all. You're one of Madara's clones!" Sasuke had enough. Was that mad man ever going to be done fucking with people's minds?
"That's only half true Little Brother, but we don't have the time for idle gossip. There are events happening that could have a dire outcome should we let them continue."
Sasuke set aside his anger for the moment. "What do you mean?"
"The girl, where was she taken?"
"Which girl?"
If Itachi acted on the extreme inclination to roll his eyes, now would have been the time to do it, but he didn't and suppressed the urge. "The one that looks like our cousin." It sounded a little more sarcastic than Itachi intended.
"So she IS a clone…" Sasuke muttered to himself.
"Where was she taken?" Itachi demanded gently.
Sasuke studied the man before him. He looked like Itachi and even felt like Itachi. However, it was impossible. Itachi was an immobile lump of flesh breathing through a tube, eating through a tube and pissing into a bag. "Tell me what's going on and I will consider an exchange of information."
Itachi sighed uncharacteristically. "Nakamiko is to get close enough to Naruto to kill him. My job was to kill Kisame and Orochimaru's girl toy, and Deuce is responsible for taking Minato."
Sasuke's eyes widened. How did the clone know about Minato? How did the clone know about Karin? How did the clone know anything? Was there a spy in Konoha? Tsunade had suspected there was, but this level of information went deeper than just a spy. "So why come to me?"
"Because I have no intention of killing anyone today, nor do I wish for anyone's death save Madara's."
Sasuke heard the words and even felt the truth of the statement. The truth of the words went deep into his mind nearly searing his bones. He had to recover quickly or he would actually believe the imposter before him. "Why should I believe you?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"You and I had our quarrel and you ended it. I gave you my eyes to defeat Madara and you did nothing but squander my gift. I blame myself for that. But now I will atone for my sins by returning to the village I died for. You are the only person I will ever ask for forgiveness." Itachi held out his wrists in submission. "Take me to the council and let them do as they see fit for my crimes. But before you do, let me stop the tragedy that will befall Konoha."
The sincerity of his words continued to sear into his mind. Sasuke realized he didn't have the time to debate his actions. The clone had to die and so did that woman creature that was on her way to the hospital. And then there was the third one that was probably on his way to his house at this very moment. The younger Uchiha charged his chidori in his hand. He stepped forward with a push of chakra. Something pulled at the back of his mind. "Let him atone for his sins."
The words echoed in Sasuke's mind as he sped towards Itachi. Everything screamed for Sasuke to stop his assault. Itachi dropped his arms to the side and closed his eyes. Apparently, Sasuke wasn't going to be forgiving. Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks. Itachi was enveloped by a deep purple aura. They were nose to nose and Sasuke's Chidori was a hare's breath away from Itachi's heart. The purple aura that had surround Itachi was preventing Sasuke from dealing the killing blow.
"Let him atone for his sins." Myra's voice echoed louder in Sasuke's mind.
Itachi DID smirk that time. "It seems Myra wishes for us to make amends."
The chidori faded and Sasuke stepped back from Itachi in complete shock. There was a questioning look on his face. The elder Uchiha sighed, shaking his head. "I haven't figured it out either, Little Brother. I don't understand really, I merely accept it."
"Kitsuya will deal with the girl." Myra's voice echoed softly.
Sasuke looked around to find Myra. "Where are you?"
He felt a wave of warmth around him and he could feel that slight pressure in the back of his mind. He felt ghostly lips press to his forehead. "Everywhere." And then the lips were gone, leaving the slightest impression of cold on his brow.
Sasuke just stood there stunned. He could feel her playful nature all around him. She was in the air he was breathing. And it irritated him no end. She was ALIVE! Sasuke shook his head with a smirk on his lips. "Crazy Bitch."
"Silly Fucktard." The sound of her disembodied giggle was a little eerie.
"Shouldn't you be telling Naruto you're alive?" Sasuke grumped. He was actually relieved they weren't going to have to beat sense into Naruto.
The purple aura surrounding Itachi vanished quickly. Now that the danger had passed, Myra felt that she could reveal herself to Sasuke and Itachi. The brothers felt the coalescing of a massive amount of chakra in a very confined area around them. A few feet away from them, a sliver of bright light seemed to tear through the very fabric of reality. Though the sliver of light, deep purple almost black tendrils of visible chakra started to form boots, then legs, then moments later, Myra stood before the brothers Uchiha. Her voice still had that echo to it, like she really wasn't there. "I can't tell him something that I don't know."
Sasuke blinked. "But you're right here." He went to grab her to prove, more to himself, that she was real, that she was really there. His hands slipped right through her and Sasuke stumbled forward. He turned back to see Myra's sad smile. He could feel her sadness flowing off of her in waves.
She shrugged. "Death isn't that bad. The bright side is I think I've found the secret to how Madara is still alive, because he isn't."
"So you ARE dead?" Sasuke was surprised by the emotion in his voice. He didn't want to believe that she was dead before. He REALLY didn't want to believe it now.
"I can't find my body or at least I can't find my way back to it. That's the risk of the Dream Warrior Jutsu. I separated my soul from my body, created a rip in the fabric between the Ethereal and the Physical world, stepping through and creating a new visible body from the chakra. I gain the powers and abilities I would have in the Ethereal, but I have no real body and I cannot affect physical matter, unless it has a counterpart existing in the Ethereal. Should the thread that ties the soul to the body be severed, the body dies and the soul is left forever to drift in the Ethereal."
Sasuke tilted his head. "What do you do with your body while you are having this out of body experience?"
"During the attack on the power plant, my body was hidden in a cave very near the cliff where Naruto found us."
"What's the last thing you remember?" Itachi hadn't really thought to ask her. He was just as curious as to what was going on as anyone else, but it just wasn't all that important when she found him.
Myra looked contemplative for a few long seconds. "Falling, I remember falling. Naruto appeared as we were running from the Power plant. I had left my body protected in a cave at the top of the cliff before we made the assault on the power plant. When the explosives were set, we were on our way out when the alarm was tripped. I was in charge of keeping the guards distracted while the others were getting out of the way. The other advantage, nothing can affect me either.
Sai was the one that found out that Kabuto was on an inspection tour of the plant. Apparently Kabuto found out about the plant's secondary purpose. I found Sai on his last legs fighting with Kabuto. The Otokage was about to kill Sai when…" Myra trailed off slightly.
"When what?" Sasuke really wanted to know how Kabuto finally came to justice.
Myra took a deep breath. "When I ripped out his soul and absorbed his chakra, killing him instantly. But that is another story we can worry about later. We were all injured in some way. Sai was the worst off of all of us. We had lost one of the extra ANBU in the escape. The other two and I got Sai to a safe distance in the tree line. I got Sai stabilized and ordered them to get to the cliff peak. I went back for the stray. I was determined that we were all coming back alive, or we weren't going back at all. I was able to create a big enough distraction that the third ANBU was able to get away. We caught up with everyone at the top of the cliff. I reclaimed my body and activated the kunai Naruto had given me.
"It was less than ten seconds later when Naruto appeared in the flash of yellow light. He wanted to take me first and I wouldn't let him. The three extra ANBU were mobile, so he took them first. He came back for Sai and was gone in the same yellow flash of light. Just as Naruto vanished, there was an earthquake that shook the cliff. I fell. That was the last time I remember having my body.
"I woke up feeling lost. I had this severe sense of disconnection with everything and everyone. I wondered for a while. Honestly, I don't know how long I was wondering. I realized I was just a 'ghost'. I made it to the village, but I couldn't get through the barrier. So I waited. I could sense Naruto and I could feel his despair. I tried to get through to him, but he wasn't listening. He cut himself off from his emotions. I can't reach him if he isn't listening. When I found Itachi and the other clones within the group of refugees heading into the village a few days ago, I knew I had to do something, I just didn't know what. So I experimented. I high jacked my way in, through Itachi." Myra finished her tale with a shrug.
"You possessed him!" Sasuke yelled incredulously.
Itachi shook his head. "No, I allowed her to cohabitate for a while. What Madara does is a complete possession, destroying the original's soul in the process."
"Actually, he doesn't destroy the soul really, he absorbs it, making it part of himself and it continues to fuel him. The possession is something he does because he's evil that way."
"But," Itachi interjected. "I believe this tragic accident has shed light on the possibility of the deeper secret of Madara's that only Kisame may know."
Sasuke looked contemplative. "You think his original body may still be alive somewhere."
Myra nodded. "As I believe my body is still somewhere, though incapacitated, but I might just be alive somewhere." She smiled brightly, warming the chilly air around her.
"Hn." Sasuke snorted. Her optimism rivaled Naruto's sometimes. "So… What now?"
"I think…" Myra sharply turned to the left and stared off in the distance. "Do you think you two could wait to kill each other until later? Minato is in trouble. Deuce got in the house." She turned back to Itachi and Sasuke. "You may want to clear people from the streets. Things are about to get ugly."
Despite the clear blue skies over head, there was a flash of lightening and a clap of thunder. Sasuke and Itachi shielded their eyes from the intense light flashing a few feet from where they stood. When the flash blindness cleared, and the brother's could focus, Myra was gone. Itachi looked to his younger brother. "Is she always like that?"
"You mean crazy as a loon? Or just overly flashy?"
"Both?"
"Pretty much."
"She told me I have a niece." Itachi actually smiled, though sadly.
Sasuke scowled. "I want an explanation before I tell you anything, but not now. I need to get to the house." He took off like a shot.
Itachi followed. "Agreed, Deuce is rather stupid to a fault, which is why he was given the easiest of the tasks."
Sasuke kept his fast pace. "Easiest?"
"Well, yes. How hard will it be to take a baby from his crib?" Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"Hn. Myra tells you about Saiyuki, but tells you nothing of her own son… Why does that not surprise me?" Sasuke paused. "Let's just say, Minato isn't just a baby."
0 – 0 – 0
The toddler in the play pen continued to growl at Deuce letting him know he was not welcome in the house. Deuce gazed at the boy. "No amount of resistance is going to save you."
Minato couldn't stop him, and he knew it. The only way for this situation to end without anyone getting hurt was for the boy to go quietly and hope that someone would notice. Minato was about to back down and allow the imposter to get closer when Sakura came out into the living room. "Oh… Sasuke-kun. I didn't think…" she trailed off. "When did you change back to the stupid bow thing?" Her brow furrowed in confusion. Hadn't he been wearing all black when he left this morning?
Deuce turned his best glare to Sakura. "I need to take the boy with me."
Sakura tilted her head, still slightly confused. "Okay… That's fine. How did Lady Tsunade take to the plan?"
Deuce didn't exactly know how to respond, so he went with the Sasuke's classic answer to everything. "Hn."
Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly. That was no where near the right kind of answer. Well it was, but the tone and inflection in the grunt was more of a question than a statement. The pitch was off just enough for her to suspect something. She tensed.
Deuce noticed her reaction and flickered from her sight. In the blink of an eye, he had appeared behind her. Deuce allowed the grin to slip on his lips. He may not have the sharingan, but he was just as fast as Sasuke. Sakura's eyes widened and then the pain shot though her skull. Green eyes closed slowly and her body slumped forward. Deuce caught her. "Sorry pretty lady. This wasn't exactly how I wanted to introduce myself but I'm sure I can reacquaint myself later."
0 - 0 - 0
Minato should have taken Sakura's entrance as an opportunity to get away, but he didn't. There had been the faintest touch to the back of his mind that told him to get to Saiyuki, take her and run to Tsunade. The boy blinked, his growling stopped and it was clear as day. Minato transformed as Sakura collapsed. He jumped from the play pen and scurried to the nursery where the small girl child lay sleeping in the crib.
Deuce heard the pop of the jutsu and stared wide eyed as the teenaged boy appeared from the smoke. The boy was definitely not what he seemed. Deuce set Sakura down gently, stroking her cheek as he did. She was very pretty and he would have fun with her later. He stood and twisted the kinks out of his neck before he stalked down the corridor after the boy. "Come now boy, the Master wants you alive. I don't want to disappoint him."
Minato held the sleeping Saiyuki in his arms, praying to every Kami he knew of that she would stay asleep. He was hidden behind the chair nearest the door of the nursery. He needed a distraction to get away. He needed something that would get the imposter further down the hallway and possibly into the library, that way he could bolt for the side door through the kitchen. He hasn't mastered clones yet. The Kyuubi had laughed at him, telling him he was as bad as his father. He lightly beat his head against the wall. Minato would have to learn that trick if it killed him and he swore that if he did get out of this, he would practice until he died. Then as if an answer to his prayers, the light touch to his mind returned. "Take her to Sakura and get out."
Minato snapped to attention. There in the doorway was a ghostly silhouette of his mother. She was watching the hallway. "When he moves past the nursery, go quickly."
"Mama…" he whispered, tears in his voice.
Myra smiled sadly at her son. As far as she knew, she wasn't visible yet, which meant that he could see her. Her son would bare the same burden as she. Being able to see and communicate with the dead never went over well at parties. But on the other hand she was very proud of him. He had grown so much, so much more than she had expected. When she got the chance she would be smacking around a certain fox. Minato wanted to cry. This confirmed his fears. His mother was dead. She was nothing more than a ghost, but she was still watching over him and protecting him. For that he was truly grateful. He swallowed and regained control over his emotions and stayed silent. Myra looked to the other side of the door. "Stay quiet, wake Sakura and leave."
Minato nodded. He looked up to his mother, and she was gone. The boy took several breaths to calm his frazzled nerves. He was scared, but his mother was here. His eyes closed for a split second. When he opened them, there was a hand pushing the door open. Minato held his breath and waited. He would let his mother do what she could to help him escape.
"Hey you stupid jack wagon! You want me? Come and get me!" Minato heard his voice further down the hallway.
The door to the nursery stopped moving and the hand disappeared. Minato felt the chakra pulse and heard the hurried footsteps down and around the corner. There were sounds of crashing glass and falling books. "HA HA! Too Slow. You can't catch me, ya big lummox."
It made Minato smirk. As quietly as he could, he crept out of the nursery back to the living room where Sakura was lying. Off in the back of the house he could hear doors slamming open. "Where are you brat?"
Minato got to Sakura and gently tapped on her cheek. The pinkette took a few moments, before she groaned and her eyes rapidly blinked open. Green and violet clashed for another moment. Sakura was about to scream.
Minato's hand covered his aunt's mouth. "Please don't scream Aunt Sakura." He whispered in earnest. "We need to leave." He placed the still sleeping infant girl in Sakura's arms.
Sakura was extremely bewildered, but she nodded. The boy removed his hand from her mouth. "Mi… Minato?" She stared at the boy.
"Too slow again, you MORON!" There was a crash somewhere in Sasuke's study.
"He isn't Sasuke." Sakura cradled the baby to her chest.
Minato shook his head. "No, he isn't. We need to go now. Mama said go to Grama Tsunade."
Sakura tried to stand and wobbled slightly. Minato was right there to help her up. Her head was splitting and she felt like she had just been hit by a brick wall. She didn't even catch the part where Minato had mentioned Myra. Sakura regained her footing and shook off the effects of the blow to the back of her skull. She placed a glowing green hand to the back of her skull to stave off the effects until she could at least get looked at, but there were more pressing matters at hand, like escaping.
Minato was keeping his eye on the hallway, just incase the imposter finally figure out he was literally chasing a ghost. He tugged on Sakura's shirt, pulling her to the door. "We need to go now, please."
Sakura nodded. They were steps from the door when Minato felt the cold shiver of the imposter grab the back of his shirt. The boy was hoisted off the ground, and tossed back into the house. "You aren't going anywhere, brat."
"Minato!" Sakura screamed, waking the sleeping baby in her arms. There were a few hiccups and snuffles from the baby before the wee one wailed in fear. Minato crashed into a wooden table was in a heap of splinters and limbs. It took him a moment to recover his bearings from being thrown, but it was nothing that hadn't happened before. The Kyuubi had a better toss, and though Minato could thank the Kamis that the table had tons more give than a tree, it still hurt like hell. Warmth enveloped him and the pain vanished. "Stay down and wait for it." He did as his mother told him.
Deuce smiled sadistically at Sakura. "As much as I would like to have played with you a little before you figured out who I am, or I should say, who I'm not," His smile took on a lecherous intent. "I didn't come for you this time around, so I will show mercy and let you leave, as long as you go now."
Sakura was torn. She needed to protect Minato, but should couldn't stay. With her free hand, she charged her chakra for one good punch. Sakura's fist clenched and she made to pull back to punch. Something stayed her hand. "Go… It will be ok."
It was the faintest whisper. But Sakura had never doubted Myra before, she wasn't about to start now. The pinkette unclenched her fist, releasing the chakra in the process and bolted for the Hokage building. Deuce watched the woman leave. He only had a few moments before the area would be swarming with ANBU, or worse… His Original, but that was going to be a moot point if he had a hostage.
The number two clone walked with a cocky air into the living room towards the seemingly unconscious youth. He stood over the boy and sighed. "Why did you have to make it so difficult? If you just had come quietly, I wouldn't have made a bad impression on the pretty lady, and I might have gotten to have a little fun with her before I took you away. Oh well, I guess I have to wait for that."
Deuce reached down and picked up the boy by the scruff of his shirt. He brought the boy to eye level and just looked at him. "You are something else aren't you?"
Minato had stayed silent long enough. He stepped in Deuce's stomach with his left foot, and kicked Deuce in the chin with his right. Using the momentum of the kick, Minato flipped out of Deuce's grasp, landing on his feet a few paces away from the reeling clone. Minato smirked. He could fight now and he was going to show the bastard, his mother and anyone else watching what he was made of. There was a flash of yellow light and Minato's eyes went wide with shock. Then the biggest smile spread across his face. Reinforcements had arrived.
Deuce recovered and was pissed. "Why you little shit!" He tried to step forward and couldn't. Something, or rather, someone had stopped him from moving.
Naruto growled. The momentarily stunned clone tensed. The blonde took the opportunity to place a teleport seal on the clone's back. The clone turned to stare into feral blue eyes of a very pissed off, very protective, and very alive Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. If Naruto was alive, did that mean that Nakamiko had failed? Deuce didn't think her idea was a good one anyway. It was too complicated and just down right idiotic. Now because of her failure, he was going to fail in his mission as well. He just hoped Trace had faired better.
"You want to know the reason Teme stopped wearing that stupid ass bow?"
Deuce had the decency to gulp.
Naruto thought a practical demonstration was in order. The blonde pivoted on his foot, and tossed the clone from the Uchiha household. Naruto wasn't really worried about the human shaped hole in the ceiling, he was sure that Sasuke would understand under the circumstances, and beside, it wasn't like Naruto wouldn't have it fixed later. The elder Uzumaki turned back to his son.
"DAD!" Minato barreled into his father.
Naruto caught Minato in his arms, scooping him up and hugging him to his chest. Minato was safe and that's all that mattered. Naruto let out a sigh of relief, pulling his son back so he could have a look. "You okay?" He questioned.
Minato sniffled and used his arm to wipe away the tears and snot on his face. He didn't want to look like a wuss in front of his dad. "I'll be alright."
Naruto hugged the boy tightly. The elder blonde stood up and pushed his son to arms length. "Head for the Hokage tower. Find Sakura and Teme. They will protect you while I deal with the imposter."
"Why can't I just stay with Mama?" Minato blinked at his father.
Naruto tensed. "Kit, I thought you knew."
Minato tilted his head in confusion and then it dawned on the boy what his father was talking about. "Oh that… But Mama is…" the boy felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, and Minato turned to look up at his mother.
"Let him go take care of the bad guy, I'll tell him when he gets back."
Naruto watched curiously as Minato turned his head to look at something over his shoulder. The boy nodded and turned back to Naruto with a sigh. "Okay, but don't be too long."
Naruto stepped back and was gone in a flash of yellow light. Minato turned to look at his mother's ghostly figure. "Why didn't you just show yourself to him? He would have been so happy to see you."
Myra smiled at Minato. "Right now your father needs to focus his aggression on something tangible. And until I can fix my situation, I'm not overly tangible at the moment. You're safe, Sakura is safe and so is Saiyuki. That's what was important. We can stay here, if you want too and wait for your father to come back, or we can head for the house, it's up to you."
"Dad did say to head for the Hokage building."
Myra smirked. "There is enough going on in the center of the village. It would be best if we just stayed out of the way."
Minato nodded. "I think it's best if we stay here."
Myra picked up on Minato's hesitation to return home. "Why don't you want to go home?"
The boy tensed slightly. "Because I don't want you to be mad at Dad just yet."
"The house is a mess, isn't it?"
"I didn't do it." Minato answered defensively.
Myra put her hands on her hips and bent over the boy. "How bad is my kitchen?"
Minato smiled toothily. "We need a new fridge? And maybe a new sink. Oh and a new kitchen table too… Didn't you say something about wanting new dishes? And new cabinets to put them in?"
If Myra hadn't already been colorless, the color would have drained from her face. "I'm going to kill him."
0 - 0 - 0
Deuce landed. He wasn't exactly sure where he landed, but he was on the ground. A pretty blonde girl with striking blue eyes lifted a large chunk of ceiling off of Deuce.
"Naruto's got great aim! I swear, each and every time you two get into a fight, I need more work done to my shop." She said as if this exact situation had happened before.
Deuce looked up at his blonde angel. She was just as pretty, if not prettier than the pink haired girl. He wanted to smirk and be his charming self, but now was not exactly the time for that. "You could say that." he groaned out and tried to stand up. He found out quickly that there was more debris that needed to be removed from his person.
Ino sighed and shook her head. "I think I want a new air conditioning system installed this time around. Where I appreciate that you and Naruto fixed my roof and the air conditioning the last time you came crashing through my roof, it hasn't been the same. I also think you should hire professionals to do it, you cheap skate."
Deuce pushed the rest of the debris off and got to his feet, though he wobbled a bit. "Uh… yeah, sounds like a great idea. You do that and put it on my tab." He tried to stalk past the girl, but she was having none of it.
"Your tab? You don't have a tab."
Deuce stopped and turned a glare at Ino.
Ino paused and raised a confused eyebrow. His glare wasn't nearly as intimidating as it normally was. "Are you sure you're okay Sasuke-kun?"
The bright sun light streaming through the Sasuke sized hole in the roof masked the flash of light when Naruto popped into the Yamanaka Florist shop. "Ino… I'm sorry about the roof again. I'll make sure it gets fixed later. Right now, Teme…" Naruto spat the normally affectionate insult, "and I have some unfinished business." He ended the sentence with a menacing growl.
Deuce wasn't sure what he should do. Some deep seeded instinct told him to run. His more logical brain told him to evade and escape, which as he was thinking about it, was just prettier words for running like a coward. Since his deep seeded instincts and his logical brain were in agreement, he did exactly that. Deuce turned tail, and bolted from the flower shop.
Naruto smirked with sublime satisfaction. He was going to revel in the chase. The scent of the clone's fear over powered the fragrance of the flower shop. The imposter was running, but it wouldn't take much to catch him. The clone had a locater seal on his back. The clone could run all the way back to Madara and Naruto could still find him. Suddenly, a new idea slipped into Naruto's mind. He would chase the clone. Heck, he would even beat the clone senseless just so he could satisfy his curiosity about human blood and the smell of fear. But he would allow the clone to live, just to get the locater seal close enough to Madara. Then… THEN, Naruto could truly end the war, take revenge for Myra death, and kill Madara once and for all. The smirk turned to an evil grin that held more than Naruto's playful mischief. Naruto was about to flash away when a delicate hand grabbed his forearm.
Naruto whipped his attention to Ino. "I said I would fix the roof." He snarled a little more harshly than he indented or meant.
Ino let go of Naruto as if burned. The boy had never scared her. But after recent events, things she has heard and seeing Lee in the hospital, she wasn't sure what to think. "Naruto-kun," the fear laced in her voice disturbed Naruto.
The blonde boy blinked. Sure, he had never really liked Ino. She was bossy, conceited, loud, obnoxious, and far too girly. Much like himself in a few ways, except for the girly part. However, she was one of his friends. She was one of those people he had fought next to. She was one of those few that had bled with him. Ino shouldn't have a reason to be smelling so strongly of fear. Despite the fact that fragrance tickled his senses and excited him more than he wanted to admit, she shouldn't be afraid of him.
"Don't hurt Sasuke-kun. He's only trying to help." She said quietly, hoping that Naruto would respond. He hadn't hurt Hinata, maybe he wouldn't hurt her. She had never seen Naruto so angry before. Yes, she had been witness to the infamous fight with Pein. Yes, she had seen Naruto out of control and angry. That had scared her then, but for completely different reasons. Seeing Naruto in control and this angry terrified her. She believed he was going to kill Sasuke. She believed he was going to do something, she couldn't let him do.
Naruto shook his head and sighed. "I wouldn't hurt Sasuke unless he was asking for it. But that," Naruto pointed in the direction Deuce had run off. "Was. NOT. Sasuke."
Ino's eyes widened. "What?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "When have you known Sasuke to run from anything, especially me?"
Ino though about it and then she put it all together. "He wouldn't."
Naruto smiled at her and nodded. "Exactly. Now, I'll fix the shop later. I have to catch me a clone."
0 - 0 - 0
Nakamiko was still confused. That was the only way she could describe her feelings. Something just kept nagging at her that everything was wrong. Everything was just so very wrong. As the day went by, her mission, her life, her thoughts, just continued to spiral further out of her control. The only thing that made sense at the moment was putting one foot in front of the other. Even after the hot shower nothing made sense.
Shizune led her to an exam room where they treated her wounds. They were superficial anyway. She was given clean clothes, put in another room and told to wait. She couldn't wait much longer. Nakamiko had to get to the Jinchuriki. She would be able to kill him and get out of this place that continued to confused her so. Then maybe, just maybe, she could get back to Madara, where things made sense. Or did they? Things had made sense because she wouldn't allow herself to think otherwise.
From the moment she stepped, blinking into the harsh light of the laboratory of her creation, the moment she uttered the words that still caused her stomach to churn, she had felt like something wasn't right with her world. But she had ignored those thoughts because they didn't hold with the edicts that she had been programmed with. The farther away she got from Madara, the more she was able to hear her own thoughts. The her mind cleared from the fog Madara had her under. The closer she had gotten to the village of Konoha, the truth seemed closer to her understanding.
What was the truth anyway? Shizune had left her in the exam room for what seemed like hours. Nakamiko decided that she had to get out of this room and do what she had come to do. It was the only thing that made sense. She would kill the jinchuriki and leave this cursed village. She hopped off the table and opened the door. Nakamiko was met with a wall in the form of a very tall, black clad, red haired ninja. "Where do you think you are going?"
She looked up into eyes that were wild and full of rage. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew these eyes. Though she remembered them softer, not so full of anger, and filled with something else… love? She shook off those thoughts and continued her charade. "I was going to find a phone. I wish to speak with my father."
"Your father is long dead. I should know, I had to killed him, thinking I was saving you." Kitsuya pushed her back into the room.
Nakamiko's eyes widened. He spoke the truth, and she knew it deep down. But technically Madara was her father, wasn't he? He did create her. No, Kabuto created her. Madara had her created. "I don't know what you're talking about." She stuttered out.
Kitsuya pushed her up against a wall, pinning her there with his arms on either side of her. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling her scent. He had to confirm his first suspicion. Red feral eyes opened and stared at her. He had seen her walking from the Hokage building and thought she was nothing more than a piss poor attempt at cloning Myra. Kitsuya had deduced she was sent to do nothing more than torment an already tormented soul. But this, THIS went far beyond that now. "Why?" He growled. "WHY?"
Nakamiko had never been scared of anything in her short life. But this man holding her against the wall scared her to death. "I… I don't know what you are talking about."
Kitsuya already knew that cloning was something against the natural order of things. He had originally believed that the clones were going to be soulless creatures that would be under Madara's control. But this woman in front of him confirmed his worst fear. The clones had a soul. They were probably remnants of the lives Madara had taken over the years. He had saved Miyako from the fate worse than death, but the small piece of her soul that Madara had taken was now incased in the created woman. It was that reason Miyako had never reincarnated. It was the reason Miyako couldn't return to him. It was all so clear to Kitsuya at that moment, that he began to laugh. "I suppose the bastard Uchiha sent you here to kill me."
Nakamiko's eyes narrowed. He didn't look like the Jinchuriki. Well, he did, but he was older, much older and had red hair. "I still don't know what you're talking about."
A fist impacted the wall near her head, going straight through to the exam room on the other side. "Don't play stupid with me."
He stared at her and she could feel his stare sear the soul she didn't know she had. "I wasn't sent to kill you." She answered with sincerity.
Kitsuya removed he arm from the hole in the wall and clamped claws around her throat. "You lie. You may not know you are lying, but you lie." He claws closed further around her throat. "The bastard Uchiha sent you to kill Naruto, thus killing me in the process, or at least that's what he would like to believe."
Nakamiko pulled at the hand at her throat. He was choking the life from her body and she felt powerless to stop him. She felt that it was right to let him kill her. He was justified in taking her life. Though her mind screamed that she should fight back because her life belonged to Madara, her heart screamed just as loudly that her life belonged to this… this… DEMON in front of her. Her eyes widened in dawning comprehension. She WAS sent to kill Naruto and that would kill the demon sealed inside him. This man closing his hand around her throat WAS the Kyuubi no Kitsune. And he was not where he was supposed to be. Her heart soared with that idea. He wasn't sealed inside the boy anymore. He was free.
For the first time in the months she had been alive, her soul was at peace. Everything made sense to her. She had gone along with Madara's ideas because she was going to kill Naruto. This she knew from the very beginning. Killing Naruto would kill the demon within, but in killing the demon, he would be free of his prison. That had been Nakamiko's drive from the very beginning. She hadn't understood it then nor did she really care. She would release the demon from of his prison, and then she would turn the blade on herself. She had buried those thoughts, which was why she had been so confused. She had understood that Madara could read her thoughts, so to hid her true intentions, she had banished those intentions from her mind. When she was finally confronted with the Jinchuriki, she would remember her reasons for not killing herself the minute she stepped from the waters of her creation. Nakamiko knew his suffering was on her hands. She had been the reason he had been imprisoned in the first place. She may not have the memories of why, how, or when, but it was something she knew on a level beyond all reason.
The woman went completely limp in Kitsuya's grasp. "Then do with me as you see fit." She whispered hoarsely.
Kitsuya's eyes narrowed at the woman, his claws loosening their grip so she could answer his question. "What are you playing at now? You think because you aren't going to fight back that I will spare your life?"
Nakamiko took in a breath. "I was sent to kill Naruto, that much I will admit to. And I would have killed him had I been given the chance. But now, the reason I wanted his death seems futile. You are free of your prison. My life has no purpose anymore."
Kitsuya dropped her and stepped back. "What do you mean?"
Nakamiko dropped to the floor and rubbed at her throat. She coughed a few times before she spoke again. "I mean what I say, Lord Kyuubi. I was never loyal to Madara, though I didn't understand my confusion until now." She went on to explain to him her true thoughts and intentions.
Kitsuya nodded and listened. He didn't dare hope it was true. Madara enjoyed suffering and malice. The bastard Uchiha enjoyed feeding off of despair and sorrow. The demon didn't think it was possible, but there was a chance that maybe when Madara infused the remnant of Miyako's soul into the clone, that the rest had chosen to reincarnate with the woman, thus making her more than just a clone. "Stand up."
Nakamiko did as she was told and kept her head down. "Are you going to kill me?"
"That depends. Turn around." He had to be sure, and there was a way to find out.
Once again, Nakamiko did as she was told and turned to face the wall. She closed her eyes, held her breath and just waited. Kitsuya used his claws to expose the back of her neck and her shoulder. She shivered when the cool air hit her exposed skin. The Fox gathered the flames of his chakra around his hand. "I will make this a painless as possible."
He pressed his hand against her exposed skin and she screamed. Kitsuya felt a bit bad for her. It was going to hurt no matter what he did, but he had to know. He had to do this to be sure of the truth. If she was Miyako reincarnated, this would tell him more than her scent. This would also break any hold Madara had on her. After a few moments, he removed his hand from her shoulder and had to catch her as she fell unconscious. He gazed upon her shoulder and just stared there for a few moments. The mark he had given her at the time of their mating was glowing brightly. It pulsated with his flame like chakra before turning black and calming down. He slid down the wall, pulling her into his lap. Kitsuya held her close and buried his nose in her hair. He had his mate back. And this time, he wasn't going to screw it up.
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HOLY TOLEDO! Will Myra reveal herself to Naruto? Will Naruto run like a little girl because of his fear of ghosts? Has anyone really understood why the Blonde titan has a fear of ghosts? Did Minato inherit Myra's ability to see beyond the Veil? Or did Minato get it from somewhere else? Is there more than two traitor in Madara's clone ranks? Can our heroes find Myra's body before it's too late? Tune in next time to find the answers! In the meantime, reviews are appreciated, but not required.