Yamato gently tread water while the Iwa shinobi tromped on the wooden landing overhead. It had been very difficult to control his movement in the open water without giving himself away and he had ended up bumping up against the Iwa's boat. He had created a clone as fast as he could and allowed it to be sent off down the river.
It was less than optimal as he imagined his clone would likewise have a lot of trouble swimming across the swift and dark waters of the river. There was no telling how far downriver his clone would end up before he was able to get to the opposite shore and back to the Konoha camp. But that was the only way Yamato would be able to get to word back to Kakashi about where the Iwa had gone. Now the problem was above.
The river water still swirled and tugged at him but he had a good grip on the support beams. It was a greater concern to him that the Iwa might notice a disturbance in the water. They had limited light, so that worked in his favor but they did not want for quantity.
The party that had crossed the river might not have posed a great problem for him. Several of them seemed to be of jonin rank, but he only recognized Yamaguchi as having special distinction. They might be formidable fighters, Yamato thought, but none seemed to carry the ruthlessness necessary to defeat a former ANBU agent.
However, now that they were on land again their numbers had more than doubled and Yamato couldn't begin to guess who he was up against.
Yamato took in a long, full breath and held it for a few seconds before expelling it quietly. Sakura was unconscious and from what Yamato understood it would be until the next nightfall before she would awaken. Therefore he couldn't count on her assistance.
Of course, if Sakura had been conscious she probably would have never allowed the Iwa to take her across the river. And who knows what a ruckus like that would have caused. Sometimes Yamato had to wonder; Sakura was smart, but sometimes she created more trouble for him, for Kakashi and Konoha than Naruto or Sasuke would have in their wild and reckless younger days.
Other countries didn't seem to recognize what a powerhouse Sakura could be until it was far too late. And Sakura herself often failed to see just how far other countries would go to achieve their aims. These two factors together made a potent mix. Other shinobi in Konoha had given her an unfortunate nickname due to her tendency to make overt demands and accept no excuses. These high expectations led to a habit of trying to solve problems herself. If she had just asked for help with Sasuke a day or two earlier she would not be unconscious and being carted off to Iwa while Yamato was neck deep in cold water...
Yamato stopped his negative thoughts and listened carefully for when the landing would be cleared. His tracking seeds were still active so he could afford to wait for a little while longer.
The wagon rolled like thunder on the boards of the dock. Several men heaved it up a road and hitched it to a pair of oxen. One squad pulled all the gear from the boat and distributed it among the shinobi in the company.
After only a few minutes the Iwa shinobi had all moved up to the road. The captain gave instructions detailing where they were headed. Yamato cursed his luck. He heard a few words including "shinobi tribunal" and "interrogation" but he was too far away to hear every word clearly. He would have to watch what roads they picked in order to determine their destination.
When he was certain the company had left the landing he moved toward the shore while still under the dock. He didn't hear anything like a human. It was very dark.
On high alert and with great caution, Yamato hauled himself out of the water and onto the landing. It was quiet and breezy, stars shone overhead like pinpricks in a black curtain.
As soon as he was sure he was alone, Yamato created a small lean-to up on the shore where he could dry himself and think of something. Most of his gear was completely soaked. None of it would be useful for sending or even leaving a message.
He stared out at the black expanse of water and tried to think. If he just wrote something out in the earth anyone who passed by could see it, and if that person were an Iwa shinobi they would know their country was infiltrated. How could he hide it in a way that Kakashi would recognize it?
The water lapped softly at the shore and Yamato felt a desire to hurry. His gaze lingered on the edge where water met earth and he suddenly gave a laugh out loud. He was such an idiot. If sempai ever knew how long it took him to think of the obvious solution... Yamato shook his head in chagrin and stood up.
It took him only five minutes to complete his work and then pull apart his lean-to. Soon after Yamato reached the highway the Iwa had taken. He moved along in the shadows at a pace that let the Iwa maintain a considerable lead. Go ahead, move freely and assume no one is following, he thought.
-傷-
As he studied the riverbank scene, Sasuke became aware of more people in the room glancing his way before hastening back to their conversations. Just as Shikamaru had predicted, his presence changed the dynamic in the room and forced everyone to take him into account. The waiters moved gracefully between the attendants and the guests moved in their wake - but they all gave Sasuke a wide berth. He would have quickly noticed the man who stepped up to his side even without finely honed shinobi senses. He patiently studied an egret about to take flight and waited for the man to speak first.
"Did you know, this scene was painted by Shima Iwase, an artist from my home of Doginai. We were most honored when Lord Daimyo selected it to display here in his palace."
"Hn." The man sounded far more proud than honored.
"Have you ever traveled to Doginai? It lies to the southwest of Konoha."
Sasuke dimly recalled a genin mission to protect a wealthy young girl from her family's enemies. The details were faint in his mind so he said nothing. It was just as well, the man didn't wait long to continue speaking.
"I must admit the land is blessed with many resources, not merely natural beauty such as what you see before you. The people of Doginai are skilled artists and craftsmen, and their strength and skill add to the natural riches of the area."
The man turned to face Sasuke. He was slightly taller with sloping shoulders and gangly arms. "But I expect a shinobi like yourself doesn't feel a great priority for art or riches."
Sasuke hitched slightly at being called a shinobi but kept it hidden from the man, who simply continued talking.
"However, I would like to introduce myself. I am Seicho Kawamata from Doginai and I represent my land's interests in the daimyo's palace."
Sasuke had guessed his identity from Naruto's descriptions. He was an opportunist. So far the treaty negotiations meant a slight increase in trade for Doginai but Shikamaru had noted that war would be a boon to the miners and weapons makers of the region. Seicho would not openly advocate war but Shikamaru was cautious of him. He had suspected but could find no evidence of collusion with the Tsuchikage, although Shikamaru surmised that it was because Seicho had to be careful; he would like war but would be ruined if Konoha took a severe impact - to say nothing of the devastation to Doginai if Konoha happened to fall.
Sasuke gritted his teeth lightly. Seicho wanted something completely absurd: a small war where Konoha's victory was assured. The fool.
Seicho carried on blithely, "I have to say, young man, your appearance here tonight has everyone in a tizzy! I suppose you already noticed?"
Sasuke glanced at him.
"Of course you have. All these silly lords and ladies want to know is if you'll endanger their lives or their business deals. But I want to know something different, Uchiha-dono. I want to know what you want."
Sasuke guessed that a direct answer wouldn't help, but he had no experience with the flowery evasion that was practiced by government delegates. He decided to respond with a question, "Do you imagine my interest would be different from the Hokage's?"
For a moment Seicho was caught out with nothing to say. His reaction was completely predictable as he swallowed, gray eyes fluttered and a smile broke out across his thin lips. Ino's instruction on diplomacy came back to Sasuke as he watched Seicho struggle to make a coherent statement. "Ah well, of course, that is, that makes perfect sense, and who here wouldn't choose to support your Hokage?"
A look of irritation at "your Hokage" must have flashed over Sasuke's face because Seicho suddenly faltered before his smile grew even bolder.
"What I meant was since you have elected to follow Lord Naruto all the way to these negotiations, after being on your own for so long, perhaps you are seeking something you could not attain if you quietly returned to Konoha."
Sasuke had pulled a neutral look onto his face when Seicho started speaking. He turned and set his gaze on the screen once again. No matter what Ino said, smiling and tossing out pleasantries was not in him. He was definitely not about to explain his deepest wishes to this petty lord.
"Ah, Seicho-dono, monopolizing Uchiha-san's time already!" Another man had joined them. Short and slightly stooped he was at least 20 years older than Seicho. Sasuke had to turn from the screen to face both men. "Yoshitaro Mori, at your service." The older man bowed slightly to Sasuke and he returned the greeting.
Naruto respected Yoshitaro, even if they didn't always agree. Something about his demeanor and how Naruto spoke of him made Sasuke think of the Third Hokage, although he was still much younger. His round face was capped with closely shorn gray hair, light brown hands covered in veins held a tea cup close to his chest. Sasuke imagined that in his youth Yoshitaro must have been a strong fighter in his home region of Takaichi. There the nobles trained their sons with swords, rather than assuming an underling would always fight for him.
"I must admit I overheard a portion of your conversation, Uchiha-san, and if you don't mind me saying so, I have the same curiosity that Seicho-dono has."
"Hn." Sasuke kept his face perfectly calm.
"What Seicho-dono doesn't understand is that there is no use in laying out implications to see which draws your attention. He should have simply asked you: Why are you here, Uchiha-san?"
The question hung in the air, stealing the breath from Sasuke's lungs. Telling the truth was a point of pride for Sasuke. He had heard more than enough lies in his life and knew too much tragedy from falsehoods. If he was in error, that was one thing, but he refused to compound a mistake with mendacity.
Sasuke noted out of the corner of his eye that Seicho had paled a bit as Yoshitaro took over the conversation, but now he leaned in to hear Sasuke's answer. Very well. He took a steadying breath.
"Every hour that the treaty isn't signed increases the chances of war between the Fire and Earth countries. The treaty needs to be signed immediately."
Seicho blanched and tried to cover it by turning to flag down a waiter with a tray of wine. However, Yoshitaro turned a weathered eye to study Sasuke's face. It almost felt like he was measuring Sasuke's words against his face.
When the waiter came to Seicho's side Sasuke took the opportunity to get rid of his half-drunk glass of wine. When he looked back at Yoshitaro the older man wore a serene smile as he handed over his empty tea cup to the waiter, but his black eyes had a shrewd look about them.
In the waiter's wake a finely dressed woman stepped up to the trio of men. She wore a richly embroidered kimono that pressed her bosom out, midway between simple happenstance and exploitation. Long purple hair was arrayed over her head in elaborate combs. Her hands were largely hidden by the large sleeves of her kimono but she held a folded fan in her fingertips.
Charm and sophistication wrapped around the young lady and Seicho greeted her with care. "Good evening, Lady Hikaru, you are in good spirits."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Seicho. And it is a pleasure to see you as well, Lord Yoshitaro. I hope I am not intruding on your conversation with Uchiha-sama." Her voice was lilting, almost musical.
Hikaru from Shiokawa. Shikamaru had only said to be careful around her. Naruto said he didn't know much about her; translation, he didn't have a good opinion of her because she never made herself available for ramen. But as he watched the three diplomats exchange greetings he realized why her attitude seemed familiar. Despite her flowery and humble speech, she was subtly holding herself physically so that Sasuke's eye would be drawn to her feminine form. And despite her poise, Sasuke detected a note of infatuation buried deep in her eyes.
Sasuke had seen it a thousand times before and was no more moved by it than he had ever been. Over her shoulder he spied Ino looking back at Hikaru with a slight frown. Then she turned back to her own audience with a winsome smile.
Yoshitaro assured Hikaru that she was not intruding. He said with a smile, "I was just asking young Uchiha-san what his motives were for attending these negotiations. I have no doubt that he is sincere in his desire to avoid war, but I would like to know why he would endure the company of dignitaries when he is clearly used to a different manner of associates."
Seicho seized the moment to speak up. Clearly he had felt somewhat left out over the last minute since his private conversation had picked up two new participants. "I was wondering if Uchiha-san might be looking for something that his home of Konoha could not give him. The resources of Doginai are so plentiful that I can't imagine any kind of lack, but perhaps Uchiha-san can enlighten me."
At Sasuke's side Hikaru spoke. Somehow she had stepped awfully close to him, closer than he generally liked strangers to be (and he yet rarely chased off the stranger who turned out to be female). "Uchiha-sama seems to be a man of certainty, when his mind is made up it is not easily swayed. Isn't that why you left your home of Konoha some 12 years ago? Wasn't it an effort to find power the village could not give you?"
Hikaru smiled as Yoshitaro and Seicho looked a bit startled. Whatever they knew of Sasuke, she clearly knew more. Hikaru continued. "I understand this because my home of Shiokawa values such men." She tilted her head slightly, drawing Sasuke's gaze into her deep blue eyes. "In Shiokawa a man like you would command a great deal of respect," her voice dropped subtly, "to say nothing of the high position in our home guard."
For just a moment Sasuke wished he had some training in diplomacy and court graces to avoid and evade. But then Shikamaru's instructions came back to him. "When they start paying attention to you openly and even talking to you, they're going to want to see what makes you tick. They want to know if you're here for power, for status or money or what. They might try to see if offering you these things will get you on their side, to dance to their tune. If we had more time I might even say to try to string them along so we can learn more about their motives, but we have to move quick." For a moment Shikamaru had looked unhappy and then he gave an ironic grin. "Hell, at that point telling them more truth than they can handle is probably the best bet. Swarm the bishop with pawns, ya know?"
Sasuke was coming to understand that between the two Shikamaru was probably the better chess player, but Sasuke knew how to overwhelm with the truth. He looked at Yoshitaro and then Seicho, finally he looked Hikaru in the eye, slowly letting his Sharingan engage. "You would like to know why I have come to this gathering. It is simple: the dithering of this court has gone on long enough. I am here to commit to memory everyone who stands in the way of the treaty being finalized and signed."
Seicho's face was paper white and his wine threatened to spill onto his hand. Yoshitaro's eyes narrowed and one hand slowly moved to the side of his belt, as if to hold a sword scabbard ready for drawing. In stark contrast, Hikaru stayed inside his personal space, fingertips lightly tapping the edge of her fan. Her eyes glittered.
-傷-
Deep in Sakura's mind a half-thought coalesced. "I need to..." She couldn't recall what the rest of the thought should be. She tried to listen but silence pressed in. She wondered whether if she looked around would she find it, but all was darkness.
Slowly another thought came to her. Urgency. "I need to... hurry..." But hurry to what? She was comfortable not moving. In point of fact, she couldn't move, but Sakura was fine where she was.
She felt her thoughts receding. Well, it's not like trying to force a memory to surface ever worked. Sakura decided to simply relax. Maybe then she would remember why she was in a hurry.
Her mind blotted itself out to nothingness once again.
I'm so glad folks seem to be enjoying the latest chapters! Woohoo! Your reviews keep me warm and fuzzy!
But... I know I haven't mentioned this on KIZU/傷 so I'll say it now: *please* do not include notes on how NARUTO ends, either the manga or the anime, in the comments. I'm way behind on the anime and I'm not reading the manga, so please refrain from spoiling it for me and anyone else who isn't finished yet. Spoilers are rude and will be deleted without comment. (And they put me in a bad mood!)
Thanks to everyone leaving reviews, with an extra *smile* for those who know this is a departure from canon but are enjoying it anyway. I'm very grateful!