DISCLAIMER: No matter how much I want it, I do not own Naruto. I am still only borrowing the characters and promise to return them in good condition – well, maybe slightly battered!

Chapter Thirty-Six:

'C' is for Catastrophe

Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion

~Creed~

After defending the farmers, team seven's remaining days on the road had passed without incident due to a surprise heavy winter snowfall that moved in. Thankfully, it forced everyone on the trail to seek shelter or move along faster.

Just before dawn that morning they changed their disguises and crept into Makkari, inspecting the bustling town from the vantage point of the highest roof they could find. The village was a largeand prosperous one. It was set among low rolling hills, beyond which sharp mountains rimmed the horizon. They easily found the lord's home, unfortunately, Kakashi was right – the client didn't always have or give all the correct information. The lord's home was a small castle.

The flurries had finally stopped, though the sky remained overcast. Heavy grey clouds, along with the towers and roofs of the castle, loomed over Makkari.

Kakashi glanced over the top of the curved wall at the massive stones from a nearby tree. He frowned thoughtfully and then glanced down at his genin team. He nodded to himself as he made his decision. He gracefully hopped down to land in front of them and announced, "I think we should split up to do our own reconnaissance. We will meet up in three hours at that small wooded park down the lane."

"All on our own? Really?" asked Naruto, gesturing expansively.

"Yes, I know you're all ready, but be careful. Remember to keep your cover."

~~Sasuke~~

Sasuke walked purposely down the streets with his head held high, acting the part of a confidant messenger boy. He headed towards the inn he'd spotted earlier. It would be a good place to gather information on Lord Fukisaka and his castle.

As he sat down and ordered a cup of tea, he pulled his hood low over his face and began to carefully listen to the babble of conversations going around him.

He smiled smugly to himself when a pair of guards came in for refreshment. It wasn't long at all before he overheard key information concerning the castle defenses. He was nearly ready to leave when whispers reached his ears.

"It's true I tell you. I heard that ninja were spotted not far from here."

"Pfft, no one sees a ninja; at least not in these parts. Lord Fukisaka wouldn't allow it."

"No, seriously that's what I heard. Apparently another group of travelers was attacked in the mountain pass a few days ago. They said that a band of ninja dropped from the trees, slaughtered the bandits, and then disappeared in the mist."

"Who did you hear that from?"

"My cousin heard it from the border guards."

"Your cousin is an idiot."

Abruptly, Sasuke's warning senses bristled. He turned his head, listening. The babble of voices, the click of chopsticks from the dining area as a distant door opened. Footsteps. No unusual or alarming sounds, and now he could smell the man approaching down the corridor, a man who ate too many mochi, the highly addictive rice sweets.

The man entered his field of vision. He had long, dark hair tied neatly at the back of his neck and a humongous body. His frame was so huge, Sasuke decided, that at one time he might have been a professional wrestler. If that guess was right, if he was an ex-sumo, the stranger had lost a lot of weight since then. He now wore the robes of a town businessman.

He was smiling, but his eyes were hard, the manner of his walk deceptively casual. Sasuke's mouth turned as dry as his lips. This fellow was very dangerous. He had an air about him, a ruthlessly cunning edge to his face.

The man came closer, looked Sasuke in the eyes, and bowed elegantly. His false smile remained as he pulled out a chair and sat down uninvited at his table. Sasuke's hands squeezed into fists from anger, but his face remained as impassive as ever.

"Ah, young sir! Forgive this intrusion. I am Taro, freelance detective."

Sasuke regarded him warily. After a moment passed and the man didn't get the hint, he coldly asked, "What do you want?"

The man seemed unaffected by the boy's rude tone. He waved over a server and ordered a pot of tea and some food. Finally piercing green eyes met cold onyx as the tea was set between them.

"You are a little lippy for a messenger boy," commented Taro as he eyed Sasuke's disguise. "Got to be hard to earn money with an attitude like that."

Taro's random movements, the vitality in his eyes, and his steady, silent breathing told Sasuke three things: the detective was very physically strong, mentally sharp, and highly disciplined. He gave nothing else away, a warning in itself. Only a fool would trust him. But what was his purpose?

Itachi had coached him in dealing with authorities like lords, local magistrates or the police. Don't just listen to their questions, he had had warned. Consider their unspoken strategy: where the questions are leading. They will try to trap you with your own answers, so choose each word with care. Any new facts you blurt will come back at you like shuriken. To mislead them, you must move, breathe, and even glance as one wholly innocent.

"On the contrary, I have excellent manners," replied Sasuke carefully. "My mother taught me all the rules of proper etiquette. She gave special emphasis on the fact that it is rude to barge uninvited into another's space.

"Ah yes, but then again, why would one come to an establishment such as this if they did not want company."

"Hn." Sasuke suddenly wished Naruto were here. With his glib tongue and charismatic disposition, he would have easily been able to distract Taro. He pictured the blonde and asked himself what he would do in a situation such as this. The only thing that came to mind was the size of the man. "You know, you seem familiar to me," he lied confidently. "Are you not a famous wrestler?" The man's eyes momentarily lit up then seemed to grow fixed and probing.

"I once wrestled, but that was years ago. You would have been too young to see me fight." Taro shrugged, grinning disarmingly. "Perhaps all sumo types are somewhat alike?"

This big man, Sasuke decided, was proving to be quite dangerous. Cool natured and quick-witted, he should have been responded to with care. The hasty question about wrestling had been a mistake. It had given the stranger his first insight into Sasuke, that he was a good—maybe trained—observer. A pity he should have learned that so quickly.

Who had sent him? What was he really after?

"So you're a detective, then. What do you want with a person like me? I am just a simple messenger boy, not some crazed killer."

"Indeed?"

Taro chuckled, a little too knowingly for Sasuke's comfort. "Well, in fact, my current case involves no murders." He pulled a cloth bag from his robe. "It's all about a hero, actually, not a criminal. I have been knocking on doors searching for a certain brave boy pilgrim. I've been hired by… let's just say by a devout client who wishes to remain anonymous."

"Hired to do what?"

"To honor this brave young man for his kindness and valor. My client witnessed his chivalry in the mountain pass, and says that the great Kami will not allow any sleep until the boy is rewarded!" Taro shook the purse, making its contents jingle. "Are you him, by any chance? You are the right age and height and generally fit the description I have."

"As many do, I suppose," Sasuke said casually. Taro nodded and shrugged again. For a split second, Sasuke wondered if the girl had sent this Taro. He quickly dismissed the thought. Her! Why did he think of her? He forced himself to concentrate on the detective. This man and his story felt all wrong. Sasuke knew he had to get away from whoever he was and whatever he really wanted.

"I'm neither the hero you seek," Sasuke stretched as if the whole matter was starting to bore him, "nor even a pilgrim!" He patted the calligraphy box on his clothing. "Just a poor runner of messages."

"Hmm." Taro nodded amiably; his face hinted at a smile. "Indeed, a great pity." He stood up and bowed to Sasuke. "I apologize for wasting your time. Have a good day and a safe visit to my fair town!" He turned and lumbered off out of the inn and down the street, whistling nonchalantly.

Safe visit…

Carefully, Sasuke eased out of his seat and to the window to watch the man. Taro never looked back.

"I haven't seen the last of you, have I?" Sasuke muttered to himself. This man's arrival was a bad development. Things had been going quite smoothly, but now he was under suspicion. Another day's scouting and preparation would have been ideal, but with Taro prowling the town, the wisest course was to waste no time.

Sasuke glanced toward the castle. Yes. They had to go in tonight.

He threw his money on the table, crossed the room, and stepped out onto the street. He decided to quickly check for other potential threats. While pretending to inspect the colorful banners draping the building, Sasuke examined everyone in sight out of the corners of his eyes.

Other than the hulking form of Taro, there were about twenty people on the street. By their faces or walks he was quickly able to eliminate each one from the category of possible problem. Soon only one remained. A flower-seller, fifty paces away, hunched over her tray of colorful Amaryllis flowers. A brief flash of black/bluish tinted hair and white eyes flashed through his thoughts. Hinata was especially fond of the pink ones…

Sasuke shook his head and mentally berated himself for getting distracted. Then, aware of the possibility that he might be followed, casually walked off the porch and down the street, his eyes rapidly scanning the surrounding area for a quick escape if it would become necessary.

~~Sai~~

The flower seller looked up as the boy left the porch. He had felt Sasuke's eyes glide over him. Apparently, from the way he had just turned and disappeared, his disguise had fooled him. He'd believed him an old, hunched woman. Sai smirked to himself, his thorough training had proven itself again; it appeared he could deceive almost anyone.

When they had investigated Lord Fukisaka's castle, Sai noticed something interesting. The stone on one side of the building were of a slightly different. It was almost imperceptible. But with his artist's eye for detail, it was detectable it all the same. Most likely, there had been recent construction. A lot of the buildings in the town were made of stone so he deduced that a master stonemason must live within its confines.

A stonemason with detailed blueprints of the castle…

So he disguised himself as inconspicuously as possible in order to search the town without being discovered. He had just managed to locate the home when he saw her – that female who had put her mouth on his face.

He gave a small shudder of revulsion.

He was easing past her when he overheard her giving the large man detailed descriptions of team seven. She wanted them found. More importantly, she wanted him found so that she could thank him properly. With that, his plans instantly changed. He covertly spied on the detective and decided to see what would happen before interfering.

The man was good, Sai admitted to himself. It didn't take him long at all to sniff out one of his team. Of course, it didn't help that her description of Sasuke was right on the money.

Even at this distance, it had been obvious that Sasuke had read the nosy private detective as effortlessly as a medic could heal a burn. It shouldn't have come to that though… his balanced grace and lethal air had given him away – not to mention his elitist attitude.

Sai shook his head and heaved a sigh. He thought," I will have to remember this so that I can inform him all the things he did incorrectly later. I am sure he would appreciate that."

It was obvious that the detective suspected that Sasuke was not what he seemed. Sai glanced toward the castle as he pushed the small flower cart he'd procured. They had to go in as soon as possible.

Tonight.

~~O~~

The stonemason's home was thankfully empty. He figured that the man was working, but the wife could return at any moment. Sai knew he was on borrowed time as he closed the office room's sliding door and began the search for the blueprints.

The man was obviously very methodical and organized as it took no time at all. Sai plucked them from the shelf, sank to the reed matting, and opened his writing kit. He took out and unfolded a large sheet of handmade paper then a brush and his black ink. For several seconds, he did nothing but stare at the blueprint before dipping his brush into the ink and recreating the map of the castle.

Sai had learned a technique named passive recall. The trick was to stare at a diagram or scene - in this case, the layout of a castle - until the information sank deep into the mind. He didn't remember who taught it too him. Like many of his early memories, all he could ever recall was a white mask…

At first, this notion of daydreaming to produce an accurate chart had sounded ridiculous. But he'd learned that passive recall enabled more accurate map and plan drawing than everyday methods.

Sai's brush moved slowly, in time with his breathing. He glanced up in surprise when he felt something furry brush his arm.

A cat.

The cramped office was not a lonely place. At least two mosquitoes circled overhead at all times, and his first glance at the floor had warned him of the presence of other, equally tenacious invaders... fleas. Now, despite how hard Naruto had laughed at him, he was glad he was wearing panty hose.

Sai muttered, "Move it, fleabag," and shoved the cat away. He put down the brush, watching the ink change hue as it dried. The map looked correct, so the procedure now was to check it again, add any last details that came to him, and then sit still, staring at it, until he could see it perfectly whenever he closed his eyes. If only he had more time.

The front door opened. The wife was home.

Sai hastily put the original blueprint away where it belonged and was about to exit out the window when he heard the woman's footsteps echoing outside the office.

"Where's my pretty kitty? Mommy has a treat for you," she sang out.

The cat let out a loud answering meow.

Sai froze at the window ledge. He took a deep breath and then vaulted from the matting up into a corner of the room, wedging himself like a great insect where two walls and the ceiling met. With one palm jammed against the nearest rafter, his legs were spread wide and the soles of his feet pressed to the converging walls. The cat looked up at him and mewed again.

The sliding door slowly opened. "There's my pretty baby. What are you doing in here?"

Unlike a shinobi, this woman did not sense anything out of the ordinary. She did not search the room by looking high and turning in a circle. She was like most people: she barely looked up at all. This civilian was not accustomed to dealing with spy-kind.

Sai patiently waited during the ten seconds it took her to pick up the flea-ridden cat and leave the room. He easily held his body weight up without even breaking a sweat. As she was about to close the screen, she thought she caught a slight out of the corner of her eye. Opening it wide, she looked back in the room and looked up.

No one was there.

~~O~~

Kakashi gave them a pleased nod when they excitedly told him they had all unearthed valuable information.

Sasuke began the conference with a question. "Why does a minor lord like Fukisaka have a castle; especially one as large as this? Only Daimyo's and Feudal Lords have them. I find it very curious."

"Yes," agreed Kakashi with a nod and a thoughtful look on his face, "I find it intriguing as well. I've heard some rumors about that, but nothing solid. Anyways, it won't affect our mission. Go ahead and report."

Sasuke cleared his throat and began. "There are twelve guards that patrol the grounds in groups of three and four men that make the rounds inside the castle every night. All are known to be of non-shinobi caliber."

Naruto shook his head. "Mmm, I don't know; I heard differently. There were a few rumors around the village that the lord's son might have received some training," added Naruto, "An old woman at the market claimed she saw him walking on top of water… of course she was blind as a bat…" Naruto shrugged and then continued, "She says he's a bit of a joke though; an idiot with weapons and delusions of grandeur."

"Hn, one possible ninja shouldn't be too much of a problem, right Kakashi Sensei?" asked Sasuke.

"Hmm, let's hear what other information you all have first."

"I've retrieved something useful," said Sai. He took a small scroll from his pack, unrolled it, and spread it out before them. It was the hand drawn sketch of the entire castle's floor plan.

Kakashi's eye's widened as he studied it. Although he himself had gathered the same information as the boys, he had nothing as solid as the map. It was very valuable to them. "How did you get this?"

"Well Sensei, when we spied on the estate this morning, I noticed a small area in the stones that were a slightly different color. I assumed the Lord had some remodeling done fairly recently so I infiltrated the local stonemason's home and copied the plans."

Naruto slapped the boy on the back and stated, "You're a genius Sai."

"Why yes…I am."

Everyone rolled his eyes. Naruto grinned hugely and said, "Wait until you hear what else I heard…I might have found the location of the icon!"

Sai raised a surprised eyebrow. "How did you find that out?"

"Well, I met a chimney sweep. That poor little kid was working there all day and that cheap bastard of a lord cheated him out of his money because he got soot on a rug. He told me that he was in a room on the third floor that was filled with shiny gold statues. He said there was this really ugly pig in the center of the room. He also told me that the windows had bars on them and they faced an inner courtyard."

"That does sound like what we're looking for," said Kakashi thoughtfully. "It would seem that the three of you have made me completely incompetent and unneeded today. Anything else you want to include adding to that feeling?"

Sasuke smirked. "Well, I can show you my Sharingan… which I happen to have in both eyes."

"Hmm, well I can have you show it to me when we get back to the village… after I've had you three run a hundred laps around Konoha and a few 'D' ranks. I can't have you three getting arrogant on me."

"It isn't arrogance if it's true," sniffed Sasuke haughtily.

"Uh hehe, he was just kidding… weren't you Sasuke?" Naruto gave him a warning glare and then asked, "So what's the plan da – uh, I mean, Sensei?"

The copy-nin studied the boys carefully before answering. "I have decided to leave the planning and execution to you three."

AN:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

I love my readers,

Especially when they review!

Thanks to everyone that followed/favorited/commented on the last chapter! Thanks to the annon reviewers - Stephanie, Gamma89, Bunnyguest, & unnamed guest.

For my next recommendation - Starting Over by Sessyruby. It's still in the early stages, but it has possibilities.

Ja Ne,

AZFAERYDUST