Though the large wooden box she found herself on wasn't exactly comfortable, Sakura simply readjusted her legs and kept silent - there wasn't any other choice except to stand along the sides of the canvas tent. The space once used as their temporary dining hall was now filled with various shinobi of the village.
Kakashi, Yamato, and Genma sat at the long table conversing with Konoha's council members. Inoichi hugged her when he arrived, telling her to hurry up and see Ino when she got out of this meeting – he claimed his daughter was driving him crazy with her constant inquires about Sakura's well being. Shikamaru and his father were going over a large stack of paper's they held.
Though people of such high position in the village were present, Tsunade had asked for those involved in the last mission to be in attendance as well. Her fellow team mates were lined along the boxes where she sat - minus Sai and Hinata as they had already been transferred to the hospital that morning. The medics and support personnel for the once quarantined area were all back at the village, leaving only those present for the meeting as the last ones in the secluded area.
"All right, let's get started," Tsunade said without preamble as she strode through the flaps, leaving them swaying violently behind her. The look settled on her shishou's face was severe; Sakura knew this mood of her master's and was immediately put on edge. The hokage took the seat at the head of the table, throwing down the parchment in her hand and cutting a meaningful eye towards Shikaku.
The head of the Nara clan unrolled the map before him, laying it on the table where it could be easily viewed by everyone. "Before Sai was injured on this last mission, he created this map for Sakura as she worked through the information ANBU gathered on their scouting missions. I've had it for the past several days, plotting each attack we've learned about through our conversations with the other villages." Everyone leaned forward, pressing closer to get a better look at the heavily marked parchment. Various colors littered the page, but it was simple to figure out each dot represented an attack.
"As you can see, there have been many more attacks than we first knew of. Thanks to the cooperation of the various villages, I believe we've been able to document every attack that's occurred."
"Damn," Naruto hissed – both in awe and disgust. "This many?"
"Yes. What was throwing us off before was we were looking for only overt signs of attacks. Suspicious circumstances, reports of intruders, deaths...thanks to the knowledge of the medical corps, we broadened our focus and found we'd been missing a great many incidents."
"According to ANBU, there were many villages who reported no deaths from the substances they encountered," Kakashi added, remembering the data they went over during their confinement outside the village.
"That's correct Kakashi," Shikaku confirmed. "The blue dots represent villages who reported a mass infection of some sort, but that resulted in no loss of life."
"But...but that's over half the map!" Naruto exclaimed.
"It is."
"I'm sorry," Hiashi interjected. "But I believe I may be as lost as Naruto-san. I do not understand why so many of these villages would be counted as part of Kabuto's attacks if there has been no major injuries or loss of life in that area. How can we be sure these are not just random outbreaks? Besides, these are civilian villages. What could he possibly gain by attacking those areas?"
"They are areas of attacks Hiashi-dono." The statement came from the lone ANBU in the room, standing silently behind Tsunade-sama. His porcelain mask painted in tiger stripes hid his face from the group. "The shinobi were very meticulous in their investigation. A village was added only when the source of the infectious agent could not be explained, it swept through nearly the entire population, and the onset of the symptoms were swift."
"I do not doubt the work of black ops," Hiashi commented. "But this is a very large area to have covered and so many villages marked. How could he have possibly infected so many areas?"
"As to that, my team inadvertently stumbled on that answer."
Sakura leaned back, listening as Kakashi told them of the shinobi they'd encountered who'd attacked them with the unknown powder. The new council were going back and forth, discussing the various villages plotted along her map. This was mostly information she was already familiar with, so she took a moment to eye her numerous comrades lining the wall beside her. Sasuke stood to her right, arms crossed and a bored look painted on his handsome face. Though watching his obsidian eyes told her a different story. He was following the conversation closely, listening to every detail spoken.
Kiba stood to her left, Akamaru laid out on the cool floor beside him. She'd been curious about something for days now and decided to ask since he didn't seem as involved in this conversation either. So she wouldn't disturb Sasuke, she leaned closer to whisper to the Inuzuka. "Kiba, you seem to be doing much better."
"Huh?" he whispered back, a momentary look of confusion crossing his face. She stared back at him, eyes flickering to Akamaru, and he seemed to understand her meaning. "Oh, that. Yeah, remember how mom came to see me the day after we got back?" He paused, waiting on her nod of affirmation. "She assured the medics that I was fine and made them leave. Then the shit started. Hell, you should've seen that old bitch's face Sakura. Happy doesn't even start to describe it."
"What do you mean?"
"Like Shino figured out, it was just an instinctual thing that happens to my clan sometimes. Of course, it's been a while since it last happened to anyone." He sighed deeply, turning those vertical irises to her. "It's an alpha's response to his pack being in danger. You fought the villagers – you know. They were more like animals than human and that must have triggered it. When Hinata got hurt and the others were backed into a corner...I don't know, I just...it's hard to explain. Just trust me that none of our friends were in danger; not from me, at least."
She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder as a thankful smile spread across her face. Sakura would have replied to her friend's words, but a nudge to her side distracted her thoughts. Sasuke was still watching the conversation at the table, but she knew the not-so-gentle reminder that they were in a meeting had come from him. Tossing a petulant glance at his profile, Sakura turned back to watch the proceedings.
"Alright, alright...let's assume every one of these reports are all directly related to Kabuto," Inoichi interjected – his hands raised, calling for silence from the rest of the shinobi around him. "For what purpose is he doing this? Shikaku, you've been studying these attack patterns for the past few months, analyzing everyone of them as they come in. You've said it yourself – there is no pattern to this! The haphazard way the villages are being targeted makes no sense!"
A murmur went through the room as everyone agreed with Inoichi's words. Shikaku looked to his son and mimicked the silent nod he was given. Shikamaru uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, lacing his fingers and resting his chin against them. His dark eyes swept the room before landing on Kakashi.
"Before the fourth shinobi war, Madara appeared at the Kage's Summit. Why do you think he did that?"
Kakashi raised that one visible eyebrow in response to the question. Though he was confused as to what bearing it had on this meeting, he answered. "He came to demand possession of the eight and nine-tails."
"No."
Kakashi couldn't help but smirk at the strong denial the younger Nara gave. He'd worked with Shikamaru long enough to understand how brilliant the lazy boy's mind was and was curious to know what he was thinking. "No? I'm pretty sure those were his exact words."
"They might have been, but that wasn't his purpose for showing up at the summit."
"Care to enlighten me then?"
Shikamaru leaned back once more – an irritated sigh passing his lips. "Before every war, every battle...before every spar you engage in, one of the parties will do or say something hoping to sway the decision of the fight before it even begins."
"You mean like a distraction?" Naruto asked.
"No; that happens during the course of battle."
"Eh?" Naruto scrunched his brows, trying to think what his friend meant. "Before it even starts? Most of the time those guys just run their mouths a lot about how bad ass they are."
"Fear."
The statement came from a lone, deep voice from the back of the room. Shikamaru's lips tipped up on one side as he locked eyes with Sasuke. "Precisely."
"Fear?" Choza huffed the word out in more of a laugh than a question. "Even Madara wasn't stupid enough to think he could scare a room filled with the kages of the hidden villages!"
The Nara regarded his best friend's father with a somber look. "He broke in, undetected, to a locked down facility that was heavily guarded. He then told the kages his plan before declaring war and disappearing without a trace. You think they felt no fear?"
"He wasn't the only one at that meeting," Hiashi muttered, directing a fair number of eyes to turn towards the last Uchiha.
Sasuke didn't turn away from their stares; in fact, he smirked coldly at all who watched him.
A sharp jab to the back of his head jolted the man forward enough that he stumbled before catching himself. He turned angry eyes towards the young medic beside him, but Sakura's anger was palpable at she stared back at him. "Just knock it off," she forced past clenched teeth. He – briefly – thought about snatching her off the box she sat upon and taking the fiery young woman outside, but all those watching him before had turned back to the conversation at hand.
He didn't miss the few chuckles they had at his expense either. He would deal with that later.
"Your point Shikamaru?" Tsunade asked, forcefully moving the topic forward.
"By attacking the villages at random with chemicals instead of outright battles, Kabuto has spread fear among every nation. So much so, that it has shut down the borders of nearly every country surrounding us."
This information – unknown to many in the room – produced a greater outburst than had been heard before. Shock ran through the shinobi at the multitude of implications this held. The upheaval continued until Tsunade brought her fist down upon the table, silencing all present. With a glance at Shikamaru, she nodded for him to continue.
"It started with the Land of Rivers. They were the first to close their gates to outsiders unless they had specific permission to enter by the daimyo himself. The Land of Hot Water was next. The Land of Earth quickly followed and Iwagakure sent additional shinobi to the borders for patrol."
"Everyone has locked themselves in their countries," Shikaku added, clapping a hand on his son's shoulders. "While the hidden villages are still looking for any information on Kabuto, they're not crossing borders until they get the okay from the kages. To do so would get them attacked."
"Which would blow to hell the truce we've still got from the war," Tsunade spat.
"Indeed," Shikaku replied.
"So Kabuto has got everyone hiding in their corners. Why?"
Shikamaru looked into the angry face of the jinchuriki demanding answers. Answers that he didn't have to give. "That's what I wanna know. Kabuto has set the stage for something much bigger. And it doesn't look like he wants the villages working together like before."
"We should tell them then!" Naruto exclaimed. "Tell everyone they are doing exactly what he wants them to do!"
"And what would that accomplish Naruto?" Shikamaru fired back. "Civilians, women, children...they're all suffering from these damn diseases he keeps infecting the villages with! They're hurt, they're in pain and scared as hell. No one's gonna listen when they can't even come out of their homes."
"Goddammit!" Naruto cursed, slamming his fist down on the table so hard it cracked beneath his tightly clenched fist.
"Naruto!" Tsunade warned with a yell. Though there was no calming the angry hero at the moment, she wanted to at least keep him under control during this meeting. Let him go take his frustrations out in one of the training grounds later. Her own temper was running high with the very topic of this meeting and she was in no condition to contend with anyone else. "I truly am glad you have a better idea of what his purpose is, but what I want to discuss right now is how do we find the bastard? The searches are turning up nothing! Where the fuck is he?"
The twitch in the hokage's eye had those around her withdrawing upon themselves just a bit. Each man looked around him, hoping someone would have the answers she desperately wanted.
"Umm...we have turned up a few abandoned areas we believe he was using as a base temporarily," Choza said.
"I already know that," she managed to reply through her tight jaw. "But he wasn't there and there was no trail to follow from any of them."
It was silent around the table. No murmurs came from the men who pondered what their next course of action could be. While Tsunade clicked her nails impatiently on the table – lost in thought herself over this matter which she'd spent countless hours on – Shizune pulled a folded letter from her pocket. With Tonton sitting quietly on her lap, Shizune opened the letter and pondered its contents once more. The questioning look on her face persisted as she re-read the letter several times before finally clearing her throat delicately and turning to the hokage.
"Tsunade-sama, I think I have something you should see."
"What is it?"
"It's in regards to that sensor-type you wanted us to retrieve. Something about this seems off."
She leaned against the uneven stone walls of the large fortress, uncaring that the rough edges pinched her back uncomfortably. Even if she had to stand alone in the glare of the mid-day sun with the biting winds of the changing temperatures whipping her bright red hair about, she had no desire to step foot into that desolate place ever again. A grumble from her stomach was barely audible over the shouting occurring behind those thick walls, reminding her that she'd had nothing since the meager breakfast earlier that day. An irritated sigh past her lips; she fervently hoped he would hurry up so they could leave this place and hopefully stop for a meal before reaching their next new base.
"There you are bitch!"
She didn't even bother turning her head towards the obnoxious voice.
"Oi! You heard me! He said you could remove these seals so I could leave!"
"Yeah! Come on Karin!" Another male voice called.
Karin sneered at the first man who'd called to her as she began making her way towards the small group of men gathered around the open gate. Though there was no physical barrier stopping them from leaving the building, they were unable to move past the stone floor marking the entrance of the large prison. Her eyes briefly flickered to the black kanji of the seal wound down their arms and she smirked at their plight. Without those removed, both their chakra and their bodies were sealed away behind those cold walls.
She stopped just outside their reach and gazed at the men with disdain. Ignoring the larger one in front - who'd called her bitch - she crooked her finger to the man behind him and went about removing his seals first. The jutsu took only seconds to work and she was moving on to the next person. The prisoners filed out one by one, fatigued by their lack of chakra, but obviously happy to be free of confinement. She finished with the last of the group - paying no heed to the scorching looks the man she made wait until last sent her - and returned to her lounging position against the wall.
"I wouldn't advise any of you to take off now that your out," Karin said to the group - her tone conveying her lack of concern over the statement she'd made. "He'll be done soon and ready to leave."
"Tch, why should I give a damn about what either of you want," the same large man spat - stretching his body as his chakra began to resurface after so long. "I didn't ask to be let out and I don't owe you shit!"
Karin merely sent him a disbelieving glance before dismissing him from her mind. She'd heard the same words over and over again from others they freed. It was a recurring pattern and she was tired of the game. It was too boring when she already knew how the end would play out.
He had yet to explain where they were going this time, but she was in no hurry to ask. Several days had past since they learned the news about his little 'creations', but his mood had not improved. If anything - it had gotten worse. She knew he kept a vast array of secrets, but the information flow had been more open in the beginning of this venture they'd embarked upon together. Now, she was hardly notified if he sent out another 'package'.
When they settled in this new location, she would try and approach him once more. No matter what, Karin knew she needed to remain useful to him. The moment that single quality ran out, her life would be forfeit. She had an escape plan in place, but before her goals were met, she was loathe to leave. There would never be another opportunity like this.
"Are you even listening to me you little slut?"
Her mind may have been preoccupied, but the closeness of that man didn't startle her enough to make her betray her outward appearance of ease. The only movement she made was to wrinkle her nose at the musty smell of his unwashed body. "What the fuck do you want?"
For a moment, he seemed startled by her hostility, but that soon changed to a cold smirk as he leaned closer to her smaller frame - enclosing her on one side when he put that large, dirty hand next to her head. "From trash like you? Not a damn thing."
"Then get away from me. Your stench is permeating my clothes." She cocked her head to the side, a haughty expression on her face. "What? Were those words too big for ya?"
Lips curled back, exposing his yellowed teeth as he sneered at her. "Before I leave this God forsaken place, I'm gonna have fun painting these walls with your blood. Let your creepy fucking boss enjoy that sight when he strolls out here."
He made an attempt to laugh, but the coarse sound was cut off as his throat was ruthlessly crushed by a thick, scaly appendage. His eyes were wide with surprise and terror, his hands clawed fruitlessly at the object cutting off his air supply. Large though he was, it seemed to require no effort for his attacker to lift him from the ground - his legs kicking out, hoping to find purchase with something solid once more.
"And who gave you permission to leave this place?"
The other freed prisoners scuttled backwards where they still sat, too scared to run at the sudden appearance of the cloaked man. There was nothing to be done for the one still struggling in his grasp - not that they were apt to help him anyway.
"Ka...ka-bu...," the large man gasped with his ever dwindling oxygen. His lips were already taking on a blue tinge. His captor had only a cold smirk for the struggling words before he held the dying man out for the others to see.
"Is anyone else so unhappy about being freed that they aren't willing to pay back the favor?" A chorus of softly spoken no's was heard. "See? They understand how this works."
The man tried to move his lips to speak, but found no energy left in his body. His hands fell limp to his sides as his eyes began to close. He found himself being lowered once more, though not to safety. Kabuto brought the man close to his face; as it would be his last sight, he wanted the man in his grasp to be able to clearly see his eyes.
Karin wished this scene had played out elsewhere. As it was, she was stuck merely a foot from where Kabuto held the large man aloft - staring back at his dying face with those tawny eyes shadowed by the black markings across his face. The harsh words he whispered weren't heard by the group of huddled, fearful men behind them, but they weren't meant to be. The visual alone was enough to get through to them. This happened before and she knew full well it worked to keep them following his orders like good little sheep.
The group he'd freed now was much larger than the ones before, prompting her curious mind to wonder what his plans were now. They'd covered so many villages spread out amongst the five countries...was he still planning to attack the few others they'd spared? She knew there were a few more pathogens he'd yet to release - a secret she'd stumbled across one day before they left the cavern he'd destroyed - but he hadn't told her what his plans were for those yet.
He'd never told her his exact plans, only that her vengance could be easily obtained. Considering how many times they'd had to change locations and the swift response by the various medical teams to his pathogens, she was doubtful how easy this was going to be. None-the-less, Kabuto had something big planned. Karin had been able to pick up tiny pieces of information over the past few months. She might not know the full plan, but she had a good idea what he was planning.
If it truly was what she was suspecting, she would have her revenge. It scared her to be sure, but she still believed it would be worth it.
Kabuto gave no orders to be followed, but as he walked away from the dead man carelessly thrown at his feet, every man there fell instep behind him. Each one was a hardened criminal, their incarceration justly deserved, but they were silent and subdued as they followed the cloaked shinobi. Karin was suddenly reminded of her old master – Orochimaru. Others followed him, but it wasn't from fear. The old sannin had used promises of power to get his followers to work for him. For her, working for his purposes had been her only way of repaying the immense debt she owed him.
Hiding her existence, scavenging the burnt remains of her village like a dog just to find food to survive...as a young girl, she surely would have died without Orochimaru's help. He took her from that bleak existence, gave her food, shelter, a purpose. She might have been an adult capable of surviving in the wake of his death, but she never wished for him to leave. Her communications with him were mostly through mail in the last few years of his life, but he never failed to send her a missive often. She was never thrown away. She was never ignored.
Her bright eyes narrowed at the back of the man who'd been lucky enough to stay by his side, but who tarnished his memory with his every action. She might not be very strong in comparison to him, but she swore she would take any opportunity that presented itself.
If she could get rid of him with that other traitorous bastard, she would do it.
"Tadaima." Even if no one would answer, Sakura couldn't break the long time habit of calling out when she entered her home. Everything was just as she'd left it before leaving for this last mission so, unfortunately, it proved her parents were still not back in the village.
Kicking the door closed behind her, Sakura maneuvered herself – and the many bags in her hands – around the furniture to make her way to the kitchen. She'd only meant to grab something for dinner that night, but while at the store, the medic realized no food had been bought for the newly built house. Unpacking the bags in the silence was a new, and odd thing, for Sakura. Usually, her mother was the one to prepare their food. Even if she asked Sakura to pick some things up for her, someone would always be there, making conversation as they put up the food and prepared their meals. It seemed like too long since her parents had been in Konoha and she was missing their presence more than ever.
After stocking the fridge with her various purchases, Sakura grabbed a bottle of water and sat down to go through the large pile of mail that had been stuffed in their box. Many of the letters were for her parents, though she opened the bills and set them aside to deal with later. She had money saved up from her various missions and her time at the hospital, so she would pay those after she was finished. The last thing she wanted was to come home to a darkened, cold house. Near the end of the pile, she picked up an envelope that was addressed to her a couple of weeks prior. A tiny smile lit her face as she recognized the distinctive, neat handwriting of her mother.
Sakura,
How are you sweetheart? I'm so sorry we aren't there to welcome you home after your mission. Unfortunately, it seems we're feeling the impact of these attacks even out here. The borders of the village have been closed for the moment. We were told we could leave, but if we did we would not be allowed back inside. It was strongly recommended that we remain here for the time being. Your father said if I really wanted to we could go home, but I admit I was a little afraid if we did we might not be allowed inside Konoha. Plus, I was worried it would be dangerous to travel right now. So, were are going to be staying with Katsumi-san a little longer. She sends her love by the way.
I can't wait for you to meet her new grand-daughter! Her name is Akane-chan and she is just adorable! She has the prettiest brown, curly hair. She's an angel. Of course, I'm sure she won't be half as adorable as my future grandchild. WHENEVER that will be. No rush of course, but you are thinking about it aren't you?
You're father is scolding me for that, again.
Okay, be safe, get some rest (you know you work yourself to hard), be sure you eat (don't pressure yourself to cook all the time dear. We'll keep up with those lessons when I get back home. There's nothing wrong with going out to eat), and we'll be home soon I'm sure.
Please keep yourself safe Sakura.
We love you so much!
She didn't know whether to cry or swear.
She missed her parents, but was it really necessary to remind her about the cooking? And the not so subtle hint at the grandchildren? Sakura pinked as she read that part again. She'd already had this conversation with her mother, but – as she feared – it would happen many more times. Thankfully, her father seemed to understand how uncomfortable and frustrated she got when her mother continued to bring that up.
It wasn't as if Sakura didn't want children, sometime in the future of course, but...
The usual internal ramblings she had whenever her mother brought up the subject didn't come to her this time. Things were...different now. Not that she was in a relationship with Sasuke, but honestly, she wasn't sure what the Uchiha thought of them, or of her. What she did know was this thing between them was escalating.
The pinkette ran her hand across her now bright red face. She wouldn't admit to it under threat of death or dismemberment, but it seemed that being a student of Hatake Kakashi for so many years had inadvertently caused her mind to pick up a few things she'd rather not. The thoughts going round her mind lately were some she'd never admit to. Sakura snatched up her mother's letter and read it three more times; anything to get those thoughts out of her head. Of course, reading the letter had her missing them fiercely once more.
In the end, Sakura found herself wiping away a few tears with a smile on her face. Even if she couldn't see them, she was glad to have read her mother's words. They were safe and that's all that mattered.
They would end this new threat. Kabuto would be stopped. Sakura knew they all were doing everything they could to ensure that.
With a sigh, she eyed the refrigerator and shook her head. She grabbed the keys from the counter and made her way out of the house once more.
It wasn't that she was taking her mother's advice, she was just going to see Ino.
And if they ate while she was out, well...that would just be a coincidence.
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A/N:
Tadaima – I'm home
What? Karin's one of the bad guys? Who woulda guessed? ;)
And I got a chapter out on time? Shut the front door!
The pound cake was lovely and now I'm making chicken chili for you beautiful reviewers! (It's what we do in the south.) Thanks so much for the reviews and hello to all the new readers!