Warning(s) Violence in this chapter! Lots of it! Also, mentions of rape. Danzō might appear a bit OOC, but honestly I'm not so sure about that either.
I've gotta say, listening to the Kill Bill Soundtrack is making these scenes much more fun to write. Seriously, the Vol. 1 and 2. album really helped set the mood for the Danzō vs. Sasuke confrontation. I'm almost tempted to write a Kill Madara story or something with Itachi chopping bitches up in a wedding dress. Ahem...anyway...look...WORDS!
With Kakashi's instructions to meet him and the rest of their squad at the mountainside, Sakura, Naruto and Sai were left to get there. Kakashi had no doubt suspected that Naruto had let Sasuke pass but did not confront him on it. Hadn't he done the same thing a week or so earlier by letting Itachi go? Instead the Copy nin had given his orders before vanishing in a cloud of smoke to join Gemna and Yamato who had spotted Sasuke's team skulking the area.
Sai turned to face the other two, blinking at their ragged appearances.
"You look awful."
"Nice to see you too asshole." Naruto greeted. Sai beamed at this. Naruto winked at the pinkette. Grinning, Sakura made her way forward only to gasp when she spotted a familiar orange mask appear. She stepped back quickly, calling out to Naruto.
"Ah, there you are." Tobi hummed as he surveyed Team 7. Naruto scowled at the man while Sakura instantly crouched, prepared to fight.
"Should have figured you would show your face." He stated with an annoyed stare. Tobi offered the blonde a little wave.
"Always nice to see you, brat." He greeted. He hopped from the tree branch he had been perched on and landed in front of the team.
"Sasuke's confronted Danzō?" He asked curiously. Sakura eyed the masked man, feeling Naruto shift at her side. Sai seemed the most calm of the teenagers, his body relaxed despite the tension in the air.
"Yes." Naruto finally uttered. Had it been the right choice to let Sasuke pass. Naruto had high suspicions of the man. It seemed everyone did at this point. Yet Danzō was the acting Hokage and Naruto had willingly betrayed him. Sakura had willingly betrayed him. Tobi tilted his head to the side as if listening to something in the distance. A slow laugh escaped him, muffled by the mask.
"Seems like the littlest Uchiha is on his way." Tobi cooed, leaning casually against the tree. Naruto glanced over his shoulder, brows furrowing.
"Itachi?"
"Yes, he'll pass by here soon." Tobi hummed. Sakura internally struggled on what to do with this information. Let Itachi pass as well or stop him. Itachi was still a missing nin. Still a murderer. No matter how suspicious Danzō was behaving, Sakura could find no reason to let Itachi go. Naruto however seemed to be thinking the opposite. His eyes were alight, his expression almost excited.
"I think he and Sasuke are working together now." He stated, looking towards Sai.
"Why is that?" Sai questioned, blinking. Sakura blew a puff of air, her expression stern. She did not bother to question Naruto. She had a job to do. She turned towards the direction Itachi was, prepared to face him.
"Wait!" The masked man called out and Sakura sighed, turning in annoyance.
"We have quite the tight schedule so if you don't mind-"
"Can it brat, I have information." Tobi stated. Sakura stilled, suspiciously staring at the Akatsuki member.
"You'd willingly give out information." She deadpanned.
"Well it's becoming common knowledge anyway. You might as well too." Tobi replied, flicking one wrist airily. Sai's eyes met Sakura's as she looked from him to the masked man in great suspicion. Naruto however looked as curious as ever. Sakura let out a low sigh, realizing if she wanted to get anywhere she needed to listen to the idiot.
"Make it quick." Sakura finally muttered, facing the man.
Itachi leaped from branch to branch, feet barely touching down before he was onto the next. He did not know how long he had been running. All he knew that the sedative had finally run its course and nothing could hold Itachi back. He knew he was getting close to the Summit. The very air held a stillness that made the boy want to gag. No doubt Sasuke had already struck. But Itachi could stop him. He had to.
Itachi tensed as he felt a familiar chakra quickly approach, and he reached for a weapon, eyes narrowed as Naruto hopped up a branch to meet him. The blonde reached the branch and looked up at the smaller boy.
"Sasuke said you were still alive." He chirped and Itachi frowned, hesitantly clutching his kunai.
"You've seen him." He murmured, confused by the kind expression Naruto wore.
"Yes, he passed by not long ago. He's going after Danzō."
So, Sasuke was not as far ahead as Itachi had feared.
"You let him pass?" He questioned and the blonde nodded, his face suddenly far older than it should be.
"Can't you feel it 'Tachi? There's something wrong with the guy. It's in the air. He's not a good person." Naruto's blue eyes were fiercely determined. He looked at Itachi closely, taking in the ragged state of dress and the shadows under his eyes.
"There's no way you're gonna fight like that."
"Naruto-"
"Here." Naruto reached into his pack and pulled out some smoke bombs. "One kunai isn't enough." He leaped up to the branch Itachi stood on.
"And you're gonna need backup." He firmly stated. Itachi knew there was no arguing with the boy.
"You would help me?"
"I-" Naruto broke off, suddenly unsure how to explain. Could he tell Itachi that the truth of the massacre was leaking out. Not after how hard Itachi had worked and how much he had suffered to keep it a secret. He couldn't do it now. "I would."
"Thank you, Naruto-kun." The Uchiha managed, his smile tentative.
"Leaving without us?" Another voice called out and Itachi turned in surprise as Sakura and Sai steadily approached. Sakura reached a sturdy branch and landed, her eyes moving to Itachi and fighting the urge to grab the kid and drag him against her chest.
"Hello." Itachi greeted obviously having not expected either to come to his aid. Sai waved, smile in place. Naruto draped an arm around Itachi's shoulders, grinning ear to ear.
"Well kids, I think we're all set!' He beamed at the three teens who smiled back. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Alright, let-" She was cut off when Genma landed between her and Naruto and Itachi.
"Sorry kids. You're not going anywhere." He muttered, eyes narrowing at Itachi. Itachi stared back, expression relaxed. Naruto cursed.
"You really have the worst timing!" He snapped, shoving himself between Itachi and Genma, knowing Itachi was not about to fight the man.
"Itachi go!" Sakura shouted, blocking Genma from reaching the boy. Naruto leaped backwards, his hands performing a series of signs.
"Don't be fools!" Genma shouted. He dodged a punch from Sakura, completely shocked at them.
"GO! Find Sasuke!"
Itachi did not need to be told twice. He leaped from the branch, landing gracefully on the ground. He moved to rush off when a kunai flew by his cheek, narrowly missing him.
"It was foolish of you to come here today Itachi." Hatake Kakashi stated softly from above. Itachi stilled, feeling the world around him tilt as he stared at the man. Kakashi was staring back at him. Kakashi was alive. And breathing. And staring back at him.
"Perhaps it's what I am."
"No," Kakashi replied, twirling a kunai between his fingers. "You're many things. But fool is not one of them." He glanced briefly away from Itachi as if deep in thought.
"I was told you were dead." Itachi croaked and Kakashi's expression softened. They could hear Genma fighting off Sakura and Naruto ahead.
"I was." Kakashi replied, smiling slightly. Itachi blinked. "But I suppose that's a story for another time. You have a brother to find."
"You're letting me go?" Itachi frowned and Kakashi shrugged.
"Call it a momentary lack of judgement." Kakashi winked. "Better go before anyone notices." Itachi offered the man a small smile, eyes warm. He moved in the direction Sasuke was before stopping and looking over his shoulder at the Copy nin.
"It's good to see you sempai."
"Always a pleasure, Itachi." Kakashi murmured warmly and casually turned away as Itachi fled, fighting down a smile.
Smoke rose lazily from the earth. A lone figure stood among the wreckage, straight backed and face grim. Sasuke Uchiha's eyes were glowing with power as Danzō stared at him from across the battlefield. His bandages were torn and dirty, his skin shining with perspiration. His legs had lost all feeling. One obviously broken. He was no longer ble to support his weight and dropped to the dirt. Sasuke slowly began to approach, hand on the hilt of the katana.
"You are stronger than I had anticipated." Danzō chuckled bitterly, his teeth bloody. "Perhaps you could have made something out of yourself." He watched Sasuke who lifted his katana and approached the elder at a leisurely pace.
"You've lost it all." Sasuke mused. "How fitting that an Uchiha would bring you to your knees."
"Then do it. Avenge your clan and your precious Niisan." The elder jeered. Sasuke stared down at him in disgust.
"Tempting as that is...I will not be killing you." Sasuke intoned softly. Danzō's eyes widened. "The only person who has any right to put you down is too kind. And as much as I disagree with his decisions. I will respect them." Sasuke took a step back. His face clear of all anger. It was as if all emotion had been washed from him. Danzō stared, uncomprehendingly. Casting the elder one last look of placid indifference, he turned on his heel and began to stride away. No doubt, back to Itachi. Danzō rose unsteadily, ignoring the shooting pain in his side.
"You would just walk away!?" Danzō snarled, panting painfully as he struggled to his feet. Sasuke turned over his shoulder, his dark eyes holding nothing but cold dismissal.
"You are pathetic. " Sasuke intoned, his expression bored. "I would like nothing more than to kill you slowly, but I find the idea of you living even more pleasurable. I will tell Konoha what you ordered a thirteen year old child to do. I will scream it from the rooftops. I will alert every man, woman and child. Shinobi and civilian. Kage and peasant. I will be heard. And you will face them. Perhaps they will execute you. Perhaps you will spend the rest of your pathetic existence locked away in some forsaken cell, rotting away. Powerless and hated."
"And your brother? You think you will be able to shield him?" Danzō sneered.
"Itachi...Itachi will live. He will prosper. Whether he returns to his original age or not. It does not matter. I will spend the rest of my life returning the protection he bestowed upon me. He will fall asleep each night, knowing that I am his brother. That I love him. That will never change."
"Heh, you truly belie-"
"Otouto." A soft voice called out and both turned sharply to see Itachi himself standing at the base of the rock formation, a large cloak draped over his shoulders and his expression so heart achingly proud that Sasuke knew without a doubt that he had heard everything."
"Niisan." Sasuke greeted tenderly, momentarily forgetting about the elder. "You found me." The silent apology for drugging him hung in the air and Itachi accepted it by taking Sasuke's sweat slicked hand in his own and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Of course I did." He murmured, smiling up at Sasuke. He shot Danzō a quick glance, noting the man positively glaring at him. No doubt the whole eye incident fresh on his mind. "Let's go Sasuke. Naruto's on his way. There's nothing for us here." Sasuke nodded curtly, his throat working the slight lump that was forming in it.
"Yeah. Let's go." He smiled slightly and Itachi turned, cloak swirling around him as he made his way away from the battlefield, Danzō completely dismissed from his mind. Sasuke did not spare the elder another glance and moved to follow his brother. To where he was unsure. All that mattered was that he was with him again. Konoha would know the truth. Sasuke would fight Itachi on that one. Sasuke would ensure Danzō faced justice and Itachi was pardoned.
"I FUCKED YOUR BROTHER!"
Spittle escaped Danzō's chapped lips as his single eye bulged manically. A sudden heavy silence fell over the battle ground. As f the world itself had been put on mute. The birds were silent. The tress stopped rustling and the wind died down. Sasuke stilled, his grip on his katana loosening slightly as he stared blankly at the field in front of him. Itachi's eyes fell shut.
"You what?" The spiky haired Uchiha uttered, voice way too soft. Danzō grinned in triumph.
"I fucked your brother, Uchiha. On that very chair you slouched in. I bent your whore of a brother over my desk and then had him suck my cock," Danzō barked out a laughter. His one eye fixing on Itachi's still form. "I made him nothing, Uchiha! I made him less than nothing! What would your daddy think of him now, eh!? What would old daddy Fugaku say about his shining star of a son!? My seed spilled out of yours brother's ass and mouth and I made him eat it! And he did with no complaint! Isn't that right boy!?" He barked and grinned in vindictive pleasure as Itachi flinched violently, still not facing the elder.
Slowly, Sasuke turned, his eyes fixed on Danzō.
"You raped my brother?" He whispered.
"Oh yes," Danzō sneered. "There is just something so...sweet about that boy's soft flesh. They way he cries out. How his back arches. Those pretty thighs of his..."
Sasuke stared.
"Every day I had that boy in my office. And everyday I bent him over. Or better yet made him ride my cock while I pulled his hair and went over reports. He cried like a whore. But he never fought back. He let me do whatever I wanted to him. And you let him." Danzō laughed at the lost expression that slowly spread across Sasuke's face. Itachi slowly began to shake his head, his expression raw.
"Oh yes, Uchiha. I've been doing it for months. How could you have missed it? How many times did you walk him to my office and leave him to me? How many times did you come back for him and he would follow you with my seed running down his pretty thighs?" Sasuke had not moved an inch. Rooted to the spot. Itachi darted towards his sibling, grasping onto his shoulders.
"Otouto, come on. Let's get out of here. I want to go home." His voice wavered, but he fought down the tears. The Mangekyou swirled into his yes and he clenched them shut.
"Shut up boy! Your betters are talking!" Danzō snarled. He turned back to Sasuke who was staring at Itachi with no expression on his face. "You should have heard him cry. That was a real gift. All to protect you! Killing the clan, allowing himself to be hunted and despised! Even when he returned, he came willingly to me. I didn't even have to say anything. He did it all on his own. Was it to protect you? Or subconsciously, does he enjoy my cock? That was a real treat! And what's more!? Your father knew about it! He saw it as a chance for Itachi to gain information! He saw his own son getting fucked as an opportunity! The gall! I stole your cousin's eye! I had your clan slaughtered and I fucked your bitch brother until he bled from the ass. Now...meet my sword, and try to change that."
"Delusional. Anyway...meet me at the bridge when you're done being molested by Danzō."
He had said that to Itachi. He had said it so casually...how could he have done it?
Itachi and Danzō walked from the room, the man touching Itachi's shoulder as they moved. An uneasy feeling filled Sasuke's gut at the sight of that old man's fingers brushing slightly against Itachi's neck but the next second they were resting on his shoulder passively as if nothing had happened.
The times Danzō's hand would rest on Itachi for a little too long and a little too possessively. Why was he always touching and looking at his brother like he wanted to consume him? Why did Sasuke always feel like he needed to bathe Itachi after Danzō looked at him for too long?
"Don't you interrupt me Sasuke. I am talking now. You will listen. I am a shinobi in case you have forgotten. I have been sent on mission which requires me to seduce a target. I have been bred to fight and I have no doubt in the future to fuck. The truth of the matter is that I am no virgin. Don't look at Kakashi. It was not him. I never slept with him."
Itachi had not been a virgin...thirteen years old and he understood the psychological aspects of sex. How had Sasuke missed it? How had Sasuke not seen the darkness that lurked in the elder's cold eyes when he would look at Itachi?
The old man grunted in response, his eyes sweeping once more over Itachi who seemed lost in his own world. He smiled at the boy...but not a kind smile and once again Sasuke had to fight down the cold feeling and dismiss it.
"If I have to lay with twenty men to get a job done I will. Because I understand my role. Shinobi cannot afford reservations about such things. You may insult me on many things but I will be damned if you throw what I have had to sacrifice for a mission back in my face while you can still flounce around, content that you were never put into such a situation. I did what I had to do, and it seems in the future I managed to find a sliver of pleasure in it. In the future I was able to make something positive of my abilities."
Itachi had faced him with the knowledge and scars of a victim and Sasuke had been too prideful to notice. That it wasn't just anger fueling Itachi but experience. He had walked from Danzō's office everyday, forcing himself to pretend nothing had happened.
"You're innocent act might have some fooled Itachi, but I know better. I've seen first hand what you're capable of. I might not be killing you today or tomorrow but I promised you earlier that you would still suffer. I can allow Danzō to do some creative things to you and not give a shit. Or I can offer you this slim chance of mercy. It's up to you."
Would Sasuke have let Danzō touch Itachi? If Sasuke still despised Itachi. Still wanted him dead? Would he have been able to stomach the knowledge that Danzō had touched Itachi? Or was Sasuke's own possessiveness of his brother too great to allow another to lay a finger upon him? Hatred is not the opposite of love. Sasuke's hatred was churned with that dark possessive need he felt whenever Itachi entered his mind. His to kill No one else could touch him.
"And you'd be willing to bend over for Danzō and the rest of the elders to fill that role!"
"If that was what needed to be done, I would have bent over for the entire village."
"Sasuke, Sasuke please. Don't listen to him. He doesn't matter anymore Otouto. Let's go home. Please." Itachi knew he was babbling at this point. but he did not care. All he wanted was to get away from Danzō. All he wanted was to run far away. Sasuke continued to stare at him with no expression on his face and Itachi shook his head.
"It doesn't matter Sasuke. He's lashing out because he knows he los-"
"Stop mewling, boy." Danzō drawled, struggling to his feet. "It will not help either of you now."
"But we might." Kakashi's voice suddenly rang out across the battlefield. Itachi swiftly turned, realizing that several Konoha shinobi stood just behind the Copy nin, staring at the elder. With dawning horror, Itachi also realized that they had heard everything. Sasuke had not reacted to Kakashi's voice. His face was shadowed and Itachi reached for him.
"Sasuke." He lightly touched the boy's face, feeling the cold skin beneath his fingers. Sasuke did not react to his touch.
"Stand down Danzō." Kakashi ordered the elder coldly. His Sharingan activated. Danzō stared at the shinobi before him.
"You would turn against me? You would stand with two missing nin!?" He snarled. He looked around, noting the amount of shinobi that stood before him, all wearing the same determined looks. Something that once would have made him proud.
"We are all witness to you admitting to ordering the massacre on the Uchiha clan. Any power you had is now null and void." Genma replied darkly. Yamato stared at the elder with a blank expression on his face. His dark eyes unreadable. Danzō let out a brittle laugh.
"They were planning a coup. They would have killed you all!"
"And instead you pressured a boy into making the ultimate sacrifice." Yamato muttered, recalling the weeks leading up to the massacre and how pale Itachi had been. How withdrawn he had become.
"My own subordinates. Turned against me." He shook his head. Naruto slowly broke from the group and towards where Sasuke stood frozen. Danzō's eyes followed him before landing on Itachi.
"Little fool." He muttered, his eye blown wide. "You think you've won..."
He slowly began to unwind the bandages wrapped around his arm. Itachi frowned, gripping Sasuke's arm. He felt Naruto approach and they watched the bandages unwind. Kakashi's eyes narrowed further. What other trick did Danzō have up his sleeve? How much further could the man possibly fall? He had announced to the heavens that he had ordered the massacre. He had gloated that he had defiled a thirteen year old boy. The man had lost all bearings. He was no longer worried about Konoha or control. Now it was blood he was after.
Kakashi glanced towards Itachi, his heart heavy. How long had he had his suspicions about Danzō? And he had done nothing. Danzō pulled the bandages from his face and slowly opened his eyes, a bright crimson Sharingan stared back. Guy cursed from behind Kakashi and Shikamaru swore in disgust. Itachi shook his head.
"That's not possible." Itachi croaked, staring at the Sharingan. Danzō grinned.
"Ah yes. You stole back Shisui's eye." He mused, watching Kakashi glance towards Itachi in shock. "But there were many more eyes to choose from." He smiled softly. "This particular one belongs to your father." He laughed at the stricken expression that passed over Itachi's face. He pulled the rest of the bandages away and reveled in the gasps of horror he received.
"Damn." Shikamaru muttered.
"Sick fuck." Both Kiba and Naruto stated, eyes wide.
Sharingans lined Danzō's arms, blinking slowly and morbidly.
"Fitting isn't it Uchiha? Your family has missed you so terribly. They've been dying to see you again. Perhaps you can smile for them. Your father wouldn't want you disrespecting your betters now. Come now Itachi." He reached towards the boy with the Sharingan infested arm. Itachi stared back blankly. His own Mangekyou glowing.
"Don't you fucking talk to him!" Naruto snarled, his chakra spiking dangerously. Sakura turned to the blonde, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.
"Shut up boy! Your fool of a father made one too many mistakes the day he let you live!" Danzō shot at the blonde. Kakashi moved forward, Guy's hand suddenly yanking him back.
"What are you-"
"Can't you feel it Kakashi?" Guy hissed, cutting Kakashi off with a glare, his eyebrows narrowed. "The air is thick with it." Kakashi looked away. He could feel it. The hatred. The power.
"What good was that sacrifice now Itachi?" Danzō spat. "Everyone knows what the Uchiha's did now. You killed them all for nothing. Now everyone will know. The Uchiha's were all traitors." Kakashi pulled away from Guy, his eyes now on Itachi. He needed to get Itachi out of here. He needed to get Itachi to safety. The boy was breaking before his very eyes. Kakashi would not allow Danzō this final victory.
"You all stay away." A voice suddenly spoke up. Itachi's eyes fell shut for a moment before he turned slowly to face his brother. "Danzō is mine." Sasuke spoke far too calmly. His voice low, no tremors to give away any emotion. Sasuke slowly lifted his head, his mouth pulled into a firm line and his eyes glowing brightly.
"Sasuke." Itachi breathed, pain lacing his voice. Sasuke slowly moved forward, blood running down his cheek as his eyes glowed with the Mangekyou Sharingan staring at Danzō.
Okay so I changed this chapter around big time. I had about 1000 words already down but it didn't mesh well and so I rewrote it. So I originally had Kakashi in the first part of the chapter when Obito spilled the beans about the massacre but ended up switching that around so instead it was just Sakura and Naruto. Figured it would give the two brats some screen time and Kakashi could come by later.