Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
"So we will send word to Suna – Yuri, Wana, Kentaro, Isas, Kei and Kaname can go and talk with the Kazekage." The six ninja nodded.
"Najimi, Tsukihana, Nami, Kyo, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru, go to Taki. Hana, Arisu, Taiki, Kakashi, Anko and Tomoko, go to Ame and Hidé, Hiroshi, Genzō, Aiko, Yorusuke and Jun go to Kusa. Go as soon as you're ready."
The twenty four ninja nodded and left.
"I hope I'll see you all again," Naruto muttered. "Alive."
Chapter 30 – Sunagakure
"How come we get the easy mission?" Wana complained. She had opted to walk by herself, so that she wasn't a vulnerability if she was separated from her sister during the fight against Akatsuki that was looming threateningly.
"Who says that this will be easy?" Kentaro asked, his bespectacled dark brown eyes blinking owlishly.
Kaname sighed.
"No bickering," she said. "It's still a mission, even if we're always in allied territory."
"Yeah," Yuri said, for once disagreeing with her older sister. "We're lucky Naruto let us on this mission."
"What do you mean?" she was asked.
"Akatsuki are everywhere. He wouldn't let Mikoto, Itachi or Hotaru go. Same with Surin and Tani."
"Why?" Isas asked. "Mikoto's talented… why stop her going? And Itachi's a Jounin…"
"Don't you know?" Wana butted in. "Akatsuki's on the move and they're targeting ex-members and their families."
"Itachi…" Kei said, catching on. "He was a member…" Wana and Yuri nodded in unison.
"So was Sasuke and the Sound Squad," they said.
"The Uchiha Clan's already been targeted," Wana continued.
"Are they OK?" Isas asked, concerned.
"They'll recover," Yuri replied evasively.
"What happened?" Kentaro asked.
"First Sasuke was captured on a mission then Itachi and his uncle were attacked whilst training. Itachi was kidnapped and his uncle very nearly died."
"What about the Hōzukis?" Kei asked.
"Karin, Hotaru and Surin are fine – Hotaru was attacked but Suigetsu was there and told her to run while he held them off. He's injured." The six of them travelled in silence for a time.
"So…" Isas said a while later, breaking the silence. "Mikoto's OK?"
"Angry and being very protective of her family but yes, she's unharmed," Yuri assured him.
Silence resumed as they travelled through the familiar forests of the Hi no Kuni. Although none of them showed it, the inevitable upcoming battle was playing on their minds. Battles meant deaths and the loss of people important to you. Although young, they all knew that war wasn't something to laugh off and ignore. All six worried about who might die.
The next day, they were pulled out of their thoughts by the end of the forest – and the beginning of a desert. They had arrived in the Kaze no Kuni.
"Let's hope there aren't any sandstorms," Kentaro commented. Cautiously, for none of them had been to Sunagakure before, they made their way towards the hidden village. They hadn't gone far before they caught sight of a group of travellers camped in the sand near an oasis.
"Let's avoid them," Kei said. "I don't like the look of them. And besides – they outnumber us easily." The others accepted her logic and changed direction, so they would stay away from the travellers. They were probably perfectly innocent people, but they weren't taking chances, not with Akatsuki being so active. But before they had gone very far, the travellers had intercepted them. They wore no headband to show their allegiance, but they were obviously ninja.
"Konoha," the leader said. "Now why would you be travelling through Kaze no Kuni? Not to visit Suna, surely?" he sneered. He received no answer. "Say something!" Silence answered. The big man got frustrated and drew a kunai. Still the Konoha ninja didn't react. "Cowards!" he taunted. It became quickly apparent that he wasn't going to get an answer out of them, so he charged, aiming for Yuri. She didn't move, but to his astonishment, a hand appeared out of her chest, wielding a kunai which blocked his.
"What the-" he exclaimed. He looked at her companions and started in surprise. He had been sure that there were six of them… so why could he only see five? He looked around wildly, trying to find the sixth.
"Looking for someone?" Wana asked, her head emerging from Yuri's neck. The ninja gasped in surprise.
"What? How?" he spluttered.
"You don't need to know," Yuri said. She kicked at him, causing him to howl in pain.
"There's little that's more painful than a three-legged kick," Wana commented. "Especially if it's a boy and you get them where the sun don't shine…" She laughed, soon joined by Yuri. Isas and Kentaro didn't find it funny, although Kei and Kaname were smiling. Their attacker charged, intent on stabbing the young kunoichi. Once again, the kunai was stopped by Wana, but this time she came further out of Yuri and stabbed him. He dropped like a stone. All six tensed, expecting the man's companions to attack, but they didn't, instead opting to flee.
"Did you kill him?" Kentaro asked. Wana shook her head.
"He's just knocked out," she said, emerging from her sister's body.
"I wonder why he challenged us," Kei commented as they resumed their journey towards Sunagakure.
"…" No-one could answer her.
After about an hour of walking, Kentaro stopped.
"What is it?" Isas asked.
"Sandstorm," the thirteen year old said, pointing at a cloud of sand that was rapidly approaching.
"Uh-oh," the others muttered.
"I guess we'll have to hunker down until this is over," Kaname said. The others nodded and sat in a circle – facing inwards – and trying to cover their bare skin.
"Arisu's ice would be very useful right now," Wana said. Her companions agreed whole-heartedly.
"Or Hotaru," Yuri added. "Anyone with defensive jutsus…" she trailed off, looking at Isas, who quickly caught onto her meaning.
Doton Kekkai: Dōmu! He encased them in a mound of earth, preventing the majority of the sand from assailing them. Odd grains got through the cracks, but most was kept out. The six relaxed. They had nothing to do except talk until the storm had passed.
"Do you know how long we've got until the Akatsuki's attack?" Isas asked the Genin. Wana shrugged.
"Dunno, but I hope the Uchihas will recover soon. We might get back after the assault." Silence greeted her words.
"How injured are they?" Kei asked.
"Sasuke's just got cramp, I think," Yuri said. "He was limping but he didn't seem injured."
"Itachi-kun is pretty beat up, but it probably won't take him long to recover – he's lost a lot of blood but aside from that… Nothing's broken at least," Wana informed them.
"His uncle's the worry," Yuri continued. "He very nearly died. Shizune managed to save him, but he can barely move and is spending most of his time asleep."
"I hope he's well enough to fight soon," Isas said. "He's one of the village's strongest fighters."
"We'll probably manage without him – we have in the past – but it'll be tough," Kei said. They fell silent, thinking about their injured comrades and hoping that they'd recover swiftly. The wind howled, battering against Isas's earth dome. Silence reigned for an unmeasured amount of time.
Eventually, the sand stopped assaulting the dome and Isas released his jutsu. The sight that greeted them was that of a teenage girl and a young woman in her early twenties.
"Konoha shinobi," the teenager spat. She wore a Suna headband which was scratched through.
"A criminal!" the six Konoha ninja realised.
"They're only young," the older female said. Her Getsugakure headband was also scratched.
"I know, Etsu," the sixteen year old said. "Besides, I'm not in a killing mood at the moment."
The Konoha ninja looked at them, taking in their appearance. Etsu's hair was red with black streaks. Her eyes were a deep purple, surrounded by thick black eyeliner. The other kunoichi had purple hair and green eyes, not as startling as Itachi's, but definitely a clear colour. She was the taller of the two, standing at about 5'9".
"There's another reason to let them live, Rushi," Etsu said. "They will help us in their own way as Akatsuki are targeting their village…"
"So if I spare them, that damned organisation could be wiped out once and for all," Rushi finished. "I see what you mean, Etsu." She looked at the ninja facing her. "I am Kurotenshi Rushi and this is Gin Etsu. Remember our names, for one day we shall be your downfall." She cackled and disappeared, followed by Etsu.
"Trouble," was how Wana summarised them. "A goth and a psychopathic teen." Yuri nodded in agreement.
"Let's continue with our mission," Isas said, although he too was shaken up by the meeting. The six ninja headed towards the domes of Sunagakure, visible in the distance.
Upon arriving at the gates of Sunagakure sometime later, they produced their ninja ID cards for inspection. Kei also showed a letter from Naruto, explaining why they had come. They were led to where the Kazekage was.
"Messengers from Konoha, Kazekage-sama," their escort said respectfully before leaving. Gaara looked at the six ninja and smiled.
"Welcome," he said. "Judging by your faces, this is not a visit just to say hello, is it?"
"No, Kazekage-sama," Kaname said.
"Gaara," the Kazekage corrected her.
"Gaara. Recently Uchiha Sasuke was sent on a mission to investigate the Akatsuki…" she paused as Gaara held up a hand.
"This seems as though this will be a long story. Come with me." He stood and walked out a door at the back. Following him, the six Konoha ninja entered a room with luxurious furnishings. Mamoru, Usagi and Taro were there, along with an older shinobi and kunoichi.
"My siblings, Kankuro and Temari," Gaara introduced them. "You have already met my son, niece and nephew." Kaname nodded in greeting.
"Uzumaki Kaname, Nara Kei, Ryu Isas, Hochō Wana, Hochō Yuri and Hyuuga Kentaro," she introduced herself and her companions.
"Take a seat," Gaara said, sitting himself. His family and the Konoha ninja followed suit. "Now, tell me why you're here."
"Recently, Uchiha Sasuke was sent on a mission to investigate Akatsuki," Kaname said. "However, they caught him. A day later, four squads of Akatsuki's followers were dispatched with specific targets. The first two squads nearly killed the ex-Akatsuki member, Uchiha Itachi, and kidnapped the newly-appointed Jounin, Uchiha Itachi…" Mamoru's eyes widened. "… The other two squads failed in their objective, only managing to injure Hōzuki Suigetsu instead of killing him and not getting to Hōzuki Karin. ANBU squad 10 were sent out to rescue Itachi, which they managed, also managing to locate and rescue Sasuke. Sasuke had some very interesting information about Akatsuki, first and foremost the fact that they now have a new leader, Osutin Ruiizu, formerly of Kiri. They have also Sealed the Hachibi, meaning that the Kyuubi is their next target. Also, they have conquered Kirigakure, Kumogakure and Iwagakure with their next target being Konohagakure. After this, they plan to Seal the Kyuubi and test the powers of their Demonic Statue on Sunagakure. Hokage-sama sent us to request your aid against this threat," Kaname finished. For a long moment, Gaara sat lost in thought. The young Suna ninja looked apprehensive; their gaze met the Konoha ninjas'.
"Duty calls us to help you," he said. "If Akatsuki are strong enough to overpower three of the great shinobi nations, we should assume that they may be able to overpower Konoha if it has no aid. Also, if Konoha falls, Suna will have a major threat that will be almost impossible to overcome. On top of that, our alliance demands that I assist you."
"Thank you," Kaname said.
"It will take me a while to get our force ready to assist you, but I will send Mamoru, Usagi and Taro to assist you now." His family looked at him.
"We'll go too," Kankuro said.
"No. I need the pair of you to help me organise our troops," Gaara said. "Be prepared to go," he told the younger generation. "Will you eat with me before you go?" he asked the Konoha ninja. Kaname accepted and Gaara informed his chef that there would be six extra mouths to feed. The chef adapted quickly and soon they were tucking into a delicious meal.
"Has Naruto sent messages to any other countries?" Gaara inquired as they ate. Kaname nodded.
"Amegakure, Kusagakure and Takigakure," she answered. Gaara smiled.
"Did you know that Ame used to be the headquarters of the Akatsuki?" he asked. Surprised, Kaname shook her head.
"You father fought with the then head of Akatsuki, Pein, and got him to change his ways. Pein then gave his life to save the people he had killed and his aide, Konan, left the organisation," he told her. "As far as I am aware, Konan is still the leader of Amegakure. Her daughter participated in the exams. I believe you defeated her in the third exam, Kei."
"Megumi?" Kei asked.
"Correct," Gaara answered.
All too soon, they finished their meal and bade farewell to the Kazekage and his siblings. The three Suna ninja accompanied them.
"So Akatsuki overpowered Uchiha Itachi?" Mamoru asked. The Konoha ninja nodded.
"Both of them," Yuri said. Usagi looked at her in shock.
"Both?" she asked, incredulous. "Separately, you mean? They're both very strong so together they'd be just about unbeatable…" she trailed off as Wana shook her head.
"Together?" Mamoru gasped. "How strong are Akatsuki?"
"Strong," Yuri said.
"Then we'd better hurry up," Taro said. "Otherwise they'll have already attacked before we get there." The other ninja nodded and they picked up the pace until they were almost flitting across the sand. The dark green blur slowly gained definition until it could be seen for what it was – the trees on the border of Hi no Kuni.
As they travelled through the forest, no words were spoken. Kaname had her Byakugan activated and was scanning the woods ahead. Suddenly, she held up a hand, signalling for them to stop. They did so, briefly, before silently creeping forwards. Wana merged with her sister. They stopped suddenly when they caught sight of Ruiizu, Kohaku and another girl that Wana and Yuri assumed to be Yanafu.
"You were discovered," Ruiizu said. It was a statement, not a question. "That makes you worthless to me." Yanafu pinned the older kunoichi's arms behind her back. Kohaku didn't react, not even when an ominous cloud of dust appeared. The cloud swarmed like a hive of bees, surrounding and engulfing Kohaku. The cloud grew more and more compressed around the kunoichi, who didn't make a sound. Yanafu backed away. The allied ninja could only watch in horror as Kohaku was slowly crushed. Finally there was a spurt of blood and the dust dissipated. A mutilated lump of flesh with luminous green hair was all that was left of the spy. Despite being a noisy teen, Kohaku had suffered and died in silence, a testimony to her bravery.
"So now the idiot is dead," Ruiizu said, quite cheerfully for a thirteen year old girl that had just killed her 'favourite' spy. "Now to prepare the troops and crush Konoha…"
The Konoha and Suna ninja didn't wait to hear more. Silently, they fled towards the relative safety of Konohagakure, away from Arisu's creepy sister. They travelled in silence, what they had just witnessed shocking them beyond words.
Kohaku was dead. That didn't affect the three Suna ninja who knew her only as a spy – just the manner of her death. However, for the Konoha ninja it was a shock. She might have betrayed them, but she had still once been their friend.
Eventually, the gate of Konohagakure came into view. It was at this point that the Konoha ninja realised something – Mamoru, Taro and usagi didn't have visitor passes. The Suna ninja also realised this, but decided to let the Konohagakure ninja handle the problem.
"Leave it to me," Kaname said. No-one argued, after all, she was the Hokage's eldest daughter.
"Halt!" Kotetsu said upon noticing the Suna ninja. "Your ID and passes please." All the ninja (including Wana who emerged from her sister) showed their ID cards, which were thoroughly checked by Kotetsu and Izumo for any hints of forgery. Satisfied that they were all genuine, they were returned.
"Sorry about that," Izumo said. "But after what happened we have to be more vigilant and tighten up the security." He looked at the Suna ninja. "Your passes please."
Kaname spoke up.
"Hasn't my father told you that envoys from Suna, Ame, Taki and Kusa are expected?" she asked. "We were unable to supply visitor passes because we didn't know who would be returning with us."
"I'm sorry, Uzumaki Kaname-sama, but rules are rules-"Kaname cut Kotetsu off.
"We are going straight to my father now."
"But-"
"Send a Jounin to accompany us if you wish," she said. Kotetsu and Izumo glanced at each other.
"Tsukiyomi! Yuki! Sayuri!" Izumo called. The three Chuunin came over.
"Izumo-san?" Sayuri asked respectfully. A beautiful kunoichi with long, golden brown hair and violet eyes, she was always very polite to those she respected and admired… Basically, everyone apart from people younger than her and Itachi's fangirls. Like most girls her age, she harboured feelings for her old academy classmate but kept them to herself, thus being rewarded with a solid friendship with the Uchiha.
"These Suna ninja don't have visitor passes. Escort them to Hokage-sama would you?" Izumo said.
"Hai!" Tsukiyomi said. He had short, spiky onyx hair and mischievous silver eyes. Although he was fifteen, he was small (not much taller than Tani) and so received constant jibes from people, who were promptly pranked.
The other kunoichi, Yuki, stayed silent. Her black hair was tightly braided in many small plaits in such a way that most of her natural white highlights were hidden. Her eyes were a hard sapphire colour. A dangerous aura constantly radiated from her, affecting many people who didn't know her. To other people, who knew her better, she wasn't as unnerving – just cold which they knew was a mask to hide her shy personality. Konoha was her fourth home. She was originally from Kiri, but had been forced to run away. The same fate had met her in Yukigakure and Takigakure before she'd found sanctuary in Konoha. The reason for her plight? A kekkei genkai that she'd never demonstrated or named. Some speculated that she was related to Arisu, others thought that she was lying. Naruto had a strong suspicion, but no-one knew what it was.
As the twelve ninja walked towards the Hokage Tower, Mamoru regarded Wana and Yuri in curiosity. The sisters had once again separated and were walking side by side.
"What is it?" Wana asked him, noticing his curiosity.
"My uncle, Kankuro, said that he once fought two with the kekkei genkai Sumo no Ko," the redhead said. "He assumed that you had to be siblings for it to work. Forgive me, but you don't look like sisters."
Wana laughed.
"Your uncle is right – but you're not the first to think we don't look like sisters and you won't be the last." Mamoru looked at them again. The only similarities between them were their eyes – identical shades of blue-grey – and their hair, both blonde although Wana's was darker. They had completely different dress senses. Yuri wore a pale yellow dress with short sleeves that reached her ankles although there were five slits, equally spaced, which reached her waist. Underneath, she wore a pair of grey shorts. Dainty black shoes and white ankle socks completed the 'innocent' image.
On the other hand, Wana wore a tight fitting, black top with very short sleeves and black, reasonably tight, three quarter-length trousers. Black boots with stiletto heels – closer inspection would reveal that they were blades – that looked impossible to walk in let alone fight but Wana walked as though they were no different to her sisters' completed the 'I'm a Bad Girl – don't mess with me' image. They were polar opposites.
"Here we are," Sayuri said as they came to a halt outside the office. She knocked and waited. There wasn't an answer. Tsukiyomi knocked harder and repeated until a quiet but cold voice spoke.
"He's not in there," Yuki said.
"Then where is he?" Tsukiyomi asked.
"Try the Uchiha mansion," Kaname suggested. The escorts looked at each other briefly.
"OK, Kaname-san," Sayuri said. They made their way to the Uchiha Mansion, each with different feelings.
Wana wondered if the wounded Uchiha were doing any better, and how Tani and Surin were coping.
Yuri was wondering much the same thing – and how they were going to tell them that Kohaku was dead.
Kentaro was slightly nervous. He had a solid friendship with (and a bit of a crush on) Tani but he'd never been inside her home.
Isas, as always, was thinking about Mikoto and how she was coping with all the males in her family injured.
Kaname was looking forwards to seeing her father again.
Kei, ever the strategist, was wondering how much of a disadvantage they were at if Sasuke, Itachi, Itachi and Suigetsu weren't fit to fight when the inevitable battle occurred.
Sayuri was hoping that Itachi wasn't too badly injured – and that she wouldn't have to see Hotaru (during the academy days Itachi's fangirl number 1).
Tsukiyomi was wondering if Naruto would be in the mood to discuss pranks with him.
Yuki was nervous about entering a house filled with so many people.
Mamoru was hoping that he could have a chat with Itachi-kun.
Taro was wondering just how many people would be in the house.
Usagi wondered if she would be able to have chat with Mikoto – she didn't know much about the kunoichi but thought that they could be friends.
When they arrived, the first person they met was Hisuke, sitting outside.
"That was quick," he commented.
"Is Hokage-sama in there?" Sayuri asked. Hisuke nodded and opened the door. Mamoru, Taro and Usagi followed the Konoha ninja into the Mansion, feeling slightly dizzy, as though something had briefly entered their minds. Activating her Byakugan, Kaname located her father. He was in the room with the injured Uchiha.
The ninja halted as they saw the state of the injured. Mikoto and Tani were fussing over their brother. The three of them had extensive medical knowledge although it wasn't Mikoto and Itachi's primary skill.
Ino, Hinata and Shizune were kneeling next to Itachi, who was back on his futon at the insistence of Sakura, and were continuing to heal him. Sakura was using her medical ninjutsu to relieve the cramp in her husband's legs.
Naruto noticed them first.
"So you're back," he said. "And judging by the presence of the Suna ninja, I'm guessing that we have the Kazekage's support?"
Mamoru spoke.
"My father is readying our village's forces as we speak. They will come as soon as they can – in the meantime, the three of us will assist as much as we can."
"I knew I could rely on Gaara," Naruto muttered. Then he frowned. "Accommodation…"
"I can sort that," Sasuke said, standing up despite his wife's protests. Naruto's eyes widened.
"Sasuke…" he said. "Are you sure?" The Uchiha nodded.
"Follow me," he said to the Suna ninja. "I'll show you where you can stay." He walked out of his home and entered the house next door. "Sorry – it's bit dirty," he said. "no-one's lived here for thirty-one years."
"That's fine, Uchiha-sama," Usagi said. "Thank you for letting us stay here."
"Sasuke's fine," he told her. "But you're welcome." He walked back into his home and looked in on the Hōzukis. Suigetsu was sitting up. Next to him sat Karin, who was bandaging her arm. Fresh puncture wounds told Sasuke all he needed to know.
"Hotaru," he said. The young kunoichi nodded in acknowledgement of him. "Sayuri's here – try not to provoke her, OK?"
"Mm hm," she said, not looking up from a game of Shoji she was having with Surin. A few years ago, Shikamaru had taught them his favourite game and now they played it every chance they got. Sasuke looked at the board but couldn't tell who was winning – he'd declined his friend's offer to teach him the game.
"Checkmate," he heard Hotaru say.
"Wha..? Hey! That's not fair!" Surin sulked. "I demand a rematch!"
Suigetsu chuckled at his son's antics.
"He's not a good loser," he said.
"I wonder where he gets that from," Sasuke replied.
"Where?" Suigetsu asked.
"Well, considering that the pair of you would never let the other have the last word while we were in Taka…" Sasuke trailed off as he left the room.
Suigetsu scowled as he caught Sasuke's meaning.
"Cool it," Karin said, putting her (newly bandaged) arm around him. "Unless you want to prove him right."
"So, anything eventful happen?" Naruto asked.
"Nope," said Wana, unless you count nearly bumping into a certain Akatsuki leader."
"And her spy," said Yuri. "And another Akatsuki girl."
"What happened?" Naruto demanded.
"We had just entered Hi no Kuni when were realised that Ruiizu, Kohaku and one other-"
"Yanafu," Sasuke supplied.
"-Yanafu- were not that far from us," Kaname reported.
"Then what?" Naruto pressed.
"Ruiizu was angry with Kohaku for being found out," Kei said.
"She… she…" Kentaro stuttered.
"Ruiizu killed her," Isas said. "Kohaku's dead."
There was a stunned silence.
"It was inevitable," the oldest Uchiha said.
"What?" Itachi-kun gasped.
"Spies are only useful until they're caught. Once everyone knows that they're a spy, their master – or mistress in this case – has no use for them. They're eliminated."
"You sound like you know a lot about that," Mamoru commented, re-entering with his cousins.
"I've spent most of my life spying for someone or other," Itachi said. "When I entered the ANBU Black Ops, my father used me to spy on the Hokage and the elders. At the same time, they used me to spy on my clan. And since I was 13, I've been spying on the Akatsuki, although no-one knew, not even the ones I was spying for – Konoha."
"Well we know now," Naruto said. "You made sure of that the night you returned."
"You have sent messengers to Ame, Taki and Kusa, am I correct?" Mamoru said, a thought striking him.
"Yes," Naruto said. "Why?"
"If they sent a squad in advance, will they encounter the trouble that we did?" Usagi wondered. Naruto's eyes widened.
"Sayuri, Tsukiyomi and Yuki – go back to the gate and escort any visitors from those villages here," he ordered. He was obeyed.
"And now, we wait," Mikoto muttered.
The state of the canon characters in this story will remain as it was when I started this story in 2009 so there will be inconsistencies with the manga now because the author is doing crazy things that I hadn't foreseen.
Thanks for reading!
Tsari