A/N
So due to Easter and me having had spent it basically drowning in chocolate this chapter has come out "late" (my beta can only do her wonderful job on weekends), but I hope you guys like it.
And please don't shoot me. But do review :D
*Thump*
"Hey," Bolt greeted in a low voice, watching the ball hit the wall.
"Hey," Menma answered, catching the ball flawlessly and throwing it again.
*Thump*
"We're leaving."
*Thump*
"I know," Menma replied. "Don't worry, me and Inojin will keep things quiet while you're away."
*Thump*
Bolt came closer to him, and opened his mouth, but closed it again as he saw the firm set of the blind boy's lips and the firm resignation coating the white-hot emotional pain he could see flaring through the Juubi's chakra-made-flesh body, the actual physical tissues only a faint, transparent suggestion shaping the psychedelic swirls of nature energy being pulled in, twirling, breaking in a million different colors as it was transmuted into chakra, and pulsing out through his feet into the earth.
*Thump*
Bolt could see Menma had been steadily gaining more precise control over the exchange, and the other ninja had begun becoming numb to the steady pulsing of chakra.
Of course, it helped that they couldn't actually see him as Bolt did. Not that Bolt attempted to think he understood the true nature of it. All he knew is that he could recognize Menma's emotions without thinking about it or having to research what he was seeing, as with regular people.
*Thump*
The Uzumaki heir sighed. "Thanks," he mumbled, unsure of what else to say. What could he, really? Menma was entirely aware of how the adults perceived him. And for him, both as a newborn mind and the collective of nine ancient others, being set apart was the norm, not something new. Loneliness was an intrinsic part of his soul, and its pain was, as Menma had calmly told Bolt when the blond questioned him, just another aspect of himself.
It hadn't stopped Bolt from hurting in sympathy when he saw the ugly little Uchiha's cold, analytic assessment of his situation ring true in Naruto's eyes. Or from feeling a horrible, disgusting relief that he wasn't as cursed by fate as the other boy was.
"Bye," he whispered, and left.
*Thump… thump… thump, thump, thump, thump*
As much as Karin and Juugo had always made fun of him, Suigetsu wasn't a complete idiot. Yes, he was a bit self-centered, had never had much respect for authority, admittedly enjoyed riling up people, but he had always been a reliable teammate, a good, resourceful spy, a loyal friend and an observant person.
So he didn't miss the suspicious twitch on Bolt's eye as the boy watched Naruto, while the Nanadaime asked him to deliver a personal message for Sasuke.
Or the hopeful, almost hungry look in the man's eyes as he handed the small sealed envelope to him.
The Uzumaki heir was now running silently beside him, disguised as Isao, the boy wrestler that fought at the Pit for money.
While exploring Orochimaru's lair the three boys had found a chest with children's clothing, left over from previous experiments, and so Menma had quickly returned Bolt's Isao outfit. The young Uchiha now sported a red silk sleeveless tunic with orange flames, black linen slacks and a small white sash in lieu of a blindfold, all chosen for practicality and ease to wear since the boy was blind.
Suigetsu had thought it the height of irony to see Sasuke's forsaken son sporting the Uchiha colors mixed with Naruto's orange, but had kept it to himself, as much out of fear of the boy than out of discretion.
Though Menma mostly behaved like a little kid, Suigetsu could see the small little different ways in which he interacted with the different people around him. The deep loyalty and love he'd show Naruto and Tsunade, the affection with which he treated Ino and Shikamaru, the way he truly seemed to treasure Inojin and Bolt as his equals.
And the polite, calculating stance he had with him. He wouldn't avoid Suigetsu, but would often become quieter around him, his head tilted to the side like a predator subtly studying his prey with unknown senses. It unnerved Suigetsu to no end, and even more because Inojin and Bolt seemed to be in on it, and though Bolt didn't seem that protective of the blind boy, Inojin had become as if attached at the hip to the ugly little Uchiha, and Suigetsu would feel the Yamanaka's warning glare over him every time he dared try to look more closely at the one-eyed blind child that wasn't really a child at all.
Amongst the adults, only Tsunade really took the time to observe Menma, Suigetsu noticed. The other three mostly paid attention to each other, or Bolt, and Suigetsu could bet not only that happened because the Juubi boy wanted things to be that way, but that Tsunade was in on the reason she and him were the only two adults allowed to be really aware of the kid.
So it was with much relief that Suigetsu left the hideout to search for information and leave information of his own for Sasuke. They'd take half a day to go around a wide enough perimeter to enter the village through its periphery, where the poorer neighborhoods were located, running in the cold November rain, but that discomfort was a fleeting one compared with the oppressive, stifling air inside the lair.
He didn't dare just liquefy and use the rain to move faster, though, even if Bolt was probably able to distinguish him from water. Letting the Uzumaki boy out of his sight wasn't a good idea, the Nanadaime would have his hide and Ayame would definitely use him as base for ramen broth if she knew he had let a kid wander alone.
They got to the outskirts of Konoha City by three o'clock in the afternoon.
"We'll be stopping at a friend's to leave the messages, after that we can go get supplies," Suigetsu said as they walked nonchalantly through the mostly empty rainy street, and in another twenty minutes they made it to Ichiraku's ramen stall near the Pit.
Ayame gave him a professional smile that hid the warning glint in her eye, and he raised his hand in a peace offering.
"Hi Ayame-san, uh, this is my friend Isao," he said, waving at Bolt.
"Hi," she greeted Bolt with the same forced smile. "I think Dad has your parcel, he's up at the apartment, how about you two go there and have some tea with the old man? I'm sure he would appreciate the company," she told Suigetsu. "We kept it up there since you were out doing errands."
Suigetsu nodded quietly. So they were already waiting for him to show up with news of his own, and Sasuke was waiting for him at old man Teuchi's. He took a deep breath and gave Ayame a toothy smile. "Sure, we'll be right up. Thanks Ayame-chan!"
The pair crossed the street and entered a nearby side alley, where they climbed a set of rickety stairs to the third floor of a rundown building.
"Please let me do the talking," Suigetsu asked in a low voice, before knocking the sequence that would identify him at the door.
Bolt remained quiet, but began internally modulating his chakra flow to be ready in case of being attacked.
Old man Teuchi opened the door and smiled at the albino spy-nin, but it fell a bit as soon as he saw the boy next to him.
"Hi! Come in, come in, friends!" the stall owner greeted, and shut the door after them, beginning to make a series of seals with his hands to raise a barrier at the door.
He turned around and called in. "You can come out now, it's Suigetsu."
Bolt saw Suigetsu get even paler than usual when a large ginger haired man entered from a side hallway, and moved to a chair between two windows, from where he could keep an eye in the entire small living room.
"Oh shit Juugo, don't tell me," the spy whispered, tears forming in his eyes.
The redhead raised his hand. "It's all right. I left Salad taking care of him, he wanted to come but it wasn't safe, so I did," he said, giving Bolt a side look. "Who's he?"
Suigetsu collapsed on a chair. "Stubborn idiot gonna be the death of us," he mumbled, running his hands through his head.
"I'm Bolt. I take it you're another of Uchiha's men," the boy said quietly. "Suigetsu got me out of the Hyuuga compound after my mom and sister were killed, and helped getting the others out to a safe place. We came to get information and supplies, and to contact your boss."
"Our friend," Juugo said. "Not our boss, our friend. I too am here for information and supplies, the Hachidaime Hokage has put out an order to detain him as well, for 'questioning'."
"Hiashi?" Bolt said, unfazed, and Juugo shook his head. "Haruno Sakura."
That did shake the boy, who scowled. "So the son of a bitch wasn't man enough to take the mantle and put it on my mother's killer instead. All the more reason for me to see Uchiha."
Juugo's eyes widened, and he turned to Suigetsu.
"He saw the murders. Sakura came henged as the Nanadaime and killed Hinata, something pertaining to a jutsu that was cast on him shortly before he and the Hyuuga princess got married. Then Hyuuga Hiashi came into the room and killed the little girl as a proof of trust or something. Seems Uzumaki was freed from the jutsu and that made it convenient for Hyuuga to make a deal with Hinata's murderer, since he's the yakuza's main contact in Konoha," the albino explained. "I didn't see it but I believe him, he's proved he was able to see under the henge, and Uzumaki was, uh… occupied with something else."
"Uchiha's son," Bolt said, looking straight at Juugo to gauge his reaction, and nodding when the redhead turned sharply at him. "He's alive, and the Scumbag took him in so the Uchihas wouldn't try to kill him again."
"Sasuke wouldn't"
"He did. But Menma is alive, and if what he told me is true, you'll want to take me to Uchiha if you want him to live as well."
Sakura followed Hiashi into the Council's private quarters in trepidation.
The Hyuuga leader had called her into an important meeting with a "representative of Amegakure's government", which obviously meant someone important to the Council's elusive associates, since basically all of Konoha's technological advancements had been imported from Ame, so she expected to meet someone important.
Who she didn't expect to meet was the man standing next to the Yakuza boss.
"Hachidaime, I'd like you to meet our most esteemed associate, the Oyabun Rokushou Kohaku," Hiashi introduced, and both leaders bowed to each other.
"I believe you already know my second in command," Rokushou drawled with a smirk, motioning to the tall, gray-haired man beside him.
"It's nice to see you again, Kakashi. You look better without that mask," Sakura greeted with a calculated smile, and he bowed, before all took their seats.
"I believe, Hiashi-sama, that you have informed the Hachidaime of our partnership?" the Yakuza boss asked, and Hiashi nodded. "Very well. With the formal addition of Konoha's Kage to our sphere of relations the only military force in the Union which is not under Yakuza control is Sunagakure, and that is a matter of convenient timing for our representatives in the Sand Council and their leader, Baki, who is extremely close to the Sand Siblings. Once that is done, our master plan shall be put in motion, bringing even more peace and prosperity to our allies."
"No one informed me of a master plan," Sakura said dryly, looking warily at Kakashi's new, short-clipped hairstyle and smart black modern business suit.
Rokushou smiled and motioned for Kakashi.
"The plan, my most esteemed Hokage, is to unite all the Five Elemental countries under one ruler, all their military forces under one Gokage, and then to further unite the entire continent under one Empire," Kakashi began explaining, and Sakura's eyes widened. "You see, Sakura-sama, after the Fourth Shinobi War it became clear that the development of ninja abilities by the clans only served as a divisive force between the different powers and that only led to violence; however, there was no peaceful alternative to the village system that was adequate to provide peace without exposing the ninja caste to… inadequate disadvantages for such a noble caste."
"The Yakuza was formed as a means to control society for the benefit of ninja without the risk of unnecessary bloodshed and financial losses," the oyabun continued from where Kakashi left off. "We believe that the reason for all the wars was the shift of political and financial power from the godly chosen caste of ninja to the lowly daimyo and civilians in the first place, and that it is only by the stronger caste retaking its rightful place at the head of the power structure that true peace can be sustained. As the esteemed Hachidaime Hokage has no doubt seen over the last several years since my second in command was instated as Rokudaime, our philosophy is soundly backed by reality."
Sakura had to agree to that. Ninja clans and villages had indeed flourished under the Union's rule. And Kakashi's presence served as proof of the Yakuza's influence since the very beginning.
"What do you want from me?" she asked.
"I like a woman that can go straight to the point," Rokushou said with a smile. "What we want is only the assurance that Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke and all people who are located with them are either executed or physically neutralized to the point they cannot interfere with our plans. I am aware of your attachment to your beloved husband," the man said, raising a hand as Sakura opened her mouth, "and thus I am willing to allow him to remain alive as long as he is completely pacified by loss of eyes, vocal chords and physical coordination. Unfortunately, due to the extreme danger he poses otherwise, those terms are non-negotiable."
Sakura swallowed her protests as she saw the deadly intent in the man's eyes.
What he offered was nothing short of utter defeat and humiliation for Sasuke-kun. No doubt her husband would feel a life like that was worse than death itself… but on the other hand, he would be finally free from any excuse to not surrender to her unconditional, eternal love as his only source of happiness. And Sakura knew her love alone was enough to make Sasuke-kun happy.
"I agree to those terms. However, I will need assistance in their capture. And I demand my husband to be delivered to me unharmed. I myself will provide the medical services necessary for his pacification," she said.
The oyabun smiled and bowed courteously in agreement.
The next morning began with Bolt's eyes scanning through the newspaper while the two former Taka members ate breakfast to the sound of the morning newscast.
"This just in, we have an urgent announcement from the Hachidaime Hokage, Haruno Sakura," the news anchor said, and the three males looked in unison at the TV set.
The Hachidaime's stern face appeared in the press room.
"It is my sad duty to inform the people of the Fire Country and the Union that the former war hero Uchiha Sasuke has not complied with the order he was given to present himself at Konohagakure, and as such he is now considered a missing-nin. His most recent picture and chakra signature readings have been distributed to all countries of the Union and hunter-nin teams have been sent for his capture, with orders to proceed with extreme prejudice," she announced, and gave a sad sigh. "Sasuke-kun, please think of our daughter's safety and come back to Konoha, your presence here is necessary for your own safety. I urge you to return immediately, and surrender quietly in case you encounter any of the capture teams. Thank you all," she said in a shaken voice, and left hurriedly.
The reporter turned to the camera and began summarizing the events since Sakura's ascent to power, emphasizing on the Uchiha's untrustworthy behavior before the war and his refusal to stay in the village afterwards, and taking great pains to make Salad seem like his victim.
"We should go now, before moving around without Menma's help becomes impossible," Bolt said, and went to pack his few belongings for the trip without looking at the two men, who hurriedly finished their food and began to prepare for the trip.
They picked up as many documents as they could fit into sealing scrolls without the chakra traces calling attention to them by the occasional patrols they knew they'd meet in the roads coming to and from Konoha City, sealed all the supplies they had bought the previous day as well and left the city by bus, their humble, simple civilian-style clothing working well to disguise them, for long gone were the days where ninja dressed mutely around civilians. Nowadays, they either all wore uniforms or their clan symbols on expensive clothing whenever leaving the ninja-only districts.
Juugo had met many different children in his life, but he could bet his right arm Bolt was the most two-faced, talented child actor he had ever had the chance to see performing.
In less than thirty minutes the boy had ingratiated himself with all the other passengers due to his childish antics.
"Uncle, are we theeeere yeeeet?" the boy drawled in an extremely bored voice, before rising from his seat and going over to play with a small child up the aisle after Suigetsu's reply.
It was pure genius in action. "Isao's" antics and infectious smile had made three different families cover for his presence in the bus, aiding Suigetsu and Juugo's cover in all the roadblocks they passed, since children riding alone or without their mothers were considered suspicious due to the fact Uchiha Sasuke had been last seen traveling alone with his daughter, who was still young enough to pass as a boy.
And thus the three travelers were able to swindle and con their way through the three-day trek to Shin Farm without being detected.
They arrived at the main house before sunrise, exhausted and dirty from the last leg of the journey, done on foot and leaving fake tracks to different directions to fool any possible hunter-nin teams.
Juugo and Suigetsu dropped their packs on the entrance near their shoes, and Juugo dragged his feet towards the small kitchenette, grumbling about making fresh tea while the albino man lit a few lamps in the living/dining room.
"Juugo? Okaeri," a sleepy voice made itself heard, and Bolt raised his head sharply, to see Salad entering the living room from a side hallway and freezing where she stood as their eyes met.
The redhead came quickly from the kitchen and picked her up. "Tadaima, Salad. This is Suigetsu, who is an old friend of me and your dad's, and that,"
"I know who that is," Salad replied. "What are you doing here, Bolt? The Nanadaime isn't here and your grandpa is looking for you. I'm sorry for Himawari and your mom, but we don't want any trouble, please go away before you cause problems for Papa."
Bolt wasn't paying attention to her, instead looking to a corner of the room with an intense gaze.
"Salad honey, how about we wake your Papa and let him decide what to do?" Juugo asked her.
"If you're talking about Uchiha, he's awake and outside heaving his rotten guts out, so don't bother," Bolt said conversationally, moving his gaze over to them. "I don't know much medical jutsu but I think I can help keep him alive if we hurry back, but it'd be a close call, his body looks like it's been hanging by a thread for a while already."
Salad jumped from Juugo's lap and turned on the Uzumaki boy. "Why are you saying that? My Papa is sick but he's got medicine, he said it was stomach problems and he'd be fine!"
At that moment, the front door opened and the subject of their discussion walked in with his bloodline limit activated, zeroing his eyes on Bolt.
"Juugo, explain," he demanded, unsheathing his sword.
"Why don't you explain to your dearest daughter why you're lying to her about the fact that you're dying, or why you tried to kill her newborn brother?" Bolt said derisively, making no move to face him and watching Salad's face instead.
Salad paled, speechless.
"That's right, Uchiha, your wonderful Papa here tried to kill your little brother as soon as he saw the kid's face, because he was born with worse problems in his eyes than you. The only reason the kid is still alive was that the Scumbag took pity on him and made it seem that he died. Oh, and your dearest Mama? She killed my mom, watched as my grandpa killed my sister with his bare hands and is currently set on getting her dirty paws on both my Scumbag father and yours, who by the way is rotting from the inside out as we speak and doesn't give a shit about what happens to you after he's dead. So how about you quit the cute little girl act and pretend you're a damn ninja for once, before either of yours or my irresponsible parent gets the three of us kids who are left killed?" Bolt spit out, watching as the last ringing words sunk into the Uchiha girl's brain.
Salad's world, which had lately been precariously balancing over a ledge, fell and broke into a million small pieces after Bolt's words and the startled, guilty look on Juugo and Suigetsu's faces, and the enraged scowl on Sasuke's.
Every wall of emotional defense she had constructed around her psyche crumbled as her carefully built innocence was shattered and scattered to the four winds by the one child who she had never seen pretend to be anything but his own ugly, dark, hateful self around anyone.
"Salad?" she heard distantly, and had a distorted, blurred vision of Juugo's worried face coming close to her. She began backpedaling into the hallway, and as the kind man extended his hand to her she turned around and ran into the library, slamming the door on his face and locking it.
"Salad open up!" Juugo called with a worried voice, knocking on the door, while in the living room Bolt calmly turned towards Sasuke and gave the Uchiha a cold, despising look.
In the locked library Salad looked around in desperation, unable to think of anything but to run as fast and as far as she could to escape, escape her father, her mother, her own childishness behind which she hid her feelings of uselessness as an Uchiha and a ninja. Her eyes fell on a couple of kunai over her father's desk, and she grabbed them, her emotional turmoil leaving her usual anxiety towards the possibility of making a mistake aside; she threw them with both hands, breaking the windowpane, jumped out of the window, unmindful of the scratches and cuts the glass shards left on her shoulders, legs and feet, and ran, ran under the first light of dawn as if demons were coming for her soul.
At the sound of the window breaking, Bolt boldly pushed past Sasuke's looming frame and left after Salad, without bothering to stop to pull on his sandals.