Author's Note: New chapter people!
I missed adding Gaara in the story. T_T Don't worry, in the next few chapters, you're gonna get some GaaraXKatana action!
Anyway, enjoy and don't forget to REVIEW!
Destiny of the Cursed
Chapter 30: Long time no see
"Tou-sama."
The Raikage paid no heed to the girl drawing alongside of him, his gaze set straight on the marble-tiled path ahead.
"Tou-sama, please."
It was not as if he wanted to ignore her. No, his mind simply felt like it was going to explode any minute now, too occupied and filled with problems and troubles. Grimacing, he shook his head, planning not to think about it at least until he reached the headquarters. With an irritated click of her tongue, Katana caught up easily and paced beside him, tired of being overlooked.
"Tou-sama, please listen to me." She seethed, tone dangerously close to screaming in frustration.
"I need to talk to you. Tou-sama!"
The yell at the end of her statement caught the older man's attention and he turned, giving her a sullen glare. "Be quiet, Katana. We'll talk later." He said indifferently, whipping his head towards the winding way once again before she can protest.
Scowling dejectedly, Katana let herself fall behind, walking in a more relaxed pace beside Darui. The soldier's slouched form straightened slightly, his exposed eye glancing at her from the side. "You okay?" he asked, concern seeping through his normally languid voice. The kunoichi shook head her once, eyebrows knitting together. "It's like he doesn't know me anymore." She muttered, running a hand to comb through her dark locks. The older man offered a sympathetic smile.
"It's just been busy these days." He reasoned out with a nonchalant shrug, turning back to focus his eyes in front. "Y'know, Akatsuki, bandit problems, Kumo's economy, blah, blah, blah… They seem to have burst out of nowhere so suddenly. Add the information about your uncle into the pile of problems and bam! Raikage-sama was thrown over the edge."
A weary sigh answered him back. "I know that, Darui-sempai…" She mumbled, eyelids lowering in fatigue. "Honestly, I don't know how long I'll last as well." Turning right, the girl dragged her feet reluctantly inside the conference room, staring at her father's rigid back. A burst of cold air rushed over her and she shivered unconsciously, rubbing her hands together.
Curiously, her eyes flickered around the large room, gaze drinking every detail. A large U-shaped table was situated in the center, five chairs placed around it, while a lone seat was located at the very top. Five people were already seated in their chairs, leaving the chair on the upper left corner vacant. With brisk strides, the Raikage took his rightful seat.
The long-haired man in the middle spoke up, voice raspy and slow, "Place your hats on the table. You are all here because the Raikage called for a meeting. I am Mifune, your moderator for today's affair. The meeting will now begin." A small tug at her sleeve distracted Katana from her gawking. She craned her head to the side, watching as Darui pointed a finger above. "Come on." He whispered encouragingly, leading the girl by the arm.
Climbing the stairs, they joined Shee who sat dutifully on a bench, just like many other personal guards. With a sigh, Katana plopped down in her seat, burying her face in her hands. The loyal shinobi beside her emitted a surprised squeak.
"Um…" the younger male started, searching for the right words, "Katana-sama?"
"Don't mind me." She grunted in annoyance, feeling drained and exhausted from their travel.
If she had to stay during the whole period of the boring meeting, then there was no way she would spend that time awake. She closed her eyes rebelliously, fully intending to sleep all throughout the summit when a voice, velvety and deep, pierced through her mind.
"I'll go first. Listen up."
Her head snapped up, in both shock and disbelief, and she peeked down from the balcony, searching for the owner of the voice. Impatiently scanning everyone below, her gaze landed on a red-headed young man. Her heart skipped a beat, grey orbs unable to look away as if in a trance. Her eyes slowly traveled down, absorbing the rich crimson locks, dark-ringed aquamarine eyes and the red 'ai' tattoo carved into the pale skin of the teenage Kage.
A faint blush settled in her face. "T-That's…Gaara." She breathed out, earning the attention of the two soldiers beside her. Together, they followed her gaze and found themselves staring at Suna's young leader. Darui's dark lips curved into a knowing smirk.
"Didn't expect to see your boyfriend here, Katana-sama? Well, it's the Five-Kage meeting, after all. He bound to be here, one way or another."
At the mention of the word 'boyfriend', Katana flushed deeper, suddenly feeling self-conscious. She looked around, looking for a particular duo. If Gaara's here, then surely they would've come along…She thought, skimming the pairs of guards thoroughly until she saw a certain blonde with her hooded brother beside her. Murmuring a hasty excuse, she ducked past the other guards and scurried over to them.
"Kankuro!" she called out in a whisper, startling the puppeteer. He jerked his head back, eyes ready to glare and mouth set in a tight frown when his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Hey!" he greeted out loud, a bewildered smile crossing his features. The blonde beside him craned her head to the side in confusion, deep green eyes widening at the sight of the brunette girl behind them.
"Katana?" the older kunoichi asked, beaming in astonishment. She shifted in her seat to face her. "What are you doing here?"
"I came with the Raikage." Answered Katana, mustering up a tired smile. "You guys came here with Gaara, right? How is he?" Remembering their younger brother, Temari's smile faded away so suddenly as she glanced back down at the Kazekage. "He's…fine." She stated with uncertainty, lips tugging downwards. Kankuro scoffed, his rotten mood returning.
"Fine? Are you kidding me?" he said, brows knitting deeply. "Look at him, jan! He's being rudely interrupted, insulted and thoroughly underestimated by the other Kages, especially by that small old bastard over there." He growled, glaring at the Tsuchikage. "How I'd love to curl my hands around his neck and throttle him, jan." hissed the puppeteer menacingly, anger and hurt burning in his eyes.
"Calm down, Kankuro." Snapped Temari half-heartedly, her own worried expression betraying her statement. Grudgingly, he sealed his mouth shut and instead fixed the Tsuchikage a dirty glare below. Katana shifted her gaze back on Gaara, uneasiness scribbled in her face as she listened to his speech.
"I requested help from the other Kages, but they all ignored me save for the former Hokage." Said the redhead, fingers laced together in front of him. His expression darkened as he continued, "Though at this point, with many hosts captured and killed, it's too late for any aid."
The old man seated at his far left snorted in disgust, wrinkles appearing along with the scowl. "Hmph. If a country lost its host, it has no right to order around other countries. It's just downright embarrassing and degrading!" jeered the Tsuchikage, "You should have tried to at least recover it in secret! You can't expect other countries to help you after you had your tailed-beast stolen." Green eyes flickered to stare at him, unwavering and unreadable, that he couldn't help but be uncomfortable.
"Appearance…Honor…" Gaara muttered lowly, non-existent eyebrows furrowing. "I don't have time for such ridiculous old-fashioned thinking."
Stunned silence met Gaara's bold response. Everyone in the conference room stared back and forth between the two Kages, each anticipating what comes next. The older of the two had been taken aback, his eyes wide with disbelief before turning into enraged slits, his face reddening in anger and humiliation.
In an attempt to lessen the tension that hung in the atmosphere, the fifth Mizukage cleared her throat awkwardly, making the others turn to her. "Just because the beasts have been stolen, there's actually no reason to be afraid. It takes time, skill and knowledge before one can fully control them, right, Kazekage?" She turned to the young leader for support and he nodded once in agreement. Much to the surprise of everyone, the newly appointed Hokage joined in the conversation, speaking out loud for the first time.
"In history, the only ones who can truly control the tailed beasts are Uchiha Madara, the 1st Hokage Harashima, the 4th Mizukage Yagura and perhaps, Raikage's brother, Killer Bee. But, other than them—"
As her uncle's name was brought up, Katana tensed suddenly, feeling the enormous murderous intent radiating off from none other than her father. She watched as he stiffened, his obsidian orbs scorching with hatred. Without a warning, his arm rose up at an alarming speed, threatening to pound everything near him into pieces. In a split second, Katana was there beside him, sword at hand, ready to hold him back if needed. His fist collided with the table in front of him, effectively creating a rather huge hole in it. Sliding noises and quiet clanking of weapons were heard, the other guards in their fighting stances, defending their Kage from harm.
The kunoichi craned her head back, eyebrows creased in concern. Her father had pulled out his arm, his usually lively dark eyes hiding behind closed eyelids. Katana released an inaudible sigh, tentatively reaching out a hand towards the older man. Her fingers came in contact with his arm, cool and soft, calming him down. Little by little, he relaxed, his orbs opening to look at her through a pained gaze.
"It's okay, Tou-san." She whispered soothingly, giving him a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Just stay stronger for a little while longer."
He lowered his eyes, exhaling tiredly. "Go." He told her.
Reluctantly, she turned on her heel and walked away, but not before catching a pair of sea-green eyes staring at her. She froze, her heart thumping erratically against her chest. Gaara. Their gazes met one another, just like five years before, and Katana found herself being pulled into his hypnotizing stare. This time though, the contact wasn't awkward or disturbing. More of mind-numbingly sweet.
"Hi…" she breathed out, though she knew he wouldn't hear her from a distance that far.
Nonetheless, Gaara's earlier expression melted into a softer one, his aquamarine orbs lazily drinking in her appearance. The side of his mouth quirked upwards in a rare smile—one that only Katana and his siblings were allowed to see— that clearly said, 'It's good to see you'. With another blush dusting her face and her lips curling up into a gentle beam, she looked away, excusing herself quickly from the U-table. His seriousness returned almost immediately once she left, his attention focusing in the argument at hand.
"Konoha! Suna! Iwa! Kiri!" barked out the Raikage harshly, "Akatsuki is made up of missing-nins from your villages! And that's not all! There are those among you, including the former Kages, who have used Akatsuki for their own benefits!" He cast them all a hard and accusing glare, one that Gaara didn't miss. The boy narrowed his own eyes at the Raikage, out of confusion rather than offense.
"What do you mean 'used Akatsuki'?" he questioned, suspicions rising. Every other Kage looked away guiltily, almost shamefully, leaving the Raikage alone to answer him. He snarled, a look of irritation crossing his features, "You're the Kazekage, aren't you? Go ask your elders! You used Akatsuki in your own war!" The Tsuchikage coughed lightly and Gaara faced him, his perplexed expression never changing.
"The great countries enjoy a time of relative peace. As tension eases out between two countries, the threat of war lessens and they focus then on disarmament instead of military expansion." The small man explained, and glancing up, he added, "But what if war breaks out so suddenly? They cannot rely on untested ninjas in the heat of the battle. They'd lose the war."
"So one way of dealing with that", the former jinchuuriki inquired, disgust seeping in his monotone voice, "is through the use of mercenary force, like Akatsuki?"
"Yes." Answered the Tsuchikage with a nod. "Akatsuki are professionals that are hired for relatively little. Furthermore, they always have good resul—"
"Tsuchikage!" growled the Raikage in a warning tone, balled hands shaking uncontrollably and threatening to break down another hole into the table. "Suna used Akatsuki to try and take over Konoha. Look at what happened: Both the former Kazekage and Third Hokage died as a result!"
He shot the Mizukage a dirty glare. "Kirigakure, you are the most suspicious! You have no diplomatic relations with other countries and it has been rumored that Akatsuki originated in your place!" Everybody shifted their expectant gazes towards the Mizukage, scrutinizing her.
"I…" She started and stopped, biting her lower lip. The brunette woman fell quiet, eyes lowered in a hesitant way. "T-There were rumors…that the previous 4th Mizukage was being controlled." She sucked in a deep breath, eyebrows knitting in shame as she continued in a hushed voice, "It could have been Akatsuki…but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
"You all!"
The infuriated bellow made them all turn their heads towards the Raikage. "It's because you continue to amass power and techniques during this time of disarmament that—!"
"Watch your tongue, Raikage!" snapped the Iwa leader, standing up in outrage. The Raikage followed suit and soon, the supposed-to-be organized meeting was reduced to shouting matches and angry accusations. The conference room was in chaos and not even the moderator could stop them. The bodyguards were tense in their seats, their chakra signatures stirring around the room and despite looking calm; Katana knew they were ready to spring into action at the slightest suggestion of danger. She knew because just like them, she sat abnormally straight and her hands itched to grab the hilt of her sword every time a Kage leans forward to join the heated argument.
It was only when Danzo intervened did they all halt, eyes wide with fear and disbelief. Even the Raikage's burning temper seemed to die out at the new Hokage's statement, unnerving everyone above. After one more minute of tension, their conversation resumed, this time with hasty whispers and shaky murmurs.
"What the hell are they talking about down there?" Kankuro mumbled the question under his breath, his eyes anxiously darting back and forth between Danzo and Gaara. At his side, his older sister sat with a tight frown, her ocean-green orbs clouding in confusion and unease. The girl at the other side had the same expression.
"As a neutral country, I have to say", Mifune's voice rang out amidst the conversation and all turned to him, several sighs of relief escaping them at the sound of a firm voice, "The leader of Akatsuki read the signs of times well. He used the stability and the suspicion of the other countries to increase his power. But as they say, there's always a silver lining. It's rare to have the five Kages all in one place. What do you say?" he asked, a suggestion forming in mind as he spared them all a glance, "How about forming a five-village alliance? Just until Akatsuki has been taken care of, of course."
"A-An alliance?" repeated the Raikage, utter disbelief written all over his face. Danzo nodded eagerly in agreement. "It's a good idea." He said. "We're in a state of emergency right now. It'll be best to cooperate." A grateful grunt came from Mifune.
"Yes, that's right. The chain of command should be uniform." He explained. "We would want to avoid further confusion."
The Tsuchikage, who had been silent since Danzo spoke, piped in. "The question is…" he trailed off, thick eyebrows creasing together, "who will have the authority over this new army?"
Each Kage shot the others a quick glare, a new found tension radiating off their auras. Mifune resisted the urge to sigh, and rightfully so, at their childish behavior. "You will only fight amongst yourselves." He supplied, "So I would like you to acknowledge my position as a neutral country and allow me to decide who is most suited for the job." Looking around, he received numerous nods from the majority. With a deep breath, he spoke up, making his decision known to all, "The only host left is the nine-tailed jinchuuriki in Konoha. I think it will be the basis to all of this. What do you say?"
In her seat, a lump stuck itself on her throat as Katana listened to the samurai's words. Dread crept up her spine as the decision slowly dawned into her mind. "Will you agree to let the Hokage lead this alliance?"
"What?"
Both the Raikage and Tsuchikage stood abruptly, indignation clear on their faces. The remaining leaders, save for Danzo, stayed frozen in their seats, mouths slightly agape in shock. "Why him?" demanded the Raikage again, charcoal black eyes burning with resentment. "He's the embodiment of the ninja world. We can't possibly trust him!"
I completely agree, thought Katana as she squirmed agitatedly in her seat, watching her father defend his side and even go as far as to offer himself to lead the alliance, only for the Iron samurai to cut him off in mid-sentence. "No." answered Mifune before A could finish, igniting a furious reaction from the short-tempered man. "What?" growled the Raikage, hands balling into fists by his sides. Raising an eyebrow, the moderator wordlessly pointed down.
Even without looking down, the Raikage knew he was gesturing at the highly noticeable crack on the smooth surface of the table. The tanned man flushed in embarrassment and made no further objections, except maybe for the irritated glare he sent Mifune. "Emotion maybe essential when it comes to leading strong men, but someone like you who lets his emotions rule him would surely destroy the alliance, the same way you have destroyed that table."
A sigh of frustration made its way out of the confines of Katana's mouth, feeling her own temper flare up. Maybe if you didn't act brashly and punch a hole in the table, she thought with an inward grumble, you wouldn't have such a hard time convincing them that you're fit to be the leader. Come on, Tou-san. She sighed again, this time a little louder and with a little more desperation. Don't let Danzo take control over the alliance. She sealed her eyes shut, hands fisting on the fabric of her shirt tightly.
"I don't know what the Akatsuki is planning do with the nine-tailed jinchuuriki…"
They were wrong about him. She knew they were, for Sai told them all about his smart little plan. You can't let him, Tou-san. You can't. He'll destroy Konoha.
"And the nine-tailed beast belongs to Konoha. Surely it's right to say that…"
She wanted to jump in. To join the conversation and to make them aware of what lies behind that calm, deceiving exterior of his. The new Hokage was no hero. He was no leader. Naruto doesn't belong to anybody. Nobody controlled him before and nobody controls him now, but Danzo will, Tou-san. Don't let him, please. Danzo was just another calculating bastard, a manipulative coward that saw people as stepping stones to reach his goal.
"…the Hokage should undertake th—"
That's—
"That's enough." Her orbs snapped wide open, shock reflecting in them. Had she really said the words out loud? For a minute, Katana stiffened, nervousness radiating off her body. Everything was silent, without the occasional mutter or side comments. Deadly silent even, and it made her heart pound faster in anxiety.
"Katana?"
The question broke through her line of thought and she jerked her neck to the side, tensing in reflex when she found Temari inches away from her, studying her in sisterly concern. The blonde reached out a hand, but stopped midway, hesitating. "Hey, are you okay? You seem…tense."
Fear lingered a little bit longer in her eyes before it died out and as if snapping out of a trance, Katana blinked twice, scanning the room and landing her gaze on a standing Kiri-nin. Relief washed over her system. So it wasn't me after all…
His mouth was twisted into a grimace, disturbingly familiar veins emphasized on the right side of his face. "Hokage", he said sharply and she recognized his voice as the voice she heard before, "let me see your eye beneath those bandages." It was a command, not a plea. And coming from a jounin, someone who should know better than to order around those with positions higher than him, it certainly shocked everyone.
"Ao, calm down." The brunette Mizukage told him softly, shifting in her seat in an attempt to stand up. The tall man gestured for her to stop and that, 'don't worry, I've got it'.
"His eye", drawled Ao slowly, his frown deepening, "belongs to Uchiha Shisui and it seems to be implanted in him. I've fought Shisui once. He had the power to control his opponent's mind without them noticing it. It's one of the most powerful eye techniques. My own right eye is a souvenir from a battle with a Hyuuga. I've seen through the genjutsu placed on the 4th Mizukage, so you can't fool me."
The new information startled everyone out of their seats. The Raikage shot upwards in anger, sending his chair toppling over. He pointed a straight finger at Danzo. "You bastard! Are you controlling—?"
In the middle of the U-table, a milky-white, half-human, half-plant body shot out of the floor, startling everyone in their seats with its teasing, "Hellooooo!" Jounin bodyguards sprang into action, including Katana, appearing right before their masters, hands and weapons on the ready.
"Now what?" demanded the furious Raikage, fury etched hard on expression, eyes ablaze.
As if on cue, the plant-like man smiled widely and announced to them in a sing-song voice, "Uchiha Sasuke is here somewhere. But the question is…where exactly?"
Several eyebrows flew upwards in response, a certain brunette being the first one to react on the name 'Uchiha Sasuke'. Grey eyes wide and heart crashing into a full stop, Katana felt a flurry of emotions rising from the pit of her stomach up to her throat where it latched itself and threatened to choke her. Wave by wave nausea hit her, the overwhelming feeling pain, relief, anger and sadness crushing the air out of her lungs.
The questions that rose in the surface of her mind effectively drowned out any hasty muttering and muted comments around her. Where was Sasuke? Why was he here? Did he really kill her uncle? Or worse, what would happen if the Raikage got his hands on him?
The last thought pushed her out of the daze, her senses suddenly on high alert as she gave the room a quick but thorough glance. The sight of her father's back facing her as he held the –without a doubt— Akatsuki member by the neck took her aback. Without wasting another moment to hesitate, she ran away from the crowd, shoving past the giant doors that blocked her way.
Concentrate, concentrate! She told herself, closing her eyes while she sprinted through the endless halls. She focused, inhaling shakily as she searched hard for the chakra signature she was familiar with for years. He's got to be here somewhere! It's been long, too long, since she encountered his unruffled and serene chakra. He changed over the months, Katana knew, but he couldn't have changed that much. Could he? She asked herself silently, uncertainty filling her.
"Destroy!"
The static voice rang in her ears and she changed course, opening her eyes as she opted instead to follow the direction of the harsh order. Not long after she shifted altered her route, the blood-curdling screams of samurai soldiers reached her. Alarmed, she rushed her speed more, not caring about the throb of her aching feet as they continuously hit the floor.
"Sasuke!"
Exhausted panting and labored breath accompanied the urgent tone. "Sasuke, where are you?" She called out for the nth time, her throat feeling dry and parched from all the shouting she did. A thin layer of sweat masked her drained face, lips that were usually a healthy pink turning into a ghostly shade of pale blue. Her legs felt like they were made of glass, stiff and fragile, her knees buckling with every step she took. Her bandaged limbs were screaming for rest, her eyes bloodshot and eyelids heavy.
"SASUKE!" she yelled for one last time in pure desperation, using the last bit of her strength to draw another lungful of air after it.
Then, silence. There was no reply, no sound to confirm his presence. She sighed, eyes closing against her will as she lowered her head in frustration. Why can't I find you anywhere, Sasuke?
"Long time no see…Katana."
Eyes shot open and her head snapped up in full attention at the smooth voice that erupted out of nowhere. She stared—gawked actually, at the tall, dark-haired teen covered in blood. Even with the composed look on his face, Katana couldn't help but flinch at the unwavering icy glower he sent towards her way. There was so much tension in the air between them; so much blood, so much hatred and pain that it suffocated her.
After a moment of breathlessness, the girl finally found control on her own voice again and she blurted without thinking, "Sasuke, what happened to you?" Her old friend didn't answer. Instead, he took slow, deliberate steps towards her and by instinct, she took a single step back.
This…she thought, eyebrows drawing together, is not the Sasuke I knew. Fingers curled around the hilt of her weapon when he neared another step and she drew it fully when he closed in on her personal space. He stopped then but never ceased glaring coldly, mouth opening in a reply when a loud explosion interrupted the two.
They both turned to the side, eyes straining to see through the thick fog that the blast created. Out came an enraged, broad-shoulder man at a speed you'd think he'd never possess, with his aura crackling with electricity.
"Brat! I'll teach you to fear my anger!" roared her father, charging head on at Sasuke.
Panic enveloped Katana as she watch the two men rush for one another, both their fists pulled back in a lightning jutsu. She ran in between before she even had the chance to change her mind.
"Tou-san, Sasuke, STOP!"
End Chapter