Alright I liked the response (except the one from a certain someone who won't be named aka megan) and I'm pretty glad that you guys think my story's interesting.
Black Cadenza
"Sasuke…" breathed Naruto still caught in a state of disbelief.
"We don't have time for this, Sasuke. The cops will be here soon." Karin advised shaking her leader from his trance momentarily. Sasuke nodded dryly making his way towards the Interpol agents.
"You're coming with us", he ordered as stoic as ever as he stared the two down coming to a stop in between them. Unexpected Naruto lashed out grabbing the raven haired man by his coat collar in a fury.
"Teme—!" if he hadn't his wits about him he would have ran himself through on the sharp knife that separated him and his former associate. Naruto hated that look. Those condescending eyes that were always impassive and cold, though now there was something else inside them and it froze his very core.
"Watch it , Naruto", he spat brushing his weakening grip aside turning to the rose haired girl whom he eyed with fascination, she had changed to say the least, "I suggest you both come with us, or else" his words were dark and foreboding. This wasn't the Sasuke they had known three years ago. Naruto prepared to strike him, but was quickly restrained by the two other occupants of the room.
"If these are the guys to mentioned enlisting Sasuke, I don't think they wanna go without a fight", Suigetsu said trying to hold the blonde back with Karin. Sasuke watched boringly, a frown practically etched on his face when Naruto broke free and once again attempted to tear him to shreds.
"Yamate Naruto, l-lets go with them. We can discuss this later", she reasoned just loud enough for them to hear. Sasuke smirked. Clearly she was still the most level headed between the two of them. Lowering his fists in defeat Naruto glared at Sasuke; he wasn't happy, but he did comply. Soon enough they were racing though the back alleys of Paris, the sound of sirens fueling their every move.
"Kuso, why are we doing this Sakura? We're Interpol agents' damnit! These guys can't do anything to us." Naruto mentioned not so silently earning him a knock on the head from Karin. That was an interesting change of pace.
"Didn't it ever occur to you that maybe those cops aren't as straight laced as they seem? Tch, for Interpol you're a real numbskull", she taunted oblivious to the fact that Sasuke and Suigetsu had suddenly stopped making her crash into their backs. Before she could open her loud mouth to spew a plethora of obscenities Sasuke signaled for silence in the narrow alley. Soon countless officers ran past the alley as their commanding officer shouted orders out to them. It seemed like an eternity before the sounds died down and they were gone. Continuing their trek through the back streets they finally reached their destination. The odd band slipped into the hotel lobby silently quickly finding themselves in the safe confines of its elevator. Besides the terrible elevator music Sasuke was actually enjoying the silence but as usual, it didn't last long.
"Oi teme, when are you gonna tell us what's going on?" questioned Naruto attempting to cut the tension with his dull inquiry that fell on deaf ears. Sasuke had pulled out his cell phone and hadn't even heard the dobe's voice.
"Jugo, we're coming up. We brought guests", he chimed his voice stale and indifferent. Upon reaching the designated floor Naruto repeated his question rushing to Sasuke's side as he and his team hurried down the halls. Naruto hated being ignored; it seemed as if his dark counterpart hadn't forgotten how to irk him to no end. Stopping at what seemed to be the only room on the floor Sasuke knocked on the door a few times hearing an approving click he turned the handle revealing a larger than life penthouse suite. His guests and teammates examined the room in awe while he nonchalantly took a seat at the couch in the center of the lavish suite. Naruto found his interest cut short when he spotted Sasuke; narrowing his eyes at the enigmatic man he took a seat opposite him. An intense staring contest ensued.
"What do you know about the Akatsuki?" he asked, the question innately throwing Naruto for a loop. He'd known little more than what he heard around the office and from Tsunade. The group was as mysterious as mysterious got and had been thought of as a myth more than an actual organization not too long ago.
"I… don't know any more than you do." He responded looking down in his lap as if her were disappointed by his answer, "My turn to ask you a question" Sasuke raised an eyebrow with interest. Surely the dobe had countless question; where have you been, what have you been doing, but Sasuke was always shocked by the words that came out of his former teammate when he was serious.
"What's happened to you?" he bit out his shining blue eyes peering into his unyielding onyx ones. The Uchiha should have known he would have to answer a personal question rather than one directly correlating with the current situation.
"I opened my eyes, Naruto." Sasuke responded simply noting how the blonde deemed it inadequate as he slammed his hands on the coffee table teeth bared and all.
"That's a load of crap! You were working with that bastard Orochimaru!" he exploded fighting the urge to slap some sense into the calm man sitting across from him.
"Orochimaru was just a means to an end…and now, he's dead." Sasuke offered his gaze hardening under the blondes' scrutiny. The room froze at that revelation. For an international policing agency they weren't very well informed. Sakura, who almost in a daze, found her way beside Naruto having a few questions of her own.
"How can you talk about killing a man so nonchalantly? No matter what horrible things they did, they're still—"
"Don't be naïve Sakura. You could never bring a man like him to justice. There was no other way. Besides, the world is a better place without him. Even you can agree with that", the Uchiha said staunchly eyeing his teams' movements around the suite from the corner of his eye.
"Is that why you need us Sasuke," asked the blonde his voice serious and unwavering, "to help you make the world a better place, with that sadistic notion of justice?" Sasuke's eyes widened marginally. He'd never known Naruto to have the backbone to spout such pious dross in defense of Orochimaru of all people.
"Whether you like it or not, this is your new assignment. Tsunade-sama was grateful enough to offer me your services, until further notice", said the Uchiha a small smirk tugging at his lips, "She is willing to go around the system to bring justice to this lawless world. Are you?"
Naruto stared at his lap his fist clenched tightly on the fabric of his pants. 'Tsunade-baachan…why?' Sakura placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder clearly just as afflicted as her dear friend. "I-I'm willing to make the world a better place Sasuke, but not by killing people pointlessly!" he declared with enough zeal to make everyone flinch, except the stoic man who only glared in annoyance.
"You mistake me for a common criminal, Naruto. We don't kill without reason", he explained rising from his seat as if to leave, "I give you my word Naruto, Sakura. No one will die unnecessarily", he inwardly kicked himself for his moment of weakness. If that's all it took to appease the Interpol lackeys' he'd suck it up for the time being. Naruto's demeanor made a complete 180 as he quickly closed the gap between himself and Sasuke and wrapped his arm around his neck with that stupid grin on his face. 'There's the dobe.'
'Teme, it's so good to have you back!", he gushed mussing his hair as if they'd never parted ways years ago. Sakura couldn't help but allow a smile to slip onto her face at the two. It was as if they were teens again, bickering like that. Sasuke scowled pushing the stockier man off as quickly as possible. Despite the act they seemed to be putting on Sakura could still see the old rivalry being rekindled. Both men had changed drastically, Sasuke especially. The hallmark moment was cut short however when a voice cut through the lighthearted atmosphere.
"Sasuke-san…I think we're missing an agent", said Jugo making everyone stare at the man incredulously.
"Sai! Naruto where is he?" Sakura gasped finally realizing her teammate hadn't been present for some time now. Frantically Naruto searched his pockets for his cell phone ultimately finding it he dialed his coworkers number. The monotonous ringing resounded through the entire suite and even outside. That couldn't be possible. Sasuke made his way towards the front door gently pressing his ear as to confirm the sound. Quickly opening the door he was surprised, even though it did not show. He could have sworn he was staring into a funhouse mirror that distorted his own image. Although the man was paler and had a different hairstyle he could have passed for Sasukes' double on a good day. The two stared each other down neither moving as if mesmerized by the resemblance. His face was just as emotionless as his own. Sasuke already knew he wasn't going to like this man very much.
"You must be Sai", he said not moving a muscle.
"And you must be Sasuke" mimicked the newcomer eerily disturbed by what he saw in Sasuke's eyes. Luckily his attention was drawn inside the suite when Naruto began mouthing off about absent minded teammates.
"Oi, Sai how the hell did you find us?" questioned the blonde brutishly coming between the doppelganger twins.
"Before you left I placed a tracer on you, just so I knew how the mission had turned out. From the looks of this, not so well", he surmised eyeing all of the new faces impassively as he sauntered into the penthouse casually. Ignoring the glares he received he came to a stop at the large panoramic window that over looked the city of Paris.
"So, the rumors were true then. Orochimaru is indeed dead. All that remains is Uchiha Sasuke and his band of rogues, Taka", he spoke to no one in particular. Apparently Sai was the only one who had done his homework. Sasuke was impressed, though he still didn't like the man.
"What's this guy's deal?" asked Suigetsu eying him annoyingly as he poked him in the chest with his sheathed katana. Suigetsu had enough trouble with one guy who always seemed to be dark and foreboding, the last thing he needed was another one. Sai looked the violet eyed man over with a jaded gaze which slowly drifted to the other rogues. Unceremoniously he walked past the irritated man and towards the groups' redhead and unexpectedly taking her hands into his own with a smile on his face no less.
"Hello beautiful, you must be Karin", he spoke politely making his counterparts gape. Sasuke smiled ruefully at the exchange. 'Perhaps now she'll leave me in peace.' Ignoring the rest of the banter after Naruto and Sakura so poignantly intervened; the Uchiha joined his more solemn companion in the kitchen. He had apparently been working tirelessly unlike, the rest of Taka, since they arrived.
"Did the old woman send the files, Jugo?" he asked the ginger haired giant in response turned the laptop he'd been working with towards Sasuke.
"Hai...the information however…"
"It isn't enough, but it'll do for now", he settled looking through the mostly blank dossier's of the alleged Akatsuki members. Interpol really had no idea. Akatsuki operated under the radar of nearly every law enforcement agency in the world. Using two man cells and a plethora of go-betweens and lackeys, said cells were often undetected until it was too late. Each cell was unified under a single leader, or so he assumed. Granted, Sasuke hadn't the slightest inkling as to what their motives were, he did know who the big players in the organization were. Though who to go after first? Strategically speaking it was best to go for the cell they had the most intel on.
"I've studied the files, Sasuke-san. Interpol has apparently connected Deidara, a high ranking member, to a string of bombings in the Chūbu region of Japan. His last attack would place him somewhere within the Nagano prefecture", he derived
"Aa. Sasori is bound to be near as well. What could they possibly be after?" Sasuke wondered out loud, this time his teammate had no response. Releasing a low sigh of fatigue he stood and left the kitchen making his way towards one of the bedrooms. He hadn't noticed the cherry headed woman had crossed in front of him until he was but a step away. Raising an eyebrow in question he looked her over. Her schoolgirl attire did throw him for a loop when he first laid his eyes on her. A taller, curvier build emphasized her emergence into womanhood. Sure enough she matured, though her eyes hadn't changed; at least not when they were piercing into his own. So many things hid behind her emerald irises, though, not well enough. Adoration, worry; even a hint of determination.
"Sasuke?" she said her voice was almost too small for him to catch above the background chatter.
"Hn", oddly enough she smiled at his aloof attentiveness. He was slightly shocked by her genuine gentleness. Even after three years he remained the same in her eyes. 'Tch, it must be nice to be so naïve.'
"Despite the circumstances, it's…nice to see you again", with her soft spoken words she gingerly grabbed his coat sleeve as if he'd leave without a moment's notice as he had so long ago.
Even those simple words touched the Uchiha in a way he found awkward and uncomfortable. It was rare that he was around someone so sincere and much less at his own free will. She'd always been too kind to him ever since childhood; it unnerved him to no end. Though, he fought the nostalgic feelings her smiles and gentle touches offered. Unbeknownst to him the corner of his lips curled into a diminutive smirk. Pulling his arm away possibly too harshly from the hurt look she gave he offered her a small pat on her shoulder before brushing past her towards the rooms.
"Aa, Sakura. Get some rest. We're heading back to Japan tomorrow." Sasuke said retiring behind a bedroom door without as much as a glance back. Clenching her fists she stared down at the carpeted floor. He was still cold if not more so. She couldn't begin to imagine what Orochimaru could have possibly put Sasuke through. Though it was probably for the best. If this new assignment was going to work he would need to open up to a certain degree. Sakura couldn't help but become shaken to her very core by the direness of this assignment. For Sasuke to reappear after nearly falling off the face of the planet and demand their assistance the situation must have been a grave one indeed.
Upon entering the sanctity of the room Sasuke preformed his nightly ritual of relieving himself of his dark garb as well as his firearms and retreating into the bathroom. Under the bright scrutiny of the florescent lighting in the rather larger water closet Sasuke looked himself over in the panoramic mirror above the sink. Staring at the man he now saw in the mirror, he could do only just that. The dark hair that hung in and about his face hid what was already concealed behind his stoic demeanor.
Slowly his dull gaze trailed down to his broad shoulders and toned chest. Years of discipline and hard work had made him a man; though not the man he wished to be. Numerous wounds and scars marred his once pristine skin, a story etched in each one, and tattoo for those that did not show. As Orochimaru's chosen "favourite" he was only required the symbol of his clan, the snake. Sasuke touched the scarred marking on his left pectoral gingerly, he despised it. The black snake coiled menacingly amongst a white lotus bed with its jaw unhinged around the clan crest, three tomoes, Orochimaru's Heaven Seal. He refused to have it retouched; allowing it to fade as if it would take the memories with it. He had acquired more tattoos as his years of "service" mounted. Twin shisas decorated with shades of black and red spiraled down from his shoulder blades to just above his wrists, both engulfed in black flames. The left with a closed mouth to symbolize the protection of good spirits, while the the right bared it fangs symbolizing its willfulness to protect the wearer against evil spirits.
A contemptuous scowl spread across his face in disgust at the man in the mirror. With each passing day he found it increasingly harder to stomach the atrocities he'd committed in the name of that man. Orochimaru, what a fool he had been for ever following such a despicable creature. Not a night passed that Sasuke hadn't wished he could see the look on the pale crime boss's face as he burned in the inferno. Though he was no longer an issue. Akatsuki, and that certain man were his only worries. Itachi was his only goal; his proposal to get rid of Akatsuki was just a secondary objective. It would be completely impossible to reach him without the rest of their organization becoming involved, nor would he have Interpol's cooperation if he solely wanted one man.
Shaking himself from his longwinded thought process he resigned himself to his fatigue. Apparently tonight's firefight took more out of him than expected. And quite literally it had. Upon further inspection he'd been hit, grazed rather, by a bullet in his side. Gingerly he touched his newly acquired badge, releasing a low hiss of pain as the blood began to flow from it again. Quickly turning the shower knobs the room began to fill with steam. As he stepped in he was greeted by the temperate embrace of the water. The Uchiha let out a relaxed sigh as the water soothed both new and old wounds, mixing itself with his blood to form a rosy cocktail. Surely enough his musings brought images of the cherry headed woman he spoke with not long ago. He likened her gentle touch to that of the feverish water that caressed his skin washing away the pain, if not, at the least masking it. She'd barely been in his life more than a few hours and she had already snaked her way into his very thoughts. Both Naruto and Sakura. They didn't fit into his world. They were too bright, too pure, and too innocent. In their three year absence Sasuke had seen more atrocities and deprave acts than any human should be subjected to. It wasn't the blood, the bodies, nor was it the killings that bothered him; it was the faces. Each victim that had been cut down illicitly was chiseled into his subconscious.
He couldn't rightfully subject them to the horrors of this bloody business. He'd be no better than that snake Orochimaru. Though, he had no other choice. Hopefully they would have the strength to not become corrupt as like he had. Hopefully she'd have the strength. Sasuke's brow furrowed in confusion at that thought. Granted he inwardly praised the naiveté and innocence she had as he would Naruto's unbelievable obliviousness, it wasn't his say as to whether it remained intact or not. Though the voice in his head told him differently, 'She's quite the gem. Pure. The complete opposite of you Sasuke. Wouldn't it be interesting if you corrupted her?' Sasuke ignored its taunting remarks, brushing them aside as he always had.
Staring absentmindedly at his hands he finally realized he'd been in the shower for far too long. Finding his way out of the steamy bathroom and in the dark bedroom Sasuke lay on the soft fabric of the bed sheets clad only in a towel about his waist. Twisting slightly pain once again shot through him from the wound. Apparently it was worse than he thought if it was causing this much of a problem. Sighing heavily he settled on staring at the ceiling rather than getting a comfortable nights rest. He'd have Karin patch him up in the morning right now he needed rest; and so he did.
Morning came as it would any other day no matter how much the Uchiha wished it to stay away. He had never been a morning person as he was more apt to waking up well into the afternoon on a lazy day. Rolling onto his side to escape the penetrating rays of the sun he expected to be met with a sharp pain, however he felt nothing, or as close to nothing as the wound allowed. Opening his eyes as to inspect the odd occurrence he was surprised to find thee wound had been bandaged and quite well at that, far above Karin's abilities. On any other day he'd be fairly agitated with the offender and himself. If one of his team could easily slip into his room in the dead of night, and get so close that they could slit his throat on a whim, he was losing his touch. Though, good for him his team had little to no ill will towards him. Still, who could have done this if not Karin he wondered. Had it actually been Karin surely he would have been ravaged by the hormonal woman in his sleep. Shuddering at the thought Sasuke decided that investigating the happenings rather than speculating was his best course of action. Removing himself from the bed Sasuke donned a few choice articles of clothing from the previous nights wear, consisting of a black turtleneck and dark slacks. Fingering the hole in the side of the top he carefully prodded the exposed bandage and gauze. This was his favorite turtleneck.
Exiting the room he was more than disturbed by the sight of the suites occupants conversing over breakfast in the living room acting, normal of all things. He could care less if they didn't get along, but it didn't hurt to have a team that wasn't at each other's throats every second. Though this was just weird, especially for this early in the morning,
"Sugoi! Is that really Momochi Zabuza's katana?" marveled the hyperactive blonde, gushing when Suigetsu unsheathed the gleaming blade.
"What does it look like to you?" shot back the sharp toothed man as he pointed the long slender blade in his direction coming inches from skin to steel contact. As if asking for more Naruto eyed it critically. Grinning deviously Suigetsu pulled the sword back.
"Jugo, toss me an apple!" he called to the solitary man in the kitchen. As requested he did and Suigetsu caught it. He placed the fruit on top of the blondes head his grin only growing wider as his assistant paled at the realization.
"Hey stop it! You can't do that it's dangerous!" Sakura protested, though it fell on deaf ears.
"Stay still blondie, or I might end up taking a little too much off the top", he warned tightening his grip on the blade. Naruto gulped nervously trying to steady his shaking body. How did he always get himself into these positions? Taking a deep breath Suigetsu raised the katana and held his stance, legs spread and his hands firmly holding it towards Naruto. In a blink of an eye Naruto felt a strong sweep above his head as well as a forceful grunt from the exhibitioner. Sometime before Naruto had tightly shut his eyes in fear. Slowly peeking with one eye he saw the stunned faces of his suitemates. Suigetsu held the sword up again this time he gently rapped on the guard silencing its soft hum. As if on cue the apple split in two equal horizontal pieces atop Naruto's head. He reached up and grabbed half of the fruit, biting into it happily. His face turned sour upon noticing that a few strands of hair had been cut as well with the eaten fruit.
"That was pretty cool. You've got to show me how", he mumbled his mouth still full of apple.
"Tch, I'll teach you how to be a better test dummy." snickered the violet eyed man finally sheathing the sword. Once all of the laughter and commotion died down the Uchiha made his presence known. Sasuke had stood by and watched the demonstration with mild interest. Mostly due to Narutos edginess.
"Oi teme! What took ya?" beamed the blonde smiling stupidly for no apparent reason.
"Ohayo Sasuke-kun", chimed the two female occupants as if rehearsed, but that couldn't be true as they began an all out, no-holds-bar glaring contest. Clearly Sasuke had been mistaken when he thought the two teams were getting along. Though that didn't mean anything, he just wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery.
"Who's responsible for this?" he demanded pointing at the hole in his tops side. Instantly Sasuke regretted his forwardness as Karin jettisoned towards him latching onto him with such a force that almost toppled him.
"Sasuke-kun, why didn't you tell me you got hurt? I would've bandaged it for you, you know you're no good at it" she rambled poking and prodding the small patch of blood showing through the bandages. Painstakingly prying her from his form he turned is gaze to everyone else. Suigetsu could care less; he barely took the time to tend his own wounds. Jugo, although gentle in nature would never be able to sneak in and perform such a stealthy procedure. That only left three.
"Who was—"
"I did it" sounded the cherry headed girl standing tall as if to test him. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her determined face though his demeanor never changed. He wanted to chastise her, threaten her as if she were one of his own who'd overstepped their boundaries, though, why couldn't he? His tattoos were his and only to be shown and seen by those of the organization, his closest trusted allies, his family. He wasn't part of that world anymore, but his discipline still hung in his subconscious. Cursing himself inwardly he turned away from them.
"Don't let this happen again, Sakura."
Suigetsu and Karin stared wide eyed at the exchange. Who was this girl? If she could escape Sasuke's reprimanding with so little as a look, she must have some cosmic power over the Uchiha. Turning their gaze to the woman in question she seemed as stunned as they had been.
"Get ready to leave. We have an hour" he said before disappearing into his room again.
"Oi oi, you three should hurry back to wherever you were staying and grab some clothes. Won't be making anymore stops from here on out knowing Sasuke" Suigetsu advised collecting odds and ends from around the suite for their next voyage.
"Hey…Suigetsu, was it?" Sakura asked watching the man busy about.
"What's up Pinky?" he asked with a sharks grin. She could feel a twitch come about in her left eye at the sound of that nickname, but she suppressed the urge to turn his face into a crater of its former self.
"It's Sakura", she bit out hoping her hate for the moniker was clear as day to the man, "why are we going back to Japan?"
"Ah…Hm. Well, isn't it obvious? To kill some Akatsuki of course" he explained a hint of delight evident in his tone. Sakura cast him a curious stare. Why would they be so anxious to jump headlong into another firefight? What was wrong with these guys? "Don't worry your pretty little head Pinky, I'm sure your precious Sasuke-kun will keep you safe" he taunted effectively earning himself a knock in the jaw. Let's just say he'd never use the name Pinky around her again.
"Sasuke, are we there yet?" asked Naruto for the fifteenth time that evening, clearly the brightly colored towers and signs of the Nagoya's numerous attractions were not enough for the blonde. The twelve hour flight hadn't been a cake walk for the group either. Having finally arrived in the capital city of the Aichi prefecture the ragtag band wondered aimlessly through the city with no real destination.
"If you have a problem Naruto, you can leave. I'd rather not hear your voice", he responded cooly. Really, they could leave. Sasuke never liked being followed by three people, six people was even more troublesome.
"Tch, fine! Come on Sakura-chan I'm starving!" he exclaimed his usual voice higher than necessary as he dragged the pink haired woman off despite her protests. Sasuke stopped to watch the retreating forms. 'They've become closer, ne Sasuke?' sounded the returning voice in his head. Always as tactful as it was annoying. Shaking the thought he looked back to where he'd left the remaining clique. The usual faces were gone surprisingly, that is to say Jugo, Suigetsu, and Karin. That just left the new kid. Sasuke eyed him as if trying to find some sort of emotion. His emotionless façade wasn't daunting like his usually was, it was just, creepy.
"Something you want?" he asked irritation coming through clearly in a dangerous baritone.
"Nothing in particular", he responded staring blankly back at him, "I thought we could talk, seeing as we are now partners in a way." Sasuke's face twisted in disgust at the sound of those words from the other mans mouth.
"You're no partner of mine. All I wanted was Naruto and Sakura, you are just an accessory", he explained his gaze hardening maliciously.
"I see. So you wished to use you're former teammates to accomplish this revenge plot of yours then?" questioned Sai seemingly oblivious to the anger building inside the Uchiha.
"What do you know? You're nothing but my replacement. A cheap proxy for the real thing" he spat feeling his control slipping slowly. Most people would have backed down from a mere glare, but he didn't, not even as much as flinch. It annoyed him to no end.
"Uchiha Sasuke. Age twenty-five. At the age of twenty-one you, along with Uzumaki Naruto, and Haruno Sakura became the youngest operatives to be inducted into Interpol's' Special Task Force. Before that you and the others worked for the Konoha Police Department, which at the time was run by your father, Uchiha Fugaku until his—" Sai rambled until he was cut off by the cold steel pressed against his throat, piercing red eyes with murderous intent staring at him through the nights blackness.
"I have no problems killing you. As I said before you're of no use to me, a mere accessory", he threatened a satisfied smirk appearing when the man showed some emotion for once. He was just like everyone else; frightened by him. Shoving Sai away from him he turned his back to the man. "Next time you want to talk. Choose your words more wisely"
Running his hands through his hair in an attempt to calm himself he shakily replied, "H-hai. My apologies Uchiha-san."
"It's Sasuke."
"Right, Sasuke", he mumbled to himself watching as the other dark haired man wandered further away before Sai gave chase, "If you don't mind, I still have a few questions." Sasuke frowned in the darkness. 'This guy can't take a hint can he?'
"Fine. Make them quick", he demanded never breaking his stride when the man made his way to his side. So far his new recruits had shown they were more trouble than they were worth. Except for Sakura. As if possessed his hand moved touching the now healed wound through the material of his coat. 'I think you owe her thanks, Sasuke' interjected that bothersome conscience again. Uchiha Sasuke owed no one anything, except those who had wronged him. Even then all he owed was a bullet between the eyes. It had been long since he'd received anything without asking or, demanding it rather. He didn't ask for her charity nor did he want it.Her curious initiative had always been off putting, sometimes more so than Naruto's. But as part of his philosophy, you couldn't argue with results. 'Maybe', he told himself shoving his possessed hand into a coat pocket.
"It's an admirable thing you're doing Sasuke", he said hearing the sharp scoff that was given in response, "Though there must be an ulterior motive, it isn't all Akatsuki you want dead is it?"
"No, I could care less about the lot of them." he responded quickly obviously this was a question he'd answered long ago. Akatsuki was nothing, a brick wall at best, a mere stepping stone waiting to be trampled in his wake.
"Then who is it? Is it their leader, or just a certain member?" inquired the pale man ignorant as to how annoying he sounded.
"No more questions" he said finally in a bored tone. Now he was just prying. Surely the man knew now that his word was final from here on out as he didn't insist on the Uchiha answering.
The two walked in silence down the back streets of the city until they finally reached their destination. Once upon a time he would have marveled at the beauty of what nature had offered him on such an occasion, but years of desensitization made him immune to those simple pleasures. The moonlight played mystically across the dark waters of the Ise Bay. Its penetrating rays however couldn't pierce its endless shadows. Sasuke watched the few tethered boats that drifted with the current against the night's blackness as clouds wrap themselves around the moon. Despite the splendor before him he couldn't find comfort or assurance in it as he once had. The sound of a clearing throat brought him back to reality. Apparently he'd been staring for some time. Casting his thoughts aside he made his way closer to the docks eventually coming to a complete stop in front of a warehouse.
"What is this place?" questioned Sai carefully examining the steel doors of the building. Sasuke brushed past him to grab the door handle and sliding the massive door open.
"Our base of operations while we're in Japan" he said simply revealing the contents of the compound. Large hanging lights illuminated the majority of the room. The most noticeable trait of the base was its very own docking port that led into the Ise Bay. In said dock was a rather large patrol torpedo boat fully outfitted with four loaded torpedo tubes and numerous other armaments.
"I see. This is how you operate under the radar of Interpol, isn't it?" inquired the ever curious man as he approached it gingerly touching the cool steel of its bow. Sasuke scoffed at the question; if he wanted them to know how he operated he'd have told them by now. Upon further examination of the ship Sai noticed a mural of sorts on its side depicting a white snake being carried between the talons of a hawk.
"Hey what do you think you're doing in here?" asked a rather loud shrill voice from the top of the compounds stairs. Both males turned to confront the owner Sasuke less than surprised by the large woman in a greasy blue jumpsuit staring at them.
"Nekobaa. I assume you've finished what I asked?" queried Sasuke watching as the rotund woman made her way down to him. Staring at the both of them with a critical eye she poked the Uchiha in the chest and peered at his companion.
"Eh? What's this two Sasuke's? I must be going senile" she surmounted earning a scowl from the real Sasuke.
"He does not look like me", he spoke his tone exuding annoyance, "is the work done or not?"
"You forget who you're talking to Sasuke! Tamaki and I have been waiting all day for you to pick this hunk of metal up" she answered apparently quite proud of the work she'd done, as usual. Nodding dully Sasuke reached into a pocket and pulled out a large wad of bills and handing them to the woman.
"It better not smell like cats this time Nekobaa" he warned.
"Tch, I don't know what you're talking about, no matter; it's always a pleasure doing business with you Sasuke. Tamaki! We're leaving" she shouted up to the office space on the upper level. Soon enough a young girl emerged in a matching jumpsuit with a toolbox in hand and joined them at the base of the stairs.
"Hi Sasuke...who is this?" she questioned turning a questioning gaze to the other pale man.
"Hello I'm—"
"He's no one" spoke the Uchiha effectively ending the conversation. "If anything comes up I'll call you." With that the two women took their leave of the compound. Without a word Sasuke made his way up the stairs towards the office. He stopped in front of the door finding the other mans impassive gaze to be irritating at best.
"I'm not going to babysit you. Take a look around if that's what you want, you can leave too. I don't care, either way" he established fading into the room. Releasing a relieved sigh he made his way over to the plain couch in the corner unceremoniously plopping down onto it. Finally getting comfortable he placed his hands behind his head and stared that the ceiling through the pleasing silence. It was moments like these that he could enjoy. The quiet before the storm.
"Naruto…" began the cherry headed girl swirling her now cold bowl of broth with her chopsticks, her companion still practically attempting to drown himself in the noodle soup. Sakura stared into the dark liquid with brows furrowed with worry before she called out to the glutton beside her again.
"Hm? Something up Sakura-chan?" he asked a mouth full of starch and Cheshire cat smile plastered on his face. She couldn't help but smile back, he was just so cute, he never lost his boyish charm even after all they'd been through.
"Uh…nothing, Naruto" she muttered turning away suddenly deciding it was best not to burden him with her incessant worrying. She'd always been the worrier for as long as she'd known Naruto and Sasuke she was always the designated worrywart.
"It's about Sasuke isn't it?" he asked suddenly serious and solemn staring blankly into his empty bowl. Sakura was surprised to say the least; Naruto had never been one to be so perceptive.
"Hai, do you think…Ano…doesn't he seem different to you? He's not…"
Naruto shook his head ruefully, "He has changed…when I confronted him a year ago", he said his voice hardening as he retold the tale, "Had you and the reinforcements not arrived…I think he might of actually…"
"Killed you." Sakura finished her voice cracking slightly.
"Oi Sakura-chan, don't worry. If he wanted to he would've, but he didn't. Sure Sasuke's changed, but he shouldn't be considered a lost cause. Not while we're around. Right, Sakura-chan?" he cheered. She smiled back weakly, she never knew how, but he always found the right words to say.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks Naruto" she said expressing her gratitude with a hug which the man returned if not a bit too enthusiastically. The two broke apart when a drawn out whistle was heard behind them.
"Lookie lookie, we found the two lovebirds in quite the position. Sasuke not the only one you got wrapped around that finger, eh Pinky?" taunted the violet eyed man you could practically hear his grin. As they spun around he wasn't alone apparently the whole gang joined him this time. Having caught the entirety of his jeer Sakura immediately fired a furious jab aimed for his head. This time however he dodged it and easily caught her wrist in a fluid motion.
"Cool your jets Pinky, it was a joke. Don't tell me you Interpol guys don't have a sense of humor."
"Well it wasn't funny! And my name is Sakura! Sa-ku-ra!" she exclaimed pulling her wrist from his grip. She hated that grin of his.
"It's all the same to me Sa-ku-ra." Suigetsu repeated turning his back on them and attending to his team, "We'd better head back. Knowing Sasuke he's heading out earlier than necessary"
"Hold on a second! I'm tired of you guys leaving us in the dark, what the hell's going on!" questioned Naruto joining the fray in a showy fashion. Suigetsu peered over his shoulder at the man with a quizzical look.
"Tch, I don't have time to brief these newbie's. Jugo, you're up" he said trying to leave, but was stopped by his redhead comrade who only began berating him for whatever she felt necessary at the moment. The giant of a man stepped from the backdrop and in front of his teammates effectively shadowing them.
"Sasuke's decided to track down Deidara, an active member of Akatsuki who was recently spotted in Nagano" he explained a little uncomfortable being examined under Naruto and Sakura's gaze.
"Nagano? Sakura-chan isn't that Garaa's jurisdiction?" asked the blonde turning to the woman beside him.
"It was, but Naruto that was years ago. Who knows where him, Kankuro, and Temari could be."
"We'd know for one" interjected Karin having finished her verbal massacre of the shark toothed man, "It's our job to know what most of you pigs are up to; how do you think we manage to stay off your radar?" she added pressing her glasses closer to her face. Sakura scowled at her tone. The woman had already rubbed her the wrong way once and being the nice person she was she'd given her a second chance.
"If this Gaara guy you're talking about is who we think than you are correct, it is his jurisdiction; seeing as how he has become chief inspector of the prefecture. It doesn't matter though, we don't cooperate with the police" she added a frown appearing when they glared at her.
"What about us? We're Interpol agents and we're—"
"Easy there blondie", warned Suigetsu a lit cigarette hanging in the corner of his lips, "Your superior practically sold you to Sasuke, therefore you're no longer Interpol. You're Taka…."
"He can't do that! We never asked for this; what gives him the right to take away what we've worked for all in the name of revenge!" Sakura interrupted lowly obviously trying to holding back her anger.
"Sakura-chan…"
"You can take it up with Sasuke if you'd like to, won't change anything though. Face it you're fugitives like us now" Suigetsu retorted.
Sakura wanted to curse the very heavens for her the recent turn of events, though she couldn't bring herself to do so. Sasuke was the cause, the dark deity that sought to snake its way into her mind and wreak havoc on her life. Hiding her face behind her hands she bit back angry tears that threatened to spill. He'd always been the reason the salty solution came about. She denounced something as such a weakness, an unwanted skill that hadn't been used since the Uchiha's defection. As always she had let her wishful thinking cloud her better judgment. How could she be so naïve to believe she would be able to help a wanted man without becoming a fugitive in the process? Was it really worth it? Was he worth it?
"Sakura-chan? Are you alright?" chimed the concerned blonde resting a hand on her shoulder. Turning almost in shock at the voice she could only stare. He looked so unhappy, quite the opposite of his usual disposition. He must have been just as devastated as she was at the revelation. Though Naruto had always been as loyal as a dog when it came to Sasuke, he would follow him even if it landed him in the same hole, but how could she? She cursed her selfishness; this wasn't about her nor was it about her feelings. Sasuke had given her an opportunity to actually do what she swore to do when she joined Interpol.
"Gomen, Naruto. I'll be fine." Sakura assured with a small smile. While she could agree that this was worthwhile if it was for the greater good she would not sit idly by and accept being used by Sasuke as blindly as Naruto. Having regained her composure fully both her and Naruto realized that the rest of Taka had left unannounced and now only they stood outside the closed ramen shop.
"Where did everyone go?! If we're gonna be part of this team these guys gotta stop ditching us!" he panicked searching frantically for them.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
C'est fini. This chapter was a reworked repost. Somewhat grammatical seeing as it was written roughly 4 years ago and my former self was, well, pretty shitty to say the least. Added additional content pertaining to Sasuke's criminal past (present), and fixed some continuity issues. Still hopefully my activity will bring back old and new fans alike. The Guru's back in town and wants to make up for lost time. As always read and review if you feel up to it. It'd be great to hear from, well, anyone that's taken an interest in me both new or renewed interest.
Next Chapter: Perpetual Elegy
Sayonara