Target

Ch.19- Rising Action

A/N: I legit turn 21 this month, so Happy Fucking New Years to everyone

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and TV Tokyo. He's hella gay, believe it.

xXx Beta'd by the busy Miasen xXx

The bell attached to the bistro's entrance jingled as Sasuke pressed the door open. Nearly empty, a few patrons glanced up and watched the bloodied and dirty duo quickly slide into a booth in the back, next to the restrooms.

The teasing scent of food and the aroma of coffee warmed the dreary tension of the outside rainy world. The diner itself was quite cozy and welcoming, creating the illusion of a safe harbor. Low hung lights adorned each table, giving off a warm glow that was enhanced by the earthy tones of the décor. Naruto hunched into himself in the leather-like brown booth, eyeing the other customers that stared at him and Sasuke with suspicion. Not wanting to cause trouble, they quickly glanced away when they noticed Sasuke's death stare.

Doubt and disbelief whirled wildly in Naruto's head like tornado. He didn't know what to say, what to think. Everything, everything was fucked. Were Kakashi and Iruka in on it too, or could he actually trust them? Was it safe to be around Sasuke anymore? What was going to happen now? The blond jumped when a young waitress popped up at their table, setting two laminated menus before them.

The woman pulled out a notepad and pen, her hand poised to write. "What can I get you guys?" Her tone was wary, judging them.

"Coffee, black." Sasuke spoke, his eyes skimming the menu before setting it back down briskly. He tugged his sleeve over his right hand, hiding the metallic sheen.

"I'll take the same." Naruto gave the lady a disarming smile. They didn't need any more unwanted attention. "Thank you."

The waitress nodded slowly, returning the smile. She then left quickly, leaving them alone to a growing, stressed atmosphere.

Naruto pressed his lips into a thin line. They would get nowhere staying silent. Why had Sasuke done it? Why was he back? Needing answers, he finally spoke, his voice unusually calm. "Funny thing happened." The blond's fingers brushed the salt shaker, tilting it around. He concentrated on it, avoiding Sasuke's face. "The Akatsuki showed up at the safe house."

"I know, I was there." Sasuke scanned around the diner, letting out a series of expletives when he saw the 'no smoking' sign. He slid the crushed pack back into his pocket, settling on staring out the large windows. He was pretty sure the Akatsuki weren't coming after them, but a sense of paranoia had settled inside, making him uneasy. His leg bounced, giving away his uneasiness.

Something told him they were being watched and it was rarely ever wrong. But the questioned lay in who. His eyes followed each car that drove by, analyzed each pedestrian that lingered on the sidewalks. They were in a mostly secluded area of town, tucked away and hidden in plain sight. Exposed, but safe.

"They knew," Naruto continued as he pushed the saltshaker away, hands lying flat on the table. "They said that they had to thank you." He lifted his gaze, meeting Sasuke's cold, unblinking eyes. He knew that mask, knew Sasuke was hiding something. "And then I met Tobi."

Sasuke made a small noise of surprise as his eyes slid to Naruto's, but his face revealed nothing.

"Tobi told me he'd be seeing us again, but maybe not you if I can forgive you. Forgive for—"

"If you're going to say something, fucking do it," Sasuke sighed, exasperated. "Stop dragging it out."

"You told them where to find me," Naruto accused.

The raven sat back, gazing at him in silence before answering. "Yes. I did."

It took all of Naruto's will power not to leap over the table and sink his fist in Sasuke's face. Every ounce of restraint to keep him still. "You gave me up for your own selfish benefit. Right?" Anger boiled low in his chest, hot and molten, kicking up his heart rate. Several customers turned at Naruto's growing voice, looking worried and disgruntled.

"Yes."

Naruto laughed once, a harsh, grating sound. "Then please tell me what the fuck you're doing here. I suppose you had change of heart and came to help me. Felt guilty?" Sarcasm dripped from his tongue, venomous.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed and a muscle in his jaw ticked. "I have several reasons."

The blond sneered. "Do you think I'm just going to forgive you for that? You were supposed to be on my side. I trusted you. What part of that don't you get? My life was in your hands and you don't even fucking care. You told them where I was to get rid of me, right? You're tired of helping me and took the opportunity when it arrived, huh?" Hurt coursed through Naruto like acid, burning him. Sasuke was supposed to be the rock, the paddle, the one thing he could count on. But the man betrayed him, turning him over to the wolves and leaving him on his own.

The raven scoffed. "Oh for fucks sake, do I need to say that if I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already? Do you honestly think I went through all that shit just to let them have you in the end?"

"Then why, why did you tell them? What sick, twisted game are you playing now?"

Sasuke glanced away, peering into the rain outside his window. He fidgeted. "A test. To see if you've learned enough to handle yourself. To see if you're still worth it."

"You should at least have the dignity to stop lying to me you cold, heartless bastard," Naruto snapped. "Give me that."

Sasuke bristled. "You want the truth? Fine. I met up with the Akatsuki's informant, Pein, who struck a deal with me. If I told them where to find you, I'd get the latest information on Itachi. Guess which I chose, or do I have to spell it out as well?"

Naruto blinked rapidly, taken aback. Of all the possibilities he'd been stewing over, this hadn't been one. "What?"

Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose until his fingers turned white. "I said—"

The waitress re-appeared abruptly, placing down their coffees. Her hands went to her hips. "Anything else?"

"That'd be it, thanks," Naruto cut in, leaning over to cups to stare at Sasuke. "You sold me out for—"

"Are you two Sasuke and Naruto?"

Sasuke irritably realized it was getting harder and harder to keep his unresponsive mask on when he was surprised. Naruto had gone silent and pale so it was up to him to take charge. "Depends on who's asking," he answered coolly, hand snaking to the gun he'd snuck into his pocket. As fast as a whip, he did a head count, judging the collateral damage.

The woman shrugged. "There's a phone call for a Sasuke and Naruto. Said it was the two guys sitting in the back. They're on the front desk's line." She jutted her thumb over her shoulder.

Sasuke weighed his options. This could either go very bad or very good. He nodded once. "I'll be right there." While the waitress ambled over to the adjacent table, Naruto kicked him on his shin.

"What, going to go see if it's another offer? Eager to see what else is up for grabs?"

Sasuke bit back a curse and kicked back harder, satisfied at the snarl on Naruto's lips. "We don't know who it is, might as well see."

Sliding out of the booth, they marched to the small front counter, towards the red telephone with a curly jack. Sasuke reached it first, grunting as Naruto elbowed him and snatched the phone away. Sasuke's metallic hand twisted into a tight fist but he didn't retaliate. Part of him rationalized that he deserved it and more.

"Naruto speaking."

The raven was moderately impressed with the arctic glare Naruto sent him, made all the more intense and spectacular by the brilliant blue of his irises. In all honesty he hadn't expected to blond to take the betrayal lying down, but he hadn't anticipated Naruto's sudden hatred. Tears, maybe some crying or whining coupled with a 'why me' rant, but not out-right rage. At least something had changed.

Naruto's stare lightened and confusion took its place. He adjusted the phone. "Tsunade, is that you? What? What are you talking about?"

"Give it to me, I'll handle this." Sasuke held out a hand.

The blond answered him with his middle finger. "Yea, cuz that went so well for me." He focused back on the phone, giving Sasuke the cold shoulder. "Okay, yea. No, I believe you. Trust me, I've been dealing with all sorts of shit lately. Yea. Yea. Bye."

Impatience and irritation welled up in Sasuke and he gritted his teeth. If there was something he hated more than insubordination, it was being kept in the dark. He was supposed to be in charge, the one making the deals and taking them. The role reversal didn't sit well with him. "What did you just do?"

"I handled it." Naruto waved a hand dismissively, returning the phone to its cradle.

"Be pissed all you want, nothing is going to change. Naruto, who was on the phone?"

"Sasuke, shut up."

"Grow the fuck up."

"Why don't you? I'm not the one pining after the death of my brother," Naruto retorted. "It's not like anything is going to change."

Sasuke could swear his eyebrows were greeting his hairline. The tic in his jaw returned. "Who's to say I haven't? I'm here aren't I?"

Naruto rolled his eyes, walking away from the phone to the diner entrance. He placed a hand on door and pushed it open slightly; the bell chimed cheerfully. "For all I know this is just another fucking joke to amuse you." He shoved it open wider and stepped through. "Pay up before she calls the cops."

The raven twisted around to see the waitress grabbing the telephone, staring at them with a look of worry on her face. Sasuke took out his wallet and dumped a few bills on the counter. He nodded and trailed after Naruto, almost losing the blond that was practically running down the sidewalk, weaving in and out of pedestrian crowds.

Sasuke wasn't quite sure how to deal with the new divide between them. Naruto was obviously distrustful of him, which wasn't unwarranted, but it would get in the way. His mind whirred like a machine, trying to find a solution, however temporary; he wasn't having much luck. For all his so called brilliance and methodical training, Sasuke had no idea how to fix this. This wasn't his area of expertise; this was the type of shit he specifically avoided. He caught up quickly and matched Naruto's stride, purposefully following a few steps behind him. He kept up a vigil as they wandered further from the meager safety of the diner.

"Tsunade was my boss at my old job. Apparently she knows what's going on and about the Akatsuki and everything, or at least that's her explanation. How, I have no idea, but at this point I'm taking what I can get."

It didn't make sense. Hadn't the woman fired him? Just who was she? Distrust rang in his head and Sasuke's lips pressed together tightly. "And you trust her?" The loss of control was eating at him and Sasuke recognized it for what it was. There was a dark, looming precipice before him, waiting to suck him down. He could feel it coming and it sent cold sweat down his neck. It was hovering around him, like a shadow.

"More than I do you." Naruto shot him a look over his shoulder.

Sasuke refused to acknowledge the sting, even as it stiffened his back. "She could be part of the Akatsuki," he countered, "Another ploy for them to find us or the key."

Naruto slowed down, a hand coming up to rub at the back of his neck. "We…don't have to worry about that anymore."

The taller man raised a thin eyebrow and stepped in front of Naruto, blocking him from advancing. "What do you mean?"

"They got what they wanted."

Sasuke wanted to hit something, anything. "Which is?"

They were interrupted as an inconspicuous navy blue Nissan Altima suddenly rolled up, coming to a stop beside them. The window rolled down and a blond woman with irrationally huge breasts greeted them. She gave them a slight nod.

"Get in."

xXx

Naruto felt like it was an interrogation. He was sitting down in a meeting room of the building that housed Ichiraku, practically cornered. Sasuke and Tsunade were sat on opposite sides of him, both looking at each other suspiciously. The juxtaposition of Sasuke's druggie look and Tsunade's professional appearance was slightly comical, but the amusement died quickly at the severity of the conversation topic.

The blond glanced to his right. Tsunade looked just like he remembered, as prim and proper as always, which was strange. After all he'd been through, certain things hadn't changed, hadn't been affected. But just how was it she knew about what happened?

Tsunade turned to him, laying a hand on several red and grey files in front of her. Naruto noticed the new manicure. "I need you to tell me what the Akatsuki did while they had you. Every little detail."

Sasuke leaned forward, his voice taking on a business approach that exemplified his actual occupation. "How about you tell us how you found out where we were and what you know."

Brown eyes narrowed and glanced at the other man. "All will be explained in due time. Right now, we need to focus on the present." She turned to Naruto only to irritably return to Sasuke.

"Presently we are at the mercy of yet another unknown player whom we can't say is friendly."

Tsunade's forehead wrinkled as raised her eyebrows. "Friendlier than your ass is. I have no intentions of turning Naruto in."

Sasuke crossed his arms. "My decision was—"

She cut him off with a flippant wave. "Yea yea I know, trade to kill your brother. You're quite stupid for being Kakashi's smartest."

It was like a ping-pong game, with Naruto's eyes bouncing back and forth as they traded quips. He couldn't take much more of this, not after all that had happened. "Tsunade, what's going on? How do you know about this?" His tone was quiet, almost pleading.

The busty woman paused mid-retort and sighed. "Might as well get this over with if it you'll answer my questions directly after," She sent Naruto a pointed look and the blond nodded. "To keep things short and sweet, I knew you parents. I worked with them a long time ago, back before the Akatsuki were breaking headlines."

She began to pat her pockets and Sasuke tossed the crumpled pack of cigarettes on the table. She inclined her head in displeased appreciation. Tsunade retrieved the box and tapped out a stick. She lit up and leaned back in her chair, sighing deeply. "Your parents made an incredible discovery when you were just a baby, something that was as dangerous as it was amazing. This find was what the Akatsuki were attracted to, what lead them to you parents."

"The black powder inside the boxes, which required my medallion to open," Naruto stated bluntly. This was fucking perfect. Did everyone know his parents?

Tsunade froze, brown eyes wide. She rose out of her chair and stood, bracing on the edge of the table as he she tapped her cigarette on the ashtray nearby. Her fingernails clicked. "How do you know about that?"

Sasuke glanced from one to the other, absorbing as much as he could. He was at a disadvantage with the history they had, but it was nothing he couldn't make up for. He was a quick study.

"Tobi took my medallion and opened a box with the same symbol in front of me. Said it was for experimentation. He had a body."

"Oh god, he's done it."

Naruto raised his hands. "Wait, what's done? He already has that black goop inside him, what more does he want?"

Sasuke spoke up. "Reanimation. Right?"

Tsunade nodded tersely. "To complete a puzzle you must have all the pieces. If there's a missing part, you're not finished, therefore not complete. Naruto's medallion was the last piece."

"What about reanimation?" Naruto interjected, pursing his lips as he turned to Sasuke. "Explain."

If Sasuke was malcontented by the demand, he didn't show it. "If they had a body, they're probably going to use the goo to bring it back. High school biology tells me that's a zombie. Dead brain inside a living body." The raven flicked at a piece of lint on his shirt.

"You're wrong," Tsunade cut in quickly. "The goop, as you so eloquently put, works in different ways than just re-growing limbs or healing wounds. It has endless capabilities and uses. You'd think it'd be a dead brain within a living body, but the powder serves as a replacement for dead neurons, reviving the brain. Nothing lost, only gained."

"Bring the living back to life." Sasuke mused, filing the information away. He thought back to Sasori. If it had taken fire to kill the man, would it not work again? He'd taken Deidara out with poison, but he doubted that method would be as efficient a second time.

The busty woman sighed again. "My work, besides running the restaurant, has consisted of research and chemical analysis of the powder, trying to find a way to render its abilities void."

"How did you get a sample?" Sasuke sat up straighter, his mind zoning in the information. Maybe this woman was working with the Akatsuki after all…

She pressed her lips together tightly, rolling her eyes. "Two of my disciples worked on Kakuzu. Frankly they like me more than you and sent biopsy reports and vials my way. I've had little success, but my most recent lab trails have shown promise. I've managed to neutralize the healing factors and slow the process of re-growing limbs. However, it is only temporary, as the substance adapts. If I can't successfully stop the unfinished mixture, I doubt I can do much with a completed version.

"Tobi said it was for an experiment." Naruto licked his lips. "What kind of experiment?"

Sasuke hummed contemplatively. "Did he say anything else?"

"Uh, not really. I don't remember much since I was trying not to shit myself and get killed. Thanks for the help, by the way."

Sasuke ignored the trailing comment. "If he's got a body, he can use the goop on it before ingesting it himself. A safety precaution as well as a viable guinea pig. He could do whatever to it, just to learn what he's capable of."

"He killed my grandfather," Naruto suddenly remembered, appalled he had nearly forgotten. "And he said he killed my parents."

Tsunade bowed her head slightly. "They found Jiraiya some time ago. I hadn't heard from him so I assumed the worst. Looks like I was right." She glanced away, suddenly looking ages older. "As for you parents, I can't confirm."

"I think things would go much better if you just told us what you know," Sasuke interrupted. "Once all the cards are on the table, we can begin to plan out our next move."

Tsunade gave him a frosty look, arching a sharp eyebrow. She turned to Naruto. "Do you even want him here? I only brought him along because you two had a deal, a deal I believe was negated the moment Sasuke told them where to find you. There is no logical reason for him to be here anymore."

Alarm shot through Sasuke's body like lightning and he felt his hands twitch with the need to defend. "That is not your call to make, and none of your business," he spoke tersely, throat going dry.

The woman ignored him. "Naruto, you've been dealing with him and his lot for too long. I tried to protect you before this began, tried to give you an incentive to leave once I knew things would only end badly for you."

Naruto blinked in surprise and confusion, glancing down at the gentle hand Tsunade placed over his. "You fired me to protect me?"

"It wasn't effective, obviously, but you didn't give me much to work with. I was watching over you every time Jiraiya left so you wouldn't be alone. When everything blew up, I was unable to reach out and help you, but I plan to rectify that. From here on out, you'll have me on your side. I've failed your parents and Jiraiya, but not you."

"Cut the fucking drama, this isn't a soap opera. I'm not leaving." Sasuke felt as if the rug had been pulled out from underneath him. He hadn't anticipated being removed from the playing field; this was not going the way he wanted. There was a very real chance of Naruto ditching him and there wasn't anything he could do to stop him. He was at the disadvantage, no longer an asset. Now he was the liability. Fuck.

"And that's not your call to make," Tsunade mocked. "It's up to Naruto and your cards are limited."

He had to play this extremely carefully, turn the tables in his favor. A drop of sweat rolled down Sasuke's temple, hidden by his bangs. Was this the abyss he had been sensing? Outright stripped of any bargaining abilities and moves, he was sinking, all control gone. His left hand felt cold and clammy, trembling. In his chest, his heart was galloping irregularly. He hated this. "You're presuming I'll do it again. Ask yourself why I'm here now. You knew the deal, knew what I'd gain; why am I back?" He turned to Naruto only to grimace when Tsunade cut in, ruining his chance of convincing the blond to keep him.

"Frankly I don't care. Unlike everyone in your posse, I don't need you or glorify you. Your skill set is not required. You have nothing to offer now and so are utterly useless."

"She's got a point," Naruto finally added, glancing at Sasuke. His eyes were narrowed and stormy. The blue was just as vibrant, reminding Sasuke of that faithful day in the gym. "I don't need you anymore."

xXx

The flimsy door at the end of the hallway creaked open. A tall, silver-haired man stepped through, bloodied fingers leaving imprints as he trailed a mostly gloved hand across the mortar of the unfinished wall.

Out of bullets for his gun, he discarded the sticky firearm carelessly, reaching instead for the twin 9 inch Marauder blades sheathed away on chest. The knives sung as he slid them from their housing, their sleek design glinting in the low light. He expertly twirled them, turning the blades down. Dark, sleepless eyes watched the other end of the passageway, waiting. He had dismembered every lackey that had gotten in his way, tripling his yearly count by dozens. There was only one person left.

A slow, drawn out scraping sound and the muted thud of boots on concrete met his ears. Kakashi's lips curled back, twisting into a snarl. His hands tightened, poised for a fight.

The figure he had been hunting appeared leisurely, dragging behind him his renowned scythe. The very same weapon that had taken Iruka's life. Red infused his field of vision as his heart thumped in a steady, thunderous rhythm, coursing through his body like a drum. Only one of them would walk away with their life. He would make sure of that.

"Ha, I knew I'd be seeing you soon. Here to avenge your little cop cunt?"

Red and grey eyes followed the curve of the three blades jutting from Hidan's pretentious sickle. It was an inconvenience, really. Once it was out of Hidan's hands there wouldn't be a problem; at any rate, close range was his specialty.

"What nothing to say? No sentimental bullshit to make me beg for mercy?" Hidan grinned, pulling up his scythe. He ran his hand down the handle in a loving caress. "Or should I just make you bleed like I did for him?"

Kakashi had thought about what to say, perhaps enunciating how he planned to ruthlessly slaughter the other, but nothing could describe the abhorrence he felt, the pulsating hatred and rage that beat through his veins every second the other still lived. The fact that Hidan wasn't dead sat like poison inside him. There would be no mercy, not tonight. So he kept quiet, allowing the fury to consume him wholly. The darkness within crawled to the surface, no longer held back by the light that had been Iruka. It anchored itself digging deeper into his bones than before, narrowing Kakashi's concentration. The silver-haired man cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, savoring his old friend.

"Ooh, should I be scared? Should I be running home to my mommy 'cuz the bad man is going to hurt me? Fucking shit, get over yourself." Hidan chortled, drawing closer. He swiveled his weapon as he dropped his coat. "You're nothing."

It was time to end this.

Kakashi exploded forward, clashing loudly with Hidan in the middle of the hallway. The screech of metal against metal rang with a show of sparks. As quick as a whip, Kakashi easily blocked Hidan's downward strike with his arm, the handle slamming directly on his bone while the three blades barely missed his head. Seamlessly, Kakashi sunk his left knife into Hidan's gut several times, pulling back once and driving it through Hidan's jugular.

Crying out in disbelief, Hidan dropped his weapon, clutching at his wounds. Kakashi stomped on the scythe and kicked it away; it skidded across the length of the hall completely out of reach. Perfect.

Sheathing his knives, Kakashi buried his fists in Hidan's face repeatedly, yelling wordlessly as he jabbed, putting as much force as he could. His back muscles contorted, tightening and loosening with the movement. Hidan was powerless under his relentless barrage, shoved back by each brutal strike. A right hook snapped the other's head back and a punch straight to the throat brought it back down.

Hidan jerked his knee up in defense, only to have it elbowed down. He wasn't going down that easy. He stuck his fist into Kakashi's ribs, trying to drive the other away before he could retaliate.

Kakashi deflected the next shot and leaned back as he hit Hidan with an instep kick, rearing back to kick again after planting his foot into Hidan's stomach and face. His quads tingled with the power of the attack and Kakashi relished the burn. Spinning on his heel, Kakashi pulverized Hidan's nose with the rubber sole of his shoe.

Hidan managed to stay on his feet, taking it all heartily while searching for his chance. He saw it. The other man managed to knock Kakashi to the floor by whacking at his ankle.

Kakashi rolled onto his stomach, delivering the same attack to Hidan's leg and bringing the other to his level. Hooking his foot behind Hidan's head, he slammed it down on the concrete. Blood spurted out. The heel of his boot met Hidan's healing nose a few time before Hidan lurched back, coughing and cursing.

The silver-haired man kicked up from his back only to duck down as Hidan swung. He grabbed Hidan's arm and rotated their stances, slamming him bodily against the wall as he snapped Hidan's arm. The other man cursed and pivoted, attempting to do the same but with limited success. He grabbed Kakashi by the torso and ran him into the mortar.

Grunting as his back met brick, Kakashi drove his elbow down onto Hidan's spine twice before pushing Hidan off. He grabbed the platinum hair in thick tufts and connected his knee to Hidan's face. Keeping his grip as the other was stunned, Kakashi furiously beat his skull into the wall, spraying blood and bone; half of Hidan's head caved in, but it regrew as fast as he smashed it away.

With a burst of energy, Hidan lurched away, getting in a good hit at his liver. Kakashi staggered back, rebounding quickly. His eyes widened minutely as he saw Hidan scrambling for his scythe, half-crawling half-running as blood and brain matter leaked from his cranium.

Kakashi was on him in a millisecond.

Hidan grasped his weapon and popped to his feet, flesh crawling back and covering his exposed cranium. He hissed. Cartilage snapped and tendons stretched. Pink meat slithered onto bone, thickening before fat and skin appeared. The muscles in his eye twitched as they repaired, filling his socket and wiggling the orb around. He swung wildly, desperately.

Kakashi jumped back reflexively, watching the blades whistle as they sliced the air in front of him. Undaunted, he blocked the next swing with his arm, spun and sank his elbow into Hidan's ribs. Smoothly, he dropped, striking Hidan's thigh which forced the leg to bend. He followed it with precise elbow hit to the back of Hidan's knee. As he fell, Kakashi drew back a hand and hammered his fist into the nape of Hidan's neck.

He was unstoppable, driven by the need to destroy Hidan for what he did. Iruka's name reverberated in his head like a heartbeat, powering him. His hands ached, he was exhausted, he was grief-stricken, he was enraged. Hidan had taken what was his, had stolen Iruka's life, which he would pay with his own. Him and the entirety of the Akatsuki who dared turned their sights on the cop.

In a flash, Kakashi reached around and dug his fingers into Hidan's eyes sockets like a bowling ball, grasping his orbital bone and pounding it to the ground, dragging the man backward solely by the hold. The other screamed, ripping the skin from Kakashi's wrist as he struggled to break the clasp, legs kicking wildly.

Hidan clutched his arms as support, his foot coming up and stomping on his shoulder repeatedly, but Kakashi held on despite the blood making his hand slippery. Smoothly Kakashi threw a leg over Hidan's head and dropped to the floor, using the momentum to spin, performing a death roll and splintering Hidan's neck into pieces. Letting go, the silver-haired man pushed up from the ground, bracing himself for retaliation, but Hidan was still.

He backpedaled, waiting. Hidan had underestimated him; the monster inside him grinned, lusting for more violence. This is who he was, this was his nature. What Iruka had helped keep in check before it killed him. He felt like an animal, wild and savage, driven by need for blood.

"You…fuck…..shit…." Hidan finally gurgled, vomiting red and black fluid as he tried to stand. On all fours, he glared venomously at Kakashi, teeth bared and stained with blood that dribbled from every orifice on his face. "We…..are not…..finished," he roared, snarling.

"Not at all," Kakashi agreed, his eyes unseeing. They were nowhere near finished.

Emboldened, he withdrew his knifes, gliding the pads of his fingers across the deadly edge. "Get up," he said quietly. Kakashi took a few steps away from Hidan, allowing the man space to move.

Fury in his eyes, Hidan rose unsteadily, eyeing the scythe a few feet from him and closer to Kakashi.

Kakashi exhaled lightly, a humorless smile playing on his lips. "By all means, go for it."

Hidan's gaze darted from the weapon to Kakashi a few times. Devising a desperate plan, he echoed Kakashi's smile. Almost slipping on the copious amounts of blood covering the floor, Hidan leaped at the other man, feeling the twin knives greet his innards. Just like he planned.

The scythe hadn't been the only weapon he had, just his preferred one. He brought out his own combat blade from a small pocket on his waistband.

Kakashi buckled under his added body weight, sending them both to the ground. He was momentarily dazed as his head met the concrete and something cracked.

With Kakashi's hands pinned under Hidan's bulk, the Akatsuki member neatly thrust his procured weapon into the soft flesh of Kakashi's throat, pushing and grinding until nothing but the butt was left. To his dismay he missed Kakashi's carotid but breached his trachea and severed other vital arteries. Laughing, Hidan darted away, gripped the handles jutting from his chest and tossed them down. He retrieved his scythe lackadaisically as he watched Kakashi frantically scramble back, clutching his bleeding throat. Crimson liquid poured freely between his pale fingers, leaking at a deadly rate. This was over. "You're fucked."

Gasping and choking on his own blood, Kakashi felt his world slow down. Hidan picked up the scythe, dragging it behind him as he unhurriedly stepped towards Kakashi. His gloved palm couldn't get much purchase on the ground as he tried to crawl back, slipping and sliding on the bloodied floor.

"Giving up yet? You're a fucking dead man. You're little cop bitch put up more a fight, even after I stuck him like the pig he is."

His vision was darkening, becoming cloudy as if a veil had descended. He couldn't breathe, couldn't swallow; there was only pain and utter madness. No, this couldn't end like this, he wasn't finished. This man had destroyed the one thing he cherished in life and he would pay. Iruka had been his light, his candle in the dark. He was gone, viciously killed by the worthless piece of shit before him. He wasn't fucking finished. The monster within roared in wrath and vehemence, pounding a heavy rumbling beat that resonated in his head and body, infusing his numbing limbs. The rage built to a deafening roar, swallowing him until nothing else remained. No.…no...no…nonono. NO!

Kakashi ceased crawling and glanced down at the muck painting his hand. It was barely blood, just black goop that wriggled as he made a fist. His eyes slid to Hidan. The monster grinned once more.

Cupping as much of the gunk as he could, Kakashi used the wall as support, pressing the dark substance into his throat and packing it in tightly. He clutched the thick column as if he were strangling himself, forcing the stuff inside him. It stung as he felt the material seep into the slice, leeching its way in and down into his body. He gagged, tasting something foul.

Hidan froze, staring at him incredulously. "Wait, the fuck…"

Almost instantaneously, the fluid cleared from his esophagus and the pain ebbed. He inhaled sharply, his chest heaving with air. A strange warmth tickled the wounded area before beginning to spread down to his shoulders and up his neck, burning the longer it itched. He'd worry about that later.

Invigorated and thirsting for revenge, Kakashi recovered his dual weapons and spit out some of the blood that had accumulated in his mouth. "Fuck you."

"Shit." Hidan shuffled back, apprehensive. The scythe clicked as he adjusted his hold. This was bad, this was very bad. Fuck, he should have called for back-up. Kakuzu wasn't here to bail him out.

Trembling from the efforts of his regeneration abilities, Hidan barely had a chance to take a breath before Kakashi was on him, his knives scraping against the handle of his own weapon. Shit. The Akatsuki member struggled to block Kakashi's hits, taking deep scourges on his arms and chest. He was too close, too fast.

Kakashi knocked Hidan's arms away and proceeded to sever and puncture every major tendon, muscle, and organ that lay nestled inside Hidan. His hands were a blur, driving in and out of Hidan as a waterfall of red and black emptied from the human pincushion. The scythe couldn't even get close to Kakashi, clutched uselessly as Kakashi ripped him apart, opening veins and arteries like a book.

A foot abruptly slammed into his chest and Kakashi skidded back. The three blades sank into his stomach but Kakashi merely shoved them away, uninhibited by the pain. He grabbed the leg and ripped one of his knives across Hidan's hamstrings, keeping his grip as he created another slice down the length of his calf.

The other man screamed in pain, twisting mid-air so his free leg connected to the side of Kakashi's neck. Kakashi smash into wall, seeing stars as his head met mortar. With a rolling back flip to gain distance, Kakashi watched Hidan heal, noting the slowed reaction of the process. His eyes narrowed.

Equipped with the same power-up as Hidan, he could give and take roughly the same amount of damage. But as much as he'd love to draw this out, the other Akatsuki members were going down for Iruka as well. He needed to kill Hidan in a different manner. Red and grey eyes analyzed the long hallway they were in, taking in every detail. He needed something... Concentrating on the exposed electrical wiring beneath the few bulbs providing light, Kakashi drew his gaze back to the scythe in Hidan's hands. It was pathetic how easy this was going to be.

Hidan attacked, taking wide, risky swings with his weapon. Kakashi easily dodged them, subtly maneuvering Hidan into place. The other wasn't paying attention, fraught in his swipes. The cables hummed with power. Kakashi stood in front. As soon as the three blades came at him, he dove to the side, skillfully planting his last assault straight into Hidan's heart.

The instant the metal cut the wires, Hidan's hands scorched black and maroon leaked from his nostrils in torrents. His platinum hair caught fire, erupting into putrid smelling flames. He jerked, twitching and spasming as hundreds of volts of electricity vaulted through his body, charring and roasting anything it touched. The knife jutting out from Hidan's heart sparked and glowed with heat. Smoke wafted up from his corpse, billowing the longer the shock went on.

The light bulbs in the hallway flickered before popping, leaving them in the dark. The scent of hot metal and burning flesh tinged the air. The puddle of blood beneath Hidan boiled and allowed the current to be rerouted back into Hidan, crisping away his organs and blood vessels.

As Hidan voided his bowels, the charge stopped. Kakashi heard the body hit the floor and nothing more. Sliding a hand into a pocket on the side of his thigh, the silver-haired man brought out a handheld flashlight and let the beam rest on Hidan.

Gray smoke wafted up from the corpse. His visage was barely discernible, only identifiable by the open jaw and white teeth. Shuffling forward, Kakashi grasped his knife and pulled it out. The handle stung his hand, still too hot. On reflex, Kakashi jerked and the blade clattered to the floor. The skin on his palm bubbled and blistered before regressing to its usual state. He contracted and loosened his hand, admiring the smooth, unbroken skin.

It was fitting that he had to become one of them to kill to kill them. He might not know about the lasting effects, but he'd use the advantage as best he could. The exhaustion he had been feeling from the restless manhunt he had started disappeared. He was revitalized, ready to murder again. Kakashi turned to leave, ignoring the growing sensation of pins and needles along his extremities.

xXx

Naruto couldn't decide.

Tsunade had relented and given them both a decent place to sleep and rest, but had asked Naruto to choose, to think about what he wanted. It was abundantly clear she didn't like Sasuke, but had left him the option to him, assuring Naruto she would go along with it.

Sasuke had betrayed him. The man he dreamed of fucking, of finally connecting with had left him for dead. Yet that same man had come back for him, had admitted to giving up the papers that held information on Itachi. What was he to do?

On one hand he felt cold and distant, wanting nothing more to do with the raven. To cut all ties and keep it that way. But on the other, he understood why Sasuke did it. It was the best opportunity he could have come across, consequences be damned. Itachi was his ultimate goal, and his entire life revolved around revenge.

Both sides conflicted within him, creating headache-inducing turmoil. A tiny, miniscule speck in his conscious dared to hope Sasuke had come back for him, had regretted his decision and realized it had been a mistake. It was there, but Naruto was terrified of letting it grow and only leave him disappointed. This was Sasuke they were talking about, the one that had demanded anything sexual between them to be free of intimate and meaningful emotions. The cruel man who murdered for money and was caustic on the lives of those around him; the same one Naruto wished to help.

It was foolish and stupid to think of the mercenary as a savior, and more so to think he'd be feeling something special for Naruto. It was evident by his treachery that Sasuke was merely an opportunist who cared about little else than anything that benefitted him.

So then why was he back? What were those reasons?

There was a possibility Sasuke was lying to cover his ass, or he agreed to the deal and found out it was a hoax, so he came back. The chance that this would have a satisfying conclusion was zilch and it was driving Naruto insane. He needed to know, he needed to decide. This was no longer about their deal, no, this was bigger.

Tsunade said she'd have his back, and with her impressive and surprising contacts, she proved it. She knew him, knew his history and family. She had come for him at the moment he needed her the most. That was much more than Sasuke ever did.

But he couldn't brush away the times Sasuke had been an actual human to him or saved him. Sure the intention had been driven by money, but it was Sasuke's own life risked nonetheless. The times spent in the gym, learning about the other, suffering an intense nightmare and having the raven there and sort of comfort him—he couldn't discount that.

He was hurting. He hadn't meant for Sasuke to become so embedded within him. He knew from the moment they signed the contract that Sasuke was nothing more than a blood-hungry psychopath that thrived on revenge and killing, and yet he was just now discovering how deep he'd fooled himself. He fought with Sasuke to open up, to step from the darkness surrounding him. He'd truly meant it, wanting something better for him, but he should have known. What more could he have expected? He was so stupid.

He needed an outlet, something to drive this from his mind. He needed answers. Naruto blinked. And who better to ask than the man himself?

Without a second thought, Naruto was in the hall pounding his hand on Sasuke's door, jiggling the door knob violently. "Open up," he growled.

It cracked open and Sasuke's pale and sleepless face greeted him. Wordlessly, the raven let the other in, closing the door behind him. Stood in nothing but thin boxer shorts and a tank top, Sasuke's eyes trailed him like a hawk in the dark of the suite.

"What."

Pacing the room, Naruto crossed his arms. "Tell me why you betrayed me." He held himself back from screaming once Sasuke answered, sick of his lies.

"I told you, I met up with Pein—"

"Goddammit Sasuke, just tell me!"

He was taken aback as Sasuke's voice rose, unusual for him. "Naruto, what the hell do you want me to say?"

"I want the fucking truth, you bastard!" Naruto stood his ground, anger and indignation lacing his words.

Sasuke raked his hands through his hair, showing much more emotion that Naruto could ever remember seeing him express. "I came back, isn't that enough?" He was equally as restless as Naruto, unable to keep still.

"No! No it's fucking not! Don't you understand?"

"Understand what?!" Sasuke shouted.

Frustration built in his chest and Naruto felt like his head would explode. Heart hammering and his mouth dry, the blond threw his hands up. "That's what I'd want! That's exactly what I'd fucking want! I want you to say that you came back because you fucking care not because of some other stupid fucking reason! I want you to say that you came back for me, you fucking piece of shit! You know exactly how I work and know what to say to manipulate me like some fucking puppet! Of course you'd think that just coming back would justify yourself to me!"

Stunned into silence, Sasuke blinked rapidly. "I—"

"You've known from the start." Naruto swallowed heavily, his chest heaving. "You mocked me for how I felt, for how I lived my life and made decisions. You cruelly taunted me on my morals and principles, and yet you pull this shit and expect me to just believe you? How could I?

"God, Sasuke. I don't even know who you truly are. Everything I know about you is just some fucking mask, the pretense and façade you put on before going out and murdering people. I fucking care about you and I know it's the stupidest thing I could do, but that doesn't even compare with the shit you're pulling now." Naruto pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. "You're using that against me, to try to claw back on top and be in charge again. I can see it in you; you hate that I'm not depending on you like before. And now you're saying the exact words that will wound me and save your own ass. Is there a low you won't sink to?" The blond dropped his hands dejectedly.

Sasuke had frozen, mouth agape. His obsidian eyes were wide and unblinking, staring openly at Naruto. They looked haunted. Then his jaw moved and he averted his gaze.

"Well?" Naruto gritted out tersely.

"Give me a minute," Sasuke said softly, his voice slightly hoarse. It felt like his brain was short-circuiting, refusing to work efficiently as it replayed Naruto words endlessly.

He should have seen this coming. No, who was he fucking kidding, he had known this was coming. Naruto was right. If he bared his heart out now, Naruto wouldn't believe him. He could explain the way Naruto had become ingrained into his conscious, had forcibly driven him back but it would fall on deaf ears. Because of his nature, because of who he was, he couldn't be trusted, shouldn't be. It was fucking true. He knew the way Naruto worked and there was no question that the loss of control he was suffering would push him to use Naruto's feelings in his advantage. He had royally fucked up and there was no way to smooth this over.

Now they were at an impasse. Telling the truth now would only get them nowhere and prove Naruto's point. He couldn't tell the truth, and yet he couldn't lie either. Sasuke felt like the floor was crumbling away at his feet, the abyss drawing him down to the inky depths. He was helpless.

"I fucking knew it," Naruto spat. He was leaving, crossing the room with quick strides.

Sasuke's hand shot out, snagging Naruto's wrist tightly. Naruto paused but didn't turn around. Sasuke licked his lips, struggling to think. "A second chance. That's all I ask."

Naruto's shoulder's hunched in. "For what? To come up with a better lie that I'll believe? To think of something else that'll convince me that you're on my side?"

Sasuke didn't hesitate. "Yes."

The blond laughed darkly, pulling his wrist free. "I hate you."

Sasuke swallowed heavily. "You should."

The door closed. He was alone.

xXx

Iruka nearly bit through his tongue as he was thrown onto the ground, unable to brace himself as his hands were tied behind his back. Hissing, he felt his nose cleanly snap as he hit the floor, only to heal as a foot to the ribs rolled him on his side. The meager blood flow ceased immediately, taking with it the brief flare of pain.

He blinked rapidly, unaccustomed to the light. They were keeping him locked up like an animal, subjected to the bare minimum inside a dark room. He was wearing bloodied sweatpants that fit loosely on his hips and no shirt; there wasn't a point in putting one on. Dark brown locks were stuck to his forehead, greasy with sweat, oils, and old blood. His pupils contracted and his vision cleared. Moving around the room were the usual Akatsuki members; he'd memorized them. Tobi, Zetsu, Pein, Konan. Hidan was missing.

Tobi, the one who liked to do the dirty work. It was him Iruka feared the most. Tobi had been inside him, squeezing his heart before literally ripping it from his chest. Those hands had carved into him thousands of times, over and over, each time taking something new. Iruka swallowed heavily and tested the rope wrapped around his wrists. It was painfully tight, cutting off the circulation. Not that it mattered.

It was the same scenario once again; he was tied down, they would cut. If he screamed, there went his tongue and throat. The worst had been his eyes. Iruka reflexively shut his, the genuine fear of a repeated event swamping him.

"You know, if you want to keep your eyes you'll open them. If not, I'll pop them."

Iruka opened them slowly, hoping to convey his hatred through looks alone. Tobi was grinning down upon him as the others dispersed, busy doing other tasks. He twitched.

"Good boy. I'll give you a treat later." Despite being their personal test dummy, the brunet had feisty eyes. Tobi smirked internally as he knew someone who would greatly appreciate them. "We have a guest today. But he's not here yet, so it's just me and you."

The cop breathed steadily. Was it Madara? He'd been hearing that name a lot and surmised the leader was up and about. He kept his silence, trying to find a weak portion of the rope.

"Not in the mood to talk? I don't blame you." Tobi sighed, walking around the strewn figure. Crouching, he took hold of Iruka's bound arms and pulled them up sharply. He forced them higher, to the point of snapping. The tiniest groan crawled out of his captive's throat and Tobi grinned, yanking the last few inches before twin pops met his ears. "Keep trying the rope now, see if it'll work," he whispered, as if it was a secret.

Iruka's hands dropped uselessly as he bit through his lip, struggling not to scream. His shoulders were dislocated, not broken. The body had nothing to heal, so the pain remained, rendering him armless. His chest heaved and the skin on his lip knit together.

"The veins are sticking out in your neck. Holding back something?" Tobi's fingers skirted around his throat, tracing the prominent lines. He applied a bit of pressure, digging his nails in. The cop didn't flinch.

"I don't like talking to myself," he warned, his fingers spanning Iruka's neck and jaw. The tan skin whitened under his grip.

"I don't think I'll make a good conversationalist at the moment," Iruka spoke, his voice hoarse.

"That's the spirit." Tobi removed his hand after a savage clench, resting it on his knee. "So tell me, is there a light at the end of the tunnel or is that bullshit."

Iruka cleared his aching throat. This guy was a fucking psycho, and his best bet was to play along. They might not have been able to kill him with all the amputations and organ harvests they performed, not to mention the attempt at turning him into Frankenstein's monster, but he still felt everything. "Couldn't tell you. The last thing I remember is taking a scythe to the chest and then waking up here."

"Hmm, so it is bullshit," Disgruntled, Tobi shrugged it off. "Not like that'll be a problem for me and you."

Mildly bored, the taller man procured out a freshly sharpened scalpel. The tip dug into the pad of his finger, blood welling up around the cut. "Speaking of which, I have some news about your fuck buddy." He placed the edge of the blade on Iruka's stomach, idly drawing it across the firm flesh. The muscles beneath the skin flexed and jumped as sweat broke out.

"Kakashi?" Iruka inhaled sharply, hyperaware of the danger he was in but no longer afraid of it. It wouldn't be the first time they eviscerated him, but the terror of Kakashi being harmed trumped his own safety. Besides, he couldn't die. Kakashi could.

"As we speak, he's at one of our bases, getting ready to meet his literal Grim Reaper." Tobi etched a small symbol, watching the dark red blood well up before coagulating and healing. He retraced the character, carving deeper.

Iruka cringed in pain but he kept still, his eyes watering. Who knows what the bastard would do if he moved away. He valiantly ignored it, focusing on Tobi's words. "Hidan." Vivid images of his confrontation with Hidan poured through his mind and Iruka quivered.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Hidan's finished with him already. Heard he lost it when we kindly informed him of your passing."

Iruka went cold.

"How quaint, you're so concerned for him." Tobi paused, half of the entire scalpel deep inside Iruka. He toyed with the idea of attempting a nephrectomy but the mess it would make turned him away. "Is that romantic?"

"He's not dead," the brunet whispered, wheezing as Tobi's digits pulled viciously at his skin. He groaned lowly, hands writhing. Tears of pain trailed down to his ears, released by the rush of agony submerging his body.

"Denial, nice. I suppose you'll be getting angry next," Tobi hummed. The brunet hiccupped in anguish as he squeezed something tightly.

"He's not dead," Iruka spoke, conviction in his tone despite the waver.

Tobi grinned. A few more slices and he was gripping Iruka's bottommost rib. He gave it a few tugs, testing the resilience of the thin bone. "Let's cut to acceptance shall we?"

"He'll be coming for me. Dead or alive." The brunet grunted, disgusted by the hand digging around his organs. The pain was insurmountable, but he tried to keep his head above the tide of pain. He couldn't afford to black out again. Waking up to find his body opened like an anatomy project had been an experience Iruka would trade for the embrace of death.

"Back to denial. And we made such progress." Tobi tsk'd. "Maybe I'll have Hidan bring his body here and you can see it with your own eyes.

"Fuck you," Iruka growled, jerking. There was no way Kakashi was dead. He knew. His concern lay in the state of Kakashi's mind. Without a doubt, he knew his lover would sink back into the dark, terrible place Iruka had pulled him from. Like an addict with nothing to hold him back, Kakashi would return and Iruka didn't know if he'd come back.

"No thanks, not my thing," Tobi laughed, pulling his hand back and wiping the blood and viscera on Iruka's pants. "But I'll pass the message onto someone who may be more cooperative with the idea." He chuckled.

"I might not be the one to kill you, but he will," Iruka vowed, unafraid.

"Please no, I'm shaking," Tobi mocked.

"You will die, and I hope you fucking burn, goddamn motherfucker."

Much to his amusement Iruka bared his teeth for a second before he snapped his mouth shut and panic flew across his face. The scarred raven grasped Iruka's jaw, his fingers prying it open. "Insolent welp, how dare you talk to your elders like that? Let's see if you're so talkative without teeth," he muttered, smiling at Iruka's wide eyes. Maybe he would pop them, just to hear him scream again.

"I didn't take you for a sadist, Tobi."

Tobi stilled at the new voice, his face locking up in surprise before returning to his usual smile. He rose to his feet after pressing Iruka's face to the floor. "Itachi, nice of you to drop by."

Iruka heaved in relief of the torture, but it was short-lived as his eyes went from one psychotic raven to the other, pausing on the one that looked eerily like Sasuke. Itachi Uchiha, in the flesh. The bottom of his stomach dropped.

"Business."

"And Kisame?"

"Somewhere that doesn't concern you. What are the results?"

Tobi seemed a tad put-off at Itachi's tone but answered happily. "It worked," he pointed at Iruka. "Hidan brought him in, we confirmed death and now look at him. Zetsu and I performed countless trials and it stands as the legitimate product."

Itachi dipped his head a degree. "I see. Where are the others?"

"Dead, dead, mostly dead, and Hidan's dealing with Kakashi right now."

"Were their bodies not sufficient for your trials?"

Itachi's cold, lifeless voice chilled Iruka's blood and he wanted to run. If Tobi scared the shit out of him, Itachi was a fucking nightmare come to life. He had done nothing but talk and he exuded danger and death, like some demon. He lacked the horns and tail but presented with the same aura.

"Ah well, Deidara's body was literally melting in on itself and Sasori's was actually melted. Kakuzu's currently useless, and Pein's secretly trying get away while he can with Konan. Zetsu's around, doing fuck all. Madara?"

"He was in my way." Itachi said simply. "I'll deal with Pein and Konan."

The fear that flickered in Tobi's eyes had Iruka re-biting his bottom lip. This was the man Sasuke was trying to kill, who targeted Naruto and had most of his family murdered. Despair filled him, seeing no way any of them would make it out alive. He closed his eyes and his head dropped.

"Now that you're actually here, what's the plan?" Tobi spoke, his voice lost that happy undertone, falling into something much more serious. Reaching into his coat, he removed a leather-bound case and handed it to Itachi. Inside were several syringes tucked away and filled with black liquid; he had already taken his doses.

Itachi took the box, briefly glancing at the contents before removing the needles. He tugged back the sleeve of his shirt, exposing pale flesh. In one fluid motion, he stabbed the points into his arm and depressed the plungers. "I have a family member that requires a visit."

A/N: One chapter to go. Thanks for the support guys, I appreciate all of you :)