Chapter Eight
"Severed"
Just as the sun crept above the horizon Tsunade placed a hand on his damp shoulder. They were able to find a spot where the river was shallow enough to cross without issue. They returned to the grassy spot where all their belongings were and where they have last seen Naruto.
The twosome remained there the rest of the night anticipating his return, but as soon as morning came a sense of dread came with it. Sasuke sat facing the river his knees drawled up to his chest as he stiffly embraced them his eyes peering out at the spot.
"We can't stop now. We have to keep going, just as we left off." His jaw clenched but he nodded and reluctantly climbed to his feet giving that crystal-clear water one final glance.
"I don't think this will take him out unless, of course, he can't swim. In that case, it would be a problem." She mused aloud. Could demons drown?
"Is that supposed to help!?" He cried out.
She blinked and shook herself out of her reverie, a coy smile on her face. "I suppose it's inevitable that my thoughts gravitate to the negative," she said reflectively, though she couldn't help but add a glimmer of hope at the end. But as long as she had this career - an oxymoron if there ever was one, someone who expects the worst but still believes in the best.
"I'm sure we'll meet in Suna." Unless he's captured or worst...
"What makes you so sure he even knows where Suna is?"
She shrugged slinging her belongings over her right shoulder. "We will leave him a scent trail." That seemed to satisfy the raven.
"Would you like to change your clothing you're still wet through?"
He shook his head, grabbing the rest of their belongings. As the twosome moved in unison, with every tree they passed or a clearing in the woods Sasuke would reach out and glide his hands through the tall grass, feeling it dance between his fingers. He also reached out to touch the bark of a wild pine tree. River Country was just that filled with rivers ranging in sizes, splitting through the patch of land like tiger stripes they avoided civilizations to keep their presence unknown.
The sudden change in temperature was jarring. It went from a crisp cool breeze to the shock of the blustering heat, like a line drawn in the sand where the greenery of River Country stops and then there's only blinding light reflecting off the sand. They were surrounded by dunes in the far distance. If there were no clear markers it would be harder to leave a trail. Tsunade had rolled open her map and compass as they wrapped their faces with their scarfing continuing in the direction of Suna.
Blue pools opened to the brightness of clear skies; he didn't anticipate his head would collide with the rocks below. He sat up in the swallowed water grasping his throbbing head.
"Son of a bitch!" He growled through gritted teeth. "Where the hell am I anyway!" He whipped his head around, trying to find a way to cross the river. His hand dropped as he began to feel panic setting in. He saw all of the trees nearby but no sign of Sasuke or the old lady. He hoped that Sasuke was okay.
He began his trek upstream, picking up speed as he made his way back to the beginning. He was sorry for breaking protocol and taking to the tree tops, hoping from branch to branch so that he would find a way back down.
His spirits lifted as he saw movement in the distance but that soon turned to suspicion, as he saw two very noticeable black cloaks with that familiar red cloud print.
Shit. One of the cloaked individuals was crouched down observing the disturbed grass. "It appears there are only two sets of tracks." The auburn-haired hunter stated.
"So, what, the demon is probably covering his own tracks." Said the one with the long blonde ponytail in an annoyed drawl.
"We will follow orders and keep a safe distance." Said the auburn-haired one.
"Whatever." The blonde with a long ponytail grumbled.
The pair left moving in the direction of the deturbed grass while Naruto remained pressed to a nearby tree he came up with an idea. He needed to draw the pair away from the pair tracks. The main member he wanted wasn't there and so he created a diversion and so with closed eyes he made several shadow clones of himself.
He detached himself from the tree, pushing away to get a better vantage point. He heard the two Akatsuki members pause as they caught wind of his clone, and just like hounds on the scent of a fox they began to pursue but at a distance so as not to alert him. Well, his clone anyway. He smirked from behind a tree. The hell those two were about to go through.
Sunagakure
As they arrived at the village of Suna, an intense sandstorm quickly hit and blinded them. Thankfully, they hid behind a vender carriage as other travelers had done before them. Suddenly, this festival became much more convenient for them, it was their chance to slip in unnoticed which also gave them a reason to see all that Suna has to offer!
The travelers entered the local watering hole and were met with disapproval by the villagers. One of them said, "It's bad enough that these annoying outsiders keep coming in, but now they're drinking too?"
The watering hole was crammed with a slew of travelers from all parts of the map. The duo moved to the bar both claiming a stool. They pulled their scarves down as Tsunade ordered a couple of drinks. They were covered in sand. Even the air tasted of it. When the barkeep returned with two tall glasses one was water the other was clear alcohol.
"Should you be drinking?" Sasuke watched as she down her drink. "I doubt the priest will be available at this time. He is probably swamped with preparation for the festivities. We have time to get to know this place." He was on edge he scanned the place but did not see that familiar face. Now they were at a bar having drinks while Naruto was still missing, and he felt anxious. All the people coming in and out were toying with him he silently cursed as those dark pools drifted to those doors every time someone stepped through.
"I'm going to see if there are any rooms available."
Sasuke stood as she took ahold of his arm. "Here," She placed several golden ryō in his hand, to help pay for the room.
"Come get me in a few hours." He nodded, and she gestured for the barkeep to refill her drink when he came, she gave a polite.
"Leave the bottle." The bartender raised a brow at her but did as she requested. He slid the bottle in her direction which she caught. Despite her appearance, Tsunade was a pro at holding her liquor as an hour passed. Tsunade had her head resting on her folded arms as she eavesdropped on a couple behind her.
"Damn tourist!" One spat while the other agreed.
"Were those other tourists able to find their friends while they were here?"
"They weren't tourists did you see how they were dressed, and the description they gave was like they were reading off a wanted posture describing each one of them with great detail as if they wanted to drill it into our subconscious. Notice how bizarre it was that they gave us their info just in case we did catch sight of them. I don't think those three are their friends at all. What I think is that they are hunting them."
"Really? It was quite a strange exchange. The vibe they gave off was so unnerving. And they had weapons."
"Have you heard about the two terrorists who caused the explosion at the Konohagakure prison? I also heard they took a hostage."
"You think it's them?"
"I'm sure of it. We better keep an eye out."
Hostage? She realized who the hostage was that they were referring to. She wasn't sure if the hunters knew where they were going or just guessed, so the Hokage believed they took Sasuke as a hostage.
Unfortunately, the hotel had only one room but it did have two beds. As he entered the room instinctively, he approached the room's large window the drapes were pulled back showing the sand storm that still rages beyond that it shook the window as the wind howled outside. Subconsciously, he wiped the thin coat of dust from his clothes and hair. Tsunade was wrong. Naruto wasn't here, dolefully those obsidian pools stared out the hotel window at the visible lights from each building. He was a long way from home.
Instinctively, his hand clamped over the mark on his neck as the subconscious recognition hit him like a brick through the head.
The night that Naruto had escaped they were able to connect in his dream. He walked over to the unfamiliar bed. Awkwardly, he laid on his back staring at the crack in the ceiling trying to farce sleep. Slowly his eyes began to close.
Where are you...
After the run-in with the two members, he had waited until the pair began to follow suit after his clone. Deciding to go in a different direction to Suna just in case they caught wind of him.
Where are you...
He had covered a lot of River Country territory instead of cutting straight through like his partners. He would move in an arc, albeit he'd be covering a greater distance; only in hopes he gets the two Akatsuki members off their trail.
Where are you...
He felt the hairs on his arm stand up as something nagged at him abruptly as if an invisible presence was hovering over him. Sasuke. He whispered to himself. He could feel the raven's presence. It was like Sasuke was calling out to him, so Sasuke had to find a spot to meditate. After scoping piles of dry leaves and branches, he jumped into the mound next to a large pine tree; once inside, he allowed himself to go into a deep trance.
At that moment Naruto was moving down a long stretch of hallway arriving at a single door labeled 51. His mate had opened his mind to him again. They were connected by the demon mark, forever tethered together.
He opened the door to the raven silhouette standing in front of a large bedroom window. He stood there staring out the hotel window his concentration unweaving.
"Did you miss me?" The blonde announced and received a scandal to the head. "Okay, I may have deserved that." He laughed scratching his chin.
"What goes through that thick skull of yours? Do you ever think before you act? We thought you got captured or..."
Naruto smiled, "aww, sorry to worry ya, but I'm here now...Well, in spirit."
The raven humphed crossing his arm and turning his back to him.
"Akatsuki is on to us they found both you and Granny's tracks. I was able to distract them, but it's only a matter of time."
Sasuke whipped around at the blonde, "Where are you? I'll come and get you."
"It's safer if I stay away. I'm sorry love but I can't keep putting people in danger and jeopardizing their safety any longer." There was sadness behind those blue pools as the image of his god dad's lifeless body riddled with holes flashed in his mind.
"What?" As soon as he realized what Naruto was saying he tried to cross the distance between them reaching out to him.
"See ya around." He winked before severing their link.
Getting out of his bed was the first thing Sasuke did when he sat up.. He had to find Tsunade and tell her that they needed to find this priest as soon as possible, it was their only hope of stopping the demons from permanently slipping through, then maybe just maybe the shinobi would stop hunting Naruto.