ELEVEN
Ame: Part I
"Uchiha Itachi. Uzumaki Naruto" a voice overhead called out.
The blonde below winced at the sound of his own name. He would never get use to the malice that laced Pein's voice. The Uzumaki and Uchiha stood in the cave where the Gedo statue was. They stood below the statue staring at he hologram of their leader who stood on the head of the statue. The blonde sighed then glanced over at his partner. Itachi had the same look, as always, which was nothing. The Uchiha showed no emotion as usual. Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Pein-sama?" the blonde replied for both he and his partner.
"Orochimaru, Kabuto and Uchiha Sasuke has been taken care of I assume?" the voice rang out once more.
"Yes, Pein-sama," Naruto nodded.
"Good," the hologram nodded in return, "Your next mission has been decided."
"Already?" Itachi's monotone voice questioned.
"Yes, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Itachi and Kisame are to obtain the eight tails and the two tails located in Kumogakure," Pein answered.
"Yes, Pein-sama," Itachi nodded then turned to see Kisame stepping into the opening.
"Wait, I have already given you the one-tails and the nine-tails! I think I'm finished," Naruto snarled, "Plus you promised me something, Pein-sama."
"Very well then, Naruto. Itachi, Kisame, please obtain the tailed beasts," the voice boomed.
Itachi glanced back at the blonde one last time, then turned to head out with Kisame. They headed out towards the hidden cloud, leaving Naruto standing in the middle of the cave awaiting his newest training.
"Naruto, we will begin tomorrow morning," Pein said.
"Yes, sir," Naruto said as he bowed then headed out of the cave as well. He was thankful to start the training the next day as there was something he wanted to do.
000
The newly reassembled team Kakashi was making their way to the Village Hidden in the Clouds, doing what the ninjas do best; jumping through trees. Kakashi was in the front leading the team of four, as he was the leader for this mission. Shikamaru was to his left slightly behind him. Sakura was to his right slightly behind him as well. In the back was a new face, Sai. Both Shikamaru and Sakura found Sai to be a bit strange. He seemed to have no emotion, but plenty of attitude since he seemed to say whatever he wanted with no consideration for the other person. Although, Sakura thought Sai looked a bit like Sasuke in a way. As assumed, Sakura and Shikamaru didn't particularly like Sai, but they got along enough for the sake of the mission of course.
"Lets stop here and rest. We aren't expected by the Cloud until tomorrow afternoon and we only have less than half a day left of travel," Kakashi said as he landed in a small clearing in the forest followed by the others.
The four set up a temporary campsite. They didn't even bother to put a tent, since it was a nice night. A few hours later, the four ninja sat around a campfire in silence, until Sai broke the silence.
"So, tell me about that blond hair boy that dropped off the three missing-nins," Sai said out loud without looking up from the fire, "I believe Naruto was his name."
Sai looked up and found three different expressions looking at him. Sakura looked sad, while Shikamaru looked pissed. Kakashi had his normal expression on.
"Why?" Sakura asked.
"He seemed to have quiet an affect on the people of the village, especially Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya," Sai said looking back down at the fire, "I was curious as to why."
"Well, you're our team mate now, so you should know about Naruto," Kakashi nodded.
Sai looked around at the three ninja who were all staring at the fire with the same expression, disheartened.
"Naruto was my student when he was a genin with Sakura and Sasuke, one of men Naruto brought back that day. Naruto was also a student of Jiraiya who thought of Naruto like his grandson. Tsunade was very close to him as well, she thought of him like a little brother. Naruto had a way of changing people's hearts," Kakashi smiled as he remembered the little blonde haired boy, "But Naruto was the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, before sacrificing himself to the Akatsuki when they attacked our village. That day we assumed Naruto had died. We went to retrieve his body and had a funeral for him. But when we went to protect the Kazekage, who also was one of Naruto's closest friends, we found out he was alive and working with the Akatsuki."
"Why is he working with the Akatsuki if he was such a great kid?" Sai asked still looking at Kakashi.
Kakashi shook his head indicating he doesn't know.
Sai stood up and started walking towards on of the trees, "well, he's a traitor now, a missing-nin. He must be taken-"
Before Sai or anyone else could react, Shikamaru had Sai pushed against the nearest tree with a Kunai at his neck. Kakashi and Sakura had stood up, but didn't stop Shikamaru.
"You will not speak badly about Naruto. He may have deflected from the village but he is still our comrade, our friend, understood?" Shikamaru growled.
Sai just nodded, not wanting to make the situation worse. Shikamaru released him and walked over to where his sleeping bag was, avoiding Kakashi and Sakura's gaze. Shikamaru laid down facing way from everyone.
"Lets get some sleep," Kakashi said as he turned around to follow Shikamaru's lead.
Sai and Sakura nodded and did as they were told.
A few hours later, Kakashi, Sakura and Sai were sound a sleep, but Shikamaru was wide-awake and staring at the sky. The brunette was still wearing his typical uniform but his vest was unzipped. Suddenly he heard something land on the nearest tree, he jumped up ready for the attack but saw Naruto standing on a tree branch. Naruto nodded his head indicating for Shikamaru to follow.
A few moments later, Shikamaru found Naruto facing away from him looking over a lake. Shikamaru had unconsciously pulled Naruto's necklace out from underneath his shirt and held it. They were a few miles from where the brunette's team was sleeping. Shikamaru walked up so he was standing next to Naruto. He then reached his hand over to the blondes and grabbed it. Naruto held Shikamaru's hand as they stood in silence for a while.
Shikamaru finally broke the silence, "why are you here, Naruto?"
Naruto smiled still facing away from Shikamaru, "I sensed your chakra in the area and I wanted to see you."
Naruto then turned to find Shikamaru looking at him. Naruto looked down at the necklace the brunette was still holding and smiled. The blond reached his hand up and laid it on the side of the brunettes face as he leaned in a kissed the brunette. Shikamaru kissed him back as he grabbed the blonde's waist and pulled him in closer. After a few minutes, Naruto pulled back and looked into Shikamaru's eyes.
Naruto smiled at the lazy brunette, "I love you, ya know."
Shikamaru returned the smile, "I know."
Shikamaru pulled the blonde into another kiss.
After a while, Naruto and Shikamaru sat by the lake in silence.
"Shika?" Naruto asks.
"Hmm?" Shikamaru grunts as he lies back on his back with his arms behind his head to look up at the sky.
"Why me?" Naruto's voice suddenly turned serious.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Shikamaru asks as he noticed Naruto's tone changed.
"Why did you choose me? I mean there are a lot of nice, good-looking guys in the village. So, why me? I'm a rogue ninja and an Akatsuki member at that," Naruto explain as he was looking in his lap.
"Well, Naruto, I've been in love with you since we were in the academy. Those feelings just don't go away when you left the village," Shikamaru closed his eyes and shrugged.
"Really? Since the academy?" Naruto glanced over at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru smiled still looking up at the sky, "Yes. When did you fall in love with me?"
Naruto retuned the smile, "hmm, well I guess it would be when we went to retrieve Sasuke, but I don't think I realized it until after we returned."
"Hmm, why?" Shikamaru countered.
"Why what?"
Shikamaru laughed, "Why did you fall in love with me?"
"There's not just one reason, Shika. There are many," Naruto whispered smiling into his lap, "what about you? Why did you fall for me?"
"Because you are the light that make my shadows stronger."
Naruto looked over at Shikamaru who was already starring at him, "Really?"
Shikamaru nodded, "really."
After a few more minutes of silence, Shikamaru sat up, "So you can use water, lighting and wind?"
"Shikamaru, I really don't want to talk about that kind of stuff," Naruto spoke as he looked forward.
Shikamaru just nodded, as he understood what Naruto wanted.
"But I would like to know what happened to Sasuke," Naruto's voice turned serious again.
"Well, after you left Shizune had the ANBU take Sasuke and Kabuto to the Intel center and we don't know what happened to Orochimaru. We haven't been able to see Sasuke, I have even tried. Sakura is the only one Tsunade will let see him. I asked her how he was once, and she said that he hasn't spoken a word," Shikamaru explained.
"He must be really mad at me for bringing him back to the village," Naruto said as he brought his knees up to his chest.
"I don't know Naruto," Shikamaru replied.
"How is everyone else? I mean besides you, I really don't get to talk to anyone and see how they are doing," Naruto said quietly.
"Hmm, lets see. Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei are together and Kurenai had a kid. So team ten broke up and I am on Kakashi-sensei's team now. Everyone in our class is a Jonin now, even Lee," Shikamaru thought out loud.
"How about Jiraiya? Tsunade? And Kakashi?" Naruto questioned.
"Tsunade's fine, but she always seems pissed now-a-days. Kakashi well, he's even more reserved than usual. We really never see Jiraiya any more," Shikamaru answered.
"Oh."
"You know, we used to have a tradition, where all of us go to Ichiraku's twice a year," Shikamaru said noticing Naruto's sudden mood swing.
"Twice a year?" Naruto asked still looking straight ahead.
"Yes, October 10th and June 6th," Shikamaru muttered.
When Shikamaru looked over at Naruto, the blonde was staring at him with wide eyes.
"We still do actually," Shikamaru looked back up at the sky.
"Why?" Naruto asked still looking directly at Shikamaru. Naruto could feel the sting of tears about roll out of his eyes.
"Because we miss you Naruto. Even though you're with the Akatsuki and you led us to believe you were dead for three years, we still think of you as a friend," Shikamaru said.
"I see. It's getting late, Shikamaru. I have to go," Naruto said reluctantly as he stood up.
Shikamaru followed Naruto's lead and stood up. Naruto grabbed the brunette's waist and pulled him close. They embraced for a while until Naruto pulled away and kissed the brunette.
When the brunette finally pulled away, he lead his head against the blonde's "I love you,"
"I know," Naruto pulled away from Shikamaru and the disappeared.
Shikamaru sighed and looked at the lake. He pulled his hair tie out and let his hair fall to his shoulders. Shikamaru rubbed his temples like he had a headache. He was still sitting by the lake, when he felt a presence. He looked over his shoulder and saw Kakashi a ways back.
How long has he been there? Did he see Naruto?
"Kakashi," Shikamaru called.
"Shikamaru, this is where you've been?" Kakashi called back.
"Yeah," Shikamaru answered.
"We are packing up, so lets go," Kakashi nodded in the direction of their camp.
Shikamaru stood up and tied his hair back up. He started walking back to where Kakashi was standing, but stopped when he saw Kakashi narrow his eye.
"Where did you get that?" the silver hair ninja asked.
"Get what?" Shikamaru asked placing his hand in his pockets and continued walking.
"That." Kakashi said pointing to the necklace hanging around the brunette's neck.
Shikamaru looked down. Shit, I forgot I had taken it out. Shikamaru looked back up at Kakashi who was still waiting for an answer.
"Someone gave it to me," Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. He took his hand out of his pocket and tucked the necklace back into his shirt.
"Who?" Kakashi pushed.
"Someone special to me," Shikamaru replied eyeing Kakashi hoping he would drop the subject.
Kakashi understood Shikamaru's look and dropped the subject, even though he already knew the answer. The brunette and the silver hair ninja walked back to the camp, where Sai and Sakura had already packed up.
000
"Tsunade-sama," Jiraiya spoke softly as he opened the door, since Naruto had escaped a few weeks ago and then returned with Orochimaru, Sasuke and Kabuto, he had been careful about what he said to her.
The blonde Hokage sat at her desk looking over paper work, she was resting her head on her hand. She looked up at the white haired man without moving from her position.
"Yes?" she replied.
"I have got some information on the Akatsuki," Jiraiya replied as he stepped inside the office and closed the door behind him.
Tsunade's interest suddenly spiked and she put down paper. She laced her fingers in front of her face and looked at the man with narrowed eyes.
"What?" Tsunade asked.
"I believe I have located the leader, Pein," Jiraiya answered walking up to the desk.
Tsunade's eyes widened, "Where?"
"The Hidden Rain village."
"Hidden Rain? You mean Hanzou?" Tsunade asked confused.
"No, it seems that the Hidden Rain was taken over and Hanzou was defeated several years ago. Since the Hidden Rain is so secluded from the rest of the world, no one knew about it…" Jiraiya explained.
"Giving the Akatsuki a perfect cover," Tsunade looked away.
"Exactly," Jiraiya nodded in agreement.
"What are you thinking?" Tsunade asked turning in her chair towards the windows behind her.
"I came to get your permission to infiltrate the Hidden Rain village, and pursue more Intel on the Akatsuki," Jiraiya said to the back of the chair.
"I don't know, Jiraiya. The Akatsuki members are extremely dangerous, especially since we have only seen a fraction of what they can do," Tsunade replied to the window.
"You need to trust me, Tsunade. I am not that week little kid that you met when we were genins," Jiraiya smirked.
"I know, but if Orochimaru couldn't fight them, how can you? Or me?" Tsunade replied, as her voice got quiet.
"I am not going there to fight them. I am going to gather information. If I find my self in a dangerous situation, I will pull my self out," Jiraiya persuaded the blonde.
Tsunade sighed in defeat, "very well, but if you see Naruto, do no engage him. He's more powerful than you or I."
"I know and I don't plan to," Jiraiya replied.
"And Jiraiya?" Tsunade said as she turned back around.
"Hm?"
"Come back alive," Tsunade said with a smirk.
Jiraiya only nodded and left the office.
Naruto, what happened to you? Tsunade thought to herself as she turned to look out the window.