Burn

Chapter 17

Four days before Tami was taken

Luanna grinned down at her cell phone as she read the text her friend sent her.

'Lu, truly, it was nothing but a snooze-fest. It made watching paint dry look exciting.'

'Yeah? If it's so boring, why go?' Luanna typed back. Tami always complained about those functions. And yet, she always went.

'And miss my father making a fool of himself? Dear Lu, for whom do you take me?'

'What was it this time?'

'Art gala. Daddy dearest wanted to impress his peons. See you when I get back?'

'Course. Working on my newest piece. Might be busy for a few days.'

'I'll see you after.'

Luanna sat back and looked out across the studio. No one else was there yet. The furnace was taking its sweet time heating up. It went down last week and today it should hit the right temperature. She wanted to get going, but - she guessed this was as good as it was going to get for now. Instead, she'd just kill some time.

Beside her sat a manga she had been flipping through, Naruto written across the front. Lu had been wanting to get into the series - not for herself, but for her little brother. He didn't talk much, having been non-verbal for most of his life. But he was taken with the kid in orange on the front, as well as Killer B. Call her sentimental, but Lu wanted to connect with him where she could. So, she started looking into it on her own.

It was okay. Not entirely her jam, but instead of reading the entire series she started skipping around. She had the 44th book with her that day. Every additional book she read, she hated that Sasuke kid more and more. His Big Brother pulled something (murder? Something about a coup.), tried to protect him in his sick and twisted ways, and this kid goes off the deep end. It probably didn't help her first panel seeing the character was him trying to kill this girl who just professed her love. Which, really, made her question the girl's sanity. Actually, any of the girl's sanity. They were little more than cheerleaders. The crazy one, Sakura, who hit Naruto all the time was probably the worst offender. But at least the story had some eye candy. That Genma fellow was a looker, so was Asuma (sue her, she liked beards).

"It's what I get… getting sucked into a manga." Lu huffed. That Crazy Uchiha kid was fighting Killer B. The guy was eccentric, but he was alright - a fun character. Lu preferred him way more than anyone else. She liked that she and her brother could connect about someone in the story.

Luanna hadn't even noticed the strange letters shifting under her. She had been so focused on the story she didn't even notice until smoke covered her vision.

Luanna, now Rue*, pressed her lips together. It had been almost eight years since she had last seen Tami. She had a feeling someone else from her world was there. A few of her Kumo brethren had been singing various pop and theater hits from her world. She thought it might have just been a coincidence. She hoped it had been a coincidence.

Of course, it had to be Tami. Why didn't she realize it before?

Why was she even talking to that punk?

Rue looked at her partner, Yumi, as they ran. Suna was half a day's journey. They had to get there fast. She had been the one to push to go after Sasuke - Yumi didn't care. Suna was their main goal. And then Tami was there. Why was she there?

"Who was that? Why'd she call you that?" He asked.

"An old ghost." Rue answered sourly. Tami was a Konoha nin. Konoha. Of course, she was. It meant they'd be at odds. And, from how close she seemed to that Crazy Uchiha - it looked like they'd eventually clash.

"She's with Konoha. They're allied with Suna. Think you can pretend to be her? She might give us better access." Yumi asked her.

Rue tried to not grin at him but failed. It was risky, but Tami probably was high enough in the ranks for her name to get somewhere. And she would be busy for a while. Win, win. Might as well use it.

"It's not like she'll catch up to us soon huh? Might as well take advantage of it." Rue said. She did feel a little bad, leaving Tami like she had but - they had important work to do. Tami would be fine. Rue just wished she had a chance to finish off that Sasuke kid when she had a chance.

"You really thinking about letting them take the One-Tail from that kid?" Yumi asked as they ran.

"Maybe. He lost it, maybe we should just keep it ourselves. We got B and Yugito. We can keep the stupid thing - outnumber Konoha in tails for the first time." Rue said with a grin. She knew Gaara would live. He lived the first time.

"Not a bad plan. We could steal the kid from them instead." Yumi offered, "Take it out ourselves."

"Sounds messy, hon."

Yumi rolled his eyes. He didn't care. The entire point of the thing was to make sure Kumo stood tall at the end of this. Not that they ever didn't. Rue didn't care, so long as the punk got what he deserved and that Akatsuki didn't get what they wanted. That stupid one in the mask wanted all the Jinchuriki. She never did read to the end to find out what exactly happened. Oh well.

X

I tried to pull myself together. Suna - I should - no. No, Gaara had his responsibilities. I had mine. Sasuke still needed me. He was still close by. He had to be.

Though the question did present itself - why had they been in such a hurry to get to Suna? What was Luanna doing here? When had she even -. Before I was taken, she hadn't been responding to my texts. I thought she had either been busy and forgot, or simply was lost in her work (which tended to happen). Instead she-.

She was the reason the missing nin from Kumo pulled me in. They must have not gotten the answers they wanted from her or some-such. Then with knowing they could get the info, started looking into doing it again. It must have been an accident the first time with Lou, so they used Orochimaru to complete it. Which was why my stupid arm had that stupid scar.

Grand. It meant this whole thing was going to get messier. I didn't know if Lou knew anything about the series. I didn't know what she knew that I didn't know. Why had she attacked Sasuke? And why had they left for Suna so quickly?

Despite the static that still danced up and down my arm, the pain twinging, I pulled out a kunai and pressed my thumb against it. Shortly thereafter, I summoned Pakkun.

"Yeah, Boss-Lady?" He asked, looking up at me curiously. He nearly immediately noticed my arm and frowned.

"M'fine." I said in the steadiest voice I could muster, "I need you to tell Kakashi and Tsunade that something must be going on in Suna. Kumo nin came by, tried to attack Sasuke. They couldn't get him, and then ran off to Suna."

Pakkun grunted. He looked me over again and nodded, "you got it."

"One - one last thing. Before you go." I added, noticing he was about to leave, "one of them was an old friend of mine. From before here. Her name is Luanna, sounds like she's going by Rue now."

Understanding dawned on Pakkun. He didn't say a word, nodding quickly and vanishing in haste. Good. Tsunade and Kakashi would be aptly prepared to do whatever with that information.

I shook off the shock in my arm, ignoring the blue lights that danced up and down my scar. I got up to my feet and went to try to find Sasuke. He surely was okay. But I needed to try at least once more to get him to come back.

I shifted to hide once more as I hunted him down. What was he up to? What was Sasuke doing there? Simply getting more subjects for Orochimaru?

I'll admit - I thought better of him. But I suppose that thirst for power to get even with his brother was what drove him.

Was he beyond saving? I hoped not. I didn't know how his story ended in the original telling. For all I knew, both he and his brother…..

No. No, neither I nor Naruto would allow it. Surely that accounted for something. It must account for something.

X

Maya sat quietly at her desk. Well, Jiraiya's desk. It was about time. Shippuden would start, Naruto would return, and everything….

It was all off the tracks now. She couldn't really stop it anymore. It made her feel a little sick. Ebisu was still around. In fact-.

"Maya-chan! I understand you're excited your father is returning, but your history lesson cannot wait!" Ebisu snapped at her. Maya fought every urge to groan. She was grown! But Tsunade insisted. Maya knew enough.

"Yes, Ebisu-sensei." She grumbled. The man snorted at her. She knew about the founders - but, like all else, there were things even she hadn't known.

Back then, she knew that there were other clans involved in the wars. Sure, the Senju and Uchiha were the core of it - but it was deeper than that. The Hatake clan used to be bigger. Way bigger. They had been on the Uchiha side years ago before Konoha even began, seeking refuge. Farmers turned shinobi under Uchiha's guidance, and one particular Hatake seemed to blossom under their guidance (the name had been blotted out from the text, but Maya had a strong feeling she knew who it was). The clan's skills were said to be specialized in hand-to-hand as well as weapons. While the Namikaze clan had been just as big once upon a time. They had been allied with the Senju but had been key in helping keep the peace. The Uchiha respected the Namikaze to a degree. The other clans, save for the Hyuuga, Yamanaka, and Inuzuka seemed to have been sucked into the battles here and there throughout decades before the founding of Konoha. It was when a partnership had broached between the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans that assisted the Uchiha and Senju clans combining all of the clans into one village. The Nara had been associates of the Uchiha, the Akimichi were associated with the Senju - and the Yamanaka - well, it was insurance to the more resistant Senju that the Uchiha would behave. Closer to the end, the Hyuuga were inducted as a middle ground. Konoha managed to become and create the very first Ninja village.

While Maya was reading through the books (really, it would be cooler if she wasn't forced to do it), she hadn't even noticed Ebisu had left. She was halfway through the chapter when-.

"What? No greeting for your dear old dad?" A voice boomed. Maya flinched, her dad was-? She snapped up and turned to look. Ebisu stood beside Jiraiya who loomed in the doorway.

Oh. Right. That dad. She managed a weak smile.

"Oh. Hey." She managed to force out.

Ebisu scowled at her from beside her dad, "Maya-chan! You should be more kind to your father! He has been away for so long and wanted to see you!"

Jiraiya just grinned at her from the doorway. "Thanks. I'll take it from here."

Ebisu bowed and left - and Maya was left with a strange man she knew way more than he did of her.

"So. You're still here," Jiraiya said. Maya shifted in her chair. Tami respected that she wouldn't say anything for right then, but Jiraiya?

"Maybe."

"Feeling generous to us cartoons?" He asked, sitting down on the open chair behind her. He sat down heavily but at the same time made absolutely no noise. It made no sense to her! How'd he do- oh yeah, ninja.

"You know, I'm studying." Maya said, moving to turn around and read. If it got rid of him, it would be beneficial for both of them. Maya still didn't know what she should even do. Tell them everything? Or trickle it in? Did it even matter? Danzo was gone and Sai, from last she heard, was stuck in the T&I for treatment.

"Tsunade said you hated history."

"Yeah, well - it's kinda pointless-"

"When you know it all?" Jiraiya finished for her. She flinched.

She heard him sigh, but not much else. She couldn't even hear his clothes shift. She glanced back at him from the corner of her eye - he had sat back in his chair, his arms crossed as he studied her. He just watched her and finally - Maya could feel her resolve crack. She spun back around and pulled her legs up to cross them under her.

"You're being weird." She snapped.

"I'm weird? You're ignoring your dear old man!" Jiraiya complained. She frowned at him, crossing her arms next. Really! She almost preferred it if he was a complete pervert! This version of him was so annoying!

"Don't you have bath-houses to stalk and Tsunade to harrass?"

He didn't react to the accusation. The Jiraiya she knew would have boasted about his Perverted status. Had he changed that much? Maya never really saw him as much other than a pervert and Sensei to Naruto and Minato. He was just a caricature. Nothing else.

"Is that what you want?" He asked her, his eyes narrowing.

"What I-?" Maya jerked back. Was he-. Was he insinuating something? Her lips pressed together.

"You've stayed in my home while I trained Naruto. You haven't told anyone anything. I hear from Tsunade that you're scared of change. If that's what you want, maybe you should have gone home. The story you knew is the same there. That Oliver guy might be prosecuted for your disappearance. What a waste of a sacrifice." Jiraiya pointed out. His arms tightened across his chest as he leaned back once more in his chair.

Maya stared at him. She tried not to think about that. She tried not to.

"I-I…" She began, glancing down - her hand was shaking. "I don't-."

He didn't say a word. Just watching her. There was something that just hurt to know Jiraiya was the one who looked at you disappointingly. He was always the one screwing up. To see him looking at her like she was the screw-up - it hurt worse.

"I don't want to mess this place up. There's so many people here! And so many good guys that aren't even in Konoha! And you know it!" Maya quickly ranted out, she could barely even stop herself, "If I tell anyone what happens too soon, it might not even happen! And then - then it could get worse! And then I don't know what will happen! I don't even know if it will happen now! There's so much that's changed!"

"And what's changed?"

"Ebisu was supposed to train Konohamaru! He was supposed to be the sensei. Shisui was just gone, he never showed back up! Danzo was never ousted from the village. Orochimaru was only supposed to lose the use of his arms. Hayate was supposed to die. You were never in a relationship with Tsunade. You didn't even know she loved you until you went to your death!" Maya snapped out. It took her a second to realize what she had just said. Spoilers. She snapped her hands over her mouth, expecting some sort of pain or curse to enact, and - nothing. Nothing happened.

"Well. Looks like Orochimaru never cursed you." Jiraiya said, "I suspect he wanted to make sure you never exposed where he was, or what he was doing if you saw anything. I doubted he'd let you go if he had an inkling you knew anything."

Maya sat there. She felt numb. That entire time. That entire time, she wasn't even cursed! Her hands shook.

"I always knew my death would be dramatic." He sighed as he relaxed in the chair. He rubbed the side of his neck and gave another long sigh, "Well. Anything else you need to get out?"

"Sai - get Sai out of the T&I jailhouse. He needs to be put in Team 7. And Ten-Yamato needs to be on Team 7 as well." Maya said, her voice uneven. Her hands were still shaking, but there wasn't anything else she could do.

"Yamato…?"

"Tenzo. Tenzo, Bear, the Anbu. He was one of the ones watching over me. He needs to be on Team 7 to watch over Naruto! It's not like you don't know this!" Maya snapped at him. Jiraiya grunted and then pulled his Kimono shirt down to expose the scar Naruto surely had given him.

"You'll be happy to know I already did enlist the help of Captain Yamato. You'll also be pleased to know he chose the same cover name, and Naruto still marked me. Some things have changed. But not everything. We'll use what we can. Can we trust that you'll tell us important intel when it comes up?" He asked.

Maya looked him in the eye. Out of everyone - out of any of the Sanin, out of any of the shinobi - Maya knew Jiraiya had the same goal as her. Without even a hesitation, she nodded.

"Yes - I- I mean - yes." Maya stuttered. She was more sure of that than anything going on in her life.

Jiraiya nodded, a smile crossing his face. For just a second - for just that one second, Maya could see the man she had admired for a scene with the Ame orphans. Sure, he was a pervert, but he cared for three kids in a foreign village and helped them.

"By the way - who is Sai? I don't remember anyone with that name in the papers we were given." He asked. Maya paused. Wait - wait. Sai wasn't there? He had to be there! Maybe Danzo took him with?

"Can I see? He needs to be on Team 7!" Maya insisted.

"We can. But it's ultimately up to Kakashi." He said.

Maya sat there as she tried to formulate what to do. Sai had to be on Team 7! After all, he met Ino and they fell in love and had a child! She couldn't mess up Canon that bad!

X

Sasuke kept to the side of the wall, as close as he dared to get. Even Kumo couldn't stop him. He didn't even know why they were after him. And Tami…. She looked like she was fine. He should have went to check on her, but he had things he needed to get done. And he needed to keep his distance. He almost crumbled. He had to take Itachi down. Itachi and Orochimaru. They were the biggest threat to Konoha that he knew of. He heard of whispers of another threat to Konoha, but he didn't stock in it. For now - he had work to do.

Sasuke could see Kabuto in the distance. Karin and Suigetsu were with him. That had been his team, but after sneaking out of the compound and abandoning Team Hebi. The managed to outwit Orochimaru, signing the contract with the Snakes to ensure Orochimaru couldn't use his Snakes against him. Orochimaru really had thought he was loyal to them. He had thought the power the mark on his neck promised was loud enough.

He was wrong.

Sasuke might have left Konoha on what everyone thought was a whim. It wasn't. It fit into his plans almost perfectly. Oliver had helped him realize he was being impulsive. He wasn't seeing the whole picture. He had been so focused on one thing and the next - he needed to see the entire field.

For now, he was paying his penance. But soon, soon, he would be shifting to complete his ideals.

Kabuto was still a small threat to him. Sasuke was sure he could lure him in a trap if it came to it. Sasuke moved to get closer. He- he sensed her too late. He felt hands on his ankles and violently pulled back. Sasuke fell on his face, the hands pulling him back into the dark shadows. He spun, knowing exactly who would be there. Tami hovered over him, a grimace on her face as she looked him down.

"What are you doing? Kabuto is right there!" Sasuke hissed.

"He's under a genjutsu. He's not going to sense us." She snipped. How had she managed to do that? Maybe with the use of her blue bird?

Sasuke scowled at her. She grimaced again - Sasuke could see blue light flickering up and down her arm. He tried not to feel bad.

"Sasuke- what are you doing?" She asked, desperation filling her tone. Sasuke looked away. "You were fine. You were fine the day before and then you left."

Sasuke wouldn't meet her gaze. He pushed himself up and sat back against the wall. He still wouldn't look at her.

"You - you already decided you were leaving, hadn't you?" She asked him finally. Sasuke pressed his lips together. He had. After spending the night at her place, he realized just being there had put Itachi's sights on her. Now, Kabuto and Orochimaru were going to go after her too.

"Tami - I don't have time for this." He said coldly, "Do whatever you're going to do and be done with it. You're wasting my time."

He had hoped to make her angry again and with that, he could slip away. Instead, she sat back on her heels and watched him for a long minute. He subtly began to ready himself to leave before she interrupted him once more.

"In a month, why don't we meet up? I hear there's a lovely shop in a tiny village south-west of Iwa. Tara, I think? There's - lovely, there's so much you need to know." She told him.

Sasuke sent her a dirty look, "Why should I?"

"Shisui lives."

Sasuke felt his feet give out under him. He fell on his bottom, leaning against the wall behind him. Shisui - his cousin, Shisiu? Sasuke felt his chest tighten and he tried to breathe in. His cousin. Shisui.

"There's.. There's more." She whispered. A bird above them chirped. A frown crossed her features, and she jumped to her feet.

"Tara, in a month, Sasuke. Lunch on me, ah? Stay safe." She told him. Sasuke finally met her eye. She smiled weakly, sending him a wink, "I'll give you some cover. Get out of here. Don't entertain gremlins."

Sasuke watched her as she left. He wasn't - he wasn't the only Uchiha anymore. Shisui lived. Whatever Itachi had done to him - Shisui was still alive.

X

The minute Pakkun showed up, he knew it wasn't good. Tsunade needed to know.

Kakashi immediately went to her office that morning after. It didn't take long at all for him to get there.

"What's wrong?"

"Kumo nin attacked Sasuke. They're heading to Suna next. Apparently - one of the nin was an old friend of Tami-chan." Kakashi explained softly, "From what they were saying - it sounds like something was going on in Suna."

Tsunade frowned. She tapped her desk softly.

"An old friend, huh?" She asked, sending him a critical look. Kakashi nodded. It meant that maybe they weren't the only ones with future insight.

"Do you know if she knows anything?"

Kakashi shook his head, "No. We don't know. But to attack Sasuke unprovoked, unless he had taken Kumo ninja…. She must know something."

Tsunade hummed, her lips pressed together. She looked over to Shizune.

"Go get Sakura-chan. I'm sending you out as soon as-"

"Hey! Grandma!"

Naruto ran up the stairs and into the room, Jiraiya behind him. The older man had taken his time climbing the stairs and entering the room. Shizune slipped out of the room, sending the two a small wave as she passed.

"Oh - hey." Naruto said flatly, sending Kakashi a dark look. Kakashi blinked - what'd he do?

"Well. Look at what the cat dragged in. Naruto. Jiraiya. Good to see you both. I have a mission for team seven." Tsunade said,

"Already?" Naruto asked. "I just got here!"

Kakashi knocked him in the head. Already? He had thought Naruto would be excited to go! The two traded glares as Sakura entered the room.

"We'll take the mission, Tsunade-sama." Kakashi said.

"Oi, oi - since Sasuke is gone can Tami-chan be in our team?" Naruto asked. Tsunade raised her eyebrows as she glanced at Kakashi and Sakura groaned, facepalming.
"She already has a team, Naruto." Tsunade told him.

"Wait - what?! No, take Kakashi-sensei! They can trade then! We-"

"Naruto, you can't just trade out Sensei's!" Sakura barked at him, hitting him upside the head. Naruto whined, holding his head. Kakashi sighed. Naruto must have decided to be difficult with him. What happened to his cute little student?

Kakashi nodded. It was too bad. He wanted to test Naruto and see how much stronger he had gotten in the two years he was gone. Sakura, too. Tami-chan said she seemed cleverer now, but he wanted to test it out himself.

Tsunade let the group collect some semblance of peace and turned to Kakashi once more, "Go to Suna and find Gaara. See what you can find out. We have intel that says something might be going on." Tsunade explained.

The remnant of Team 7 nodded and left. Immediately the three headed out toward Suna. Whatever mood Naruto had been in was over as they headed to Suna. Both he and Sakura talked as they went.

"Sakura-chan! Did you miss me?" He tried, but Sakura only sighed. "I heard Granny trained you!"

"She did. And she taught me how to punch too!" Sakura warned him. Naruto grimaced and Kakashi felt some bit of peace. Maybe Naruto would behave better now with the threat of Sakura punching him. Maybe.

"Did Tami-chan move?" Naruto asked suddenly.

Kakashi almost hit the ground. Wait, what?

"Uhh…"

"Naruto, don't ask about that. Especially out here! It's personal." Sakura snapped.

"Tami-chan knew me longer! I have a right to know." Naruto snapped back.

Technically, Kakashi knew her longer. However, arguing with a teen was a bad idea.

"We can talk about this later, Naruto-kun." Kakashi tried.

Naruto sent him a dark look. "Where's Tami-chan?"

What idea was bouncing around his head? Kakashi had no idea, the kid was creative. He sighed, mentally promising both Minato and Kushina he would do his best with their son. He was really going to try his best.

This had to be his penance. It had to be. None of his other partnerships or groups had been this difficult.

End

AN: Hey guys - thank you for bearing with me through this short break. Some things were going on in the background that I felt it would be better if I worked through without trying to force a chapter through. Especially with one as pivotal as this one is. I've already been concerned about the quality of my fic since chapter 10, so I didn't want to add fuel to that fire. Maybe one day I'll repost all of Sparks and Burn together as its own thing, fully edited and cleaned up as I'd like it. Maybe.

In other news, I need to find out what to do about Reina. Would anyone mind if I just dropped her from the story? I can later change it so that she's not really in the story later on if no one else minds.

Anyway - I hope you like the chapter. As for my AO3 readers, I'm playing with the idea of changing up the POV changes, maybe adding sketches of the characters and really utilizing the graphic aspect. I can draw and toyed with the idea of maybe sketching the funny/cute scenes (or even some action-y ones) for funsies. Let me know what you think! Would you love it? Hate it? Only want it at the end? Inquisitive minds want to know!

I am sorry that the chapter is shorter than normal. But, for right now - this is what I have. Thank you everyone! I hope you enjoyed it.

*Luanna changed her name to better fit in. There are no "L"s. I thought it might be fun to see the different ways these characters handle their situation.