Chapter 34
Obito undid the chains and scooped up Kakashi. The Omega slumped against him, relaxed in his deep, Sharingan induced sleep. He made sure Kakashi wouldn't remember his Sharingan. It wasn't the time to introduce himself to the world as 'Madara'. For now he would remain in the shadows. Or at least, that was supposed to be the plan, but Kakashi had ruined that rather early.
There were people who knew of his existence (now named Mr. Kidnapper, fuck sake, Kakashi.), and they would be wary.
He brought himself and Kakashi to his wing in the Land of Water Daimyo's castle. Obito had been given it the moment he had become the Daimyo's personal advisor, and Obito had kept it for this purpose.
It would be a safe, secure and comfortable place to keep Kakashi. Obito made sure to appear in the bedroom, the bedroom even more luxurious than the bedroom in the inn. Obito had thought that had been fancy enough. This made the inn look almost poor in comparison. He laid Kakashi on the bed and grabbed his arm, placing the bracelet he had left on the bedside table around Kakashi's wrist, clicking it shut.
The bracelet glowed for a moment, before the seals disappeared into Kakashi's skin, sealing off his chakra. Sure, his pregnancy already made it hard to access his chakra network all the time, but this would stop Kakashi from using it at all.
He was not going to escape.
He changed Kakashi into his new pyjamas then settled Kakashi beneath the blankets bundled up on the bed. It was late Summer, but the Land of Water was chiller than the Land of Fire, so Kakashi would enjoy the extra warmth. The bed was huge, with the main padded blanket that was so long it almost spilled on to the floor, then all the extra blankets that buried the bed. Kakashi was already curled up on his side, burying his face into the stuffed pillows, and Obito couldn't help but press a kiss to his hair.
"Sleep well," Obito muttered.
Then he left. Kakashi would sleep for as long as Obito wanted him to, and right now Obito wanted to get back to Konoha and see what else transpired.
.::.
Yami dropped down by Izumi's side and nuzzled her. "Your clone and Sasuke have safely arrived at the Hatake Estate. The wards have kept outsiders out."
"Good to hear." Izumi smirked, and drew down an old ANBU mask of a panther to cover her face. "I'm going now."
"Do try to be careful," Yami said, then disappeared in a puff of smoke.
She activated her invisibility and headed straight for where she knew the Elders would be. The underground safe house. She would assassinate them and begin the plans to destroy the old council once and for all. It was time for a new era.
.::.
Kiba really didn't want to work with Neji of all people. But if it was for the sake of Hinata then he would.
"I don't get it." Kiba frowned.
"What don't you get?" Neji asked.
"Your branch family stuff. Your father should have been apart of the main branch, considering he was the head's brother. So why wasn't he?" Kiba asked.
As far as Kiba was aware, the head branch consisted of the main bloodline. The others were distant relatives of the main branch, like cousins and second cousins and yada yada.
Neji grimaced. "My father failed a mission. He had been one of the youngest on it, working alongside the White Fang of Konoha, who was their team leader."
Kiba recognised that name. His ma said it with great respect. But who the hell was it again?
"The mission failed because the White Fang chose to save his team over completing the mission which lead to the last World War."
Kiba's blood ran cold.
"In the clan's eyes my father had failed, just as the White Fang did. He never should have been saved, they said, they said he should have died on that field, that he shouldn't have allowed the White Fang to save him and his team," Neji growled. "In their eyes, he was a failure, and so they cast his name from the main household's records and banished him to the branch family. Him, and all his descendants."
Kiba shook his head. "That's horrible! It wasn't his fault, and the White Fang was just trying to save his squad. Why would anyone blame them?"
"They needed someone to blame for the cause of the World War. The White Fang and his squad were the perfect punching bags," Neji said coldly.
Kiba cursed. "Fuck that! The White Fang is a hero. He's always been a hero. My family respect him way too much to think that he fucked up."
Neji smirked. "Oh? Did they stand up for him before he committed suicide then?"
"He what?!" Kiba gasped. "What the hell are you talking about? The history books say he died for Konoha-"
"Just as the Hyuga's history tells of my father sacrificing his life for Konoha. When instead he sacrificed his life to save Lady Hinata's father, whom he loved very much."
Kiba stopped at that, as did Neji. "What the fuck?" Kiba cursed. "And you only just found that out? You've been pissed off with Hinata for no reason, all this time?"
"You really are vulgar for someone who is supposed to be Lady Hinata's mate," Neji complained.
"Why the hell are people lying about this shit? I don't like any of it!" Kiba spat, and raced back into the tress.
"Wait, you idiot!" Neji sprinted after him.
"I won't let any of this stand! I'm going to beat Naruto to being Hokage, and when I do I'm going to fix all this!"
"And just how are you going to do that?"
"I don't know yet, but the idea of the White Fang's suicide being covered up, or your old man dying to protect Konoha when he just wanted to save his brother pisses me off!" Kiba understood why ma refused to go to the counsel meetings. The backstabbing ruthlessness would have strangled her. She wouldn't be his ma. No, she'd be a cold hearted bitch.
"I really don't like the idea of someone as reckless and wild as you being Lady Hinata's mate. Are you both really sure you're right for each other?"
Kiba grinned. "Hell yeah. I love her!"
.::.
"You Omega bitch."
"Rude," Shikamaru grumbled.
"I'm going to put you on your knees and make you cry like my little whore once you're too tired to keep up your shadow possession jutsu." The Sound Ninja smirked gleefully at him. "I know our village is meant to be respectful, considering our boss is an Omega, but I say screw that. If I was strong enough I'd have the boss riding me too. That's all Omegas are good for."
"I'd love to hear you say that to a Sanin," Shikamaru huffed.
Because like hell would someone like this guy ever dare to. No, they'd talk all big far away from their Master's ear, then bow and simper before them when up close. It was so damn annoying.
"You know what? I don't care if you're a pup. I'll make you sing, and then I'll let my men make you sing. You're at your limit after all. There's nothing you can do against all of us."
Dammit. His life was seriously not meant to go this way. He was supposed to just do his job at an average rate. Find an average, everyday mate, not some crazy blonde Sand lady, and have a couple of kids. A girl, then a boy. Then once his kids were grown up and all settled he could have a nice, easy retirement.
But no. He had to help Naruto and put his life on the line. Now he was going to be raped and murdered by these assholes or worse. Raped then kidnapped and impregnated for his bloodline- He stifled the thoughts. That would only brew panic. Shikamaru might have enough time to kill himself to avoid all that, but bloody hell he was only a kid. He didn't want to die yet! His shadow had its final shudder and died off, retreating back into him. Shikamaru's head raced, his heart pounding. He didn't know what to do. He didn't want to die, but he couldn't go through this. He couldn't let himself-
"Hey! Come on down. I'd say you should have the first piece of this Omega pup since you saved our asses from him earlier." The Sound ninja smirked.
Instantly, before Shikamaru could even draw a kunai, the branches shifted from the tree above and the Sound ninja dropped down. Shikamaru barely held back a strangled cry, but then gasped as a very familiar scent smothered him in comfort, safety and pure utter rage.
"I finally caught up."
Shikamaru couldn't stop the anxious whine that escaped him. "A-Asuma..."
Asuma glanced down at him and nodded. Shikamaru could see the sharpness in his eyes though, the claws growing from his nails and the fangs. He was feral at the moment. Shikamaru had no idea how Asuma seemed so calm despite that, but it made Shikamaru feel safe.
Asuma threw the ninth ninja into a tree and his body hit it with a sickening crack. The man didn't make a sound though, much to Shikamaru's shock. Asuma was instantly gone, his chakra blades cutting down one man instantly. It was all a blur to be honest, all Shikamaru could hear was screams and see bodies fall as Asuma darted between each man with such ruthlessness. A ruthlessness Shikamaru had never seen from Asuma before.
Shikamaru trembled, trying to keep himself on his feet, but he couldn't do it anymore. Shikamaru was so tired. He collapsed on to his ass just as Asuma cut down the last of the enemy.
Asuma eyed him and the sharp fury in his eyes began to ease off, the pupils growing soft, his fangs receding, his claws sinking back.
"This was such a drag!" Shikamaru complained.
"You did well." Asuma smiled, approaching him. "I'm glad you're alright, pup."
"Yeah, but it was way too close..." Shikamaru grimaced. "And the way they talked about me... Bloody hell... Am I going to get that at the breeding grounds too?"
The blood drained from Asuma's face, then instantly the sharpness was back in his eyes, and his murderous intent almost flooded the forest clearing they were in, making Shikamaru shiver. Asuma reached down and gently squeezed his shoulder to reassure him.
Asuma was still growling though. "There is no way in hell I'm letting you get put into those caves, Shikamaru."
"Can you honestly stop it?" Shikamaru scowled.
"I'm going to try, and if trying doesn't work I'm going to hurt people."
Those people should be very concerned, especially after the beat down these Sound ninja just got. Shikamaru slumped into the grass and sighed. He was done for today. He really didn't want to do anything else.
.::.
"I should never have let you convince me to go after Gaara!" Pakkun cried, dodging a whip of sand.
"They want to go after Sasuke, so I gotta kick their asses!" Naruto said.
"They can hardly go after Sasuke when Gaara's this injured!" Sakura blocked a wave of sand with a wave of water, leaving the sand soggy and heavy. "And I can't keep this up."
"You're doing great, Sakura!" Naruto beamed.
"I don't like this plan!"
.::.
"What the hell did the Hatakes do to their estate?" Sasuke had just watched another Sound ninja explode into pieces, his body scattering. Most people would be traumatised, but, well, trauma was an old friend of his.
"Booby trapped the hell out of it with over a hundred seals." Izumi's clone poured out a cup of tea, handing him one before taking one for herself. "Kakashi says the seals only allow friends, or guests who have been invited, inside its grounds. So thank fuck he likes us. It's also why he never managed to sell the place. He can't dispel them because his ancestors were crazy fucks."
Every time Kakashi had tried he usually returned to them with his face carefully blank. Every time one of them would ask how it went, he'd simply shake his head. They didn't ask after that, except Guy, who yelled about helping only to be flung back by a Hatake barrier when he tried to enter the grounds. Apparently the seals didn't like being threatened to be taken down by anyone except a Hatake. Otherwise Guy could get in perfectly fine.
Sasuke grunted. "Yeah, I'd rather not be blown to pieces by his crazy ancestors."
"Yup." Clone Izumi nodded. "If there is one piece of advice I will give you, it's not to make a Hatake your enemy. They will ruin your life, and if not them, their dogs or wolves will out of sheer spite."
"Noted."
Another ninja exploded.
.::.
The real Izumi dropped down in between the guards surrounding the council. Nobody could see her, and Izumi remained completely and utterly silent. The explosions and screams outside helped cover her, but she had been an ANBU of Team Ro when she had been desperately trying to find out what had ruined Itachi.
This would completely and utterly destabilise Konoha, killing these two and the Hokage -because it hadn't looked good for him when Izumi had left- was going to fuck up a lot of shit.
But she would do it anyway.
She swung her sword, and cut Homura down first. He went with a pained cry, coughing up blood. Izumi sliced open Koharu's throat next, just as all the guards faced her. They searched, crying out to each other, but none of them could see Izumi.
She retreated back into the shadows, and hoped Shikaku had a plan. Izumi glanced back, and couldn't help but smile at their corpses. They would never threaten her with a pregnancy again. Not her. Not Sasuke. Not Kakashi. No one.
That didn't mean she was free, no, not at all. But she was free of those bastards.
.::.
Asuma ruffled Shikamaru's hair, and Shikamaru had no energy to complain. No, all he wanted to do was sleep. He was slumped against Asuma and couldn't help but sigh.
"So my mate is attacking the village..." Shikamaru grumbled.
"Yeah, that must be a bit awkward for you," Asuma chuckled.
"Just a bit."
They both paused when Lee and Tenten came out of the bushes, Lee carried on her back.
"What the-" Asuma began.
"He says he needs to find Gaara," Tenten sighed. "He wouldn't stop bugging me about it."
"He's in a lot of distress and angry. I must help!" Lee said, then his brow furrowed. "Or defeat him if I cannot."
Shikamaru had no idea how Lee would manage that if he couldn't even walk by himself.
"You've been poisoned, you fool!" Tenten hissed. "So poisoned you got lost on the way to find Naruto and somehow ended up involved when I got ambushed."
"Ah, well, yes, but I can feel Gaara," Lee admitted.
"How?" Shikamaru frowned. "I thought you had to be bonded before you could feel one another."
Tenten and Asuma startled. "Yeah, he's right!" Tenten gasped. "Lee, what in the world?"
"How about I take Lee?" Asuma offered. "You can take care of Shikamaru for me. He's too drained and needs to rest of a bit."
"I like that plan at least." Tenten grumbled, passing Lee over. "Also he's prone to vomiting if you run too fast now."
"My stomach is very weak right now," Lee admitted, wincing. "This poison has been horrible."
"I can imagine," Asuma said easily, scooping Lee up on to his back. "Alright, Shikamaru, I'll be back soon. Lee, just try to take it easy. If things get too out of hand I'll bring you back to safety."
"Thank you for this, Asuma sensei. I really appreciate it." Lee settled against him. "I shall do my best to calm my mate down if at all possible. And if not, fight him with all my youth!"
"Or barf," Tenten grumbled.
"That too!" Lee said cheerfully. "I'll barf on him. That will surely make him pause for thought."
Shikamaru couldn't help but snort at Asuma's disgruntled look.
.::.
Kiba had expected to dive in and rescue Hinata, carrying her away like a knight in shining armour, however by the time he and Neji caught up the two kidnappers were on the ground, twitching and sobbing as bugs sucked them dry. Shino had Hinata in his arms, bracing her as she struggled to stand. It made Kiba bristle further, even as Akamaru laughed at him for being jealous. The little traitor. This was supposed to be his moment to shine. He was supposed to impress Hinata.
Damn Shino!
"Take it easy, Hinata. You're still suffering from whatever they drugged you with," Shino said.
"I-I'll be alright..." Hinata said shakily. "T-Thank you, Shino..."
"You're lucky I saw you being taken." Shino frowned. "One of your Elders tried to stop them but failed. Kurenai sensei tried to help, but there were too many Sound ninja attacking her. I decided to try deal with the situation myself."
"How the heck did you manage to beat them when one of the Hyuga Elders couldn't?" Kiba scoffed.
"I had the advantage of an ambush. My bugs also fed on their chakra to weaken them, giving me considerable strength over them." Shino glanced down at the pair of Kumo ninjas. "We better hope there weren't anymore of them here. Otherwise they might have targetted more of our Omegas."
"Why are they after so many of our Omegas anyway?" Kiba scowled.
"It's not just Omegas," Neji said. "Although they are a main target to breed powerful bloodlines into their own shinobi. They also like people with bloodline traits so they can study them."
"That's sick! That's why they wanted to kidnap Hinata?" Kiba bristled. "Those fucking assholes."
Neji huffed. "You need to clean your foul mouth."
"Go do your hair." Kiba rolled his eyes. "I see a strand out of place." He turned to Hinata and placed his hand on her shoulder, his Alpha pup gushing at how soft she was, how gentle she was against his hand- No. Focus. "I'm glad you're safe. I was rushing here to rescue you but Shino bet me to the punch! Next time though we'll be right by your side, so you'll never get kidnapped again. We'll kick some ass together, yeah?"
Hinata smiled. "Y-Yeah."
"Atta girl!" Kiba grinned. "Now, let's tie these assholes up and get back to Konoha."
.::.
"Zetsu, did you see everything?" Obito asked, watching as Orochimaru escaped, his minions carrying him off.
"Yes. Izumi Uchiha assassinated two of the council members under Shikaku Nara's orders. The Third Hokage used up his life to destroy Orochimaru's arms. Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno have defeated Gaara. Rock Lee has reached Gaara, but their connection is far more sensitive than it should be. They have yet to even bond, yet they can sense one another's feelings. Jiriaya of the Sanin has retaken Konoha's main gate and is heading here as we speak. The Kumo ninja you had concerns about also failed to kidnap their Omega target."
Obito smirked. "Those are the most noteworthy things that has happened here then?"
"Well, apart from your pregnant Omega-" Black Zetsu began.
Obito scowled. "He's taken care of."
"Don't let him be a distraction."
He couldn't help but laugh. "You think I'll be so distracted that our project will be put on hold?" he scoffed. "I want this to happen as soon as possible, before mine and Kakashi's baby has to suffer the way everyone in this hell does."
"See? I told you the baby won't be a problem," White Zetsu said happily. "It will only strengthen our Tobi's resolve."
"My resolve was never in question." Obito eyed the pair. "This project will happen, and anyone who gets in the way will be taken care of."
"Including Kakashi Hatake?" Black Zetsu asked.
"Like he can do anything," Obito scoffed. "Besides, he has bigger things to concern himself with now than whatever I'm up to."