Chapter 15: The monster that is Truth
"Pathetic. So this is what the guy is really like?" The two-headed blond exclaimed mockingly.
"Don't let that fool you. The mental damage he just suffered was powerful. But after the realization, his mental state will return to normal. That's why we're acting now, so stop being cocky and hurry up!" The white haired man exclaimed in an annoyed tone.
"Whatever, I still can't believe this is him. So this is really Uchiha?" The blond shot back. "Later." he said before departing from the other man.
"Hmph. What a fool." The remaining man scoffed as he too departed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Itachi reeled on the ground. Images sliced from the web of oblivion into his mind; realization overpowering his senses. Images of fear, images of pain, images of death. Images of his clan's murder. He could faintly hear Kakashi's voice asking him what happened, but it seemed distant as if in a fading dream. Kabuto looked palely at Itachi, not sure of what had happened, but knowing to well what was the most likely. He looked at the small pool of crimson fluid rushing out of the older Uchiha's leg. His assumptions confirmed with the sight of the stone; he scooped it up to examine it closer. It was no more than an inch in diameter in height and length, with a bluish green hue.
*Damn . . .* Kabuto mentally cursed. He then handed the stone to Kakashi.
"Look at this." Kakashi took the stone and looked it over. It seemed like a normal rock.
"What's your point? It's a rock." He stated a bit annoyed. Itachi was in trouble and Kabuto was showing him a rock.
"It came from inside of him. It's a Kokudo." Kabuto replied.
"A Koku what?" Kakashi said confusedly. Kabuto turned to face Kakashi; giving him his full attention.
"A stone that can inflict ailments. In this case, it was used to suppress Itachi's memory. By sending out waves from the chemical makeup of the stone when inside a body, the waves blocked the nerve waves allowing Itachi to access certain memories. Making other things, namely mind control, easier. Without memories, Itachi's subconscious wouldn't be able to detect an interference nearly as easily, preventing even a struggle for control over his mind. But when the stone is removed, the waves disappear also allowing Itachi to access his memories of the events since the morning of his family's murder. So many memories at one time would overpower his mind; causing the mental trauma he is currently experiencing. He should he fine in a few minutes, but the impact of what he's done will be a burden." Kabuto explained gravely.
*So what he said was true . . . this won't be as easy as I had hoped, but I suppose I should expect that.*
He turned to face Itachi again, just as he collapsed unconscious.
"Damn." Kakashi cursed. "Everything's so complicated. And you didn't have much time to make a cover-up did you. Orochimaru doesn't even pay you."
"The villagers don't know that." Kabuto said smiling, trying to lighten the mood. The two shinobi chuckled but were immediately silenced when a sharp sound ripped through the air.
"What was that?!" Kabuto said, bolting up quickly.
"Itachi!" Kakashi howled furiously and frightened. The former Anbu was gone, along with his captive. Kabuto paled at the realization.
"Who could've gotten him when we were right here?! We only turned away for a second!" Kakashi continued to rant. Kabuto though, didn't hesitate in taking off in the direction of the hotel.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By the time Sasuke and Sakura reached the hotel, it was already getting late.
"So much for lunch . . ." Sasuke grumbled.
"Well, we'll just eat a bug dinner." Sakura said, trying to cheer up her brooding companion.
"Hey, uh Sakura? That was . . . fun." Sasuke said, still uncomfortable.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it!" Sakura said gleefully.
"Lets go meet up with the others now." Sasuke said. Reluctantly, Sakura agreed, and preceded the raven-haired boy into the hotel. Sasuke never followed her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Blood rushed out from the gash in his back. After Sakura had gotten away from the door without noticing the lack of Sasuke's presence, the blond had attacked Sasuke with a slice at his back, and then rammed his head against the ground, rendering him unconscious. He then slung the boy over his shoulder and took off.
*I still don't know why we need these two . . .*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kabuto reached the hotel all too late. By the blood in front of the entrance, it was obvious another had been taken, and it didn't take a genius to figure out whom.
*Too late . . . I guess I have no choice.*
He then leapt off again, in the direction of the woods.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hinata awoke to a loud commotion. After that morning, she had fallen asleep on her bed. She was still wondering if it had all been a dream, if none of the ordeal had ever happened at all. But it had. And now her and Naruto were a couple. It was what she had always wanted, always strived for.
*With him by my side, I can become strong to . . . I can be acknowledged.*
She smiled to herself, beaming with joy and pride. Not even the overconfident Ino had beaten her at achieving her goal of obtaining the heart of the one she cared for. She then struggled up from the bed, and sat upright on the soft mattress. With a yawn, she got up and opened the door of her room, to join what was awaiting her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura stood horrified and in shock as Kakashi explained to the genin what had happened. She had been right there, and he had been right behind her when he was kidnapped. Her face was pale and she was too mortified to even cry. She just stared at Kakashi as if it was all some sick joke. Apparently that man, Itachi, had also been captured and it was undoubtedly no coincidence. After all, Sasuke had told her they were brothers making a connection inescapable. Kabuto was also missing, though thankfully he had not been taken along with the Uchiha. Everything seemed to crumble. That morning she had been in such a great mood, she had been able to be with Sasuke; kiss him even. Yet now he was gone, and they had no idea how to get him back.
"What's going on?" Hinata said, still a bit groggy, yet with obvious surprise in her eyes. She hadn't expected to she everyone together, let alone to see them all looking so grave. Then it hit her; something was defiantly wrong. Kabuto, Itachi, and Sasuke were absent also.
"Hinata," Kakashi slowly explained, knowing that however he said it, it would hit just as hard. "Sasuke and Itachi have been kidnapped."
Hinata's eyes grew wide with shock and fear. Kidnapped?!
"W-where's Kabuto-san?" she blurted out, frantic now. Had he been kidnapped too?
"He's not present." Kakashi stated simply. No need to tell anyone that he had no idea where he was, or that he also had no clue as to who had kidnapped Sasuke and Itachi in the first place.
*But whoever it is . . . they must be a powerful enemy.*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was nothing else they could do at the present time. They were in another village, and didn't want to exploit themselves. Kakashi had decided that he would try to look for the others in the morning. The only clue he had was the Kokudo that came out of Itachi's leg, and that wasn't much help. He told the genin to stay calm, and that he would talk further on the matter in the morning. He also stated that they were all probably fine, and that there was most likely no reason to worry. TenTen replayed Kakashi's words over and over in her head, trying to make sense of it all. Everything had happened so quickly.
"Gaara?" She said as the two of them sat on Gaara's bed. It was midnight by now, but Tenten couldn't sleep, and so she had come over to sit with Gaara. After all, Gaara is an insomniac. "What do you think happened? To Sasuke and the others."
"I don't know. The idiots will probably turn up tomorrow." The sand genin responded bluntly.
"I hope so . . ." Tenten said staring at her hands. She didn't know much about the other man, but if it could happen to Sasuke, then it could happen to everyone else too. What if her other friends were next? What if Gaara . . .? She emitted a nervous giggle at the thought of herself being worried about the red headed boy who was anti social and always brooded. By then again, it could be said for Sasuke as well.
"What?" Gaara asked, the curiosity in his eyes betraying his nonchalant tone.
"Nothing." Tenten replied continuing to stare at her hands.
"Just tell me." Gaara said, trying not to sound interested.
"Really, it's nothing." Tenten restated.
*Is Gaara interested in why I was giggling . . .? Gaara?!* She couldn't suppress another giggle. Something about the thought was just too funny. Gaara, unable to deny the fact that he wanted to know any longer, lifted Tenten's head by her chin and averted her gaze from her hands to himself.
"Tell me why you keep giggling." He said flatly. Tenten was mildly surprised by his gesture, but was overall unfazed nonetheless.
"You." She replied simply, and truthfully. Her reply confused Gaara, and it was evident on his face. She decided to explain her reply.
"You're always so quiet, and like to stay away from people, but I'm still able to drag you around everywhere. I guess it just seemed funny that you're more open with me."
Her second response only seemed to confuse him more. More open with her? He had never noticed himself talking to her more, or when he had eaten breakfast with her that morning. Its not like they had talked that morning. He didn't pay any special attention to her; she was just like anyone else.
"Forget it." Tenten said with a sigh, as she realized that he didn't get what she was trying to say. "Night." She said as she departed from his bed and ruffled his hair as she passed.
*What a weird girl . . .* Gaara let the thought drift through his mind before he went back to staring at the moon through the glass door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Orochimaru, you're men better not fail."
"Of course they won't, I'll keep up my part of our pact . . . Soyako." Orochimaru replied to the man in front of him. The man was tall and adorned in the red and black cloak of the Akatsuki, along with the typical hat of the group. He face wasn't visible; hidden by the hat and large collar of the cloak.
"I expect that they will bring the Uchiha back. The sound is a reliable village, is it not?"
"Of course. We will both obtain what we want." Orochimaru replied confidently. "We will not lose; we cannot lose. Not as we are now."
