Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Prisoner at Daybreak ❯ A Child of Misfortune ( Chapter 2 )

It hasn't ever really been explained how Akatsuki communicate telepathically or how they project their astral forms, so for this chapter I'll be working under the theory that their special rings allow them to do so. Just an FYI. Enjoy!

 

A dash (-) denotes a passage of time, change in scenery, etc.

 

 

Chapter Two: A Child of Misfortune

 

 

Two figures sped through the night air, their black cloaks giving them a wraithlike quality in the pale moonlight.

 

“Finally we're here. I was getting tired of lugging this kid around.” Kisame complained to his partner.

 

Itachi didn't respond, as was his habit, instead choosing to form the seal combination that released the entrance to their lair.

 

The two strolled calmly inside as the massive boulder moved aside to allow access to the base within. The other Akatsuki members turned to meet them. No one said a word until the entrance re-closed itself with a loud crash. Faint torchlight flickered across the cave, silhouetting those sending assembled and forming many shifting shadows.

 

It was the man farthest back in the group that finally broke the silence. “You're late Itachi. I take it you were successful?”

 

At this Kisame tossed Naruto's unconscious form forward into the light. “See for yourself.” he answered, not at all fond of being ignored.

 

“So that's the Kyuubi brat is it? He doesn't look like much un.”

 

“He looks like a fucking weakling.” another added, playing with the pendant around his neck impatiently.

 

“He looks…appetizing. May we eat him after the ritual?”

 

“Silence all of you! We have important matters to discuss.” the first man yelled. Immediately the cave fell silent. “Now then, we have to decide what we're going to do with this kid until we can extract the bijuu within him.”

 

“Why can't we just do it now?” the only woman among them asked.

 

“The Kyuubi must be sealed either first or last, otherwise the statue will break. With last month's capture of the 5-tails, extracting this demon is not possible until the other seven have been sealed.”

 

“If you think I'm playing babysitter you can forget it. I've got too many bounties to collect for such a task.”

 

While most of the members were busy arguing, Itachi was staring at Naruto, wondering what could possibly be done with the boy. It didn't take long for an idea to come to him. “Orochimaru is dead.” The effect was instantaneous.

 

“How did this happen?” a gravelly voice came from the scorpion-shaped puppet that had until now remained motionless.

 

“The other two Sannin killed him, Sasori.” Itachi replied.

 

Sasori was furious. “What!? That bastard couldn't even wait for me to kill him?!”

 

“Enough!” the leader yelled. He turned to the Sharingan user. “Are you suggesting what I think you are Itachi?”

 

The Uchiha nodded slightly, causing his superior to smirk evilly.

 

“Then I'll leave the retrieval to you.”

 

“As you wish. Come Kisame, we've got work to do.”

 

Kisame glanced back and forth between his partner and the leader, perplexed. He sighed when he realized they weren't going to explain any further and followed after Itachi.

 

“All of you except for Sasori are dismissed. We'll meet back here in one week.” the leader informed those remaining after Itachi and Kisame had gone.

 

This met with general approval and the rest of Akatsuki, save Sasori, exited the cave and went their separate ways.

 

“What do you want with me? You know how I hate to keep people waiting, even if it is just Deidara.”

 

“Luckily you no longer have to worry about that little problem. Deidara will be working with Zetsu henceforth. He's most suited to keep up with him out of all of us anyway.”

 

“I'm afraid I don't follow.” Sasori ground out, annoyed and unable to do anything about it. Idle threats may have worked on Deidara, but the leader was in a league of his own and they both knew it.

 

“It's quite simple. We can't afford to have someone guarding the brat until the rest of the bijuu have been sealed. So you're going to place a mind control jutsu on the boy and take him as your new partner. Itachi and Kisame are on their way to retrieve Orochimaru's ring as we speak.”

 

Sasori couldn't contain his anger on hearing this “You want me to work with a weakling like that!?” he yelled, sending his scorpion tail flying at the other man. It stopped barely an inch from the leader's throat; he hadn't even flinched.

 

“Certainly not. I will train him myself until he is ready. Is this satisfactory?”

 

“Its not like I have a choice is it?” Sasori grumbled, withdrawing his tail and shuffling off towards the exit.

 

The leader only smirked and looked down at the unconscious Naruto. “We'll see just how strong you are, boy.”

 

-

 

“Answer me! What do you know about Akatsuki!? Where are they hiding at?! Who-” Morino Ibiki snarled when a strong hand caught his arm just as was about to strike his victim. He spun around, ready to shout at whoever had dared to accost him. The grave look on Jiraiya's face stopped him at once.

 

“Well?” the toad Sannin asked, letting go of Ibiki's arm.

 

“Adamant. But I'm sure if you let me amputate a few things…”

 

Jiraiya winced at the sadistic grin on the interrogation specialist's face. “I'd like to have a few minutes alone with him. After that, you may try whatever you like.”

 

Ibiki nodded and left the room. As soon as the door had shut, Jiraiya turned his attention to their captive. Yakushi Kabuto was beaten, bloody, and even burned in a few places. The traitorous medic-nin looked up and met Jiraiya's scrutiny defiantly, waiting for the Sannin to speak.

 

“I'll get straight to the point. We know you have the information we want and we're going to get it, one way or the other. Why don't you just make things easy on yourself and talk?”

 

Kabuto snorted, unintentionally sending flecks of blood flying to the floor. “And be killed for my trouble? No, I think I'll pass Jiraiya-sama.”

 

“Ordinarily you would be right, but circumstances are far from ordinary. The Hokage and the Council both feel Naruto's retrieval is of the utmost importance and are willing-”

 

At this Kabuto burst out laughing. “Don't patronize me! We both know they couldn't care less about Naruto; it's the Kyuubi they want.” Orochimaru's servitor could tell he had struck a nerve by the pained look on the other man's face. “Oh yes Jiraiya-sama, I know all about what's inside Naruto. And judging by your reaction, I'd say my assessment is pretty accurate.”

 

Before he could blink, Kabuto found himself pressed up against the wall roughly, chair and all, with Jiraiya's hand clenched around his throat.

 

“Listen to me you little fool. There's no way you're going to escape and we both know it. I'm offering you imprisonment instead of torture and death. Believe me, you will wish you were never born if I let Ibiki back in here. That man has had ample time over the years to devise innumerable ways of making people suffer. Now you have my word as a shinobi that you will not be killed if you give me the information I want. You have one minute to decide.”

 

Jiraiya let Kabuto fall to the floor and glared at the man, hoping he had sounded convincing enough.

 

After a moment, Kabuto assented. “I don't know much about Akatsuki myself, but Orochimaru-sama did. He kept a book of information on them wherever he went, as well as the ring he received while a member of their organization.”

 

“And where are they now?”

 

“Hidden in one of his lairs. You'll never find it without a guide.” Kabuto smirked, knowing he had won. Desperation was a powerful tool indeed.

 

“Very well, but if you try anything…” he didn't need to finish the threat. They both knew what would happen.

 

 

I am not happy with this chapter at all. But only one more to go before the time-skip and the good part begins. As I said last chapter, anyone who doesn't like extreme violence would be wise not to continue reading. I hope everyone was able to follow who was speaking during the Akatsuki portion of the chapter. I did the best I could while trying to avoid writing `name said' fifty times. Anyway, reviews are appreciated!