Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Behind The Masks ❯ The first wave of a storm ( Chapter 5 )

Current time period:

Naruto: 15

Sakura:15

Sasuke:15

Itachi: 20

Kakashi: 29

Tsunade:53

Jiraiya:53

Age on the dream:

Naruto= 3

Itachi= 8

 

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Behind the Masks

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Chapter 4

(The first wave before the storm)

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A deep red tainted the now darkening sky. The suns light is finally succumbing to the dark after offering as much tenacity as it had every single day. As always… it was breathtaking. Amidst the battle of black and red a child ran, a child whose eyes seemed like beacons against the now darkening sky, a glistening blue that rivals the sky at noon and as deep as the clearest of oceans.

Rain falls from the clear sky as the child stumbled and staggered on his way. Little sobs echoed as flashes of scowls, frowns, hysteria and madness filled the surroundings… Flashes of countless events all unwanted, all painful, all cruel and all not meant for someone so young. Like thunder it raged upon the surrounding and like a storm, countless emotions flooded him.

The sky cried tears filled with despair. There was sorrow, there was hopelessness, there was…pain.

Small hands hugged a small frame as he choked down sobs…

`It hurts...'

`it hurts… why… am I here? Nobody wants me here! I… I…'

He blinked.

Blue eyes blinked in confusion as his hands clutched the fabric near his heart. The pain was gone. It disappeared in an instant as if it wasn't there. It disappeared along with the bitter memories. It disappeared to be replaced by a calm scene of a huge lake as it bathed on the light of the full moon.

It was such a peaceful scene that a small contented smile appeared on the child's face. Silent tears flowed as he searched for pain only to find none. The calmed silence was disturbed by a low groan and deep breaths. Blue eyes scanned the surrounding before landing at the base of a tree.

A gasp escaped him for he was mesmerized by the scene. There under the tree, almost hidden by the shadows was child. He was easy to miss due to the darkness that seems to be embracing him not to mention he wore clothing that was the same shade as his hair- dark black hair the color of the night. However, his pale skin glowed under the light of the full moon along with the glistening shade of…

…crimson…

The child was soaked in his own blood.

(1)

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`Ah… I guess I can call this a clear sky. The stars are up and there's a nice breeze. Somehow it's not really as cold as usual as well. The children are supposed to be out and being noisy, so why? It's a bit too quiet even for me…

…. I should make sure the village is safer in the future… so that they can be at ease at night. I better work harder… cause people need me now, right?'

`Hmm? Is this rain? But It's… dry…

Sand..?'

`Ah...'

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Utter chaos filled the night as panicked screams filled the sky. Civilians are being gathered- most of them unknowing of the situation until…

A flash of light

A deafening blast

A wave of sand

Everyone looked up to find their dear Kazekage riding upon floating sand. They stood in awe as they watched the enemy defend himself while riding on a strange white bird. Cheers were heard in support for their leader while Shinobi gathered and prepared their arsenal to help their Godaime in the fight.

A certain puppet master couldn't help but smile at the scene. If such events would have happened before, he knew… these people would be cheering the enemy and if worst comes to worst, would even help the enemy. His brother was their experiment gone wrong, their weapon out of control, and their possession who's got a mind of his own.

But now…

`Hurry! Prepare for battle! We're going to back up the Kazekage!'

`Do your best Kazekage-sama!'

How could he not smile?

`This should be enough of a reason for you to win, Gaara. This village `needs' you and this time not as their weapon

But as our KAZEKAGE'

And so he worried not about an explosion that shook the entire village. Instead his smile turned unto a smirk when he saw a huge shield of sand covering the village up ahead…

… but…

…his heart skipped a beat when he heard a small detonation. His heart stopped when he saw a rain of sand and yet sees the shield of sand moving on the side.

The Godaime Kazekage's- his brother's ultimate defense crumbles and falls like rain upon the Hidden Village of the Sand signaling the conclusion of the fight.

Gaara of the Sand falls unto enemy hands.

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“GAAARRAAA!!!!!”

`…I… succeeded…'

…

`Congratulate me, Uzumaki Naruto… `

“I… `lived'.”

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The sky is clear blue with the sun hanging hotly above their heads and the best thing above it all, he is getting his first mission in two and a half years! It would also be the first mission he would have with team Kakashi. Just thinking of the super awesome high ranking mission they'd be getting made his grin all wide and his actions fidgety.

What?! Team Kakashi just has to be the coolest strongest team there is!

The captain, ex-anbu captain Copy Ninja Kakashi who copied up to a thousand techniques, Konoha's number one technique specialist/ pervert student of the Yondaime Hokage, only known bearer of the Sharinggan that isn't an Uchiha and known creator of the dreaded killing move- Chidori.

Haruno Sakura, apprentice to the Godaime Hokage in terms of beauty, raw unadulterated and freakishly scary strength, and not to forget her medical jutsu. Yes, he hadn't seen it yet but it just HAD to be awesome!

And then there's himself, Uzumaki Naruto. The drop dead gorgeous future Rokudaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato, apprentice to the great Toad Hermit, creator of the Sexy no Jutsu and Harem no Jutsu, the second only known living master of rasenggan not to mention the only one who had ever defeated and left the Sandaime Hokage bleeding/ nose bleed upon the cold floor of his own home with just a single technique!

Yup. Uzumaki Naruto is fully awake and is not totally hyper that morning. He also didn't adapt any negative traits from his sensei- most specifically his perverseness. It was natural.

On the sidelines…

A pink haired girl can be seen inching away from the only two people she was walking with and within their minds? She's got all the reason to. The tall silver- haired guy that appears to be of jounin levels was giggling over a perverse book while a blond teen was grinning weirdly at nothing while letting out a sly chuckle ones in a while. They pitied her. Oh- if only they knew what lurks within the pink headed girl's mind.

Sakura getting tired of the weirdness, the daydreams, and most of all getting ignored finally snapped. Of course as trained shinobis of the leaf her two companions felt it and stopped whatever they were `doing'. Kakashi of course retained his calm and had simply lowered his beloved book on the other hand, Naruto suddenly stopped ones he felt the evil chakra that made his spine tingle. He then turned with the intent of asking when Kakashi saved him the head ache.

“What's the matter Sakura? If you want to make things clear with Naruto, please ask away. We may not have much time or energy to entertain such questions ones on the mission.” Sakura looked taken aback by the accuracy- well that was what she really wanted before killing them, so her teacher really was accurate…in a way. Naruto however, looked as if he was trying to squint Kakashi till he melt- who can blame him if he can't glare wholeheartedly to his precious people? *yeah… right…*

"Kakashi-sensei, how come you sound so sure that we'll be getting a difficult mission?” Sakura asked out of curiosity, which was of course answered by, “Hm… It's just a guess.” Kakashi said off-handedly while trailing his gaze to the aviary where the fastest messenger hawk of Suna must have already reached by now. His troubled thoughts were brought back to present by another troubling situation

On his right are two of the three people he had as a genin team. He could almost be so proud of them all three are apprentices to the three legendary sannins. It would have been perfect if one hadn't been a traitorous power hungry emotionally unbalanced child. Of course that would be ignoring the facts that the remainder of said team is now a hair breath away from being further reduced to one. `Huh. And they wonder why my hair is turning grey. They try living my life.'

“Sakura… I told you just get on with the question. If your worried about asking don't make punching Naruto an outlet.”

Sakura of course looked apologetic amidst the embarrassed smile, while Naruto had his arms crossed over his chest while he nodded his head. Of course that smug look of his slid when Kakashi continued. “A dead nin won't be able to help us with the mission and most certainly won't be able to answer your question, alright?”

Sakura smirked. “Yes. Sensei.”

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`I adore him. I adore him. He's the continuation of their wish. I won't hurt him. I won't. I won't. I-`

“- Are you even listening to me?! We refuse this! Can't you give us something else?!” the outrage within the voice was muffled by her continues chant of… `I can be patient… I can… i-` “Baa-chan!!!”

That got through.

`To hell with patience!'

“Shut UP, brat!!! Just be grateful you're are still alive- which of course could be easily remedied!”

The shouting match filled with sweet threats and overwhelming respect for each other reverberated throughout the Hokage tower and everyone sweat dropped with one thought ringing on their minds… `Someone called the Godaime `Baa-chan' and that person is only being threatened?!' Why were there outraged wonders? Normally, a wall or a couple of walls would have already been knocked down but most of the times it would be a splintered table or just a body.

Yup. Uzumaki Naruto is lucky.

But of course others aren't… and so…

“Argh! Le-lemme go! Y-you're Ch-chok-king me, Kakashi-sensei!”

“Shut up Naruto! You don't know what your doing so just shut it!” screeched a pink haired girl as she frantically covered the mouth of her godforsaken disrespectful loudmouthed blond team mate as their pervert for a teacher restrained him. As Tsunade's apprentice she had been to whatever hell Tsunade had got to offer and as for Kakashi… let's just say that his pastime's permit in Konoha's bookstores is at stake along with the entirety of his collection.

But then again… when have Naruto ever cared and so-

“NOOOO!!!! I didn't train my ass of to receive such a LOW ranking mission! How am I gonna get to use my awesome moves in such a mission!” he all but screamed before he started to glare at his team mates. “Come on Sakura-chan… you don't want this now do you??? I'm sure the old hag gave you hell!!! After putting up with the menopausal hag would you be happy with a-“ but even before he could have finished whatever obscene comment he may have had…

“NARUTO! Whatever happened to you having matured?!” he was suddenly subjected to Iruka's respect the Hokage talk. Thus start a different cause of a headache. Yup. Nobody would ever argue that the teacher is very close to a certain loudmouthed blond. They do have LOTS of similarities- its just that Iruka has better things to shout about- though it could be pretty tiresome. Then again, not everyone in the room was complaining… and it was not the Hokage- she is already trying to hang on to the last of her nerves. Everyone's eardrums were near disintegration when the door suddenly burst open.

`Thank goodness.'

“Hokage-sama!!”

`Urgh… another noisy one.' thought the blond Hokage at the rather noisy interruption to a different yet still noisy event. “ What is it?”

“The Kazekage, Hokage-sama! The Akatsuki abducted the Kazekage!”

`…Gaara…'

“Team Kakashi.”

All noise vanished as the children got replaced by soldiers…

“ Team Kakashi. You have a different mission…”

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“…why?”

Bright amber eyes stared back to darkened red. A connection of pain, anguish, wonder and anger binds them. It's a toxic connection that may very well lead to deep loathing and uncontrolled emotions. It may. It may not. She felt her knees give up on her and yet her gaze never wavered just as the emotions within them never subsided.

She could not remove her gaze upon that man that had simply sat and closed his eyes as she along with her family got themselves butchered alive. Just when she thought she would be dying with her limbs scattered about he appeared in front of her.

She will never forget those emotionless red eyes of his that bore the famed sharinggan of the murdered accursed clan Uchiha. She wouldn't forget the passive gaze he gave her, and most of all, wouldn't forget the utter pain it cost her… Eyes that are filled with so much power that she…

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” screamed.

It was torture, it was hell, and it was pain beyond anything she had ever encountered. It was… horrible. It wasn't as if she would forget she knew before she stood up amidst her mangled limbs that if ever- if ever she most unlikely survive… she would forever be hunted by those cries… That the yells and screams of agony would follow her to her sleep… she knew of it already but- she wished for all that is good that she not witness it again. And so… now as she watch again, as she relieved every single event again, as she hear those screams again she was assured...

And so… when the illusion stopped…

… as she felt her consciousness slip

As she felt he knees give way…

She stared at those eyes with emotions so different from before…

.

“Why…?” no malice…`Why do such a thing to me?'

“…Why…?” no blood lust…`Why keep me alive?'

“…Why…?” no hint of madness… `For someone so young…'

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“It could only be you…”

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`Ah…'

…assured that the cries and the pain will always be dim compared to her hate for those eyes.

`I must live.'

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“Tsunade-sama is this wise?” whispered a very worried Shizune as she eyed the blond teen in front of her.

“It would be fine. I assure you.” `I hope.' Was the short reply of the Hokage which of course isn't enough. “But… Tsunade-sama… NAruto-kun is also a target. Shouldn't he be-“

“He's the best for the job. He is the one who most understand the Kazekage and here in the leaf he has the most reason to pursue the success of the mission.” Was the godaime's firm reply before she added, “Besides…”

Shizune didn't speak or inquire any further. The look on Tsunade's face was enough to prevent her from asking her to continue. She looked helpless and yet determined. Or it simply be helplessly determined. She could only hope it wasn't anything deep.

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...

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“You.”

“Me.”

The comeback had been a groan.

“Oh come on…you could at least show how happy you are to see me.” said the man with a bit of mock smugness on his voice.

“Shouldn't there been `at least try' on that sentence of yours? I could've at least tried to `pretend' I was happy to see you?”

“Oh come on Hime, we both know you missed me.” Said the man as he smirked at the exasperated look the other was giving him.

“So. What are you doing here disturbing my morning? Shouldn't you be somewhere passed out due to too much sake or something?”

“Oh your just mad I walked in on you while you were drooling on your paperwork. You do know that the Daimyo and land Lords wouldn't be pleased to see important documents stained with drool. Your age must be really catching up on you. I mean come- HWAA!”

“Don't dare speak another word, Jiraiya. If you open that trap of yours I will make sure to fill it in with slugs!” hissed the Godaime Hokage to her soon to be dead ex team mate as her eyes narrowed in on him- that is after she threw the paper weight at him. She was just about to throw him out of the office when he did what she just told him not to do.

But she could not carry out the threat. All it took was a single name.

“Naruto.”

For her day to crumble…

“Uchiha Itachi.”

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“You know you have a very weird fetish Itachi.” Said Kisame as he followed his stoic partner as he walked away from the carnage. “What is it with you and the last man standing? You dislike `em that much to torture and destroy their minds?” he added skeptically as he eyed the back of the still silent Uchiha.

“You know, I bet her comrades are blessing me right now for leaving them mangled yet dead other than mangled and insane.”

Of course he wasn't waiting for a reply and like always Itachi never fails to meet up to expectations. He never even showed any sign of having heard his fish for a partner talk. It's just that Kisame happens to have developed a particular past time since being partnered with a mute S-class murderer…

His smirk turned unto a solemn frown as he shook his head while watching the unflinching back of his partner before mumbling,

“You are such a merciful sadistic bastard, aren't you?”

…he had passed his time…deciphering the complex code behind the mask of the notorious murderer of the Uchiha clan, clan prodigy and heir, Uchiha Itachi.

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“You're going out after the extraction again, aren't you?”

“Hai.”

“Ah…” said the blue skinned man as he walked by his partner. “ A week without a mute, stoic, eerily creepy not to mention stoic Uchiha… that'll be boring.” He added sarcastically. For the likes of Kisame, he honestly didn't know if he truly was being sarcastic or if he was being honest. He inwardly frowned before he snapped `Oh but goodness sake, how could I be honest?!'

His inner hysteria was interrupted when a low voice called to him.

“Kisame.”

He stopped walking and turned to look unto crimson eyes expression turning serious.

“What is it?”

You would've thought that Kisame would have been happily surprised but no, he was merely surprised. In an apprehensive way. He could count in one hand the couple of times Itachi called him by his name and it never started or ended with anything pleasant at all.

…

“So… how come you're with a group of stuck-up bastard who just happens to be S-class missing nins? Not to include myself, Leader-sama and Konan but most of us are old freaks who should already be soil by now.” he said as he looked over the 14 year old child in front of him with slight indignation. “Can't believe I'm partnered with a brat. Better make sure that your wayward emotional problems with bonds left behind doesn't hinder the job. I don't want to deal with children.”

“There are none.” Was the solemn reply…

Guess he expected the apathetic mask to crack on the insult or maybe he expected an attack . The most far off he considered was for the child to try to maintain his front… never yielding. However what greeted him was a simple glance of crimson. It was filled with emotion so overwhelming but for the likes of him he failed to distinguish a single one. One thing for sure, it was a deliberate action.

“I cut them myself.”

The mask did not break… that child got the better of him. By taking the mask off willingly… the child proved… Kisame was not dealing with a mere child.

“Let us not speak of this again, Kisame-san.”

…

As he continued to look straight unto those blank eyes he couldn't help but wonder if Itachi would ever remove that Kami forsaken mask of his again. `As if.'

Just before he could say anything Itachi had already turned his back on him and have already continued his treck to wherever he deems safe. Of course the act didn't sit well with Kisame and so he spoke up,

“Itachi.“ he called out but of course, he was ignored… he was about to brush the whole conversation aside when Itachi finally spoke up…

.

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“Why do you let me leave?”

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Kakashi watched his students along with Temari sped before him. He could understand why they were in such a hurry- it was a mission regarding Akatsuki and Temari's brother who happens to be the Kazekage as well as the one tails jinchuuriki. And then there's Naruto. He knows that Naruto isn't considering this mission as a mission- it's something personal. He may be the only one who understands Gaara's situation and pain at the moment. It's just that Kakashi has other things bothering him… why was Naruto in this mission? He can understand the logic behind it for he already understands that the most determined fighter is one with purpose and Naruto has plenty of both. Other than that, the Godaime completely trusts him but… Naruto is also a target of said organization. He can't help but feel that there was something else and the dreams Naruto kept on having is making him more worried.

And if the conversation earlier wasn't worrying enough he no longer knows what is.

…

“Uh… so what is it that you want to ask Sakura-chan?” said the blond as he wished for all that was ramen that she wasn't going to ask for his blood. What? It's not like that that was something surprising. She is a `bit' bipolar!

“I'm just worried Naruto… you know, regarding your dreams. Are you sure you should be just disregarding them like that?” she said worriedly.

The blond simply sighed as he continued to walk to the Hokage tower, sure that his team mates would be following him and of course listening and observing him.

“It's not that I am totally disregarding them… I have really thought about it. I have already cross examined my memories and the dreams simply don't coincide with any of them. It was more like a whole different version of what happened on my childhood. And I have already told you that Ero-sennin have already checked on any genjutsu and there weren't.”

“Um… not to sound irrespective but… Jiraiya-sama doesn't seem to be a genjutsu expert. I mean, he could have overlooked something.” She said worriedly. She had just ` subtly' doubted the capabilities of a sannin… but hey! It was a valid observation.

Her worried musings were interrupted by lively chuckling. She turned her gaze from the ground to her two team mates. Kakashi was the one who answered her while Naruto continued subduing his laughter.

“Actually Sakura, Jiraiya-sama as you have said is no genjutsu expert. And to be frank he's almost as bad as Naruto when it came to genjutsu.” Said their silver- haired sensei with a one eyed smile as Naruto choked on his laughter. “But he is more than capable of detecting genjutsu's. He is a Seal Master you know and seals can be made to react to genjutsu.”

Sakura perked up a bit with the info and finally smiled- that is before Kakashi destroyed her peace of mind by adding,

“But that doesn't erase the fact that Naruto here are having those sort of dreams and the fact that they are like a different version of his life is a lot more disturbing.”

“Oh come on Kakashi-sensei… can't I have dreams anymore? Its not like they harm me or anything. They actually relieve me somehow.” He said as he shrugged. “Don't know how though.”

“Naruto.”

The blond flinched at the warning tone. Kakashi means business.

The blond simply walked on urging Sakura to walk a bit ahead so as he can have a conversation with his sensei unheard. Sakura obliged although begrudgingly but the pleading look the blond was giving her crushed her resistence.

“Don't worry too much Kakashi-sensei. I know where you're getting at and honestly I am a bit worried myself but we can't do anything about it at the moment. I have actually tried and failed to discover who it was I kept dreaming about but I can't even remember how he looks like. And I can't particularly ask someone about it as well, I mean it's not like I have someone to ask about it now do I? No one cared for me then, Kakashi-sensei and so I have no one to clarify these dreams with. And no, on my dreams he we were always alone. And as of the moment have only dreamed of us meeting at one place.”

Kakashi sighed. For Naruto to have spent the earliest part of his life with someone who cares- no slash that, with `someone'… it must have been truly difficult. “I understand why you felt relieved by this dream…” he said not looking at the blond. “But you were in an orphanage before, right? Couldn't they have noticed anything?”

“Hai. I was on an orphanage but just as I said, in the dream we were together at only one location. Besides, the people at the orphanage never really paid attention to me and they often leave me at places hoping I'd get lost, get attacked or something. Truthfully I can't imagine myself having a friend at that age. I mean, honestly Kakashi-sensei if me having a friend that important at that age wasn't a dream… I don't know what is.”

Kakashi looked down at his usually bright student and sighed. `He had truly matured… to have been able to talk openly about his childhood was a clear indication to that.' He reached out and ruffled the golden tresses before walking ahead. He'll end the conversation at that. For the time being, `I'll be talking to Jiraiya-sama about this the next chance I get.'

The blond only blinked before he smiled. As he watched Sakura scream at Kakashi about `perverted sensei's and perverted blonds'- he'd have to ask about that later- he couldn't help but grin. He isn't alone anymore.

“Hey! I am NOT perverted! What the hell did you tell Sakura-chan Kakashi-sensei?!”

“Oh nothing. I just told her how glad I was for having you at my team.” Said the Jounin smiling at the shocked and pleased look the blond adapted but of course revenge is a bitch. And it took the form of a smiling pink haired Kunoichi whose hell bent on destroying his image. [what image?]

“Yeah. So Naruto… you pushed me aside to distract Kakashi-sensei with Icha Icha inside info?” she said as she smiled sickeningly before…

BAM

“Sakura-chan! How could you believe him just like that?!” he whined before pouting at his sensei's direction and mumbling, “Lying perverted bastard of a sensei.”

Sakura simply took a deep breath. The blond can really make people worry for him and at the same time make them feel better. Finally considering as the past topic dropped she changed the subject.

“Anyway. Naruto.”

“Hm? Sakura-chan?” he said hoping against all hope that she wouldn't resume the interrogation.

“That cloak you were wearing when you first got back…”

“Oh, that!” he said excitedly. “It was cool, neh? I don't wear it often… I don't want it to tear or anything and you can't believe how warm it is! It is incredibly light and- and-“

“And incredibly expensive and high class.” She added. “Where did you get it anyway?”

“It's expensive? Well I guess it does look expensive…” he said as he looked down in thought. The other two members of his team simply sweat dropped. `He just realized?!'

“Someone left it to me while I slept.” He said. Seeing the confounded look Sakura was giving him he added, “I woke up by a lake with it covering me. Ero-sennin said that he found me like that and that there was nobody else there.”

“Eh? Isn't that weird? I mean, an expensive thing like that was left to you by someone random? And it came with a broach with the same symbol you have on your clothes. I thought you or Jiraiya-sama made it made.”

“Oh come on Sakura-chan… it's just a swirl. It's highly common.”

Kakashi was listening to the conversation with growing interest… and then Sakura asked the question he had been waiting for.

“Do you remember anything significant the day before? I mean, have you helped anyone before then or did you meet anyone before then?”

The blond scrunched his eyes for a moment of thought before he shrugged and walked on.

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“Why do you let me leave?”

The question echoed on Kisame's mind. Looking straight unto the others eyes that always bore the sharinggan he smirked.

“Because I was sure you won't just go up and leave.” Was his monotonous reply as if the answer was most obvious.”

The other simply raised a brow at him in inquiry and so he sighed.

“In all technicalities Itachi, I don't see any reason for you to leave. Come one… in every way I look at things, other than you being a missing nin you brat have no where else to got to. Homeless. Nowhere to go back to.”

His smirk widened.

“No one to go back to.”

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“Do you remember anything significant the day before? I mean, have you helped anyone before then or did you meet anyone before then?”

“You mean anything in particular or suspicious the days prior?”

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“I… don't remember.”

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“I don't remember anything of any relevance.”

“Why? Is there anything wrong?”

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(1) This would be their first meeting...