Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Between A Rock And A Hard Place ❯ The Flame Of Corruption ( Chapter 22 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Just as Sasuke promised, he had woken up early in the morning to help Naruto search for Kabuto. But merely having two people in search of a very mysterious person would not ensure their success in the search. In fact just from the first hour of the journey, merely walking along the streets and within shops, they had received no clues at all on where Kabuto might be. It was as if he had never been here as Naruto's 'friends' had suggested. No one in the town had even seen him once just from the description the two shinobi gave out. Of course Sasuke's description might have been a little vague being that he mentioned Kabuto being only a creepy looking young guy with ghostly colored hair.

By noon day, they had turned over every rock and stone with no luck of hearing of the target. Naruto was beginning to believe it had all been a lie to lead him hear by those jerks he had so easily trusted. "I'm sorry Sasuke, I didn't know I was taking false leads." Naruto apologized, collapsing onto the ground by the side of a building in exhaustion. Sasuke rolled his eyes and crouched down beside the blond. "You would have been better off not coming after me, now you've wasted all this time helping me with a worthless cause. I don't know where to begin looking if Kabuto isn't here." Naruto grumbled disappointedly.

"Come on Naruto, you're never one to give up even when things seem impossible. We have barely checked all of the pharmacies and shops in the town, so he could be there buying supplies. Better yet he could be working there undercover." Sasuke pointed out hopefully. It was unusual for him to be the one trying to cheer someone up. But since it was Naruto who was down, Sasuke had every reason to be persistent. He might not believe in needing Kabuto's help, but he would just take Naruto's word for it, since the blond was right on some occasions of great importance. And seeing where they were now, it couldn't hurt if they at least gave his plan a shot. "Now get up, you getting weird looks." Sasuke chided.

Naruto moaned a little at the order. "But my feet hurt." He explained, pointing to his bare feet. It would have been nice if his captures left his sandals in reach of him because walking around bare footed all day and night was not what Naruto considered a pleasurable experience. Of course being a ninja should have made him immune to such complaints, but when being stripped of all possessions so suddenly, was it wrong to at least want back one luxury item. Just a few days ago it had been food, and now it was his apparel. How he missed his vibrant orange coloring rather than this ratty, annoying purple that seemed to stand out even more than the orange, simply for the fact he was a boy.

"I would buy you some sandals, but as you can see, I spent most of the money I had managed to take with me on the room." Sasuke smugly mentioned. He didn't appreciate having to spend his hard earned cash because Naruto was an idiot. It would have been a plus to be sharing a room with Naruto alone, but for the obvious fact that nothing could happen between them as long as Naruto was with Gaara, put a damper on Sasuke's plans. "You will merely have to put up with it until we get things sorted out." And without further discussion, Sasuke pulled Naruto back up and brushed him off to begin their examination again.

"Hey Sasuke, do you really believe will be able to find Kabuto?" Naruto asked curiously. He guessed the answer would have to be yes, otherwise Sasuke wouldn't be helping him. But Naruto really wanted to hear the truth and Sasuke was the only likely person to give it to him. "I mean if we did somehow manage to find him, would he even cooperate with us. We have nothing to really offer him and I won't put the people in Konoha at risk if that is the terms we must be on." Naruto cleared up. Though Sasuke didn't know as much about Kabuto and Orochimaru as he did, he would at least hope Sasuke understood what challenge they faced by just accepting this mission.

"Well I guess we will have to come up with something worth enough somehow. But let's not think of it until we cross that bridge." Sasuke suggested with a soft smile.

"Where? What bridge?" Naruto suddenly burst out asking. He rose his hand over his eyes and looked for the mentioned bridge, but saw none in the surrounding area. "What are you talking about Sasuke? I don't see any bridge." He didn't understand why Sasuke wanted to wait only a little while's walking distance to discuss the issue at hand. Were they getting followed and he didn't want the spy to know what they were talking about? Before Naruto had a chance to ask for better explanation he was quickly slugged in the head for some unknown reason.

"Dobe." Sasuke huffed. "It was only a figure of speech. Why is everything so literal with you?" Sasuke asked with a dryly sigh as he wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow. "Now I see how those weirdoes managed to lure you away so easily. But what could you have possibly been thinking when they gave you a ride free of charge?" Sasuke asked in disbelief. "No one does something for nothing."

"But I did pay them back." Naruto added in before Sasuke could jump to the wrong conclusions. "I helped them pack up the rest of their shipment. It seemed like we were on good enough terms at the time, that was until we all got hungry and went out for ramen." Sasuke found his sanity slowly slipping away at this news. "Kudo paid for it, but I would have made it up to him if he needed money that bad-" Naruto suddenly yelped out as he was slugged on the head yet another time. "Hey! What was that for teme?!" He yelled out angrily, rubbing his sore head that was being unfairly abused today.

"It's for being so stupid dobe." Sasuke told him. "He obviously wasn't in that much financial trouble if he could afford any meal you ate. And if he was in that great need of money it would have been his own body on the line and not yours you dumb ass. Not everyone is a victim Naruto, you should know that by now. Just because they seem like a nice person doesn't mean they really are." Sasuke felt so ridiculous teaching Naruto all the life lessons he should have known about years ago. But it seems nothing stuck in that thick head of his since then. With the sudden feeling as though they were getting no where in this conversation, Sasuke quickly restructured his plan. "How about we split up for awhile, we'll cover more grounds? Check out only the stores, I don't want you getting carried off again by some 'nice' stranger." Sasuke taunted with a smirk.

"Uh...okay" Naruto answered back. It wasn't one of the best ideas he had heard considering how much damage he would and had caused in so little time on his own. But if Sasuke insisted, he wouldn't object, especially if it meant not hearing the other's lectures anymore. "Let's meet back here in two hours." Naruto decided before dashing off in the opposite direction Sasuke was facing. If they didn't find Kabuto by night fall Naruto would definitely be sure the medic wasn't in this town. He could only hope he was. It would be nearly impossible to find him after starting from scratch again.

For a long while the only sound that filled the area was the low almost inaudible sound of a crackling fire. And when Gaara awoke, he found himself surrounded by a comforting warmth as well as a troublesome darkness. The only light that illuminated in the dark area was the soft glow of a fire he had been laid beside. But for a while Gaara had remained therein total silence and drowned in his own wonderings. How in the whole did he get here? But more importantly why was he suddenly waking up? Which had to have met he fell asleep at some point in time. That troubling thought only made Gaara shudder with fear.

"Oh, is the fire too weak?" Came a voice, that startled Gaara more. He shot up in his spot, glaring at the form standing halfway across the room or cave would be better to describe such a place. Gaara glanced over the peculiar form of a woman in an odd cream colored robe with black slacks with a purple rope tied at her waist. Her face was terribly cold and scary with cat-like yellow eyes, yet their was a plumpness in her face that proved that she had once in a time been very welcoming to look at. It wasn't as if she were ugly, just eerie in presence.

Gaara watched her curiously, not letting down his guard just yet as the woman grabbed a few logs from the corner of the cave and brought it over to the fire. He guessed she had thought he was shivering from the cold rather than his own fearsome thoughts. He glanced around the area once more. The opening to the cave was at the far left of him. "Did I pass out?" Gaara asked uncomfortably. How else could he have gotten here? But what about Shukaku? Had he taken advantage of the moment or had his presence been too weak to control him.

The woman smiled kindly, or so it looked like she was attempting with much strain. "Yeah, I found you half buried by the sand. It not always wise to travel out in to the desert without any water or supplies to build a shelter. The heat could have taken you easily." She reminded him. Gaara tensed up slightly at her explanation. This was so abnormal for him. He had never fell victim to physical exhaustion, especially from dehydration. He could have sworn he felt a sharp pain in his neck before he had blacked out, but he could never be sure.

He timidly brushed his fingers against the back of his neck, looking for whatever wound a needle or blade could have caused, but found none. He looked up to find the woman staring at him oddly as if he had grown a second head. Her somewhat dark and mysterious eyes made him uncomfortable and he quickly removed his hand. He supposed she was waiting for him to say something. "Um...thank you for your assistance." Gaara replied weakly.

"Oh it was no trouble," the woman laughed comfortably. "Actually I was glad to find you before anyone else did. There has been a lot of reports of young boys and girls disappearing all around the Land of Tea. Someone could have easily snatched you up with the rest of them. Word it their is some scandalous slave ring involved, but it could just be rumors." She stated in a low whisper as if spreading the gossip along.

The look of worry suddenly appeared on Gaara's face. Though he was not worried about such a problem for himself, it would prove to be dangerous as long as Naruto was headed here. Instantly he was filled with thoughts of what could have happened to his young, naive boyfriend. Naruto, not being the sharpest tool in the shed would be helpless against all of these cunning criminals. "I am sorry, but I most leave now. Your hospitality is most appreciated." Gaara rushed out as he climbed to his feet.

The woman looked unfazed by his eagerness to leave after she told him of the danger he would be. "Were you looking for someone?" She asked. Gaara suddenly halted in his actions and stared at the woman who stood there so calmly. "I know I have no business in the matter, but it just struck me as odd that you would so earnestly head for that town when you knew of the risk. I suppose it would be no trouble anyway for a strong, demonic lad like yourself," Gaara's eyes widened at hearing this, "so I guess you must be trying to protect someone else." She finished. She merely smiled at his look of astonishment. "I'm sorry if it was suppose to be a secret, it was just rather obvious for someone like myself."

"Someone like yourself?" Gaara questioned suspiciously. Who was this woman and how did she know he had a demon within him?

As if to support her statement, the woman quickly pulled out a few sutras. "I guess you could call me your friendly neighborhood demon exterminator." Her nearly chuckled, though sickeningly. Gaara's mind slowly slipped into a cloudy muck. He had no idea there were actually people who made this their job. But more importantly he didn't believe she was all that successful or liable as she lend on. There had been no previous cases of someone successfully getting rid of a demon, except the fourth Hokage. "Though it is a rare case that demons posses people or other things, I have found away to extract them without harming the host." She nearly gloated.

Gaara rose a skeptical, non existent eye brow at the woman's claim. Now he could proudly say he had met one of the most insane person that had ever lived.

"Oh, so you don't believe me? Suit yourself. You better hurry off and help that friend of yours. Just tell me, does he know about your demon?" The woman asked, seeming to be intrigued. Gaara glowered at her and the question. It been common knowledge that she was implying this rescue mission would be a waste if his friend should find out what he truly was. But this is why he was so determined to save Naruto. The blond liked him for who he was, every part of him. "It be such a shame to see this person, who obviously means the world to you, abandon you because of your demon. After all, what future could you two possibly have when the law of nature is against you? When demons are involved, it might just be better to stay away and not draw them into this mess." She suggested.

With a furious sneer, Gaara turned his back to her and raced out of the entrance. How dare she?! Naruto wasn't like that! He wouldn't leave him because things got to hard and complicated between them! That wasn't why Naruto ran away! It just couldn't be! There was something more for them, there just had to be! Gaara was triumphed in frustrating himself, wincing with each crestfallen thought of how Shukaku had prove to be a barrier in all his interactions with those he loved. He truly wished he hadn't just met that creepy woman. If only he had been kidnapped, at least he would e one step closer to finding Naruto.

"This day was a complete waste..." Sasuke said with a sigh. He had spent another hour and a half searching all the shops in Tea, but to no avail. It was when it was about time to meet up with Naruto again that he had decided to take a break. Instead of returning to their appointed meeting place, Sasuke stopped by a cozy Tea house nearby. He sat on the carpeted floor upon a tiny cushion after he was lead to a small square table with a single candle on it, closed off by three paper walls. It was comforting to had the limited amount of privacy, seeing as how he felt he would snap at anyone who spoke to him now.

After receiving the cup of Green tea he had order, Sasuke pathetically ran his fingers along the edge of the cup. How low he had fallen, having been reduced to brooding over his failure. It was no real issue to sulk over, yet Sasuke felt as though he had truly let Naruto down. His melancholy coal eyes fell to the auburn table surface when suddenly a shadow cast over him and he was intrigued to look up. Half expecting to find Naruto ready to yell at him, and half expecting a staff member to tell him he had been there for nearly an hour instead of the five minutes he had thought to have gone by; Sasuke was stunned to find the person standing overhead.

Familiar, long silver bangs slashed over a strong face and over two round circles of glass. Sasuke, who had never thought anyone more intimidating than himself, felt insecure upon being looked at by those mischievous eyes and that gleaming smirk. How was it possible? After all his searching, after all his calculating and planning, the idol of their voyage was standing before him as thought they had agreed on this meeting previously. "Well isn't this an unlikely surprise. You are the last person I expected to be here Uchiha."

In seconds Sasuke's eyed narrowed. Just the hint of amusement in Kabuto's voice told the teen it was no surprise at all. "How come I get the impression you knew we were looking for you all along?" Sasuke growled. His eyes only hardened more as the figure shrugged his shoulders and lightly sat down in front of him.

"We? I have no idea what you are talking about Sasuke. I merely came here to enjoy a nice cup of herbal tea, but here you are. I would have never guess running into you here." Kabuto explained with a merry smile. He leaned forward, balancing his chin in his palm as he supported his weight on the table. "But do tell me why you are here in the Land of Tea? You never struck me as the type to take pleasurable vacations during a busy mission season like this. What is it, the middle of January? Everyone is attempting their new goals for the year."

Sasuke felt the urge to cringe in disgust, but he quickly reframed form the thought seeing as how he would lose all accountability of Kabuto's cooperation if he were rude to him. "Actually I am on a mission. I was looking for you." Sasuke began. As long as he avoided personal conversations with Kabuto he would be able to hold back his anger. It was time to get straight to business, like he promised Naruto.

"Looking for me?" Kabuto mocked astonishment, his lips forming a tight 'o' shape. "But why? I would have at least expected you to be searching for that little blond friend of yours, Naruto was it?" Kabuto mentioned. Sasuke's brows knitted in confusion, what was he talking about? Why would he be looking for Naruto? Kabuto lightly rolled his eyes up in thought, "You haven't seen him have you? I thought he looked familiar when I saw some poor kid getting carried away by a couple of guys yesterday evening." Sasuke's fist tightened instantly. Did he just hear Kabuto right?!

"You saw Naruto getting kidnapped by those creeps and you didn't do anything to stop them?!" Sasuke yelled out, jumping to his feet. He knew Kabuto was evil, but that was just heartless. "Do you have any fucking idea the trouble I went through to get him out of that jam?!" Sasuke barked back, yet not startling Kabuto in the least bit.

Kabuto merely leaned back with a tiny smirk. "But wasn't that what you wanted?" Kabuto asked in a matter-of-fact voice. Sasuke's expression quickly fell into bewilderment at Kabuto's reply. "I thought you wanted to save him, right? Why should I take the glory that is rightfully yours? That is the reason you came here in the first place am I right Uchiha?" At a lost for words, Sasuke dumbly fell back into his seat. Kabuto had to be playing with his head. He pretended to be clueless, yet he was more insightful on the situation than Sasuke was. "I wonder..." Kabuto, shifted his eyes to the right and tightened his lips into a frown as if he were contemplating something serious. "Why are you so devoted in following after Naruto when he already has a knight in shining armor?"

"Shut up!" Sasuke lashed out. Kabuto knew about Gaara too?! What type of trick was this? Sasuke angrily crossed his arms, pouting over the other's ability to read his thoughts. "He is just a fling. As soon as Naruto realizes he can't do anything to help him, Naruto will finally give up on him." Sasuke explained. At least he hoped Naruto would see that soon. Surely Naruto had to realize him and Gaara were not meant to be. Two demons together would cause chaos between the two villages. Sasuke's thoughts were briefly interrupted by a loud and confident laugh from his guest.

For a moment Sasuke felt like a child again, telling his made up stories to a bunch of disbelieving grown ups. "And I thought Naruto was the one missing a few brain cells. You truly are as innocent as he is Sasuke. I don't think you really understand why Naruto came here, do you?" Sasuke lightly groaned at the implication. "What do you think will happen once Gaara and the villagers of Suna are healed? If I were to cure him like you two came to ask me, then there would be nothing separating Gaara from Naruto. Gaara would be alive and well, or even more better off. Naruto will no longer need you to help him with the mission, in fact he won't even need you to save him anymore. He would have Gaara; someone with the powers of a demon to his disposal, making him stronger than you ever could be. Why would Naruto return to Konoha, if he has something more worth while in Suna?"

The truth took a long while to dawn on Sasuke. His eyes shrunk in comprehension and his skin paled ever so slightly. It was as if his entire nervous system gave way to pain and fever as he was unknowingly shivering. It couldn't be true. Kabuto was lying to him! Kabuto always lied! He lied about being in the Chounin exams, he lied when he pretended to be their friend! Kabuto had every reason to lie to him now! He wouldn't have to help them if Sasuke changed his mind right?

"Face it Sasuke..." the raven haired teen stiffen when Kabuto's voice broke through again and he stared at him with empty, distant eyes and his lips slightly parted; "once Gaara is healed, you will be worthless to Naruto." Kabuto grinned widely as he allowed Sasuke the time he needed to grasp this new thought. But after a while he quickly stood back on his feet. "But-if you really care for him all that much and want to keep your promise to him, I suppose I could make a negotiation and help you two out." Kabuto chirped cheerfully as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb on Sasuke's head. "Here, come by if you ever make up your mind. But I won't bother you again with this matter," was Kabuto parting words as he slid a small piece of paper over to Sasuke and vanished into thin air.

Sasuke ghostly looked down at the paper; it had careful directions to find Kabuto at wherever he was staying. Before Sasuke had realized it, he had been staring at the piece of paper for twenty minutes and the waitress had long ago come back to refill his cup, only to find it was still full. "Um sir...your tea has gotten cold." The woman replied, wondering if he would want a fresh batch. She yelped suddenly when Sasuke rose without a word. She watched peculiarly as Sasuke held the paper over the quant little candles placed in the middle of each table. She watched in amazement as the tiny flame slowly started to consume the paper.

Dead, black eyes watched the white slowly crumple into a dismal black and brown before falling piece by piece into the strong flame and disappearing into ash. "I'm sorry Naruto..."

To Be Continued...

A/N: Sasuke! What are you doing?! He's falling into Kabuto's trap so easily and he didn't even find it suspicious that Kabuto knew everything before he even told him, that would have been an easy clue. Oh well, why can't undo the damage done. You can expect some Sasu/Naru lime or fluff in the next chapter! So please keep alert!