Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 32

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

The town was deserted when they arrived. All around was nothing but desert. They all huddled around the map to make sure they had the right place. They dressed in brown cloaks that could be interchanged into green if they turned it inside out. The fabric was soft and supple, a specialty fabric from Old man Himo’s awesome shop that was adaptable to weather conditions.

“It’s the right town, but there’s no one here anymore.” Choji murmured yanking down his hood. “What happened to this place?” He scanned the environment.

Ino shook her head. “No idea, but we should look around.” The winds blew forebodingly through the deserted town. “Let’s stay together.” She lingered close to them, each on the lookout and alert to whatever might pop up. The ground was dry and even though it was the afternoon time, it was cold because of the high elevation. Winter was going to bear down on them these coming weeks, Ino thought, eyes catching a movement.

“You see that?” She nodded to the place she saw the shadow move. “I feel like a millions eyes are watching me.” She shifted her eyes back and forth across the dusty road in front of them nervously.

“Over there, see the door? It’s the only one that doesn’t have cobwebs on it.” Shikamaru pointed. “That’s our best bet. Let’s go.” The building did indeed look different than the others.

“Ino! Did you just knock on the door?” Choji asked astounded. Her fist was hovering over the door that had flaking blue paint.

“Uh…yes?” She offered sheepishly wiping the paint flakes off of her knuckles. The boys pulled out their weapons.

“Come in!” Someone yelled on the other side of the door, talking them off guard (insert anime-style sweatdrop). Ino grinned with a shrug and opened the door.

“Really, we don’t need to use violence all the time.” She tsked lightly.

“Still…” Shikamaru shifted his eyes around uneasily. “Let’s be careful.”

The room was warm and bright and…ugh…smelled like cats. She wrinkled her nose and awkwardly stumbled further in while a swarm of cats and kittens meowed around her ankles. Awww….cute!

“Do you have an appointment?” A tall, young looking girl with long brown hair and a friendly smile greeted them. She and Shikamaru politely lowered their hood so she could clearly see their faces as to not arouse any suspicion.

“Uh, actually we don’t have an appointment.” Choji said awkwardly, eyes glued to the young girl like she was the most fascinating thing in the world. His cheeks were even growing pinker by the moment.

“But we need to see Elder Cat urgently.” Ino said, eyes looking back and forth between the two. The girl didn’t even look like she was listening to her! She and Choji were too busy making goo-goo eyes at each other.

“You’re from Leaf?” She asked breathlessly, linking arms with Choji, leading them through the foyer and into the next room. The two began to talk, totally ignoring she and Shikamaru. “Grandma! We have…special guests.” She purred, flushing when Choji flushed before giggling. They were both giggling! Gods, this flirting was just too obvious and mushy for her tastes. They met…what? Twenty seconds ago and they act like they’ve been in love for a lifetime!

Ino awkwardly looked from them and saw an old woman sitting on a lush throne of pillows with a long slender pipe hanging from her mouth. Her white hair was pulled into puffy thick ponytail and her clothes looked to be of fine quality (albeit, matted with cat hair). Two large cats sat on either side of her, glittering yellow eyes keeping a watchful gaze on her team. They were much larger than the other dozen cats lounging in the room and had clothing and weapons strapped to their hulking furry bodies. Aio was pretty small compared to these guys she thought, politely bowing her head to the old woman.

“More guests, Tamaki? We’ve been seeing a lot of you lately.” She said, blowing sweet smoke into the air. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

Even though she sounded like a kindly grandma, Ino could hear the underlying shrewdness in the question and so could Shikamaru because he was tense beside her. “I –We came to inquire about one of your ninja cats, Aio.” She began, gauging Elder Cat’s expression. She was aware that more cats were entering the room, at least three larger ninja cats as well. She couldn’t help the trickle on unease that ran down her spine.

“Aio? And who are you to inquire about him?” Elder Cat’s eyes sharpened. “What is your name?”

She gave a quick look to the guardian cats, noticing the way they shifted to their paws somewhat discreetly as of ready to pounce at any given moment. “Ino. Ino Yamanaka.” She said, feeling her name send a wave of shock through the old woman and the ninja cats.

“Ino Yamanaka? The one Itachi—” A calico female ninja cat asked, only to be silenced by a sharp look from Elder Cat.

Slowly, she looked back at Ino, some hardness in her eyes disappearing. “Well, well well. This is certainly ironic. Had you come three days ago you would have run into Sasuke Uchiha.”

Ino blanched with a mix of intense disappointment, but equally intense relief. “Sasuke was here three days ago?” Her throat clenched with emotion. And she missed him…

“He came to gather some supplies. Weapons, medicine, clothing, things like that. He had some people with him too.” She said, petting one of her guardian cats.

“His new team.” Shikamaru confirmed.

“Do you know who they were? Can you describe them to me?” Ino asked.

There was some thoughtfulness lingering in the air at her question. “There were two guys and a girl.” Elder Cat’s granddaughter, Tamaki unattached herself from Choji’s arm. “One of the guys was named Suigetsu and the girl…I think Sasuke called her Karin.”

Ino couldn’t help but scoff at Karin’s name. Really Sasuke? You chose her to be on your team? That bitch better keep her hands to herself! But then again…he has Suigetsu with him too. She mentally smiled at that. She missed cocky, playful (naked) Suigetsu! She felt better now. He would definitely keep annoying Karin off of Sasuke.

“And the other guy? Did you catch his name?” Choji asked Tamaki.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “He was really tall with red hair and red eyes. I had a hard time finding clothes for him!”

“Juugo. His name was Juugo.” Elder Cat supplied. “Dangerous, that one was. I could feel how unbalanced his chakra was.”

“You know them Ino?” Shikamaru asked turning his head slightly in her direction.

“Not Juugo.” Though she might have heard about him, she couldn’t remember. “But I’ve met Suigetsu and Karin. Remember when we went to Flare Valley that one time? When we first found out about Orochimaru’s cursed seal ninjas?” Her team nodded, thinking back. “Remember when me and you heard a girl trying to save that mom and telling her to leave before Kabuto came?” She was addressing Shikamaru. “That was her. She’s a really sensitive sensor nin and one of Orochimaru’s medics.”

“And Suigetsu?” He asked.

Ino couldn’t help but smile. “Suigetsu…I met him when we were at West Base. He’s a Mist nin Orochimaru captured and did experiments on. He and Sasuke never got along much.” Because of me. “He’s someone I would consider a friend.” I hope. You haven’t changed much right Suigetsu?

“And I assume you know the reason he gathered them right?” Elder Cat asked evenly, puffing some smoke rings into the air trying not to look concerned.

Ino nodded sadly not fooled one bit by her attitude. “Sasuke wants to kill Itachi.”

Elder Cat sighed. “Such a sad thing. Two of the last Uchiha fighting to the death. The ninja world would suffer if that powerful blood-line was lost forever.”

Ino didn’t want to tell her about Reiko. He was untrained and vulnerable. The less strangers knew about him, the safer he would be.  “That’s why I want to find Aio. He’s been keeping in touch with Itachi. If we can get to him in time, then maybe he won’t die.”

Tamaki shook her head, her expression skeptical. “Sasuke is determined to kill him! What can you do?”

“I have a plan!” Ino said a tad desperately. “I don’t want Itachi to die just as much as you do. If I can get to him there might be a chance.”

Elder Cat puffed her pipe in contemplation. “I wish I could help you then.” She began sighing heavily. “But I don’t know where Aio is and unfortunately, he’s the only one who can get in contact with Itachi. But he did say something about a certain place and Sasuke mentioned it as well. I think that where the final battle is going to be. That place has a lot of ties with the Uchiha Clan.” She shrugged. “It’s just a guess though.”

“It’s the best information we have. I’m sorry.” Tamaki said, slipping her hand into Choji’s and giving it a squeeze of apology.

Ino looked to her teammates. “It’s the best we can go on, but it’s up to you Ino.” Shikamaru said. A guess and a place whispered about. It wasn’t much to go on. But it was more information than they began with.

“We’ll check it out.”

Reiko watched earnestly as Karin worked on Aio while the red giant, Juugo wrapped Sasuke’s chest and back with clean wrappings. “Do you know what happened to him?” He asked in a little voice.

Karin sighed. “Looks like some cellular damage around his chest and lungs.”

“He probably breathed in Deidera’s bomb dust.” Sasuke muttered.

Reiko! Come this way, away from the breeze and hold your breath…

Tears began forming. So it is my fault. If I had just listened and had not run to see Sasuke’s battle, Aio would be alright and I would be closer to mom’s home. “Is he going to be okay? He won’t d-die right?” He looked up to Karin, with his eye lashes trembling with tears. Her expression softened a little, before she cleared her throat and fixed her glasses.

“I don’t know. I have to go into town and see if there’s a vet or something. Animal healing isn’t my forte.” She said haughtily. Reiko would have been hurt by her nonchalance if he hadn’t seen that brief, fleeting tenderness in her magenta eyes. She wasn’t so bad. She stood and turned to Sasuke, arms folded, tapping her foot. “You act high and mighty about wanting to kill Itachi, but if you keep messing yourself up like this, you won’t be going anywhere.” She scolded Sasuke. He looked like he was blotting out her nagging.

Reiko kneeled in front of Aio and stroked his thick, soft black fur on top of his head. Aio eyes opened a little and Reiko smiled down at him. “Sorry about this.” He whispered, knowing Aio would be able to hear him but not the others. “Next time, I’ll listen to whatever you have to say without talking back. Promise.” Aio’s eyes twinkled a little before closing again.

“Well we’ve been traveling nonstop for quite some time, so nows a good chance to get some rest.” Suigetsu said, hiding a yawn behind his hand and giving Reiko a little wink in his direction.

Karin spun with sudden quickness, Reiko was surprise she didn’t get dizzy! “You’ve done nothing but rest since we started you lazy ass dipshit!” She screamed, pointing an accusing finger in Suigetsu’s face.

“You didn’t do jack shit back in Northern Hideout, so don’t even start trying to boss me around now.” Suigetsu said heatedly, his posture tensing from his sitting position against the wall.

Karin grew enraged. “What was that?” You wanna a piece of me you little—”

“That’s enough both of you!” Sasuke snapped at them. Reiko was thoroughly enjoying the banter and hid his gleefully evil smile behind a wall of feigned anxiety. “Suigetsu, Karin, did you obtain any information on Itachi?” He asked.

There it was, this Itachi person again. So Sasuke was the big boss and the others were under his command and they were looking for someone named Itachi. Karin had said that Sasuke wanted to kill this Itachi person. Hum, wonder what happened between Sasuke and Itachi for him to want him dead. Reiko wondered earnestly, settling beside Aio and bringing his knees to his chest. He was looking out of the window to be polite, but he actively listened with great interest.

Karin was undaunted by Sasuke’s demanding question. “You’re a little too messed up to be bossy.” She muttered to him.

“I got some information on Akatsuki.” Suigetsu shot Karin a look. “But nothing specific on Itachi.” He admitted.

Karin shrugged sadly. “I got zero.”

Suigetsu leaned forward. “It seems they’re aiming for specific targets. People with a special type of chakra.” Reiko perked. There was chakra that was more special than others? He thought back to the Earth Sprits, but he didn’t think that’s who Sasuke and his team were talking about.
“Special type of chakra.” Sasuke muttered, looking like he had an idea about it.

“After talking to a few animals, I was able to discover some of their hideouts.” The red giant said softly, leaning against the room’s railing without a shirt on. A little brown sparrow was perched on his muscular shoulder, chirping happily as if talking to him. This guy has such deep churning chakra but the animals don’t seem to care, Reiko thought looking at Juugo. “They’re always sensing a huge, sinister chakra, coming from the hideouts. That’s what the animals are saying.”

“So, even those retarded animals can feel chakra huh?” Suigetsu snorted. “Or maybe it’s due to the fact that they are retarded. Just like Karin, eh?”

Reiko quickly hid his budding smile behind his hand as soon and he felt Karin’s fury and outrage eclipse the whole room. Before Suigetsu could even move away, she brought her heel down hard into his face and Suigetsu’s head exploded into water.

“What was that you fucktard?!” She roared. She continued to land kick and punches on Shark-teeth before his body was able to reset itself. Reiko scooted away from them, pulling Aio on his blanket with him. But then his blood ran cold when he felt another dark chakra come to life from the quiet red giant, Juugo.

“Kill…I wanna kill…” He was madly muttering, his hulking body began to quiver with his churning chakra. Reiko’s eyes widened and he grabbed Aio and dashed to the only place that was safe in the room, and that was behind Sasuke. He didn’t touch him or anything. After he placed Aio in a safe place he turned and hovered close to Sasuke, witnessing over his shoulder Karin and Suigetsu struggling to hold Juugo in place. One side of his face was growing grey and his red eye turned back and yellow, like that of an animal. Or a scary monster, Reiko thought with a heavy shudder.

“Sasuke do something!” Karin called out to him.

Reiko was very good at feeling chakra and how much a person had inside of them. Sasuke’s chakra was cold and frightening. He could feel him activate his Sharingan with ease and stopped himself from doing the same. If only Sasuke knew he had eyes like him, he could show Reiko how to use them right. Maybe he could tell him of some other people how had the Sharingan too and then when he got back to his mother’s village, she could ask them to train him. He wanted his eyes to be good weapons! He wanted to be powerful like Sasuke!

“Juugo. Relax.” Sasuke told the trembling red giant. Reiko could feel Sasuke’s powers overcome Juugo. He felt how much control he wielded over his whole team and Reiko couldn’t help but be in awe of him. Then his power was sapped from the air and Reiko quickly caught Sasuke by his shoulders in surprise. Did he die? No, he just fell asleep Reiko quickly realized. That battle must have been tough and controlling Juugo finally had him succumbing to sleep. Sasuke was powerful, no doubt, but he was also hurt and exhausted. Grrr, and heavy! Reiko inched his knees back on the floor, holding Sasuke as gently as he could around his chest. Luckily Juugo was back to normal and helped him ease Sasuke back down on his bed.

“Karin, this is what happens when you start bitching and moaning.” Suigetsu tsked, giving her a glare.

“And what about you?” Karin loudly whispered back.

“You’re always trying to provoke me what’s the bid deal?” Suigetsu stood. “I told you before, I have no intention of leaving Sasuke due to my own personal reasons.”

Karin blushed. “I-I’m not up to anything…” She protested, flustered.

“I…need Sasuke.” Juugo said softly, kneeling by Sasuke’s side. “The only one who can replace Kimmimaro…is Sasuke.” Karin and Suigetsu shared a look, almost guilty like. Reiko wondered what that was about. Who the heck was Kim—Kimimam---Kimmimaro? “Sasuke said that he would become my cage. Just like he’s shown, Sasuke’s the only one who can stop my impulses.”

“I don’t know about her.” Suigetsu shot Karin a glare. “But our cages are unlocked. We can escape whenever we want. Still…I meant what I said about Sexy and Kisame. That’s why I’m staying.”

Everyone here has some reason for staying with Sasuke except him. Aio had told him not to let anyone know about his eyes and he was going to listen this time Reiko thought, checking on the cat. No matter how much he wanted to just blurt everything out, he knew better then to do it.

“Well, not much we can do for now.” Suigetsu stretched. “Come on kid. Are you hungry?”

Reiko leapt to his feet. “Yes!” When he saw the others stare at him he blushed. “I mean, I can go for a little something.”

Suigetsu just snorted and motioned him forward. “You guys coming?”

“Just bring me back something.” Karin said, kneeling on the other side of Sasuke to heal him while he slept.

“I’ll stay as well.” Juugo said. Suigetsu shrugged and clapped Reiko on the shoulder.

“I saw this place not too far away that has the best yogurt.”

It was a nice place and luckily Reiko had kept his money in his pockets instead of in his bag. He was still upset about that…all his clothes and weapons and new toys were gone! And his map! He ordered a big plate of food and shared with Suigetsu.

“So, you’re looking for your Mommy huh? How come you’re not with her?”

Reiko was thoughtful, wondering how much he should tell him without giving a lot a way. “We got separated in Earth Country. Aio found me and said that he would help me find my way back to her.”

Suigetsu tore onto a BBQ turkey leg. “Aio. Your cat right? You’re following a dumb cat home?” He asked with his mouth full.

Reiko scowled. “He’s not dumb! He can talk and stuff. He’s a ninja cat.” He insisted. Suigetsu was studying his face with a little soft smile that Reiko was becoming self conscious. “What? Do I have food on my face?”

He was chewing thoughtfully. “Nah, it’s just that you look a lot like a girl I know and it’s freaky.” He said, leaning back on the booth and sipped on his passion fruit green tea.

“I look like a girl?” Reiko huffed, not too sure how to take that. The Earth Sprits said he looked a lot like his mother, but he was never mistaken as a girl. Not even here in this resort town. Maybe I should dress in manlier clothes and cut my hair.

“You even have her cute little scowl.” He mused, snagging some BBQ chicken from his plate. Reiko stopped scowling.

“Was she the reason why you saved me? Because I look like her?”

He shrugged. “Of course. That’s why Sasuke doesn’t mind having you with us while your cat gets better. He misses her a lot too.”

Reiko frowned. Sasuke looked like nothing could bother him, let alone a girl. “Who? What’s her name?”

“Her name? Well I call her Sexy but her real name is—”

“Suigetsu! There you are!” Karin was standing next to their booth, arms folded. “Your cat’s awake kid. But he’s not completely healed. He wanted me to come and get you.”

Reiko completely forgot what he and Suigetsu were talking about, delighted attention on Karin. “Aio’s awake? Really! That’s great!”

“Did you get some food? Sasuke is going to be awake soon and he’ll be hungry.” Karin warned. Suigetsu had a waitress pack of what was leftover and ordered some dishes for Karin, Juugo and Sasuke as well. Reiko helped him carry it back to the inn, full and happily tired.

Aio was indeed up and gingerly lapping water from a styrofoam bowl. When he saw Reiko he gave a little smile. “Did you eat?” He asked, sniffing the air.

Reiko placed the paper bags on the floor in a corner. “I brought something for you too! You said you liked donburi and I got some for you!” He opened the top of the styrofome bowl and sat the thick, savory smelling stew next to Aio’s bowl of water. “Are you feeling better? Karin said you still need to heal.”

Aio settled on his belly in front of his food and began to eat. “I’ll be okay. Cats have nine lives remember?”

Reiko giggled softly behind his hand. “How many lived do you have left then?”

He grimaced. “Maybe five…or was it four?”

They talked quietly amongst themselves far from the group making sure not to let any sensitive information slip from their lips. For some odd reason, Aio kept looking anxiously at a sleeping Sasuke like he was afraid of him or something. Maybe he could feel how powerful Sasuke was. But besides the episode with Juugo going crazy, he didn’t feel scared of Sasuke’s team or anything. He was wary and cautious around them, but not particularly scared. He didn’t know when or how he fell asleep, but he woke when someone got up to use the bathroom. He unrolled himself from the blankets someone put over him and looked around to see who it was.

A few moments later, he saw it was Sasuke. “What are you doing up?” His voice was low and his eyes were heavy lidded.

“I just heard someone. Sorry.” He looked down, only to have Sasuke put a finger under his chin and lift his face while he crouched in front of him. The windows were open and bright moonlight glowed into their room. For a second, Reiko felt awkward, but didn’t hesitate to meet Sasuke’s dark eyes. He read flashes of unsaid emotions flicker in the ebony orbs. “Do I really look a lot like her?”

Whatever Sasuke was feeling instantly banked from his expression. “What are you talking about?”

“Sui-Suigetsu said…” Sasuke released him and Reiko felt a little hurt by the abruptness of the action.

“Suigetsu has a big mouth. Go back to sleep.”

Reiko nestled back under his blankets. “Can you at least tell me her name?” He asked softly. It was only met with silence. Dejected, he closed his eyes. Fine don’t tell me.

“Ino. Her name is Ino.” Reiko snapped open his eyes. Ino? He was about to ask about her when he felt Aio’s sharp claws dig into his leg to stop him. He said Ino! His mom’s name was Ino! Was that a common name? If Sasuke and Suigetsu said that he looked a lot like their Ino. Maybe it was the same person? That meant they knew his mom! And maybe they knew his dad too! Maybe Sasuke was related to him or something! A new feeling blossomed in his heart. Suigetsu said that Sasuke missed Ino a lot…could…could…

“No Reiko, it’s not him.” Aio hissed, seeing the question begin to form on Reiko’s lips.

“But how do you know? You said you never met him before.” He whispered, heart sinking. His parents wouldn’t be very old. The Earth Spirits told him that his mom would only be sixteen, and Reiko suspected his dad would be the same age. But Aio was saying that it wasn’t Sasuke. Why did he feel a little sad about that? He hardly knew Sasuke to feel that way. By tomorrow, he and Aio would probably be on their way back to his mother’s village. Away from this funny but powerful team of ninja.

“Reiko, focus on getting back to you mom. I’m sorry I can’t tell you about your father, but she can.”

Reiko huffed and buried his head in his blankets. He was getting frustrated and letting his emotions run wild. He didn’t want the others to see him cry again. If Sasuke wasn’t his dad, who was?

“This place is farther than I expected.” Ino said, settling down on the ground in front of the fire.

“It’s a hideout so it’s logically in a place that is hard to detect. Getting there wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.” Shikamaru said, leaning back in his bedding and putting his hands behind his head.

Ino grumbled under her breath, pulling her hair band out so she could brush her hair. “Isn’t there a place to go to for a decent nights rest? And a shower perhaps?”

“We need to hit a village or town soon to restock.” Choji rumbled, eating a handful of nuts and raisins from his bag of trail mix. Throughout the whole day, he looked distracted. Ino thought it was because of that girl, Tamaki but now she wasn’t so sure.

She gave him a concerned look before pulling out the map, letting her long blonde hair rest over her shoulder. “There’s a small traveling inn between these two villages. We can stay there and out of sight. Maybe have someone run some errands for us to restock our supplies.”

Choji looked over her shoulder to have a glance at them map. “Shikamaru?”

He sighed. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t mind a nice soft bed for the night.”

“It’s between Honey Kiss Springs and Burning River Village.”

Shikamaru yawned. “Great, honeymoon resorts.”

Choji looked off in the distance. That was it! She need his head in the game not pondering on other things! “Okay, spill it.” She skewered him with a demanding glare. “What’s wrong and don’t tell me nothing!” She snapped. Shikamaru sat up.

“What?” Choji asked innocently, looking wide eyed back and forth at both of them like they were going to jump him or something.

“Ino is right. I wasn’t going to say anything, but you’re just acting too weird.”

“Is it that girl? Is that why your head is in the clouds?” Ino nudged him in his belly with a sparkle in her eye. He flushed vividly.

“No! It’s not that!” He protested, crumbling the empty bag of trail mix and throwing it in the fire. Ino jumped on his back to stop him from leaving. She felt a little foolish hanging on him like a monkey, but he did make a move to toss her off of him. Choji was just too nice to hurt her in anyway and that meant her feelings as well.

“Choji, what is it?” Shikamaru stared at him with that shrewd expression he only gets when he was serious. Ino rocked back and forth to goad a response.

“Alright, something has been bothering me.” He mumbled. “Ino, you showed us how an Uchiha has to get their Mangekyo Sharingan, but have you ever heard of an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?”

Ino frowned and rested her chin on his shoulder. “Hmmm. No I haven’t.” She admitted. “So? What about it?”

He took a deep breath. “Well, when we were in Nakano Shrine I found something. A story really about these two brothers…”

“Honey Kiss Springs? Why would someone name their resort Honey Kiss? Ewww!” Reiko pretended to puke.

Aio was doing much better this morning and decided it was time for them to part from Sasuke’s company. Reiko was a little sad about it, but Karin had said that the team had to leave anyways because there were people after Sasuke.

“Is he okay to travel then?” Reiko asked her as she began to pack their things.

“Sasuke is strong. He says he’s okay so he’s okay.” She told him, folding their blankets and Sasuke’s dirty clothes in a bag.

Suigetsu, Juugo and Sasuke were huddled together, looking over a map that Juugo marked with Akatsuki hideouts. Whatever they were. As much as Reiko had enjoyed hanging out with cool ninja like them, including Karin, Aio was right. It was time for him to make it back home to finally see his mom. Reiko dug into his pockets and pulled out something and held it out to Karin.

She stopped packing. “What?” Her magenta eyes narrowed a little. “A paper flower?”

“It’s made out of Ryu. Here.” He pressed it into her fingers with a grin. “I know you probably won’t throw it away because it’s made of money. It’s a thank you for making Aio all better.”

Her eyes widened and softened before she adjusted her glasses. “Tch, like this will make up for my hard work!” She snapped tightening her fingers around his present. Reiko’s grin didn’t fade. He waved goodbye to her, watching from the corner of his eye as she twirled the paper flower a few times before slipping it into the pocket of her cloak. Really, Karin wasn’t that bad.

“Uh? Excuse me?” He called out to the other three men. They stopped talking at once. “Just want to say thank you for saving me Suigetsu. And thank you for letting Karin heal Aio Sasuke. Also, thank you Juugo for getting me a new map.” He gave each one of them one if his infamous beaming smiles that melted many hearts, young and old.

“You’re taking off then?” Suigetsu asked, ruffling his hair. Reiko pushed his hand back. He messed up his hair again! He yanked his rubberband out and began to pull his hair back into a sleek ponytail.

“Quit doing that!” He snapped with a pout.

“Where are you going?” Sasuke asked.

Reiko wrinkled his nose. “Honey Kiss Springs. Ugh, what kind of name is that?”

His lips lifted slightly. “It a honeymoon resort.”

“Honeymoon?” His eyebrow quirked. “What’s that?”

“It’s a place where newlyweds go and have fun. Some bow-shika-wow-wow---ouch!”

“Suigetsu. Stop.” Sasuke said after elbowing him hard in the side.

Reiko flushed. He was only ten, but Earth sprites were flirty things that tempted a lot of men, both mystical and mortal. He knew what Suigetsu was referring too and it made him even more grossed out. “Ewww! Now I really don’t want to go there!”

Juugo looked as serious as usual, but Suigetsu and Sasuke both looked amused. “Take care kid and don’t go and get yourself into trouble again. Leave ninja battles to the ones fighting them.” Suigetsu rocked on his heels with his hands in his pockets.

Reiko rolled his eyes. “I’ll try my best.”

Juugo and Sasuke gave him a nod and then he and Aio were back on the road. “It’s a nice day huh? I’m glad you feel better Aio. I was really worried, but Karin did a good job and Sasuke and Suigetsu were really cool to hang out with.”

“You enjoyed their company? Even Sasuke’s?” Aio asked, trotting beside him.

“Sasuke is really powerful, but it looks like he has a lot on his mind. Whoever Itachi is. Well, he’s in big trouble.”

Aio’s big green eyes stayed focused on the road. “Yeah.”

They did some more training and Aio allowed him to use his eyes more freely. Reiko enjoyed looking at the world with his Sharingan. He liked how the sky turned orange and the clouds turned black like he was looking at a negative picture of the whole world! The sun looked red like blood and he could see so many chakra signatures, both large and small. He didn’t have any weapons, but Aio told him to practice with rocks and sticks, which made him feel pretty lame.

“This sucks, when we get to the resort, I wanna find a weapon’s shop!” He demanded, seeing the first glimpse of a huge resort town, even bigger than the one they left from early that morning.

“Let’s go this way. I want to avoid the main entrance.”

“You never told me why we have to go here. We can pass this place and get to my mom’s village sooner.” He muttered with a scowl.

“I need to meet with someone.” Aio said absently, leading him through small alleyways and the back of stores. Away from the public.

“Who?” Reiko was curious. “Is it someone cool like Sasuke?”

Aio snorted in amusement. “Yes. This way.”

They came to a spot that looked like time had forgotten it. A withered shack that had a rusted roof and broken windows. “What the hell Aio! This isn’t a cool place!” He huffed, both hands on his waist, thoroughly peeved.

“Looks can be deceiving child.” Reiko’s little hairs on his neck stuck up and he whirled around in alarm, eyes red. They clashed with another Sharingan.

“Wh—who?” He swallowed. “Who are you?”

The man looked like he was older than Sasuke and Suigetsu. His black hair was long, in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. He was wearing a red and black cloak (that looked kinda familiar) and his eyes…his eyes were…like…his…it was like looking into a reflection of himself.

“They released him early.” The man said, not moving his intense gaze from Reiko. The child didn’t move from his spot, even when the other Sharingan user advanced on him. “He looks like her.”

Reiko regarded him, surprised. “You know my mom?” Him too?

“She was most heartbroken when she left you.” He said. Reiko felt his throat tighten and eyes water. “She cares for you a great deal Reiko Yamanaka.”

“So you know me too? Do I get to find out who you are?” He didn’t mean for it to sound like a challenge, but sometimes things came out that way.

The man gave a ghost of a smile. “Aio tells me that you know of me.” Reiko glanced down at the silent Aio. “I am Itachi Uchiha.”