Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Reflection of Oneself ❯ Return ( Chapter 15 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

The Reflection of Oneself

Chapter 15: Return

Freedom.

It's a state of being we feel when our lives have become totally uninhibited. It is to live unbound, with no concerns and no fears, yet many become restless. Perhaps rules are made to be broken, but there will always consciences. If one does not use this gift wisely and to be so uncontrolled that others are harmed in the process, it can lead to that freedom being taken away…

“How could you have let them escape!?”

If he had been a flower, he would have wilted and died on the spot.

Kabuto cursed silently. His jaw locked, he fought to keep a straight face during Orochimaru's verbal beating. If he hadn't been so valuable to the Snake Sannin as he was, the gray haired medic knew he would have been killed outright. At times like these, he didn't know whether to grateful or not.

“All you were facing was a pathetic former teacher, a Hyuuga with egomania, a man that can't use his chakra, and a two-bit weapon user. It shouldn't have been that hard, dammit!”

He abhorred Umino Iruka.

The first time the two men had crossed paths was seven years ago, a year before the war between Oto and Konoha began. It had happened in Snow Country, when he had been sent as Orochimaru's personal ambassador to finalize a deal concerning the purchase of the weapons of mass destruction used by Yuki's former régime. As it happened, Konoha had caught wind of the deal and sent an entourage of their finest to stop it from happening.

Umino Iruka had been a part of that team, having recently risen to the rank of jounin. Although he possessed no outstanding skills in areas that most shinobi thrived upon, the older man was ever the master of psychological warfare. As the team's backbone for precision, Iruka's insight into the situation allowed for the team to thwart Oto's dealings.

To say Orochimaru had been unhappy with the results was a gross understatement, and Kabuto himself had faced the full brunt of that apocalypse.

The second time they had crossed paths had taken place four years ago. The war had been a constant of tactical gorilla combat for just over two years, losses reflected on both sides. The situation at hand dealt with a clan of nomadic shinobi from the Western Countries that were looking to settle down in the Elemental Countries. Needing more fighters, Orochimaru had sent the medic in hopes of convincing the clan to join Oto.

Unfortunately, it had been once again the `thanks' of one Umino Iruka, now an ANBU, which had thwarted this attempt. The only thing that had stopped the clan from joining Oto had been, ironically, Iruka's tale of Naruto's death because of Oto. Apparently they had had their own jinchuuriki once, a younger girl whom had borne the Shichibi no Kaku till her death at the hands of the Akatsuki. And because of that little detail, Konoha had won herself a new clan, although the clan was told that Konoha had happily persecuted their own jinchuuriki all his life.

So once again, Kabuto was forced to face the music.

During these last few years, Umino Iruka had become a thorn in Yakushi Kabuto's side. If it weren't for that man and a few others, Oto would have crushed Konoha long ago. And that was why he wanted desperately for one of his clones to live. When Nanikato had been `born' perfect and healthy, the gray hair man was assured his revenge. He knew that Iruka had spent the two years after Naruto's death recovering from a mental breakdown, so he knew his boy would be able to literately crush the man's heart just by being looking at him.

Then Iruka and his team had slipped into Otogakure unnoticed and had stolen all his data concerning the cloning. For the most part, Kabuto had been satisfied that they wouldn't know who `donated' the blood for his clones, and thus he still possessed that element of surprise.

“And now three of my greatest assets are also missing! Without that boy and the Uchiha, I'll never be able to see Konoha crushed the way I'd like. And that bitch stole all my sake as well! When I get my hands on her - ”

The subsequent shock that morning yielded was discovering that not only had Uchiha Sasuke finally flown the coop after all these years, but he had taken Nanikato with him. Using the distraction caused by the Konoha spies fighting the ANBU, they had deserted the village and vanished without a trace. It was hours later that also discovered that Mateki no Tayuya, the last of the once powerful Sound Four, had also gone and with her, Orochimaru's sake collection.

At times like these, a man had to settle for second prize.

“It isn't all that bad Orochimaru-sama,” Kabuto replied, speaking his mind the moment the older man paused to take a breath. “I did take some necessary precautions well in advance. I didn't believe it would have to be used, as it was a last resort option.”

Orochimaru glared at him, but nonetheless kept from continuing his rant.

“Explain.”

Kabuto smiled thinly. “It's quite simple, really. They'll be walking into a trap - they all will. I may not have been able to stop the Konoha spies from escaping, but I'm certain that they'll cross paths with cross paths with Sasuke and the boy. Seeing that Nanikato-kun is a perfect copy of Naruto in all but memories and personality, they will most certainly assume that the boy will be exactly like his predecessor. That means they will capture him, believing that he has somehow been brainwashed and needs `saving', thus they will taking our little Trojan horse into the heart of Konoha itself.”

The Snake Sannin chuckled softly.

“Please continue - I like how this is sounding.”

The medic nodded, speeding his hands. “The boy is a sleeper agent. Not long after his awakening, I began programming triggers in his subconscious should he ever fall into Konoha's hands. However, once you bestowed your curse seal upon him, his mind fragmented. Although the previous programming was lost, we were given an even better outlet. When the juinjutsu took effect, it apparently merged with whatever was left behind by the death of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. It created within Nanikato-kun, a split personality. I have seen its work firsthand.

Once Tayuya's Eika no Yasashii suppressed his inner beast, he wilted under the mental trauma. During his following checkups, I began to work on dulling the memories so that he would not only be able to function normally, but so that I could gain control of his darker half. There I planted new triggers, which when activated, would release the beast injunction with the curse seal's second level.”

Kabuto paused, waiting for any subtle reaction from his master. He released the breath he didn't know he had been holding in relief when Orochimaru smirked, looking thoroughly pleased.

`Be thankful for the little things,' he told himself. `While things haven't exactly gone according to plan, they could have been worse. Like being killed.'

“Knowing Konoha,” Orochimaru replied. “The bias of the Elder's Council, they will automatically make the same assumption they did with Naruto-kun and decided that Nanikato-kun is Kyuubi reborn. Because of that, they will get what they want. All they will have to do is speak a few concise words, and what should have happened twenty-five years ago will be finished.”

The gray haired medic smirked inwardly.

`Yes. And when it's done, you'll be next.'

-.ooOoo.-

At Sea, Three Weeks Later:

“This is so cool!”

Sasuke allowed himself an actual smile as he followed Nanikato's gaze over the vast ocean stretched before them. Its deep blues and greens glowed with the fiery golden light of the slowly setting sun, giving the sight an ethereal quality. The blonde was exhilarated, exuding a contagious cheerfulness that he wasn't normally known for.

It was extraordinary really, seeing the uncanny resemblance that Nanikato and Naruto shared. Although they looked the same, they were so completely different, as if they were polar opposites of each other. Yet at times, the younger blonde could just be so… so Naruto. All that they shared and all that made them unique, it was all a part of their individuality. Like… brothers…

It was perhaps much the same likeness that he had and still shared with Itachi.

“Yes, it is beautiful.”

The Uchiha turned his gaze away then. He hadn't been very found of sunsets since the massacre. It was something that he and Itachi had shared on the occasions his brother wasn't away on missions, seeking out the roofs of the Uchiha compound to watch the sunset in silence. He had loved those moments they had shared together… and while he still loved them, the memories only brought him pain.

Bonds of blood were always the hardest to break, as were the memories that went with them. As much as Sasuke convinced himself that he hated Itachi, there was always going to be that place in his heart that belonged to his older brother. In his battered heart, he was still the child that had lost his family all those years ago. And he was still the child that had lost his most precious person - his brother - that day. Denial didn't help at all, no matter how many times he had wished that Itachi was someone else's brother, he knew that there would always be the blood of their doomed clan to tie them together.

And even though he begrudged the thought, perhaps he had found the enlightenment that had eluded him all these years…

The sound of retching brought him back to reality.

“How much fucking longer are we going to stuck on this hellhole of a boat?”

Sasuke couldn't help but laugh. Tayuya's once pale face was now sporting a nasty shade the color of pea soup, one that clashed terribly with her reddish pink hair. Although she could swear the worst of sailors, she definitely wasn't a sailor.

Twenty-four hours ago the three companions had bought their way onto a large freighter headed for Wave Country. It was hard to believe that they had left Oto three weeks ago, exiting Rice Country and traveling, by the redhead's persistence, to Lightning Country first. They had taken the detour to throw any possible pursuers off their trail, knowing full well that the Konoha spies would survive the onslaught with the ANBU.

They had chosen Lightning Country because Tayuya had a safe house there that she used whenever she was partaking in missions within the country. After agreeing to lay low for a while, Sasuke continued Nanikato's training, which had thrilled the now excitable blonde, for the boy to have a chance to build up adaptations to different environments.

Unfortunately for the flute wielder, when Sasuke had found the easiest mode of transportation to Wave Country without being caught by those who were obviously hunting them, he jumped at it.

“Blaa! When the fuck did I eat teriyaki tempura? I hate that shit!”

Nanikato didn't even bother to turn. “Probably while you were getting yourself drunk, you lush.”

Tayuya glared kunai and other sharp objects at the boy's back, but was unable to make such things happens beyond her own imagination because her stomach chose that moment to revolt once more.

Ignoring his sensei and his pseudo sister, who was busy empting her stomach over the edge of the ship, Nanikato focused on the horizon. He loved the salty smell of the air, which was currently the bane of Tayuya's existence, inhaling the brackish scent that whipped through air around him and teased his hair.

He had never, in his whole life, expected the outside world to look so beautiful. He could remember Kabuto-san's tales of the sea during his history lessons, but no amount of stories could do it justice for the real thing.

There was no equal of getting to experience it yourself.

He smiled softly, watching a pod of dolphins race along side them, riding the surf as the ship cut the water. For the first time in his life, he was truly free.

-.ooOoo.-

Wave Country, Sui Harbor:

“What is all this?”

Sasuke was in awe as the freighter docked in the massive harbor that afternoon.

He purposely ignored Tayuya as she ran past him, leaping over the side of ship. She didn't even wait for the sailors to lower the ramp, instead landing nimbly, yet shakily, on dry ground, sobbing happily as she kissed it. Nanikato, who had joined him, rolled his eyes, still unable to see why Tayuya could have hated the journey as much as she had.

It had been the best month of his life!

The Uchiha could help but be amazed. Although he knew things had changed for Wave Country since his first real mission with Team Seven, it was shock seeing the transformation that had taken place. The once ramshackle village of Sui was now a thriving hub of civilization. The buildings that had been falling apart now glowed with the new life prosperity and gone were the dirty, starving vagrants - they were replaced by cheerful, happy people.

But it wasn't just that; it was also the brightly colored lights, banners and streamers that decorated the streets.

“You don't know?” the captain of the ship laughed, coming up behind them. “The coronation matsuri for founding of Uzugakure no Sato will be taking place in few days. That was why we had such a tight delivery schedule. It wasn't just that there was a large amount of cargo to be delivered here, my crew wanted to join in the festivities - myself included.”

“Uzugakure?” Sasuke echoed. Why did he have a weird feeling about that? “When did that happen?”

The captain laughed.

“Well, a several years ago the navy decided to collaborate with large group of nomadic shinobi, merchants and the village of Sui. Together they sought to purchase a large island out to sea from the Diyamo. They got the island cheap enough since it was written off - too many hazardous eddies surrounded it for one thing. So once they had the island, they began separating their funds into different categories, the two greatest being for excavation and construction of the new village, and the construction of an underwater passage linking the smaller island to the larger mainland island.”

“So they've finally finished?” Nanikato asked.

“Yep! Got the massage yesterday that the construction wrapped up a week ago. This here festival is to commemorate this grand occasion.”

Sasuke sighed inwardly.

Another new thing that had begun to happen in the last twelve years was the creation of new hidden villages. Konohagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure and Kirigakure would always be known as the centers, the Five Great Shinobi Nations, but there were the smaller villages that had played their part as well. When Sasuke had been a child, there had only been four lesser shinobi villages, those being Kusagakure, Amegakure, Takigakure and Yukigakure.

But since Otogakure had been formed and grown in power, it was to be expected that others would follow.

The first was Tenpigakure; the second was Tsukigakure; the third was Hoshigakure; the fourth was Moyagakure; the fifth was Soragakure; the sixth was Ankokugakure; the seventh was Yamagakure. And now the eighth and last now being Uzugakure.

Of the shinobi nations, they now had eighteen hidden villages, big and small.

“So…” Tayuya asked, butting into his thoughts. “Can we find a hotel now?”

“Have you composed yourself enough?” he asked flippantly.

She scowled.

“Burn in hell asshole.”

Nanikato scoffed, brushing past the pair as if he was the elder and they were the younger. “Now, now children,” he said mockingly. “No fighting and biting.”

Sasuke smirked, deciding to follow his student. Cussing a storm, Tayuya followed as well, looking nothing more then a little girl who had failed to impress her parents with a temper tantrum.

While they searched for a hotel in the village, and although there were many, Tayuya had found one of her liking. During this time however, they had done other things as well. From wandering though Sui's teeming marketplace and browsing through the goods, they stayed clear of anyone that might recognize them and did their best to remain inconspicuous. Though thanks to a certain redhead's fiery temper, they almost slipped a few times.

With that in mind, it had been Nanikato's idea that they purchase a new wardrobe to pass as civilians. That didn't go over too well with his companions, since the older pair had been ninja for too long to wear anything that wouldn't allow them to fight to the best of their abilities. In the end, they decided to buy clothes that were a little of both.

Being the, err… lady, Tayuya went first. She didn't seem too happy to ditch her battle gear, but once Sasuke suggested that she simply seal them away, the redhead conceded. Taking her time, she finally chose an outfit that screamed badass. Her ensemble consisted of a black bandana, a crimson trench coat, a pair of skintight, yet breathable, black leather pants and a replacement for her combat boots. What added to the look though was dark red western style corset halter-top.

As Nanikato so eloquently put it, “You look like hooker onee-sama!”

He got decked up side the head moments later.

Then Sasuke went next, and he was much quicker choosing what he wanted. Thankfully though, he didn't choose anything that would make him resemble the twelve year old boy that he had been twelve and half years ago. His new wardrobe consisted of a charcoal gray battle kimono with black obi, gray slacks and black sandals. He also decided on getting a pair of one-way sunglasses in case he needed to activate his Sharingan in public places.

Continuing his commentary, Nanikato piped up with a, “Whoa sensei! You look ten years older. Careful, you might be mistaken for someone's parent looking like that.”

Sasuke scowled and retorted with a, “I already am. You're an irritating pre-teen and Tayuya's more trouble then an un-potty trained two year old.”

“BASTARD!”

When Nanikato finally took his turn, he decided to be creative. Although he preferred Tanabata-hime's clothing compared to the stuff here, he was going to have to deal with it. His attire consisted of a pair of baggy brown cargo pants, a beige long-sleeved sweater, a dark gray hooded poncho and black sandals.

Staring at his new appearance, then at each other, Sasuke and Tayuya said simultaneously, “He kind of reminds me of this bad guy from a manga I once read…”

By the time they had finished, it was already late and they still hadn't found a hotel!

-.ooOoo.-

“Come on already! You've been in there for like two hours, so shake a leg - I need to go!”

Tayuya grumbled darkly.

It didn't happen very often, but having to listening to Nanikato whine sounded like the end of the world had come. Right now she was seriously wishing that there had been more room, but with the upcoming matsuri, almost everything had been booked. What they ended up with a single two-room suite in a hotel situated on the edge of the village, too close for comfort to Sasuke's old acquaintances then they'd like. And although she was pleased to be on solid ground again, three days in the same hotel suite with the two males had been more then she could take. After all, when they had still been on that ship, she had been able to acquire quarters at the other end.

Sighing, she looked up from the card game she was playing and tried to amuse herself by watching Nanikato dance in front of the bathroom door like he had ants in pants. Now if all he had to do was take a piss, she would have told him to go outside. However it was the other way around…

“SENSEI!!”

“Oh sweet Kami!” Tayuya yelled. “Uchiha, stop primping and get your ass out of the bathroom! This gaki is beginning to drive me nuts!”

There was only silence.

Said silence only caused Nanikato to get louder, bringing tears to his eyes. If there was one thing that Tayuya hated, it was tears. Unable to stand it any longer, the flute wielder snapped and leapt to her feet, intent of breaking down the door.

“You fucking bastard! Don't you dare make me come in there!”

“Come in where?”

She let out a yelp, and together with Nanikato, whirled around to face Sasuke. The Uchiha was standing just beyond the door to the room that he and Nanikato shared, fully dressed and with completely dry hair.

The blonde and the redhead stared shocked at the sight before them.

“How?” Nanikato gapped. “How did you…?”

Left eyebrow twitching, Tayuya broke down the bathroom door and looked in. As soon as she noticed the open window, she cursed.

“You asshole,” she snapped, turning on Sasuke once more. “You snuck out this window and back in through yours! Damn you! I've had to listen to this little bugger bleat for no reason for more then an hour! Why I otta - ”

She was cut off in mid rant as the bathroom door slammed shut next to her.

Sasuke smirked. “It was the kid's punishment for putting vinegar in my tea this morning.”

“You have to admit though, that was funny.”

“Need I remind you about the curry in toothpaste incident?”

Tayuya scowled at the closed door.

“That aside, are you ready?”

“Nani?”

“Are you ready?” he repeated. “Nanikato asked us to go with him to the festival, remember? I actually can't believe I agreed - I hate group functions.”

“Likewise.”

But that was how the pair found themselves following around the younger boy through the vast crowds of people. Their little group looked rather out of place though, since everyone else was dressed up in wonderfully colored kimonos and other festive garments. Even though Sasuke was the only one of them wearing a kimono, its dreary gray would have cast a rain cloud of gloom over his head, if it wasn't already there.

Nanikato's clothing aside because it was respectably normal, Tayuya's was the attention grabber. And `grab her' it was, when at least half a dozen guys tried to grope her in passing. They suffered the consequences, however. It also didn't seem to go over with the most of the older woman, who turned up their noses at the sight of her, deciding that she was some sort of trollop undignified to be in their presence, or that of the `handsome' young man she was walking with.

Sasuke shuddered with revulsion, knowing that the women were probably wishing they were few decades younger…

“Kyo-niisan,” Nanikato asked, using the name that Sasuke had instructed him to use while they were in public. “Can we get something to eat?”

The blonde reveled in all smells that his enhanced senses were picking up, his mouth to water with anticipation. It was amazing - so many dishes that he had not seen in Oto were there, the variety ranging from smoked fish to pastries to exotic dishes from other countries.

Sasuke scrutinized the selection that he could see. “I don't know. Do you have any ideas Aranami?”

Nanikato absently shook his head when addressed by his pseudonym, too entranced by the smells.

“What about you Amaya-chan?”

Tayuya shrugged, inwardly smirking as he fought to use the despised suffix with her alias. She loved that fact that she could torment him without even trying. Since he also had to keep up appearances, it meant he couldn't insult her as much as he wanted in a single night.

“I could go for some okonomiyaki or gingered beef, Kyo-kun.”

Nanikato exhaled noisily. He didn't know why the two adults always had to fight like cats and dogs. What he wouldn't give for them to just behave civil with each other for just a moment. However, it was all made up for when, “Oh, what a cute couple you are!”

Nanikato burst out laughing, unable to hold it back when it was said to the pair by a smiling old lady in passing. It was actually rather cool to watch as Sasuke-sensei and Tayuya-oneesama froze, sharing identical expressions of nausea. He could almost catalog the different shades of green they were turning!

After a moments hesitation and once the elderly woman was out of hearing range, the pair turned away and pretended to gag.

“Senile old coot,” the redhead muttered, her mood ruined. “I think I'll just go to the bar and drink myself into oblivion! I'll go crazy if I don't get those thoughts out of head. Yuck!”

With that, she took her money and spilt, leaving Sasuke alone with Nanikato. They stood there for a moment, watching as she vanished into the crowds, and then the older man finally looked down at him and noticed his frown.

“What?”

“I'm still hungry.”

Sasuke-sensei rolled his eyes. “Is that all?” he asked, exasperated.

“Pretty much.”

“Then what do want?”

“I don't know yet. Everything smells too good.”

“Well hurry it up or we're going back to the hotel.”

Nanikato panicked. “How about you let me follow my nose towards the best smell and you follow?”

“Oh, alright,” Sasuke snapped and Nanikato smirked in triumph.

“Ya! Let's go!”

For Sasuke, he would just let the boy think he had won. Folding his arms behind his back, he began to follow the blonde through the tightly packed crowds. When things started to become push and shove, he was forced to activate his Sharingan to keep track of the bobbing mop of sunshine hair as it wavered through the fast paced hubbub.

Yet he didn't know when exactly it happened - possibly around the same time when the twentieth woman that night tried to flirt with him - that he lost track of Nanikato. Frustrated beyond a doubt now, the Uchiha began hunting down his wayward pupil, being jostled back and forth by the exuberant partygoers. Gritting his teeth, Sasuke wondered if he was ever going to find one particular twelve-year-old boy in the midst of so many people.

Wishing he had bought the boy a leash, he knew he couldn't let Nanikato wander around by himself when there was always the chance that old Tazuna or Tsunami or one of the people who had helped build the bridge or one of the new shinobi might `recognize' him. Sasuke knew he had to find the blonde before it was too late, but it seemed as if the boy had been swallowed up by the sea of colors, never to return.

“Kuso,” he muttered, fending off `prospective brides' twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three and twenty-four. “Where in hell did that gaki get to?”

If Nanikato had been Naruto, he would have looked for the closest ramen stand. Only Nanikato wasn't Naruto. The younger blonde hated ramen, much to Sasuke's feeling of unending irony. What had been his predecessor's all-time favorite meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, was considered as vile as eating the jam between a toad's toes.

Honestly, he didn't know what the boy liked.

`Just my night…' he thought, cracking his knuckles.

Suddenly something sharp shot past him, biting deeply into his cheek. He heard a thunk as the projectile struck and sunk deeply into the wood of a nearby building.

“Uchiha Sasuke. How dare you show yourself here.”

Sasuke froze, but only for a second and a second too late. There was no use trying to pretend, so he wiped the blood from his cheek, and turned towards his attacker.

Behind him, a crossbow in hand was young man that appeared to be only four or five years younger then himself. Profiling his attacker's appearance, he noted that the boy stood a good five feet, nine inches and his stance spoke of both rigid belief and arrogance - a bad combination.

His hair was a dark brown, like muddy soil and it was held back in a small spiky ponytail at the nap of his neck. He also wore a pair of dark blue pants taped down at mid calf, blue sandals, a plated brown sweater topped with a chuunin's vest and a dark green raincoat. Adding to the look was the hitai-ate sported proudly on his brow, baring the symbol of a large spiral.

A ninja.

A shinobi of Uzugakure.

“And you are?”

The young man glared. “Typical. I figured someone like you would at least remember me.”

Sasuke frowned.

“What do you mean `someone like you'?”

“A murderer - the worst of the worst.”

“And who have I killed that you knew?” the Uchiha asked, an eyebrow rising.

There wouldn't be any, of course. Sasuke hadn't been in this part of Wave Country in over twelve years. Crossing his arms, he waited for an answer. The answer he got, however, nearly stopped his heart.

The boy summed it up in just two words. “Naruto-niisan”

Onyx eyes widening in disbelief, unable to believe what he was seeing.

“Inari?”

-.ooOoo.-

Translations/Original Jutsus:

Matsuri/Festival

Uzugakure no Sato - Village Hidden by the Whirlpool

Tenpigakure no Sato - Hidden Village of the Sun

Tsukigakure no Sato - Hidden Village of the Moon

Hoshigakure no Sato - Hidden Village of the Stars

Moyagakure no Sato - Village Hidden in the Haze

Soragakure no Sato - Village Hidden in the Sky

Ankokugakure no Sato - Village Hidden in the Darkness

Yamagakure no Sato - Hidden Village of the Mountains

Kyo - Excellence

Aranami - Raging

Amaya - Night Rain