Nine

Author: princessgolux
Title: Nine
Fandom: Naruto
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I gain no profit from this story.
Chapter Pairings: implied Tsunade/Shizune, a teeny bit of Mizuki/OFC (non-con)
Chapter Rating: R
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Warnings: AU/AR; a hint of M/F, a tiny little bit of F/F, a little violence (some of it sexual and non-consensual,) some Kakashi denial, and a teeny little bit of cross-dressing.
A/N: You may have discerned this by now, but italics (when not used for emphasis during speech) are indicative of inner dialogue. As the next bit involves actual inner dialogue, meaning two voices in one head, I’ve added these little // marks to one speaker’s italics and left the other plain. The inside of Kakashi’s head is a bit crowded right now.

Chapter 10: Hunter

North Forest, Fire Country
519 A.T.D.

It had taken a while for the Council to drop their objections to his...unorthodox methods. But the Sandaime had finally managed to talk them around. Now he was allowed to run with just his pack, no-one else to slow them down, the cool spring wind hissing past laden with the smell of forest and streams. Nine dogs together, running through the fecund green.

Ten, really.

//Why are you counting me? I am not a dog, Kakashi.//

Well...you’re part of me now...so I figure...

//...maybe a cat. Cats are cool. I could totally see being a cat.//

Oh, you are so not a cat, Obito. Cats are graceful.

//Hey, stupidhead! I’m plenty graceful.//

Yeah. Graceful and punctual, that’s you. Oh, wait a minute. No, I’m sorry, that’s me.

//Ah! But I’m a part of you now, so...//

Kakashi gave a mental snort, alighting in an upper branch of a towering elm. Before he could continue the argument, however, a flicker of presence about three hundred meters away caught his attention.

He Summoned his pack. Sending Pakkun off toward the southeast to alert another ANBU squad, he directed the others to circle around and made his way silently toward the intrusion.

Three men were slogging through the dense underbrush, cutting through the branches and shrubs far off of any existing path. They looked sweaty and uncomfortable, their clothes torn and stained. They pushed forward grimly, as if wishing they were anywhere else.

//Wow. These guys look like they’re seriously having a bad day.//

Sucks to be them. Kakashi grinned behind his mask. ‘Cause it’s about to get much, much worse.

He dropped silently onto a tree branch about twenty feet to the left of the man in front.

“You know,” he said conversationally, “the public road is about six miles that-away.” He gestured with his thumb behind him. “If you’re lost, I don’t mind showing you the way.”

The man in the middle swiftly produced a gun, firing a shot wildly. It splintered the tree-trunk behind the now-empty space where the black-and-white-clad ninja had been standing.

“Or, “Kakashi said happily, now perched on a branch twenty feet to the right of them, “We can do this the fun way.”

The man with the gun groaned, slowly crumpling to the ground. Both of his companions made shocked noises and turned as one to run in opposite directions. Each got about ten feet and then came stumbling to a stop as seven nin-dogs slunk out of the trees and bushes around them, growling.

“So.” Kakashi said, cocking his head inquisitively. “Exactly what are you doing, so very, very far away from the legal road?”

The plump man who had been bringing up the rear of the little group opened his mouth, pale with fear, but the brawny point man cut him off with a defiant bark of laughter.

“What does it matter? You’re going to kill us anyway.”

“Don’t antagonize him!” Plump Guy hissed, his hands fluttering nervously. “He’s a ninja!”

“Yeah.” Kakashi said indignantly. “I’m a ninja. Don’t antagonize me.”

“Read the situation, idiot.” Brawny Man scoffed. “Silver haired, one-eyed Konoha ANBU, carrying a tanto? It’s the damned White Dog of Konoha! The fucking Feral Dog of Konoha!”

“He’s crazy!” Brawny Man’s voice was rising, growing hysterical. Plump Guy’s eyes flicked to his companion and back to the tree branch.

Which was empty.

“He’s...ungh...”

Plump Guy squeaked, eyes flickering back to his friend.

Brawny Man crumpled to the ground. Plump Guy watched him fall, mouth opening in silent terror. He whirled, ready to face the dogs, frantic to escape.

“That,” Kakashi said, standing directly in front of him, so close the glossy surface of the white and red mask fogged with his panting breaths, “was unkind.”

The growling around them grew louder.

Kakashi’s arm shot out, his gloved hand closing tightly around the thick neck of the last man standing. With no discernable effort he lifted the horrified man up, holding him six inches off of the ground. He slowly extended his claws, pricking the man’s neck lightly.

“I’m going to ask you one more time.” Kakashi said softly. “What are you doing in my forest?”

His captive gave a low, despairing moan and fainted. The acrid stench of urine drifted up, evidence that the man’s fear was no ruse. Kakashi dropped the fragrant and unconscious bundle, scrunching his nose in distaste.

“Ew.” he said to the suddenly quiet forest. “I hate it when they do that.”

Sighing, he surveyed the group of invaders, lying in lumps on the soft forest floor. Almost as an afterthought, he rummaged through the three men’s belongings, finding very little of note.

Not even much in the way of food. They didn’t come from far away. Probably Tea Country, judging from the direction.

//The smugglers have been strangely quiet recently. D’you think they’re starting up again?//

Don’t know. It’s likely, though. Feels like some sort of recon mission, anyway. But too...clumsy...to be another hidden village.

//We could wake ‘em up, get it out of ‘em...//

Nah. That’s the T&I squad’s job. They get surly when I damage their packages.

Kakashi instructed his pack to guard the prisoners till the other ANBU squad arrived with Pakkun and took off again, searching for any other intruders in the nearby vicinity.

Obito was strangely quiet for a while. When he finally piped up again his mental voice was subdued, almost sad.

//You know, Kakashi, it’s just a nickname. You’re not actually...//

Feral? Kakashi lifted one shoulder in a negligent shrug. Maybe I am. Who cares?

//No! I mean, I don’t think you’re crazy, either, but...what I mean is...//

Kakashi grinned. Considering the only people I really talk to these days...

//...and I don’t think you actually believe this, but...//

...are you and Gai, and man...

//...it’s a little disturbing nonetheless...//

...it’s a scary thing when...

//...so I just thought I’d mention it...//

... the saner of the two of you...

//...but you do know that you’re not...//

...is the one who’s been...

//...actually a dog...

...dead for six years...

//...right?//

...you know?

Kakashi stopped, ripples spreading from his hands and feet as he crouched on the shimmering surface of a river. He whuffled a little, scenting the air.

What were you saying, Obito? he thought, distracted.

//.....//

...Obito?

//...Kakashi...//

Yeah?

//......//

What?

//...Never mind.//

Kakashi frowned.

Obito sounded weary, almost defeated. A far cry from the light-hearted, teasing presence he normally was.

Kakashi felt worried, but didn’t push it. Maybe he’d see about taking the night off. A little sleep would do them a world of good. With his recent ANBU schedule, it was no wonder they were both feeling a little cranky.

After all, Kakashi reasoned, dogs were normally supposed to sleep twelve hours a day.

Kakashi scented the air again and whined a little, setting off for Konoha.


Kado City, Steel Country
519 A.T.D


Baki ran a finger under his collar, grimacing at the slick sweat he felt dampening the neck of his starched white dress shirt. The heat inside the gaudy hotel ballroom was moist, humid from the presence of hundreds of partygoers. The murmuring, mingling crowd circulated around in a tight spiral, originating from the well-guarded knot of the Daimyou and his daughter, the guests of honor at this stifling event.

The sticky warmth was awkward and uncomfortable for Baki, completely different from the hot dry desert sands he came from. He spared a moment to regret missing the startling lushness of the occasional spring showers back home, then marshaled his thoughts, focusing on the task at hand.

He drifted past the chattering overdressed people, moving from one clear spot to another. He smiled unthreateningly and exchanged banal pleasantries as he went, but like the shark he was, he didn’t stop.

He was close enough to the Daimyou’s entourage to watch the action when a tall woman dressed in an elegantly embroidered dark green kimono made her bow to the Steel Country lord. She was wearing a small, expensive looking hat that was fringed with a dark veil that covered her face. Nevertheless it was obvious that the Daimyou knew her, as he and his daughter greeted her with honest warmth and friendly words.

Behind her was a dark-haired woman, almost as tall, with a subservient air about her. At a word from the veiled woman she came forward and passed a small bundle to the guard nearest to her.

The guard examined the bundle and Baki could clearly see his shock. He passed the bundle to the Daimyou’s daughter with a few urgent words and both women bowed very low as the Daimyou and his daughter broke into excited chatter.

Behind him, Baki heard a muffled noise, almost lost in the sudden uproar around the veiled woman’s gift. He faded back, suppressing his chakra, and spied a man pressing a woman against the back wall. Gliding through the adjoining hallways and alcoves, Baki found a spot where he could spy on the hidden interaction.

He recognized the man immediately from reports. Touji Mizuki, age 20, head of the local branch of Akatsuki. Former Konoha chuunin, Mizuki was unimaginative and predictable, but nevertheless was also quite sadistic and endlessly ambitious. Sexually he seemed to be more of a voyeur than anything else, preferring to watch his main enforcer Gantetsu, also known as ‘Iron G., rape those he wished to dominate.

He also preferred white rice to brown, loved avocados, and had an intense dislike for umiboshi.

The girl was nobody. She was wearing the uniform of the hotel and held an empty tray like a shield between her and the man threatening her. She was trembling, her eyes huge and brown.

Baki filtered out the noise of the party as best he could, watching the lips of the two people he was spying on.

“Where did you hear that, bitch?” Mizuki was saying harshly, keeping his voice down. “Where?”

“I...I don’t...know, my lord...” she stammered in reply, clutching her tray more tightly. “ I...just...someone said...”

“Does it have to do with the necklace?” Mizuki demanded.

“What necklace, my lord?” the girl looked confused. “N...nobody...I don’t know... about a necklace.”

Mizuki shook his head impatiently. “Never mind that. Go back to what you said before.”

“Just...just that someone was saying...”

“Who? Who was saying this?”

“I don’t know!” she cried, her voice rising. He hushed her, impatiently, and she cast a nervous glance around before she went on, her tone suitably lowered. “I just heard...it was one of the drivers, I think. I was outside, coming in for my shift, and one of the drivers was saying to someone that...that Lady Dan had found a new...a new lover. He said...well, you know...that Himawari Daisuke was getting...well...old. You know he was, like, nineteen when she...and that was years ago.”

The girl seemed to be losing her fear in the excitement of the chance to dish juicy gossip.

“I mean, look at her. She used to bring Himawari-san to all the parties, back when I first started here. Now she’s got that new girl whose, what...eighteen? And look at them!”

Baki swung around to look, spotting the woman with the veil surreptitiously caressing her servitors’ behind when she obviously believed no one was looking.

Old goat. he thought contemptuously.

“That’s...interesting.” Mizuki mused quietly, bringing Baki’s attention back to where the Akatsuki member had the waitress cornered.

“Isn’t it though?” the stupid woman chattered, on a roll now. “And another thing, that Lord Tsurugi? You wouldn’t believe the...”

Mizuki clapped one hand over the girl’s mouth.

“Shut. Up.” He said, his voice menacing.

The girl began to look scared again.

“I don’t care if you tell others about that woman and her pedophiliac predilections.” Mizuki continued, staring into the girl’s eyes. “In fact, tell anyone and everyone. I want you to.”

His other hand crept up to squeeze her breast. Baki saw her face pale as she suddenly realized exactly who she was dealing with.

About time. Baki thought with dark humor.

“But,” Mizuki went on, “you will tell no one about our little chat, understood?”

He closed his hand around her flesh, cruelly crushing her breast as she struggled and whimpered behind his palm over her mouth. He leaned in and licked a wet stripe up her cheek, kneading her breast roughly in a parody of sexual expression. When he straightened up Baki could see tears in her eyes.

Mizuki let her go and stood back.

“Scurry on, little...” his eyes flickered to her nametag, “...Momiji. Scurry on home. And don’t forget. I know where you work. And I can find out where you live.”

The poor girl looked absolutely terrified, one hand cradling her bruised chest protectively.

Mizuki smiled, a brilliant, soft, charming smile. “Or would you like to continue?”

Momiji shuddered and ran.

Baki pressed back into the shadows and watched Mizuki disappear into the crowd, greeting other partygoers with hearty enthusiasm. Once the other man was a suitable distance away, Baki emerged, continuing his journey through the teeming room.

“Champagne, sir?” a soft, feminine voice asked at his elbow.

“No thank you.” Baki replied automatically, eyes scanning the crowd.

“Are you sure, sir?” the voice was demure and self-effacing, an odd contrast to the subtle insistence. “It might be just what you’re looking for.”

Baki turned slowly.

The waitress behind him was pretty. Her hair was soft brown and her eyes were blue-grey. Her uniform dipped down, exposing the rounded tops of her small, pert breasts. She wore the same high heels as the rest of the female staff and her long silk-covered legs were bare from the edges of her stockings at mid-thigh to where they disappeared under her short, frilly skirt.

Her name-tag said, ‘Yashiko.’

Yashamaru?

She - He - handed Baki a flute of champagne, which the ninja took automatically. He felt the crinkle of paper beneath his fingers and schooled his face to bland preoccupation.

“Thanks.” he said shortly.

She bobbed a brief curtsey and sashayed off, her rounded bottom switching as she walked.

Baki sipped his champagne and made his way to the men’s room. Once there he poured out the drink and left the glass on the sink. He locked himself in a stall and opened the note.

11 pm. Your room.

Baki smiled. The night was looking promising.

The girl Momiji stumbled into the kitchen in tears. She made up a story for her supervisor, grabbed her jacket and left. As she walked down the dimly lit streets she kept her head down, occasionally dashing tears from her eyes. She cut through an alley near the hotel, one that came out across from the butcher’s on Main.

She never emerged.

Instead, a surly black-haired teenage boy came slinking out of the alley, listening to music on a portable chip player. He made his leisurely way north and strutted into another alley, crossing over to the merchant’s district.

He never emerged.

Instead an old woman with a shopping bag filled with refuse hobbled out, turning into an apartment building with an old, rickety outside staircase. She made her way slowly and painfully up the stairs, twisting her key in a lock on the fourth floor.

Once inside the apartment, she locked the door behind her. She hobbled to the bathroom and went in, leaving the bag of refuse and only bringing a soft knapsack with her. Tapping a hidden button revealed a keypad. She punched in a long string of numbers and another staircase opened up in the wall behind the shower.

Nimbly skipping down the new staircase, she never emerged. Instead, Himawari Daisuke scrambled out of the entrance, hidden in the stonework beneath one of the old bridges over the canal. He rummaged in the knapsack and took out an oxygen breather. Affixing it to his face, he slipped into the canal and swam away.


Inside a room at the Pearls & Swine, Ibiki looked up as the hatch in the floor opened and a very wet Dai pulled himself up and out.

“Welcome back. How’d it go?” he asked.

“He took the bait.” Dai said, one side of his mouth crooking up. “I’d say the hunt was successful.”