Witch

Chapter Two

--

“So you’re saying Uzumaki’s not a witch after all?”

“Perhaps that was his comrade,” one concluded.

“It is a strong possibility. Often one of one’s kin will perform such charitable acts but it is an act of the devil.”

“Hush, we must not touch the fruit of temptation. Leave that man be; it is best that we steer clear from people who are touched by him, more or less under our noses.”

Kiba walked away, perturbed, to be on trial was risky but what if that had been I? Would I be as lucky to escape that fate? I came out looking as the victorious man today but really, Uchiha Sasuke, where in the hell are you taking Uzumaki?

He beckoned his familiar, Akamaru, and walked mournfully back to his dwelling, together.

--

The hidden town of the witches you say?

Save that, Sasuke was going to need major help. He doesn’t have but the slightest clue how he can possibly get there without being detected.

It was only a matter of days till the whole country would be alerted of the news. Even his charming good looks won’t help him then.

He wondered to himself sometimes, why did he save the lad? It is true that he had not done wrong but he is of no relation with Sasuke whatsoever.

Perhaps, it is because that he knew of another Uzumaki, before he was relocated.

Now, let’s get Sasuke some aid.

--

The journey was long and incredibly tedious.

Even being one of the best flyers around, the trip took three days. He had to get off the broom in the midst of the night of the third day, to remain undetected in the city of New York, formerly New Amsterdam.

He had been supporting Naruto as he walked to Five Points. (1)

Picture beneath you the unpaved dirt ground. The dirty, runned down slums of New York City. Crime was inevitable. There were daily ‘fires’ set off by people with no jobs. They often robbed the houses whilst burning as the property owners screamed and begged for someone to put the fires out in dismay. Picture people scurrying on and about while fair maidens charmed men and robbed them blind. Gangs roamed free in this city.

The night is where the folks awakened.

Sasuke had dared not to step into Spanish territory, for that he heard horrible tales of the Spanish Inquisition from his older brother, Itachi. Besides, the Spaniards were annoying, just look at that idiot judge that had almost sent this fellow to his untimely death!

He did not want to stay here any longer but this will suffice, for now.

Sasuke needed money and food.

He carried Naruto into an apartment building and began searching.

His obsidian eyes roamed the building that seemed to have the devil’s touch. Every sin possible was being committed in this place from adultery to thievery.

Sasuke then proceeded to knocking the rotting, wilting door of the dwelling.

“Is any man in there?” He called out, as he held up Naruto in place.

“Everything has a price; so it depends; how much of a man can you afford?”

Mind games.

“Itachi…” Sasuke raised his voice in impatience.

“Alright, come in,” Itachi complied as he opened the creaking door.

Sasuke stepped in; the bed was in disarray, with pieces of quilts cluttered in a single corner. The smell was putrid which caused Sasuke to wrinkle his nose. Mold flourished on one corner of the wooden ceiling. The whole place was dimly lit by a burning candle.

He set Naruto down upon the nest of quilts.

“Well, Little Brother, would you do me a favor and explain why that child is doing on my bed? Even better, what is his name?” Itachi inquired.

“His name is…” Sasuke paused, “Uzumaki Naruto.”

“Uzumaki you say?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you with him?”

“That, I’m not quite sure of myself.”

“I see. Why are you here?”

“You sure ask a lot of questions.”

“Sasuke…”

“I need your help.”

“Oh?” Itachi had his interest piqued, “Whatever for?”

“Well, actually I need to go there.”

“There?”

“Why is that?”

“I need to hide from the hunters.”

Itachi nodded. Naruto stirred in his sleep a little, just like a fox.

“I see. Kisame should return soon. He’s the butcher of this area; he has a bird’s eye on everything. I surmise we can start the journey at midnight. It’ll take us till dawn to get there if we fly full speed but for now, get some rest.”

“Thank you,” Sasuke mumbled as Itachi pushed his forehead with his two fingers.

--

God always had a master plan.

When I was homeless, he gave me a place to live.

When I was hungry, I always received bread.

When I was abandoned by my father, I was received with warmth by Iruka.

So why has he failed me now?

(Naruto)

I remember as a child someone had asked me this question, “Don’t you hear it?”

Of course, I heard nothing so I contradicted the man, “There’s nothing to hear, sir.”

“That’s the sound of something breaking.”

I think I understand what he meant now.

--

Pieces of puzzles unravel quickly if you study them long enough. Itachi sat idly, watching Sasuke and the Uzumaki boy sleep.

It was about time he had finally returned to the town, after all Akatsuki doesn’t run itself without its members.

“Ready to do this?” asked Itachi.

“I was born ready,” replied Sasuke, clearly confident.

“And you, Kisame?”

“You’re joking.”

“I’ll take that as a yes...”

“So who’s taking that kid?” Kisame motioned towards Naruto.

“I am,” Sasuke said.

“Let us go now.”

“Race you there, Itachi?” Kisame challenged, thrilled to be heading back again.

“It’s best not to.”

“Useless baggage…” Kisame mumbled defeated but took off first as Itachi and Sasuke followed.

The sky was clear today, proving troublesome without clouds to shield them from the naked eye and stargazers. The full moon shone brilliantly even more so with the sun’s glowing waves. They traveled in a comfortable silence, neither of them speaking a word unless needed to.

--

I feel so nice and well rested. I wonder if Jesus is here yet. I’ve been sleeping for an awfully long time. Heaven is pretty warm in fact minus the wind brushing through my hair. Perhaps my legs are dangling on a nice cloud.

Naruto opened his eyelids slowly. His slowly brought his arms and hands up to brush the crusty remains off his eyelids that had sewed it shut prior. His cerulean orbs danced around. He noticed he had awakened in the arms of a stranger.

His eyes roamed the horizon, with the sun rising. He saw two figures flying on a broomstick each at rapid speeds. He felt and heard the air slapping against his callous skin. His feet dangling freely as he was mounted on a broomstick, there was without a doubt.

Naruto made a strange yawning noise, to pretend that he was just simply moving in his sleep.

He immediately jumped to the conclusion that he was with one with supernatural powers—a witch.

Oh for heaven’s sake! Naruto whipped around immediately, causing Sasuke to momentarily loose his balance.

“What is wrong with you?” Sasuke shouted.

“What’s wrong with me? Who the devil are you?!”

His obnoxiously loud voice alarmed Itachi and Kisame but the duo deemed it (the situation) not hazardous and continued to fly on.

“Uchiha Sasuke, that’s all you need to know, idiot…” he added the last part snidely, instantly regretting that he saved such an ignoramus.

Naruto flailed around, trashing and moving about.

“Stop that!” Sasuke commanded.

Naruto challenged, “And why should I do that?”

“So you’re telling me that you want to die?”

Naruto turned around quickly, feeling the smirk of Sasuke’s burn into his back. It was quite annoying not to know what was going on.

“So where am I?” Naruto asked, stiffly.

“The more proper question would be: Where are you going?”

“Alright then, where am I going and why?” Naruto corrected himself.

“Some town,” Sasuke answered truthfully but vaguely, “I think I know just the right person for you to meet with.”

“Who may that be?” Naruto raised an eyebrow. It was clearly not for this man to decide what he can and cannot do more or less a witch.

“Just trust me on this one.”

“Trust?! Why, I just met you! By golly gosh, you’re a witch!”

“Witch you say?”

“I did say that, sir,” Naruto glared at Sasuke, face to face, eye to eye.

“The very same witch that saved you!” Sasuke’s eyes shone with indignation.

“What are you talking about?”

“Dear lord, you are as blonde as you are stupid. Don’t you recall? Just a little while ago, you’ve been pushed off a high cliff, nearly falling to your death.”

“Oh, then I thank you…” Naruto drifted off defeated, “why’d you do it?”

Sasuke thought about it. He hesitated, not quite knowing the answer for himself and shrugged it off.

“I’m not sure myself,” Sasuke honestly replied, “but I suggest you hold on really tightly, we’re about to land.”

“Good, ‘cause I’m hungry!” Naruto gave a toothy grin.

Sasuke maneuvered their bodies and dived south. He gripped onto the wood tightly, careful of not to fall off. Dawn had awakened and shone blissfully, caressing the town below them.

--

1. Five Points: A section of Manhattan where five streets intersect, somewhere near Bowery. Let’s pretend that the slums of Manhattan thrived at its best in the 1700s instead of the 1800s.