Thread & Needle

heh no time gotta upload, enjoy and stay in touch for the next one! XD

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chapter four: uzumaki's?!...


-naruto's pov-

Dropping down the packed supplies Naruto rolled back each arm and tested the sore muscles with a thankful sigh. He had gathered all the necessary equipment for the long path back to Konoha and brought the sacks to the Hotel. Popping opposite sides of his slender neck he peered about the room with a one-sided smirk. Itachi would arrive soon enough, and with the full six hours left of the day they could make good distance from here by nightfall.

The reflection of his form caught his eye in the mirror beside the door and he glanced over checking out the bruise. A yellow stain took the light purple areas, but the dark blue barely changed. It didn’t hurt as badly as it did when he woke up from that horrible dream of being tortured by slave pen guards, but still his jaw refused to open enough to speak.

A flash of movement from behind the door. Instinctively Naruto thrust both hands out in defense, though the intruder swiftly twirled about him and jabbed two fingers just below Naruto’s neck stopping the blood flow. The blonde went limp with nothing then a small squeak of surprise. Looking about the room, this assailant snatched one of the two sacks and disappeared in a whirl of wind when the thief felt a familiar chakra enter the large building.


-itachi's pov-

Storming through the halls with temper on his heels, Itachi couldn’t care less if his aura scared the occupants who shut their doors or squished themselves against the walls as he passed by. His anger was rising to new levels and he wanted to leave this place at once. Empty hands of the ingredient he reached Naruto’s room and threw open the door with more force then he needed to. He was going to switch his attitude to a more ‘master’ sort of way so as to not gain suspicion, but when he stepped into the room he noticed two things. A sack of supplies was missing and so was Naruto.

Now in a state of complete rage Itachi couldn’t seem to see this event in an optimistic light as usual. All he could muster was:

“He escaped!” His voice shouted, crazy chakra waves stemmed out into menacing strips of blue lightening as the Uchiha came speeding down the corridors with the other pack in toe racing to the woods to pick up Naruto’s trail.


-naruto's pov-

It had happened like this in a similar way. First he had been knocked out. Then he awoke with a jerk as his enemies carried him through tunnel after tunnel. The smell of old dirt filled his nose. He watched, disoriented as they went through the winding dark halls. All he could remember was dust, animals and whispers until a flashlight shined in his eyes. He was sitting alone behind thick bars in the earth. He stood up shouting at the top of his lungs, beating at the walls as the collar glowed and sucked his chakra till he fell weak to knees. It only continued, the whispers and dust… the animals watching him.

“MMPH!!” Naruto jumps up. Everything spins in blazing colors all about. A hand reaches out and balances him.

“Watch out Hun, you’ll fall over.”

The blonde tensed, he knew that voice. Surely enough when the room ceased its dizzy twirl he found himself sitting next to Gunther. Gunther was the kidnapper? Why? Scanning the room he appeared to be in a sectioned off part of a tent. Everything was colorful, from the chests of clothing, the shawls hanging about, to the blankets he laid upon with cushions and pillows. He turned his accusing blue eyes to the other.

“Heh, don’t be so mad at me. I’m only following orders.”

Naruto’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Gunther hadn’t seemed to play the part of a mercenary follower.

“GUNTHER!”

The redhead tossed his curls aside with a groan. “And there He calls. Stay here Hun.”

Watching the older boy stand, Gunther slipped back through curtains to another section of the tent. Hush talking and the shatter of a glass caught Naruto’s full curiosity. Still in the yellow-orange leaves of the yukata Itachi had bought him, the boy crawled onto his knees and peeked through the crack in between the royal blue curtains. He saw Gunther kneeling before a thrown like chair. Unable to see around the high back of the seat Naruto leaned forward listening to what bits of conversation he could pick up.

“What rotten fortune. Only my brother has that item hidden away.”

“We still have herbs that could help speed the process.”

“That will do. Order the maids to keep a strict diet on him so he’ll heal in time for our arrival.”

“Of course my Lord.”

“Bring the child here.”

Naruto had no desire to be roughed up and presented like an animal, so with a dignified stance he stumbled over the pillows into the larger portion of the tent. Giving a glance to the amused redhead the blonde plopped down beside him staring angrily at his true abductor. The man resting in the merchant thrown was buff and burly like that of a soldier with small amber eyes that glared back down on him. A thick mass of blonde hair rested on the males’ shoulders, but still those eyes remained accusing. Naruto resisted the urge to worry his lip between his teeth.

“Boy!” The deep voice thundered. “You better not be thinking of leaving us. We’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Now the Uzumaki was somewhat confused on what business he held with someone he never met before.

“Since your father’s people couldn’t look over you, your mother’s side of the family will.”

Ok, Naruto knew a few crazy old bats, like Jiraiya for instance. But this man is nuts. Completely out of his mind.

“Child of the Fourth Hokage you’re now leaving behind Fire Nation to live with us, the Uzumaki’s.”

There’s a point in your life when you just gawk at some whacked out person right? If Naruto could then he would have, but only his eyes turned to saucers and the side of his lip twitched. Where was the Uchiha Clan Slayer again? Could Uchiha’s have some kind of power that if you call on them, they’ll appear? ‘Where are you Itachi?!!’

“They have no more right over you now! Not when they sell an Uzumaki into a slave pen! ABSURDITY!” The man stood, his body bulk with a wild look in his eyes.

Gunther and Naruto sat ridged in silence as the mass of muscles paced the room fervently. Blue orbs glimpsed at each other. The younger raised an eyebrow and Gunther shrugged in return. They both flinched though when the eldest yelled out again.

“Those repulsive bastards! Don’t they know who we are?!! True our Clan is small and we hide away from the war when Whirlpool Country was destroyed, but this? To go this far? Cowards!!” The Lord turned back to the two with order in his grim features. “Naruto you are to return home with us. Somehow we’ll rid you of the collar and treat that wretched wound on your face. Do you understand? We are family!”


-a few hours later-

Naruto sat cross legged in a hand traveling carriage. There was only enough room for himself as the wooden structure held sturdy with drapes hanging all around him. Two guards carried his weight, one at the front, one at the back. These people he’d never seen before, auburn or blonde haired warriors with color ranging eyes from blue to purple. There were only eight in total including himself.

Lord Gordor sat upon a horse with his first in command ridding slightly behind. Another mystery blonde haired fellow with golden eyes and a lithe thin body sitting ridged on their own horse. The man -Naruto would have thought a female with the long plated hair- talked little to nothing and never once made eye contact with him. The two which carried him were twins with rusty red hair, they at least tried to bring up conversation, but when it was clear he couldn’t talk very much they whispered to each other which was turning into a very heated argument.

“Are you mad? Twenty yen on the Alabaster you fool!” Spoke the one in the front, Raiyo.

“Naw!” Naruto heard the reply from behind. “That bastard can’t fight worth a spit! His jabs are to weak. Chasm Pisho’s got him out done.”

“Bah! That ones nothing but bulk and a brain the size of a walnut, Alabaster has more speed! That’s what you need in a game like that. SPEED!”

“No way! It’s power! One hit and that little fairy is dust! POWER!”

“Raiyo! Ryuko! Shut your yappers before I rip em’ off!” Lord Gordor shouted off startling the two males into picking up speed.

Naruto bit his bottom lip containing a snicker and was slightly startled himself when he heard a laugh at his side. Gunther sat upon another horse, keeping close contact with the young boy. As second in command the redhead took special care of all passengers and cargo… this time being the blonde. The male turned with a crooked grin his way. “Ah, Naruto was it? How ya feeling so far Hun?”

“Ngh. O…kay.”

“Medicine working that good? Old Miran is a wonderful herbal healer.”

He inclined his chin and dipped his head back up with a smile. Indeed the swelling of the blondes jaw had ceased. All that’s left is a slight numb feeling and purple color alienating his tanned skin.

“EH? What about me?”

Naruto peered around the drapes as Gunther glanced back over his shoulder with a smirk. Not far back from them was a wagon hauling their tent and supplies inside. Two more worriers walked briskly at the rear making sure no one would attack. The person steering an ox pulling the coach was a very ancient and blind woman. Her hair long and white, eyes just as blank. She sat in a thick dark yukata sporting battle armor. She was a most interesting sight urging the snorting ox forward.

“You heard what I said Sweat Heart. Your skills at healing are superb and your beauty shines like the heavens.”

“Rah! You fool keep your mouth shut on such nonsense before you make this old goat grab ya and land a wet one! Ha-ha! Youth! If I only had it again!”

Old Miran continued chuckling as Gunther reined his horse closer to Naruto. He leaned over in a low whisper. “Watch your words around her, she just pretends she can’t hear. And when you change make sure she isn’t in the area.”

The blonde cocked a brow. Slowly and quietly he spoke not wanting to strain his cheek muscles. “She’s blind.”

Gunther shook his head. “She’s a whole package of false misinterpretations. Don’t underestimate her Hun.”

“Bwah! Hah-ha!!” Miran cackled wickedly behind them sending shivers up their spines.

‘HINTAI!!!’ The two boys thought.

Jerking off the creepy sensation Naruto sighed, touching his bruise to test how far he could open his mouth from the miracle workings. Already he could say short words, soon maybe a few more days of this herbal diet and he would be able to speak freely again!

The only problem he faced now were, uh… his family. Naruto had that happy giddy feeling that he wasn’t alone in the world and there were other people out there that carried the same name and values, but why did he also feel sad?

True he could always see his friends in the future, even strive to become the Hokage with the help of the other Uzumaki’s. His future was limitless now with all these possibilities. And his father! The Fourth Hokage!! If everyone knew this back home they’d all be as gracious to him as Sasuke! People would start noticing him and wanting the legendary son to protect them! He’d be the best Ninja ever!!

But… what about Itachi? What if Itachi’s face turned worried again for him? What if Itachi’s face is worried for him… right now?

A deep blush dusted across his cheeks and the fox boy bent his head, fists tightened in his lap. Naruto had the strange conclusion he didn’t want to leave Itachi behind. He wanted to be beside Itachi and travel back to Konoha… He wanted to stand side by side with the mysterious and almost friendly man. And he was leaving him behind? What did his face look like right now? Angry? Worried? Sad?

Naruto knew what loneliness was, experienced it first hand. Leaving Itachi behind would be condemning him to loneliness like he had been… and maybe even before the slave auctions Itachi felt lonely. “I-tachi…”

“Hun? Are you ok?”

Glancing up he looked away quickly hoping the other didn’t see how down his facial expression was. Too late.

“Huh? What’s wrong? Please tell me…”

“I uh… I miss him.” Naruto growled at himself on the inside. Why did he sound so weak and pathetic?

“What?!” The redhead frowned staring at him through tussled curls. “Your master? The one who did that to you?”

“He didn’t! Ow!” Cradling his sore cheek Naruto glared back at the second in command. “You… you don’t understand…” The blonde reached up and yanked on the drapes which fell into place. The outside world closed up, shutting the irritated redhead out.

Laying back on the pillows with a huff Naruto crossed his arms over his chest to pout. He could still hear the sound on feet scuffing, horses whipping their tails, and the ox snorting behind him. Other noises were more profound now that he wasn’t engaged with a conversation anymore. Like the wind through leaves or birds chirping chasing after the buzz of cicadas flying by. The sun sent bright rays resting on the fabric which took on a hazy glow warming the inside of his cozy spot. Naruto blinked before his eyes wavered threatening to close fully.

He was kind of tired. The herbal contents given in liquid tea still kept his stomach lulled with heat. And last night he barely had any sleep at all… the nightmares kept coming back relentless as ever. He did need the rest. Naruto secretly hoped that soon Itachi would find him. Then they can be side by side again.

“This must be all a dream.” He whispered blue orbs shutting as a silent sleep took him.


-/flashback/ months ago…-

Darkness…

Cool damp air clung to the moss covered walls of stone. The black bars glistened slightly from a faint light streaming through tiny holes in the opposite wall from his cell. Hot, thick atmosphere causing moisture to collect and drip from the carved out ceilings.

Drip, drip… drip.

Heavy breathing. A claustrophobic feeling closing in all around. “Hey… Hey! Is anybody there?!! OI!!!”

Naruto clutched at the collar laying on his back. He’d been stuck in this damned place for unknown days so far. Weak, alone and stranded yelling at the top of his lungs. But nobody came. He laid like this drifting in and out of sleep. Once in awhile there was a plate of dried bread and water to sustain his hunger, but that wasn’t enough for his growling pitiful stomach.

Then somewhere between dreams and reality a visitor would be there with him. The first time he felt conscience of the other person, aware that they were locked in the same cage with him. In the beginning he made no attempt to move or call out to the other one, thinking it just to be an illusion. But then an evening when all light was vanquished and the haunting darkness eclipsed the tunnel he awoke screaming. That had been the start of the deep mental crack above insanity.

Was anybody there? He cried out, and unlike the other times someone answered him.

“Yes.”

It didn’t matter if he had gone crazy or not. If this person was just apart of his imagination for he only needed to talk now. The need to escape, to live, to eat where forgotten. Only to talk to anything. Naruto had sighed in relief almost near to tears and began babbling nonstop. He poured everything into the one-sided conversation. About his apartment, his teammates, going to the academy. Chocking when he reached the part about his dreams for the future.

Through it all the other remained quiet towards the end. The blonde desperately called to them making sure they were still there.

“I’m here.”

But did they understand how he felt? Not wanting to be weak? For the people of Konoha to look up to him? To become someone reliable?

“I understand.”

Naruto knew that clinically he was insane. Who wouldn’t be spending day after day here? Where the only sounds were his own cries and the dripping of moisture? Where he lulled from sleep to the present seeing the faces of animals staring at him behind those bars and hushed whispers… how he would yell to them, but getting no response. This person was a figment of his whim to stay beside him through the horrors of loneliness. But what name should he give them or if they already had a name?

Ah, for someone to be there listening to him. Almost caring for him. Thank you whoever you are.

“I am Sai.”


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poor naruto, next chapter is a more intricate conversation with SAI in the cell, then itachi comes to the rescue!