The Only Exception

Prayer said: Hail Mary- prayer of the Virgin Mary
Reference to the gauntlet: Running the gauntlet- a corporal punishment
Room clearing is normally done with a 4 man team to properly have security and sweeps covered.
Wakizashi: a traditional Japanese sword with a shôtô blade between 30 and 60 centimeters (12 and 24 in), with an average of 50 cm (20 in). Often worn with the katana and called daishô when together.


Ch.8: I’ll Tell You Who’s is Worse


Kushina placed a comforting hand on her mother-in-law’s shoulder. Since Jiraiya’s death was announced the woman had not been seen without a bottle of alcohol in her clutches. The white of her eyes burned an angry red from all the tears that had poured from them. ‘He wasn’t supposed to die. He promised it wouldn’t be like all the times from before. He was the one meant to live.’ Tsunade felt her heart clench tightly as tears shed down her face once again as a blinding rage swept over her like a hurricane. She threw the bottle of scotch at one of the bookcases and watched it shatter and splash. A desk lamp was next to go sailing through the air before making contact with the light green wall and breaking the plaster. She let out a wailing howl and fell to her knees. Hushed pleas to God could be heard tumbling from her lips as her dejected body slumped in grievance. Rising from her place on the couch, Kushina dropped down beside Tsunade and wrapped her arms around the older woman’s hunched body in comfort. The two stayed curled together as the last of the winter day’s sunlight filtered through the window and slowly snubbed out leaving the room in a dreary darkness.

Blazing blue eyes seemed to glow in the dark room as he entered it. It shattered his heart to see his mother so broken. Never, in all of his 48 years, had he seen the strong willed woman break, and he swore he could feel her pain deep within his bones. It thrummed with such malice that Minato thought he might break and wither under his own skin. The only thing keeping from doing just that was his anger. A burning fiery need for retribution and the solace he hoped to find in it. His family was not safe and that was unacceptable. With slight tremors throughout his body, Minato placed his hands on his wife’s and mother’s heads. He closed his eyes and felt the burn inside of him rise to inferno temperatures. Images of Naruto and Kyuubi as children flashed through his mind. The two boys ran around the gardens in adolescent delight; smiles burning bright. It was beautiful and heart breaking as he thought of the two, now young men, brandishing weapons with blood splattered clothes. The children in his memories would die tonight and from those ashes would raise hardened men. And there was only one thing Minato could think to do at a time like this…

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen”

The two responding whispers of ‘Amen’ made his heart clench tight as a choked sob passed his trembling lips. With lowered heads the three silently gave their own pleas to God for a good outcome of the nights events. A wailing ring from his pocket brought the three out of their silent reprieves before it could properly be appreciated.

“What is it Kakashi?” Minato’s voice was gruff and scratchy as he tried to rid himself of the feelings bursting through his body. He could not afford to be soft at these crucial moments of his first attack.

“The sword has fallen and the gauntlet has commenced sir.” The sounds of people moving about could be heard though the back ground of Kakashi’s phone.

“And the boys?” Kushina and Tsunade both looked up to Minato and waited for his reaction. They could not take any more bad news; especially if it was the boys.

“They are preparing the message to Gaara as we speak.”

“Good. I want Obito and you to oversee the men when they get back. Be sure to have Kyuubi, Naruto, and Sasuke come and see me when they return.”

“Understood sir.”

With the click of his phone Minato nodded to the two females before exiting the library and heading towards his study.

“So it has commenced.” He whispered to himself, but the lingering woods of his father, in a time too long past,
kept flashing through his mind:

‘Fear is logical.’


**********I’ll Tell You Who’s is Worse**********


2 hours prior

Their breaths came in quick burst as adrenalin pumped fiercely through their veins. This was it. The first strike in what would surely begin another war on the streets of Konoha. Kiba took point in their line up at the entrance to the bar. Sasuke was lined up directly behind him with Naruto pulling rear security. A nudge to the knee from all three was the signaling command. Naruto peeled across the two and slammed the battering ram into the large wooden door and stepped to the side as Kiba threw a flash-bang grenade inside. The echo of two loud pops identified that team#2 was on schedule with them. Counting to Three Mississippi, Kiba rushed inside with his M4 draw and set on burst. Taking a sharp right he posted next to the bar and let his finger squeeze the trigger. ‘Trrraad trrraad trrraad’ Bullets sailed through the air and logged themselves into hard wood and softer bodies.

Sasuke flanked left and dived as bullets whizzed past his head. His side hit hard against the concrete floor knocking the breath out of him momentarily. A barrel of a pistol peaked from behind a turned over table 2 meters from him and fired. Rolling left; Sasuke saw his opening and shot. Blood spewed from the gaping hole in the man’s chest as he fell backwards with an agonized scream. Scrambling for cover he leaned behind the speaker box and checked right for Naruto.

Naruto entered the building with his .45 already drawn and firing. Flipping over a table he ducked behind it and took notice of his surroundings. Kiba was kneeling low on the side of the bar laying down suppressive fire as Konohamaru from team two moved from the side door towards the hallway for the back rooms. The rest of team two was spread out behind various over turned tables firing at the thugs when an opening was given. A green haired guy seemed to keep popping out of various parts of the bar back and unloading his shot gun. He watched as one of the man’s targets had half of his face blown off by the buck shot. Another man with slicked back blonde hair was standing behind the bar shooting and laughing like a mad man. He had already been hit three times, but still stood straight and was yelling something about Lord Jashin having a bountiful sacrifice. Sasuke was reloading his M9 behind the speaker box, and ginning like a mad man. The dark eyes peeked behind raven locks and caught gaze with his own electric blues. Naruto felt the Cheshire grin spread across his lips. With a wink at Sasuke he turned quickly and raised shoulder level above the table and proceeded in emptying his clip.

Hidan hadn’t felt this alive in ages. He felt the burning sting in his side and his shoulder, but could have cared less. Catching a glimpse of the man with face paint on; he let out a loud laugh and jumped the bar. Pulling a machete from the back of his coat; he rushed the man’s location. Blood pooled and seeped into the concrete making it slightly slippery underneath his boots, but he pressed on. A person screamed beside him and he felt the blood splatter across his face. Not knowing if it was a ‘friend’ or ‘foe’ didn’t faze the psychotic man. He had found his official sacrifice for Lord Jashin and nothing was going to stop him from getting it.
Kankuro was shaking with rage as he slammed a magazine into one of his Berettas. ‘Fucking bastards set this shit up.’ He kicked out angrily at the dead body at his feet. His eyes flickered back and forth rapidly. Bodies were littered all around him. Blood flowed in what seemed like rivers. Cries, shouts, and groans drowned out the blasting music and gun fire.

“WHY THE FUCK IS THAT MUSIC STILL ON!” he screamed as he rose to his feet ready to let loose on the closest possible target. His eyes spotted a young man with goggles on top of his head and he shoot twice. A smirk spread across his lips until he felt his body flying sideways. A heavy weight lifted off him and he gritted his teeth as the air he sucked in burned his lungs. He felt his body turned to where he was on his back. Crazed brown eyes bore into his own before he felt the ripping of his flesh. An ear piercing scream left his throat as his stomach burned hotter than the fiery pits of hell. Dilated eyes shot down to look at his stomach, and he watched. He watched as the man straddling his body shoved his hand large calloused hand into his stomach. His body went into shock when he felt the man grip something he wasn’t suppose to and pull. Bloodied organs fell to the ground with a sounding shlop. Hidan pulled the machete to his lips and licked the blood off the blade.
Kankuro coughed violently and blood poured down his chin. His ears rang, his body shook, and his eyes widened to extremes. The machete came down fast and swift; it plunged deep into his heart. The disemboweled body jerked upwards and then fell flat as the blood poured freely from his wounds.

“I SACRIFICE THEE TO LORD JASHIN! AHAHAHAHAHA…Ugh!” Hidan screamed at the top of his lungs until the piercing pain of metal slashing flesh hit him. He turned his head slowly around and met the gaze of one of the last goons still alive. He smiled as the bloodied young man put the barrel of his pistol to his head and pulled the trigger.

Naruto sat up from his cover only to feel the wet slimy pieces of brain matter splash across his face. His eyes closed instinctually and opened in time to see the recently used pistol turn toward him. Luckily, he was quicker on the trigger. The man’s head snapped backwards as his body fell to the ground. It was only once Naruto was sure the man wasn’t getting back up that he realized there was no more gun fire. He sucked in a large gasp of air and could only taste the rancid coppery smell of bloodshed on the back of his tongue. His stomach lurched and he was soon on his hands and knees throwing up everything that he possibly could. When all that was left was the dry heaving of his chest; he felt a warm hand slide under his shirt and rub soothing circles on his lower back. He turned his head to see Sasuke in a disheveled state. He wasn’t sure if the blood that ran down the pale face was Sasuke’s or not and quickly reached out for the other man’s face.

“Hey are you okay? Are you hurt? Where are you hurt? And who did it I’ll fucking kill them again—“ Naruto’s eyes were bugged out and his body shook violently. Sasuke softly placed his hands over Naruto’s and squeezed them tightly to get the blonde’s attention.

“Naruto, calm down. It’s not my blood okay. It’s not mine.” The heaving chest slowed as blue eyes stared into onyx. He shook his head up and down slowly in understanding. A soft kiss was placed on his lips before he was heaved up to his feet by Sasuke.

“Sapphire-2 get our wounded and casualties into the trucks and back to ‘Desert Skies’. Deidra will have things prepared for treatment. Make sure to take Kankuro’s body back also.”

“Roger sir.” The backup squad moved quickly gathering up two dead bodies and helping the others out of the building.

“Zetsu throw some gasoline down and Kiba set the explosives. We’re leaving nothing for the fucking cops to pick up on.”

Sasuke turned to grab a rag from the bar when a head of silver hair popped out from the back of the bar. With a quick swing of his arm Sasuke’s pistol was aimed directly at the smiling face.

“God damn it Kakashi! I’m fucking tired of you just popping out of nowhere. Playing cowboys is really gonna get you shot some day.” Sasuke lowered his gun and grabbed the wet rag Kakashi just happened to be holding.

“Mah. You’ll always recognize it’s me Sasuke, so stop with the dramatics.”

“Fuck you.” Sasuke watch as Kakashi waved him off and wiped the drying blood from his face.

“Is that an offer Sasuke?” Kakashi fluttered his eyelashes from his visible eye and leaned over the bar into Sasuke’s face. He was abruptly pushed away as the younger man growled out at him.

“Shut it asshole.”

“Yes, an asshole you’re uncle takes great pleasure from.” The sentence soon had Naruto throwing empty shell casings at Kakashi’s head.

“Kakashi shut the hell up. Even I don’t want to hear about you and Obito.”

Kakashi simply chuckled at the fact of him getting both young men riled up. The three watched as Zetsu doused the bodies and furniture in gasoline. Kiba was busy setting up the bomb the backup squad had brought in. When everything was finally set up the five men quickly exited the building and headed for their separate cars. Kiba’s truck veered off from the two vehicles heading towards the bay, and made a sudden halt. Opening the center console he grabbed the control switch for the bomb. With the flick of a simple switch, he watched out his rear view mirror as the dark night sky lit with a giant ball of burning fire. The truck shook even two blocks away. Kiba simply smiled and made on his way.


**********I’ll Tell You Who’s is Worse**********


Neji’s face was pushed deeper into the mattress as Gaara’s hips snapped with brutal thrusts. The red headed man had stripped him of his clothes as soon as he entered the hotel bedroom; he didn’t even get the chance to ask why he was bandaged and had his arm in a sling. All he got was a hot mouth panting and biting across his overly sensitive neck. Fingers gripped and pulled at cashmere sheets as his stomach began to burn white hot in their lust. The slightly calloused hand on his lower back pushed harder and he raised his ass higher in the air. Neji could feel the wet slap of skin hitting skin with every deepened thrust. The grunts and groans he was sure were a mixture of pain and pleasure coming from Gaara, but his mind was too far gone in his own pleasure to really give a damn at the moment. Releasing his death grip on the sheets he brought his left hand down and began pumping his throbbing cock.

The added friction was key to toppling over the edge. Neji felt his ass clench and his dick jerk as stream after stream of cum coated his pale hand and the sheets below him. With eyes rolled to the back; he felt like his head was being thumped against and invisible black wall. Gaara kept thrusting and the white streaks of electricity streamed across his vision. With one last deep thrust he felt Gaara quiver and shake a top of him. The warm cum undoubtedly filling the latex barrier between their bodies. Neji’s body fell flat in exhaustion as Gaara pulled out of him. His body was wet with sweat and seamen but he couldn’t find the energy to move just yet. He heard the shuffling of feet and soft cursing and assumed Gaara was getting re-dressed. Turning on his side he watched as the red head fumbled with his zipper and button with one hand. Gaara had barely managed to get everything in place when the vibrations of his phone made him jerk his leg and stream mumbled curses. Pulling his phone out and pressing answer on the screen he placed the device to his ear.

“Sabaku.”

“Sir, we have a situation. Your sister and her body guards are missing. They left for Konoha early this morning
and I have yet to get in touch with either them or her.”

“Fucking Temari… get a team out to scout the way in between their and Konoha. I’ll get a team out here to start searching the city.”

“Understood sir. I’ll set it up immediately.” With a low click Gaara placed the phone in his pocket and turned to still pliant Neji.

“Get your shit on. We have to go search for my air head of a sister.”

Neji let a loud groan pass his lips and rolled off the bed. With a slight limp he re-dressed into his dark khakis and lavender button up. Running his hands down his chest; he tried to smooth out the wrinkles. Gaara eyed him irritably before placing his pistol in his sling and draping his black wool coat over his shoulders. The two men exited the suite and made their way down the elevator. Neji watched as a flash of light lit with each passing floor. A stifling silence fell between the two but was normal as the odds of the elevator being bugged were high. When the doors finally opened to reveal the grand entrance the two quickly walked towards the side entrance. The valet greeted them as they stepped out of the doors and handed their stubs for their cars.

“I want you to check the Upper East Side. Knowing how she gets; she probably got caught up at some store and is shopping away her money. If you find her take her back to the room and call me immediately.”

“Where are you going then?”

“To get my brother and then search for her downtown.”

A silver Audi and a black Mercedes pulled up slowly. Keys were passed from the valets to the two men. Neji gave Gaara a nod as he slid into Mercedes and drove off. With a pained expression; Gaara turned off in the opposite direction of Neji. His brother and the goons should be at the docks by now he mused. The city lights blurred together as the steady purr of the engine was the only thing heard other then Gaara’s on thoughts. He couldn’t believe how foolish his sister could act at times. Not only was she the head of the business, but technically the head of the family still in Suna. With a sigh Gaara and reached for his in vehicle phone button. Before his finger pressed the button the voice of the automated teller chimed though the speaker system.

“You have a call from ‘Unknown Caller.’” The slight British accent stated.

“Answer call.”

“Damn Gaara I was hoping you would be smart enough to change your vehicles cell number but I guess not.” Gaara’s hand gripped the steering wheel tight as the deep chirpy voice of one Naruto Namikaze, echoed throughout the vehicle.

“You have a package to pick up at the park. Do hurry though my wilted rose. The animals are known to come out at night and feed. It would be a shame if the package was missing a few bloodied parts when you arrived.”

“Naruto, what is the meaning of this?”

The line disconnected before Gaara had even finished his statement. The flipping of his stomach had the red head snarling as a consuming dread spread in his conscious. Making a U-turn at the next stop light; Gaara sped up until the Park entrance was in his view. Parking his car he headed down the desolate sidewalk. Winter wind nipped and reddened pale skin as a hand gripped tight against the solid handle of a pistol. A large oak tree came into view and Gaara felt the world come to a crashing halt.

A scream left before its owner could answer his whispered thoughts of ‘Why God? Why?’ The bodies swayed with whistled winds. Ominous creaking of rope against bark seemed like screaming banshees, and faltered breath came in chugging gasps as feet pounded against dirt and snow. Crimson stained the once pure white of… Temari’s dress… Kankuro’s shirt… and the slush that was once snow.

Gaara whipped his injured arm out of the sling and reached for his pocket knife. The branch hung low enough for him to reach the rope and began cutting as fast as he could. Tied together like prisoners; the bodies crashed to the wet ground below. All breathing stopped when the bodies fell to side without the slightest stir, and Gaara fell instinctually into his urge. Numbed hands shook the bodies as previously bitten back tears flowed hot down the pale face, but they still wouldn’t move, and never would again.


**********I’ll Tell You Who’s is Worse**********


“Fugaku, maybe I’m not making myself clear. There are dangerous people out to get all Uchiha’s and Namikaze’s right now. I’m no longer asking you to go to Japan for a little while. I am demanding it as your brother.” Obito’s stance was tall and puffed out as he tried to reason with his older brother.

“My YOUNGER brother is what you are Obito. You have no right or privilege to give me orders on these premises. Now if you would so kindly take your leave; I have an old friend stopping by here shortly.” Fugaku opened the door to his office and waited for his younger brother to move.

“Fugaku, I swear if anything happens to Mikoto or you because of your obstinacy your son’s will be the ones to suffer the most.”

“Please Obito. My sons are strong men who would never fall to that level over me.”

“No, but they would for their mother and you know that just as well as I do.”

Obito stood next to Fugaku in the doorway and gave him a look no Uchiha would ever be caught dead giving in public; pleading. Fugaku simply snorted and stood firm in his position. With a sigh; Obito headed for the exit. He was passing the den when he heard a shrieking scream. Quickly drawing his weapon he headed in the direction of the noise. Noticing the doors to the tea room slightly ajar he pushed them open with his finger itching on the trigger. What he saw was nothing short of horrifying as the bloodied head of Mikoto was held in the hands of a smirking Orochimaru. Before Obito could squeeze one off he felt a sharp pain slam into his neck. Grasping at the wound he met the glimmering lens covered eyes of Kabuto. The silver headed man waved a needle in his now blurring vision and gave him a push towards the ground.

With a heavy thud his body hit the ground. It felt like he was on fire from the inside out as his back arched and his muscles clenched tight. An agonized yell tumbled from his lips only to be met with maniacal laughter from the two men. Shotgun blasts echoed down the hall and was hard to pick up with buzzing ears but he knew that sound from anywhere. Another scream of pain and frustration wrenched out his throat and with his last bit of strength he pointed his weapon at Kabuto and pulled the trigger. He watched as bloody glass dug into the gaping hole where Kabuto’s eye used to be. A hissing string of curses, he was sure came from Orochimaru, filtered through his ears. Suddenly his chest clenched tight with a blinding pain. The image of Kakashi with a young Itachi and Sasuke flashed in his mind and then…his world went black.


**********I’ll Tell You Who’s is Worse**********


It was the 23rd time Obito’s cell had gone to voice mail and Kakashi found himself wanting to throw the damned device into the wall. He paced back and forth across the dirty concrete floor of the ware house and grumbled under his breath; the worry for his lover ever growing. Now was not the time for him to be ignoring his cell.
Sasuke eye twitched as he watched the older man pace back and forth. The need to grab him by the shoulders and shake the grumbling man were strong but keeping to his Uchiha cool he simply growled out at the man.

“Kakashi pacing back and forth isn’t going to make him answer his phone any quicker. Why don’t you and I head up to the house and see if he’s still there. Kyuubi and Naruto have already dropped the package off and are heading back to the estate.”

“I suppose that will have to do. Call Naruto and let them know what’s going on. Also tell them to send the message on to Minato.” Nodding, Sasuke walked to the car and got in. He wasn’t looking forward to seeing his father at the moment but business needed to be dealt with right now. He would just have to block out whatever the man had to say to him this time.


**********I’ll Tell You Who’s is Worse**********


Neji ran up the pathway that Gaara had told him to come up at. When the sight of fiery red hair came in his view he let out a sigh of relief. That is until he noticed the bloodied and disfigured bodies of the man’s only living family clenched tightly in his embrace. Chocking down the urge to puke he slowly approached the hunched over figure. Blood shot eyes glared at him. The look was quickly washed away as his hand landed on Gaara’s good shoulder and gave a firm squeeze.

A choked sob filtered through pink lips and Neji quickly adverted his gaze. He knew that even at a time like this Gaara would not want him to see the emotions that were playing out in front of him. His sight locked onto the tree and he noticed a piece of what seemed to be parchment paper stuck to the trunk with a white and orange hilted wakizashi. Neji walked over and pulled the sword out of the tree and grabbed the paper reading its contents silently.

Be quick on the sword and this is war. This is war!

Under the writing was a picture of a 9-tailed fox snarling and digging its claws into the ground. It was the calling card of the Namikaze family that much he was sure. He just wondered how Gaara had come to find his siblings out here at this time of night. A trembling hand captured his own and squeezed. Dropping his eyes to the red head; he felt his heart speed up at the maniacal expression the other wore. Venomous words were spit from the snarling mouth, and Neji then knew the city was doomed.

“You’ve taken everything from me, and so shall I return the favor Minato Namikaze. You will pay.”

TBC