Break the Seal

Note: Ugh, sorry this took so long to post. I was having a wicked case of writer’s block, and then all my memory on my computer got erased so I had to retype this whole chapter (not to mention about 15 other stories I was working on). So sorry again for the ungodly delay, and here is the second to last chap of my fic. And for an interesting side note, one of my reviewers said that Mizuki does come back later in the series to fight Iruka. I swear I didn’t know that; this was just wishful thinking on my part ^_^ I love bad guys that come back for more.

Oh, and sorry for the sucky ass fight scene (though it doesn’t have much ‘fight’ in it). I was too lazy to figure out anything terribly complicated and in depth, so I copped out and just did this. So yeah, if you can ignore that I think every thing will be peachy.

One more thing: If any of you happen to know Mizuki’s last name, please tell me. I’m curious and couldn’t find it anywhere. Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy!! (it’s extra long, to make up for the wait ^_~)

Chapter Nine: Last Resort


Kakashi followed the chakra through the village, knowing it was leading him into the forest nearby. That was fine by him; even if it was a trap, he’d still kill Mizuki in the most painful way imaginable. He let his anger drive his body ad he picked up speed, wanting more than anything to feel the traitor’s blood flow through his fingers.

~*~*~*~*~

Mizuki smirked as he went deeper and deeper into the trees. Kakashi was angry, and was making no attempt to hide it. ‘He must have seen what I did to poor Iruka then,’ thought the jounin as he picked up his pace. Mizuki was more than ready to take on the legendary Copy Nin, and was sure he could defeat him fairly easily. An angry enemy was a careless enemy, and Kakashi was livid. Mizuki started to laugh to himself at the prospect of killing the jounin. Then afterwards he could kill Naruto with very little interference, although he still had to deal with that Uchiha boy first. But if he could kill a Hatake, then Sasuke wouldn’t be a problem.

Gliding through the thickening branches Mizuki came upon a large clearing, stopping mid leap to land in the center of it. Kakashi was still some ways behind him, and Mizuki smiled wickedly as he laid down his plan to defeat the Copy Nin. He had many tricks up his sleeve, and he anticipated showing Kakashi them personally.

~*~*~*~*~

Kakashi’s eye narrowed as he came into view of the waiting Mizuki, who’s arms were crossed over his chest as his foot tapped impatiently against the damp forest floor.

Kakashi landed several yards away from the sand nin, wary of any movement around him. Even in his rage he was somewhat keeping his calm, assessing the situation with his keen eye. Nothing seemed to be out of place, except the smirking bastard in front of him. Kakashi tried to restrain his anger as he took in the other man’s appearance.

He was surprised at what he saw. Kakashi was half expecting another Zabuza or maybe an Orochimaru, but Mizuki was neither. He was far from intimidating looking, and though he was attractive, he was actually rather plain. His grey stringy hair hung to his shoulders, and his black eyes shown with cruelty as he gazed unwavering at Kakashi. He had on the typical uniform of a jounin, though it was designed for that of the Land of Sand. His hitai-ate wrapped around his head, bearing the telltale hour glass. ‘So, he really is a sand nin after all,’ thought Kakashi to himself.

“About time you got here. I was becoming bored waiting for you. So, we know each other’s names, though I do believe this is the first time we’ve met face to face. It’s a pleasure to see you so up close, Hatake Kakashi.” Kakashi’s eye narrowed further. “I can’t say the same.” His voice was even and cold, making Mizuki shift uncomfortably.

Mizuki tried to cover his nervousness as he said, “So I take it you found my little gift?” Kakashi glared at Mizuki, not even trying to hide his anger at the comment, but remained silent. “He was rather fun to break, though fairly easy. Have you ever had him Kakashi? Of course not, because then why would you decide to make clones of him to fuck instead?” Kakashi was taken aback by the comment. How did Mizuki know about that? He must have seen him somehow. It angered Kakashi that he had been spied on and didn’t even know it, and he took a threatening step closer to Mizuki. Mizuki didn’t budge however, and continued his taunting.

“But nothing compares to the genuine article. You know, he pants like a whore if you fuck him hard enough. By the end he was begging for more.” It was a lie, but Mizuki wanted to see Kakashi’s reaction to the lewd comment. The jounin looked pissed beyond reason. Mizuki smiled as he trailed a hand down his chest suggestively, stopping at his crouch to lewdly caress himself through the fabric, mock moaning to get his point across. Kakashi knew Mizuki was just doing it to anger him further, but despite that knowledge it was working quite well.

Knowing he had thoroughly angered the Copy Nin, Mizuki began to laugh maniacally, his laughter echoing through the dim forest.

“Ah, but you already know how it feels to have another man cry your name. I bet Yondaime was a tom cat in the sack.” Kakashi suddenly halted his slow advance. Did this man know everything about him? The letter from Yondaime must have been more intimate than Kakashi thought; he mentally cursed his deceased sensei for being so sentimental.

“That’s right little scarecrow; I did read that pathetic note to you from our beloved fourth Hokage. Seems he, ‘was not able to truly love you like you deserved’. I wonder why. Maybe you couldn’t live up to his expectations. What, couldn’t fuck him as hard as he wanted with that small cock of yours?”

A low growl rose from Kakashi’s throat. He had enough of the man’s taunting. It was time to take action, and kill the rotten bastard and get the scroll away from him.

Kakashi took another step closer, his eye narrowed dangerously at Mizuki, bloodlust flowing from him in waves. For a flash Mizuki was frightened, but soon plastered on a smirk as Kakashi got ever closer.

“Prepare yourself Mizuki; because what I have planned for you will be beyond any pain you could ever conceive of in this world, and by the end you will be begging me to take your pathetic life to ease the agony.”

~*~*~*~*~

Iruka slowly woke up, but his body ached with pain, and his head was throbbing like his brain was trying to escape from his skull. He warily opened his eyes, but his vision was hazy and he could barely make out where he was. He started for a moment, not knowing how he got here. But then the memories came back to him like a tidal wave, making him sick to his stomach.

He remembered Mizuki, and how he had disguised himself as Kakashi and tried to take him. Then of the blade slicing his skin, and his wrists tied tightly over his head, the fabric digging unmercifully into his flesh. Then of the searing pain shooting up through his body, the very core of his body throbbing in pain at the memory.

Iruka sighed heavily as he grabbed his head, trying to stave off the headache he knew was coming. He winced as he felt his overly sensitive face, and he realized that he probably had two black eyes. He could only imagine how horrible he looked.

Iruka sat back gingerly in his bed, trying to recall again how he had gotten here. He vaguely recalled someone calling his name, and then a calming presence cradling in his arms. The rest was black, and he couldn’t remember who had brought him here. It was frustrating the chuunin.

Iruka’s lids started to fall shut as sleep tried to overtake him, but he snapped awake from the sound of the door to his room opening. He slowly opened his eyes, and he smiled as a familiar voice filled the room. “Iruka-sensei...” Said Naruto as he walked to Iruka’s side, immediately grasping his former teacher’s hand. Naruto had tears in his eyes, and looked like he had been crying for some time. Iruka felt bad for causing his favorite student such grief. Iruka smiled as he reached up to brush away Naruto’s silently falling tears, and then he suddenly realized another presence was in the room. Iruka looked to the corner near the window, seeing a detached Sasuke watching them from afar. Iruka nodded a greeting to the stoic young man, and Sasuke returned the gesture, his eyes betraying how relieved he really was.

Iruka turned back to Naruto, and gave him another smile to reassure him further. But it just caused Naruto’s tears to fall harder, and he couldn’t stop himself as he leaned into Iruka, hugging his teacher close to him as he sobbed into Iruka’s shoulder. The chuunin returned the embrace, and ran a soothing hand up and down Naruto’s back. Iruka wanted to laugh at his current predicament; even though he was the one hurt, he was still the one that had to comfort Naruto. But he didn’t mind, and enjoyed holding the younger man as he tried to get him to calm down.

“It’s okay Naruto. I’m fine now.... you don’t have to cry.” Iruka’s voice was low and scratchy, and he grimaced at how it sounded. He felt Naruto nod against his shoulder, and after several seconds the blonde boy released his death grip on Iruka, and stood clasping his hand once again. “I know Iruka-sensei, but you look horrible.” Iruka chuckled. Naruto smiled, happy his former teacher could still laugh at least.

Iruka’s giggling soon ceased, and Naruto’s expression became serious. He gripped Iruka’s hand tighter, almost like if he let go, he’d lose the chuunin forever. “I’m... sorry I didn’t get here sooner; no one told me about you. As soon as I heard what happened from Kakashi-sensei, I ran over here as fast as I could.” Iruka started at the jounin’s name. “K-Kakashi-sensei told you about me?”

Naruto nodded. “Yeah. He found us at the Ichiraku and told us. He looked really pissed; I’ve never seen him so mad. He was also covered in blood, but I don’t think it was his. I think.... he was the one that found you.” Iruka didn’t know what to think of this information. So it was Kakashi that had saved him. Iruka’s cheeks flushed from the thought of the older man seeing him naked, but he knew it was a ridiculous. ‘He does care after all...’ Mused Iruka to himself.

“He.... told us who did it too.” Naruto lowered his head, trying to hide his resurfacing anger he felt towards the perpetrator. Iruka placed his free hand on top of Naruto’s and said, “It’s okay Naruto. He’ll be caught eventually, and punished thoroughly for what he did.” At least, Iruka hoped so. It wasn’t like him to feel ill will towards anyone, but he surprised himself with how much he wanted Mizuki dead. It made his stomach turn thinking about the older man getting away with what he had done.

“Yeah, but Kakashi-sensei will get him first.” Iruka’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Kakashi-sensei said he was going to find Mizuki and kill him. I wold have done it myself, but I needed to be sure you were okay, so he’s doing it for both of us.” The blonde smiled sadly, wishing with all his heart that he could have been the one to get rid of Mizuki once and for all.

Iruka’s gaze wandered off, and he wondered why Kakashi would take it upon himself to do such a thing. If Kakashi hadn’t confused the chuunin before, he was completely at a loss now. The jounin was more of a mystery than ever, but Iruka’s heart was warmed by his actions. Maybe all his hopes hadn’t been in vain after all.

“Iruka-sensei?” Iruka snapped from his thoughts as Naruto looked at him warily. “I’m fine Naruto, just need some sleep is all.” Naruto seemed to be shocked by the comment, like he should have known it to be a common fact. He hastily released Iruka’s hand and headed for the door, Sasuke coming to his side. “Of course Iruka-sensei. We’ll be right outside if you need us. Get some rest and we’ll talk more later.” Naruto smiled and waved as he walked out the door, Sasuke behind him lifting his hand in goodbye over his shoulder as he closed the door.

Iruka felt kind of bad for practically kicking the boy’s out of his room, but he needed some time to think. He needed to sift through his thoughts and figure out what the events of the last couple of days meant to him. The traumatic rape, mingled with the feeling of Kakashi actually caring about him mingled into a kind of strange feeling of both dread and hope.

He wondered how deeply Kakashi felt for him, but that depth was beyond Iruka at the moment. He was just content to think about the jounin, about his droopy eye and his nonchalant demeanor. How he smelled, and how his hair would blow just so in the right breeze. He knew he cared for Kakashi, but he was afraid of where that fondness would lead him. He was worried about Kakashi, despite the jounin’s capabilities. And the feeling wouldn’t go away. Iruka needed to so something about it....

~*~*~*~*~

“Oh, that’s some threat Kakashi, but save such things for when you’re sure you’re going to win.” With that Mizuki broke out in a full sprint towards Kakashi, withdrawing a wire hidden in his sleeve. Kakashi tensed as he come closer, and jumped just in time as a kunai was flung at him, the hair thin wire trailing behind it. Kakashi had never encountered someone who was this adept at a tetsugen, and he leapt several feet away to escape the deadly weapon.

Mizuki smirked as the kunai stuck into a tree right where Kakashi had been only moments before, and with a flick of his wrist he dislodged it, bringing it back to himself.

“Your faster than I thought Kakashi, but not fast enough it seems.” Kakashi was about to ask what he was babbling about, when he suddenly felt himself surrounded by the other man’s chakra. Kakashi didn’t move as he looked carefully around him, and only noticed the intricate spider web of wire surrounding him when a ray of light glinted off the thin metal strands.

Kakashi cursed himself for falling into such a trap, and reached for a kunai in his vest to free himself. Mizuki noticed the movement, and the strands surrounding Kakashi closed in on him, pinning his arms to his sides and digging into his flesh. Mizuki laughed as he stepped closer, making a wire wrap around Kakashi’s neck, a thin line of red the only clue to it’s presence there.

“I wouldn’t try that Copy Nin. You see, each and every one of these strands has my chakra seeped into it. I can control them apart from my own body, and can send my chakra through the strands to inflict pain... like this.” Mizuki flashed red for a moment, then every strand in the clearing glowed before the red light dissipated. Kakashi wondered if the fool had been bluffing, but soon found out he wasn’t as a sharp, electric pain shot through his body, making him cry out. Mizuki laughed at Kakashi’ obvious agony, and sent wave after wave through the wire to jolt him.

The pulse of the chakra striking his body was more painful than anything Kakashi had ever felt. It was like his skin was on fire, and the flame permeated his flesh to sting every bone in his body. Mizuki finally stopped his assault, easing his guard as he stepped closer to the jounin. Kakashi’s head hung to his chest, his breathing labored and coming in haggard gasps.

“Huh, and to think I was worried about fighting you. Your not as powerful as the rumors lead me to believe.” He then placed his index finger under Kakashi’s chin, making the Copy Nin look directly into his eyes. “And I didn’t even get to see the famous Sharingan eye. Such a shame.” Kakashi said nothing as he managed a poisonous glare, his mind teetering on unconsciousness. Mizuki brushed off his defiant stare, and brought his face close to Kakashi’s. “Hmmm, what should I do with you now that you’re al tied up? I could have my way with you, show you first hand what I did to sweet Iruka-sensei.” With that Mizuki reached a hand up, grasping the fabric of Kakashi’s mask to pull it down slowly. Kakashi attempted to pull away, but the wire surrounding his neck clenched tighter around his neck and body, warning him to stay still.

Mizuki pulled the mask all the way down, and his eyes widened as he gazed at Kakashi’s exposed face. “Well, who would have thought you were so attractive? In fact, you’re prettier than Iruka...” Mizuki leaned in further, brushing his lips over Kakashi’s. Kakashi tried again to pull away, but he still couldn’t move. Instead he decided to spit in Mizuki’s face, the sand nin pulling away abruptly at the gesture. With a grimace Mizuki wiped the spittle from his face, and grabbed Kakashi roughly by the hair before back handing him with his free hand. A thin trail of blood started to pour from Kakashi’s split lip as Mizuki looked at him furiously. “That wasn’t very nice Copy Nin. I should kill you for doing that... but I’m not quite done with you yet.” He then released Kakashi, and he smiled wickedly at the jounin before his body was encased in smoke, clouding him from Kakashi’s view.

Kakashi took the opportunity to try and reach to the shuriken holster at his leg, straining against the metal threads to reach his weapon. But his mind was reeling, and he couldn’t quite control his body the way he wanted. He tried to keep his focus as he clumsily opened the black pouch, and could just feel the cool metal of a throwing star before Mizuki reappeared before him. He froze immediately at the sight.

“What’s wrong Kakashi? Don’t you like what you see?” Said Mizuki as he brushed aside his now spiky blonde hair. Kakashi had no words as he continued to stare at the flawless image of his long dead sensei.

Mizuki smirked at Kakashi’s reaction and stepped closer, his gait sure and slow as he came to stand where he had been only a moment before. He was so close Kakashi could feel his breath on his skin, and tensed when Mizuki/Yondaime leaned in for a kiss. Kakashi knew he should pull away; he knew it was just Mizuki playing with him. But he even smelt like Yondaime. The scent of his former teacher flooded the jounin’s nose as Mizuki brushed his lips over Kakashi’s, making the jounin lean forward eagerly. He kissed the image of his teacher, and all other thoughts left him as almost forgotten memories flooded his mind and senses. He didn’t realize how much he had missed Yondaime until now, and he almost felt like crying that he finally had him back.

Mizuki was reveling in Kakashi’s reactions to him. He hadn’t told the leaf nin, but his wires were also tainted with a strong hallucinogen, making him more susceptible to persuasion. It was coursing through Kakashi’s veins, making him drown in his sensations. Mizuki drew in closer to Kakashi, his tongue grazing the Copy Nin’s lips, wanting more. Kakashi obliged despite himself, and opened his lips for Mizuki. The eager sand nin drove his tongue into Kakashi’s mouth, moaning as Kakashi pushed forward to get more.

Kakashi was completely lost now. The kiss was exactly how he remembered it; gentle yet firm and full of passion. Kakashi shifted to get as close to Yondaime as he could, ignoring the searing pain of the wires circling his body and around his neck. All he cared about was being as close to Yondaime as possible.

Mizuki continued to kiss Kakashi as he reached for a kunai. This was the perfect way to kill the Copy Nin. His name would go down in history for being the one to finally destroy Hatake Kakashi. Trying not to smile he withdrew the kunai, and aimed for Kakashi’s gut.

Kakashi had completely forgotten to try and free himself, and his hand lay only a few inches from the shuriken at his leg as he continued to kiss Yondaime. But he knew this was wrong; he knew his sensei had been dead for years now. But he couldn’t pull away even with that knowledge.

Something must be wrong with him though; something didn’t feel right. He was forgetting things, things he felt he needed to remember. People he needed to remember. He tried to recall faces and names, but they’d slip through his mind like sand through his fingers every time he thought he had a grasp on it.

‘Sand.’

There was something about sand that he needed to recall, but his brain hurt too much to think about it. Kakashi was completely oblivious to the kunai approaching his stomach, and continued to struggle with his mind as Mizuki inched closer. Then suddenly a sharp pain struck Mizuki’s shoulder, and he snapped back from Kakashi in pain. HI illusion immediately dissipated, and he backed away clutching his wound. Then a voice called Kakashi’s name somewhere in the distance or in the back of his mind, he couldn’t tell. But he knew he recognized it. It belonged to someone dear to him.

‘Iruka.’

Mizuki cursed under his breath as he ripped the kunai from his shoulder. Someone was close by, and he needed to dispose of them quickly. He looked around frantically, but couldn’t find or sense anyone in the nearby forest.

While Mizuki was distracted Kakashi quickly regained his bearings as he reached all the way for a shuriken, withdrawing the star to slice the wires surrounding him in one large crescent. Mizuki stepped back, almost falling over from surprise as he staggered away from the now free Kakashi.

Kakashi’s visible eye seemed to glow with anger as he stared at Mizuki, his chakra flaming around him as he stepped closer to the now cowering sand nin. Mizuki had never felt such strong chakra before, and the pure hate coming from Kakashi gave him goose bumps.

“P-please Kakashi, spare me. I didn’t kill anyone, why should you kill me?” If Kakashi wasn’t so pissed he might have laughed at the man’s logic. “Because what you’ve done to both Iruka and I was far worse than death. In fact, killing you would be too merciful, but it’s the only way to get rid of you for good.” Mizuki gulped loudly as he backed up more. He knew he was done for; there was no escaping that fact. The Copy Nin had already beaten him, and the sand nin was left powerless before the enraged jounin.

But wait, he still had the scroll Kakashi wanted. Maybe he could use that to his advantage.

Mizuki smirked before he leapt away from Kakashi, landing at the very edge of the clearing as he removed the note from Yondaime.

Kakashi’s breath caught in his throat at the sight, and he paused in his movements. Mizuki knew Kakashi would never let him go in return for the scroll; he’d just kill him anyway. So he needed a diversion. Clamping the scroll in his teeth Mizuki began to do a series of hand signs, and Kakashi took several steps back as he recognized what the sand nin was about to do.

Mizuki completed the last sign, and an orange glow began to emanate from his hands. The glow soon turned into a blinding ball of energy, and Mizuki pumped more chakra in it to make it bigger. He then gave Kakashi a devious smile as he took one hand away from the seething mass of energy in his hands to grasp the scroll. With the note in one hand and the ball in the other, he stepped into the forest, just enough that Kakashi could barely see him.

“Do you know this technique Kakashi? It comes in very handy in a tight spot.” And with that Mizuki released the energy ball, making it disperse into a million tiny flaming balls as it hit the air only a few feet away from him. The sparks scattered everywhere, catching every thing it touched on fire.

Kakashi had to jump away as a dozen sparks came too close to him, and he soon found the whole clearing to be slowly going up in flame. “It’s called ‘Firefly Inferno’. It’s not a particularly powerful jutsu, but it gets the job done.” Kakashi scowled at Mizuki over a wall of rising flame, and was about to charge the sand nin when he saw Mizuki untie the scroll.

Smiling in victory Mizuki walked to a small fire nearby, and held the scroll over the licking flames. “I was ordered to take this back to the land of sand, but considering how much it means to you, I’d rather destroy it just to see the look on your face.” Kakashi’s heart sank in his chest as the end of scroll started to turn black and smoulder. Mizuki started to laugh as the end burst into flame, and Kakashi knew it was all over.

A/N: Mwa, ha, ha, ha!! I just had to put in a little ciffie here. So, I wonder what’s going to happen? It could go a number of ways from here, but which one will I choose? Heh, heh, only I know!! I hoped you liked this chap; it’s the longest one I’ve ever written. So please review with thoughts and comments, because I greatly appreciate them. See you next time, when the last chapter of Break the Seal comes to it’s intense climax!!! *cue cheesy dramatic music here*