Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or it's characters and I make no profit from this fic.
To MisatosPenPen: Thank you for reviewing again. I would tell you what happens, but that would be spoiling. Itachi is safe...for now. I make no promises for Haku. >Insert evil laugh< :D
Chapter Eight
June 1st
Kiba swiveled around in the chair as he punched in a number he was beginning to know by heart and waited for an answer. Moonlight filtered into the room from the windows opposite him. With a kick of his foot he sent the chair spinning as the phone went unanswered. Frowning with confusion he redialed and waited again. The call went unanswered like before and in a fit of exasperation, redialed. There was a click after one ring.
“It took you long enough to answer!” Kiba growled. He was mildly irritated by now, especially since he was taking up his precious time to help them and they couldn’t be bothered to answer the phone in a timely manner!
‘Who is this?’ A sleepy voice that didn’t belong to the Uchiha asked on the other end.
Kiba held the phone away staring at it like it grew ears. That should be his question! Who the hell was he talking too?
“Uh, who is this?”
‘Nar…Naruto.’ The voice yawned.
“Why are you answering Uchiha’s phone?”
‘Duh,’ Naruto mumbled sleepily. ‘He’s sleeping and you woke me up.’
Kiba scratched the back of his ear asking slowly, “Can you wake him? I have news for him.”
‘Hmm…I’d rather not. Is it something you can’t talk to me about?’
“Uh…No.” He muttered.
For some reason he felt awkward talking to Uchihas’…whatever he was to him. Partner, that’s what Uchiha called him before! He almost scoffed. After that display earlier he doubted they were just ‘partners’.
‘Then tell me so I can get back to sleep.’
“Wow,” Kiba grumbled. “You’re a grouch when you’re half asleep. Who would have thought?”
‘Kiba, answer us now before I reach through this phone and strangle you.’ Sasuke threatened tiredly.
Kiba rubbed at the back of his shaggy head, running his fingers through his hair and snagging on the tangles. A strained laugh made its way forward. He would be foolish to ignore that threat!
“You’re so violent Sasuke. And here I wanted to tell you that I read through that article and it was a complete bust.”
‘Is that all?’
“Sheesh, you’re mean too. Yes, that’s all for now. I’ll let you know if I find anything else.”
‘Bye Kiba.’ Sasuke muttered.
Kiba stared at his phone in mild shock and shook his head. Next time he would just wait until the morning before calling the grumps.
~REVENGE~
It felt nice to hear the snapping of plastic as I forced my phone closed on Kiba. That would teach him calling at three o’clock in the morning. With a yawn I rubbed my sleep encrusted eyes and laid my phone back on the night stand. Naruto shifted next to me as he settled back into a lying position. I glanced sideways at him and sighed tiredly.
“Do you think we should ask Kiba to stop looking?” Naruto mumbled as he looked up at me. “He hasn’t turned up anything yet and he’ll be busier now that he’s actively working the case. I bet that’s why it took so long for him to get back and finish that article.”
“I don’t know dobe.”
I ran my hands through his hair and smiled when he sighed in contentment. Who would have thought he loved being pet?
Putting that thought aside, I sat in silence mulling over what Naruto just said. He brought up a good point. Kiba would be stretched thin.
“I don’t want to give up; not yet anyway. I think there really could be something there.”
“What if there isn’t teme? What if this is a complete waste of time? Time better served looking…”
I shook my head. “They don’t have much to search for dobe and I doubt we’re wasting Kiba’s time. Let’s continue for now and if it gets to that point, we’ll have Kiba stop.”
“Ok,” Naruto mumbled tiredly. “Now lay back down.”
“You’re so grouchy when you’re half asleep.” I smirked.
“Shut up teme.” Naruto muttered into his pillow.
~REVENGE~
June 3rd
Water inundated the city of Konoha for three days straight, temporarily grounding everyone and forcing them indoors; everyone but the Konoha Metropolitan Police Detectives. Sakura stared out the window in complete silence as a small war waged within the walls of the police station. She wanted no part of it.
“How can we include them?” Tenten asked heatedly.
“How can we exclude them?” Temari fired back.
Tsunade sat rubbing at her temples as the two women continued to bicker. She was slowly reaching her boiling point as the other two remained oblivious to the danger sitting not two feet away from them.
“There’s no evidence to support including them. We’re wasting our time with this!” Tenten argued.
“There’s no evidence to support excluding them. We’re not wasting our time with this!”
“Stop repeating my words! What are you, in grade school?”
“Tenten…” Lee started half-heartedly, but Temari interrupted.
“Why do you believe so vehemently that the Namikaze’s don’t belong with that group?”
“Why do you believe so vehemently that they do?”
“Who’s in grade school now?” Temari scoffed.
“Enough!” Tsunade demanded and the room erupted into instant silence. “We can’t know either way so for now they stay. If it changes we will take appropriate measures, so stop your bickering, now!”
“I have doubts now, too.” Sakura muttered into the quiet room. Tsunade turned to stare at her in shock, but Sakura stood her ground. “Not that the Namikaze’s belong on the list, but that it’s a male perp. I know you believe what Naruto said, but his memory is faulty at best and he could have misspoken. He was only seven; it’s completely plausible.”
She paused and when no one butt in continued.
“We know for a fact they removed the kids, but that it didn’t apply to Naruto. It reeks of a female perp. So now we need to ask ourselves why ‘she’ didn’t do the same with the Namikaze’s and Naruto.”
“We can’t rule out a male perp either. He may have been sympathetic to the children…” Shino supplied.
“It’s doubtful. Men don’t always feel the same about children they way women do.”
“Then what went wrong with Naruto?”
“If we knew that then we could be half way to solving this already.” Temari muttered.
“What the hell did we get ourselves into?” Kiba growled into the suddenly silent room.
Kakashi sighed, “I wish I knew the answer for that, Kiba.”
~REVENGE~
I spied Naruto as he continued to watch the water pour in buckets over the balcony in a state of melancholy. Thunder was heard and a flash of lighting struck in the distance. There was no denying it was a bleak day and I couldn’t help noticing how tense the dobe seemed, flinching with every rumble and flash in the darkened sky. It was worrying me how quiet he’d grown again especially when he was normally so hyper.
I walked up behind him and laid my hands gently on his shoulders where I began to rub in gentle circles. He tilted his head back into my touch and exhaled heavily, relaxing. We stood silently by the window as the rain pounded continuously with no end in sight.
“Is something bugging you, dobe?” I asked quietly, brushing my lips against his nape.
Naruto shivered at the touch but didn’t reply. Silence stretched on between us and I was about to give it up as a lost cause when he blurted out in a whisper, “I don’t like storms.”
“Oh,” I stated, pausing in my kneading of his shoulders to let the news sink in. With a nod I continued with my ministrations. I didn’t want to prod, but my curiosity piqued.
Naruto seemed to sense my curiosity and inhaled deeply. “It reminds me of that night; what little I can remember of it.”
So he did remember something. I didn’t want to pry, but my curiosity piqued further and I couldn’t hold it back. I had to try.
“Can I ask what all you do remember?”
Naruto frowned slightly, his face reflecting off the sliding glass doors, before a smile stretched his features. It was a mockery of his vibrant smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. He leaned back in my arms and shivered. It felt like he was falling apart so I cradled his shivering frame tightly against my chest. This really bugged him?
“You just asked me, teme.”
“Smartass.” I smirked, but he knew I loved it. I looked forward to the little word games we played. It kept things entertaining.
“Thank you.” Naruto grinned as he turned around to face me.
His arms came to rest on my shoulders as I found his hips and started to rub softly there. “What I remember really isn’t much, but I remember more than I really let on.” He bit his lip waiting for the bomb to drop.
Ok, so he remembered more than I thought. I inhaled his shampoo and nodded quietly even as my heartbeat pulsed rapidly in my chest. Now was not the time to rip into him like he was expecting me too; so I needed to hear him out first. Eyeing me critically Naruto continued slowly, hesitantly.
“I remember it was a sunny morning and I was excited about something; but I don’t know what. We stayed out the entire day and returned home just as the rain began. I can’t recall vivid details, but I remember that a storm had just picked up when the attack started. Everything goes black after that and then the screaming…”
Naruto faltered and my heartbeat quicker for a different reason now. This shit really shook him up? I pulled the dobe tighter against me and kissed his temple.
“I can’t remember them.” He whispered.
“What do mean?” I asked a bit confused. Remember who?
“My Mom and Dad; I can’t remember what they look like?”
“That’s natural, dobe. I can barely remember my parents too?”
But Naruto shook his head at me. I cocked an eyebrow at his reflection as a flash of light lit up the room.
“No, you don’t understand teme. I can’t remember them; what they look like, what their voices sound like, even what their personalities were like. All I can remember is what happened afterward, after Granny Tsunade found me in the morning. They’re gone, completely gone and no matter how hard I try to I-I can’t…
“You can’t remember them… at all?”
Naruto shook his head vigorously this time. I stilled his head, kissing his temple again.
“I can’t, there’s just nothing there. No memory of my Mom and Dad. I mean, who does that? Who completely forgets their parents, unable to pick them out in photos? I must be a horrible son!” Naruto cried.
“It’s ok dobe; it’s ok. Most people haven’t experienced the same horrors that you have…”
“But they still remember their parents!” He replied angrily and tried to push me away. I clung to him for dear life afraid and unwilling to let him go. This was my fault, I caused this! All because of my curiosity…I shouldn’t have pried!
“Naruto…look at me.” His eyes slowly drifted to mine as I cupped his face. “It is more than understandable…”
“I want to remember them.” He blurted out, staring me dead in the eye.
My fingers subconsciously rubbed at his scars. I couldn’t find fault with Naruto wanting to remember them. I wonder…?
“Have you tried…?”
“I’ve been to numerous therapists…” He spat. “And they couldn’t help.”
My eyes narrowed as I looked at the crown of his head. Naruto turned away from me, glaring at a spot on the carpet.
“They were bad experiences?” I asked. For some reason the thought had me incensed.
“You could say that.” He muttered darkly. “They made me feel like a monster because I completely forgot my parents. I could see the hatred in their eyes every time they looked at me. The worst part is I don’t understand why. I thought it would be something that I would understand as I got older, but I was never enlightened.”
I pulled my hands away from his face, flexing my fingers. I couldn’t hide the dark look that crossed my face and it was my turn to advert my gaze; trying to calm my anger. When I felt more in control I sported a smile and grabbed Naruto’s chin, pulling his face to look at me.
“Some people can’t help but be cruel and their understanding is grossly lacking. It’s better to think less about those people and more about the ones that matter.”
“Like you?” He asked slyly, smiling for the first time in a while. I felt a sliver of relief settled in my heart and I pulled him into a hug.
“Yeah, like me.” I smiled into his golden locks. He pulled slowly out of my hug and wiped at his tear-filled eyes, his smile brighter than it had been.
“I’m sorry, teme. I’m not usually like this.” Naruto chuckled slightly.
“Pressure getting to you.”
“Is that a question or a statement?”
“Both.”
I laughed and brought his lips to mine in a chaste kiss. We were just pulling apart when a sudden idea struck.
“Have you ever tried hypnotism?” I asked quietly.
“Huh?” He asked bemusedly.
“Hypnotism; have you ever tried to be hypnotized into recalling that night?”
“No, what would be the point?”
“Because, dobe, it is a successful and harmless practice.”
“You want me to be hypnotized?” He asked uncertainly.
“Do you really want to remember Naruto?”
I stood there waiting for an answer as Naruto stared off in to a corner thinking hard. It was a serious question; full of consequences, and not to be taken lightly. Only he could say if it was worth it or not.
“I want to remember, but I’m afraid to.” He admitted. “I couldn’t even look at the pictures at the station, how could I possibly remember when the images would be so much worse?”
“It’s ok to be afraid.” I soothed, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing tightly.
“Even though I could have saved them?”
“You’re back on this again? Naruto, there was no guarantee…”
“I know!”
“Do you want to remember?” I repeated forcefully. I wanted him off this track of thought, it wasn’t healthy for him.
“I’m willing to try.” He answered me with a shaky breath his gaze darting around the room.
“I know a Dr. that can help us. Do you want me to call her?”
“Yea-yeah.”
“Are you sure? I need you to be absolutely certain Naruto; because once I call her there will be no turning back.”
He gripped my hand tightly and nodded with conviction, cerulean eyes alight with determination as they slid to mine. “I’ll call her now and see if we can get in to see her.”
I fished the phone from my pocket and dialed a number that I knew well. I didn’t wait long for an answer.
“Shizune?”
‘Sasuke? It’s been a while.’
“I have a favor to ask.” I started without preamble. It would be better to get to the point before she could start assessing me again. “I have a ‘friend’ that needs help recalling something; I know your expertise in the area.”
‘I haven’t done hypnotism in some time, Sasuke.’
“Can you still do it? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
I heard her sigh over the phone and knew she had caved. ‘I can do it. How soon do you need this?’
“The sooner the better.”
‘Where?’
“It would be better if we came to you.” I blurted out. It was better that she didn’t know where we were staying, even if she didn’t know we were in hiding.
‘Meet me in my office in 45 minutes.’ Shizune replied.
“Thank you, we’ll be there.” I replied as I disconnected and turned to look at the dobe. He was staring out the window in silence again.
“Are you sure?” I asked again.
“I need to do this.” He turned to look at me and nodded. I grabbed his hand in mine and walked my way to the front door, throwing glances over my shoulder as I watched for signs he was about to change his mind. I saw none.
~REVENGE~
We stood outside the office door, staring at the gold name plate glued to the oak. Dr. Shizune Katô: Adolescent Psychologist. “Are you kidding me, teme?”
I stared at his stunned features and chuckled softly. “I’m not kidding; she knows what she’s doing.”
“And you know this personally?” He growled at me and crossed his arms.
“Yes.” I stated blankly. He turned to stare at me in shock. “I used to see her daily. Let’s just say that I was an angst-y teenager and not the most upstanding citizen.”
‘Wow’ he mouthed as I knocked on the door and entered.
“Sasuke.” Shizune smiled as she stood to greet us. I nodded at her and introduced Naruto. She shook his hand in greeting, grinning from ear to ear. “So you’re the boyfriend.”
I growled at her as Naruto turned scarlet, but she only laughed at me. “I will take that as a yes. How can I help you tonight?” She asked in all seriousness.
“I need to remember as much as I can of a certain night. It was almost 16 years ago.”
“16 years?” Shizune asked.
“Is it possible?” Naruto asked nervously.
Shizune adopted a pensive look before nodding. “It can be done.”
“There is something that you should know before you start.” I interrupted. “What Naruto needs to remember is…”
“My parents were murdered and I witnessed it. It’s locked up in my mind and I can’t get to it…”
“He can’t recall anything before the morning after…”
“I need to know…”
“He doesn’t even remember his parents…”
“Please, help me?”
Shizune stared at us in something akin to shock; at least that was what it looked like to me. “How long have you two been together?”
“Why…?” I asked.
“A month…” Naruto blurted out at the same time.
“A month?” She repeated and continued to stare at us.
“What?” I demanded.
She shook her head slightly and continued. “It doesn’t matter. Sasuke, can you wait outside, please.”
“Oh, does he have to go?” Naruto asked in sudden panic and grabbed my hands in a vice grip. “I can’t do this without him.”
Shizune worried her bottom lip. “Hmm, it’s not a normal practice…”
“None of this is normal.” I stated as my insides squirmed with some unknown emotion to Naruto’s admission.
“Please, he has my permission to stay if that is what you need?”
“You can stay.” Shizune muttered quietly in acquiescence. “Naruto have a seat on the couch.”
I sat quietly in a chair not far from Naruto as Shizune took a seat across from the dobe. I wanted to stay close if things took a wrong turn, but I also realized that he needed a bit of space.
“Ok, Naruto.” Shizune spoke softly and calmly. “I want you to relax. Start by closing your eyes.”
I watched blue eyes close slowly as he physically relaxed against the back of the couch. His breathing slowed as if he was sleeping.
“Take a deep breath, and another, and another.” Shizune replied slowly as Naruto pulled in breath slowly and deeply. “Good Naruto, now I want you to visualize a hallway with doors. Can you see them?”
“Yes.” Naruto replied in a soft whisper.
“Go to the first door you see. Are you there?” Shizune asked quietly.
“Yeah.”
“Open that door and tell me what you see.”
I waited as Naruto’s hand reached out and mimicked opening a door. I was curious to know what he would see and unconsciously moved forward in my seat. Shizune shot me a warning look that I waved off.
“I see Sasuke…” Naruto muttered. My heart fluttered in my chest again with that same strange emotion.
“Good, Naruto. Now back away from that door, but leave it open. Where are you now?”
“Hallway…”
“Good. Now take a step away from the door and walk down the hall. Stop when you reach the fifteenth door. Are you there?”
There was almost a full minute of silence before Naruto spoke. “Here.” He replied shakily.
“Take a deep breath Naruto, and another, and another. Is that door still open?” Shizune asked softly.
“Yes.” Naruto replied in a much calmer voice.
“If, at any time, this becomes uncomfortable for you Naruto, go immediately into that open door. You’re safe there.”
“Ok…”
“I need you to open the closed door Naruto; can you do that for me?”
I watched again as Naruto reached out and turned the pseudo-doorknob. His breathing came out harshly and I felt my heart race.
“Breath in slowly Naruto.” Shizune offered calmly. When his breathing was under control she spoke again. “Can you tell me what you see?”
“A woman…”
“Do you know who she is?”
“My…Mom?” He gasped out.
“And what is she doing Naruto?”
A smile weaved its way to Naruto’s face, taking my breath away. “She’s laughing.”
“Is there anyone else with her?”
“My Da-Dad?”
“Good Naruto; now, do you see another door nearby?”
“Yeah.” Naruto replied shakily.
“I need you to go to that door Naruto; I need you to open it.”
My heart raced across my chest and my gut clenched as Naruto’s breathing increased rapidly. “I need you to breathe Naruto; in and out, in and out. Good Naruto, you’re doing great. Do you still see that open door?” She asked softly.
“Yeah…” Naruto gasped out.
“Good. Are you able to open the door?”
Naruto’s hand reached out for a third time and I leaned further forward as he gasped out. “What do you see Naruto?” Shizune asked softly.
“A-a room…my-my bedroom…”
I tapped my fingers quietly against my knee, anxious for the first time since arriving here. Naruto was getting closer to his memories, but the closer he got the more scared he became. I hated the thought of him scared.
“Go ahead.” Shizune continued. “What else do you see?”
“Rain…hit-hitting against the window…and…li-light, I see light.”
“Where is the light coming from Naruto?”
“The doorway…it’s so bright. Mo-Mom and Dad…” I was on my knees in front of Naruto as his breathing became ragged, but I dared not reach out to him yet. Fear laced his voice as he continued. “Some-someone…someone is behind them…a-a man.”
“Do you know who he is?”
Naruto shook his head slightly. “No.”
“Ok, Naruto, I need you to tell me what’s happening now?”
“He’s push-pushing them into the room…the-they’re arguing…I can’t hear what they-they’re saying…” He gasped out and I had to hold myself back from grabbing out to him as Shizune shot me another look. “He hit-hit my Mom…”
I turned to Shizune in fear as the dobe shook in front of me. His fear was palpable and it was invading me, making me feel like I was there with him as my mind conjured images of pictures on a white board. I had to hold myself back again as he gasped out and tears leaked from the corner of his eyes as he continued to remember things he couldn’t vocalize. Shizune was out of her seat immediately and kneeling next to me in front of Naruto.
“Naruto, where are you?” Shizune demanded.
“… … …”
“Naruto, tell me what you’re seeing?” She pleaded.
“… … …”
“I need you to go back to that open door Naruto. Turn back and go through the open door.” Shizune demanded again. I stared at her fearfully as the dobe remained quiet; shaking from head to toe.
“Naruto?” Shizune asked fearfully. “Where are you?”
“Sasuke…” He spoke quietly, his breathing noticeably calmer. I sighed in relief.
“Good, Naruto.” Shizune sagged visibly. “Now at the count of three I want you to wake up and feel completely refreshed. One, two, and three.”
Narutos eyes opened slowly and stared at us in confusion, his head tilting softly to the side. It looked like he just woke up from a peaceful sleep. And that was a good look on him, especially with tousled hair.
“What?” He asked quietly.
I smiled happily at him, earning a dirty look from the blonde. I didn’t care though, I was just happy that he was ok.
“What?!” He demanded again.
“Nothing dobe.”
“Can you remember what just happened, Naruto?” Shizune asked.
She stood up from her kneeling position and swiped at her clothes; ridding herself of non-existent dust. Narutos eyes scrunched in confusion as he attempted to remember the last 15 minutes.
His eyes shot open in shock. “I remember them.”
I watched his lips attempt a small smile, before it fell.
“I remember them.” He repeated mournfully.
“Dobe?”
“Teme.” He replied happily as he shot into my arms. “I can remember my Mom and Dad and they were smiling. I finally have a memory, Sasuke!”
I hugged him back as I shot Shizune a look. Was this all he could remember. She shook her head and walked to her desk, taking a seat. She was content to give us a moment.
“I’m happy you remember them, dobe.”
He pulled away from me and his blue eyes were brimming in happiness. It may have been only one memory, but it was something and I was happy he had it.
“Naruto?” Shizune asked quietly.
“Yes?” He asked, turning to look at her. I followed his line of vision, settling on the dark-haired woman.
“I’m happy you have a memory of your Mom and Dad that you can reflect on, but I want to discourage you from trying hypnosis again.”
“What, why?!” He demanded, pulling away from my grasp.
“I’m not sure that you can handle it.” Naruto tried to object, but Shizune shot him down quickly. “Not physically, but mentally. It’s not worth the risk to your mental stability; please, abandon this road?”
Naruto set his jaw and glared at the floor, the epitome of refusal; until he nodded stiffly and reluctantly promised. “It must be selfish of me to want more than one memory, but I promise I won’t go looking for more.”
“It’s hardly selfish to yearn for memories of your parents. Give it some time and you may find yourself remembering more of them. I can’t guarantee it, but it could happen.” Naruto agreed with a small smile, but he didn’t seem convinced.
“Can you give me a moment alone with Sasuke; there’s something I need to discuss with him.”
“Sure.” I stared at the dobe’s back as he walked out into the empty waiting room, giving us some privacy.
“What’s going on?” I demanded. “He can’t remember what he just recalled.”
“Exactly. Those memories are too painful that even during recall he was trying to suppress them. I beg you Sasuke. Don’t let him go down this road again.”
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. This sounded serious and Shizune was the professional. And just the thought of Naruto being in pain…I didn’t like it. It stirred something fierce inside, something I had never felt before. It was scaring me. Me; Sasuke Uchiha scared of an unidentified emotion! Was that even Uchiha approved?
“I promise I won’t let him, you have my word.”
Shizune smiled with relief and relaxed her stiff posture. “How is your relationship with your brother coming along?”
“Better.” I muttered darkly. I knew it would only be a matter of time before she started digging again.
“Sasuke?”
“Fine!” I growled. “For the most part we don’t talk and I like it this way. We’ve agreed to disagree and for now it’s working for us.”
“And Naruto?” She asked slyly.
“What about him?” I asked uncertainly.
She snorted and smiled at me. “I’m glad you found each other, Sasuke. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will, and thank you.”
She smiled brightly as she walked me to her door. Naruto turned around as I stepped out into the waiting room.
“It was nice seeing you Sasuke and meeting you, Naruto.”
“It was nice meeting you too.” Naruto uttered happily reaching out to shake her hand.
In all, the trip wasn’t a complete bust. Naruto now had a memory to call his own and I knew his memories were too volatile ever to try retrieving them. I wouldn’t allow it; in fact, I was convinced they were better left where they were.
~REVENGE~
Five minutes later we were sitting quietly inside a private little café. I was sipping at a coffee and Naruto was nursing a tea, happy as could be. His feet were kicking under the chair mimicking a little child, his elbows on the table and a straw in his cup. It was a strange way to drink tea, but it seemed natural for Naruto. I laughed.
Naruto looked up from his cup and grinned, a small tinkling laugh escaping. I really loved that laugh of his.
“What?” He asked with a laugh.
“It’s nothing, I just love the way you laugh.”
Instead of smiling at my compliment his face fell into a frown. “What the hell teme!”
“I was paying you a compliment dobe.” I replied through gritted teeth. Sheesh, it’s almost like he’s never been complimented before.
“Oh.” Naruto mumbled and blushed furiously.
“Dobe…” I sighed and took another sip of my coffee.
Silence floated around us, the only noise coming from the other patrons of the small café and the thrum of the display cases. It was a pleasant feeling just being in Naruto’s company.
“How do you think it went?” Naruto asked, breaking that silence.
“You were able to remember more from that night, but I have to agree with Shizune. You shouldn’t try again; it’s not worth it.”
“Why don’t I remember what I recalled?”
“You’re still suppressing it and that means something; they’re not meant to see the light of day. No, it’s not worth it; so promise me that you won’t try again.”
“I promise.” Naruto replied quietly as the waitress brought us our order.
~REVENGE~
Shizune sat her desk staring at the clock in front of her counting the minutes. She waited until Sasuke and Naruto were a few minutes gone before she picked up the phone and called her mentor. The phone clicked and a voice filtered through with astounding clarity.
‘Shizune, it’s been a while.’
“Yes, too long for my liking, Tsunade.” Shizune smiled. “I just saw Sasuke and Naruto.”
‘Really? Hypnosis?’ Tsunade questioned. Shizune frowned, wondering how her mentor could be so fortuitous at times. How did she know that they would show up here eventually looking from answers?
“Hmm, yes; and as you expected, Naruto couldn’t remember meeting me before.”
‘His lack of memory is astonishing.’
“It is. Naruto shouldn’t try this again, Tsunade. I’ve made him promise, but I can’t trust his word alone. Not now.”
‘What happened?’
“He was able to recall Kushina and Minato and I think the desire to remember more will be more than enough incentive to try again. Those memories are dark, Tsunade, and I almost lost him in them.”
‘I’ll make sure he doesn’t try again.’ Tsunade vowed.
“Thank you, Tsunade. I made Sasuke promise as well.”
‘Oh, him…’ Tsunade muttered darkly. Shizune threw her phone a quizzical look before determining that she misheard the words. ‘Was there anything else that he remembered?”
“He confirmed again that it was a man, but he couldn’t see his face. He said the light from the landing was blinding him. He couldn’t recall further. Or, I should say that he couldn’t voice what he was recalling. When he came out of the hypnosis he had no recollection of the memories he just relived.”
‘I understand. Thank you for letting me know.’
“Anytime…” Shizune paused and bit her bottom lip. “Umm, Tsunade…?”
‘Yes Shizune?’
“I just wanted to say that I can’t believe how much like the two of them he truly is.” She whispered out.
Tsunade laughed softly. ‘He certainly is that.’
“He reminds me more of Kushina in personality, but his looks…oh, his looks are every bit Minato.”
‘He’s more like Minato than you know, just you wait.’ Tsunade stated with deep pride.
“I look forward to it.” Shizune laughed before demanding, “Catch this guy Tsunade.”
‘We will, Shizune. We will.” She replied with conviction.
~REVENGE~
Tsunade turned the phone off from speaker and placed it on the desk in front of her. Everyone in the room remained silent, but the quietest of all was Tenten. Her body slunk lower in the seat and she refused to look at anyone. She would have to apologize soon, if only to clear her own conscience.
“What do we have?” Tsunade asked quietly, not looking at them.
“We found something with the children and how they were ‘lured’ out of the house, so to speak.” Shikamaru stated. Tsunade nodded for him to continue.
“Excluding Haku Yuki, Itachi and Sasuke, and Naruto they were all sent off to some form of overnight camp.”
“They would have been in school.” Tsunade mumbled. “Were they away at the same camp?”
“No, that would have been too obvious. They were at various camps not far from their homes, but far enough to be out of immediate harm and not underfoot.”
“So we have another pattern.” Shino uttered.
“And another fact that pushes the Namikaze’s further off the list.” Tenten mumbled.
“You can’t possibly still believe that, Tenten!” Temari growled.
“I can and I do. This only proves that it wasn’t the same perp!” Tenten replied through gritted teeth.
“We can’t know that!” Temari spat out in exasperation. “The Yuki boy and Uchiha were in school at the time; it was the same for Naruto. How could that possibly exclude them?”
“There is something way off about the Governor’s murder. They took their time in murdering them whereas the others were committed quickly…”
“You’re forgetting the Uchiha’s. They were tortured for hours before being murdered and if Itachi hadn’t been on his way home there is no telling how long the murderer would have kept up the torture.” Sakura stated. A shiver wracked her slender frame as she thought about Sasukes parents and their murder.
“This is another reason to exclude the Namikaze’s.” Tenten argued. Everyone exhaled in exasperation. “The murderer didn’t repeat any of the methods…”
“Then the Namikaze’s should be included if that is what you’re basing your theory on.” Lee stated.
“You’re supposed to be on my side, Lee. You’re my partner.”
“I cannot agree with your youthful reasoning this time, Tenten.” Lee supplied apologetically.
“The Uchiha’s were tortured, yes; but their cause of death was exsanguination. The Namikaze’s were tortured as well, but all the other methods of murder were inflicted upon them…” Kakashi replied.
“Except for the Tsuchigumo’s where it isn’t decisive what killed them.” Sakura butt in.
“Something just feels off about their murder.” Tenten replied in defeat. “I can’t explain it, but it’s there.”
“Tenten, I understand. Really, I do. I looked long and hard at their murder trying to determine if they belonged in this group. I can’t explain why I believe this, but they belong with the group. Call it a gut feeling.” Tsunade stated.
Tenten sat in forced silence running everything through her head. She shook her head and rubbed at her face in drowsiness. “Just as you have a gut feeling, so do I. It’s telling me that something is amiss, but if you believe they belong there; I won’t argue further.”
Tsunade nodded in acceptance as the other detectives sagged with relief. She dismissed them for the night. They filed out of the room and station quickly, rushing towards their beds and soft pillows that beckoned for them. Kiba diverged from his usual path and made his way to the archived newspapers that awaited his return. He was going to put in a few more hours before heading home.
~*R*~
Kakashi watched as Kiba turned left instead of right, turning away from his home just around the corner. He narrowed his eyes in suspicion; Kiba was definitely up to something! He let his suspicions fizzle when the undercover detective reverted to his old ways, but now his suspicion piqued again. Just what was he doing this late at night?
~REVENGE~
June 5th-6th
Itachi sat at his desk as he watched the clock tick by ever slowly. The deadline was fast approaching them and he had a sinking feeling that, no matter how much protection there was, the next target would be found and cut down. This guy was too organized, too methodical. Planning out every detail to the miniscule degree took dedicated patience and desire. You couldn’t combat a being like that; it was almost pointless too.
He snorted as he pulled a file from his desk and ran over the contents he had memorized trying to pass the time as swiftly as possible. Itachi really didn’t need the folder to recall the testimony of the victim or the emergency room reports of the injuries sustained in the attack. It seared into his memory, occupying his mind; day and night. There was something about this case that he couldn’t let go of and he determined to find justice for the victim despite the statute of limitations expiring only months ago.
Itachi stole another glance at the clock and snorted again. If it hadn’t been a gift from his foolish little brother he would have thrown it out ages ago. All it ever did was mock him anyway. Maybe he should re-gift it for Christmas; but then, what if Sasuke found out?
No, he would keep the blasted clock and curse it for mocking him every day in Sasuke’s stead; exactly what his brother intended it to do. Oh, how his precious little baby brother would enjoy that news. That’s why he would keep it to himself. He didn’t need to give Sasuke more ammunition to despise him more than he already did.
Itachi sat back in his chair and rubbed at his drowsy eyes. This was fast becoming a stressful situation he found himself in and the waiting game was really killing him. He hated games, but he hated waiting more. He was an Uchiha; they didn’t wait for anything!
~REVENGE~
“Maybe we should move them?” Tsunade replied as she bit at her thumbnail again. She turned to stare at Kakashi as he sat before her desk. The two detectives were completely alone, the other detectives having gone home in defeat.
“Would that be wise now?”
“I don’t know Kakashi. There’s no reason to believe that their location has been compromised, but then again, they’ve been there for weeks.”
“Let me ask you this Tsunade, where would they go?”
“I don’t know.” She repeated. “I don’t know anymore.”
“We’re all weary, Tsunade.” Kakashi muttered, commenting on her visible fatigue. He rubbed at his face trying to obliterate his own fatigue and yawned heavily.
“You should be at home.” She muttered.
“I’m where I need to be at the moment.” Kakashi muttered as he watched the digital display of the clock change to 12:00am.
“Then you should get some sleep while you can.”
“The same could be said for you.”
“I’ll sleep when this is over.” She muttered darkly.
“You know, we’re not as young as we used to be.”
“Speak for yourself.” Tsunade laughed as Kakashi grinned at her from behind his mask. “I can handle two days without sleeping Kakashi.”
“Good night, Tsunade.” Kakashi nodded as he stepped out of the office and to one of the interrogation rooms where he laid out on the table. It certainly wasn’t his comfortable bed where he could wrap himself around his lover, but the cold table did do wonders for his back. Maybe he could sneak it home. He snorted into the silence, like he would be allowed to bring such a bulky item into their home…unless he could convince his sweet love to role-play for him. He did like to role-play just as much as Kakashi did. The treasured secret fantasy of his hearts’ desire played out behind closed eyelids and lulled him to sleep. He was forced awake five hours later at dawn.
~REVENGE~
June 6th
A shadow crept among the bushes quietly, always keeping in sight of the house that held the boy; his prey. His pulse quickened with the thrill of the hunt. It was finally time; the moment he planned for was upon him.
A pink tongue slipped from his mouth and wet his lips as anticipation built for what he was about to commit. Fingers stretched eagerly and it thrilled him not to have to reign in the impulse. Those same fingers itched for blood as much as his soul compelled him to seek out his revenge.
Kneeling, he pulled the knife from its sheath strapped to his calf and examined it closely in the flickering light of the street lamp. It was an excellent weapon, one that would bear the strain of piercing flesh and muscle. He planned accordingly and knew how to deal with the guard around his target. That would be the only obstacle in his way.
Taking in a deep breath, he advanced on the house in silence and total darkness, leaving the flickering street lamp behind him. Sliding to the side of the house, he slipped around to the backdoor were he inserted a key into the lock and opened it without as much as a groan from the hinges.
He was aware that Officer Gekko would be making his rounds and would currently be at the front door. He would slip by through the kitchen just as the Officer would make his way down the hallway to the backdoor. Access would be granted to the boy for long enough to do what his soul needed him to do and then be gone.
The shadow was beginning to think the chase was too easy as he slipped quietly into the living room, where he knew his target was seated on the sofa, and slipped behind him without being seen. The boy had no idea what was going on when he was grabbed roughly from behind by his hair.
Haku was about to scream when the knife was plunged through his back and into the lung, piercing it. All that came from his mouth was a melodious wheezing sound, music to the shadows ears. He chuckled softly into the boys’ ear as he collapsed, limp on the sofa, and watched him gasp for breath. He was inflamed by the idea that the boy couldn’t take enough oxygen in to sustain life. He wouldn’t survive a wound like that.
The shadow turned from his victim and was about to make his escape when he noticed a gun pointed directly at him. His nostrils flared at the sudden turn of events and he chuckled coldly when the officer coughed and shouted at him to ‘drop the weapon.’ Listening to the officer, he dropped the knife on the now dead body below him.
“Put your hands on your head and get on your knees, now!”
He complied with the officers demands, lifting his hands to his head and falling to his knees. Officer Gekko strode up behind him with his gun aimed at the perps head while he fumbled for his handcuffs. Seizing a chance when the officer was standing directly behind him, the shadow twisted and plunged the knife; that seemingly came out of nowhere, into his chest and penetrated his heart. Officer Gekko was dead instantly.
The shadow laughed as the body crumpled under its own dead weight and hit the ground with an ungracious thud. He stood up from his kneeling position brushing his knees free of dirt. Without looking back he made his way silently to the backdoor.
He pulled the door shut behind him and relocked it before walking around to the front of the house. As he passed the living room window he heard the low ringing of the telephone and paused for a second in excitement. He knew that Tsunade had called every 30 minutes since dawn, but it was already too late. They were both dead. She lost this round bringing it 14-0 in his favor.
With a sadistic grin he slipped effortlessly into the darkness and vanished without a backward glance. In only ten short minutes the place would be flooded with police cars with their flashing lights and curious spectators huddled off to the side trying to sneak a peek inside the house. By that time he would be gone, almost as if he was never there.
AN: I do not claim to know anything about real hypnotism. What I do know comes mostly from the T.V. This was my interpretation of it anyway.
