Chapter 11


The sun shone warmly as Soriya and Kakashi approached the outskirts of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. They'd made better time than expected, Soriya's fear driving driving her onward. She knew the masked shinobi wished she would slow her headlong flight. He was concerned for her well-being. Thankfully, he'd held his peace, not wanting to waste time in fruitless argument.

She grimaced.

Likely, he knew she would not heed him anyway. The horror of the dream still lingered uneasily in her thoughts.

Veering westward around the Great Wall enclosing the village, Soriya navigated the shortest route to the Itasuki residence. The two jonin entered the forest of oak, beech, and chestnut trees surrounding the property. Back in familiar territory, the kunoichi breathed a sigh of relief. She broke into a flat-out run, sprinting silently through the trees.

Reckless, that.

She felt Kakashi drop back, letting her lead the way through the dense wood. It made sense: she was arguably more familiar with the terrain than he. She'd grown up here, after all.

Suddenly, the kunoichi jerked to a halt. She held up a hand.

The birds had fallen silent.

Stealing a glance at the Copy Ninja, she saw he'd already drawn a kunai. By unspoken agreement they separated, Kakashi disappearing into the treetops, while she advanced on foot.

Casting senses forward in a broad swath, Soriya tested the surroundings. No hostile presence threatened, though she detected the muted auras of two people up ahead. Wending her way quickly between the trees, the telepath stopped on the edge of a small clearing. Two black-clad bodies lay sprawled at the base of a large oak. A knot of fear clenched in Soriya's stomach.

These were the ANBU operatives stationed to conduct surveillance on the Itasukis.

We're too late.

Cautiously, she approached the still forms. Crouching down, she removed the ceramic bird mask of the nearest agent, relieved to note he was breathing easily. She rested a palm against the unconscious man's forehead, then moved to check his companion. The dark-haired kunoichi under the cat mask appeared to be in a similar state. Soriya spoke aloud, knowing Kakashi would hear.

“They're alive, but stunned. They tried to take my uncle into custody, but underestimated his power. They made the mistake of touching him. I saw it in their minds.”

The elite jonin dropped down from a nearby tree. “Can you revive them?”

Suddenly, both jonin whirled, weapons out and ready.

A trail of leaves drifted through the air, a third masked ninja appearing in their wake. Halting on the border of the clearing just as Soriya had done, the figure slowly lifted a hand to the pale rat mask, pushing it up. Out of the corner of her eye, Soriya caught the slight easing of Kakashi's posture. He sheathed his blade, acknowledging the newly arrived shinobi.

“Yuichigo.”

“Kakashi. Soriya.” The unmasked ANBU nodded. Without preamble, he approached and knelt beside the fallen operatives. “They missed the check-in fifteen minutes ago. Did you see anything?”

“No. We just arrived. But we know who did this,” Soriya offered hurriedly. “They're unconscious, but they'll be okay. Inform the Hokage. Ask her to send the medic-nin, Enya Ryusuki. She'll know why. We're going on ahead to Yori and Izumi's house.” A thought occurred to her and she asked, “How long since the previous check-in?”

“Two hours.”

“Too much time,” she muttered under her breath. He could be anywhere by now.

“One more thing. Beware a man in his fifties with dark hair graying at the temples. He may be dressed in black. If you see him, don't engage him directly. He can stun with a touch.” She nodded toward the unconscious operatives. “Subdue him from a distance if you can, or track him and send someone for me.”

Yuichigo nodded, disappearing in a rustle of leaves. Soriya rose, turning a pale face to Kakashi. He nodded.

“Let's hurry.”

Plunging back into the trees, Soriya abandoned all caution, making a beeline for Yori's house. Kakashi followed, only slightly more restrained. She knew he was worried about her family, too.

Please, please, just let them be safe.

Within moments, the house came into view. Silently, Soriya gestured the Copy Ninja should enter through the kitchen, while she circled the house. Halting under the master bedroom's open window, the telepath paused. She sensed no hostile presence within, but still moved cautiously, wary of Kanzin's cloaking ability.

Leaping lightly to the sill, she dropped down silently into the room. Yori and Izumi slept on, unaware of the intrusion. Quickly, she checked the small bassinet beside the bed. Swaddled in a pink blanket and fast asleep, Sumiko made soft, cooing noises as she breathed.

Not entirely relieved, the kunoichi crept stealthily down the hall. Even before she crossed the threshold to Iori's room, she knew it was empty. Ice settled in the pit of her stomach. Heart pounding, she approached the bed.

Iori's favorite toy, a stuffed brown puppy Izumi had made for him, lay discarded on the floor. Soriya stooped, picking it up with trembling fingers. Numbly, she stuffed the small toy into her jacket pocket.

Sitting in the middle of the bed where it could not be missed, was a scroll. Lifting it from the puppy-printed sheets, Soriya unrolled the parchment tube, quickly scanning the contents. The strokes forming the symbols were even and well-formed; a precise hand had written the message. The author did not mince words.

Soriya,

I have information important to you. Come to me. You know where. The boy will not be harmed. Come alone.

AK

Hands holding the scroll shook. She felt light-headed.

The dream...

The corners of her mouth flattened into a grim line.

It won't end that way! I won't let it!

She turned as Kakashi entered the room at her back. He stopped short at her icy expression. Wordlessly, she handed him the parchment.

His eye traced the characters, then shot back up to Soriya's face. “Clearly, this is a trap. Will you spring it?”

“I will do that and more, to get Iori back.” Eyes the color of winter sky promised no warmth or mercy.

“Soriya--” Kakashi broke off uneasily, as Izumi padded down the hall, wearily rubbing tired eyes.

“Soriya? Kakashi? I heard voices. What's going on?” She stepped into the room, eyes fixing instantly on the empty bed. “Iori! Where is he?”

Soriya placed steadying hands on the woman's shoulders. “Izumi, listen. Iori is not here, but he should be fine for the moment. Please, go wake Yori, and I'll explain.”

“I'm here,” Yori yawned, running a hand through sleep-tussled auburn hair. He straightened at the look of panic on his wife's face. “What's wrong? Has something happened to Iori?” Fear sped his footsteps as he hurried down the hallway.

Soriya explained quickly, “Iori's been taken. By my uncle, Akira Kanzin.”

Yori stared at the kunoichi in confusion. “Taken? By your uncle? Soriya, what are you talking about? The man's been dead since before you were born.”

She inhaled a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I know it seems crazy, Yori, but Akira is alive. He's abducted Iori in order to force a meeting with me.” She handed him the note. He stared at it blankly.

“He's going to get more than he bargained for, I promise you. I swear--I will do whatever it takes to get Iori back safely. I won't let him come to harm. Trust me. ANBU is on the way, but Kakashi and I are going after Kanzin now.”

“Soriya,” Yori searched her face, “if this is true...if your uncle has been alive all this time... What does that mean? What's he been doing?” When she didn't answer, he pressed, “I mean, you don't think he had anything to do with your parents' disappearance, do you? Or the rogue ninja that killed my parents?”

Izumi gasped, brown eyes darting from the kunoichi to her husband and back. Soriya sighed. Yori was always quick to get to the heart of the matter. Unfortunately, she had no answers to give him, only suspicions. None of which, if true, boded well for Iori. Squeezing his hand firmly, she responded as honestly as she could.

“I don't know, Yori. Right now, all I care about is getting Iori back. I need you to stay here and wait for ANBU. Will you do that for me? We've got to go.”

He looked as though he would argue, and she was momentarily afraid he'd insist on accompanying them. But a glance at his wife changed the expression on his face. He had other responsibilities, and he surely realized he'd only slow them down. Yori had always been sensible.

He nodded grimly, resting a hand on Soriya's shoulder. “Good luck, and be careful.” He stepped back, wrapping an arm around his wife.

Hope warred with fear in Izumi's brown eyes as she clung to him, hand fisting in his sleeping robe. Bravely, she offered, “Yes, be careful, both of you. And bring Iori back safely.” Her voice broke slightly on the last sentence.

Soriya touched her friend's cheek. No words came to the kunoichi, though the determination in her gray eyes spoke volumes. Turning quickly for Iori's open window, she leapt gracefully to the sill, dropping to the ground below. Immediately, she took off running. She did not look back.

Kakashi nodded gravely at the frightened couple, then hastily followed the kunoichi out the window. Sprinting to catch up with her, he marked the direction. They were headed due west, away from the village.

“Where are we going?”

Without slowing the pace, Soriya replied, “West. A few kilometers behind my house. I sensed him there once before, though I didn't realize it was him at the time.”

“Do we have a plan?” he asked mildly.

Gritting her teeth, Soriya's eyes shaded to a flat, steel gray. The knot of fear in her belly was slowly turning to fury.

“I'll deal with my 'uncle' while you get Iori out of there.”

Kakashi was silent. She could feel his disapproval. When he finally spoke, he expressed his misgivings carefully.

“I don't like this. Kanzin's manipulated the situation very cleverly. He waited to act until we were away from the village. He took out two experienced ANBU, not to mention his past handling of Ryuji. Clearly, he's dangerous and we don't even know the full extent of his abilities. You shouldn't face him alone, even with your power. It's what he wants, and I'm not sure we should oblige him.”

She turned a flat gaze on the silver-haired shinobi. He restrained a wince at the utter lack of emotion in her eyes.

“Iori's safety is the only thing that matters. I will protect my family. Don't fight me on this. We don't have time.” Noting his grim expression, she relented slightly. “You don't have to worry about me. I have no intention of dying. I did make a promise, after all.”

Kakashi snorted, but did not reply. She wondered if he was thinking of Natsu, comparing the situations. Fervently, the kunoichi hoped the confrontation with Kanzin would go as planned. She ignored the uncomfortable knotting in her stomach.

Once the two jonin passed by Soriya's house, the telepath called a halt, scanning westward with attuned senses. A strange emanation attracted her notice and she homed in on it, drawn like a moth to flame. Abruptly, the odd aura winked out, but she thought she could approximate the location. She turned quickly to Kakashi.

“We should separate. I'll approach directly, drawing his attention, while you search for Iori. I don't sense him from here, but if he's unconscious I'd have to be much closer.” She described their destination.

“Got it.” The Copy Ninja flashed into the trees and she quickly lost sight of him.

Inhaling a deep breath, the kunoichi took off, moving swiftly and silently. She allowed her chakra to rise, hoping it would act as a beacon to capture her uncle's undivided attention. Kakashi would give her path a wide berth to avoid discovery.

As she ran, Soriya cast telepathic senses forward, detecting nothing unusual. Just when she was beginning to think she'd imagined the strange aura, it flared briefly, then vanished once more.

He's being careful, deliberately drawing my notice, but not broadcasting for too long.

She knew it would take ANBU some time to locate Kanzin. They'd probably figure he'd been hiding out in the Land of Wind. The closest border was many kilometers to the southwest. But Kanzin's current location was actually much nearer, in the northwesterly direction.

She ran onward, breath huffing in her throat. The dual mental and physical exertion was tiring, but Soriya kept it up. She could hang on long enough to get there. Of Kakashi, she detected no sign, but this was expected. Deliberately, she kept the net of chakra narrow and intermittent, in order to preserve strength. Also, to avoid invoking undue interest in the peripheral surroundings. She wasn't certain if the rogue psych-nin could detect such things, and she didn't want to reveal Kakashi's whereabouts inadvertently.

Gradually, the trees thinned out as the terrain became more rocky. Slowing to a walk, Soriya traversed a slight incline. To the southwest, the Land of the Wind was mostly a forbidding desert, strewn with canyons, sand, and unusual rock formations. The only green in the entire country seemed to be near the borders, where rivers, such as the Ganji, provided color to the drab landscape.

Examining the ground and sparsely scattered trees for traps, the kunoichi detected none. She doubted Kanzin wanted to kill her, but if kidnapping were his goal, he might wish to render her unconscious. Her inability to pick up any sign of Iori gnawed at her.

If he's already dead...

She gritted her teeth.

Don't. It's not helpful.

Forcing down righteous fury, Soriya struggled for control. Akira Kanzin was, by all reports, highly intelligent; he would not be easily manipulated. She could not afford the rage right now. Perhaps later, once Iori was safe.

Cresting another small rise, the kunoichi was confronted by a wide plateau, ringed with scattered boulders. The huge gray rocks were enormous, some taller than a man.

A perfect place for an ambush.

Just as she thought it, light flashed out of the corner of her right eye. Instantly, Soriya dove headfirst into a forward roll, plucking two shuriken from her belt pouch. A kunai bisected the space where she'd been standing. Jumping up, she flung the throwing stars simultaneously, zeroing in on a crevice between two boulders. She was rewarded by the sound of a man's cry, immediately cut short.

Slowly, a figure clad in gray leaned out, toppling forward onto the ground with a heavy thud. The man's neck twisted awkwardly, revealing the shuriken protruding from his left eye socket. The second missile had lodged in the base of his throat, just above his Adam's apple. Soriya didn't need to check him to know he was dead. The murderous aura from a moment ago was no more.

Idly, she examined the man's swarthy features. She didn't recognize him.

Anger rose to the surface.

“Enough games. Show yourself!” she commanded.

A steady clapping sounded from behind the rock cluster. The odd aura flared in greeting, then vanished as Akira Kanzin stepped out from behind a boulder.

Fifty-ish, with a medium build and care-worn features, Soriya's uncle appeared eerily like the image she'd dreamed, right down to the black trousers and sleeveless shirt he wore. A dark metal bracelet bearing a stylized “K” on the band decorated his left wrist. It was his only ornamentation, as far as she could see.

“Congratulations, my dear. You are indeed jonin, with all the instincts of a trained killer. And yet so lovely...

“The village must be thrilled to have you.”

Curtly, Soriya spoke. “Akira Kanzin. I've come as you asked. Where is Iori? You will take me to him now.”

“So formal, Soriya? Or should I call you Suki? We are family, after all.”

Gritting her teeth at his use of the name she permitted only one man, she spat, “You're no family of mine, traitor! I didn't come here to banter with you. I'll ask again. Where is Iori?Gray eyes dilated as she swept power outward in a wide arc. A sliver of unease crept down her spine. She felt no trace of the child.

Something's not right. There should be some sign of him, even if he's unconscious.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

He waved a placating hand. “Now, now. There's no need for such a fearsome face. You received my message scroll. I told you: no harm will come to the child. You'll note that I did no permanent damage to the ANBU operatives guarding the house either. Believe me, I could have. But I've no wish to hurt anyone.”

She gave a short laugh, unamused. “Tell it to that guy,” she nodded toward the dead man. “You let me sense your aura intermittently, leading me here, while masking the sniper's presence until the very last moment. I don't understand your purpose. Did you really think someone with skills that pathetic could kill me? His murderous intent was easy to detect once I got close enough.”

Kanzin eyed Soriya with interest. “You sensed him through my cloaking ability? Indeed, you are powerful. As expected.” He waved a dismissive hand at the body sprawled in the dirt.

“Never mind him. He's merely a rogue assassin, and not even a very good one, at that. It was long past time for justice to find him, I assure you. He was intended as a test, nothing more.” He took a step toward the kunoichi. She watched him approach, gray eyes flat.

“And did I pass?” she asked, not really caring. She wanted to keep him occupied, in order to give Kakashi more time to scout the area.

Kanzin shook his head sorrowfully. “Actually, you failed. Leaf Village has clearly ruined you. It's obvious you're a killer. You have the instinct and you don't even hesitate.” He shook his head sadly. “Ah, if only my early attempts to rescue you hadn't ended in failure...” He sighed. “Whether you are merely a heartless tool--past all hope of redemption--remains to be seen.”

Soriya blinked. His words cut unexpectedly. Unwilling to let him see the wound he'd inflicted, she snapped, “What do you mean, 'attempts to rescue' me?” Angrily, she took a menacing step forward. She couldn't believe his nerve. “Are you talking about my parents' disappearance? And the murders of Mika and Yoshi Itasuki?”

You better find Iori soon, Kakashi...before I lose it and kill this guy.

Although he could not be unaware of the deadly ire he was invoking, Kanzin replied offhandedly, “I admit, the deaths of the Itasukis were regrettable accidents. I relied too heavily on an old patient of mine, one Haruma Anji. Though I believe you knew him better as Yukio Ryuji.” He snorted. “An arrogant name for an arrogant man. I found it amusing that he wasn't nearly so arrogant each time I entered his mind.” The former psych-nin smiled darkly.

“He was easy to manipulate in the early days. He desperately wanted to escape the 'hospitality' of our village. I spent weeks with him, laying the psychological framework for certain conditioned responses.” Kanzin frowned in remembered anger. “It was only years later, when he believed himself safe in the Prince's court, that he found the courage to defy the compulsions I'd placed on him.” He looked at Soriya earnestly.

“No one was supposed to die. It was meant to be a simple abduction only.” He waited for the kunoichi to understand. She struggled to follow his abrupt changes in topic.

“You're saying Ryuji betrayed you?”

Kanzin's eyes smoldered. “He became so warped and paranoid that I couldn't get near him. The compulsions I laid were breaking down. Ryuji convinced himself that if I wanted you so badly, you must represent a danger to him. So he directed his ninja to kill rather than simply abduct you. I was beyond furious when I found out, and it was the last of my dealings with him.

“It's why I didn't try to contact you when you were right under his nose!” Kanzin laughed as if it were a great joke. “I couldn't risk his killing you outright. I have to say,” he added, smiling, “I wasn't sorry at all to hear you'd killed him. It was justice, of a kind, for his attempt on your life all those years ago. Fortunately, the people he sent bungled the job. I truly regret what happened to Mika and Yoshi. They were good friends at one time.” He sighed heavily.

“After that disaster, I didn't dare make another attempt. Not with ANBU constantly watching. So I waited, biding my time. Now and then, I made secretive trips to the village, just to see you. But I never stayed long. There was always the chance someone might recognize me, even though it'd been over ten years since my supposed death.” He shot her a withering look.

“I must say...I was gravely disappointed when you entered the Ninja Academy. That was the last thing I wanted for you. I gave serious thought to another abduction attempt, but between ANBU and that annoying jonin always coming around, I decided against it.” He cocked his head, glancing around the clearing.

“Oh, yes. That reminds me. Where is Kakashi? He would hardly leave you to come here on your own. You may as well tell him to come out. I promise, no harm will come to him.”

Still reeling from the revelation that the deaths of Yori's parents--her family--were merely 'regrettable accidents', Soriya stared at her uncle. Strangled by fury, nails digging into her palms, the redhead's ponytail swayed in silent warning. The air surrounding her rippled, causing scattered stones and debris to vibrate ominously. She could barely think past her rage.

You—you—how dare you!

Snarling incoherently, she took a menacing step toward him. A droll voice cut in, startling her.

“Why, how reassuring.”

The Copy Ninja crouched, perched on the tallest boulder off to Soriya's left.

With chagrin, she realized she hadn't even felt his approach. She wondered how long he'd been listening.

Get ahold of yourself!

With visible effort, she leashed her chakra, turning to him anxiously. He answered the question before it left her lips.

“Iori's not here. I've checked all around the area. There's no sign of him or other ninja in hiding. Except for your dead one, of course.” He flicked a glance at the dead man on the ground.

Furiously rounding on her uncle, Soriya's voice cracked like a whip. “Enough! You leave me no choice.”

The kunoichi moved. Flashing across the ten meters that separated them, she gripped Kanzin's throat, slamming him into the large rock behind him. He choked out, “I wouldn't--”

She didn't give him a chance to say what he wouldn't do.

Dilated gray orbs bored into eyes that were markedly similar. Her ponytail thrashed wildly as she thrust power directly into his mind. White chakra sank into a sea of murky images, most of which were mind-numbingly awful and horrifically graphic in detail.

Murder. War. Torture. Rape.

All were depicted in a never-ending stream of violence. Worse, though, were the emotions accompanying them: bloodlust, hatred, fear. A love of power twined with the joy of inflicting pain. They roiled and seethed like snakes, tangled within the man's damaged psyche.

Swallowed by the morass of horror, Soriya gasped. Oddly, the sheer volume of images and emotions protected her somewhat. She couldn't possibly absorb it all. Jaw clenched against nausea, the telepath ruthlessly forged ahead, concentrating on searching for Iori. Darkness faltered momentarily in the face of her strength, and Soriya glimpsed the image of a modest cottage set within an apple orchard.

There!

Before she could withdraw, the face of a beautiful, redheaded woman swam briefly out of the murk. With a start, Soriya realized she knew this sad-eyed lady.

“Mother?” she spoke aloud, confused.

Suddenly, Kanzin tensed under her hands. Angry tendrils of memory surged, pulling the kunoichi, struggling, back down into the mire. Emotions and images beat at her senses. She felt her uncle's desperation and fear as he tried to contain the ravenous cacophony. Amoeba-like, the Darkness clung to her, muddying, then subsuming the white glow of chakra.

Straining to disentangle herself, Soriya poured a strength born of fury into the fight. Red hair, ripped free of its containment, thrashed violently. The Darkness welcomed her wrath, swallowing it whole. To her horror, the kunoichi realized she was slowly being overwhelmed. She gathered herself for one last surge, screaming in rage.

Abruptly, the enveloping pressure eased. Freed from the grip of the psych-nin's madness, Soriya hurled herself from him with a furious cry, landing heavily on hands and knees. She swayed unsteadily, head hanging, gasping, as she fought down nausea.

Gods. Where did all that come from?

Her worst fears were realized.

He's not sane. He can't be.

Suddenly, she felt sick. Sick and afraid. For Iori, and less immediately, for herself.

Soriya recalled the latter days of her recovery in the Psych Department. Thankfully, she remembered little of the early days. A vague impression of screaming until her throat was raw, and the sour, burning taste of bile were all she retained from that time. She hadn't been able to purge the terrible recollections gleaned from Ryuji and his men quickly enough. There were few who would willingly touch her, knowing what it meant.

Enya...

But even for those who were willing to accept the nightmares, they could not take them all. Not and stay sane. She thought of the tortured images inside the psych-nin's mind.

That could have been me.

And would have been, if not for Bathsheba and Ra. Without their intervention she would have lingered, trapped in a hellish morass of thoughts not her own. A sharp recollection rose in her: two pairs of slitted eyes, one gold, the other green, boring into her. The image was comforting in its clarity. Together, the felines had expunged the worst of the unwanted foreign memories, excising large swaths of dark debris from her psyche with precise mental touches.

Gradually, persistently, they drew her back from the depths of madness.

After awhile, Soriya had regained enough sanity to guide them in their delicate task. It was not something she could have done on her own. Unstable, her power was too raw, too forceful. It would have been like trying to perform brain surgery with a chainsaw.

She shuddered. Even with her wits and control fully restored, she knew such an exacting, precise task was well beyond her. With surprise, she felt a twinge of sadness. Her uncle had absorbed images and emotions over several years, from the most damaged patients. She wondered how he'd ever survived it.

“Are you all right?” Kakashi's voice interrupted her thoughts. He knelt beside her in concern.

The kunoichi forced herself to look up at the man leaning against the rock. He was bent over, clutching his stomach and gasping for breath. “What did you do to him?”

Kakashi shrugged. “When you started screaming, I slugged him in the gut. It seemed to distract him long enough for you to get free. What happened?”

Soriya ignored the question. Bracing a palm against the Copy Ninja's shoulder, she levered herself up off the ground. “Thanks for the assist,” she told him, eyes fixed on Kanzin. “Take my advice, don't try your Sharingan trick on him. And don't let him touch you. His mind's a mess.” Under her breath she added softly, “Worse than mine ever was.”

Kakashi cast a sharp glance upwards, but the kunoichi moved past him toward the winded man, who had just managed to regain an upright posture. His gray eyes flickered with a riot of emotions she didn't know how to interpret. Fear? Relief? Anticipation? She saw them all, but could not divine the context. She stopped a body's length from him. She spoke softly, so softly.

“Tell me what happened to you.”

His eyes widened, and she thought he might refuse. A grimace twisted his lips.

“You really want to know?” His voice was bitter as he searched her face. She did not look away. “Then I'll tell you. This is what comes of using one's powers. The so-called 'shinobi way'. You give and give, and still, they demand more. Until one day, they've used you up. Polluted and perverted the very gift that made you valuable to them in the first place!” he stopped, eyes slightly wild.

Soriya spoke carefully, unwilling to agitate him further. “Was what I saw images taken from your patients?”

Closing his eyes against the gentle tone, he answered mournfully, “I did try to warn you. Inside my mind is no place you want to be. You should thank Kakashi. My ability to seal off those dark memories is fragile, at best. I can't always contain them. To my everlasting sorrow.”

Gazing at him somberly, Soriya prodded, “Tell me...” A slight hesitation, then, “...Uncle.”

He stared at her a moment, eyes unreadable. Acknowledging the gesture, he slumped back against the rock wearily.

“They brought them to me,” he began quietly, voice tinged with remembered pain. “Shinobi. Traumatized in war, in the field, on assignments. Kids, most of them. Or, at least, younger than my twenty-two years. Younger than you...” He looked up as the realization struck him. Eyes lingered on her face.

They were men and women damaged in the line of duty. Some broken beyond even my ability to heal,” he admitted with a shrug. “I speak not of mere physical injury, you understand. That was beyond my purview. I refer to mental trauma: post-traumatic stress disorder mostly, some the victims of torture, rape, or other abuse. Many had seen teammates or family killed. But there were also shinobi who simply could no longer cope with the realities of what they were asked to do. By the Hokage,” he spat the title venomously, waiting to see if a defensive reaction was forthcoming. It was not. Mollified, he elaborated.

“They had killed. In most cases, numerous times. Until the truth of the violence they committed against other human beings began to dawn on them. It was quite heart-wrenching to see, I assure you. Usually, I could ease their suffering by drawing off some of the more harmful emotions they were experiencing. Occasionally--particularly with patients I worked with for many months--I could perceive images as well.”

He closed his eyes. Opening them, he fixed Soriya with a penetrating gaze. Kakashi moved quietly to her side. Kanzin ignored him, focusing solely on the kunoichi.

“I cannot sift and read thoughts as you do. I can only experience what the patient desires to show me. Believe me when I tell you I count this a blessing. One of the very few in my wretched life. The reasons why should be obvious. If I'd entered their minds as deeply as you seem to be able to do, I never would have survived my first year treating patients, let alone five years.” His voice rose. With visible effort, he restrained himself, eyes boring into Soriya earnestly.

“Don't misunderstand me; I wanted to help them. Those damaged warriors...broken weapons, all. Their pain cried out to me! How could I refuse them?”

“You couldn't,” Soriya said, feeling his anguish. “I know.”

He stared at her a moment, then nodded. “Perhaps you do, at that. You may be the only one who can.” He paused, gathering his thoughts.

“It was my duty--and my honor--to save as many of those brave soldiers as possible. For our village, of course. But also because I couldn't bear not saving them.

“But, the more I saved, the more they sent. The fighting between ninja clans was the worst. The Ninja World Wars. We needed every shinobi back then. Even though I understood the necessity, it disturbed me greatly when men and women I'd struggled to heal voluntarily returned to the field. The amount of strain and effort they suffered—I suffered—slowly putting their minds back together... It all seemed a great and terrible waste.

“I grappled with my conscience nightly. It was particularly bad when the nightmares were at their worst. But, during the day, I couldn't refuse them. I couldn't not help.”

Soriya swallowed harshly at his obvious pain. It was so tangible she could almost taste it. Still, she was discomfited.

She should hate this man. Wanted to hate him. His actions had brought about the deaths of those she loved. Instead, the kunoichi felt blind-sided by an empathy she hadn't expected, and didn't want to feel. She tried to summon the old rage as armor against him, but for once, it failed to rise to her aid. He noticed.

“It's not so easy, is it? To hate me? You want to, but you can't.” He nodded knowingly, voice gentle. “Given time and the right circumstances, you could be me.”

Soriya looked down, unbound hair drifting forward to hide the uncertainty in her eyes. She wanted to return Iori to his parents. Had been prepared to do whatever it took to achieve that aim. Still was. But now...

The kunoichi felt torn. To her chagrin, she realized that, like her uncle, she couldn't turn away from pain. Not pain like this. Not when it was so close to her own. It bound her to him more tightly than any tie of blood.

Kakashi interrupted. He didn't like where this was going.

“Soriya--”

She raised a hand, cutting him short. Softly, she asked her uncle, “What changed for you?”

Kanzin sighed heavily, passing a hand over old, old eyes. “Many things. Sumao. Kurumi.” Soriya started at the mention of her parents' names.

“But the straw that broke the camel's back, as it were, was Yui.”

“Yui?”

“She was a jonin-level kunoichi, twenty years of age. Blond hair, blue eyes—a real beauty. She was a deep-cover operative, much like yourself. I will not go into the sordid details regarding her mission or subsequent discovery. Suffice it to say that what they did to her damaged more than just her body. It broke her mind. Utterly fragmented it. The worst case of multiple personality disorder anyone in the department had ever seen. It was all I could do just to catalog the various splinters of her psyche. Even the medications we had available to us at the time did little to help. They could stabilize her to a functional level for short periods only, and lost effectiveness with use.” The former psych-nin shook his head.

“I confess, she became something of a symbol for me. If only I could 'fix' her, put her back together, then everything I had sacrificed of myself in service to the village would somehow be vindicated. Madness, I know.” He laughed derisively, a harsh, ugly sound.

Soriya's fingers twitched at his pain. She squelched the reflexive urge to lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. Kanzin did not seem to notice, though she thought Kakashi might have. His sharp eye searched her face briefly.

“Frankly, looking back, I doubt even I could have synthesized the shards of what was left of Yui into a normally functioning personality had I been given ten years with her. As it happened, I was not even given ten months. Events during the war became so dire that every shinobi was needed. Apparently, even a broken one,” he remarked bitterly.

Soriya risked a glance at Kakashi. He stood, listening intently, hands in pockets. His dark eye caught her own. She knew he was thinking the same thing as she: the only reason Command and the Hokage would have taken such a damaged shinobi from treatment was for use in a suicide mission.

It was rarely done, and never involuntarily. Such missions were hazardous enough without involving an unwilling participant. Yui's madness would not necessarily have been an impediment. There were some missions where sanity was not considered essential. Or even desired. As long as the operative could function--under medication if need be--for a short period of time.

Most likely, Yui had been given a choice: remain a “guest” of the Psych Department, with little to no hope of a normal life, or return to active duty for one last mission. Soriya wondered if the assignment had involved Yui's tormentors. In a similar situation, what would she have done—indeed, what had she done for another chance at Ryuji? She bowed her head. Of course, Yui had accepted the mission. She'd probably been eager to go.

Soriya prompted gently, “They offered her a choice, didn't they? One last mission. One she wouldn't refuse. And there was nothing you could do.”

“Nothing,” he admitted, voice oddly bland.

Soriya knew he was not unaffected. She sensed a deep and profound sorrow in him. And rage. Rage was definitely there. Suddenly, she knew this event had been the trigger that set him on his current path. She suppressed a shiver as he continued, voice matter-of-fact.

“The RU brought her body home in pieces. Coincidentally, we also received word of a massacre of one of the Land of Lightning's more prominent families. Every man, woman, and child slaughtered in a single night. The clan's entire line wiped out.”

Soriya paled, but forced herself to say, “That must have been hard for you, having worked so closely with Yui.”

Kanzin locked eyes with her. “You have no idea. Do you know what it's like, to get that close to someone, feel what they've felt, see what they've seen? To understand their every motivation? What drives them? And then to have to watch them die?” His voice rose hysterically. “Well, do you?”

An expressionless mask settled over the kunoichi's face. Carefully, so carefully, she answered, “Actually, Uncle, I do. Perhaps even better than you.”

His eyebrows rose in disbelief, and she elaborated softly, “The difference is, I'm not generally in a position to save them. Quite often, my task is just the opposite.”

Expecting a strong reaction from the psych-nin, Soriya was surprised when Kakashi flinched. He knew her primary and secondary functions were those of spy and assassin. The same as his own, in fact, although the methods they employed were vastly different. They'd meticulously avoided discussing her previous missions—both for security reasons, and the simple fact that it wasn't something she was exactly eager to talk about, anyway.

Perhaps hearing her speak openly of it here had surprised him. Still, she found his unexpected reaction stung. He must have glimpsed the sudden hurt in her eyes, because he lifted a hand to her shoulder in silent apology.

Kanzin stared at them, observing their body language. A cunning look crossed his face, unsettling her. She remembered he'd wanted her to come alone. For the first time, Soriya regretted the surge of emotions Kakashi's persistent presence brought to the fore. In many ways, things had been much simpler when all she could feel was a cold rage.

Kanzin spoke thoughtfully. “Ah, yes. I forget. How stupid of me. Indeed, you would know. Far better than I, in fact. Tell me, how are you coping with Emiko's death?”

Though she expected him to target her weaknesses, his accuracy still cut. She replied evenly, “I've come to terms with it as best I can. Ryuji is dead by my hand. And there's no bringing her back. I'll learn to live with it.” She did not speak of Natsu's death. She could not entirely absolve herself of the knowledge that he might be alive today had she made different choices. She would find a way to live with that as well.

Kanzin mused, “Yes, I'd heard Prince Mujito died around the same time. An aneurysm, or some such. Your doing, I suppose?” He did not wait for her answer, asking curiously, “Tell me--because I could never get a sensible answer from Yui--do you enjoy acting as the Hokage's whore? Is it fulfilling?”

Kakashi's hand tightened fractionally on her shoulder, then dropped. He took a step toward the psych-nin.

“That's enough. Shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you.”

Soriya held up a hand in front of the elite jonin. This was bad. She could see what Kanzin was doing. The words themselves were nothing to her. She'd heard them before. Usually from an enemy, or sullen shinobi she'd bested in some contest or other. They had long since lost their ability to wound. But clearly, they bothered the Copy Ninja.

The psych-nin could see it, too. He pressed his advantage, taunting, “So, Kakashi. How does it feel, knowing the one you love sleeps with other men, learning all their darkest secrets, then kills them? It must add a certain...spice...to your sex life, no?”

“No!” Soriya moved.

The clang of metal rang loudly in the clearing. The kunoichi stood, braced in front of Kanzin, both hands gripping the hilt of her kunai. Arms shuddered with strain as she held back her lover's blade from the older man's neck. Panting, she cried, “Kakashi, stop! He's baiting you,” she added, stating what should have been obvious to the experienced jonin.

He looked past her, staring into Kanzin's gray orbs. A flicker of amusement sparked in their depths. The Copy Ninja's dark eye narrowed. Soriya felt the tension in his body as he struggled with his emotions. She pinpointed the exact moment control exerted itself.

Kakashi jumped back, carefully sheathing his blade. Though she could still sense his anger, it was laced with something else. Shame? Fear? The feelings faded as his cool demeanor slipped back into place. Tentatively, the kunoichi relaxed her stance. Turning slightly, she risked a sideways glance at her uncle.

“If you wish to live, keep a civil tongue in your head. If Kakashi truly wanted you dead, I assure you, I would not be able to stop him.”

She tried to catch the Copy Ninja's eye, but he steadfastly refused to look at her, focusing solely on the man standing behind her.

Just great.

She knew Kanzin had deliberately goaded Kakashi into attacking, probably to force Soriya into defending him against the elite jonin. She ground her teeth in frustration. She did not want to fight Kakashi, but she couldn't trust her uncle not to aggravate the situation further. It seemed she had only one option. Sighing, she turned to the masked shinobi.

“Kakashi. I want you to leave.”

He looked at her, incredulous. “You can't be serious.”

She walked toward him, sheathing her weapon slowly. Shielding him from Kanzin's view, she clasped his hands, holding them tightly. Before she could say a word, he spoke.

“Don't. Don't go with him, Soriya. I know what you're thinking. But you can't trust him.”

She started at the echo of words from her dream. Earnestly, she squeezed his hands. “I don't believe he means me harm. It'll be okay.”

He shook his head. “No. I can see that you pity him. It's written all over your face. You identify with him. He can see it, too, and he'll use it against you. I can't allow it.”

It was the wrong thing to say. Her face hardened. “You can't allow it?”

He tried again. “Soriya, please. This is about more than Iori. I can't just let you go with him.” Desperately, he thought of the warning the Hokage had given him. He had to make her see the danger she courted. Kanzin was a dead man. It was only a matter of time.

Her face softened as she looked at him. She whispered, “I know. I've always known.” His eye widened at her admission as she added, “I know you want to protect me, but I have to do this. Can you trust me?”

He shook his head. “I do trust you. It's not that simple. It's him I don't trust,” he nodded toward Kanzin, who leaned against the rock, watching their interaction with interest.

“He's playing the victim, but I don't buy it. He freed a dangerous rogue ninja, faked his own death, and tried to have you kidnapped. For what purpose? People died because of his actions. If my squad had gotten there any later, both you and Yori would be dead. And what of your parents? What actually happened to them? He hasn't said, but I'm sure he knows. Why do you think that is?”

“Because it is Kanzin clan business, and therefore not your concern,” Akira Kanzin's voice cut in. “I will speak of it only to Soriya.”

“But what happens to Soriya is my concern,” Kakashi countered. “I don't care to play your game.” He tried to move around the kunoichi, but she refused to loosen her hold on his hands. She hoped he would forgive her for what she was about to do.

Using the contact of his unprotected fingers against her palms, she slid into his mind. Too late, he tried to jerk away, but her power held him fast.

“Look at me.”

Slipping one hand from his, she cupped his masked cheek. He struggled valiantly against her, managing to croak out, “Don't...do this. Soriya!”

“Shhh,” she crooned, curling slender fingers around the edge of the mask, tugging it downwards. She leaned into him, accepting his frustrated fear and anger as penance. Kissing him slowly and deeply, she drew his lower lip into her mouth. He flinched in her embrace, dark eye flickering briefly. A few heartbeats later, she pulled away, dilated eyes never leaving him.

“I'm sorry it has to be this way,” she murmured, restoring his mask to its usual position. Holding the Copy Ninja's gaze, Soriya addressed the man behind her.

“I will give you the opportunity to tell me everything, Uncle. But let's be clear on one thing. If Iori has been harmed, pity or no, I'll kill you myself. Don't think our shared blood will save you. Even if I regret it later, you'll still be dead.”

“I understand. I promise, the boy is unharmed and will be returned to you. But first, I have something I want to show you. It's a few hours from here, though not too far. Are you certain he won't just follow?” Kanzin eyed the elite jonin warily.

Soriya stepped back, releasing the Copy Ninja's hand. “He won't,” she replied, more confidently than she felt.

Kakashi's expression was unreadable. His hands slowly tucked themselves back into trouser pockets.

Swallowing the urge to throw herself at him and beg forgiveness, she turned away, motioning to her uncle. “Let's go.”

The psych-nin hurried to her side. Moving quickly, he led the way around the boulders to the west, out of the clearing. Soriya dared a last glance back at the silver-haired shinobi. He had not moved from the spot where she'd left him. He did not turn to look at her as she disappeared past the rocks and out of sight.



Only when the sound of their footsteps had faded away, did the Copy Ninja permit his eye to fall on the path they had taken. He realized he had forced Soriya to this action. His loss of control was unforgivable.

He should not have attacked Kanzin. At least, not if he were not prepared to kill him at all costs.

He revised his opinion of the psych-nin's canniness upwards. Insane or no, the man had not lost his reason completely. He'd seen the perfect opportunity to drive a wedge between the two jonin, and Kakashi--like some foolish genin--had let him do it. Mentally, he cursed himself. At the moment, he sympathized strongly with Natsu Oseki's dilemma.

Only two things prevented him from disregarding Soriya's wishes outright: the blood in his mouth and the object gripped tightly in his fist. He'd done his best to warn her. Akira Kanzin's life was forfeit. Nothing could change that outcome. ANBU was surely searching for him by now.

Soriya, don't give them a reason to kill you.

At least she was not planning to die. The Copy Ninja swallowed a mouthful of blood, considering. Casting a minor first aid jutsu, he healed the bite wound inside his lower lip. He supposed he could only wait for her to contact him, assuming she didn't get too far out of range. Hopefully, she'd be able to send a short message, even if he couldn't reply. He needed to be ready to move at a moment's notice. But first, he had another task.

Removing his left hand from his pocket, the Copy Ninja examined the small toy Soriya had surreptitiously thrust into his grasp. She hadn't had time for much more than that.

Use this to track Iori. Save him. I'll contact you when I know our destination. I need to know what happened to my parents. Trust me. I love you.

She had also projected the image of a small, secluded cottage near an apple orchard. More importantly, the purplish peaks of Mt. Ryu towered in the background. Kakashi surmised the cottage lay about a half-hour to the north. Kanzin would not have had much time to kidnap Iori and hide him too far away.

If he hurried, Kakashi could probably rescue the child, then double back to track Soriya. Hopefully, she would have contacted him by then, but if not... He brought his other hand out from his trouser pocket. Sunlight glinted off several long strands of red hair clutched in his fist.

It was a good thing he was an excellent tracker. When he caught up to her, Soriya was going to have some explaining to do.



The Fifth Hokage stood in the clearing, green jacket fluttering in the breeze. The two newly-revived ANBU sat on the ground a few feet away, under the care of Enya Ryusuki. Ibiki Morino, clad in gray and wearing a long, black overcoat, stood beside her. Expectantly, she looked at the medic-nin.

“It's as Soriya said, Hokage,” he affirmed. “No permanent harm done. Merely a chakra surge applied directly to the nerve center. Enough to stun, but not enough to kill. The headaches should be gone by tomorrow.”

She watched as the two operatives slowly gained their feet.

Curious.

Kanzin had killed before, so why spare these? It made no sense. Unless he wanted Soriya to find them? He had to know she could take the image of what had happened directly from their unconscious minds. Perhaps they'd been intended as some kind of message? Tsunade was keenly aware that none of the shinobi present, save Ibiki, even knew what Akira Kanzin looked like. And the passage of twenty-five years made Ibiki's ability to recognize him uncertain. She turned to ask the scarred shinobi a question when Yuichigo suddenly appeared in their midst.

He bowed to the Hokage, offering her a message scroll. “Hokage. Soriya left this for you. According to the Itasukis, she and Kakashi have gone after this Akira Kanzin. They appeared to be headed west, though they did not disclose their destination to the Itasukis.”

Tsunade took the scroll, unrolling it with a practiced hand. Squinting at the short note, her mouth firmed. Amber eyes met piercing black ones as she rolled the scroll back up.

“Ibiki, leave a squad with the Itasukis. Take Yuichigo, Enya, and one other you deem trustworthy. Go after them. I suspect they may be headed to the Land of Wind. Kanzin has taken Iori Itasuki hostage. Rescue the child if possible. Kanzin is to be terminated on sight.”

“Soriya may be with him by now,” Ibiki reminded her.

Tsunade closed her eyes. “Use your judgment. You understand the risks.”

“What of Kakashi?”

“If it comes to that, he likely won't be in a position to interfere.” Her voice was leaden. “Do what is necessary.”

Enya, observing them keenly, cut in, “I don't like what I'm hearing. If you're saying what I think you're saying... I'm sorry, Tsunade. I can't be party to it.”

The Hokage turned cold, cold eyes on him. “You will go. Your task is as before. Do not concern yourself with Ibiki's orders.” She stared at him until the medic-nin dropped his eyes, shoulders slumping.

“Hokage.”

Sighing, she relented. “Enya. Do not worry overmuch. Kakashi is with her. My hope is that it will not come to that. But your skills may be needed.” Looking them over one last time, she brought her right hand out in a horizontal slash. “Go.”

A moment later, the clearing contained only the Hokage and the two incapacitated ANBU. She turned to them. “Take yourselves off to the hospital. You are on forty-eight hour leave as of now,” she advised, not unkindly. “Do not speak of what has happened here.”

They bowed, both vanishing in the wake of translocation jutsu. Tsunade glanced around the forest once more. It was time to return to the Tower; she needed the scrying crystal. Briefly, she wondered if Kanzin's cloaking ability was strong enough to thwart the sphere's magic.

Sighing heavily, the Hokage's hands moved quickly through the seals. With a swirling gust of wind and leaves, she was gone.