Shooting Straight II

Chapter 1

There was a distinct, brisk air flow in the dark, muggy cavern - it never failed to send an icy shiver down Seishi's spine. Even after three long years, the deep seeded uncertainty still existed in the confines of his chest upon entry. Still, he ignored it and continued walking, his pace quickening as it always did.

The hall opened to a big, spacious room with minimal decoration on its stone walls. A few odd, mismatched chairs and couches filled half the room in front of a small television, while the other half was converted into a makeshift kitchen with a fridge, sink, hot plate and toaster oven. Seishi heaved a sigh at the sight of dirty dishes and utensils sprawled carelessly across the space.

Brushing his bangs from his face, he targeted the cabinet in search of something to snack on, finding himself starved. He'd hardly begun shuffling around when a tall figure appeared in the doorway, watching him intently.

A sudden flare of light ignited in the palm of the figure's hand, illuminating the room and causing Seishi to jolt up, eyes widely scanning the room until they settled on the source.

"You startled me," Seishi spoke earnestly, his voice hushed.

"How was your mission?" Arrow replied, ignoring Seishi's comment, going around the room and lighting the candles mounted into the stone. He felt the boy's eyes on his back but didn't bother to return the stare.

Once all the candles of the room were lit, Arrow dispelled the fire in his hand and stood in the center of the room, leaning lazily on the back of a chair, exposing his almost bare chest, covered only by the loose fabric of a brown windbreaker, gleaming with the salty evidence of his workout.

"I watched the target and scouted the area. My cover wasn't discovered, thankfully. It was weird... seeing them again, I mean." Seishi shrugged, eyes locked on the protein bar in his hand as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "How long have you been back?"

"I returned two days after you left," Arrow answered, "I've been training with Itachi since - waiting for you. Konan convinced Pein to let me stay for a while, but soon I will be heading out with Deidara and Sasori."

Alarm blossomed on Seishi's face as his head snapped up, "You're going to collect the One-Tail?"

"Of course I am, I'm one of the few that has a chance of taking him."

With their conversation seemingly ended, Arrow turned and left the room, going back the way he had come. Seishi's gaze followed him until the hallway swallowed him into the darkness, completely out of sight.

~~~

The patterns marking the walls were seemingly alive as shadows danced around them, almost in time with the thump of his feet hitting the floor as he ran down the endless hallways, checking every room he passed - his breath came heavy, his chest heaving as he drew in full breaths.

He forced himself to a complete stop, whipping around as a loud explosion rocked the hideout; the floor trembled beneath him, prompting him to run towards it.

It didn't take long to find where the hallway had been blown up, streaming sunlight over the crumbled rocks — in the centre of the rubble stood his teammate, Sai, with Sakura at his side, eyes wide in a mix of horror and shock.

Naruto stopped beside them, turning to look at the sight that had caught the attention of the others. Standing atop the wall of the wall was none other than one of their estranged team, Sasuke Uchiha, staring at them with an unreadable expression.

"Naruto,"

Naruto, overcome with emotion - couldn't help but ask why Sasuke hadn't killed him the last time they had seen each other; when they had battled each other nearly to death after Sasuke had left the village.

In a flash, Sasuke was in front of him, arm loosely wrapped over Naruto's shoulder so they were chest-to-chest. Naruto froze, almost paralyzed in shock.

"If I do recall, you had a dream of being Hokage." Sasuke started, his voice almost patronizing, "And you spent all that time chasing after me, would that not have been better spent training or something... right, Naruto?"

Sasuke slowly unsheathed his Sword of Kusanagi with the promise of death falling off his tongue with Naruto's name on it.

~~~

In Sunagakure, twelve officials sat around a large circular table, with Gaara at its head. Papers were haphazardly scattered in front of each person, depicting the known information of the criminals they were to discuss.

"The Akatsuki is a mysterious organization composed of just over a dozen shinobi; each member of the organization are vicious S-Rank criminals, all listed in the Bingo Book. Of those identified, there is Itachi Uchiha of Konoha who annihilated his own clan in one night; Kisame Hoshigaki, a former Seven Ninja Swordsman of Kirigakure; Orochimaru, who once plotted the destruction of Konoha and assassinated the previous Kazekage — it is said he also used to be a member of this organization." The speaker, Yura, paused to take a breath, drawing the attention of the room further into his words. "There is also Arrow, former Konoha shinobi who is responsible for a slew of murders in the last couple years."

"I have heard the rumours," Another spoke, nodding with an expression of concern.

"The source of our information is Lord Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin. Before this meeting, I had village security increased and stationed Anbu Black Ops at key points around the interior and exterior of the village. No matter how powerful the Shinobi may be, they will not be able to infiltrate by force. They have been known to wear black cloaks with red cloud patterning on them; I have ordered security to attack with full force if they see anyone matching that description — now then, this meeting is adjourned."

~~~

The sand was a welcomed sight to Arrow's green gaze, finding that he had been stuck underground far too long.

The desert was hot — nearly unbearably so, to someone who wasn't used to such harsh conditions — causing his clothes to stick to his body, clinging uncomfortably to every available crevasse. It was made worse by the black, heat-trapping cloak he wore.

He listened to the familiar sounds of Deidara and Sasori bickering, but it didn't bother him as he trailed behind, watching the tumbleweeds move across the sand in an almost hypnotic way.

The village of Sunagakure loomed in the far distance — their end goal, and as it got closer, Arrow couldn't help but expect some emotions to come bubbling to the surface, only to find a hollow void becoming larger with every step.

Before long, they had reached the entrance to the village, blocked only by the tall figure of none other than Captain Yura — Arrow drew a dagger from its holster in preparation for a fight but kept his head down, face covered by his straw hat as he waited for Sasori or Deidara to make a move. Sasori's low, husky voice broke the silence.

"Good work, Yura. Do you remember me?"

The man, outfit covered in blood, lowered himself to his knee, bowing deeply. "How could I forget, Lord Sasori."

"Of course he does, it wouldn't be much of a jutsu if he didn't." Deidara snorted, his tone almost patronizing.

Yura stood, extending an arm in invitation as he escorted the three criminals into Sunagakure.