Shisui Uchiha POV
We walked to the neighboring city in total silence. It wasn't like the missions we usually did in the village were any different, but this time the tense atmosphere hanging over us was just obvious.
And from the neutrality on Amaya's face when our sensei suggested she lead the mission, I knew she was uncomfortable with it but I also knew the redhead would try not to let the previous problem interfere with the mission.
At least she can keep it together for the mission, I thought. As for Takafumi... I looked at my friend, whose expression was more closed off than usual. I sighed softly and turned my attention back to the road.
It would take us more than half a day just to get to the neighboring city with the client, and less than half a day to get back to the village when we could move freely. Around midday we stopped to rest, since Masao was carrying a lot of luggage.
– Water? – The man held a canteen out towards me with a smile.
– Thanks – I thanked him and took the bottle, drinking quickly.
It was spring, but the day was so hot it felt like it would cook us alive at any moment. But I liked that hot weather, unlike Amaya, who was fascinated by the cold.
Even though he was quieter than usual, Takafumi accepted the water Masao offered. He probably just did it out of politeness, I thought. As for our sensei and Amaya, they both refused.
Before we continued our journey, when Masao went to stand up, a small, scribbled-on leaf fell from the backpack he was carrying on his back. Amaya picked it up, looked at it very briefly, and then handed it back to Masao.
We set off again for the neighboring city and the man we were escorting soon tried to start a conversation, since silence was predominant at that moment and, like me, he didn't seem to be the type who liked quiet.
– I wanted to ask you something, Amaya-chan, if it's not too inconvenient – Masao said, and I looked at my sister.
In the formation we were traveling in, she was ahead, leaving me and Takafumi walking alongside Masao to watch for anything that might come from the middle of the forest. Sensei was following further behind.
– If it's within my power... – She said calmly.
– You're a member of the Uzumaki clan, your physical characteristics remind me of them, but why do you have that dark streak?
I looked from Amaya's direction to Masao when he asked that. Of all the things he could have asked, why that one?
– Sorry, Masao-san... – Amaya apologized immediately and looked over her shoulder for a moment, in the man's direction – But I'd rather not talk about that.
– Ah, no problem, I was just curious – He said, still with his wide smile.
And once again, silence fell over us. It was almost late afternoon and we probably only had a few hours left until we reached our destination.
But before we could leave the large forest around us, Amaya stopped, making all of us do the same. She raised her hand, keeping her fist closed, indicating we should wait.
I looked in Takafumi's direction and saw he had a milder, but still sullen, expression. I looked around, trying to see if there was anything strange or identify why the redhead had stopped suddenly.
At that moment, she turned to us and looked in sensei's direction.
– Someone's coming – She warned in a low voice – And fast, towards us.
Just like Amaya, who had her hand on the hilt of her wakizashi, I brought my hand to the tantō on my back. Takafumi left his hand next to the pouch where he carried his kunai and shuriken.
Sensei had his eyes in the direction Amaya said someone was approaching. Shikaku made a gesture for us to relax and soon a figure in Konoha's clothes appeared before us.
The man's clothes were slightly torn and he had some injuries on his face, as well as his arms. He briefly alternated his gaze between us and then approached sensei. They exchanged a few words and the Nara turned his eyes to us.
– Change of plans – Sensei announced – Rest near the river, I'll be back soon – We nodded.
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We helped Masao with all the luggage he was carrying and stopped a few meters from the river. I helped the man get settled with the bags he had and sighed tiredly as I sat on the ground.
Feels like I've been walking for days, I complained. Am I that out of shape? But when I looked at Takafumi, I saw he looked almost as exhausted as I was.
– Damn it... – I heard Masao complain under his breath and looked in his direction.
– Something wrong? – I asked.
– Ah, no – He said quickly – Just realized my canteens are empty.
– I can get some, if you want – Amaya offered and approached us.
– Oh, are you sure it's not abusing your help? – Masao asked, keeping his gaze fixed on the redhead.
– The river can't be more than twenty meters from here – She commented calmly – And I seem to be the least tired one here.
– Sure, it's easy to play the leader... – Takafumi said quietly, but we all heard it clearly.
– Is that alright with you, Masao-san? – Amaya asked, completely ignoring Takafumi's comment.
– Yes, yes, of course... – He handed the two canteens he had to my sister.
She quickly disappeared from our sight, heading towards the sound of the flowing river. Good thing she's patient with everything, I thought and let out a heavy sigh.
– Are they always like this? – Masao asked me suddenly, in a lower voice, and I gave a weak laugh.
– Not as much as today, but yes – He gave a weak laugh too – Can I ask you something, Masao-san? – The man looked at me and nodded.
– Sure.
– What exactly do you do for work? – I questioned him – I mean, I can't imagine what would make someone carry so much luggage – Masao laughed.
– Let's just say I travel through the villages looking for valuable items.
– Valuable items? – I asked, my curiosity piqued – What kind?
– Shisui...! – I heard Takafumi call me with a weak, slightly worried voice.
When I looked at him, I saw him with his eyes half-closed. He fell sideways to the ground and didn't seem to be able to move. I tried to get up, but my legs wouldn't obey. What...
My vision started to get blurry and I felt myself losing control of my whole body. I fell to the ground just like Takafumi. I tried to speak, but my mouth wouldn't obey. Were we drugged? When did that happen?
I tried to force my body to stay awake, but whatever they used was effective. Someone stopped in front of me and lifted my chin, making me see their face. It can't be...!
Amaya Uzumaki POV
After offering to get water for Masao, I headed in the direction of the river near where we had stopped.
I approached the bank of the stream, where the crystal-clear water flowed freely. I knelt down and let out a heavy sigh.
I leaned over the river's edge while filling the first canteen. What could have happened for sensei to be called away by that jounin? I wondered. Some emergency with another team around here? Or maybe some problem because of the war?
And as if Takafumi's hateful looks weren't enough, Masao had to ask about my hair, making me think about the reason I'm like this, making me remember that lab...
I shook my head quickly and pushed away those complicated thoughts. I just need to think about the client's safety and finish this mission, I decided. Nothing else.
I dropped the first full canteen beside me and picked up the second one, which seemed to still have a little water in it. As soon as I opened its lid, I heard the sound of some bushes moving near where I was.
I let the canteen fall to the ground and grabbed a kunai, quickly throwing it in the direction of the sound. At that moment, a few squirrels ran out from the bushes, scattering.
I let out a low sigh and closed the leg pouch from which I had taken the kunai moments before. I turned my eyes back to the canteen I had dropped. Some of the remaining water had spilled out, wetting it.
Good thing I hadn't filled it yet, I mused. When I went to fill it, I paused for a moment, sensing a very faint smell of something familiar. A slightly sweet smell that gave me chills.
I brought the canteen's opening closer to my face. I shook the canteen subtly and the smell became stronger for a moment. I dropped the object as if it were dangerous, and indeed, what was in it was.
A sedative. The smell is similar to the ones they used in the lab when we were out of the tanks. Good thing I didn't drink any of this...
But it was seconds later that it hit me.
This canteen is Masao's and he offered it earlier to Shisui and Takafumi to drink... He drugged them!
Before I could stand up, since I was still near the river's edge, I could see my reflection there. Behind me, I saw a man approaching stealthily.
I spun my body, kicking my foot into his legs, making him fall to the ground from the sudden blow. As soon as I hit the man, I threw a smoke bomb between us. He grunted softly from the fall and I got up, running as fast as I could away from him.
There was only one thing that had been bothering me about our mission up to that point, and it had nothing to do with the argument that happened because of me, but because of Masao.
When I picked up that piece of paper he dropped for him, I only read a few words of what was there: Yomi, Kumanoi, Wasabi, Kodon, Taruho...
The paper contained several names, some crossed out and a few unmarked. All names of clans, from various countries and villages. And the names Uchiha and Uzumaki had a marked highlight. But since I didn't know what it was about, I didn't pay much attention at the time.
But now Masao's behavior when we told him about our clans makes sense, his excitement and curiosity about us..., I pondered.
But what could he want with people from different clans? If it were just his interest in the Uchiha clan, maybe it would be for the Sharingan. But what about the Uzumaki clan? What does my clan have that sparks Masao's interest, or whoever he is?
As soon as I got close to where Masao and my team had been, I took my wakizashi in hand. I appeared quickly and looked around, seeing only Shisui and Takafumi unconscious on the ground, but without any sign of other people.
I heard the sound of branches breaking behind me and turned, lunging towards whoever it was, but stopped when I saw Shikaku-sensei there.
– Amaya... – He said and looked over my shoulder, towards Shisui and Takafumi – What's going on?
– Sensei, the... – I started to explain, but stopped.
I gripped the hilt of my wakizashi tighter and struck a blow against the man in front of me. He barely managed to escape a fatal strike, but I made a wide cut across his belly.
He put a hand over the cut and staggered a few steps away from me. I held my sword in front of me, on guard, ready for any movement from the man. It's the same man who tried to attack me at the river, I confirmed.
– You bitch... – He complained and undid his transformation – How did you know?
– Shikaku-sensei wouldn't have arrived making so much noise – I explained – And he would have complained first. Besides, I already memorized your chakra.
– Oh... – I heard a voice behind me and looked out of the corner of my eye in its direction, seeing Masao there with a satisfied smile – It seems the rumors about the tracking abilities of the Uzumaki clan members are true. I'm just surprised you managed to figure out about the sedative cocktail in the water.
– The sweet smell... – I said while alternating my attention between the two men – It's impossible to mistake it once you get used to smelling it.
– Interesting... – Masao said, and the smile disappeared from his expression – I didn't imagine you would be the most troublesome of the three.
– Sorry to disappoint you – I replied cynically.
At that moment, the man I had cut in the belly lunged at me to attack. I tried to defend myself initially from his blows until I had some certainty of his strength, which, by the way, was considerable for his size.
– Did you at least figure out what our line of work is? – Masao asked a little later.
He must be playing with me..., I wanted to shout my thought while defending against a heavy attack from the man in front of me.
– It seems you're not very willing to talk – Masao continued with a faint smile – Then let me explain. Let's just say we're like hunters of rare specimens – He said calmly – We travel the country looking for members of special clans, or ones our clients want.
Looking for members of special clans? I thought. What is he talking about? What could he want with these people, or rather, with us?
– Wondering what we're after? It's very simple: Your bodies, of course! – He announced excitedly – Do you have any idea how much the facial markings of an Inuzuka clan member can be worth? Or the sharp teeth of a Hozuki clan member? – The man stared at me – But the most valuable specimens are from clans that are almost extinct – His eyes were fixed on me – Clans like yours and the Hatake clan. A lock of your red hair, for example, or the platinum hair of the Hatakes, can be worth thousands of ryo to the right buyer. As for members of clans like the Uchihas and the Hyuugas... – He glanced briefly in Shisui's direction – Their eyes have no limit to their value, and everyone is willing to kill to have them.
My blood boiled in my body. Human traffickers, I determined. There are people... No. Sick monsters with that level of sadism?
– You're sick... – I said with all the disgust I felt at that moment.
– I'm a visionary, my dear Amaya-chan – Masao said calmly – And you will come with me, just like your friends.
In a quick movement, I dodged a blow from Masao's henchman and cut his forearm, making him stop his attacks. When I went to lunge towards Masao, I saw him open a wide smile and prepared for any attack from him.
But unlike what I expected, all I felt was a minimal pain in the back of my neck. A blindside attack, I turned my eyes towards where I felt it came from. There was someone else hiding... Damn it...
My body staggered and I could barely stay on my feet. I put my hand on my neck and pulled out the small dart that had hit me. This drug is stronger than the one they used on Shisui and Takafumi...
If it weren't for my abnormal resistance to any kind of drug from what I went through in the lab, and my own insistence on not losing consciousness, I wouldn't have fallen so easily.
I noticed the expression of surprise and clear amusement on Masao's face upon seeing me still awake. Feeling a shiver run down my spine, I immediately dodged and another dart passed by, hitting the ground instead of me this time.
However, although I was still awake, I was lethargic from the drug spreading. The man who had attacked me at the river came to me and I couldn't even defend myself from him, soon being held and hit by whoever was in the shadows helping Masao with more darts.
This time, I felt the complete loss of my muscles and my body gave way. Before I hit the ground, I felt that same enemy holding me so I wouldn't fall; my consciousness fading against my will.
– We can't let any marks get on her face – Masao reminded his companion – If we're lucky, we can sell her alive.
I tried to move my body, but it no longer responded. I could only move my eyes slightly towards where Shisui and Takafumi lay unconscious. Nii-san... Takafumi... I'm sorry...
Masao stopped in front of me. My vision was darkening and I could barely stay conscious. The man lifted my face, forcing me to look at him. His sadistic smile was the last thing I could glimpse before losing my senses completely.