Chapter 17: Internal Battles

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"Apparently, Akatsuki is a legitimate but an unknown medical group. They are backed by Tokyo Government itself and was commissioned to investigate fields regarding Transhumanism. Such fields include Genetic Research and Modification as well as Biotechnology and Viral Weaponry. Aside from that, they are also said to be operated from the shadows by an underground entity known only as The Rinnegan. As of now, no details regarding their members are privy to public knowledge. Even their location is unknown. It is said that they control half of the International Organizations and command not only political but economic powers. The reason they are elusive to the masses is precisely because of these connections." A red-haired man said as he casually sipped his coffee. His voice was deep and powerful. And despite the tense atmosphere, there's a degree of casualty and calmness that made his appearance sophisticated and professional.

He was a tall man with a soft shiny red hair reaching down his waist. He's muscular but lean and commanded elegance even by just the way he sat. His pristine white suit matched perfectly against his perfectly bronzed skin. And his piercing green eyes were calculating yet warm and soft as he looked sympathetically at the writer across him.

"And? What else Kyuubi? What do they want with Sasuke? Why is Sakura involved with them? Why are they demanding for him now? There has to be more! You have to know more!" Naruto inquired, his voice unusually strained and harsh.

"Hey, don't use that attitude on me, you little pipsqueak! I have to cancel a lot of appointments to attend to your problems. Unlike you who's swimming in cash, I have to make ends meet. Besides, Shikamaru already did what he could. It wasn't easy hacking government files, even more so when they're heavily monitored and encrypted. All other lines of investigations went dead. Even my best spy network couldn't find anything." Though the tone was harsh, Kyuubi's features were gentle, as if he understood the man before him.

Naruto's head hung low as exhaustion took over him. Suddenly, his shoulders felt heavy and the world around him blurring.

"I'm sorry, Kyuu-chan, but with Sasuke disappearing, I'm not just in the mood for pleasantries right now."

"I thought the police is already taking care of it? Just relax for a bit and we'll solve this issue of yours. They might have a good legal basis but don't forget, you're still the legal guardian."

Naruto's eyes shone for a moment before staring dully at his cup. It's as if hope was conjured even briefly but was suddenly taken away.

"It was only a verbal agreement. Technically, I am not the birth parent. Besides, Sakura just left him on my arms without saying anything else and left."

"Don't look so down, kit. I'll protect you. After all, you're the only one I have left." He reached out to place a comforting hand on Naruto's head. Naruto's hands instinctively gripped his wrist for support and pressed tightly.

"I hope they'll find him Kyuubi, I don't know what I'd do without him." Naruto's face tightened as he fought back tears. Emotionally drained from his son's disappearance, and equally drained by the new turn of events, he felt lost in an arena with an opponent who controls even the government itself.

A deep sigh emitted from Kyuubi's immaculate lips as he came closer upon the man. He hugged the writer and comforted the man who have become his life and his very salvation.

Meanwhile…

Two dull black eyes blinked. As they took their surroundings, the owner suddenly jerked up in alarm.

"Easy, Sasuke. You're in safe hands."

Sasuke's head instantly turned to the source of the voice, his eyes widening upon seeing his teacher.

"Kakashi…" The elder frowned. He gently placed the orange book he was holding upon the nightstand and sat beside his student.

"Maa… You still haven't learned to respect your elders. But at least you're calmly sitting here instead of throwing a fit."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He could not remember how he ended up here in the first place. Feeling a bit alarmed, he inched away and glared at his teacher.

"How did I end up in your place, Kakashi? You better explain yourself right now or I'll file kidnapping charges!"

The other shook his head and stood up.

"Don't talk like that, Sasuke-kun. After all, you were the one who bumped into me. My poor grocery… I'll have your father pay for them you know." He smiled jokingly despite the threat as he glanced back at his still glowering student.

But at that instant, too, Sasuke's expression changed. He was more contemplative. And finally, after a brief moment of silence, his eyes widened as he remembered why he was here.

Flashback

Sasuke ran away from his father. It hurt. His chest raced, his mind spun and his legs shook. But it didn't matter. He had to get away from the man who claimed to be his father.

He didn't know what to think. Was he taken away just to play a sick game of house with this total stranger? What did Naruto do to his parents? What did he intend to do with him?

A sick feeling of betrayal and being used crept up to him. And he was filled with anger. It didn't matter where he was going. As long as his feet took him away from him… away from that thief.

He was so absorbed in his feelings that he didn't see the man coming. And a sharp pain on his back and a large crashing sound woke him from his reverie.

"I'm sorry, are you alright?"

He looked up and saw that it was his teacher, Kakashi.

"Woah! You're a mess, Sasuke what happened?" Sasuke could do nothing but reached out to the man and sobbed on his chest. Perhaps it was confusion, or his anger finally rushing that he could no longer control himself. And his pride took a slight push backward as he allowed himself to be rocked gently to sleep by the comforting arms of his teacher.

End of Flashback

"Naruto! That idiot." He exclaimed loudly, his hatred somewhat ebbing but he could still feel a mild irritation coursing through himself.

Kakashi's head turned in curiosity.

"Why? Did something happen between you two?" Kakashi's concern was not unfounded. He knew how volatile the two's relationship is.

Hearing this, Sasuke immediately regained his composure.

"No, nothing happened. So leave me alone!"

Kakashi's eyes curved as if to show he was smiling.

"Your reaction tells me otherwise. Come Sasuke. You know you can confide in me. Who knows? I might just be able to help. After all, I did play a bit of a matchmaker between you two!"

Sasuke's cheeks turned pink.

"You bastard! Just shut up about it!"

Kakashi's smile widened as if giddy about something.

"Well, if you put it that way, I'll just call him and ask him to pick you up. If nothing's going on, surely, he'd want to be with his adorable son wouldn't he?" His teacher prepared to take out his mobile phone before Sasuke reached out and stopped him.

"Fine, there is a small problem. But I'm not willing to talk about it right now. Would it be okay if…" He hesitated for a bit but continued, as if realizing that he still had no idea of how to confront his father. "How would I put this. We're having a bit of an argument. Can I stay here for a while until I'm ready to face him?"

Kakashi frowned and frankly, he was taken aback. It's not a common event that Sasuke swallowed his pride and ask others for assistance. To lower his pride like this, something big must have happened. He debated upon his mind if keeping Sasuke here would be a good idea. However, after a quick look at the teen's disheveled appearance, he decided that he'd let the boy stay and do some investigation on his own.

"Alright. But I'd expect to see you back on your father in a few days. You don't want to worry him too much and involve the police. Well, I'll be in the living room and prepare dinner. If you want to, you could join me for dinner."

"Thanks Kakashi. Though I appreciate the offer, I think I'm not really that hungry."

Kakashi shook his head as he walked out of the room. Before he does so however, he took a brief look at his student and paused.

"Whatever you're going through Sasuke, be sure to choose what makes you happy. And always listen to your heart. I know it's rough. But if you listen to what your heart truly wants, you'll get through it. Well, I'll be going now." Gently, he closed the door and left Sasuke to his thoughts.

The said teen was staring at the blank wall of Kakashi's rather bland home. But the lack of ornament wasn't in his mind right now. But rather, a whirlwind of emotions swirled within him. His mind was confused and couldn't simply decide how to feel about the sudden turn of events.

Still, one memory kept replaying in his mind.

Flashback

It was nighttime already. He was so happy. He and his beloved papa have finally reconciled. And what came was so sweet and so heavenly that it all made up for all the hate and heaviness that the past few years brought. Though he was still apprehensive, Naruto have been acting weird lately. Still, he could not ignore the progress that evolved their hatred into pure love.

As he went on to contemplate on their relationship, a soft beep interrupted his thoughts. He never would come to realize that the simple beep, one so innocent and unassuming, could destroy what they worked so hard to build.

Gently, he opened the laptop and was surprised to see that his father's personal account was flashing. Normally, he'd conduct transactions on his business account. Curious, Sasuke opened it and saw the subjects "Naruto, please hand him to me!" and "A Legal Notice from Akatsuki."

He opened the first conversation and what he saw drained the color from his face.

Incoming…

….RE [today]: Naruto, you monster! I loved you! I trusted you! Please give him back to me! I thought I could trust you Naruto! Even if you raised him, I'm still his mother. And I really missed him. If you won't give him back, I'll assemble the best lawyers and ruin you! I'll expose you for who you truly are you child-stealer! Please Naruto, I just want my son back. I don't want things to be ugly between us.

Outgoing… (sent yesterday)

….. I'm sorry Sakura-chan but you won't have him. I'll defend him with my life. I've raised him by myself. And I can't let you take away just because you want him now. I'm prepared to do all the legal process. I was the one who fed him, sent him to school and gave the love you could never give. I may have loved you Sakura-chan, but that was in the past. I have a new life now. And I will protect it if I have to.

…Read six more from [protecteduser][]…

Sasuke couldn't take it. His head was spinning. What is true and what is not? What's going on with that mail? Could it be? Could Sakura be his mother? He didn't know what to think. Searching for a tiniest bit of comfort, he embraced the man who he call "papa". He hugged so hard as if letting go would cause the disappearance of the man who gave him a reason to live. And after a bit of thinking, he finally remembered Naruto's words that chilled him to the core.

"And if ever we are separated, promise me you'll never forget me."

End Flashback

"Naruto… Do you really love me as you claimed? Or are you just playing with me? Why did you steal me from my mother? Why… Why did you hide me from her?" Sasuke turned and turned but despite his exhaustion, sleep would not come to him.

~To be continued~

Author's Note: Woah! I finally got around to updating my stories. I really must thank you Rainshi. I've just read your review yesterday and I finally got the inspiration to clean up this account and update it. Though looking back now, I cringe at how cheesy and rushed the previous episodes were written. Though I'm tempted to rewrite them, nobody complained about it so I guess I'll just improve on the future chapters. After all, the plot still holds water.