Expect the Unexpected Pt.3

Sasuke could barely keep himself up. With every attempted stride he would fall to his knee, crushing the soil beneath it.

As he approached the entrance to the cave there was no sign of light within. Just pure darkness. He made his way in, guiding himself by clinging to the side of its walls. The coldness grew within. The further he went, he noticed the ceiling of the cave getting lower and lower. He was no longer able to stand upright. Was it leading to a dead-end?

Short of breath, Sasuke sat down, accepting that fate may have led him here to pass on to the next life.

"Sarutobi! I know you're in there." Naru Takamori shouted from the cave's entrance. Too tired to move, Sasuke turned his head slightly in Naru's direction.

"It is a shame, Sarutobi, that you became an enemy of ours. The shame of dying at the hands of one's enemy is indescribable. Which is why... I will allow you to kill yourself in this cave. Don't make this hard by trying to escape. I don't want to kill you myself... unless you give me no choice."

Naru walked away from the cave. Sasuke smiled and closed his eyes. He felt blood leaking through his bandaged leg. He unwrapped what he had done, placing soil from the ground over his dismembered leg.

He looked back at the entrance. Someone was standing there, but it wasn't Naru. He couldn't make out who it was, his vision was completely blurred. The fuzzy shadow of a figure made its way into the cave. Sasuke, completely exhausted, just remained where he was.

"Sasuke." The figure said.

"Homura?" Sasuke questioned.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke. I'm sorry that it had to end like this."

"Why? How did you organise this?"

"Danzo asked me to help him. At first, I thought he was a lunatic, but I began to understand his vision. I will admit, I was hesitant about having you killed. But... to gain great reward you must take great risks."

"Homura..."

"That conversation you heard between me and Danzo... it was set up. It was to gain your trust in me."

"I know." Sasuke muttered.

"What?" Homura responded.

"I knew it was fake. I wanted you to believe that you had one over me."

"You never fail to surprise me, Sasuke. Even in your current condition. Well... I contacted the Takamori Fangs and asked for someone to assist you with a personal issue. A time and place were given, which led Shindai to where you killed the bandits."

"I didn't kill them." Sasuke interrupted.

"Those bandits were a poor family who sought work for money. I told them that they'd be paid for kidnapping Teyaki and keeping him hidden for a day. Which they accepted... as the money offered was too hard to turn down. After you left them, Sasuke, Shindai was put under a genjutsu... everything he saw was an illusion."

Sasuke clenched his jaw. He knew that if he hadn't got his leg caught, Danzo and Homura would be useless. He knew that his presence struck fear into them. How was he careless enough to allow himself to get caught like that?

"Sasuke... because of what Shindai saw, you lost your honour and loyalty with the Takamori Fangs. Betrayal means death. The plan was successful. Although... you did manage to escape the building... if you hadn't got trapped, I don't know what Danzo and I would have done."

"How were they able to kidnap Teyaki?"

"Danzo. He came up with the entire plan. He gave me the information needed to inform them of Teyaki's abilities and weaknesses."

Sasuke took a deep breath and sighed. Homura turned away to leave. As he did, Sasuke grabbed his ankle.

"I have countermeasures set up. Don't even think about touching Hiruzen." Sasuke grunted.

Homura, refusing to answer, kicked Sasuke's hand with his other leg. Upon being released, he made his way out of the cave. As he reached the cave's opening, he looked back inside. He paused for a moment, questioning his decision to aid Danzo's plan.

"It's too late to turn back now." Homura whispered to himself and continued to exit the cave.

"Homura!" A member of the Fangs shouted.

"What is it?" Homura responded.

"We found him. He is restrained."

"Perfect. Deliver his eyes to Danzo. Let's wrap this up."

"What shall we do with him after?"

"Kill him."