10. Reunion

The reason i didn't mind staying for another week with the Akatsuki -despite my actions and words towards Yahiko that said otherwise- was because the bridge to my goal was here, in Amegakure. I had my doubts but the constant act of being watched and stared at decreases the amount of suspicions that occured in my mind. The one to always hide in the shadows and incredibly untraceable, no one other than Zetsu that crossed my mind.

It wasn't enough to clear all of my doubts away. Why would he be here, in this village watching me? Or maybe it wasn't me that he was actually looking, maybe it was someone close. So i made my own assumption and concluded- if Madara had implanted his Rinnegan on Nagato, then the possibility that he would send someone to watch over it was undeniably understandable. At this time around, i believed that only Zetsu could take the job as i remembered how incapacitated Madara was.

I was aware how Zetsu had put their interest in me after countless of attempts to call out for them. However this time, i included their name and it turned out well as they had appeared in front of me- with only their upper half visible from the ground. He had to tilt his head up to meet my eyes as i looked at him from above.

Their glowing eyes contemplating me,"What made you think that we'll oblige to your words?" The black Zetsu took his turn to speak. "For all i know you could be an enemy."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out a believable excuse, "I will assist in whatever Uchiha Madara wish for. I know he's planning something and that he's alive."

"You know a lot kid. Very interesting." White Zetsu chuckled in response, "Too bad that we can't trust you but maybe, if you tell us how you-"

"That's not for you to decide. Whether you can trust me or not is all up to him." I cut him off with my own stern tone, "If Uchiha Madara decides that i'm not trustworthy and wishes for my death, i'll gladly comply."

Zetsu tilted their head to the side, "So you're saying that we have nothing to lose?" White Zetsu paused, staring deeply at me, "What do you think?" Asked the white to the black.

Black Zetsu took a brief silence before he answered, "Hmm..Eventhough we already have another brat to be a part of our plan, i guess it doesn't hurt to have another one. But whatever it is, let Madara-sama decides for him." He said with a raspy voice.

"Then.." Zetsu nodded at me, signalling me to continue.

When i think they're finally cooperating, i started to rubbed my pocket, then slidded out a piece of paper that was folded into a smaller size. A memory of asking Konan about this flashed through my mind. She did ask me what i needed it for but honesty wasn't everything. When i realised how damped the paper was from the rain, i had to recheck the contents and it was still readable. I sighed in relief and handed it to him.

"And that is?"

"A summoning scripture. When Uchiha Madara wants to summon me, i do hope you inform me beforehand. I'll prepare a shadow clone so the Akatsuki wouldn't be suspicious." I finished as i left the note on Zetsu's palm. "I'll be waiting."

"Although I want to ask you more-" Zetsu closed their fist, "-But I guess we'll be back then.. Either to kill you, or recruit you." Black Zetsu added before they disappeared into the ground, leaving only the dripping sounds of rain to accompany me that evening.

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As my eyes squeezed open, i took the count to three to finally lift my body into a seated position. My view changed towards the small opening, trying to figure out if my nap took longer than what i'd planned to. However, the building facing the window covered everything, preventing me to see what's beyond. I got up from my bed when i finally felt sober, hands tying my hair that had grown longer above my shoulders into a small ponytail. Then i went towards the medium-sized hall that consisted of only vacant chairs and leftover drinks. I scanned around and found no one, not even the usual presented Konan. Later, i proceeded outside to the entrance. I tilted my head up towards the sky.

Even if the sun rose, Amegakure can only potray the same unchanged colour of dull grey sky. It was as if the sun doesn't exist here as the clouds gathered to cover its usual light. The rain that fell was only a drizzle but even so, there was no sign of it stopping.

Soon a familiar figure entered my sight, running from the nearest forest. He stopped in front of me, bending to his knees and catching his breath.

"What's wrong, Kie-san? Where is everyone else?" I started, earning his serious look.

"We've been attacked. Leave the base, Guren. The enemies are targeting this place." He said, in between his breath.

"Attacked?"

"Yeah, i've come to get you. It seems like there are those who are unsatisfied with how we run things around here." Kie briefly explained, "Do you have anything to bring with you?"

I shook my head, signalling none. "Where are the others?"

"We were ambushed. Let's get out of here, i'll explain more." He finished, running into the forest as i followed from behind.

"Where are we heading, Kie-san?"

"Away from those guys." Kie lowered his pace to match mine. "They told me to protect you. It's alright, you're safe with me." Said the man, brimming with confidence and concern for his comrades.

I didn't like how they decide things for me. But i didn't want to get involve and die before i even meet Madara. Then again, i did owe them my life. My pace started to slow down and eventually, i came to a halt. Kie noticed my behaviour as he did just the same and walked closer to me. "What's wrong? They'll be here in any minutes."

"Please bring me to where Konan-san is." I said.

Hearing my ridiculous request, Kie raised his eyebrows with his eyes widened, "What are you thinking, Guren? That's the place where we must avoid at all cost. Besides, they can manage, we just have to trust them."

I didn't think of merely helping. Aside from what i owe them, i was mostly thinking about how i can further test my abilities. It has been awhile since i've truly gotten used to be doing nothing. Yahiko prevented me from training since i just recovered. He needed me to stay in full health for if i want to return to Konoha. I can't stay the way i am, or at least what i'd thought. "Kie-san, please."

"No, it's too dangerous." His hands both gripping my shoulders. "What could you do in that situation?"

His hands gestures bothered me but i didn't brush it off, "Trust me Kie-san. I'm not like the other children you can find, i know you're aware of that." Convinced me.

Kie pursed his lips, eyes brazenly staring at mine as if he was studying me. After what felt like hours, he lowered his gaze, sighing in defeat. "Even if i tell you no, you're not going to listen aren't you?" Our gazes met and i didn't utter word after that. "Alright, let's head there."

"Thank you, Kie-san."

"I'm going to get lectured by Yahiko-san later," He whined, running in the direction towards east. "Do you have weapons?"

"Yes." I glanced at the piece of paper on my right armguard, the contents on it were a sealing technique scriptures where i had kept all of my weapons there- shurikens and kunais. All but my Wakizashi that i lost during my fight with the assassin.

As we ran passed the trees and into the clearing, my eyes caught Yahiko and the others. They were fighting some unfamiliar shinobis, just as Kie had told earlier. When we arrived, Kie lifted his arm in front of me, stopping me from advancing as he accessed the situation. "Be careful, Guren. I really do hope you don't get involved at all but i guess it's useless. I'll go first." Kie said as he took out the Kunai from his pouch and joined the battlefield.

I summoned my own Kunai as a small puffed of smoke came out with it. It was unfortunate that i couldn't retrieve my Wakizashi but any weapons are deadly if the user is good. My focus turned towards the battle, accessing and figuring out what to do instead of blindly getting into the fight. It seemed like the fight wasn't one-sided. Just as Kie had stated, they really can manage themselves. I activated my Sharingan as it landed on an Akatsuki member and his opponent. When i noticed he was in a disadvantage, i immediately throw shurikens at his enemy while i ran towards him, guarding him from being sliced apart with a Kunai to parry the attack. "Guren! What are you doing here?"

As if battling on strength alone, i withstood his push. My eyes focused on the opponent as they met with his eyes. Suddenly, the enemy's strength weakened and he fell on his face, creating a small thud.

The Akatsuki member had his jaw dropped, "Wh-what happened?"

"Genjutsu." I replied nonchalantly as i looked around, staying on guard. It has been awhile since i'd performed Genjutsu by using Sharingan. "Stay alert." I warned, getting on my stance when another shinobi approached us.

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All i did was using Genjutsu and a bit Taijutsu, but everyone that approached me had fallen to the ground. I couldn't help thinking that there weren't any jounin level shinobi. I noticed how their forehead protector was that of Amegakure's except that they had it crossed as a symbol of rebellion. They must've been on the opposition side. The ones that fell unconscious were tied up, most of them ended up with only minor injuries. When everyone was finished, i noticed how Yahiko had his eyes landed on me with a frown on his face.

"Kie! I thought i told you to take Guren away." Yahiko walked towards the brunette.

Kie pursed his lips, eyes looking away, "Well.."

"It's alright Yahiko-san, i was the one insisted." I interrupted, "Anyway, are these all of them?"

Yahiko took a brief silence, before a sigh escaped from his mouth. He pinched the bridge of his nose, "No, Konan and Nagato are heading towards the base. Let's wait for them here."

"Aren't we going to help them?"

"They're going to be fine. We still need to take care of these." He said, looking at the shinobis, before he turned towards me, "Letting you away from the base and this is just to avoid conflict." I was curious but i didn't ask further as he had continued himself, "You're a Konoha nin. If they ever found out, your life will be in danger."

I touched my forehead protector lightly, maybe i should take this off?

"But anyway, you're surprisingly strong." He smiled wryly, "I would've wanted you to stay longer with us but you must've had a family at Konoha- else it would be like kidnapping you."

'Family..' Father's face flashed through my mind.

"Nagato and Konan agreed too. They seem to take a liking to you. If you get back to Konoha, i hope you don't grow up forgetting us."

"Wait, does that mean you have a plan to get me back?"

Yahiko nodded, "Yeah. I'll explain to you after we finish this." Said the man as he ruffled my hair, then he walked to his other subordinates.

"Hey, brat." A raspy voice called out from behind. I turned around only to meet nothing but the landscape, "Down here."

My eyes lowered to the ground, looking towards the voice. What had appeared before me was Zetsu's head. Apparently, he was trying to stay hidden from the eyes of the people around. "Have you come to kill me?" I asked, head tilting downwards, "Or have you come to agree with my assistance?"

"Don't be impatient. Madara-sama wants to meet you. I guess that's when he'll decide whether to kill you or not."

"I see." My head turned slightly to my right as i stole a glance towards the members of Akatsuki behind me. They were still busy tying the enemies and cleaning up the place. I shifted my view towards Zetsu again, "Alright." I nodded as i walked behind a big tree, weaving the signs to create a shadow clone. "Let's go." I finished after making sure that my clone had went towards the others.

A pile of smoke covered my eyes, briefly blinding me as i squeezed it and blinked a few times to get a clear view. I was in the dark, illuminated only by the dim light that came from the big entrance. Standing next to me was a white zetsu, different than the one that appeared in Amegakure. He had a face with a swirling pattern to the right eye eventhough he owned none- that spot remained only a hole. With his appearance imbedded in my mind, i immediately assumed that he was Tobi.

"Were you the one to claim yourself as Uchiha Shirai?" A deep, husky voice spoke. I instinctively looked towards his direction. When the smoke was completely cleared, i came to notice a figure- standing in front of me with a cane to support him. My eyes widened in surprise as joy took me over. I knew who exactly he was even if he was different. He was no doubt, Uchiha Madara.

Madara shot a disdainful look, causing me to flinch. His eyes narrowed in authority, demanding me to answer him.

I realised that i've kept him wait. "Yes." Was my short response.

Although seemingly unsatisfied, he spoke again, "Uchiha Shirai is long dead along with his brother, Uchiha Izuna."

I bit my lips, a tint of sadness enveloped my heart. His reaction was within my expectation, no one would believe a dead person to be alive. Not to mention Shirai and Guren both have different appearances. I knew Madara won't be able to believe me but i didn't have any other choices.

"Elder brother, Uchiha Shirai's health deteriorated and he died uselessly in his bed- unable to prove his worth. He let Izuna died of all people and he left his older brother. He becomes nothing but a useless shinobi."

Madara was listening attentively, although his eyes were as cold as ice. The atmosphere was heavy as i found myself intimidated by his stare. "I know it's hard to believe but i ended up in this new life with my memories intact. Elder brother, if you don't trust me than it's alright but please, let me pay for my mistakes." I said with a slightly trembled hands as it felt sticky- covered with sweat. His piercing gaze made me still, only waiting for his next words with a hope that i don't anger him.

I peered over Madara's appearance, he looked different than the last time i'd seen him. The sight where he had attached himself to the Gedo Mazo, relying only on Hashirama's cells to live, saddened me. His body was as thin as a skeleton and his hair that used to be as black as the raven turned grey- the colour of old age. He looked so old, so tired, lifeless.

Our eyes met for the longest time i can count as if the world had frozen. I was very uncomfortable with his stare. That cold stare that he used to cast only to his enemies. That was when i realised, any wrong steps could really lead me an instant death. Eventhough, that was how the situation seemed to me, Madara had not spoken a word. He kept his eyes on me, studying my every gestures.

I almost couldn't breathe under that pressure, so i decided to speak again, "I.. hate myself. I tell myself over and over that i am useless. Remember when i told you that i'm fine despite what i looked like? I kept lying to Izuna, to you." My eyes lowered on the ground as i clenched my fist tight, "I made so many excuses. I couldn't grant Izuna's request of teaching him anymore. I.. have to redeem myself somehow. And i've always wanted to meet you, elder brother." I didn't dare to meet his eyes again. I frowned with my eyes closed, ready for whatever comes ahead.

Just like before, i didn't hear any response. Later i heard he shifted, his steps getting further away. I tilted my head up, looking towards the man who was now sitting on the stone chair.

His eyes were glued on me and so as mine. Then with a gesture of closing his eyes, he finally broke the silence.

"You took a long detour--"

He paused, opening his eyes once again.

"-- Shirai."

My eyes widened in surprise, tears welled up as i bit my lips. Perhaps being in the body of a child caused the tears to immediately come out that evening. I was embarrassed but i was glad most of all.