Mending The Past To A Better Future

Chp. 23 Divisor {Part - 1}

+*+*+

In her original timeline, Naruto hadn't had a chance to face Danzo and confront him for his actions, but she knew Sasuke had. It had been some sort of defining test for him, put into motion by Obito. It had been a feat that evil Obito had been surprised by, and Naruto's whole body feels like it's on stand by as Kagami welcomes Danzo and his Root lackeys in.

Shisui is visibly rigid across the table, and Naruto lands a quick kick to his shin for good measure to get him to loosen up when she's just as bad as he is. Kakashi doesn't understand the gravity of the situation as much as the other two do, but it's clear he's on guard as well from the way his gunmetal gray eyes steel over like a sword and shield. Rin's pale, and Naruto would like for nothing more than to shun-shin her out of there, but chances are that Danzo's Root has already taken a headcount.

It's as good a time as any to make way with Rin, as the only adult present is someone who isn't legally cleared for the knowledge about her jinchuuriki status.

"Danzo-sama!" Kagami exclaims from the front door. "What brings you by?"

"Uchiha-san," Danzo's reply is curt. "It has come to my attention that Team Minato is here." Their footsteps thunder down the hallway as they round the corner into the dining room, and Itachi deceptively picks up a clump of rice and chews slowly, prompting Shisui and Rin to do the same. Kakashi only crosses his hands under his chin, and Naruto reaches for her cup of water and takes a much needed sip. They might as well be actors. Playing the part to put on a show.

Obito gets the hint and brings a steady slice of beef to his mouth, biting off the tender flesh. His eyes are as serious as Naruto has seen though, a daring glint shining off his orange goggles.

"Yes," Kagami says. "We're here to celebrate their recovery after their mission from Kirigakure, as well as a sort of send off for the girls. They'll be traveling very soon."

As Danzo comes into view, Naruto's hand unconsciously clenches around the round glass, and she fights to keep a scolding on her face.

When Danzo sees her, a sneer paints his features like he's looking at the mud on the bottom of his shoe. "Good evening," he says stiffly, his hands clasped together under the long sleeves of his creme robes. "I'm glad to see you've returned safely from your mission, Team Minato."

Somehow, Naruto doesn't believe that all, but all she does is calmly drink another mouthful of soup, ready to behave as unaffected as one can.

And unfortunately, Danzo can take interest in anyone in this room.

Itachi, Shisui, Kagami, Obito, and Kakashi all have the Sharingan, and that alone is enough to catch the warhawk's eyes. Naruto isn't an open book but there is animosity between them from the original council meeting that decided Naruto's place in Konoha. And no doubt, the very reason for Danzo being here is Rin.

This notion is only made clearer when Danzo manages to skillfully ignore everyone else in the room in favor of zoning in on the brunette girl, who has managed to have a rather large target painted on her back in a span of a week.

"Are you Rin Nohara?" Danzo asks pleasantly enough as his two Root guards come to stand besides him like ever intimidating statues.

"That's me," Rin agreed, her brown eyes wary after Naruto's warning.

"I have spoken with Lord Third concerning your... condition after the events of your mission to Kirigakure. I must ask that you accompany me back to the Hokage Tower."

There was pin-drop silence and Naruto's pulse spiked up a few notches. Even when she wasn't trying, she could see the malicious intent in Danzo's chakra presence, and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.