Onyx Eyes (A Sasuke Uchiha Story)

39: Freedom

I sat down at the kitchen table, I was in the akatsuki still. I would be out tomorrow, and I decided to go back home.
I started thinking about my jutsus. They were weak, so I knew many to make them each seem strong. I was probably as strong as Naruto and Sakura. They couldn’t have made more or less progress than I. This news still blew my mind. I tried for two years, and I still hadn’t satisfied my chakra limit. I sighed. I took a swig of my water, looking down at the table. I clenched my fist, then slammed it onto the table. Hard. The table shook, a crack forming where I had hit.
“Careful, that cost money.” I heard Kakuzu growl, walking in.
“Sorry.” I muttered.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“A penny for my thoughts.” I grinned.
“Never mind, then.” He frowned.
“It’s fine. I’ll tell you. I think I’m weak.” I replied.
“You’re not.” he said, shaking his head.
“What do you mean?” I asked, I was curious.
“You learned two elements in months. In less than a year. That’s a really useful thing. Granny Chinatsu saved you years of hard work. All you need to do is practice on your jutsu.” Kakuzu explained. I bit my lip and nodded, I took out a sac of money and put it on the table. I pushed it over to him.
“Here. My going away present. Or, whatever they call them.” I said, then got up and left. I walked into my room and grabbed my stuff, including my Akatsuki cloak. I put the cloak in my suit case, then walked out. I looked around, realization hit me. I ran over and grabbed my journal. It was for my stay at the Akatsuki. I sat on my bed and opened it, reading the page where I first came in. My eyes curiously scanned the words.
“My first day in the Akatsuki sucked. They tried testing my abilities by making me fight Deidara. I, of course, lost. And I was put into a coma. It didn’t last long, a read headed nurse helped me out. I wonder if she was forced to be their nurse, or if she actually got paid. She was probably forced. I feel bad for her. I’m going to go now, because apparently I have to see Pein, the leader, in the livingroom. He wants me to train or something. Bye.” I read in my mind, I shook my head. I put my journal in my pack and put it on my back, the weight was nothing. I’ve carried heavier things. For instance, Kakuzu’s dead bodies. Gross. I also learned how to deal with the smell of rotting flesh. It was kind of disturbing. Well, really disturbing.
I got up and put my pack near the entrance of the cave. I turned and went back inside the base, going to the livingroom.
“Okay, my stuff is by the door. Touch it, and I’ll kill you.” I said, my eyes showed I meant it. Everyone nodded. I had gained respect when I showed I could kick some ass, I just needed a little push.
I went outside and looked at some scrolls, I still had much difficulty with element jutsu. I didn’t really master them, I just didn’t suck at them. I was okay, if you asked me. I started training, then stopped as a thought hit me.
I would need as much chakra as I could muster for tomorrow. I immediately stopped training and walked inside, I lay on my bed and tried to go to sleep.
When I awoke, I got up and left a note on the counter that said I was gone. They knew where to find me, I didn’t have to write any of that useless information down. I didn’t want to, anyways. But, they were good at tracking. I don’t need to give them directions.
I started walking, I saw a team pass by that I remembered. Gai’s team. I quickly hid behind a tree and put on a wig, something I had bought previously to hide my appearance. I put on a fake ANBU mask from Hoshigakure that I had found, and put on ANBU gear. I put my pack on and started walking.
“I sense strong chakra over here.” I heard Neji speak, Hinata’s cousin. I kept on walking like it was nothing, Gai’s team walked and stopped when they saw me.
“It’s only an ANBU.” Tenten said, shooting Neji a glare.
“Really, Neji, you need to practice on your Byakugan.” Lee commented, I rolled my eyes from under my mask and started walking a little quicker. They didn’t know why, though. I just didn’t want them to recognize me. I was considered an S-ranked criminal right now, since I was in the Akatsuki. I had no idea how they could call me S-ranked when I considered myself so weak.
I got up in the trees and started hopping them, thinking about their reaction to my coming home.
Tsunade would have to let me in, I mean come on. I was forced. But she wasn’t one to change her mind, she would probably tell me I would have to do something to come back in. Which, honestly, sucked. But I could offer to give her information on the akatsuki.
I mentally cussed when I realized they always hid things from me, they knew I would come to this option. I should really stop doubting these guys. They were smarter than they seemed.
I stopped when I realized I was in the Land Hidden in the Mist. Konohagakure was a couple hours away. I heard something while through the air, and moved just in the knick of time. A kunai just whirled passed me, my eyes widened in shock. I looked to see where the kunai had come from, and saw a girl. She turned to look left to right, her eyes through her mask not meeting mine. I took off my mask to get a better view, the ANBU mask gave me no peripheral vision. I took off the blonde wig, as well. I took off the ANBU gear, it was hard to move in. She wouldn’t recognize me, so I didn’t care if my disguise was down.
I threw a kunai right back at the girl, she moved out of the way, I noticed her mask was a tracker mask. She had short brown hair.
She turned to look at me, she dodged the kunai like it was nothing.
My expression hardened. She was obviously not stupid.
I threw more kunai at her, which she dodged easily. I threw groups.
This girl confused me, why did she throw a kunai at me, then dodge all my attacks back? She should be fighting back.
I snarled, then charged at the masked girl.