Sky Blossom

Tracking Sasuke

I arrived at the location where the large white explosion went off to find the team also arriving. I looked around at the terrain " this was a battlefield " Kiba nodded " Sasuke's scent is all over the place ...and someone else's "

Naruto arrived with Hinata and Yamato " looks like everyone gathered here. What's going on ?"

" there are indications that Sasuke was here , he fought with someone " I answered as Kakashi listened to his ninja hounds and added on " the scent belongs to the Akataski member Deidera , he must have faked his death to escape from us ...but his scent ends here "

There were more discussions about what could have transpired,  Kiba focused his senses " I got his scent , everyone follow me "

Kiba raced forward with us tailing him , the distance was long and it surprised me how quickly Sasuke was able to get so far in such a short time . Kiba suddenly frowned , Naruto asked " what's wrong ?"

"Sasuke's scent is on the move ! It's dispersing too "

Kakashi frowned " he is on to us , taking strategic actions "

Naruto did his shadow clone jutsu " I don't care how much there are , I'll find them all!" His clones went in many directions , as we also searched the places that Kiba pointed out . I spotted a small bird with something tied to its leg , I jumped and caught it before it could fly away . I slowly untied the thing around it's leg then let it go , Sakura landed beside me " what is it ?"

" fabric , likely a shirt of some kind . It probably has Sasuke's scent to confuse Kiba and the hounds " Sakura walked closer and frowned at the fabric " this is getting frustrating "

"Sasuke won't be caught easily , we knew that long before we went on this mission " Sakura nodded " The question is what do we do when we do catch him ?"  Her face was somber,  I walked up to her and hugged her " let's just focus on catching him first . I'm sure Lady Tsunade has a plan " Sakura nodded , Kiba came into view " Sora , any traces ?"

" yep . He is using fabric pieces with his scent to confuse you and the hounds " I opened my palm to show the fabric , Kiba clicked his tongue " let's find Naruto "

We joined Kiba and searched for Naruto , we found him easily just standing around " what's wrong ?" Kakashi asked Naruto , " nothing I tripped " Naruto lied . Kiba nodded " let's continue the search "

We continued and it almost seemed like a fools errand until Naruto suddenly turned " found him !" We kept running until Kiba frowned " Naruto ! Stop !"

Someone stood on the tree with a orange mask and a black cloak with clouds on them . Naruto frowned " Stop getting in my way !" Naruto tried to attack the man but he only phased through him , Kiba , Shino and even Sai attempted to attack him but he only dodged it or it phased through him . He wasn't putting up a fight or anything " Naruto enough ! He's stalling, don't entertain him !"

Naruto stopped in his tracks and glared at the man " you bastard !" , suddenly someone came out of the tree like he was growing from it . The masked man looked at him " well ?"

The guy answered " Sasuke won . Itachi Uchiha is dead " , there was silence before Sakura asked in disbelief " itachi...dead ?"

"No way!" The masked man said as his voice went deeper " just kidding,  it was expected " 

"Hey you aloe guy ! Where's Sasuke!?" Naruto demanded , the man took offense " Aloe ?!" His other half told him to ignore it . The masked man looked at us as he and the other guy phased away . Kakashi suddenly started running " we have to get to Sasuke before they do !"

We rushed after Kakashi , we came across a large area with black flames , Yamato did a jutsu to break the earth beneath it and move the flames out our path " don't touch the flames !" Kakashi called as we continued to run to the damaged building up ahead .

When we reached the battle ground  , it was empty , no sign of Sasuke nor Itachi's body . Just a large wall remaining with the Uchiha crest on it and some blood on the floor below it . The rain poured down heavily,  Hinata used her byakugan to search the area  but shook her head when Naruto asked if she saw any traces . Naruto was visibly upset and punched the wall " every time I get close , he always goes further away ..."

Kakashi walked up to me " will these circumstances work for that technique?"

I nodded,  Kakashi turned to the team " everyone , move away from the middle " , Naruto was confused " what why ?"

" just do it " Kakashi ordered , everyone moved out the way as I stepped into the middle and focused my chakra  , making the hand signs and closing my eyes " water style : rain memory jutsu "

The rain froze in place in the sky and slowly lifted back upwards and didnt fall back like it was on hold , as the splattered rain from the floor came out and turned back into droplets. The water droplets then took shape of two silhouettes , one os Sasuke and another of Itachi . The Itachi silhouette was on the floor as the Sasuke silhouette was standing against the wall , not long after his silhouette laid down beside itachi's . One new silhouette that resembles the man with the mask we saw earlier sat on the wall looking down at the two Uchiha's and just sat for a while . Another silhouette appeared that resembled the man who grew out the tree with two sides .

The masked man silhouette jumped down and picked up the unconscious Sasuke and vanished as the two faced man took Itachi's body . That was all that could be found as the rain came back down , Kakashi sighed " there's no more traces , Sora ?"

I opened my eyes and shook my head " that's all that the water can remember"

" then we have no choice . We must return to the hidden leaf and report "

" but they have Sasuke,  we can't just --" Naruto tried to protest

Kakashi looked at Naruto " Naruto , we must rest and report . We will find him "