It All Started With A Smell

Check Mate: Part One

Naruto's POV:

They walked in silence. Naruto didn't recognise the part of the Nara forest that Hiro was leading her through. Though, that wasn't surprising, seeing as she usually entered it near Shikamaru's house. She didn't ask where Hiro was taking her and instead just followed him. A small part of her still whispered with the desire to fight but most of her was just thankful that if she was to die by the actions of a Nara that it wasn't Shikamaru.

"I'm surprised you're willing to follow me," Hiro commented, looking over his shoulder. Gone was his near constant smile and spark of mischief. Instead there was an appearance of controlled strength. With just a glance one could tell he was well disciplined.

"You clearly don't know how messed up she is!"

"He can't hear you," Naruto reminded the fox, not caring if Hiro heard her.

The man stopped walking when they reached a small clearing. "This will do."

Naruto shrugged. "It's as good as any spot to die, I suppose."

Hiro swore to himself before turning on her with a fit of rage. "What the hell? Why are you like this?"

"Does it matter? You said you were going to destroy me, so why bother with the question and answer portion of the fight?"

A glimmer of Hiro's old smile came back for just a moment. "I never said I was going to destroy you. I said I had been ordered to find out how."

"Who ordered you?"

"Now you're asking the right questions. Unfortunately, I can't tell you."

"Well, what the hell can you tell me?" Naruto snapped. When Hiro shrugged despairingly, she groaned. "Is there something stopping you from telling me? Other than you being an asshole?"

Hiro nodded, smiling sadly. "My gag might not be as bad as others... in the same group as me... but it still stops me from telling you anything useful."

Naruto thought about his statement. She remembered reading about seals that worked on a person's ability to speak, but without knowing which one was used on him, she couldn't even think about how to break it. However, she knew of a flaw most seals had. "So why was Jun ordered to destroy me?"

She was given a confused look before Hiro realised what she was doing. "Because he's leader wants to control you. If you are weakened, mentally, then you will be easier for him."

"Do I know who his leader is?"

"No, but he... sent someone..." Hiro clamped his mouth shut.

Thinking over her next question, she wondered what Hiro had been trying to say. "Someone close to me is working for the same person as Jun. Are they trying to hurt me?"

"Only a spy like Jun could do that successfully to you. You're safe with your teammate."

"Sai," Naruto whispered before giving Hiro a hard stare. "Alright, why are you telling me this and why shouldn't I go tell Shikamaru and his dad that you're a spy for Sai's boss?"

Hiro gave a self-derogating smile. "Right to the point. I can't stop you from telling Shikamaru anything. But know that some people will destroy themselves for their clan leader's safety." He made sure to hold her gaze long enough for her to get the meaning. "And as for why I told you, I knew that there were only two liable outcomes. One, which was the most unlikely, would be that you would get mad and punch me, making you never trust me again. The second would be you imploding from being betrayed by someone you saw as a friend."

"And if I do neither?"

"You might find someone close to you hurt without me being able to stop it. Which is my true reason for telling you. Someone might be hurt to make you break and I will be forced to tell my boss who means the most to you. I think we both know whose name I will be forced to say."