Sold

A Dark Truth

Nightmares often come in sweet little packages.

Jiraiya rushed back to the Leaf after his run in in the forest. There was no time to spare in sharing this information. Kakashi would want to know immediately. The Toad Sages' sandals clicked against the course gravel and mocked the sound of horse hooves. His thoughts ran rampant, each one more desperate than the last. Could you really be alive? Jiraiya asked while swallowing back a tear.

The longer he ran, the harder it became to breath. But Jiraiya paid it no mind and carried on. The leaf village was just up ahead, only five kilometers out. With the sun beaming down on him, it was as if nature itself worked against him. He just hoped that there would be no rain or impending storm to come.

Danzo will pay for this, Jiraiya promised himself. If it really was Naruto in that forest, if it really was him... then Jiraiya felt no hesitation towards harming the scum that is Danzo.

Jiraiya reached the village twenty minutes later, bolting towards the hospital at top speed. Last he heard, that was where Kakashi ended up after his most recent mission.

He arrived on hospital grounds and briefly contemplated his entrance. No sense in being formal. Information such as this is best left hidden until proven truthful. For all he knows, it might have just been another anbu on a mission. No, Jiraiya sharply corrected himself. That was more than a mere shinobi. He could feel it.

Blowing through an open window were white curtains, crisp and clean.

Kakashi glazed over his favourite novel, knowing most of the lines by heart by now. With nothing to occupy himself with, he found that reading always passed the time by.

"Glad to see my books are as popular as ever." Jiraiya appeared in the window, leaning against the wooden sill.

Kakashi shot up, wincing as he realised his mistake too late. In spite of the burst of pain in his side, the way the Sanin seemed out of breath caught him off guard.

"Master Jiraiya," Kakashi began. Briefly examining him only brought on more confusion. "What can I do for you?" An inkling in his gut told him to be wary.

They waited in silence as Jiraiya caught his breath. Leaves rustles outside and danced in the breeze. Kakashi remained still, almost anxious in paranoia. The Toad Sage rushed over, that much was obvious to him. But for what, he could only guess.

Jiraiya thought each word over, knowing that time was of the essence. But even still, he isn't one to leave out details.

"On my most resent research excursion, I called it a night early when screams came from the woods surrounding where I stayed. I rushed towards the source, fearing that our newest enemies were at it again."

Kakashi listened carefully and held his blankets with white knuckle strength.

"The carnage was like nothing I had ever seen; far surpassing the ruins I told you about weeks ago. It looked like a torture room: limbs and organs thrown everywhere. The handiwork matched that of a few familiar faces, but that isn't what I'm here for."

"Master Jiraiya?" Kakashi couldn't help but jump in. With a deep breath, the Sanin continued.

"Naruto was there."

"Are you sure?" His voice raised in infliction, desperation crawling its way out of his throat. Kakashi's mind began to race a thousand miles a minute. "But he died. We saw the body."

"I know. But that was Naruto. Same blond hair, same uniform, same sword, same mask." Anger rose up in his words, unable to be repressed or ignored. "And it wouldn't be the first time his death was falsified. Danzo has a knack for this sort of thing."