Paths of Divergence

Winter Contingency

Chapter 6

-Winter Contingency

The unforgiving wind blasts the entire village with gale force strength, bringing swirls of snow along with it. Trees wilt to the side unable to withstand the immense force produced by Mother Nature herself. Houses and small shops creak at the harsh winds bombarding the broad walls. As Shizake steps out into the cold his spiky hair is immediately thrown to the right, almost as if the world's breath was threatening to take him up off his feet and into the sky.

CAW! CAW!

The screech rings out from above. The Uchiha brings his gaze upwards, seeing a hawk fight its way through the tough breeze. It musters up the strength, landing on the railing in front of Shizake. He notices a small container attached to its leg so he proceeds to pop it open and read the contents inside.

Proceed to the Hokage's office immediately

Shizake stuffs the piece of paper in his pocket before gesturing to the hawk to leave. The bird leaps up into the sky and this time uses the wind to head back to wear it came from, disappearing in an instant. The Uchiha lifts his cloak up over his head before jumping on the railing and leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

Winds continue to constantly blast him, causing the cloak to whip chaotically. For this meeting, he is joined by no one else. Questions buzz through his head on what this meeting could be for but a million possibilities block him for deducing the correct one. For now he shrugs it off, deciding that he'll just figure out when he gets there.

After fifteen minutes of roof top jumping he lands at the foot of the big round Hokage building. He quickly ducks inside to escape the harsh cold and wind, slipping his cloak off while brushing the bits of ice out of his hair. He skips the registrar and walks up stairs, coming to a hallway the stretches on with the Hokage's office at the end. Taking his time, he drifts down the hallway not feeling any urgency from his summoning. Another figure rounds the corner, brushing by Shizake. The Uchiha catches a small glimpse of silver hair, peeking behind his back to see Kakashi Hatake, his face stuffed in a book. Shizake shrugs it off, continuing down the hallway as to find out what the Hokage wants with him.

With a quick rap on the door, Shizake quietly opens the door noticing the Hokage sitting there with her hands under her chin.

"Glad you could make it." She casually says.

"You called for a meeting lady Hokage?" The Uchiha replies, quickly getting to the point.

"Yes... we've acquired some...information we thought you might be interested in."

The Uchiha stands silently, curiously wondering what information she possesses.

"Some of our agents have possibly located a hide out belonging to Orochimaru...I don't have to say much else since you know what is associated with that name." She explains.

The Uchiha's jaw line flexes

"Sasuke."

The buxom blonde woman proceeds to clear her throat, "So here is what I have proposed... I'll let your team go and find out if this is actually a hide out of Orochimaru's. If not, then head back to the village at once. If it is, then you mark that location and do not proceed any further. But...if you so happen to see Sasuke, then you are given permission to pursue."

A mirrored set of coal eyes flash in Shizake's mind, picturing the only icy stare that is similar to his.

"Yes my lady."

"Hmph. You are unusually calm for something like this..." Tsunade solemnly states.

"I already know where he has decided to put himself. Sometimes the darkness claims and refuses to relinquish those it takes."