The Trouble With Itachi [On Hold]

24; Let It Rain

Chapter 24- Let it Rain

As dusk descended on Konoha, the growing shadows slowly engulfing the village in darkness; the tension rose, touching every citizen. No one was safe. All the Jounin were anxious. Every able-bodied ninja was recruited and stood guard at their relative posts throughout the village.

Akatsuki had still not attempted to force their way into the village.

The same question was on everyone’s mind. What were they waiting for? Most didn’t want to know the answer.

Three Jounin Hatake Kakashi, Mitarashi Anko, Asuma and Gai were at the northern gate of Konoha, where Kisame and Deidara from Akatsuki were waiting. The northern gates were open, and two cloaked men stood at the entrance, just on the border of the village.

Again, there was the impression that they were waiting for permission, but from who?

“So what do you guys want?” Kakashi ventured forward and asked Akatsuki. Anko and Asuma stood either side of him.

Deidara smiled and shrugged nonchalantly, only one eye visible through his long blonde bangs, “We’re going to gut your village from the inside out.”

Asuma grimaced at the graphic imagery, “So why are you all standing out there?”

“We’re waiting for the signal.”

“Cocky bunch,” Asuma growled under his breath to Kakashi.

Kakashi said nothing but his eyebrows came together, deep in thought.

Everyone was anxious, and it only got worse as they were made to wait. Clearly Akatsuki wanted to take charge of the situation and would act on its own time.

‘Where is Tsunade-sama?’ Kakashi wondered, no doubt doing her part on Hokage business. He hoped she was getting more information that he was.

Suddenly Kakashi’s face paled. There it was in the sky.

It had to be Yuri. At least, he thought it was her. All he could make out was a glowing purple orb in the sky, and the form of a flailing Akatsuki cloak next to it. But he had no doubt she was in there.

His heart skipped a beat, remembering her change form just before Rain took her away. He wondered if she looked the same, and what Rain had done to her during the time he held her captive. He shuddered at the possibility, and felt a pang of regret that he hadn’t been able to find her in time.

"Jeez, is she in there?" Gai asked incredulously next to him. His eyes squinted as he looked up at the sky.

Kakashi nodded, unable to trust himself to answer.

It was now fully dark and it would have been impossible to see the orb if it wasn't emitting an ominous pulsing purple glow of chakra.

*   *   *

Rain wriggled his shoulders and stretched his neck as he gazed out over Konoha. The darkness pleased him. It was soon time.

His fingers tingled in anticipation of the destruction to come. Konoha would soon be his.

"Are you ready Yuri-chan? It is nearly time."

Rain looked over to his left, smiling in satisfaction as she looked at him, her violet eyes blank and pupil-less with no expression, and she nodded. The perfect weapon; powerful and obedient. She was in the first level cursed seal form, her eyes deep pools of violet and her body etched all over with the tattoo of the curse seal.