Branded

"Well then let's cut to the chase," Sasuke stepped forward first, followed by Naruto. Naruto was still clenching his teeth, almost failing to keep his cool which he knew would be to his disadvantage when dealing with people like Mizuki. "I'm here for a woman."

Mizuki smirked and causally threw his arms behind his head before forfeiting a laugh. "And here I thought I was being arrested for something again. Sorry you two, I don't do business with the Leaf." Mizuki walked towards his house as if ending the conversation.

Sasuke held a hand up to calm Naruto, and took a step forward to block Mizuki. "I'm looking for a woman you took from the Leaf."

"Hey now," the white-haired rogue said as he put his hands up in the air, "let's not go pointing fingers."

"Did you or didn't you take a woman from the Leaf?" Naruto yelled, finally unable to maintain his anger. He had his arm and kunai drawn, forcing his former instructor to the wall of his house.

Mizuki easily flung Naruto off before another nasty smirk crept up his face. "Oh if it isn't Naruto all grown up. Thinking you can just push me around like back then. I'm no longer a Leaf ninja, I have no cause to work with you."

Sasuke seemed to know how to deal with these better for he didn't give in to his own urge to beat the guy down to his place for back then and now.

"Human trafficking is unregulated in this part of the area, but the girls you kidnap aren't all from here. I am more than enough to take you into custody. All I'm looking for is some information on a certain woman. Give me what I want and you're free to carry on, no interference from me." Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest. "We can stand here for more idle chat or we can both get out of each other's faces."

Mizuki was on the same wavelength. "Give me a description."

"A woman in her late twenties to early thirties. Black hair, blue eyes. You can't miss her."

Mizuki stroked his imaginary beard. "Hmm.. Doesn't ring a bell."

"Stop fooling with us!" Naruto shouted, making no effort to contain his anger anymore.

"You know, I deal with so many people that fit that description. You've got to be more specific." Another wicked smirk appeared. "Like, for example, if she's your girlfriend or mother."

Sasuke had to force himself to hold Naruto down before sending a well-earned kick to Mizuki's face. The giant spat out some blood but didn't matter getting up from the ground. He only sat, staring at the clear blue skies.

"Where is she?" Naruto bit out.

Mizuki didn't have to think long. "Ah. I do recall someone…straight black hair that reached almost to her waist and a most stimulating pair of electric blue eyes." That's her no doubt. "Her slender figure was so easy to hold… and her skin was so fair and soft I couldn't help myself…"

"Where is she?" Sasuke repeated the question.

Mizuki was unfazed. "…my lips remember how smooth her skin felt. How she struggled with those thin arms as I held her in place. You know, virgins sell for a higher price and I almost regret taking her first time…but thinking back now…it was well worth it…" Naruto threw a mean punch across Mizuki's face, but the man only smiled. "My only regret, was not fucking her a few more times after she passed out." Then the man's eyes slanted. "And you know what? All the while, she was screaming some names that I didn't quite catch…because I cut her tongue off." The last words rolled off Mizuki's tongue as if it was a joke.

Sasuke froze in place, suddenly afraid of hearing the rest. He saw red chakra forming a layer around Naruto's body, followed by sharper fangs, longer nails, and animalistic eyes. He heard a beast growl from Naruto's belly. He knew what it was and that it was his job to stop it, but Sasuke didn't want to move. At that very moment, he'd wish he was the one sending Mizuki into an endless Tsukiyomi, sending him into eternal pain and suffering, sending him to hell. But Naruto would inflict all he needed first. They were tight on time, but they'd easily make room for this.

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["Naruto come here." She beckoned the child forward with her hand.

With his blue eyes, he stared through the tiny crack from the closet. She was sitting on his bed, patiently waiting for him to crawl out of the tiny corner that she couldn't fit or reach.

"Go away!" he yelled as he curled himself even smaller. He knew it was his fault, but didn't understand why she wasn't mad.

"This is my house, young man," she stated in a less patient tone.

She was right. This was her house. He was the one who didn't belong. With one push, Naruto bolted out the half opened closet door and headed for the main door. She tackled him down, throwing her whole weight onto the floor, but not crushing the boy in the slightest. He saw her wince as her left shoulder made contact with the ground—the same place where the injury should be.

Tears demanded to fall down and he was too vulnerable to command otherwise. He had no say as they trickled down and dampened the wooden flooring. She sat up and yanked her shirt off her shoulder, exposing four thick lines running from her shoulder all the way across her breast. Baby Naruto's eyes widened in horror at the sight.

"I'm sorry!" His tiny hands went to wipe his own tears away. "I didn't want to hurt you! I couldn't control it! But…but…please don't throw me away! Please…mom…"

Then came the familiar warm arms that wrapped him tight into bed every night. He missed them so much in the month that she was hospitalized because she got too close when he was out of control. It didn't help that Sasuke didn't offer any comfort since his Uchiha brother had a different method of coping with loneliness.

Her hands pat his blonde hair, almost as if combing it. "It doesn't hurt anymore," she cooed. She was always much better at the comforting. It was her signature to tap her head slightly on his before whispering what she truly wanted him to know. "I was scared my Naruto disappeared," she said calmly, "but you stopped the moment you knew it was me. You did well."

"…but the scar…" the child mumbled guiltily.

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing," Mother said. "It's special to me. See, when you get lost, I ask for a little boy with whiskers." She pinched the child's cheeks. "And if I get lost, you'd ask for a pretty lady with a tattoo over her shoulder."]

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Sasuke waited for some nails meeting flesh, red blood dying the green grass, screams scaring the crows perched on the trees, but nothing happened. His curiosity shifted to Naruto who suddenly ceased from shaking with anger and uncontrollable desire to destroy.

"I didn't know it'll come in handy…" the blonde muttered to himself more than to anyone else.

"Naruto?" Sasuke questioned the stability of his counterpart.

Naruto pushed himself up from the floor and walked away.

"Didn't you have some questions for me?" Mizuki's irritating voice taunted, obviously oblivious to the peril he was in.

"Sasuke, he's not going to tell the truth anyway."

Naruto suppressed the fox himself. It was a giant leap, and the Uchiha couldn't be more proud as he followed behind his brother who was heading towards the direction of the Sand.