Chapter 50: Double Crossed

                                    

                                          


                          
Again, the Uchiha elders held another secret meeting without Yuzuki. It was cause for concern. They had more than five meetings without her, or the ones that she knows about. And not even Daichi, her own father, would tell her what commenced during their secret meetings. He only told her that he relayed the messages she told him regarding the Hidden Leaf and their plan for the Uchiha clan. That was as far as the conversation went. 
                          
 "This needs to end." Yuzuki said pacing back and forth in front of the Uchiha stone tablet where Itachi and Shisui sat together in the secret meeting place. They planned to meet here in secret after expressing the same concerns. 
                          
 "I agree." said Shisui. He followed Yuzuki's pacing with round eyes and messy black hair. He was a sixteen year old boy with a lot of potential to be a very powerful ninja. 
                          
 "You're both included in these meetings and I'm not. What the hell do they even talk about?" frustration was rising in Yuzuki's throat. 
                          
 "There are still things they don't even tell us." replied Itachi who was only thirteen. It wasn't long ago when he joined the Anbu rank and was placed in Kakashi's team. "They want me to spy the same as you, but I only get the same information you do." 
                          
 "I don't know what they expect from you." said Shisui pressing his hand to chin in a thinking manner. "All three of us, we just might be the most powerful Uchiha and yet, they expect us to double cross our home and village." 
                          
 "That's why. The Leaf still suspects us of the Nine Tails attack even though all evidence is to the contrary. They don't trust us. They've been keeping a close eye on us for past six years!" explained Yuzuki and she stopped pacing to stare at the words carved into the stone tablet. Words unreadable without the right formula. 
                          
 "I've heard rumours." Itachi announced. "That someone has been sneaking into the village, pass the barriers, here, at our district." 
                          
 "I've heard the same thing." Yuzuki said turning to face the boys. "They don't know who it is or why. If anything it makes our case worse." 
                          
 "Daichi and Fugaku know this. I think they're planning a coup against the Leaf." 
                          
 "What? Do you know what that means-?!" Yuzuki ran stressed hands threw her hair. "We'll be annihilated for sure. We can't let them do this." she sat cross legged in front of the boys. "Are you certain of this, Shisui?" 
                          
Shisui nodded. "Yes. They plan it during their meetings." 
                          
 "We can't let them betray the Leaf. We have to tell the Third Hokage."
                          
 "I can do that." 
                          
Yuzuki shot Shisui a glance of confusion. "I've been serving the Root for seven years. The Third trusts me, or at least I think he does."
                          
 "My mangekyou sharingan possesses the ability of Kotoamatsukami." he explained. "I can enter Fugaku's mind at tomorrows meeting and make him stop this coup their planning. I can explain this to the Third Hokage and convince him I can do it so that the clan and the village don't go to war. They need to be aware. We can stop the worst from happening."
                          
Yuzuki nodded. "It's a good plan. It might just work. Good thing I'm invited to tomorrows meeting, too. We keep this between us." she informed firmly. She noticed a worried look on Itachi's face and asked, "What is it?"
                          
 "I still feel like there's more we're missing." He expressed. 
                          
 "Like what?"
                          
 "I don't know. Something they're not telling any of us." 
                          
 "We can find out tomorrow." said Yuzuki. "I'll look into who's sneaking into the village, but I have a small mission to deal with first, so I may be late tomorrow. Tell my father and uncle that." 
                          
 "I'll try and see what else they're not telling us." said Itachi and rose to his feet.
                          
鬼
                          
"Something's wrong." said Katsuko marching though the Uchiha district with Kakashi hot on her heels. The entire compound seemed to be on edge. There was hardly anyone roaming the streets. And most of all, it was affecting Yuzuki. 
                          
After being friends and team-mates for so long, Kakashi could see the change in her behaviour. Despite being a member of the Root Foundation, Yuzuki was always on edge. He noticed she constantly checked her surroundings. She was tense.
                          
 "I mean, I know the Leaf is watching the Uchiha..." Katsuko said with a soft voice. "But this is different." 
                          
 "Yeah." was all Kakashi could say. Ahead they spotted Sasuke on his way home from the Academy and Katsuko called out to him. The boy stopped hearing his name and turned to see the red headed girl quickly approaching him. 
                          
"Hey, Sasuke." Katsuko greeted warmly. "Have you seen Yuzuki, or your brother by any chance?" 
                          
 "No." he shook his head. "Why?" 
                          
 "No reason. We have missions to attend is all." 
                          
 "Oh, well, I know they go to the Naka Shrine sometimes. Oh, can you tell Itachi he promised to teach me shuriken jutsu." 
                          
 "Sure." Katsuko bided the boy farewell before turning on her heel and motioning Kakashi to follow. "I know where she is." she guided him through the district in search of the Naka Shrine. On their way, they received wary glares and distasteful looks from Uchiha all around them.
                          
 "Something has the Uchiha... how do I say it... uptight?" Kakashi said. 
                          
 "No, I get it." replied Katsuko passing by a group of of boys who eyed them. 
                          
They followed the cobblestone path that lead directly up the steps to the Naka Shrine ahead. The doors came open and Yuzuki, Itachi and Shisui exited to casually part ways. Shisui casted Yuzuki and glance and she bowed her head once. Shisui turned on his heel eyeing the incomers from the corner of his round eyes as he passed by them. The motion was suspicious to Kakashi and Katsuko. 
                          
 "I was on my way to find you." said Yuzuki coming to Katsuko and Kakashi with Itachi. "What are you doing here?"
                          
 "What are you doing here?" questioned Katsuko. 
                          
Yuzuki blinked. "What people usually do at shrines?" she shrugged unsure if Katsuko was being sarcastic.
                          
Katsuko suspiciously glanced to Itachi who walked on by. "Right. We have a mission."
                          
 "I'm aware." Yuzuki then turned her attention to Kakashi. "Why are you here?" she asked. 
                          
 "It can wait after your mission." he replied smoothly. "It's not that important." and Katsuko shot him a glance to which Yuzuki raised an eyebrow. Whatever it was, it seemed important. 
                          
"Okay, it will have to wait. I want to get this mission over and done with as quick as possible. I have other more pressing concerns to worry about." Yuzuki pushed past them to skip down the shrine steps. "Katsuko, that means now!" she called over her shoulder. 
                          
 Katsuko glanced to Kakashi before following after her team captain. Kakashi was left to stand on the shrine doorstep wondering what exactly the three of them where doing in there. He pushed open the doors to peer inside to see the standard type of shrine. It was empty and laid with tatami mats and a table for offerings. He hummed curiously closing the door. 
                          
 Yuzuki's words made him worry. It didn't seem like she cared too much about her Anbu missions, and instead something else was her main concern. Something that didn't involve the Anbu. 
                          
Katsuko was right. There was a dense atmosphere surrounding the Uchiha and Yuzuki knew why.