Okay, this is a Naruto/HP cross-over. Look at bottom for details about this AU-universe. Sa, on with the show. [And if you have no idea what's going on, that's the point. It's only the prologue.]

And, by the way, Hitoku Basho is supposed to translate as Hiding Place. At least, that's my hope. Could be wrong, could be right, IF I'm wrong, don't kill me for it.

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Hitoku Basho: Prologue

"What arrangements have you made for the year?" asked the figure.

"Do not worry," came the reply. "You will not need to do any more or less than you did last year."

"And what of other matters?"

"Ah, yes. Your help has been invaluable with regard to those things. I daresay we would not be in such a favorable position if it were not for your expertise. And throughout all this, he has still not managed to catch wind of it. It is impressive, and we have you to thank," murmured the man.

"It was nothing," came the reply. "And speaking of catching wind of things… I heard that you plan to bring in some people, despite your claiming to be in such an adventitious position. Some… very specific people."

"Ah, so you found out?"

"I have understood, and stood by all your decisions up 'til now, but this… this I am not sure I can agree with."

"I understand the reason for your reticence, but you told me quite confidently that you are over the past. That you had set it behind you. And as to your earlier question, despite our position, our enemy is not aware of it, and while that gives us even more of an opportunity to undermine his power, it means that he will not be as cautious as he would if he knew how weak he truly was. He is likely to try and attack, especially," he said with sudden amusement, "since you will be returning. His little curse has always served to keep people from returning, and now you, one not even from this country, who only honed their proficiency in our arts recently, is the first to break his curse."

"Hmph. I have met people with bigger egos before... but I daresay, they hardly had the power to back it up."

"Yes, well, despite your misgivings, I shall go forward with what I intend. The information you gave me shall be invaluable. Without it, I'm afraid that I wouldn't know where to begin. And from what you told me, acting as a fish out of water in those circles is dangerous indeed."

'As long he chooses someplace else, it will be fine. I wasn't biased towards that place, in fact, I even presented it as something of a weaker place than those around it. I have some doubt, and sincerely hope, that he does not go there. That would create numerous complications, and… I do not think that I could handle it. I have gotten over the past, and do not particularly wish to be reminded of it. If he goes there, it is sure to cause some kind of complications. I can only pray.'

With a sudden swirl, the figure left the room. The low lighting caught for a moment on the blue ends of his hair, and then he was gone, out the door, down the stairs, and off to who knows where.

Of course, the man that stayed in the room had a good idea as to where he had gone. He undoubtedly needed to come to terms with what had been discussed. The man knew the source of his misgivings, and could understand them. However, he was of the opinion that these things needed to actually be dealt with, and could not just be set aside. And despite what had been said, he knew that those things had not yet been overcome. They would remain, and haunt that person, either until he died, or until he finally had the chance to discuss them with someone.

Oh, no, not him, the man almost chuckled out loud at the thought. He could lend a sympathetic ear, easily enough, but he could not truly understand. In truth, he guessed that there was only one person that would ever be able to set things right. That was the whole point of what he intended to do. The dark figure that had left the room would never willingly return to that place, unless this had already been resolved. And the one who could resolve it, was in that place. A confusing conundrum, was it not? Well, there was actually a quite simple solution to it: bring that person here. Oh, the reasons he had given were valid enough, and were the truth, but if that was all it was, then really, just anyone would do.

But he didn't intend to get just anyone.

The man had told him enough of his past for him to know who would be needed, and he intended to get just those people, and he also did not intend to let that man slip out of his fingers, and get away from this problem. He had a strong suspicion as to why the man was affected by this so much, and he knew that he needed this resolved, for until it was, his heart would be slowly suffocating within him.

With the tiniest of grunts, the man rose. He was getting old. Oh, that much was obvious to any who looked at him, but it was only now that he was beginning to feel the first telltale signs of his age. But, with a small twinkle in his eye, he turned, and suddenly, the room was completely empty. It had begun. Things were about to be set in mothion.

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On the other side of the world, a sad pair of eyes looked up at the sky.

'Why? Why did I ever do that? How could I have been so foolish as to not understand? It's been just over four years now. I'm 19. How foolish I was, all that time ago. How, how can I still have hope, after all this time? And even if it is not a completely foolish hope, what is the point? I will never achieve forgiveness.

'But still, I hope, and I wish. Maybe someday, I won't have to hide my pain away inside. Maybe someday, someone will be able to ease the pain. Somehow, I doubt it, for there has already been someone, and it was through my foolishness that they were lost. But… I still cling foolishly to this hope, that they are not truly lost.'

With a sigh, he brought his eyes back down to earth. It was not often that he allowed himself to wallow in the depression from four years past. Usually, it was forcefully shoved to the side. But for some reason, tonight, he had been unable to resist.

Turning his back on the twinkling stars, he trudged inside, back to the emptiness that had been there for years… for a short while, it was filled, even if he had refused to acknowledge it. But that had ended four years ago, and at his hands, as well.

Somewhere, up above, a spirit chuckled, for gears were turning, and soon, two people would have a chance to set things right, and finally live. How ironic it was, how much they would protest, when it was really all they ever wanted…

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This AU: When Sasuke left to go join Orochimaru, he was 14. I don't care what the age is in canon, here, he was 14. He never got to Orochimaru, he was captured and brought back. Um... as of right now, Orochimaru is dead. If I see some pressing reason for it, I might resurrect him. But as of right now, Orochimaru is dead. And for the HP side of it... Dumbledore is still alive, it's year seven, other questions as to how the world got to where it is will be answered later. Oh, and Voldemort has never had contact with the world of the Elemental Nations. How exactly the people of Hogwarts discovered the EN will be answered later, 'cause I'm too lazy now to do it. ...And I like the air of mystery it provides. That's all I feel like banging out right now.

Hope to update soon, but don't COUNT on it. R&R please, it really makes it all worthwhile.