Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Line breaks have nothing to do with the story. We were just trying something different. Line break from the previous chapter are from Thousand Foot Krutch-My own enemy, and this chapter's belong to Again by Flyleaf. We do not own any of the lyrics or take credit for them.

Thanks to everyone who showed interest in this story.

Un-beta'd

At the End of the Path
By: PhenomenalNitrus & Nitty Gritty

Chapter Two

As soon as he heard the constant beeping of the heart monitor, Naruto knew exactly where he was. He frowned at the idea of being in a hospital, Sakura was sure to be treating him, that way she would have no qualms about trying to strangle him for sneaking off.

He groaned and turned slowly on his side, wincing as the needle that was taped to his hand moved with him. He didn't care, and he kept his face buried in his pillow.

He sighed and wrinkled his nose at the smell of rubber and antiseptics. Another dead give away that he was in the hospital.

Possible escape routes formed in his mind, but he realized that it was best to sit this one out. Being Hokage, they were sure to have doubled the guard as well as block any possible escape.

He groaned again and shut his eyes tightly…his mind was fuzzy and he tried to remember the last thing that happened that would land him here.

"You're up I see…" a soft gentle voice commented, causing Naruto to slowly open his eyes, wincing at the lights but refusing to shut them again. He waited for them to adjust and he turned to lie on his back.

Standing at the foot of the bed was the third Hokage.

Naruto blinked a few times, and brought his left hand-where there was no tape or needle sticking out of him- and rubbed his eye slowly.

The hokage was still there.

"I need more sleep," he mumbled to himself and allowed his eyes to drift shut, "I'm seeing dead people."

Naruto heard the Sandaime chuckle, he sounded much younger than when Naruto remembered him. When he was a kid, the hokage had a raspy weary voice-this one was gentle and soft. It held no roughness in it.

He blocked the laugh out and tried to focus on keeping his breathing even and his heart rate in check-because he didn't need the fuss of nurses rushing to check on him.

"Dead people?" Hiruzen mused, stroking his chin, "I am very much alive young man." He told watching as the boy fought against sleep.

Naruto opened his eyes and glared at the man, "clearly," he mocked and yawned loudly. "I saw them burry you," he told in a daze, "anyone will tell you, if you're going to impersonate a hokage, make sure you're not impersonating one that's dead," he rattled out automatically-as though this was a routine lecture.

Hiruzen eyes glowed in amusement before he moved from the foot of the bed to around the bed, Naruto's baby blue eyes following him as he stood near the heart monitor.

"Like you…?" he muttered out and pulled the red hospital chair close to the bed. He held a smile that spoke volumes about the amusement he found in this situation. Naruto didn't understand why he found this amusing….was he missing something?

"…huh?" he dumbly questioned and tried to sit up-he didn't like the idea of having to look up at everyone, but immediately regretted that idea. His entire body stung from the small amount of movement.

"You're pretty good I must admit," he hummed out and eyed the boy who was trying to focus on ignoring the stinging in his body. "You look almost identical to the Yondaime," he murmured out and smiled widely, "except for those scars on your cheeks."

Naruto blinked at him and opened his mouth but closed it. 'What…?'

"Obviously I look like him…" he told, wondering why he was even talking to the illusion. This was obviously a dream-he hadn't woken up yet. "We're related, you know that."

It hurt to think about his dad, what he could have been like-as a father, teacher and Hokage.

"I beg your pardon?" Hiruzen seemed stunned at that.

"I'm too tired," he mumbled and yawned again allowing his eyes to drift close, "you're just a dream," he admitted lightly, "you're dead." He softly told and his eyes finally drifted shut.

Hiruzen's eyes widened and he leaned back in the chair. This was a new tactic at invading a village…and he felt himself congratulating whoever created such a clever ruse. It was working the boy seemed innocent enough. Those were the ones to watch for though.

xXx I love the way that your heart breaks xXx

Just from the back of the man's head, Sasuke could already tell who was sitting beside Naruto's bed. But that was completely impossible; the third had died a decade ago.

This was a poor genjutsu-whoever had cast it did not think to use actual living people-bringing back the dead was –now- impossible. The only person who could have possibly brought the dead to some semblance of life was killed years ago.

He placed his fingers together, ignoring the slight sting from the movement. "Kai." He whispered, but loud enough for the Sandaime to hear him.

Nothing happened, the man had turned around and given him a strange-yet surprised look. Sasuke shook his head and decided a different method would be best at dispelling this genjutsu.

"Sharingan," he muttered. He glanced at the supposed to be dead hokage, and felt his stomach drop. This was impossible; this had to be a genjutsu. There was no way that he was alive-he had seen the man get buried-six feet under. This just wasn't possible.

Yet…all the evidence was staring at him. He sighed, and blinked tiredly. There was no way this was a genjutsu- his eyes never lie. Yet…this man, this dead man, was staring at him-alive. Not dead.

He shook his head and deactivated his sharingan. He had no idea what was going on.

"You are an Uchiha…" Hiruzen commented with awe, Sasuke's eyes now staying on the much younger man than he remembered. His voice was also off from what his memory supplied-it was softer, kinder.

Sasuke decided not to respond. It wasn't a question. He kept his eyes on the third hokage, trying to figure this out-whatever this was.

"Who are you?"

xXx With every injustice and deadly fate xXx

Hiruzen blinked and stood up, brushing his hands gently across his beige slacks. He faced the Uchiha, he must have been in his late teens, still a kid.

This kid had to be an Uchiha-the sharingan was impossible to replicate. This had definitely gotten a lot more interesting than before. He was thankful that he had decided to come and personally look after the imposter of the Yondaime.

"I am Hiruzen Saratoubi," he answered, picked the chair up and turned it to face his bed instead of the sleeping imposter. "The third hokage of Konoha," he added in an authoritative voice. "Who might you be?"

The boy eyed him critically, before snapping his eyes shut and shaking his head. Hiruzen sat back in the chair, resting his hands neatly on his knees. He could wait-he had learned patience with raising two rowdy kids.

He smiled after a minute when the kid finally opened his eyes and stared harshly at him.

"Sasuke Uchiha," he meekly told, "this isn't a genjutsu," he confirmed and sighed.

"No it's not," he sadly told, though he didn't quite understand why he would believe it to be a genjutsu. But, it told Hiruzen that this man was definitely a ninja-with which village he was unsure, he was not wearing a headband.

The young Uchiha looked confused and a bit lost, but Hiruzen saw something else in those dark irises: fear. The Sandaime thought that the pure raw emotion of fear on his face made this kid seem a lot younger than his appearance.

"How old are you?" He questioned, he had not looked at the Uchiha's medical charts. He could never understand that chicken scratch anyway.

Sasuke seemed to frown, "twenty-one," he told with a tone of shock in his voice. "You're dead." He told, more to himself than to the Sandaime.

Hiruzen frowned. The other kid mentioned that he was dead as well…"I am very much alive Mr. Uchiha," he told politely. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Sasuke glanced at him and huffed, "because you aren't," he airily told. "died nine years ago," he provided and closed his eyes, "I think…"

The Sandaime eyed him carefully. This man was delusional as was the other one-whatever the other kid's name was.

"You must have hit your head," he sighed and stood up, "I shall inform the nurses about this…" he murmured and glanced back at the bed with the other boy. The resemblance to Minato was astounding. "I will check on you later." He told the boy and walked towards the door.

xXx Praying it all be new and living like it all depends on you xXx

Mikoto crossed her legs, and leaned back in the uncomfortable chairs. They lined the walls outside of the Hokage's office, and seeing how he was not in yet, she had to wait. This was not her idea, to be honest, she couldn't care, but her husband insisted that it was clan business that needed to be discussed.

She sighed and glanced at the man, he was sitting beside her. Posture perfect and rigid, his eyes showing his impatience.

She didn't mind waiting, she learned patience after dealing with her two year old son. But she didn't like that they were not the first ones to speak with the Hokage-a group of gennin were ahead of her and her family. Although she could wait, these chairs were uncomfortable, who knew how long it would take for the team to deliver their report.

"Yes, and I want chakra seals on them," Hiruzen's voice murmured to his secretary. The woman quickly nodded, holding a few files in her hand as she walked briskly beside the Sandaime.

The third turned his eyes to the group of people sitting outside his office and sighed audibly. "Team three," he called quickly and put his hand up to stop them from moving. "You will be after I speak to the Uchiha's."

"But…!" Hiashi stood up his face hard, "we were here long before they were." He pointed out and glanced towards them in disguist. Mikoto didn't care.

"It does not matter, they seem to want to discuss something important. We will not be long." He tiredly told and opened the door to his office, gesturing the group in.

Mikoto stood up and followed Fugaku into the office and her cousin in as well. The third walked around the desk and sat in the chair that she was now used to seeing Minato sitting in.

Fugaku stood in the middle of the three, while she stood off to his left side and their cousin, Teyaki, stood to his right. She shifted uncomfortably, she felt underdressed. She was just wearing her casual attire, seeing how she was not on 'active' duty per se.

"What can I do for you?" he asked, taking the folder that was handed to him from his secatary. He didn't bother to open it and folded his hands atop of it.

"We have come to discuss the imposter," Teyaki began and glanced to his right and received a curt nod from Fugaku.

"Imposter?"

"Yes, Hiruzen-sama." He agreed and cleared his throat quietly. "We have heard rumours that there is a boy who claims to be an Uchiha."

"Rumours are a bad thing to listen to Teyaki-san." Hiruzen rebutted and leaned back in his chair.

"I understand that Hiruzen-sama, but given that the last rumour regarding the Uchiha proved to be true we would like to investigate this matter ourselves as official clan business."

Hiruzen nodded seriously and glanced at Mikoto and smiled warmly before turning his attention back at the rest of the group. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, which was never a good sign.

"I cannot allow that." He told.

"With all due respect-"

"I understand the need to dispel the rumours for the reputation of your family," he interrupted ignoring Teyaki. "However, the matter is being handled, and as for the rumours they are never accurate." He said and glanced at them, "the young man in question still has rights, and I will not allow you to interrogate him when he is still injured."

Mikoto nodded in understanding.

"And with all due respect Hiruzen-sama," Teyaki began bitterness seeping into his voice, "the last rumour that circulated was one hundred percent accurate and you did not notify us."

"That was none of your business." He simply told and waved his hand dismissively.

"It certainly was," Fugaku told harshly and glared at the man, "if someone other than an Uchiha is running around with the Sharaingan we deserve to know."

Mikoto shot her husband a look, a warning. They discussed this in private already and he although did not like her logic agreed that this was not their concern. She glanced quickly back at the acting Hokage and felt the tension in the room increase. His face was darker and he sat on the edge of his seat, his eyes blazing in anger.

"No, Uchiha-san it was not." He spat out and glanced at the three of them critically, "that was Kakashi-kun's and Obito-kun's business. Nobody else's." he told and shook his head sadly, "I would hope you would respect the wishes of the dead."

Fugaku had the decency to look ashamed and Mikoto gave a curt nod. For the past three months she had felt bad for Kakashi, the kid had lost a friend and now was being treated harshly from her family- because of a gift he refused to give up.

"Forgive me, Hiruzen-sama," Fugaku politely replied and bowed his head, "I was out of line."

Hiruzen waved his hand and leaned back in his hair, "Just be careful, I do hear the rumours spreading about your treatment of young Kakashi," he told and frowned, "and Minato and I are not happy." He said seriously and glanced at the three of them. "Do not forget that Kakashi was Minato's student."

"Yes Hiruzen-sama."

"Good." He smiled and glanced towards the door, "as for the other boy," he began and glanced around the room, "I am taking care of that matter personally. There is no need to worry."

"But Hizur-"

"You may leave," he waved and glanced at his secretary who walked quickly past the three Uchiha's and opened the door. She smiled politely and gestured for them to leave.

Mikoto bowed, "Thank you for your time." She smiled and began turning away from them.

"Oh Mikoto-san," Hiruzen called, causing her and Fugaku to stop and glance back at the man. "I bought this for little Itachi," he said and held out a small rattler, "I think he would enjoy it." He smiled and tossed the item to Mikoto. She caught it with ease and glanced at the rattler.

"Thank you Hiruzen," she politely replied and bowed lowly for him. She held the toy tightly and left the office, accidently bumping into one of the kids in team three.

She glanced back at the baby rattle. It was a dark royal blue colour and had a yellow sun and moon on it. It wasn't the best toy in the world but it was cute enough and Itachi did seem to like to grab things that made noise. She was sure he would love this little baby rattle.

xXx Here you are, down on your knees again xXx

Naruto groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. It was blurry but he expected that. He yawned and stared up at a white ceiling allowing his eyes to adjust and the white spots in his vision to slowly vanish.

He sighed, he was in the hospital, and any second now Sakura was going to storm in (she had a six sense for when he was awake while in the hospital) and add more injuries to his injuries.

He frowned…why did he end up in the hospital anyway?

"You're awake again." A voice greeted, he frowned. He couldn't place that voice, it wasn't familiar.

He went to move his hand and instead of his hand moving-like it was supposed to-he heard a clink of metal. He frowned and glanced down at his hands and stared in shock.

"Why am I handcuffed to my bed?" he asked and glanced at the person who was sitting near his bed.

Why was he seeing the third hokage?

"Did I die?" he blurted out and glanced around before shaking his head, "no…" he answered for himself, "I don't think they handcuff you to a bed when you die."

"You are not dead." Hiruzen muttered out tiredly and glanced towards Sasuke who was awake and staring at Naruto as though he had lost his mind. Which he was starting to question too.

Naruto glanced at Sasuke and back at Hiruzen, "can you see him too?" he curiously asked which received an eye roll from the youngest Uchiha.

"Yes he can see me." Hiruzen answered amused. "I am not dead." He hotly told just as Naruto was about to open his mouth-he could see his line of thought as though it were visible.

Naruto shut his mouth and frowned. "Well then I'm dreaming…" he sighed and closed his eyes, "This is one fucked-up dream, I must say." He smiled sheepishly, "haven't dreamt of you in a long time old man."

Hiruzen frowned but dismissed the comment. "I am here on official business." He told and glanced at Sasuke. After seeing Mikoto just a few short hours previously he could see how much they resembled each other. Maybe she had a younger brother?

"Okay…" Naruto muttered and glanced at Sasuke who seemed perfectly fine at remaining quiet through the entire thing.

"Tell me your name please."

Naruto frowned. Was this wise? What if he was in a genjustu-wouldn't they already know his name? Plus if this man didn't know his name he had been living under a rock for the past eight months? Everyone knew he was the youngest Hokage elected into office…everyone knew his name.

He sighed. "Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze." He told and glanced at him, "you're bad at being an imposter." He mumbled out and sighed again.

He watched as the third's eyes widened and glanced at the him critically. "Uzumaki-Namikaze?" he muttered in disbelief.

"Yeah…" Naruto replied awkwardly. He knew about his parents since he was sixteen…a lot of people did actually. This shouldn't have been such a big surprise.

"Is he lying?" Hiruzen turned to Sasuke and gave him a hard look. Naruto was confused and frowned-he would never lie about something like this.

Sasuke scuffed, "just look at him." Sasuke muttered darkly, "he looks exactly like his dad."

"His dad…?" Hiruzen muttered and glanced back at Naruto and frowned. "Your dad is Minato Namikaze…?"

Naruto swallowed, noticing how dry his throat was and wished he had some water by him. He nodded slowly, unsure of what to say to that. How did someone not know this yet? Seriously, the imposter must have been living under a rock.

"That is not possible," he told, "Minato is too young to have a son so old."

"Oi!" Naruto hollered wincing at his own tone-his throat did not agree with using such a high volume. "I am not old."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-one." He proudly told and smiled.

"Minato is only two years older than you, young man." He told and sighed. (1)

Naruto froze. "What…?" he shook his head and went to move his hands and growled when the handcuff rattled uselessly against the bed. "That's not funny."

"I'm not laughing."

Naruto glared hatefully at the man and turned his head to Sasuke who seemed equally disturbed by the information.

"Minato Namikaze is dead." Sasuke told darkly and glanced at the third hokage with venom in his eyes. Naruto nodded mutely but dared not open his mouth.

Hiruzen frowned and leaned back in the cruddy hospital chair. 'Well…this is new.'

(1) I can't seem to find the age at which Minato died...though I did not search extensively for it. NG didn't know either so we both just took an educated guess. Even if it's wrong, we won't be changing it-due to the fact it will mess up most of the story.