Author's notes: Hey everyone! Chapter three is here! The introduction of Kabuto and Orochimaru! WHOOT! Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 3: Miss Me When I'm Gone

Sulfuric Acid… Iodine… Lye…? Why did they bring Lye, again? Isn't Lye used to make some sort of fish? The white-haired medic shook his head as he stared at the bottle of deadly poison in his hand. He shook his head. What was that called, again? Lutefisk… Ah yes… Some weird cod dish made with the deadly poison, Lye…

The medic sighed deeply. "Kabuto!" A voice yelled. The boy lifted his head at the call. Groaning, he ran out of the spare room and into the small living room. A pale man was standing there, holding a dead fish in his hands. Kabuto shook his head, wrinkling his nose at the putrid smell coming off of it.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama?" Kabuto asked. The man held the fish out to him.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "I thought I told you NOT to bring the fish!"

Kabuto shook his head. "No… You told me not to bring the rotten fish with us. You said nothing about the fresh fish, Orochimaru. I tried to explain to you that it would go bad, but you didn't listen to me… You never listen to me." He said, but there was a hint of teasing in his voice. Of course, he would never tease the man too much, but the whole fish incident was quite funny. In their hurry to leave for Iwa, Orochimaru had requested Kabuto pack three large fish. Kabuto had tried his best to gently explain that the fish wouldn't survive the three day trek from Oto to Iwa, but Orochimaru had been distracted, hearing something about rotting fish and told the boy not to pack the rotten fish, but to pack the fresh fish. Kabuto had smiled kindly at the man and had agreed to pack the fresh fish.

But now the fish wasn't fresh, and Orochimaru wasn't happy. "Well, if you knew they wouldn't survive, then why did you bring them, Kabuto?" he asked. Kabuto sighed.

"Just trying to listen to your orders, sir," Kabuto answered gently. "Put the fish down, and take a seat… I'm just unpacking the chemicals." Orochimaru sighed and tossed the soiled fish on the counter. Kabuto shook his head. "Sir…? What was the Lye for again?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "We're going to be cooking for the ambassador if all goes well next week…" He muttered. Kabuto nodded and put the Lye on the counter by the fish. "Kabuto, when you're done, I need you to go to the fish market and get some fish, okay?"

Kabuto nodded and went back to the spare room. He had always looked up to the man, considered him a friend, but lately Orochimaru had been so distracted. The Sound was so close forming a treaty with the Rock and having joint ownership of Ishi. It seemed to be all the man thought about nowadays. This meeting was to discuss payments to the shinobi of Ishi and to discuss a treaty with the Sound. They were so close. All they had to do was keep that idiot Iruka quiet during the meeting. But this take over of the Stone and Rock was becoming an obsession with the man.

Orochimaru had pretty much left his old home alone after he escaped the Rock's clutches. But it wouldn't last long. A few years ago he had started the negotiations that brought them to this day… A week before they were going to finish and have control over the village. Kabuto shook his head as he continued rearranging the room and lab. He didn't particularly understand what it was that was so important. He figured the Leaf had suffered enough here. He wasn't as hard as Orochimaru had wanted him to be. He still had a sarcastic edge to him and he could still kill without much feeling, but somewhere deep inside, he wasn't entirely sure he agreed with this kind of hostile take over.

"Kabuto!" Orochimaru called. "Go ahead to the market, okay?" Kabuto sighed.

"Yes, sir!" Kabuto answered. He reached into his pouch and pulled out all weapons. In the next week, no weapons were allowed outside of homes unless there was an attack. The Ishi ambassadors would be given a set a weapons to keep in their hotel. He pocketed his wallet and walked out of the room and the small suite they were given.

He walked out into the street and joined the hustle and bustle of the busy Rock Village. He noticed a team of students and a sensei. Shaking his head, he continued, not bothering to watch one of the kids ask if they could go out for ice cream later once their mission was over. It must be just a simple job… They must be genin. He noted with a slight hint of a smile.

The market was incredibly crowded. Kabuto was sure it was because today was Friday. Sighing, the boy pushed his way through the massive crowds, trying to find the type of fish he needed. There were some massive ones, but they weren't looking for ones that big.

He was lost in thought when he ran into a broad man in a black cloak. "Pardon me…" The man muttered.

"Watch it…" Kabuto hissed under his breath. The man sighed and picked up a fish, only to put it back. Kabuto shook his head and watched as he moved on, sampling the fish. Kabuto ignored him as he went back to looking for what he needed.

The place smelled… Terribly. Kabuto didn't like it. And finally, at last, he found the right kind of fish. He smiled. "About time… This place reeks of sweaty people and rotting fish…" He groaned as he walked up to the check out for that particular stand. He reached in his pocket, only to find his wallet gone. Frantically, he began searching for it, thinking he might have put it in a different pocket.

"Sir…" The clerk said. "There's a line behind you." Kabuto turned to see long line of people had already formed behind him. Groaning, he searched faster.

"I've misplaced my wallet… Do you think you can hold these fish for me?" He asked hopefully. The man shook his head.

"Sorry, sir, pay or we'll take the fish back."

Kabuto cursed. Orochimaru would kill him for losing his wallet, and for not coming home with the fish needed for the dish. He shook his head. "Very well…" He went to hand the fish back.

"I got it…" someone muttered. Kabuto spun around to see the cloaked man standing behind him. He blinked rapidly as the man paid for the fish. It was pretty expensive, but the man was throwing money down without blinking. Kabuto shook his head, astonished. When he was finished, he handed the fish to Kabuto and kept walking. Kabuto blinked at his gloves. They had the original symbol of Konoha on them. Kabuto cocked his head. No one would be allowed in this country with that symbol.

Kabuto shook his head and looked at his fish. Orochimaru would be angry if he was late, but he could easily say the market was crowded and he couldn't get out as quickly as the man would have liked. Kabuto tore after the cloaked figure. He couldn't believe this man had just paid for his fish… Unless he had stolen the boy's wallet when they bumped. He ran behind the man and grabbed his shoulder. "Hey! What was that about?" He asked crossly.

The man shrugged. "I figured you needed help. No big…" The man answered without stopping. Kabuto glared at him. He had been terribly rude to this man when they met.

"You took my wallet, didn't you?" He asked. The man shook his head.

"I wouldn't be so quick to judge, boy…" He muttered softly. Kabuto shrugged and stared a head of them.

"But, really," he started, "why did you do that?"

"To help you out… So, what's your name?"

"Yakushi Kabuto…" The medic answered. "You?" There was no answer. Kabuto waited, but the man didn't seem to want to answer. "So… You have the original Leaf symbol on your gloves… Why?"

The man sighed and rubbed the metal pieces on his gloves. "Don't worry about it, boy." Kabuto sighed. He wouldn't have asked if he didn't want to know. "Let's just say I left before it was taken over…"

"Yet you still wear the symbols? They were taken over many years ago."

The man nodded and sighed. "Yeah… I miss them…" He muttered. Kabuto shook his head. This man was a load of help. The two walked in silence for a while. Kabuto wasn't sure what to say. This man, a complete stranger, had paid for his food, and now he claimed to be a remnant of the original Konoha. This wasn't right… It couldn't work like that. Kabuto sighed deeply.

"Will you answer any of my questions?" He asked.

"Only if you ask the right one" was the quiet reply. The man reached up and pulled down his hood. Kabuto looked at the spiky white hair, noting the pony tail behind him. His face looked old and tired. Kabuto was guessing he had to be at least 50 years old, but still strong looking. The man's face was a bit leathery looking, but he still had a strong visage about him. Kabuto had never seen anyone age so gracefully in his life. With Orochimaru's body switching, he wasn't used to seeing an old face because many of their prisoners and villagers died young. He shook his head. They were nearing the hotel that Kabuto was staying at.

"Hey, I have to go drop these off…" He muttered. "Maybe we could go get a drink or some…thing…" He trailed off. The man's eyes were distant in thought. Kabuto cocked his head. "You okay?"

"You work for Orochimaru, don't you?" The man asked. Kabuto nodded. "Be careful, kid…" The man whispered, and then he began walking away. Kabuto sighed.

"What do you mean by that?" he called. The man shook his head and continued. "Who are you? How did you know I work for Orochimaru-sama?"

"I will only answer one of your questions. And even that won't be much help," he said without looking back, but he stopped all the same.

"Alright," Kabuto answered. "Who are you?"

The man smiled. "Curious as ever, Kabuto…"

"Just answer my question," Kabuto snapped, getting impatient with the man.

The man chuckled softly. "Temper, temper, Kabuto. Just call me Fang, okay?"

Kabuto glared at him. "Fang? That's not a full name! Who are you?"

The man, Fang, smiled and turned to face Kabuto. "I am a citizen of Konoha."

Kabuto narrowed his eyes. "Konoha is dead…"

Fang laughed gently and weaved hand signs, and before he disappeared in a puff of smoke, his voice rang out clear. "That's what you think…"


Naruto was staring at the table, eyes glazed over with shock. Kakashi couldn't seem to get more than a few words out of him, and try as he might, he couldn't get the poor boy to eat or drink anything. Iruka and Mizuki had finished explaining the situation to Naruto. Kakashi didn't react quite this badly to it, but Naruto… The boy looked sick to the stomach. Kakashi couldn't really say he blamed him. Naruto had the Fox his entire life, and now he had nothing. Not only that, but this village was Naruto's pride and joy… His whole life, along with returning Sasuke, but now his home was different, his sensei didn't recognize him, and he didn't even exist in this world.

"Hey, Naruto… Come on," Kakashi said. Iruka was looked at the boy with a worried expression, but it wasn't a loving expression like Iruka showed when he was worried about Naruto… It was more indifferent. Kakashi sighed and rubbed Naruto's back gently. Sasuke was quietly eating beside his sensei. Kakashi shook his head. "At least drink something…" Naruto didn't react.

Kakashi leaned back as a loud bell rang out. Iruka sighed. "Alright guys, time to go." he said. Kakashi shook his head.

"What about Naruto?" Kakashi asked. Iruka shrugged.

"I can take him with me to the Council to apply for citizenship, but until then, you should probably just train him, and blend him in. That bright orange outfit is going to stick out like a sore thumb," Iruka commented, looking at Naruto.

"Come on, Iruka," Mizuki called. Iruka nodded and said good-bye to the group before dashing off to the rest of the proctors.

Kakashi looked at his dazed student. Blend in? "Sasuke!" He called. The boy jumped and turned a timid eye to his sensei.

"Ye…Yes, Kakashi-sensei?" he asked quietly. Kakashi sighed. That was so weird!

"Where do we get Naruto a uniform?"

Sasuke sighed. "They give them out when you apply for citizenship…" He muttered, looking confused. Kakashi was sure this was all difficult for all of them, especially since they were used to a Kakashi that knew what this world was all about.

"Well, until then?" he asked. Sasuke shrugged.

"I have an extra uniform at my house, but…"

"But what?"

"My dad is home…"

Kakashi shook his head. "Look, we'll help you get the uniform." he explained gently. Sasuke nodded slowly. Kakashi turned a worried gaze at Naruto. The boy hadn't moved since getting into that position. Kakashi was worried about him. "Naruto…" he muttered gently. The boy blinked slowly and looked at Kakashi with unseeing eyes. "We're leaving now, okay, Naruto…" He rubbed Naruto's back in slow motions. "Come on…"

Naruto nodded slowly and grabbed Kakashi's outstretched hand. Kakashi lifted him to his feet and steadied him a bit. The poor kid was three steps from shock, it seemed. Kakashi let the boy lean on him as they walked, wondering if, back home, that action would be more uncomfortable. However, now it seemed almost second nature. He and Naruto were both in the same boat… both in a world where they didn't belong. Kakashi had never felt so close to his student.

He had dealt with the surprise better than Naruto had, but he understood the boy's terrible shock. Shaking his head, he rubbed Naruto's back as they walked. He hoped Naruto would wake up from this before something happened. But until then, he followed silently behind Sasuke as they entered the Uchiha compound.

Kakashi was shocked to see it flocking with Uchiha. He sighed deeply. Iruka wasn't kidding. The Uchiha clan was still alive and well. Most glared at him as he walked. He returned their glares with a sheepish grin, holding Naruto tighter. Why were they so hostile? "Sasuke?" he whispered. "Why do they act like I did them wrong?"

Sasuke shrugged. Iruka had also explained to his student that Kakashi seemed to have some sort of amnesia. "You don't like the Uchiha clan…" Sasuke explained quietly. Kakashi nodded. That made sense. If Obito had disappeared before he died, then Kakashi would have never learned his lesson and still would have hated the boy, meaning the entire clan would get the hatred as the years went on.

Finally, after many glares, they made it to Sasuke's house. "Alright," Sasuke started. "My dad will be mad if I go in with Naruto-kun, so you can come, sensei, but Naruto will have to stay here." Kakashi nodded. Naruto made no move. Kakashi walked his dazed student over to the side of the house.

"Is this your room, Sasuke?" The boy nodded. Kakashi gently pushed Naruto to a sitting position. "Naruto, we're going to get you a uniform, okay?" Naruto nodded once. "Okay. Stay here." He doubted he had to give the boy that command. Naruto wasn't moving, but Kakashi figured it was more to make sure that Naruto couldn't blame him later, saying that he hadn't told him to stay put.

Sasuke nodded at the two and lead Kakashi to the front of the house. He opened the door quietly. "Dad?" He called.

"Sasuke! What are you doing home? Your blasted sensei didn't send you home crying again, did he?"

Sasuke flinched, but swallowed. "I've never come back crying, Dad," Sasuke muttered. "And no, Kakashi-sensei's with me. I came to pick up my extra uniform."

"Why do you need it, son?"

Sasuke hesitated. Kakashi nodded. "My friend needs to borrow it…"

The man laughed. "You have friends, Sasuke?" He asked. Kakashi stared at the man angrily. What a jerk! He thought bitterly. "And no. Go train. Forget about your friend."

"But… Dad! He needs it!"

"Why?" His dad snapped. Kakashi stepped in front of Sasuke protectively.

"I got this, sensei…" Sasuke whispered. Kakashi nodded and stepped away. "He doesn't have his."

"Let him pay for it, then!" Sasuke's father growled. Sasuke shook his head and walked towards his room. Kakashi followed closely. "Don't you dare Sasuke!" Sasuke ignored him and dragged the uniform out of his closet. "Sasuke! Put that back!" Sasuke shook his head and walked towards the door of his room. His dad blocked his way. "Put it back."

"No, Dad…" Sasuke snapped back. The snap was followed by a loud smack as flesh met flesh. Kakashi winced. "No… Dad…" Sasuke growled through clenched teeth. The father went to attack again, but Kakashi walked over to him and grabbed his wrist.

"That's enough!" he growled.

Sasuke's father tore his wrist out of Kakashi's grasp. "You're one to talk. " He snapped. Kakashi didn't move. Sasuke took the dead lock as a chance to get out of the room through the window. Once he was safely out, Kakashi followed after him. The father wasn't happy, but Kakashi didn't care. He and Sasuke walked out of the house silently.

"Is he going to hit you when you get back?" Kakashi asked. Sasuke nodded. "I'm sorry Sasuke…" Kakashi muttered.

Sasuke sighed and bowed his head. "Thank you, sensei…"

Author's note: Looonnnggg chapter! I fail with Kabuto when he';s like this... I'll get better with him once a few events happen, I promise!