AN: Sorry for the long delay, but better late than never I suppose. I hope that this isn't a disappointment- I had writer's block through most of it so... R&R. Also let me know which Team from Konoha you would like to join T7 next (PM or review). I'm taking a break from Beta work to work more on my neglected stories (3 ongoing :s). Come September I won't have much time so I'll do as much as quickly as I can. Thank you for your patience! Let me know any questions, suggestions, constructive criticisms etc. Enjoy!

Thanks again,

Khaneis

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SONS OF PLUNDER (Disturbed) OR NARUTO (Kishimoto). ANY RECOGNIZABLE CHARACTERS/LYRICS/PLACES ARE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.


As it's blown apart, hundreds thrown away
Makes me question just what I believe
Brothers torn apart, mindless drones enslaved
Makes me search for an answer
I don't want to know
It's like a plague from below
Killing all that I know
One hundred voices the same
Drench their sorrow in flame

Naruto sat up with a gasp, looking frantically into the darkness around him. He had sensed dangerous chakra signatures, they held the slight familiarity as the signatures of the day before. He raised himself onto his elbows, leaning back as he surveyed the cave. Kakashi was lounging near the cave mouth, absently twirling a kunai between his fingers while Sakura was still blissfully sleeping at Naruto's side. Naruto stretched and leapt to his feet, striding over to Kakashi.

"I felt it again." Naruto said as he slouched against Kakashi's wall, he slowly allowed himself to sink into a crouching position. He began drawing in the dirt at his feet, wondering about the chakra signature.

"Mmm" Kakashi looked down on his student as Naruto absentmindedly drew in the dirt. Kakashi could tell that Naruto was pushing aside his grief, focussing himself on reclaiming Konoha. He sighed, the only way any Hidden Village could achieve peace was if ninjas ceased to exist. And that was never going to happen. Not any time soon.

"It's so… familiar. I feel like I know the person, but I can't remember where it's from. It isn't Gaara. That I know. But…" Naruto gazed down at his doodle. It was a single eye, "Pfft, like that would help me figure anything out." He angrily erased the drawing. "How big are these caves?"

"No idea. They seem pretty extensive, if you went off on your own you would probably get lost. The positive side to that is that Konoha's entire ANBU could be in here and neither of us would have any idea where the other was." Kakashi crouched down next to Naruto, he had seen the eye drawing and had an ominous feeling concerning it. He felt that things were about to change drastically.

"I was just thinking we could train here and free Konoha eventually."

"No, for training we will need a larger, and more secure area. More like a building. Just because they wouldn't know where in the caves we were doesn't mean they couldn't possibly stumble on to us by accident. Also, we need to find allies, maybe approach Sand, find survivors. That kind of thing. We need a stable base that isn't likely to be compromised."

Naruto puffed out his cheeks and shook his head, "This all seems so impossible. I feel like it's us three against the world. Konoha. I will do anything for my Village. If it needs me to be strong, I will be strong. If it needs me to accomplish an impossible task, I will accomplish it. Kakashi, let's wake up Sakura, we have work to do."

Kakashi smiled as he watched Naruto's expression morph from one of depression to one of hope and determination. Maybe everything would be okay after all.


Sharp eyes narrowed as they read the message the messenger bird had brought. The owner of the eyes heaved a heavy sigh as he twirled a pen around thin fingers. What to do? He stared contemplatively at the message. It was from Konoha- a list of wanted criminals, a request for aid in rebuilding the city, and a request for military aid in tracking down fugitives, as well as a demand for an alliance.

The man stood and walked to the window in his office. He looked out across his village. The letter had been signed by some man named Danzo. As far as he knew, Tsunade had been the Hokage. There was no mention of her in the letter, or of Naruto except to say he was a wanted criminal. The man shook his head. Danzo had threatened military action if his demands (requests) were not met in a timely fashion. If he could track down Naruto, and somehow stall for time… Yes, that just might do it.

"Get packed. We're going after Naruto." The two behind him nodded and left the room. Leaving the man to his silent room as his thoughts arrived at the all-important questions- why would Konoha need aid to rebuild the village and why in all hells was Naruto on a rather large list of fugitives and traitors?


Sasuke finished pulling his shirt on over his head. Suigetsu and Karin still slept peacefully while Juugo was at the outer mouth of the cave, calmly stroking a small bird. Sasuke quietly lit a small fire and set about preparing gruel. After breakfast the team would head out, into the caves, in search of their training area. Sasuke knew it would be a long while before they arrived at the specific hideout he planned to train in.

"Juugo, the gruel's about ready. I'll wake Suigetsu and Karin." Sasuke stretched as he walked over to his sleeping partners, a series of pops following him as his joints loosened.

He stood before the two, looking down in amusement at their entwined bodies. The two idiots were clearly in denial. He puzzled over how to wake them up. Sasuke wasn't much of a prankster but at times like these a certain sadistic urge overcame him, pressuring him to do something amusing, even if it was only to hold off monotony another day.

Sasuke smirked as he turned to Juugo, raising a thin eyebrow.

"Would you be willing to somehow wake them silently?" What he would normally have phrased as an order came out as a question. Being in a mischievous mood, as well as the respect he felt he owed Juugo resulted in a slight sense of equality and companionship between the two. Juugo smiled, nodding.

The two on the ground began to squirm, moving closer to one another in their discomfort. Suigetsu's eyes opened a split second before Karin's. He blinked stupidly as Karin blinked back in surprise. They seemed to take a moment before realising just what kind of position they were in. They erupted into a mass of thrashing limbs.

"Fucking pervert Suigetsu! Why the fuck are you in my bedroll?"

"Your fucking bedroll? It's mine you moronic bitch." Karin bared her teeth at Suigetsu and bit the closest limb to her.

"Ow, fuck! Great now I've got rabies. Sure it's not your fucking time of month?" Suigetsu spat out.

"Fuck off," Juugo and Sasuke watched the loud nin, amusedly, as they disentangled themselves. Both jumping lightly to their feet and making their ways quickly to opposite sides of the cave.

A bug slowly crept out of Karin's shirt collar. She screamed shrilly as she came face-to-face with the ugly thing.

"Why? Juugo…" She glared vehemently at Juugo in accusation.

"The gruel's ready," Juugo stated with a shrug, fighting back laughter at the accusatory glares on both team mates' faces.

"We have a long day ahead of us. Eat, and get ready quickly. There's a lot of ground to cover." Sasuke's dark eyes met those of his team's. They nodded in agreement and each went to their accustomed tasks, like a well-oiled machine. It was yet another day.


"We're all ready, let's go!" Naruto punched the air, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

"And where would we be going?" Sakura asked, looking around the cave they had spent the night in.

Naruto pointed into the tunnel connected to the cave, "Eventually we'll find a suitable base of operations. Who knows how many buildings these tunnels connect with. We just have to keep going away from Konoha, maybe set some traps for unsuspecting followers, send out a few diversions," he looked at Kakashi who smirked approvingly.

Kakashi originally hadn't liked the idea of travelling in the tunnels, but he had eventually been won over by Naruto's surprisingly logical plan.

Sakura nodded, she could feel Naruto's enthusiasm and optimism slowly seeping into her. It was catching and made her feel as if she could do anything. She could almost forget that less than a day ago they had been forced to flee Konoha. It was time to amass forces and train- to free Konoha and clear their names.


"ANBU Root, your job is to specifically retrieve Naruto Uzumaki. You may also retrieve the rest of Team 7, as they are wanted- dead or alive. Uzumaki is not to be harmed beyond reason. The Kyuubi must be contained. He is a traitor, and a danger to Konoha. I would also like to add that Uzumaki may be looking to join Sasuke Uchiha. Uchiha is to be treated as a missing, S-class nin, and as a traitor. Apprehend him as well, if he is in the company of Uzumaki." Danzo stood on a ledge above his ANBU squad, "I will be sending letters to each of the countries demanding their cooperation in this operation. Some may send support. Accept it as you must. Vanquish the traitors and come home. Die with honour. Do not return unless you need more supplies or until you have completed your objective."

Sai stared emotionlessly up at the Hokage. The usurper. He had bought Team 7 as much time as possible. Stalling when asked of their whereabouts, being unsure of their personal details. He had no idea, absolutely none, of where they would go in an emergency he had told his interrogators while casting discreet looks at the far-reaching tunnels which touched on each individual village on the continent. They could be anywhere by now, and for that he was glad. They would be back.

"Move out!" Danzo cried, a sharp glance was thrown to Sai who sighed, now he would have to catch up.

Root began leaving the clearing. As the last one left, Sai looked up calmly at Danzo, the Hokage. Danzo leapt from the clearing down in front of Sai.

"I have given all of Root orders that, should your allegiances become questionable, they are to kill you immediately. If you fail to fulfill your objective you will also be killed. I expect you to understand exactly the consequences of your actions. Any failure will now be treated as a fatal error. One strike, you're out. Do you understand?"

Sai pursed his lips and nodded. Wonderful. He had execution orders, "May I go, sir?" No matter, he would still help Naruto in any way he could. If that meant sacrificing himself for the greater good, so be it.

Danzo gave a terse nod, "Go."

Sai turned on his heels and leapt into the trees, letters were sent, and the mission to retrieve Naruto Uzumaki and dispose of his allies was officially begun.