Authors Note: So here we are with another chapter. Without ruining anything i will tell you that the story is gearing up for some changes. Also today happens to be my birthday, well the day I'm publishing this it will be so yaaaay for me lol. But that's enough out of me, enjoy the story.

X.X

The mission overall had been a success for the leaf Genin They were sent to disband a local group of bandits so that the powers that be would feel at peace. However for the Joinin the mission had been a failure for so for Kakashi. The Hokage had sent them, (him specifically) to find out if the rumors of a mole in the Anbu black ops were indeed true. Though the circumstance evidence was overwhelmingly pointing towards that very point no hardcore evidence could be found.

Even with the captured bandit the leaf intelligence core was unable to gather any more info other than his name and his crimes. The bandit leader a.k.a. Ty is a rouge ninja from the land of Waves, who is accused of abandoning his post and allowing his comrades to die in exchange for money and promised political power. His involvement with the bandits seemed to be a way back in after a masked hooded man came to him with a bingo book with detailed information of certain ninja and the promise of more if could eliminate the leaf ninja who were coming here.

In truth it seemed suspicious at first as the leaf checked the information of the book they saw it had deep cover members of not only leaf Anbu but other village Anbu as well. Deciding that this information was best eft "unknown" the Third Hokage had the book burned and ashes scattered.

The mission was technically a success true, but what had they really learned in the end?

X.X

It had been over a month since Team's 7 & 8 returned from their joint mission. Of course they had their own debriefing but nothing spectacular happened as life returned to normal for them. Naruto continued to goof around and cause havoc, Sakura spent most of her time reading and occasionally trying to find Sasuke. As for Sasuke he was more distant than he usually was.

For Sasuke that mission was a wakeup call. Though he was able to hold his own he held himself to a higher standard. How could not have defeated those amateurs? Though he didn't want to admit it they were more skilled than him and even worked as a unit to overwhelm him. When back up arrived they quickly out matched them but Sasuke can never be weak.

The moon shinned high and bright in the night sky as Sasuke looked at from his apartment. Sleep had been avoiding him sice they returned, his mind continued to play back the memories of his fight and failure. His mind now able to react but his body was to slow. He needed to get stronger, he had to get stronger if he was ever to defeat him..

Itachi.. His older brother, the man who massacred the entire Uchia clan. At this rate how could he beat him if he himself struggled against low level bandits. His brother would have easily defeated them. Their had to something he could do a secret he could find to give him the egde he needed. How did Itachi do? Though he hated the idea that they were of the same blood then if Itachi could become a prodigy then why couldn't he?

Leaving the comfort of his bed Sasuke quickly readied himself, he needed to find something to distract his mind. Maybe a trip home will give him the light he needed.

X.X

The room was dim lite with candles around the desk as the sound of pen strokes filled the room. The Hokage was still hard at work but for the moment he was recording his findings. He himself had an idea of who the mole was and he suspected an old friend was behind it but could do nothing about it without proof. So instead he wrote his theory in one of his many personal scrolls. Leading a village might look fun but truly one is just a figure head, which is why he wrote these scrolls, his ideas for betterment of the village his theories of certain wrong doings that he has worked out and to keep himself calm after a long day. He treated them almost as a diary of sorts that he hoped no one would have to see.

A knock came upon the door reminded the Hogake that this was a 24/7 job as he came back to his senses.

"Enter" he spoke.

The door opened revealing Kakashi his usual stoic self. However something seemed off by his appearance like he too was concerned about something. Kakashi shut the door behind him and approached the Hokage's desk.

"Sorry Lord Thrid I hope I'm not interrupting anything…"

"No not at all what seems to be troubling you Kakashi?"

"Troubling…"

"Well true you not a early bird person you would never be out this late nor would you be here in my office at such a time either.. So again I ask, what seems to be troubling you Kakashi?"

"Honestly Lord Third its my students.."

"Hmmm?"

"To be more precise its been Sasuke. He's… well how do I say this…"

"What is it Kakashi?"

"He continues to distance himself from his teammates. It hadn't been a true problem because they were able to at least communicate with one another but recently he hasn't been really himself."

"I see…"

"Don't get me wrong he has been a handful has never really liked the idea of working in a team anyway but he still did it but since we've come back from our joint mission he doesn't want to be bothered with anyone it seems.."

Hearing these words leave Kakashi's mouth brought a smile to the Hokage's face even enough to bring a small chuckle to.

"Well looks like it has come full circle then now doesn't it Minato."

Puzzled Kakashi looked at the Hogake who just seemed to find more enjoyment out of it.

"Kakashi this isn't the first time someone has come to me with the exact same problem as a matter of fact your teacher asked me for the exact same guidance your now seeking for Sasuke that he asked for with you."

"…it figures. Minato sensei was resourceful.."

"Hmm. In any case if it will ease your mind I will speak to the boy in the morning and see where his head is..

"Thank you Lord Third I appercia-"

"I was not done. I will speak to him in the morning regarding personal matters true, however I will do it if you agree to enter your team into this year's Chunin exams."

"Lord Third…"

"Your team is an exceptional group of young promising Nin Kakashi. They've been through a lot together in their short stent as a team and have too much potential to stay Genin for much longer."

"With all due respect Lord Third their still learning how to truly be a team, and not to mention Sasuke isn't one to always chose team work first."

"Which is exactly why I believe the Chunin exams will be the perfect opportunity for them to grow not only individually but also collectively."

"…but their still children…"

"Were you not a child when you became a Jonin? You can't save them from this forever you know this. One day they'll out grow their sensei.."

This left Kakashi speechless. True he had made Jonin at a young age despite what people had told him, he didn't care he just wanted to surpass his father. Yet here he was now tryng to save the innocence of the children under his care. Thigs truly had come full circle for him. He knew the Hokage was right it would happen sooner or later who was he to get in the way of progress…

"Okay Lord Third I agree to your terms, if you can promise me one thing…"

"Hm, whats that?"

A light blush came over Kakashi's face as he named his demand,

"The new Icha Icha signed by the author..."

X.X

The sun was staring to creep out of the darkness as it lite the skies above. The village hadn't fully stirred just yet but the noises of those preparing their shops were in the distant air. However this didn't detour Sasuke who had been at the Uchia complex since about midnight.

Though he hated being here with the ghost of the past he did venture here on occasions. To pay homage to his fallen clan. Visiting the grave stones of his parents on their birthdays laying out flowers for all the other clan members.

It took months for him to remember the not only the names but the birthdays of each Uchiha who died that night by the hands of his brother. Tough he planned to right the wrong by killing him the least he could do was honoring the fact that they did in fact live.

However this was not the reason he was here today. Today he was searching the Uchiha library of the history of his clan. From rituals they used to preform before battle to, meditation methods. Sasuke was looking for a method to gain the strength he needed.

This had worked toward his benefit when back when he originally began searching his clans old scrolls. He learned many jutsu though his chakra reserves only allowed him to use very few of them. Though the ones he did learn came in handy during his battles and training exercises. However this was no time for patting himself on the back. He needed an answer for his dilemma, but despite his hours of looking he hadn't come across anything that could aid him.

A combination of anger and frustration began to eat away at him. Nothing looked even remotely helpful how was he supposed to gain the power he needed if he couldn't find the technique that was going to help him do it.

Breathe…He told himself. Stressing wasn't going to help him at all. Think, Itachi was a master of genjutsu. Maybe he learned something from the archives here that'll help me. With his mind set he looked over a few of the scrolls the Uchiha keep regarding genjutsu. He found that his predecessors were very meticulous of the details they put into each scroll. Never leaving anything out even the smallest detail was in there.

Though these were best for left with someone who had more patience than the young Uchiha. He threw them aside as he skimmed through them not finding anything that stood out to him. Just as he was closing in on giving up, he open a scrolled that immediately caught his eye. Tsukuyomi Project.. This was the genjutsu his brother cast on him when he was little he was sure of it. Was this something that could be learned? He had to find out for himself.

"Sasuke Uchia." A voice from the shadows called out snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Whose there? This is private property."

Suddenly an Anbu black ops member appeared in front of him. Sasuke looked at the anbu black ops member for a moment it was clearly a female from her body type. She wore the mask of a cat and though her head was down it was clear to him that she was watching him.

"The Hokage has summoned you."

"For what? I've done nothing wrong." he answered in his above caring voice.

"He would not say only to tell you it was a private matter and that you should come at your earliest convenience." She said back holding her tougne from scolding the arrogant brat he was acting like.

"Hmph. Fine I'll be there within the hour." He said clutching scroll ever so lightly but that did not escape the young Anbu ninja's attention. Though she didn't pry into why he was here she simply left after delivering the message she was assigned.

Once she was gone Sasuke ponder about his next move. He wanted to read the scroll right now to learn what he could but there was no way of tell how long it would take so instead he decided to take it back to his apartment to read after his meeting with The Third. He gathered a few more scrolls he found interesting and hurried home. The sooner he got this over with the sooner he could learn how to get stronger… Hopefully.

X.X

What will happen next? Hope you enjoyed!