The group paused just outside the perimeter of base camp a heavily guarded location concealed from unfriendly eyes by powerful genjustu. Shikamaru turned back to his comrades concern in his eyes. "What are we going to say," He began looking from Naruto to Sakura.
"We tell them the truth," Kakashi broke in looking pointedly at Naruto.
"Sasuke has betrayed us and he must be stopped," Naruto said almost robotically after a pause, his eyes never leaving the ground.
"The council will be expecting a full debriefing of your mission as well as any new Intel on... Sasuke," Shikamaru added awkwardly not sure how to place their former comrade.
"We should probably get back we don't want anyone to discover out location," Sakura began as she watched Naruto. "I need to attend to Naruto and Yamato's wounds before any debriefing is done," She added authority colouring her voice.
"Yes, let's move," Shikamaru agreed turning to lead the group through the maze of traps and fortifications that protected the united forces. Sakura fell back taking Naruto's arm.
"I'm fine Sakura," Naruto whispered trying to brush her off. The pink haired konoichi simply gripped his arm tighter causing Naruto to wince at her incredible strength.
"I know for a fact you're not fine Naruto and we will talk," She hissed through clenched teeth as they weaved through the invisible minefield.
After what seemed like hours of cautious tred they suddenly found themselves in the centre of base camp. It was a bustling hive of activity with ninja from all villages and countries rushing to and fro. It was Naruto and Sakura's first time in the camp as the main goal of their mission had been to track down Sasuke. "Team Kakashi?" A ninja from the Hyuga clan inquired. Kakashi stepped forward and handed the ninja a scroll "Are you prepared for the debriefing?" He asked looking over the worn out team.
"I think I will take it from her while the others recover," Kakashi replied turning back to the group.
"Kakashi sensei don't push yourself you need to rest also," Sakura butted in grabbing his shoulder before he could leave, his wince from her touch not going unnoticed.
"She's right Kakashi sensei," Shikamaru offered. "I will take the debriefing from here and inform the council what I know while your team recovers," He added nodding at Sakura.
"Thank you," he expresses to the young chunnin. Grateful for the burden of bad news to be taken off his shoulders, at least for now. Shikamaru nodded before following the Hyuga ninja towards the council chambers.
"Come this way we will find you a place to tend to your wounds and recover," Ino offered gesturing to a building a little off to the side.
"A comfortable bed would be a nice change from roughing it," Yamato sighed gratefully rolling his shoulder.
"Like you would know anything about that Yamato," Kakashi stabbed a smirk evident in his expression.
"Please I have to ability to make myself more comfortable so I will its initiative," Yamato stabbed back eyes glaring daggers at his senpai.
"You're getting soft in your old age," Kakashi commented slyly.
"You would know all about that Senpai," Yamato quipped emphasizing the word.
"You too are as bad as each other," Choji added chuckling at their childish bickering. The rest of the group then joined in the laughter breaking the nervous tension that had held the group since their arrival. Sakura noticed Naruto lagging behind the group and slowed so he could catch up.
"Naruto?" She asked peering into his eyes "are you-"
"Don't," Naruto cut in.
"But naruto-"
"JUST DROP IT SAKURA OK!" Naruto suddenly yelled pushing her away.
"Naruto," Sakura breathed as she watched her friend break down in front of her. Suddenly the air around them became still. Sakura looked around noticing all eyes were on them. She sensed more then heard the whispering begin.
"Is that the beast boy?"
"The one with the nine tails?"
"Yeh that's him,"
"It he going to go crazy on us?"
A nervous tension began to engulf the area as more passersby began to stop. "Naruto come on let's get inside," Ino urged as she came up beside the pair. Naruto began to shake as he tried fiercely to keep his emotions in check. He was a ninja god damn it! He shouldn't be acting like this! "It was your fault," an inner voice called "You where the reason he -"
"Naruto," Kakashi interrupted his voice reverberated through the young ninja shaking him from his turbulent thoughts.
"Ok guys I think you all have something to be doing," Yamato called to the crowd that had began to grow.
"Naruto?" Sakura asked cautiously moving closer again.
"I think I just need to lie down," Naruto replied quietly.
"Just this way," Ino gestured as Sakura led Naruto towards the door sitting him down on the closest bed.
"Ah well it's not much but its home," Ino began her arms spread in a welcoming gesture.
"Thanks Ino," Sakura replied smiling as she sat down next to Naruto. Ino watched the pair closely noticing they probably needed some time to talk about what happened. She still hadn't really dealt with it and wasn't sure if she wanted to. Sasuke was always an idol to her but the news of his betrayal only shook her ideals of the man she loved. For Sakura and Naruto this was on a whole new level, they didn't just loose an idol they lost a friend.
"Well we will leave you guys to it then," Ino added pushing Choji out the door when he didn't take the hint to leave. Kakashi and Yamato both sat down on the opposite bed their faces full of concern.
"Guys I'm fine really," Naruto said looking up and smiling at them only adding to their worry.
"Nara Shikamaru what information do you have regarding the location of Uchiha Sasuke," One of the Lords began looking down from his high seat on the council. Shikamaru looked around the room taking in the nine lords of the allied nations. The young chunnin took a step forward as he gathered his thoughts.
"I regret to inform that Uchiha Sasuke was originally located and captured," He began his confident gaze travelled the room searching for reactions from the small audience.
"Excellent bring him in then," One Lord spoke up as he looked up from filing his nails.
"He said initially pay attention Rain Dameyo," The cloud lord spat impatiently "What has become of the Uchiha?" He demanded.
"As I said," Shikamaru continued. "Uchiha Sasuke was initially capture and in the custody of Team Kakashi,"
"Isn't that the team with the host of the nine tails? It's a miracle this Uchiha didn't take control of the beast and rain terror down on our forces," The Sand Noble stated.
"No, no that Kakashi is a fine shinobi an asset to our cause he would never had allowed such a thing," The grass lord remarked. "Your shinobi should be commended Fire Lord for bringing such skill to our side," The fired lord nodded his acknowledgment.
"Why thankyou my lord but I believe we have more pressing matters to discuss, continue child," The fire dameyo continued pointing his fan to the young chunning. Shikamaru licked his lips nervously his original confidence was shaken by the unexpected change in conversation.
"Thank you my Lord," he began "Uchiha Sasuke was able to escape-"
"Is he against us?"
"Will he be fighting for the enemy?"
"What is his stake in this war?" The barrage of questions began to rain down on the young ninja but he held his ground and waited again for silence.
"It was not clear what his intentions where but he was witnessed leaving the battle ground with the enemy in which we can only conclude that he has sided against us," The chunnin concluded. Shikamaru felt as though he was watching a different person answer that question as silence fell around the room. He had never been close to Sasuke but he had always had a sort of respect for him and maybe even envied his drive and determination. It had never occurred to him that one day he would be the one to condemn him despise him and truly believe that. "Sasuke must be stopped if we are to win this war,"
"Naruto here eat something," Sakura offered bringing him a bowl of instant ramen that she was able to find. Naruto didn't move, "Come on I know that it's no Ichiraku-ramen but it will have to do," She added giving him a friendly nudge. "Come on Naruto you have to eat you can't just lie here," she added pulling away the covers from his face only to find a lump of pillows there. "What!? Naruto!" Sakura yelled as Kakashi and Yamato ran over. "We have to find him!"
Naruto walked through the camp deep in thought oblivious to the eyes that were watching his every move. He was trying to work out what had gone wrong, what had happened why did he turn against them again?
"You're not enough for him," a feral voice called deep from his sub conscious. Naruto stalled before being pushed forward again by the bustling crowds that were constant precents at base camp.
"What are you talking about?" Naruto questioned moving forward again towards nothing in particular.
"It consumes him," The voice called back darkly.
"No, no Itachi and I we drove the darkness away," Naruto replied quickly thinking back to blacken figure that had held Sasuke and consumed him so wholly.
"Fear, Hate, isolation, Regret, these are things that will stain a soul red from the blood of his brethren primed for the slaughter." The beast chuckled within him.
"What are you saying Sasuke needs not feel this way anymore he is no longer alone Itachi and I-"
"Did nothing but force responsibility and reveal what must now take place," The voice replied.
"Ah you're not making any sense what responsibility what must be done?!" Naruto yelled in frustration. But the voice said no more. "TELL ME!" he called out loud causing the crowd around him to startle at his sudden outburst. Then the whispering began.
"Hey isn't that the nine tails,"
"He's from Konaha right?"
"He was on the team that went after that that Uchiha,"
"Hey you!" Called a voice from the crowd. Naruto turned towards the voice revealing a Shinobi who was from the Cloud Village judging from his outfit. "You where on the mission to get that bastard Uchiha right?" He snapped waking forward as he pointed an accusing finger in Naruto's direction.
"Yeah why?" Naruto replied.
"I heard the stories you had the chance to finish him and you let him escape!" The man yelled "Typical soft Konaha ninja am I right?" The man called to the crowd. There were a few nods and calls of agreement from the crowd.
"It wasn't like that," Naruto replied.
"Pfft sure it wasn't your village is weak it's the cause of this war!" The ninja snapped.
"We are not weak!" Naruto yelled his rage increasing.
"Oh really why don't you prove it then?" His opponent called raising his fists ready to fight. Naruto exhaled deeply.
"No," He replied simply and turned to walk away.
"Don't turn your back on me!" The man yelled striking out at Naruto. In an instant he was on his back pinned down by a much smaller body.
"Why are we fighting amongst ourselves?"
"Konohamaru?" Naruto said in astonishment as he stared down at the scene. Konohamaru got off the man helping him up before he turned his attention to the crowd.
"The past cannot be change but our future is not set in stone and this," he said turning around and gesturing to the whole group. "This is our only hope for a future, unity, we must work together if we are to end this war and bring back peace and prosperity to our lands." As the young ninja finish the crowd stood in silent awe for a moment before erupting in cheers and applause for the youth with such wisdom. Then as soon as the crowd has emerged it disappeared again into the never-ending stream of bodies that made up the life blood of the camp. The man who had challenged Naruto bowed his head in shame and apologised profusely before sinking back into the crowd.
"Naruto onichan!" Konohamaru called as he turned to the older boy. "When did you get back I have been waiting for news on your mission," He beamed.
"Konohamaru," Naruto said again "You really have grown," Naruto stated feeling a sense of pride for who his young protégé was becoming. Konohamaru beamed up at Naruto.
"So aniki what happen with your mission?" The young ninja asked impatiently pulling Naruto to the side to avoid further collisions.
"Well that's a long story," Naruto replied scratching his head nervously.
"Naruto!" Sakura called as she finally found her team mate. "We have been looking for you everywhere!" She exclaimed placing her hands on her hips in exasperation. "Oh hi Konohamaru," She added spying the young ninja and smiling down at him.
"Hey so are you guys going out yet?" Konohamaru asked casually winking at Naruto.
"What!?" Sakura turned to the boy eyes a blaze with fury.
"Haha nothing, nothing I ah have some things to get done so I'm just gonna go do that," Konohamaru stuttered before turning and speeding away from what would surely be a very painful death.
"Yeh you go do that," Sakura replied watching him go. Naruto watched the scene that seemed so nostalgic it made him laugh out loud causing Sakura to quickly turn to him in concern. "Are you ok Naruto?" She asked peering into his eyes.
"I'm fine Sakura-chan just remembering old times you know when we were kids," Naruto replied but the pair quickly became silent at memories of a happier times almost too long ago.
"Naruto, Sakura!" Yamato called waving to the pair. "Kakashi-senpai I found them," he announced walking over. "Naruto where were you, you can't just go wondering off-" But the jounin quickly stalled taking in the sadden faces of his young comrades.
"Yo!" Kakashi greeted as he joined the group his brow furrowing as he sensed the mood. "What-"
"Hey Kakashi sensei," Shikamaru interrupted appearing from the crowd.
"Ah Shikamaru how did the briefing go?" Kakashi replied turning to the young chunnin.
"The council wishes to seek more details from you at a later date but they also have some other matters they want to discuss," Shikamaru added nodding towards Naruto.
"I see, well once we have rested I will speak to the council first thing," Kakashi replied smiling or what Shikamaru assumed was a smile.
"Well rest up guys I have a mission I should be on so I will see you around," The chunnin nodded as he turned to leave.
"Shikamaru!" Naruto called stopping the boy in his tracks. The chunnin turned to Naruto who moved forward and clapped a hand on his should. "Be safe," he said smiling and Shikamaru nodded smiling back at the boy who was once the class zero.
"Always," Was all he said before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"So you allowed the boy to escape then?" One of the lords began looking down at the copy ninja.
"Come now earth dameyo we are dealing with an Uchiha here even in their youth are quite the adversary," The fire lord commented fanning himself lazily.
"Please this is Hatake Kakashi the Copy Ninja I would expect him of all people to be able to take on an Uchiha child," The earth lord spat.
"My lords," Kakashi interrupted not in the mood to listen to petty bickering. "This does not change the fact that Sasuke Uchiha is on the side of the enemy creating a very powerful partnership between himself and another, Uchiha Mandara," The Jounin added. There was silence for a few seconds before the group erupted.
"Impossible!" they called.
"Never he was killed!" yelled another.
"It can't be," Called the lords of various nations.
"It is true I have been told on good authority that the masked man has revealed himself as Mandara as well as the mastermind behind this war." Kakashi stated silencing the crowd.
"This changes things," The Cloud lord spoke turning to the ninja behind him. "Inform all our intelligence agents and leaders on the ground." He ordered before the ninja quickly bowed and disappeared.
"All of the other details of the mission given to you by Nara Shikamaru where correct and if that is all," Kakashi began ready to make his leave.
"There is another matter," Kakashi paused and turned back. "It regards the Kyuubi,"
Sorry it's been a while I have actually had this finish for some time I've been waiting for it to be edited…
Also thanks to everyone for all the favs and reviews and for fans of my other story, Konaha College, (Self plug-nojustu) the next chapter will be coming soon and I am super excited for where it's headed ;) Also sorry for the terrible editing coz there kinda was none… my editor is worse than me (if that's possible)
Kate xx
