Chapter 12- A Loose End: The Uchiha Brothers

With Hebi...

Sasuke Uchiha was currently unwrapping the rest of his bandages, the wounds from his battle with Deidara having just finished healing. It had been four days since the fight and Sasuke had just escaped death by the skid of his teeth. He had to resort to summoning Manda, putting him in a genjutsu with his Sharingan, and hiding in his mouth. Manda died in the process, but Sasuke figured it was better Manda than him. His 'teammates', which could barely function as such without him around, were already packing up their personal supplies while he got dressed. They weren't the best of the best, but they were skilled in their own right and were good enough to help the young with his goals. Speaking of Sasuke's team, he could hear Karin and Suigetsu already having one of their regular arguments. Ignoring the migraine-inducing shenanigans of both Suigetsu and Karin. Sasuke pulled back the sliding door separating his room from his team's room. Upon entering, he noticed that Karin had justshoved Suigetsu out of the way so that she could be directly in front of Sasuke.

"How are your wounds, Sasuke-kun?" asked Karin who spoke with her "innocent" voice.

"I'm back to full strength now. We need to move out; we're getting close," said Sasuke before picking up his Kusanagi and making his way out of the small establishment.

"Sheesh, he's been lying on his back for four days and right when he feels better its off we go," said Suigetsu, strapping his Executioner's Blade to his back.

"He must think that running into the Akatsuki like that is a sign that he's catching up to his brother," said Jugo as he followed Sasuke out through the door.

"Ugh, he's so stubborn, but that just makes him so much more attractive," said Karin, musing over Sasuke.

"Give it a break Karin," said Suigetsu who then ducked a punch directed at his head.

"Shut it, Suigetsu!" yelled Karin while shaking her fist at the water man.

"So what's the next move?" asked Jugo, as the quartet moved back onto the road.

"We go to the next town and see if we can find any news about the Akatsuki. That bomber and masked man must have been in town around here and we can track them from there," said Sasuke, his mind focused on achieving his goal.

"Uh, I don't think tracking them is going to be a problem," said Suigetsu, getting everyone in the team's attention.

Sasuke and the others looked in the direction Suigetsu was looking in; the sight that caught Suigetsu's notice was apparently an unwelcome one as it was enough to earn a scowl from Sasuke.

Sitting on a tree branch reading a book was Naruto, though he didn't know it just yet, masked and in Akatsuki garb.

"Did you enjoy your little game of bomb tag with Deidara? I apologize for that but he tended be a little... overzealous... with his art, as you could tell since he blew himself up," said Naruto, putting his book up.

Sasuke simply continued scowling at the former Leaf ninja, for a bit before responding.

"If you are here looking to finish our fight, I promise it will go much differently," said Sasuke as he gripped his Kusanagi.

"As much as I would love to actually have a rematch with you, if only to actually kick your ass, I'm afraid you need to stay in good shape for what's to come," said Naruto before hopping down from the branch.

"And what't that?" asked Sasuke while narrowing his eyes at the masked man.

"The thing you've been after for nearly all your life," said Naruto, giving a mock bow, "If you would follow me, I will lead you to your brother."

After a few tense seconds Naruto began to walk through the forest of trees while Sasuke and co. followed him with their eyes.

"What do you think Sasuke?" asked Karin. She got her answer when Sasuke started to follow Naruto into the forest.

The walk to Itachi's location was quiet seeing as how Naruto didn't have anything to say to Sasuke, at least nothing yet. They walked for thirty minutes before they came to Kisame. Beyond Kisame, Sasuke saw a compound of in the distance where he was assumed that Itachi was waiting for him. Kisame brought his sword down from his shoulder in front of Sasuke.

"Only Sasuke beyond this point," said Kisame, grinning the group as Naruto stood next to him.

Sasuke glanced at his teammates, who all nodded to him as he proceeded to walk past Kisame. As Sasuke moved out of everyone's sight, Naruto rolled his neck and folded his arms.

"And now we play the waiting game," said Naruto, glancing over the new team Sasuke had.

"Nice to see you still alive, Kisame-sempai," said Suigetsu, getting a suprised look from Kisame.

"Do I know you?" asked Kisame, raising an eye brow.

"You probably know my brother better since he came closest to joining the Seven Swordsmen," said Suigetsu, giving a toothy grin.

"Hoho, I almost didn't recognize you Suigetsu. Still as scrawny as the first time I met," said Kisame, returning the grin.

"And you're still as fishlike as before sempai," Suigetsu, chuckling at his former teachers appearance.

"I see you got that kid Zabuza's blade, but I bet you can't use it," said Kisame, as Suigetsu frowned at him.

"Care to see how good I am?" asked Suigetsu, gripping a hold of the Executioner blade.

"You're trying to take on a shark, little fish, and you're going to be ripped apart," said Kisame, pointing Samehada at Suigetsu, as the young swordsman lunged at him.

As the two killers went on with their spar, Naruto walked over to Karin and Jugo, getting their attention.

"So, whats you guys's stories?" asked Naruto in a curious tone as he looked on at the two Oto shinobi.

With Kakuzu and the Naruto Clone...

Kakuzu and Naruto's clone had been tracking the chakra signiture of the Rokubi, being sealed inside one Utakata. Zetsu had been busy tracking down every rumor he could find and had gathered a hefty amount of information detailing who Utakata was and where he had been seen. None of this made Kakuzu's mood any better, however, since Naruto's mission pulled him away from his bounty hunting. The one thing he could say about Naruto was that he was way quieter then Hidan and not nearly as annoying. Even with those positives, however, this was cutting into earning money which, given Kakuzu's money-grubbing nature, wasn't going to be tolerated by the Akatsuki's self-proclaimed "Treasurer" for much longer.

"Are we close yet? I wanna wrap this up so I can go back hunting," said Kakuzu, while Naruto merely kept his eyes forward.

"It shouldn't be too much longer, the signals getting stronger," said Naruto, not bothering to respond to Kakuzu's other concern.

Kakuzu merely grunted in response, but was brought out of his seething by the sight of bubbles suddenly appearing around them.

"Bubbles?" asked Kakuzu, as he reached out to touch one but was stopped when Naruto seized his hand.

"I don't think these are regular bubbles, especially since they just appeared out of nowhere," said Naruto as he took in the amount of bubbles surrounding him and Kakuzu.

Naruto then narrowed his eyes to his right upon feeling Bijuu chakra coming their way. Out from the trees came a tall, thin young man with pale golden eyes and brown hair that reaches to his shoulders, his bangs cover the left side of his face. He wore a long, light blue kimono adorned with a small emblem of three bubbles on the back, and a pair of grey pants underneath, with an orange sash. The kimono hung loose, exposing his chest. In it, he carried a bamboo jug, and in his hands he held a type of pipe. He looked between Naruto and Kakuzu.

"I'm assuming you're Utakata?" asked Naruto.

Utakata merely nodded in the affirmative before responding.

"Indeed... and you're of the Akatsuki, I presume," said Utakata, as he raised his free hand, "Unfortunately, I'm aware of the reason you're here and I have no intention of being captured today, so how about you leave before I snap my fingers and finish this?"

"Now, now, Utakata... would you really blow up a fellow Jinchuuriki trying to make you an offer?" asked Naruto, as he removed his mask to a surprised Utakata.

He wasn't sure if this man was telling the truth until he heard the Rokubi's voice in his mind confirming Naruto's claim. Even with this confirmation, however, Utakata was naturally in disbelief

"A Jinchuuriki? In the Akatsuki?" questioned Utakata, trying to wrap his mind around the info in front of him before another piece of info came to his mind, "And what is this offer?"

"The Akatsuki has been recruiting the Jinchuuriki, and we're working together to bring about a new order since it's quite obvious the villages here couldn't keep a peace if it would save them," said Naruto, not moving since the bubble mine field was still up.

"You'll get no arguement from me, but what do I gain from this? More importantly how can I trust you?" asked Utakata, eyeinig Naruto carefully.

"If you don't want to join that's fine. Clear your little mine field behind us so we can go, besides my partner is a little restless anyway," said Naruto, while Kakuzu glared at Naruto.

Utakata looked at Naruto for a few seconds before all the bubbles popped simultaneous. He walked forward to Naruto.

"This operation of yours is going to be a tough one, isn't?" asked Utakata.

"It's gonna get pretty bloody. The villages aren't to go quietly, at least not the one's we know we can't strike a deal with. Kiri is gonna be hit too if that's what you're wondering," said Naruto, keeping his eyes on Utakata.

"I have no real hatred for my former village," said Utakata, stretching his back.

"But you're still hunted aren't you? Do you know about Yagura?" asked Naruto, seeing Utakata raise an eyebrow at him.

"The former Mizukage? I heard he was dead," said Utakata, having only heard about the Mizukage.

"He's very much alive, and has already agreed to help us in exchange for being Mizukage again. You join us, and when we take Kiri he can call off the hunt on you. When all is said and done, you can leave a free man without any worry of being hunted by Kiri ever again," said Naruto, presenting his case to Utakata.

Utakata thought over the offer before him. He didn't want to get invovled with any conflicts, hell he just wanted to dissappear, but he knew as long as Kiri still had it out for him, he couldn't fully vanish. He gave Naruto one final look before he extended his hand, which Naruto accepted and shook.

"What do you need from me?" asked Utakata, putting his pipe away.

"Right now we just need you to stay out of sight," said Naruto, pulling out a map for Utakata, "Head to Wave country and ask for a man named Tazuna. When you get to his house, tell him Naruto sent you and you'll meet up with the other Jinchuuriki."

"Understood," said Utakata before bowing, "I look forward to working with you, Naruto-san."

Utakata walked away leaving Naruto and Kakuzu to themselves. Naruto sighed before turning to face Kakuzu with grin.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" asked Naruto, still grinning at his glaring partner.

"Whatever, let's get out of here so I can make some profit," said Kakuzu, pulling out his own map and looking over it.

"We passed a city with a casino in it a while back," said Naruto, putting his arm around Kakuzu's shoulder, "How about you let me use my luck and earn some good cash as a ways to make amends for side-tracking you so long?"

Kakuzu greedily smiled under his mask, "Now you're talking. You better not screw this up, gaki."

"Have a little faith Kakuzu. Who knows, maybe we could make enough to buy you a girlfriend," said Naruto, making fun of Kakuzu.

"Better to buy one than kidnap her," said Kakuzu, seeing Naruto got an angry look.

"Screw you!" yelled Naruto as they left the forested area.

With Naruto, Kisame, and Hebi...

"So let me get this straight," said Naruto, as he sat in between Karin and Jugo, "You're a sensor and medic who used to work for Orochimaru, and you're the one who was the base for all of his Curse Mark's that he made."

Both Karin and Jugo nodded when he talked about their respective past.

"These Curse Mark experiments happen very often?" asked Naruto, looking up at the orange haired giant.

"There were hundreds of individuals that were worked on and were kept in the same prison I was in, but when Sasuke came for my help he and his group killed the test subjects. The only other individuals now are me and Sasuke," said Jugo. Naruto nodded at this before turning to the red-headed kunoichi.

"Karin, is it?" asked Naruto, while Karin nodded to him, "You got any experiment stories of your own?"

Karin got nervous and started to fidget around. Eventually, she rolled up her right sleeve and revealed teeth marks on her arms.

"I can heal people who bite me. Orochimaru wanted to experiment with the ability and see if it could prolong his immortality jutsu longer than three years. It didn't improve it so he instead put me in charge of a lair he had set up for other experiments. And now I'm here with Sasuke-kun," said Karin, though she kept a solemn face when talking about her past.

"Well that's a pretty strange ability, but I could see how the snake bastard would be interested in it," said Naruto.

"So what's you're story? How'd you end up in the Akatsuki?" Karin asked.

"That's a very long story... one that'd be easier to explain when Sasuke and Itachi are done fighting each other," Naruto replied.

Jugo narrowed his eyes when he noticed something felt off about the masked ninja... the way he spoke sounded as if the man had some history with both Sasuke and Orochimaru. Before he could question the ninja on this, however, his attention was redirected by the sight of the fight between Kisame and Suigetsu. Needless to say it wasn't going well for Suigetsu.

"Hah, still just a kid it seems," said Kisame, resting Samehada on his shoulders.

"Gah, I nearly had you a few times, Kisame-sempai," said Suigetsu as he was on one knee and panting.

Kisame was about to retort when he felt a presence coming from Itachi and Sasuke's battle. He looked out and saw what was obviously Itachi's Susanoo and was fighting a white eight-headed snake.

"Well that's something you don't see everyday," said Naruto, walking up to Kisame.

"You're going in?" asked Kisame, as Naruto took his mask off.

"Yep; I told Itachi that I'd intervene once the fight neared it's end and I meant it. Besides, something is wrong here. I don't know why but something tells me that Sasuke didn't summon that thing on his own," said Naruto, seeing the giant serpents do battle with the ghostly warrior, "The chakra feels too much like Orochimaru's for it to be Sasuke's own jutsu."

"Are you saying Sasuke-kun's in danger?" asked Karin in a worried tone.

"Maybe. You wanna find out?" asked Naruto, flashing a grin as he took off with Kisame.

Team Hebi looked amongst themselves before following after Naruto while noting Naruto's actual appearance.

With Itachi and Sasuke...

Itachi was currently breathing in every breath like it was his last. He had been fighting Sasuke, his beloved brother, who had been harboring his hatred for Itachi for murdering the rest of their clan, as Itachi had wanted for him; given his sudden change of heart in regards to his plans, however, Itachi had finally realized how his plan for Sasuke, despite it's success (or more accurately because of it), had backfired miserable.

His emotional attachment notwithstanding, it had been a hard battle for Itachi in terms of skill. Sasuke nearly had him with one big jutsu after the other, but Itachi had been able to counter every attack, if only barely. After Sasuke's last trump card, a giant dragon-shaped lightning bolt jutsu called Kirin, failed thanks to Itachi's activation of his Susanoo, Sasuke was left so exhausted that Orochimaru, whose power Sasuke had absorbed and whose conscious was suppressed up to that point, came back from the grave, took over Sasuke's body via the Uchiha's Curse Mark, and summoned his Eight-Headed Serpent jutsu. After battling the serpent for a short while, he managed to seal Orochimaru into the Sword of Totsuka, removing Sasuke's Curse Mark in the process.

Now Itachi stood silent for a few moments passed, staring down his equally drained brother while he himself still had Susanoo active, before speaking to his little brother.

"This fight is over Sasuke. You've really grown seeing as how you pushed me this far... I think it's time I showed you the truth," said Itachi as he walked towards his younger brother.

Sasuke took one step back and took a fighting stance, wary of what Itachi was planning, before the elder of the Uchiha Brothers started coughing. The coughing fit caused him to drop to one knee, and the break in concentration forced Susanoo to fall. Sasuke continued to look at his brother and saw blood leaking out of his hand that covered his mouth. Realizing his brother's now vulnerable situation, he was about to step forward when he saw a group coming toward him. The group revealed it to be his team, Kisame... and the LAST person he expected to see standing there in an Akatsuki's uniform.

"Naruto?" Sasuke said as he looked at his former teammate with wide eyes trying to piece everything together.

Sasuke's eyes settled on the mask in his hands and, after connecting the dots, the young Uchiha realized Naruto was the masked man he fought earlier. He was brought out of his mind by Naruto's voice.

"It's been a long time... Sasuke. I'm sure you have a lot of questions but you'll have to wait a bit," Naruto said before the Uchiha could question him. The young blonde then turned to deal with Itachi.

"Damn it, Itachi, your illness is acting up," said Naruto, kneeling next to the older Uchiha before he looked up at Karin, "You, let him bite you."

After hearing about Karin's ability Naruto realized it might be enough to finally heal Itachi of said ills and, given the situation, he needed that healing now.

Sasuke had a confused on his face as Karin responded, "But Sasuke-."

"Isn't the one who just hocked up a half a pint of blood. You can heal Itachi and Sasuke didn't sustain anything life-threatening. Do it!" yelled Naruto, releasing his chakra to get his command across.

Despite her obsession with Sasuke, Karin realized that not complying with the Uzumaki's demand would be the equivalent of a death sentence at this point; despite her reluctance Karin walked towards Itachi.

Sasuke was about to tell her to stop, but collapse forward. He was caught by Naruto who let out a sigh.

"Sorry, Sasuke, but we need your brother alive and after what he's done for me I'm afraid this is as close as you'll ever get to your revenge. Besides there's a lot of things me, you, and your brother need to talk about... so rest up. You're gonna need it," said Naruto as Suigetsu came over to help support him.

Sasuke looked on as Itachi was glowing green with healing chakra and looked between him and Naruto, who was walking over to see how Itachi was faring, as a few thoughts went through his head.

'Why are you and Itachi on the same side? What the hell is going on? What happened to you... Naruto?'

And then Sasuke's world went black as he drifted into unconsciousness, his questions unanswered... for now...

(A/N: Hey guys! So a lot happening in this chapter and I felt like getting a chapter done since i'm going back to work and won't have much time to type. I'd like to thank Rocker1600 for editing and improving this chapter. Tell me what you guys think. Till next time!)