Chapter 25

AN: Hey guys! I seem to have lost my outlines and notes for the upcoming chapters. I still have the basic outline in my head but the omake ideas, finer plot points, ect are not there anymore. So, I will update today and go to the drawing board again. Who knows, maybe it will turn out better!

Night before reaching Iwa…

Sai was lost. His body was on the way to a clearly questionable mission and his mind was focused enough to be on lookout.

But he was lost. Growing up in an orphanage before being taken in ROOT at four, Sai never thought of the future. Even when Naruto-his Taicho, his captain, his best friend- and Ren-his crazy teammate, his friend, his loud counterpart-rescued him and told him all about their lofty and insane self made mission, he never looked past the short term. Then they separated from Ren, and killed the source of his nightmares.

Oh yes, Sai had nightmares. It's just nobody would ever be able to tell.

Sai was looking forward to after this long term mission, to when Iwa was gone and the three of them went home, whatever that meant.

And then Ren left. And despite his best efforts at ignoring the logical sense in the matter, it could very well be the last time he saw her. Because their plan relied on the whole group to be believable, while her's was simply a self-induced suicide, though Naruto tried to ignore it.

But Sai pushed those dark thoughts aside, and forced himself to find an anchor. His only goal was getting him and Naruto out safe. Screw the mission if need be. He wasn't going to let another brother die.

Iwa…

We were here. Two weeks of travel through the rocky terrain, including getting lost three times. But, we made it. Both of us are nervous, for with just two of us, the ploy to be hired bounty hunters won't work as well, but we made it.

"Halt! State your names and business" A guard asks at the gate. I stiffen slightly; go time.

"We are travelling bounty hunters with the body of Hoshiki Tachibana. We need an audience with the Tsuchikage for the bounty." I show the scroll, quickly unsealing it to reveal Hoshiki's body before resealing it. The guard snorts.

"Like two kids managed an S-class criminal. Again, I ask, what's your names?" I sigh slightly. Even after growing to four foot three I still gave off the small child vibe, despite being deadly and eleven in seven months or so.

"This is Sora." Sai bows with a greeting, "And I'm…Natsu Uzumaki." The guard's breath hitches as I pull off my hood and mask to reveal my red hair. I notice his face paled slightly. I knew Iwa feared Uzumakis because of Uzu, but dang. I'm surprised though when the guard bows.

"Ah, forgive me, Uzumaki-san. I didn't recognize your clan affiliation with your mask. Iwa welcomes you." I nod wearily.

"Thank you, shinobi-san. We are part of the "Guardians" no doubt you've heard of our little group?" The guard's face brightened.

"Of course! Your bounty list and exploits in Kiri are legend! Is it true you are a master level at seals?" Again, a weary nod. We are ushered in quickly, making my stomach churn. Something isn't right…

"Let's just get you down to the T and I to get you approved for an audience."

Onoki's office…

Currently Onoki was battling his arch nemesis: paperwork. With the war they were planning in a few years construction, shinobi examinations, and recruitment forms were abundant.

"Tsuchikage-sama!" A messenger from his north gate ran in, bowing low.

"Eh, what's the meaning of bursting in here?" The old kage narrowed his eyes at the smile sent his way.

"Forgive me, sir. But if you recall you ordered every ninja to keep an eye out for Uzumakis to give Iwa seal masters? And to try and locate that "Guardian group" for the young seals master and his allies?"

"Yes, why?"

"Well, the Guardians group showed up-or at least two did, so it's more of a partnership than group-at our gates with Hoshiki's corpse and…the seal master in their group is an Uzumaki! They should complete their interviews within the next two days. The guards are also tasked with do a comprehensive skills assessment." The guard's elation is apparent and Onoki had a grin to match his subordinate's.

"Excellent. Now we just have to convince them to stay and fight for Iwa. With an Uzumaki seal master and the Guardians, Iwa will be unstoppable." Onoki chuckled, motioned for his advisors, and waited for his future subordinates-or hired help, if worst came to it- to show up.

Two days after dropping off the corpse and getting the bounty we finally get the clear to see the Tsuchikage. They seemed eager when we mentioned our services, and two days of tests and skill assessments later it was time to meet our future "boss", if things went well.

Sai and I are pushed into the kage's office, Onoki from the Hokage's reports. Known for his dust release, the aged Hokage held Konoha-particularly my father-in contempt for the Third Shinobi War. Looking around as the surprisingly small kage-something I can appreciate- studies us I notice that in addition to Onoki and his two advisors there's ten hidden chakra signatures. My eyes flick around to them, my mask off still, as is Sai's.

Normally a shinobi wouldn't want to reveal that he knew his enemy was there- it certainly would have been simple to pretend I didn't notice the ANBU agents hidden about- but this meeting was about power. We had to make them drool over us, desire our power, and then dangle it like a tasty piece of meat in front of starving wolves. It had to work. Even if I had to wear a damn Iwa headband, I would get in. Sai appears impassive next to me but I feel a pulse. Whatever it takes. Good. We're both on the same boat.

Onoki watched in slight fascination. Here was a boy-ten, according to the profile he filled out- that noticed his elite guards. Amazing. Onoki had to have him, even if only as a bounty hunter that sold seals to them. Onoki wasn't stupid. He learned his lesson in Uzu: Treat an Uzumaki with respect and their seals will win you any war. Tick them off, and they will somehow find ways to use a single seal to demolish you. Iwa needed this Uzumaki. From the skills assessment he was almost on the last level of Uzumaki level sealing. His Kenjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu were at least jonin level. He knew how to seal poison into tags, and created an impenetrable barrier in five minutes.

And his partner. The pale boy that appeared to be emotionless yet crafty beat his ANBU kenjutsu specialist, and his use of ink ninjutsu was almost a self made kekei genkei. The boy was adept at medical ninjutsu and genjutsu as well, balancing his partner out. Oh yes, he would have them.

"Thank you for coming, Natsu Uzumaki, Sora. I am Onoki of the Two Scales, and Tsuchikage. These are my advisors, Kenshin Yami, and Hideki Matsumoto. I would personally like to welcome you to Iwagakure."

I bow low, Sai following suite. "It is an honor, Tsuchikage-sama. We wish to discuss a possible mutually beneficial relationship." Sai's smooth diplomatic tounge says it all perfectly. Onoki sends a side long glance to his advisors. They nod, and Hideki steps foreward. Obviously the diplomatic specialist, I muse.

"We are eager to discuss such possibilities, given your skills at such a young age." Hideki dances around the subject. "I am sure there is something we can do for the Guardians."

"Oh no. I think the question is what we can do you Iwa."

End: Short, I know, but I am working on my outlines since they got lost on the road of life (haha, no, I pressed delete all memos without paying attention on my phone.)