Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"

Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.

"I will not stop, no matter what the cost, I will not stop. Even if the world should end and crumble into darkness. I will not stop walking for I do not fear the darkness because I thrive in darkness." -Unknown.

"War does not determine who is right only who is left..." - Unknown


Tsunade was confused as she stared at the now awake, but dulled eyed, Tayuya. Even after getting her awake, Tayuya couldn't remember much if not anything. The only thing she could recall was the last moments before leading up to her being forced into a coma. Even Inoichi had difficulties extracting certain memories, it wasn't like she didn't remember, but it was more like the memories in of themselves never existed. Whatever Orochimaru did, he made sure, Tayuya couldn't be used to track him. "So close to catching him, but he just slipped through our fingers once again," Sarutobi rubbed his eyes as the girl in front of him looked around her. She knew where she was, but couldn't comprehend why she was under such heavy security.

"Did I do something bad," thought Tayuya as she tried to remember anything that would help her, but drew a blank. There was so little she could remember. Her name was Tayuya, but where she came from in general was a large blank. Looking around worriedly, Tayuya reached for the water sitting on the tray, but pulled back when kunai was lodged next to her hand. Staring at an ANBU wearing a hawk mask, Tayuya saw another glint of a kunai.

"That's enough," Sarutobi announced in a stern voice as he stared at the memory-erased Tayuya. "It's clear she doesn't remember anything." Before Sarutobi could say anymore, everyone heard the tapping of the cane across the tiled floor. Sarutobi didn't need to see who it was. "What do you want, Danzo?" The one-eyed man gave no reply as he looked past Sarutobi and stared at Tayuya.

"So how is our guest," growled Danzo as his one-eye narrowed at her. "Is she giving up the information we want."

"The info is lost at least for right now," Sarutobi stated solemnly. "Orochimaru did something that caused her to lose some of her memories."

"So, did you collect the appropriate info or not," Danzo repeated his question with an irritated gleam in his eye. "Judging from how she is still able to function properly, I will wager that you did not."

"As I said, the info is-,"

"Memories don't simply fade away like a bad dream Sarutobi," yelled Danzo while slamming his cane to the floor. The ANBU moved closer to Tayuya, but not to hurt her, but to protect her.

"Outside, now," the once calm and grandfather like tone of the Hokage was replaced with a stern a leadership voice. As the two left, Tayuya relaxed slightly, but still didn't feel comfortable surrounded by the ANBU. "What are you suggesting?"

"We force it out of her by using the Yamanaka."

"What you are suggesting could kill her," Sarutobi said in a shocked tone. "She is just a little girl, who doesn't even know what she has done wrong."

"We have a chance to finally catch and punish a dangerous criminal of Konoha, and you want to squander it on protecting this girl," Danzo's eye was fully open and showed nothing, but pure anger at his old friend.

"I understand that, but I can't just willingly throw this girl into that type of torture," Sarutobi tried to reason with Danzo. "Inoichi said the memories are either lost or buried beneath some sort of block. Either way, if he pushes too hard, he could end up breaking her mind, or worse."

"So be it then," Danzo stated with a cold efficiency in his voice. "She is a prisoner of Konoha and we must do everything we can to ensure the survival of our village." As he went to the door, Sarutobi said one thing that stopped Danzo in his tracks.

"Like how you tried to kidnap, Naruto when he was a baby," Sarutobi knew he was right, when he heard Danzo's grip tighten around his cane.

"How did you know," Danzo asked, knowing it was a pointless endeavor to lie now.

"Well, I didn't know fully until just know, but there was clues everywhere," Sarutobi stated as Danzo turned to and looked at him. "Your sudden absence at meetings from the way you avoided anything that related to Naruto. All that and I know the true you, Danzo."

"So, why didn't you have me arrested," Danzo smirked at his friend.

"Because I hoped you would stop what you were doing."

"And you didn't have enough evidence to support your suspicions."

"That too," Sarutobi gave a proud smile to Danzo, but it failed into a frown. "You were and still are a good ninja, Danzo. You personify everything a ninja should be. Working from the shadows, to killing silently and without detection, and even the way you leave very little evidence everywhere you go." Thinking about it silently, Sarutobi said the one thing that might bring back his friend or push him further away. "Maybe that's why Tobirama-sensei picked me to lead Konoha." Looking down, Sarutobi saw the cane cracking as Danzo's barely readable anger began to boil. "Think about it, Tobirama knew how much we wanted to be Hokage, and you know how cautious of a man he was. He studied us, learned us inside and out. In the end he knew who we would grow up to be-."

"That's enough!"

Startled by Danzo's outburst, Sarutobi took a step away from his friend and watched as he walked away. "You are the leaves bathing in the sunlight, and I'm the roots growing in the dark," Danzo mumbled as he passed by Sarutobi. "I hope you remember this, because being bathed in sunlight makes you blind to what lurks beneath your shadow."

"Is that a threat, Danzo?"

"No, it's a warning," answered the aged councilor. "You were blind to what Orochimaru was becoming and now you are willing allowing one of his bodyguards to live. I'm just warning you, that this may lead to disaster." With that, Danzo walked away, leaving only the sound of his cane tapping across the tiled floor. Reentering the room, Danzo found everyone staring at him.

"So, what is our course of action with Tayuya," Tsunade asked, while casting a glance at the red head.

Sighing, Sarutobi made his decision. "She is staying," stated Sarutobi. "But will be under heavy watch, until it is clear she posses no threat." But the next problem Sarutobi would have to answer was; where would she stay. There couldn't be that many people excited about having to let someone who helped attack them stay in their home. Thinking of the different people, Sarutobi sighed. With most of his Jonin and Chunin having to do more and more mission to repair from the invasion, Sarutobi would have to pick a low-ranking Chunin and there was currently only two. One would find it too troublesome to watch over Tayuya and the other killed her entire team. "Go and find Shikamaru and Naruto and bring them to my office." The ANBU Sarutobi addressed didn't fight his order, but instead disappeared into nothing.

XXX

"I'm just saying it troublesome to be a Chunin," the Nara complained to the blond Jinchuriki. After returning from the mission to retrieved Tsunade, Sarutobi allowed Naruto to have a couple of days off duty to allow him to mourn his brothers. Today, the last thing Naruto expected was being in a conversation with the laziest ninja he's ever seen. "You have too much pressure to make the right calls, and if you screw up, it's your fault."

"I understand, but you have to admit, us being the only two who managed to become Chunin does say something about us," Naruto countered, but only got an irritated sigh from the Nara.

"We got in from luck and power," Shikamaru answered back as he stared at the sky. "You became Chunin, because you are a tough ass guy who is hard to take down. I got in because I realized I couldn't beat my opponent."

"Well, that makes us pretty damn useful," Naruto grinned down at Shikamaru. "You tell me their weaknesses and I'll tear them apart." This got a chuckle out of Shikamaru, but before he could respond, a hawk masked ANBU landed in front of them.

"Hokage-sama as requested your presence," he said this in a leveled voice, that border on both a statement and an order. Confused, Naruto looked at Shikamaru who just sighed in annoyance.

XXX

Sitting in his office, Sarutobi heard the approaching footsteps before the door even began to open. Seeing the two newly made Chunin enter his office, Sarutobi put up a happy smile, but they didn't buy it. "Okay, what is our mission," stated Naruto with a slight annoyed tone.

"Don't worry Naruto, this won't be a long term mission just temporary," Sarutobi began to explain the situation to the young Uzumaki, but this just caused a slight twitch of irritation to flicker past the boy's eyes. After finishing, Sarutobi noticed the only other one, even remotely looking like he was agreeing with him, was Shikamaru.

"So you want me to watch Tayuya, the girl who's team I had a hand in killing off."

"I know, but you will not be alone, I will have one ANBU watching over her along with you," Sarutobi explained as he watched Naruto rub his eyes.

"Fine, where is she," Naruto gave in quicker then Sarutobi thought, the confusion showed on the aged Hokage's face, because Naruto grinned at him. "If there was a better choice, you would have picked it, but we are low on man power."

"She is currently outside waiting for you," Sarutobi gestured to the door and watched Naruto exit through it. "Now Shikamaru, I have a special mission for you."

XXX

Walking outside, Naruto saw Tayuya standing beside two familiar figures; Anko and Ibiki. "Well, if it isn't the crazy twosome," Naruto joked, earning him a glare from Ibiki and a wicked smile from Anko.

"Well, at least we aren't stuck with babysitting," Anko fired back, but before Naruto could continue, Tayuya inhaled sharply. Looking down at, Anko noticed Tayuya had a look of fear in her eyes, but not at her; her eyes were locked on Naruto. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I think I remember you," Tayuya stated softly to Naruto. Cursing, Naruto held up his hands to show he wasn't going to hurt her.

"Well, what do you remember of me," asked Naruto?

"Blood, you covered in a yellow aura that resembled fire, and the feeling of death coursing through me," stuttered Tayuya, shaking from the memory.

"That's interesting, so the memories aren't gone, but have been suppressed heavily," Ibiki made a mental note to inform Sarutobi of this the first chance he got.

"Hey, it's okay," Naruto tried to calm Tayuya down, but it didn't work. "I'm not going to hurt you. Maybe, you are remembering different memories at the same time." This was a lie of course, but Naruto needed a way to calm the girl down. This seemed to work, but Tayuya was still shaking. "My name is Naruto and I'll be watching over you." Naruto held out his hand for Tayuya to accept. Looking back, Tayuya found she was alone with Naruto. Anko and Ibiki had disappeared. Reaching out, Tayuya took Naruto's hand after a brief shake, Naruto released his grip. "Come one, let's go home." Leading the way to the Uchiha compound, Naruto ignored the constant looks of fear directed at him. After the invasion, people began to fear that Naruto might turn on them. This only increased after somebody leaked about who raised him. This caused a uproar of fear, but Sarutobi dismissed them as unjustified. Even when the civilians began to say, Naruto was just playing the hero until they let their guard down, Sarutobi still ignored them stating Naruto was a shinobi of the leaf and one that had saved them.

Tayuya noticed the stares of fear, but Naruto just kept walking ignoring them. "Why do they-," Tayuya's question was cut off when Naruto turned towards her. His eyes flashed a single warning, not threatening one, but a warning to stay quiet. Heeding the unsaid warning, Tayuya and Naruto continued on in silence. Reaching the compound, Naruto found himself staring at an approaching Sasuke. Sasuke's flashed dangerously at naruto, but he didn't act on his impulse. Instead, to the surprise of Naruto, he walked off in a huff. Shaking his head, Naruto escorted Tayuya into her home. Upon entering the building, Naruto noticed the absence of both Haku and Suigetsu.

"They must be training or on a mission," mumbled Naruto as he continued forward. Lying down on the couch, Naruto noticed Tayuya standing in the same spot looking confused. "Well, sit down."

Nodding, Tayuya found a seat in the chair. Seeing Naruto staring at her, Tayuya felt uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me," asked the girl.

"Are you sure you don't remember anything," questioned Naruto, getting a nod from Tayuya.

"I only remember certain things, but not anything that you are looking for," Tayuya confessed.

"Well, at least you are starting to remember, that's something right," after saying the comment, Naruto noticed Tayuya's demeanor die down. Sighing, Naruto stood up, before heading over to the cabinets. Watching Naruto, Tayuya saw the blonde begin to pull out three cups of ramen.

"What's that?"

"Ramen, not as good as Ichiraku's, but I don't feel like going out."

As Naruto began to prepare the food, Tayuya heard a knock on the door. Turning to the door, she watched as it swung open revealing two figures. Mikoto and Hinata stepped through the doorway and saw Tayuya sitting on the chair.

After hearing the door open, Naruto poked his head around the corner. "Hey, guys," Naruto smiled at the two. "I'm just boiling up some ramen; you want any." The two shook their heads, but kept looking at Tayuya. "Sarutobi gave me a mission; watch her." Accepting the answer, Mikoto and Hinata watched as Naruto gave Tayuya a cup of Ramen.

"Naruto, Kakashi would like to see you," Hinata finally stated with a nervous look in her pale eyes. This bothered Naruto. Kakashi never really showed any sort of interest in him, after the first day Naruto came to Konoha.

"What about," questioned Naruto as he slurped on some ramen?

"He just told me to get you and take you to the training grounds."

Sighing, Naruto finished his ramen before standing up. As he moved to the door, Mikoto stopped him. "Have you seen Sasuke," the worry in Mikoto's voice was evident. "He's been acting strange ever since the Chunin exams."

"I saw him exiting the compound when I was coming in," Naruto answered as he slipped his vest on. "But I'll keep an eye out for him and tell him you're looking for him. Oh, watch Tayuya for me." She nodded as the door shut behind him. Looking around outside, Naruto spotted the ANBU perched on the rooftop. Pointing to the door, the ANBU nodded his head.

XXX

Kabuto couldn't keep the grin off his face as he walked out of the medical area. Orochimaru was allowing him to use Kimimaro. The boy was one of Orochimaru's most prized possessions, but because of an unknown disease; it made him uninhabitable. But that wasn't all Kabuto had planned. He was going to issue a little help from three others. As Kabuto entered Orochimaru's giant training area, he found his help. Three coffins lay in the center of the room with Orochimaru standing beside them. "Is Kimimaro ready," asked Orochimaru, but the answer came from above him. Landing in front of his master, Kimimaro was in a bowing position.

"Yes, my lord," Kimimaro answered with a slight monotone in his voice.

"Good, your old team had an accident that resulted in the deaths of all, but one of them," Orochimaru saw that Kimimaro made no emotionally sign that he cared. "So we had to call them back." After saying this, the coffin lids burst opened revealing the figures inside. Gripping the sides of the coffins, they emerged from their confines. Standing in the light, Kimimaro's eyes twitched at seeing the three. Kidomaru, Sakon, and Jirobo all stood in front of Kimimaro.

"So Tayuya was the only one that survived," stated Kimimaro, but Orochimaru gave a slight hiss of anger.

"Yes, but only after she willingly surrendered to the enemy," Orochimaru's statement finally got a response from Kimimaro. Kimimaro's eyes flashed as bones began to protrude from his body. "You are going to be the recover team for a special little boy name, Sasuke Uchiha."

"Tell me where he is."

XXX

As Naruto and Hinata walked through the training grounds, Naruto saw Kakashi. His back was facing Naruto as he stared at the stone in front of him. Approaching the copy ninja, Kakashi spoke up. "I'm sorry about your loss," stated Kakashi, this only got a glare from the Uzumaki.

"Look I'm fine, I don't need people to check up on me to see if I'm okay," Naruto growl only brought a chuckle to Kakashi. "Now, I'm sure you didn't ask me out here for a discussion."

"No, I'm going to be training you today," Kakashi's statement puzzled the blonde. "I heard from Jiraiya that you are working on a new version of the Rasengan. So I asked to train you today."

"What about your team?"

"Sakura and Sai are taking the day off, because of lack of missions," stated Kakashi, but Naruto noticed he didn't mention Sasuke.

"And what about Sasuke," Naruto noticed Kakashi's eye get saddened at the boy's name.

"I'm trying to have him sent back to the academy," Kakashi stated with a low voice. "He needs to learn that revenge isn't everything, but he won't listen to Mikoto or me, so the only other option is sending him back."

"What does his mom think of this," questioned Naruto, but the stare Kakashi gave Naruto answered his question.

"It was her idea."

Silence ensued after that, but after a few seconds Hinata spoke up. "Kakashi-sensei, I understand why Naruto is here, but why did you also need me," Hinata's voice was small, but Kakashi just eye-smiled at her.

"I need you here, because you are going to help Naruto," Kakashi answered with a vague tone. As Kakashi explained what he wanted Hinata to do, Naruto was busy thinking about his interaction with Sasuke. Hearing his voice being shouted out, Naruto stirred and looked around to see Kakashi staring at him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just thinking about how Sasuke is going to react," Naruto stated. Seeing Kakashi nod his head, Naruto got ready for his training.

XXX

Anxiety was washing over the elderly Kage, as he awaited his next appointment. The tapping of the cane could be heard before; Danzo even neared the door to the tower. Entering the Hokage's office, Danzo stood in front of his old friend, the two stood in silence as they measured one another. "You're right, Danzo," Sarutobi stated with a calm ease in his voice. "I have been blind to what I could've prevented."

"I'm glad you see-," Danzo stopped as Sarutobi raised his hand.

"I'm not finished," the stern tone in his voice made it perfectly clear; Sarutobi did not want to be interrupted, again. "I could've stopped Orochimaru from becoming what he is now; I could've provided better protection for Naruto, but no more." Standing to his full height, Sarutobi glanced out the window seeing the sun finally setting. "As of today, you are going to be under close observation."

"You can't do that," Danzo growled out, but Sarutobi just shot him a look full of venom, but also pity.

"Yes, I can," as Sarutobi said this, two ANBU appeared next to the war hawk. "I've seen one of my best students go mad with power, I will not make the same mistake. You said we must do everything in order to ensure the survival of our village. Well, I'm taking your advice. I may not have enough evidence to justify arresting you, but I can put you on observation until I say so."

"I've done nothing, but try and help this village!"

"By kidnapping children and turning them into emotionless killers," Sarutobi's retort was filled with anger as he stared at his one-eyed friend. "Why can't you let go of the past, Danzo?" The war hawk gave no reply. Instead, he turned and walked stiffly back to the door. Giving off along sigh, Sarutobi stared back at the coming night. "What else can go wrong?"

XXX

Night had falling as Sakura was walking to her house. Sakura had Sai show her some drawings and teach her how to draw some of them. All in all she had a good time out. Sai, even through he was slowing learning to express himself, still was hesitant about it. Looking at the rising moon, Sakura saw Sasuke walking towards the village gates. Curiosity and suspicion took over as Sakura followed her teammate. As he neared the gate, Sakura suddenly found Sasuke had disappeared. "You know it's not right to follow someone around," the cold voice belonged to only one person. Turning around, Sakura stared up at Sasuke, who's Sharingan was active. "I can't have you running to the hokage and ruining everything."

"What are you talking about," stuttered Sakura.

"Well, I'm going on a little training trip and you are not invited," With that Sasuke quickly gave the girl a chop to the neck. Grabbing her unconscious body, Sasuke placed it behind a bush. Turning back to the gate, Sasuke found his escorts waiting. Grinning, Sasuke walked towards them and his new power.


Well, hope you guys enjoyed and I'll see you in the next chapter.