a/n: I bet you're surprised to see this. I really hadn't planned on working on the chapter, but somehow even under all this stress the urge hit me and within the next couple of days I had it done. Go me! Thank you for your reviews, as well as your well wishes for my family. I wish I had the time to answer each one of you personally, but I won't even delude myself into thinking the time will appear out of nowhere. But your thoughts, no matter what they are, are always appreciated. I put an update in my profile if you're interested in reading how things are going. Now then, I hope you'll enjoy the chapter. Lol, after all this writing, I still didn't get to the action yet. Definitely next chapter....Promise. This is only part 1. I'm thinking it will end up being three parts. We'll see...
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Warning: Spoilers for future manga chapters. I hope you're keeping up. Seriously, this chapter contains all kinds of spoilers for recent manga chapters.
Hiding Behind Masks
Ch. 27 - The Best Laid Plans, Pt 1
Thoughts: 'blah blah'
Speaking: "blah blah"
xxx
Two days later
Madara sat in his chamber nursing a glass of sake while he flipped through his journal. It spanned years and years of his life...before Akatsuki, before the Kyuubi attack on Konoha, before his supposed death, before he'd taken his brother's eyes and left him blind, before his turbulent relationship with Hashirama, before he agreed to an alliance...all the way back to the beginning of his life. Back when he wasn't sharing the title of genius with his brother, before they both became the twin warriors that made the Uchiha clan almost invincible. Back when he was just a foolish child, more concerned with playing with his brother than dealing with war and politics. He was so naive back then.
The naivete eventually wore off and gave way to wisdom and experience. He had learned over the years to be shrewd, calculating. He patiently bided his time. And now that patience was finally about to pay off. He would get the Kyuubi back. And he would use Sasuke to complete the final phase of his plan before casting him aside. The moon's eye plan would finally come to fruition. And as a bonus, he would destroy Konoha. He hated that village and everything it stood for. It was the source of his failures, so it deserved to be destroyed first.
He would become the ultimate jinchuuriki. He would have all the power to control the world. Maybe he would even consider eventually restarting the clan. This time they would be made in his image...stronger and wiser. The name of Uchiha would live on forever.
He drained the last of his glass and put it aside as he felt the grass nin's chakra coming closer. His eyes narrowed at the split personality that came through his door.
"I thought I told you to stay close to Konoha."
"Yes, I know. But something important came up."
"What could be so important?"
"Danzou is dead."
Madara was visibly surprised. "What?! Konoha would never execute someone so quickly." The village was too soft for that.
"They didn't. It seems the Uchiha brat got to him first."
Madara raised a brow. "Really? Well, no matter. He had outlived his usefulness anyway." Then he chuckled. "I said once that where the jinchuuriki is, Sasuke will follow. I'm positive the same thing applies the other way around." He stood with a triumphant smirk. "Leave me. I have plans to finalize."
The plant man nodded and disappeared.
Madara chuckled madly.
Yes, soon...very soon.
xxx
Pein and Konan were moving closer to one of their abandoned bases when the mental summons came.
"It seems that man's patience has worn thin." Pein sounded slightly irritated at the summons. Konan sighed.
"He gave us a week. It's only been 4 days. Something must have happened."
The two disappeared. They reappeared in the base closest to Fire Country, where they found Madara leisurely sitting in a stone chair waiting for them. He didn't bother with a mask to hide his face from the two of them. So the two companions couldn't miss the arrogant look the man bestowed upon them. Fingers caressed the stone while he leisurely stretched his legs out and crossed them. Finally, he spoke.
"You two have failed me once again." Konan raised a brow and spoke for the two of them.
"It has only been four days."
"And yet I found what you were supposed to be looking for without leaving this base. So much for being a god. Maybe you should pass that title to me." Madara replied with a smug smirk as he spread his arms wide.
Pein only stared at him blankly. The oldest living Uchiha shook his head and sighed. It still kind of irked him that he could never get a rise out of the other man. Maybe if he spoke to the source...well, that would be later when everything was in the palm of his hand. For now though... "We leave at first light."
"Where?" Pein asked.
"To get my jinchuuriki, of course."
xxx
Konan moved swiftly through the trees not far from the base. She knew her destination was nearby, she could feel the comforting chakra pulsing through her. She stopped in front of a large tree and placed her hand upon the base and felt her own chakra flowing through the tree. The material under her palm shifted at will and, within seconds, an entrance unfolded from the paper. She stepped through it and paper filled the gap once again. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. The shockingly bright red hair of her only friend was the most visible thing and she walked toward it.
"Nagato?"
"Why are you here Konan? You should be resting."
She came to a stop just in front of the man she had followed faithfully for years. His emaciated state still made her cringe. She hated seeing him like that, but she never said a word. It was just one of the many sacrifices they made to attain their goal. He would do whatever it took. And she would help him.
"I couldn't sleep." She took a moment to create a chair from her gift of origami and sat on it. He watched her at the task and, once she was done, he looked in her eyes. Only here could she reveal her true emotions and he saw more than one floating through the depths...sorrow, anger, anxiety.
"You are worried."
"Yes. That man's arrogance grows more every day."
"And that arrogance will be his downfall. He believes no one can stop him. The more arrogant he becomes, the more likely he is to make a mistake and underestimate his enemies."
"Or companions, as the case may be..."
"Exactly. And that is when we will strike. He will fall and I will attain the power that will bring peace to the world. Then you and I will finally be free."
"Freedom...is there really such a thing?" She wondered, even after attaining their goal, would they truly be free? Or would they just be pawns in the hands of a greater god than Pein.
"We'll find out together."
The next day
It was just past dawn and Madara was already awake and walking with purposeful strides toward a room at the back of the base. Without knocking, he slammed the door open, causing the occupants of said room to jump up from their sleep.
"What the hell?!" The red-head yelled as she grabbed her glasses so she could see.
"Shut up woman, you're giving me a headache with your screeching voice." With a yawn and stretch, Suigetsu sat up and leaned back against the wall and watched the man who had awakened them. His fingertips brushed against the hilt of his sword...just in case.
The Akatsuki leader surveyed the three extra players until his eyes finally settled on the sandy orange haired young man. He held up a hand and beckoned him forward. "You. Come with me."
Getting a better grip on his sword, Suigetsu glared at the other man. "His name is Juugo. And he isn't going anywhere with you."
"And who's going to stop me? You? Don't insult me boy. No experiment of that snake will be able to lay a hand on me. I'll kill you before you get near me." Madara replied with amusement and just a hint of malice. Then his voice softened as he turned back to the one he now knew as Juugo. "Juugo. Come with me. We are leaving." The quiet young man glanced at his two companions and shook his head slightly before he stood and walked over to the waiting Akatsuki leader.
Suigetsu watched his teammate cross the room and gripped the hilt just a bit harder as his anger grew. He was helpless and he hated it.
"Wait! Where are you going with him?" Karin asked with a glare.
"Such impertinence from one so young. But I guess it's to be expected considering the company you keep. Let me make it quite clear to you girl...you are here out of the kindness of my heart. I don't have to tell you anything. However, because I'm in such a good mood, I'm willing to share. You see, I'm going hunting. I plan to catch myself a fox. Maybe even a raven, as well. And possible destroy a village or two along the way." The explanation only confused her.
"Huh? What the hell are you talking about? And what do you need Juugo for?"
"Ah ah ah...I agreed to throw you a bone out of the kindness of my heart. No more questions."
"But-"
Suigetsu shrugged and moved to lie back down on his cot. He understood exactly what the man was getting at and he didn't like it. He hated knowing there was nothing he could do. But he did believe in self-preservation. Of course, if Karin wanted to be an idiot and dig her own grave by continuing to ask stupid questions, so be it. It wasn't his life on the line.
"You two will be staying here to guard the base. Don't disappoint me." After those words, Madara took Juugo and left.
"ARGH! So we're supposed to just sit around and wait? What are we? Chopped liver?!" Karin screamed down the darkened hallway after them.
"Shut up bitch. You're giving me a headache." Suigetsu growled.
"You shut up! How dare he take Juugo away and leave us here."
"Jeez, you're so annoying. And stupid. You don't even get what he was saying, do you?"
"Who are you calling stupid, you moron?!" Then she blinked and looked confused for a moment. "Wait...Get what?"
"Kami woman! Did you listen to anything he just said? Obviously they're going after the fox brat and Sasuke."
"Sasuke-kun?!" Karin immediately perked up.
The mist nin rolled his eyes. "You're such a fan girl. Quit gushing and pay attention! Everyone in the base is going off to fight but us. He thinks we're useless. Either that or he thinks we'll help Sasuke."
"But he took Juugo? He'd follow Sasuke anywhere."
"Unless he gets him to lose control."
The wheels started turning in Karin's head and her eyes grew wider as she made the connections. Kami help anyone in the way of an out of control Juugo.
"He wants him out of control..."
Suigetsu looked to the ceiling like he was looking toward the heavens and heaved of sarcastic sigh of relief. "Finally, the woman acts like she has a brain!"
The woman growled and cracked her knuckles. "You watery bastard! I'm going to kill you!"
xxx
Just outside the base, Madara stood, maskless, with the rest of Akatsuki. He had no reason to hide behind one anymore. He wanted the world to know who had conquered them all. Juugo stood just beside him silently. Behind him stood Konan and all six Peins, as well as Kisame and Zetsu.
Madara took a deep breath of fresh air and looked up at the sky for a moment while the whipped around them all. Then his face slid into an expression that he reserved for battle. It was a persona he hadn't needed to use for many many years. Without turning to face his followers, he spoke.
"We will take a not so common route and reach Konoha in two days. Stops will be minimal. When I give the word we will attack. I don't care what you do to Konoha and it's inhabitants...I only want the jinchuuriki and Sasuke left alive."
After those final words, he sped off. The others followed.
It was an uncommon occurrence to see the council room used for anyone other than the council. But on this day, it was occupied by the hokage and the room was full of summoned ninja. Most of the task force was in attendance, save two that Tsunade was making plans to hurt for being late. The rest were other jounin and anbu.
For the past three days, Shikamaru made a well worn path between home and the decoding office. The decoders hardly slept, knowing that the time was limited. Once the pattern was finally understood, decoding went quickly. Miraculously, they made it through all of Jiraiya's codes and found out everything about Akatsuki, including their hideouts. Shikamaru then started making plans, only to revise them, and revise them again, until they were as foolproof as he could get them. It was a troublesome task. Of course, he knew nothing was absolutely fullproof...they could only go by the information they had. But he hoped that his plans accounted for any and all complications. After presenting it to the hokage for her approval, the meeting was set.
There was nothing left to do but make the assignments and prepare to leave. And pray that they were successful. He didn't want to think about the consequences if they weren't.
Tsunade raised her hand for attention and the talking ebbed to silence.
"As I'm sure you can tell, this meeting is of the utmost importance. Standing here with me is the Akatsuki task force. It was created so that we could analyze everything we knew about the organization and plan how to deal with them. So far the Akatsuki have destroyed villages and killed innocent people throughout the ninja nations and even beyond. All in order to obtain the tailed beasts. They have succeeded in obtaining all but one and they will stop at nothing to get it. If they attain that one, it would be signing the entire world's death warrant. The leader of Akatsuki is only interested in two things, revenge against Konoha and world domination. I will not allow either one."
The door swung open with a loud bang and in came the two tardy ninja. Tsunade glared at the interruption.
"You're late." she growled.
"Yeah..." Naruto raised a hand to his head. "Sorry, had to take care of something."
Whispers went through the crowd as those who didn't already know about them saw the two familiar faces for the first time - one of them supposedly a traitor and the other supposedly banished from the village. The hokage rolled her eyes. It was just like those two to make a noticeable entrance.
"Whatever, just get over here." The two took their place with the other task force members and ignored the whispers around them. "The reason you are here is simple. The task force has put together a plan to annihilate the entire organization. Instead of waiting for them to show up again, it's about time we went on the offensive and crushed the threat to our existence. Every single one of you will be needed in one way or another to accomplish this successfully. The kazekage has agreed to send some of his ninja here to assist us. Shikamaru was placed in charge of putting a team together with the sole mission of destroying Akatsuki. I expect that all of you are professional enough to put personal feelings aside and get along with your teammates..." She paused and slowly looked around the room, her hazel eyes hard as flint. "No matter who they might be."
Multiple pairs of eyes looked at the last Uchiha. There was clear animosity in some of those gazes. But no one dared to voice their opinions with the hokage looking as dangerous as she was at that moment. Finally the blonde relaxed her gaze and nodded to the group.
"Alright then. Where is Sai?" The least emotional member of Team Kakashi raised his hand from somewhere in the back of the room.
"I want you to head Root's forces here in Konoha. They need a replacement leader and right now you're the only one I trust in their ranks to do so. Root's forces, along with those of the anbu, will be the first line of defense should Akatsuki somehow make it to Konoha."
"I understand Hokage-sama." He said softly.
"Team Kakashi, Team Gai, Team Asuma, Genma, Shino, and the Suna team: You will all form a team dispatched to the Akatsuki hideout. Inoichi, Shikaku, Tsume, Kiba, Hana, and Shibi: Your mission is to follow the team and then find the source of Pein's communication with his clones. Everyone else here that I haven't mentioned will be joining the anbu and root forces in defending Konoha. Now, everyone except the Akatsuki teams are dismissed."
Once everyone filed out and the door closed, Tsunade went on. "Shikamaru, I turn things over to you. Please outline your plan for everyone."
The young man had his eyes closed and was leaning against the wall. Ino smacked him in the head. "Wake up!"
Shikamaru gave her a half-hearted glare as he rubbed the back of his head. "Troublesome woman! What was that for?"
"Thank you Ino. Shikamaru, now that you have joined the rest of us, would you mind outlining your plan?" Tsunade asked with a dangerous twitch of her eye. He sighed and grumbled as he opened a scroll on the hokage's desk. The others gathered around to see.
"This is a map of the five great shinobi nations. According to our intelligence, these red circles indicate where the Akatsuki bases are hidden. However, we are not sure which one they are holed up in. Troublesome."
"I know which one. At least, I will in a moment." Sasuke spoke up.
All eyes turned to the raven haired shinobi. Before anyone could questions him, he flashed through hand signs for a summons. Once the smoke cleared, they were able to see a small snake slithering up Sasuke's arm. It wasn't much bigger than the typical garden snake.
"What do you need of me SSSasssuke-sssama?"
"You are still keeping track of my team. Correct?"
"Yesss. It wasss easy. They've been in the sssame room for weeksss."
"Where?"
"Right outssside of Fire Country." Tsunade's eyes went wide.
"Where? Here?" She pointed at the place that the decoding team had indicated was one of the bases.
The little snake glared at the woman before shifting its head in a haughty sort of gesture, it's way of refusing to answer.
"Zouhyou, answer her before I squash you." Sasuke warned the little snake with a spike of killer intent, just to scare it into submission. With a glare at his summoner, the snake spoke.
"Yesss." She frowned. It was quite disconcerting to find out that your worst enemies were so close to Konoha. Even though she already figured there might be a base that close, she never really thought they would be bold enough to use that one right after the last attack.
"Hmm..." Her fingers tapped against the wood as she thought.
"Wait." Tsunade's fingers paused in their rhythmic tapping to look up at the Kazekage. Gaara wasn't looking at her though. His attention was on Sasuke and the teal eyes were hard and calculating. "Naruto may trust you, and by extension the hokage, but I don't. You could be secretly planning to send us all to our deaths. And I refuse to risk my own people's safety. So, tell me Uchiha, why should I trust you?"
The eyes that had been on the Kazekage all shifted to Sasuke. It was a fair question. One that, whether they admitted it or not, had been on their minds ever since they saw him.
Sasuke could feel the weight of everyone's stare. Naruto felt the tension his best friend was trying not to show and he felt the urge to take his hand and squeeze it in support. Instead, he mentally prodded him. 'Do you want me to...?'
Sasuke glanced at the blond and answered him. 'No...I suppose they have a right not to trust me. And there's nothing you can do about it.' He then spoke aloud. "I know most of you don't trust me and I don't blame you. There isn't much I can say to change your minds. I can only tell you that my goal is still the same...to avenge my clan. Madara and my brother were both responsible for their deaths." He cringed inwardly at the mention of his brother. He didn't really want to put him in the same category as Madara anymore, but he had to in order to get his point across. Sure, revenge wasn't his only goal anymore, but he hoped the words would suffice for the kazekage and the rest.
"So you want to kill Madara?" Gaara crossed his arms and glared. "I've seen what happens when you get caught up in your revenge, Uchiha. You forget about anything and anyone else around you, damn the consequences. None of us are here to be part of your petty vengeance. So, if that's your only reason for being here, I won't work with you."
Naruto sent a pleading look toward Tsunade. She shrugged in response. She could completely understand their apprehension. Sasuke would have to be the one to alleviate it. Besides, if it got them all to work together, she wasn't about to interfere.
Sasuke glared at the kazekage. "That is not my only reason. But I don't have to explain everything to you."
"If Konoha wants my help, you'll have to." Gaara retorted.
Before Sasuke could reply, Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "He's here for me, alright? I promised to help him. He promised to help me. We both want the Akatsuki gone for various reasons. He won't betray us."
"I don't need you to answer for me dobe."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Well, you're doing such a great job of gaining their trust. I'm just trying to speed things up. It's not like time is on our side here." Sasuke scoffed.
"You're not helping."
"Teme..." Naruto growled and then spoke in his head. 'Quit stalling and just tell them the truth so we can get this over with.' Sasuke glared at the blond. Naruto glared back. After a sigh, Sasuke rolled his eyes and relaxed his tense shoulders.
"Fine." He said aloud. Then he stared Gaara in the eye, even though the words he was about to say were directed at the entire room. "The truth is I could care less about this village and most of the people in it. The politics here killed my family and most of the village treats Naruto like shit. But I do care about him and I'll protect him and and anything he cares about. Any other reasons beyond that are my own and don't concern you. If you still can't trust me, then so be it."
There was silence as the kazekage and the Uchiha stared each other down. Finally Gaara relented and gave Sasuke a nod. The tension in the room ebbed away. If the Gaara was willing to trust him, considering their bad history, then they would do so, as well. To protect Naruto meant to protect Konoha, for that was what Naruto always stood for. It was enough for them to trust him, even if they didn't like him.
The hokage broke the silence to get back on track. "Shikamaru...The plan?"
"Yeah yeah....The plan really involves matching up everyone's strengths with each Akatsuki member's weakness. Most of you have some kind of specialized skill, whether it be a kekkei genkai, or something else. I just put together teams of two or three based on who would have the best success against each member. I also made notes for each group that reveals the members strengths and weakness along with the most logical ways to defeat them. The teams can then get together and come up with strategy before we leave. There is also the possibility that the teammates Sasuke left behind might be willing to help. However, we can't count on that to happen. Sasuke, obviously, you know the most about Madara so I leave him to you. I am also putting Kakashi with you because he has the sharingan."
Sasuke and Kakashi glanced at each other and the elder gave the younger a nod. They both had already assumed they would be working together.
"I really don't think anyone else would have much of a chance of battling equally against him, except maybe Naruto, but he'll already be preoccupied. Tenzou will back the two of you up. Naruto and the kazekage will take on Pein. I know it's a huge job, but Naruto is the only one that can create multiple clones and has enough chakra to take him on. And the kazekage will be able to use his sand as an offense and defense. Hopefully, it won't take long for the other team to cut the chakra feed to the paths. That would make the job easier."
"Fine with me." Naruto grinned at Gaara who gave him a slight smile in return.
"Team Gai took on Kisame once before. I think it's the best chance we have again, barring Sasuke's ace in the hole. If it works out, you'll have a swordsman almost as dangerous as Kisame on your side."
"What about me and Shino? We're the only guys with no team here." The timely voice of Genma stopped Gai and Lee before they could start going on about youth - much to everyone's relief. Shikamaru smirked slightly, silently thanking the man who casually leaned against the back wall.
"You two will be with our team. We'll be fighting Zetsu. Your expertise at using senbon will come in handy. Sakura and Ino already have the poisons ready that we hope will work against him. As for Temari, Kankuro and Sakura, you three will take on Konan."
"Why do I have to be with the girls?" Kankuro whined.
"Because you're too irresponsible to leave alone." Temari replied with a smirk.
"HEY!"
"Moving on..." Shikamaru interjected before the siblings could start arguing. "As for the team that will be looking for Pein's transmission source, the only thing I can tell you is to look for the highest point in the vicinity of the hideout. That is probably where the source will be. We know absolutely nothing about the man behind the paths, beyond what Jiraiya said. He is obviously the real Pein, whoever that is. He's obviously powerful if he can transmit so much chakra, so you'll have to come up with some kind of contingency plan to deal with that. If you find yourself in need of backup, send word to one of us. Hopefully, we'll be able to spare a couple of people by then." He sighed. It was a drag to have to speak so much. He really could use some water. With a shrug, he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose that's all."
"Alright then." Tsunade took over. "There's nothing much left to say but that you will leave tomorrow at first light. You're all dismissed to go over strategies with your team." The room slowly emptied. "Uchiha."
Sasuke stopped and looked back. Naruto stopped as well and waited.
"Don't think that just because you've been reinstated I've forgotten the past. Your punishment is only being delayed. Understand?"
"Hn." Sasuke nodded
"And don't even think of running off again. This time, Naruto or not, I'll have every anbu and hunter nin in my possession hunt you down." Once he was out the door, her glare disappeared and she smiled fondly in Naruto's direction. "And you take care of yourself brat."
Naruto grinned. "Sure thing baa-chan." Then he hurried and closed the door as a projectile flew his way. He heard it slam into the door and her yell could be heard through the wood.
"Don't call me that you brat!"
The duo went their separate ways once they left the tower. Sasuke and Kakashi disappeared to talk. Naruto was never one to strategize and neither was Gaara, so they decided not to bother. Both had already heard everything they needed to about the paths of Pein and there was nothing left for them to do but battle him. No meeting or strategy would change that. So, they went their separate ways. Naruto ended up wandering around the village and just taking in the sights. He still hadn't gotten used to being home yet. He'd been too busy with the task force and training to look around. Eventually he found himself in front of the academy. With a grin, he went inside and walked through the halls toward the familiar classroom where he began his ninja career. Once he reached the room he poked his head inside. His old sensei was focused on the pile of papers in front of him and the class was looking restless. Naruto could understand...it was almost lunch time. He grinned. Maybe he should do the kids a favor.
"Hey Iruka-sensei!" Naruto yelled. Iruka turned his head at the familiar yell and grinned.
"Naruto!" The blond walked through the door and up to his teacher. It still amazed him that he had finally grown slightly taller than the man. The moment Naruto was close enough, Iruka ruffled the blond locks, making him grimace, slightly embarrassed at the action with so many children watching.
"Hey! I'm not 12 anymore, you know." he groused.
"Well, forgive an old teacher. I still remember you as the little troublemaking prankster I used to have to chase down." There were some giggles and snickers from some of the students. Iruka turned his attention to them. "You're all dismissed for lunch. I expect you back in one hour." A cheer went through the youngsters and they stampeded out the door. "So, Naruto, how are you enjoying being back?"
Naruto shrugged. "It's ok, I guess. I haven't really had much time to enjoy it." Suddenly a large growling noise was heard. Iruka laughed as Naruto blushed and patted his empty stomach.
"Hungry?"
"How could you tell?"
"How about some ramen then? My treat."
"Well then, how could I refuse." Naruto laughed. He'd missed Iruka-sensei. Before long, they reached Ichiraku's and placed their orders.
"So, how have you been? It's been so long since I've seen you." Naruto looked at his father-figure strangely.
"You just saw me the other day at the party."
"I know, but I had to share you with twenty other people. I didn't have much of a chance to catch up with you."
"Well I guess I've been good...well, besides the whole Akatsuki thing. But that's soon to be taken care of."
"I worried about you, you know. I would wait impatiently for letters you would send to the hokage because I knew that, as long as the letters kept coming, you were still safe somewhere. I was always afraid the letters would one day stop coming. Or one day I'd find out that you had been captured or killed. So, I'm glad you're home safe."
"Me too."
"And you even have yourself a student."
"Yep. Aya's pretty talented. She has a lot of potential. It's kind of funny, she reminds me of myself sometimes. Actually, that reminds me, I'm leaving on a mission tomorrow."
"But you just got back!"
"Yeah, but it's about time we really deal with Akatsuki before they destroy everything."
"But how? Just one of them did so much damage to Konoha. I can't imagine dealing with all of them at once."
"Are you kidding? We've got Shikamaru. And you know he's a genius at strategy. And the assigned teams are the best in Konoha. Everything will be fine."
"Even someone as smart as Shikamaru can't account for everything, you know. Just be careful."
"Don't worry Iruka-sensei. I'm not the same reckless kid I used to be. I'll be careful." Their ramen came and both dug in heartily. Both only had one bowl, which shocked the owner, who wasn't quite used to this new Naruto. "I brought that up, though, because I need a favor."
"You know you can ask me anything Naruto."
"Well, as you know, Sasuke's staying with me for now. And Aya lives with me too. But we're both going on the mission and I don't want to leave her alone...at least not right now, so soon after what happened in Bird Country. So-
"You want to know if I can take her in until you get back? Of course."
"Thanks Iruka-sensei! She'll be no trouble at all. Promise. And she can take care of herself."
"Oh, I'm sure she'll be no trouble...at least not as much as you were." Iruka chuckled as Naruto glared. "I still have that spare bedroom I used to keep for you. I'll fix it up for her. She can come to the academy with me in the mornings. I'm sure there's some basics I doubt you bothered covering."
"Hey! I almost feel insulted. I'll have you know I taught her properly." Iruka laughed again and stood up. Naruto followed him.
"I'm sure. But if she's anything like you, I bet you taught her lots of jutsus to keep her happy and skipped the basics - the science behind chakra, using it properly, history of the ninja villages and so forth. You know...the part of the class you either skipped or slept through."
"It was boring."
"Are you saying I was boring?" Iruka asked with a raised brow and a dangerous glare in his eye. Naruto's eyes went wide and he waved his hands in front of him.
"No, no! I would never say your class was boring. You were the best sensei ever!"
"Uh huh. Of course I am. Anyway, maybe she can be my assistant when I need to train the other students."
"I'm sure she won't mind that. But she probably won't be with you all the time. She'll be training with baa-chan in medical jutsu when she's available."
"Well, either way, she'll be training. Don't mention it to her, but if she's as good as you say, I may just give her the exam myself if hokage-sama doesn't mind. Then at least she can be placed with a team of genin and possibly take the chuunin exams when it comes up again."
"Cool. She'd love that." They stopped at the road that led to his apartment. Naruto smiled and hugged the older man. "Thanks a lot Iruka-sensei. It means a lot to me. We leave at first light, so I'll drop her off right before we leave."
"Alright."
"I better go. I have to pack and all."
"Take care Naruto."
"Yep." He grinned and waved as he walked away.
xxx
Sasuke closed the door behind him and dropped the bag he was carrying. It was full of weapons, sutras, soldier pills...anything that he could think of that he and Naruto would need for the mission. He had a feeling the idiot wouldn't think about those things and got enough for both of them.
The smell of lunch had him walking toward the small kitchen where he found Aya.
"Hey. It's about time you showed up. I figured you two would be hungry. Wait, where's Naruto?" She asked as she handed him a plate of stir fry. Sasuke nodded in thanks and took a seat at the table.
"He's probably on his way back. Naruto and I, we have a mission tomorrow." Aya's eye's widened.
"How long?"
"I don't know."
"But what about me? What am I supposed to do while you're gone?"
"Train."
"Well yeah, obviously." She replied as she rolled her eyes. She already knew that. "But I can't stay here by myself."
"We both lived on our own since we were much younger than you. You'll be fine."
"Yeah but-"
"She won't have to." Naruto yelled from the doorway. He closed the door behind him and sat down next to Sasuke. Aya put a similar plate of food in front of him. "Thanks Aya."
"What do you mean she won't have to?" Sasuke asked.
"Iruka-sensei said she could stay with him. He's still got that extra room I used to sleep in." Naruto replied between bites. One would think he didn't just eat. He looked up and noticed Aya seemed a bit worried at the prospect of staying with someone she hardly knew and tried to placate her. "Don't worry, he even said you could help him train his class at the academy when you're not training with baa-chan."
"But...but what if something happens to you?" She looked down so her hair hid her face. "What if you don't come back?" She asked quietly, then bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Naruto shifted to her side and gave her a one armed hug.
"It won't happen. Even if I have to crawl back, bleeding on my hands and knees, I won't leave you alone." Aya's liquid eyes looked over at Sasuke. He nodded, his eyes intensely serious.
"Neither will I." He said with conviction.
Just before dawn, a group of three - one of them still half asleep - walked down a dirt path that led to a small house. A lamp from inside sent a comforting glow through the window and beckoned them toward it.
"Now, Aya, just make sure you stay out of trouble. Don't get on Iruka's bad side. He may look nice, but he can be scary when he wants to be."
"That was years ago dobe."
"Still!"
"Hn."
"Oh, and don't get on baa-chan's bad side either. It's dangerous." Naruto continued to advise, though Aya hardly paid any attention in her sleepy state. Too soon they reached the door and Naruto knocked.
Iruka could hear Naruto and Sasuke arguing as he got closer to the door and chuckled. It seems things hadn't changed much over the years with those two. He opened the door, but the males were too busy bantering to notice.
"For you maybe."
"Shut up teme."
Sasuke shrugged. "It's true."
"Whatever bastard. Oh, and last thing Aya, don't forget to keep up with your training."
"Hn. For once I agree with the idiot. No slacking off."
"Jerk."
"Usuratonkachi."
"Ahem!" Iruka interrupted. Both of them turned, surprised at the interruption.
Aya rolled her sleepy eyes. "Yes otousan and otousan." she mumbled. All three males looked down at her with expressions varying from humor to horror. "What?" She asked with a yawn. "You sound like my parents for kami's sake. Stop it."
Iruka snickered. Both males looked up and glared at him. Of course, it didn't have any effect on the teacher who just grinned back.
"Whatever." Sasuke decided to ignore it. They didn't have much time. "Thank you for allowing her to stay with you while we're gone."
"Oh, it's my pleasure." Iruka replied. He grabbed Aya's bag and pulled it inside, allowing her some time to say her goodbyes.
Aya wrapped her arms around both of her guardians. "Promise me you'll come back. I don't want to be alone again."
Naruto smiled at her. "I promise. And I never break a promise." He glanced at Sasuke as he said this and the raven couldn't help but smile back just slightly. He then held back a grimace. He didn't like making promises he wasn't sure could be kept. No one ever knew how things would go in battle. What might seem to be a well coordinated attack could easily turn to chaos. But how could he refuse her?
"I promise as well."
After getting her promises she let them both go and stood next to Iruka. He reached out and ruffled each head, making them both grimace for being treated like kids.
"You boys be careful. Don't do anything rash." Iruka admonished in typical sensei fashion as the two stepped away.
"Don't worry about us Iruka-sensei. We'll be fine." Naruto replied with a grin and a wave. The two turned and began to walk away. Sasuke lifted his hand in a wave.
Aya sighed as the two got father and father away from her. Iruka put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Come on. How about I make you some breakfast." At the suggestion of food, the girl perked up.
"Breakfast?! What are we waiting for?"
Iruka chuckled as she followed him to the kitchen. She might have dragged him there if she knew where it was. Maybe cheering her up wouldn't be so hard after all if food was all it took to get her smiling. It was like having another Naruto all over again.
"So Aya...either of those two ever tell you about what happened the day they became teammates?"
xxx
Naruto and Sasuke were the last to arrive at the gates, which were just being opened.
Kakashi smirked from his perch in a tree. "Well, look who's late." he teased.
Naruto and Sasuke both rolled their eyes. "You're one to talk." Sasuke replied dryly.
"Besides, we had a good excuse." Naruto added.
"Whatever...It's way too early for this. Let's just get going." Shikamaru muttered. His eyes were barely open and he was leaning on his friend Chouji, wishing he could just go back to sleep.
"Wait, Shika." Naruto rummaged in his backpack and pulled out three scrolls and passed them to the shadow nin. "Here."
"What's this?"
"You asked for clones right?" Shikamaru raised a brow. Naruto grinned.
"They're in the scrolls? How did you do that?"
Naruto shrugged. "My father told me how to do it. I just had to figure out the seals and a few other technicalities."
"Your...father huh? Troublesome."
"Oh! One more thing." Naruto glanced at Sasuke. "You brought it right?"
"Hn." Sasuke nodded and tossed a bag on the ground.
"Alright, everybody grab one." They all looked at Naruto warily.
"This better not be a prank." Sakura growled at her teammate.
"Do I look like I would play a prank right now?" A chorus of 'Yes!' rang out. Naruto sighed and shook his head. "And you guys are supposed to be my friends."
Kakashi glanced in the bag, then his eyes went wide. "Wait...these are..." Naruto nodded. "So you can..."
Naruto ran his hand through his hair. "Well...not exactly...Kind of. It's still a little shaky. I'm hoping by the time I get there I'll have it figured out in my head."
Kakashi just shook his head, but pulled out a three-pronged kunai and tucked it away. Once he took one, everyone else began to take one as well. Inoichi and Shikaku glanced at one another as they grabbed their kunai out the pile. They hadn't seen that unusual weapon in many years. And neither of them expected to ever see it again.
"Uh...what the hell is this for?" Kiba asked.
"If you get into a bind and you need some help, just throw this at the guy." Naruto replied.
"And what's that supposed to do to help?"
Naruto smirked a the dog boy. "You'll see."
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered as he grabbed the last one. Naruto took the rest. "Now can we go?"
"Not so fast." Tsunade and Shizune, who had Ton Ton in her arms, walked out of the shadows and stood before the group. Kotetsu and Izumo, both on guard duty once again, were suddenly wide awake and sitting up straight at the sound of her voice. But she wasn't paying either of them any attention. "All of you be careful, including you Naruto." She glared at the younger blond and many of his friends snickered.
"Huh? Me?" Naruto wondered why she was singling him out. It's not like he was reckless anymore. Well...ok...maybe not as much as before...
Sasuke chuckled in Naruto's head and he turned and glared at the raven, who smirked in return.
"And make sure you work together. That's the most important thing. You might be strong on your own, but you're even stronger together." The hokage continued. "If anything goes wrong send word back to me immediately. May Kami be with you all."
Everyone nodded. Then the group turned and sped off, with the second group leaving a few minutes later.
Tsunade watched as the last of the Akatsuki bound ninja passed beyond the protection of the gates. She couldn't help but be proud of the strong group Shikamaru had put together. The young together with the not so young...they were some of the best Konoha had to offer. She could only hope and pray that they would be enough to stop Akatsuki and save them all.
With one last glance, she turned and started walking back toward the hokage tower while the gates slowly closed behind her.
xxx
Edited 03/23/2010
a/n: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I don't know when I'll be able to get another one up. But I'll get to writing the next chapter as soon as I can. Please send me a review. Who knows....maybe seeing your thoughts will give me the impetus to update even faster. Love you all and thanks for being patient. :)
