"What plan do you have?" I asked, my curiosity peaked.

Naruto rolled on his back. Stretching, he smiled, putting his hands behind his head. "Well, after I became Hokage, we found some hidden ruins of Orochimaru. Shikamaru had been on a mission and found a bunch of finished and unfinished experiments. He told me that the lab looked like the inhabitants had left in a hurry. Anyways, Shikamaru brought the experiments back…it took two troop of ANBU to bring them all back. I had Sakura work on them and analyze them. Of the most important finished experiments, Orochimaru had figured out a time travel jutsu and a permanent true human cloning jutsu."

My eyes widened a bit. No one had been able to complete either, even though many people had been working on it. The science behind it was complex, and something always went wrong. About then, Naruto continued. "The time travel jutsu was dangerous…and required … human… sacrifices…multiple sacrifices. One had to be an infant. Obviously, that was not an acceptable option for me…I had the justus and experiments destroyed by Sakura." His eyes looked pained. I pulled him to me, kissing the top of his head. Giving a heavy sigh, Naruto went on.

"The other jutsu was a cloning jutsu. Even though it was "complete"," Naruto used air quotes, "we don't believe it was. Sakura was able to determine that it would clone the person, but not the attributes of the person. We believe that this one was unfinished since Orochimaru would want the person and their attributes to be cloned. While you were sleeping…" he winked at me as I pouted slightly, "I did some research. Seems Orochimaru used it here."

"Of course…otherwise, how could he be here, from our timeline?" I asked, confused.

"No." Naruto's eyes were sad. "Obito was cloned and his clone, Tobi, is in the Akatsuki." Naruto said simply.

"What? What do you mean? I've known both…and Tobi is NOT Obito." I felt my hackles rise in defense of my friend. There was no way Tobi was Obito. I had not seen Tobi's face, but there was no way that evil man was my friend.

Naruto raised his hands in mock surrender. Slumping, I chuckled despairingly. "Sorry, Naruto. I…Tobi is a horrible person…and Obito isn't…I don't want Obito to be compared to Tobi."

"Let's talk to Obito later. If my assumption is right, he'll respond as I expect." Naruto looked up at me. I nodded.

"But, how does that work into a plan?"

"Well I think we should clone you and Kurama. Neither of your abilities will be cloned, but they won't know that." Naruto looked up at me expectantly.

I smiled, leaning down and kissed his nose. "Well, if they just wanted us that would work. But what happens when they figure out that we don't have our attributes…they'll be looking for us again. I'm sorry, but I don't see how that will fix anything?"

Naruto grinned and crossed his arms. "I like knowing more than you." My eye twitched at that as I frowned. Chuckling, he kissed my chest. "Well, Sakura, working with her team, was able to modify a different serum…injecting it negates any chakra and attributes that a person has. But…" Naruto's eyes became troubled. I waited for Naruto to explain more. "I was only able to bring three vials of each…and one busted upon my insertion into my body of the Negation Serum. So, I only have two…one for Orochimaru, and one for Pain."

I raised an eyebrow. "That sounds wonderful, but how would we ever be able to inject it into either person? We have to find Orochimaru, and getting closed to Pain is extremely hard." I pointed out. I hated to ruin his happiness, but I had to be realistic.

Naruto smirked. "Sai."

I bit my lip. I did not want to explain to him about Sai…but I had to. "Naruto, Sai isn't the same here as he was in the other timeline. I believe he is a spy."

Naruto nodded. "Of course he is a spy…which is exactly why that will work to our advantage…We give out information…misinformation…which will make it impossible for Sai to refuse. Danzo won't be able to resist."

I didn't want to hope…but I couldn't help but to believe in Naruto…because if anyone could end this, it was Naruto. Looking at him, I smiled. Naruto had definitely grown up from the knuckleheaded, headstrong boy into a mature, intelligent Hokage. Running the back of my fingers over Naruto's cheek, I kissed him gently. "Let's try."

()()()

Obito smiled as Naruto greeted him. I was hidden from sight, containing my chakra by a window, but I could still see in. I hadn't spoken to my old friend in many years, since the massacre. I assume he would turn me in, so Naruto went to see him, trying to be upbeat and more of this timeline's Naruto-esque. "Naruto, it is good to see you. To what do I owe this visit?" He was pleasant.

Naruto smiled. After he was admitted to the room, he blurted out "Obito! I have a question. Did you get cells taken from you and get yourself cloned?"

I wanted to face palm myself. Nothing like being obvious…of course, I realized, that was very Naruto…he charged head first in, thinking things through later, especially at this young age. As Obito stiffened, I heard his voice. "What are you talking about?" I looked up. Obito was on edge. This was…an interesting development. I expected disbelief, scoffing, not…defensiveness.

"I mean, did Orochimaru clone you?" Naruto asked.

"Naruto, don't be rid…" he looked at Naruto, who was staring back at him expectantly. Suddenly, Obito whirled away from Naruto and stalked to the window. I moved to stay hidden. "I don't know what you are talking about." Obito responded, staring out the window.

"I know he cloned you. I'm not gonna tell my dad…I just need to know. Did he?" Naruto pressed.

Obito slumped. His voice got quiet and far away. "Orochimaru told me if I did this for him, he could help me save Kakashi. I knew that Kakashi had a reason for the massacre…he's not a bad guy. But I never could save Kakashi. Orochimaru took my cells, cloned me, and then disappeared…with Kakashi's name still in the Bingo Book." The whisper tore at my heart as I heard my friend cry. I wanted to reach out and hug him, but I couldn't. Not now. Not when the plan wasn't finished.

Naruto walked up and put a hand on Obito's shoulder. "I believe you. And I'm gonna use what you just told me to help clear Kakashi's name." Naruto said helpfully. "So, soon, you'll see your friend again." As the tears fell from my friend's face, I saw hope in his eyes. That was Naruto's gift…he could bring hope to the hopeless. As Naruto left, Obito stood at the window, looking out. After a few minutes, he closed his drapes, hiding him from my sight. Climbing down, I went to find Naruto so we could continue moving his plan forward.

()()()

Listening to the story, Minato, Itachi, Shisui, and Shikamaru were cautiously optimistic as well. They agreed that we could try it…since we knew what we were up against. If it did not work, Minato assured me that the Village was ready for an attack. However, I knew something I was about to say was going to upset Naruto.

"Naruto…the only way we'll get to Pain is for me to go back to the Akatsuki." I pointed out gently.

Naruto looked at me and nodded. "I don't want you to go back, but I agree…you have to. Which means so do I." The determined look to his face made me realize that there was no way I was going to talk him out of this. Besides, it made sense…otherwise, how would I explain losing Naruto right after I got him. Nodding, I held out my hand. "Let's get ready to go."

()()()

Adjusting my headband, I zipped up my cloak. "Are you ready for this?" I asked Naruto, who slipped his Akatsuki robe on. Nodding, his blue eyes were determined.

"Do you think this is going to work?" I asked to Kurama, who had been unusually silent during this whole ordeal.

"It might. It's worth a shot."

"Why are you so quiet?" I was getting worried.

"No reason. Just follow the mission, SilverFang." Kurama's tone was almost…sad. His tone had me uneasy, but we were too busy for me to work on it at the moment. I would visit with him in the soul prison later. "Just…no matter what…thanks for being the best vessel I ever had…for treating me humanely."

"Of course. We are friends." Something in his tone was off…I was definitely talking to him tonight in the soul prison.

B did not want to go back with us, but understood the reason why he had to. We had to keep Pain at ease and trusting us so we could do what we needed. Adjusting the shackles on B's wrists, we headed off. Ino was going with Itachi and Shisui in search of Orochimaru. When they were in position, Ino would contact me so we could set up the injection. We just have to hope we can be in the right place at the right time…

Naruto grabbed my hand as we walked, jerking me out of my reverie. Stiffening, I pulled away gently. "Sorry…we haven't yet, here." Nodding, Naruto kept up with me, holding onto the lead of the shackles. As we approached the base of the Akatsuki, I walked in. Shoving B towards Pain, I bowed in front of him. I saw that Naruto did so as well as I glanced out of the corner of my eye. Konan sat up a bit straighter, smiling slightly.

"Well done, Kakashi. Was it difficult?" Pain's deep voice filled the room as Konan looked at me.

"It was … a bit more difficult than normal. But nothing we couldn't handle." I responded in a bored tone.

"Well done. Retire and rest up. Our plan is almost to fruition." Dismissing me, Konan followed me out, as did Naruto. I noticed Naruto frowning. Well, at least this will stay with the script, so to speak. Walking into the room, Naruto flopped on his bed, staring at the two of us. Konan wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me into a kiss. I saw the anger flare in Naruto's eyes. Pulling back, I untangled myself from Konan as Naruto got up and walked out. Well, more appropriately, he stormed out. Konan looked at me questioningly, anger flashing across her face briefly.

I sighed. I did not want to hurt her, but I knew she was much more invested in our relationship than I was. "I'm sorry, Konan. I…can't. Not anymore. I love Naruto. I never thought I would have a chance with him, I never thought I would see him again. Then I did, and he feels the same way. I'm sorry…really I am." I watched her eyes fill with tears. I felt horrible, but I couldn't lead her on anymore.

"You were using me?" she spat, her voice like venom.

I sighed and sat on the bed. "No. I was happy with you. I never thought I'd see Naruto again, especially not on a regular basis…so I was … content, in my relationship with you. However, now that I see him, my feelings have resurfaced…and I can't deny them…especially since I've found out he returns them. Naruto joined the Akatsuki just to be with me…he forsook his family…for me." I stared at her, my eyes pleading with her to believe me. As the tears flowed down her cheeks, she turned, running from the room.

Naruto came in a few minutes later, staring at me warily. "I broke it off with her. I told her I loved you and you loved me and that was why you came here. She was upset when she left." I supplied. His smile split his face as he grabbed me around the neck and hugged me. "This wasn't probably the best time…but I couldn't…I couldn't hurt you anymore, and I couldn't stand not being with you freely."

Naruto just continued to hug me. "I know I should feel bad she is upset, but I can't. You're mine." He mumbled into my neck, kissing my neck.

"Ow!" I yelped as I felt his teeth sink into my flesh. Pulling back, I looked at him. "You bit me…what was that for?"

Naruto looked up at me, a territorial gleam in his eye. "You're mine. I just don't want anyone to forget that." Kissing my neck with more force, I could not help the moan that escaped at this seldom seen side of Naruto. As he pushed me down on the bed, I swallowed, staring at him greedily. I would have to talk to Kurama later. Kami I missed Naruto…

()()()

I woke up in the middle of the night. I don't really know why, but something was … off. "Kurama, are you okay?" I jerked upright when there was no response. Naruto murmured sleepily, rolling over on his stomach. "Kurama!"

No answer.

Laying down, I calmed myself and went to the soul room.

[Sitting up, I looked around. I couldn't see Kurama anywhere.

"Kurama?" I called out. Silence greeted me.

I stood, walking towards the cage. As I got closer, I saw something disturbing. The cage was open. That was not disturbing, as I had let him out long ago. However, the fact that the cage was a mere four foot by four foot…Kurama was never that small. Realizing Kurama wasn't there, I jerked awake.

Sitting up, I grabbed Naruto. "Naruto…something is wrong. Wake up!" I jostled the blonde awake until he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Wha…huh? What's wrong?"

"I can't hear Kurama! And…he's gone…he's not in his soul prison anymore. He isn't in me anymore!" I said, panic in my voice. I felt so…empty. Emptier than I'd felt for as long as I could remember.

Naruto sat for a few minutes, getting paler, and then he looked up at me. Swallowing audibly, his eyes were huge. "Matatabi is gone, too."