Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto

Warning: This story will contain spoilers from Naruto and Harry Potter so if you don't like spoilers don't read this story. Also, some facts may be different from the original plot and characters might behave differently from their original natures but that is how I need them in order to write my fanfic so again if you don't like it refrain from reading it. The genre is Drama/Hurt/Comfort, Harry is emotionally hurt. In this fic, Harry may behave emotional and depressed (but not throughout entire storyline) so think carefully before you write something to you don't like my fic please read something else but if you have constructive criticism for me do go ahead and enlighten me. Lastly, there might be some future violence or coarse language. You have been warned!

Chapter 8: The Lost Heritage…

"Blessed child of Lord Slytherin, we will heed to your wish when you request for our help for the debt that our kind owes to you."

As soon as the report of the village's attack came in, Ibiki organized his team and rushed back to defend the village against the invaders. Despite he and his team's efforts, they were unable to stop giant summoned snakes that were stampeding towards the hospital. Ibiki could feel his stomach sink at the thought of those who were currently in the hospital and those who would require the facility after this ordeal was over.

"Stop those damned creatures no matter what!" Ibiki yelled out his lungs.

They couldn't afford to lose the resource of the hospital. Unfortunately, he and his squad's attack couldn't inflict much damage to the giant animals. Ibiki expected to hear the loud roar of the building's destruction, but instead he saw the beasts halt and turn their heads, all the while hissing loudly. The jonin signaled his team to stand down and carefully moved closer to the spot where the snakes' attentions were focused to find Kazuki and Harry. Kazuki was a distance away, with his kunai in his hand, and was eyeing the teen in shock.

Ibiki scanned around, but Tenzo was nowhere around to explain the situation. The missing ANBU had probably followed protocol and went to join his squad to defend the village. When Ibiki looked back at the pair, he couldn't believe his eyes as the mysterious boy seemed to converse with the snakes. The teen was hissing at the animals and at this point, the jonin was really lost as to what he should do.

Kazuki was motionless on the spot as the snakes paused after a loud hiss came near him. He slowly turned his head to the source, watching in horror as Harry continued to hiss at the creatures that now appeared to be discussing among themselves. Was the boy a spy? Was he on Orochimaru's side? What were they talking about?

Animals could be trained to understand human languages; and some even learned how to speak human language. However, he had never heard of someone learning to speak an animal's language. Some shinobi were able to understand animals, but it wasn't an easy task unless they grew up with the animal from an early age.

Although Kazuki wasn't sure about the loyalty of the boy, he didn't want to provoke the beasts by questioning Harry. The aged doctor just stared helplessly as the hissing continued between two parties before him.

"You! You speak our language!" Surprise was obvious as one of the larger snakes spoke.

"Yes, I can speak the tongue of the snakes. So I ask you to stop your attacks in this village." Harry replied firmly.

"Why should we listen to you? It is indeed amazing to see someone who speaks our language but you do not hold any contract with us. Who do you think you are giving us an order?!" As one other snake just finished, others hissed angrily at the young wizard. Audiences around Harry tensed in fear of the teen's safety as the snakes made threatening actions.

"I am Harry Potter," Harry was getting uneasy at the reactions he got but he dared not to show that now. "the last remaining descendant of Salazar Slytherin." The wizard could feel his heart race. Slytherin shouldn't hold much meaning in this world and he wasn't sure where he should go from here on. Nevertheless, whatever Harry was expecting wasn't excited rattles among the scaled creatures.

"Slytherin?!" To Harry's amazement the snakes seemed quite affected by the Founder's name and were turning to one another as if needing a confirmation of what they just heard.

"Salazar Slytherin you said? I heard the tale of the Great Speaker Slytherin from my elders. The clan that was gifted with the tongue of snakes – it's like a myth now among us. The clan held power to command us and in return, they protected us. However, such a clan does not exist anymore. It is a lost heritage." Harry couldn't decipher if it was a longing or sympathy that he sensed from the snake who was gazing at him.

"Then I am claiming that lost heritage." Harry was lost as to what possessed him to utter those words without hesitation; nonetheless, he regretted what he said the moment he realized the meaning of the declaration he had just made.

What was he saying? He could hear the high-pitched hiss of laughers among the animals. Harry looked around to notice that more snakes have gathered around the hospital than before. The biggest snake, one who had been talking to Harry, seemed to be the leader among these creatures.

"Sssssss. Claim the lost heritage? You are indeed amusing young speaker. If you so desire for us to leave this village to cause no further damage then show us. If you truly are the rightful heir to that long lost heritage then revoke this summoning contract that binds us and send us back with your power." The snake challenged Harry as if taunting the small human in front of him.

"Someone has summoned you here?" Harry was madly going through his head to remember what he had learned about ninja and summoning. He hadn't learned much in detail in regards to shinobi education since he wasn't becoming one himself. He just knew ninja could make a contract with certain animals to summon them when needed which wasn't too much helpful information at the moment.

"Why of course. He's the one who told us to destroy this village." Harry felt an unpleasant sensation twirling within his stomach at the snake's response.

"Where is he now?" Was Konohamaru okay? Were Naruto and the other children safe? How about that boy named Lee who couldn't walk without a crutch? Where would Sarutobi be during this attack? Would he be fighting since he was the village leader?

"Why are you so curious?" Harry's series of endless questions were abruptly cut short when the snake came closer as though to observe him better.

"Why is that person attacking this village? For what purpose?" Despite his question, somewhere deep inside Harry whispered that it was he who brought the destruction to this village. Like the plague, everywhere Harry went was eventually followed by devastation and bloodshed of the ones he loved.

"He never said clearly other than that he was going to 'crush the Leaf.' From what we know of him, we're guessing it may be a revenge on the Third and the village for not choosing him as the Fourth." The scaly creature hissed nonchalantly.

"The Third? You mean by the Third Hokage-sama?" The image of his deceased head master kept fogging up in Harry's mind and he knew it wasn't a good sign. When the snake verified the wizard's query, Harry lost the little control he held over the painful emotions of his past.

"Where is that man?!" The dread was overwhelming his senses.

"He's probably back at the stadium fighting that old man to have his revenge." The snake hissed as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Take me there." Harry demanded.

"Why would you want to get involved? It's wiser to stay somewhere safe." The snake curled its body and started to scrutinize the small boy before him.

"I said take me there!" Harry ordered fiercely not knowing where the courage to think that the snakes would listen to him came from but, for some amazing reason, the snake he had been conversing with lowered itself near where Harry was to give him easier access to climb on its head.

Ibiki and his team got nervous as additional snakes assembled around the hospital. In the center of these creatures was their Hokage's adopted son, who seemed to be communicating with them. He wanted to dispose of the beast, but Ibiki was worried about the possible casualties in case his attack failed and provoked the now docile snakes.

He was contemplating the matter at his hands until he saw one of the snakes lowered its head near the teen. He feared for the safety of Kazuki and Harry and decided to rescue them the moment he saw an opening. However, before the special jonin could make any move, he was stopped by a voice.

"Ibiki, don't try anything foolish." The jonin froze on his spot. He knew that voice.

"Jiraiya-sama!" The white haired man didn't break his stare away from the scene as he acknowledged Ibiki.

When Jiraiya came to the village, he took notice of the group of snakes gathered near the hospital. He would have summoned the toads to get rid of those menaces if he hadn't realized something was different as he approached the place. The animals weren't moving and looked as if they were talking to a boy next to Kazuki. He wasn't certain what he should make of the situation, however, his guts were telling him Ibiki's idea would only aggravate the snakes. It was a bad idea.

"For now, we watch." The Toad Sennin instructed.

After climbing on the head of the snake that had agreed to take him to the stadium, Harry looked around at the rest of the scaly creatures that had gathered. How was he supposed to send them back? Was snake summoning a form of Serpensortia? Then would the counter-spell for Serpensortia work on them? There was only one way to find out.

"Vipera Evanesca" As soon as those magical words left the saviour's mouth with a wave of his hand, the snakes around Harry vanished to the onlooker's shock. The only snake remaining at the spot was the one young wizard was on.

"Don't worry, the snakes won't attack anymore. Stay here." Kazuki looked at Harry as the boy turned to look him in the eyes.

Before Kazuki could say anything back the teen took off with the one remaining snake. The old doctor remained in his place, looking back and forth between the hospital and the direction in which the teen had gone, at a loss as to what he should do.

As the snake journeyed through the village, Harry looked around. Smokes rose from countless wreckages of what was once home of the many villagers. He also noticed the fights still going on around them amongst the buildings. Harry cast a notice-me-not charm over himself and the snake to get through faster. They headed to the building where the roof had what seemed like a transparent square box on top. When they finally reached the stadium, Harry hopped down.

"Orochimaru, the one who summoned us, should be in this barrier. He would be fighting the Hokage. Whatever you are going to do, take care. My name is Siyu. I hope we see each other again." Siyu's eyes softened as she said her goodbye.

"Thank you for the ride. Now, return home." Harry muttered the vanishing charm with the wave of his hand. As the snake disappeared with a pop, Harry carefully walked towards what he presumed to be a barrier.

When he got to the obstruction, Harry saw two people at the corners of the barrier. He assumed two more people would be at the other corners and those four people were ones who were maintaining this structure.

Harry didn't have any plan of what he was going to do from here. The shinobi had more advanced physical abilities, and although he had magic, what was the point when they could evade or attack him before he could take aim? His wandless magic wasn't that great either. Still Harry walked up to the barrier and put his hand on it. The ward amazingly seemed to block the physical being as well like a wall. He felt interest in studying it, just in case the need for such a thing arose in the future. However, he doubted it would prevent apparation into the barrier. It was a short distance to apparate since the barrier itself wasn't even an inch thick.

Three ANBU arrived from the other side of the roof after hearing a giant snake coming towards the stadium, only to watch their Hokage's adoptive son disappear then reappear inside the barrier. They knew of the boy's true profile and were aware that he had some kind of strange ability, but to break into the barrier that the ANBU had been trying so hard to enter in less than 10 seconds was an incredible feat. They soon noted Jiraiya and other shinobi were also present at the scene to witness the amazing event.

"Ibiki, you and the rest of your team handle the enemies." After scanning around the area Jiraiya commanded to the jonin.

"But-" Ibiki was about to protest when the Toad Sennin held up his hand to end further argument.

"I am going to clean off the areas near here just in case something happens and I am sure while we are off cleaning Kazuki-san can watch over this spot with these ANBU." Jiraiya said as he referred to the three masked figures and a doctor who followed the boy after he briefly ordered department supervisors to take care of the situation back at the hospital.

"I sure will. Now go!" Kazuki nodded firmly as if to ease other's worry and with that confirmation, Ibiki and his team dispersed to fight the invaders.

Jiraiya took one last glance at the structure his old sensei was trapped in and went off to fight the enemies himself. His mind was still caught up about the boy who teleported into the barrier. He heard from the rumors that his sensei had adopted a son and that boy seemed to fit the description, but who was he? The boy couldn't have been on Orochmaru's side because if that was the case why would the boy release the summoned snakes? The barrier on top of the stadium wasn't a normal barrier either. Even he, one of the Sannin would not be able to break into it in that short amount of time. He decided to save the questions for later as he engaged in the battle once more.

Harry walked on the hilly rooftop. It wasn't stable like the ground so he watched his step, not wanting to slide down. He noticed how tense he had become because of the air around him. It was giving him goosebumps. It felt like when he was surrounded by the reapers. The atmosphere seemed to tighten around him, making him feel like he was invading the space.

"Die!"

Harry heard the shout and ran towards it. He knew he was getting closer to the source as he heard the familiar voice louder than before. The young wizard suddenly stopped in his tracks when he finally found the place at the sight before him.

Sarutobi was holding on to someone with long black hair and behind Sarutobi hovered a giant creature. A white arm was extending out from Sarutobi's abdomen, grabbing what appeared to be a white blob from the longhaired man's stomach. Blood was dripping from Sarutobi's mouth and a big monkey like animal that was being held by snakes was holding a sword that pierced the middle of old Hokage's chest.

"Hari? How?" Sarutobi asked and Harry could tell the old man was trying all his might to stay alive.

Harry stared at sword wound briefly then traced his gaze to what looked to be a white human shape tied by hairs of the creature. Unexpectedly, the creature locked his gaze with Harry.

So you can see me, can't you? The eerily spoken words startled Harry.

Harry stared the creature half in fear and half not knowing what to say or do. The entity seemed to pierce his soul.

Ah. You are marked by my kin, aren't you descendant of Yamata. No wonder you could see me. The haunting creature spoke in a fascinated manner as it tilted its head to take a better look at the young wizard.

"Descendant of Yamata? What are you talking about?"

At the sudden turn of events, Harry became oblivious of the two other listeners.

Sarutobi and Orochimaru watched in wonder as Harry spoke to the death god. They listened as the boy talked but neither heard anything from the other creature. Harry seemed to hear something though, and was able to make conversation. Sarutobi wondered how Harry was able to see the death god when he wasn't captured by the jutsu.

Oh, didn't you know? It's your heritage; you are related to the Yamata clan. Although I thought they were long gone. Didn't my kin tell you? Harry scrunched up his face as he tried frantically to come up with a possible relative of this creature which turned out not so productive. He finally gave up his thinking process and looked back into the eyes of eternal blackness.

"Your kin? Who are you?"

I don't need an identity like you mortals for I am not bound by time. However, I have many names from mortals. They mostly refer me as death god. Harry's eyes widened while the creature cracked a smile.

"Death god?" The first thing that came to Harry's mind was the death of his beloved friends and families. That wretched veil came across Harry's attention; one that the Reapers begged him not to destroy. Could this death god be kin to them?

"Are you referring to the Reapers when you say your kin?"

So you are from the other world. Then you must be the descent of Slytherin line if you are related to Yamata clan. The death god commented as though it was finally making sense to him.

"How did you-" Harry's eyes widened but his sentence was cut off as he heard Sarutobi cough out more blood. After watching the scarlet liquid spill in horror Harry rapidly turned to the Death god and pleaded.

"Please, save him!"

Pardon? The death god chuckled lightly at the audacity of the small mortal before him.

"Please, spare his life! Release him from your bindings!" Harry didn't know exactly what was going on, but he was aware this was some kind of jutsu or there was no way the Reapers would appear, before someone died, to take their soul.

Come to think about it, the white figure in front of the creature was shaped a lot like his adoptive father, indicating the reaper had claimed Sarutobi's soul but hadn't taken it yet. Was Sarutobi trying to take the other man's soul with him? Harry decided to think about it later. He didn't have much time. There was no point in curing Sarutobi if the reaper was going to take his soul away.

"You claimed Sarutobi-san's soul, didn't you? Please, release him." Harry begged.

And why should I do that petty mortal? The death god asked in a mocking tone.

"Your kin has promised me a favor." Harry fiercely glared at the creature before him.

A favor? It didn't take Harry much to figure out that the death god was trying to hold in the laugh.

"Yes. They are your kin so it should apply to you too, shouldn't it?" Harry was trying with all his might to hold in his anger. The death god stared, amused.

You are from an ancient powerful family, which is highly respected, also my kin owe you a favor which you speak true, therefore, I will grant it to you this time. But as you might be aware there are a few exceptions. Harry knew what those exceptions were. One of them was the raising of the dead. He had already tried to revive his loved ones only to be rejected. He didn't need any explanation on the matter so he stopped the death god before he could continue.

"I already said what I want. I want you to release Sarutobi-san's soul back to his physical body."

Then something also hit Harry's mind. How many more souls were suffering in that Reaper? Harry knew not all were good-hearted souls but couldn't he help them by freeing them along with Sarutobi's soul?

"And I want you to release all the good-hearted souls so they can move on to the next realm."

You do know that's a big wish, right? The creature asked back in a defiant manner.

"It's still a favor." Harry replied back.

I think this is worth more than what they intended to give. The death god unhappily grumbled.

"Nothing is ever worth more than Sirius' life! The life that was stolen unfairly. If that stupid veil was not present then he might still be alive. Even if the Reapers promised to give me all the souls in this world, nothing will be ever worth more that his life! So don't worry, you are not losing any profit." Harry gritted out heatedly.

Then can I at least take this mortal's arms? In any case, he doesn't have a good-hearted spirit anymore and he is in my grasp at the moment.

Harry peered at the man he assumed was Orochimaru. This was the man that summoned the snakes and caused the destruction of the village. This was the man who was trying to destroy what little peace and family Harry had found. With those thoughts Harry didn't feel any pity towards the man as he granted the death god's request.

"Go ahead."

Then it is decided. Our kind has finally made up their mistakes. We are free of your debt. Goodbye child of Slytherin. Harry could still sense the enjoyment in the death god's words as the heavy damp air around them began to lift.

"What the?" Orochimaru stared as the death god raised his knife; then it struck and cut off his soul's arms and disappeared with them. He watched in disbelief as he started to lose control of his upper limbs as the colour of the skin changed into darker shade. He felt a terrible pain start in his now limp arms, getting stronger by the minute.

"Sarutobi-san!" Harry ran towards Sarutobi and his eyes enlarged at the closer inspection of the chest.

Harry was unsure if he could treat the injury. He wasn't a healer; he was trained to become a fighter. He had only learned the very basics of healing magic, but that wasn't enough to treat such a severe wound. Nonetheless, the wizard still tried. Harry put his hand near where the sword was piercing Sarutobi's chest and used his basic healing magic to mend the gash.

"Hari?" Sarutobi asked. His eyes were getting heavy and breathing became a harder task after each breath due to flooding of blood in his lungs.

"Please, don't die." Harry fought back the tears trying to blind him. No, he needed to stay focused!

"You insolent brat! What have you done to me?! Give me back my arms!" The Snake Sennin screamed after catching the sight of mysterious intruder next to the Third. Harry got startled from his work to see Orochimaru, who looked about ready to kill him.

"All this! My jutsu! Gwaaa!!" But Orochimaru didn't get far because more intense pain overwhelmed him. He had to retreat now since he didn't know what had happened to him exactly. Sakon and Ukon called out to him, and Orochimaru ordered the retreat. With that command the sound four released the barrier and carried their master off to safety.

Harry went back to his healing but, like he expected, it didn't provide much support. Seeing his guardian was losing consciousness, Harry couldn't do anything to prevent the tears that were falling.

"Please don't die! Please don't leave me!" Harry pleaded desperately.

"Sarutobi!" Harry looked up from his effort to see Kazuki. The doctor bent next to Sarutobi's collapsed form and immediately surveyed his friend's condition and started to give emergency treatment. Whatever the teen was doing seemed to be a form of healing but it didn't seem to be doing a good job.

"Sarutobi can you hear me?!"

Kazuki didn't get a response from his friend. That was bad.

"Medics! Get me more medics!"

Kazuki yelled to the shinobi that started to gather around them and they scurried off to search for medics nearby. The doctor felt powerless. There was a very slim chance that his friend would get through this especially without any other medics and equipment around to help. However, Sarutobi would surly die on his way to the hospital to access that necessary equipment in his condition. Kazuki was pulled from his concentrated work when he noticed something wet kept falling on and around his hands. Kazuki looked up to find Harry crying and begging the unconscious Hokage not to die.

"You are no-" Kazuki was about to tell the teen to back away if he wasn't going to help, but a cough from his friend pulled his attention back to his patient. Something also caught the old doctor's attention. He suddenly started to feel stronger heartbeats. Furthermore the injury and the bleeding didn't look as bad as before.

Of course, he had been healing Sarutobi but Kazuki knew it wasn't his work. The mystified doctor looked back to still crying teen calling out to Sarutobi. Whatever the cause was Kazuki wasn't going to pass up the opportunity at hand and called out to the available medics who had just arrived to remove the sword from the Hokage's chest. The procedure was delicate and the shinobi participating focused everything they had to remove and treat the gash at the same time.

Unfortunately, Kazuki couldn't help but notice that several of the injuries that were left untreated as well as the wounds being healed were mending at a faster rate than was supposed to be possible. Despite the unexplained happenings, Kazuki believed his friend might be able to live though this ordeal. After more medics turned up to help, the veteran doctor ordered the Hokage to be transported to the hospital to get further treatment.

"Hari." Harry woke up from his stupor after watching Sarutobi disappear from his sight towards the hospital.

"Kakashi-san. Gai-san." Kakashi was looking down at him with a look that Harry wasn't able to comprehend. He had seen eyes of fear, resentment and emotions similar to those but he hadn't seen that kind of stare before in this kind of situation. What was that jonin thinking?

"We have to go. I will take you home."

Home – Harry gave no answer but instead started to gaze around him at that last word. The village was in ruins. Why and how did this happen? Harry felt like it was his fault; for all his life, everywhere he went, he was followed by destruction and death. Then his thoughts went back to Sarutobi. One who showed so much trust in him; was he okay?

"Take me to the hospital." When the matter of his guardian's condition was popped in his head, the only thing young wizard had in mind was staying by the older man's side.

"Hari, how about you wait at home for now?" Kakashi tried to coax the boy.

"No. I want to be beside him. That's all I can do. I want to know if he's alright or not."

The jonin looked at Gai who nodded back to him. With a silent sigh Kakashi picked up the teen and carried him off towards the hospital. Once they arrived at the hospital, Harry had spent the entire day by Sarutobi's side with ANBU guarding the surroundings. To everyone's surprise, Kazuki had allowed Harry to stay near the Hokage, remarking that it might be a good thing to the Hokage for a change.

Everything was foggy and a little dizzy when Sarutobi opened his eyes. Where was he? There was no way he was in heaven because the jutsu he used should trap his soul in the stomach of the death god. Yet this room looked very familiar to be the stomach of the aforementioned god.

"Hokage-sama!"

Sarutobi heard shouts at the background as he tried to focus his mind. He shifted his head to find ANBU who asked him how he felt.

"I'm alright. Where am I? Am I in the hospital?"

"Yes Hokage-sama."

Then Sarutobi also became aware of a sleeping form. His young charge appeared to have fallen a sleep as he sat on the chair next to Sarutobi's bed. Someone seemed to have put a blanket on Harry to keep him warm.

"Hari?" The boy was motionless. Sarutobi called once more but didn't get any reply.

"He was up all day yesterday and last night Hokage-sama. I think he's tired."

One of the ANBU elaborated the situation for Sarutobi as he combed through his adoptive son's messy hair, a smile was creeping up his face. For some reason, it made him relieved to know the boy was okay. It was amazing how this mystifying teen had crawled into a special spot in his heart.

"Is the village okay?" However, before Sarutobi's concern could be answered everyone's attention was pulled to the clicking of the door handle.

"The village is fine but that's not something you should be worried about until I discharge you from the hospital." Kazuki said as he entered the room. "So how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." Kazuki's eyebrows twitched at the response. Really would it kill these shinobi to ever say such a thing as "yes my head hurts" or "I am not feeling well?"

"Sarutobi, what did I tell you about-" Kazuki was about to reprimand his friend when his said friend interrupted him.

"But I am fine. Other than a little dizziness and a mild headache I am feeling great." Kazuki looked at his friend skeptically before he put his stethoscope on.

"I am still going to check you."

To Kazuki satisfaction, he performed a checkup to find a normal bill of health. Sarutobi's condition had improved more than the day before not to mention that his injuries had healed perfectly. The slight damage to the heart Sarutobi had wasn't perfectly repairable with current skill or technology especially at Sarutobi's age. However, for some miraculous reason the heart was perfectly normal.

Kazuki stared at the sleeping teen again though he knew it wasn't going to solve his problems. He had been so busy after the invasion. Injured people overwhelmed the hospital but the experience at the roof didn't fade away from his mind. For unexplainable reasons, the doctor believed Harry was responsible for Sarutobi's full recovery. What was it? It would be very valuable for treating patients especially during the predicament the village was in.

"You are good, too good if you ask me. I will discharge you now but come back when it's not so busy. I have a matter to discuss with you and him. The hospital is over flooded so I have to go now." Sarutobi approved the doctor's demand and started shaking the shoulder of his ward.

Sarutobi and Harry arrived at home to find Konohamaru who had been waiting for his guardians. The child was very relieved to see both his uncle and grandfather safe and well. Not long after he came back to his old residence, Sarutobi headed back to his office only to get summoned to the council meeting. At the meeting, it was decided that they needed the Fifth Hokage in case he didn't make it out alive in his next battles. Jiraiya was chosen for the job, however, after trying to persuade him everyone settled with Jiraiya going off in search of Tsunade along with Naruto.

Sarutobi sighed and looked back at the workload he needed to do after the attack. Aside from his routine paperwork, he heard the reports from the ANBU, Jiraiya and Ibiki of the incident. Harry had spoken to the snakes and not only that but he also rode on one of the snakes to the arena and made the snakes vanish from the village.

Moreover, the boy had broken into the barrier. Sarutobi also remembered what he had encountered in the barrier. He hadn't told anyone of the event since he thought it would be better to keep it to himself for now. But he would never forget what he had seen. Harry talked to the death god. He himself should have been dead but his charge had made a deal with the entity to free his soul while able to successfully take away Orochimaru's arms.

However, Sarutobi wondered what Harry had offered to appease the death god. What was that favor that his charge mentioned? Descendant of Yamata. That was one of the things he remembered. Was he referring to himself? The endless questions were torturing the old Hokage as he left the room to attend another emergency meeting.

"Shisui." Came a voice filled with dread and despair just as dark as the atmosphere around the room.

The man referred to as Shisui opened his eyes to reveal the sharingan and pointed a kunai towards a smaller person in front of him.

"It's either you or me and I am not about to back down when I can have everything back that was taken from me. That YOU stole from me." It was a voice that was laced with resentment towards his opponent.

Then without any hesitation, Shisui launched towards a frozen figure whose eyes held nothing but shattered souls.

"Itachi-san!"

Itachi opened his eyes to find Kisame's hand resting on his shoulder.

"There you go, no more nightmares." Kisame showed his cheeky grin to his panting partner.

"Hn." And with that response Itachi turned his back on Kisame, trying to calm his nerves.

"Aww, Itachi-san, you are so cold." Kisame said in a mock hurt tone but Itachi didn't feel insulted since this was one of their usual routines.

It had been awhile since the two missing ninja had become partners. To many spectators, they were an odd pair but the truth was the two got along quite well to the point where there was a silent friendship and mutual understanding for each other. Kisame smiled at that thought. In his entire life, he had never thought that he would call someone his friend especially someone so young and opposite of him. With that in mind Kisame stared at Itachi's back until the owner of the said back interrupted his thought process.

"Kisame, rest for a bit. We are leaving after midnight."

"Sure." Kisame answered politely.

Unlike himself, who loved bloody fights and havoc, Itachi was a peace-loving pacifist. This was unknown amongst many others. Itachi wouldn't right away engage in battle, instead he would always choose it as a last resort and if the need came he made his kill swift and quick while Kisame enjoyed taking his time devouring his opponent's pain. Although others may think of Itachi as a cold-blooded killer due to the massacre he has committed, it was actually opposite which brought to Kisame's greatest life mystery: why did Itachi murder the Uchiha clan?

Once Kisame asked about it out of curiosity and Itachi gave him a cryptic answer of "It's a lost heritage, or it soon will be." Kisame respected other's privacy and he himself hated nosy people in return so he wasn't about to poke into Itachi's business and ask about such a matter when his young partner wasn't talking about his family or even his hometown. Kisame knew the sharingan holder wasn't telling about the massacre not because he didn't trust the mist ninja, but because Itachi himself wasn't ready to talk about it.

"Kisame, go to sleep. You can think tomorrow as we travel." Itachi told his partner once more.

"Yes, Itachi-san." Kisame obliged with a grin.

Unlike other ruthless criminals, Itachi was thoughtful and caring; that fact always made Kisame chuckle. It wasn't noticeable so others might not realize but Kisame saw it. People usually misjudged Kisame to be insensitive due to his size and features, but the shark ninja was observant.

The two Akatsuki members had been walking down the trail for a while now since their camp out rest and Kisame assumed they were near the Leaf Village. In a way the blue toned shinobi was slightly excited to go to the village his friend had grown up and left with pain.

Even though Itachi remained quiet, it seemed to Kisame that the young Uchiha was very disturbed about the fact that the Leaf Village was attacked by Orochimaru; if he wasn't worried then there was no way that they would be rushing to the village. Itachi said that they were going to get ninetails but the mist ninja didn't say anything despite knowing the real reason behind the action. Infiltrating the village wasn't hard, as there seemed to be not many guards to spare. In addition, Itachi knew the village inside out not to mention the sharingan wielder's gen-jutsu was handy for the occasion.

As they looked down at the village from the top of the village's gigantic wall Kisame glanced at Itachi.

"So this is what is left from the invasion." Itachi commented as he looked down from the high walls of the Konoha village. "It was a village that was so prosperous. It's a shame."

"Itachi-san, even you miss your hometown?" Itachi was silent for a bit then answered with masked emotion.

"No." Kisame smirked inwardly for he knew it was a lie. The thing that benefited the Samehada's owner the most for being with the most wordless person was he was able to tell when Itachi lied and didn't lie, when Itachi was pushing his limits recklessly and when he was within his calculation and most importantly, how Itachi felt when it looked like Itachi didn't feel anything.

They surveyed the village for a while then decided to settle into one of the teahouse for some dango. Kisame came to like that round ball of sweets as much as Itachi during the time they spent together to both of their amusement.

From time to time, Itachi had mentioned how the Leaf Village's dango was better when they were eating the said dish at other teahouses. Kisame wanted to comment about the issue, but refrained since they were in enemy territory and it wasn't wise to attract attention especially when he was with Itachi in the Leaf Village.

Sadly, when their anticipated dango arrived, they could do nothing but hold their teacups and stare. Someone was watching them and the identity of that someone was soon revealed when Itachi recognized the voice as he called out to two other jonin who have appeared.

"You waiting for someone, that's a very rare occasion isn't it?" Itachi recognized him as Asuma.

"Well, sometimes I do. I am waiting for Sasuke."

Now Itachi knew that was their cue to leave. Kakashi waiting for someone was not a good sign to start with not to mention if he brought up the topic of Sasuke that could mean Kakashi might have took a right guess at Itachi's identity. Itachi signaled and the two missing ninja got out of the teahouse and were on their way to leave the village. The holder of sharingan didn't want to fight with anyone in the village. Unluckily, his hopes had fallen to deaf ears as he was stopped by Asuma and Kurenai.

After their little greetings, Itachi couldn't stop Kisame from engaging in battle. As much as he liked to avoid getting into a fight, in order to avoid a bigger conflict he had to battle these two jonin. It looked as if the battle would end soon but tragically, Kakashi's appearance had turned the tables once more. In order to end the battle quickly he decided to use the mangekyou sharingan. It was enough to put the copy ninja into a coma but not enough to drive him insane. Kisame reprimanded his actions but Itachi didn't want to hurt them.

"What are you doing here? Is it Sasuke?" Kakashi was barely maintaining his consciousness.

"It's the Fourth Hokage's legacy."

It wasn't a complete truth but they didn't need to know that. Itachi needed Kakashi to look after his younger brother. The jonin seemed very worn out after he came out from the screaming illusion world. Then everyone at the scene felt another intruding presence and turned their attention to a new arrival out from the woods. Itachi reactivated his sharingan and focused at the new comer. Soon out from the bushes revealed ebony haired boy with glasses.

"Kakashi-san? Asuma?"