Chapter 18

A stinging sensation on his nose woke him up. The bottom half of his face was covered with a thick cloth but the frigid air still made him sneeze. His eyes opened and for a moment all he could see was white. 'Snow? Where am I?' He could feel he was held securely on someone's back and they were travelling. His mind was clearer than it had ever been since Severus' death, but his memories came in disjointed fragments and he just wanted to go back to sleep. 'What happened? I remember I killed HER then…Naruto's voice.' He blinked blearily and the scenery came into focus. There were bare trees dotting the terrain, jagged mountains in the distance reaching up-up-up to stab the sky. 'Where are we going?'

A shiver ran up his spine making him tremble. His transport slowed down to a stop after shouting something to his companions. As he was placed down in the cold snow he could finally properly see his potential kidnappers. Blonde hair, tan skin. Naruto. Behind the blonde he saw Kakashi first, then Sai. Naruto reached out to secure the heavy cloak around him. "Are you cold?" He didn't say anything but just shook his head. Naruto's hands froze on his arms. His son was exuding warmth even through the layers of clothing. He wanted to come closer but couldn't. "Kaa-chan, can you understand me? Are you with us?" He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at the question and nodded again. Sure, the time after he got his revenge was blurry but was he that out of it?

Someone came up behind him and made him jump in surprise. "Okaa-chan! You're okay, right? Please say something." Sasuke asked franticly, eyes wide. "What's going on?" Before he could even finish the question he was enveloped into a tight hug. "You're okay." Sasuke pulled back and scolded. "You have so much explaining to do!" Hari looked away so didn't see Naruto swatting at the other teen's arm. "I'm really sorry." He whispered so quietly he was afraid his words were lost in the wind. Warm hands touched his cheeks and he faced Sasuke. "It's okay. We won't be mad forever." Kakashi came into his view, his eye-smile making him relax more. "Nice reunion everyone but I don't want my ass to freeze over here. So can we get a move on, please?"

Gathering his courage as he was urged to climb back on Naruto's back, he asked the group. "Where are we going?" "Kakashi-sensei has a safe house he wants us to go to in the mountains of Snow Country." Sasuke answered. "Why?" "If we had stayed in Konoha you would have been arrested and possibly killed." Sasuke informed gently, making him wince guiltily. He replaced the cloth on his face and they took off once more. The snow was blinding but he didn't want to go to sleep again. He had been sleeping long enough, it was time to figure out how to face his family after what he'd done.

A few hours later they were camping in a cave. The sun was just beginning to set and it was getting colder. Once the wood was gathered Hari lit it with his magic. They sat around the fire and rations were shared among themselves. Hari nibbled on his nutrient bar. The honey flavor took his mind off the chalky taste. "So," Kakashi started, brushing some crumbs off his fingers. "What happened to you, Hari?" Hari gulped. "It's not easy to explain. My memories are still coming back to me; I just know I did unforgivable things." He gathered his thoughts some more. "When Severus died something in me broke. I retreated into my mind and someone else took over." "Someone else?" Sasuke questioned, concerned. Hari nodded. "Yes. I somehow knew Severus' death had been a set up and I knew I needed to know who did it. My other self was born out of that desire, and he was willing to do anything to get me answers."

He hugged his knees to his chest and played with the frayed hem of his pants. "I knew what was happening was wrong; it scared me. So he made me forget. He would take away the memories of the murders to give me an illusion of normalcy. He would suppress my emotions regarding the whole situation so it wouldn't affect and distract him. We would interact at the moments between switches. He would tell me everything would be alright, that I had nothing to worry about. I believed him because I wanted to be okay again." Silence followed his words. He hugged his knees tighter. "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I didn't mean to."

Sasuke came closer to hug him and his trembling eventually subsided. He wiped at his eyes. "How did you find out?" Sai responded. "We all observed your strange behavior, but I'm the one who had concrete proof. Your illusions were convincing but I saw through them. They didn't feel like you, something with your chakra. I once followed you and saw you kill someone." "Then why didn't you say anything?" Hari cut off in distress. Sai said calmly "I found it difficult to hand you in because I knew your life would be forfeit. I'm grateful to you for your kindness Hari-san, you helped me find myself while I was with you. I wanted to explore all other alternatives. In the end, this was it. I told Kakashi-san all I know and we came up with this plan to smuggle you out." "Just in time too." Kakashi quipped. "Ibiki and Shikaku were nice enough to visit us the day before we left looking for you."

Hari's eyes widened and filled with tears. "Thank you." "Nothing to it." Sasuke said with a bright smile. Hari looked toward his other son whose gaze was averted from him. "Naruto." Naruto met his eyes then smiled. "Don't worry about it." Hari was still worried but let it go lest he offend him more. "What will happen now? Won't ANBU look for us?" "Of course." Sai said flippantly. "We're missing nin now?" Hari stiffened. "Then aren't you in trouble?" He looked between them all but they seemed unconcerned. "Konoha produces missing nin all the time. We will be safe where we're going." Kakashi assured.

~Scene Change~

Obito groaned as he absorbed yet another tailed beast. Once the Gobi's chakra was absorbed into himself the Gedo statue grew dimmer. He sat alone in the chamber, panting from exersion. He could feel the strain of holding multiple bijuu more now that he held five of them. The seals that Orochimaru drew on him were struggling to hold him together. These seals were first designed by Uchiha Madara but they were incomplete. With the snake sannin's help he was able to finish his mentor's work.

For some time now he has been sensing hesitation from Nagato and he wasn't confident the man would keep to his promises. So he came up with this plan B. He would use this power to wipe out his enemies and anyone willing to stand in his way. Then Madara would be resurrected to see the completion of his life's goal, and together they would cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi to make a world of peace.

Donning his Tobi mask he teleported to the Akatsuki base. There he found about half of them scattered about the place. "Tobi." Konan greeted. Tobi jumped to face her. Deidara was coming up behind her with an angry visage, stomping his way down the corridor. Tobi rushed to hide behind the blonde fearfully. Deidara yelped in surprise and attempted to push the clingy masked man away. "Get away from me you useless freak!" Tobi didn't budge. "The mean lady wants a word with Tobi. Tobi doesn't like it, Tobi is scared!" Deidara finally pushed the man-child away from him. "I'll show you something scary if you don't get the fuck away from me!" Tobi shook at the words. "Senpai is mean." He whined and clung to his leg. "What the…Didn't I just tell you to leave me alone?"

Konan just watched them dispassionately, her face not revealing the massive sweatdrop she felt like sporting. To think this childish man had the potential to capture the whole world. His acting skills though over the top were enough to cover up his true nature. Even if she knew how dangerous he was she knew a lesser person would fall for it. She cleared her throat. "There's a mission for you two." She handed them a scroll. "An assassination. The target is highly guarded so stealth is a must." She gave Deidara a pointed look. A tick mark appeared on the bomber's head. "What are you staring at me for, woman! If someone's gonna fuck this up it'll be this weirdo!" The blue-haired woman disregarded the angry blonde's words and just walked away.

Still trying to kick Tobi away, Deidara unrolled the scroll. His eyes bugged out. "Rock Country? What the hell! Those fuckers have been training for years to capture me!" Not to mention they knew many of his tricks. "Yay! Senpai we're going on a trip ugh!" A firm kick to Tobi's face shut him up.

~Scene Change~

"You lost them?!" Tsunade screamed. The table creaked beneath her as she slammed her palms on it. The ANBU captain was sweating slightly. "Yes, Hokage-sama. A heavy rain came and washed away their tracks. Their trail went cold in Rice Country." The ANBU could actually hear the grinding of teeth. "Then what good are you? The best tracker in the ANBU Corp? You seemingly can't track your own nose!" The shinobi blinked the condensation from his eyes.

Tsunade paced behind her desk. Icy eyes met his and he straightened a bit more. "Is there any hope of finding them at this point?" The ANBU contemplated it for a few seconds. "Yes, with luck. It would require many resources and time but they can be found. Catching them is another issue altogether." "I'll kill them if I don't get my answers." Tsunade griped. She rubbed her temples wearily. "Oh, who am I kidding? Kakashi's one of our best, Naruto and Sasuke fit to surpass him. Then there's that Root scum what's-his-name." "Sai." "I don't care!" she snapped at her subordinate. "Get out of my sight." She shooed. "Get on with your other duties but keep on looking for a trail. Kami knows this will take forever." "Yes, Hokage-sama." The ANBU said and shunshinned out.

Tsunade sat heavily on her chair. With a sigh she bent to pick out a bottle of sake, taking a swig straight from the bottle. "Sarutobi this is your fault. You left all this in my hands and I didn't even understand." She complained taking another swig. "Kushina's son living with a total stranger, a lunatic they say. I bet Mikoto would've loved to take him in, raise him right. Then you had to go die on me. And that Jiraiya, isn't he his godfather? If they had imparted some wisdom into the boy maybe this wouldn't have happened. If Naruto hadn't met Peverell maybe I wouldn't be in this predicament."

She drank deeply, swishing the liquor in her mouth as she mulled over everything. "Or perhaps Peverell is the best thing that ever happened to him. It was just bad luck that made things turn this way." Her thoughts turned to Dan and Nawako, to the reason she was trapped in a dark place for years. "It happens to the best of us."

~Scene Change~

"We finally solve this mystery and they get away." Ibiki griped. Shikaku moved his shogi piece. "We were too slow to catch up, live with it." "We had one job." "It's too troublesome to complain about it now." Ibiki only grumbled some more, giving up his piece. "So many lives sacrificed; they need to be avenged." Shikaku gave him a sideways glance. "Do you blame him for what he's done, knowing what was done to him?" he asked dispassionately. Ibiki eyed him oddly so the Nara continued. "Koharu-sama killed Snape-san so the council could control the production of potions."

Ibiki's jaw went slack. He scooted forward so they couldn't be overheard in the open space of the backyard. "Are you certain?" "Why would I tell you if I wasn't. The pattern is clear." Shikaku said taking another piece. "The chakra rejuvenating potion fails, Snape claims it can't be fixed, Snape dies and Peverell-san's malleable to the council's whims."

"Nothing's changed since Snape died." Ibiki denied. Shikaku looked him in the eye. "All healing potions are more potent as of late and Hari-san developed a short-term chakra booster that's even better than the rejuvenating potion. Increases chakra output and density over ten times for over five minutes, and the only drawback is chakra exhaustion. As for the murders." He moved another piece on the board. "The first person to die was Goto Saiko, her job was overseeing mission assignments. The most likely person to have killed Snape-san is an ANBU or Jonin, and they are assigned by the Hokage."

Shikaku paused a bit then said "Peverell-san obviously couldn't confront Tsunade-sama so Goto was the next best person to go to for a clue. She had nothing but perhaps a list of other suspects, all who work with shinobi in one way or another. Up and up he went until he got to Hyuuga Ayah, one of those who benefited the most as one of the first clans who received quality potions. He was in the Hyuuga council responsible for the clan's shinobi. He knew way more than Goto and led Peverell-san directly to Utatane-sama." Ibiki was still skeptical. "Say you're right. Why would Peverell-san kill Utatane instead of exposing her?" "Closure, my friend. Any efforts to expose her would only lead to a sound execution." Shikaku answered. "I win." Ibiki looked down to see he had lost indeed.

~Scene Change~

The little village was bustling with life. Though it was in the middle of winter the weather had cleared up enough that people could move around freely. Judging by the ominous clouds looming over the mountains that wouldn't last. Kakashi led them through the village, where everyone seemed to know everyone else. People kept giving them strange looks, mothers ushering their children closer. "I don't think we're very welcome here." Hari muttered walking closely behind Sai. "This village doesn't see many visitors. As long as we don't cause trouble we'll be welcomed soon enough." They went to various stalls where Kakashi purchased fruit, vegetables, rice and various meats. Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Is the safe house empty or something?" Kakashi replied. "There's someone already living there. This is just something to ensure he let me in." "He would keep us out." The silverette shook his head with a nervous tick. "No. He would keep ME out. I doubt he'd forgive me for letting all this happen." He muttered the last part so they could barely here it.

Once done shopping they headed further up the mountain. The house was just peeking behind some trees. As they got closer they could see the smoke wafting out of the building. The cabin was small, just large enough to house them all comfortably. Someone was coming along the side of the building with some wood in his hands. Their long black hair hid most of their features but… 'This can't be.' Hari thought, slowing to a stop. Sasuke was frozen next to him along with Naruto. "Is this a joke?" The blonde growled, turning to glare at Kakashi. "What the hell is this?" Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Uh…I can explain."

And there was much to explain because the man just a few feet away was someone they thought they would never see again. The man seemed to just notice them. Dark eyes stared at them all. There, living and breathing, was Severus Snape.

AN: Probably one of the shortest chapters on this story, but think of it as a transitional chapter. The next is probably my best. Stay tuned for it