AN: Um. Surprise? Seriously I don't know how I'm doing this, school is CRAZY. Anyways, I seriously want to thank everyone who has favorited and reviewedso far. Us writers don't know what you guys think of it without them, so to get so much feedback is so validating. I love you all so much. Thank you. Enjoy!

Why would Sasuke…

Why would he…

Why…

The thoughts were flying through Kakashi's head faster than he could keep up with them, leaving him sitting on the hard floor of the filing room clutching the scroll, eye staring blankly ahead.

His student had successfully forged a scroll in the handwriting of someone he hadn't met. He had filled it with accurate data regarding an impending invasion. He had presumably planted said scroll on Orochimaru after a confrontation with him, meaning he knew he would have a confrontation with him. And that he would win.

Kakashi felt something in his throat catch.

How.

How did Sasuke know Orochimaru? How did he know about the invasion? How did he know he would meet him in the exam? How did he know about any of this? Better yet, did Naruto and Sakura know about this? Was Sasuke acting alone or with others?

Was his student a spy? No, if so, why would he plant so much data on a criminal. Could he be in contact with a double agent working for Orochimaru? If so, it would make sense if he left their data out. But he was a genin with no reason to converse with someone like that, so that wouldn't make sense.

He needed answers, he realized. And he knew exactly where to get them.


The prison was oddly quiet considering how many people occupied it, Kakashi thought to himself as he made his way through the stony corridors. Guards were stationed every ten yards, rigid as lamp poles. They looked either afraid, or on edge. Or both. And Kakashi honestly couldn't blame them, considering who they were guarding. He himself could barely face the man let alone try to guard him. It was understandable they'd be nervous.

"Hatake," someone said from faurther up ahead. Glancing up, he was met with the familiar brown eyes of Yugao, his former underling.

"I'm here to see the prisoner," he said, forgoing formalities. Behind her mask, Yugao seemed taken aback, but didn't question him.

With a quick hand signal, the Anbu guarding the alcove of the cell moved away, allowing him passage.

"Actually, I'll need some privacy," Kakashi amended. Yugao shot him a concerned, quizzical look in response.

"Senpai-" she started to argue, but he stopped her with a wave of his hand.

"I won't be long. I only have to ask a few things."

"Things you can't ask in front of the black ops?" The Anbu wearing a deer mask argued.

Hm, Kakashi thought. He must be new. I don't recognise him.

"An S-rank rogue ninja managed to break into a hidden village and infiltrate the chunin exams and nearly kill my students. So sorry if I'm a little suspicious of people right now," Kakashi spat dryly, not the least bit sincere. The Anbu looked ashamed for a moment before backing down.

"Alright," Yugao piped up. "But you get five minutes. No more."

Kakashi nodded. "Understood."

Yugao gave him a long look before motioning to her subordinated to leave. She waited until they were out of sight before turning back to him.

"I hope you know what you're doing," she whispered.

Something in Kakashi's chest tightened uncomfortably. He came down here for answers. But something told him he wouldn't like what he was about to find. He didn't say any of this aloud though, instead only replying with, "So do I."


Before he'd approached the alcove of the cell holding the Sannin, Kakashi had paused to push his headband up his forehead to reveal his sharingan. He had a feeling he was going to need it soon.

"Kakashi," the Sannin greeted with a sickening smile as the jonin stepped into the light. "What a pleasant surprise." Kakashi only narrowed his eye in response, killing intent leaking out of him. The Sannin sensed it and frowned, playful attitude evaporating in an instant.

"Not in the mood for games, I see," he grumbled.

"Sasuke Uchiha," Kakashi bit out instead, getting straight to the point. "What is he to you?"

The Sannin's frown deepened. His amber eyes narrowed, practically glowing with malice in the dark cell. "A replacement," was all he said.

The answer sent shivers down Kakashi's spine, but he refused to let it show. He wanted the sharingan he remembered Sasuke saying. Is this what he'd meant by that? Strengthening his resolve, he curled his fists and set his shoulders, not letting himself be deterred by the man and his twisted desires.

"Have you ever spoken with him before? In disguise or otherwise?" He asked.

"Only his brother," the man admitted nonchalantly. "Not a very good conversationalist."

Kakashi almost scoffed at that. Almost.

"And this?" He held up the scroll.

Orochimaru looked at it, no hint of recognition flashing in his eyes. "Is this a test?" He asked dryly, glaring back at the jōnin.

"Answer the question," was all Kakashi said.

Sighing, Orochimaru rolled his eyes but replied. "It's a scroll," he stated. "I have eyes, Hatake."

The humor wasn't appreciated. "It was confiscated off you when you were brought in," Kakashi told him. "Did you know it contains every detail of your plan to invade Konoha next month? Including information about your little spy; Yakushi, and those Oto genin?"

Orochimaru's eyes widened comically. He straightened up, face paling (more than it already was) considerably.

Holding the scroll up, Kakashi unraveled it, letting the paper go almost until the floor before halting it. In the dim light of the prison, the kanji and hiragana scratched onto it were just barely visible. But it was enough.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed before widening, lips sliding into a thin line.

"H-how?" He breathed, staring wide eyed at the characters. The quiver in his shoulders and under his eyes told Kakashi it wasn't a farce. Which only proved to worsen his troubled thoughts.

"Why would Sasuke Uchiha have access to this information?" the jōnin finally growled out, both eyes narrowing in seething anger. Obito's sharingan was spinning madly in his eye socket, showing just how serious he was.

Orochimaru though, to his credit, seemed genuinely surprised. "I've never spoken with Sasuke Uchiha in my life before the other day," he rasped out. "I have no idea how he would know any of this." It sounded sincere. And not in the way that a lying ninja would make it sound, but genuinely, truthfully sincere in only a way someone with nothing to lose would sound. Something Kakashi knew very well.

"Then why would he knew your handwriting and prose to a T?"

"I have no idea," the man bit out, scowl painting his features. "He's not my spy if that's what you're thinking. How he got this information is as much a mystery to me as it is to you. As well as how he and his aggravating teammates managed to put me in this cell." He spat the words out like venom, teeth showing in his anger. The fury radiating off him was almost palpable. Kakashi almost had to take a step back just from the force of it. But he didn't.

"What do you mean?" He asked wearily, narrowing his eyes. It was the Anbu who had brought Orochimaru in. Not his students.

"Hmph," Orochimaru huffed. "It seems someone didn't read the reports," he scoffed, anger receding somewhat. "Tsk, I expected better from you, Hatake."

The reports hadn't been written yet, but he didn't tell him that.

Taking a deep breath, the jōnin composed himself and tucked the scroll into his weapons pouch. There was nothing more he could learn here. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Orochimaru's voice.

"How long do you think I was fighting them before they summoned that blasted proctor?" He asked. Kakashi's feet halted on the ground. Part of him did want to know, but another dreading the answer. His students were strong, he knew this. But strong enough to keep up with a sannin before calling for backup? It was unnerving.

Orochimaru took his hesitation as a sign to go on. "A good half hour at the least," he offered. "Maybe more. I wasn't paying attention; I was having too much fun."

Fun. Kakashi shivered at the word.

"I haven't had a challenge so thrilling in a long time," the Sannin went on. "It was rather refreshing."

"Refreshing," Kakashi echoed in disgust, whirling around. "They're twelve. You could have killed them."

"You say it like I didn't try," Orochimaru said with a frown. "My, my. You have such little faith in your students."

It sounded like an insult, the way he said it. As if he weren't a competent teacher who knew his students. Which was bullshit. Kakashi cared for his students immensely. He made it a point to know them. Just what was this snake bastard getting at?

Narrowing his eyes, Kakashi glared at the man. He hadn't given him any answers or explanations on the scroll. He was just a sick, twisted monster with nothing more to offer him. "We're done here," he said succinctly, turning around and heading off down the hall.

"Oh Kakashi," the Sannin called out in a sickeningly sweet voice, stopping him in his tracks again. "Don't you want to know how your precious little genin managed to beat me? It's quite an interesting story."

Part of Kakashi wanted to know. Desperately wanted to understand how his students could have stood up to such a man. The other, larger part though wanted to get away as fast as possible. He didn't want to be near the man any longer than he had to.

He didn't get the option to choose though as Orochimaru continued talking.

"Hm, you don't seem to be in the mood," the Sannin sighed. "But," he added. "I will say this much. You're students know some very interesting jutsu. Some of which I haven't seen in thirteen years."

Kakashi's hand twitched.

"Some of which only one person in the world knows," he continued.

"What are you talking about?" Kakashi finally hissed, shooting a glare over his shoulder.

He saw Orochimaru standing at the edge of his cell, practically pressed up the bars, wicked grin plastered on his face.

"I'll only say this," he hummed, making Kakashi narrow his eye. "If Jiraiya didn't teach that Uzumaki brat his father's jutsu… I wonder who did."

AN: I highly doubt Orochimaru didn't know Naruto was Minato's son. For one, he looks just like him. Secondly, his last name is Uzumaki (y'know, like Minato's wife). And thirdly, Orochimaru's not dumb. He's a genious. Of course he knows.

Anyway, I still can't promise regular updates. I don't know how I did these last few chapters. So, until next time you lovely people!