The plan was laid out, and everyone knew what they had to do to prepare. As it was late afternoon though, the team decided to put off their plan until tomorrow. So, after being dismissed, the three time travelers started to head home.

"Naruto," Kakashi-sensei suddenly called out. "Can I have a word?"

Naruto stopped in his tracks, frowning. They'd just finished detailing their plan for how to get into the prison to see Gaara and we're headed home. What could Kakashi-sensei possibly want to talk about?

Naruto looked back at his teammates for guidance. Sakura shook her head with a shrug to signify she wasn't sure what the jōnin wanted to talk about, while Sasuke merely shrugged. Well, it looked like Naruto was on his own. "Uh? Sure?" He finally said.

Waving Sakura and Sasuke off, Naruto walked back over to his sensei, who beckoned him over to the memorial stone.

Oh, he realized with a pang, so it was going to be that kind of conversation.

For a little while neither said anything. Neither really knew what to say. What was Kakashi-sensei thinking about? Was he going to warn him about the dangers of their plan? Tell him the whole story about Obito and his sharingan (which Naruto didn't seem to think was likely at the current moment)? What on earth could it be?

"I'm sorry I never told you about your parents," the jōnin finally offered.

Of all the things Naruto thought he was going to say, that wasn't it. Frowning, Naruto looked up at his sensei. "What?"

"You said you knew who your parents were back at the hospital," his sensei elaborated. "And you explained how you met both of them, yes?"

Naruto nodded mutely. Next to him, Kakashi-sensei sighed. "I wish you could have found out another way."

"So, why didn't you? Tell me that is," Naruto asked. Although a part of him already suspected the answer.

Sighing, his sensei looked over to him from the stone, lone eye heavy with guilt. "There was a gag order put on everyone who knew who your real parents were," he said. "We were forbidden from even talking about it, to you or anyone else." Naruto frowned. If he was younger he felt as though he definitely would have been hurt by this news. Probably even angry. Keeping his parents from him was cruel, beyond cruell really. But now he just felt… Tired.

"I get it, Kakashi-sensei," he said honestly. "But you don't gotta apologize. You were under orders, y'know.."

He could tell though by what little expression he could see that his sensei still felt guilty. "It doesn't excuse my actions- or- lack thereof." Then, added on, "You're father and I were very close. I should have been there for you like he was there for me, and I'm sorry I wasn't."

Naruto tried to ignore the heat rising in his chest. The kind that made your throat close up and your eyes sting. Now wasn't the time for tears, he tried to tell himself. Not yet, at least.

"Yeah but that's all in the past," Naruto said, trying to put on a smile. "So it doesn't matter."

Kakashi-sensei cocked an unamused eyebrow. "Not if you're a time traveler," he noted dryly.

"Well, whatever," the blonde shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets and turning to face the jonin. "I mean, as a time traveler," he smirked. "I think I have full authority to say that the past is what the past is, and that it's the future ya gotta focus on, y'know."

Despite the mask, Naruto could see the dry smirk on his sensei's face.

"Maa, alright," he chuckled. Then he reached out and ruffled Naruto's hair. Just a quick motion, but enough to spark a warm feeling in Naruto's chest. "Now, we have a jinchuuriki to meet tomorrow. You should get some rest," he added, putting an end to the conversation.

"Right, yeah." Naruto turned to head back to his place, but stopped when he was a few yards away. "Um, if it's okay," he added over his shoulder. "Could you tell me about them some time? My parents?" He may have met his parents, but he didn't know anything about them. Kakashi-sensei however had been his father's student. He must have known him well. And hopefully, by association, his mother.

Naruto wasn't sure what he expected from his sensei in response, but a soft smile didn't seem to be it.

"Of course, Naruto," Kakashi-sensei softly replied. "Now get going," he added, waving his hand dismissively. "You have a cousin waiting for you."

Naruto felt a large grin stretch over his face before he rushed off towards the village and towards his family waiting for him at home.


"I'm home!" Naruto called as soon as he opened the door. Immediately a blur of red filled his vision and he tackled with a hug.

"Welcome back!" Karin cried. "I hope you don't mind but I cleaned the place up a bit. I didn't know where everything went though so some stuff might not be in the right place." She pulled away, expression suddenly unsure. "Is that alright?"

Naruto just beamed. "Totally fine, y'know!" Then, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, added, "To be honest, I don't think I've ever really organized my apartment anyway. So this'll be a first."

Karin's face went from elated to deadpan in not even a second. "You're a real slob, you know that?" She grumbled.

Naruto shrugged. "It's an Uzumaki thing?"

Karin scoffed, sticking her nose up in the air. "My mom was never this messy," was her haughty reply. "Maybe it's just a woman thing."

On one hand, it was nice to see Karin coming into her own. On the other hand…

Woman thing huh… he thought bitterly.

"Anyways," she continued, snootiness receding. "I started cooking dinner. I had to buy some, well, most of the ingredients 'cause well. You kinda don't have anything except ramen." She scrunched her face up in a small show of disgust. Which, fare. "I'm making katsudon, if that's okay."

Naruto's smile returned. "Sounds great."

"Awesome," she blushed. "It's almost done, so help me with the dishes."

After taking his sandals and coat off, Naruto set to work with setting the table for dinner. Once the bowls and chopsticks were set, they dug in.

"Thanks for the food!"

The two were silent for awhile while they ate before Karin noticed Naruto looking at her.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing," he grinned. Then, shoveling some rice onto his chopsticks, said, "Just that, I've never got to share a meal with family before."

"Right," she breathed. "Family."

Naruto could see out of the corner of his eyes the soft smile lighting up Karin's face. She hadn't had this either for a long time. She was probably just as nervous about it as him, but at the same time, it was exciting. They got to share their life with someone. Someone who cares! And they'd both lost enough to know to cherish it. It was scary, but it was good. It felt good.

"Hey uh, there was something I wanted to talk to you about," he started, changing the subject. Karin looked up from her katsudon. Her face fell in what looked like nervousness.

"Yeah?"

"It's nothin bad!" He rushes to assure her. "But it is… weird? Or, unbelievable I guess. Like, okay, it's super crazy, y'know. Like super crazy!"

"Spit it out, Naruto," she ordered.

"Right," he sighed. "So, um, anyway…" this had been far easier when he'd told Kakashi-sensei. So why was he having such a hard time now!

Oh, right. Because he'd known Kakashi-sensei for years and had basically just met Karin a few days ago.

"Ok," he finally got out. "My team and I aren't what you'd call… normal."

Karin cocked an eyebrow. "... Okay?"

So far so good.

"We know things we shouldn't," he continued. "And because of that we're in lots of danger. We're also not genin level either. We're like, super crazy strong. Like jōnin strong." At least. "And I wanted to tell you because I don't want to lie to you about anything."

"What do you mean?" She asked, frowning. "How are you still genin?"

"We sorta aren't?"

"So you guys are like secret operatives?" She asked. "Are you on a special mission?" Then, with a gasp asked, "Is that why you fought that man in the Forest of Death? Was he your target?"

"Um… yes and no," he tried. "We are everything you just said, but also, kind of sort of from…" Oh boy. It was now or never. "The future."

Karin blinked.

"The what now."


The next day the plan was put into action. That morning Kakashi headed to the Hokage tower in the hopes of having a last minute audience with the man himself. It wasn't necessarily vital that this part of the plan work, but it would make it incredibly easier.

Fortunately, luck was in his favor, and he was allowed entry to speak to the Hokage.

"Kakashi," Lord Third said as he strolled into his office. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Instead of replying cordially, Kakashi cut straight to it. "I'd like Naruto to meet Gaara of the Desert."

Blinking in surprise, Hiruzen eyed the man. "And what sparked this request, if I may ask," he said slowly.

"Naruto is the jinchuuriki of Konoha," Kakashi stated. "Gaara of the Desert is the jinchuuriki of Suna. Except Gaara is far more unstable than Naruto." Kakashi watched the Hokage to see his reaction. His face was neutral, which while giving nothing away still told Kakashi the man didn't have any objections. Yet. Continuing, Kakashi said, "I think it would be beneficial for Naruto to see what can become of a jinchuuriki if he's not careful."

"Is that so?" Hiruzen asked. A faint edge to his tone reminded Kakashi just who he was talking to. The jōnin backed off some and lowered his head.

"Yes," he said. "And I believe it would be good for Naruto as a jinchuuriki to meet another jinchuuriki so as to better understand his position." Position as a political deterrent that was.

"Also," he added as an afterthought. "I hear the mistreat their jinchuuriki in Sunagakure. Maybe it would help put things in perspective for Naruto to see that." Or, in other words, Naruto has it better than Gaara, and he saw that, it might inspire more loyalty towards the village. It was a dirty move Kakashi despised making, but he needed the Hokage's approval.

After a moment of nerve wracking silence, Hiruzen finally spoke.

"I will allow you to let them meet," the Hokage finally said. "If," Kakashi knew there was an 'if'. "You can guarantee it will not affect Naruto adversely."

Not for the first time, Kakashi was glad he wore a mask. If not the Hokage would have seen his devilish smirk.

"I promise you, Lord Hokage," Kakashi swore. "Naruto will not be affected."

But that Gaara kid hopefully will.


Konoha's prison wasn't what one would call hospitable. It was dark and eerie, dampness dripping down the walls from unknown sources in the stone ceiling above. Noise was echoed and amplified down the tunnels, turning moans into screams and whimpers into shrieks. Dim lights were set up every ten feet, casting sickly yellow light into the corridors and throwing every nook and cranny in deep shadows.

Overall, not somewhere Naruto was particularly keen on being.

"This place gives me the creeps," Naruto muttered as they walked past another cell, too dark to see if anyone was in it.

"That's the point, Naruto," Kakashi-sensei commented from behind him. "We don't keep prisoners in cells so they feel comfortable."

Huffing out a sigh, Naruto accepted his sensei's words and continued on down the passageway.

Two ANBU were leading them through the prison, one up front and one behind. The three "genin" walked a small cluster together, with their sensei bringing up their rear. They had been walking for minutes and so far had yet to reach their destination.

"Hey Naruto," Sakura whispered next to him. He looked over to show he was paying attention. "How did your talk with Karin go last night?"

This grabbed Sasuke's attention as well, the young Uchiha looking over at the two.

"Uh," Naruto started. "It went…" he thought back to their conversation last night, remembering how many times he'd had to explain it to her. "Not bad."

"So does she believe us?" Sakura pried.

"Uh, I think so?"

"That's a yes or no question, loser," Sasuke bit out in front of him.

"Look, I'm not an expert in knowing what people are thinking," he hissed back.

Before anyone else could respond with a snarky comeback, they'd rounded a corner and the guards lamplight was thrown into a cell to reveal-

"Kabuto," Sasuke drawled, pulling to a stop in front of the cell. "Nice to see you behind bars."

The young man look up at them, lamplight flashing across his glasses. He was dressed in the standard prisoner garb with cuffs attached to his wrists and feet. A gash across his cheek was left unbandaged, dried blood crusting around it. Most likely from an attempt to evade arrest. He seemed very different from the cocky young man they'd seen at the first exam just over a week before.

"I don't think I ever told you my name, Sasuke," the spy replied coolly.

"You didn't have to," was the Uchiha's cryptic response. Behind him, both Sakura and Naruto were shooting Kabuto withering looks.

Naruto didn't hate many people. But he did truly hate Kabuto. And so did Sakura.

"Come on," Kakashi-sensei urged from behind them. "Let's not waste time."

A light shove on his shoulder got Naruto moving. The jinchuuriki complied, but not before flashing his eyes red at the traitor. The look on Kabuto's face as team 7 rounded the corner was priceless.

As soon as they were out of hearing range, Kakashi-sensei leaned over to them and said, "No more pit stops, okay? This isn't a field trip."

"He totally deserved it though," Naruto grumbled.

"Not something a future Hokage should be saying," was his annoying reply. Naruto opened his mouth to counter, but sighed and shut it in defeat.

A few minutes later, the ANBU guiding them stopped.

"They're just behind that door," the one wearing the rat mask said. He was pointing to a heavy steel door, and by the seal lines tracing across it, Naruto figured it was meant for holding very powerful things inside.

Like an unstable jinchuuriki.

"Thank you," Kakashi-sensei said from behind them. "You are dismissed."

The ANBU didn't leave, instead just backing up some down the hall. Above him Naruto heard Kakashi sigh. It wasn't exactly what they wanted but it was good enough. Moving them forward, he pressed his hand to the sealed door and the genin all watched as the seals spiderwebbed across the door slithered away.

Kakashi-sensei pushed open the door and walked inside, only beckoning them to follow once he'd disappeared into the darkness. Steeling his nerves, Naruto did just that, Sakura and Sasuke right on his heels.

Then the door was shut behind them, and they were plunged into darkness.

And then a lamp was lit. It cast an eerie orange glow over the occupants of the separate cells. Three in total, all against the wall. In the dim light Naruto could make out Temari in one of them, leaning against the wall in a bored slump. Across from her was Kankuro, sat in a rather similar position. And in the middle between them was-

"Gaara of the Desert," Naruto announced, stepping into the light. "As one jinchuuriki to another, we gotta talk."

AN: I formed a new discord for anyone interested in joining! less chaotic and less crowded than the last one. You can join here if you want. And you can check out this chapters AMAZING art here on my AO3 version!

And thank you guys SO MUCH for being patient with me! School has been hella tough and I haven't had any room in my brain to think about anything else. Finals are next week and I basically stress-wrote this chapter. I can't promise the next chapter will be up soon but I at least owed it to you guys to post this one. Thank you all so much for reading, and please leave a comment telling me what you thought about it (hint: it fuels the creative process)! Thanks so much, so you next time!