Harbinger

by tigerowl

Naruto's friendship with his teammates Gaara and Haku is put to the test as they prepare to deal with the threat of the Akatsuki. The secrets Jiraiya has kept come to a head, and Naruto must shoulder the responsibility of protecting much more than the Leaf Village. Continuation of Forlorn. AU NaruHina, GaaSaku, NejiTen, ObiRin, OCs *Taoism, Self-Indulgent World Building, longfic

24. How to go Home

Note: Thank you for reviewing everyone! Hey, have you checked out the author Unsightly Dreams? Take a look at her story, 'Happiness is Relative.'

And yes, you should absolutely listen to the soundtrack selection this time.

Chapter Soundtrack:

"Bloom" by Odesza

"Memories that you Call (ft. Monsoonsiren)" by Odesza

Chapter 24: How to go Home

Often, when people are asked to think of the last time they felt happy, they may mark an instance within a few hours of the present, or maybe as far back as a day or so. Happiness is not a permanent state of being, nor is any emotion, for that matter, but in its cyclical way, it rebounds from time to time and sustains the human condition. There is always something to appreciate in a day: waking up with good hair, finding money on the ground, a decent joke, a blue sky, the aroma of street food, time with friends, and so forth.

But if one were to ask Sasuke if he could recall his last recognition of happiness, he would certainly tell you it was several months ago.

Of course, no one was around to ask him silly things as he hiked over Mount Daisen and then into the stone valleys beyond in the north. It was worth mentioning that Orochimaru had ordered him to embark on a mission without any supplies or travel gear. He had set out straight from the desert wastes. Sasuke had the sense to bring a container for water and tool scrolls before his departure from Sound, but was otherwise traveling much too light.

The first day of the journey had no complexity to it. He was far enough from civilization to avoid most shinobi patrols and concentrated on picking a route into the Land of Earth. Once at the mountain range on the country border, Sasuke had access to fish in the freshwater streams. He ate well and replenished his stores before moving on.

And as he moved through the plateaus and peaks of the Earth Country, in its sparse plant life, he found that he quite enjoyed his solitude. Getting away from Orochimaru's hideout was a welcome change of scenery. It was nearly as pleasant as his trip into the Land of Lightning, when he had accidentally encountered Kiba and his small companion. That was the last time he had felt remotely happy.

Right away he had observed how Kiba had advanced. He had shed his headstrong stubbornness for strategic thinking; he had approached Sasuke carefully, asked all the right questions, and had not once made a bid to pounce on him or return him to the Leaf Village. Kiba had been annoyingly persuasive during their few discussions, but was generally supportive. The words were still clear in his mind: 'Sasuke, look…I'm not gonna try to bring you back. I actually want you to do what you have to do.'

Those words had uplifted him. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised that Kiba was able to relate. He too was part of an influential clan of Konoha that, if decimated by one of its members, Kiba may also desire revenge if he had the chance to pursue it. It was not outside the realm of possibility.

Despite his flaws, his annoying, high-ground speeches, and his mediocre skills…Sasuke felt it was only right to call Kiba a true friend. It wouldn't do to bring him along on the quest to obliterate Itachi, but he was a person to rely on if everything else turned to shit.

By the third day of traveling, it was getting a little old hunting for food. Luckily, Sasuke had passed through a small trading village and was able to buy what he needed. He kept his eyes averted and his voice dull when he made purchases.

Miles beyond the trading post were rolling mountains covered in untouched forests and wilds. Small towns and settlements were scattered throughout. These were the lands close to the coast that Orochimaru had specified. Sasuke wagered that it would be best to stake out the clustered hamlets, rotating his watch between them until he spotted that swirled, orange mask.

After a day of careful planning, he had discovered that three small villages: Nashi, Shincha, and Ine, were all within an hour of one another. They formed an acute triangle; Nashi at the dip of the valley, Shincha at the mountaintop, and Ine situated on the coast to the east.

He entered Nashi through back alleys and empty lanes, examining the layout of its buildings. From rooftops, he looked down on the streets and studied them. Sasuke became familiar with people's faces, their voices, the shops and residences… He stalked and flitted about like a hawk watching pigeons waddle below. The following day, after taking shelter in a hotel loft (he had broken into during the night) Sasuke set out for Ine in the east.

It was a much busier town. He learned that he could blend in completely with the bustling crowds at the marketplace. In a harbor filled with voyaging ships there was a call for migrant workers to cross the sea for mining work. The first month paid double the going wage, and a burly man had asked Sasuke if he was interested. He declined quietly. Once again, he found a suitable perch and watched the flow of citizens in the roads. By night, he watched them moor boats in the port and then file into their cottages.

When the next day yielded nothing in the fishing village, Sasuke set out for Shincha. The trip up the mountain was steep, and the town was nestled on a series of plateaus and hills mid-way through the climb. The forest there was dense. The air was thin. It was a pristine location and Sasuke watched from the cover of tall tree branches, scrutinizing villagers as they hiked up a trail to the Shinto Shrine. After he entered the town there was a lull of activity. An old man took a seat on a bench across the street from where he was lurking, sighing softly as he rearranged parcels in a basket.

Sasuke took a break to eat before resuming his watch. It was just as empty and unassuming a place as the first town had been. Sasuke debated returning to Ine, wondering if the lively crowds had concealed Tobi during his first visit. He hopped from his seat near a chimney stack and crossed over to another roof; an elementary school, and then froze.

Below in the schoolyard, etched into the dirt by what had probably been a stick…was the insignia of the Hidden Leaf Village. It was poorly drawn and not definitive evidence that he could use…but Sasuke intuitively felt that it was not yet time to leave the stakeout. The school bell rang and marked the end of the day. Children scurried from classrooms, bidding their teachers farewell, and then changed at shoe lockers. As they trickled two by two into the yard, Sasuke watched. Voices drifted up from the gaggle of students.

"Don't you think Tonushi-kun is cute?"

"Well maybe a little…"

Boys' voices:

"Mokuba, knock it off! I have homework!"

"You promised you'd come out today! Everyone wanted to play in the good weather!"

"Who's everyone?"

"Uh…"

Tittering and laughter. Squeals of play-fights.

"Won't you show me a jutsu?"

Sasuke glanced down again, tipped off by the request.

A young girl was following a dark haired boy towards the picket fence. The two had textbooks clutched in their arms.

The boy smiled uncertainly, "I shouldn't. Mom and Dad said I can't unless I'm in danger."

"But Koko said you can make a fireball! Please?" The girl pressed, "Just this once."

"I'm sorry. I can't! If Dad catches me he'll get mad, and he'll be here to pick me up any second."

"He's been gone for like a week! How do you know he'll catch you?"

"He promised he'd be here." The boy explained, "And he always makes it on time to get me. I won't fool around and get in trouble!"

A child who could use jutsu was a damning discovery, made more serious by the depiction of Konoha's symbol in an unassociated settlement. Sasuke could not say how a little boy was able to do such things without the instructions of a shinobi academy either. A village on the outskirts of the Earth Country, by all accounts, should not have inhabitants with such gifts.

"Yuma-chan! Please! You won't get in trouble!"

He shook his head and then a grin spread slowly on his face, "Maybe…when Dad's out of town again…I could show you and the rest of the class."

"Oh! I guess that's a better idea."

The children continued to chat while they waited. Sasuke remained still in his place behind a roof exit of the building, his eyes fixed on the boy. Parents popped by and then whisked their children off. It was hard for Sasuke to conceal his surprise when Tobi did show up, mask in place, stopping at the gate with a wave.

Yuma bid his friends farewell and joined his father, "Hey Dad!"

"Hey Short-Stuff! Oof!" He was squeezed tightly around his trunk, "How was school, Yuma?"

"A little boring." The boy fell into step beside Tobi, "But Sensei let me write on the board during math, though!"

"Ah. Good for you! That's your forte."

"Uh huh."

"Did you participate in your other subjects?"

Guiltily, he admitted, "Not really…"

"You can't just raise your hand for the one thing you like. You need to put some effort into everything, even the boring stuff."

"Other kids do it. Everyone else hates math so I get to go up all the time."

Tobi laughed, "Yuma, that's kind of interfering with their learning. They need to learn how to participate too!"

"Well their parents don't yell at them as much about what they do in class. They just have to do their homework."

"I don't yell at you. Neither does Mom."

"Well you guys are pushy sometimes…"

"It's because we love you and we want you to do well." He held out a hand, "Here. I'll carry your books."

The small boy passed the textbooks off to Tobi. The pair walked side-by-side down the street, chatting in a manner most typical of parent and child. Sasuke was thrown for a loop.

At first glance, Tobi was by all accounts not the idiot he had portrayed while in the presence of Orochimaru. Even more ludicrous was that the buffoon was a father! It was surprising, but still not very much to go on to determine whether or not he was an informant for Leaf.

'It wasn't easy to tell by just looking what this guy does when he goes home.' Sasuke noted as he stalked through shadows of buildings, 'What's the point of being shocked by this? Any second now he'll prove that he's guilty…'

Then he'd plunge the Chidori through Tobi's neck.

The little one and his father traversed a dirt road through the town that wound up the mountainside, through the bramble and forest. Sasuke maintained a healthy distance, keeping sound below minimum, and watched from tall branches as the suspect laughed at the little boy's school-day observations. It was fortuitous that the hike had brought them away from the ears and suspicion of other townspeople. The lone, mountainside house that Tobi and his child were moving towards was properly isolated.

Sasuke peered through the gap in the dense thicket of magnolia leaves. The oblivious duo had entered the house and shut the door. Their voices were still clear as they playfully fussed at each other. Cautiously, Sasuke slowly circled around the home into the shade of pines, getting the view of a window. The boy was the only one visible; seated at a table and reaching for a bowl of fruit. His father must have still been close by; they were talking.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when a loud sneeze came from the left, below his perch in the trees. A woman rubbed her nose in annoyance and adjusted a tote bag on her shoulder. It was full of vegetables. She hurried into the house and, luckily, she had not noticed anything out of place. Sasuke deduced that she was the mother in this family equation. He could hear her shout, "I'm home!"

A resounding Welcome back! answered her. He kept his eyes on the kitchen window, watching as the occupants shuffled around: washing hands, putting bags and school books down, trying to put everything away…

"You were gone for too long, mister…" The mother accused. She seized Tobi by his shirt collar and pulled him close.

Tobi suddenly removed his mask, chuckling his apology, and kissed the woman. Sasuke instantly memorized the face he was looking at, for fear he would forget it if he one day passed the faker on the street. He waited for the man to step back for air, learning the scars on the right side of his face, the pale skin, the dark, mismatched eyes, the merry grin…that had a familiar quality about it. The smile made creases on the sides of his nose; maybe that was it. Sasuke dismissed it. He looked away when they kissed for a second and third time.

"Mom! I thought you said the garden wasn't ready!" The boy whined, "You said you'd bring me along to pick…"

"I had to pick these or they would've gotten over-ripe. Everything else needs a few more days, Yuma." She smiled, "And I'll need your help."

"Those are for dinner?" Tobi guessed.

"That's up to you. I need to run or I'll be late for those appointments in Nashi. Three families with the measles. I want to nip it in the bud and vaccinate people before it spreads too close to home…"

"Dad's cooking?" Yuma was surprised, "It's been so long! He probably forgot how!"

"Hey you, I'm a great cook!" Tobi asserted, and then turned to his wife, "Rin…that's a lot of people to take care of."

"I know."

"You won't need help?"

"There's a local doctor there. She'll assist me."

"How long will it take, do you think?"

"Two days. Tops." Rin curled into the man's arms, "I don't want to stay away long now that you're home. I've missed you…"

"I missed you too."

She muffled another sneeze and then accepted a paper napkin that Yuma handed to her.

Her husband chuckled, "What's the matter?"

"Allergies. I removed some ragweed that was growing near the garden…but my nose is a faucet now!" Rin dabbed at her watering eyes, "I can't smell a thing."

"Hey Mama," Yuma had opened a notebook to practice penmanship, "Where's Sesshu?"

"He's tracking Jiraiya-sama. Your Dad and I haven't been able to get a hold of him in weeks. It's like he disappeared." Rin hustled down the hallway towards her bedroom, shouting, "Don't worry! As soon as he picks up the scent and finds him, Sesshu will come straight home." The sound of drawers opening indicated that she was gathering supplies for her medical trip.

"I miss him." Yuma decided, balancing his chin on his hand.

Tobi sat across from his son, "Me too. But we just wanted to make sure everything was okay. Sesshu is very good at finding people."

"I know." He glanced down at his assignment and then back up, "Dad, will you help me with these characters?"

"Sure."

Outside, Sasuke had crept closer. He had heard all that he needed to hear. The little family was allied with the Toad Sage, just as Orochimaru had suspected. As soon as the sneezing woman left for her house calls and the little boy strayed from his father's side, Sasuke would be in position to deal with Tobi. He did not intend to make a big show of it, but he was growing impatient while waiting for the bystanders to get out of the way.

His eyes stayed fixed on Tobi, not blinking for a long while. The man sat beside the small boy, reaching an arm around him to guide the strokes of an ink brush. A few times they set the brush aside and practiced with a ballpoint pen. They had gone quiet with concentration. After a while, Tobi had stopped guiding the boy. Yuma was able to form characters perfectly on his own.

Rin returned with a packed travel bag and kissed her son on the top of his head, "Off I go! Be good Yuma!" Her next kiss caught the corner of her husband's mouth and he grinned, "You too! We have some catching up to do."

"I know we do." His eyebrows danced playfully.

Sasuke watched as the woman darted out the door, rubbing the tip of her watering nose with the back of her hand. She settled into a run that was uniquely characteristic of a shinobi. He drew a loose connection that the woman could be a medic-nin, but whether she was one or not, it didn't matter. She was out of the way.

Time dragged by. Sasuke kept his position, watching in still silence as the father and son refused to part. The little boy was attending civilian school, which only covered core academics. He breezed through his language and math assignments before huffing in disdain at a required-reading book. Tobi was chopping vegetables at the counter, and heard the rebellious sound from his child. He glanced over his shoulder, "Is something the matter?"

"This book stinks."

"Not all books are good. At least that one is pretty short."

"Sensei keeps asking us questions about this story and it's, like, the most boring thing in the world! I asked if I could switch."

"Did she let you?"

"No."

"Hm. Good. If she made an exception for you, then she'd have to make an exception for any student who asked." Tobi wisely stated, "It doesn't matter if you don't like that book. What matters is that you can understand it. Sensei cares about your comprehension."

"I don't see what the big deal is." Yuma spun the small hardcover on the tabletop, "When I become a ninja I don't have to worry about reading stuff."

"Ha!" His father cracked up, wiping his hands on a towel, "You think so? I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty embarrassed to be a shinobi who couldn't read and understand files and mission requests…scrolls to learn jutsu too…there's no use in trying to be a ninja if you don't know your basic subjects, kiddo."

"Ack!" In grumpy agreement, Yuma flipped open the book and paged over to his current spot, "Fine, Dad."

"I finished the food prep, so let's go inside and work on that book." Tobi suggested, "I'd like for you to read it to me."

The boy made his way out and was followed by his father. Sasuke lost track of them as they ventured to another room in the home. He changed position, slinking up stealthily alongside the house, and noted that even though he couldn't watch them through a window, he could still easily hear what they were saying. Sasuke was cautious not to express any chakra, step on a wayward twig, or breathe too loudly. The ninja-father was, obviously, too experienced to ignore any of those things.

Yuma's voice carried for quite some time; childish and high-pitched. He only stumbled over a few words. The folktale was told from the perspective of a little boy, who hoped to win a gardening contest to impress the emperor of his country. The winner was promised to become the heir to the childless emperor's dynasty, but the protagonist was disheartened by his inability to grow the seed he had been given. For a brief and terrifying second, somewhere in the third chapter, Sasuke had lost concentration. He had begun listening to the story.

Sasuke shook his head and snapped himself out of the trance. How incredibly irritating. He would be made to wait for his chance to strike. A child devoted to his studies and worse still; a father that was inordinately fond of his small son. Logically, Sasuke could understand that Tobi would be eager to spend time with the child after a long period of being away from home. But it took most of his patience not to burst in and skewer the man who was, probably, curled up on the couch with the innocent youngster. A true predicament.

When they came to a stopping point Yuma insisted, "I'm done now! Can we go outside and play?"

"Oh? Are you sure you have no more assignments?"

"Positive!" There was a sound of a book being tossed and a rushing of feet, "Let's go!"

Sasuke could hear the boy pulling shoes on in the genkan. With little time to spare, he retreated into the surrounding forest to watch from a distance.

Frustration tempted him to pounce, but focus kept him still. Sasuke watched from a shady perch as Tobi and the little boy kicked a ball around to each other. They transitioned into an epic, chest-heaving, breathless game of tag that circled around the house and front yard several times, abandoning the ball altogether. If anything was a giveaway of the shinobi talents of the target family, it was likely Yuma's screeches of 'you're it!' and then disappearing in a blink. He was nearly as fast as his father, that was, until he was caught.

The pair wrestled and rolled in the grass; for a time, the same personality split into two separate bodies of contrasting ages. One small, squealing merrymaker and one large, giggling merrymaker. Their laughter was what began to sink Sasuke's mood. The corners of his mouth tugged down, agitated; affronted by their enjoyment of one another. This exact pleasure: the carefree frolicking of family…it had been utterly denied of him.

His own father, as Sasuke distinctly recalled, had not been the playful sort. Occasionally, his mother had made time to play games and challenge him. But his designated, faithful playmate, best friend, and idol…

His brother had demolished the sanctity of their family in the most catastrophic way conceivable. Sasuke supposed that was achieved by the deep love he and Itachi had for one another, which abruptly disintegrated after his slaying of the entire Uchiha clan; their parents included, for a reason that, quite frankly, made no sense. Itachi had said that he was testing his abilities, but Sasuke could still not reconcile such a response. Soon, the reason wouldn't matter. Itachi would be dead and justice would be effectively served.

"Hey! Cut that out!"

Tobi shouted in disapproval when the boy breathed out a miniature fireball in the front yard. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock: it was true. Seeing was believing. Yuma protested when his father grabbed him from behind and hoisted him over his shoulder, ceasing all play and roughhousing.

"No jutsu! We talked about this!"

"Ha! I almost got you…"

"Not even close." Tobi scoffed, "You'll light the house on fire and then your Mom will kill me! She was serious."

"How come Mom only beats you up when I do something I'm not supposed to?"

"Because you're her precious baby, and I'm responsible for teaching you to behave when she's not here." The man snickered, "Just you wait! Once you have brothers and sisters, Mom will come down on you much harder! You'll be held to a high standard as a big brother."

"Nooo! Dad! Please don't let her!" Yuma pounded on his father's back, "Put me down already."

He set the child down in the grass and Yuma laid on his back, puffing tiredly. The games had worn him out. Tobi sat down with a gentle sigh, relieved that he could take a break. Yuma shifted to lay his head on his father's knees as if they were a pillow, "I'm sorry, Dad."

"It's alright. But you know better; don't do that again."

"I won't."

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Take a nap if you want. You finished all of your work, so we can take it easy today." Tobi chuckled, "Your Mom loves napping."

"Yeah, she'll sleep anywhere…"

He stroked the boy's hair, "It's because she works so hard. She's always looking out for others."

"Well…" Yuma paused to yawn, "You do that too, Dad."

His eyes were trained on the ground, lost in thought, "Yeah…but I don't get to look out for…all the people that need me."

Yuma drifted off to sleep while his father waded in and out of memories, caressing the child's head absently. The quiet afternoon was only interrupted by lone, trilling bird calls that marked territories in the forest. Tobi was motionless for a long while, staring at nothing.

Sasuke estimated that he would be just out of range of sticking a Chidori Spear through his target. There'd be no guarantee that he wouldn't hit the child with it too, so he refrained. Trying to sneak closer could alert Tobi to his presence, who didn't have a chattering child to distract him at the time. It was difficult to wait.

This deceitful, shirking, drop-out of a ninja deserved it, Sasuke thought. He walked through pain and suffering like a ghost, slipping past the suspicions of the Akatsuki and Orochimaru. And all the while, he had been one of Jiraiya's pets…going home to play house with mother and baby when all of his faux-buffoonery was complete. Someone like this was getting away with laughing in the faces of S-Ranked criminals. Someone like this was enjoying a happy life, while others had to run for their lives, grieve over slaughtered family, plot a far-flung revenge mission, pander to body-snatching psychopaths, and scrape up the pieces of a shattered future.

Since he was forbidden from murdering Gaara in his sleep, impaling Tobi when he least expected it would serve as a decent substitute.

The man laid back in the grass and shut his eyes. Sasuke tensed. He could dart down and cut his throat. The rage boiling inside him escalated to an alarming level, irrationally linking Tobi to his woes, more specifically; having to be reminded that his family was dead and gone.

Tobi's eyes snapped open.

With his hand poised over the flat hilt of his sword, Sasuke watched with narrowed eyes. The man on the lawn below shimmied carefully from beneath his son and then stood up. He removed his jacket and folded it beneath the boy's head. He went inside the house quickly. Sasuke wasn't sure what to make of the sudden disappearance. Was he aware that he was being stalked? Was he leaving the child as bait? Not as if he'd take it.

Descending from the lofty leaves of the trees, Sasuke touched down on the ground. He rounded the bend towards the back of the home, creeping without a sound, and had peered into a window. Tobi walked by briskly with an armful of supplies and a wooden box. Sasuke wasn't sure what to make of the behavior. He treaded gently up cement steps, reached for the back door, and touched his hand to the cool brass of the doorknob, turning it gradually. It was unlocked. He let himself in with perfect stealth, and shut the door behind him, crouching on the floor. He had not been detected. A table, a wall, and a sofa sectional stood between him and Tobi. His thumb slid the kusanagi sword up a centimeter from its sheath as he prepared to spring. Then, a sound…

The front door chunked shut behind Tobi. He was outside again.

'What the hell is he doing?' Sasuke slipped forward, bent low, cautiously approaching the living room window which had blinds partially drawn. His eye level with a horizontal gap, he observed Tobi setting himself up beside Yuma, arranging items from the box on the ground. He took a seat and settled a board across his lap, laying a piece of parchment over it.

Sasuke continued to watch in confusion as the man poured dark ink into a bowl and then dipped a brush into it. Then he tapped it to the paper softly, letting his eyes dart back to the sleeping boy in front of him. It took a short while for Sasuke to understand what he was witnessing. 'He's painting.'

He was painting the sleeping child. He was sitting there with sublime carelessness, concentrating solely on the fine lines of the rounded face and eyelashes and bow lips. He was capturing the moment. It was an immortalization of love that Sasuke would never bother to imagine, but after seeing it he could never forget it.

Sasuke stepped back from the window, sliding warily from view. He was left at a bizarre impasse. Not only was Tobi unlikely to be caught on his own, but Sasuke was also currently standing in the abode of a complete stranger. The same book that Yuma had complained about earlier was innocently teetering on the edge of a coffee table. It made him decidedly uncomfortable.

He retreated, passing by a corridor with bedrooms, which he was briefly interested in exploring. He passed it by and exited through the back door, certain to not make a sound. And when Sasuke had hidden himself in the tree line once again, watching from the woods that surrounded the secluded, patchwork home, he watched Tobi with an aggravated expression. It was curious that his murderous aggression had been immediately diffused. At the very least, it would help prevent him from rashly launching an attack and screwing up.

The man painted, totally unaware that he had nearly been pounced upon in his own home. Over the course of an hour, Sasuke repositioned himself four times, trying to discern if there was a way to handle the killing delicately. At about the time he considered creating a diversion and blowing cover to cut the man's head off, the little boy woke up. Yuma sprang to life and asked his father what he'd been doing.

"Take a look." Tobi held the artwork up.

"Is this me?" Yuma took the paper into his hands gingerly.

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"Why do I look so chubby?" The boy set the parchment down and frowned.

"You're not chubby. You've just got a round face. A kid's face. When you're older you won't look nearly as cute."

"Hey!"

They tousled.

Sasuke's nostrils flared as he watched yet another opportunity slip away. When the duo finished their scrap they picked up the painting supplies and returned to the house. From an angle, Sasuke stole a glimpse of them through a window. Yuma had settled at the kitchen table to try his hand at painting, and his father had returned to the food that had been set aside. He bumbled around looking for a pan. The sun was setting.

Sasuke sniffed. It was later than he thought. Thick clouds rolled in over the mountaintop, and the violently orange sunset burst through gaps in the gray cover. He retreated to think and not have his attention so wholly occupied. The young man descended from high tree branches and followed a dirt path through the forest, winding down the slopes to a field below.

He had not expected Tobi to have a companion, and certainly not one that was such an effective shield. Sasuke would never deny his aptitude for killing, but he was a tad too morbidly noble to harm a child. Similarly, it wouldn't be prudent to murder the traitorous informant in front of his son. Either way, the boy called Yuma was going to see his father crumpled up somewhere at some point, and ultimately be scarred by the event. A small kindness would be to do the deed without him standing by as a gaping witness.

Sasuke hopped down a ridge of stones and came to a sprawling garden with neat rows. He stopped and looked at it blankly, consumed in thought. The solution was quite simple.

He would wait until they were asleep. He could do it at night. It was a much more traditional route to choose, and maybe not his style per se, but it would do the trick. He had been more than ready to decapitate Gaara in his sleep days before. Then again, he might've woken Gaara up for the fun of it and then attacked.

Sasuke treaded alongside a garden row that was tufted with green tops, stalks, and leaves. It was an impressive agricultural assemblage for a town in the middle of nowhere. The woman must have cared for it. Maybe Tobi did too. Sasuke halted at the center of the column: a familiar sight. The tomato plants shocked his brain straight back to childhood. He used to stuff his face with them voraciously.

He picked one off of the plant. The tomato had a pale vermillion tint, nearly ripe. Sasuke absconded with it and settled himself beneath an enormous oak tree on the side of the clearing.

With a cocked eyebrow, Sasuke glanced over the tomato again before tossing it. He cut it in half with a swing of his sword as it fell through the air, and then caught both pieces in one hand. It'd be easier to eat. He stowed away the blade and ate quietly, staring at nothing.

Something at the back of his mind was nagging at him. It was a dastardly little thought: Why would you unquestionably do what Orochimaru told you to, in this instance? Tobi was helping Konoha, after all. It was not something Sasuke was personally opposed to. People he cared about lived in the Leaf Village. It was still a place he could call home, or at least, his legal residence was there. And also, though it was a bit of a stretch, he could assume that maybe Tobi was or had been a Leaf ninja at some point in time. In conclusion, killing him to protect Orochimaru's precious secrets was not a great motivator. He very begrudgingly obeyed the snake anyway.

But as Orochimaru had guessed, and the mother of the family unit had later confirmed, Jiraiya was the recipient of Tobi's reports. It struck a competitive chord. Jiraiya was not only Gaara's mentor, but he had been Naruto and Haku's teacher as well. At minimum, the Toad's three were his rivals and benchmarks for progress. Sasuke would even concede he had a jealous resentment of the team that had nearly succeeded in stopping his defection. It still wasn't sitting well that Haku, the gentle, kind pretty boy, had nearly dissected him during their Cursed Seal fight.

Tobi had picked the wrong side.

If it meant wrenching away another rung of security from Gaara's team as they scaled the "ladder of success," Sasuke would gladly sacrifice Tobi to watch them all fall.

He finished off the tomato with a harsh bite. Sasuke stood up and returned to the tomato plant for more. His mother would cluck her tongue at him for taking what wasn't his. She also always made him wait for other dinner guests before reaching for seconds. She'd probably be mortified by his selfish, jealous, murderous demeanor nowadays, he thought. He ought to be ashamed. That wasn't who she raised. 'But she's dead. Who cares?'

Sasuke plucked two more tomatoes and returned to his seat by the tree. The sky grew dark with swarming clouds, heavy with rain.

---

By the time night had fallen, Sasuke had returned to the mountaintop home and lurked outside. Lamps were still lit inside the house. He circled around in a watchful stalk until the rainclouds overhead poured down, with hardly a drop of warning before the deluge. Sasuke slipped into the shed behind the house to take shelter. The wooden door was slightly ajar, and within were shelves of various tools, gardening supplies, boxes and a dozen bottles of alcohol. He guessed that either Tobi or the missus liked to imbibe once in a while.

He pulled the door shut and watched from a tiny, framed window of the shack that faced the home. It would only be a matter of time. He merely needed to stay dry and keep focused.

Thunder rolled and shook a small spade on the shelf near his head.

Sasuke's eyes remained trained on a light source emitted from the kitchen. It was a long wait. His thoughts would stray like popping embers from a fire, shooting off in arbitrary directions.

He could acknowledge that Tobi's association with Jiraiya was still not a good enough reason to kill the man. After all, confronting and dealing with his jealousy of Jiraiya's team would be much better served by challenging them, not by punishing a spy. But there was something else; an offense that was hard to identify but nonetheless evident every time he sighted Tobi.

He was probably a good person. And he was probably a talented ninja. He had a happy wife and child and a quaint life tucked away from the cares and clashes of shinobi villages. These were all priceless, intangible things that could not be bought or taken by force. And they were also things that, as Sasuke was rapidly beginning to see, he could never secure for himself.

Sasuke shut his eyes and exhaled slowly. He was a have-not. An outsider. An untouchable. A killer. Had he resisted his personal woes and thirst for vengeance a bit longer, he might've come out on the other side of the "tunnel" and entered society as an acceptable human being. He might have become someone worthy of honor and friendship. He might've been that man that a wife could kiss three times in a row in greeting, or play for hours with a child who was enamored of his father. The opportunities to become that person had absolutely presented themselves to him, though in a covert and subtle manner.

And with his mind so set on one desire, Sasuke understood that he had brushed off and trampled those opportunities. He could only recognize them now. He could not reach back into the past to retrieve them. They were gone, and there was no guarantee that such good fortune would meet him again in the future. Many of his age mates in the Leaf Village had made efforts to be his friends; his teammates and sensei had tried to understand his pain (even if they came up short), and Sakura would have been happy to build a future with him. His recklessness had shredded those blessings. They had all moved on. Slowly but surely, Sasuke knew he would become an extraneous fixture that people would no longer know what to do with.

Except stay away from him.

Beyond killing Itachi, it was quite possible that there would be nothing left afterward. Every sense of purpose he would try to cling to would evaporate.

He stared out of the window, suddenly feeling helpless. He had done it to himself. Itachi had backed away and let the yarn ball roll and unwind, leaving Sasuke to dictate his own destiny. It was terrifying that he had ensnared his thread of life so irreversibly. There was no undoing this knot.

Tobi had a simple life. He didn't have fame, wealth, or any kind of glamour. But it was the fact that he had that hurt worse than anything. Sasuke did not plan ahead for things he might wish for down the line, and essentially forfeited all good outcomes in the process of exacting revenge. A twinge of sadness crossed his face and his chin drooped. Lightning arced over the mountain, and was followed by a tumble of thunder again.

That was why he wanted Tobi to suffer. Maybe it would spread the 'disproportionate savagery' of the world a bit more evenly if he killed Tobi. It would make things 'fair.'

Sasuke looked up and cleared his head, casting aside his doubts. Through the window he could see Tobi turn the lamp off. After a time, all of the lights in the house were extinguished. His muscles tensed. For a long time there was nothing but the sound of the rain and thunder colliding with the mountain peaks.

When the night was deep and still, Sasuke crept outside again. The rain had quickly soaked him through, and he stepped across the slick, soggy grass to the side of the house. He looked inside a low bedroom window, in which the room was dark. The black plane of glass in front of him reflected his face like a taunting mirror. Sasuke stood and looked, verifying the position of his target.

Lightning blinked again with follow-up strikes and illuminated the room he was peeking into. Tobi was indeed fast asleep in bed. And there, like a humorous barb from the gods, was Yuma tucked under his father's arm, swaddled in a blanket. They snored peacefully together. The child had probably been frightened by the storm.

The window went dark again. Sasuke stood in the rain, the rims of his eyes stinging, and observed the face staring back from the reflective surface. The person in front of him seemed to say, You knew you wouldn't. You didn't want to.

Of course he didn't. Tobi was a success story whether he killed him or not. If Tobi did meet his end tonight, the little boy could grow up one day, track him down, and give Sasuke an ironic lesson in vengeance. It was a vain effort. The appeal of killing someone in cold blood had faded after seeing just how close the little family was. It wouldn't be an effective release for all of the tumultuous feelings he'd kept inside. And it wasn't even his idea, Sasuke reminded himself. Orochimaru had only redirected his rage with the expectation that he could get a loose end tied.

He watched the sleeping pair in the bed as a bolt lightened the room again. The hilarity was that if he killed Tobi, he would actually be destroying the core of a family. The mother would obviously be devastated, and so too would the child. It wouldn't matter how Tobi felt about it. It was the people left behind who had to live with his decision. And what was more, it would be no different than Itachi's heartless execution of his own clan. Very pointedly, Sasuke did not want to identify with that kind of villainy. 'I won't be like him.'

But what then? What was the answer? Orochimaru wanted Tobi dead if he was 'guilty', and he was going to accomplish that goal by any means necessary. It'd be just as insane to try to befriend a private, three-person family who would have no idea who he was. They'd never trust him.

After wracking his brain for a solution Sasuke began to walk away, 'It's up to me. If I am the only thing standing between you and imminent death, then maybe you really are an idiot. Maybe I need to save you.' He concluded, 'Orochimaru may not believe me when I tell him you're useless…that you weren't responsible for those reports.' It would be quite the undertaking. If the snake sent henchmen to the mountaintop to determine the truth, they'd have to be done away with. If Orochimaru began to ask questions, Sasuke knew he would have to keep him off the scent.

It was a task that could have steep consequences. There was a considerable chance of failure. But as he trekked through the storm into the dark woods, approaching the lonely slopes of the highland, Sasuke supposed that this endeavor could very well be more worthwhile than his intent to destroy Itachi. Should creating his own family or having a normal life be an impossibility, it would feel nearly as good to watch someone else have that chance. It would feel even better to know that he'd been responsible, in part, for their safety. A tiny portion of his soul would admit that he had started to like them. He even remembered their names. They were innocent and happy, and try as he might, he just couldn't hate them for it.

Sasuke mulled over a few harebrained ideas as he moved on, drenched to the bone, and then disappeared before the next lightning strike.

---

The next morning Shincha and its surrounding mountaintop were soggy. Scores of earthworms had poked up from between blades of grass to begin water-assisted journeys to parts unknown. Consequently, songbirds were ransacking their choice prey all through the forest.

Yuma was on a rescue mission with a tin can of dirt, picking up worms as he strolled through the yard. His mother always encouraged the gathering of 'nature's helpers' to perk up the garden.

Obito had poked his head out the front door to call his son in for breakfast, but instead got a demand from the small boy, "Hi Dad! Will you go with me? I'm going to put these in the garden."

"This early? Come on. Eat some eggs first, Yuma."

"I'll eat later!" He was running off with the can.

"You'll forget!" Obito stepped outside, "Hey! I told you that you can't go to the garden by yourself!" He slipped shoes on and followed the disobedient youngster down the hill to the forest path. His cooking apron was still fastened.

It was just a day like any other, chasing his son around…

At the bottom of the slope Obito caught up to Yuma and stopped beside him, seeing that his son had set to work making entry holes for worms near each vegetable plant. 'He's so much like his mother. A dedicated worker!'

"Don't put them in right away. We need to make sure they burrow where we want them to stay."

Yuma nodded, "I know. I'm just getting ready." His hands were filthy.

"Why are you digging like that? You should've gotten a tool first."

"Sometimes Mama digs like this."

Obito sighed, "That's because she and her clan…can't help themselves…"

"Well I already started!" He pressed on.

"Fine. I'll go get you a spade and bring it to you. You can only do the first row, and then you need to come inside for breakfast. Alright?"

"Okay, Dad."

Obito marched back up the hill, grumbling to himself. Children. It was always a rush. Or a mess. Or an argument. Then again, he had been no different at that age, with the exception of his persistent late-streak. While passing under low tree branches, sodden leaves dripped water on the top of his head, 'That was some storm last night…Yuma was frightened.' He frowned to himself. It was the first time he had ever heard his son utter, "Ghosts."

'Someone was there.' The boy insisted. It was unnerving.

He passed through the sprawling acre of the backyard and arrived at the toolshed. As always, the old, creaky door had swung open again. Obito bustled inside, collected a child-sized gardening shovel and then paused. The shelf was wet. His eyes scanned around. 'That's weird. Did this spring a leak?' An overturned barrel was partially wet, and he gazed out of the small shed window to look at the house, curious, 'I'd swear I keep up with this old thing.'

The floorboards were also wet. His breathing quickened as he noticed an entry floor mat he had barely made contact with. A heel print was distinct on the front of the mat, as if someone had exited not long ago. No. Certainly it was his imagination. 'It's a leak.' He stared, furrowing his eyebrows, 'But since when do leaks leave marks like that?'

Obito walked outside slowly, eyes to the ground, and gradually began to pick up on imprints that had been left in the soft mud of the yard. His heart rattled in his chest. The trail turned the corner and made a straight line for the side of the house. He followed it and stopped again. Dread filled his lungs and made it impossible for him to draw breath.

He was not imagining the two side-by-side footprints stationed directly outside his bedroom window. Terrified, Obito laid his own foot beside the track, measuring it, 'This wasn't Rin. They're bigger. Like a man's…' His head turned sharply, looking out of the yard, 'A villager?' No! What would they be doing standing outside of his house at night? His heart rate was mimicking a freight train over tracks, hammering and clacking.

Obito skirted around his home, glancing around, picking up trails here and there of footprints that had been revealed by the rain. Sometimes the tracks disappeared, deepened, as if the person had sprung. He glanced up at the trees, 'Taking cover up there…' He could only assume the visitor was a shinobi. 'Why here? Why at night?' The ninja must have lingered for over a day, judging by the sporadic, coming-and-going trails all about.

'Rock ninja? There haven't been any here since Deidara blew up Junichi's house…' He had circled the home with the spade clenched tightly in his hand, 'And Rin told me that she only fought a few Iwa Chunin just beyond the garden when she helped that Sand ninja…' It was a sound assessment. No one ever came here. No one knew about this place.

But someone did.

He had been stalked and watched. He had been totally oblivious.

Obito's blood ran cold. This threat was far beyond anything he was prepared for. With his guard lowered and his son young and defenseless, he was as good as dead in such a position. He raced from the front yard faster than wind, cutting through the forest back to Yuma. Being separate even for a second could spell disaster. Thankfully, the child was stooped over the garden row, safe and sound, gouging up pits as he had been before.

He looked over his shoulder expectantly, "Did you get it, Dad? What took so long?"

He approached his son with a hollow, pensive expression on his face. He handed the spade to Yuma without a word.

The boy observed his father shrewdly, deciphering this odd phenomenon. He pursed his lips, stuck his shovel into the ground and then stood, brushing dirt from his hands. "What's wrong, Dad?" He asked.

Obito's mind was elsewhere. What would Rin think? She'd have his head when she found out that he hadn't noticed an intruder. He relied so much on her sense of smell, as well as Sesshu's attentive watchfulness that he hardly ever looked for things that were 'out of the ordinary.' He'd have to promise her extreme diligence forever more. But his thoughts rounded the corner, trying to identify the 'who' in this situation. Who would be watching him?

Who could find him? Or know that he should be found? When he worked it out, he could only derive one, awful answer. 'Deidara's been here and Zetsu-san knows about every town in this valley. The Akatsuki might be watching me.' He shut his eyes and tried to calm down, 'I'll need to warn Jiraiya about this. And if I'm really unlucky, others might know too. Maybe Koinyu noticed something…or Orochimaru. Someone may not be buying it anymore.'

And yet, he had only been observed; like a wildlife surveyor examining an animal in its natural habitat. If any of his criminal affiliations had a reason to stalk him or suspect him, wouldn't they do something? Set a trap? Attack? 'I doubt it would be routine reconnaissance if they found me. What would they be trying to figure out?' He was thankful that he and Yuma had not come to harm, but it was a head-scratcher.

He felt a small hand wrap around his fingers. Obito glanced down.

"Dad? Are you okay?" Yuma inquired firmly.

"Oh," He bent down and squeezed the boy affectionately, "I'm sorry, Yuma. I'll be alright."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. We just need to be more careful around here."

"Why?" Yuma picked up his spade, "Did we get something dirty when we painted?"

"No. It's not that." His father rubbed his chin, thinking, "Do you remember seeing anything yesterday?"

"Like what?" He was on his knees digging again.

"Like last night, when you came to my room because of the lightning. You shook me awake and said there was a ghost. Remember?"

"There was."

"Where did you see it?"

"Outside your window."

Obito's stomach twisted in horror, "And…do you remember what it looked like?"

Ever the practical child, Yuma paused in his work and gave a skeptical look to his father, "Ghosts don't look like anything, Dad. Why do you want me to talk about it anyway?"

"I'm curious. I was a little scared too." The man yielded.

"Well…" He sighed and began dropping worms into the holes one by one, "It was dark. It looked like a boy."

"A boy?"

"Yeah, Dad." Yuma confirmed, "It looked sad."

---

Tsunade's morning was exhilarating.

She was hoping that neither Kakashi nor Tenzo had noticed that she was dealing with a severe case of 'stomach butterflies.' They followed behind her on both sides after she had collected them, respectfully silent as they made their way to a rocky alcove on the edge of the village.

She had been taking steps all of her life to confront wrongdoers and even people who pissed her off in general. Back when Jiraiya and Naruto had begged her favor in a bid for her candidacy as Godaime Hokage, she had worked up the courage to tell Orochimaru to shove his offer in an unmentionable place. From time to time she had brief arguments with Homura and Koharu, her elderly (inherited) advisors. She also had to put Kakashi in his place when he got smart. When Neji had more recently defied her, she had barely been able to contain her temper.

Now, someone who was genuinely subversive needed a talking-to.

By that, she explained to Kakashi and Tenzo, she had meant Shimura Danzo. They quickly understood why she selected them to accompany her to the Root Headquarters.

She had looked over a file kept by her late sensei, the Sandaime Hokage, which chronicled his own difficulties with Danzo. For a time she had thought her dislike of the Root administrator was a personal bias, but Tsunade had discovered that Hiruzen had a multitude of conflicts with the man as well.

One particularly hairy incident went back many years, during which Hiruzen had uncovered an experiment headed by Orochimaru in an effort to create a modern shinobi with the Mokuton blood limit. Tsunade had been disgusted to read about dozens of kidnapped children who had perished during these trials. Orochimaru fled after his lab had been uncovered, leaving the children to wallow and die.

One such young child had been the boy called "Tenzo," so mistakenly named because a young girl from the Iburi clan had recognized him as her brother. The name stuck, even if the identity didn't. Both Hiruzen and Kakashi had referred to the sole survivor of the experiment by that name.

Sometimes Tsunade liked to codename him "Yamato," in an allusion to how he got along so well with others. But whatever he was called, he had endured a childhood under the tutelage of Danzo in Root. It had been a grueling experience that strained his fledgling friendship with Kakashi. Once he was a young teen, Danzo had tasked Tenzo with a mission to kill Kakashi, who had been in the service of Hiruzen after the death of the Fourth Hokage. It had been a close encounter, but fortunately, Kakashi's persuasion had spared the unlikely friends from violence.

'That's where these two incidents match up.' Tsunade thought. In retaliation of Tenzo's insubordination and failure to eliminate Kakashi, Danzo locked the boy up and had operatives beat him senseless. The commander wanted to cleanse him of his progressive, selfish thoughts and realign him with 'Root's standards.' Before such brainwashing could be accomplished, Kakashi, Hiruzen and a company of ANBU shinobi had dropped by the Root command center, demanding Tenzo's safe release. After a brief and tense discussion, Danzo had left Tenzo in the care of the Third Hokage.

Because Tsunade was a betting woman, she would wager that Sai was now experiencing the same harsh treatment. She would also gamble on the chance that if she flashed Kakashi and Tenzo in the old man's face, now closely-bonded veterans under her command, that Danzo might finally consider her criticisms. After all, he didn't want to take her seriously, but her donning the Sandaime's fortitude and practices like armor might at least make him listen.

"We're close by." Tenzo notified her quietly, "We'll be under their surveillance now, unless you would prefer to enter by trap door."

"No. There's no need for the Hokage to sneak around. Root shinobi are still constituents of my village, and so their allegiance is to me." She asserted in a hard voice. Kakashi got a kick out of her attitude and smiled to himself.

The group proceeded to a cement-lined stairwell in the face of a rock formation, following the steps down. It was a long descent. Within the giant, echoing chambers all walls were lined with cement or metal duct work beside various staircases and walkways. It was a sterile and uninviting place. The path took them into the underground atrium, where suspended catwalks with rails intersected. The thin bridges went in four directions, leading to different locations of the command center.

While on the main walkway, a small Root ninja who looked maybe 10 or 11 years of age stopped them. His eyes stayed only on Tsunade before he slowly sunk to one knee, customarily, "Hokage-sama. No one was notified of your visit."

"I know. I didn't have an appointment, all the same…" She smiled warmly, "I would like to talk to Danzo. Would you please fetch him for me?"

"Right away, ma'am. Please wait here." The little Root ninja dashed away.

"See? That was a polite greeting." Tsunade remarked to her guards.

"He was faking it." Kakashi surmised, "He was startled to see you, Tsunade-sama. Don't expect the welcome wagon to arrive after this."

"I don't." She added softly, "Are your hounds in position?"

"Yes."

She rolled her shoulders, "Good."

They weren't kept waiting for long. After a few minutes, Root ninja began to trickle into the atrium, watching from perches high above the perpendicular pathways. They froze like statues when Danzo appeared from a stone-decorated doorway, seeming as expressionless as ever. He crossed over the first half of the suspension and then stopped a few feet away from Tsunade.

"To what do I owe this visit, Hokage-sama?" He asked gently.

"I wanted to have a discussion with you at my leisure, considering that you enter my office uninvited whenever you see fit. Forgive me for dropping by so suddenly." She began, "Can you please tell me what orders you gave to Sai when he joined Neji and Lee's team? I seem to have missed something, according to that abysmal mission report."

"He had no orders at all, my lady. Only to serve that team well, I assure you."

Her eyes flashed impatiently, "I am not at all assured. Hyuga Neji gave me precise details of when and where Sai was in written contact with a rogue ninja. They were accosted in the abandoned Toi mine, where both Neji and Lee were able to defeat their prospective kidnapper."

"I had no knowledge of this." He replied passively. His visible eye fell on Tenzo and his mouth pulled into a disapproving scowl, "You seem to imply that I organized such an encounter."

"I'm not implying it. I am telling you what we both know to be true. I will warn you now to never again attempt such a foolish exchange or give orders that compromise a team under my command. So help you…I will replace you faster than your slippery fingers can bribe each member of the village council." Tsunade confidently rested a hand on her hip, "But I'm not here to get details on that mission. I am here on behalf of your subordinate called Sai."

Danzo balanced a cane beneath his palms, "What of him?"

"I am here to inform you of my intent to transfer him. His performance on the Toi Mine mission was outstanding."

The old man scoffed, "Outstanding, you say? It was really quite the opposite. He disappointed all involved parties."

He was calling bullshit. Kakashi noticed a few more Root agents popping up along the perimeter of the wide, square room. His senses prickled as he prepared himself for possible hostility.

"You're entitled to your opinion. However, I would like your verbal consent on this transfer so that Sai can be escorted to ANBU HQ for an evaluation. I can send you the paperwork later for your signature."

Danzo was silent for a long moment, his discontent swelling far enough to make his Root subordinates antsy, "Tsunade…I cannot give approval for that. He will remain here."

"So you object?" She raised her eyebrows, "Why?"

"He has been detained in our corrections facility."

Tenzo winced at a distant memory of the place. It was a cellblock that doubled as a torture chamber to save space.

"I am ordering this transfer. Unless you can give me a reason why he cannot be physically transported, I must insist that you retrieve him immediately."

"He has proven himself an unreliable shinobi, the likes of which completely lacks value."

"That's not very specific…"

"He does not follow orders."

"Ah," She nodded, "Regardless, I stand by my command. Release him to me now." She added sweetly, "Please."

"Hokage-sama, you are trifling in a matter that doesn't concern you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. How am I trifling? I came here to complete a very simple withdrawal." Tsunade concealed a sly smile.

"If you consider this visit to be transactional, then you should deposit a shinobi before I release one to you…" He recommended, "I will have one less operative in Root, and as such have an inadequate number of ninja to ensure security."

"Root already has a deficit. You told me that Sai is undisciplined. If he's as disposable as you say then do as I ask."

"Trade me a shinobi. I already made this request of you days ago." Danzo countered boldly, "The foundation needs to make a sensible exchange."

"You're referring to Tenten?" Tsunade confirmed before saying, "Preposterous. I could not trade something of great value for something worthless. You said it yourself. It's in your best interest to clear your cells and have no shirkers to deal with. Let it be my problem. You can train new Root agents according to what the Sandaime's reforms stipulate. It's all that I will allow."

"All that you'll allow…" He repeated in a sharp, low voice.

"There is only one shinobi that would be suitable for such a trade." Tsunade announced, "You can have Jiraiya. I'm sure he'd be welcomed as a new recruit."

Danzo shut his eye and sighed quietly. She had made her point.

"Do we have an accord?" She asked calmly.

The old man was aware that since their conversation had begun, veteran ANBU agents had crept inside the chamber from several locations. They took unthreatening positions beside their Root counterparts, not likely to attack unless Tsunade was in distress. At the same time, a small dog with a bandana tied around its neck padded up beside Kakashi. His presence, as well as Tenzo's, was intentional. Danzo felt like he was reliving the day Hiruzen had made his hardnosed request.

He couldn't deny that she was a clever woman. Tsunade came fully prepared and backed him into a bureaucratic corner so that he could not refute her demand. And the only exchange he could get out of this was that perverted, washed up old Toad. He'd be at an even greater deficit than before with that oaf roaming around.

"Please, keep Gama-sennin in your service." His voice carried a haughty tone as he turned and walked back down the bridge, "Consider this transfer…approved."

He stepped through the stone doorway and disappeared, having nothing more to do with the Hokage's ultimatum. Kakashi relaxed a little and beside him Tenzo finally took a breath. Their anxiety abated. Tsunade had been able to talk her way to victory.

The sentinel Root agents remained where they were, but after what could have been 10 minutes or more, a new guard exited from the left doorway, pushing Sai onto the suspended bridge. The small Root boy from earlier was also sent out with a package in his hands. He passed Sai, who was tottering dizzily, and handed the folder to Tsunade with a small bow, "Here you are, Hokage-sama. Danzo-sama promised you this framework for the exam, but he neglected to give it to you. Please accept his apology."

"It's fine. Thank you." She took the documents, grateful that Danzo had not made a stink about anything else.

The nameless boy continued on down the eastern bridge and was long gone before Sai rounded the corner. His pale skin had erupted with hideous bruises in several places. He was disheveled and tired-looking. What was most noticeable, upon Kakashi's first impression of the now ex-Root subordinate, was how dejected he looked. Tenzo picked up on it as well. Root operatives loomed and watched him pass by in silence. Though their expressions were plain, some looked mildly malicious, as if Sai had become an example of what they would never hope to be: a reject. They were glad to see him go.

Sai stopped in front of the Hokage, skillfully concealing his shame. It was harder to bend for a respectful bow, as his back had been mucked with from correctional beatings. He accomplished it and spoke quietly, "Thank you for inviting me into your service, Tsunade-sama."

"You're welcome. I was eager to fetch you, Sai. Is that what you still wish to be called?"

"I have no other name. Please call me Sai."

"As you wish. Come along! We have appointments to keep," Tsunade raised her head to look at the Root ninja surrounding them, "And to all of you: have a pleasant day!" She pressed on and her ANBU veterans retreated in a timely fashion.

Tenzo ushered Sai along to follow behind Kakashi and his canine companion. Sai could hardly lift his head up as he walked slowly. The only organization and community he had ever known found him obsolete, and Danzo had quickly decided to hand him off to the Hokage. His sense of worth had reached a new, all-time low.

As they climbed the long staircase to leave the subterranean command center, Tenzo spoke to him softly, "I've gone through this too."

Sai glanced at him, "You have?"

"Yes. The Third Hokage retrieved me from Root in nearly the exact same way." Tenzo's smile was small, "Do not feel ashamed. I am much better off now."

"I don't know if the same can be said of me…I have no life or family or belongings. I will have nothing in your world."

'Your world, he says. Like he's never been a part of Konoha…' Kakashi thought while chuckling to himself in front of them, listening to the conversation.

"You will have all of it and then some, once you start over. Tsunade-sama and your comrades in the standard forces will help you." Tenzo spoke light-heartedly, "Try to recognize that this is the best day of your life."

---

The morning was just as productive and agreeable for Tenten. She was very narrowly missing Hayate's head with sword strikes while they trained at his preferred field.

He dashed away too late. She had already used Dance of the Crescent Moon, and when one of her clones phased into vision beside him, it was the only sword swing he could parry. She and her second Shadow Clone had caught him and held their blades near his throat, hinting that he surrender. He sighed and lowered his weapon.

"Not bad. I'm not even going to ask you to do that again." Hayate sheathed his sword and crossed over to a basket Yugao had prepared for them. He took a sip from a water bottle before adding, "You've been almost cutting my head off for three days now. I appreciate your restraint."

"No problem." She replied happily.

He had expected her to pick up the technique quickly. She was easily as intelligent as her father, and equally as industrious as her mother. But there was plenty more she needed to learn. When Tenten performed well, as she had been doing this week, he liked to give her free time to sharpen her other skills. He had been nice enough set up two targets for her at the edge of the lawn, but they had since been hacked apart. She had conceded it was a nice gesture and she had liked using them up until they broke. Hayate thought to himself he should've asked Gai how often he replaced targets for his team beforehand, but he had already gotten an estimate of Tenten's destructive output.

Similarly, Hayate was not crazy about letting her aim scores of deadly projectiles at him, as he was not very good at deflecting them en masse. Takaharu had done the same thing to him when he was younger, and blocking exercises had been difficult when the man could empty two tool scrolls in a few seconds. Today, Hayate had set up a new target circle for Tenten in the hope it would hold her over for a while.

In a twist, she had summoned a weapon he had never seen her use before. It was a golden-lacquered bow that, as far as he could tell, had no arrows to accompany it. Tenten took a position about 70 meters away from the target, quiver-less, and steadied the bow with her right arm. Hayate leaned against a tree and watched from the sidelines in fascination. He blinked hard when he watched the girl manifest an arrow made of pure chakra, notching it to the string which absorbed the blue glow. She aimed and fired.

The dart of energy swirled into a fiery bolt shortly after it launched, and it exploded into a ball of flame when it struck the target. Charred chunks and cinders remained after the attack. Tenten looked at her teacher apologetically, "Sorry. I haven't used this in a while."

"It's okay; just understand that I am not setting any more up. It's a waste." He warned her, "What the hell is that?"

"The Hiyumi. The Third Hokage let me keep it after I picked it up on a mission."

Hayate crossed over to her to look the weapon over, "Never heard of it. But that also has a Han design. We don't have bows that shape in shinobi countries."

"Yeah, I could tell it was different."

"It's a beauty. Can I hold it for a second?"

Tenten compliantly handed it to the man and he turned it over, reading the inscriptions and subtle, engraved designs. After a moment he held it up and was successful in generating a chakra arrow at the bend, notching it, and then let it fly. The sad chakra projectile petered out halfway across the field and did not transform into anything. He gave her a puzzled look.

"I can't…explain why it lights on fire." Tenten admitted haltingly, "It just always did that when I used it…"

Hayate tried again with the same result. He handed it back to her and scratched his neck, thinking it over, "That's weird. It doesn't like me. It could be a technical issue."

"Technical?"

"I'm a Lightning Nature. I'll go ahead and guess you're Fire. Your mom and dad could generate Fire Transformations."

"How do you know that?" Tenten was astounded, "I didn't even take a test!"

"I don't. I'm assuming. There are weird rules about the clan you're descended of. Shishou told me about them when I was a kid." Hayate explained, moving back to the basket, "Let's eat. Then we'll practice more later."

Tenten returned to their break area and unfolded a box of rice and blackened chicken. "What kind of rules? He used to tell me things too." She prodded.

"Unusual things. Superstitious. Hard to prove…" Hayate muttered and unwrapped a rice cake, "He said that everyone in your line will be a Fire-type Nature Transformation, no matter what. They always have been, and descendants will be as well."

"Why?"

"His explanation sounded like a fairytale, but if you want to know I'll tell you the same thing he told me." The man shrugged, "Maybe it's true."

"Try me. I'll listen."

"Well…" He chewed his food and then continued, "Shishou talked about…your namesake. The founder of your clan had the same name as you, a heck of a long time ago."

"That's not surprising. Dad was way too sentimental."

"They often went by Han names, because many people began settling here and mixing in with the local populations. Try to imagine an era when the concept of a ninja was new…it was a historically dark time. Lots of competitive shinobi clans were trying to one-up each other while they wandered around. They weren't shy about finding foreign, skilled warriors to join their ranks." Hayate opened a thermos of tea, "The woman who founded the Sasagainu clan married a man who had Han heritage, which became a common occurrence. That clan married and accepted them to learn new techniques."

"Huh. So those people possessed Ninjutsu?"

"Of course not. Only shinobi can use Ninjutsu. These strange new people brought over Tao Arts. And I'm sorry, but I don't know much of anything about it other than what we might call it…" He snickered, "Magic. We can't explain how it works. Long ago people used to understand. Shishou said he wondered if maybe some of his jutsu were nonconforming because of abilities your clan passed along."

"So you're trying to tell me that's why everyone is a Fire Nature? That's not very convincing."

"I'm not trying to convince you, missy. I'm just repeating what I was told." He corrected, "That woman, Tenten the First, whatever…she commanded that her clan would only align their chakra with Fire for some stupid reason or another. The point is that it stuck. Forever. No one can explain how she did it."

Tenten paused in her eating and frowned, "I'll admit that is pretty strange."

"That's hardly the strangest thing she did. Did your Dad explain the daughter-limit to you? That's a freaky one." He pointed a chopstick at her, "You're his one and only. Every family from your clan can only produce one daughter. The clan founder made it that way."

"That is complete nonsense."

"It's completely true."

"How would that even work?"

"I already said I don't understand how it works. It just does." Hayate shrugged, "That's why your Dad was reverent of your ancestor. It was a rare thing. Your namesake went through something that made her institute that limit. If anything, it just made girls more special in that clan. Boys were pretty average."

"Let's say I believe all of this…because it does sound a bit familiar," She yielded, "Does it mean that the jutsu I use won't be normal?"

"Nah. You're just better suited for Fuinjutsu and Bukijutsu. You're as modern and capable as any other ninja around." He assured her, "You might just discover some quirks like your Dad did." Hayate set aside his thermos, "For example, he had many tricks up his sleeve. It wasn't just the Dance of the Crescent Moon. That's only as far as I got. I can't use its parent-technique."

Her eyes widened a fraction, "There's another?"

"Sure there is, it's what your Dad was famous for, in part. The Dance of Lunar Phases. It's a hell of a lot more draining and complex, and to be honest, I don't think there's any chance you can get it. Not without your father's guidance." He unwrapped another rice ball, "That opportunity is lost."

"And why not? You never learned it?"

"I learned about it and watched as closely as I could, but I can't use the same Nature Transformations that come naturally to your clan. I'm not compatible. Tao Arts specialize in Yin and Yang Release, and that's one thing that is seldom achieved in shinobi training. It's always ridiculously difficult. Sage-level shenanigans, usually."

"…you lost me."

"I could never get that hang of Yin Release. Your Dad could rather easily manipulate the Dark element within chakra, which is the backbone of his jutsu. It's not really something that can be taught. You have it or you don't. It's heritable."

"I might safely count myself out." Tenten agreed, "I wouldn't even know where to begin! In fact, I didn't know that chakra was broken down into light and dark."

"Congrats. Now you do."

"How did he do it?"

"A person has to be very talented and maybe just as lucky. Only the most skilled shinobi utilize Shadow or Light styles. Typically, Kage can use them to great effect, but there's evidence of it in this village's clans too." Hayate divulged, "The Akimichi clan, for one. Their techniques harness Yang Release to change and regulate physical composition. And on the other hand you have the Nara, who use Yin Release as the basis of their shadow skills."

"Holy-!" Tenten put her food container down, thrilled, "All this time? That's how they did it?"

"Yeah, you putz. Didn't you ever wonder? Non-elemental jutsu often extract light and dark properties to function. In your case, you would take after your Dad. He used both from time to time."

She was let down that Hayate would not be able to guide her, "And you definitely can't help me learn about it?"

"Sorry. You're on your own. Figure out Yin Release and apply it to the jutsu you just mastered. That's about all I can advise." He snorted in addition, "And forget Yang Release. Shishou was disciplined enough to harness both, but forgive me if I don't give you that much credit."

"I guess I can."

"Finish your lunch. It's about time I get you prepped for our next project." Hayate directed her, "You've got no problems with the Dance of the Crescent Moon, and you'll only get better with time. But now we're going to talk about what's in the black scroll."

"A weapon?" She perked up.

"Not in the traditional sense. I figured since we're covering topics that include the weird and wonderful, it might be worth bringing up."

"Can I summon it?" She was anxious.

"Finish chewing first, sheesh." He smirked and handed the scroll to her, "You tell me. Can you?"

Tenten excitedly unwound the scroll and laid it flat, observing what was definitely not a tool summoning scroll. The design had a similar appearance, but the calligraphy was foreign. She stared in the hope she could make heads or tails of it.

"Calm down. You can't read Hanzi so it won't make sense."

She arched an eyebrow, "Can you read it?"

"You flatter me. No."

"What is this?"

"This is a kind of summoning scroll you don't normally work with, miss. This is a contract."

She instantly understood and nodded, "Of the foreign variety?"

"More like the old variety. As old as the day is long. Dating back to when your clan got into…sticky situations…in the beginning. They came up with something that could defend against the most terrible powers ninja wielded in those days."

Tenten had to consciously relax and steady her breathing. This was not the kind of jutsu she would expect to inherit, but it was reassuring that her father had imagined her capable enough to be entrusted with it. As she had learned about summoning contracts roughly in the Academy and by word of mouth, Tenten wanted to reach for the scroll and sign up.

Hayate halted her by waving a cut stick of squash, "Hold on. We're still eating lunch. You're not doing anything until we finish up our talk."

She sat back and relented, "Alright then. Talk to me."

"When was the last time you saw someone contractually summon something?"

"Sato can summon owls and I've seen Naruto use toads." She added thoughtfully, "Gai-sensei hardly ever asks Ningame for help…"

"So what do you suppose this does?"

Tenten sipped from a beverage can and thought about it, "I…don't want to assume…it's an animal." She decided, "It's not an animal."

"It isn't. That's why this isn't your run-of-the-mill contract."

"A weapon."

"Great guess. The trouble is that contracts are formed only with sentient beings. I hope you're starting to see why your postulation is logically unsound." Hayate took a moment to chow down on vegetables, "But knowing your Dad and all of the things we spoke about previously…maybe you're not so shocked."

She asked brightly, "This is a sentient weapon?"

"Sure. As bluntly as I can put it, that's all it is. It's a product of Fuinjutsu, which handily enough, can bind souls, chakra and other curious states of matter into objects and so forth. That'll explain why this contract can be in agreement with anything." He waved his hand, "I'm no expert, but I'm glad I asked my Master questions when I had the chance. I can at least give you the background of it."

"How nontraditional."

"That might as well be your middle name." He sniffed, "This contract will only summon one thing: a jian. And while you don't need to refer to it by name, this sword is called Susumajin. It's unique and it's not very safe. It wasn't made for the present day. It was made for war in a time when chakra was more abundant and volatile."

"And I still have your blessing to work with it?"

"You sure as hell don't want anyone else using this thing. Maybe your Sensei has told you about the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen and their weapons?"

"Well it wasn't much, and my team did fight Raiga, you know."

"And you probably wouldn't look forward to doing it again."

"I wouldn't."

"Right; because no one wants to tango with a soul-forged weapon. They carry too much chakra, they can seal things, they conduct nature transformations, they eat chakra, etc. So can this. Weapons like that were made to deal with ancient clans that made those qualities necessary." He elaborated, "In this day and age, we might call that overkill. But if Hoshigaki Kisame came around for a fight, he wouldn't think twice about letting his sword devour someone's chakra. It's an easy way to win."

"In other words, I should use this wisely?" She muffled a laugh, "Lest I become a hated tyrant."

"Don't joke about that." He narrowed his eyes, "You've got the potential to be among the worst of the worst rogue nin, if you ever went bad. I won't shun my responsibility to take you down as a former teacher either."

She was contrite, "Sorry! You know I wasn't serious, Hayate. Come on."

"Good. We can get into its properties and abilities this evening, but for now, let's just learn about summoning it to start."

Hayate commanded her to finish eating her lunch which she had barely touched due to anticipation. She nibbled while he demonstrated hand seals that would allow her to use the Summoning Technique. It wasn't difficult to memorize. She continued eating while he pointed out a space for her to sign the contract.

"Your signature needs to be in blood. It's the only way." He instructed, "After that, using seals for the summoning jutsu will call the sword to you. A few words of advice…" Hayate packed up his lunch stuffs in the basket, "Susumajin sleeps underground to avoid contact with humans. That's where it breaches. Keep your summoning matrixes on the ground as opposed to air, because it will shoot up to reach you. Shishou has done it. Also, keep it in its sheath until I instruct otherwise. I don't want to get sent to the hospital, got it?"

"Understood."

"Thanks. Jeez…it's such a pain teaching a prodigy. You need to jump through all kinds of hoops for them…"

"I'm not a prodigy." She protested, internally comparing herself to a teammate.

"Don't try to argue, Tenten. Geniuses are the people who are exceptional in one or more regards, by shinobi standards. You fall under that category. You're not some generic foot soldier. There's no use in imagining that you are one."

"…I think I should thank you…but you were only justifying your complaint."

"Exactly."

She tilted her head to appraise him, "You know…I don't recommend that you teach anyone else in the future. You're too crabby."

"That's fine by me."

---

By the early afternoon, Tsunade had treated her Root-infiltrating companions to lunch. She had even sent a catered meal to the ANBU HQ to feed any shinobi on break to show her appreciation for their participation. She'd be expecting their thank-you notes later.

Sai ate timidly, but judging from how rapidly his plate emptied morsel by morsel, Tsunade supposed he had been starved for many days. Tenzo and Kakashi had relaxed considerably and joked around as they typically did. Tsunade hoped that their interaction would provide Sai with an example to go off of. The boy hardly spoke or made eye contact, but he made his gratitude known at the end of the meal.

Afterward, Tsunade asked Tenzo to accompany Sai to government appointed housing (two options available) that Sai could choose from. Then he was expected to bring Sai to an evaluation at the ANBU reception center.

On the way back to the administrative building with Kakashi, she explained, "He really does have nothing at the moment. His home was subsidized by Root and so were his worldly possessions. They have since been cancelled and recovered by the foundation, I was told on the way back. How prompt…"

"Do you think Tenzo should stay with him?"

"Only for a short time. I expect Sai to assimilate and live on his own." Tsunade replied, "Tenzo can advise him on many things, but I won't allow him to become a crutch. After all, Tenzo is still overseeing a project I tasked him with."

"Oh?"

She gave him annoyed look, "It's none of your business, Hatake."

Kakashi chuckled. He had an inkling of what the ongoing assignment was.

After arriving at the office, Tsunade gave Kakashi a verbal pat on the back and tossed a scroll at him. It was a mission requiring that he lead the entirety of Team 7 to protect Prince Michiru on his way back to the Land of the Moon. "Wait until Kiba returns from the Oga castle, and then you may depart when you are all packed." She advised, "Watch the Prince carefully. He's a big spender and he has his critics."

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade settled in her desk chair and sighed as Kakashi made his exit. She was able to tick at least one thing off of her conscience bucket list. Rescuing a wayward member of Root was not something she would independently choose to do, but after hearing of Neji and Lee's concern for the boy even after they had nearly been captured…she made up her mind. Hopefully, Sai would become a trustworthy shinobi she could one day depend on, 'Much like how I rely on Tenzo now…'

Shizune came and went, delivering documents and afternoon tea. After a brief, solitary period, Tsunade was visited by a white-cloaked ANBU agent whose greeting was unusually chipper.

"You heard the news?" She guessed.

"Yes. One of my teams told me that Danzo was visibly embarrassed." The man was amused, "Tsunade-sama, your bravery inspires me."

She feigned a humble expression, "Oh Kegon, it's just routine checks and balances. All in a day's work…" She used his name when they were in private meetings, much like how she addressed Tenzo by name.

"As you say, my lady."

"I thought you'd still be out scouting near the Toi province."

"Reconnaissance is complete. I expect my assessment will herald some good news you have been waiting for." Kegon announced, "The rogue ninja Shimofuri Koinyu, alleged slayer of Hyuga Hikune, was located and engaged in combat on the border of the River Country. He retreated in defeat from Team Izu, who I have asked to continue tracking him. Team Ro, under my command, was able to locate Dintei Bihokokuni as well."

With wide eyes, Tsunade folded her hands and asked, "That outcome?"

"He was able to avoid combat and detection by penetrating further into the Rice Country. It appears that he keeps in frequent contact with Orochimaru, and by that measure, he will continue to evade scouting teams when possible." The agent added, "This presented my team with two concrete facts: he avoids all Fire Country patrols and is not in direct contact with his servant, who has been isolated in the River Country. We maintain the upper hand."

Tsunade exhaled in relief, "We need to keep it that way. I suspected Orochimaru was assisting him in one way or another, but Bi is shorthanded and not liking the attention he's getting." She continued, "I apologize for making all of you work so hard. I've felt guilty about keeping many teams on patrol for such a length of time…"

"Tsunade-sama, please do not regret your decisions. I speak on behalf of all of my comrades when I tell you that we do not resent our duty to secure the safety of Konoha," He tilted his head playfully, "And we certainly don't mind the overtime pay."

"Ha! Of course you don't, you rascal." She grinned, "Go home and buy your wife some flowers. She probably won't remember who you are after all of this time."

"I'll remind her."

---

Hinata was excused from training with her father after the sun set. She humored Hanabi's demands and sparred with her sister for a short time before they were called in for supper.

Tomorrow she could look forward to a mission with her team, she noted. Hinata was always searching for ways to occupy her time. She trained with her family, her team, went out with friends, and generally dallied in her hobbies so that her mind was not so absorbed with the one person she missed most.

While sitting through dinner, she noticed that she was not the only one quietly thinking. Across the table, Neji sat blankly and chewed, hardly concerned with the food in front of him. Hanabi kept up an unnecessarily loud conversation with her father, preventing Hiashi from questioning Neji or Hinata's lethargy. As it stood, Hinata knew full well what Neji was dwelling on. 'Neji-niisan has done a lot of growing up in a short amount of time. I've never seen him like this before.' She nipped a bit of mushroom, 'He must think about Tenten all day long…'

She could relate. Hinata devoted at least twenty minutes of each day purely to imagining what Naruto now looked like. All of her friends and family had grown and changed around her, so it only made sense that Naruto had matured as well. Goosebumps would rise up on her skin just at the thought of him being taller. She ate her meal in silence, retreating into her thoughts.

Hinata wanted to see him. Immediately. She wanted to know what he looked like, what his voice sounded like, the roughness of his hands, to see the blue light in his eyes unchanged…

It was terrible to wait. The thoughts consumed her, and she worried that there would be no relief after setting her sights on him again. What if a glimpse couldn't satisfy? What if she needed everything he was? To touch and taste and hold. Hinata conceded she was not the child she once was. His personality alone transmitted through written words bewitched her. Naruto sounded almost too good to be true in his letters. But to walk beside the person who thought of her so tenderly and trusted her above all others…it would be an overwhelming privilege.

Hinata looked up and beheld Neji giving her a curious look, Are you alright?

She nodded sullenly. Neji must have suspected what made her swoon and daydream so.

At the end of the meal, as always, the Main family parted ways to enjoy private time before sleep. Hinata absently prepared a travel bag to be used for her next mission, and then stored and labeled containers of healing ointment for wounds. Her friends and teammates used them up so quickly…

Once her shinobi-related concerns were attended to, Hinata crossed over to her desk and lifted her mother's old sewing basket. Nothing soothed her nerves more than taking up the tools that her mother had once skillfully worked in her hands on cool nights. She took a seat on her bed, dressed in pajamas, and prepared to knit until she fell asleep. Today's project was a continuation of the fingerless gloves her sister had wished for. They were coming along.

She worked serenely until the night was deep. Her eyelids drooped. 'Nearly finished…' She thought, but tomorrow she could add the finishing touches.

Hinata set aside her creation and the basket before tugging a lamp string. She slipped beneath the covers of her bed and made herself comfortable. Her head felt unusually heavy on the pillow.

With her eyes still shut, she indulged in a habit that many members of the Hyuga clan did. She used her Byakugan to survey the house and her family. Her sister had even admitted to doing the same thing regularly. It was reassuring to go to sleep knowing that everything and everyone was in their place. Her father and sister were settling down as well. However, there were a few people awake and lollygagging. Some were absent on missions. And one room was vacant when it shouldn't have been. 'Niisan…' Neji had snuck off and it wasn't the first time she had noticed him do such a thing. Of course, he had a perfectly good reason to set out and stay unseen.

With a knowing smile, she relaxed and gave in to sleep.

---

Neji had relocated to a lookout on top of a newer high-rise, lingering in the shadow of the adjacent building. He had no intention of getting anyone's attention, and thus kept his distance from lights and bright structures. He had not bothered with a change of clothes to disguise himself. He wore what he typically did around the Hyuga house: a teal gi and gray pants, with the Hyuga crest emblazoned on the front of the shirt.

Even now, he was hesitant to disobey the Hokage. Certainly he knew better, and he most definitely trusted the kind ANBU agent who had advised against his defiance. But even if they could not meet face to face or speak to each other, simply seeing Tenten from afar wouldn't jeopardize anything, Neji supposed. Nothing provided adequate distraction these days. Not time with his friends, training with Lee and Wong Leung, not even the mayhem at the Oga castle could stop him from thinking about her. His only reasonable solution was to steal a gander and then be on his way.

He gazed with his blood limit into the apartment complex beside his perch. The floor she resided on was a few degrees below his line of sight, and so he looked down into her home as it unfolded in a transparent collage of rooms and items. The household was lit and she was awake, even at a late hour. Neji wondered if she habitually stayed up. If he could, he would tell her in a most authoritative tone that she get proper rest.

She was chicly dressed in a traditional white cheongsam and dark pants, keeping her back turned to his position. Maybe it was an optical illusion, or maybe it was due to the passing of time, but she looked taller, slender, and her eyes (which he saw for a brief moment) were wiser and more beautiful. She was pinching dumpling dough shut in her hands, standing in her kitchen in pink house slippers.

Well, that ought to have sufficed. But he did not look away. Neji found it hard to swallow, keeping his line of sight steady, and watched her perform the menial task of cooking as if it were the key to salvation and Heaven. His short peek converted into a full-blown stakeout.

It had been physically and mentally painful to be away from her for weeks on end. Neji had lost count of the days. It was truly wondrous how the neurotransmitters in his head instantly balanced themselves, and at long last, he felt a surge of happiness that he nearly forgot he was able to feel at all.

After getting over the initial, joyful shock of viewing his teammate, Neji did question why she was cooking so late at night. She was steaming the dumplings in stacked bamboo baskets on top of a boiling pan of water. Tenten waved a hand fan to disperse the vapor that was filling up the small kitchen. She took care of other tasks while she waited for the food to heat. There were scrolls scattered around the living area as well as tea cups on a tray. Maybe she'd had a visitor? She cleaned up odds and ends, followed a hallway to her bedroom, and returned everything to its place.

Tenten lingered in the room and rooted around in a dresser drawer. Neji nearly didn't look away fast enough before she started to undress and change into street clothes. He respectfully ceased the use of his blood limit, hearing Sato's irritating jibe in the back of his head, 'You have the Byakugan! You get to look for free!' He also remembered rendering Sato unconscious; but a pricking inquisitiveness was setting in, and maybe he used the Byakugan again a little too soon, as she had barely completed pulling a silk blouse over perky, unrestrained breasts. After that, Tenten was essentially decent again, but the impression had been made.

Neji stood like a statue on top of the building, mildly appalled with his actions. He had seen her naked before even without the Byakugan, he asserted in vain. The town called Katabami had been his first brush with her nudity. But there was no use. He had deliberately looked because he was undeniably attracted to her, and he could not say he disliked what he had seen. It was the first instance of rudimentary, sexual interest Neji had ever recorded, save for the things he couldn't recall while sleeping. He was otherwise, to the shock of his peers, chaste. What Sato didn't seem to get was that, in spite of his self-control, he did want to look and partake, but chose not to do so out of respect for the one he desired.

His thoughts got carried off in a cerebral current, and while trying to explain away his momentary breach of decorum, Neji noticed that Tenten had bagged up the containers of dumplings. She slipped on sandals and then silently left her apartment.

His heartbeat quickened.

Neji observed as she moved briskly down the communal hallway, raced down the stairwell, and exited on the opposite (front) side of the building. Tenten then proceeded at a casual walk, with a plastic bag swaying from one hand. Neji acknowledged at this point in time that he should go home and quit the game; for fear that the next agent to catch him would not be so forgiving.

But, as was genuinely characteristic of him, he pushed the threat of punishment far from his mind. Neji followed after Tenten from the rooftops. Clouds that rolled past the moon would black out all light for short intervals, but he kept the young woman firmly in his sights.

Corners and turns, long stretches of alleyways and paths unfolded before Neji began to recognize which quadrant of the village they were passing through. 'Of course.' It should have been obvious. Tenten came to a stop outside of Lee's house in the middle of the night.

There was an unfamiliar pang of jealousy and admiration he felt for Lee as Tenten stooped, arranged the bamboo container on the porch, and then immediately ran off. She too understood that it would not do to defy the Hokage.

After bolting down a long street and turning a corner, Tenten halted and caught her breath, pressing against a wooden fence. Neji had perched on the rim-like, tiled rooftop of a circular building. He debated calling out to her. Or tipping her off to his presence. Subtler still, letting her glimpse his moonstruck shadow on the road beneath her feet, if he decided to stand up.

And then she was off again. He was surprised by her swiftness.

Neji continued to trail behind her, not thinking much at all as the quiet accompaniment turned into a meditative exercise. He felt better. He felt together with her again.

It was a peaceful walk northwest up several streets and through a plaster tunnel (he loomed above) before Neji stopped in his tracks. She was a block away from the Hyuga estate. Tenten's course was sure as she continued on towards the front gate. He pieced together the meaning of her visit.

She wanted to see him. Tenten had not brought him food or anything like that, but her appearance would have been more than enough. It appeased the kindled light of hope inside him. In so far as what his imagination allowed, Neji believed they were equally in need of each other. He looked left and right and saw the way was clear. He leapt from the top of a small cottage, crossed a power line, and then dropped down on the opposite side of the estate wall.

While on the lawn, Neji estimated it would only be a matter of seconds before she passed through the gate. He wondered which action he should take next. Run to her? Sweep her up? Casually call her over? He elected to stay where he was, not wishing to startle her. She would notice.

The night air was calm and filled with the songs of spring wildlife. He waited longer than he expected to before using his blood limit. He spied Tenten frozen in front of the entrance in hesitation. Then, just as soon as she had arrived, Tenten departed with a shake of her head as if to scold herself.

He was taken aback by her flight. Neji had to collect his wits before rushing after her, not likely to catch up after her head start. But he had a good idea of where she was running to. Why wouldn't she follow through? She was stronger than that. Even she had the ability to test Tsunade's boundaries, but maybe that was not why she had wavered.

She was racing back to her home. Her knowledge of streets and shortcuts was far keener than Neji's navigation. He trusted that was because she visited friends more often and knew how to reach them. When she blended into the thin, late night foot-traffic of a main road Neji slowed down. After a right turn she was only a few dozen steps away from her apartment complex. He could still catch her. He sped up and prepared to drop into a back alley where he would meet her half way.

"Neji!"

He halted. From his immediate left, the same ANBU agent had hurled himself onto a department store rooftop and held up a hand. He bent double for a moment and panted. He must have run all the way across town after detecting him.

Knowing that it was foolish to challenge the interceptor for a second time, Neji relented, watching as Tenten reached the entrance of the building down the way.

"You know…" The masked shinobi caught his breath, "We've been over this already…you put your faith in me and promised you wouldn't cause trouble…"

"Where were you? I nearly spoke to her." Neji quipped, "The Hokage would not have been pleased by your tardiness."

"Don't get me started on what pleases the Hokage." The man growled, standing upright, "Neji, please do not test me. I have been very lenient with you."

He nodded slowly, watching with the Byakugan as Tenten scaled the stairs, "I know. I appreciate that.

"You have a fine way of showing it…" The agent grumbled, "So are you going to make me watch you all night?"

"No. I won't contact her in any fashion. I only…" His voice lowered, "Wanted a short time to see her."

"Well, I suppose that's alright." The veteran ninja crossed over to a stonework ledge and took a seat, "But no tricks."

Neji stood nearby with folded arms, observing as Tenten finally made it back to her home. She locked the door behind her and sighed, removing her shoes. She moved about the house and shut lights off. She cleaned up the kitchen and stored away cooking tools. Tenten seemed defeated.

"Ahhh…" The ANBU agent yawned and then said, "Excuse me."

Neji gave him a strange look, "Are you tired?"

"Yes. ANBU are tired half of the time they are on duty. But Hokage-sama has kept me so busy lately that I haven't had a regular sleep schedule."

"Is that why you were late?"

"In part. I am looking after a new recruit." Neji could see the man smile behind his mask, "A friend of yours."

"Is that so?"

"It is! Sai was released from Root."

Neji stared at him in astonishment, unsure of how to take the news.

"If you had never said anything after your mission report…Tsunade-sama would not have paid him any mind. Sai was in dire straits when we picked him up." The agent went on, "He'll live much better from now on. He's learning quickly. I've been helping him sign up for programs and shelter and such…"

Puzzled, Neji spoke after a moment, "What does he call you?"

"Pardon?"

"Sai gives everyone he meets nicknames."

"Oh! He did call Kakashi…Mr. White Fang. That was odd." The man recalled, "But he calls me Tenzo."

"That's…"

"My real name." Tenzo shrugged, "You'd learn it sooner or later. There's no way I could stay anonymous when you can plainly see me and recognize me on the street."

Neji's small smile was good-natured, as he had thought the exact same thing.

"So she tried again?" Tenzo asked, "She's done this before. I have seen Tenten bring things to your other teammate's home twice, and then an old gentleman took them inside."

Neji nodded. She had a closer relationship with Lee and his grandfather. It came as no surprise that she would find ways to interact with them.

"Sometimes she was on the lookout for you." Tenzo chuckled, "On the streets uptown late at night…I knew where she was headed. I politely asked her to go home when I found her doing that."

"Polite and professional." Neji mused, "I could learn something from you."

"It isn't easy, but it is quite gratifying."

"Teach Sai well."

"I intend to." The man sighed softly, "But he will be a tough nut to crack…"

Neji turned his all-pervading gaze back to the building. Tenten had settled on the sofa in the living space of the flat, turning her head to stare at a framed photo on a lamp stand. Maybe it was a picture of family, but more than likely, Neji believed, it was a team photo. They took one each year with Sato, and Lee and Tenten coveted the memories.

"Tenzo." Neji said at length, "Go get some sleep…or attend to something else. You can trust that I won't do anything."

"Should I?" The man was amazed.

"Yes. I don't want to make your job any more difficult than it is."

"Huh!" He was thrilled, "Then I think I will…" He stood and shook out his limbs, warding off exhaustion, "Thank you, Hyuga Neji. I can say that you have been a very pleasant assignment."

After a quiet goodbye, Tenzo moved on, judging that Neji would not abuse his trust.

Tenten carelessly fell asleep on the couch she had nestled on. It was tempting to move her to her bed, or maybe even communicate with her in some way, but Neji refrained. He kept watch as the moon continued its slow trek across the sky.

---

The same moonlight flooded the Toad Valley.

Naruto had worked until a late hour with Fukasaku's assistance. He had made some headway in sensing and absorbing natural energy with Toad Oil. He could more or less blend it with his own chakra safely, seldom transforming into a toad while he did so. Fukasaku was impressed.

"Now I'm off to bed!" The old toad declared, "You should be too, Naruto-boy. Don't horse around and become a statue while I'm a sleep."

"I won't, Pa."

After the elder had hopped away back to his house down the sprawling hill, Naruto abandoned his spot near the oil pool. A knapsack of items had been left on the edge of the stone courtyard, and Naruto took it with him as he proceeded along a narrow footbridge. He crossed over a nearby pond and followed the light of lanterns hanging from whimsical, twisted tree branches.

Naruto stopped and made himself comfortable on the cushiony top of a giant toadstool. 'Yeah, there's enough light here…' A glass lantern containing a small swarm of fireflies was hanging just above him. He retrieved a blank scroll and an ink brush to write. He shifted to lie on his stomach, letting the light fall only on the parchment in front of him. Before he forgot the things he had thought about during the day, Naruto wanted to compose a letter before retiring for the night.

'Okay, let's see…' He exhaled slowly.

Dear Hinata,

I'm sorry that I am a few days late getting back to you.

Naruto twitched his nose in annoyance. Jiraiya had been particularly pushy that week. He had plenty of criticism to give about how "ready" Naruto was to move past training with Toad Oil. The arguments had delayed him from replying to Hinata's most recent letter.

Ero-sensei is cycling back into a mid-life crisis. Every time he watches me train he gets upset or needs to disparage me somehow. One minute he's supportive, and the next he's whining about how he misses being young, and that I'm stealing his limelight. At least he's honest about his feelings.

But there's something else. Jiraiya told me that he's my godfather and was asked by my parents to look after me. How about that? I never had any idea that there could be a link between Ero-sensei and my family. It explains why he's stayed with me when no one else would. He also promised that he would explain soon, but I still have a hard time accepting it. My parents are dead. All of this time he never spoke up.

Tension escaped him in a short breath.

I'm sorry. I'm not trying to weigh you down with any of those facts. It just feels better to get it off my chest. I feel so frustrated when I have to look at him every day and try to forgive him. I hope that the more I learn, the less it'll hurt. But I'm not so sure that will happen. It's kind of a relief to know that there is one person who can tell me about my parents. It gets me thinking about what I want to do someday when it's my turn.

When we have kids-

Naruto's hand froze and he stared at the characters he had formed. He edited the idea by drawing a strike-through line, and reworded the concept.

If I get to have kids, I would do anything and everything to make sure they weren't alone. I don't want them to go through what I did. I want to watch them grow up smiling, and be confident and proud that I was their Dad. I think that when I get that chance, every day will feel like the best day of my life.

He then carefully added:

Did you ever think about having children?

It almost felt silly to ask, but Naruto feared he might come across too forward if he asked her what he was really thinking. 'With me! Let's have it all! Whenever you want! I'll take time off from missions, hell, I'd even forget about becoming Hokage if you'd take me as your-' He shook his head, 'Gosh…I am losing it. I'll sound like I'm nuts. I shouldn't be worrying about any of this. She's probably never even let it cross her mind! I'm sorry, Hinata…'

So he simply continued:

I have.

Naruto paused and cleared his throat before changing the subject.

I've thought about a lot of things I want to accomplish in the future. Really, I put together a tentative schedule! Although when I think about it…the waiting part kind of sucks. Here's a bit of it:

The likelihood of me getting back to Leaf in time for the Chunin Exam is pretty low, so I'm not going to let that discourage me. I may need another year or so to finish Sage Training, and I promise you that I'm doing my best. I'd say I have made some decent progress! But I don't want to draw it out. Then I'll come home as fast as I can and take you out to dinner or whatever you want, because your patience is something I might not be able to repay ever. But I'll try! Then I'll put up and shut up and do whatever Baa-chan says. I'll take crappy missions because beggars can't be choosers, and now that Gaara is Kazekage, I will need to find a new normal. I'll register for the test with any team that will take me. I hope it doesn't sound conceited, but I'm not worried about the Chunin Exam. If I am worthy then Baa-chan will know it, won't she? What matters to me is that I feel confident in myself.

I can tell that you'll be promoted soon. Don't hold back in the next exam, alright? I'm just sorry that I won't be there to watch your matches, Hinata. The world is your oyster. And when it's my time to move up I'll keep my head down and work hard. It won't matter how long it takes. I can go as far as I want. From what Ero-sensei and Gaara have been telling me, becoming a candidate for Kage is half dedication and half politics. We'll see where that goes. My point is, no matter how it turns out, I will never have a reason to be disappointed. As long as I'm with you I have what I want.

Naruto heaved a heartfelt sigh.

So I was wondering if maybe you could tell me how you see the future… If you let me stay by your side nothing would make me happier. I will fight for your dreams. I promise I'll help you achieve them, Hinata. I have exactly what I need out of life right now, and I would never trade you for anything. I don't know how significant it is coming from a guy who has known you since we were little kids, but…no man will ever love you more than I do. I've never stopped, not since I met you. That was an honest appeal, for whatever it's worth. I won't be the only person in life who tries to catch your eye…but I know there is no one more precious on this earth than you, Hyuga Hinata. And that's a truth I live my life by.

All my love,

Naruto

He finished and went back to read it over. Naruto made a soft chuff of approval, "Heh! This didn't turn out too bad…"

The young man rolled up the correspondence and stowed away his tools in the bag. He rubbed at his eyes and then teleported back to his room for some shuteye.

---

Naruto did not get to sleep in for long before Jiraiya's voice was booming throughout the house. He sounded happy.

Naruto winced and retreated beneath his blanket when the door to his room slid open, allowing a wall of sunshine to cascade inside. Jiraiya stood in the doorway, overjoyed, "Wake up, student!"

"Erg…" He coiled beneath his cover.

"Ha! Today is a perfect day to have a functioning arm!" The sage crowed, flexing both arms with zero difficulty, "I am a complete man again."

Naruto muttered something that Jiraiya could not make out.

"What was that, kid?"

His mouth poked free, "I said that you've lost some bits you'll never get back, you old Perv."

"Huh. Hearing that come from a horny bundle of testosterone like you…" Jiraiya smiled, "Assures me that you'll be in my position someday."

"Bye. You were just leaving, right?"

"Nope! I am fit and rearing to go! We are going to train this morning."

"Pff. Shut the door behind you."

"I'm serious!" Jiraiya insisted, "I've got a clean bill of health. I can spar with you, Naruto."

Naruto rolled over and frowned up at the man, "Remember the last time we did that? It wrecked your shit."

"Well we can take a different approach to it this time. After all, you're the one who's consciously abstaining from Kyuubi chakra. What do I have to worry about?"

Naruto sat up, "Plenty!"

"Ho ho! Then prove it." Jiraiya turned around and joined Fukasaku and Shima for a morning meal. Their voices drifted into Naruto's room, encouraging him to join them.

'Ahh fine…' He sat up and had a satisfying stretch. Naruto dressed quickly before stepping out to join the toad family.

He took a seat at the table and thanked his hosts for the food set out. Jiraiya dropped a scroll in front of him, "Sorry that I took a peek at this. I didn't realize it was for you. But hey, there's good news in it."

"Really? Who's it from?"

"Gaara." Jiraiya took a sip of tea, "I'm pretty proud of my Kazekage."

Naruto rolled his eyes and then glanced over the message while he ate.

Naruto,

Your concern about controlling Biju chakra is not unfounded. It was a subject that occupied me as well. I will first begin by saying that I have not told Sakura anything yet. I have every intention of doing so, probably if an opportunity arises around the time of the Chunin Exam. While I'm in Leaf I think I could provide her with an explanation. Sakura will handle it well. Her studies in the Hidden Star Village have actually made her curious about jinchuriki, so in that respect I am sure I will be just another vehicle by which she will educate herself.

Naruto nibbled on a wheat roll, 'Lucky jerk…'

What I am about to tell you next may bring some comfort. It might be hard for you to believe, but Shukaku and I get along. We speak regularly and have come to an official agreement about how we will support each other. I have promised that after my death and subsequent release of the One-Tail from his seal, Shukaku will be set free and protected from capture or abuse in the future. I was surprised to find out that he has a home that he would like to return to, and I do not plan to keep him from it. In exchange, Shukaku will help me learn how to master all of his chakra and associated techniques. He expects that I will challenge you to a duel one day, in the hope that his power will overwhelm the Kyuubi. It is a genuine dream of his.

Naruto dropped the roll in shock while he read on.

I never imagined that an entity that once terrorized me actually had feelings and hopes for the future. He admitted that he took out most of his frustration and aggression on me. He wanted to direct it at the Sand Village and those responsible for imprisoning him, but he has since let go of that resentment. He was not opposed to friendship; he just didn't know how to take the first step. I am optimistic that Shukaku and I can take significant strides together. By the way, that is his birth name and I habitually refer to him as such.

Similarly, I am certain that you and the Nine-Tailed Fox can make amends the same way. If Shukaku was aggrieved by his treatment and exploitation by shinobi, without a doubt, the Fox will feel that way too. Maybe even more so… But believe that it is possible, Naruto. I am not lying to you when I say that two days ago while training Shukaku unquestioningly lended me all of his chakra. I was not prepared for such a 'jolt' and I lost consciousness…which resulted in my transformation into a giant tanuki. A few of my Black Ops guards panicked as they stood by. Thankfully, Shukaku immediately surrendered control to me and woke me up. There was no threat of violence or destruction. He just mocked my weakness. I will continue to practice a safe distance away from the village just in case, but I am telling you this so that you understand it isn't impossible. With some effort, you and the Fox will be able to find a middle ground.

Naruto asked Jiraiya, "Did you read all of this?"

"I did. I was curious."

"Did you believe it?"

"Sure I do! What Gaara was saying was by no means nonsense. He took a chance and it paid off! Maybe you shouldn't push relations with the Nine-Tails off the table, Naruto."

"Feh!"

Naruto, the only suggestion I can give you is that you take your time. Do not rush into a discussion with Hinata, but when you have returned to Konoha and feel the time is right, you should be honest with her. Additionally, there is a place to start should you decide to speak to the Kyuubi. It might help referring to him by name. Naturally, he wouldn't appreciate being condescended to or treated like an object. His name is Kurama. I hope that helps.

If there is anything else I can do please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Gaara, Fifth Kazekage

Oh, and beware. He and Shukaku do not get along. Isn't it strange that we do?

Naruto looked up from the scroll, completely bemused, 'Kurama? So he's got a name just as most things do…but I don't think me calling him that will make a bit of difference…'

"Come on, kid. Eat up!" Jiraiya pushed an omelet on a plate in front of him, "I actually made this for you. You know that Ma and Pa don't eat this junk."

The boy returned to the food, "Sorry. I'm just trying to believe what Gaara told me."

"Give it a while. It'll sink in."

"It was good tidings, I hope." Shima wondered.

Jiraiya nodded, "It was, Ma. One of my other knuckleheads, Gaara, is a jinchuriki as well. He was encouraging Naruto to not dismiss the prospect of cooperating with the Nine-Tails."

"That's easy for him to say. He didn't actually injure anyone…" Naruto muttered.

"Eh? Don't go there. He ballooned into a fat, sandy beast during the Chunin Exam finals!" Jiraiya reminded him, "That was a classic shit-show, if there ever was one. A few shinobi saw it happen, infrastructure was destroyed, and lives were risked…the whole nine yards. Just because no one was hurt or killed doesn't mean it was not a disaster."

"And it seems he has made incredible progress." Fukasaku determined over a bowl of broth, "Naruto-boy, surely you can do the same."

"Everyone is…riding my back about this…" The blonde shinobi's voice was low, "But don't any of you forget that it's my burden. It's more work and worry for me! Another chance to screw up!" He took a breath and reeled himself in, "I'll listen to Gaara. I know that he's telling me the truth…but I'm not going to let this get in the way of Sage Training. It's gonna have to wait."

"Fair enough." Jiraiya shrugged. They continued eating in relative silence.

After ten minutes or so, a great clamoring came from outside of the house. Many toads were shouting and passing by to look at something. Naruto looked over his shoulder inquisitively, "I wonder what's up?"

"If you're all finished, go on and find out." Shima instructed, "I'll clean up."

Naruto was followed by his two mentors as he left the home barefoot. He stepped off of the porch and crossed a stretch of grass before being stuck behind a crowd of gathered Toad Valley residents. Some were making "ooh" and "aah" sounds.

Miffed, Naruto nudged Gamakichi, who was tall enough to see over the mid-sized toads, "Hey Kichi! What's going on?"

"Mornin' Naruto. We've got a visitor!" The toad was jubilant, "This kind of never happens."

"Who?" Naruto leapt up to get the view from his toad friend's head. Below, his eyes fell upon a monstrous golden dog whose size was nearly equivalent to a horse. The dog took a seat and wagged its tail, sniffing at his toad greeters innocently.

"A dog?" Naruto was astounded.

The canine looked up at him, "Yes! But I have a name, you know."

Surprised, Naruto slid down from Gamakichi's back. It seemed that the more animals he met, the more often they could speak.

Jiraiya had finally pushed through to the front of the congregation, "Sesshu! How the hell did you find this place?" He gave the golden beast a pat on the muzzle when Sesshu trotted up to him.

"Rin trusts my nose. I have been tracking you for a long time, Gama-sennin." Sesshu explained, "We were beginning to worry that something had happened to you. Obito had tried to contact you several times."

"Ah jeez! I'm sorry. I fell out of touch with him while I was recovering here." Jiraiya conceded sheepishly, "I had a…training accident. I didn't mean to cause any worry."

Naruto stood beside his teacher and inspected the tracking ninken, "You're Obito's dog?"

"Partly." Sesshu tilted his head, "Rin is my master. And she is Obito's master, in certain ways."

"Uh…"

"His wife, Naruto." Jiraiya explained, "Rin is from the Leaf Village too. This is her trusty partner, Sesshu. I knew you'd get to be introduced eventually."

"I swear that name sounds familiar…" The boy scratched his chin.

Jiraiya sighed, "It's…a bit of pickle. I don't want you talking about this with anyone. Not your knucklehead teammates or your princess, got it? Obito's family…is a responsibility of mine that not even Tsunade knows about."

Naruto frowned, "What do you mean?"

"No one knows that they exist. Long ago, Obito was reported KIA on a mission while Minato was still his Sensei. His team did not realize that he had survived. Years later, after Rin left Konoha…the two reunited and have lived together ever since." The old man's tone was stern, "But their teammate, Kakashi, has no idea that any of this has happened. It'd come as a complete shock."

Naruto merely stared at his mentor.

"It's not my job to patch every communicative hole our village has! It isn't!" The man's eyebrows furrowed, "I made it very clear to Obito that he owes his friend a true apology, but I'm not getting tangled in that web."

"That is crazy. So…no one knows about Yuma?"

"No. No one has a clue." He waved his hand towards the ground, "Have a seat. You might need to sit for this…" Naruto sat down and Jiraiya added to all of their animal companions, "The rest of you might want to sit too…"

Only the dog sat. It was a command, after all.

"What? What's the problem? You know, other than people lying to Kakashi!" Naruto grumbled.

Jiraiya attempted to speak but shut his mouth. He looked at Sesshu, "Could you please do me a favor and…go way over there, boy? I'm sorry. Some of this just doesn't need to get back to your family."

"Very well." The dog stalked off.

Naruto gave his teacher and impatient look after the ninken had departed.

"The problem…is that I have kept them a secret to protect them, Naruto." Jiraiya explained calmly, "This isn't a normal shinobi family. Obito…well…the three of them…"

"What?" Naruto folded his arms and sniffed.

"They are all that is left of the Uchiha clan." The man admitted, "They never learned about the massacre, and likewise, Sasuke and Itachi don't know about them. If keeping them safe means keeping them away from the rest of the world…then it's going to have to stay that way."

The explanation had effectively silenced the young man. It was a shock, and at the same time, it was some incredibly happy news. Even now his dreams were still haunted by the carnage that he and his friends had discovered at the Uchiha homestead. Maybe it wasn't so strange to treat survivors with the utmost care, 'Seeing how Sasuke and his brother turned out…'

Naruto looked around him at the toads that were quietly digesting the information. His eyes passed over the dog at the far end of the settlement, and then stopped on Jiraiya, "I…didn't know that you were trying to deal with so much."

"It's okay, Naruto. But that's the truth. My hands have been pretty full…"

"Will you try to bring them back to Konoha?" He was interested, "Or would that attract the wrong kind of attention?"

"I'll have to talk to Tsunade about it. She won't like it, but she'll help me come up with something to protect them. As soon as others find out that there will be shinobi with the Sharingan back in Leaf…it's going to be a real party…" Jiraiya sighed and shut his eyes as he thought, "I don't know how villagers will react. I don't know how Kakashi will take it…or Sasuke, for that matter. I'll go ahead and guess Itachi wouldn't come back just to bump them off…but there's no telling what might happen."

Naruto let Kosuke settle next to him and patted the small toad's head, stewing over the information, "Yeah. It's a big deal…" A small smile spread on his face, "But I can tell they're not the types to…go crazy."

"Don't jinx it, kid. That's my hope too." The man took a seat on the grass, waving goodbye to the toads that had left to return to their morning routines, "Their little unit could begin to restore that clan after a few generations…and I'm not going to hold my breath for the two nutcases."

"I'll help you look after them." Naruto announced assertively, "They're a nice family and I'd hate to see them struggle."

Jiraiya's smile was a bit lopsided, "Thanks, kid."

"And I won't mention this to anyone."

"Good! Or I'd have your head!"

Naruto stood up and brushed his pants off, "Ha! That's if you catch me, Ero-sensei. You said you wanted to train with me, right?"

"I believe I did, punk."

"Whoa, don't use your fighting words yet." Naruto teased with a grin, "Go tell that doggy to go home…or he's going see you get your butt whooped."

---

That same morning marked the start of blossom-viewing season in Konoha. Citizens and off-duty shinobi had gathered in parks and forest clusters with picnic blankets, settling beneath the cherry and plum trees to enjoy the lovely atmosphere and throw small parties.

Ino had smoothly wrangled together her kunoichi friends to join her viewing spot. The majesty of the pink plum blossom she had set up beneath had attracted other admirers, but they set their blankets down on the far side of the tree. Hinata and Sakura arrived together and brought refreshments with them. They didn't need to wait long for Tenten to show up as promised, but Tama was not as prompt as usual.

"She's still at work." Tenten updated them, "It might be a little while."

"Alright, and if I know her she'll bring some baked goods with her." Ino indicated a free space beside her, "Sit down, please."

Tenten compliantly took the seat and accepted a bottle of sweet tea from Hinata. She felt naked without any weapons or equipment on her, but Ino had pointedly told her days before that "nothing happens" at Hanami festivals and she could "relax."

"So…" The blonde woman's smile was devilish, "Explain yourself."

"What?" Tenten felt put on the spot.

"Your hair." Sakura added helpfully, "I like what you did to it."

"It wasn't me." The girl shrugged, "Yugao cut it. I let her do girly things with me because she's surrounded by guys all of the time."

Hinata covered her mouth to giggle. Tenten had blunt bangs and braided buns which were, most obviously, the efforts of another woman's hairstyling. Typically, the weapon-specialist was not concerned with her hair so long as it wasn't in the way. Yugao, who had been 'on a roll' after the makeover, had pierced her visitor's ears as well. Again, Tenten was rather neutral about the updates.

"You look girlier." Ino assessed, "That's a good thing."

"I was girly enough." Tenten insisted.

"But you like the change, don't you?" Sakura asked.

"It's fine. I'll keep up with it I guess." She sipped her beverage, "Honestly, I'm much happier with my jutsu and the sales in my shop. If someone wants me to look pretty…then they can fix me up." She simpered, "You girls are the pretty ones."

"It's my specialty." Ino nodded. She made sure that Sakura and Hinata had complementary nail colors and trimmed hair ends weekly. If they didn't keep up with maintenance she took offense to it.

"It's good that you're training hard, Tenten. Tama and I are giving it our best effort too. Tsunade-sama was reading about plans for the Chunin Exam, so it won't be long now." Sakura then added, "But she wants aggressive advertising for it. I wonder if she's worried that no one will enter or show up to watch?"

Hinata agreed, "That could be a problem."

"How will Hokage-sama reassure people?" Ino scoffed, "Serve alcohol?"

"That would definitely make it worse." Sakura countered.

Tenten was confident, "She'll come up with something."

"Tama should cater it." Ino suggested.

"Then how will she participate?" Hinata chirped.

"Hm, that's a tough one. Her dad is a finance man so maybe he can get sponsorships…"

Sakura's eyes widened, "I need to tell Shishou that!"

Ino smirked and then helped herself to a chocolate from a container, "There's a million ways to make it work…besides having gorgeous women competing in the final rounds."

"It might be hard competing against each other…or our teammates." Hinata said softly.

"If I have to sucker punch someone, then I have to sucker punch someone." Ino proclaimed, "We'll all get over it later."

Tenten nodded, "She is absolutely right."

They relaxed and enjoyed snacks for a while before Hinata asked her pink haired friend, "Sakura-chan, do you have any plans for your birthday tomorrow?"

All eyes fell on the Hokage's apprentice and Sakura sheepishly admitted, "I…might take a mission."

"Unacceptable." Ino deadpanned.

"Come on! It's my day so I can spend it how I want."

"At least let your teammates take you out to celebrate first." Tenten advised, "My birthday was weeks ago and…I would have killed to see Lee and Neji."

Her companions made devastated sounds of sympathy and she told them to "can it."

"They have been thinking of you, Onee-san!" Hinata tried to assure her, "Once the Hokage lifts her order I am sure they would do something special for you!"

Tenten's smile was small, "It's okay, Hinata. I've been thinking of them too."

"Yeah…your birthday, Miss Forehead…" Ino's expression was shrewd, "Surely the Kazekage is aware of it?"

Sakura shut her eyes and smiled in warning, "Don't go there."

"I plan to. You know why? Because you got a key to his place." The girl grinned, "That's a very special present."

Hinata and Tenten gasped in unison upon hearing the news. After a moment Tenten unexpectedly peeled with laughter, "Ah, who cares? Heh!"

Hinata blanched, "I have a key too…but I only water Naruto's plants there."

"It's…it's just for me to decompress after my mom screams in my face. So I can be alone and have some quiet!" Sakura asserted, "Don't be ridiculous, Pig. I'm not constantly looking for hiding spots like you and your boyfriend do."

"One day you'll have to. Privacy is a commodity."

"Spoken like a true expert."

"There's no need to be salty, novice. Your time will come."

"Please don't argue!" Hinata squeaked.

The girls settled down and finally laughed at each other. Tenten's mirth was infectious. She hadn't been happy or expressive in so long that her friends had been afraid to emote around her. The mood had definitely lightened.

"But seriously, if he shows up…" Ino smiled at her friend, "That would be a tale for the ages."

"He said he's been busy. I'm not going to explode if he can't be here." Sakura reminded them, "I did want to take a mission, remember? I won't always have free time for my team. It's because Shishou has been working on other things that I can go where I want."

Ino heckled her for a little while longer until Tama appeared at the entrance of the park. Filing in behind her were Shikamaru, Chouji, and Sato, who had a small basket of bakery items in his arms.

Tenten nudged Ino beside her and inclined her head towards their approaching friends, "Careful now. You might need to censor yourself, Ino."

"Oh, you know you love my imagination."

"As long as you don't start ragging on me, I love it."

---

Note:

Is everyone who is bad really bad? And those who are good, really good? I like to smoosh characters across a psychological spectrum and test them. Some can hit every frequency.

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Chapter 25: Threads that Stretch 'Round the World