I'm really really sorry for leaving a month gap in the chapters, I kept putting it off until later. But anyways here's a long chapter for you guys, please leave reviews as they're appreciated! ALSO! If I take too long to update chapters feel free to leave reviews reminding me to make more! Enjoy :)

Chapter 17: A Rescue Mission

Itachi, now dressed in his old Anbu uniform, stepped down from the stage in front of the crowd. Many people wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him on helping save the Leaf Village, and welcoming him back.

After many minutes of hand shaking and congratulations from people, the crowd started clearing out, and now only small groups of people were left talking amongst themselves.

"Itachi!" Naruto yelled as he ran towards him. The four ninja, Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, and Kakashi all came up to greet Itachi.

"Hi Naruto." Itachi replied in his usual calm voice.

"We were just stopping by to come see you officially become part of Konoha again." Naruto said. "Oh, also, this is Team 7, Granny Tsunade said you'd be joining us right?"

"It's nice to meet all of you, I already know you though, Kakashi." Itachi replied. "I've been staying with Kakashi for a bit, and he's been telling me a lot about you guys, as well a lot about how Sasuke left the village."

"Alright guys," Kakashi chimed in. "How about we introduce Itachi to our team over lunch? It'll be my treat."

"I'll never turn down food, I'm in." Naruto replied.

"Me too." Hinata said.

"Me three." Sakura said.

"Alright, let's go!" Kakashi started leading the way.

...

"Kakashi was my Anbu teammate back when I was in the Anbu Black Ops." Itachi put a dumpling in his mouth.

They were eating at a dumpling shop near where the announcement took place. These shops were temporary, set up with tables and chairs inside.

"You were teammates with Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, that's right." Kakashi added. "Itachi and I were teammates for a while, until he got banished from the village." Kakashi ate a dumpling.

"If I'm not mistaken, you got banished because you killed your whole clan, right?" Hinata asked softly.

"Yes, sadly. Many don't know the reasoning or the story behind why I did it. But that is in the past, and it mostly turned out for the better." Itachi replied.

"What exactly did happen?" Naruto shoved multiple dumplings into his mouth.

"Well, it's a long story, but I'll shorten it up. The Uchiha clan was becoming a threat to the village, and many thought that they would overthrow the Hokage and hurt many people. By order of the fourth Hokage, your father Naruto, I was to bring any information back to him and try to keep things at peace. I didn't want anything to happen between my clan and the village we lived in. But as things got more tense, something had to be done about it. Lord Donzo, the founder of The Foundation, told me to kill the clan. After the Fourth died, Sarutobi became Hokage again, and guaranteed me that Sasuke will be unharmed in all of this. It was either I kill everyone and save my little brother Sasuke, or I stand by and most likely watch everyone die." Itachi seemed like he was at peace with all of this, but still had a troubled expression on his face.

Everyone sat in silence for a moment.

"So... How did that lead to you joining the Akatsuki?" Naruto asked.

"Well after that, I was told that I would be banished from the village. This wasn't by any order of the Third, but mostly by the people. Many would have hated me in the village. The third recommended I leave the village, because it was best for me. I then joined the Akatsuki and began to relay information back to the Third, and now, Lady Tsunade." Itachi started eating his food again.

"Wow... I never knew you had such a troubled past, Itachi." Sakura stated.

"This is all behind me. What's important is that the Leaf and Sasuke are safe. I'm just worried about Sasuke though, that he might be going down the wrong path." Itachi said.

"Speaking of Sasuke," Kakashi added. "Lady Tsunade wanted to speak with all of us sometimes today about going on another rescue mission. This is also why I brought you all to lunch, to get acquainted with your new team member."

"Maybe this mission will go differently, since Itachi is with us." Sakura said. "Maybe if Sasuke sees his brother with us it'll change his mind."

"Hopefully." Itachi said.

The five of them finished eating, and Kakashi paid the bill for lunch. They walked around and talked for a bit more, telling Itachi about the rescue missions they've attempted.

They walked to the Hokage's office to talk to Tsunade about the rescue mission they would be going on.

Kakashi knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Tsunade yelled.

"You wanted to see us?" Kakashi asked as he opened the door.

"Ah yes Team 7! Come in, come in." Tsunade said.

The five of them shuffled through the door, and stood in front of the Hokage's desk.

"I wanted to brief you all on a rescue mission that you'll be going on." Tsunade started. "We all know that he went off with Orichimaru a while ago, and we have Intel that Sasuke is at one of his hideouts that we discovered."

"So you want us to go there and bring him back?" Itachi asked. "What if he refuses?"

"That's the point." Tsunade said. "I'm hoping that if Sasuke see's you as a part of Team 7, as well as Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Hinata, that he'll have a change of heart."

"I see." Itachi replied.

"You guys do what you have to do if Orochimaru shows up. As for Sasuke, that's up to Itachi to decide." Tsunade leaned back in her chair.

"Is that all you needed us for?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes, that's all. You have permission to leave the village tomorrow morning, say 8:00, for the mission. In the meantime, rest easy." Tsunade added. "You're dismissed."

The five of them bowed in respect and left the room. They all parted their separate ways until tomorrow morning. Sakura waved goodbye to her teammates and went back to her house, while Kakashi and Itachi went back to theirs. It was already getting dark, the sky was getting a bright orange, and lamp posts were lighting up the streets. Hinata and Naruto were heading back to their apartment too.

On the way back, Hianta saw someone she hadn't seen in quite a while.

"Hinata!" Kurenai yelled to her as they walked towards each other.

"Kurenai sensei!" Hinata was really happy to see her. "It's been so long since we last spoke, I'm really sorry. Between the mission we went to the Rain Village, things that have been happening with Team 7, and the stuff that happened with Pain I haven't seen you in so long."

"That's okay Hinata. I understand from Shino and Kiba that you guys all hung out with everyone from the academy just before the Pain incident?"

"Yes we did." Hianta looked over her shoulder at Naruto, standing a couple feet away. "Sorry sensei, give me a minute." She went over to Naruto.

"Can I meet you back at the apartment Naruto? I want to catch up with my sensei for a bit." She asked.

"Sure thing Hinata." He waved to Kurenai. "I'll see you in a bit."

"Um, Naruto?" Hinata blushed. Naruto turned back around.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." Hinata gave him a quick but soft hug.

"Oh, uh, your welcome, haha." Naruto blushed a bit as well. "I'll see you at home then." He waved to Kurenai again and looked at Hinata. Her eyes were happier than he'd ever seen before.

Naruto walked back to the apartment, and Hinata went back to talking to Kurenai. They were walking around as the sun was setting, and it made the sky bright.

"I hope you didn't forget about our team, Hinata." Kurenai teased her.

"O-of course I didn't! I've just been really busy.." Hinata stuttered.

"I'm just teasing." Kurenai laughed. "So how are things with Naruto and Team 7?"

"Everything's going good, it's been fun being with Kakashi and Naruto, and also going on a mission with Guy as well." Hinata answered.

"How are things with Naruto? You can tell me Hinata, I know all about it." Kurenai motioned for Hinata and her to walk along the path in front of them while talking.

"Umm... Well Naruto and I have done a few things, but I still don't know how he feels... I'm too afraid to ask." Hinata blushed as she walked beside Kurenai. They got to a bench and sat down, watching the sunset.

"You need to ask him Hinata, it's killing you. You've liked him for so long and now it's finally time to know how he feels." She faced Hinata on the bench.

"You're right Kurenai sensei... I need to know." She had a determined look on her face, but she was still blushing.

"I heard you're going on a mission tomorrow morning with Itachi and the rest of Team 7." Kurenai switched the discussion.

"Oh! Yes we are, apparently Sasuke is at one of Orochimaru's hideouts." Hinata answered.

"Well, when you and Naruto are alone, try to talk to him. I'm sure you have lots of time at night, you probably don't sleep much." Kurenai winked at Hinata.

"W-what do you mean by that..?" Hinata's face turned red.

"Silly, I meant that you keep thinking about Naruto." She winked at her again. "Anyways, I hope your mission goes well tomorrow, please update me as soon as you get back." Kurenai stood up, and so did Hinata.

"I will sensei." Hinata replied.

"Do you want me to walk you back to the apartment?" Kurenai asked.

"No it's fine, it's getting dark anyways, you should get home." Hinata smiled.

"Okay, I'll talk to you soon Hinata." Kurenai smiled back.

"Bye sensei." Hinata and Kurenai went separate ways as they both walked back to their apartments.

"Tomorrow's the day..." Hinata thought to herself.

...

"Where is Naruto?" Kakashi was standing at the front gates of the village, with Itachi and Sakura.

"Is he always late?" Itachi asked.

"We'll be lucky if he arrives now." Sakura rolled her eyes. "I have a feeling that Naruto kept Hinata waiting too."

It was already 5 minutes past 8 AM, and Naruto was late as usual.

In the distance they saw a cloud of smoke pulling up from the ground.

"Well, how many of you bet that's Naruto?" Kakashi said sarcastically.

"I'm here! I'm here!" Naruto yelled as he came racing towards the group. Poor Hinata was left running behind both came to a halt when they reached the front gates.

"Naruto, next time how about you be on time for our missions? I have a feeling Hinata had nothing to do with this." Kakashi glared at Naruto.

"I'm sorry Kakashi sensei... I had to pack more snacks for the road, I always get hungry." Naruto gave everyone a grin.

Everyone else rolled their eyes.

"So, does everyone have all their equipment and things packed and ready to go?" Itachi asked.

Everyone nodded. They were all carrying backpacks with weapons, snacks, equipment, and any extra things they needed such as medical supplies and clothes. Everyone had their usual clothes on, Naruto in his orange and black jumpsuit, Hinata with her purple outfit, Sakura with her pink and red outfit, Kakashi with his green Jonin vest, and Itachi with black pants and a grey shirt, and a green Jonin vest on as well.

"Alright, was get going!" Kakashi motioned for everyone to follow.

The mission to rescue Sasuke will begin immediately.