Chapter Seven

"The Agenda"

Konoha's Prison

Just as the sun broke through the cloud of ash as two sandal-clad feet stepped on top of the massive pile of rubble and debris that once served as Konoha's prison. This happened after someone tampered with the seal, and the demon did the rest luckily there weren't casualties just minor injuries.

At first, he suspected Sasuke since he left with that demon last night. However, when a breathless chunin approached informing him that Tsunade too was missing, he knew it was her. She orchestrated the whole thing. He also had two corroborating witnesses saying the demon forced the raven to come with him. His willingness to turn himself in now made perfect sense. The Uchiha boy was his mate.

Danzō could feel his goals almost slipping within his grasp. He inwardly growled.

Damn that infuriating woman. He cursed. He knew she would be a problem. He also suspected she was on the demon's side.

After discovering that his demon had escaped through all the chaos and confusion, he dispatched his courier pigeons to ask for help in finding his demon. It was their expertise after all Akatsuki would do it for a price. There was always a price.

He was positive Naruto was the anchor for they needed to draw the demons back to this realm he was going to use the mutt to bring back the ten tails. Naruto would be the vessel he needed for the Kāma seal so many have died none strong enough to withstand the transfer of The Old One. The Ōtsutsuki DNA acted like a parasite consuming its host until nothing more was left and those who did survive were useless the DNA rejecting its host.

Naruto was the perfect host he was just the sacrifice the Hokage had been waiting for his body would be used towards the God Tree, using his body to help it blossom. If need be, Danzō with Akatsuki's help would paint the forest floor red with the blood of the innocent, all necessary sacrifices would be made to create the perfect conditions for the God Tree, and with the power to control demons, he would bend the world to his will. He would make all the other countries quiver and take a knee. So, the mutt and that bitch could run as fast as they can he would find them. The Hokage wasn't the only one who had the same ambitions in the search for peace.

"Hokage-sama you have a message."

That was fast. He thought as his chunin handed him the scroll. He unroll it and only took four words to bring a smile to his face.

~We found their tracks.

Deep in the forest of Fire Country

The dynamic trio began their journey to Suna Land of The Sand. Tsunade heard of a priest there if still alive who might help them when The blood moon came. If not, the Land of Demons would be their last hope.

As not to draw any unwanted attention, Tsunade and Sasuke wore normal civilian clothing, while Naruto wore a bright orange jumpsuit.

"You know you could have worn camouflage or something less..." She surveyed his outfit scratching her head.

"I Know! I know what you're gonna say it's a little tight." True, he outgrew his favorite outfit it was flooding and his jacket was two sizes too small, but he didn't mind or seemed to care for that matter.

"No-no that's definitely not what I was about to say, but now that you mention it is too small."

"Oi, what were you gonna say?"

"The color-"

"-What's wrong with orange?" He looked genuinely offended.

"We are trying to keep a low profile."

"Ooh, Ha I'm gonna bring attention either way so it doesn't matter."

"..." What could be more noticeable than bright orange?

"I'm six 6'4 with bright ass hair and whiskers I'm gonna stick out regardless,"

"That's why you wear a robe and a mask to cover all that," she gestured by her hand up and down in his direction.

"There are people far worst that will be coming for you."

"I know…" Of course, he wasn't naive. He'd lost his God dad because if it, Akatsuki left their calling card. Its core members were on his back like a bunch of scorn lovers. He was sure with all the murders in the forest it would have attracted their attention. However, it was the village he leveled that did the trick. He wanted revenge he wanted them to suffer, but all he received over those couple of months was silence. They killed the last bit of family he was left with, leaving him alone. Despite not showing it on his face, his sadness was evident. Though he didn't have much time to mourn Jiraiya's death, he could feel the weight of it consuming him. Tsunade broke the silence first after a long period of silence.

"I miss him too." Tears gleamed in her eyes as she stared off into the distance.

"He's dead because of me. Akatsuki was trying to find my whereabouts but he never gave it. He should have just told them and maybe… just maybe…" His words died.

"I doubt he would see it that way." She reasoned. She turned to wipe her face before regaining her composure. Tsunade and Jiraiya had known each other since they were young though it was foolish she always felt he would outlive them all.

"I won't let them have you." Both Tsunade and Naruto turned to look at the raven.

So, Akatsuki was the one who hunted Naruto. That means Sasuke would be having a family reunion real soon.

Whatever his brother wanted he was going to fight and kill Itachi at all costs!

Tsunade noticed the blonde's mouth twitch as he tried to stifle the smile that was threatening to form. He was touched by the raven's word. She doubted Sasuke even realized how possessive those words sound.

"Why do you think Akatsuki is after you?" His curiosity getting the better of him.

"They as well as other Shinobi villages believe my grandfather will come for me and where he is, there will be the other-tailed beast. So, with the Blood Moon that's coming up, the veil between our worlds will become thinner. Since Kurama's blood runs through my veins, I could be used as an anchor to this world, but that could only be obtained through a blood ritual. Never thought I would mention blood so many times... ahahaha."

"Why were the villages trying to kill you then? If finding the other tailed beast were their goal."

"Over a month ago they discovered the remnants of the God Tree existence."

Both Tsunade and Sasuke's heads snapped over at him.

"It can't be!" Tsunade eyes winded. So, the legend was true?

"With all the demons defeated, they lost all hope of sprouting the tree again. After I escaped another village's attempt to contain me, My survival was discovered by Akatsuki later that day. All they needed was my blood so having me dead or alive did not matter. However, at the time they failed to realize they needed fresh blood only during a blood moon. Unfortunately, for them, I have to be alive until then."

He would cover up if the situation called for it. The last thing he would want was for his mate to fight his battles. He took the offered desert clothing from Tsunade.

They had been traveling for a day in a half now. They did most of their traveling at night using the cloak of darkness to help keep out of view of any prying eyes. The night not bothering Naruto he could see perfectly at night.

The Konoha natives were already clad in long sleeve shirts and hats with long flowing scarfs. This was to help cover their faces during an unpredictable sandstorm or two.

As they traveled through River Country, they would be able to pick up plenty of water, and they would be able to hunt what they needed on the way.

After the last bit of daylight had faded, they reached the edge of the water just as night began to creep in.

They looked at the water current it didn't look too strong but looks could be deceiving.

"I could just leap over this, and throw the both of you on the other side-" Naruto could clear the river in a single bound but his comrades would not be able to the river was a good distance across.

"Absolutely not we are keeping a low profile from now on we are normal civilians! So start acting as such."

"Fine, I'll go first," He pouted but volunteered to go first, begin normal was boring. He stack both Tsunade and Sasuke's items on top of his head as he began to cross the river which was freezing!

The further he got the deeper it got until he was on his top toes the water coming up to his ears the current was stronger in the center but he pushed his way through making it to the other side luckily his feet touch the river floor or else he would have gotten swept up for sure.

He dropped all their belongings off crossing back over.

"Swimming across would be suicide. You sure I can't just-"

"No!"

"Fine…" he sighed. "I can take you both over one at a time." He could do both easily but Tsunade insisted they were normal civilians now.

"Now take a knee." Tsunade climbed on his shoulder riding sidesaddle he hugged both her legs with his right arm.

"Don't get any ideas either." She said this with closed eyes and subconsciously crossed her arms underneath her giant breast as he rose with her sitting on his right shoulder.

"Wouldn't dream of it you're much too old any anyhow-OW," he for cracked right in the back of his skull.

They bricked the entire way as she slapped both hands over his eyes grabbing on for dear life.

"I can't see woman!" He snapped.

"You almost let me slip brat!" She countered.

Once they made it to the other side he lower so she could step off. He was just about to go back to collect the raven when he peer across there was no sight of him.

"Sasuke?" There was no answer.

"Sasuke!? Dammit!" There was no hesitation in his panic as he dove into the river.

"Hold on!" Tsunade tried to stop him but he was already diving head first into the surface.

There was a moment of silence as Tsunade stood there and then she heard a familiar voice.

"Where did he go!" The raven shouted. As the pair were bickering he decided to cross the river. However, once his feet could no longer get a secure grip on the water floor he slipped on the smooth rocks below getting dragged underneath. He was able to catch himself and make it back on land, cold wet, and embarrassed that he had made no progress. As he looked up, he heard Tsunade shout, "Hold on."

"He thought you might have got swept up with the current."

He did, but he was fine. While they were both standing there searching for that noticeable blonde mop in the water, ten minutes had passed. Trying to locate him, the pair ran down both sides of the river.

Even through his rages Sasuke couldn't help but feel guilty. That damn idiot should have waited instead of doing things without thinking!

If Naruto died because of him. He'd never forgive him!

That damn idiot! He should have just waited!

Despite the fact that they were supposed to keep a low profile. He cupped a hand at the corner of his mouth and began to shout.

"Naruto!"