XV|.

P.S. Sorry for the cheesy/corny action scenes! Writing them isn't easy for me, but I hope you got the general idea at least and like the chapter anyway?

Thanks for reading, as always :D


"Oi, Naruto! Stay back," Sasuke uncovers his mouth and brings out his kunai knives from his pouch automatically. Across from the room stood the two Akatsuki men. At the other side, Sasuke was standing in front of Naruto, who had backed into a corner.

'This could get deadly...' His dark eyes dart between the blonde behind him and then at the intruders carefully. 'A chidori alone isn't enough to stop my brother. And attacking head on would be idiotic.' His black eye flickered to Naruto. 'Even I'm not that stupid. And yet...' There was no time to devise a plan. If he had to die to save the idiot, then, so be it. 'If that's the case, then...'

"Ah, little brother." Itachi greeted just like old times. "How nice to see you again. Truly. It is fate that we both are standing here today. But, enough foreplay. It's time to finish what we've started. The guards are distracted at the moment, but even that won't last long. Let's make this quick and painless." His eyes flickered to the person beside him, and smiles.

"Come here, Naruto Uzumaki." He opened his arms, advancing towards the blonde who looked like he'd seen death. "It's either you... or the village. That is what I ask you. Life...or death?"

Sasuke took a menacing step forward, eyes thinning as he stared at the shadow of the one he used to call a brother. "ITACHI! What the hell are you doing here? Konoha is off limits, you know that." The shark guy beside him with his sword unsheathed smirks. "Oh, well, would you look at that. The Uchiha brat is shielding his fox boy…" He slammed his sword to the wooden floor where it cracked in two and propped an arm on it's hilt.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes into slits. "Itachi...give me one good reason why I shouldn't just kill you right now!" He seethed; trying to block the blonde away from his corrupt brother. If he couldn't survive this, then maybe that idiot could, at least...

"Simple, isn't it, little brother? One genin against two rogue nin... you two are clearly outmatched, so your only choice is to surrender. This isn't your business to interfere with. Leave now and I will spare your life on a whim without question. This is between me and your teammate."

"No, I won't let you! If you're going to just take him, then...at least tell me why. You shut me out last time, after all of these years, I still know nothing about you. Tell me."

'I beg you, please,' Sasuke crossed his fingers, 'Buy us some time...'

"Hn, we were supposed to capture the jinchuuriki and go. But, as it is, it seems like there's a change of plans, now." Itachi smirks coyly, taking a step forward. Outstretching a hand, he says,"I already tormented him with dreams of his mother and father. Now, he's all mine for the taking. My brother, hand him over and I'll let you go freely." Sasuke shook his head. "Let me try this again. If you so much as kill him, then I'll see you to HELL! Only I can do that to Naruto!" While Sasuke was distracting Itachi, Naruto used this opportunity to reach out for his kunai set and was about to swing a few as a surprise attack. But then the shark guy had his hand firm in his grip in a swift of speedlines. He brought out a fist and punched him square in the stomach. Naruto stumbles over slightly, coughing out blood, and doubling over in pain.

"Stubborn as always, foolish little brother. But, you don't faze me. There's still not enough hate inside of you…." Itachi murmurs, a red aura surrounding him. He had swiftly knocked the boy aside like he was nothing. His hands were wrapped around his neck, choking him against the wall. Sasuke looked into his face helplessly, eyes pleading. "You're too weak..." Itachi mused Leaning close to his ear, he whispers, "I told you not to meddle already! I do not wish to kill you, but you leave me no choice... you should leave, little brother. Now, while you still can."

'W - why...?' Sasuke thinks, gritting his teeth, 'he's still stronger than me...'

"NARUTO!" Kakashi shouted poofing out of nowhere, blocking in between Sasuke and Itachi. "Ah, if it isn't you, Kakashi. How are you, my old friend?" drawled Itachi; somewhat amused at the turn of events taking place. He let go of his little brother, who slumped against the wall and coughing. Kakashi narrowed his eyes, assessing the situation at hand. He had to protect Naruto at all costs, and even if he always put the Uchiha's life before him, that didn't matter right now. Hell would only break loose if the Nine Tails was extracted out of him.

He growled when his former partner just stood there bemusedly.

"And perhaps the Sharingan-user as well. We could do with another eye." Itachi added. Kisame nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"I won't let you…" Sasuke's whole body trembled with rage. "...HURT THEM!" He stands up and swings a shuriken at his brother, but the other Uchiha evaded it with ease. He then reappeared behind Naruto in a matter of seconds. "Foolish little brother. I'm not here for you. I'm here for the Nine Tails." Sasuke frowned, activating his Sharingan with his eye searching for anything he could counter with. If he copied the other guy's moves, then maybe…

Though he had no energy left, he charged after his brother, but was kicked and punched in the process. He coughed out blood, and was thrown aside unconscious. "SASUKE!" Naruto screamed, completely forgetting everything about his current predicament and shoving past them to reach for his fallen teammate. Crouching down beside him, he attempted to shake him awake roughly. "Leave, Sasuke!" He cries in tears, pressing his forehead to Sasuke's. Turning to the Akatsuki members, he frowned at them. How DARE they do this to him! The teme didn't deserve this. No one did.

"I - I'll go in his place. Take me instead."

"I see," Desire flickered in on the other Uchiha's eyes, as he licks his lips, "you have done the right thing, jinchuuriki of the Leaf. Let us go. Once you're knocked out, of course." Itachi kicked him away promptly, and the blonde was thrown back against the wooden floor. It cracked on impact, and the boy was then KOed in an instant. Meanwhile, Kakashi was fighting Kisame; who narrowly evaded his blade which almost absorbed him of his chakra. 'This is just like the Uchiha Massacre, when I killed my whole clan...except now it's with a stranger.' Itachi remarked, watching them fight into a full out brawl.

'C'mon, Naruto. Wake up!' Kakashi thinks wildly, pressing his kunai against the sword. It snapped in half, metal splaying around everywhere. His eyes widened, and was unprepared when a shadow fell from behind him. "Look into my eyes, Hatake." Itachi commanded, activating his genjutsu. Kakashi looked away at anything but him, knowing full well that doing so would render him useless. And that's the last thing he wanted, seeing how he was the only savior left to protect his prized pupils.

Dodging them narrowly, the Hatake sweeps around. Drawing his chakra from his surroundings, electricity crackled throughout his arm, causing his hair to fly in all sorts of directions. "Sorry, boys, but even I can see through your bull$h!t."

'He's copying our moves …!' Kisame realizes, when the other man imitates him exactly on par. Kakashi sprints towards him, charging his chidori through the shark guy's chest, but then it clinks against that big sword of his. He stumbles back, wobbling, as the electricity backfired at himself. This left him in a state of paralysis; where he couldn't move for a few seconds. He watched with wide eyes, as Sasuke was struggling to fight against his brother but was overpowered in an instant when couldn't even deal fatal damage. He had fallen unconscious halfway through, and Naruto was already in a state of sleep, so there was nothing he could do to defend himself. After the feeling of shock went away, the Hatake stood back up shakily.

"Hoo hoo hoo hoo! You must be Kakashi, eh?" Kisame cackles with glee, "Never seen anythin' like THAT before! Mind telling me about that special technique of yours?"

"No thanks," Kakashi grumbled, trying to think through a strategy. After all, the chidori usually never failed, so...how he'd block it so easily? Were the Akatsuki just way too advanced for some jounin level like him?

One Jounin Against Two, it was unlikely he'd live, but if he had to…

...He'd sacrifice himself for their lives, instead.

"Aww, such a shame, really," Kisame replied, grinning toothily. "What a pity. You have so much potential with the Akatsuki; I mean, let's face it, you don't need Konoha anyway. This whole damn village is terrible to even us outsiders, but with us...there's just so much more. Imagine! A just, perfect world where there is no cycle of hatred; no war amongst the shinobi. And once Madara resurfaces with the Ten-Tails, there'll be no stopping us. All we need," He nodded his head at the sleeping Naruto, "are all of the jinchuuriki. A simple price to pay, is it not?"

The Sharingan-user, in response, flung a kunai at him. The shark guy caught it with two fingers. "Heh, this'd be a whole lot easier if you'd just stop fighting against us. You're strong, but not strong enough against the Akatsuki, ya know." The shark-guy switches tactics mid battle and slams his sword against Kakashi's body with enough brute strength to send him crashing to the floor. The Samehada's blade was crushing against him, even as Kakashi had his hands clinging onto the edges and trying to push it away but to no use. As this back and forth continued, Itachi had snuck up from in front of Kakashi. The jounin's eyes widened with horror once the red eyes flashed to his helpless body. He tried to snap his eyes shut, but the power of his Mangekyou Sharingan was too great, even for him. With Kisame restraining him, he eventually couldn't hold it in any longer. He looked up at him and his eyes stared deep into the Sharingan. And soon fell asleep against his will.


"Let's go before the ANBU and ROOT show up," Kisame suggests, looking around for any signs of the Leaf ninja in sight. "And if they do...I'll cut them off with my big ass sword."

"Agreed." Itachi nodded at the other Akatsuki member, holding both the bodies of Kakashi and Naruto. They were both unconscious; sound asleep on the backsides. As they jump out of the Uchiha household and through the forest's treetops, the shark guy can't help but notice his comrade's wounds. "Your eye...it's bleeding." Kisame points it out with a curt nod. "I'll be alright, Kisame," Itachi scolded, wiping it away with the edge of his sleeve. "It happens whenever I strain the use of the Sharingan. It's not uncommon for an Uchiha to lose their eyesight completely from overuse, and I will become blind, make no mistake. We got what we wanted. Now we can leave in peace."

"What about that brother of yours…? I thought you were the only one left." Hoshigaki questions, springing chakra into his feet as they leaped branch to branch. "I'll let him live for the time being. Until then, his village is off limits." Itachi scolds monotonously, saving face. Truthfully, he knew he would die from his illness in the end and that to save his brother he would one day have Sasuke kill him. Of course, the Akatsuki shouldn't know that. "For now, we cannot kill him. Do you understand? The only one who can kill him is me." Though it was all game, Itachi wouldn't truly want to kill his sibling. Sasuke would be the one avenging the Uchiha by ending the martyr's life. "If ya say so. Hey, after this can we," His blue cheeks turned a shade of red, "chill tonight? We haven't had quality time together in forever! It's killin' me, y'know!"

"Knock it off, you fool…" Itachi sighs, "we'll be there shortly…"

'You're no fun …' Kisame thinks, pouting, grumbling to himself about silly ol' Itachi.


Hours later, Naruto awoke to the dark outside of a campground. It was pitch black; the only source of light was from the fire nearby which crackled every now and then against the slight breeze of summer. Even then, the moon nor the stars shone in the sky. The only void filling in on the white noise was one of the crickets chirping nearby.

Groggily, he looks around with half-lidded eyes and finds himself tied up by a pole alongside the limp body of Kakashi. His senses awaken immediately; jolting back into action. 'What the hell...wasn't I just with Sasuke? We were talking about leaving the village together, huh? Well, technically I just did….'

"H - Hey, Kakashi-sensei! Wake up!" He snaps, in an attempt of shaking him vigorously. The black eyes behind the mask slowly blink open, and then widen considerably. Alarmed, he stares at Naruto through the pitch dark blackness."Huh...Naruto! Where are we?" He whirled around on him; only seeing the outlines of his body. "That's what I'm wondering, too…." Naruto murmured, downcast. "Jeez, it's so dark in here...I could try using Kurama's power to light this place up, but I don't wanna use it too much."

"NO!" Kakashi shouted, remembering Hiruzen Sarutobi's last words to him. "No...the hokage wouldn't want you using your Nine-Tails if you can help it..."

"Ok, well, you got any better ideas?" Naruto asked, squirming against the ropes, but to no avail. "I'd use my chidori if I could, but not when we're tangled up like this." Kakashi adds on, with a frown. Even to himself, he can't fathom the possibilities; they were endless. What felt uncomfortable was the clothes he was wearing. In fact, looking down...he saw that his clothes were stripped off. "W - Wait…" Naruto squints at his sensei with red eyes and screams. "What's goin' on?" He was looking down at his robes, as well. "I..." Kakashi growled, looking around their whereabouts. "I don't know either... Try to recall what happened before we left."

"All I remember is the Akatsuki, and Sasuke…!" He trailed off, thinking about the teme and where he was right now. And there was something else, too...he felt a few presences nearby. Kakashi's eyes widened with realization, the truth crashing him like a truck. His calm composure fluctuated. "Damn, damn, DAMN! They're going to extract the Nine Tails out of you…This is bad, this is REALLY bad…" Normally Kakashi was cool, but now was not the time to crack jokes about women and carry out his job with chill. 'What do I do, now? If I had known they were coming, I would've prepared with hundreds of ninja...these rogues could do anything to Naruto, and, as a Jounin, I can NOT allow that to happen!'

"Nn, they're awake." A blonde with black robes and red clouds all over it says. His hair is tied in all sort of gravity-defying ways. What really strikes odd is that there are mouths on his hands. There are also a group of people beside him around a campfire, cooking s'mores. "There are senbon traps around us, nn, so if you try to leave, or if anyone tries to save you...they'll die." He adds in with a cruel laugh. "Sucks to be you, you demon!"

"Tobi says he's right! Tee he!" A man with an orange mask adds in, stepping forward to eye the duo. "We're always secure about everything we do! We're the Akatsuki, after all. They don't call us all that for nothing!" He singsongs. Something about that mask ticked Kakashi off. It felt like he'd seen that mask somewhere before…

"Well, since now you're with the Akatsuki, we can do whatever we want with you." Without even thinking, Kakashi tore off the orange mask from around his ropes. And behind it was a painfully familiar face. After all of this time..."O...bito…" He murmurs; disbelieving the fact that his best friend had, somehow, survived and was right here in the flesh. The Uchiha looked away, ashamed. He hadn't expected to reveal himself so soon, but…"Bakashi." Hatake glared, torn between hugging the guy or punching him in the face. Too bad he was tied up like this and couldn't do anything.

"I don't know how the hell you're alive, but...why are you with the Akatsuki?"

"Sorry. I'm under strict obligations not to tell you about our organization." Obito's stared pointedly at their hand cuffs. "These are chakra bounds. They drain you of your chakra until you're depleted of it and die. Only, it's altered just a little so that you…" He looked at Naruto, "have enough energy to live. We're not letting you starve, but when the time comes you will sleep."

'That's reassuring,' Kakashi added to himself quietly. "W - what the hell? Who is this guy? And why do you know him?" Naruto asked, looking between them, confused. "I could ask you the same thing." Kakashi countered. "I don't know this man, not anymore." Sensei seemed dissappointed, if anything. Obito sighed, knowing full well that that was to be expected. Who could accept a traitor like him? He had left Kakashi and the Leaf, losing sight of himself along the way. This blonde, though, seemed to be the part of himself he had missed. When he could simply mess around with Kakashi and Rin Nohara. But, as a criminally acclaimed member, he had treat the hostages as guests. Despite feeling the guilt and regret weighing down at him at every possible moment. "...You see, that is one of the alterations. Our men haven't had a slave in quite awhile, and a shinobi, no less. Aside from the villagers, there really is nothing for us out there…"

Obito grinned wickedly. "Ah, yes, I agree," Kisame smirked, smiling toothily. Emerging from the crowd, he pointed a sharp claw at them. "Once we have our way with you, leader will be pleased." Naruto shivers, unable to hold back a shout.

"WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU PERVERTED FISH FRY!" He screams; writhing about tied up in the rope. This reminded him of after the bell test, when Team Seven left him like this. Only, this was a slight bit different, because it was with criminals, not his team. "Naruto! Calm down, I'm sure we can work out a plan." Kakashi said as the voice of reason. "Oh, now you're on, big boy. Call me a fishie one more time, and it'll be more than that closet perv of of Jounin that'll be dyin'." The shark guy challenged. "I'll have you know that this hentai is written by the best of the best," Kakashi says, holding the Icha Icha Paradise Vol. 2 in his hand. "By a legendary sannin. You should read it some time. It's highly erotic."

"Dude, that's porn, nn." The blonde, Deidara, butts in on the conversation, unimpressed. The redhead, Sasori, looks between them stoically. "Touche." Kakashi said with closed upward eyes. "let's lewd the lolis together, men!" Kakashi declared as a decree. Naruto was watching them flabbergasted. 'AAA! This is only something pervy men say! Oh, Sakura-chan would sure kill me if I talked about her nonexistent boobies …' A hush fell over the Akatsuki members once an Uchiha strolls over to them slowly. He had his arms crossed, as he looked at the other members with disapproval. "That's enough, both of you. We're on a mission, remember?" Itachi reminds them with a face palm. Turning to face the object of his little brother's obsession, his eyes softened. "Since you're not an adult yet, we have to wait a few years or so until you're adept to extract the demon out of you. Otherwise, you will die halfway through the process which will be an inconvenience for us all. And since you contain the Kyuubi, out of all the other tailed beasts, this is the only option for you to live, Naruto. Even though it is within my duties to single-handedly capture you, I could never kill you." He smiled at him and stroked the hair out of his eyes and then went to face the others. 'The Uzumaki clan sure is something...'

Looking to his men, he shouted, "All of you, stop messing around. Pein will not be happy to hear about you . We will stay here for three years. Make sure to plan out a safe route to our hideout and to also find our food rations. We must strategize a few checkpoints along the way on the off chance that we are caught. "

'Sleep? For three years? Isn't that a bit...excessive?' Kakashi thinks, looking between all the other members in the darkness. The fire crackled against the wood in the distance. "That's why I'm going to put you under a genjutsu." Itachi states, as if reading his mind. "Sweet dreams…"

"KAKASHI-SENSEI! What're we gonna do?" Naruto asked, on the verge of freaking out. They were out the middle of nowhere. There were no villagers to save them, no ANBU or ROOT around to stop the Akatsuki, and especially no Team Seven. "I do not know, Naruto." Kakashi mutters, struggling against their bonds. "Frankly, Konoha will realize eventually that we're missing. A genin and a jounin is a lot to lose overnight. They'll think of something, I'm sure."

The blonde was quiet for a few seconds, deeply worrying the jounin. Looking up, Kakashi sensed a lot of sadness in his aura. "You know...all I've ever wanted to do in my life was to be acknowledged by the village, yanno? I worked so hard, each and every day. Studying 'til I couldn't sleep! Training until it hurt! And even becoming stronger, and smiling each and every day, hoping I'd make a friend. Pushing myself so that one day I can become the hokage. Maybe we can't escape, but...I don't wanna be tossed aside like trash as if I don't even matter! I'm not a nobody, and I'm gonna prove myself to somebody someday! Believe it!"

'...Naruto. I've done wrong as a sensei, haven't I? I only focused on training Sasuke, and I've always left you out of the picture. Leaving you out, just like Obito...No words can truly say how sorry I am.' He thinks, looking down at himself in shame. 'I haven't exactly been a good sensei, have I? There's still a lot I have to learn...'

'If only we had the Nine-Tails Power …' Kakashi thinks to himself, 'but then the seal would be released...and no one wants that to happen. It could not only destroy the Akatsuki, but also the whole world if he so wanted. Is that a risk sensei's son is ready to take?'

"I'm just saying 'cuz I don't know if we're gonna live after this. They'll extract Kurama outta me and I'll probably die…" Naruto says softly. "I guess it's OK if I did...but not without the teme I'm not." He should've known. He and Sakura had been too busy trying to figure about the Sharingan Moon that he had completely forgotten that the two were actually bonding together. 'Those two missed out on the mission, didn't they? Then again, so did I. And then sensei's son slept over at Sasuke's house. Did those two grow closer to each other while we were gone?' Seeing the blonde sitting beside him, he couldn't help but think that. Even in this form, he could feel Naruto's desire to stay with him, and it was growing increasingly clear everyday. Sensei hoped he was still there, when they went back...

"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I died as well." The jounin admitted after a moment or two. "I've suffered for a long time, and the ones I love are already dead…" Kakashi could feel Sensei, Rin, and Obito calling out to him. All three of them, calling him out to the light. "I've fulfilled my purpose, but there's still a lot left unfinished. Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but since it's all over, you have every right to know. Your father...is a lot like you, you know." He says softly, turning his head to Naruto's, feeling drowsy to the effects of the Sharingan Moon. "I'm sure...he's proud to have a son like you, Naruto..."

XXX

"This really hurts, you know!"

"K - Kushina?" Minato asked, the medical nin aiding her in helping get the child out of her body. "I...feel sick," Kushina grasped his hand, groaning in pain. "Fourth! Keep an eye out on the seal!" One of them shouted, lifting up the blanket over her stomach where the seal was activated on full display for all of them to see. The redhead was pushing Naruto out, writhing in pain. Minato nodded, placing his hands over her stomach, where Kurama was wrapped in chains internally. It roared inside, and her husband saw this, taken aback.

'I can't let it loose!' Minato eyes the Kyuubi as it tries to wriggle itself free."Hang in there, Kushina! Naruto, hurry up!" He yells, panicked."You're almost there, milady! The head is already out."

But the Kyuubi was fierce.

Kushina was panting, as Naruto was screaming and free from the confines of her stomach. Tears trailed down her cheek, and she sobs, relieved. Looking at him through glassy eyes, her cheeks dimple."He really takes after you, doesn't he?" She whispers tiredly with bags under her eyes, eyes gazing into the crying baby. 'I'm not...going to make it...' she thinks sadly, her breathing feeling heavy and slowing gradually. 'Dattebayo...are you proud of me, mom? Dad? I'm a mother, now.'

"You did it," The hokage stares in awe as he just witnessed his wife give birth to the blonde. "I'm a father, now!" He cheered, fanning his chest in excitement. "Minato..." Her eyes widen at him before they soften considerably. "I'm glad..."

"Thank you," Her husband kisses her on the cheek, with saliva oozing out of his mouth. He looked shaken, and slightly flustered. "We're parents, now. Can you believe it?" Nuzzling her face, she chuckles and laughs weakly. Not feeling as they cut the umbilical cord and the dizziness of losing so much blood. But, she was happy. He was happy. They were finally a family!

"Naruto!" The Fourth exclaims, opening awaiting arms for his baby. But, the women shoo him away. "He needs to see his mother first," one of the woman carrying Naruto huffs. "B - but..." He sweatdrops, but let it slide as their child was handed over the Namikaze.

Cradling the child to her chest, Kushina smiles.

XXX

Naruto falls asleep, and licks the small remainder of sauce on his lips. It tasted sweet, just like Sasuke.