Naruto was now slightly accustomed to seeing a different Uchiha's face when he woke, so when he groggily sat up in a familiar cave the first thing he thought was that at least Sasuke was with him to figure things out. But after a few second of letting his eyes adjust, he realized it wasn't Sasuke at all.

"Itachi?" Naruto asked, his heart leaping into his throat. It had seemed like it had been forever since he'd seen his favourite ninja, and for a second he thought he was dreaming. When the image didn't fade, however, he let out a yell of happiness and launched himself into Itachi's arms, burying his face in Itachi's cloak and laughing.

"It is you! Itachi, you'll never believe all the things that happened during the Exams! I met Sasuke, and we became really good friends, and then I went Nine-Tails but Sasuke was there, and Sakura and Sai too, and—"

"Naruto, calm down," Itachi said, and there was a hitch in his voice that Naruto didn't understand. He leaned back to look up questioningly at the elder Uchiha's face, and he felt a beat of fear when he saw the weariness and worry written there.

"What's going on?" Naruto asked, peering around Itachi. Everyone was in the cave, although some of them were only there as astral projections. Pain, Konan, Sasori, Itachi, and Kisame were the only ones who were really there, the rest of the Akatsuki members glimmering with a rainbow sheen.

"Orochimaru has attacked Konoha," Pain answered, cutting his gaze to Itachi for a second before returning it to address Naruto. "It seems he was defeated, but Konoha is in shambles."

Naruto should've felt happy, and deep down there was an intense feeling of satisfaction. However, he thought of the faces of all the genin he'd met and worry hit him like a tsunami wave, almost knocking him over. Clinging to Itachi was the only thing that kept him on his feet, but Itachi didn't seem much better off. There was a nervous tension in the hand that was now laid on Naruto's head, as if Itachi needed strength.

"Itachi, Sasuke's okay," Naruto said with absolute conviction. "Before you guys came and got me, we did a lot of training. I told him a whole lot of jutsus, and he's amazing! He's already unlocked the Sharingan, too. Plus, Orochimaru went after him but I managed to stop him."

Naruto felt deep down that he was right about Sasuke, but he had no idea about Gaara, who hadn't known which side to join during the attack. Had he picked the winning side, or was he now a prisoner of Konoha? If he was, Naruto would storm back in there and destroy whatever forces were left, excluding the friends he'd made. And speaking of the friends he'd made… were Sakura, Sai, Shikamaru, and the rest of them all right? He'd known there would be an attack on Konoha, but he hadn't thought it would be so soon. He'd still been trying to decide whether or not to warn everyone.

Itachi's hand relaxed on Naruto's head, and Naruto saw relief plain as day in Itachi's eyes. Despite Naruto being a kid, Itachi placed absolute trust in his opinion.

"That's fucking great and all, but who cares? We've got Konoha's jinchuuriki, so they can all die in a shithole for all they're worth," Hidan said, rolling his translucent, projected eyes.

"They're not all—" Naruto began, levelling a finger at Hidan, but his fingers were already throbbing and the movement made them hurt even more. He let out a small hiss under his breath, but it wasn't like he could curl his other hand around his fingers—all his other fingers were broken too.

Itachi grabbed his wrist and held it up, examining his broken fingers. Konan leapt from her perch beside Pain to come over too, taking out dressings to bind his fingers up. Naruto had been using his fingers all week even though they were broken, because he was intimately familiar with the pain anyway. The only problem was that now, instead of coming and going while he trained, this pain was constant and it just wouldn't go away.

"When did this happen?" Konan asked as her gentle hands patching him up so expertly he could barely feel them.

"A couple of weeks ago," Naruto muttered, and everyone stared.

"Weeks?" Kisame asked, narrowing his eyes. "You don't take weeks to heal."

"Last time he broke his fingers, they healed in a few days. This isn't normal, hm," Deidara muttered, to sounds of agreement from everyone around the circle. Pain observed Naruto with his Rinnegan, and something was evidently really bothering him.

"Tell us everything," he commanded, and Naruto felt sort of ashamed. He didn't really deserve to be in the presence of such strong ninjas when he was this weak. As Konan finished with his fingers, he lay back against the cool stone slab he'd woken up on and wondered where to start. There were some things he couldn't mention, but he'd do his best to tell the story in its entirety anyway. As he began with asking Gaara for Suna headbands, the cave fell silent, the only sound being the muffled pitter-patter of rain as the clouds opened up outside.


The sky itself seemed to weeping for the brave shinobi that had died protecting Konoha. Rain struck a sad melody on the stone of the Hokage's roof, and the thunder overhead sounded like sorrow. Gathered under the dark sky were the ones who remained, dressed in mourning black, covered in injuries. Sakura remembered the Hokage listening to her when she'd begged for a higher ranked mission, and she placed a single white flower on his memorial.

Sasuke remembered how impressed the Hokage had been by his skills, and how the old man had looked amused at his team's antics. He placed a single white flower on the memorial as well.

Sai thought of how he'd ended up on a team he loved because the Hokage had seen the potential for them to become friends, and his heart ached as he placed his flower on the memorial.

Far below, Kakashi stood in front of another memorial and read off the names of the brave Anbu who had died to protect the civilians. He recognized more than a few of them, and he bowed his head to pray that, wherever they were, they'd found peace. He turned when he heard footsteps behind him, and found Yugao standing there, holding a bouquet close to her chest.

This Yugao, dressed in a simple black dress with not a single weapon on her, looked so very small and fragile. Her usual cold confidence was replaced by sorrow, and at that moment she wasn't an exceptional shinobi or the Anbu Commander. She was just a woman grieving for the man she loved. Kakashi stepped aside to let her set her flowers down, and the two of them stood together in the rain, remembering.

Jiraiya leaned against one of the logs on the training field, thinking of his old sensei and his teammates. He grieved not just for the shinobi who had died in this attack, but everyone he loved who had died in all the others. Sarutobi, Minato, Yahiko, Kushina… was there no end to it?

Gaara and his siblings stood with the other Suna ninjas who had decided to help the Leaf in the end. There were graves in front of him, buried on the outskirts of Konoha, and in many of them were bodies of people he'd ended. Many of the bodies belonged to people from his village, and one empty grave even belonged to his father, who would never be found. Gaara had never been close to his father, but still…

Temari and Kankuro grieved beside him, and he supported his two older siblings with a heavy heart.

It took a long time for the sun to break through the clouds, but when it did, everyone it shone on was a little older, a little wiser, and a little more determined. It was an end, and it was a beginning.


Three days later, Kakashi and Yugao stood in the Hokage's chambers with Jiraiya, Team 7, and the Council.

"We need a new Hokage sooner rather than later to deal with this mess," Danzo Shimura was saying, and Sai knew exactly what he wanted. Danzo had told Sai to give him support in this, because coming from a shinobi on Kakashi's squad, it would be mean a great deal. Danzo looked at Sai and gave him the tiniest nod, one that only Sai saw. He fully expected to be supported.

"I agree," Sai said, unsmiling. "Which is why I think our team should go with Jiraiya to find Tsunade, as the Third Hokage wished."

Danzo stared at Sai in shock; evidently, he hadn't expected a betrayal like this. Sasuke and Sakura moved slightly closer to Sai as if to protect him in case Danzo tried to attack, a move Danzo didn't miss. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Just as he'd said nothing about the deaths of the Anbu members, instead content to try and seize power.

"You may think this is a debate but I assure you, councilman, it's not," Yugao said, her expression hidden behind her mask. "As the Anbu Commander, I have every right to see through the final mission the Third Hokage bequeathed unto me. Hiruzen Sarutobi's final mission was for Jiraiya and Team 7 to find Tsunade in the case of his death. Until that time, Kakashi Hatake is to take over as the acting Hokage."

"It's a position I'd rather not take, but if it was the Third's request, I'll do it," Kakashi said, coming to stand by Yugao. Jiraiya looked annoyed at how things were proceeding, but he went to take a stand by Kakashi and Yugao as well. Against six people, one of them the Anbu Commander and another a legendary Sannin, the three council members were forced to back down. It was the first time Sai had seen Danzo's ambition quenched, and he found himself enjoying it immensely.

He and his teammates had told Kakashi about Danzo's allying with Orochimaru, but Kakashi had said they couldn't make a move at this particular time. The balance of power was too fragile, and if they made any claims without irrefutable evidence, Danzo could use that to smash all credibility and take over. Kakashi had promised Danzo would eventually be dealt with however, and for that he was grateful. He just hoped it was sooner rather than later—he wasn't sure people understood just how dangerous a man Danzo was.

"I'll help just this once, and only because I'd like to see Tsunade's boo—er, eyes again," Jiraiya said, crossing his arms and pouting like a child. The man amused Sai, and Sai was rather excited to see what he was like on a journey. One of the most powerful ninjas in the world, revered as one of the Legendary Three… it would certainly be a journey to remember.

"So what are we waiting for?" Sasuke muttered, looking as annoyed as Jiraiya. He'd been in a foul mood since the battle, and everyone knew why—he was worried about Kaze. He wanted to dig into the Anbu files, but Yugao refused to let anyone who wasn't Anbu near them. Sai wasn't entirely sure what he was planning, but he knew Sasuke was bound and determined to find out more information. Sai and Sakura had sworn to do whatever they could to help.

"I dunno!" Jiraiya snapped, shooting an all encompassing glare around the room. "Let's get going, already!"

With that, the old man turned and clacked out of the room, his platform shoes rattling down the hallway. Team 7 exchanged glances, shrugged, and then hurried after him.

"Be careful!" Kakashi called after them, and then they started out to find the woman who would be their new village leader.


Three days after telling his story, Naruto was packing his bag to go on a mission with Itachi and Kisame. Namely, finding some amazing medical ninja called 'Tsunade,' who could heal almost anything in the world. After finishing his story, Pain had said Naruto's chakra sickness needed to be dealt with immediately, and everyone had agreed (but not without some cursing from Hidan),

"Naruto, how many times do we have to tell you not to use your fingers?" Kisame growled, grabbing Naruto's wrists as Itachi came over with a shake of his head to finish packing Naruto's bag.

"Aw come on, what's the big deal?" Naruto whined. No one was letting him do anything for himself. It wasn't like broken fingers were even that big a deal!

"You've been spoiled, not having to experience waiting for your body to heal itself," Itachi pointed out, and maybe that was true, but it would be fixed soon!

Naruto sighed, crossing his arms, and let Itachi and Kisame fix his bag up and put it on his back for him. He felt like a little kid, being treated like this. He wasn't some kid; he was going to be thirteen soon! As the three of them turned and began to make their way out of the cave, Naruto reflected back on some of the strange conversations he'd had in the past three days. Most of them had been the usual; everyone yelling at him for going off by himself, but Tobi and Zetsu were acting weird.

Tobi had shown up to the cave in his real form the second day, and he'd gone off with Naruto so they could talk privately, claiming it was a dango discussion. It wasn't—Tobi had wanted to talk to him as Obito, to ask if he'd said anything to Kakashi Hatake, since Naruto had left that part out of his story. Naruto had told him all about Kakashi's reaction to hearing Rin's name, and then the conversation he'd had with Kakashi the second night he'd spent in Sasuke's house.

The white-haired ninja had snuck in the bedroom window, surprising Naruto, who had freaked out a little since the jounin was seeing him without his Kaze puppet on. But Kakashi had already surmised Naruto was none other than the Nine-Tails jinchuuriki, and he was less interested in that than he was in hearing about how Naruto knew about Rin. Naruto absolutely refused to tell him, only saying that he knew Kakashi had Chidori'd Rin after promising to protect her. Kakashi, seeing that Naruto wouldn't budge, had quietly explained the truth. How Rin had thrown herself in front of his Chidori after learning that the Kiri ninjas had put a curse tag on her. And then… he'd wept. It had been dignified and silent, but the tears streaming down his face left no doubt that he was crying, even if no sobs wracked his body. Naruto had been so shocked he hadn't known what to say.

Naruto told the entire story to Obito, and Obito grew deathly silent as he listened.

"He said he was sorry it wasn't him," Naruto sighed. "Because he'd made a vow, and it would've been better to die than to break it."

Obito hadn't spoken to Naruto after that; he'd left abruptly, and he hadn't come back to the cave even twenty-four hours later.

Zetsu's conversation was even weirder. He kept asking Naruto if he still wanted to destroy the Leaf, and when Naruto said he did but didn't want to hurt his friends, Zetsu got scarily angry. It wasn't like Naruto was planning on giving up on the path of destruction, but Zetsu still seemed to take it that way. He'd said Naruto's hatred wasn't as brilliant anymore, and he'd left in an agitated state.

So. Needless to say, getting out of the stuffy cave was a relief. Walking between Kisame and Itachi, who for sure weren't mad at him, Naruto decided that he'd have as much fun on this journey as he could. And then, maybe, he'd even go visit Sasuke.


"Obito," Zetsu called, slinking out of the shadows the way he always seemed to, his face alight with anger. Obito was sitting outside of the Akatsuki's cave, frowning out into the desert as he thought about Naruto had said. Every time he'd gone back to Konoha to visit Rin's grave, Kakashi was near. Most people couldn't tell Kakashi's exact expression with the mask he always wore, but Obito could. Kakashi always radiated a quiet sorrow, and it had made Obito wonder…

Well, finding out that Kakashi was suffering was no surprise, but finding out that Kakashi was suffering because he'd broken his promise as well as killed Rin affected Obito more than he'd expected. And the fact that he'd said it should've been him, that he'd rather die… Obito couldn't help but think back to Rin's smile as he'd promised her he'd become Hokage and save the world. Sure, his Eye of the Moon plan was supposed to be one way of saving the world, but what would Rin think? Was Obito keeping his promise?

He tried to imagine what her eyes would look like if she found out, but he found he couldn't even remember their colour. Why? How could he have forgotten Rin's eyes? He knew they'd been bright, happy, and full of tenderness, but what colour were they? It had been so long since he'd talked with someone who knew her the way he did…

"Obito!" Zetsu called louder, and Obito's attention snapped to Zetsu with annoyance.

"What?"

"Going to Konoha changed Naruto," Zetsu said, sounding irritated. "His heart isn't as dark, and he's lacking the drive he used to have."

"He made friends, is all," Obito said, narrowing his eyes and wondering where Zetsu was going with this. He didn't like Zetsu's tone—he didn't like the interest Zetsu had taken in Naruto in general. Naruto held the darkness of the Akatsuki as close as a secret, but that darkness only managed to cast a shadow over his brightness instead of snuffing it out entirely. Occasionally, when Naruto was hurting others, he seemed to suffer. Obito could understand that feeling, and it shook him to the core sometimes. Whenever he was with Naruto, it felt like there was a strange disconnect between who he used to be and who he was now. As if who he used to be wanted to surface.

"We can't allow him to grow soft," Zetsu said almost pleadingly. "He's important to our plans. At the rate he's growing, he could surpass even Madara Uchiha, and with his vast reserves of chakra he could hold the Ten-Tails."

"He's a child," Obito snapped, feeling a rush of protectiveness. He didn't know where his sentimentality was coming from, but he couldn't shake the image of Kakashi weeping from his mind. There were things stirring in his heart that he'd tried to crush a long time ago. When he'd pictured the Infinite Tsukiyomi, it had always held him, Kakashi, Rin, and Minato. But if things really hadn't moved on from then, Naruto wouldn't exist. A Kakashi who could openly show his tears wouldn't exist. If there was no future, maybe there'd be no bad things, but would new good things ever be able to exist?

"He's a soldier," Zetsu said firmly. "And I'm afraid if you don't take action, I will."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Obito growled, but Zetsu was already gone. Obito put his head in his hands, feeling conflicted. Ever since Rin had died, he'd tried not to question his actions. But Naruto's appearance had gradually made him feel things he didn't want to feel, and he couldn't help a growing sense of discontentment. He sighed. The truth was, he just really missed his friends.


"Shizune!" Tsunade called, and her dark haired assistant shuffled over, leaning over Tsunade's shoulder to look at her cards. Shizune's eyes went wide at the sight; a royal flush. That would win the entire game, and huge stack of money that came along with it. It should be enough to pay off the bartender, who was eyeing a half tanked Tsunade suspiciously as if wondering whether or not she'd pay up.

"Play the damn cards already," one of the men in front of Tsunade slurred, running his hand across a red nose. Tsunade narrowed her eyes, then tossed the hand down. Everyone who had been crowded around to watch the game gaped in shock, and the man Tsunade had been playing against let out an anguished cry, slamming his tankard on the table so sake sloshed over the sides.

"Goddammit, the luck on this one!" he cried, and everyone around him muttered in agreement. But for the most part they were shinobi, and a couple were even sober, so their sharp eyes would've picked up whether or not Tsunade had cheated. Satisfied that she hadn't, the few sober shinobi helped Tsunade gather up her winnings to give to the bartender.

Afterwards, Tsunade turned to Shizune, her cheeks flushed a little from drink, and shook her head. Most people would be thrilled after the winning streak Tsunade had been on, but Tsunade looked on it with apprehension—she was so used to terrible luck that good fortune like this was suspicious.

"We're leaving this place," Tsunade said loudly. Shizune was pretty sure Tsunade had just meant it for her and the drink had made her louder, but all the other patrons called out good riddance to the woman who had taken all of their money. Shizune supported Tsunade, who wobbled along with a bottle in hand, as they made their way back to the inn they were staying at.

"We need to get out of this town, Shizune," Tsunade slurred, casting a critical glance at the shadowy alleyways and dark roofs that could hide anything. "If I'm this lucky right now, things are bound to get bad soon."

Shizune stifled a sigh; it was nice to stay somewhere for longer than a few weeks without getting run out of town.

"Very well, Lady Tsunade, but why don't we stick around for one more week? I want to take in a few more local sights before we leave. Surely one week won't make that big a difference?"

"One week'll make all the difference," Tsunade muttered, but since she didn't argue Shizune counted it as a victory. One more week couldn't hurt much, could it? After all, how much could really change in one week?