Sorry it took so long. That damn Harry Potter book kept me away from my computer.

Standard disclaimer applies.

Ch. 8: Insertion

Control. That was the crucial ingredient to the success of any plan. It was this component that Danzo prided himself in being an expert. For years, he had carefully monitored every facet of his plans, making sure that nothing was left to chance. Sometimes, unexpected obstacles would rise to hinder his goals, but, as a master manipulator, Danzo turned mountains into stepping stones. The attack of the Kyuubi was, in his mind, the greatest example of his ability to adapt. There was one situation, however, that was coming close to replacing it.

Yusuke had rushed into his office, sweat running down his entire body, as if he had been running for days. Gasping for breath, he struggled to speak to his leader.

"Da…" another intake of air. "Danzo-sama. Naruto has been captured by a Konoha ninja."

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"This is the boy you captured, Itachi?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

The Sarutobi kept his eyes on the boy through the two-way mirror. Bright blond hair and blue, vacant eyes contrasted his dark green, tattered trench coat, which covered torn black shirt and pants. The boy wore no headband, and, according to what Itachi told him, he was not a part of the group of Kumo-nin that Itachi was tracking. The door swung open and Ibiki joined with the two, staring at the boy.

"Have you learned anything, Ibiki?"

The scarred jounin closed his eyes, as if going through the interrogation in his mind. After a minute, he opened his eyes.

"Nothing that can be confirmed, Hokage-sama."

"Please, tell me anyways."

The boy says his name his Yatsuda Katsu. He tells me that he is an orphan, thrown out of his village due to prejudices."

"Because of his ability."

"Yes, Itachi-san. He says that he was living on his own when the Kumo-nin came to his encampment. They were asking him directions when someone else showed up. I assume that was you, Itachi-san. After that, he said there was fighting, and he lost."

"He did not elaborate on the fight?"

"No, Hokage-sama, he did, but just mentioned sounds and feelings. He is, after all, blind and-"

"No, Ibiki," started Itachi. "He is lying. The way he fought, it was almost as if he could see me. I also believe that he could sense me as well, since he was ready when I approached him and the Kumo-nin. He should be able to give a better description."

"I considered that, Itachi-san, but I have yet to discover a means to extract the facts from him. He is telling the truth, or he has had ninja training."

Sarutobi glanced back at the boy in the chair. The teenager was staring right at the mirror. If the boy had eyes, it would not have been a surprise. But he's blind, how does he know there's a mirror in the cell? Itachi answered his question.

"He seems to have very acute senses, it would seem."

The Hokage turned back to the scarred jounin. "Ibiki, move him, but keep him in similar confinement, and see if you cannot block that awareness of his. Itachi, return to where you fought the boy, and see if you can find anything that will explain who this boy is. In the meantime, Kakashi will continue to watch your team. I will call you both when I have made a decision about the boy's fate."

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"Sensei! Sensei! We saw Yusuke-san return!"

Megumi turned to her students, shock evident on her face. "You saw him?"

Kaizo nodded excitedly, while Sai just continued to smile, albeit somewhat genuinely this time.

"And Naruto? Did you see him?"

Megumi wasn't happy when the boys did not immediately answer. Their reluctance told her everything; Yusuke had come alone, and Naruto was not with them. If that was the case, then Naruto might have been captured or killed…

"Both of you, return to your quarters. I will speak with Yusuke-san." Kaizo opened his mouth to protest. "Now."

Deflating, Kaizo turned and sulked back to his quarters. Megumi turned to the opposite direction when Sai spoke up.

"Naruto…did not return, did he sensei?"

Megumi stiffened, but did not turn to face her student. "I will know when I have spoken to Yusuke-san. Now, return to your room, Sai."

"Hai, Megumi-sensei." Megumi began walking, her stride increasing as she progressed to her leader's chambers. Already she could hear the voices of the two men speaking, muffled by the closed entrance of Danzo's office. When she reached the door, she forced herself to calm down; irrationality was not how one conveyed thoughts to Danzo. She knocked twice on the door.

"Come in, Megumi."

The door creaked as she entered the office. Yusuke was leaning against the wall, apparently out of breath, while Danzo had his hands interlaced and in front of his face, giving Megumi the impression that he was deep in thought.

"We have a serious problem on our hands, Megumi."

Judging from the tense atmosphere, she deduced that the source of the problem was Naruto.

"Where's Naruto, Danzo-sama?"

Danzo's eyes rolled to look straight at her. "He has been captured by ANBU. I have sent an agent to verify his whereabouts, but as of this moment, his status is unknown."

Megumi's heart leapt to her throat. Naruto has been captured? As a prisoner, he would be sent to ANBU headquarters to be questioned. Tortured is more like it.

"Yusuke and I were discussing the proper response to our dilemma."

"What were you planning, Danzo-sama?"

This time, Yusuke spoke up. "We might have to get rid of him."

Megumi could not hide the alarm that showed in her eyes. "Kill him? But he is one of us. We can't just abandon him."

Yusuke opened his mouth to respond, but Danzo raised his hand, and both fell quiet.

"Megumi, you seem to have a vested emotional interest in Naruto."

Megumi couldn't deny it. She knew that Danzo already knew of how she felt about Naruto.

"Regardless of my feelings, Danzo-sama, Naruto is a very valuable tool. To lose him would be a huge blow-"

"And every second he stays in their custody is another second that we risk being exposed!"

Megumi glared murderously at Yusuke, who stared back defiantly. Once again, Danzo raised his hand, and both turned their attentions to their leader.

"Both of you have exceptionally valid points. However, I have decided upon our course of action. It will proceed as such."

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Two weeks later…

"Ahh, another beautiful day! Makes you wanna sing, doesn't it, teme?"

Sasuke shrugged her arm off his shoulders, giving her a glare that could've melted steel. Naturally, Keiko just ignored.

"Come on, I know you want to. Underneath all that brooding emo-ness is a cute butterfly just trying to burst out and soar high into the clouds! Hey, that's a good nickname for you; Butterfly! It represents everything you're not."

"You just won't shut up, will you?" Without Itachi around Keiko seemed to latch onto him. But instead of showering him with affection, like Sakura, she decided to torment him. In front of him, Keiko started skipping.

"Happy days, teme, it's all about the happy days!"

Okay, what the hell? Keiko was acting even more fucked up than usual.

"Why are you acting so foolish, Keiko?"

"Because Itachi's returning as your instructor, Sasuke."

Sasuke whirled around towards the source of the voice. Kakashi entered the clearing with a swirl of leaves falling around him, along with the Hyuuga girl who had been a part of their training for the past two weeks.

"Kakashi-sensei."

"Sasuke, Keiko. This will be our last training session together. Afterwards, Sakura will return from Kurenai's tutelage and rejoin with you two for official practices. Itachi will also return as your instructor."

"Why?"

"Well, this was only a temporary assignment for me. Itachi is responsible for you three."

Sasuke shook his head. "No, sensei, I mean, why now? He has been back for a while now, yet you were still our teacher. Why?"

Kakashi just shrugged. "I wouldn't know, Sasuke. I wasn't privy to that information."

Sasuke cursed inwardly. If Kakashi wasn't told, then there was no chance in hell his curiosity would be sated. What were you doing, nee-san?

Two arms wrapped around Sasuke's neck, hugging him loosely. "There you go, being all emo. Lighten up! Sakura and Itachi-sensei are coming back! We'll be a real team again." At the emphasis, Keiko glared at the Hyuuga girl, as if she was an intruder.

Hinata just stared at the other kunoichi. "Jealousy is not a good look for you, Keiko-chan."

Keiko, predictably, exploded. "Jealous?! I'm not jealous! You were cheating! I would have beaten you if you weren't using the Byakugan!"

Hinata gave a small, condescending smile, as if she was scolding a small child. "It is not my responsibility to fight how you want me to fight. My only responsibility is to myself and my growth as a ninja, just as your responsibility is to your own."

Keiko sputtered, looking for a comeback, but failing to do so. Fortunately for her, Kakashi stepped in.

"Whatever conflicts any of you have, I don't care. Once we finish with this session and I'm gone, you can settle your disputes. For now, however, we train."

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A whisper left her lips, "Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique)."

The trees began to swiftly fill the area as Kiba rushed towards Sakura, with Akamaru bounding behind him. He swiftly avoided one sprouting oak only to find Sakura seemed to phase through said tree, closing in for taijutsu. Kiba smirked. Sakura can't believe she can beat me in taijutsu, does she? Kiba leaned backwards, using his momentum to kick her sternum. The kick passed right through her. Bunshin? A fist smashed across his face, knocking him flat. Before he realized it, a kunai was sitting across his neck.

"Well done, Sakura," Kurenai said as she walked right through one of the 'trees.' "Excellent combination."

Sakura, whose breathing was slightly labored, got up from her kneeling position next to Kiba, and bowed towards the jounin.

"Thank you, sensei."

The red-eyed woman turned her attention to Kiba. "Kiba, if you do not take your opponent seriously, you will always lose, no matter how good you are."

Kiba just picked himself off the ground, sulking as he did so. He was so sure he could beat Sakura, especially since she was considered only a bookworm at the academy. How did she improve so quickly?

"Well, today is the last day Sakura is joining us for training. Tomorrow, Sakura, you will meet with your team to practice for the Chuunin exams. Hinata will be doing the same."

"Hai, Kurenai-sensei. Thank you for all your help."

"It was my pleasure, Sakura-chan. Good luck in the exams." With that, Kurenai teleported from the training field.

Sakura bowed once more before turning to Kiba. "Thanks for sparring with me, Kiba. I appreciate it."

He knew that she was being sincere, but Kiba was still embarrassed about the spar, and kept quiet. Sakura's hand quivered, and the next thing Kiba knew was that another fist had hit him upside the head.

"Ow, what the hell you do that for?!"

Sakura's whole body shook. "I thank you for helping me, and you just ignore me?! You're a jerk!"

Kiba waved his hands in a placating manner. "Alright, alright! I'm sorry!" Suddenly, Sakura stopped shaking, and replaced her glare with a bright smile.

As she walked away from the training field, Kiba muttered under his breath, "Yeah, I'm sorry…that you're such a crazy bitch."

As the fist careened towards his head once again, all Kiba could think about was; Why can't keep my mouth shut?

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The next day…

The three genin stood on the bridge, their meeting point. If anyone had been watching, they would wonder why they weren't at least greeting the girl in the red dress. After all, not being with her team for the past two week should illicit some kind of reaction. Of course, seeing as how they had being meeting after training to train together, the three felt no need to greet one another. Of course, it doesn't mean that they were standing around like zombies. Keiko was literally bursting with excitement, ready for the return of their sensei, and her idol, Uchiha Itachi.

"Man, I can't wait till Itachi-sensei shows up! He'll be so proud of us!"

Sakura wasn't as extroverted as Keiko was, but she too was excited to show their sensei how much she had improved. Finally, he'll take me seriously.

Even thought he did not express it, even Sasuke was impressed by the improvement Sakura had shown. She still wasn't on par with him, of course; after all, the Uchiha were the elite. Still, her combination of genjutsu and taijutsu could be deadly, as his brother displays so effectively.

Other people passed them on the bridge, most of them civilians. Some were heading towards their places of business, other to the marketplace, and still others to miscellaneous destinations, their footsteps resonating through the air. Slowly, two pairs of much quieter footfalls approach them, and Sasuke could recognize one as the steps of his brother.

All three turned to see the two approach, their pace steady and unhurried. As the two closed the distance, Sakura was the first to notice the boy next to her instructor. Wild blond hair first caught her eye, along with the boyish features that gave him an adorable look. Sakura began to blush when this thought entered her head, but merely dismissed it as a physical attraction, not at all what she wanted. When she had calmed herself down, the rest of his appearance sunk in. He was wearing baggy tan pants along with a green t-shirt that seemed a little too big for him. In fact, his clothes seemed as though they were hand-me-downs. Her roving eyes returned to the boy's face, and then she saw them; two bright blue eyes. At least, they would have seemed bright if they weren't so vacant. The two eyes were so empty that Sakura wondered if the boy was even using them.

Sakura was intrigued by those eyes that she didn't notice the boy and Itachi were standing in front of the three. Sakura jumped when Keiko poked her in the back, and returned her attention to her sensei.

Itachi stared at each of them separately, as if he could see their improvement merely by looking at them. Suddenly, he pulled out three pieces of paper, and handed one to each of them.

"Kakashi-senpai tells me that all three of you are ready for the Chuunin exams. I trust his judgment, therefore you all will enter. Now, however, we shall train." He started to walk past them towards the training area, with the blond boy in tow.

Keiko was the first to speak up. "Umm, Itachi-sensei?"

Itachi stopped and turned to face his student. He did not reply, which Keiko took as a sign to continue. She lifted her hand and pointed towards the stranger.

"Who is he, sensei?"

Itachi glanced at the boy next to him, then returned his sight to Keiko. "His name is Yatsuda Katsu, and he will be joining us for training."

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Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll try not to be late with the next update.