Chapter 14: Bang

It was relatively easy to infiltrate Konoha, due to his abilities. Tobi didn't think he would have had much trouble. Getting the brat to trust him, was, even easier still. It was a shame, since the little blond boy reminded Tobi so much of himself. So naïve and idealistic.

When Zetsu informed him 5 years ago that the little blond shinobi had been reduced to a mere infant, and that Sasuke had been brought back to Konoha, it displeased him greatly. Itachi's hate filled little brother would have been a great pawn for his plan once Itachi died. If everything hadn't suddenly stopped their course. However, recently the masked man had an idea. If he couldn't manipulate Sasuke…he could manipulate Naruto. Itachi seemed to suspect his plans. Frankly at the moment he couldn't bring himself to care.

"What will you do…Itachi?" said Tobi, "your plan is ruined. Naruto-kun has your brother within his grasp."

Itachi was currently alone. Itachi looked at Tobi, whom he knew as Madara for a moment. The sickly Uchiha knew his plan was hindered by Uzumaki Naruto's sudden age regression. He knew Sasuke would be taken by the blond by now. After all, Uchihas hated fiercely, but they could love just as powerfully. Part of Itachi was glad his younger brother had 'given up' his vengeance. That, he was in the right path. However, that did ruin his original intent of clearing his clan of the dirt it was soiled with by the hands of Sasuke. To put all the blame on himself, and for Sasuke to be seen as hero who had slain the bad guy. Itachi assumed the new Hokage probably told his brother the truth. It was bound to happen.

What could he do? Itachi carefully measured his options. He could betray the Akatsuki and secretly come back to the village. Itachi could wait until Sasuke decided to seek him out and answer whatever questions his otouto had. If he left Jiraiya-sama would lose one of his anonymous informants. Itachi couldn't reveal too much important information, since he was watched, not only by Pain, but Madara. He could only provide little for Jiraiya's web network. Things like, the location of the Akatsuki base, and the full details of their plan were out of the question at the moment.

Years ago he'd agreed to join the Akatsuki in exchange for Sasuke's safety, because tobi did help him with the massacre after all, and if he hadn't Sasuke would have died. But he also did it to secretly help Konoha gather information on the rising group. This was one thing, Itachi knew wasn't in records. No one knew this. Except the deceased Third Hookage, however the Hokage himself did not know about his little chat with Madara.

"Nothing," Itachi replied. There was nothing else to do…but to defend from the shadows. Coming back to Konoha wasn't the best idea right now. For now he would wait. But, he had to warn Sasuke that Naruto might be in danger somehow.

"Well that's boring!" Tobi answered.

"What is the purpose of your visit?" Itachi said emotionlessly.

"Oh, I just wanted to gloat and watch you squirm," Said the masked ninja. "and to check on you…you poor boy…running out of soldier pills…well we'll talk again Itachi." With a whirl Tobi disappeared, leaving Itachi to pray for his brother's safety as well as his charge's. Things would get worse before they got better…at least that's what the genius suspected with a tinge of dread.

The dead piled onto the floor like maggots. Yura had proven useful. Sasori watched his partner make a clay bird in his hands before activating his jutsu.

"Don't fool around Deidara," grouched Sasori, "I don't like to be kept waiting."

"Don't worry yeah," replied Deidara as he got on the giant clay bird. "I'll be back before you know it un."

Sasori groaned. He knew Deidara would try to demonstrate his art first, but decided to not comment and let the boy go. He hated making others wait just as much. Sasori watched his partner soar for a few seconds before setting up the traps in the entrence. He wanted to get away from this places quickly. 'You better be quick deidara'

Deidera hovered over sunagukure scouting for any defense the village might have from the air. After a while he only found three of them and thus quickly disposed of them. It was only a matter of time before someone, or better yet, the Kazekage himself showed up.

Naruto couldn't stop thinking about that strange man named Tobi. He seemed really nice. The first person to ever e nice-wait, that's not true. Iruka was the first person to be nice to him. 'NO, Tou-chan..tou-chan is the first person to be nice.' Naruto scolded himself. His thoughts were very confusing. Naruto tried to focus on the instructor, he was explaining how to hold a kunai and shuriken. Proper handling and care. The Teacher then showed the kids a pair of wooden shuriken and kunai.

"Alright, listen. You won't be using real Kunai and shuriken until you're in year three. This stuff is dangerous," said the woman.

The class of impatient students groaned.

"However, if you show promise one of you will get to use real Kunai. But only if I see that you're able to handle it…"

Naruto thought it would be a piece of cake. He had handled real kunai-wait, no! That wasn't right either! Naruto shook his head and looked at his instructor. She told them that tomorrow would be their first try at throwing Kunai and shuriken. Naruto suddenly became distracted from his thoughts by the anticipation of the next day. After that period was over, another instructor came in and ushered them to the sparring spot of the school. He showed the kiddies the basic academy fighting stance and basic punches. Naruto became bewildered. The boy felt he had done this before. Naruto shrugged and practiced the familiar yet fresh pose. After a few more hours school ended. Naruto sat on the swings. He was glad Keichi didn't bug him during the second half of the school day. It was weird though. Naruto sort of missed it. Even if it hurt…at least someone besides the teachers acknowledged him. The blond became overwhelmed by sadness. After a few moments, Naruto noticed a shadow above him.

"Oi Naruto come on." Naruto longed himself at the owner of the stern voice.

"Tou-chan!" He squealed.

"No hello for me?" said another voice. Naruto recognized it as well.

"Temari-nee-chan!" Naruto let go of Sasuke and bounced over to the blond girl. "Is Gaara-nii here dattebayo?"

"No squirt," Temari said ruffling his hair, "Gaara is busy with important Kage work. As soon as that's done he promised to come see you."

The three of them walked toward the training grounds. Naruto was chattering happily while he was holding Temari's and Sasuke's hands. Temari offered to treat Naruto to some food on the way but Sasuke interrupted before that could go anywhere.

"He's not allowed Ramen, Dango, or anything that could be considered unhealthy for at least a month." He said adamantly with a semi-stoic look. Naruto's hype suddenly took a nose dive and the boy pouted.

"Oh, don't you think that's a bit much?" Tamari asked.

"No. He's grounded." Sasuke said simply, as if that explained everything. After a few moments the trio got to team seven's old training ground.

The raven asked Naruto what he was doing in the academy, to gage what the blond should start doing. Sasuke decided to start with the Kunai and shuriken training, then, he had planned to have Naruto run. While the blond did that Sasuke would go through the Fire ball Jutsu's hand seals again and again. The raven also reminded himself of his now, lack of Chakra control. Temari decided to help out once the training started, but after a while she had to leave to take care of some paper work. Naruto was sad to see her leave and gave her a tight hug. Time seemed to fly for the little blond twerp. The sun seemed to move faster than normal. Before Naruto and Sasuke knew it, it was night time. Naruto panted and sat on the dusty ground. His hands were a bit bruised and he was bathed in droplets of sweat.

Sasuke handed him a towel, and both headed home.

Gaara looked at the retreating sun. It held a reddish hue to it that foretold misfortune and death. He gazed at the village, his eyes skimming over it in detail. The red-head did this every once in a while after finishing his paper work. He noticed a figure on top of a strange white bird. Gaara's eyes widened when he noticed the figure was wearing a black robe with red clouds. The description matching exactly what Yura, one of his advisers, had mentioned about the Akatsuki. Gaara stood from his chair and quickly equipped himself for battle. The Kazekage met the blond Aakatsuki member on the roof. His sand whirling around like slithering snakes.

"How did you know un?"

"There are no birds like that in this desert," Gaara replied, his eyes narrowing.

Deidara moved fast as the sand followed him, snaking its way to him relentlessly. The former stone ninja dodged the sand coming at him from every direction. Meanwhile Gaara conducted it like an orchestra director. At some point during the scuffle Kankuro appeared outside. On lookers cheered as Gaara successfully ripped Deidara's left arm.

Sasuke walked silently. His hand gripping Naruto's arm firmly. The black-haired young man was reluctant to tell his former teammate the truth. He was afraid that Naruto wouldn't take it very well. Once inside the house Sasuke instructed Naruto to take a shower and told him they had some things to discuss. After that the atmosphere became tense and suffocating for the Uchiha as he thought of ways to commence the discussion. Once Naruto was cleaned they spoke over a light dinner.

"Naruto," began Sasuke cautiously, "are you still having those…flashes?"

"Oh..yeah!" Nodded Naruto, "why? they're nothing big right?"

Sasuke shook his head. "They're memories Naruto."

The little boy couldn't understand what his father-figure was saying and bit his lip. "Memories?"

"Hn. You weren't always this small. You were my teammate." nodded the raven as he spoke bluntly.

"Teammate? I don't get it Tou-chan…" muttered Naruto.

"You're not really my son Naruto." Naruto's face went ashen. His big blue eyes became like the full moon as they widened. Sasuke's tone of voice came out colder than the Uchiha originally intended and for that Sasuke cursed himself mentally. Each word pierced the little boy's heart.

"…Did he adopt you?" Tobi asked.

"Adopt...what does that mean?"

"It means, you're not really Sasuke-kun's…He's not your real Tou-chan."

The air around the table turned cold.

The explosion was massive. But Gaara managed to adequately protect the Village. The Kazekage used the reminder of his power to remove the sand he had used to shield the people from Deidara's giant explosive. If the Blond Iwa nin han't somehow managed to break through his defense he would have probably had more energy to defend himself, but, the lives of his people were what mattered most to Gaara now. The sand fell like the droplets of water as the one-tail's Jinchuriki lost all sense of reality.

A/N: The Itachi being an akatsuki double agent thing is a theory(I think?) but I wanted to use it anyway. Since Naruto isn't able to be there, some things from the Canon will change. Others will stay the same. I will elaborate the growth of Sasuke's, Gaara's and others(past developing) relationship with little Naruto later during the time skip...(as I did poorly on that. I think even before*shrugs*)

See ya. :p

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