Hey guys what up been awhile, I suppose I should take this story of Hiatus seeing as I update it albeit slowly. I suppose it all depends on how much inspiration I get regardless I typed this up so might as well post it, enjoy!
Tobirama was exceedingly worried. Sasuke could tell. For many who knew Tobirama it was usually hard for them to know what the Senju truly felt at the given moment but for Sasuke it was always blatantly obvious. You just had to look at his eyes. They were usually a dead giveaway.
A part of him wanted to go back to sleep but another part of him wanted to tell Tobirama not to worry. For the past week now he had found Tobirama staring into empty space. From what he had heard it seemed that Tobirama's Sensei was late from what seemed to be a very vital mission.
Tobirama noted the young Uchiha staring at him. He rose and crouched to be on eye level with Sasuke. "I'm going on patrol, alright?" The boy studied him contemplatively; too smart for his own good it seemed and nodded slowly though making no move to get back into bed. Sighing he rose to full height and crossed his arms. "Can I trust you will get into bed or would you like me to tuck you in?" He had never been good at the parenting stuff but apparently, from the book he had read, kids liked being tucked or most did seeing as the Uchiha never seemed to care much. The boy's nightmares were becoming less frequent but it seemed that rising in the middle of the night had become a habit for the boy. Or perhaps he had just gotten better at covering up his nightmares which was he supposed fine as long as they were indeed becoming less frequent.
"I can tuck myself in, I'm not a baby." Sasuke pouted. Tobirama ruffled the brat's hair for good measure eliciting a weak protest and a halfhearted glare. Chuckling at the retreating figure Tobirama donned on his Anbu uniform and slipped out of the window. It had been a month after his own return and his Sensei still hadn't made it back from the earth country. That in itself was troubling. His own mission had been a visit to the hidden grass which was on high alert due to the various kidnappings that had been occurring along the country's borders. Whoever had been committing the abductions had made it appear as if the sand had done it. This was troubling indeed however as most of these missing civilians and nin were found in the infiltrations of various labs in the hidden rain he suspected a set up. The peace between the countries could not have been thinner at best. The rock was suspected in aiding the rain, all that was required would be a confirmation from his sensei to send in a first scouting party consisting of himself and several others deep into the territory of the hidden rain.
Orochimaru himself had not been too happy about his decision to be a part of that squadron but he was the best sensor the leaf had and the thirds son was going, if the Hokage was not sparing his son it would not do for his own sensei to try and spare him. He reached the gate nodding to the gatekeepers and joining Shunono Aburame codenamed termite on the wide expanse of the gate.
His stoic teammate nodded at him. "Rough night?" It was not uncommon for Anbu to have one of those nights. Nights where they could not sleep properly because of nightmares though to be fair some Anbu such as Termite chose to sleep in the mornings as most of their missions occurred in the evenings so there was little point in changing their sleeping schedule.
"Just waiting." Tobirama frowned, his eyes on the great expanse of grass littering Konoha's outskirts. He had felt a flicker of familiar chakra. It was weak due to its distance but if it was who he thought it had been than the wait was necessary. A sannin did not appear two weeks late from a mission simply due to some "minor" complications.
The chakra flared again and a shinobi was seen approaching. The two gatekeepers tensed but relaxed when they saw who it was. Tobirama grinned in relief and alighted from his perch making his way to the leaf nin. "About time."
"Yes well, it appears I have grown rather rusty in the art of killing." The sannin chuckled and allowed Tobirama to support him as the both of them made their way through the gate.
"Hmph the effects of your prolonged hermitages Sensei, are we headed to the hospital?"
"What kind of medic do you think I am?" The sannin's face sobered and his eyes narrowed. "Danzo was right in his paranoia it seems."
"Well there's a first time for everything." Passing several civilians in the market district however he stifled another response. They continued the conversation once in the safety and confines of the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi had been sleeping but when he heard of his student's arrival had donned a robe and made his way to his office. Lately he had been living in the Hokage dome. Too much was going on for him to sleep soundly in his own house. He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk as he unconsciously did a chakra scan.
Still mostly in top shape minus the hours of harrowing traveling at top speed the sannin slumped into a chair with Tobirama leaning himself against the wall.
"Report." Sarutobi wanted to say more such as ask after Orochimaru's wellbeing but those questions were usually shot down with snide sarcastic remarks and in all honesty he was too damn tired at this moment to deal with his student's twisted personality.
"It seems the rock has many secrets it has been keeping from us…."
Sarutobi's eyes narrowed at the statement. "And the sand?"
"Inoccent of all charges, truly fortunate for us, though if what I gathered is indeed the case than the fourth shinobi war may have as well begun."
Tobirama's eyes widened. "The sand would never join the rain."
"Not the sand, the rock."
The third frowned at the implications of the statement. Chin resting on his folded hands. Two scrolls were deposited by Orochimaru onto the table. His eyes flitted to the younger man. "Tobirama you may go."
"Stay." The command stopped Tobirama mid jutsu, his eyes studied the two nin before him narrowing at the obvious power play.
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Whatever it is you have to say, Sensei say it."
A frown formed on his face. "Sensei, I should go." Tobirama sighed not wishing to be placed between two fires. Whatever this was, wether a question of loyalty or something other than that he did not wish to know. Regardless if it was important he was sure to hear it from his Sensei anyhow. And he was tired so damn tired from staying up these past several days.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as they studied him then flashed momentarily as if reading something. "Go."
"Hokage sama, Sensei." He bowed and was gone in a flash.
Sarutobi faced his wayward student once more this time a half smile emerging on his face. "That was unnecessary."
Orochimaru was not in the mood for pleasantries however. "That was to show you Sensei that your words are no longer absolute."
The Hokage chuckled. "Come now, Orochimaru that is a foolish assessment."
"It is not Sarutobi, how many of your Anbu are no longer loyal to yourself?"
The Hokage's mouth pressed into a thin line. "Danzo is doing what he is to protect the village."
"I see, your village Sensei? Or his village?"
"I fail to see the point of your statement."
"More than half of your Anbu currently serves under his reign, or served. Including your beloved mutt."
Sarutobi sat up straighter eyes widening. Why had Kakashi not informed him that he had been back working for Danzo? And now the development of the Hidden Rain joining the Rock, this was troubling. "I will have a word with Danzo. But that is not what I wish to discuss at the moment. Do you think the sand will cooperate with us?" Under normal circumstances he would not be seeking Orochimaru's advice but now, when only one student remained loyally in the village where's the other two trapezed around the country. When he truly knew that the Leaf was in peril. When he had no one else to turn to whom he could fully trust. This then was when he needed Orochimaru's advice, his skill and cunning.
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, "Perhaps." Then his voice dropped several octaves. "I would pray to Kami if I were you Sensei lest the sand has already allied itself with the rock."
"I see." Sarutobi nodded sagely. After dismissing his student Sarutobi rested his head in his hands. He was too old for this, far too old. But because he was Hokage, because he was entrusted with the will of fire of both the second and the fourth he slowly raised his head he was the Third damn it. "Sparrow, call Danzo to my office."
With a flicker the loyal Anbu left to summon his ally and rival. He may be an old man. But he still had pieces in play for this game.
Note: Fourth Shinobi war huh? Since Orochimaru didn't leave the village or help the Akatsuki with medical research, Nagato was forced to clearly rely on other nin to help him with research non obiously as amazing as our awsome medical nin to improve the resurrection jutsu or know about it in the first place for that matter. So this changes a lot of things down the storyline.
Regardless if I continue this story their SHALL BE NO KAGUYA BS! Sorry but that plot twist is so lame that I cant even begin to describe how annoyed I am at the turn the Naruto series took. If Madara is resurrected ever as in if the Akatsuki ever reach that point I will not add the Indra Ashura BS or the Deus ex Machina Kaguya is meant to be.
