The Hidden Truth

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or it's characters, if I did, Sakura will be dead and Naruto would be the ultimate Uke.

Chapter 2

Naruto sat himself on a high branch of a tree that Sasuke chose to sleep under that night. The young Uchiha got further then Naruto thought he'd get on the first day, and the blond couldn't have been any prouder of this fact. Closing his eyes, Naruto sighed as he contacted Kyuubi. "You awake fluffy?"

A low growl was issued from the demon fox, "What have I said about calling me that kit. Fluffy is for things that are soft, cute and cuddly. I am none of the above and thus should not have a name like..." A disgusted sound escaped the giant fox's muzzle. The only response Naruto offered to Kyuubi for his rant, was a laugh, so with a resigned sigh, quite use to the blond's action, "Yes, I'm awake. What do you want to talk about, kit?" At the question, Naruto chewed on his bottom lip. Seeing this reaction, the Kyuubi pulled Naruto into his inner world. "Sit and tell me what's wrong kit. Does this have any thing to do with our conversation earlier?"

With a frown, remembering that night, Naruto drew his legs to his chest, resting his chin on his knees. 'Has it only been a week since that day. No. Over a week. I tried to keep myself as busy as I could so I wouldn't have to think about that day, but now...'

'Kit.' The Kyuubi's voice pulled Naruto out of his thoughts, as he turned his attention towards the red fox who glowed slightly and as it faded, instead of seeing a giant fox, a spiky redheaded man with red eyes was in it's place. 'What happened while I was out kit? Did something happened to Itachi-kun?'

Naruto lowered his head, 'A week ago councilmen Shimura Danzo handed proof to the Sandaime about a coup that the Uchiha clan were planning. Not believing the man, Sarutobi sent out several ANBU's to spy on them, while we were out on that mission to Yukigakure. When we returned three days later, the Sandaime told us about what his ANBU's discovered...'

Flashback

Itachi, Naruto, Shin and Sai entered the Hokage's office, standing in front of their leader, mask secured, back straight and a professional air around them. "ANBU team Gogyo Kijin reporting back from the two month mission to Yukigakure, Hokage-sama." Itachi stepped forward, holding out his mission report.

Sarutobi nodded his head, taking the offered report. A glint of sorrow covered the Hokage's eyes briefly when Itachi stated their team name. 'Even with Shisui's death, they still choose to keep their old moniker. I guess they aren't ready to change their team name. Not that I blame them.' "That's good. So how was the mission? Did anything unexpected occur? Run into trouble?"

"Just the usual trouble." Itachi stated. "But Kazahana Doto tried, and would've succeeded in, killing his brother Sousetsu-sama had we not been present at the time. After putting a stop to the man's plans, we stayed long enough to smoke out Doto's followers and made sure everything was alright before we made our way back here."

Chewing at the end of his pipe, the Sandaime eyed the four standing before him. He focused his attention on Hyou and Karasu, knowing what he was about to say would affect the two of them more then Ryuu and Tora. 'There is no other option. I have to tell them.' Waving his hand, he made a silent gesture for the ANBU's hiding in the room to leave. Making sure the room was empty except for the four in front of him, Sarutobi placed a silencing seal on the room, shooting off alarms in the four ANBU's minds. "Please take a seat and remove your mask. I have some news you won't like; I know it will upset you to hear it, but you four are the ones assigned to complete this mission, so I have no choice but to brief you on it."

Stripping off their mask, the four took their seats, staring at the Hokage in trepidation. The last time they heard something like that, they were sent out on a high rank escort mission where they lost their fifth teammate. They knew whatever the Hokage was about to tell them, wouldn't be good.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto gripped his hand tightly, "What is it Hokage-sama?" the blond questioned, closing his eyes. He couldn't bare it if he lost any more of his friends. Shisui's death was hard enough and if he lost Itachi, Shin and Sai as well, he'd lose it completely, especially if Itachi was the one he lost. "What is the mission? Another escort?"

"No." With a sigh, the Sandaime told them what Danzo had reported a few days ago. The Uchiha clan was planning a Coup. Seeing Naruto about to open his mouth to question's the honesty of Danzo's report, when Sarutobi continued, telling them that he had his own suspicion and sent a team of ANBU's to spy on the clan, and when they returned, they reported the same thing Danzo had said. The Uchiha's were planning a revolt in three days. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but by the orders of the council, it's been decided that team Gogyo Kijin would be the ones to complete this mission."

Naruto couldn't, wouldn't, believe that the clan he so loved and adored was planning something like this. No, it wasn't true. It wasn't. How could they do something like this when they loved Konoha. They... With a scream, Naruto buried his face in his lap and cried.

Itachi wrapped his arms around Naruto, clutching the fragile boy to his chest. Tears glittering in his dark eyes. "Why us? Why give us a mission like this? Are they that cruel to have us suffer like this. It was their fault Shisui's dead. They're the ones to blame for ostracizing the Uchiha clan, if they were planning a coup, then the fault belongs to them for how they treated us after the Kyuubi's rampage. Why are you making us suffer like this Sandaime-sama?" Itachi lowered his head. He would never speak this way to his superior, but he wanted answers. He knew his clan, and they would never do what the Sandaime claimed they're doing.

"I'm sorry for making you guys do this, but by orders of the council, this mission is to be completed by tomorrow night."

Flashback End

Kyuubi didn't know what to say. He couldn't believe the Uchiha clan would do something like that. It just didn't sound like something they would do. They took in and raised a boy everyone hated, even knowing what would happen to them should they do so. Aside from that, he knew just what type of family the Uchiha clan was, and he knew what they taught their members. 'Keep moving forward.' 'The past meant nothing, it happened, so there was no sense in dwelling in what already happen.' 'Learn from your mistakes and keep going, that's the only way you'll be able to grow.' He heard Fugaku whispering those words to his kit when the boy was just starting to learn jutsu's and kept making mistakes. Even when he had nightmares about his treatments from the villagers and woke crying because of them.

So he couldn't understand how a family who believed in something like that could even think about actually committing a coup against the very village they would do anything to protect. Kyuubi could bet the person responsible for this was that damn warmongering old fool. After all it had been him to bring up such claims that could not be true. The signs would have been there had the Uchiha's actually been planning what they said had been done. But there was nothing. Not even a hint of a coup.

A sniff caused the redhead to look towards his vessel. "Naruto." he whispered, wrapping an arm around the small boy. "Hush now."

-00-

(Ages: Naruto: 9, Sasuke; 10, Sai: 11, Shin: 11)

Timeskip: Two years later

Two years had passed quite fast. Naruto had hid the fact that he told Sasuke the truth and was currently training him for as long as he could, but when the Hokage began getting suspicious, Naruto had confessed, telling him that he needed the boy to know the truth and in order to keep his promise to Itachi, he decided to train the older boy. It was discovered that Sasuke could actually utilize most of the attacks better then Naruto could because of their physical difference.

Being smaller then most shinobi's and on the slender and petite side, Naruto was build more for speed then strength. He was agile, fast on his feet and flexible, but no matter how much he trained, he was never able to pack the needed punch required to use most of the taijutsu he found, so not wanting the technique to go to waste, he taught them to Sasuke and was quite pleased that the older one was able to use them and with more training, he knew the Uchiha would do the creator of those techniques justice.

Sasuke feeling obligated to help Naruto find a taijutsu fit for his stature, went through the various scrolls in his clans library and after weeks of going through them, he found one and presented it to Naruto, who after reading through the scroll, grinned. "This looks promising." The blond turned towards the dark haired male, "Thanks Sasuke."

With a light tint of pink gracing his pale cheeks, Sasuke turned his head towards the ground, "No problem Naruto. I'm glad I could help you with something. I mean you've done so much for me, it was the least I could do." He murmured.

"Come on, lets go practice."

"Team 22, I have a mission for you." Four masked figures nodded their heads, "As this is Taka's first mission, I'm counting on you three to watch over him, you especially Hyou-taishou." Naruto bowed his head, a murmured, 'Of course Hokage-sama.' Offering a nod towards the young captain, the Sandaime continued his briefing. "The mission will lead you to Suna and once there, the Kazekage shall tell you what you're to do. He paid for an S-class mission, why you might be asking, I wish I had an answer for you but I don't. If you think something is wrong, drop the mission and return at once. Am I understood?"

The four nodded their heads before one strode forward and took the offered scroll. "We shall do as you've asked Hokage-sama." he stated, as the group bowed before leaving the room.

"Alright, pack and meet at the South side front gate. Instead of taking the traditional route through Kusa and Ame to reach Kaze no kuni, we'll be going through Kawa no kuni, it'll be a lot faster, but at the same time it might be a lot more dangerous, which is why people tend to take the North route to Suna."

"Why are we going that way?" Sai questioned, raising an unseen brow at their leader. "It might be faster but if we run into trouble, it would be longer to get there."

Naruto nodded his head. "That might be so, but this will be a good practice run for Taka, get him use to what real Shinobi life is like, and he can freeze up now rather than later when it won't cost us the mission."

Sai, Shin and Sasuke bowed their heads and Naruto dismissed them, calling for Sasuke to wait. "Taka this is your first mission, and as such, I feel the need to let you know that it won't be easy but we'll be there to back you up if you need it. I've trained you, so I know you're ready for this." Sasuke gave a nod of his head. "Alright, pack up and meet at the South Gate, we'll leave in twenty."

-00-

Dashing through the sands of Kaze no kuni, the scorching sun beat down on them, the four ANBU's trudged on. "We're almost there." Naruto called towards his three subordinates. "Press on and we'll reach Suna within the hour."

They reached Suna earlier then expected. Tossing back the hoods used to cover their face, Naruto led his team towards the gates, when a voice called down to them, "Halt! State your names and your reason for being here?"

"ANBU's from Konoha." Naruto answered. "We're here in answer to the Kazekage's request." A whisper conversation drifted towards the four, but the words spoken were inaudible. "If you wish to confirm this with your Kage, we shall wait here until you get your answer."

Another voice, soft, almost airy yet smooth, different from the first spoke, "They'll be no need for that Konoha's ANBU. I know of what you speak and I shall lead you to the Kazekage's office. Open the gates and allow them entrance."

-00-

The walk to the Kazekage's office was silent, the only sound heard was the swishing of fabric. Arriving at the office door, the blond that had led them, knocked on the wooden surface. "Come in."

Opening the door, the Suna Jounin bowed his head. "Kazekage-sama the ANBU's from Konoha has arrived."

"Thank you for leading them here Yashamaru. You may head home now. I know that you pulled a double in order to cover for Baki, but you won't be any help if you're exhausted. So go rest."

Yashamaru looked unsure, but at the look he was getting from the Kazekage he knew he had no choice but to agree to what the older man was saying. "As you wish Kagekage-sama." he replied, bowing his head, before vanishing in a swirl of sand.

As soon as Yashamaru was gone, the Kazekage turned to face the four young ANBU's. "My how young the four of you appear to be. Tell me how old are you guys." Seeing that no answer was going to be had, the Kazekage chuckled, "Well that's alright, You don't have to tell me, if you don't want." Reaching into his draw, he withdrew a folder. "Let's get down to the reason why you're here. I want you to assassinate someone for me. I would've used my own shibobi's for this but it has been proven already that my shinobi's aren't strong enough to rid us of this threat, which is why I sent the request to Sarutobi-sama." Sliding the manilla folder towards Naruto, he gestured to the apparent leader to grab it. "He's your mission and I want the job down in two days." The Kazekage reached over and grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled on it for a while before handing it towards Naruto, "That's the name of the hotel you can stay in, free of charge for the duration of your mission."

"Thank you Kazekage-sama." Naruto bowed his head, "If you'll excuse us. We shall prepare for the mission." Giving a nod of his head, the Kazekage gave his permission for them to leave. And with a poof of smoke, the four disappeared.

Tsuzuku

(To be continued)

Jugatsuzakura: October Cherry

Naruto: Wind, Sub: Water and Fire

Itachi: Water, Sub: Fire and Lightning

Shisui: Fire, Sub: Water and Earth

Sai: Earth, Sub: Water

Shin: Lightning, Sub: Earth

Haku: Water, Keke Genkai: Ice

Sasuke: Fire, Sub: Lightning

Koganeirohyou: Golden Panther

Kyuuketsuki no Karasu: Bloodsucking Crow

This is chapter 2 of The Hidden Truth - Rewrite. For those of you who've read the original, you'll know that this something completely different, and, yes, they'll definitely be some different events happening.

I hope you like it thus far.

Shini-ko