Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Naruto cause if I did…heh believe me things would change! coughSasuSakucough Unfortunately it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, blah, blah, blah, insert random legal document , etc.

Chapter 8 is finally here! Sorry about the wait... Anyway now it's off to talk to the Raikage! I had no idea what he'd be like, so let me know what you think about my version. I hope you like chapter and as always remember to review for cookies! I love reviews and reviewers!

Miharu-Uchiha

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Chapter 7: Recap!

Kakashi nodded and they hurried inside. If the building looked big from the outside, it was bigger inside. This was a place you could get lost in. Fortunately it wasn't hard to find their rooms seeing as how everyone knew them and helped out quite a bit.

"Finally," Naruto said chucking his pack on the bed nearest to him, which was the one closest to door.

"Don't relax just yet," Kakashi said with a sigh. "I'm tired too, but we still have to speak with the Raikage and then it all depends on what he thinks."

Naruto growled in response and sat down on the bed glaring at Kakashi. Sasuke watched Sakura claim the bed farthest from Naruto by the far wall and sighed. Inwardly groaning, he threw his pack on the bed between them. Kakashi on the other hand claimed the small bedroom off to the side with an evil grin at his students.

"Shall we then?" he asked calmly.

He was answered with three pillows thrown at his head. Once he had deflected those he found himself forced to drag his students off of their beds and down to where Ashitaka was waiting.

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Chapter 8: The Raikage

Sasuke absentmindedly kicked a nearby rock with a yawn. He hadn't been tired earlier, but now their midnight escapade was catching up with him and the rest of the team. They found Ashitaka talking to gruff Cloud Village Jonin outside the building waiting to take them to the Raikage.

"I thought they were sending elite shinobi," the Jonin said glancing at squad 7.

"I've been assured numerous times they are the best. With Kakashi the Copy Ninja as their sensei they'd have to be," Ashitaka said. "You remember how Toshikai himself was only a genin when he completed 3 A rank missions."

The Jonin grunted in reply, "I'll go let the Raikage know you're on your way with the squirts."

"Squirts!" Naruto yelled after him as he disappeared in a poof of smoke as they reached General Ashitaka. "Get back here and I'll show you squirts."

"Shut your mouth," Sakura said smacking Naruto as her Inner Sakura smiled, "CHA!"

"You'll have to excuse Yukimura," Ashitaka sighed. "He's been high-strung with all the fuss about Toshikai, but he fails to realize we are strained just as much. Shall we?"

"Toshikai?" Kakashi asked as they followed Ashitaka. "I assume that's the Raikage's son."

"Yes, Toshikai was one of the strongest ninja in our entire village, but…his desire, his lust for power drove him too far. Now he is nothing, but a rogue ninja to Lord Raikage now."

"That's sad," Sakura said, "to have to abandon your own son."

"From a certain viewpoint, it really is," Ashitaka agreed. "If only he could have stopped, but whatever his goal or intention was he either didn't want to see past it or just couldn't. It pained the Raikage, but he had sworn to protect the village and unfortunately that meant sending away his power hungry son away."

Sasuke had only been half listening, but when the word power came up his ears perked up. If this Toshikai was anything like he had been…Sasuke involuntarily shuddered. He felt a hand brush against his, squeeze it tightly, and let go before he could protest. Looking up he noticed Sakura had fallen back, her face slightly red, and realizing he was looking at her smiled. Sasuke was confused as to why she had grabbed his hand until he realized she must have seen him shiver.

"Here it is," Ashitaka said as they arrived at the palace of the Raikage.

The Raikage's palace was a sight to behold. It dwarfed any other building Sasuke had ever seen. The outside was a blue-green color that matched the chunin vests and the roof was lined with golden yellow trim. Even Naruto who had been walking along in a partially asleep/angry mood was now wide awake and looking on in awe.

"Whoa," Naruto mumbled.

General Ashitaka led them in through the huge gate emblazoned with the kanji for lightning in golden paint. As they walked in through the huge oak doors, Sasuke was amazed. He had known that the Raikage was rich, but this…

"The Raikage's waiting for you inside," Ashitaka said as they came to a deep blue door again with the golden lightning kanji on the front.

"Where are you going?" Naruto asked.

"I must go back to my post, but the Raikage can answer any questions twice as good as I can," Ashitaka replied as the doors swung open.

With a final glance back, they walked into the big hall and saw an older man sitting at a desk. His yellow hat hung down over his eyes and he was reading, they realized as they came closer, squad 7's ninja files. He removed his hat to greet them and set it down to the side of his papers. His eyes were somber and his face appeared further aged with lines of worry and tiredness. He looked as though he hadn't laughed or been happy for a while.

"Welcome my friends," he said wearily. "Please sit."

The Raikage gestured for them to sit in front of his desk where red mats were laid out to kneel on. The Raikage stood removing his robe, revealing a simple tunic beneath it. He walked over and hung his hat and robe on a hanger and pulled on a smaller, lighter overcoat. Once he was comfortable he sat again.

"That's better," he smiled almost forcibly. "So Kakashi Hatake, the famed Copy ninja of Konoha, we finally meet though I wish it could be under better circumstances. Anyway I assume this is your team then?"

"Yes, Naruto Uzamaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha all chunin of Squad 7," Kakashi said trying vainly to hide the pride he felt.

"Ah, quite the team from what I hear. No one else was as qualified and though most of my shinobi don't believe it, I can see why," the Raikage said. "Oh, but where are my manners? I am Seizo, Raikage of the Land Hidden in the Clouds. Now that introductions are out of the way, did you bring the scroll?"

"It's right here," Kakashi said setting it down on the desk.

Raikage Seizo picked up the scroll case and unscrewed the lid slowly almost reverently. He opened it and used his chakra to make swirling kanji appear across the scroll. Once he had finished he set it down with a sigh.

"Tell me, Sasuke, you look smart. Can you read this at all?" he asked pushing the scroll to the young Uchiha.

"No, I can't," Sasuke said trying vainly to read it.

"What is it?" Sakura asked even her sharp mind confused.

"Looks like gibberish to me," Naruto said.

"Actually young man, Naruto, you wouldn't be far off," the Kage said. "Anyone who can't read the language of Yosei can't read this."

"Yosei?" Sasuke wondered aloud.

"Well, hold on. Perhaps it would be easier if I started at the beginning," the Raikage said. "You see, our village is in danger and that's why we needed you."

"What about your own jonin and chunin?" Kakashi asked. "I'm sure they would love to help."

"What left of them are, but…I'll be frank with you. When Toshikai left he took almost half of our elite jonin and though some did come back, we're short on help."

"Why did he leave?" Sakura inquired.

"You see, Sakura, when a new Raikage is chosen here our old custom was based more or less on successions," Seizo explained.

"Succession?" Naruto asked.

"It means when someone dies their children or next in line take over," Kakashi explained to Naruto. "What does that have to do with your son?"

The Raikage sighed and rolled up the scroll for the moment, "We changed our custom recently to an easier more fair way. That way the Raikage could choose his own successor much like your Hokage. Toshikai was still sure I'd pick him as he was my own son, but…the boy's lust for power was horrifying."

"So you picked someone else you thought would be better and Toshikai was angry, thinking you had cheated him out of what was rightfully his," Kakashi said finishing for Raikage Seizo.

"Precisely, though I wouldn't say angry, more like furious, but he didn't realize that rage was the exact reason I didn't choose him. He had a fiery temper and that," the Raikage said, "is exactly why he wants this."

"To overthrow you then?" Sasuke guessed.

"Yes, he even went so far as to scream to the whole village how much he hated me and that he'd get me if it was the last thing he ever did. Another reason he cannot have the scroll and why I need you to stay," the Kage said.

"So what does, Yosei or whatever have to do with anything?" Naruto asked.

"Ah yes, Yosei, the dragon of the morning star, guardian of this village. His power is sealed within this scroll and whosoever wields it can summon him to their bidding. I shudder to think what Toshikai intends to use it for, but I'm certain it's not good," Seizo said solemnly.

The room fell into silence for a moment when another of the various elite jonin entered the room. He walked briskly up to the Raikage and spoke in his ear for a moment. The Raikage nodded and he left again.

"Unfortunately it would seem I have some business to attend to, but you're welcome to wander the village or go get some rest," he said with a chuckle. "I have to go make the final preparations for the festival."

"Festival?" Kakashi asked rising to his feet as the Raikage did.

"The annual Thunder Festival. You arrived just in time for it actually. It starts tomorrow morning and goes all day…hopefully," the Kage replied. "Which reminds me, I have a job for you to do at the festival. I need you to watch out for my son and make sure he doesn't cause trouble. Don't worry about getting dressed up, I'll send something for you tomorrow morning."

"Shouldn't we be doing surveillance work, patrolling, or something?" Sasuke asked in disbelief.

"You will be. Only you'll do it in a kimono and you'll be having fun too," The Raikage said heading to the door. "Oh I almost forgot you have no idea what Toshikai looks like do you? Here's a picture of him when he was a bit younger and not so…well anyway, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

Leaving the picture with Kakashi, Raikage Seizo left through a side door and shut it behind him. Glancing down at the picture of a younger Toshikai, Sasuke was stunned. The way everyone made him out to be was like a vicious killer, but this picture didn't agree. The young man in the picture had white blonde hair that cascaded to his shoulders; his eyes were a deep green darker then Sakura's, and his smile belied the way everyone talked about him. From the picture Toshikai seemed like a normal guy who didn't have a vengeful bone in his body.

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The last chapter was short, but this one somewhat makes up for it…I think. I realize it was sort of boring with all the talking, but I had to explain the plotline more. By the way I must thank my cousin for the idea of Yosei and I promise this will all make sense...eventually. The next chapter will be even better, I promise! So hopefully I can update soon and be happy! As always, puh-lease review and all your ideas are welcome always!