Chapter 19: Target

"It's the one called Obito. I want him gone. Soon. Make sure you don't mess this up or there will be consequences. You know how much I like to try out new.. methods, Naruto-kun."

"The vulture is gone. Your coupling is in two days now, human. How are you going to do both?"

Naruto paused in sharpening his standard katana before he replied to Kyuubi. 'I don't know. The bastard is even using Itachi's personality now!' He heard the demon sigh in frustration before moving back into his conscience. He returned to sharpening the blade, pushing and pulling methodically to get a glinting edge. It had been almost a day since the creature had given the latest target, except this one was personal.

'It will be hard to get to Uchiha without Madara hanging about. If only there was a way to get near without blowing the whole thing into proportions.'

He was interrupted by a rapping on his door, pulling him out of assassination methods and massacre styles.

"Naruto you were supposed to be at the bridge half an hour ago."

Naruto's eyes narrowed in thought before allowing kyuubi's glee to encompass his mind. 'Found it.'

Sakura tried to stop the nervous habit, her hands pink and raw from constant rubbing together. Sasuke had gone to find Naruto ten minutes earlier, and sakura was left with Riku and Kakashi at the bridge. It was the preliminary step for the surprise party konoha nine had put together for Naruto as a congratulatory wedding present.

"Stop that sakura-chan. I'm sure they'll be here soon. Looks like sai-san had arrived too." Riku gestured with his head towards the dark haired shinobi now crouched at the bridge railing. Sakura smiled nervously, turning back to the road quickly to catch the two teammates arriving.

"What are you so jumpy about hag?" sakura could hear Riku chuckling quietly, trying to mask his mirth. 'I will NOT kill him. I will not Kill him. Sakura get a grip on yourself, you trained under a sannin!'

"What's the matter? Too old to actually open your mouth hag? I didn't think it was possible."

"SHANNAROOOOO!"

Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other briefly, stopping mid step, when they heard the shout. Both of them shrugged in sync, stopping again to share a grin and a laugh. Sasuke was reminded of their genin days, when sometimes the two of them had their shared moments.

"Looks like sakura hasn't changed at all, I'm surprised she didn't paralyze you to have her way with you."

Sasuke smirked in response to the teasing, grunting in reply. He felt his smile widen when Naruto only laughed harder. "And you haven't changed either."

"Haven't I? You barely talked to me during the time you've been here Naruto." Sasuke missed the smile but he was still looking for answers. Mischievous blue eyes turned to him.

"Have you figured it out yet?" when Sasuke could only frown in response Naruto's smile changed. "And here I was thinking you were still smart. Haven't you figured out what I am looking for yet Sasuke?"

Sasuke refused to roll his eyes. 'Damn Naruto and his dramatics.' When he turned to reply Naruto was still looking at him with that smile, it made Sasuke tense unconsciously. "It's probably your ramen coupon or something stupid again."

Naruto's eyes turned lighter, and Sasuke was surprised to identify that emotion as disappointed. 'Naruto was disappointed in him? For what?'. They were nearing the bridge now and Sasuke waited for Naruto's reply ready to start another light argument. He stopped when was at the edge of the bridge when he found that Naruto wasn't at his side anymore, sakura had already spotted them and was walking towards them.

"I'm looking for Obito, Sasuke." Sasuke was glad for the training he had when his face didn't respond to his shock. "I need to find him soon." Naruto smiled the same smile that Sasuke hadn't been able to place before walking past him to greet sakura. It was much later during the day when Sasuke was finally able to place where he had seen Naruto smiling like that. 'That was how Kyuubi smiled when he took over Naruto.'

"That was risky. You shouldn't have let that Uchiha know."

'Sasuke's not in contact with madara or obito anymore. We both know that. And it's not Tsunade is not paranoid about having him here. If he tries something it will be him against me, and who would Tsunade believe?'

"That was an unnecessary risk, even knowing what that Uchiha is capable of."

'You worry too much.'

"I'm worried about ending up in the shinigami's soul if you screw this up you stupid human!"

Naruto rolled his eyes before chugging down the sake. Kiba and Riku were arguing about the supposed surprise bachelor night and sakura was yelling at them for ruining the said surprise by yelling about it. The barbeque restaurant was a familiar haunt for the group and the owners didn't seem to mind the loud ruckus. Naruto poured his cup full again before eyeing the table and its gathered group.

Neji and shino along with shikaru and chouji were in a quiet discussion about the recent clan policies, the girls had huddled together in a corner and threw covert glances at him from time to time befoe giggling. Naruto was sure they were talking about the other surprise party for Aiko, only girls allowed though. Sai had gone some time before along with Kakashi and iruka, stating work and missions the day after. Naruto was more focused on the only silent one on the group, Sasuke.

"At least he still seems to be in shock."

Dark eyes looked up when Sasuke had apparently felt his gaze, they were still holding their gazes when kiba abruptly stood up and upset the table. The resulting chaos was enough for Naruto to bid a short goodbye and walk away before anything else happened. Naruto turned when he felt the other body slam onto him, allowing the Uchiha to grab hold of him and shunshin away.

Naruto woke up next day without a hangover, only his bleary eyes showing any alcohol was present in his system. He got up quickly, leaving the sheets and the other person occupying the bed. The shower cleared his head and made him relax.

"Of all the stupidities to do!"

"What happened?"

'Kyuubi!'

"Hmph."

Before he could continue the argument the sound of Sasuke sifting in the bed snapped him out of the familiar feel of the sewer and the torii gate. Quickly finishing up and silently getting dressed in the room Naruto left o find the front doors, Until he crashed ungracefully into a small bundle, effectively stopping him.

"Naruto-san! Do you want breakfast?" the childish voice piped at him with a cheerful smile, and Naruto never refused free food.

he was forced to admit that maybe Sasuke could really cook food five minutes later. Satoshi kept a live commentary running of what usually happened in the house and when.

"Tou-chan said we can have takoyaki this weekend! I love eating takoyaki!"

"And I love eating humans!"

Naruto choked on his mouthful of rice before gagging and finally letting his laughter sound. Satoshi looked at him curiously but laughed with Naruto, the sound reverberating around the room. Naruto laughed harder when he felt the child's confusion.

"You have become what humans call cruel."

'Have I now?'

Naruto's laughing subsided away when Sasuke entered the dining room. After a lifted eyebrow and a silent question was sent his way Sasuke joined the table.

"Tou-chan you didn't tell me Naruto-san was coming!."

Sasuke chewed his mouthful slowly, 'Probably trying to figure out what to say.' And Naruto stood up from the table. Satoshi looked up at him expectantly and Naruto smiled through his lies.

"I have to get going Satoshi. I'll see you around Sasuke." And before any of them could respond he was gone with a yellow blur.

"And that child looked so sincerely tasty too."

'Yes he did.'

Naruto looked at the former favorite tea house of Itachi's, having found it incidentally in one of his travels with Jiraiya. He spotted the familiar haircut and made his way through the booths sitting down on the adjacent one.

"The coins will be full. The mask will be there for an hour before they take it away." He heard the tinkle of coins dropping on the table before the man stood up and walked off. Naruto looked up from his hood when he heard the female waitress asking what he wanted.

"Some jasmine tea and green tea dango, please." He replied with a smile.

He waited for half an hour before the ground shook from the explosion. He dropped the coins on the table before exiting the tea house from the back door and running off to the woods. He only travelled ten minutes before he landed on a small clearing with only one other occupant.

"Looks like he managed to get the timing correct." The man looked up from where he had been slumping against the tree. "It's been a long time Obito. I've been looking forward to this for some time."

Naruto dodged to the left and kicked out reflexively when the man appeared at his blind spot, the orange mask with one eyes a blur in his speed.

A/n: thank you very much for reading! Please review! They're like food! You need to constantly take them!