Kakashi glanced at the clock. 12:30. What's going on? Sasuke was meant to be here at 12:00 with Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensei, why are they so late? Is Naruto that hard to wake up?" Sakura asked, worried.

Kakashi looked around. Everyone was waiting quietly now, some had even started dozing off.

"Even if it is that hard to wake him up, Sasuke would have dragged him here asleep.. No, I think something might have gone wrong. Guess it is best to go and check. Sakura! Gai! Asuma! Kurenai! Let us go and check on them. Everyone else, stay here. If we are not back in 30 minutes, go and inform the Hokage, and send backup.

Naruto stared at the man called Itachi. Who was he? Why did he remind him so much of Sasuke?

"Hey! You with the ponytail! That masked man is dangerous! Attacks go straight through him!" Naruto yelled at Itachi.

"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. You are lucky, because the only one who stands a chance against this guy is me." Itachi said, glancing at Naruto sideways.

"Huh?" Naruto stared at him stupidly.

"Tobi, I told you not to lay a hand on Sasuke, or on Konoha." Itachi said calmly, looking back at Tobi.

"You should have told him not to interrupt my plans." Tobi replied.

"If you kill him, I will have no choice, but to capture you and tell the whole truth to Konoha."

"You think you can capture me?"

"I have watched you long enough. Defeating you is not beyond me."

"Then why don't you try it?"

Naruto looked on as the duo stared at each other. What is happening? They were not moving an inch, but seeing the concentration on both faces, they looked as if they were straining hard. Suddenly, Tobi disappeared in a swirl, appearing behind Itachi.

"Itachi! Behind you!" Naruto warned.

Tobi extended a hand. The image of Itachi started swirling for a second, and stopped immediately. Now Itachi was facing Tobi. Tobi put out both hands before him and started pulling Itachi. The figure of Itachi burst into crows again, the real Itachi appearing behind Tobi who was still pulling the crows. A kunai went through Tobi's neck, who suddenly vanished and appeared in front of Sasuke's motionless form. A small cut showed on his neck.

"He did it! He managed to get him!" Naruto's eyes went wide. "Way to go! Pony-tail guy!" Naruto cheered.

"Not yet. You are a worthy opponent, Itachi. But even you would not attack me if it means Sasuke's death." Tobi pointed a kunai at Sasuke's neck. Silence followed. Naruto could practically feel the tension in the air. Tobi slanted his head as if he was listening.

"It will turn out bad for both of us if those five see us. It's better if you give up now, Tobi. " Itachi said, after a while.

"Five, huh? One is pretty weak to be even considered a threat. And I can take the other four quite easily." Tobi replied.

"Not if I am on their side. And it will be the end for you if you are defeated here. I am giving you another option. Leave. I will make sure they do not remember anything." Itachi said.

Tobi slitted his one sharingan eye. His hand slowly retreated from Sasuke.

"Damn you! You are a thorn in my eye, Itachi." He warped himself in, and disappeared.

As Naruto looked on, Itachi went over to Sasuke and knelt down beside him, propping Sasuke in his lap. He seemed so sad, Naruto thought.

"Hey! Pony-tail guy! Thanks for saving us, dattebayo.. By the way, who are you? Are you a ninja of Konoha?" Naruto asked him.

Itachi closed his eyes and placed his right hand over Sasuke's head. Then he gently placed him on the ground and walked over to Naruto.

"I am sorry, Naruto-kun.. I am not supposed to tell you that." Itachi said, coming near Naruto.

"Why can't you tell me? Is it a secret or something?" Naruto pouted.

"Something like that." A tiny smile was visible on Itachi's lips. He performed some seals and touched his hand on the chains. The chains started falling away from him.

Naruto tried to move. "Aaarrrgghh..." He yelled from the pain.

"Don't move yet." Itachi said, making some more seals and placing a hand on Naruto's chest. He felt the pain slowly subsiding.

"You are awesome!" Naruto admired.

"Look at my eyes." Itachi said.

"Huh?!" Naruto stared at the strange red eyes, confused. His eyes resembled sharingan, but different somehow. He felt like his mind was being searched.

"Naruto... Look after Sasuke." Itachi said, softly.

"Yeah.." Naruto mumbled, and fell asleep.

Keep reviewing =) It inspires me! =D I am even thinking of bringing this story to the current timeline.