Hello everybody, and welcome back to chapter twenty three of the Winds of Change! We've gone over 160 reviews! That is awesome! Thank you guys so much, and only 40 more to go before we hit 200! This is a rather short chapter, sort of like the one with Sakura and Tali a few chapters back. It's something that I couldn't fit into one of the other chapters. To the fans of Itachi and Kakashi, you'll love this chapter. It's also mainly talking, as will the next chapter, I believe. Although something might happen...

Anyway, since it got good reviews, I'm going to continue to do my little mini-review of the chapter! So, without further ado, I present to you chapter 23, of the Winds of Change!

Chapter 23:

The first rays of sunlight were making themselves known over the forest canopy. The leaves whispered amongst themselves as the gentle breeze hit the trees. Kakashi Hatake strode silently along the treetops, his visible eye scanning the surrounding area. The eye crinkled as another man, with long dark hair came up by his side. "We're nearing it," the man said, his dark obsidian eyes locking with Kakashi's.

The Copy Nin found it somewhat funny that he was running side by side, looking for a shelter, with an S ranked missing nin. If all went to plan, that wouldn't remain for long.

After a long and arduous battle, Itachi had emerged with the supposed corpse of Kimmimaro over his shoulder. While he looked a little dazed, and weak, he still barked out orders to his students. Kakashi was mostly shocked by the fact that they took the bodyguard of Orochimaru with them…still breathing.

He took a look back. The skinny one with the tattoos, Fenris, was carrying the man over his shoulder. It looked uncomfortable, but, then again, that might have been the point.

The rest of his squad, although tired, were pressing on behind him. Their physical injuries, while not fully healed, had been healed enough that they could move at a reasonably fast pace. He was rather amazed that a boy so young had such a capacity for Medical Ninjutsu. Still, it had saved them. Torchlight was nearing the destination, and while sticking around near the bone forest to get caught might have been fun, the two sides had far enough action for one day. So, they fled, leaving the guards with a few corpses and an entire jungle of bone. "Are you sure you know where we are going?" Neji questioned Itachi, his eyes narrowed slightly. Of course, Neji probably wouldn't trust Itachi, Kakashi mused to himself. While bizarre, it seemed that feuds between clans ran deep.

Itachi did not turn around to answer the Hyŭga, merely saying, "Yes. We shall be there within the hour."

"And how exactly did you find this place?" Kura quipped, eyes dancing over to Neji quickly, before she rolled them.

Itachi's voice was low and smooth. "While scouting."

Neji seemed irritated by the answer. "While scouting? Could you be a bit more specific? Where exactly are we going?"

"Neji, be polite," Kakashi chided, earning a snicker from Raion.

"We are going to an abandoned house, probably owned by woodcutters. It has heating, is rather large, and is fortified enough that it won't offer any disadvantages should we be attacked."

"When did you find it, sensei?" Kataki asked, wincing. While the pain on both sides had been healed sufficiently, it was not fully healed. Gurei had run out of chakra at that point, having to heal so many people, especially Itachi. He was semi-conscious, being helped up by Raion as he hopped along.

"I found it three days ago."

Kataki's eyebrow furrowed. "Three days ago? Why didn't we move there sooner, then?"

Itachi's pace slowed down to a walk, and his team followed suit. Kakashi was amazed by their coordination. He would have to get some tips from Itachi later. His group did the same, changing to a slower pace, watching Itachi.

The Uchiha inclined his head backwards, and a half-smile played on his lips. "Because then the Leaf Ninja would not have found us."

Shino pushed his glasses up the rim of his nose. "No, we would have. Why, you ask? Kakashi-sensei has a device to track you with."

Team Itachi's face lit up with alarm, turning to face Kakashi with angry eyes. Kakashi swore he could hear the faintest hint of humour in Itachi's voice. "Yes, I know. However, travelling through a dense forest at night would hinder your attempts to find us. And I needed you to arrive when you did. After all, The Sound Five were proving a pain."

"Wait," Raion began, realisation dawning on him," You knew about them the whole time!?"

"Yes, of course."

"How?" Shikamaru drawled, scratching the back of his neck, happy with the momentary lapse of movement.

"I had two Shadow Clones scouting around the area. One spotted them a day before they got here. My clones travel far," he answered an unanswered question, "It was imperative that Kakashi's team arrived to help fight off the Sound Five. It would have taken far too long to kill them all by myself, and we have a schedule to keep. But, we will discuss that later."

"How did you know about us tracking you, and the amulet?" Kakashi asked him, as their pace began to pick back up. Itachi smirked slightly. His voice was low, and Kakashi had to strain his ears to hear the missing nin.

"Because I planned it from the beginning. We shall, however, discuss this later, over tea."

With that, and without Kakashi questioning him, Itachi bounded forward. The Copy Ninja was deeply perplexed, but himself and the other groups picked up their pace, much to the verbal annoyance of Shikamaru.

They had, instead of heading over the tops of trees, delved into the forest itself. Kakashi wasn't surprised at the thickness of the branches, and the gnarled roots that plagued the ground. "Why is this forest so dense?" Shikamaru inquired to his squad leader. Kakashi smiled.

"It was done on purpose, I believe. Itachi, where are we actually going?"

Itachi and his group had taken the lead, easily dodging and leaping over the roots. Itachi turned his head backwards, his face neutral. "We're heading to a former ANBU base. Completely abandoned."

As he said this, he turned back around and made a flurry of handsigns. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The flame that emanated from his mouth engulfed a rather large tree, burning it to ash. Behind it was revealed to be a stone wall, thick with ivy. Itachi made a seal with his hands, "Release."

The stone wall, ever so slowly, began to tear apart down the middle. A small alcove, that looked like the remnants of a log, beckoned them. "Follow me," Itachi said, and made his way inside, ducking. Kataki frowned slightly, before following. Kura was after him, mumbling something about being in 'such close quarters'.

Kakashi was…a bit put out by their team dynamic, to say the least. This was Itachi's team? They seemed a rather rag tag bunch. Then again, Team Seven wasn't much better. Kakashi turned to look back at the team he was leading, and, noticing their apprehensive stares, gave them a small eye smile. "Don't worry about it. They're friends."

Neji snorted. "For now."

Kakashi simply blanked him, and he entered the log, following after Fenris.

The large building that lay before the group looked a little worse for wear. It was infested with all manner of plants and weeds that littered the ground, and had somehow forced their way through the crumbling wood to coil around the building. There were no windows, instead three bars of solid bamboo that allowed one to see outside. It certainly had seen better days. Although, it looked okay. Certainly nothing spectacular, but it would do. Well, to some anyway.

"Why do we always end up in shit-holes?" Kura quipped, rolling her eyes. Raion snickered, earning a glare from Itachi. The brown haired nin coughed under his breath, as Itachi moved forward.

Kakashi hummed to himself, "Ah, I think I know this place."

Kakashi's group looked at him expectantly. He eye-smiled. "Itachi, would you kindly inform my cute little genin and one mature Chunnin where we are?"

"Hn. This is one of the first ever ANBU headquarters in the Fire Country. It was created entirely by the Shodai Hokage himself. Show some respect."

"Well, sooorry…" Kura trailed off, huffing. Itachi turned his stern gaze on her.

"You will show your respects to one of the legendary Hokage's or you will leave this place."

Noticing the stern 'no compromise' edge in his eyes and voice, Kura bowed. "I apologize Itachi-sensei. I will pay my respects to the Shodai Hokage."

The rest of Itachi's group gave a smaller bow. Itachi merely gave a small 'hn,' before turning briskly and walking forward.

"Now, why can't you behave like that?" Kakashi asked his group. A plague of death glares followed.

It was surprisingly easy to gain access too, and the sight that greeted them was quite promising. A large room lay before the two groups, more than enough room for them all to have their own spaces comfortably. A large table stood cracked in the middle, a thick vine coiled around the centre. The air was thick with dust, and all manner of shrubbery and vegetation littered the wooden floor.

"Shit on the outside, shit on the inside." Kura sighed, "I can see that this place has been abandoned for quite a while."

"Hn." Itachi answered, moving gracefully forward. The groups followed. Eventually, they reached the far wooden wall, and Itachi spoke clearly. "Right. Kataki, Fenris and Utsuro will scout out the upper floors."

"What upper floors?" Raion asked. "I didn't see anything."

"Genjutsu." Neji said, his Byakugan firing up. "Two flights of stairs in the corner of the room, a trap door off to the right hand wall and four doors leading into different directions."

"Very well done Hyŭga. Since you seem capable enough, why don't you go and investigate the other flight of stairs?"

Neji scowled at Itachi. Kakashi swore he saw a hint of amusement in Itachi's obsidian black eyes. "Do as he says, Neji. Go scout out the other flight of stairs with Shino. Shikamaru, you handle the door second door on the left."

"Yes. Raion, you take the first door on the left. Gurei, you take the first door on the right, and Kura, you take the second door on the right. Beforehand, however, make sure you're at as full capacity as you can be. Gurei will heal you properly, as we needed to do a quick job beforehand."

Neji seemed prepared to object, but a crinkle of Kakashi's eye stopped him. "Neji, I can see you're feeling some discomfort. Go and get healed, and then be on your way."

The Hyŭga's scowl deepened, but he complied, walking over to Gurei. The grey haired nin greeted him with a small smile, setting some medical supplies down on the table, and pulled out two chairs. "So, where are you hurt then?"

While the others went about milling around, Neji just stared angrily. "I don't want your help," he snarled.

Gurei's smile slowly coiled into an indifferent expression. "You don't have a choice. You're worried we're going to betray you? Would you rather be healed and able to combat us more effectively, or not be healed and be a weak link in your team?"

"And who's to say you won't just poison me, or something?"

Gurei scoffed," There would be no point. Right now we're friends, until our sensei's say otherwise, right? So, I'm inclined to help you, being the only medic out of all of us. So, you can either accept my help, or not. Tell me where it hurts."

Neji and Gurei locked eyes, both their wills refusing to waver. Eventually, Neji's scowl loosened slightly. "Fine…"

Eventually, all of the teens had gone their own way, investigating the compound, leaving Itachi and Kakashi alone together. Both were sat on opposite sides of the table, facing each other. Well, Kakashi was reading Icha Icha, but his eye flickered to Itachi's brooding form from time to time.

"You got them out of the way on purpose, didn't you?"

"Of course. Kura, leave."

Kakashi frowned slightly as Kura seemed to fade in from the shadows. "Fine, fine," she said, flipping her hair behind her head, "Although, I need to tell you something about Utsuro. It's weird that she just disappeared from the battle and reappeared afterwards-"

"Not now Kura. Get out, and go explore. Now."

"Hn." Kura copied Itachi's favourite phrase, "Okay, fine. Do you want me to get injured by the traps you set up to make it look more realistic, or…?"

Itachi smirked. "If you can avoid them, of course."

Kura scoffed, walking down towards her door. "I always avoid things that don't hit me in all the right places." And, with that, she slipped into the darkness.

Kakashi merely shook his head. "As you were saying?"

"Hn, yes. They would only serve as a distraction for now. Allow me to explain the plan, and what will happen."

Kakashi's eyebrow rose slightly. "Who said you could decide what we do?"

"I've decided everything from the very beginning, Hatake. I presume you are the one the Hokage gave the letter to? Does anybody else know?"

"It was not the Hokage that gave the letter to me himself, he died before he could. I was given it by Danzō."

"I see…" Itachi trailed off in thought for a few moments, before he continued, "Could the contents of the letter have been read?"

"It's possible, yes. When I received the letter, it had been sealed. However, Danzō could have broken it rather easily, so I am not sure."

"It doesn't matter now. I shall tell you everything."

Kakashi braced himself, and Itachi spoke, "The amulet was sent by me to the Third Hokage, with instructions. When the time came, he would send you out to come and collect me, and my students. This was three years ago, now. It took a while to procure that amulet, having been sold by many a treasure hunter. Someone must have stolen it from the compound. The Sandaime replied quickly, saying he would do so. However, times have changed. I have… other goals that need to be dealt with. Some within Konoha and some out of Konoha."

"Hm," Kakashi said, not looking away from his precious book, "that will depend on what your goals are."

"I have too many to list. I wish to give my students a home, whether they want it or not. But, I wish for something within Konoha. Having it will be a great benefit to the village as a whole. But, I will need to do some digging. If I am to come back, I will need full access to all of Konoha's Archives, including architecture of clan compounds. Specifically, the Hyŭga."

"What exactly are you searching for, then?"

"There are something's in this world far more powerful than human imagination can comprehend. So powerful, in fact, that certain organisations are investigating."

"You mean the Akatsuki? Are they not just after the Bijū?"

Itachi actually chuckled slightly. "No, they're not. The Bijū, while very powerful, are not the strongest things in existence."

"Oh really? And how exactly did you come to know about this object you're looking for?"

"Hn. My time in the Akatsuki allowed me to do some digging. I found out… much. All I ask is that you let me conduct my investigation without any interruptions. And, I ask for one more thing."

Itachi paused, seemingly for effect. "Do not tell the council or the citizens of Konoha the truth."

"What? Why!? You'd be pardoned, and Danzō would be arrested-"

"That is exactly what I do not wish to happen. Not yet, anyway. Allow me to commence my investigation and research in private. Allow me this, and I will come back to Konoha. You would be unwise to say no."

"Perhaps. You are, however, an S ranked criminal. Bringing you back will cause massive uproar."

"That's the plan. The longer I remain hated, the easier it will be to put my plans in motion. There are some things that I cannot tell you, Kakashi Hatake. But, they will benefit Konoha, in time."

Kakashi thought this over. Here Itachi Uchiha was, willingly handing himself back to Konoha. It could be a trap; they could simply lock him up and execute him. But, Itachi was clever. Far too clever. He knew Kakashi couldn't refuse. While his students did complicate matters, and his investigation was very suspicious, The Copy Ninja decided to place his personal feelings aside for now. "Very well. But, you must tell me what you're looking for. Or no deal."

It was a risky move, but Kakashi needed to know what Itachi wanted. It was within his right. Itachi regarded him with cool eyes, his expression tense. However, he replied with, "Very well. You have a right to know. I'm looking for a key. This key unlocks untold power, and if the Akatsuki or Orochimaru got a hold of such power, then the world would be doomed. I need to find this key, and it is hidden somewhere in Konoha. I'm not exactly sure where, but scriptures indicate that the Hyŭga used to be guardians of the key. That is- Wait, there is something else I suppose I should mention. There is more than one key. And each key belongs to a nation."

Well, damn. So, Itachi was looking for a key that would unlock limitless power, but all the other nations have a key as well. "So, how does that work, then?"

"All of the keys need to be activated at the same time in order to gain access to The Vault."

"The Vault?"

"Yes. It is the name given to… I cannot reveal anymore, for now. Do you accept my proposal?"

Kakashi thought for a few minutes, weighing everything up in his head. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Yes. We have a deal."

Itachi nodded in what Kakashi could only presume was thanks, before he spoke once more. "Onto the present matter. My student has been kidnapped by the Akatsuki."

"Yes, as has one of mine. However, it was by rogue ninja, not affiliated with the Akatsuki. They are being led by a traitor called Mizuki."

"I see. It seems as though we share a common enemy. The Akatsuki and your rogue ninja have taken both of our students, and are holding them captive. They're not the only forces at play, however. Some Oto Ninja have been sighted around Orochiasu. I spotted them heading into the compound where my student and your student are being held."

"Where exactly is this compound, then?"

"The compound itself is mainly hidden underground. However, a there is a dome the size of a house hidden by a powerful Genjutsu. This is the only entrance I know of. I managed to infiltrate the area. I found some… disconcerting evidence. They had approximately three hundred or so Oto Shinobi present. However, only about twenty five of the three hundred were fully trained Shinobi. The others looked like conscripts of some kind."

"Conscripts? He must be running low on man power…"

"Perhaps. From observing their drills, the highest of them are only about as adept as an academy student in their last year. Simple enough to incapacitate. This isn't your whole team, who else is there?"

"I have Might Gai, Kurenai Yūhi, another Hyŭga, Aburame, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke."

Itachi bristled slightly at the mention of his little brother. "Hn. I see an interesting mix. All genin, besides Gai and Kurenai, yes?"

Kakashi nodded. "Not the best fighting force. I presume their abilities are adequate?"

"Indeed. The group I have with me is the scouting group, while the rest of them are currently in the town."

"You have a way of getting a message to them? We need to properly plan."

"Of course. One of my Nin-Dogs can send the message."

"Again, very good. I was planning on assaulting the base tomorrow, but our injuries will need time to heal. Two to three days, at the least. Then we will need a plan of attack, but we can discuss that a little later. Our students are returning."

Kakashi could sense them too. Neji and Shino appeared first. "Traps, but nothing truly worrying," Shino said.

As the others appeared from their respective rooms, they all said the same. Multiple traps, but nothing that resulted in any major injury. A few cuts and bruises, that was all. Kakashi had to admire Itachi. He truly was a genius. Things were certainly going to turn interesting around Konoha with him around. And, to be totally truthful, the Copy Ninja didn't know whether this was a good or bad thing. He would have to ponder it. For now, he had to get ready to send a message. In a few days they would be getting back Sakura Haruno from the Lightning Ninja and the Akatsuki. And they needed to be prepared. Luckily, they had acquired a few more allies to help. "Sakura, we're coming to save you. Hold on."

And that's that! Not much to say about this chapter, really. It was mainly just discussing some of Itachi's motives (he has a lot) and Kakashi's agreement.

Yes, they did spare Kimimaro. That will come into play sometime soon, I can assure you. Itachi always has his reasons for everything he does. And where did Utsuro disappear too? Hm, I wonder...

Anyway, to point out something from last chapter, someone said that Tsunade probably would have helped Lee out. And, I do agree. There was a reason, however, she didn't. Once again, it shall be explained in due time.

And one quick thing before we go. Since we've hit over 150 reviews, I think we should so something special, albeit smaller. Would any of you be interested in learning, through my experience, how to get reviews? I'm not saying I'm the best, or have loads of reviews. I'm simply offering my help to those interested. Also, because I keep forgetting things during these authors notes, a shoutout:

I would implore you all to go and check out DownsofFire's new fic Absent Serpent. I may have given a shoutout to another fic of his, The Rejected Child. That has been discontinued and replaced with this. It's the tale of three prisoners who escape from Orochimaru's evil clutches, and try and survive in the cruel and hostile world of the Shinobi. I ask you to please check it out. It would make me really happy. And even if you don't like it, atleast you gave it a look. You may love it! Thanks in advance!

Have a great morning/afternoon/evening/night!