I am very sorry for the long period of time that I haven't added a chapter! I don't really have that much time to write anymore but I will try to make time! :) (I do not own Naruto)

The group of AMBU who had been searching for Naruto and Sasuke had to report to Tsunade. They were all standing respectfully waiting for the Hokage to enter the room and ask for details. She opened the door and went for her seat Shizune followed behind her. She sat down and faced the group with an annoyed expression.

"Alright, now let's get this moving," she clapped her hands together, "I want it from the very beginning." she pointed at one of the AMBU and he began the long process, they all did.

Sakura had found out about Sasuke being in the hospital but she didn't know the truth. She had been sitting by his bed side for a while now waiting for him to wake. She had been told that he got caught in the crossfire of two other ninja. He had his arm wrapped up pretty good she frowned at him. He looked awful it was hard to see her teammate like this. She wanted to grab his hand and tell him that he was ok now, but instead she brushed his hair away from his face. She still didn't know where Naruto was Tsunade had avoided answering that question like always. Naruto might have been caught in the crossfire as well but she didn't know for sure. Sasuke shifted on the white bed making Sakura look at him,

"Sasuke?" her voice was soft. He opened his eyes slowly and felt the dull ache in his arm. He noticed Sakura watching him closely and looked at her.

"Sakura?" he closed his eyes again.

"Mhm, yeah Sasuke?"

"What time is it?" he took in a deep breath.

"Almost eleven… I can get you lunch if you want?"

"No, no it's fine..." Sasuke lifted his good arm and put it over his eyes.

"Sasuke...what happened?"

"Didn't someone already tell you?" he didn't know if they cued her in on anything yet.

"They told me about it," he looked at her she looked tired and worried. He didn't know what they told her what was 'it'?

"I was just caught off guard...we both were," he remembered that they hadn't found Naruto. A wave of pain went through his arm he took a deep breath. He had to respond carefully to her questions.

"I haven't seen Naruto is he ok?" she looked at him she was concerned.

"I don't know I don't remember much," Naruto was gone and he couldn't handle Sakura breaking down.

"Oh..." she replied softly.

The AMBU gave her the full story and she now expressed her thoughts to the group.

"Why would Itachi be there?" she waited for someone to speak.

"One of the groups came in contact with him but it was just a shadow clone a distraction…"

"Itachi being there doesn't make any sense at all…" Tsunade bit one of her nails then Shizune spoke,

"Unless Itachi and Orochimaru are working together…but it still wouldn't make sense. Why would he destroy part of the hideout?" Shizune looked around for input on her thought.

"Well the nine tails is what they want I assume," one of the AMBU added.

"They do want the nine tails but that doesn't explain why Orochimaru would want Sasuke as well," Shizune countered. Tsunade was struck by a thought,

"I can't see the two of them working together…" she paused for a moment, "Get someone over to Sasuke I'll be there soon. We're going to need a private conversation get Kakashi too," she looked at Shizune and one of the AMBU they nodded and took their leave. Tusnade addressed the rest of the group,

"You are all dismissed for now, next time we meet though I will need your debriefing papers, am I clear?" they all bowed and left swiftly. She had to get Shikamaru on this also along with Kiba. She rubbed her temples and gave a big sigh. She opened her office door and walked out, this was the door that the AMBU neglected to use. She shook her head it was their job not to use the front door she gave a little smile and left for the hospital.

Tsunade made it to the hospital and down the hall to Sasuke's room. Sakura had left already which meant that Shizune had done her job. Kakashi was inside standing by the window and Shizune was standing at the foot of Sasuke's bed. She slid the door shut and an AMBU gave a slight knock to let her know the door was being guarded. She moved away from the door to stand next to Shizune.

"Sasuke how's your arm?" she gave him a smile.

"It aches," his voice was flat. "What did you tell Sakura?" he continued. His eyes were set upon Tsunade waiting for an answer he didn't want her to dance around it.

"Ah right to the point. I told her that you and Naruto were caught in the crossfire of two other ninja," Sasuke waited for a second to let it sink in.

"You can't keep her in the dark for too long she's smart,"

"You don't think I know that Sasuke. I've got a lot on my plate and the last thing I need is her to do something stupid," Tsunade folded her arms.

"I think you should just ask Hokage-sama I mean ask what you came here to ask." Kakashi looked at Tsunade. Sasuke looked over at his teacher he had almost forgotten the sliver haired ninja was there. Shizune was keeping quiet and taking mental notes about what Sakura was told. Tsunade had neglected to tell Shizune about what they told Sakura.

"Right, Itachi was there…but it doesn't make sense. What happened Sasuke?" Sasuke remembered his brother talking but he didn't remember most of what his brother said other than the "truth" part. Itachi had said something about them needing to know the truth and that there was a lot they needed to know.

"I was going home and that's when I saw Orochimaru and Kabuto…and that's when they got me. I remember being carried into one of the rooms and Naruto was there. I…we were heavily drugged with something we couldn't move or use our chakra," Sasuke inhaled deeply. "They moved us to a cell and a few hours late that's when Itachi showed up. He blew a hole in the wall to get in…and there was another blast which started to break the foundation. When we got out of the cell that's when we actually saw him, he said he wasn't there to fight but to tell us the truth. Naruto when after him but the drugs hadn't fully worn off yet Itachi threw him like a rag doll. I just froze…I didn't try to fight back…" Sasuke looked down at the bed sheets he felt powerless, he felt like a coward.

"The second blast was a shadow clone of Itachi," Tsunade informed Sasuke. "Some questions came up like, why would Orochimaru work with Itachi but clearly they aren't working together." she bit her thumb nail.

"Itachi has Naruto," Sasuke he wasn't looking at Tsunade, but past her.

"Are you sure?" Kakashi questioned. Sasuke had been drugged was he remembering things correctly?

"Yes Orochimaru said that Itachi was interfering with his plans and left down that hall with Kabuto. Then the blast came…"

"So they aren't working together. Great now we two very dangerous criminal ass holes running around and we are back to square one. We don't know why they want both of you except Itachi said something about the truth." she was ready to rip her own throat out. Shikamaru would definitely be helpful…hopefully.

Naruto awoke to the sound of flowing water. He tried to move but was restricted by something around his ankles and wrists. He cursed out loud, he was outside and the smell of dirt was strong. He could hear the rush of a waterfall not too far from where he lay. A little stream was a few feet away from him. He scanned the edge of the stream for sharp rocks but from what he could see there was none. His stomach growled no food for two days almost he let out a groan. Pulling on the ropes was not getting him anywhere, he couldn't get free. His anger swelled up and he began to pull harder on the ropes.

"Naruto," Naruto's attention snapped to where he heard Itachi's voice. The Uchiha was standing on the other side of the stream. His black loak flowed as Itachi started to walk towards Naruto. The blonde looked closer at Itachi's cloak, there were no red clouds. The cloak was all black…had hee been wearing this before?

"Itachi," Naruto growled. Itachi stopped when he was in front of Naruto.

"Hungry I assume?" he was looking down at Naruto.

"No you piece of shit," Naruto's anger was rising again. Itachi chuckled and threw half a loaf of bread down at Naruto. Naruto didn't touch it, not like he.

"Orochimaru wants you and Sasuke to be his subordinates. He wants you both to fight for him,"

"Why would I believe you! You killed your whole clan you betrayed Konoha, you betrayed your brother!" Naruto was glaring up at Itachi.

"I didn't kill the whole clan I left Sasuke. I left him so he could kill me Naruto," Naruto's went wide but then he narrowed them at Itachi again.

"Why?"

"For what I've done, that was my first mission from Orochimaru. He wanted the Uchiha clan gone from Konoha so they would be more vulnerable. I couldn't kill Sasuke…someone has to make me atone for what I've done, but first I have to correct a few things. Orochimaru and Akatsuki are no longer associated with each other. Akatsuki has a new leader,"

"A new leader? What, Orochimaru was connected with Akatsuki?" Naruto wasn't believing what he as hearing but something was making him wonder if it was partly true.

"Someone had bigger ideals for you Naruto. Akatsuki wants the nine tailed fox but Orochimaru wants you for his weapon, and he wants Sasuke. The new leader wants to possess the tailed beasts…he also wants Sasuke dead. You can see how these plans interfere with each other."

The words rang in Naruto's head "Someone had bigger ideals for you Naruto...he wants Sasuke dead..."