Sorry for the long wait. (I also apologize about any spelling mistakes)

CHAPTER 21

Sasuke was still staring at the open window that Naruto had left through. He looked behind him at the wall. The wall had a dent in it and parts were crumbling around it. Naruto's eyes still flashed in his head, the combination of purple and crimson was strange. His heart was still beating fast Naruto's power was incredible and dangerous. His kiss still lingered on Sasukes lips and made his heart ache. The door slid open, Sasuke knew it was Tsunade. She always missed things as they were happening… she always arrived after. Sasuke's chest was swirling with emotions he let Naruto go…

"What that hell is going on!" she was furious. She stomped to the window and looked out. She made a signal with her hand out the window. It was for the AMBU, Konoha was on lockdown for now. She glanced at Sasuke then at the wall.

"Nurse!" she yelled loudly, she then turned her angry gaze out the window.

The air in the room was damp that was one thing he disliked about being underground most of the time. In fact it wasn't just this room it was every room. Kabuto was cleaning his tools and placing new syringes on a folded cloth. A small smile was on his face as he glanced at the body on the table. His first two subjects had died on him which was what he wanted but he found several traces of his poison. He had several vials that lined the edge of the table. He wasn't making progress with his work at least not today. Kabuto filled a syringe with the third vial it was a clear liquid. He moved to his right towards the body that lay unconscious. The mans stomach moving with every breath for some reason it annoyed him. Kabuto was slightly surprised by the snake creeping up the leg of the body and onto the chest.

"Yes Orochimaru?" Kabuto asked as the snake hissed from atop the body. The door opened and the pale man made his way into the room.

"Any success?" Orochimaru asked. Kabuto ignored the snake and found a vein on the man's arm, he injected the poison.

"So far all of my subjects have died as intended but they're dying slowly. The poison is also traceable in the body,"

"How about your other little project Kabuto?" Orochimaru tone was as if he was talking to a child.

"Why don't you ask Itachi when he arrives?" Kabuto hid his smile.

"You shouldn't play games with me Kabuto." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at the back of Kabuto's head. The snake retreated off of the body and up the sleeve of the pale man. Kabuto watched the man on the table who was still breathing. Orochimaru let out a deep creeping laugh that lingered as he left into the hallway. Kabuto threw the syringe into the trash that was next to the table, this poison had failed. He had six more poisons to test the three first poisons were crossed off his list. He glanced at the clipboard that held the subject's time of death. The problem with his poison was it had to be injected right into the blood stream or it wouldn't work fast enough. The time of death had to be quick and untraceable something that he could perfect through trial and error. He pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. He picked up a new syringe and vial of poison. He moved to his left this time where another subject lay.

Sasuke was silent as Tsunade paced about in front of him. Sasuke was patched up by a nurse and now sitting on the edge of the bed. Kakashi was leaning on the wall beside the window. They were still in the hospital room going over everything.

"So you're saying his eyes were red AND purple?" Tusnade stopped pacing to ask Sasuke.

"There was the nine tails chakra mixed with another chakra. His strength was incredible." Sasuke looked at the dent from the corner of his eye. His back ached from when he had been pinned to it.

"Another chakra?" Kakashi questioned.

"It was strange… I've never felt that kind of chakra before." Sasuke said as his attention turned to Kakashi.

"Itachi is definitely toying with us." Tsunade spat out.

"We need to find out what he's planning to do with Naruto, this is going to be dangerous if Itachi has a way to remove that new seal." Kakashi looked to Tsunade then Sasuke when he said this, "He could manipulate Naruto into doing something devastating." he added.

Tsunade told Sasuke that he could leave. When Sasuke left the hospital room she turned toward Kakashi.

"How could I let this happen?" she crossed her arms. Kakashi didn't say a word his student was now on the loose with an Akatsuki member. He also felt that he had let it happen. The AMBU were trying to track them down but somehow they had lost sight of them. Tsunade cursed loudly as the AMBU on the roof across the street shook his head.

"I should have known," she paused and shook her head, "I'm slipping at this Kakashi I'm putting this whole village in danger. I'm not sure I'm cut out for this,"

Tsunades statement caught Kakashi off guard.

"Tsunade... " he paused and gave a chuckle. She threw a glare at him.

"What's so funny?" her tone was harsh.

"Naruto has all the faith in you along with this village. He brought you here to be a leader he trusts you to do that. If you give up now then what would he think of you?" Kakashi was now standing his one eye set on her waiting for an answer. She thought back to when Naruto had saved her life the determination he had was beyond belief. Naruto still wore the necklace she had given him.

"That's it!" she shouted. Kakashi looked at her in confusion.

"My necklace Kakashi! If we are able to find Naruto...or if the seal breaks and he ends up near a village that Yamato can get to. He can use the necklace to suppress the nine tails chakra if that's Itachi's intention. It's an idea and it might not even work at all."

"It's still something." Kakashi's smile was hidden by the cloth he wore.

Itachi was running at a fast pace with Naruto tailing him. Naruto's speed was intense and his movements agile. Itachi had added the prefect thing into Naruto's mind. Orochimaru would only be half pleased with Itachi but Itachi had different intentions for himself. He didn't need the praise of a snake and his doctor. Naruto had drawn closer to Itachi. He would have to rest soon but he wanted to be far from Konoha.

"Why do you keep running?" Naruto shouted at Itachi's back. Naruto grunted in frustration when he got no reply. This strange man was running but why, and who was he? Naruto pushed himself to run faster he had to catch up to get answers. Naruto was drawing closer and closer. Naruto was now almost near the mysterious man he pushed himself harder. Naruo reached his hand out his fingers only brushed the cloak before the man disappeared. Naruto stumbled out of his running pattern and his foot missed the next branch. He fell forward catching a branch across the stomach. The air in his lungs escaped quickly as he fell to the ground. As he made contact with the ground the puff of dirt rose around him. Naruto inhaled the dirt that had risen around him. He coughed a few times and waved his arm around to push away the cloud of dirt. He winced and wrapped his arms around his stomach as he sat up. Naruto sensed a chakra near him and looked up. His anger rose at the figure who stood a few feet away.

"If you had stopped this wouldn't have happened!" Naruto grumbled. The figure walked closer to him and stopped.

"I'm Itachi,"

"Your name sounds familiar…"

"Naruto your memory is still gone?"

"Yes,"

"That's unfortu-"

"Why were you running from me?" Naruto yelled cutting Itachi off.

"We were going to on a mission but I don't think we will,"

"I really don't remember this,"

"Do you even know where you are?" Itachi looked at him, had he gone too far with erasing part of his memories? Naruto shifted and sat cross-legged he looked around at the trees and the small dirt path. He had no clue where he was, who he was, or who he's man with.

"We should get going." Itachi turned and dashed up into the trees. Naruto took a few seconds to himself. He really had no other choice but to follow the man with the strange cloak. The blonde haired ninja sluggishly stood up and brushed himself off. His chest felt heavy but he couldn't tell if it was from the fall or something wasn't right. His ribs also hurt with every movement but he had to find answers, he had to find who he was.