Sorry for the wait!

CHAPTER 22

Tsunade was at her desk the sun was setting behind her giving the room a pinkish glow. There was an unsettling feeling that rested over the ninjas and their families in Konoha. Itachi would most likely use Naruto against Konoha. The kyuubi's power would destroy this village and Naruto had no control over it. She clenched her jaw and balled her fists. She would also lose Naruto. Her job was to protect this village and to keep the Kyuubi from falling in to the wrong hands. She often asked herself what the fourth would do. The council members would undoubtedly have a meeting. They would sit there and blab on about how Naruto was unfit to be in Konoha. Her thoughts were interrupted by a light knocking on the door.

"Come in." She looked up to see Kakashi closing the door behind him.

"Thank you for coming." He gave a small smile. He nodded thanks and stepped forward to stand in front of her desk. She sighed and stood up pushing her chair back as she did so. "I've been tipped off about something that I need you to investigate," he looked at her and waited for her to continue, "You will be among the AMBU for a while Kakashi. I've been told that a few AMBU have been talking...planning something. I've also heard that a few have been slacking in some departments I'm sure you can guess which one,"

"You believe that they aren't trying their hardest?" she nodded then spoke, "I believe they are lacking in the Naruto retrieval department, catch my drift Kakashi?" she looked at him dead on, "I believe that they are arriving 'late' or 'loosing' the enemy too often,"

"I see...you want me to be a spy?"

"Yes." she held her breath until he spoke.

"Okay." Tsunade was surprised at how easily he took this on. He probably wanted to know if all this was true. His own student, a Konoha ninja, being betrayed by the Special Forces was unheard of especially against a kid. Her plan was to tell no one about this, not even Shizune. The only thing Kakashi had to do was get solid evidence or some type of proof or conformation. Now the council meeting would be scheduled soon and nothing important would be discussed only complaints. Tsunade turned and walked to the window the pink tones of the sunset had faded from the room. A light periwinkle had filled the sky and faded inwards to a dark blue then a hazy purple and a series of warm colors.

"It's hard to believe that such evil can lie under this beautiful sky." She crossed her arms.

"Every sky has its clouds." Kakashi left the Hokage to herself. She mumbled about how cliché his words were. Kakashi would have to do something about his hair so civilians wouldn't ask questions. As for Sasuke, he would be lied to again.

Sasuke was outside the door of Naruto's apartment. It was warm but fall was drawing near. Sasuke knocked on the door and he knew he wouldn't get an answer. He opened the creaky door and stepped inside. The table was littered with food containers and the trash was overflowing. Sasuke didn't know how Naruto could live like this. The bed was unmade but it looked warm and cozy. The picture of team seven was on the nightstand. He picked it up and ran a thumb over it whipping some of the dust off. The sunlight was casting through the window and onto Naruto's bed. Sasuke sat on the side of the bed and placed the picture beside him, then laid back and shut his eyes.

Naruto and Itachi had made it to one of Orochimaru's various hideouts. Naruto was tired from their journey and he still hadn't found anything about who he was. They were in a forest with tall trees and over grown plants. He listened to the unfamiliar exotic bird calls. They had traveled for two days and had covered plenty of ground to reach their destination. Itachi made a few hand signs and stairs appeared that descended into the ground. Itachi motioned him to follow and he did. It was dark and the air smelled moldy Naruto scrunched up his nose. Their steps echoed off the stone walls as they walked into the darkness.

"Why is it so dark in here?" Naruto squinted. Itachi didn't respond to him. "I said-"

"Shhh..."

"Don't shush me!" Itachi stopped suddenly. A cold breeze swam around their feet causing Naruto to shiver. Naruto looked forward so see someone standing a few feet away. His eyes had adjusted but he still couldn't see a face. A chill creeped up his spine as another breeze came down the hallway with a whistle.

"Itachi has our guest arrived?"

"Guest?" Naruto huffed,

"He's very tired from our journey he should rest." Itachi didn't look at Naruto.

"Yes, yes find him a room," the man seemed to have a lisp from what Naruto could hear. Naruto would have chuckled if it weren't for the man's creepy slithering voice. The man disappeared back into the shadows as if he was one himself.

"Who was that, talk about creepy,"

"I'd be careful if I were you," Itachi replied with a glance at Naruto. Itachi stopped at a door on the left. He opened it and they were greeted with a warm lit room. The room was small but it seemed cozy to Naruto. There was a table, trash can, bookshelf, lamp, and a bed.

"And...uhh where's the bathroom," Naruto gave a nervous laugh.

"Outside,"

"Outside are you serious... I don't mind but I mean this kind of place must have a bathroom," Itachi nodded a 'no' and left closing the door behind him. Naruto glanced at the empty bookshelf and an eerie feeling settled in his stomach.
Ever since he had woken up he had a tugging feeling in his chest like something was trying to his attention.

He made his way to the bed and sat on it. He tested out the bed by bouncing on it, the bed wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. With a shrug he pulled his shoes off discarding them on the floor. The blonde laid back on the bed and rested his head on the thin pillow. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He started organizing what he knew about himself, his name was Naruto. Itiachi is his team member… and they were on a mission. Naruto let out a loud sigh hopefully sleep would help with his memory. He breathed deeply and let himself relax but something slipped from his mouth "Sasuke…"

Naruto's eyes shot open only to be met with strange surroundings. His heart was beating rapidly as he found his shoes. Sweat was forming on his body as he finished putting on his shoes and headed for the door. Naruto realized where he was, it had been like a dream.

"Naruto,"

"Kyuubi?" Naruto spoke out loud.

"You're back,"

"Yeah… I remember everything that happened but it's like a dream,"

"You're subconscious somehow picked it up,"

"What?"

"Nevermind… Naruto we don't have time. You need to find a way out or play along with Itachi. I don't know what he put in this cage along with me. It's unsettling."

Naruto reached for the door handle but stopped. He felt a disturbing chakra close by… Orochimaru.