The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja: Naruto no saishū odessei

by SkittleHeart and LadyAngel

Naruto turned into the Six Paths to bring peace to the Ninja World and brought back many fallen ninja with the Rinnegan... including Obito. Now they must recapture Obito, give the tailed beasts their freedom, deal with threats from the revived Uchiha and the Elders, and all while dealing with missions and teen drama. Shikamaru's life just got more troublesome! SASUNARU & others!

4. Looking Back and Everything is Different

The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja: Naruto no saishū odessei

Chapter Four

Looking Back and Everything is Different

Disclaimer: If we owned Naruto then Sasuke would have whispered in Naruto's ear, when they met up for the first time in three years, "Strip and I'll come back to the Leaf Village."

A/N: We are so so so so sorry it's getting later every week but we get carried away! This chapter was especially hard to get right so that's why it took so long to do! Hope you enjoy it and it makes your Monday a bit better! Review please! :D

SkittleHeart: Sakura, Sai, Deidara, Kisame.

LadyAngel: Lee, Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, Gaara.

Shout out to:

wolfmoon30 - Thanks for the favourite :D

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Lee POV

I walked up to the reception desk in the lobby of the hospital. "Hello Lee-san," Mei-chan a trainee medic greeted me, "Sakura-chan is in surgery at the moment but you are welcome to wait." I had been to visit Sakura so often these last couple of weeks that I had gotten to know many of the doctors and nurses in the hospital.

"Thank you Mei-chan." I smiled at her politely before making my way over to the waiting area.

Sitting there I thought over all the different advice I had been given and the various ways I had tried to brighten Sakura's day.

Advice (A): Gai-sensei

"One, two, three… one, two, three" Gai-sensei chanted creating a rhythm as I met all of his blows. "One, two, three… one, two, three."

"That's it for today Lee." Gai-sensei instructed. "I have a mission. You can run a few laps of the village to finish up."

"Gai-sensei, before you go, can I ask you something? It's important" I asked slightly embarrassed even to talk about this with Gai-sensei.

"Sure you can Lee," Gai-sensei said with a grin, "You can tell me anything."

Reassured, I told Gai-sensei exactly what was on my mind. "I want to make Sakura-chan smile. She has been very down since she had that argument with Naruto and Sasuke. Gai-sensei you're legendary with women. You're known as that Handsome Devil of the Leaf Might Guy." As I announced my sensei's name he flicked his luscious locks and gave the world a sparkling grin. "I begging for your guidance Gai-sensei-" I told him getting on my hands and knees.

Gai-sensei put his hands on my shoulders. "So you want to make her smile." He rubbed his chin thinking deeply about my problem. "Ah ha, I know, do something that reminds her how youthful she is! Like-"

"Eating the CURRY OF LIFE!" we said it in unison.

In order to make Sakura feel better I put a request into Lady Tsunade to leave the village and visit Sansho, Karashi and Ranmaru at the Curry of Life shop. After Sansho had greeted me and asked me about all of our friends back in the Leaf Village. She asked me, "What can I do for you today Lee?"

"I need a special bowl of your Curry of Life." I told her giving her a twinkling smile.

The old woman hit me over the head. "*hit**hit**hit* EVERY bowl *hit**hit**hit* of my curry *hit**hit**hit* is special *hit**hit**hit*."

Karashi stopped her hitting me. "He didn't mean anything by it." He turned to me then. "So you want a special bowl of our curry of life. I have just the thing…" he said leading me over to the stove.

"Sooo Lee is this curry for someone special…" Sansho teased.

I blushed and gushed once again at the thought of my beautiful pink-haired goddess. "It's to make the kindest Kunoichi I know feel better" I told her my voice going higher as if the little butterflies in my stomach were causing it to flutter.

We spent the whole afternoon together creating an extra special curry for Sakura-chan rich in spices. We mixed in: Naga Viper pepper, Infinity Chilli, Bhut Jolokia chilli pepper, Red Savina habanero, Scotch bonet pepper, Datil pepper, Rocoto and much more. (A/N: Some of the hottest spices in the world.) This curry was so special that none of us dared to try it. It was for Sakura-chan's lips alone. So as soon as we were done I raced back to Konoha with the dish that I hoped would brighten Sakura-chan's day.

"This is for you Sakura-chan" I beamed.

"I'm not really in the mood-" she started. I held the bowl out to her hopefully and she stared at the box in my hand. "Okay, Lee, I'll have one mouthful."

"You will not regret this Sakura-chan…" I began to a long speech encouraged by my own youth.

Sakura stirred the red mixture around the bowl and placed a spoonful into her mouth.

"Is it nice?" I asked her. Sakura-chan began to sweat, tear up, and she her face became blotchy and red. "Sakura-chan are you alright?"

"LEE!" she screamed running out of her office. "HOT, HOT, HOT, MY MOUTH IS ON FIRE, HOT, HOT, HOT, I NEED WATER NOW!"

Advice (B): Neji

Neji and Hiashi Hyuuga were sparring in the courtyard of the Hinata-chan's house in the Hyuuga district. I didn't want to interrupt two hearty ninja in the heat of battle and taking some advice Gai-sensei's once gave me I used the time to observe these two powerful shinobi.

"Eight Trigrams One Hundred and Twenty Eight Palms" Neji first landed two consecutive strikes to make two, another two to make four, four consecutive strikes to make eight, eight strikes to make sixteen, sixteen to make thirty two. The relentless attack caused the Head of the Clan to fall back.

Hiashi saw an opening in Neji's attack that could only be brought on by sheer exhaustion and in a battle with a very skilled shinobi. "Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven" he defended against the end of Neji's attack. Neji didn't waste his chakra stopping his jutsu without delivering the last thirty two and sixty four consecutive strikes to make a total of a hundred and twenty eight.

Hiashi gave a satisfied smirk impressed by his nephew's abilities but he wanted to test him further. Hiashi attacked Neji using gentle fist and whilst Neji defended against him he attacked the blind spot in Neji's Byakugan. "Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm" he yelled releasing a high-speed palm thrust. Neji was blown off his feet by the tremendous force of Hiashi's attack.

Neji got to his feet ready to continue but Hiashi signalled with his hand that it was the end of their sparring session. "No. That's it for today. As always Neji that was exceptional, to be able to stop your jutsu mid-way to conserve your chakra is highly impressive. However we do need to work on your blind spot. I know you have done a lot of work to defend against our weakness but there are a few techniques, only known to members of the main branch, which will help you improve. I will have Ko show them to you." He noted getting ready to leave. "Right now though, I have business to attend to."

That said three ninja dropped out of the air their eyes red- sharingan. "Are you ready to go Hiashi-sama?" one of them asked. Hiashi nodded.

I went to talk to Neji having just finished my notes on the battle. "Dynamic Entry" I attacked him with a high-kick.

Neji blocked it. "Lee" he said confused. Neji's nostrils flared a little as he straightened himself out. "I wasn't aware that we had plans to train today." He snapped sharply. If there was one thing that Neji did not like it unscheduled visits or surprises.

I gave him my 'nice guy' pose doing my best to mimic Gai-sensei, "You should always be ready for an attack." 'I hope Gai-sensei would be proud'I could hear his voice in my head…

"Great job Lee" he gave me the original 'nice guy' pose.

My eyes began to water with tears at the thought of my beloved sensei, "Thank you Gai-sensei."

Neji rolled his eyes. "I haven't got time for this right now." He began to walk away.

I stepped forward reaching out to stop him. "No wait Neji. I actually came to ask you something…"

Neji sighed. "What is it Lee?"

I couldn't hide the excitement inside thinking about Sakura-chan and seeing her smile again. "I am looking for a way to make Sakura smile-"

"Why are you asking me?" Neji stated bluntly.

"Because you are known as a genius." I hated to admit that reason considering it went against everything that I was trying to prove as a ninja, that hard work can defeat natural talent, however Sakura was worth me asking this of him.

"That is a waste of my time" Neji dismissed the idea.

"Neji, please," I pleaded him, "I promised I would make Sakura smile."

Neji sighed again. "Fine. Girls like flowers and chocolates-" he spoke as if he was reciting out of a textbook.

"That's a great idea Neji. Now put this on and help me practice talking to Sakura," I handed him a dress, "I always end up stumbling over my words."

Neji's jaw clenched, his face went red, his body shook, and grinding his teeth he hissed "Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm."

Advice (C): TenTen

I spotted TenTen through the window of the weapon shop restocking her summoning scrolls.

I went inside to see if she could help me make Sakura smile. "Hi TenTen" I told her giving her a massive grin.

"Hey Lee, what are you doing here? I thought you would be busy training with Gai-sensei."

"He's out on a mission" I answered her earnestly really wanting to ask her about Sakura.

"Again?" TenTen asked shocked.

"Yeah." I responded still distracted.

Before she could say me something else, I asked, "TenTen there was something I wanted your advice on."

TenTen smiled. "Sure."

"I'm trying to make Sakura-chan smile." I told her my cheeks heavily blushing.

"Aw Lee that's so sweet." TenTen squealed. "You came to me because I'm a girl too, right? Well you've come to the right place" TenTen began to talk unbelievably fast.

"Um… I didn't really think of that. Maybe I should ask Ino?" I placed a finger on my chin thoughtfully,

"LEE!" TenTen shouted. "AM I NOT A GOOD ENOUGH GIRL FOR YOU LEE?! MANIPULATED TOOLS: HEAVENLY CHAIN OF DESTRUCTION!" TenTen unrolled her scrolls and released hundreds and varieties of weapons in a rain that would have been almost impossible to evade for anyone other than Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast.

TenTen came closer clicking her knuckles. She yelled even louder infuriated that none of her weapons had touched me. "LEE!"

I thought it best to make a hasty retreat and go look for Ino to get her advice.

Advice (D): Ino

Ino was working behind the counter in the flower shop when I walked inside.

"Hello Ino-chan" I gave her a friendly smile.

"Oh Hi Lee," she smiled, "looking for some flowers for Sakura?" Ino asked a cheeky grin appearing her face.

My whole face went red but I needed to be professional about this. 'I am on a mission to make Sakura smile.' I reminded myself. "Not today Ino, unless that's what you advise, I was wondering if you could help me make Sakura-chan smile?"

Ino looked as if she was about to answer when- "INO! Are you talking to your friends instead of running the shop floor?!" a high pitched woman's shriek could be heard from out the back of the shop.

Ino sighed before screaming out the back, "NO MUM!"

She turned to whisper something to me but before she could her mother appeared behind her with dark clouds above her head. "GET BACK TO WORK!" she yelled.

"Sorry Lee-" Ino called as she was pulled away from me.

Advice (E): Sasuke and Naruto

Most of the Leaf Village had gathered around the Hokage Tower to hear an announcement from Lady Tsunade but the huge turn out was mainly due to the rumoured appearance of the future Hokage. I could barely see anything over the crowd. I could just about make out Lady Tsunade deep in conversation with Master Jiraiya and Shizune.

I looked for higher ground joining Shikamaru and Sasuke sitting on the roof of a nearby building.

"Lee" Shikamaru acknowledged me without opening his eyes.

Sasuke didn't say anything busy looking over at the podium where Lady Tsunade was about to begin.

"Listen up." Lady Tsunade demanded silence. "We will be having a festival three months from now in honour of our Village Hero. There will be a carnival, firework display, and a tournament. This celebration will bring people from all over the world and all of the five Kage will be attending the event. I'm sure everyone will do their part in preparation to help make the day run smoothly. Remember that each one of you is representing the Village Hidden in the Leaves and heed this warning, any unruly behaviour will be dealt with severely." Lady Tsunade looked directly at Master Jiraiya as she spoke the words. "Now that I've covered the boring stuff, let me get to real reason you're all gathered here, let me introduce UZUMAKI NARUTO!"

Naruto strutted onto the balcony dressed in a bright orange cloak with a black flamed finish. He had a ball of swirling blue light in his hand. "Giant Rasengan" he shouted making his jutsu soar above the crowd and explode like fireworks in the sky. "Hellooooooo Leaf Village!" The crowd went wild. "I am the one and only Uzumaki Narutooooo! Dattebayo!"

Shikamaru opened an eyelid. "You said he would do it but I didn't believe you" he groaned to Sasuke.

"I told you he's an idiot didn't I."

I was in awe. "WOW! Naruto looks so youthful. He's like a rock star up there. What's that cloak he's wearing?"

"Humph" Sasuke grunted. "The last time I checked Naruto was the future Hokage not a rockstar."

Sasuke was too busy not-watching Naruto's performance to answer my second question so Shikamaru was forced to wake up enough answer. "That's Naruto's Hokage cloak. I am surprised you haven't seen him in it. He has been wearing it for the past three days ever since Shizune gave it to him."

Shikamaru turned to Sasuke then to say, "And Sasuke, it's true that Naruto's way of doing things is a little unorthodox but he really touches people hearts in a way no other Hokage has done before him. He is the first Hokage of his kind and from what Naruto has done for us we can assume we are better for it."

"You sound like one of his fan-girls." Sasuke scoffed. "The Dobe doesn't need anyone to inflate his ego."

"Do you honestly believe that?" Shikamaru sighed. Something caught Shikamaru's eye in the crowd. "I guess we'll see." I followed his gaze to a small group in the crowd that were handing out tomatoes making motions with their arms about throwing them at Naruto.

"Oh no," I gasped, "we must stop these youths from spoiling Naruto's day."

Naruto smile was beaming as he waved at the cheering crowd and showed off his jutsu. "I will be the best Hokage EVER!" He vowed. "I won't let you down. I will protect the people of this Village with my life. I give you my word. And I never go back on my word," Sasuke's looked down as if the words somehow saddened him, "that's my nindo, MY NINJA WAY!" He fist bumped the air causing the crowd to rejoice when he sent another rasengan up into the sky.

The small group that Shikamaru spotted began moving closer to the podium where Naruto was standing.

Sasuke stood up, his hands in his pockets, and moved to leave. "Where are you going?" I asked him confused he was going to miss out on all of the fun. I heard that there was going to be a miniature celebration today just for the announcement of the festival in Naruto's honour.

Sasuke didn't say anything disappearing from the roof in a black blur.

The group of people were getting surprisingly close to Naruto. Alarmed, I shouted, "Shikamaru we must do something!"

"Naruto will be fine." Shikamaru sighed, shutting his eyes, and getting comfortable again so that he could have a short sleep.

At the end of the speeches Naruto jumped down into the crowd to greet everyone and shake their hands. He didn't just say "Hey", "Hi" or "Hello." He said things like "How is Misuki? How's that back of yours? I'll come by and see how that roofs holding up." Naruto spoke to everyone as if he personally knew them and hearing the familiar way they replied to him you could tell that he made the effort to know everyone in the village.

I waited my turn to speak to Naruto. He smiled brightly when he saw me. "Heya Bushy Brow, I haven't seen you in ages. How are you doing? Did you see me up there? It was so cool…" he babbled along happy.

I noticed there was a dark presence that caused everyone to take step back from the warm radiant light that was Naruto but that presence caused Naruto to shift in place relaxing even further into his position in the crowd. Naruto broke off mid-flow turning around to see his teammate. "Sasuke wasn't I amazing?" he asked thinking that the answer was obvious (A/N: See alternative scene).

"Hn." Sasuke grunted.

Naruto turned away from him pouting and crossing his arms. "You're just jealous Teme."

I laughed lightly once again impassioned by their youthful rivalry.

"So that's where you went Sasuke" I noted.

Naruto smirked at my comment circling Sasuke he grabbed the paper bag behind his back. "What have you go here Teme?" he asked. He took a tomato out of the bag. 'Sasuke stopped those guys attacking Naruto?' I had to ask myself flabbergasted. "Why have you got tomatoes?" Naruto asked with a knowing grin on his face. 'How did Naruto know?'

Sasuke snatched the bag back off him. "I like tomatoes" he said bluntly.

Naruto smirked, "You're going to have to do better than that Teme otherwise I'm going to start questioning your bastardy."

Naruto took one of the tomatoes in his hand before walking over to the group of people we had seen earlier handing them out. Sasuke walked behind him his aura getting darker as they approached the group. "Hello," Naruto said politely, "How are you? Did you enjoy the show?" he started to ramble about the most random things whilst every now and again biting into the tomato in his hand. The whole time their eyes watched Naruto biting into the ripe fruit and anyone that dared look away was met with a death glare by Sasuke. "Well I should probably go now I have a lot of people to talk to you. Nice chatting to ya. Bye." Naruto began to walk away when he stopped. "By the way thanks for the tomato." He finished the tomato with a grin.

Sasuke's eyes flashed red with the sharingan. "We're… we're sorry Naruto-sama" they stammered.

Sasuke and Naruto turned away from the group and began walking back towards us.

"You know that's not good for Uchiha/Leaf relations."

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Naruto slung his arm around Sasuke's shoulders with a warm smile. "Let's go talk to people. I'm going to help you work on Uchiha/Leaf relations..." Naruto walked with Sasuke over to a group of girls who were swooning and smiling over the Uchiha from a distance.

'That's it, that's how I am gong to make Sakura-chan smile, by acting more like her long-time crush Uchiha Sasuke.'

I went over to join Naruto and Sasuke who were being mobbed by fan-girls.

"What's your favourite colour Sasuke?" one girl asked him.

Naruto nudged Sasuke. He rolled his eyes, answering through gritted teeth, "The Uchiha colours red and blue."

"Aw," they gushed, "he loves his family."

Sasuke's hands clenched at their words. "I'm gonna kill them, I'm gonna kill them, I'm gonna kill them" Sasuke mumbled under his breathe. He looked as if he was going to throttle them but Naruto put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and whispered something in his ear that seemed to calm him.

Naruto moved away getting ready to run with a smile on his face. "Now girls who wants to touch Teme's duck butt hair." The girls squealed at the chance.

Naruto ran with incredibly speed away from the scene of his crime.

"Naruto…" Sasuke said very calmly. "I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" He chased after Naruto.

Sasuke chased after Naruto with a spectacular speed leaving the fan-girls that were stalking after him in the dust.

I couldn't let them leave yet I needed to get advice on how to me more like Sasuke to make Sakura-chan smile again. So I chased after them both.

Naruto was in hysterics, hunched over, banging the floor with his fists. "That was fucking hilarious." Naruto was retelling the story of what had just happened to a sleeping Shikamaru. Sasuke appeared behind him grabbing him by the collar of his new Hokage cloak. "Watch it Teme I only get one of these cloaks." Sasuke threw him away but Naruto managed to right himself before hit the ground.

I jumped onto the roof that Naruto and Sasuke had landed on. "Naruto, Sasuke… Hello."

"Bushy Brows," Naruto exclaimed, "sorry I ran off on you." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I had to deal with something. Anyway, how are you? I haven't seen you in ages..." he began to babble.

Shikamaru groaned. "Let him speak Naruto."

Sasuke smirked at Naruto getting told off and Naruto scowled at him.

His face then switched when he smiled at me. "Sorry Lee, I guess I got carried away. Is there… is there something you wanted?"

I gave him a massive smile. "Yes my youthful friend, I needed to talk to you about something, something very important to us all."

Naruto gave me a warm smile. "Sure Bushy Brows."

"Well it was Sasuke I needed to speak to…" All three of the ninja in front of me looked shocked and confused like they didn't know what to think. So I thought it best to explain the entire situation to them: "I need helping making Sakura-chan smile. Gai-sensei advised that I give her the Curry of Life but she didn't like it, Neji told me to buy her flowers and chocolates but she wasn't in the mood for them, talking to TenTen about it I realised I should call her the most unmanly woman I had ever met and she punched me. So I decided to ask Sasuke since he made all those girls back there so happy and Sakura-chan has had a huge crush on him since we were kids."

"You are asking the wrong person" Sasuke dismissed the idea.

Naruto walked over to him, whispering, "Teme this can help improve Uchiha/Leaf relations."

Sasuke scowled.

Naruto looked thoughtful knowing that he was going to have to answer for Sasuke. "Well Sasuke does make Sakura-chan smile so… being like Sasuke… so ignoring Sakura and if she tries to talk call her annoying."

Sasuke smirked at Naruto's words.

That didn't go down well…

I turned my back seeing Sakura-chan approach me. I had done intense training with Gai-sense, a reluctant Neji, Naruto and Sasuke in order to resist my pink-haired goddess, Haruno Sakura.

"I'm sorry about before Lee," Sakura-chan said a guilty look on her face, "I'm mad at Naruto and Sasuke not you. Lee are you okay? Can you hear me?"

I kept it together although there was sweat dripping down my forehead at how hard I was resisting turning around and shouting 'There is nothing to forgive my love.'

"Lee!" Sakura said more forcibly now.

I could feel my face heating up as I boiled over containing my words.

"Lee are you ignoring me?"

'Phase one: Ignore Sakura' was complete and now it was time for 'Phase two: Sakura is annoying.' "Sakura…," My throat was dry because what I was about to say was so far from the truth, "Your annoying."

"What?" Sakura gasped her eyes began to water. "I didn't expect something like this from you Lee. I guess all guys are the same. But don't worry, I won't be bothering you anymore. I'm leaving! I'" She turned to storm away from me.

'No, this wasn't meant to happen' "Sakura, wait, I'm sorry."

"I can't talk right now Lee" she cried running down the road.

I vowed to make Sakura smile and to try my hardest to stop her from ever crying again. I had failed on both counts. 'I will fix this' I made another vow and I would keep this one.

After that attempt I thought back to the advice Naruto had given to me.

"Hey!" Naruto looked offended. "Wait a second, you asked Bushy Brow-sensei, Neji, TenTen, Ino, and Sasuke. Why didn't you think of asking me for advice? I'm one of Sakura's best friends, I've been on the same team with her for years and I make her smile all the time." He said the last bit weakly seeing Sasuke and Shikamaru shaking their heads.

"I do." Naruto protested.

"Sakura hits you a lot" Shikamaru commented.

Feeling guilty that I hadn't asked Naruto, I decided to ask him for some advice, "Okay Naruto what would you suggest?"

"Get Sakura something personal" Naruto beamed, "something from the heart that shows your bond with each other."

'I know just the thing.' I went back to the flower shop and brought some daffodils, the same flower that Sakura brought me when I was in hospital, and I had them arranged in a bouquet with blossoms that were her namesake.

Shizune waved her hand in front of my face, "Lee, hello, Lee," she snapped me out of my day-dream.

I jumped in my chair. "Oh, hi, Shizune."

"Here to see Sakura again. She's just out of surgery. I think she was on the way to her office. Why don't you go and see?"

"Thanks" I told her running, bouquet in hand, down to Sakura-chan's office.

Sakura POV

I watched Lee pace past my office window back and forth. I smiled sadly he had been doing this for half an hour. I felt immensely guilty for how I had treated him. I hadn't even realised what he had been doing until they came to see me.

~Flashback~

"NO TEME! WE ARE DOING THIS BEFORE THE MISSION YOU'LL JUST RUN OFF OTHERWISE." The angry shout of my estranged best friend rang out. "But you aren't allowed to go out of the village without me so." He added slyly.

"You're such a dobe." That voice sent chills through my heart not in the way it used to now it was an ice cold chill of pure fear.

"Whatever teme just be nice okay?" Naruto pushed open the door to my office. I wanted to run but they were blocking the only exit. It must have shown on my face because Naruto raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not here to nag you about Team 7 or beg for forgiveness, it's about Lee. He's trying really hard to get you to smile even if his attempts are a bit weird. He has been asking everyone for advice. So please just give him a smile." Naruto pleaded.

"That's what he was trying to do!" I gasped feeling terrible. "But he burnt my tongue, told me I wasn't manly, then he ignored me and told me I was annoying."

"Well the last one is teme's fault but other than that it's just advice he's taken that's gone really wrong." Naruto explained rubbing the back of his head with his hand in that nervous gesture of his. Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto but there was none of the tension, none of the darkness that shrouded him whenever I happened to see him in the streets.

"Well I will make sure to smile through his next attempt." I promised in a dismissive way.

"Thank you." Naruto gratefully smiled I felt my heart soften for a moment, "So I know I said I wasn't going to but… come back to team 7?" He asked hopefully.

"No. Now leave." I told him my mouth pressed in a firm line.

"But Sakura-chan!" Naruto protested sadly.

"Out." I told him again. 'I have to do this for him, I have to do this for him.' I repeated the mantra in my head resisting the urge to close my eyes. It may hurt him but this is what is best for him.

"Dobe." Sasuke's eyes met Naruto's, a silent message passed between them and Naruto's face fell but he nodded slightly.

"Okay Sakura but if you ever need anything I'm right here okay?" He told me. When I didn't respond Sasuke nudged past Naruto walking from the room. Naruto gave me one last sad look before following him. They walked perfectly in sync, side by side, three years hadn't passed to the two of them. I realised in that second I was still being left behind.

~End of flashback~

"S-Sakura chan." Lee said unusually timidly coming into the room. A small smile in place.

"Lee I'm so..." I started but he held a hand up to stop me.

"Sakura -chan please let me speak first, I know I have annoyed you over the past few weeks with my attempts to make you smile but I think I might have it right this time." He beamed before bringing out a small bouquet; Sakura blossoms were the centre piece surrounded by Daffodils.

"I chose blossoms because they are your namesake and they match your beautiful hair and the daffodils are what you brought me when I was feeling at my least youthful, they made me so happy, sooooo…" He said shyly closing his eyes and pushing the flowers to me.

I felt a genuine smile warm my face. I never knew Lee could be so thoughtful, "Lee." He opened his eyes and saw me smiling his own face lit up.

"Sakura chan you're smiling!" He beamed at me.

"Their beautiful Lee thank you, I'm sorry I haven't been a great friend to you lately but I really appreciate how much you've been there for me over the past few months." I told him sadly.

"Sakura chan don't be sad that's the opposite of what I want and don't worry you'll have plenty of chances to help me now we're comrades. I was so happy I hopped one hundred and fifty laps of the Leaf when I heard that news." Lee smiled. "I will finally get to see your amazing medical nin-jutsu in work and we'll have plenty of laughs together with our new comrades! We can use this opportunity, a mission together in the Land of Lightening, to strengthen our bonds!"

He was so genuinely happy it was hard not to be infected by it. Lee was right, instead of sulking about Naruto and thatman; I should use this opportunity to strengthen my bonds with my other comrades. 'I had been close with them all until Naruto came back from training with Jiraiya. Then I had drifted back into that obsession with brining Sasuke back and restoring Team Seven.' That Team was nothing but a nightmare for me now.

I smiled a little putting the bouquet in a vase. "You're right Lee." I smiled. "Hey, you know what, how about Ino, Sai, you and I go out for dinner tonight?" I asked him.

He nodded happily. "Let's race to them youthfully!" He half yelled sprinting from the room.

"LEE WAIT FOR ME!" I shouted racing after him.

Sai POV

A strange sensation gnawed at my chest I covered it with my hand breathing sharply. 'Naruto,' I thought desperately 'he might know what I was feeling, I couldn't tell him about my situation but he might at least know how to stop this.'

I spied him rushing to the Kage building scrolls abundant in his arms. I jumped down from my perch on the branch and ran to him. "Naruto!" I called.

He turned around dropping a couple of the scrolls, "Hey Sai." He greeted me with a smile I put the scrolls in a bag and handed them to him. "Hey thanks!" He gawped like the idea of putting them in a bag was revolutionary.

"Your welcome," I smiled briefly, "Hey Naruto I was wondering if you could help-"

"UZUMAKI YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH THE FIRE NATIONS SECRETARY IS IN FIVE MINUTES! GET YOUR BUTT BACK IN HERE I WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER TSUNADE!" Shizune shrieked.

Naruto gave me an apologetic look, "I have to go now maybe I could come see you tomorrow?" He asked hopefully.

I needed him now but looking at the bags under his eyes I knew I couldn't put anymore strain on the idiot. He'd taken far too much on. Smiling I said, "Sure tomorrow would be great."

"Thanks Sai!" He shouted running away. I looked after him forlornly. I made my way down the street aimlessly the pain in my chest increasing. I grabbed my jacket over my chest again before finding myself outside of Ino's flower shop.

'SO STAY and if you're feeling lonely then come talk to me. I can't promise to make you feel better but I CAN SURE AS HELL DO MY BEST TO TRY!' I could only hope she meant what she said.

I pushed the door open to the flower shop she was arranging some Blue Iris. She heard the door chime as I came in and her eyes widened in surprise. "Sai?" She looked at me questioningly.

"You said I could come see you if I was lonely." I explained. Her face softened, she grabbed my arm and we ran out of the shop.

"INO!" A woman's voice, presumably Mrs Yamanaka, shouted from the shop.

"Quick Sai can you draw one of your birds?" Ino pleaded.

"But-" I started to say. I didn't know much about parents but the others said they got angry when you didn't answer them.

"Please." She pleaded looking me in the eye. I nodded quickly drawing a bird. I offered her my hand which she accepted with a smile and pulled her up onto the bird.

When we had soared high enough up she pulled me round to face her, "So what happened?" She asked solemnly searching my face.

The pain in my chest started to flare again, I pointed to it, "It's been hurting ever since that day."

"What day? The day of the war?" She asked.

I shook my head, "I can't tell you everything but you know who I brought back? The day you saw me walking into the forest we were threatened and I... Now I don't feel right."

She gave me a concerned look, "If you're being threatened, I will fight alongside you and I'm sure the rest of the guys will as well."

I smiled shaking my head sadly a lighter feeling in my chest for a second. "No that's okay. Shin is my brother we need to do this ourselves. It's just... he's changed so much he obeys everything and he doesn't seem to feel much of anything." I told her.

Ino smiled sadly at me, "What you're feeling is worry. It's a part of caring about someone when they are in danger you worry. It might not be your brother that's changed he has probably always been that way growing up in the foundation you're only just coming out of your shell now. He just needs your patience and understanding." She smiled taking my hand.

Ino POV

Sai looked down at our hands. He turned them over and examined them closely, before asking, "What is this gesture? I haven't seen it before."

Shocked, I repeated what I had just heard inside my head trying get to grips with what he was telling me. Of course I knew that Sai was from the Foundation and had grown up isolated form other people but until I heard those words I had never thought of the sadness of it all.

"No one has ever held your hand before" I whispered grasping his hand all the more trying to make the first time someone held his hand perfect.

Sai shook his head looking down at our entwined fingers. "What does it mean? I haven't come across it in my reading." His words made it all the more tragic; he hadn't experienced someone holding his hand and he hadn't had anyone to teach him these things. I suddenly felt really lucky to have my parents and the guilt on running out of them was finally catching up on me.

Sai looked at me reluctant to ask again but clearly wanting to know what this meant. "Um…" I began not having a clue where to begin, "well people hold hands for lots of reasons… like to show friendship or as a sign of respect. Right now I am holding your hand because I am your friend and I want to show you that I am there for you…" I squeezed his hand a little to indicate it.

Sai eyes were blank showing he couldn't understand what I was saying. "I'm not sure I understand. How does you holding my hand show all that?" he asked. He looked down at our hands, still linked together, like there should be something more to it or something that should logically link the explanation I had given him to the gesture.

I tried to make it clearer, "It's not something that you can easily explain. It's the feeling you get when someone holds your hand that is the reason why people do it. By holding your hand you can feel my there with you… I don't know really… it makes me feel better" I offered him these words feeling most inarticulate. "Shikamaru could probably explain it to you better" I suggested.

Sai considered it.

The vein throbbed in my temple. 'I can't believe he was considering it right in front of me. How rude—calm it Ino,' I had to kept reminding myself he didn't understand, 'calm it, calm it.' I felt a lot calmer. 'But what if he understands that this is rude, just because no one has held his hand, doesn't mean he doesn't know it's rude to knock my advice for someone else's. Yeah, I will give him a piece of my mind-'

He placed his hand under his chin really thinking about his answer. "No. I understand what you mean."

I stopped immediately- 'Really? He understood what I meant? Hell, I didn't understand what I meant.' "Are you sure?" I asked him a small smile appearing on my face. I half wanted him to say it again because it was the closest I knew I would get to 'Good Job Ino' from Sai.

Sai nodded his head. "Yes, it was surprisingly insightful, especially considering how much you dumbed down the explanation. Then again I have learnt that idiots are more knowledgeable in these kinds of matters. Maybe only they have a way of explaining it because logic and emotion are often incompatiable; you can't understand one with the other."

'Idiot, am I?' My eyebrow twitched as I held my anger in check. 'SCREW IT!' I thought. 'I'M GOING TO LET HIM HAVE IT-'

"You are being very patient with me, thank you."

My mood shifted all of the anger I felt immediately disappeared. "It's alright Sai." I tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. "I'm glad I could help." I told him with a smile. "But how come you didn't go to Naruto or Sakura?"

I thought I knew the answer 'because they are too busy with Sasuke.' "Part of the reason is because they have so much going on at the moment but its more because it annoys them that they need to explain these things to me especially Naruto considering how intensely he feels things."

He continued, "Sakura and Naruto always tell me that you can't learn everything from books some things you have to experience for yourself. It's like when I read a book about smiling but couldn't possibly learn all the practical applications of the smile. She was right. When we first met, Sakura taught me about the fake smile, and somehow that lesson has always stuck with me more. I guess I will always be learning these things…" he whispered the last part solemnly.

'But a smile is something so basic… surely he couldn't have been that far removed from society.' "You didn't know what a smile was?" I didn't need for him to answer but I needed to show him I was concerned.

Sai explained, "In the Foundation it is taught that all emotion is a weakness and unnecessary for a ninja."

'Why would someone teach him that? How horrible, how cruel. But if it's what he had been taught, why does he want to change?' I wondered. "So how come you want to learn about it now?" I finally asked him knowing I couldn't deduce it like Shikamaru could.

"Before my brother died," there was an immediate heaviness to his voice, "he always encouraged me to not completely abandon my emotions." His face told me that was an aspect of his personality that had changed since he returned from the other side of the barrier. 'Maybe Shikamaru had rubbed off on me after all.' "And seeing Naruto's bond to Sasuke I was intrigued, it reminded me of the emotion I felt for my brother and seeing how Naruto rose to every challenge just to bring Sasuke back to this village. I believe that the Foundation had it wrong; emotions make you stronger."

I smiled at him feeling the same way. 'Whether it was love, anger, or sadness, I always fight at my best when my heart is involved. And that was the same for all the ninja I knew. Shikamaru was at his best when he plotted to avenge Asuma-sensei's death, Naruto was strongest when he tried to protect the people he loved or when he tried to bring Sasuke back and Sasuke was driven by his desire to avenge his clan and kill Itachi.' "I think so too. You know what Sai. How about I help you learn about emotions?" I offered.

"Why would you do that?" he asked puzzled by the suggestion.

"I want you to know you still have friends." I tried my hardest to make my words have an impact on him and help him see that he belonged here in Konoha.

Sai stared at me for a long time then seemed to accept my answer. "So when and where shall we begin?" He asked me.

I thought about it for a second. 'I was going to find it hard to find time considering the way my parents were being. But I would make use of any available opportunity, like - "We have this mission with Sakura and Lee to the Land of Lightening. I could begin teaching you along the way, if you would like?"

"That would be good" Sai confirmed. "Oh, and Ino," he said as if he had only just remembered, "thank you."

I chuckled to myself not knowing whether he was saying it because he wanted to or because it was expected of him. Either way he was putting on enough social grace to say it. That at least can be appreciated. I smiled warmly at him, "You're welcome."

I was almost sad coming down from the sky on Sai's ink bird. It was refreshing being able to talk without any distractions (a.k.a my mother) and the moment we touched ground there were plenty of things to distract us…

- "I WIN!" skidding to a stop in front of us. "Thank you Gai-sensei for giving me the power to win this race."

Lee turned back as if he expected Sakura to be right behind him. Instead there was Sakura, miles behind, barely managing to run at this stage, chanting, "Just keep running *gasp for air*, just keep running *gasp for air*, just keep running *gasp for air*…" Sakura stopped in front of us having to just breathe for a moment to catch her breath. She was however smiling at Lee. "You may possibly have more stamina than the knucklehead.

Lee spoke while she recovered. "Youthful friends of ours we have come to invite you out for a barbeque dinner and some sake to toast to our up-coming mission in the Land of Lightening."

While Lee was talking I noticed that Sai was trying his best to practice his smile. 'This could be good for him.' I noted. 'The more time Sai spends around people the better.' "That's a great idea. Sai are you coming?" I asked him trying to hint that he should say yes.

Sai nodded. "I would like that."

We walked together, talking and laughing, in the direction of Yakiniku. I just knew that tonight was going to be the start of something… well lets just say different.

Hinata POV

It took us longer than usual to get back to the Leaf Village since we were all exhausted. Sasori managed to heal Kiba but I didn't want to trouble him with all of my injuries which were mainly superficial. However, that meant, that I had unintentionally lagged behind. The only reason we had arrived this soon was because Kiba had kindly given me a lift back on Akamaru. 'Once again I was a burden on my teammates especially on Kiba-kun' I thought to myself.

Torune, Shino's adoptive brother, came to meet him at the gate. He was another person that Naruto-kun's jutsu had brought back and he was the only person that Shino pulled through the barrier. "Shino," the man welcomed him in a monotone voice, "I trust your mission was a success."

"Brother," Shino responded in a similar fashion, "The mission went as well as Hokage-sama might have expected."

Torune nodded in approval of Shino's response. "I will accompany you to the Hokage's office to report." The two of them left us at the gate without another word.

"Goodbye…" I started to say politely moving to leave.

Akamaru began to whine and Kiba had a concerned look on his face, "Wait Hinata are you going to be alright?"

I hurt all over but I didn't want Kiba to worry. So I forced a smile onto my face. "I'll be okay Kiba-kun." Quickly trying to move the conversation on from myself, I asked, "How about you? Did Sasori-sama's healing help?"

"Me?" Kiba gave me a cheeky grin whilst flexing his muscled arms. "My body has never felt in better condition." Akamaru began to bark trying to get Kiba's attention and Kiba smiled seeming to understand what he was saying. "Your much better now too, right Akamaru?" Akamaru barked his assent.

I looked away feeling guilty for once again causing my comrades harm. "I'm sorry I got you and Akamaru hurt" I whispered.

"What you talking about Hinata?" Kiba bent down so that he could see my hidden face. "Akamaru and I wanted to help… you're… really important to us both" he said giving me a reassuring smile.

I smiled my face heating up a little. "Thank you Kiba-kun," I gave him a gentle nod, "and Akamaru," I nodded at him too, "you are both very important to me too." I told them.

Kiba gave me that contagious smile of his. It was a unique power that only Kiba seemed to have. He could make me smile regardless of whatever else was going on, no matter how terrible. It reminded me of the day my father told me that he was going to make Neji-nii-san Clan Leader instead of me. I remembered how sad I had been, how I thought nothing could make me feel better but then Kiba crashed through my window wreaking havoc on my house…

"HINATA STAND BACK!" Kiba shouted. I peered out of the window to see Kiba sitting on Akamaru's back. I feared what Kiba was going to do next but I did as he said standing back. "Ready Akamaru!" He barked his yes. "Fang over Fang!" They crashed through the window shattering the expensive stained glass my father had imported from the Village of Artisans.

Not giving me time to protest, Kiba pulled me up onto Akamaru's back wrapping my arms around him.

My father came into the room with Neji-nii-san and Hanabi-onii-chan standing either side of him. They looked at the destruction that Kiba had caused walking over the broken pieces of glass. My father's clenched his fists and Hanabi-onii-chan began weaving hand signs about to perform 'Eight Trigrams Thirty Two Palms.'

Neji-nii-san stopped her. "You cannot do that, Lady Hinata is with him and she will end up hurt."

"YOU MUTT!" My father screamed at him.

"Akamaru let's go! Hold on tight Hinata!" Kiba yelled laughing manically. Since I had been crying, I felt woozy and lightheaded when we jumped through the air into the yard, but inside Kiba had me smiling as if all the bad things that day hadn't even happened.

Suddenly I just felt better. 'Kiba is like medicine for sadness. He really is a special friend.'

My face began to heat up, I turned quickly. "I should get going" I told him.

Kiba and Akamaru stopped me in my tracks. "Not so fast," he extended his arms out to me, "where is my goodbye hug?" he asked a playful grin on his face.

Flustered, I stuttered, "Oh… of course." Kiba pulled me into his arms rocking me gently as if he knew that I needed comfort. I melted into his warm embrace; closing my eyes just wanting the rest of the world to disappear. I lost track of where my body stopped and his began. I felt safe and comfortable like Kiba's arms could shield me from the world. I had no worries or fears; just this feeling of calm. It didn't matter how tight or loosely Kiba's arms were around me because it was the feeling it gave me that really mattered. Kiba made me feel like I wasn't so alone.

Kiba didn't rush me out of his this safety net he had created. Although he did ask with a grimace appearing on his lips, "Are you going to train when you get in?"

Pulling out of his arms, I was taken aback by his question. "Um… well… I missed a couple of days due to the mission so in all likelihood I will resume training shortly after I arrive home. It all depends on whether Ko-kun or Neji-nii-san are available to train me." I informed him.

Kiba frowned, "I thought as much."

Kiba and Akamaru turned away to have a private conversation which included a lot of barking and shouting. They only turned back to me when they had both agreed. "It's settled then," Kiba told me firmly with a huge smile on his face, "you will be staying with me until you feel better."

"Pardon…" I gasped.

"Come on Hinata." Kiba hooked his arm into mine and began pulling me in the direction of his house.

We walked over to the Inuzuka residence and around to the back door that leads to the kitchen. His mum was washing up some dishes by the window. "Hi Ma" Kiba waved as we came into the house, "is it cool for Hinata to stay with us for a few days?" he asked very casually.

His mother scoffed. "Sure it is. It's whether Hinata would want to stay that's the real question." Kiba looked confused so his mother clarified what she meant. "Didn't I tell you to clean that room of yours? It's a pig sty."

Kiba grinned rubbing the back of his head. "I meant to clean it ma. I just forgot."

"Well you can march up stairs right now and do it," his mother turned to me, "would you make sure he does it properly? Kiba often just piles everything into the closet."

I gave a shy nod. "Of course…" I stuttered.

Kiba grabbed my arm pulling me quickly out of the room and down the hall.

"WOAH!" We crashed into Kiba's older sister, Hana-chan. "Where are you off to in a rush?" she asked him. Her big brown eyes looked past her little brother to me. Her eyes widened, "Oh… I see," she said with a grin, "Hinata is here. Well remember don't be too loud. Some of us have to get up in the morning." Kiba went rigid. "And remember safety comes first" She called after him with a grin as Kiba stormed off.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP HANA!" he roared.

She gave a hearty laugh, "Have fun little brother."

Kiba pulled me into the room, grabbed the handle and slammed the door so hard the hinges shook. He glared at it for good measure before turning to me. His mood shifted dramatically. "Soooo sorry about that" he said rubbing the back of his head his cheeks flushing red with embarrassment and he began to look around his room his cheeks suddenly flushing more. "And sorry it's so messy in here." He looked around the room; there were plates of food, discarded underwear, and Akamaru's fur coated everything in sight. "I will clear up." He assured me as if he feared that the state of his room would send me running away.

Kiba ran around the room quickly tidying things away. I took his hands stopping him with a sincere smile on my face. "It's alright Kiba-kun I like your room it's very comfortable."

Kiba looked down at my hands on top of his and he quickly took them away blushing heavily.

"KIBA!" His mother called up to him. "DINNER WILL BE SOON. YOU TWO WASH UP. DON'T YOU JUST WET YOUR HAIR DOWN KIBA, SOAP AND WATER, SOAP AND WATER!" she yelled.

Kiba looked like he just wanted the floor to swallow him up. "Eh, parents can be embarrassing, can't they?" I asked trying to cheer him up.

Kiba's bad mood faded and his face lit up with a smile. "No one's family is as embarrassing as my family" he commented half serious half joking. "Anyway I better do what she says before she comes up here." Kiba threw off his jacket walking over his closet and pulled out a large red t-shirt.

I panicked suddenly realising that I had nothing clean to change into. 'What am I doing to do? What am I… going to do?' my thoughts began to stutter because I was so nervous. "Here Hinata put this on." He handed the t-shirt to me. "This T-shirt is big on me so it will be like a dress on you." He explained.

"Kiba I can't…" I began to object but Kiba refused to take no for an answer.

"Uh... thanks Kiba-kun" I gave him a grateful look.

Kiba looked back inside his closet for something he could change into. "No, *he threw a black shirt*, no *he threw some green combats*, no *he threw a white vest*, no-" he was about to throw out a pair of jeans when Akamaru pulled out a grey hoodie.

Kiba lifted off the grey mesh vest he was wearing revealing his tanned olive skin, his defined arms, his broad shoulder and his perfectly sculpted abdominal muscles. I found myself staring at him…

Kiba followed my gaze raising an eyebrow at what I was staring at and grinned.

"Eeek" I shrieked turning on my heels. "Kiba I can't change in here" I told him unsubtly trying to stop him from commenting on what I had just done.

I could hear Kiba chuckle a bit. "Sorry Hinata…" Kiba moved towards the door. "You change in here. I'll go down to the bathroom. I'll knock when I come back okay?" He left.

I changed into the top that Kiba gave me and he was right it was so long that it reached my knees. I stared at myself in the full length mirror; my long black hair, my pale eyes, my curvy body. 'Sakura and Ino are always telling me that they are jealous of my body… Would Kiba think I am pretty-' I asked myself. 'Wait, what am I thinking?' I shook my head alarmed by my own thoughts. 'I'm not pretty anyway' I examined myself more critically; my eyes aren't colourful like the emerald shade of Sakura's and my hair is dull and dark not bright and light like Ino's. 'That's why Naruto-kun never notices me' I thought feeling like invisible to the world.

"Wow Hinata… you look…" Kiba commented standing in the doorway looking over at me, "hot—I mean nice" Kiba hit himself round the head and began muttering something under his breath along the lines of 'Stupid Kiba don't say something as stupid as that to Hinata.'

Kiba's own embarrassment made me feel better about my own. He made me feel relaxed here. "Thanks Kiba…" I said managing to make myself look up at Kiba knowing that he would only smile at me and make me feel so much better.

However, when I looked up, Kiba wasn't staring back at my with a massive grin but his eyes were widened in alarm. In no time he made his way over to me taking my arm in his hands and examining it in detail. "Kiba-kun," I said startled trying to take my arm back from him.

"Hinata your arms…" He looked down at the cuts and bruises on my arms his face filled with concern.

"Wait here" he told me firmly but with care. He ran off out of the room leaving me standing there with the door swung open. Hana-chan stared into the room with a curious look on her face. Her eyebrow rose at my clothing. I suddenly felt very naked standing in front of Kiba's sister. 'Hurry back Kiba-kun, please hurry.' Hana-chan sensed my discomfort and asked, "Are you okay? Where did my brother run off to?" she bombarded me with a series of questions. She was just like Kiba; loud, caring and friendly.

"I'm not sure…" I answered her truthfully.

Kiba returned a few seconds later with a bowl of warm water in his hands.

Kiba hadn't noticed his sister standing there until she asked him, "What are you doing Kiba? Should I be worried?"

Kiba placed the bowl down on the only patch of the table that was visible and then let rip at his sister. He scowled her in annoyance. "NONE OF YOUR GOD DAMN BUSINESS! I CAN DO WHAT I LIKE IN MY ROOM!" Kiba booted the door shut and Akamaru barked at Hana-chan through the door supporting his friend in his anger.

"KIBA LANGUAGE!" his mother scolded him from down stairs.

"I know, I know," Kiba muttered.

"Sit down here Hinata," he gestured to the bed he had just cleared of clothes. "Come on, come on," sensing my hesitance he hurried me along, "we really need to clean those wounds. We don't want them to get infected."

"O…ok" I stammered. I was reluctant to let Kiba take care of me. I didn't him to get annoyed at me for being weak like the people in my clan did even Ko-kun pitied me. But Kiba, Kiba had this hurt look in his eyes, as if my pain was his pain too.

"I wish you would have told me about these wounds." Kiba said softly. "Like I told you earlier Hinata you're important to me and I don't like the idea of you being in pain." Kiba's actions showed me that his words were sincere; he dabbed the cuts on my arms so gently that I could tell he was really trying to control his natural heavy handedness.

"You really care about me?" I asked, but everything he had done for me told me he did.

Kiba didn't look up at me his own cheeks reddening as he firmly tried to concentrate on cleaning my wounds. "Of course" He confirmed.

"There you are all better now" Kiba whispered finally looking into my eyes.

"Thanks Kiba-kun." 'I really care about you too' I found myself wanting to say but there was something important behind those words that made it impossible for me to speak them aloud. 'What is this strange feeling?' I asked myself. 'And why is happening to me now? And with Kiba-kun?'

Itachi POV

"For Kami's sake Sasuke he embarrassed you in front of them again! Why are you being so blind?!" I told my foolish little pushover brother exasperatedly.

"He wasn't! His point that Tino was needed was valid." Sasuke glared at me he was completely unwilling to see that our father was controlling him. I understood I had killed off the idiotic man before Sasuke had grown up so he wasn't fully aware of his scheming but nonetheless Fugaku had plotted to kill the Leaf so he should have some sort of indication that the man was a psychopath.

"I'm telling you he wants to be clan leader again and when he is he will attack the Leaf." I told him sternly my tone was clear and I knew Sasuke heard the secret message behind my words. 'If he does, I will not hesitate to repeat history.'

"Try it and I swear I will fucking kill you." Sasuke growled at me, "I don't want to see you for the rest of the day." He told me coldly. I stared at him for a minute before turning around and without looking back vanished from sight.

I breathed outside the Uchiha basement that housed Kisame moulding my features into an impassive mask; I had plenty of practise in the Akatsuki.

I pushed the door open and sat down on one of the dining room chairs that Naruto had managed to secure by unknown means as well as a beautifully crafted table.

Kisame came in obviously hearing the door, "Oh hey Itachi I wasn't expecting you until tonight." He said curiously putting the kettle on the stove.

"Hn." I answered as un-cooperatively as possible making it clear he was irritating me by breathing.

I vaguely heard him shuffling around in the kitchen but concentrated my energy on glaring at a particular spot of the wall. So concentrated on destroying that particular piece of wall that had pissed me off I didn't even sense Kisame's approach. "Here." He placed a plate in front of me ignoring the bone breaking grip I had on his arm.

I glared at him letting before looking down at the plate my eyes widening in shock. Seaweed rice balls rested on cabbage. "Thank you." I muttered picking up a rice ball.

"Welcome." He answered simply still looking at me, "So what did Sasuke do now? You look more pissed than Hidan when he gets his head chopped off." He asked eating a shrimp and crisp sandwich.

I nearly spat out my rice ball but I would not give him the satisfaction or the indication that anything was wrong, "Sasuke is in meetings and I am perfectly calm." I told him coldly without even looking at him.

My chair was abruptly swung around I leapt off of it out of habit my sharingan blazing. "What the hell!" I demanded for one awful minute sounding like my foolish little brother.

Kisame grinned, "You have a tell when you're pissy."

"What are you talking about?" I asked exasperatedly sitting back down clearly he wasn't going to shut up until he said whatever he wanted to say.

"I'm talking about your breathing little bits of smoke out your nose when you're angry." Kisame grinned, "So what is it?"

"I do not breathe out smoke!" I told him incredulously. I pride myself on my mask of indifference what was he saying. 'Clearly its piss off Itachi day' I decided.

Kisame roared with laughter, "You just done it you also furrow your eyebrows. No changing the subject or I might have to join in with the others on your nickname."
I scowled looking in the mirror across the room indeed there was the faintest smoke coming out. Well 'shit.' "You look like Sasuke right now." Kisame teased.

"I'm the elder he looks like me." I told him faintly amused he was still looking at me expectantly. I sighed, "If you are really insistent on knowing what my foolish little brother has done he has kicked me out of the Uchiha District for the day."

Kisame chuckled I raised an eyebrow at him, "How is it in anyway amusing?" I asked irritably.

He laughed even harder, "It's just how you say things and how even though your the most even tempered guy I know you still manage to get under everyone skin and get yourself kicked out or yelled at. You've been the same ever since I met you." He grinned then asked. "So what did you do?"

"Nothing why do you think it's my fault?" I asked insult in my tone. He gave me an expectant look. I rolled my eyes, "Well he got angry when I inadvertently told him that if the Uchiha would die if they attacked the Leaf again."

Kisame gave me a stern look, "Itachi this is your second chance don't make the same mistakes as the first."

"I won't allow them to attack the Leaf and that's what will happen if Fugaku regains control. I must push Sasuke. My father is a sneaky man, manipulating him from the shadows, humiliating him. He doesn't understand." I told him annoyed keeping my expression blank.

"I agree completely from what you've been letting slip Sasuke seems way out of his depth and your father is a complete bastard." He paused thinking over what he was about to say, "However your father is being sneaky praising Sasuke whereas your just outright criticising him maybe you should pretend to back off for a while."

"You mean start lying again? But that's what you told me not to do." I said confusedly.

"No. I mean be his brother he's being controlled by everyone else instead of fighting your father support Sasuke by using your influence to sway others into thinking his ideas are better. Instead of attacking or manipulating be there. And make him hang around with that kid the one that makes him relax Naruto." He suggested. I thought it over.

"That idea isn't completely ridiculous!" I mused in shock.

"Well thanks for the vote of confidence." Kisame grumbled I gave him an amused smirk.

I rested one arm on the table before picking up the rice ball with the other. Kisame's plan might work but would Sasuke forgive me? I needed to stay close to protect him and the leaf and... I felt something warm press against my arm. I looked down Kisame's arm lay next to mine he was purposefully eating his sandwich and not looking at me. I looked back down at our arms it was comforting I decided continuing to eat the rice ball calmness sweeping through me. I don't know how long we stayed like that long after the kettle had hissed that it was ready, long after we had finished eating but I was in no rush. Everything could wait.

I rose early the next morning. Kisame was still sleeping on the sofa after I had claimed the bed the previous night. It was strange how he didn't react to me moving around normally if a nin sensed another's chakra especially a nin that had been on the run for Kami knows how many years. Then again he had been stuck with me for ten years maybe he was just too used to me. I smiled wryly.

I pushed the door open only to be assaulted by the light burning my eyes. Quickly I made my way down the streets and sat on top of a small sweet shop I knew he would pass.

Five minutes later I jumped down, "Shikamaru." I addressed him he blinked in shock.

"Itachi how troublesome I have a mission to get to. You can interrogate me about Sasuke when I get back." He sighed.

I raised an eyebrow. "Actually it's the mission I'm here about." I told him.

"This is such a drag. I'm probably going to regret asking this but what about it?" He asked confused.

"I set it up for a specific reason. You said you wanted to understand their bond right? Well I've sent some guests to wait for you there and I want you to watch how they react to each other, it is very important." I told him.

He nodded slowly before a terrified look crossed his face, "Hey wait who are these friends and did you just tell me you purposefully broke a bridge halfway to Kiri just to teach me something?!"

"You needn't worry their perfectly safe. Sasuke and Naruto know them and yes, yes I did." I smirked proudly he looked even more terrified if that was possible.

"Yours and their version of safe is completely different to mine. This is going to be such a drag!" He protested.

"What's a drag lazy boy?" A loud remark came from the shop behind us for a moment. I thought it was Naruto but the boy I turned around to had short brown hair... Kiba, the one who had invited Naruto and my foolish little brother out.

"He-hello Shikamaru-san, hello It-Itachi-san." A girl with long sweeping black hair said smiling, coming up to us she carried a brown bag of groceries. This was Hinata, the weird one of the group Naruto had told me.

"Hey guys just a mission I'm going on. What you doing here?" Shikamaru asked.

"Well Hinata is staying with me for a couple of days but she got a bit tired of steak so we're buying her some Zenzai." Kiba told us smiling down at the girl who blushed.

"I didn't mind eating steak Kiba-kun really!" She blushed furiously now. 'Very shy and very loud what an odd combination' I mused.

"Its fine Hinata, seriously, I've never tried it before so it will be fun." Kiba teased.

"Anyway if you have a mission we'll leave you to it Shikamaru. Ma will freak if I don't do the lawn today." Finally noticing Hinata was struggling with the bag he took it off her and started walking.

"Kiba-kun I can carry my bag!" Hinata called after him bowing quickly to us she said nervously, "Have a nice day Shikamaru-san, Itachi-san." Before scurrying after Kiba who was smiling again.

"Jeez that's going to be a pain." Shikamaru face-palmed. I immediately understood and nodded.

"SHIKAMARUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" A voice that I was sure was Naruto this time rang from around the corner. He bolted into us. I deftly jumped out of the way so to avoid being hit by the human tornado.

Fortunately Shikamaru stopped him with a shadow anyway Naruto grinned at him before noticing me, "Oh hey Itachi! I came to see you this morning. Your pissy brother threw a kunai at me and said you weren't in so I'm guessing you were out at the aquarium." He waggled his eyebrows winking. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh, cry or face-palm, he was a convert as an elephant.

"It's okay Naruto I know about..." Shikamaru started but Naruto quickly covered his mouth.

"Know about what?" Sasuke's low tone rang dangerously as he appeared next to Naruto.

"Well you see I kinda let slip about it being your birthday to Shikamaru, sorry Teme." Naruto laughed rubbing the back of his head. 'Hm, he could be a good liar if I trained him up a bit' I mused.

"Hn whatever Dobe." Sasuke sighed then noticed me his face darkened, "WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU ALL NIGHT?!" He yelled pointing a finger at me. Apparently he had some sort of amnesia; this is why you can't leave your idiotic little brother unattended.

Naruto looked sadly at him it must be hard having an emotionally dysfunctional, insane friend. I didn't particularly want to cause a scene so doing the only thing I knew to do in this situation, I poked him in the head, "Sorry Sasuke, maybe later."

I teleported into a tree, but not before I heard a stream of profanities come from my dear foolish little brothers mouth. I had to smirk walking back to the Uchiha basement to boast my success to a probably-still-sleeping Kisame. Oh well you know the saying I thought to myself 'once Itachi's up so is the rest of the world.'

Shikamaru POV

"FUCK YOU ITACHI, YOU BASTARD!" He vomited every curse word under the sun at his older brother. "RUNNING OFF ON ME. I'M HEAD OF THE CLAN."

Sasuke started to impersonate Itachi putting on a patronising voice, "Sorry Sasuke, maybe later—HE WILL SEE ME LATER ALL RIGHT! HE WILL BE SEEING MY-"

"Chidori" Naruto sighed knowing exactly what Sasuke was going to say.

Sasuke glared at Naruto telling him "DON'T YOU DARE BUTT IN ITACHI LOVER!"

'How troublesome…' I thought to myself. 'Itachi has left me with his infuriated little brother. I would remember to thank him for that when we returned to the Leaf Village' I thought sarcastically. I will need to discuss my observations of this mission with him no doubt. If I haven't figured out the bond between Naruto and Sasuke by now, I doubted I fully understand it by attending just this mission with them. 'But we will see…' I told myself.

The pseudo mission that had been given to us by Lady Tsunade was to go to the Land of Waves to help with the repairs to the Great Naruto Bridge (damaged by Itachi with the permission of the bridge builder Tazuna, at least I hoped he had permission).

Repairing the bridge was nothing more than a D rank mission but travelling the dangerous path that leads to the Land of Waves made it at least a low level C rank. It appeared to Naruto and Sasuke that the last mission, a mission I quickly realised was organised by Sasuke, had managed to secure us another C rank mission. Naruto was especially pleased wanting to relive the first mission of Team Seven, he even tried to invite Sakura and Kakashi, but they declined.

Already I was viewed as an outsider in this mission, so I had to be sure to factor in the various implications that caused such as them thinking I want them to behave a certain way because I'm watching them or that I might overemphasize behaviour I expected to find and fail to notice behaviour I did not expect.

Bearing that in mind, I kept a checklist in my head of all the behaviour I noticed. Naruto poked Sasuke on the forehead something that the Uchiha could have stopped if he had chosen to. "Come on Sasuke or you will be seeing the wrong side of my Rasengan" he mocked Sasuke's anger and he chuckled to himself before beginning to walk towards the gate.

Childishly, Sasuke walked past Naruto trying to get to the gate before him. "Like you could touch me with your stupid jutsu" he snapped.

"TEME! Rasengan is way more powerful than Chidori" Naruto shouted enraged by the comment.

They eventually did calm down and Naruto started up a huge tirade: "Can you believe we are going to the Land of Waves? And to help Tazuna and Inari? Did I tell you that they came to help the repair the village after the invasion of Pain? They asked after you, I just told them we were fighting at the moment so you left the village and that we would come and visit when you came back. I guess I get to keep my promise to them." Naruto said crossing his arms behind his head and babbling away to himself.

This was an observation I had made before between the two of them. Even if it was hard to tell, Sasuke was in fact intently listening to Naruto rambling every thought that came into his head. And he replied, although that mainly consisted of 'Hn's' or slight body language. This code they had created was so intricate and subtle that it would take an expert many years to fully learn it, but Naruto, the idiot who scored the lowest for our Academy Graduation Exam, managed to be fluent in it. It had surprised me even more considering Ino, Chouji and I had to do more than this to communicate and we had spent much more time together than Sasuke and Naruto had. 'Naruto and Sasuke are very aware of each other' I concluded at the very least.

We walked along the long road that leads from the Leaf Village to the Great Naruto Bridge. "I can't wait to see it. Can you even believe it? A bridge named after me and back all those years ago when we were only gennin."

"You still are a gennin" I told him.

Naruto scowled at me, "You know what I mean."

"Yeah," Sasuke scoffed, "I can't believe it. I don't know why anyone would want to name a bridge after you dobe."

Naruto glared at him all the more insulted by Sasuke, "Maybe because I'm AWESOME!" His movements and his voice were clearly exaggerated. 'It's almost like he wants to get Sasuke to shout at him' I added that to my list of observations thus far.

"Awesomely stupid I'll agree with you on that" Sasuke remarked getting much more riled up than was necessary with the intense amount of training Orochimaru would have given him. We are taught to abide by a specific set of rules all in order to kill our emotions; preventing them from going wild and causing the failure of the mission. This is the most important tool for a shinobi to achieve their goal.

There is no doubt in my mind that something as vital as this would have been drilled into Sasuke's head by Orochimaru with similar emotional control training that is seen in the Foundation. 'Then Sasuke allows Naruto to get under his skin or Naruto inspires emotions that Sasuke has never had to learn to control' I tried to induce from all the variables I had witnessed.

"How come there isn't a bridge named after you?" Naruto jibbed, "The great Uchiha Sasuke must have many monuments in his honour." He added sarcastically whilst saying Sasuke's name like his fan-girls did swooning over the word 'Uchiha'.

"Hn." Sasuke grunted. "The Senju always steal honours from the Uchiha." That was right, with Naruto's new fame and his appointment as the future Hokage, there had been much look into Naruto's ancestry.

I could see this turning nasty. Lazily I yawned, "Knock it off you two or do I need to put you both on time out."

They completely ignored me. 'What a drag…' I groaned to myself.

Naruto stopped, clenching his fists tightly. Sasuke turned, hands in his pockets, to look at him. Naruto and Sasuke eyes met with a fiery intensity. "Don't you dare say that to me!" Naruto was clearly hurt that it was Sasuke in particular that said that to him. "Judge me for who I am." He stepped closer to Sasuke then but Sasuke didn't move. There were inches between the two of them. Naruto had a fierce look in his eyes, "Because I don't know how to be a Senju, only me. Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto grimaced stepping back his mood lightened slightly as he placed on a mask of happiness. "Let's get going" he whispered walking past Sasuke to carry on down the path.

The look on Sasuke's face… his eyes were darting about and before he couldn't look Naruto in the eye. He clearly regretted the words he had spoken to Naruto. 'But why? Sasuke had plenty of reason to hate the Senju Clan and he wasn't hesitant about putting the blame on innocent parties. He wanted to wipe out the entire Leaf Village for what a few individuals made his brother do. So why regret saying those words? Unless he couldn't blame Naruto. Could it… could it be guilt? Naruto had just revived his entire clan, I suppose that made sense.'

Sasuke stopped looking around the path, "Naruto."

Naruto nodded.

In time with each other they dodged the large blade that came hurling through the air at them. 'It appears the old friends that Itachi warned me about have arrived' I thought. From now on it was my task to stay in the shadows and just observe Naruto and Sasuke in action.

A tall noticeably muscular man with pale skin, short black spiky hair and brown eyes landed on the short handle of the blade wedged into the side of the tree. The ninja was very distinctive with bandages worn like a mask over the bottom half of his face. He was shirtless, with his chest only covered by a belt which he obviously used to carry his sword. He wore baggy trousers with the striped pattern typical of Kirigakure and wrist warmers up to his elbows with matching leg warmers. I could assume from this that he was from the Kirigakure but all doubt was removed seeing his forehead protector, he wore sideways on his head, indicating the he was a rogue ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist.

Using all that I had learnt from looking at this ninja, I instantly recognised him from the files I had read on Naruto and Sasuke and from his picture in the Bingo Book. He was Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsman and sword he was carrying was none other than the infamous Executioner Blade.

Naruto's smile beamed recognising the ninja in front of him at once. "No way, how cool is this? Zabuza you are here too…" Naruto began rambling, failing to see this as anything more than a coincidence – 'Idiot' I thought to myself wanting to face-palm.

Sasuke stepped forward his movement's fluid as water as he raised his Katana at Zabuza. "What are you doing here?" he asked highly suspicious now. 'All I was getting so far was that Sasuke was the brains of the operation' I thought in mild amusement.

Naruto stepped forward causing Sasuke to go rigid tightening his grip on the blade. "Sasuke," he voice softened, placing his hand on the Katana and pushing it down from its threatening position, "what are you doing? Zabuza is our friend."

Sasuke shouldn't have taken his eyes off of Zabuza but he did to answer Naruto. "He just tried to kill us" he said very slowly trying to make the information sink into Naruto's brain. 'Sasuke must realise by now that Naruto will never give up on anyone he considers his friend, even if they do try to kill them. Sasuke is a living testament to that.' My mind filled with memories of Naruto's frantic search for more than three years for the Uchiha.

Naruto paused and then laughed, "It was probably a joke…"

"Don't be so naïve." Sasuke snapped. "Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan." Sasuke's eyes went through the different stages of the Sharingan; the basic Sharingan to Mangekyo Sharingan and finally Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Stop it," Naruto protested, "Sasuke…" Naruto's voice was riddled with pain at the thought of one of his friends attacking another.

There was a minor hesitation in Sasuke's movement; he eased Naruto aside with the edge of his blade and stepped slightly closer to Zabuza. "You're getting in my way" he told Naruto coldly, his dark eyes boring into him pushing Naruto back but the intent to kill was not directed at Naruto. 'How did I not see it before?' I had to ask myself. 'That look in his eyes is…. protective. It's the look that Naruto gets in his eyes just before a fight to defend the village. But its darker… the protective look in Sasuke's eyes wanted to not just stop but destroy the one who would do him harm. That darkness in his eyes that was the reason I hadn't seen it before… Sasuke cares for Naruto like Naruto cares for us all.'

"I see your just itching for a fight. Well I do not disappoint," Zabuza started to do hand signs, "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu." Mist began to spring forth from the water that separated the Land of Waves from the mainland and Zabuza moved freely in and out of sight at will from within the pearly-white realm. This was the beginning of the Silent Killing Technique that in Kakashi's reports claimed he was very adept at.

Sasuke looked all around for Zabuza but the Sharingan was weakened by the Mist that was infused with Zabuza's chakra and making it impossible for him to track the rogue nin. "SASUKE!" Naruto pushed him out of the way his yellow frog eyes catching Zabuza's form just in front of Sasuke with the Executioner Blade about to cut him in half.

Naruto met Zabuza's blade with nothing more than a kunai and the small blade began to crack as it met with the Executioner. Naruto then summoned three clones, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." The three shadow clones instantly began to mould the chakra in Naruto's palm and he threw it with his transportation jutsu at Zabuza. "Rasengan" he shouted. The jutsu was extremely low level from Naruto showing that he was still holding back and that's when I realised he didn't want to waste his chakra because the ninja he was fighting was nothing more than a water clone.

The moment that water clone disappeared another Zabuza, this time the real one, attacked Naruto from behind. The executioner blade cut through one of Naruto's shadow clones that he had switched in places. Zabuza's eyes opened wider, "Still using that old trick" he commented amused. "Well I will find the real one soon enough."

"You found us." Naruto and Sasuke said in unison appearing behind Zabuza with kunai to his neck.

"In fact, we knew we were going to be attacked, we switched in clones just before you arrived." Sasuke told him a smug smirk on his face.

Naruto rubbed under his nose with a grin on his face, "We have been watching the whole thing from the trees."

"You mean this whole time I WAS FIGHTING NOTHING BUT CLONES" Zabuza's eyes widened dramatically as he raised his voice enraged at the slight to his own power.

Zabuza began to weave hand seals so fast that it was impossible to follow. Every now and again I caught something; Ram… Boar or Boar… Ram or … Ox… Dog… Snake.

"Sasuke…" Naruto said watching the signs.

He nodded his eyes already red with the Sharingan and he slit Zabuza's throat.

A wooden log appeared in the air and dropped to the floor. In shock, I recognised it was "Substitution Jutsu."

Zabuza's face started to rise from the water just at the side of the entrance to the Great Naruto Bridge. He stood on the water perfectly still looking menacing as he rapidly weaved hand-signs. From what I had read about Zabuza I knew that he had proficiency for large-scale, highly destructive water attacks. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique." A large amount of water was lifted into the air tuning to a giant, powerful dragon and the torrent of water went straight for Naruto and Sasuke.

Naruto summoned two shadow clones, manipulating the wind-nature chakra of the Wind Release: Rasengan, he caused the Rasengan to take on the appearance of a giant shuriken, creating his original jutsu "Rasenshuriken."

Simultaneously, Sasuke kneaded chakra inside his body converting it to fire and expelling it from his mouth as a massive orb, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."

"Fire Style: Rasenshuriken" they yelled. There jutsu merged with perfect synchronicity; an attack so powerful that it destroyed the water jutsu with ease to steam before it went on to burn Zabuza.

Naruto jumped into the air first bumping, "WOOOOHOOOO this is so FUN!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes, abruptly pulling Naruto into his chest, covering the back of Naruto's head with his Katana as three senbon, aimed precisely at lethal acupuncture points, came hurling at him.

Naruto stood on his tip toes, yelling in Sasuke's face, "STOP TRYING TO SHOW ME UP! TEME!"

Sasuke let his arm fall from the back of Naruto's head. "THEN DON'T GET KILLED DOBE!" He snapped back.

Naruto turned around to face an exact point in the mist. "Haku, come out, I can sense you. The both of you."

The ninja by the name of Haku dispersed the mist appearing on the branch just above Naruto and Sasuke. "I'm sorry Naruto but I could not have you harming my precious person." I couldn't tell if the ninja before be was male or female; they had an androgynous appearance: long black hair, pale skin and large dark brown eyes, a slender frame and looked to be thirteen or fourteen years in age and they were small for that.

The ninja wore a standard Kirigakure knee-length pinstriped outfit, over this a green haori with white trimmings, and around his waist a brown sash with fringed trail. He wore a hunter nin mask on top of his forehead protector, which was white with thin curved eye holes, a red wavy design in place of the mouth and at the top of the mask there was a painted Kirigakure symbol.

"Haku…" Naruto whispered.

'Haku of the Ice Release.' I recited his profile from Kakashi's report. 'From the Land of Water, kekkai genkai is ice release, known partner of Zabuza Momochi.' This was the ninja that Naruto had referred to in his argument with Sakura at Yakiniku. That fact that Naruto had mentioned this mission, this ninja and their words in an argument with his teammate over Sasuke made it obvious. To solve the riddle of Naruto and Sasuke, I would have to remember the exact words he spoke that day…

"Sakura. Do you remember Team Seven's first real mission together? We had to escort that bridge builder to the Land of Waves and we fought Zabuza and Haku. It was on that mission that I learnt the true way of the shinobi 'To protect those who are precious to me.' That is a ninja's true nindo. It was Haku that taught me that lesson… 'I want to protect the person important to me… I want to work for that person. I want to fight for that person. I want to make that person's dreams come true… that is my dream.'"

'Naruto learnt his way of the Shinobi from this Ninja. He had protected us, worked for us, fought for us and made our dreams come true and it was his dream to be our Hokage and do that for us every day of his life. Naruto had lived this ninja's way of the Shinobi to its fullest capacity.' I was humbled to be in this ninja's presence because they had made Naruto who is today; the Ninja that had just saved the whole world from the tyrannical rule of Obito under Tsuki no Me Keikaku.'

"Haku," Naruto stared up at the ninja his eyes shinning in awe, "I can't believe it's really you. Kakashi-sensei told me that he faced you and Zabuza on the battlefield during the Fourth Shinobi War. I was so gutted that I wasn't there. Are you reanimations now? Did Obito send you after us?" Naruto asked rambling as usual but making some sense at the same time. 'There were hundreds of ninja that had been brought through the barrier the day of Naruto performed Rinne Tensei no Jutsu however we had learnt that someone living had to pull you from the other side. Who would have brought Haku and Zabuza back if not Obito? Or Kabuto?'

"I feel bad that this attack was not a force of our hand but our own free will. It was Zabuza's idea. We saw you coming this way and he wanted to test how strong you had become." The ninja jumped down from the branch coming closer to Naruto. "You have grown so much." Haku smiled warmly at Naruto fondness in his voice.

Sasuke didn't let Haku come any closer placing the tip of his Katana to Haku's throat.

"One more step and I will kill you" Sasuke swore his eyes red with the Sharingan. 'There it was again that same darkness, the same intent to kill but now I could see it was to protect Naruto. I guess Naruto had been right all along… Sasuke saw Naruto as his friend.'

"We mean you no harm." The ninja bowed respectfully at Naruto and Sasuke. "It was meant to be a friendly battle."

"Sasuke…" Naruto began to protest his voice somewhat soothing the Uchiha's anger.

Haku stopped him. "It's alright Naruto," Sasuke's eyes met Haku's, "Sasuke needs to do this. You stay there. I will attend to-"

As if on cue Zabuza called to his partner, "Haku." The ninja's movement was too swift for my eyes suddenly they were helping Zabuza to stand. "You shouldn't have gone up against them on your own." Haku commented. "You know what we have been heard about them… Naruto and Sasuke are not the genin we knew but two of the most powerful Shinobi in the Ninja World. This battle will not end well for us if we face them on anything other than friendly turns."

Zabuza did not appreciate Haku's advice, coldly snapping, "I don't need you to tell me who I can and cannot face."

Haku was not angered by the harsh rebuke but bowed his head obediently, "As you wish Master."

Naruto and Sasuke were talking amongst themselves. Haku looked at Sasuke's face seeing the guilt ridden look I had witnessed earlier. Reading his lips, I saw him whisper, "I will help you understand." 'Was he talking to me or Sasuke?' I couldn't be sure. I didn't know how much Itachi had told them or what exactly they were supposed to be doing apart from re-enacting the first mission of Team Seven. But I had a strange feeling that Haku's arrival was about to make things much clearer to me… and very soon.

Haku stepped towards Naruto causing Sasuke's eyes to glow read with Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and he held his Katana glowing bright blue as he coursed a Chidori through it. "Stay where you are." Sasuke ordered him.

Haku immediately stopped, the docile ninja, completely fine with following the Uchiha's demands.

"Stop being rude TEME. How are you Head of your Clan when you are so rude to people?" Sasuke looked like he was going to say something but Naruto answered for him. "You're 'I'm-Sasuke-Uchiha-so-you-must-love-me' power can only go so far." He snapped. "It doesn't work on everyone Sasuke, especially on boys and Haku is a boy, so you have to be nicer…"

Haku tried to stop them fighting, telling them politely, "I don't mind." They both stared at him seeming annoyed that they would have to stop arguing. "You can continue to argue if you would like" Haku offered, but the two looked away from each other pouting like children.

After a short moment, just as long as Naruto's attention span, Naruto gave Haku a warm smile. "So Haku," Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "you said you wanted to fight, you still up for it?" Naruto asked his eagerness apparent, "I would love to fight for old time's sake."

"You know that I don't like to fight. But…" Haku looked down to his wounded partner in his arms, he sighed, "I don't have a choice bearing in mind you hurt what is most precious to me."

Kakashi reported that Haku's greatest strength in battle was his sheer speed but that advantage was countered by Sasuke's newly awakened Sharingan. There was no question then that Sasuke would defeat Haku's speed with his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. Naruto seemed be the weaker partner for this battle and Haku utilised that knowledge attacking him instead. However, Naruto used the inhuman speed he inherited from his father The Yellow Flash to dodge every attack that Sasuke indicated was coming his way.

The way that Naruto and Sasuke moved with each other was so natural that there was no opening for Haku to take use to advantage of and so the ninja retreated to re-evaluate the situation. Kakashi's reports also detailed that Haku was highly intelligent shown to have great observational and analytical skills, capable of quickly determining a way around an opponent's technique or strategy. The scary thing about Sasuke and Naruto was that as shinobi they had little weakness, error in battle lay within their personalities but together they covered each other so well it was impossible to exploit any flaws found.

They were too powerful at this stage to fight Haku on equal terms and if I wanted to observe any more I would have to do something to ensure this battle wouldn't be over too soon. Sluggishly, I jumped down from where I was perched up in a tree. I cleared my throat. "*cough**cough**cough*."

Sasuke and Naruto looked at me. "Jeez Shikamaru where did you go?" Naruto asked surprised to see me.

"Nowhere. You looked like you could handle it. Sooo I decided to nap…" I yawned trying to detract from the lie. "Fighting unnecessarily is just troublesome" I groaned.

"Hn." Sasuke scoffed.

Pulling out Asuma-sensei's lighter, I lit a cigarette and took a long drag. "I just don't see the point in this battle." I stated bluntly. "You have had ample amount of time to improve while Haku has not. The battle is hardly fair. If you wanted to test your strength then you would fight Haku with only the jutsu you used the last time. That would be a real test for you and not just a show of the vast amounts of power you have accumulated over the years."

Naruto considered my words but I had no doubt he would take accept it. "That does sound fair."

Sasuke didn't take the bait so easily. "The objective is to win, is it not? Limiting us to only the jutsu we knew as genin is a stupid idea and only a foolish idiot like you dobe would be taken in by this suggestion."

"I'm okay with it Sasuke," Naruto had a mischievous look in his eye, "but if you don't think you can defeat Haku without all the other jutsu… then I guess we can let you use yours…" he said using a very condescending tone. 'If there was one thing that Naruto was good at it was getting a rise out of the Uchiha' It was perfect enough for me to smirk.

"FINE." Sasuke snapped. "I will do it but just to prove I can."

"No Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan or Mangekyo Sharingan" Naruto said implying that Sasuke needed it.

Sasuke stepped closer to Naruto anger burning in his eyes. "No Rinnegan or Sage Mode"

Naruto moved closer a faint smile on his face, "No Chidori" he yelled.

Sasuke came closer still to Naruto, "No Rasengan."

There was a moment of silence between the two where they just looked into each others eyes.

Sasuke's pulled his eyes away first that guilty look on his face. "Let's begin." He told Haku deactivating his Sharingan until it was only at its most basic level.

Haku began weaving hand-signs at an incredible speed. "Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu." Haku used the same technique that Zabuza had used to counter Sasuke's Sharingan and without Naruto's Sage Mode it was going to be next to impossible for them to track Haku's movements, especially with how fast he is. "Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals." In an instant, multiple mirrors of ice were created around them, reflecting nothing but Haku's image. 'This must be Haku's secret technique' I noted matching it to the description that Kakashi had made in his reports. I didn't see how I was meant to see through this mist but Itachi seemed to have thought of that because Haku purposely gave me a line of sight through the fog.

"Sasuke…" Naruto whispered knowing exactly where he was standing.

"You can still sense me?" Sasuke asked clearly able to do the same.

"Of course," Naruto boasted with a grin, "I tracked you down before I had Sage Mode."

"How about you? Can you see Haku with your Sharingan?" Naruto asked Sasuke.

Sasuke shook his head. "The mist is too strong. I can't use my Sharingan unless he gets close enough to me."

"Then can you melt the mirrors?" Naruto asked him a peculiar thing to ask considering they faced Haku before. 'Then again Naruto is an idiot' I reminded myself.

Sasuke appeared to be actually considering his answer before nodding his head. "Every battle is a chance to learn and we learnt last time that Haku's mirrors are resistant to fire techniques, but I will try…"

Naruto and Sasuke nodded. "It's settled then." 'They weren't honestly going to go with that plan knowing that Haku's jutsu was impervious to fire. I could believe that Naruto was idiotic enough to try something like that but Sasuke. Has the mist clouded their minds too?' I had to wonder.

"I hope you can see" Haku mouthed. 'Again I couldn't tell if it was me or Sasuke that he was talking to.' Haku's assault on the two shinobi began. His speed increased to incredible levels, it was such that he could launch several senbon from all the mirrors looking like he was literally in all of them.

Sasuke managed to evade most of the senbon thrown at him whilst somehow indicating to Naruto where to move to dodge the attacks on himself. It was highly impressive they were managing to hold their own considering they were up against a highly trained ninja using only genin level skill. I knew they had defeated Haku in the past from Kakashi's report and Naruto's bragging for weeks afterwards. However, Kakashi said that they couldn't break the mirrors without the Nine's tails chakra and Naruto was no longer the Nine Tails Junchuuriki. 'What were they going to do?' I thought trying to devise a plan for them myself so that I could try and guess what they were doing.

Sasuke used a moment to weave hand-signs: Rat, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger. "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique." 'They weren't seriously going through with this' My mouth hung open in shock. Volleys of small fireballs were sent flying in an unpredictable manner to assault Haku's ice mirrors. From my reading on this technique, I knew that each of the fireballs was infused with chakra meaning Sasuke could control each one of them and he used this to his advantage aiming all of the fireballs at one mirror in particular. 'Maybe they knew which mirror Haku was in' I had to rationalise. 'Because if they hadn't they had just left themselves wide open for an attack.' The fireballs did nothing to Haku's jutsu.

Haku took the opening, coming out of the mirror on the opposite side and attacking them with a hail of senbon. They fought off most of the attack with Naruto's shadow clones being used as a human shield however I saw the blur of Haku's form pass Sasuke and his blood splatter in the air as Haku's attack struck. Seconds later, simultaneously, Haku's blood drenched form appeared in all of the twelve mirrors.

Naruto's face was filled with horror like he was reliving a nightmare. "Sasuke…" Naruto abandoned the rules of the match using his inhuman speed to catch Sasuke who fell to the ground, senbon still sticking out of his body.

"Naruto…" Sasuke whispered falling unconscious.

Naruto's eyes widened his eyes beginning to brim with tears. 'Naruto knew that Haku wouldn't kill Sasuke though this was a friendly battle and Naruto knows that last time all Haku did was hit Sasuke at precise acupuncture points that bring on the appearance of death. Why is he reacting this way?' Naruto hugged Sasuke's body close to him actually mourning the death of his friend who wasn't even dead. "Sasuke…" Naruto cried in some sort of dazed state.

That's when I remembered more of what Naruto had said that day at Yakiniku…

"And it was Sasuke that showed me what it meant in reality. They showed me that protecting those who are precious to you means that you are willing to put your life on the line." 'I understood then that this is what had happened in the last battle; Naruto had thought that Sasuke had died saving him. Is this how he had reacted? Is this what Itachi wanted me to see?'

"He found a strength he didn't realise he had. Why? Because of a certain person that was precious to him. To save that person he rushed in knowing it was an trap. He was a true ninja, worthy of honour." Haku repeated the words I knew he had spoken that very day to Naruto. 'Those words could be applied to Naruto during the final battle. He had performed that jutsu, knowing it would kill him because Sasuke was precious to him.'

"SHUT UP!" Steam started to circle around Naruto. "YO…U WILL PAY FOR THIS!" The steam began to spread around the whole Haku's ice mirrors spilling outside the jutsu they were trapped in. Every now and again I would hear bits and pieces of a conversation that Naruto was having with himself. "It's your way of creating peace that is useless… IT IS YOU WHO IS GOING TO DIE!" I finally understood what happening, why Naruto was reacting this badly even though Sasuke was fine, it was because he was reliving Sasuke's actual death at the hands of Uchiha Obito.

Naruto had chakra spewing from every pour in his body creating a torrent of raw power reaching up into the sky. Naruto stood up his head hung low, his body fidgeting under the strain of the chakra he was exerting. His eyes glowed with a swirling purple pattern. "Rinnegan" he commanded in a low voice.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!" Zabuza yelled struggling to stand as Naruto's chakra stirred up the atmosphere into a storm.

"NARUTO'S CHAKRA IS GOING OUT OF CONTROL…" I explained having to focus my chakra into my hands just to hold onto the tree.

The column of chakra around him just kept getting stronger. "I'm sorry Obito," Naruto voice echoed, "but you harmed my precious person." The chakra that Naruto was storing inside of him was about to explode and I feared that Naruto would be destroyed with it.

"NO… HAKU…" Zabuza found some way to move through the storm and he ran straight into its eye in his desperate search for Haku.

Zabuza got to Haku's side. He was lying on the floor to stop himself from being blown back by tornado of chakra in front of him. Zabuza looked up at Naruto with a fear in his eyes but that fear was not for himself but for his partner. Naruto saw this too, his eyes softening slightly and returning to their ocean blue. "RUN. GO. I'LL KILL YOU ALL." He was fighting back the chakra inside of him but it was all to no use.

"Sasuke" he whimpered. His eyes re-activated the Rinnegan and his chakra flared up once more.

Zabuza knelt down in front of Haku. Sweeping him up into his arms, he attempted to escape. Naruto seeing this was enraged. "YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY OBITO!" he declared. With a single movement of his arm he blew them with such great force through the trees that they landed a least a mile away from the battleground.

They could have just left then and there, I wouldn't have blamed them but they didn't. Haku and Zabuza appeared at my side and together we held onto a solid oak tree. "HOW DO WE STOP THEM?" Zabuza asked.

Haku and I answered in unison. "WE NEED TO WAKE SASUKE UP!" The storm was only getting worse trees being lifted up by the roots and blown back in our direction.

The tree we were holding onto started to shake. "I CAN WAKE HIM UP IF I CAN JUST GET CLOSE ENOUGH" Haku told us his voice unnaturally loud as he tried to speak over the harsh hissing of the gale force winds.

I nodded.

My mind started to go through all of the different ways we could get to Sasuke. In five seconds I had over two hundred plans devised in my mind but in the end I could only choose one. "YOU DISTRACT NARUTO WHILE I GET HAKU TO SASUKE." I told Zabuza.

There was no room for argument in that moment.

Zabuza focused huge amounts of chakra into his feet so that he could run through the storm Naruto was creating. At the time, this ninja managed to weave hand seals. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique." A large scale of water rose up dozens of meters high. It then streamed to the ground on top of Naruto in one big cascade much like a gigantic waterfall pouring from the sky. The power of the jutsu was so tremendous that it hollowed out the ground around Naruto but with the slightest movement of his hand Naruto dispelled the jutsu.

I had never seen anything like it before, even from Naruto, but he managed to then perform the same jutsu back. "WATER RELEASE: GREAT WATERFALL TECHNIQUE" he yelled. There was no way that Naruto could perform that jutsu but he had copied it like the Sharingan could. The amount of water that Naruto pulled up into the air was so large that the water level of the sea between Fire County and the Land of Waves dramatically decreased. Zabuza did the only thing a sane person could do in that situation and he ran while Naruto's jutsu chased him through the sky.

Meanwhile I used my own clan's kekkai genkai to move Haku as close as I could to Sasuke's body, "Shadow Imitation Technique complete." My shadow reached out to Haku's paralysing his body. I moved him closer and closer to Sasuke using the shadows of various trees to strengthen my hold on him so that he would not be blown back by Naruto's chakra storm.

Haku knelt down over Sasuke's body and pressing various pressure points he woke him up. Sasuke took in a deep breath and coughed. Reading his lips, I saw him whisper "Naruto…", as if he knew what was happening to him.

Naruto froze in place.

Sasuke got up from the ground. 'He needed to use his Tailed beast training now.' Sasuke stood behind Naruto and without even using his Sharingan. 'Is he insane? Naruto could kill him.' He told him sternly, "Naruto. Stop this. Now." 'As if-'

Instantly Naruto's eyes returned to their bright blue. "Sasuke," Naruto's eyes brimmed with joyous tears, "you're alright." Naruto's exhausted body dropped to his knees. "W… what just happened?" he asked.

Sasuke sighed, his face showing more guilt than ever before, "Just you being a dobe and not following our plan."

We made camp for the night just at the entrance to the bridge because we all needed to rest after that battle.

The next morning Zabuza and Haku moved to leave. "It was nice seeing you again Naruto." Haku said a warm smile on his face.

"I'm really sorry," Naruto awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. "I nearly killed you."

"You were just lucky," Zabuza teased, "we'll get you next time."

Naruto face looked alarmed. "Ne…xt… time…" Naruto stammered. Naruto had been apologizing to Haku and Zabuza all evening to the point that Zabuza had threatened to make him feel the end of his Executioner if he said it one more time.

Haku smiled, "He's joking."

"Oh okay, yeah, maybe we could go for rarmen or something. They go the best rarmen at Ichiraku's. You have to come try it…" Naruto trailed off back to his old self.

Eventually, Haku politely broke Naruto off, "We should probably get going."

"I'll see you soon." Naruto grinned but there was sadness in his smile.

Haku bowed. "Goodbye Naruto and say goodbye to Sasuke for me." Sasuke had been abnormally off with Naruto since what had happened and we hadn't seen him much since the fight.

Haku came over to me while Zabuza said goodbye to Naruto. "You understand now, don't you?"

I cocked an eyebrow at him in complete confusion.

"I'm sorry Obito but you harmed my precious person" he repeated the words that Naruto had spoken to him during the battle.

Haku smiled walking away.

"Let's go Haku" Zabuza extended his hand out to him. Haku took his hands and pecked him lightly on the lips.

…

That's when it all clicked into place in my mind…

My mind flashed with all the times I had seen Naruto and Sasuke together: their arguing, their fighting, their kiss at the Academy; their flawless teamwork from Chuunin Exams all the way until now and all the little things like the way Sasuke would go out to rarmen with Naruto even though he hates the stuff; the way they would ask where the other was if they weren't there and the way they could talk about everything and anything without saying anything at all.

Then there were the instances after Sasuke had left the village: Naruto's unyielding resolve to bring him back to the Leaf and him never giving up even when the rest of us, even Sakura, had; the many times Kakashi had commented Sasuke could have ended Naruto but chose to spare his life, like at Final Valley, and the way Naruto would have given his life to give Sasuke his clan back.

"If you still don't understand then I will explain why…" Naruto's voice spoke became my own voice inside my mind, "I chose to die for…", "my precious person", "my precious person", "my precious person." The memories ended with one single memory, I was walking home one day after the Academy when I saw Sasuke sitting at the end of the Uchiha pier. Naruto had walked past watching Sasuke they glared at each other, Naruto had walked past. Then looked back down at Sasuke then smiling up, at Naruto who was walking along the path above who was smiling himself.

'I am a complete idiot. How did I not see what had been staring me in the face all this time? The bond between Sasuke and Naruto was a bond of love.

"Bye Haku, bye Zabuza. We'll see you real soon. Look after yourselves…" Naruto began to trail along. "Oh, and bye from Sasuke too" he added.

Zabuza and Haku walked down the path together, hand in hand, in the opposite direction of the Great Naruto Bridge and the Land of Waves. Their mission was over they had taught me everything I needed to know about Sasuke and Naruto and the mission they had gone on together as Team Seven.

Deidara POV

"And don't forget to get fire wood brat!" Sasori called.

"Fucking bastard." I mumbled.

"What was that brat? Do you want to die?" Sasori asked Hiroku's tail suspended in mid-air pointing at me.

"Uh. Nothing Sasori no Danna." I laughed nervously and ran out the door.

"Good. Now go up and get wood for the fire I want you back in 5 minutes." Sasori smirked.

'Jeez, what is it with that prick and threatening to kill me all the time? It almost made me miss Tobi.' I looked around the clearing we had sort of a little village each Akatsuki pair had a log cabin all facing each other (L.A: It's Yaoi Desperate Housewives LOL). I nodded to Kakuzu who was in the courtyard he gave me a brief nod in return before continuing to count on his fingers. I smirked, 'Some people never change.'

"Hey Dei." Konan beamed carrying a bunch of blackberries in a tub. The 'Dei' thing was new apparently with everyone had been brought back to lazy to say my whole name.

"Hey Konan, where did you get those?" I asked biting my lip they looked so nice. She laughed, it sounded like wind chimes. I looked at her like she had just vomited a sheep. Konan or Lady Angel had never so much as smiled before, what the hell! "Do you want some?" She said playfully putting them into a smaller basket.

I could get used to this Konan, "Thanks, un!"

Grumbling I made my way into the wood and started gathering firewood. 'He was definitely grumpier since he's been back' I thought. I allowed myself a small smile 'he wouldn't be Danna if he was any less.' I remembered how boring the base had been without being told off for blowing stuff up, the art arguments and the occasional moments where he taught me.

I pulled my cloak up picking up the wood I had collected. A bloodcurdling scream ran through the air, "HOLY FUCKING FUCK!" I heard Hidan yell I dropped the wood and ran to the centre of the clearing where all the Akatsuki were gathered.

"ALMIGHTY PUSH!" Nagato yelled. I saw Kabuto that little creep who had reanimated me fly backwards. Yahiko caught Konan who had been wrapped in a snake.

"Well fuck." I breathed. Sasori came up beside me handing me my pouch; his mouth pressed in a firm line. I frowned, I realised he felt vulnerable in his current form he had designed his puppet body to counteract his weakness in taijutsu without it he could only be on the offensive. And to top it all off I narrowed my eyes at the creepy smile directed at Sasori, it was Orochimaru, Sasori's previous Akatsuki partner.

I had tried to kill him since Sasori's passing knowing of the grudge he held against the creep. I prepared my clay. "No Deidara," Sasori's silky voice the one he only used when he was really annoyed his eyes narrowed.

I nodded stepping back infusing my clay sensing other enemies were nearby, "I understand Danna." Nagato and Yahiko were squaring off against Kabuto who was in currently in Sage Mode.

Hidan, Kakuzu and a recovered Konan came to my side as we prepared to face the small army headed towards us. "This feels fucking good!" Hidan grinned at me an odd thing to say in the face of death (for a second or maybe third if you consider edo tensei) but we are Akatsuki it's been a long time since we've had a good fight.

"You got that right!" I grinned the chance to showcase my art on a good canvas hadn't arisen in a while. Konan and Kakuzu looked at each other and rolled their eyes still they seemed vaguely excited I guess this slowly rebuilding our organisation was pissing everyone off.

My mind focused as ninjas I recognised from my bingo book started edging out of the trees. We all tensed preparing for the fight of our third life. "Well long time no see Ak-at-su-kiiiiiii!" Tobi's evil voice rang through the clearing I caught my breath staring up at him. His mask no longer in place his features returned to normal on both sides.

"TOBI!" I yelled at him throwing bombs he disappeared giggling. The Akatsuki gathered together. 'Shit. Where were Kisame and the pile of crap when you needed them? We were hopelessly outnumbered against criminals of our ranking.' Sasori reined me in with his strings as I tried to charge giving me a stern look and shaking his head.

"Tee-hee Senpai, I will deal with you later okay, be a good boy!" Tobi used the idiotic voice I remembered. He turned to Nagato his features becoming serious, "Nagato Uzumaki will you be rejoining our old alliance?"

"HELL NO!" Yahiko yelled. My respect for him grew a little bit he had seemed a weird addition always talking about peace.

"I wasn't asking you dead boy. You have next to no power, why would I want you?" Tobi laughed coldly.

Yahiko tensed up about to talk again but Nagato shot him a warning look, "Obito Uchiha we all decline your offer as we are now hunting you for the bounty on your head." Nagato's voice didn't seem stressed but he spoke coldly and briefly leaving no room for argument.

"I don't think you can speak for all of them, the lot of them enjoy killing too much to be loyal." Obito smiled darkly his gaze falling on Konan. "I hate killing the same person twice, it's so dreary, though, I suppose killing you while you fail to protect something you love twice will be most crushing, so it could be amusing. Now should I kill it while it hides in you or should I let you see it die right in front of your eyes?"
Konan went pale her hand going to her stomach paper turning into kunai's around her. Tobi dived at her. Yahiko jumped in the way only to have his throat crushed before he was tossed into a tree blood running down his face.

"YAHIKO!" Konan and Nagato cried. Tobi lunged for Konan again but Nagato scooped her out of harms way.

I realised instantly what Tobi had just announced – 'Konan was pregnant.' He had every intention of destroying her and the baby which in turn would weaken Nagato's and Yahiko's resolve like it had when Yahiko died. I didn't have time to think however Sasori pulled me out of the way as Tobi appeared in front of where I had just been standing.

"Thanks Danna un." I said landing by his side my gaze focusing my art ready. Sasori nodded Hiroku at the ready.

"I wouldn't be thanking him so soon Sempai!" Tobi had returned to his normal idiot voice.

"What are you babbling on about idiot?" I asked trying to stall for time so Kakuzu and Hidan could get the other three the hell out of here.

"I'm telling Sempai that his Sempai is not the Sempai that Sempai believes that his Sempai is. Sempai's Sempai is a liar!" Tobi told me pointing at Sasori who visibly paled his eyebrow twitching he sent countless senbons at him. Ten puppets attacked from each side but Tobi simply dodged every one of them.

"Sasori no Danna, what's he talking about un?" I asked confusedly.

"Nothing." Sasori glared Tobi smiled.

"Lying again? Do you know how hard Deidara planned to break you out Suna believing you to be trapped?" Tobi's idiotic voice said sweetly.

"SHUT UP TOBI YEAH!" I shouted embarrassed.

"But Sempai I was only trying to tell you that Sasori doesn't want to be your Danna anymore he wants to be a good boy. He has been reinstated as a Suna Nin and is living with his parents. But it gets even better than that doesn't it Akasuna- Sempai? Akasuna-Sempai wants to be a real boy that's why he won't become the art he professes to love, isn't that right Sasori?" Tobi had started off in his idiot voice but it grew in malice towards the end.

My blood ran cold a chill surrounding my heart. 'A Suna nin had been living in my cabin. He could have killed me at any point.' I knew from Sasori's frozen expression that it was the truth. "Men leave we are done here for the day." Tobi smirked.

"Brat I-" Sasori started.

"Don't call me brat that is what my Danna used to call me and he died in the Akatsuki hideout a year and a half ago today." I said dismissively refusing to meet his furious stare.

Everyone had left now only Tobi, Sasori and I remained.

"What so because I don't hate everyone in my village and I am pleased my parents are alive you no longer consider me your master?" He asked quirking his eyebrow disbelievingly.

"S rank criminals and nins affiliated with a village fight to the death, it is the rule, also my Danna wouldn't turn his back on his art for anyone. You're nothing more than an imposter that looks like him." I snapped coldly.

Sasori looked speechless so Tobi decided to speak, "So sempai will you join me? You can blow stuff up all you like." He offered somehow he just infuriated me more. 'I can't deal with this' I thought.

"Fuck you both. I hope you both die a slow, painful and a completely inartistic death." I told them in a deadly voice before turning on my heel and following Hidan's trail.

I walked into the clearing outside our cabins straight into another fight. "Konan you can't stay, here it isn't safe, he's going to be after you now!" Nagato said exasperatedly to Konan who was glaring at him defiantly Hidan was sitting beside Kakuzu who was tending to Yahiko.

"I won't leave Nagato. I won't be separated from you and Yahiko again." She told him.

"Yahiko can go with you. Just go on the run and keep yourself safe. He will keep coming back you know him!" Nagato pleaded desperately. I looked at Konan she looked distraught. I suppose you would be if your biggest secret was just told to a bunch of men who had thought having a woman around would be trouble from day one.

Hidan turned around joining in, "We can't have a preggers bitch in the Akatsuki it's just not right, how can we meant to do missions with you? You'll just be a liability and Nagato's right he'll be back."

"I think you should let her stay." I walked into the clearing Konan's eyes shone with tears and she mouthed a 'thank you.'

"YOU CAN FUCK OFF AS WELL GIRLY FUCKER IT MIGHT BE FUCKING CONTAGIOUS HER STOMACH MIGHT EXPLODE IN FUCKING BABY DISEASE TOO!" Hidan shouted waving his finger at my stomach like it was going to explode.

"PLEASE BITCH IF ANYTHING IS GOING TO EXPLODE FROM MY STOMACH IT WILL BE MY ART YOU KNOW WHY A BABY WON'T BE 'EXPLODING' FROM MY STOMACH BECAUSE I'M A FUCKING MAN UN!" I shouted. Konan looked like she was stifling a laugh and I think even Nagato cracked a smile might have just have wind though.

"KEEP FUCKING TELLING YOURSELF THAT!" Hidan shouted back.

"DO YOU WANT ME TO PROVE IT UN?" I shouted removing my cloak.

"ENOUGH!" Nagato shouted. 'I knew that smile was wind.' "Konan is going that is final!"

"I agree." Yahiko said softly apparently he was awake now. "I have to keep you safe."

"You think running away will safe her un? It won't. He will find her no matter where she goes and her best bet of being safe is staying among the Akatsuki where she has at least some protection un." I didn't know why this was bothering me so much but I did know what they were doing was wrong. Besides, pregnant women couldn't run, they could barely waddle. So I did the first thing that came into my head; grabbing Konan's wrist I walked her into my cabin.

We sat in silence just sipping tea. I fumed at Sasori in my head 'That lying hypocritical bastard' I thought darkly before Konan smiled gratefully at me interrupting my reverie. "Thank you." She whispered.

I was in shock for a few seconds before I smiled back, "Your welcome you can sleep in the red room."

"What about Sasori?" She asked confused.

I smirked. "We're sitting on a perfectly comfortable couch. I'm sure he'll find it much to his satisfaction."

Gaara POV

The Tsuchikage and I were currently discussing building a road from the Suna to Iwagakure to increase trade and relations between our two nations. "I will send a large shipment of sandstone to Suna immediately upon my return to Iwagakure. To finance…" The Tsuchikage continued through our formalised agenda. We went through these things relatively quickly because the meeting was more an opportunity for us to catch up on everything that had happened since the end of the Fourth Shinobi War.

It was one thing that we all agreed upon that there should be more meetings between the Five Kage. I had met with the Raikage, Mizukage, and Tsuchikage often in the last couple of months but it was harder for us to meet with the Hokage. Lady Tsunade tried her best to hide it, but it was common knowledge, Konoha was in turmoil due to the revival of the Uchiha Clan and many other enemies that resided inside the Village in the Leaves.

"Your mind appears to be in other places today Kazekage" commented the Tsuchikage who was enjoying tucking into a roasted desert lizard, a Sand Village delicacy.

"It wanders often while there is darkness still near those I care about." My mind had been so preoccupied lately that I had barely eaten in days. Temari had specially had prepared my favourite, Gizzard, salted tongue. She wasn't going to be happy when she discovered I hadn't even attempted to eat it. Even if I am Godaime Kazekage, she still mothers me like I am a child; it's hardly needed, I've looked after myself all my life.

The Tsuchikage didn't appear to be troubled and casually inquired to whom I meant: "Are you referring to Obito or to the Uchiha Clan?"

"Obito isn't the one worrying me." I answered him dismissively. "I have no doubt that we will eventually catch him." I paused then. "It is the enemies that are within Konoha itself that concern me-"

"You mean the Uchiha?" he asked suddenly a lot more interested.

"I mean one Uchiha in particular, Uchiha Sasuke. Konoha is the most protected of all the Hidden Villages while Naruto resides there and there is no question that he will protect the Village. It is not that I fear for. But… I have known Naruto for a very long time and I know when Sasuke is involved… Naruto becomes…"

"Reckless, Irrational…" Kankuro began listing things coming into the room with Temari at his side. Of its own accord the sand all around me began to shift towards him - 'Stop it Gaara.' I had to remind myself, 'He's your brother. You love him. Don't kill him.' It surprised me how prolific the blood-lust still was without the presence of the Shukaku.

"Onoki Tsuchikage" they bowed greeting him respectfully.

Using a trick I created watching Naruto I transferred my blood-lust to sheer annoyance, I snapped at Kunkuro. "I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed."

Kunkuro and Temari exchanged looks.

Temari warily stepped forward with a tiny scroll in her hand. "This just arrived from Konoha it has got Naruto's seal." She explained. "I thought you would to see it right away."

Immediately I extended my hand out for it. Keeping my voice impassive, I asked, "How was it delivered? By Uchiha Itachi or by some other means?" I was trying to gauge how much Naruto trusted the Uchiha…

"No it came by a messenger hawk." 'I suppose that is a good sign.'

I opened the scroll. It read…

'Whatssup Gaara,

How is your village? How are you? How is everyone? Since you're Kazekage I am guessing the village is doing GREAT!' Naruto's confidence in that made a faint smile appear on my lips. 'I will come visit soon'. That is a perfect idea having Naruto here means he will be out of their clutches. 'And I will bring everyone.' I just hoped that didn't include a certain Uchiha but knowing Naruto it would. 'In case you're wondering, Konoha is great and I'm doing AMAZING! Dattebayo!' I always appreciated how Naruto sounded so much like himself even on paper.

'Anyway, I'm kind of writing to you for a reason, you know how all the tailed beasts are stuck in the Ten-tails statue. I have made plans to release them but I will need your help to make it happen.' Release them. That statement should feel me with dread but I trust Naruto knows what he's doing. 'I can't give you all the details now in case this message get's intercepted but I will tell you when I see you. I hear that could be soon…' Naruto was obviously referring to the upcoming Chuunin examines that were in the process of being arranged.

'Baa-chan says we will need to have a Kage Summit, so pass on the message to Mizukage, Gramps and the Raikage, oh and tell the Raikage to tell Bee too. Shikamaru reckons I'm going to need the help of all the Jinchuuriki if I'm going to accomplish my plans. I hope you all like what I am going to say. I guess I will just have to see.' They were right. There was still a great fear of the Tailed-beasts in the Ninja World. Many had proposed to have the statue destroyed with the Tailed beasts inside. There were days in the past when I too feared their power but they have been changed, like I was, by Naruto. To fear them, to want to destroy them like people wanted to destroy me… I won't allow it. If Naruto had a plan on how to deal with them then I am sure that it will be the best possible one for all parties involved; Naruto is the only one can speak for us all and I will stand by his side.

'Thanks Gaara.' Naruto knew I would listen. 'Talk to you again soon. From the Konoha's number one ninja and future Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, UZUMAKI NARUTO!' Naruto had surpassed his own dream of becoming Hokage. He was so much more than that now. Just hearing him speak a few words could change anyone. I looked forward to the day that he sat with me in one of these meetings and for him to have the power to mould the world in any way he liked. It was that day that I had been waiting for since Naruto had changed me – that would be the revolutionary day that would bring us peace.

'P.S. It's so cool having someone write stuff down for me. Shikamaru had to write this that's why the handwriting is so AWESOME!' Again a faint smile appeared on my lips.

"Does Naruto have anything of interest to say?" The Tsuchikage asked trying to read my face.

There was no doubt that Naruto's name had great clout amongst the Kage and the rest of the Ninja World. Lady Tsunade, the Raikage, and I were all looking at this at a more personal level and were most likely to agree to whatever Naruto had planned. However, the Tsuchikage and Mizukage didn't have that, I feared them rejecting Naruto's plans.

In a firm voice I told him, "Naruto has an idea on how we should deal with the Tailed beasts. He couldn't give me any details in the letter. But he mentioned freeing them from the Ten-tailed statue where they are imprisoned." None of us knew where the statue was exactly; all we knew was that it was in a safe location under Naruto's protection.

The Tsuchikage stroked his beard deep in the thought. "I hoped we would have more time before discussing what we are going to do about the Tailed beasts."

I nodded agreeing with him on this note there was still so many other issues that hadn't been resolved from the end of the war.

The Tsuchikage continued, "Whatever he proposes will be met with opposition from the Elders of every village," the Tsuchikage informed me as a member of the older strata of society, "we old people don't like change much. I'm sure whatever Naruto suggests will consider both the sides. I have no qualms with freeing the beasts bearing in mind the help they gave us on the battlefield. However, I don't think I can say the same for the Elders…"

I banged my hand down on the table little grains of sand lifting into the air at my anger. "For god's sake," I cursed Naruto's selflessness, "he is going to become a target once again."

The Tsuchikage nodded in agreement, "It is more than likely."

"He won't even consider the protection I have personally offered to him…" I told the Tsuchikage.

"Really? How funny!" The Tsuchikage laughed. 'What was funny about Naruto being put at risk?' I had to calm myself the blood-lust was rising again. Reading the look on my face, he explained himself, "I offered him the same and so have the Raikage and Mizukage from what I have heard. Naruto rejected us too saying it wasn't worth sending ninja to Konoha because he is more than capable of looking after himself. He went as far as suggesting that no ninja could touch him, not even us Kage. Youths these days." The Tsuchikage shook his head.

"He is at risk from the Uchiha, the Elders and who knows what else… there is safety in numbers" I protested at him as if it was Naruto in front of me.

"I agree." The Tsuchikage nodded. "But as you have said Naruto doesn't see the Uchiha as a threat and the Elders he isn't likely to consider powerful enough to challenge him. And he has a point, Naruto ultimately brought down Obito single handed-"

I raised my hand signalling to him to stop talking. The Tsuchikage raised an eyebrow at the gesture but had enough respect for me to stop all the same. I wasn't going to let him talk me out of it. I called to my brother and sister, "Kankuro, Temari."

"Hai" they bowed before me.

"Get your things together." I ordered. "You're leaving for Konoha tonight."

"And you call us old fogies stubborn fools. Isn't that a wasted trip if Naruto is going to refuse their help?" the Tsuchikage tried to reason with me.

I told him with absolute conviction in my words: "Unfortunately, I am going to have to make Naruto realise, he doesn't have a choice." Naruto is too precious to us and his death would be detrimental to the Ninja World. I felt as strongly about this as I had about Naruto not going to war. In the end he was needed on the battlefield for the sake of us all, but this time, he was needed in a hat and cloak with Rokudamie Hokage written on the back. This time I was going to personally ensure he doesn't get out of it… even if I have to go to Konoha myself.

"I want to know everyone whisper going round that village… about the Uchiha, about the Elders, about anyone who wishes Naruto harm. And I want to know EXACTLY what Uchiha Sasuke is doing at all times…"

"Hai" my siblings agreed before moving swiftly to carry out the orders I had given them.

The Tsuchikage finished off his roasted desert lizard. "I haven't known you for very long Kazekage… but when Naruto is involved… you can become… more like him than you know." He said repeating the very words I had spoken to describe the dangerous behaviour of Naruto.

Next Chapter: Unwanted guests, unwanted guards, unwanted feelings and more!

Alternative scene (crack):

Sasuke came up behind him wrapping his arms around Naruto's waist before spinning him round to face him. "Sas- Sasuke." Naruto stuttered intensely, breathlessly.

"You were great up there dobe." Sasuke smirked before leaning down and capturing his lips. Naruto froze for a second before wrapping one of his arms around Sasuke's neck the other trailing down his back. One of them let out a moan and Sasuke's hand began to creep up Naruto's shirt.

Shikamaru walked up his fingers to his temple, "Okay guys keep it PG there's children here." He was smirking though.

Naruto laughed pecking Sasuke's lips quickly before they stepped back. Their smiles were stunning. I don't think I had seen such looks of contentment and happiness even from Gai Sensei! "So THAT'S how you make someone smile! I will remember that- SAKURA CHAN I'M COMING!" I yelled triumphantly.

Shikamaru looked at me confused.

Sasuke and Naruto took this opportunity to resume their previous activities pushing their way through the crowd to get a more private location.