Chapter Forty-one

Naruto wasn't exactly sure what he had been expecting when he had told Hinata he was going to find Sasuke but what ever it was it certainly wasn't what he saw. Had he made a clone that he had forgotten about? He shook his head the second the thought had crossed his mind; the sheer stupidity of it was enough to make him cringe. Still, what other explanation was there for Sasuke to be talking to a stranger that was completely identical to him? Wasn't that something that only happened in movies?

Even as his thoughts were tumbling through his head, Naruto was heading towards the two men; easily weaving his way through the crowd. He was only two feet away from them when he pulled out a kunai blade. Just in case.

"Sasuke? Is that you? What happened to you?"

Naruto paused in surprise. He hadn't expected his look alike to actually know who they were, and especially not how they had changed. Was it possible that he was someone from Konoha? It seemed impossible and yet it was the only logical explanation.

"Who are you?" Sasuke said, his eyes flickering over the man's shoulder to catch Naruto's eye. "What are you doing here?"

"Sasuke, it's me, Uzumaki Yume. I'm Naruto's father remember?"

A kunai clattered loudly to the ground as Naruto stared in shock. "D-dad?"

Yume stiffened slightly before he turned. His mouth fell open slightly at the sight of his now grown son. "Naruto? Is that really you?"

Naruto bit his lip hard to stifle his tears. "Hi Dad."

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Kyuubi weaved through the stampeding crowed like a bullet as he followed the feint sent of the Uchiha boy's adopted kit. When he had first sensed her nearby he had attempted to gain his partner's attention but apparently his reunion with his father took precedence over anything he had to say. That was fine, he would rescue the kit on his own.

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Midori shifted uncomfortably in the man's arms. His skin was cold and the feeling pressed through her clothing, chilling her entire body with its clammy feel. She remembered once, not long after they moved to the Wave country, when she and the twins were out playing by the water Shigure had caught a long black snake by the neck. Each child had taken a turn squishing its scaly skin until it managed to twist free from Shigure's chubby hands. The snake had drawn back with a sharp hiss causing the children to shriek in fright. Had her daddy not arrived when he did at least one of the children would have suffered a deadly bite.

For some reason she felt that way with this man. But he wasn't a snake, he was a person. So why does she keep feeling like he's getting ready to bite her? Midori was quickly pulled from her thoughts when a streak of reddish brown caught in the corner of her eye and she turned to see what it was.

"Kyuubi-chan!" Midori squealed in delight. "Yur otay! Dis nice man is taken' me ta daddy! Yu comes too?"

Kyuubi didn't bother to respond (she wouldn't be able to understand him anyway) and instead he hunched down and bared his teeth at the white haired man. He growled as his sharp red eyes glared up at Midori's captive.

Midori was about to ask the small fox what was wrong when the man gave a sudden chuckle.

"For an animal, you are rather intelligent."

"Kimino?" Midori said. "Was wrong?"

"I believe he's saying that you should hand her over to me." A sudden voice said from behind. "Her daddy's looking for her."

Kimimaro turned slowly, as though expecting the intrusion, to see who had spoken. The man was tall and his hair was pure white, matching the silken wings that protruded from his shoulder blades while his eyes were a piercing silver; like the blade of a new sword.

"Fukurou Yotaro. I was expecting you."

"Really?" Yotaro said. "Well that's depressing. So much for my dramatic return from death."

Midori sighed in irritation. Just how many white haired people was she going to meet today? And did they all know her mommy? This was really getting confusing.

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Kyo was surprised to learn about Ichigo's discovery and, though he supported her deduction, he was reluctant to let any of them search the grounds for fear of discovery. Unfortunately, Ichigo never took well to being told 'no' and so, since she knew that Gaara would listen to whatever Kyo said to do, she decided that she would go a different route. That night she told the other girls about what she had learned and they all agreed that it should be investigated so not an hour later the four girls were down at the ruins of the old house each searching for any clues pointing to the former owners.

Tenten in particular dove right in with a passion that surprised everyone else. She had been so closed up since her brother's death that everyone believed she would remain sullen and depressed forever and yet here she was being enthusiastic, energetic, and even happy.

It was actually kind of weird.

"What?" Tenten said. "A girl can't change her mind?"

"It's not just your mind Tenten, it's your entire outlook on life." Ino said as she helped the bun haired girl move a beam away from the newly collapsed house. "It's like your brother never died."

Temari glared at Ino for her lack of tact but Tenten just laughed.

"I guess so. I dunno why I'm so happy it's just…I just am really. It's like some big burden I've been carrying around just suddenly fell of my shoulders and I feel great."

Temari shook her head. "Okay then. Whatever. It's not like I really have anything to compare your mood to anyway, I didn't know you before he died."

"Hey Ino, Tenten," Ichigo called. "Come look at this!"

The girls glanced at each other for a second before they shrugged and dropped the beam. Curious, Temari followed along behind them to where Ichigo stood in front of three graves.

"Kakashi, Kurenai, and Rin." Temari read. "So what?"

"You don't understand," Ino said. "These people were supposed to be dead for ten years already but their graves say that they died recently. That's should be impossible."

Ichigo was about to add something when a sudden feeling made her back straiten like a rod. Her skin felt like it was covered in a thousand spiders and she shuddered in terror as her eyes franticly darted through the darkness; searching for something she knew was out there.

"What is it?" Tenten whispered. "Is someone there?"

Ichigo just nodded and soon the other three girls were searching as well. None of them were expecting some one to sneak up behind them.

"You aren't his students, but I've been waiting for so long. You'll do."

The girls spun around, weapons ready, only to drop them to the ground in shock when they found themselves face to face with a mutant. His skin was covered in short grey hairs and four extra arms protruded from his ribs each tipped in sharp clawed hands. His eyes were a glassy black and a pair of sharp fangs over lapped his lower lip as he grinned. Being the oldest Temari instantly jumped into protection mode, pushing the other girls behind her as she lifted her chin in a defiant manner.

"Who are you?" she said. "What do you want?"

"Kumo Kisho, I am the spider fusion from Kigakure. As for what I want…" His smirk widened. "I'm hungry."

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Itachi nearly cried from relief when the door to the cell opened and Hikari was tossed inside. Orochimaru's torture had resumed the very night of the Yondaime's escape attempt and the pain his wife had gone through was excruciating. It had taken Itachi nearly four hours to heal her and even then she had bright white scars covering her arms and legs. Turning her gently Itachi realized that she had already fallen unconscious and he couldn't help but shake in anger as he slowly lifted her and carried her to their bed.

What more did Orochimaru want from them? They didn't know where the kids were and with Hikari's heartstrings blocked by the seal on her neck it was impossible for anyone to know that they were still alive. His only hope for now was that Yondaime would be able to find someone who could help. Maybe Kyo and Kairi had gotten away. Knowing his former teacher he wouldn't be surprised in the least.

Hikari moaned and slowly stirred, pulling Itachi from his thoughts as the light pink glow of healing chakra faded from his finger tips. Gently he rested his palm against her sweaty forehead before he trailed his fingers through her short white hair. It had been long for so long but the night Hikari's torture resumed she had been thrown back in the room with it cut jaggedly short, apparently so the back of her neck was exposed because he had found a heavy pink burn just below the nape of her neck.

"Hikari," He said gently. "Are you awake?"

"Mm-hmmm." Slowly her eyes flickered open and she squinted against the minimal light from the moon. "How long was I…?"

"I'm not sure. It's only been a few minutes since you were brought back but I don't know how long you were unconscious with Orochimaru."

Hikari shuddered and them moaned from the pain the movement caused. "Not long I hope…the idea, of him near me…while I'm un-con-cious…scares…me…"

Itachi bit his lip until he drew blood as he watched his wife pass out again. "Me too, Hikari. You have no idea how much."

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Hinata and Sakura were growing frantic as they waited for their husbands down by the docks. Thirty minutes of their allotted hour had already passed but there was no sign of Naruto or Sasuke. Haku had stubbornly refused to leave the girl's sides to find them and Zabuza was nowhere to be seen. The idea that something may have happened played at the edges of their minds more then once but they stubbornly shoved those thoughts aside as they hugged their children close and prayed for the boys to quickly return.

"I'm sure they are fine Sakura-sama," Haku said, startling the two women. "He and Naruto-sama are both strong fighters. They will find Midori-sama and bring her back. Sasuke-sama did promise."

"You're right," Sakura said as she gently stroked Kaede's face. "Besides, their both way to stubborn to die, right Hinata?"

Hinata bit her lip. "I hope so."

That didn't help one bit.

Kaliea: Yes, it's true, I've finally updated! I am so sorry for the long wait guys. I hope the next one will be quicker but I highly doubt it. So sorry in advance!

Review Answers:

eviltwin222: I'm glad you liked it and I'll do my best but my updates for this story are always very sporadic.

TheBeastlyKunoichi: Thank-you but believe me, you won't be loving it in a few chapters I'm sure. I can be pretty evil. Just a bit of forewarning.

Dragon Man 180: Yes, Yes he does. And he will. Maybe…

Neko Grafic: I'm glad. If you have any more feel free to ask.

Shinobi Darkbeak: I'll do my best.

grim reaper sakura: Yeah, poor Midori, but never fear! It's Yotaro-kun to the rescue!

So-kun: It's coming up faster and faster. Next thing you know the rebellion will be in full swing.

cbsnumba1: Isn't that just the way it goes? My life has been like that for so long. It totally sucks.

anonymous naruhinafan: Sorry about the shortness, but I have such a hard time writing for this story now that this is the best I can do. Good news is I'm almost done so it shouldn't be a problem for much longer.

kataang2: I've been there. I've been grounded from ff. net so many times it's not even funny. I hope you liked the chapter.

Sasu-Saku-cherryblossom: Thanks! That is such high praise I don't even know what to say!

Danny-171984: Sorry about that Danny. Here's a real chapter.

Kaliea: thanks for all of your reviews! I'm almost done with my goal to update all of my stories by my birthday (in two and a half hours). Wish me luck!