EmptyTownPart One

Naruto's team walked the streets of the town. Interacting with the locals as they went along they started to notice a pattern.

"Everyone is saying the same thing as if programmed. It's sort of creepy dattebayo," Naruto said walking backwards up ahead and talking to the group.

"I think this must be the place," Sasuke spoke up, "the people could be under some mind control. The enemy must have some Kekkei Genkai. I can't break down their jutsu."

"Illusions that feel real, mind control, I've read about magicians who make a real living from magical tricks," Sai added.

"They could all be under some blanketing jutsu," Sasuke added, "in which case the border is the limit. The people outside the border seemed normal."

"But we are not affected," Sai said.

"It must take an enormous amount to Chakra in any case," Kiba said.

"The caster may not be here at all. Perhaps they cast the jutsu and left town," Sasuke said.

"But for what purpose. We've followed the town's people around all day. They go about their work as if in a trance but they aren't exactly plotting world destruction," Sai said.

"I don't know but what can we do for the people," Kiba asked.

"They don't seem ill or like any harm has come to them. I suppose we leave them alone for the moment," Sai said.

"We'll send a team here to monitor things and report back to Baa-chan but for now we should move on and try to find the caster of the jutsu," Naruto said.

000

Naruto felt the agony of the people trapped in the jutsu in this town. It was something quite like the Infinite Tsukuyomi he supposed. The odd thing was that these people were moving around, walking and talking. If they were dreaming they were sleepwalking he thought to himself.

The team passed though the town unbothered by the residents. Naruto hated it. The people were obviously compelled to carry on routine tasks. Anything beyond small talk and the person you were speaking to shut down completely.

They needed a mindwalker like Ino on the team to research what was going on with this town. For now all they could do was gather as much information as they could from the town and carry on with their mission.

Naruto considered stopping the mission but it was much too important. It wasn't everyday that you could gather such an elite team of Shinobi together. They couldn't waste too much time knowing that the enemy could be using time to their advantage.

"Sasuke," Naruto called out to his friend.

"What do you want Naruto," Sasuke replied walking a few steps ahead of his friend.

"I know you would much rather be alone on this kind of mission," Naruto said observing Sasuke's behavior on this mission.

"So what of it," Sasuke answered.

"Just thank you for coming along and going along with this. It means something to all of us really," Naruto said.

"I doubt that but I have my own reasons for coming," Sasuke said.

"They are attacking our village of course you would do everything to try to stop them. What I mean is that you are working with the rest of us instead of going off alone trying to fix it. That is what makes me happy," Naruto said.

"You could handle this mission alone Naruto it doesn't take all of us. I could have gone alone and the rest of you could be with your families at this time as well," Sasuke said.

"Makes sense but how do you know how big the treat was," Naruto said.

"I didn't and I never do but I know my capabilities. I am quite sure that backup would reach me in time and if not I die simple as always. That is always the risk is it not," Sasuke asked.

"Of course I'd never let you go out there and get yourself killed Sasuke. None of us would," Naruto said. There were many times that Sai or someone else close to Naruto's team would go out and check on Sasuke. More than one Shinobi had his back. Naruto just wished he would acknowledge them.

"Don't make any promises Naruto. Talk about something lighter for now," Sasuke said and continued walking.

Naruto was a little surprised that Sasuke was willing to listen to him talk all this time. It seemed to him that Sasuke might have wanted to come on this journey alone. So Naruto started talking about the Academy. Sasuke didn't mind the nostalgic trip down memory lane. Their talking made the time pass by as the left the strange town behind them.

000

Kurotsuchi listened in on the reports from her S ranked squad of Shinobi. So far they had been in the dark about what was going on with their ally Konoha as far as details were concerned. In the back of the room stood Rock Lee a Jonin from Konoha. She knew him well from the war and the two had communicated back and forth ever since the war however it felt strange to her having him here in person.

"Please let them know that we are willing to take in any refugee from Konoha into the safety of this village," Kurotsuchi said.

"I am sure they wish to look strong on their own at this point given how much we know," Akatsuchi said. The longtime assistant to Sandaime Oonoki was still hanging around the kage offices to this day helping out.

"At the very least we could make sure the village is secure from explosive type jutsu if we send that team," Kurotsuchi said turning to acknowledge the presence of the ambassadors sent from Konoha to Iwagakure to catch up the nations.

"I am sure that our Hokage would be willing to accept any kind of help," Lee said. His early enthusiasm was beginning to wear off and he just wanted the meetings to be over with. Iwagakure was not the most beautiful place to spend the day; although he couldn't wait to be left alone for a while because the terrain made for a perfect training course.

The Tsuchikage smiled and said, "You seem worn out by all this talk. Something tells me this isn't really your thing. How did you become an ambassador after all?"

"I volunteered for the mission," Lee replied.

"I see."

"There are people here that I promised to catch up with and this was the perfect opportunity," Lee said.

"People don't come here to vacation much," Kurotsuchi said.

"I do take this seriously," Lee said.

"No doubt," Kurotsuchi said.

"I-

"I know about your comrade. Even as we were briefly on the same team. So I kind of know why you volunteered to come here. I didn't know him as well as you did but I know it was a shame what happened to him during the war. I wish the outcome were different. We'll always think of that moment...,"Kurotsuchi trailed off running a hand thorough her short cropped hair. There was nothing really she could say to him.

"It is fine Tsuchikage-sama I wanted to come here and thank my friends for all the support after the war. It is good to have you all as friends," Lee said.

"Like wise," Kurotsuchi said.

"I understand that you will not be staying long but please do consider that we can offer shelter and security especially for those who are being targeted. I know you are one of Naruto's closest friends so you can convince him above all," Akatsuchi said.

"As much as I know about the situation I will try to convince him," Lee said. He was almost positive that there was a lot left out of these reports that even someone as close to Naruto didn't know.

"Akatsuchi and the rest of you can leave me I wish to speak with Lee alone for a while," Kurotsuchi said and turned away from the rest of the room. The last thing she wanted was to give any impression to her council about whom she was involved with.

"The paper work is all settled then as long as you-

"I can take care of my self thank you very much," Kurotsuchi said nodding towards Lee, "If you don't mind I'd like to speak in private."

"No problem at all," Lee said and acknowledge the three that surrounded him, "We'll meet back at the rooms."

Lee watched as the three picked up their Shinobi gear and followed after an Iwagakure attending. The room emptied and he wondered what Kurotsuchi would have to say to him. Up until this point the Tsuchikage had been distant.

"All of those letters and correspondence that reached me going on about Master Guy I was almost sure he'd show up today. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed," Kurotsuchi said.

"He doesn't travel much these days…for one reason or another," Lee said sadly.

"Still you didn't mention him. Not to mention you kept this news about your village from me for far too long don't you think," Kurotsuchi said a bit angered.

"You were correct to say that I am not an ambassador. Kakashi saw this as a good opportunity for me given how we have been connected over the years," Lee said.

"I admire you. I admire the way Naruto and his group of friends have built something. By the way it is way past his turn wouldn't you agree," Kurotsuchi asked her dark haired friend.

"Yes," Lee said simply taking a seat looking out at the mountainous terrain.

"Does he need my help," Kurotsuchi asked.

"Not for that. He will be Hokage. I am sorry if we made you feel less than our friend," Lee said.

"I just expected Konoha's attendance at more Iwa functions is all. Likewise I missed out on a lot. With the old man stepping down a lot of the old world is stepping down with him. Things are changing and I want nothing more than to have the kind of village that can keep up with these changes. You're the kind of Shinobi that can keep up with change because you can still keep up with the old world," Kurotsuchi said watching the view from her window.

"It is a wonderful view," Lee said.

"Yeah it is," Kurotsuchi said.

"Do you ever think of going out-

"What no! My time has past for that, there was one…well I am not cut out for it I have to stay vigilant like the Slug Princess. I won't completely rule that out but right now I just need to chill out and keep busy," Kurotsuchi muttered and whooshed out the air she was holding. It had been some time since she thought of the times spent hanging out with Deidara. Those times were long gone it seemed and since then all she ever seemed to do was run.

"I guess we can just keep busy then," Lee said standing up.

"Yeah," Kurotsuchi shrugged and turned away back to the view.

"I should go back with my team," Lee said.

"Oh. I-I thank you for talking to me. It was fun to see you again and all. Maybe if I am in Konoha you can take me out or show me around the town. You never know don't let what my ramblings earlier said…don't let me dissuade you," Kurotsuchi said.

"Right, Good night," Lee said and walked out the room. It was plenty dark and cold outside as he left the Tsuchikage offices. He knew the way to the rooms so he decided to jog and get his heart moving some after all that hospitality of sitting and standing in one place for so long. Lee was satisfied that at least their friendship hadn't died.