Gaara entered the room Naruto was using and the Kazekage looked more gloomy than usual. Holding the scroll in his hands he passed it to Naruto.

"They have warned me you left the village. It seems they expect me to make you a rogue" he sighed shaking his head "What happened?"

Naruto shrugged and put the scroll down.

"I refused to stay" he said explaining it all to him. Gaara frowned looking annoyed at the information "anyway, I just came to let you know and see you one last time. I'll be gone a while and I wanted you to know everything is okay" he smiled at him with too much enthusiasm. Nothing really felt okay anymore and he needed to figure out what to do next. Give himself a new direction.

"I wish you would tell me where you're going" Gaara sighed "I won't make you a rogue. That tattoo can still help. Come home if you need anything Naruto, I mean it"

Naruto smiled at the man and stepped forward to hug him tightly

"I will" he whispered not at all surprised Gaara didn't return the hug

"It's somewhere secure right?" He questioned as Naruto stepped back

"Nobody is finding me there" he promised and picked up his bag slinging it on his shoulder before putting his hand to Gaara's head "Don't worry so much. I'm capable of more than you know" he smirked and left.

-

Myoboku was his final stop but he needed to talk to someone. And nobody better than a girl who is as brutaly honest as Kiki. It has been a few years but he trusted she'd be honest and somewhat unbiased. She cared about him and was thankful but she was very much an out of sight out of mind person. So he made the trip to Hosokawa in hopes Kiki was still home.

It took four days but he was back at the house he lived at for two years, in civilian clothes and tattoo covered he entered the gate. The seal felt a little weaker causing him to frown. Bandits came often and he decided to leave the seals in place to keep those who had bad intentions away. Someone must have knocked the seal along the years. Putting his bag at the doorstep he walked around the house to check the seal. It was in good condition, the same place but... he frowned and saw the blue ink on the seal crossing over some of the ovals. Crouching down he felt someone had tried to alter it. Another fuinjutsu user but it failed and they gave up? Frowning at it he ripped it off the ground and pulled out his scroll tearing a peice off bigger than his book and re-drew the original placing it back down. He felt it immediately activate and smiled more relaxed. Sure it would have been fine as it was but the feeling of a dent in the seal made him nervous.

"Hey!" A girl shouted and Naruto turned to face the brunette kid scowling at him. She was so big now and Naruto grinned at her "Nohime is that you?" He asked and her face lit up.

"Hattori!" She yelled charging over laughing excitedly. He put his arms around her and hugged her tightly "it's been so long! Why haven't you come to visit?" She asked frowning at him

"Sorry Nohime, it was a long way. Is everyone here?" He asked heading towards the house.

"Azai and Takeda ran off to play. Mama is in the house" she said he picked up his bag and walked in to the house and put his bag down again.

"And Kiki?" He asked closing the door

"She is probably in the forest. She likes to be alone since..." she looked down sadly and Naruto looked at her concerned, stopping in the hallway

"Something happen to Kiki?" He asked

"Her boyfriend... he tried to come to the house after sun down and men were trying to get in" she said her little voice breaking

"I see" Naruto felt his heart weigh down at the thought she had lost someone precious to her. Perhaps now wasn't the time for his problems "when was this?" He asked

"About a year ago" Hosokawa said coming into sight and smiling lovingly at Naruto

"Hattori, dear its been much too long" she came over putting her hands through his red locks "I have to say, that suits you surprisingly well, welcome home" she kissed his head. He forced a smile and put Nohime down.

"Will you be staying for dinner?" She asked

"Probably. Only if there is enough though, don't go out your way"

"Nonsense" she waved her hand "I'll always go out of my way for you dear" she truly was a loving woman, doting on anyone she deemed worthy of it. He knew it was futile to fight her on it.

"I will be back soon. Going to catch up with Kiki"

"Go easy on each other!" Hosokawa called as he left the house again and tried to sense her chakra. It had been some time but he was sure he could pick it up. It wasn't until he was in the forest he felt it, so he followed it to find her sat against a tree reading a book. A flash of Kakashi as dog sitting the same but with a leg crossed over his knee flashed in his mind. He shook it off getting tired of remembering things he was trying to avoid right now.

"Any good?" He asked and the book lowered to reveal Kiki scowling at him, her golden brown eyes glaring at him

"There is better" she shrugged closing the book and laying it on the ground. "What brings you home?" She asked pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

"Advice mostly" he admitted sitting next to her "someone none biased"

"You think I am unbiased?" She asked looking at him with a dull, bored look.

"The closest I have. You've always been brutally honest and I don't know what to do now"

"This mean you're going to tell me who you are?" She asked and he shook his head, Kiki had understood before he left he wasn't who he claimed, she sighed taking a drag of her fag before waving her hand to him to go on.

"Someone from my home town asked me to come back. But I left because I didn't feel safe and a friend of mine is trapped. I had enough, I ran away to release him but the price is... steep. My life" he explained calmly and she looked at him sharply "I was ready to die, and if I can free him in the process that was a better way for me" he sighed and she waited patiently "but he recently backed out of that and I can't... I mean"

"You don't want to die for no reason" she concluded. He supposed that was as close as she would get

"Something like that" he told her his struggle, that there are a few who want him home but he can't do it. That he caused some problems that might effect them. It was annoying him how had to hide everything, how was she supposed to give him any helpful advice if he had to alter everthing? At the end of it her cigarette was gone and she was leant against the tree. She didn't speak at first and only looked into the trees.

"I am not unbiased here, I can tell you that now. But I can give you the advice any decent human being would" she sighed "You clearly want to be where the people you care about are, and I'm not sure how severe this suicideality is given you've kept going this long, and made connections along the way. I get your lost now your plans have been ruined by this friend and chances are you won't deal with your feelings until you've dealt with the problem ahead, which right now is the trouble you have got yourself into" she sighed "people who truly want to die don't go around the world making friends and family"

He frowned at that. He only wanted to help people, and he kept himself closed off so they wouldn't get attached, didn't he?

"Tori, you saved our lives and taught me to defend myself. You became part of our family. Just because we don't know details doesn't mean we don't know you, and that goes for the people who care about you" she sighed

"I can't... I don't know how to..."

"Start slow" she said "open up with small things and just try not to run from your feelings. But" she emphasised "deal with your problems first if they come back to bite you later, you will only feel worse that you let get them closer and they got dragged into it. Though knowing you, you're already guilty about it all"

"So you're saying I should accept life? Where it was so bad for me I almost died from someone else's hands?" I asked

"I'm saying, stop letting them destroy your life. It let's them win. They chased you from your home, from the people who loved you, who you likely love too. I wouldn't let them get away with it. Plus, you're not a kid anymore, I don't see them being brave enough to try it now" she shrugged. He had nothing to say to that, he'd never thought of it that way, but it made him angry because that meant he let them be the reason he hurt the people he cared about. And that was a dangerous thought process to have, he thought.

"Make a new goal" she said pulling him from his thoughts "nothing long term short ones to work towards. Get someone to help you work through the things you need to face"

Short goals, he could do that he nodded he already had a plan to go back to sage training. And to remove the threat on Konoha so Shikamaru and Kakashi were safe. That was all he had gotten to so far but apparently that was the right call.

"Thanks Kiki" he smiled to her feeling a little less lost.

"Is there really nobody you want to live for?" She asked and he nodded but before he could speak she shook her head "I mean, someone special, Tori"

Despite his best efforts he thought of Shikamaru but shook his head because for that there needed to be more. Right? He fidgeted with his earring.

"Find them" she said and he saw her looking sad but determined at the same time "They'll change your life"

He already did that, Naruto thought resiting the one shoulder shrug that came over him.

"Even if you lose them?" He asked softly and she smiled sadly her lips shaking

"Yes" her voice choked out and she leant against him. They sat like that for a while in comfortable silence and he was glad he chose her to come talk to. She was the best choice. He tensed as voices came closer. His heart dropped and he sat up

"Tori?" Kiki asked and he clamped his hand over her mouth. What the hell were the chances? Looking at her apologetically he sunk them into the shadows.

"This is a bullshit mission!" A man's voice growled out "She isn't even a ninja, they could easily send their own"

"A mission is a mission" the all too familiar voice said as they came into view. He'd heard stories, but he didn't want to believe it. He held onto the hope that the rumours were wrong but there he stood. In the Akatsuki cloak, red dead eyes looking ahead. He looked the same, physically. He killed his family, Naruto thought, its foolish he'd expect he would be an exception.

"She killed his son right? Wasn't he a trained Ninja?" The other man asked who resembled a shark. What was with these Akatsuki people?

"Apparently she is very skilled in taijutsu" Itachi said "and they were lovers its possible she used that"

Kiki tensed underneath him and he looked at her, her eyes were wide as tears came down her face. Were they talking about her? Had they not come for him?

"The house should be close by" Itachi said and they walked on ahead while Kiki clawed at Naruto's hand fighting him to let her go. He held on tighter. Azai and Takeda were out. Hosokawa and Nohime were in the house he could sense that much and they wouldn't get through the barrier. When they were far enough away he loosened his hold. Dammit, what were the chances they'd show up here? And it had to be Itachi.

"Don't make a fuss" he whispered and she nodded violently he released her mouth and held onto her shoulders

"My broth-"

"I know" he nodded and tried to think. They couldn't stay here. This meant they had to know who he was, right? But no Intel came that his identity was known. He shook his head, deal with that later. He had markers back in abandoned places he'd come across over the years. But he didnt know if they still were. But he had none in the house, and Kiki wouldn't agree to go without them. He would absolutely have to take her without telling her. He cursed himself for not asking more about Itachi when he had the chance. Sharingan would mean trouble speed and probably decent gen jutsu, he was an ANBU as a kid and considered a genius. And he had no knowledge on the shark guy at all.

Mark some kunai Kurama said and Naruto frowned if you can get one inside the barrier you can get to Hosokawa and Nohime. Your dad used to use specially made ones in Battle

Naruto nodded understanding. Except his kunai pack was in his bag in the house. He had his storage scroll with some knives. They'll do.

"Hold onto my arm and do not let go" he whispered and she did so immediately

"You became a ninja?" She asked but he ignored her opening the seal and picking up the five blades. This was not going to be easy, there wasn't a way to get passed without them noticing, well, it was unlikely. But he wanted to avoid a confrontation if he could.

"I'm gonna try and get you to the house. Keep your Mum and sister inside. I'll look for the boys"

"Tori, they're here for me" she said terrified "if my fa-"

"It's not going to happen" he said marking the ground before taking her hand. Keeping to the shadows he moved close to the house and climbed a tree. Throwing a knife over the clearing aiming for some cover from the back of the house. Itachi and his partner were crossing from the front. Nohime was in the garden.

"Close your eyes, this will be disorientating" he told her. She held him tighter closing her eyes tightly. He teleported over and she clamped her hand to her mouth pushing down the likely nausea.

"Get inside"

"Nohime" she whispered

"I'll get her. They can't see you" she looked at him desperately but went inside. He crouched against the house. Summoning a random toad

"I'm Fuga, how can I help?"

"That girl? I need you to get her attention and have her follow you to me. Don't talk to her" he whispered and the toad nodded and hopped off. Naruto heard him croak

"Frog!" Nohime yelled and he could only hope she would be excited enough. He heard her and pulled her into his chest

"It's only me" he said immediately before she screamed she looked up happily but quickly fell to confusion at his finger over his lips. Quickly walking to the back door he entered the house Kiki and Hosokawa hugged Nohime tightly taking her from him.

"What is happening?" Hosokawa asked

"Trouble" he answered looked to Kiki "what did you do?" He asked and she shook her head tears falling

"I didn't... its my boyfriend, he was the... they didn't approve and because he was killed coming here they blame me" she was almost hyperventilating but he understood.

"You need to go" he said

"The boys!"

"I'll get them, but first I need to get you out of here they're right outside. Where would they likely be?"

"Near the pond" Hosokawa said pointing to the back of the house.

He wished he had a contract with a dog. The boys wouldn't have chakra he could sense. He moved to the door picking up his bag and putting it on his shoulder. He summoned a clone

"Nohime hold onto your Mum tight" he said and his clone put his hand on their shoulders "Close your eyes, the mountains" once they were all closed the clone teleported to the marker. Naruto moved to go upstairs to see if he could see them and sure enough they were at the gate frowning at the lack of access.

"A barrier" Itachi' voice came and Naruto frowned until he noticed the open window.

"Can you break it?" The shark man asked

"I'll have to see" Itachi said Naruto Teleported back to where he and Kiki were and immediately ran west toward the pond he remembered. As he got closer he sense two chakra's. Definetly civilian. As he burst through the trees he saw Azai and Takeda throwing stones.

"Boys!" He hissed and they whirled round

"Hattori!" Takeda yelled and Naruto crouched next to them putting his hand on their mouths. They couldn't be heard he was sure but you can never be too careful.

"I need you two to listen carefully" he said calmly and they nodded "people are at the house. We need to go" he stood up taking their hands

"What about Mama and -"

"They're safe. I'm taking you to them now" he smiled softly "close your eyes and hold tight" he instructed and the moment they did he was in front of the three crying girls who charged over hugging all of them. Naruto smiled awkwardly and let go of the boys. He couldn't believe that went so smoothly he laughed weakly and took a moment to appreciate it.

What now? Kurama asked

He had not clue.

They were scared and saddened they couldn't go home. But Naruto told them he could take them almost anywhere else.

"The hidden leaf" Hosokawa said "That's big and protected"

He cursed himself. Should have given options but they had done a great deal for him. The least he could do is get them there. Their house was on the other side of the Land of fire

"Okay" he nodded

"I thought you didn't want to be a ninja" Kiki said wiping her red eyes

"I jut learnt what I had to to survive" he said and she nodded "when you get there say Akatsuki came for you, that you ran and now need refuge" he said and they nodded

Kiki looked at him, like she saw something he didn't want her too.

"A passing ninja saved us" she said absently to her family not looking away from him "we don't mention Tori" she looked to the kids "Alright?" She smiled and they all nodded. So off they went a few clones and the family landing on the tree ten miles away from the leaf.

He went another six miles with them before stretching his sensory. There were ninja ahead, they felt kind and one even familiar. So he trusted they'd make it okay.

-

He'd headed back to Myoboku immediately and had spent all week training. He had plenty of questions. If Itachi was Akatsuki they shouldn't go to the village to find him. Itachi would have said he's run away. Of course the Intel could be wrong and they knew exactly who Kurama's vessel was they just didn't known where. He'd prefer that scenario, it would mean Shikamaru and Kakashi would be okay. But if the Intel was correct, why hadn't Itachi told them?

"I can smell your brain burning!" Came a deep familiar voice and Naruto turned to smile up to Jiyraiya

"Hey. Wondered gow long it would take you to appear"

"You left a bit of a mess back at the leaf"

Naruto nodded not at all surprised.

"I saw Itachi" he said softly seeing Jiyraiya tense from the corner of his eye

"Did you have to fight him?"

"No. He didn't see me. But... I really had hoped he hadn't joined them"

Jiyraiya didn't speak for a bit, he looked to the sky and Naruto thought maybe he was debating his next words

"I was aware how close you must have felt to Kakashi and Itachi, and from how they were when you ran away I believed you meant a great deal to Itachi too. But I don't think the man he is now is the same man you knew" he looked to Naruto smiling softly "if a time comes and he is the one to try to take you, remember that. Remember he is just a man who looks like him. Because your Itachi, he'd never be so evil"

Naruto would have scoffed at the cheesiness if it wasn't such a serious thing. And pretending that the Itachi he saw last week wasn't the Itachi he loved did make him feel better.

"Who was the old guy with the cane?" He asked. The feeling he got from that man wasn't something he liked. And something in his gut told him he needed to steer clear or take him out, no in between. He didn't trust him, he didn't like him and he never wanted to be near him.

"Danzo. He was a friend of Lord Thirds but they clashed a lot. Had different points of view about how things should be handled. He ended up being the head of an ANBU group not involved with the Hokage"

Naruto nodded understanding, they did the dirty work so the Hokage had deniability.

"I don't think he is the right man for that job, and something is wrong with him. I couldn't place it" he really had an irrational feeling toward this old man he saw for a minute.

"What do you think it is?" Jiyraiya asked

"I don't know. But I do know, he doesn't want me locked up for the village, he wants the power of the fox"

Jiyraiya nodded slowly and Naruto wondered if he agreed.

"How's training?" He asked clearly changing the subject.

"Slow. But I'll get there"

"Well I believe you can. Even I haven't fully mastered it yet"

Naruto's jaw fell open. If a legendary Sanin hasn't done it why the hell do they think Naruto could?

Jiyraiya stayed for three months and Naruto learnt a lot. A lot about training, jutsu he hadnt heard of, and a lot about Jiyraiya. He was a writer and Kakashi was one of his biggest fans. That shocked Naruto. And he had in fact had other students after his dad, he told Naruto of the hidden rain orphans Konan, Yahiko and Naguto, who he took under his wing in the war ruined lands. He dug around for a while but eventually pulled a small picture of them all in frog costumes. Naruto had occasionally been roped into helping with his manuscripts. He didn't much like them. He told Naruto about his dream to rid the world of the cycle of hatred, how there was a prophecy he would train a child who would save the shinobi world. How he thought for a while it was Naguto but he knows now it was Naruto. Naruto liked the sound of that, peace with no hatred. Though he wasn't entirely sure he was exempt from that either. Not that he felt he hated anyone but he didn't think he was capable of forgiving those who destroyed his life either. So he didn't agree that Jiyraiya was right.

"You have suffered more than most at your young age, yet you have never let that stop you from helping others, being kind and understanding. It would have been completely understandable if you had turned into a rogue, or a bandit" Jiyraiya had smiled down at him with such pride that Naruto blushed.

His training was getting there and geezer toad was optimistic he would have it soon.

"Gotta go Naruto!" Jiyraiya had called before leaving to go see Tsunade. He'd said he had some information on the possibility of the Akatsuki leaders location. Naruto didn't like the feeling he was getting.

"Where will you be going?"

"Hidden rain. It's likely another goose chase but got to check it out. I'll be back in a few weeks no doubt"

He'd left and Naruto had trouble staying put.

I don't like this, he thought.