The trip to the Sand was long and Naruto was agitated he couldn't get there faster. They had no way of knowing what they would arrive to. Other than Gaara being gone and they were days behind, there wasn't any word on the village itself. But it was finally in sight and it was like Naruto had a emergency supply of energy that he used to charge forward ahead while Kakashi and Sakura fell behind

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled "don't just-" she cut off clicking her tongue "hasn't changed a bit" she huffed but Kakashi didn't miss the smile she tried to hide.

Arriving was worse than they had feared many were in the hospital dying from a poison none of the medical staff knew how to cure, Kankuro included. Temari had not long made it home either so the girl was taking control and trying to keep her people calm. All the while likely internally falling apart. These two were her little brothers

"I'm fine!" She snapped at Naruto who glared at her whilst taking her hand and dragging her into an empty room in the hospital.

"You want to help, I get that and you have a role but you need to let this out now otherwise you could fall apart at the wrong time" Naruto said closing the blinds to the room.

"I can't!" She choked out

"You can! Right now with me just do what you need, scream, cry, hit something, hit me! But get it out now"

Kakashi was impressed most ninja would expect her to keep going until the mission or target is achieved, herself included. But of course Naruto didn't agree. Now was a perfect time since they needed to speak to Kankoro before they could do much, and with Sakura getting the information she needs there was nothing to do.

"My brothers!" She sobbed "I wasn't here... and they-" she cut off and muffled sobs came from the room. Kakashi imagined Naruto had hugged her

"Sakura will save Kankuro, just watch she was trained by the best. And I will bring Gaara home, whatever it takes I'll get him back" Naruto said with such conviction Kakashi believed it. Even when the logic said it was unlikely. Kakashi moved on to watch Sakura giving Temari and Naruto some time. This wasn't a time to shadow him.

Sakura was amazing, and she had worked out the poison and made a cure herself. The staff were amazed and she quickly had them make a batch and administered the cure to the poisoned people

"Never thought I would be glad poison was slow acting before" Naruto laughed nervously when Kankuro was sat up and alert.

They had found Gaara and the fights were difficult. Kakashi was exhausted and needed to be in a hospital but he kept himself up against Sakura as they said their goodbyes to the Sand Siblings. He was proud of Sakura, she had held her own and it was the first time he didn't feel the need to stick close and protect her as he had in the past. She had even bested and killed a S-Class rogue with the help of Chiyo. As they headed home with Naruto carrying him he felt his consciousness fading

"I'm... very, proud of you two" he said softly a goofy smile under his mask. They'd grown up into fine Ninja and he felt it was only just the beginning of what he would come to see from them.

Kakashi felt as though he couldn't move, stood immobile as he watched on in horror as Naruto fell to his knees in front of a man who had no face but wore the Akatsuki cloak. The leader, he some how knew. Itachi, Kisame, and other faceless members stood beside him. Naruto had his head down hands on the floor looking awfully defeated. The power in the air was palpable, and Kakashi could barely keep his feet under him. What was happening? How did he get here? He didn't feel hurt, not physically.

"Naruto!" He yelled but the blonde only shook his head bowing lower. Then Kakashi saw over his shoulder, on their knees hair held tightly by the faceless leader. Shikamaru. He was bleeding, looking at Naruto with desperation trying to reach out to him as if the blade in his side meant nothing.

"Get up!" He yelled

"I will go" Naruto said voice quiet so quiet that Kakashi didn't think he heard him "let him go, leave him be" he put his head to the ground and Kakashi looked on in horror as the many faces of his comrades lay ahead... nobody alive. It was just them three. He knew Naruto would lose his mind if they took the Nara too.

"Without a fight" a deep voice said and Nartuto nodded. While Shikamaru fought against the grip in him trying to reach Naruto with all the strength he had

"No! No Naruto you can't!" He yelled

Naruto sat up onto his knees and looked back to Kakashi apologetically

"I'm sorry Kakashi" he whispered and leant forward to put his head on Shikamaru's his hand taking his face "go, get away from here and stay alive. You don't need to see this. Kakashi. Get him out of here" he said

Naruto stood next to the Akatsuki and Shikamaru was in his arms struggling to get back to Naruto. Kakashi tensed his hold tightening his body felt like stone as Naruto's eyes widening turning red, his mouth opened his jaw breaking as blood red chakra forced its way up his sons throat. The higher it went the more like the nightmare of seventeen years ago it became. The power took the air away making Kakashi's lungs set fire before the monsters head came and turned his vision black.

He woke up with a gasp his eye unfocused as his breathing came out in fast short breaths. He couldn't move and the panic woke up and the yell halted in his throat at the flash of bright blonde to his right came into view. Blinking and trying to focus he felt dizzy at the relief of Naruto smiling down above his head

"Hey! You're awake! Took your time, you know!" He half yelled and Kakashi relaxed against the bed but still couldn't move, his left eye throbbed and his body felt like lead, but his insides felt like they were on fire while every muscle ached.

"When did we get home?" He croaked out his throat dry.

"Yesterday, you passed out four days ago. Sakura treated you as we ran, Tsunade did the rest" he told him lightly putting the side of his fist on his chest

"Scared me. Why didn't you say that Kamui took up so much Chakra?"

"Thought I had enough"

"Yeah well next time you pull this I'll kick your ass back into hospital once you recovered, got it?" He threatened and Kakashi nodded.

"Water?" He asked and Naruto stood up to get the cup. He removed the mask and lifted his head slowly pouring the water to his lips. He quickly replaced the mask chuckling and shaking his head

"What?" He asked smirking up at him. Naruto truly was the best medicine, his attitude was so positive and his cheerful idiocy never failed to bring someone out of their gloom. Even when they were uncomfortable, aching and a little shook up from a nightmare.

"Sakura is going to lose it when she finds out I have seen you without the mask"

Kakashi would have laughed if he didn't think it would cause him pain. Memories of them as kids working as a team for the first and only time off mission, and it was to see under the mask. Even if Naruto had seen it a few times by that point.

"You still haven't told her?" He asked knowing he went along with it back then so he could do something with them.

"Never had the chance. Maybe now we're friends I could. I wouldn't suggest showing her though"

Kakashi frowned and regretted it as pain shot behind his eyes

"And why not?"

"Man, you are beyond good looking I think Sasuke would be forgotten if she gets one look at you" he laughed. This had Kakashi confused. Was he? He'd never thought about it. He didn't want to say how that might be a good thing for her if she moved on. He knew it would still be a touchy subject but he would stand by them and try to get him back. He could only hope Sasuke wasn't too far gone to be saved. But he would be lying if he didn't wish Sakura would give her heart to someone who deserved it. He'd even gone as far to tell Guy he approved of Lee for her and wished him luck in his pursuit.

"I'll remember that" he said

"I'll call her in, she's on shift. She was worried too" he said

"Sorry" Kakashi croaked and Naruto stood up to leave.

While he was alone he tried wondered what his dream was. He still felt like his lungs were on fire not as severe but they burned. He knew of only four members and two are now dead. Hoping that would be enough to slow them down some. Gaara lost Shukaku but they lost two powerful members. But with the likes of Itachi, Kakashi worried there were stronger with them. Not having any names or a faces had bothered him but now it made him nervous. Just who is after all the tailed beasts? They had to be powerful to even try such a thing and lead so many missing nin, who were no doubt responsible for atrocities similar if not worse than Itachi. The dream felt like a bad omen and Kakashi couldn't shake it.

Sorry I took a little longer with this one I will be honest and say I lost motivation with this so had to move onto some other stuff and it did the trick to get this chapter finished.

Thank you all so much for the Favourites and Follows! I won't leave this unfinished even if the updates slow. I have an awful completion issue that my mind wouldn't let me.