CHAPTER 1: RISING TIDES
Naruto had been living with his new "family" on Mount Myoboku for nearly a year when he appeared. That yellow figure on the horizon beckoned Naruto towards him. Naruto crept towards the figure, but to no avail. The closer he crept, the farther back the figure stepped. Naruto was never able to see the man's face, only his silhouette. Spiky hair and shinobi vest; he was holding a peculiar kunai. A yellow glow seemed to emanate around him. Naruto began to run toward the figure. The figure began to slow down, allowing Naruto to rapidly get closer. As he got closer, Naruto recognised the figure. "Dad!" Naruto yelled out as he shot awake.
"Quiet Naruto, Inosuke is trying to sleep." muttered Sakura, rolling over. "Right, sorry." Naruto whispered back. He couldn't remember exactly how Sakura got in his bed, but he didn't mind for now. It must have started when she insisted on sleeping on the couch to be near Inosuke.
"He needs a mother," insisted Sakura, "Please, let me be here."
Over the last few months she has gotten closer and closer, eventually she must have bit the bullet and slid into the bed. Naruto eased himself back asleep, hopefully his outburst didn't wake his son. 'Just a little longer,' he thought to himself, 'Soon, soon we can go back home.'
Naruto woke up in the morning with a heavy mind, but he was surprised to not wake up to a hungry baby's cries. "Where is Inosuke?" asked a groggy Naruto. "Tsunade has him," answered Sakura, "She said you needed a rest." "That's good, Inosuke likes his granny." responded Naruto, "When… When did you get in my bed?" "It has Inosuke," answered Sakura, "He began to cry after you fell asleep. I tried to console him, but he kept crying. So, I began to put him in your bed, but I must have fallen asleep with him." "Inosuke was in the bed?" asked Naruto. "Yes, I'm surprised you didn't notice him." answered Sakura. "Oh," said Naruto, "I'm going for a walk." Naruto got up and left, leaving Sakura in the now larger shed. The toads built a little attached shed to serve as a second room when Sakura started sleeping there. "I'm Sorry Ino," Sakura cried, "I don't know what else I can do! The more I try to help the more I'm drawn in!"
Outside the makeshift home, Naruto was beginning his daily walk. He usually used it as a way to clear his mind, which seemed to get foggier every day. Today, he used his walk to visit his wife's grave. The little stone didn't seem to do Ino justice; to Naruto she was bigger than life. "Am I, am I doing it right? Am I raising Inosuke how you would?" asked Naruto, when Tsunade approached. "You are doing fine," said Tsunade; startling Naruto. "Hey, Granny," said a somber Naruto. "Little Inosuke wanted to see his mother," said Tsunade. "He can't talk," said Naruto. "I know. It's just a feeling I had," responded Tsunade, "He misses her." The three of them stayed silent at Inos's grave before Naruto spoke: "I just don't know what to do. Sakura has been spending more time with us, but I hope I'm not just trying to replace his mother." "Do you want her to?" asked Tsunade. "I don't know," returned Naruto, "I don't want to move on, I don't know if I can. But, Inosuke needs a mother. I know I can't do that, I'm not strong enough for that."
In the little hospital shed, the two Uchiha sit by an occupied cot. "Brother, why do you bring this Hyuuga girl flowers? You've never even met her," questioned Sasuke. "This girl, she may be the last survivor of the Leaf. If I can help her, I can help the Leaf." answered Itachi. "So," retorted Sasuke, "You don't find her attractive?" "She's in a hospital, I'm not allowed those feelings." answered Itachi. "Do you?" questioned Sasuke, "Let's imagine when she's out." "I can't, I need to know what she's like. I can't judge her the way she is." "And you're sure the flowers are for the good of the village?" demanded Sasuke. Itachi looked at Hinata, the flowers, then back at Hinata; "Yes, I'm certain."
In the Hidden Leaf Village, Kabuto sits on the Hokage's desk. "To think, with all of his knowledge, all his power, Lord Orochimaru could never have sat here." said Kabuto, casually kicking his legs off the edge of the desk, "Not even Madara could take that chair, we have progressed further than anyone in history. Still, I can go even further." "Your techniques are impressive," said Obito, approaching from the doorframe, "but will they be enough?" "With only the hidden stone left, I don't think we'll run into any issues." "Don't placate me, Kabuto. I know very well that the Cloud is still left." "With their Jinchuuriki and Kage gone there is little they can do, especially against their previous Raikages." said Kabuto, revealing his latest creation to his co-worker. Behind Kabuto four large men revealed themselves, all bearing the name Ay. "What about the Kyuubi?" asked Kabuto, "How are we going to get it?" "I have my ways…"