THE TRUTH UNRAVELS

3 Weeks Ago

Sasuke couldn't sleep. He counted Naruto's breathing, recalled past stories that put him to sleep, and had a cup of hot chamomile lavender tea. Nothing worked. It had to be past 2 in the morning, yet he couldn't bring himself to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Itachi murdering his family.

While he knew the truth now, the memories still haunted him. He stared at Naruto for minutes wondering if the blonde would sense his discomfort and wake up. Sighing he pushed himself from the bed and made his way to the patio.

Once they killed Madara, he wouldn't have to live in the same house as his brother; he would only have to bid his time.

He slid the back door open and stumbled upon Itachi and Shisui.

"Hn." Just his luck, he silently groaned before turning around.

"I'm off to bed. Have a good night, Ototo, cousin." Itachi turned and quietly entered the house again.

Sasuke stiffened. He hadn't had one conversation with Shisui since being reunited.

"I'm going to."

"Wait, Sasuke-chan." Sasuke sighed before turning around to face his cousin.

"Hn?"

"I have a lot of regrets about the past. Leaving you alone- suffering it's something I can never atone for." The bandages Shisui wore over his eyes in the daylight were off allowing his eyes to slowly adjust to the moonlight. Sasuke could see the guilt etched into his eyes. He hated it.

"What would you have done?"

"Anything. Something. I should have been there for you to help you not go down this path-"

"Itachi is the only reason for the path I went down. He told me to hate him. I did. He told me to get stronger than him- to get the same eyes as him. I did. No one else is to blame." Itachi told him that it was his fault how Sasuke turned out, he believed it.

"I know but I'm asking you to take the blame off Itachi and to give it to me."

"Hn.. why?"

"Why are you awake right now Sasuke?"

He shuffled backward, crossing his arms over his chest and hoping the bags under his eyes weren't prominent.

"You haven't slept since we arrived. It's understandable Sasuke, that you have trauma and PTSD. But I placed the burden on him. Give me his blame. Sasuke, Itachi was ordered. He protected you. He loves you. Give me his blame."

Sasuke's breathing got heavy, the tears pooled in his eyes as Shisui got closer. He was in front of him now, pulling Sasuke into his side. Sasuke took a sharp breath.

"Sleep Sasuke. You're safe, Itachi loves you." Shisui repeated until Sasuke had fallen asleep on his shoulder.

THE TRUTH UNRAVELS

"Madara took Kakashi." Sasuke hissed into the mic.

"What do we do?"

"We track him," Naruto said calmly. "Everyone, report back to Sasuke's location. I have a plan."

He summoned two clones, and each of the clones sat on the ground, putting their hands together as their eyes closed. Naruto nodded his head before taking off in Sasuke's direction.

"Do you have a plan?" Yamato-senpai asked him as he approached the group.

"Yes, Kakashi has my seal. I haven't mastered the jutsu but I can reach him."

"I'll go with you," Itachi said taking a step forward.

"If anyone is going with him it's me." Sasuke implied, walking to stand beside Naruto.

Naruto grinned as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. "See the only issue with that is. I'm not confident I can carry two of us." Naruto looked at the group in front of him, quickly cutting off whatever they would say. "I'll bring Kaka-sensei back. I need you guys to trust me."

"We're not sending you to Madara," Yamato-senpai grabbed his shoulder, "you're not alone Naruto. We'll find another way to reach Kakashi." He added gently.

"What other way do we have?" Naruto questioned. "I'm not making this choice lightly, I know what's at stake." At that, his eyes traveled to the Uchihas. "I'll be back with Sensei."

"No. If Madara has Kakashi he'll return. It's best if we wait him out." Itachi grabbed Naruto's shoulder.

"Sorry. I'm telling you as a formality." Naruto shot them a grin, eyes falling on Sasuke. "I'll be back." With that, he brought his hand forward, and with a bit of chakra he was gone.

"A substitution." Sai mused, a small smile playing on his lips.

…

Naruto stood where his clone once was, he looked at his last remaining clone and hoped this would work. With a deep breath, he focused on Kakashi's seal. It was so, so far away.

From his first clone, he summoned the power of the toad sage. When his eyes glowed he hiraishined to Kakashi.

Colliding into the ground, he immediately threw up. He didn't look at the sounds of fighting as he tried to gather his breath and steady his legs. Everything was happening quickly, Naruto barely had time to sidestep the barrage of kunai's that came flying at his head.

Moving out of the way he dropped to the ground, wiping his mouth he took a look around his surroundings. Kakashi was beside him, Naruto opened his mouth to speak but Kakashi's hand shot out grabbing his shirt and throwing him out of Madara's way. He collided with the wall behind him a sharp hiss of pain left his lips. He just needed a few moments to gather himself and then get him and Kakashi the hell out of there.

He tried to watch the fight earnestly, but the spinning of the room hadn't stopped. Both Kakashi and Madara moved at lightning speed and Naruto had to admit he was impressed. To him- no one was better than Kakashi-Sensei. And to see Madara go head to head with him in a one-on-one battle was amazing.

He focused on clearing his vision, grabbing the kunai that flew at his jugular; he pitched it back in Madara's direction, before throwing his own blade similar to his father's at Kakashi. The goal was to get Kakashi and leave. But his blade was thrown off balance by Madara's own and Naruto crashed into a wall. Naruto narrowed his eyes, as Madara went through a series of hand signs.

"We should have died with her," Madara said before a light was seen. Naruto cocked his head in confusion.

"KAKASHI!" Naruto screeched, running towards him as a blast threw him back against the wall.

….

Everyone was quiet as Sasuke slowly merged Kakashi's skin back together.

"Is he ok?" Naruto was looking back and forth from Kakashi's unconscious form to Sasuke's.

"Hn," Sasuke's breathing was labored as perspiration gathered at his forehead.

"He'll be fine," Tenzo said. Kakashi had lost a lot of blood during the blast, he'd hoped it would also take out Madara but he narrowly escaped. "We'll set up camp here and await Kakashi's orders."

Everyone agreed.

Itachi walked over to Naruto, "A word." Naruto shrugged as Itachi began speaking. "I'm aware you're used to saving your team by yourself. However, you're no longer working alone. Even if you had taken Sasuke with you the results from today would have been different."

Naruto scoffed, on top of blaming himself for letting Kakashi get injured, Itachi was also throwing blame his way. "I couldn't! I don't have the jutsu mastered, it took everything just to bring Kakashi back. I get it though, Kakashi got injured on my watch. And I'll be the one to live with that. I don't need you coming over here and rubbing salt at the fucking open wound ok?!" Naruto quickly pushed himself up from the log and went to sit by Sai.

Itachi sighed as he dragged his hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to offend him."

"It wasn't anything you said. Naruto's used to taking all the blame. I think it's finally catching up to him." Tenzo told him. Patting the seat Naruto had previously occupied, Itachi sat. "He doesn't trust you but that'll change."

"It won't, but that's fine. I've given him no reason to trust me."

Tenzo let out a deep sigh, "Itachi you have to stop being hard on yourself. When you're with Shisui you're more relaxed, but the moment you get around Sasuke or anyone else you tense up. You're not comfortable with him and that's why he doesn't trust you."

He was right, but how could he be comfortable with someone who he caused so much pain?

…

After Kakashi woke, the 6 ninja took off in search of Madara again. After the stop in Ame they had no real destination. There was no talk of Tobi's sighting from the living Akatsuki members. He'd completely gone awol.

"Are you sure you don't need more rest?"

Kakashi shook his head no at Tenzo's question. The group hadn't been traveling at a steadfast pace, which was all the rest Kakashi needed.

The group had been nearing Kirigakure when they caught wind of someone.

"There's a faint signature north of us." Tenzo called the group.

"We're going to lose Madara's trail." Shisui sighed before nodding to Kakashi. "It's your call."

"We have no trail on Madara. We're not even chasing crumbs."

"The signature is weak. Someone likely in need of aid." Itachi focused on the direction the chakra was coming, they would run into the child momentarily.

Kakashi sighed as he shifted to make the run in a smoother transition. He hadn't told his team everything, and he wasn't even sure how much of it was the truth. He told himself he'd be fine after he confirmed Madara's true identity, but the longer it took to get to him the more anxious Kakashi got. There was no denying who was behind that mask, he met his sharingan, it was the same one he had seen in the mirror for the past 24 years. He knew Obito's eye like he knew the back of his hand. The possibility of someone taking Obito's eye was also high. And he would prefer that, instead of knowing his teammate murdered countless innocent bystanders and joined the Akatsuki.

He was fine keeping this to himself, but he got so used to talking for the past few years that he had a desperate urge to tell someone. Now wasn't the time, his team was all going through their own respective problems that made his seem little- despite this fact, it could play a role in them finding him. But he hadn't known Obito for the past 24 years. Hadn't known him when they shared teams, he knew a version of Obito that he created after Obito died. If someone told him Obito was alive the first place he would check would be Konoha, or more specifically the hospital. But Obito hadn't gone back.

He came to a halt in the trees and his team stopped beside him. He felt his stomach churn at the site of a child pulling a dead body with what looked to be tied-up cloth.

"What the hell," Naruto muttered to Kakashi who stood shaken at the site, and caused the boy to glance up in their direction. The boy took a small step in their direction, his eyes never leaving their post as he continued walking. "We have to help him."

Sasuke jumped down to land in front of the child. "You're bleeding." The boy looked Sasuke in the eyes before nodding. Seeing Sasuke stiffen, Itachi frowned before Sasuke moved forward, showing a green hand he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. The ups of Itachi's lips turned, even after watching Sasuke save Kakashi's life, it still fascinated him to see Sasuke in action. He jumped forward, landing beside them and offering the same to the boy's chest. He bit down a smile as he watched Sasuke's eyes widen before looking away. Itachi allowed a smirk to appear on his lips. He was glad he could still impress Sasuke.

"Hey kid," Naruto said, pushing Itachi out of the way to get in the boy's face, "You look familiar. Oi, why are you pullin-"

Sasuke quickly elbowed Naruto's side causing him to hunch over and mutter curse words. "You're dehydrated, drink this." He tried to push the canteen into the boy's hands but noticed he had his hands tied to the cloth.

The boy was looking off into the trees when Shisui gently grabbed the boy's hands and cut him loose. Sasuke nodded to Shisui before placing the bottle in the boy's hands. Sasuke frowned when the boy didn't drink the water.

Naruto kneeled in front of the kid. "You alright? Is this your mom?" When the boy only stared distractedly at the trees Naruto sighed and waved the rest of the team over. Sai fell beside him, "Oi what does sensei want us to do?" Looking at everyone, Naruto narrowed his eyes and followed the boy's trail back to the trees.

"Kakashi-sensei seems… perplexed." Sai looked between the child and their sensei hiding in the trees. The wisest thing seemed to leave the child and focus on their mission. However, nothing about team 7 screamed-wise.

"Ehh what the hell, we have a mission to complete- never mind I'll handle this." As I always do, was left unsaid as he summoned two clones. "Take them back to Konoha, make sure you inform granny Tsunade to check them." His clones nodded as they set off to do just that. "We'll continue on with our mission… is that ok with everyone?" With a nod from Sai, Naruto grinned.

Naruto's clone reached forward to grab the boy but his arm was caught between Kakashi's. "Wait." The boy's eyes never left Kakashi's lone one.

"Oi, that's who you look- ehk!" This time it was Sai who elbowed him and he shot the man with a glare.

Kakashi stood puzzled as his eye trailed between Hanare's body and the boys. He glanced at the boy one more time before moving towards the body. Her blood was dry and crusted but he knew her scent strongly. The last time he had seen Hanare she had been alive. Running his hands through her hair he sighed. Her body smelled of chakra, and if he had to guess the boy had tried his hardest to keep her alive.

He looked back to the boy, whose hair was a few shades lighter than his own. Whose brown eyes were as curious as his mother's, and the dimple under his right eye screamed Hanare. Kakashi opened his mouth to speak as the boy's eyes widened as he took a step toward Kakashi before promptly falling backward and Kakashi flew forward to catch his unconscious body.

"Who is she?" Naruto leaned next to them as he gripped Kakashi's shoulder, offering him a few moments of comfort.

"It's Hanare."

"Huh, Hanare, that sounds familiar." Meanwhile, Sasuke snapped his head toward the body before taking a deep breath and making his way over to it with Naruto at his heels. "Oi… Wasn't she- didn't we meet her when we were younger?" His voice was soft barely above a whisper.

"Yeah. I thought Kakashi said she died."

"He did." Naruto implied. They hadn't watched her die, only heard of it from Kakashi who was very evasive on the whole matter. Kakashi had shown familiarity with her the day they met her, and Naruto had been mad they had to trade her off. To trade one life in favor of another. It was one of the many things he despised within the village and something that would change if he ever got the seat. But to know Kakashi hadn't gone through with it had saved her life and made him feel lighter. Maybe if Hanare wasn't dead he'd think this world had more purpose, had more peace to it. He stood and made his way over to Sai, glaring at anything but the heartbreaking scene in front of him. He dispelled his clones.

"You knew her, dickless?"

"I knew of her." He entered his mindscape.

"Is he alright?" Kakashi asked Itachi as he performed a chakra scan on the boy.

"I worked mostly with poison, he seems to be chakra exhausted, dehydrated, and malnourished," Itachi observed as he pulled his chakra out. "We'll wait for your orders." He swiftly stood and made his way back to Shisui's side. While Kakashi's child was important, finding Madara was his top goal. Madara couldn't get away with his crimes- he would make sure of it. Itachi had never sought revenge yet Madara was the sole exception. The man who had once been an Uchiha- he no longer deserves that title, turned his back on his clan- and while Itachi knew there was a larger motive for it. Madara decided to rid the Uchiha because of the power they possessed and that made him weak.

"It'll be fine brother." Shisui bumped his shoulder with his own. Itachi inclined his head. As the prophecy once stated, 'There is no honor to be held here. Only pain and blood.'

"Tsk" Sasuke rapidly pressed his tongue to the top of his mouth. Naruto had zoned out for the past 10 minutes, and whatever the fox was saying couldn't have been that important. And Sasuke wouldn't be hyperaware of Naruto if his international terrorist brother and deceased cousin weren't with them. And while he was grateful to be here with them, he couldn't stop the nagging feeling that told him Itachi was waiting to kill him. That the moment he let his guard down his team would suffer and the consequence would be their death- no. 'Itachi was ordered, he protected me, he loves me.' He repeated the mantra.

"We'll camp here for the night." Kakashi had to choose between his child and teammate. And that tore him apart, knowing no one would vouch for Obito. But he had to care for his child first. "At first light I'll head back to the village. Tenzo will be in charge. You know your goal. But… capturing him works just as well." He laid the boy down, before sealing Hanera's body.

He was expecting the Hatake clan to die with him. His genes were cursed and staring at the boy covered in his mother's blood only furthered his theory. Hatake's were only born to experience death.

…

"Where is she?" Came the boy's hectic voice as he exited the tent. His eyes were narrowed as he scanned the clearing. "Give me back Hanera." The boy said, stepping to Kakashi who merely raised his hands.

"I placed her in a body bag."

"Give. Her. Back."

Kakashi nodded his head as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the scroll. He noticed the way the boy hadn't called her mom, but the kid was a perfect mix of them. Hell he even smelled of Hatake, and Kakashi knew this because him and his father had a distinct smell.

The kid snatched the scroll from Kakashi's hand before turning and opening the scroll. Hanera's body appeared before them and the kid slowly kneeled before her, running his finger through her blood-stained hair. The clearing grew silent as everyone watched the boy trace Hanera's face before he resealed her body into the scroll.

Walking a few steps away from them the boy bit his thumb before-

Was he drawing a summoning seal? Kakashi's eye widened as the boy mumbled "Summoning Jutsu" and a wolf as big as Kakashi appeared.

The boy mumbled something to the wolf and pouted at the wolf's response as it pushed the boy closer to them.

"Hatake Kakashi," The wolf said, coming up to him and sniffing him, "You smell just like your mother. We were regretful that your father never gave you our contract but then I guess it wasn't his to give." His laughter boosted through the air as Kakashi stared in shock. His mother had wolves? She had summonings?

"How rude of me, the last time I saw you, you were just a pup, a few weeks old, so I don't expect you to remember me. The name is Kaene. And this here is," Kaene nudged the boy to stand in front of Kakashi.

The boy's brown eyes widened as his face turned bright red, and stuck his hand out.

"I'm Saki, short for-

"Sakumo."

"Yeah! Sakumoto, Hanera named me after my grandfather!" Saki shot him a beautiful smile before shyly looking away and putting his hand behind his back.

"I'm your-

"Dad, yeah I know! I know who most of you are actually, and um it's nice to officially meet you all." Even as the boy said that his eyes stayed trained on his fathers.

"Hanera told me not to be upset if you don't want this, it wasn't fair to you because you didn't know about me, and I won't be mad! Upset sure, but I won't be mad."

Kakashi quickly moved in front of the boy before he kneeled, "I do. I uh, I do want this." He watched his son's face lit up as he nodded his head. And he desperately wanted to reach out and touch him, to feel his son for the first time but his fists were clenched and what right did he have to touch him when he just-

Kaene tackled the boy who squealed, "See kid nothing to worry about." Saki laughed and Kakashi instantly grew jealous, he wanted his kid to laugh at him not-

"Congratulations Sensei!" Naruto threw his arms around him, "I knew you were a whore, you probably have more children out there that we don't know about hum, dattebayo!"

"Maa, should you be laughing, virgin?"

"Oi! No virgin jokes!" He said while laughing, "Gahh Saki's so cute! Oi, does that make me a big brother?"

"What would Konohamaru say if he heard this?" Sai sat next to them on the bench and for once, Kakashi thought, maybe they would all be alright.

Tenzo knelt beside Kakashi.

"Someone should escort you back to Konoha in the morning. I don't think Madara is done with you." Tenzo spoke lowly in an attempt to not let Saki hear.

"Maa don't worry about me. Besides, I'd feel safer with the whole team going after him."

"Going after who?" Saki tilted his head, tugging on Kakashi's pants.

How much truth could he tell a child? "Madara. He's a-"

"Uchiha Madara, one of the most powerful and feared ninjas after Senju Hashirama."

"Uh yeah kid. The team is going to find him, while we'll head back to the village." Kakashi jerked his head to the group. "We'll be taking our leave at dawn."

"We could," Saki turned to his father, "Or I could show you where his property is."

Everyove's head snapped to the kid.

"Saki, how do you know where Madara is?" Naruto knew nothing about team seven was normal.

"It's a long story," he cocked his head, still holding eye contact with his father. "Um before this, I uh worked in a group called Zen'in no Shi. Hanera was a part of it."

THE TRUTH UNRAVELS

A/N:

Thank you for sticking through with me, I can see this finish line within the next few chapters (hopefully)! Yall are great thank you so much for the words of encouragement!

I also started working on a few different projects, but I'm determined to finish this one first!