Chapter One

It was still early morning when Sasuke Uchiha arrived at the training grounds where he planned to spend his day training. The young teen was seated on a the stump of a tree, his head leaning in his hands. A soft sight escapes his throat as he turns to glance back in the direction of his village once again.

Why did Kakashi always have to be late? And on a day like today too... This was the perfect opportunity for them to get some serious training done and, what did Kakashi do? Well-who knows what he was doing but-he was late and that's all that mattered!

The young Uchiha stands up, grumbling angrily under his breath. Of all the days to keep me waiting... He scowls at the brilliant sky, unable to not make the connection. Naruto's off training with his new teacher, Jiraiya, right now. Meaning Team 7 won't be getting any new missions until he returns. I should be taking advantage of this time, not waiting around for lazy-Kakashi! He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Maybe I should just go to his house and make him hurry!"

Sasuke can't help but picture his teacher's expression if he just suddenly appeared at his house, undoubtedly catching him reading one of his nasty novels or sleeping in. Suddenly, the boy decides it's a good idea to 'check up' on Kakashi...you know, just to make sure he didn't get too 'sidetracked' to show up on time. Sasuke smirks at his plan before sprinting off in the direction of the village.

Kakashi lived in a building not unlike Naruto's apartment complex. It was a tall, brick-red building, lined with a series of white doors. They were labeled with blocky numbers from one to twenty. Kakashi's home was within apartment twelve, on the second floor. The only access being through a narrow stairwell on the side of the building.

Sasuke quickly mounted the stairs and jogged to the end of the aisle to where room 12 stood. With a series of light knocks, he pops the door open and steps inside but stops immediately. He tilts his head.

The sound of many people talking could be heard in the next room.

Some kind of meeting? He wonders, dully. Well whatever it is, it sounds boring. I'm sure Kakashi will be grateful for me interrupting. Once again, he smirks just before throwing open the door to Kakashi's bedroom.

His eyes widen.

Kakashi was laid out on the bed, the covers pulled up to his shoulders. And he looked to be in serious distress. He was unconscious. Seated around him were several Jonin. They all stared at Sasuke but no one spoke. Whatever they'd been talking about before, it was obvious he wasn't supposed to hear it...

"What's going on?" Sasuke demands. "Why is Kakashi asleep? And why are all you Jonin here?"

Gai-sensei, who had been seated closest to him, lowers his gaze. "Erm, nothing much..." He lies, badly.

But just when Sasuke was about to demand to know what was happening, the sound of quick footsteps thunders up the staircase outside the front door. Someone bursts into the room, right behind Sasuke and says,

"Is it true Itachi is back in the village and is looking for Naruto?!"

Gai, Kurenai and Asuma stare at the newcomer with mixed expressions of weariness, anger and guilt. "Idiot..." Kurenai spits.

Sasuke's eyes go wide. He's back...? Wasting no time, he spins around and bolts out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

Gai jumps to his feet, swearing loudly. "Why is it always like this?!"

Sasuke's legs pump faster than ever before as he sprints in the direction of the village gates. His expression was wild. His coal-black eyes blazing with fury and determination. Itachi's back here, in the village...? He zips through the crowded streets with ease, no hesitation or doubt in any of his movements. He was a man on a mission. And he's after Naruto? But why, what's going on?! Once he finally reaches the gates, he doesn't even waste time to talk to the guards who call out his name as he runs by. "I'LL BE BACK!" He shouts to them. The town where Naruto was wasn't too far from here. It would only take a few minutes for Sasuke to get there if he hurried. In any case, if Itachi gets a hold of him, Naruto's finished. Just the thought of that was enough to send shivers down Sasuke's spine. I won't let that happen!

"Stupid Pervy Sage...idiot...jerk...liar..." Naruto grumbles this way the entire time he sits, alone, in the hotel room. The young blonde's fingers were crossed into his favorite sign as he focused his chakra. "Leaving me alone when he said he'd train me...fine!" Naruto jumps up, pumping his fist into the air. "I'll just train myself then! See how he likes that!"

He flops back down and crosses his fingers again. He holds that stubborn position for a few more moments. But then- "UGH! STUPID PERVERTED SAGE! I CAN'T DO THIS ON MY OWN!" He deflates, laying back on the bed. "Shoulda' never gone with him...as soon as he saw a pretty girl, he abandoned me...shoulda' known better." He groans and sits up again, feeling restless. "I can't just sit here and do nothing...I guess I might as well try to train..."

"Huff, huff, huff...!" Sasuke doubles over, panting heavily by the time he reaches the city. His black bangs were hanging in front of his eyes and sweat was making them cling to his forehead. He reaches up, swiping them away so he can see clearly. "Ugh, so many inns..." He straightens. "I'll just have to check all of them."

Wasting no more time, he zips down the make-shift steps and into the large town where, somewhere, Naruto was being tracked down by the most dangerous man Konoha had ever seen...

The first inn was very small. Its little sign, that hung on the outside of the door, was tilted to an awkward angle and broken off one of its hinges. Inside, a man stood at the front desk, flipping through the pages of a magazine.

"Excuse me!" Sasuke pants as he approaches the desk.

The man looks up. "Yes, can I help you?"

"I'm looking for someone. A boy about my age with blonde hair...he's traveling with a old guy named Jiraiya. Are they here?"

The inn-keeper frowns before, leisurely, pulling a clipboard from below the desk. He leafs through the pages before biting his lip. "No, sorry. I don't have anyone by the name of-"

But Sasuke was already gone. The door slams shut behind him.

Back on the street, he finds his next target only a few doors down. This hotel was slightly larger with a less sloppy outer appearance. A few neon signs declared the place open for business so Sasuke didn't hesitate to rush inside.

At a counter to his right, a cheery woman smiles at him. "Welcome, welcome!" She cries, happily. "Can I help you?"

Sasuke nods. "I'm looking for my friend. He's about my age, blonde hair. And traveling with a old guy named Jiraiya."

She hesitates. "Oh, yes! I do think someone matching those descriptions checked in this morning."

"What room?!" He demands.

"Um, second floor...door at the end of the hall." She directs him.

Naruto sighs and he glances around. All of his clones were asleep. He'd summoned them to help him focus but...obviously they didn't have as much motivation as he did. The blonde boy groans and releases the jutsu, making them dissapear into a puff of white smoke.

"Thanks for the help, guys..." He grumbles, sarcastically.

Knock, knock, knock.

Naruto whirls around. Someone was at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

He jumps up, digging the key from his pocket.

Knock! Knock!

"Yeah, yeah! I'm coming..." He calls. He jams the key into the lock. "What, did she turn you down already?" He snickers, positive it was his teacher.

Knock, knock, knock!

"C'mon you idiot, open up!" Sasuke growls under his breath as he raps his knuckles against the door, louder than before. "We don't have time for this...!"

Suddenly, he hears the lock click open. The door creaks, slowly as the person inside opens up.

"Naruto!" Sasuke barks, throwing the door the rest of the way open...only to freeze what he saw inside.

A young boy-probably around Sasuke's age-with blonde hair was standing inside. Behind him was a old man with white hair. However...

It's not them...! Sasuke realizes in horror.

"Huh...?" As Naruto opens the door, a heavy shadow falls over him. Looking up, he comes face to face with a man who looked identical to Sasuke. Only older...and much more intimidating.

"Naruto Uzumaki," The man says. "Why don't you step out of the room...we're going for a walk."