Archive of Our Own

Work Text

So warm…
Not like the last time he died, no then it had been cold and dark. He was used to that though by the time he died. But this, this warmth was very welcome.Smells like home…
Yes, he could smell the leaves and the ground of Konoha. How long had it been since he had last been here? Since he had last had a home at all?So loud…
All those voices around him. They sounded familiar too. Had he found his family again? Did he even deserve to be around them after everything he had done?Itachi kept his eyes closed, he wasn’t ready to see their faces. He wanted to see his father and mother and Shisui more than anything but he wasn’t ready. What if they hated him? He remembered none of them had been mad when they died but he had committed so many crimes since then.“Shisui, don’t poke it!”
“ But I thought I heard something, like I don’t know, he was breathing or somethin’”
“ Just wait for the ANBU squad”Itachi heard a loud smack followed by a high-pitched yelp. Sounded like things were heating up, he should probably face the music. Opening his eyes he took a minute to adjust to the dusk lighting. It took a couple of seconds to get up the energy to sit up but he was rewarded with seeing his cousin sitting a short distance away sitting with Izumi of all people. He couldn’t remember them being close in life, but this was the afterlife so who was he to judge?Something wasn’t right with this picture. Izumi’s face was white beyond even the usual Uchiha pale, he looked like she had seen a ghost. And her eyes were wide. And her jaw was dropped.“... so I was saying that of course I’m the greatest Uchi… Izumi, what’s wrong? It’s just a dead body” Shisui turned speaking to the awestruck Izumi. Until his face matched hers looking Itachi in the face.
“Holy shit!” Shisui jumped up, pulling Izumi with him screaming.Now Itachi was even more confused. Didn’t they know he was dead too?Suddenly, three ANBU burst from the tree line behind Itachi. He turned to look at them and realised three very important things.
He knew this ANBU team
It was his ANBU team with Kakashi-taichou at the head
Maybe he wasn’t actually dead…Kakashi hated being in charge. He hated the expectation people had in him, how they relied on him to make all the hard decisions. This was how he lost his father and yet the Hokage expected him to be able to lead people and not make the same mistake that he had. This was why he loved in-village missions. It was simple guard duty for the village and surrounding land that required very little effort and even less decision making. Most days it was easy, but not today. No, today he was running after a freaked-out Uchiha child who had apparently tripped over a dead body in the forest.
Kakashi had brought Yugao and Tenzo with him, sending Ko to inform the Hokage and send for resources. They didn’t know who this body was, if he was a Konoha citizen or something more sinister so it was better to be safe.
“We’re almost there”
“AAAAAAHHHHHH”
“Holy Shit!”
Not good.
Kakashi sped up trusting his team to keep up following the shouts ahead of them.
When he arrived at the clearing it only took Kakashi a moment to take in the two cowering Uchiha teens in one corner and the man sitting up facing Kakashi and his team in the other. Kakashi directed Yugao to take the the Uchihas away while he and Tenzo assessed this not-so-dead body.
“Who are-” Kakashi started to ask before the man slumped over in a dead faint.
“Cat, be ready. Let’s see if the guy’s dead or not for sure this time” At Tenzo’s nod, Kakashi inched forward slowly until he could check the man’s carotid. His pulse was weak, but present along with shallow breaths. He was definitely out cold, but he was alive at least.Kakashi hated his job most days and this was turning out to be one of those days he really hated.The next time Itachi woke up, he was looking at a white ceiling, breathing in the scent of antiseptic and blood and listening to machines beeping around it. It was a lot less soothing than the forest earlier.
“Good to see you’re awake hehe” A young nurse was standing by his bedside checking said annoying machines.
“I-” cough, cough
“Oh, here sip this” She handed him a small cup of water which he gratefully accepted.
“Thank you” He still sounded hoarse but at least he could get the words out now “Where am I?”
“Oh, you’re in Konoha Hospital. Excuse me, I have to go tell the doctor you’re awake” The nurse said walking swiftly away from him.
Itachi sat himself up watching her walk away. He would take this opportunity to get a sense for his surroundings, sending out his chakra should be easy enough. But as soon as he reached for his inner energy he found nothing there. it was then that he truly felt his exhaustion, he was completely out of chakra. Itachi looked down at himself, trying to get to grips with whatever was going on. It was then he saw the shackles on his wrists tying him to his bed. He did not see any seals on or around his body. It doesn’t look like they thought he was a shinobi, which was good, meant he had a little freedom.
Itachi heard the door open and looked up expecting the nurse to return with the doctor. But in walked Hirozen Sarutobi, the third Hokage, someone Itachi really did not want to see in the afterlife.
“Hello young man. You’ve caused quite the stir in my village.” The Hokage was smiling a sweet old man smile. On anyone else it would put Itachi at ease, but on this man it made him even more wary. Itachi decided not to respond, best to let the Hokage speak and find out what he knew.
“Hmm, a quiet one. That’s a nice change around here.” The Hokage gave a small chuckle at his own joke. “You were found unconscious in the forest by some children. Any idea how you got there?”
Unconscious in the forest? Could you be unconscious if you were dead? Does this mean he wasn’t dead? Or is the afterlife just this realistic?
Lost in thought, Itachi almost missed the Hokage’s next comment.
“You were out for a few hours, but we didn’t find anything on you or near you to identify you. You wouldn’t be able to help with that would you?”
“I do not know how I ended up there, no”
“He speaks” The Hokage came and sat in the chair next to Itachi’s bed as he spoke. “Perhaps you know your own name at least?”
Itachi didn’t think he had changed that much in appearance since the old man had died. Was he that unrecognisable? No, but something had to have happened.
“I-” he started to ask what was going on but was interrupted by the arrival of two shinobi into his hospital room. Luckily, the Hokage turned to face them so he didn’t notice Itachi’s shock at seeing his old team leader Yuki Minazuki, and by his side, a young Itachi Uchiha. And he finally started to understand what might be happening.
“Lord Hokage, we found nothing upon a second survey of the forest” His voice sounded off, did Itachi really sound that high-pitched when he was young? Urgh, why did anyone ever listen to him?
“Thank you Itachi, Minazuki. You can both continue with your normal duties now” The two shinobi bowed and left as suddenly as they had appeared.
“Well, it seems you are our only lead, mister?” The Hokage asked as he turned back to Itachi.
“Karasu, no family name. I don’t think I caught your name sir?” Itachi hoped he would remember to respond to this name, but he certainly couldn’t give his real name with that other Itachi having just been in the room.
“Haha, I suppose I am used to people recognising me. I am Sarutobi, the Third Hokage”
“Thank you Lord Hokage. I am afraid I have no more information than you at this point. The last thing I remember is saying goodbye to my brother far away from here and then waking up here.” best not to mention seeing his cousins in the forest.
“Ah, how interesting. Well, I should leave you to recover your strength Karasu” Sarutobi got up to leave.
“One last thing, Lord Hokage.” One last thing to confirm Itachi’s line of thinking. “I thought there was a fourth Hokage here in Konoha?”
“Yes” Sarutobi’s face was despondent, his words quiet. “Our Lord Fourth gave his life in the Kyuubi attack six years ago, I am the leader of this village now.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, thank you for explaining”
“Of course, now rest”
Itachi watched the Hokage leave but his mind was racing, focussing on something else entirely. Itachi had seemingly travelled back in time. He was not dead.Itachi waited until that night to make his move. He couldn’t stay here, where his ten year old self was running around. Seeing his very alive former team-mate had cemented for Itachi that something weird had happened. But he needed time and space to think things through, two things he would not get in Konoha.
There was no doubt a guard outside his hospital room, Itachi just hoped it wasn’t ANBU. His chakra reserves had refilled a little, but not enough for a full on fight. This meant he would have to rely on his speed to get out of the village.
Itachi used a little chakra to snap the shackles off his wrists and dressed in the shirt and pants that had been left in the room. He supposed this is what he had been wearing when he was found since it fit so well, but he had no memory of these clothes. Looking out of the window he quickly mapped a route over the rooftops to the nearest wall, something he often did as a child to test himself. Even if it had been many years since he was here in his mind, the village was the same as the one he used to run around as a child. Taking a deep breath, he opened the window and jumped.
As he ran he easily sensed two chakra signatures following him. He didn’t recognise either of them, but that didn’t mean much. Itachi used to race against Shisui the Teleporter, Itachi was faster than just about anyone they could send after him.
Itachi easily jumped from roof to roof until he reached the wall surrounding the village. He stopped for jsut a second to look back, it wasn’t smart, but he felt sad leaving his home once again and he needed a moment to grapple with that. Soon enough Itachi jumped into the forest and was lost to his pursuers.Itachi ran almost non-stop for a whole night and day until he reached the Land of Hot Water. They have never had close relations with Konoha so Itachi was fairly certain he wouldn’t be followed here especially since he hadn’t done much of anything in his home village in this timeline.
Itachi soon found an inn run by a sweet older lady. She was happy for him to do some work around the inn to pay for his stay there and Itachi found chopping wood much preferable to sleeping out in the elements. It was late autumn and the nights were cold. While staying at the inn for a few days, Itachi finally had time to think. He was in his room, it was small but serviceable. It contained a single bed, dresser and a small desk and chair. Itachi took this opportunity to look over himself. He looked to be about the same age as when he died, but he was healthy. Really truly healthy. His skin, though still Uchiha pale, had more colour than he remembered and his face was fuller than he was used to his reflection being. It seems like this journey had been good for him in a way. He could also see so clearly. He had been almost blind by the time he died, he had used his Sharingan so often keeping it out almost constantly among company. But now he could see indivdual lashes around his pitch-black eyes. His hair was still long and he continued keeping it in its low ponytail, he had become too used to it to change even now.
I’m in the past. And my past self is also here. I can change things. I can make things better for Sasuke and Naruto and the whole of Konoha. I can stop the massacre. I can stop Obito and Madara. But how do I stop it all?
First things first, I should set up a home base. Hopefully the cave system from before (or is it later) should still be free. That will work like it did before. Then, I have to deal with Danzo. And finally stopping the Infinte Tsukyomi.Hiruzen had seen a lot in his time as Hokage. He had fought in wars and had to suffer the destruction of his own village. But he had not seen a disappearing man like Karasu. It had been a week since he had been found and lost in the same day.
“Well, he couldn’t have been a spy. He didn’t go anywhere.” Chozen had a point.
“He could have infiltrated the village before he was found in the forest, we should act as if vital intel has been stolen.” Shikaku was ever a cautious man.
“We have had jounin check everywhere important. We can be reasonably sure of our safety, Nara” Hiashi spoke up from the back.
“And we have had his description circulated among both our officers and many members of the public. If anyone knew anything they would have come forward and we are ready should he ever try to return.” Hiruzen could always rely on Fugaku, even during this difficult time with the Uchiha clan, he always had Konoha’s safety as a priority. All the assembled men started arguing about how worried they should be about this mystery man.
“Stop.” Hiruzen spoke quietly, but his voiced resonated and caused silence to fall instantly. “Karasu is gone, we have done everything we can to be prepared for what he may have taken or for his return. I think it’s best we move onto another topic.”
“But-”
“No Shikaku, we will not pursue him. We know he left the Land of Fire’s borders and that will have to be enough for now.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi was getting very tired of his position. But he couldn’t hand off the hat just yet, he had yet to find another worthy successor. But soon, he was sure something would come to help that process along and he could go back to his retirement. For now they would move on and discuss the up coming chunin exams.Itachi left Sera, the old innkeeper, with plenty of wood and meat that he had caught in the nearby forests two days after he made his plan. He set off for the Land of Whirlpools where he had had his own hideout in his time. When Itachi joined the Akatsuki he had needed his own space very quickly. It was hard keeping up apperances all day every day, so he would often take missions alone and eventually he stumbled on a cave system not far from the ruins of Uzushiogakure. he was sure that the old Uzumaki clan had probably used, if not built, the caves since they were well insulated with multiple hidden entrances and rooms for just about anything he could need. It would be perfect for him to stay in now since it was never found by the Akatsuki nor Konoha all those years ago.
The main problem with his plan was getting a boat to the island. He didn’t have any money to charter a boat, and because the island was so small and had so little business no one was going that way anyway. Itachi was standing on a dock watching the water wondering how he could maybe earn some money when a large man came and stood next to him. And he was a very large man, Itachi had been partnered with Kisame for many years but still this man was impressive. Standing at possibly seven feet wearing a mix of red and brown armour, Han was an imposing man that Itachi had only seen once while they had extracted the Gobi.
“How can I help you stranger?” Itachi thought it best to ask before reacting in any other fashion to the jinchurikii next to him.
“I thought a little man like you could use some help getting where you’re going.” That was not what Itachi expected Han to reply. “And perhaps when you get to where you’re going you could help me out in return.” That sounded more like it. What should he do? He needed help if he wanted to get to the island with enough time to make it to the cave by nightfall and avoid another night out in the cold. But he would lose his sanctuary if he invited Han back with him.
“Where I am going, it won’t be comfortable.”
“But will it be safe?”
“Running from someone?”
“Just trying to protect my own freedom.” And didn’t that resonate with Itachi.
“Well then, I think we can help each other out. What is your name stranger?”
“I am Han, and you?”
“Itachi” Shit. Ah well, Itachi doubted Han would go to Konoha any time soon, and his younger self was young enough to not be well-known outside of the village.
“So, Itachi, where are we off to?”
“Uzushiogakure” Han’s shock was palpable, but Itachi was happy to just be on his way back home.Han didn’t know what he was expecting from the young man, nor where he would be staying for the time being. But he’s pretty sure seeing Itachi fly across the sky after hitting a barrier at the entrance to a small cave was not it. He had to give it to Itachi though, he got up immediately looking furious.
“I take it that wasn’t meant to happen?” Han could help but laugh.
“No. That was not what happened last time.” Itachi slowly walked back to the cave entrance much more wary now and started examining it. Han wasn’t sure if he was a shinobi or not, but this seemed to indicate he was since he was looking for seals.
“Stupid Uzumaki clan, couldn’t have left a seal that wore off quicker… now I have to disable it… not even worth the chakra…” Itachi was mumbling to himself as he walked around drawing lines at seemingly random intervals.
“STOP RIGHT THERE THIEVES!!!” A female voice shouted from behind Han. He spun, kunai out and ready, to face the enemy.
Han received his second shock of the day right then. The voice had been forceful and young, but the woman he was facing was anything but. She looked to be barely five feet tall and bent over using a cane to walk. What she lost in stature though she seemed to make up for in those fiery eyes, a light green but sparkling with her anger.Itachi was shocked out of his reverie on Uzumaki sealing techniques by the brash woman. Her words reminded him of Kushina Uzumaki, loud and unignorable. He would remain cool and collected though.
“I’m sorry ma’am, we didn’t know this cave belonged to you” Or at least it won’t in four or five years.
“So what? You were just planning on invading an Uzumaki sanctuary when neither of you belong to the clan?!”
“Isn’t the clan long gone?” Han had apparently said the wrong thing causing the woman to start on a tirade about useless ninja and ignorant men and how people shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
This is when Itachi had an idea, probably a bad idea but how much worse could this get… “I was sent here by an Uzumaki”
And that stopped the old woman in her tracks, she had been walking up to them all fire and fury but stopped both her walking and her shouting to peer at him in curiosity.
“Go on boy”
“I knew Kushina Uzumaki, she said if I ever need safe harbour to head here and I would find safety.” Only a partial lie, Kushina had told a young Itachi about her home, what little she remembered of it before Sasuke was born.
“Kushina Uzumaki, eh? I heard what happened to her, such a tragedy.” The old woman seemed calmer now, likely mourning the many family members she had lost over the years. “I might be the last Uzumaki left alive now. But she trusted you?”
“Yes ma’am, we don’t need to stay long but could we find shelter at least tonight?”
“Hmph, well I can’t turn away a pair of fine young men such as yourselves” The old woman finally reached them and held out her hand with a small piece of glass on top “I’ll need a drop of blood to add to the seal so you can both enter” Itachi and Han both pricked a finger and let a drop of blood plop onto the glass and then watched the old woman enter the cave.
“Were you lying just now? About the Uzumaki woman?” Han whispered to Itachi.
“No, she and my mother were best friends before she died. But I do want to stay here longer than one night if we can.”
Han laughed “Something tells me if anyone can convince that old crow it’ll be the man that convinced me to travel with him offering absolutely nothing in return”
“COME ON THEN! GET IN HERE!” They heard from inside the cave. Itachi signalled for Han to precede him, wary of the last time he tried to enter the cave. This caused Han to laugh loudly once again striding into the cave with ease. Itachi followed with a lot more caution but happily found himself able to walk in without being rejected again.The cave was very different to how Itachi remembered it. It was warmer that was the only word to describe it. The sconces on the walls of the open layout inside the cave were lit and cast a soft glow. Whereas before Itachi had had to clean the place of bugs and dust, it was now clean with what looked like three cats running around, this was what probably kept smaller animals and bugs under control. But this wasn’t what made the cave so homely, no it was just in the atmosphere.
Why is it so different? What could have changed?
“You have a lovely home, my lady” Han complimented the woman.
That must be it. It was just a cave when I used it, but she has used this place as a home and it has changed even the air around us. Has it been so long since I was in a home that I no longer know how it feels? How pathetic…
“My name is Han, and my companion here is Itachi. Might I ask your name my lady? And if there is anything we can do to repay your kindness?” Han’s voice roused Itachi from his thoughts.
“Haha, my name is Edi Uzumaki. And I doubt either of you could cook or clean better than me so what could I need from you?” Edi walked further into the cave laughing. “Oh, there are some spare rooms through that corridor if you both want to look.”
Itachi watched Han walk in the direction of said corridor while he warmed himself at the wood burner in the centre of the room.
Things will be easier if I tell Han what is going to happen to the jinchurikii, but would he even believe a random stranger who says he travelled through time? I barely believe it. But I do need his help, shinobi are not a trusting bunch and having a jinchurikii by my side will be helpful.
This whole thing was turning out much more complicated than Itachi could have ever imagined, with a sigh he turned to go find himself a room for the night.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Itachi woke to an explosion. It should probably have spooked him, but at this point he was very much used to explosions waking him up at all hours. Han had been attempting to learn sealing jutsu for the last month and each attempt had been as successful as this morning’s.“YOU DAMN FOOL! CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR LINES STRAIGHT?!” And there goes Edi trying and failing to teach him yet again.It had become a new normal for the three of them, training each other in new jutsu and creating a home of sorts. After that first night when Edi asked them to stay for the long term, Itachi and Han had become very comfortable in their cave turned home. The days were spent hunting and fishing and travelling to the market on the other side of Uzushio to trade with the few other inhabitants of the island. Edi mostly stayed behind (“Since I have two young strapping men, why would I need to go out ever again?!”). But in the evenings the three shinobi would practise their arts, Itachi had quickly picked up Edi’s sealing jutsu, the speciality of the Uzumaki clan. Part of it was his Sharingan letting him see and exactly copy everything she showed him, but he was called a genius for a reason and he quickly understood all the theory behind what he saw so he could create his own seals.Han was coming far in taijutsu, learned from Itachi, as well as ANBU hand signs. He in turn taught Itachi survival skills for terrains other than the forest. While Itachi had been in the Akatsuki he mostly left the camping lifestyle behind or if necessary let Kisame set things up preferring to just sleep under the stars.“Itachi, come save me from the crazy woman!” Han was now screaming from the main room. Itachi didn’t know how Han knew he was awake, perhaps he had been screaming that for a while now and Itachi had only just heard him. Either way, Itachi heaved himself out of bed, most of his irritation was a facade and he knew it, his body was healthier than it had been for years and he truly had come to care for Han and Edi.“What did you do now, Edi?” Itachi called out as he entered the main room. Edi and Han froze on the spot, well Han did Edi (all five foot nothing of her) was half on top of Han’s shoulders broom in hand seemingly trying to climb the rest of the way onto his head. “Okay, seriously what is happening here?” This was definitely a new one for Itachi.“I thought perhaps he couldn’t hear me all the way up here in the clouds so I wanted to get closer to his ears. I’m really just trying to be a good teacher.” Edi was exceptionally calm for a woman hanging seven feet in the air as Han finally pulled her off him.“I think sealing jutsu are not for me.” Han had also calmed down now that he wasn’t being climbed on.“Why are you both up so early anyway?” Itachi asked as he walked to the wood burner, drawn in by the smell of tea and poured himself a cup.“I wanted to get in a last try at training before we left.” Well that made sense, today wsa the day Itachi and Han would leave, likely for a few weeks to start finding the vunerable jinchurikii.Itachi remembered all those nights ago when he roped Han into his mission to stop the Akatsuki…“I’ve heard of this group who want to capture the tailed beasts and steal their power from their hosts.”“And why would they want this?”“To put the world in an enternal sleep.”“You want to stop it.”“Yes, and I think you can help me. I know what you are Han, I know how this will affect you.”“Hmmm, jinchurikii are incredibly powerful, what makes you think they can be overpowered by some regular shinobi?”“All these shinobi are S-ranked. Not to mention they are being led by Madara Uchiha, he’s-”“Haha, I know who Madara Uchiha is boy. His fame reaches beyond Konoha, but I thought he was killed by the Shoidaime Hokage.”“So did we. But he is like a cockroach, it will take more than even the God of Shinobi to kill him. can I rely on your support?”“Would you continue this quest if I said no?”“Of course, the safety and freedom of the world in on the line. Not to mention nine shinobi, some of whom are children.”“That is exactly what I wanted to hear, well I think I know who we can start with.”That had been three weeks ago and now Itachi and Han were ready to set out for the Land of Earth. They are hoping to find Roshi, host of the Yonbi in the north of the country. Han had heard from him years before that he was going to go that way but it wasn’t as if they had an address so they were presuming it would take some time to find him. Itachi hadn’t been sure whether to go for him or for Yagura, the Mizukage and host of the Sanbi. Yagura was currently under Madara’s control so he could theoretically be taken any time, but if Madara didn’t suspect anything then he should be safe for a little longer.“Yes, well please clean off before we leave Han. I dislike sooty travel companions if I can avoid it.” Itachi laughed as he watched Han leave back to his own room. “Actually how do you get covered soot placing a seal?” Itachi turned to Edi for an answer, and only recieved a shrug before she too turned to continue her day.This will certainly be an interesting trip.Kakashi would like to say he was getting used to being a team leader and thriving in the position. Unfortunately, neither of those things were true and he still hated it. His surroundings were really not helping his mood either. It was cold and wintery here in the Land of Ice and even the biting winds were not enough to shut up his companions.“I’m just thinking, the Guardian Shinobi Twelve could definitely take the Hokage. He’s one old, old man”“No, Shisui, he is the Hokage. Of course he can take a few shinobi in a fight.”“But they’re like the best of the best! So they’re also super powerful.”“Not powerful enough, I’m afraid.”“WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP?!”Thank the gods for Ko.“Kakashi-taichou, who do you think is right?” Tenzo just couldn’t drop the arguement apparently.“Ko.” Cue the cries of indignation from Shisui and Tenzo, and one cry of victory from Ko. “Now can we go like five minutes in silence, please?”Kakashi wasn’t one to beg often, but he’s pretty sure the two boys with him had been talking non-stop since they left Konoha nine days ago, they even talked in their sleep! Kakashi was very happy Tenzo was adjusting to life after Root and had made a friend. But really, did it have to be the hyperactive Uchiha that too often on this mission reminded Kakashi of the boy he had lost years ago.“Has it been five minutes yet?”“Shisui, do you know how easy it would be to explain to the Hokage that a terrible accident befell the young chunin that I was looking after, and I’m so sorry but he was choked to death by an enemy and there was nothing I could do to stop him?”“By your tone of voice, I’m going to go with very easy Kakashi-taichou”“Very easy”“Message recieved”Kakashi hoped he wouldn’t have to choke one of his teamates, but with every passing hour that seemed less and less likely.When the team arrived in the small town of Ike on the border of the Land of Ice, Kakashi quickly booked two rooms at the one and only inn pushing Shisui and Tenzo in one and taking the other for Ko and himself. They didn’t know how long they would be there and he was not putting up with either one of those boys at night if he didn’t have to.“Everyone wash up and meet in an hour for dinner.”In a way, Kakashi was kind of looking forward to this mission. It was a simple hunt in the ice-lands crossing the Lands of Ice and Earth for a wild animal. Apparently the locals were terrified and determind that the creature was a supernatural beast out to punish them for some misdeed. The lord of the area wanted shinobi to investigate and eradicate whatever threat they found. It was meant to secure Tenzo’s position as a jounin and give insight into whether Shisui should be promoted some time soon. According to Fugaku Uchiha the boy was extremely skilled and had a powerful Sharingan. Kakashi knew he had performed a few missions at the end of the Third Shinobi War and awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, but he had not had many chances to use his skills since then. The Hokage was hoping this would be a prime opportunity to use the Sharingan with Kakashi and Ko provided as both judges and back-up should anything go wrong. All in all, it should be minimal effort on his part and he got to get away from the village for a while.Han hated the snow. He hated the cold and the wind and the ice and everything to do with the northern province of the Land of Earth. The more time he and Itachi spent here the more he remembered why he had never sought out his friend before. The two of them had been out in the ice-lands for two whole weeks and found nothing. Roshi should not be this good at hiding. Itachi had been using his Sharingan almost constantly and could see chakra remenants but he had no idea if they were Roshi’s because he had never seen his before but it was at least something to go on. It wasn’t great though, they were tracking through snow with no idea where they would end up. Han was pretty sure they still heading North, but they hadn’t had a good visual to gauge direction in two days so it was more intuition than actual knowledge.“It looks to be getting darker, maybe we should set up camp for the night.” Han had no idea how Itachi could tell, he guessed it must be the Sharingan.“If you say so. But really I’m not sure the little coot is worth all this effort.” Itachi laughed with Han as they both set down their packs.BOOM!Itachi and Han whipped around to find the source of the sound.BOOM!BOOM!It was coming from the direction they were heading in, Itachi and Han put their packs back on and sprinted in the direction of the noises.They stumbled on what looked like a small battlefield. There were pits of steaming water and puddles of what looked like cooling lava as well as odd looking trees and branches growing at all angles all over the clearing. Han sensed five people in the vicinity. He quickly spotted Roshi, all decked out in his purple kimono; opposite his friend were two young men dressed in white robes. The other two people must be hiding in the trees.“AH! IT’S THE DEAD DUDE!” One of the men shouted pointing at Itachi and Han, he sounded young a teenager if Han had to guess.“Ah shit, you again?!” Not at all what Han was expecting Itachi to reply.Itachi should have known his life was going too well. Looking at the four men facing him he just wanted to sink into the ground. Itachi was estatic that they had finally found the elusive jinchurikii even if he was smaller than he remembered. But he was furious that Roshi had apparently been found by Konoha first. Seriously, why were Konoha shinobi even here?! And in full Konoha gear too?!“Haha, there must be some sort of misunderstanding going on here.” Itachi raised his hands in a calming gesture and deactivated his Sharingan, he hoped Shisui hadn’t seen his eyes and that he could keep his identity secret from them for now. “We were just looking for that man there to talk with him.”“Well, get in line. We need him first to pay for his crimes.”“Crimes?! Shisui, he was playing pranks on the villagers, it’s not as if he was killing people!”“Shut up Tenzo! His lava scorched my favourite winter robe. He must pay!” Itachi didn’t remember these two getting along so well but right now it really wasn’t helping things.“Well then, why don’t we all just calmly discuss this somewhere with walls?” Han, ever the voice of reason. Itachi had never been so happy to hear his voice.“No way am I going with these pipsqueaks!”“Pipsqueaks?! Why you! We’re like the same height as you!” Ah yes, Itachi remembered Shisui always was a little sore about his height. He seemed really mad today judging by the fact that Tenzo was literally holding him back right now.Itachi had no idea how to fix this, but if the chakra signature he sensed coming closer was who he thought it was, then he was sure things were about to get a whole lot worse. Kakashi appeared in the middle of the clearing, confirming Itachi’s worst fears.“Can you convince him to stop attacking my team?” He directed at Han, Kakashi had always been good at getting to the heart of a matter.“Roshi,” Han turned to his friend, “Come on, you know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important. I hate this cold too much to even visit you and you’re probably my best friend.”“Well, that’s just sad my friend. But, if these fine young men can promise I will not be locked up for the things I have allegedly done, I’m sure I can come with you.”“Hey -”“That will fine be.” Tenzo interrupted Shisui grabbing him around the neck and muffling him with his hand.All present heaved a sigh of relief when Roshi nodded his head in agreement.“Follow us, we have some rooms at the inn in the nearby village.” Kakashi indicated behind him and started walking away, Shisui (now released) and Tenzo following.Itachi hurried to Roshi’s side, “Hello friend. I’d love to introduce myself, I am Karasu. Han has told me good things about you.” Itachi then stenuously ignored Han’s confused glare hoping the man would go along with it for now.“Haha, thank you. I am Roshi and I’m sure everything that mountain geezer told you is a lie.”“Mountain?! Just because you cannot see over a small child’s head does not mean I am a mountain!”‘Small child?! Why you- I oughta..”Itachi slowed his stride to let the two friends continue bickering.What are the chances. I mean, why is Konoha here in the Land of Earth. And then for it to be Kakashi, Tenzo and Shisui?! Not to forget that last shinobi who is following us, wonder who that could be. It shouldn’t be this hard to try and help someone. I need a good night’s rest then I can work out a plan and deal with all this. I doubt I’ll get it though.Settled back at the inn, Kakashi claimed a large table and ordered tea for everyone from the owner. This simple mission had turned out a lot more exciting than even he could have imagined, and he was imagining reading his porn the entire time. First, the “supernatural beast” had turned out to be a man, a stupid powerful man but a regular man. He claimed to have been having some fun with the villagers who refused him shelter during a storm some weeks ago. But then he refused to come with them to try and sort it out with the lord and the villagers, which resulted in a ninjutsu fight in the middle of the ice-lands. Then the stranger from Konoha showed up. No-one had seen or heard from him in almost two months, Kakashi would have forgotten about him if it wasn’t for the fact that he had had to carry the man’s body through Konoha. Kakashi did not forget people he had to carry for miles!“So, who wants to start?” Kakashi needed rest, better to start this off quickly maybe he would get to bed early.“Dead dude, why aren’t you dead?” Kakashi wished he had specified one of their guests not his team.“Haha, well I wasn’t dead to start with so…” Poor man looked as awkward as Kakashi felt.“Shisui, I meant one of the people who I don’t know should start.” Kakashi knew he was being short with the boy but come on, who could blame him. “And if I hear you speak without being spoken to the rest of this conversation, I will make you share the room with Ko tonight.” Maybe that was a little too far, but he had to get the message across.“No!”“No! Don’t punish me too!” Apparently Ko didn’t like the idea either, good.“Then keep him in line, Ko. Purple man, you go.”“Purple man -” Kakashi glared with everything his one eye could glare “Yes, well my name is Roshi for future reference. But as I explained earlier, I was having some harmless fun. No-one got hurt.”“You broke people’s walls and fences. The cold got into their homes and the few animals they could keep escaped.” Kakashi was proud of Tenzo’s even tone.“Well, some days I got a little carried away.”“If we agree to help rebuild and compensate people, would that fulfill your mission?” The man from Konoha interjected.“Firstly, who are you? Secondly, why do you care?” Kakashi remembered Ko had not been one of the ones to actually see the man that day in Konoha.“This is Karasu…?” Kakashi continued after he confirmed the man’s name. “He was found outside of Konoha a couple of months ago before fleeing the village. I am also very interested in why you’re here, Karasu.”“Well, like I said earlier, we are here to talk to Roshi about some very important but confidential matters. It’s rather time sensitive hence why we want to move this all along.”“You still have to answer to Konoha for your presence there.” Kakashi pointed out. He didn’t know why but he felt the need to needle at the man before him.“I told you before, I don’t know why I was in the forest. Since your Hokage didn’t seem like he believed me, and I didn’t want to be detained for something I didn’t do I left.” Oh yeah, Kakashi could see the minute stress lines around Karasu’s eyes. He was getting to the man.“Let’s say we believe you. I still want to know your business with Roshi.”“It is confidential. And it has nothing to do with any village, let alone Konoha. So no you don’t get to know.”“Fine. You all have to stay overnight though. Roshi you will meet with the village lord and myself tomorrow morning to determine compensation for your “pranks”, non-negotiable. And if you think about escaping tonight, know that I will track you down and will take you in myself rather than letting my underlings do it for me.” Kakashi stared hard at the lava-shinobi until he nodded his head in acquiesence.“Well. now that that’s all settled, I’ll get us some rooms.” The big one, Han, stood smiling and walked over to the reception desk outside the dining room. Kakashi indicated to the rest of his team that they could leave too. It was late and everyone had had a long day hunting Roshi. Tenzo and Shisui quickly scampered off, probably to gossip about the day’s events, Ko following at a more sedate pace behind them. Kakashi watched the two other men get up slowly following Han to the reception.It had been a long long day and Kakashi prayed to the gods that Roshi would heed his advice and that everything could be done with tomorrow morning so he could return to Konoha.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Itachi was so glad the inn had a bath, after cleaning weeks of grime off his body he finally felt a little more like himself. Now he was sat with Han and Roshi in their room explaining why he and Han had sought out the other man.

“So let me get this straight. Some old should-be-dead guy is trying to kill all the jinchurikii and steal their chakra to power a wold-wide jutsu. That’s crazy.”

“I thought so too. But I don’t think it is out of the range of possibilities. People have always wanted our power and if there was a way to harness the power of all of us at once, well that person would become a god.”

“Han, you really think such a thing exists?”

“I think we can’t afford to not believe it.”

“And what if pale-ly mcpale-face is lying to us? What if he's going to take advantage of us?"

"I've know the guy for a while now, and he's never seemed bad-"

"Gee thanks Han, what a glowing recommendation!" Not that Itachi could blame him, they had only known each other a few weeks.

"As I was saying," Han continued with a glare at Itachi, "I trust the guy so you should too Roshi." This seemed to placate Roshi, if the begrudging smile on his face was anything to go by. "Though I do have one quick question, Itachi?"

Fuck.

"I can explain."

"Who's Itachi? Karasu, what do you need to explain?"

"My real name is Itachi, when I woke up in Konoha I didn't trust them with my real name. I mean I didn't know who they were or why I was there so it just seemed smarter to not give them that information. " Han was nodding in understanding, he had also had to travel under alias from time to time among people of unknown allegiance. Luckily it seemed Roshi also believed him.

"Any other secrets? Considering that you only gained my trust a literal minute ago?" Roshi laughed pointedly staring at Itachi.

"No, you know everything now."

Well everything you need to know at least

. Itachi really hated lying, but he would now to gain their trust, it was the only way he could be sure to save everyone. “And on that note, I’m turning in for the night. It has been a long day.”

Itachi walked over to the furthest futon leaving Han and Roshi to talk quietly in what privacy he could give them.

At least I’m one step closer to stopping Madara. But this whole Konoha thing is getting old, fast. You’d think if the gods sent me back to change things then they would make it easier on me. I don’t want to keep seeing people I’ve lost, it just hurts too much.

"Any other secrets? Considering that you only gain my trust a literal minute ago?"

"No, you know everything now."

What does that even mean? What secrets?

Kakashi wished he had gotten to their window sooner, he wished he had been able to hear the whole conversation and not just that snippet at the end. What could this

Karasu

be hiding? Kakashi returned to his own room after he was sure Han and Roshi were both asleep. He was absolutely exhausted now, but his mind was reeling. What could make a man like Roshi trust Karasu after just one conversation? What secrets were they all keeping from the Konoha ninja? What should Kakashi do about it? Eventually sleep overtook Kakashi, his exhaustion winning over his racing mind, his last thought of pale skin and red glowing eyes.
 
The next morning Kakashi dragged himself from bed at a pounding on his door. Someone had better be dying or he was killing whoever at woken him up. Swinging the door open to a smiling Shisui and Tenzo also did not help his mood. He gave them his best glare “What are you two idiots doing here so damn early?”

“Um, Kakashi-taichou it’s almost midday. We left you as long as we could but you said you wanted to see the village leader today, so…” At least Tenzo looked contrite while explaining their trepass. “Ko is already downstairs with the lava-ninja. They’re just waiting on you.”

“Also, we were knocking for like five minutes, are you okay?” Huh, maybe Shisui had a heart after all, “Or did you drink too much again and need us to cover for you?” Nope, he’s a jerk still.

“Get out! I’ll be down in five. Do NOT leave without me!” Kakashi glared as he slammed the door in the boys’ faces. “Stupid prankster old men, stupid genius brats, stupid crow-faced mystery ninja, stupid, stupid, stupid…” Kakashi grumbled all his frustrations out as he collected his clothes and weapons around the room, arriving in front of Ko in exactly five minutes and one second (kindly timed and loudly exclaimed by a very energetic Shisui).

“Let’s get this over with. Tenzo, Shisui stay here with Roshi’s friends, we don’t want to overwhelm the village leader and I can’t trust the two of you idiots to deal with him nicely.”

“He’s the one who called me short!”

“This is the exact reason we’re staying here Shi.” Tenzo didn’t look any happier than Shisui, but he would obey his orders. Actually, their expression were mirrored on Han and Karasu’s faces as well.

“Don’t even try to convince me to let you come along,” Kakashi sighed directing his gaze towards the two men, “this is already more effort than I wanted on this mission and I do not look kindly on putting in extra effort.” The men looked aggravated but left to sit at a table. “See you all in a little while, don’t burn the place down while I’m gone.”

Itachi was pretty sure this morning was the worst. He had woken up sore all over, apparently even the hot bath he had had last night did not diminish the aches and pains of travelling in the snow. Not to mention the headache he woke up with from hearing Han and Roshi arguing, not at all quietly, while he slept. Then there was the completely unnecesary visit from Kakashi’s team to confirm they hadn’t run off during the night. Not that Itachi would, he didn’t want to deal with Kakashi pursuing him that man was

too good

at pursuit for Itachi to think he could easily get away. And now he was stuck in this inn with two teenage ninja and their apparently unending energy.

“You know, now that I look at your face you look kind familiar.” Case in point, Shisui was now sat opposite Itachi leaning his entire body over the table between them.

“I believe yesterday you did call me a ‘dead dude’”

“Haha, yeah. But like there’s something about your face that seems like I should know it, beyond that.” Unfortunately, Itachi looked just like all his clan did, pale with dark hair and eyes, it was a pretty distinctive look if he was being honest. Luckily, they were also a very close-knit clan so he doubted they would ever consider there being an Uchiha that they didn’t know. “You sure you don’t have any Uchiha blood?” But Shisui always was too smart for his own good, or maybe too dumb for common sense.

“Shisui, aren’t all the Uchiha in Konoha? That wouldn’t make any sense.” Thank you Tenzo, the voice of reason.

“I can assure you, I am not a part of your clan.” At least that wasn’t a lie, Itachi is pretty sure that killing all the members of your clan bar one would qualify him for exile from the clan.

Shisui didn’t look convinced though, Itachi was trying to think of what he could say to convince the boy when Shisui activated his Sharingan two inches from Itachi’s face. Han and Tenzo both jumped back at the explosion of chakra from Shisui, ready for a fight to break out. Itachi however was frozen, how long had it been since he had seen this Mangekyo? How long since he had looked into his best friend’s eyes? The shock was probably what saved him since it meant he didn’t activate his own Sharingan.

“Ok then. You’re not an Uchiha. One of your skill would have awakened his Sharingan by now.”

“So we’re all good here?” Han asked watching Shisui sit back into his own seat and Tenzo settle beside him.

“Yes, I’m going to get some tea.” Itachi replied standing up and moving away. He needed a minute to settle his nerves. He knew Shisui wouldn’t be able to recognised his Mangekyo since the boy never saw it when he was alive but it would have raised too many awkward questions nonetheless. When he returned to the table a few minutes later with four cups of tea, it seemed Shisui was over his suspicions and was bantering back and forth with Tenzo about the merits of using jutsu in public establishments.

“It’s sometimes necessary Tenzo, to get information or to do something good.”

“Good? Like what? What “good” can your fireball jutsu do inside a

wooden

building?”

“Maybe not the fireball jutsu, but I bet your wood-style would be good!”

Tenzo literally face-planted onto the table narrowly missing the tea Itachi had placed in front of him. Not that Itachi or Han could blame him, they felt equally as exasperated with Shisui at this point.

“One jutsu does not make the argument sound, young Shisui.” It seems Han was a glutton for punishment by dragging this conversation on. Itachi decided instead to zone out and think through his next steps.
Next, I have to get away from these Konoha shinobi- especially Kakashi and get the jinchurikii back to Uzushio. Then we need to find a way to stop Madara. Perhaps, collecting more jinchurikii? Or would that make it too easy for Madara to get his hands on them? Could I stop Danzo and the massacre? No, that’s not the focus right now. But then again… what’s the point of going back in time if I can’t save myself too?
Kakashi was sure that the universe was trying to destroy what little patience he had left right now. The town leader had had ridiculous “requests” for his compensation and it took every sweet word Kakashi’s silver tongue had to convince him that having Roshi rebuild what he broke would be enough.

That was five days ago and now having spent every waking minute overseeing the rebuilding effort Kakashi was truly ready to leave this frozen tundra behind him and go home. Roshi had built a multitude of houses with the help of Karasu, Han, Shisui and Tenzo. Ko and Kakashi had refused to help claiming they were only observing on this mission.

“So, where are you going after today?” Kakashi tried to ask nonchalantly to Karasu, the man still confused him. He had gotten nothing out of him in the five days they had spent together and it irked Kakashi to no end.

“Probably back home, I should think.”

“And that is where exactly?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“That’s why I asked.” It was like this with every little thing with this guy.

“Karasu, is it really such a big detail to tell me literally anything?!”
“Obviously.” He smirked. Smirked, the bastard.
“Fine, keep your useless secrets. Just don’t come back to Konoha, you’ve caused enough trouble as it is.”

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of ever setting foot there again. That place has caused enough pain to me and mine for one lifetime.”

“Oh?”

Karasu just looked past Kakashi, as if he couldn’t even see the shinobi standing right next to him.

“Well,'' he sighed, “let’s just say it’s another thing I will not be sharing with you today Kakashi.” And he walked away.

Kakashi watched him, wondering why he looked so sorrowful. Shaking the feeling off, Kakashi followed him back to the inn at a respectful distance lost in his own thoughts of Konoha and the sorrow he himself had felt there.

Two weeks later, Kakashi could not get Karasu’s expression out of his mind. The man had looked broken, an expression he had seen in the mirror a few times on himself especially after he first became a jounin and lost his best friend. The mission had theoretically been a success, they had caught the culprit and gotten compensation for the villagers. Kakashi was right now walking to the Hokage’s office to fully debrief about Shisui and Tenzo’s actions and to discuss Karasu.

"Yo."

"Hi."

"Hokage-sama."

Kakashi might be a bad influence on Shisui, but at least Tenzo still respected the Hokage.

“Hello all. Kakashi, report.”

“Mission was a success, Hokage Sir. We were able to detain the perpetrator and rebuild the damaged buildings.”

The Hokage nodded sagely listening to the report. “Very well, thank you all for your service. Ko, Tenzo, Shisui you may leave.”

All three bowed to the Hokage before turning and leaving. Shisui was already hanging off Tenzo’s shoulders asking about where they should get lunch.

“So, what is your assessment?” Sarutobi asked after the door had closed behind Kakashi’s team.

“They’re both powerful enough already to be Jounin and Tenzo definitely has the temperment. Shisui not so much. Perhaps he should work with some younger shinobi to get experience with leading a team and being more responsible.”

“About what I expected. Thank you.”

“Also… while I have you Lord Hokage, we encountered that mystery man from two months ago. He was there to talk with our suspect. I was not able to gain any useful intel from him.”

“This whole situation is rather interesting.” Sarutobi said to himself, puffing once on his pipe. “Write this all in your mission report Kakashi, and it is best that this information is kept to ourselves for now.”

“I’ll make sure my team know to keep quiet, Sir.” Kakashi turned and left the office knowing he would not be writing that report or hunting down his team until at least tomorrow.

Nope, now I have a little brother to check on and a month of sleep to catch up on!

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Contrary to popular belief, shinobi actually have great senses of humour. Many believe that joking around with teammates builds bonds and often helps them through the harder aspects of their lives. However, Itachi was starting to think that maybe Roshi and Han were no longer joking around but actually trying to start a very violent fight.“Keep up short-stack!”“Short-stack?! Who do you think you’re talking to?! I am running just as fast as you, meathead!”“Rosh, boy. You have to run three times as fast to keep up with a child!” Han guffawed loudly as he sped up away from Rohsi’s spluttering. Itachi could feel the air heat with the lava he would soon be spitting at the other shinobi. They had had this arguement four times already since leaving the Land of Ice.“Please, just no. We’ve already had to avoid so many Suna patrols. We don’t need to make a scene and attract more attention Roshi.” Itachi was quite literally begging at this point.Roshi hmpfed in reply but at least the air cooled to the regular sweltering one could expect in the desert of the Land of Wind. Itachi had been working on the plan moving forward. He knew now that they had the firepower to take on at least one or two Akatsuki members at a time. So the next step should be hunting them down and taking them out. But having seen Shisui again, Itachi couldn’t help but want to save his clan. Working with his incredibly excitable best friend reminded him how they used to be together and how soon it would come to an end with Shisui’s death. But how to explain that to his companions?  "Itachi, Suna isn't too far away. Perhaps we should go get resupply? There's still quite a way to Uzushio." Han had a point there.  "Aren't you and Roshi classed as missing nin? And have bounties in Suna?"  "We can wear disguises -" " What will you be? A mountain?!" Roshi isn't nearly as funny as he thinks he is. "Before you both start. Perhaps you could both stay out here and I go in to get supplies. " Itachi really needed some time to himself and this was the perfect opportunity.  The Suna market was bustling. People were shouting prices and haggling for cheaper vegetables. Due to the desert surrounding the village, a lot of merchants and farmers came to Suna because they could charge high prices for their produce. Itachi was always amazed by what people could get to grow in the arid land - medicines and hardy plants for food - and the animals they were able to raise in the unbearable sun. Itachi did his best to blend into the crowds, hiding his pale skin from the harmful sun rays with a cloak and haggling just enough to not be noticed but not too much to be stood by any one stall too long. He was able to get plenty of vegetables and water and was about to leave when he heard a crying sound from an alleyway to his right. Don’t do it. You’ll only end up bringing trouble to yourself. Itachi shook his head to himself as he turned towards the sound, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to resist helping someone in need, even if it was a risk. Down the alley, Itachi saw a group of children huddled on one side of the alley crowding around one small girl. “Hello? What’s going on here?” Itachi called as he approached the group.“Yui got hurt sir.”“The demon did it!”“Yui is a good girl!” All the children clamoured together and a few pointed across the alleyway.Itachi crouched next to the girl, Yui, and checked her over. She seemed to have a bump on her head, but there was no bleeding and she was crying less now that an adult was here. Itachi was not unaware of the large chakra signature at his back, however he did not want to turn and face what he feared was there.“Don’t worry children, perhaps you can all take Yui back home?” Itachi guided the children towards the entrance of the alleyway as he turned his back to the group and faced their “attacker”.Shisui was bored. Like out of his mind bored. Since his mission with Kakashi, he hadn’t so much as left the village. Right now, Shisui was watching his cousin practising his katas before they both had a shift on patrol but he had no inclination to join Itachi. No, Shisui wanted to run! He loved moving fast and exploring the outside, he couldn’t do either of those things stuck babysitting the village in peacetime.“Yo.”Shisui quite literally jumped out of his skin. No-one should be able to sneak up on him and Itachi, but he had had no idea that Kakashi was anywhere nearby. And yet, there was the silver-haired Jounin curled over laughing, sitting on a branch of the tree Shisui was sitting under.“What do you want, maniac?!” Shisui called, trying to cover up his surprise.“No need to shout, cousin. I’m sure Kakashi wasn’t expecting to surprise you.” Itachi, the little shit, looked completely unaffected by Kakashi’s arrival even though there was no way he would have sensed the man if Shisui hadn’t.“Mah, thank you Itachi-chan. However, I will never pass up an opportunity to test an unwitting colleague.” Kakashi jumped out of the tree to land next to Shisui, somehow sounding completely calm despite his recent laughing fit. “But, I actually do have a reason for being here. You see there has been an upset in Suna and according to our spies we may be able to benefit and strengthen our relationship with the other village.”This was surprising, not often did information gained from spies result in good things for their village.“Well? Don’t keep us in suspense.” Shisui demanded (and, according to the slitting of Itachi’s eyes, he had not kept his annoyance out of his voice - oh well).“Well.. I am being sent to track the perpetrator - ““Good for you. Still don’t see why you interrupted my nap.” Shisui definitely heard the annoyance in his voice that time.“And…” Kakashi went on in his most grandiose voice, “I have been allowed to pick my own team for this mission. I had thought a Sharingan wielder and his genius cousin could come in useful, but I wouldn’t want to interrupt your nap.” Kakashi turned to walk away, already pulling out his infamous orange book.“No, wait,” Shisui reached out to grab the Jounin, “Maybe we got off on the wrong foot here? A mission to Suna? I’m totally in!”Kakashi turned around, tilting his head “Oh? Okay, then. If you’re sure. Itachi?” Both boys started frantically nodding their heads. “Fantastic! We leave in an hour. Meet at the front gate. Pack a bag for a week-long mission. I’m sure it won’t take any longer than that.” With that Kakashi vanished in a swirl of leaves.“Come on, we gotta pack.” Shisui started dragging his cousin towards their houses further in the Uchiha district.Itachi firmly stood his ground. “We need to inform the missions desk to cover our patrol details. Unless you think Kakashi would have informed them while he was there getting his mission?”“Oh yeah. No way Kakashi would make our lives any easier. You go get our packs, you know where I keep mine, and explain what’s happening to Aunt Mikoto; and I’ll go to the mission desk and update them on our status.”Shisui was definitely not bored anymore as he ran through the streets of Konoha. No, he was excited to finally stretch his legs once again.“Rock!”“Paper!”“Ha. I win!”“How do you keep winning, Han? That’s like seventeen times in a row!”“I’m just that gifted. Also, you have a very obvious tell.“What?! What’s my tell?”Unfortunately, Han was interrupted by a rumbling of feet coming toward them. Both men jumped up into battle stances looking towards Suna and the direction of the noise to see Itachi racing over a sand dune as if his life depended on it. The sight of their companion caused both men to relax to a degree. They then immediately tensed up again upon seeing what Itachi was carrying - a small red-haired boy.“Itachi? Why have you kidnapped a kid?” Roshi asked out of complete disbelief.“No time to explain, we need to run.” Itachi panted out as he ran past Han and Roshi. It wasn’t until Itachi had passed the pair that they realised the rumbling had not been the man, but was still coming from the direction of Suna. It was then they decided in unison to start running as well.“What did you do?!” Roshi was steaming, Itachi and Han could feel the heat from his chakra over even the desert sun. “Who are we running from? Who is that boy?”“Oh, well. We’re running from… maybe the entire Suna ninja core…?” Itachi panted out. “And, well I didn’t kidnap him. I more, saved him?”“Are you asking us?!” Roshi was shouting now, though how he had the breath to do so amazed his companions. “We are never leaving you alone again.”“He was being abused! And it was never going to get any better for him.” Itachi acted as if it made complete sense to take a child they had never met from his home in the middle of the day where everyone could see them. Not to mention, this was obviously against the boy’s wishes since he was currently unconscious over Itachi’s shoulder. “He’s a jinchurikii, I saw children hurling abuse at him. Tell me you would have left him there.”Neither Roshi or Han could say anything, if someone had given them a chance to escape their childhoods as jinchurikii then they would have run too.“But, I think they’re mostly chasing us because the boy is also the Kazekage’s son…” Itachi confessed as he pushed his speed.Two voices rang out through the desert in exasperation as Han and Roshi continued after their idiotic if wonderfully kind companion.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It was two whole days before Itachi had a real chance to consider everything that had happened since he entered Suna. Certainly a lot had gone on but he wasn’t sure there was anything to regret, especially as he looked over to the sleeping child across the fire from him and two friends sitting beside him.

“Okay, we deserve that explanation now.” Han sounded surprisingly calm considering the three men had been running almost non-stop for two days from the Suna ninja all because of Itachi.

“Yes… Perhaps I should start by saying this was not my original plan. However, upon seeing the boy I couldn’t leave him there. He’s a jinchurikii just like you both…

Two Days Earlier

Itachi looked at the boy in front of him.

Gaara. Jinchurikii of the Ichibi. Future Kazekage. Victim of the Akatsuki.

He had been back for months but it seems no matter how many people Itachi meets for the second time, he will always feel immense guilt over his previous life and the sins he committed.

“I am not going to hurt you young one.” Itachi knelt to Gaara’s height and held out his hands showing he had no weapons. Gaara looked up through his lashes, fear obvious in his expression. Itachi’s heart lurched at the sight. “I’m sorry you had such a hard time with those children. I’m Itachi, are you hurt?”

The boy didn’t seem to know what to do with the kindness being shown to him and shied away from Itachi.

“Perhaps, you could tell me your name?” Itachi tried.

“Gaara” was the whispered reply.

“Nice to meet you, Gaara. Are you hurt anywhere?” Itachi rested his arms on his bent knees hoping to make himself as unimposing as possible.

“No. The sand stops me being hurt.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I know those children were being very hurtful with their words, but I don’t think you’re a monster.”

“It’s not me! It’s mother! He hurts people. The sand hurts people. I am a monster!” Gaara suddenly shouted. There were tears in his eyes as if he couldn’t keep the hurt inside. The sand appeared to be swirling around him; but it wasn’t reaching out for Itachi, only forming a shield around the boy.

“I think the sand is only protecting you. We’ve been talking for a little while here and your sand hasn’t come anywhere near me. Nor did it look like any of those children from earlier were hurt even though they were obviously being mean to you. I believe your sand did what it needed to to keep you safe, but no more. If you don’t want to hurt people then you can keep working with your sand to make sure you don’t.”

Gaara’s face was turned up toward Itachi, his eyes full of wonder. Itachi couldn’t believe no one else had told this child he wasn’t a monster. No one had ever tried to train him and his frankly amazing gifts.

“Do you really think I don’t have to hurt people?” Gaara sounded disbelieving but hopeful.

“Of course. Hurting people is something we choose. When you have a lot of power, it becomes something we have to choose NOT to do, but I know you can make that choice.” Gaara appeared to be considering this turn of events. It was likely a complete change from his previous worldview so Itachi was happy to give him some time to think. However, Itachi couldn’t help but be conscious that the Kazekage likely had people surveilling his son and so they could approach any time to either guard the boy from Itachi or vice versa, there was no way to know how they thought in this village - certainly from what Itachi remembers Gaara was not regarded well in his village until he was much older.

“Could you teach me?”

“Pardon?” Itachi had no idea what Gaara was going on about. He had been too lost in his own thoughts.

“Could you teach me not to hurt people?” Gaara was fiddling with his hands, obviously nervous to ask his question.

“Oh, well you see I’m not from Suna. Nor can I stay, I’m afraid.” Itachi was as disappointed as Gaara looked. “But,” Itachi knew he was about to make a big mistake, but he couldn’t seem to stop his mouth from moving, “if you really want to learn, you could leave the village and come with me.” It was a big risk. Itachi would be committing a major crime against the village, so bad he wouldn’t be surprised if the other great villages got involved. He could even stop the joy Gaara would eventually experience in Suna by taking him away before the village came to respect him. However, Itachi only had to look at the hope shining from Gaara’s eyes to know he wouldn’t be revoking this offer. Itachi would do his absolute best to protect Gaara and give him the upbringing he deserved.

It was another full minute before Gaara spoke. “Please. Please take me away from this place.” And Itachi was lost to this new path.

“I am going to put you under a genjutsu Gaara. That way if anyone sees us, they will think I am taking you away against your will and then you won’t get into trouble. If that’s okay with you?” Gaara nodded vigorously, smiling for the first time that Itachi had seen in this life or the last.

“So I placed him under a simple genjutsu and carried him over the wall. To be honest I thought I had gotten away without anyone seeing us. Obviously I was wrong.” Itachi took a deep breath, having finished his story.

“Well, a simple conversation and you have adopted a child.”

“Kidnapped a third jinchurikii willingly, more like.” Roshi crossed his arms, sounding incredibly grumpy considering the kind smile on his face.

Itachi had left the Tsukuyomi on Gaara - a much kinder version than the one Itachi had used in his previous life, it was more akin to the one Madara was going to use during the war. It kept Gaara happy and docile so he was easier to transport. It did mena however that he was yet to meet Roshi or Han, but Itachi thought that would be easy enough to fix the next morning.

“How much further to home, Han?” Itachi hadn’t been paying much attention to their direction, instead leaving his focus on outrunning the Suna shinobi and keeping Gaara as comfortable as he could as they ran. He trusted Han to keep them going in the right direction while not obviously leading their pursuers to their hideout.

“Another three days I would say. Though it would likely be slower if you wake the boy.”

“We’re not leaving him asleep any longer than we have to.” Roshi jumped up, surprising both his companions. “He is finally free. We should be letting him enjoy that freedom.”

Itachi and Han had no choice except to acquiesce to such a staunch defender.. They men talked for a little longer about their plans for the next few days as well as how they would handle their newest travel companion. Each went to sleep with a smile on their face knowing that although their lives had just become harder, they had also become just that much more exciting too.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Gaara couldn’t remember a time when he had had such a pleasant dream. He had been with his family, father was smiling, mother was alive, his brother and sister had been playing with him. Truly it was his greatest wish. Unfortunately, it came to an end much too quickly.

“Hey kid? You there?” A rough voice called out to Gaara.

“Don’t call him ‘kid’. He has a name.” A deeper voice responded. Gaara didn’t know either of these voices. They certainly weren’t his family.

“Oh yeah? Well, what is his name?”

“Um… Itachi, what’s the kid’s name?” Gaara supposed they were talking about him, not that many people called him a kid, it was usually ‘monster’ or ‘demon’.

“His name is Gaara. And both of you back off and give him some space, I’m slowly removing the genjutsu so he can come out of it gently and you two shouting in his face is not gentle.” Gaara recognised that voice. It was his saviour, the one who wanted to train him and help him with his sand and with Mother.

“How long is this going to take? We need to get moving soon.” The rough voice asked. Gaara thought that was a good sign that he should open his eyes and wake up. He didn’t want to get his saviour in trouble.

Gaara had to blink a few times, it looked to be just before daybreak so it wasn’t overly bright but it had been pitch black behind his eyelids. Gaara sat up to observe the people around him. He first saw the giant. The man must have been seven feet tall at least, Gaara doubted he even came up to his knee! Next to him was a much shorter man (though he was still significantly taller than Gaara himself) dressed in all purple. Gaara had never seen armour like it, but he had to admit it was intimidating on the man, or perhaps the man himself was just that intimidating. Then Gaara caught movement in the corner of his eye and spun to see his saviour crouching next to him with that soft smile from before.

“Hi Gaara. How are you feeling?” His saviour spoke much more softly now than he had before Gaara was fully awake, it made Gaara feel safe.

“Where are we, Mr Saviour?” Gaara whispered looking around. There were rocks and bushes , nothing like the desert where Gaara had spent his entire life.

“We are within the borders of the Land of Fire. I’m sorry you had to stay asleep for a little longer than I thought but I had to make sure we were safe before I woke you up.” Gaara nodded, that information made sense.

“Oi! Itachi, introduce us.” The small purple man poked his head around his saviour’s shoulder interrupting their conversation. The saviour with a small sigh turned to his companions pointing to each in turn.

“This loud mouth is Roshi. And the mountain over there is Han. They are my friends. And my name is Itachi, I would like you to call me that if you are okay with it.” Gaara had forgotten his saviour had a name, but if that’s what he wanted to be called then that’s what Gaara would call him.

“Loud mouth?!”

“Mountain?!”

Both men sounded angry and Gaara felt his sand rising up, he didn’t want Itachi to get hurt. But then suddenly all three men started laughing. “Don’t mind them Gaara. We make fun of each other all the time. You can trust them.” Itachi’s laugh was quiet and small like his smile, but it was very reassuring to Gaara. Gaara nodded and made a small smile in response.

“Here, eat a little then we’ll be off.” The giant, Han, handed Gaara some fruit and nuts in a bowl before turning away to pack some of his things. The purple one, Han, waved at Gaara before turning to do the same.

“Eat up. I’m afraid we’re not entirely safe yet. There are still men after us and we are a few days away from our home.” Itachi stayed by Gaara’s side, looking out to the horizon as if seeing the men pursuing them. Gaara dug into his food like a starved animal, he must have been asleep for quite a while to be this hungry.

“Don’t like him. Don’t trust him. Kill them. Run.”

Gaara shook his head wishing Mother would just be quiet. He liked these men, he trusted them.

“Are you okay Gaara?” Itachi asked, nothing seemed to get past him.

“Yes, I’m finished, thank you.” Gaara hoped Itachi would stop saying his name so much, he couldn’t remember someone using it for him this much if ever. Although it was nice to hear, so maybe Itachi could carry on using it.

“Then we’ll be off.” Itachi said as he rose to his feet and put the bowl in a pack which he placed on his own back. Gaara saw Han and Roshi doing the same further away. “We will have to travel quickly. I can put you back to sleep if you like, I doubt our travelling will be that exciting.” Gaara didn’t want to sleep anymore, he was finally away from his home and he wanted to enjoy every minute.

“No thank you.” Gaara shook his head.

“He’s adorable!” Roshi cooed from across the way. “Can I carry him?”

“Urgh, as if you could. You’re barely bigger than Gaara.” Han laughed at Roshi, who then immediately started running at Han. Apparently this happened often because Han also started running away as if expecting the smaller man’s attack.

“I don’t think either of you are mature enough to be trusted with a child.” Itachi gently shook his head at the others’ antics. “Would you be okay with me carrying you, Gaara?” Itachi asked as he turned back to Gaara.

“Yes, please.” Gaara was enjoying watching the men, but they were very loud and he wasn’t used to such boisterousness around himself. Itachi adjusted his pack to sit on his front and let Gaara up on his back. Gaara had never had a piggyback ride before, he had seen other children being carried by their fathers in this way but had never experienced it.

“Let’s go.” Itachi called as he started running.

“Coming!”

“Last one back is a rotten egg!”

Gaara couldn’t tell who shouted what over the rush of wind on his face and in his ears. It was so loud and amazing. It even drowned out Mother. Gaara felt so happy for the first time he shouted in joy, excited for his new life.

“Last one to catch the bad guy is a rotten egg!”

“No fair, you’re faster than me!”

“Smarter too!”

“Taichou! Tell him he can’t say those things.”

“Itachi, tell Tenzo he can’t tattle to the Captain.”

Itachi had a terrible migraine from listening to Tenzo and Shisui arguing as they ran through the trees on the border of River and Fire. How Kakashi was keeping sane was beyond him. He would have to ask the Captain for his secret when they next stopped for rest.

The four ninja had been running in a diamond formation for the past three hours hoping that Kakashi or one of his nin-ken would pick up on a scent leaving the Land of Wind, not that they had had any luck. Suddenly, Kakashi held his left hand up in the signal to stop running and converge on his location. Shisui and Tenzo at least had enough sense to finally shut up and follow their captain’s orders.

As soon as Itachi landed on the branch below him, Kakashi started talking “We still haven’t made any progress. And it’s getting late, I say we make camp and re-evaluate our plan. Any objections?” The three boys all nodded their heads and jumped to the ground. Over the last five days they had gotten into a good routine about making camp, Tenzo would search for firewood, Shisui would hunt for whatever food he could find (he had an amazing knack for finding fish), Itachi and Kakashi would set up two tents and keep watch for whatever might be around them. Soon enough everyone was settled, tonight they had a simple stew with roots and other plants Shisui and Tenzo had found.

“So, Kakashi-taichou, how long are we going to run around with no plan and no results?” Itachi had the sudden urge to murder his cousin. How can Shisui be so disrespectful?!

“Well, Shisui-chan… As long as I say, since I am your Captain.” Even though most of Kakashi’s face was covered it was easy to hear the smirk in his voice without having to see it on his face. Shisui just deflated and slid to the ground with a great huff.

“Sorry, Captain. But he kind of has a point.” Oh no, Itachi was going to be the only one left on this mission after Kakashi murdered Tenzo and Shisui for their disrespect. “I know we are hunting a criminal from Suna. He kidnapped one of the Kazekage’s children, right? But I still don’t understand how we benefit, nor how we can possibly help.” Tenzo had some very good arguments there though.

“Hmmm, I suppose you’re right. I thought you guys might have worked it out by now, but I suppose I’ll just explain it.”

“Not everyone is a genius prodigy, Kakashi-taichou.” Itachi would never understand how Tenzo could call out their Captain so defiantly to his face, but Kakashi just laughed before hunkering down in response.

“You’re right. But still, Itachi, what do you think of the situation?” Itachi was stunned, he was barely a chunin and here was one of the most gifted shinobi in the Leaf asking his opinion. Itachi took some time to think before speaking.

“I would think that if we were able to retrieve a child for the Kazekage, he would be grateful and it would increase positive feelings between our villages. Or, the Hokage could decide to ransom the child for some other political gain, say if Suna has some of our ninja as prisoners. Then, as to how we can achieve this. I assume our information indicated the criminal or criminals were fleeing in the direction of the Land of Fire so they should cross our border at some point.”

“Good.” Kakashi looked impressed. “Anything else?” Maybe not

that

impressed.

“That’s all I could think of, sorry.”

“No, you did really well. Better than these two apparently.” Kakashi pointed at the two gaping boys looking at Itachi.

“I thought uncle Fugaku was just exaggerating when he said you were a genius, Itachi. Guess he was right.” Tenzo nodded along to Shisui’s words.

“Well, to be honest nothing Itachi said was extraordinary, but considering his lack of field experience compared to you two Itachi has made some great conclusions.” Itachi felt the blush come over his face, he had never known how to take compliments and often just nodded and kept quiet.

“The other things we have to consider is the possibility of Suna shinobi entering the Land of Fire in pursuit of their criminal and what they might do whilst they are in our land…”

“But there’s nothing wrong with them coming to Fire, is there?” Tenzo’s arm shot up as if asking a question in class even as he spoke.

“No, it isn’t illegal or anything. But we have to be vigilant or they could get close to the Leaf or the Fire Daimyo or any other important site or person in Fire without someone there to defend it.” Kakashi waited until all three boys nodded their heads in understanding before continuing. “If we are seen to be on the border it will deter their entry and could also force them to ask us for help since they are entering our land which gives us some political sway over Suna. Also, we have to beware that if this criminal has taken a child from Suna they could be looking to do something similar in Konoha.”

Itachi couldn’t believe how much they were achieving with this mission without even encountering the criminal they were hunting or the Suna ninja. But there was something about Kakashi’s posture that suggested to Itachi that he was keeping something from them. It didn’t look like Shisui or Tenzo had noticed and Itachi had to believe that Kakashi was keeping it secret for a good reason. For now, he wouldn’t ask, but Itachi was going to keep a close eye on their captain for now.

“Ah well, Tenzo you can have first watch. Everyone, rest up! More running tomorrow!” Kakashi jumped up, clapping his hands and walking toward the nearest tent that he would be sharing with Tenzo.

Shisui yawned and bayed good night to Tenzo who went up a nearby tree for a good vantage point. Itachi followed his cousin into the second tent, his mind still reeling on the night’s conversation and wondering what could happen in the coming days.

Kakashi was sure that his intel was sound. He relied on getting the best information from the best sources for his missions, even going outside of Konoha’s spy network to talk to his own informants if necessary. However, today Kakashi wished he had more information on the situation he had just encountered. Today, Kakashi looked into the eyes of a monster as it killed him. All Kakashi could think was “Why do I have the worst luck with people?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Roshi was having a hard time adjusting to his new life. He had only known two existences thus far in his life and neither had been pleasant. Roshi had become the jinchurikii to Son Goku, the Yonbi, at a very young age. He couldn’t remember not being ‘a monster’, not being an outcast to his fellow villagers. Roshi had taken this as a challenge, he talked to his tailed beast and used his power to fight for his village, the people may not have respected him but he wouldn’t stoop to their level and leave them to suffer. He had no one who truly cared for him bar Han, his fellow jinchurikii. After the Third Ninja War ended, Roshi decided his village was no longer worth his time. He had fought the legendary Sannin Jiraya and the future Fourth Hokage to retreat, yet no one batted an eye. Everyone expected him to defend them and get nothing in return. Roshi had regretted having to leave Han behind, but he and Son Goku had to find a new way to work together. Roshi didn’t know how to live outside of his village and wandered aimlessly for years, never entirely comfortable and very lonely. He and Son Goku didn’t talk as they once had since Roshi refused to use his bijuu’s name. How could he when he didn’t understand their relationship, didn’t understand if the creature that had made his life a living hell and had saved it too many times to count, was a friend or a foe?

Now, though, he had found his friend again. Roshi and Han had reconnected as if no time had passed since their partnership in Iwa. They bickered and fought together like they always had, with each other as well as with their common enemies. Roshi had also gained a new ally, perhaps a friend in time, in Itachi. The man was quite reserved but had a vicious streak a mile wide. Roshi had to admire his dedication to helping people he didn’t even know, even if it did include kidnapping small children. Ah yes, then there was sweet Gaara. He hadn’t known the boy long, but it didn’t take long to see that the child was as sweet as they came and so incredibly polite it made his teeth ache. Roshi could see himself, see the scared child jinchurikii and could only hope that he, Han, and Itachi could make a positive impact on this boy and help him become a better man than any of them could be. Their little group was the most wonderful existence Roshi could ask for and he was prepared to defend it to the end.

“Yo! Purple dude! Should have known you would cause us even more trouble.” That brat from the Ice was back and as annoying as ever.

“Shisui, that’s no way to talk to someone.” A small boy, maybe ten years old(?), reprimanded the brat. Perhaps they were related, they did look very similar.

“But ‘Tachi, he was so annoying last time.” Shisui

whined

, literally

whined

.

“He got you there Roshi, my friend.” Han was laughing so hard next to Roshi, he was barely able to get his words out.

“I can’t believe you would side with the brat against me!” Roshi really needed better friends. But then again, their arguement was good cover for Itachi to get Gaara away from here. It couldn’t be a coincidence that their group would encounter shinobi all the way out here just after pulling such a stunt in Suna. The problem would be if these two weren’t alone. Roshi didn’t want to face that Mokuton user, or their Captain Hatake again. Not that he had fought the Hatake last time, but he knew it wouldn’t be an easy fight - no one got into the Bingo Books at an S-class rank for nothing.

“So brat and mini-brat, what are you two doing all the way out here?” Roshi had to try and get information out of them.

“

We

are patrolling

our

country.” Shisui stomped his foot on the ground (who does that?!) “You’re the ones intruding.”

“Nothing wrong with passing through the forest, young man.” Han was ever the diplomat.

“Also, who the heck are you calling ‘brat’?”

“And ‘mini-brat’. I don’t want to be associated with him.” The kid had some spine, side-eying his companion. Shisui looked heartbroken, but Roshi couldn’t help but laugh alongside Han at the set-up.

“Whatever, but seriously where’s Karasu? That dude was cool. Don’t tell me he left you two already?” Shisui was perceptive, Roshi could tell he was looking out into the forest surreptitiously looking for the aforementioned man. Unfortunately for the boy, their friend was a much better ninja than to be caught by such an obvious look.

“I’m afraid you’re too late, we parted ways days ago. He said something about going to Iwa and we just couldn’t get behind that.” Roshi called out, hoping that the boys took him at his word.

“Hmm, sorry to hear that. You two wouldn’t have seen anything suspicious around these parts would you?” Shisui really was a big talker.

“No, apart from the two of you, we haven't seen anyone new for ages.” Han was a great liar, no one could catch him out.

“You sure? Cos your chakra is all over the place, kinda like it gets when people lie….” Shisui had activated his Sharingan. Damn kid had a Sharingan? Why had no one told Roshi?

Suddenly faced with the prospect of facing two Uchiha, one of the most feared nina clans, Roshi had to re-evaluate his and Han’s chances of surviving the encounter. Luckily for everyone involved, a small body came crashing through the middle of the clearing where they were all standing. The other boy from Ice was splayed across the ground groaning.

“Tenzo!” Shisui ran to his friend’s side, the smaller boy taking up a defensive stance never moving his eyes from Roshi and Han. Roshi looked to Han and knew they had both come to the same conclusion. Itachi had been found and they were all in big trouble.

As soon as Itachi felt the incoming chakra signatures he made sure to distance himself from Han and Roshi so they could intercept the incoming ninja.

“Gaara, I need you to stay hidden and quiet as much as possible. There may be some people nearby and if they find us I may have to fight them. But I promise, I won’t let them take you.”

“Okay, Itachi.” Gaara folded himself closer to Itachi’s back, making himself as small as he could.

“Also, please don’t use my name in front of anyone else. I need to keep my identity secret from anyone that isn’t my friend.” Itachi felt Gaara’s nod and so he set off into the forest at a quick pace hoping to avoid any encounters with speed alone since his stealth was greatly diminished by the boy on his back.

Soon enough Itachi knew he wouldn’t be getting too far as he was. He could feel one chakra signature gaining on him, he guessed that it was a lesser trained chunin, or perhaps an overconfident jounin judging by the power level. But it was rare that a shinobi would be travelling alone so that meant at least one more skilled partner was close by and hiding their presence from him. If Itachi could use his Sharingan to survey his surroundings, Itachi could be sure of numbers and could be confident in winning the upcoming fight. However, he had to keep his cover as much as possible for as long as possible. Itachi pushed to run faster, thinking up the best counter strategy until suddenly there appeared before him a line of nin-ken - some very familiar nin-ken.

Itachi knew he wouldn’t be getting away, Konoha had sent their best tracker to retrieve the Kazekage’s son. Itachi was running from Kakashi. Itachi stopped in front of the dogs and waited for his pursuers to catch up. He had a better chance of fighting or talking his way out than running.

Kakashi and Tenzo quickly arrived at a tree a little back from Itachi, he had turned to watch them come as well as keep an eye on the nin-ken.

“Hi, Kakashi. How are you this fine evening?” Itachi tried for a friendly tone, even giving a small wave to the jounin.

“Karasu, we need to stop meeting like this,” Kakashi didn’t look impressed, but he still had his Sharingan covered so at least he wasn’t completely on the offensive. “You wouldn’t happen to have a small boy with you this time? About six years old? Red hair? Son of the Kazekage?” Apparently, Kakashi wasn’t playing Itachi’s game today.

“I’m sorry Kakashi, but the boy is staying with me. They were abusing him, children were throwing rocks at him, adults were watching. Everyone was calling him a monster. I couldn’t stand by.” Itachi was pretty sure the pity tactic wouldn’t work, but he needed some time to work out what to do. Fighting Kakashi and Tenzo would be tough no matter the circumstances.

“I’m sorry too, Karasu, but that’s not my problem. I have a mission from the Hokage and the village comes before everything.”

The village comes before everything?! I killed for your village! I died for your village, Kakashi! We both lost our childhoods for that village! Sasuke lost his childhood for that village.

Itachi couldn’t remember the last time he had felt such rage. Kakashi had been one of the people in his last life that made it clear to Itachi where their place was in the world. He had never learned that people mean more than an ideal. Kakashi had gone on to support his students, but Itachi knew that if it had come to it, Kakashi would sacrifice even them if it meant Konoha would be safe. Itachi wouldn’t let that happen again, he had been too young and inexperienced before to save those he loved. Not now.

“No.”

“Pardon?” Kakashi looked genuinely confused. Itachi couldn’t blame him, he hadn’t been very clear.

“I will not give you Gaara. I will not allow your village to taint another life not so long as I have the power to stop it. It is our problem when children are being used as scapegoats and soldiers when they should be playing and having fun.” Itachi had been known as the most powerful genjutsu user in his time, now he would put that to the test. Itachi channelled his chakra in an obvious display, bringing all attention to his hands. It was similar to how he had trapped Naruto long ago, but now he had a more aggressive motive. Kakashi immediately revealed his eye when Itachi started moving, but he wasn’t the target.

Tenzo had never been good at avoiding genjutsu nor escaping them. Itachi used that now, casting a powerful spell over the boy while firing a katon jutsu at Kakashi. The jounin easily avoided it, but it had given Itachi a chance to move back out of the range of Tenzo.

The Mokuton user turned to face Kakashi, bloodlust pouring off his small body in such great volume Kakashi had no choice but to turn and face his team member. Itachi had made Tenzo see the man he hated most, Orochimaru, standing in Kakashi’s place. He hated to use the secrets Tenzo had shared with him against the boy, but right now Gaara was his responsibility and priority. Tenzo flew in to attack Kakashi like a demon from the underworld. He was slashing left and right with kunai, forcing Kakashi to fall back on the defensive. As soon as Kakashi was out of range, Tenzo dropped his kunai and started forming the seals for his wood-release.

Itachi used the distraction to run as fast as he could. He knew that Kakashi would likely use his nin-ken to help him subdue the boy without injuring him, but that would take time that he could use to put as much distance between them as possible.

Kakashi was going to

kill

Karasu. No, he was going to torture him,

then

kill him. What a dirty move, making him fight his own subordinate. Kakashi was doing his best to defend against the branches shooting at him, while trying to get close to Tenzo. If he could pulse his own chakra through Tenzo’s body then he could release him from the genjutsu, it wasn’t easy though. Kakashi knew he shouldn’t have trained his team so well, always came back to bite him. Not to mention that with every passing second, Karasu was getting further and further away with the Kazekage’s son.

Kakashi was using the nin-ken to steer Tenzo toward his team, hopefully with Shisui and Itachi he could quickly subdue Tenzo and carry on their mission.

There.

Kakashi could sense four chakra signatures just past those trees. Apparently, the boys had found the rest of Karasu’s party, Kakashi could only hope the older men were being gentler than Karasu had been with him. Using an earth wall, Kakashi pushed Tenzo through the trees to land in front of Shisui.

“Tenzo!” Shisui ran in, while Itachi grabbed two kunai keeping an eye on their enemies. Kakashi had to applaud the younger boy for keeping his composure in this situation. He would also reprimand Shisui for being so emotional, but that would be later, after they were back in the village.

“What is going on?!” The large man from Ice, Han, shouted.

“Your buddy just got on my bad side.” Kakashi stalked out of the trees, followed by his dogs. He knew the image he created, had had many men beg for mercy when he approached bleeding bloodlust and lightning chakra. Kakashi was angry and he had found two new targets for that anger.

“Tenzo, what’s wrong?” Shisui’s voice was shaking, the boy really did care too much for his own good. “Kakashi-taichou? What’s going on?”

“I have to kill him, Shisui. He killed my whole family, everyone I held dear.” Tenzo growled from the ground as he rose to his feet.

“He’s under a genjutsu!” Kakashi shouted as Tenzo made a dash for him. Immediately, Kakashi was using all his focus to keep the boy back as Tenzo came in for the kill.

Then, quick as a flash, Shisui darted in between them to place his hand over Tenzo’s heart. Kakashi could feel the chakra explosion from where he was. “Come back to us, Tenzo.” Kakashi had to admit, Shisui really deserved the moniker ‘Shisui of the Shunshin’. He had never seen anyone move faster except the Fourth Hokage himself.

Tenzo collapsed in Shisui’s arms, exhausted by the chakra push. Kakashi looked over to Itachi, to see him lying on the ground, seemingly unharmed. It was likely the other men had overwhelmed the boy before making their escape.

What do I do now? I can’t leave these boys alone, but I have to capture the Kazekage’s son.

Kakashi had no idea what to do. He couldn’t decide between the mission and his team. It seemed to be the running theme of his life.

“Please, Taichou. Help me with them.” Shisui looked up at Kakashi imploringly.

Well, that answers that question. Always knew Shisui was soft at heart, didn’t know it was contagious though.

“Let’s check over the boys before making chase.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Han had been a shinobi his entire life. Not only was he skilled and a master of steam-release, but as a jinchurikii, he had power to spare. But even he now was running on fumes. Itachi had been pushing them to run constantly, taking as few breaks as possible and keeping their speed faster than they were really comfortable with. Han could understand, after Itachi explained that they were running from Konoha’s most efficient tracker, their actions were obviously necessary. Didn’t stop it being very tiring, even poor Gaara, who only had to hold onto Itachi and stay awake, was feeling the pressure. Han and even been carrying Itachi’s supplies in hopes of maintaining everyone’s stamina.

The four of them had just reached the shore opposite Uzushio. They hoped to lose their pursuers by crossing the water. No way for Hatake’s dogs to sniff them out on a boat that they couldn’t access.

“When is the next crossing?” Han had volunteered to talk with the port master. “We are rather in a hurry to reach Uzushiogakure.”

“Sorry friend, it’s much too late and much too dark to sail that distance. You’ll have to wait till morning.” The port master appeared kindly enough, Han knew him to be a distinguished man, one who valued safety and propriety. He wouldn’t lie, nor respond well to a bribe.

“Ah well, I suppose we will have to find a room in town.” Han laughed as he walked away, trying at least to appear unaffected by this set-back. He has no idea what they can do now.

Han returned to Roshi and Itachi to relay his news, poor Gaara was asleep at Itachi’s feet. The men decided to set up a small camp just outside the town, hoping that Kakashi’s team would be far enough behind that they could wait. Itachi had made them regularly make and disperse clones to create multiple scent trails, but it wouldn’t fool the nin-ken for long.

“Do we have enough chakra to walk across the water?” Roshi asked.

“I certainly don’t. You two might, considering you are jinchurikii. Maybe you should take Gaara, and I’ll try to delay Kakashi and make my way later.” Itachi was slurring his words ever so slightly, his exhaustion catching up with him.

“There’s no way Gaara will agree to that.” Roshi grumbled. “He would rather go back than be separated from you, idiot.” Itachi just gave a small smile and sighed.

“Go to sleep, Itachi.” Han ordered. “Roshi and I have some energy left, we will focus on keeping watch for the night. You and Gaara are the ones who really need to escape.”

Itachi looked murderous at the suggestion. “I will sleep, Han. But there’s no way I’m leaving either of you behind. Not only is this my mess to clean up, but you two deserve your freedom far more than I do. I will do everything in my power to keep you all safe and free.” Itachi immediately turned his body to lie next to Gaara, denying either man a chance to respond.

Han looked over at Roshi and knew that he agreed, they would not leave their friend. Itachi was the first person either of them had encountered that seemed to value them as people instead of as weapons. They would do anything to guard him, as he would for them. No words were needed between the old friends as they looked out into the night, waiting for the fight to come to them.

Shisui was completely exhausted. He was made for sprints, not marathons. Seriously, as soon as he got back to the village he was working on his stamina. Next to him, Itachi and Tenzo looked just as wrecked. Kakashi had tried to send them both back to Konoha, but neither boy let him. They were determined to finish the mission and thankfully neither were actually injured.

The team had just reached the shoreline, there had been many decoy trails which they had to check. No matter how quickly Kakashi determined the trails to be false, each one took up time and energy the boys could scarcely afford to lose. However, now they were pretty certain they had found Karasu and his team. It was just about daybreak, apparently travelling through the night had been necessary considering how close they were to the sea. If the criminals got away to the Land of Water, they would be lost to Konoha.

It was Itachi who spotted the group running along the shoreline towards the town. Each of them knew they couldn’t bring the fight into civilian quarters so they had to intervene before then. Shisui was their best bet, he used most of his remaining chakra to speed ahead of the group and stop in their path.

“Stop. You can’t outrun us now.” Shisui shouted across the distance between him and the group. They had stopped dead in their tracks as soon as he appeared. Karasu was carrying the child with Han and Roshi flanking him.

“Shisui, get out of the way. There’s no way you have the chakra to stop us.” Karasu sounded so commanding, Shisui supposed he was used to leading.

“No, you’re right I don’t have enough chakra to stop you. But I do have enough to delay you for Kakashi-taichou to get here and stop you.” Shisui dropped into an offensive stance, tanto unsheathed and in hand. That was when everything went to chaos.

Kakashi saw Shisui about to start fighting, he could only hope to save his teammate. Kakashi had yet to let a teammate die since Rin and he wasn’t about to risk that with Shisui’s life. He jumped up behind Han, hoping to take out the physically largest threat first. Except as soon as he appeared, steam jetted out the back of Han’s armour, Kakashi backflipped out of the way. That steam looked hot enough to burn on contact. Meanwhile, Itachi and Tenzo had entered the fray teaming up against Roshi using Tenzo’s wood to stop his lava and give Itachi opportunities to get fire kunai and katon jutsu. They worked well together considering how little time they had spent together thus far. Shisui had his Sharingan out against Karasu, but it didn’t seem to be helping the boy who was barely keeping up with the lightning fast kunai attacks from the man.

Kakashi knew he had to intervene with the latter fight, but with the Kazekage’s son clasped around Karasu he couldn’t just fire at Karasu’s back. Han swept in with his team, cutting Kakashi off from his team. He had been known in the Third War for his excellent use of the steam release and Kakashi was getting a first hand insight into why. Han didn’t stop for a second, driving Kakashi further and further back. Kakashi couldn’t even summon his nin-ken to help because the steam was so thick.

“Kakashi! Help!” That was Shisui. With no time to think or prepare, Kakashi used a substitution jutsu to swap places with Shisui just in time to feel Karasu’s kunai dig into his side. Kakashi jumped back, seeing his own blood over Karasu’s hands. He could only hope Han would go easier on Shisui because of his age. The man had seemed amicable last time they met, but Kakashi had bigger problems now. He was losing blood, not at a terrible pace, but quickly enough to worry. He had to end this quickly and get to the boys.

Kakashi pulled out two exploding seals, throwing them to either side of Karasu, hoping to distract the man. While he dodged those, Kakashi pulled out two new kunai and jumped right inside Karasu’s defences thrusting up with his kunai. It was a killing blow that wouldn’t endanger the boy behind Karasu. Except, the blow never landed. Instead Kakashi felt a massive weight against his chest forcing him to fly back from the man. It wasn’t Karasu that had knocked him though, the boy was seething. Sand was swirling all over the place.

It wasn’t until that moment that Kakashi realised he should have taken the rumours a little more seriously. He hadn’t been sure, not even with Karasu’s words, but now he knew. The Kazekage’s son was a jinchurikii and he was angry.

The building sandstorm pushed everything away, even Karasu was knocked to the ground by the winds. The jinchurikii was standing in the eye of the storm, enraged eyes pointed at Kakashi. Apparently, the boy was so attached to Karasu, that Kakashi’s attempt on his life had released the tailed-beast. The boy’s arm started transforming into a massive clawed paw as he stalked towards Kakashi. The jounin couldn’t move, the force of that first pulse of wind and sand and chakra had exhausted him of everything he had left. He hadn’t planned for the tailed-beast to emerge, obviously, he barely believed it could be a possibility. If he lived through this, Kakashi was never going to underestimate his intel ever again.

“Why do I have the worst luck with people?” Kakashi managed to whisper as that huge claw came down across his chest and he blacked out.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Kakashi!”

“Senpai”

“Captain!”

Three young voices rang out.

“Kakashi!” Rang a fourth, much older voice.

Itachi knew he wouldn’t have long, but in this second he was stuck. He was looking at Gaara, dripping in blood, half-transformed into the Ichibi. Itachi could feel Kakashi’s blood dripping from his own fingers, he hadn’t been able to do anything to stop Kakashi or Gaara.

What have I done? How can I have killed another person I care for?

“Gaara, please stop!” That was Han’s voice. Gaara had turned around, his face was covered in tears, but it was like he couldn’t stop his movements. He couldn’t stop stalking towards Itachi with murder in his eyes. Han’s voice was enough though to wake Itachi up. Itachi activated his Mangekyou Sharingan looking directly into Gaara’s face. Just as quickly as he had in Suna, Gaara fell to Itachi’s Tsukyomi. Itachi had used the same design as before, the boy may have hurt his own captain but Itachi knew he would never hurt Gaara. Itachi stepped up to catch Gaara as he fell forward. Luckily, when he fell unconscious Gaara transformed back to a regular boy.

With the danger having passed, Tenzo, Shisui and young Itachi all rushed to Kakashi. Han and Roshi, in turn, gathered around Itachi and Gaara.

“He’ll be fine, I just put him under again.” Itachi reassured his friends. He looked over to the huddled mass just a few feet from him. Shisui was crying out for help, Tenzo appeared to be trying to stop the bleeding, and Itachi was just standing still. Even from where he was, Itachi could see the red bleeding into his younger self’s eyes. Itachi had caused so much pain as to activate the boy’s Mangekyou Sharingan, apparently it didn’t matter how many lives he lived, that was Itachi’s destiny.

“Please. He’s still alive. You have to help. Please.” Tenzo’s choked voice cut through Itachi’s thoughts.

He’s still alive.

“Roshi, can you cauterise the wound? Stop it from bleeding any further?” Itachi turned to his friend. Hopefully his fire affinity would work in this instance.

“I guess, but…”

“Then please do it. Han, hold Gaara. You boys, back away for a moment.” Itachi commanded everyone around him as he got up and walked toward Kakashi. Itachi had never been very gifted at healing jutsus, but he had learned what he could after his sickness had gotten worse to try and keep himself alive. He only hoped something would be useful for Kakashi now. Itachi knew he wouldn’t be able to save him, but if he could keep him alive long enough for an actual doctor the man might survive. The boys were in such shock that they just obeyed him, moving away from their captain. Itachi and Roshi knelt on either side of Kakashi ready to perform their jutsus.

Time to see if this life will be any different to the last.

Edi Uzumaki had seen just about everything one can. She had seen people be born, people die. She had seen peace and war. She had seen good rulers and bad. She had experienced love and loss for herself. Edi had raised three boys, all of whom had been lost to fighting, so really she should have seen everything by now.

But there was something about being called out of her cave/home to see Itachi princess- carrying an unconscious red-haired boy, followed by Han carrying an equally unconscious silver-haired man, followed by a small man dressed all in purple herding three teen boys. Add to that that everyone bar the purple man where covered  in blood, well maybe Edi Uzumaki hadn’t seen quite everything yet.

“Edi, my dear, you wouldn’t have some extra space, by chance?” Itachi had the audacity to smile at her, the cheeky brat.

“Boy! I knew I never should have let you in. You’re taking over.” Edi shook her head, already collecting her brush and ink from inside the entryway to the cave. “You’ll have to add them to the barrier seal, I’ll get to heating up some water for everyone to wash.”

“Oh and a medical area? Our silver-haired friend there is quite badly injured. I didn’t think we could walk into town like this, and I remember you mentioning some experience in a hospital.”

“You’re going to owe me big, d’you hear?” Edi pushed the ink and brush into Itachi’s already occupied hands and left to prepare for her guests.

“Thank you, Edi.” Han had brought Kakashi immediately to the room Edi had set up. Itachi thought it best they were the first to enter. It also gave Han a chance to explain some things to Edi.

“What on Earth happened to you boys?” Edi muttered in exasperation as she looked over the injured man. “And what hack sealed this wound?!”

“I’m afraid it was a very rushed job. He would have died had we waited.” Edi nodded to Han’s explanation. “We found the friend I was looking for. And another person like us, the boy you saw with Itachi.”

Han sat down on the floor next to Kakashi’s cot, he couldn’t remember a time he was so tired. “Unfortunately, while picking up the boy we aggravated a few people. And in getting here we had to fight them. This man, he’s a good man and Itachi was determined to save him. I seriously don’t know what he was thinking, but here we are.”

Edi had continued working while listening to Han, she had a little more healing jutsu than Itachi but Han knew she would be relying on civilian healer techniques.

“Well, he isn’t as bad as he looks. He’ll need some fluids and lots of rest, but I’ve seen men survive similar injuries. He would have been better off in a shinobi hospital -less scarring, faster recovery time - but nothing to be done about it now.” Edi wiped off her hands on a rag. Han just nodded in acknowledgment before falling asleep where he sat.

Never before had Itachi enjoyed being cleaned so much as today. Being covered in blood, some his own, some Kakashi’s was a harrowing experience. Itachi thought after seeing Tenma, his dear teammate, die that he wouldn’t be so affected by death and injury around him. But seeing his captain, arguably the strongest active shinobi of the Leaf, cut down so easily, it had shaken the young boy to his core. Itachi was now cuddled between Shisui and Tenzo on a bench in front of a warm furnace with hot bowls of soup in their hands. The old lady, Edi, said it would go down well and help them sleep. Itachi doubted he would sleep tonight, he didn’t want to see all that blood again.

“Hi boys, how are you all?” Roshi walked in, clean finally. He had been caring for the three of them since the fight, each of the boys was so grateful for simple orders to follow and a kind voice to listen to.

“Better with the soup. Tell Mrs. Edi, she makes amazing food.” Shisui always seemed to know what to say. Tenzo and Itachi just hummed in agreement over their bowls. Whether it was the warmth from the cave, or just exhaustion catching up to them each boy was slowly nodding off.

“You boys better not fall asleep in my living room!” Edi shouted just behind the boys. All of them jumped and turned to see the older woman waltzing into the room as if the day’s events were completely normal.

“Ah, Lady Edi! These boys were just saying how happy they are with your cooking. Perhaps I could get some?” Roshi had sunk into a chair near the bench and pleaded with Edi.

“Get it yourself, you’re old enough.” Edi dismissed him. Roshi sank further into the chair in despair. He quickly slapped himself on both cheeks and jumped up.

As soon as Roshi exited for the kitchen Edi took his seat for herself, facing the boys.

“I tell you, making up so many rooms and caring for your poor captain has tired this old lady out.” Edi let out a great sigh. “I have a big room with three beds, thought you all would want to stay together tonight.” Itachi was relieved. He didn’t want to be separated from the other two quite yet.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality.” Tenzo bowed slightly from his seat.

“Don’t you worry dear, you boys don’t deserve such strife so young in your lives.” Edi waved his thanks off. “By the way, I don’t think I caught your names yet, what with all the fuss going on.”

“Oh, I’m Tenzo.”

“And I’m Shisui Uchiha, and that’s my cousin, Itachi.” Itachi really loved his cousin, he didn’t think he had the energy to talk any more.

“Huh, how strange. Were you named after our Itachi or something?”

Our Itachi?

Edi looked up behind the boys, “Itachi, did you know this boy has the same name as you? Is he a relative, is that why you brought them all here?”

Itachi, Shisui, and Tenzo all turn in sync to stare at Karasu who was frozen in the doorway coming from the bedrooms.

“Huh?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Edi looked up behind the boys, “Itachi, did you know this boy has the same name as you? Is he a relative, is that why you brought them all here?”

Itachi didn’t like cursing, even in his own head, but right now he had a few choice words for this situation.

“Huh?” Was all he was able to get out. He wanted to escape the stares directed at him by his old teammate, his cousin, and himself, but he was stuck in place. Itachi had hoped to have at least the night to relax. Kakashi was stable and recovering, everyone had cleaned up and there was warm food ready for all. Apparently, the universe felt like playing with Itachi some more.

“Dude!” Shisui shouted, “I knew it!”

“Knew what?” Tenzo sounded as confused as everyone.

“Well, when we found him, I thought he was just dead-pale. But then in Ice, I realised he’s just super pale. And then I thought he might be an Uchiha, we are really recognisable.” Shisui was babbling, rushing to get the words out. Young Itachi and Tenzo looked to be actually considering this circumstance. Itachi had to stop them before they made any connections he didn’t want them to be making.

“I’m afraid you’re wrong, Shisui.” Itachi breathed out, hopefully he was portraying his amusement well enough. “I am not a part of the Uchiha Clan -”

“Like an exile?! Or were you born outside of wedlock?!” Tenzo gasped. Shisui looked equally as excited and intrigued.

“No, my parents were married. And I’ve never been exiled from a clan.” All true, if missing a few key details.

“I saw you in the hospital.” Young Itachi’s voice rang out, quiet as it was. “Did you hear my name there? Did you use my name with these people?”

Itachi took the opportunity to walk further into the room and sit in a chair by the furnace, he really had no better explanation but that sounded ridiculous.

“How stupid would that be?” Shisui gushed out, all three boys turned to sit properly. Each of them appeared to have regained their energy and were enraptured by this newest mystery.

“The truth is equally as ridiculous.” Itachi only had to hope these kids would believe what he was about to say. “My name really is Itachi. But that day in the hospital, after having seen a boy with such resemblance to myself and the same name, I thought it would be too suspicious to give that name.” Itachi gave a small shrug to really sell it. Technically he had told the truth of the situation.

“Oh,” it was comical how all three boys deflated in unison.

“Well, that’s a boring story.” Edi announced into the silence. “But it will have to do for your bedtime story, boys. Off to bed with you all. Follow that corridor, your room’s second on the right.” She waved at the boys.

“Goodnight.”

“Night.”

Shisui and Tenzo herded young Itachi out of the room, who had apparently lost all the energy he had left.

Roshi picked that exact moment to reenter the room.

“The boys gone off to bed?” Itachi nodded, finally relaxing after that fraught conversation. “Han and Gaara?”

“Stupid giant fell asleep on the floor in the medical room. No way I can lift that lump so I left him there.” Edi smirked.

“After I woke Gaara, he wasn’t doing very well. I cleaned him up as best as I could, but he’s not speaking.” Itachi was really worried about the young jinchurikii. “I think he just reacted, and now he doesn’t know how to cope. I’ve left him in my room dozing on and off.”

“I’ll get a second bowl and talk to the kid.” Roshi hadn’t even taken a sip before getting up. “Maybe I can connect with him better.”

“Hmm, I agree. You can sleep in the room if that helps him too. Third on the right.” Itachi nodded in agreement to Roshi’s assessment, as much blood as was on Itachi’s hands he had never had a creature living inside himself that could attack like the Ichibi had today.

Itachi and Edi sat for a while in silence after Roshi had left for Gaara’s side. Itachi knew things were going to start getting complicated soon, he had made a powerful enemy and lost his hiding place today. He doubted Kakashi would agree to keep this whole situation quiet. What could the next steps be? Itachi knew he still hadn’t made any progress hunting the Akatsuki. But with so many jinchurikii under his roof, could they be convinced to help him hunt his enemy while their brethren were suffering in other villages. Naruto was being bullied right now by adults and children alike, just like Gaara. The Mizukage was still under Madara’s control and who knew if the rokubi’s jinchurikii was in the Mist or not. The two jinchurikii in Lightning were probably okay, from what Itachi remembers they were treated rather well in comparison to the others. Then there was the most pressing of Itachi’s problems - the Uchiha clan. He had no idea where they were in talks of a coup, whether Itachi and Shisui had been roped in to help. Was Danzo a threat yet? Did Itachi have time to help them?

“You should be sleeping, boy.” Edi whispered, Itachi still jumped at the soft voice. “Nothing to be done tonight. Talk with your friends in the morning, they’ll help you.” Itachi looked over to the Uzumaki woman, he didn’t know when she had pulled out some knitting or why he didn’t hear the needles clicking together. Perhaps, the sound was just so soothing it hadn’t sunk in while his mind was racing so fast.

“I need to get my thoughts in order first.” Itachi had to work out what he could and could not tell his friends.

“No dear, that’s what friends are for. You tell them all the jumble in your head and they help sort it. Stops you making rash decisions and doing things you’ll regret later.” Maybe she had a point, Itachi had always worked alone, and there were a lot of things from his last life that he hoped had gone differently.

“Very well, you’ve convinced me. I’ll just check in on everyone first. Make sure you get some sleep soon.” Itachi dragged himself up and out of the room listening to the final clicking of Edi’s needles.

Kakashi couldn’t count how many times he had woken up out of an injury-induced blackout. It often came with a headache, aches and pains in places he didn’t even know existed, the smell of antiseptic and blood, and fuzzy memories of what had happened. Today was a little different. There was still a headache, a strong ache in his chest, antiseptic in the air. But today, Kakashi smelled incense and herbs, heard shouts and laughter, felt the cold wind on his face, and remembered in exact detail the monster that had attacked him.

The memories and claws and red blood caused Kakashi to sit up quickly, opening both eyes to scan his surroundings. He could see stone walls, candles burning on multiple surfaces, an older lady bent over in a corner humming to herself. Nothing screamed danger, except that Kakashi didn’t recognise this place at all. Suddenly that ache in his chest started screaming, splitting him open in pain. A sharp gasp escaped his mouth. The lady heard him and turned to face him.

“Now what do you think you’re doing?!” She looked angry. The sort of angry Kakashi was used to from nurses and doctors when he would get up before he was fully recovered. “Lie back down before I lie you down.” Kakashi wasn’t stupid enough to ignore that command.

“Where am I?” Kakashi was barely able to rasp out, his throat was so dry.

“My home, though with all you brats around it’s starting to feel more like a half-way house for stupid shinobi.” The woman had gone back to bustling in the corner but she quickly came over with a cup and  a bowl of something. “You were badly hurt. Sip this slowly.”

Kakashi looked in the cup, it didn’t look like water, it was greenish but not overly thick. The disgust must have been obvious on his face because before he could say a word, the woman spoke again.

“It’s just water and some healing herbs, I grew them myself so you don’t get to turn your nose up.” Now that was a saying Kakashi had not heard in a long time. Kushina used to say that everytime she made a meal for Kakashi:

I made it all myself, so you don’t get to turn your nose up.

Kakashi went to take his mask down to drink only to find no mask on his face.

“Where -?”

“Oh that awful thing on your face? I cut it off.” The woman just dismissed him. “I’m sure you have spares, but I needed to get to your mouth.” Kakashi dutifully drank down the disgusting concoction and gave back the cup.

“Good, now I need to see your chest.”

“Buy me dinner first, please.” Kakashi was getting very uncomfortable here, why was he alone with this strange woman?

“I ain’t into pretty boys like you. Now let me put this salve on your wound. Or did you forget that you were almost cut in half yesterday?” The woman carefully removed the cloth covering Kakashi’s chest and started applying her salve. “I’m Edi by the way, reluctant friend to those men you met before.”

“I’m Kakashi.” At least she seemed as unhappy as Kakashi was. “I had some companions -”

“”Those children? They’re all fine. Boys always have a way of bouncing back. Not that you should be allowing boys that young into situations like that!” Edi turned to face Kakashi apparently done with her medicine. “Okay, you can move a little now. Keep your chest covered. I know your kind, you wouldn’t rest unless I tied you to the bed and I ran out of rope last time so just don’t be too idiotic.” Kakashi couldn’t help but laugh out loud at that very accurate assessment.

“Get a lot of unruly patients here?” He might as well try to get some information. “Wherever here is.”

“Huh, oh yeah you were passed out when you got here.” Edi moved away from the bed to place her utensils on a shelf and fetch a very familiar pack for Kakashi. “Here you go. Everyone is in the living area to your left when you’re ready. I think it’s time everyone did some explaining.” With those ominous words Edi left the room. Almost immediately she poked her head back around the corner, “by the way, no one else but me saw your face.” And then left again. Kakashi waited until he heard her step fade away before sighing a breath of relief and picking through his bag for a change of clothes.

Time for explanations, indeed.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Lemonade, anyone?” Edi brought a tray filled with a large pitcher and glasses.

Tenzo, Shisui, Young Itachi, and Gaara all ran towards her. Old Itachi took the tray over to the table with Edi thanking him before filling each glass and handing them out to each boy. While the four boys piled onto the bench, Han and Roshi came over to help themselves to drinks.

“How long until that layabout joins us?” Roshi grumbled. There wasn’t enough seats for everyone in the room, so Itachi had had to use an earth jutsu to make a rather uncomfortable bench for he, Han, and Roshi to share. This left Edi to take one armchair and Kakashi could have the last one when he arrived.

“I left him to get dressed, should be soon unless he died.” Edi made Itachi smile every time she spoke.

“Who died?” Everyone turned to the new voice. Kakashi came out of the corridor leading to the bedrooms looking very much worse for wear. His clothes, though obviously clean, looked rumpled (as if he had not been able to put them on properly); his hair was all over the place; he wasn’t wearing his hitai-ate nor any obvious ninja gear; he was walking slowly, holding onto the wall; and he was paler than anyone else in the room, which was a big achievement.

“You, senpai. We thought you died. We were very unimpressed.” Tenzo replied, getting up to help his Captain to the spare seat. All the while, everyone was watching with bated breath waiting for Kakashi to collapse, or maybe for him to attack.

“Mah, everyone looks so worried. Did something happen?” Kakashi simpered

(simpered)

tilting his head and looking around the room. This caused just about everyone to start talking at once. Edi complained about ‘idiot shinobi who didn’t know anything’. Han and Roshi start calling some very colourful if family-friendly insults at Kakashi, mainly involving his hair. Tenzo and Shisui starting singing very louding grabbing onto Itachi and Gaara respectively, occasionally stopping to shout about young impressionable ears. The two younger boys just sank into the sofa, unused to such ruckus. Itachi himself just smiled and watched. His eyes met Kakashi’s and he could see the relief on the other man’s face. It must be disconcerting to be so badly injured and be responsible for such a young team. Itachi guessed Kakashi was happy to see the boys acting so carefree after everything that had happened.

“Okay, everyone. That’s enough.” Itachi spoke softly but firmly, pushing just a little chakra out with his voice so everyone would pay attention. It worked like a charm and every face turned towards him. “We need to settle some things, I think.”

“Yes, let’s start with the little hellion sitting right there.” Kakashi didn’t waste any time pointing out Gaara.

“His name is Gaara, don’t be rude Kakashi.” Shisui piped up, to Kakashi’s obvious surprise. “He’s just a kid, he’s like the same age as Sasuke. You know Itachi’s little brother, right? Well, Gaara is gonna be our little brother now.”

“Wait just a minute -”

“You don’t get our boy -”

“We’re not taking in any more -”

“After what he did to me?!”

Kakashi’s voice rang out above all the other adults. Han and Roshi had grown very attached to the young jinchurikii and Itachi knew they already saw him as family. Edi seemed to be worried that the additions to their little home would become permanent. And all four boys cuddled closer together the more people started speaking.

“That little monster almost killed me.” Kakashi’s voice went deep, you could hear the inner-assassin in that moment.

“He’s only little, Kakashi-taichou.” Little Itachi wiggled out to sit up straight and stare down the man in front of him. “We scared him and he lashed out. He hasn’t learned control yet.”

“Not to mention, Kakashi, you almost die like every other week. I think they are making a special room in Konoha hospital just for you soon.”

“Yes, they’re naming it the ‘Kakashi corridor’ and all books will be banned inside.” Even Tenzo was jumping in now. All three boys were sitting forwards guarding Gaara behind them. It would have been adorable if they hadn’t all been trained killers.

“What he did wasn’t human.” Kakashi wasn’t backing down.

“No, it wasn’t.” Itachi had been thinking long and hard about this last night and had shared his plan with Han and Roshi this morning to their agreement. “He’s a jinchurikii.” That seemed to shut everyone up.

“Um, big Itachi?” Shisui was raising his hand. “What’s a jin-chur-ichi?”

“It’s jin-chur-

iki

, dummy.” Tenzo interrupted before Itachi could answer.

“Sorry, smarty-pants. Do you know what a jin-chur-iki is then?”

“Well no, but at least I can speak properly.”

Kakashi stood up abruptly, stopping the ensuing argument in its tracks. “Neither of you should know what one is. No one should know what one is.” Kakashi looked around to the adults and back to the boys. “Okay, Tenzo, Shisui, I need you both to take Itachi somewhere else while we all talk.”

“No way!”

“Nope!”

“No, thank you Taichou.”

“And why does Gaara get to stay?”

“He is younger and less experienced than all of us, sir.”

“Yeah, that!”

Itachi was starting to think these three boys all shared only two brain cells between the three of them. And Young Itachi had all the manners, apparently.

“Stop.” Kakashi dragged his hand through his hair. “None of you are cleared to know this information. You might be kids, but you are shinobi first. Now listen to my orders.”

Han stood up. “I will happily take the boys out of the room.” Kakashi looked relieved. “All four of them. I still have yet to explain to Gaara what he truly is, so this will make a great opportunity.”

“Can we come too, Han?” Tenzo caught on quickly.

“Of course, I doubt the walls are thick enough to stop any eavesdropping anyway.” Han looked directly at Kakashi. “Unless you would prefer to do the honours?”

Kakashi dropped into his chair in defeat. “Fine, tell them.” He sighed out, closing his one eye.

Han sat down and started to tell the tale of the Sage of Six Paths and his nine bijuu, and what happened to the beasts after the Sage died.

“So, the voice inside me is one of the bijuu?” Gaara asked in the smallest of voices.

“Yes boy. But it’s not a bad thing.” Kakashi huffed at Roshi’s words, but Roshi kept on speaking. “With time and patience you can talk to the Ichibi and work with him. Together you will be incredibly powerful.”

Gaara nodded along with the words, seemingly considering them very deeply. “And you can help with that?” He looked at Itachi.

“I can try. I think there may be something wrong with your seal, so Edi and I will be trying to fix that if she agrees.” Edi nodded to Itachi’s words. “And Han and Roshi can help best at talking with the beast itself.”

“Why is that? Why can’t you help me?” Gaara seemed almost disappointed at not getting to spend time with his favourite person.

“Well, I do not have a bijuu inside me.” Itachi didn’t relish explaining any further details.

“Oh for goodness sake!” Kakashi was known as a genius for a reason, it seems.

“I don’t get it.” Shisui looked adorably confused, face scrunched up.

“He means, Han and Roshi both are the same as Gaara.” Young Itachi whispered into the silence. He continued on when Shisui continued to look confused. “They have bijuu in them too.” And finally Shisui’s face cleared.

“That’s so cool!” Shisui jumped to his feet. “So does that mean you can transform like that too? Ooh, do you like have special powers? Who’s more powerful?” With every question Shisui got closer and closer to the pair of adult jinchurikii, Tenzo and Gaara also crept closer from the bench looking equally as interested.

“Ha! I’m obviously stronger!” Roshi started puffing up his chest, until Itachi karate-chopped his head.

“Stop it. Now is not the time for that discussion. All you children can play another time, as long as no one gets hurt.” Itachi already regretted giving them the idea, seeing the mischief in the eyes of Shisui, Tenzo, Roshi, and (surprisingly) Han and Young Itachi.

“So mean, Itachi. So mean.” Roshi grumbled.

“Anyway,” Itachi announced, clapping his hands together, “The reason we felt we were able to share this information with you and your team Kakashi is that we want your help with our goal.”

“I’m listening. I assume you don’t mean any harm to Konoha or its jinchurikii or you wouldn’t be talking with us at all.” Kakashi didn’t look excited by the idea of helping them, but Itachi would just have to convince him.

“Wait, there’s a jinchurikii in Konoha?” It was easy to see Tenzo’s excitement. “Who is it?”

“I’m not telling, and you cannot convince me.” Kakashi deadpanned. Itachi would bet his meagre life savings that the Leaf boys would be scheming by nightfall to uncover that information, but that wasn’t his problem.

“I cannot say where, but I have received information regarding a group that is targeting the jinchurikii.” Itachi had already explained this to Han and, by extension, Roshi. However, no one else knew about their long-term goals.

“People have always targeted the tailed beasts and those who carry them. What’s so different about this threat?” Kakashi was feigning disinterest, but Itachi could see the cogs  turning inside the genius’s brain. Itachi had to be careful now, Kakashi was the person most likely to figure things out that Itachi wanted kept secret.

“This group consists of S-rank shinobi, some even you would have never heard of. But I am confident that Orochimaru of the Leaf and Sasori of the Sand are members.” Itachi knew he had just laid down some big news. Those were two incredibly well-known shinobi who had fought in the Ninja Wars, all the adults would know them both at the very least.

“I would need to verify this information.” Kakashi sounded like he was gritting his teeth, at least he was taking this seriously now. “I would also like to know the other members of this group.”

“I understand, and when I can confirm all their identities I will happily share them with you.” Itachi had realised last night that no matter the fighting power he and his companions possessed, they would need information to act on. There was no way Itachi would be able to create a spy network on his own, but he could piggyback off what Konoha had built for his own gain. By giving them a little now, they would hopefully pay back in kind.

“So you want our help?”

“Yes, there are only three of us, and our adversaries are formidable.”

“You may only be three, but you are incredibly powerful. Two jinchurikii and you Karasu, you strike me as equally powerful as myself.” Kakashi was sceptical, that was for sure.

“True, however, they have more than three members. And they could be spread far apart. I won’t risk one of them surviving and risking my friends.” Itachi was determined to get his way. He had two true reasons for getting Kakashi’s help and he couldn’t lose now. “There’s something else. Something I cannot prove, but I know to be true.”

Itachi looked at the younger version of himself and Shisui next to him. Itachi was sure that this information would help them. It would help the whole clan, but it would be a real risk.

“One of the members, he calls himself Madara Uchiha. I don’t know if it’s really him, but he definitely has a Sharingan.” He couldn't look at anyone right then. The Uchiha valued their clan, their family, above all else. The idea of there being a lost Uchiha was unthinkingable. But the only other possibility, the worse possibility, was that someone had stolen their sacred jutsu from them. Itachi had never uncovered the true identity of ‘Madara’ in his last life, but he knew him to be a very dangerous threat.

“There’s no way.”It was Shisui. “No one would betray the clan like that.”

“I don’t understand.” Tenzo looked around, begging for answers.

“The clan values their Sharingan more than anything else.” Kakashi answered the unasked questions. “They almost killed me when I came back with it, and I received mine as a gift. To think someone had stolen their eyes, or that someone was using them without the clan’s knowledge and consent. It’s just not done in the Uchiha clan.”

“Father will have to know.” Young Itachi spoke up, face set in a grimace. Gaara shifted to cuddle into Itachi’s side, it seemed to provide some comfort to the boy.

“Yes, the Hokage needs to know about everything we have learned.” Kakashi sat back as if the information was physically weighing on him. “I hate to ask, but is there anything else?”

Itachi looked up at Kakashi, “No, that’s everything.”

“Good!” Edi clapped her hands, breaking the tension effectively. “Who wants to help me cook dinner?” Itachi and Tenzo raised their hands. “Right, Han, you can help too.”

“Shisui, why don’t you come help me start teaching Gaara some shinobi techniques? Something tells me you have some energy you’d like to get out.” Roshi rose to his feet directing the two boys to leave the cave. Edi led her band out to the kitchen, leaving Itachi and Kakashi alone.

“I’m getting too old for this.”

“How old even are you, Kakashi?”

“Huh, twenty? I think?” Both men burst out in laughter. Itachi didn’t know where he stood with the man now, but he felt a little more secure in their future plans at least.

“By the way, I have another couple of questions?” Kakashi just couldn’t leave well enough alone could he?

“Can’t they wait?”

“Yes. But I don’t want to.”

“Fine, ask away.” Itachi settled himself in for another deep conversation.

“Where are we?” Itachi was not expecting that. But then again, Kakashi had been unconscious during the boat ride and walk across the island.

“A cave on the outskirts of what used to be Uzushiogakure.” Kakashi’s eye widened in response.

“That makes sense. So how many of you belong to the Uzumaki clan?” Itachi had to smile at the speed of Kakashi’s brain.

“Just Edi, she took us in when we came across this place.”

“Huh.” Kakashi accepted the information Itachi gave him. Itachi didn’t want to have to explain how they came across Edi’s home, mostly because he didn’t have a good excuse for wandering around a supposedly barren island.

“Was that it?” Itachi hoped that was all.

“Oh, no. Why does everyone keep calling you ‘Itachi’?”

Itachi couldn’t keep it in anymore, he started laughing uproariously. This life was just one surprise after another. Still, he was enjoying himself, if nothing else.

Whispered conversation between Shisui and Young Itachi

“Yes, there are only three of us, and our adversaries are formidable.”

“You know, ‘Tachi. He uses big words like you do too.”

“Hush Shisui, you think any word with more than four letters is big.”

“You’re gonna make your cousin cry.”

“Shut up, Kakashi-taichou is talking.”

Shisui proceeded to fake-cry for a whole minute before he got distracted by the conversation going on around them again.