Kakashi POV~

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. 

Gaara (the Kazekage, I have to remind myself) clearly doesn't like us. His siblings didn't either. But his help was imperative to us and I wasn't willing to irritate him more than we did already. 

Sasuke was agitated, and when he was agitated, he snapped at people. He never really gave much regard to that sort of thing anyways, but still. 

He seemed to notice it too, claiming he was going out for a walk to clear his head. I watched him, unable to keep from seeing myself in him. He had a strong devotion to people he respected, whether he liked to admit it or not. I don't know if I can say the same to myself, not my past self anyways, but both of us were so torn from our past experiences that we came close to losing ourselves.

But it was thanks to Naruto that he didn't. Knowing the kind of guy Sasuke was, he felt indebted to Naruto, automatically drawn to him in a way no one can explain. It's what saved him from sinking. 

I leaned back against the wall, Icha Icha propped up on my leg.

Obito, can you see this?

They're kind of like us.

Sasuke returned later that evening. His face was as deflecting as always, but there was something in his eyes that was...different. More intense. Whatever it was he came up with during his walk, he was definitely not as forlorn as he was before.

I settled back, curled up in a corner. Sasuke went to grab his stuff, and retreated into his own room without a word.

Whatever it is that happens....

I hope it's for the better.

Naruto POV~

As I walked across the desert, I only allowed myself to separate from the merchants after the gates grew tiny in the distance, the howling wind blowing sand across my vision only further hiding the village.

'I'm out. Finally.'

"Hm. That Sasuke brat has grown."

I smiled softly. 'Yeah. I suppose we all have, in a way.'

It wasn't long before I arrived in the forests again. It was then that I checked around, making sure no one was in sight, and dropped my henge. I let out a breath, simply allowing myself to be glad I'm not in such a precarious situation anymore.

"I am no longer a merchant." I mumbled, snorting.

"You never were baka. I'm amazed you managed to fool them for so long."

I rummaged through my bag. 'I'm going to that nearby village and getting a change of clothes. Something discreet, like that outfit with the cloak I was wearing earlier.'

"You are much too attached to cloaks."

I scoffed, 'I am someone who needs to remain hidden for the rest of my life, and a cloak works well for that. Especially the one with the hood.'

Kurama did that thing where I can sense his eye-roll. "Anyways, where to next?"

I smirked, 'You know where. The next place the Akatsuki will strike.'

Kurama sighed, "They'll go after the Three-Tails. Isobu."

I nodded, growing serious once more as I walked, 'Isobu hasn't been talking recently. When was the last time we contacted him?'

"Almost a year ago. Even then, I don't know where he his. I think he's currently without a Jinchuriki."

I shrugged, 'Only one way to find out.' I paused, reaching out my senses to make sure no one was around, then settled in a meditative position on a tree root. 'Let's try to talk to him in the Tailed beast pysche plane.'

With that, I appeared in my mindscape. Kurama lounged lazily in the dim mental setting. We got rid of the cage and the seal long ago, ever since I managed to get the key from Pervy Sage. 

"He might not respond. I don't know what that little shit is doing." Kurama grunted and sat up, clapping his hands (paws?) together as we reached into the psyche plane.

It took a few moments, but soon, another voice filtered into my mind. This one still had the resonating effect of Kurama's voice, but it was slightly higher-pitched and tinged with irritation.

"What do you want, Kyuubi? Stop bothering me." the voice said. 

"Isobu." Kurama grunted, "Where are you?"

"Why should I tell you?" Three-Tails scoffed. The giant, armored turtle then turned his gaze down on me. I wilted slightly under his scrutinizing gaze. I always felt small in front of the Bijuu, but Isobu didn't seem to like me very much, "Whose the brat? Your Jinchuriki?"

Kurama made a noise of affirmation in the back of his throat. "You don't have one right, now, correct?"

Isobu scowled at Kurama. At least, I think it was a scowl. I couldn't tell very well, only having experience reading Kurama's emotions, but he didn't seem happy. "No. Why do you ask? You're the grouchy one, Kurama. Why do you even care? It's not typical of you to actually worry about us."

Kurama sighed, glaring at Isobu in turn. Kurama was certainly intimidating, and he was also much more powerful than Isobu. The three-tailed turtle said nothing, waiting for a response. 

"There's a group, among the humans, called the Akatsuki. They are hunting down Jinchuriki to collect the Bijuu. Naruto here and I have deduced that they might be trying to revive the Ten-tails."

Isobu's visible eye widened. "Collecting the Bijuu, eh?" Isobu looked down at me again, "Naruto, huh? What, are you saying you get along with this boy?"

"They already have Shukaku and Matatabi. They're probably going after you next." Kurama narrowed his eyes, "So tell us where you are."

Isobu huffed, "You didn't answer, Kurama. What happened to the bitchy big brother we know, huh?"

I half expected Kurama to snap at Isobu. He looked like he was about to, too. But instead, he just sighed and growled, "Stop being difficult, baka. These humans are quite capable, despite what you may think. If we don't band together now, it'll be too late."

Isobu looked like he was going to retort, but I decided it was about time I stepped in.

'Isobu.'

The Three-tails froze, turning down to me curiously.

I let out a breath, 'Kurama and I are currently free. We are no longer caged by the ninja villages. And I know you are too, now. But that won't be the case if the Akatsuki get to you. Kurama and I came across one of their members, and he gave us more trouble than I thought he would. We had underestimated them, but we won't anymore. Please,' I met Isobu's eye, 'get along, for once. All the Bijuu are going to have to work together for this. If we join forces, maybe there'll come a time when all of you will be free again.'

Isobu blinked at me, silent for a moment. He leaned down toward me, and said, "Are you undermining the strength of the Bijuu?"

I shook my head, 'No. Of course not. I know firsthand how powerful you guys are. But the Akatsuki are powerful too. It's like Kurama said, they have already captured Shukaku and Matatabi, and they most likely will go after you next. We have to stop them before they get ahold of all the Tailed Beasts and carry out their plan.' I grinned, 'And then, we'll free all of you. Kurama and I, along with all the Bijuu.'

Isobu's eye widened, something like surprise in his gaze. He laughed aloud.

"What was your name, boy? Naruto?" at my nod, he laughed again, "Well, well, Kurama, this human of yours sure is interesting. He always like this?"

Kurama rubbed the back of his neck, flattered. He sent Isobu a smug smile, "He has that habit. Caught my eye, too."

Isobu stared, then guffawed loudly. "Alright, then. I'm looking forward to meeting you, Naruto. I hope whatever plan you have works."

After letting us now the location of the lake he was at, Isobu waved goodbye and left with a wink. I grinned in return as we left the psyche plane.

I turned to Kurama, 'That went well.'

Kurama nodded, his eye twinkling as he tried to hide his happiness. "It did. It sure as hell did."

Sasuke POV~

They didn't find him. 

Of course they didn't. He already left.

Kakashi, not wanting to overstay our welcome, prompted us to leave only a day later. It was confirmed Naruto was no longer here, so we left Sunagakure as quickly as possible. Gaara seemed happy with that.

"Where to next?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi sighed, looking a lot more worn out than usual. "Home. We don't have any more leads from here, so we may as well head back to Konoha."

"Perhaps we could get your ninja hounds to find a scent?" Crop-top bitch suggested. I glared at Sai, a mixture of annoyance and worry instantly flooding into me.

Kakashi shook his head. "Naruto is a master at hiding his scent. The last time was something of an exception, but now he's had ample time to prepare and he was probably expecting us too. There's no way to track him from here."

"Isn't it at least worth a try, though?"

I wanted so badly to stab him. I settled for just narrowing my eyes. He was suspicious from the beginning, but his insistence and constant subtle probing about Naruto was getting sketchy. I knew he was appointed by Danzo, but for what reason I couldn't fathom. To watch us? To find Naruto?

There was always this air around Danzo that put me on edge. Something...threatening. And that was only before the incident. It was only after the day Danzo attempted to kidnap Naruto and I that I realized how truly dangerous he is.

Somehow, I could understand why Tsunade couldn't just get rid of him. He had the support of the council, and she doesn't have much proof against him and locking him away for good would cause questions and conflict. She needed proof.

Somehow, I felt this guy standing right in front of me could fit that role.

Kakashi was suspicious of him too. I could see it in the way he carefully avoided letting him in on too much, only telling him what was necessary and leaving his answers vague. I could see what strategy he had in mind.

Let it play out. Watch. See what he's going to do.

The moment Sai makes a move, we'll be ready.

As of now, Kakashi was taking no shit from him. 

"Nope. Back to the Leaf village it is. I'm afraid we don't quite have the time to wander aimlessly in search of someone who doesn't want to be found."

Sai looked disappointed, but he didn't argue any further. At least he knew when to stop, to an extent.

And so, we head back to Konohagakure at a steady pace, making it back within three days. Along  the way, the same scene flashed through my head over and over.

Blue eyes. Brilliant blue eyes, like a bottomless pool of water, bright as the sky and deep as the ocean. I've only ever seen one person with eyes like that. I thought I'd never see those eyes again.

The last I'd seen those eyes, it was under the cover of night in the reflection of the moon. The night before Naruto Uzumaki vanished forever.

Those eyes.

They were the eyes of a legend.