The Fourth Hokage's Legacy? Who the hell was that?

"Your target is the 'Kyuubi' inside of Naruto, isn't it?" Kakashi asked. I looked at him sharply then back at Itachi. The Kyuubi...? A tiny pressure settled on my chest as I stared wide eyed. What do they want with Naruto...? With the Kyuubi?

"You've begun to move," Kakashi continued. "You think we don't know? The name of your organization is 'Akatsuki', right?"

My mouth fell open. The Akatsuki? Where have I heard that name before? And why was that name putting so much fear in me? My hands were starting to shake.

"Kisame, take them out," Itachi ordered. "They need to die."

Kisame grinned and came charging. I sprang to my feet, ready to run, but before I could someone jumped in front of us and kicked at Kisame. It caused a big splash.

"What the-!" Kisame's face was shocked. "Who the hell is that?"

"The Leaf's prideful green beast." Guy came to his feet and made his signature pose. "Maito Guy."

"What the ... I mistook you for an exotic animal."

"Don't take that guy lightly," Itachi warned.

I swallowed and took a tiny step back. Then another. I was scared, I knew. I just didn't know why. That name ... Akatsuki ... there was something about it that made me want to run. And the fact that they were looking for the Kyuubi made it no better.

Kakashi toppled over. I froze, staring as his body sunk into the water. Guy picked him up.

"Guy!" Asuma shouted. "Don't look into Itachi's eyes. That's how the jutsu is done."

"I already know about that," Guy said, holding Kakashi's body over his shoulder. "The way Kakashi was fighting was done through the Sharingan. I've already taken into consideration how to fight him. Both of you, you can open your eyes."

I listened closely, still taking tiny, discreet steps back. "You won't be in any trouble if you only not look directly in his eyes," Guy continued. "You can use the reflection on the water to fight him."

"That's pretty smart," Asuma commented. "But there's only one person who can do it. You."

"You could say that. You must focus on his feet while fighting."

"What are we going to do now?" Asuma asked.

"Kurenai, take Kakashi and Lea and get to the medical centre." Guy handed over Kakashi's limp body to Kurenai. "Asuma will be my support." He faced Itachi and Kisame. "I've already called for reinforcement. For now, we'll take them on."

"Well aren't you brave," Kisame muttered, holding up his sword, ready to fight.

"Kisame," Itachi inputted. "Stop it. We didn't come here to start a war. This is nonsense. Let's leave."

"It's trouble, alright." Kisame looked a little sad that he won't get to fight but I was extremely happy. My wound had finally healed and now they were leaving. I couldn't stand the itch at the back of my neck with them near. He raised a hand in farewell and then they were gone.

We were still for a moment. It felt like the world had stopped. I sunk to my feet, my hands still shaking, my heart pounding. I was still tired but I didn't feel it anymore. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins.

Kyuubi...

Akatsuki...

Why did they want it? And why did I have this feeling it had something to do with me too?

//

"Itachi's still looking for Naruto?" Guy leaned his foot on a stool and sighed. I copied his sigh and turned my head to the side, trying to go back to sleep. Instead of going to the medical clinic, they had decided to Kakashi's apartment. Asuma, Kurenai and Guy were all crowded around the small apartment, still talking about the Akatsuki issue.

I had tagged along, both because I had nothing better to do, and this was more interesting, and because I still felt uneasy about Itachi and Kisame and thought it was better if I stayed with these jonins for the time being.

I was currently sitting Indian style at the side of Kakashi's bed, my head resting on the mattress. I had been sleeping but the constant chatter over my head was making it impossible.

Groaning, I popped one eye open.

"Makes me wonder what they want him for," Kurenai said. "I know it's probably the Kyuubi but why?"

"I have a theory but I'm not sure you want to hear it," Guy said.

"I think I know what you're about to say, Guy," Asuma replied. "Let's just put that as the last option. That would be ... that would be unthinkable."

"What would be unthinkable?" I asked, raising my head to look at the jonin.

"This doesn't concern you, Lea. Why are you even here again?"

"It does concern me because that is my friend you're talking about. Whatever concerns my friends, concerns me. Now what is it?"

"We don't even know if what we're thinking is right," Kurenai said.

I gave her the most scathing glare I could conjure. If they kept fighting me on this I was just going to keep fighting back. I had to know what they were thinking, not only because of Naruto but because of me. To see what I was up against. "I don't care if you think it's right. It's a theory and I want to hear the theory."

"Lea, you-"

"Shh!" Guy commanded, holding his finger up to his lips. We all silenced. There was a knock on the door and Sasuke walked in.

"Kakashi-" he started before stopping, shocked. His eyes moved from Kakashi to the other jonins to me. "Why's Kakashi sleeping? What are all you guys doing in here?"

"Uh, well you know," Guy began awkwardly. "It's not really that -"

Someone burst into the room, cutting his words short. It was another jonin, one I haven't seen before. "Hey, is it true that Itachi's back and he's looking or Naruto?!" the guy asked. I sighed and rested my head on the bed again. News travels so fast around here, it was eerie.

As soon as those words were out of his mouth, he stopped, looking sheepish. The air had turned so awkward that even I had noticed. And if I noticed then something was definitely wrong. I lifted my head with a frown. The jonin looked at Sasuke and his sweat dropped and that's when I noticed the look on Sasuke's face.

I never saw him look so scary. Ever. He was terrifying! He looked as if he was ready to kill something.

"Sasuke?"

His eyes darted to me, hot and angry, before he shot out of the room. I chased after him.

"Sasuke!" I shouted as I jumped from building to building after him. "Sasuke, where are you going?!"

He was ignoring me. I continued the chase until he landed in front of Ichiraku's. He flung the curtains aside.

"Old man, Naruto usually comes here for lunch. Do you know where he went after that?" he asked.

The old man held his hand up to his chin in thought. I came up behind Sasuke, curious as well. "Ahh, Naruto. Let's see ... I'm sure. Jiraiya-san came and ate lunch with him. Let's see. He told me where he was going. They were going to leave town for a bit, take the cattle-road to the hotel town ... or something to that order ..."

"Jiraiya?" I asked. The name sounded familiar. Where did I hear that before?

"A great ninja!" the old man gushed. "Big guy, white hair. You can't miss him-"

Sasuke hadn't even waited for the man to finish talking. He dashed out of there in a flash. I chased after him, not bothering with a thank you. I'm sure Sasuke was just trying to find Naruto, to protect him. I knew he liked the blond hair boy more than he let on.

We ran all the way to the hotel town. I pumped my legs faster, catching up to Sasuke. He didn't even look at me. We kept on running until we reached.

"Damn it, I can't go to all these buildings," he muttered as we stared down at the busy street.

"You can stop ignoring me now," I said. "I'm right here. I can help."

He finally looked at me. I raised my brow, challenging him to deny he had been ignoring me, or even refuse my help. He sighed and looked back at the street. "You take over there and I'll take right here."

"Yeah, let's split up. That'll make it faster," I said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

Sasuke stared at me as if I were mad. "What are you talking about? Of course it'll go faster! Splitting up covers more foot, don't you know that?"

"Hey, I knew that. But come on. If I find him what do I do? Sit and wait for you to come find us afterwards? I mean, you may think you're the chiz but I'm not waiting forever for you. And neither is Naruto."

I was being unreasonable, I knew. But I couldn't shake this feeling that I shouldn't be too far away from Sasuke right now. Look at him! He was getting more impatient by the second. Just imagine what he would do when he met up on his brother...

Okay, I had no idea but I didn't want to risk it.

"You're being stupid, Lea! And I have no time for this. Go do your nails or something until I come back."

My mouth fell open. "Excuse me?" I was about to get angry but he sprang off. Damn it, he needed to cool down. He looked as if he was going to leave a permanent dust cloud the way he was running. "Sasuke, what the hell! I DO NOT do my - will you slow down a second?"

I rushed after him, my white ponytail flying behind me. Sasuke was ignoring me again but I finally caught up with when he skidded to a halt and went inside a building.

The tension in my neck that something bad was going to happen increased. I sped up just as he reached the lady at the counter.

"Do you know how rude it is to walk away in the middle of a conversation?" I cursed at him. "And I do not do my nails. Don't mistake me for Ino or Sakura."

"Lea, shut up." Sasuke fanned at me as if I were an annoying bee in his ear. My eyes widened at the insult. Well, excuuuuuuse me then. "Have you seen a dumb looking blond boy with an old man with white hair?" he asked the lady.

The lady looked up at the ceiling in thought. Each second she took trying to remember, I could almost feel Sasuke's impatience growing.

"Hey, we're kind of in a rush here. So speed your brain up a bit will you?"

The lady gave me an annoyed look then looked back at Sasuke. I narrowed my eyes. I tried to be nice you know. No need for the rudeness.

"Yes, I think I know who you're talking about." She smiled at him and I almost gagged. "They're in Room 50. Would you like a room sir? We have the best services here. From back rubs to-"

"I'm sure you do," I cut in. "Shall we go, Sasuke?"

But Sasuke was already running up the stairs. I sighed before chasing after him. He located the room quickly and knocked on the door.

"Naruto?" I called.

There was a short pause before Sasuke burst the door in. "Naruto!"

At the doorway, stood a blond boy looking terrified. There was an old white haired man sitting at a table inside. Yeah, wrong place. The poor boy looked as if he was staring at two ghosts.

"Damn!" Sasuke dashed off again and I was right behind him. The tension in my neck had developed into a dull aching pain and I was sure something was going to happen. I just wasn't sure what, and I didn't want to find out.

I don't know if we were lucky or unlucky, but the next place we tried was the right one. Sasuke and I appeared in the hall and we spotted Naruto, Itachi and Kisame. Naruto had an apparent look of fear on his face.

I stopped. I looked back and forth, from Sasuke to Itachi. Although his back was turned I knew he knew we were there. He was psychic that way. Or maybe you become that way when you get really strong. I don't know. All I knew he didn't even turn when reached.

He just said, "It's been a while ... Sasuke."

Naruto finally noticed us and when he spotted me, his face lit up a little. I didn't wave but gave a nod of acknowledgement.

The air had gone cold. I was missing something here. Some sort of history that I didn't know.

Well, imagine my surprise when Sasuke's eyes lit red and he said in the coldest, most dangerous and scary voice I ever heard him speak in, "Itachi Uchiha. I will kill you."