The five ninjas braced up against the masked man. Till now, he had killed almost half of the top leaders in the Uchiha clan who were on duty but had close to none wounds on himself.

All of them had only seen a ninja of such caliber once, that is during the night of the nine tail's attack. All of them thus had the same thought in mind; "This has to be him"

On one hand, they wanted to drive the man out of the village but on the other wanted to subdue him and present him in front of the Hokage, so that he could meet his punishment.

- "Ara Shisui san isn't it? I thought you were dead" The man turned to Itachi "Or so I was told. You.. no, I don't think you lied to me. Which means you are as shocked as I am... Maybe even more"

The man laughed while pointing to Itachi.

-"I may be strong but I don't really want to fight off three annoying brats and you two, Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Shisui in the middle of the night" The man turned back and started to walk off.

-"In any way, I think I have already done enough damage to weaken Konoha. My next attack won't be this cute" The masked man said before disappearing into thin air.

Everyone left a huge sigh of relief once the intruder got out of their eyesight. Inochi and Tenzo sat down on the ground and huffed as they tried to regain the awareness of their surroundings.

- "I just cannot believe so many things happened in just an hour. I am so done right now that I cannot even comprehend that you guys have returned" Tenzo sighed. He looked towards Inochi and to his surprise, she was into deep focus, seemingly calculating something. "Inochi chan, are you okay?"

-"Hmm" Inochi stood up completely determined which confused Tenzo. As he looked around, he realised that the Uchiha members have woken up and were approaching them fast.

-"Senpai, I have a favour to ask" Inochi turned Tenzo's attention to her. "Whatever they ask, don't answer. Don't even let any expression on your face. I will say some lies so I hope you don't let anything out"

-"LIES? Why?" Tenzo spoke up but was quickly hushed by rest of the people.

-"Inochi" Itachi spoke, atlast breaking his silence. "I don't want to lie about my deeds"

Inochi rolled her eyes. At this point, the last thing she needed was his rants on morality.

-"Itachi, I don't want any more words out of your mouth" Inochi sneered back. "However, I need you to give Shisui san his eye back. Right now"

-"Right now?" Itachi was confused as to what lie Inochi was cooking up in her mind. Despite all the questions, he called upon his crow which held Shisui's eye and returned it to him.

-"Shisui san, here" Inochi handed him a healing seal. She kept about five seals hidden from Sajin, who she knew would have wanted to finish them before they could be exposed to the leaf ninja. "Heal your eye and act as if it was always there. Forget that you ever gave it to Itachi"

-"Wait, so no one would know that I spent almost a week without any vision? And fought numerous battles?"

-"Shisui...." Kakashi groaned in anger and frustration "its not the time" he whacked Shisui's arm in exasperation. The last thing he needed was a serious situation to be treated as a joke by an Uchiha like the old times.

The unharmed Uchiha leaders and shinobi reached the place where the man finally disappeared. All of them looked around; some in fear while the other in rage on behalf of their fallen brethren.

-"Mr Fugaku" Inochi bowed followed by the rest.

-"You better have an explanation for this Nohara Inochi" Fugaku looked at Inochi, and his gaze travelled to Itachi and then stopped at Shisui. "Whatever you say can be held against all of you" Fugaku's voice held a deep grudge against all of the people present in front of him. Except Tenzo, all of them have done something which made them despicable to him. Seeing all of them come together at a night of catastrophe gave him enough anguish to tolerate.

-"Sir, let me explain. Each of us are here because one way or another today's accident binds us. But let me clarify this first, none of us are the culprit. Or rather, the real culprit"

-"What do you mean?" Fugaku squinted his eyes just when Izumi joined Itachi's side.

-"Izumi? What are you doing here. Are you in this too?" Fugaku roared which almost scared Izumi, but before his sharingan could intimidate Izumi more Itachi stepped between them.

-"Father, Izumi has nothing to with this. I am the one who messed up!" Itachi yelled.

-"WHAT!?" Fugaku pushed Inochi aside agressively and went over to his son. "What do you mean Itachi?" Fugaku pleaded for an answer.

Sensing the situation getting out of hand, Inochi caught Fugaku's arm and turned him towards her forcefully just as Kakashi held Itachi's arm as an order to stop interfering with Inochi's plan.

-"Sir, Itachi was under a genjutsu" Inochi started with her lies.

-"What?" Fugaku was getting more confused by the minute.

-"Yes sir. The main culprit was a rouge ninja, a very dangerous one. He put Itachi under a genjutsu and made him hunt down the residents while he himself took down the stronger portion of the clan"

-"Someone put Itachi in a genjutsu?" Fugaku's eyes widened in disbelief. His son, one of the strongest of Uchihas to be stuck in a genjutsu seemed impossible to him. But he also realised that Itachi under genjutsu would serve as the perfect weapon against the Uchiha. "How did you get out of it Itachi?"

-"Inochi chan helped!" Izumi spoke before Itachi could answer. Izumi's tactful nature helped her pick up the direction in which Inochi's lies were heading. "Itachi kun was after me and fortunately I was able to stall him just enough for Inochi chan to interfere and break the genjutsu"

-"Wha-" Fugaku turned to Inochi in disbelief just when Inochi added the necessary details to make the situation more believable.

-"Kakashi niisan, Shisui san and Tenzo san, all three were fighting the intruder, so I guess his hold on the genjutsu lowered which was why I was able to pull Itachi out of it" Inochi's eyes saw Fugaku's frown soften a bit, thus giving her the signal that her lies were on track.

-"After Itachi came to his senses, he was very distraught, but he still accompanied four of us against the intruder, who unfortunately was able to escape. I was the one who told Izumi chan to stay put farther away than us in order to keep her protected"

Fugaku looked around to see the destruction caused by the so called intruder. He then looked at his fellow members who just shrugged as they did not know what to think of the massacre.

-"Itachi was away for two days, which was when I guess that masked man approached him" Fugaku rubbed his chin. "And what about you Shisui? What was all that act of suicide then? Plus what happened to your eyes? And in any case, why are you with these three people?"

Inochi interjected the conversation before Shisui could panic about the question.

-"Sir, its related to the intruder too. That man approached me too, but it was years ago, when i was a child. He wanted to steal my eyes. But then Niisan and Hokage sama saved me. Similarly, he approached Shisui san too, but days before he did so with Itachi. Shisui san fought him, but one of his eyes got stolen by the man, and he escaped before he could lose his other one too. But before doing so, he overheard the man planning to attack me and steal my eyes, as I was in a mission outside Konoha and had no one around me. That's why he teamed up with Kakashi niisan and Tenzo to rescue me from him"

-"So he may have got the news of Uchiha Shisui and Hatake Kakashi, the two most skilled ninjas leaving the village and thus tried to attack it by making Itachi his pawn?" Fugaku's right hand man asked.

-"That's what I we think" Inochi mentally took a sigh of relief. Someone else finishing her made up story meant that they have started believing it.

-"This is a very high profile case then. And it seems the individual is targeting Uchihas not only for our power, but also to use us to destroy konoha. If this happens again, the Uchiha name would get demolished" Fugaku Uchiha kept forward his thoughts.

Just in a few seconds, his gaze turned to Inochi once again as he gave a stern look at her way.

-"Nohara Inochi san, I ask you to go and inform the village council and the Hokage of what happened, but not now. I would prefer if you would inform him in the morning"

-"Ok" Inochi answered promptly and waited for some reaction. After a second of realisation she bowed to Fugaku once again before leaving with Kakashi and Tenzo. It was obvious that the Uchihas needed some time to put every bits of information together and clean up all the mess so that they can grieve once the sun rises.

--------------------------------------------------------------

- "I didn't think you would say that Itachi was involved with the massacre" Kakashi asked on their way to his apartment. "Would you have hidden his actions if he stayed silent then?"

- "Don't be so naive oniisan. There are still many evidences left that can point at Itachi. So its better to just say that he was mind controlled"

- "But why did you help him anyways? He killed residents Inochi!" Tenzo shouted.

- "Do you know about the cou-"

- "Yes, I have a faint idea about it"

Tenzo's answer shocked both Inochi and Kakashi.

- "How do you know about the coup!?" Kakashi asked who was himself unaware of it till Shisui explained all of it to him.

- "The ANBU came for me and Shin too. And we took hostage in your apartment"

- "WAIT....THE ANBU CAME FOR SHIN!?" Inochi gasped. She had completely forgotten about Shin. " IS SHE OKAY?"

- "She is fine. And yes, it was a VERY BIG miscalculation on your part Inochi" Tenzo's expression was grim. He hated to bring down Inochi but knew he had to. "She was being taken to the ANBU prison. It was just luck that I was able to reach them before they put her in"

- "WHAT THE-" both Kakashi and Inochi's eyes widened. "She is not even a shinobi, its illegal to put a resident in ANBU prison like that!" Inochi complained.

- "You have no idea how furious Danzo was. He was determined to put every single person related to you in jail. I and Shin have been in hiding for five days now. You don't have to worry about me, but Shin has been coping up merely" Tenzo looked at Inochi who's eyes were darkened with guilt. Tenzo bit his lip as he realised that even though he was angry at Inochi for forsaking her friend's safety, she was still just a 14 year old kid.

- "Well... I guess my shortcomings aren't that small compared to Itachi" Inochi said bleakly and snickered at herself. "Izumi chan was also going to get grouped with miscreants like me but thank god I could atleast save her"

- "Izumi huh. She is the one who told me about the coup actually"

- "Huh?" Both Kakashi and Inochi were confused.

- "I was confused too. On the second day of our hiding, I saw Izumi chan constantly visiting the building. I had put a genjutsu around senpai's apartment to keep me and Shin safe so it was invisible to her. I atlast let her in and she asked for senpai's help. Upon asking she let us know about the coup and Itachi. She wanted senpai's help and even mine too, as Itachi's former team mates to help him cope with Shisui's death. Anyhow, I thought it would be the best to let her know and thus I told her whatever I knew"

- "Wait, so that's why Itachi was already dazed when I met him" Inochi joined the dots. "I guess Izumi couldn't get hold of him before. If she did all of this could have been avoided" Inochi sighed. "Although I would have to give it to her you know. She was able to stall Itachi. Plus she was also quick to get my lies about the genjutsu"

- "Oh about genjutsus, I think Itachi used one on Izumi chan"

- "Huh? You mean Izumi blocked Itachi's genjutsu?" Inochi was dumbfounded. "Wait, how do you even know that?"

- "Itachi's genjutsu is the best among us you know" Kakashi added.

- "You two never let me complete. Before leaving the apartment, Shin asked me to give Izumi some kind of genjutsu protection, in case someone comes after her too. I guess she said so because Izumi was your friend, so she could also have been targeted by the ANBU. So I gave her a light genjutsu countering seal which I guess she activated before the fight. Although I don't think the seal itself could have actually countered Itachi's level of genjutsu"

Tenzo, Inochi and Kakashi atlast reached the apartment while discussing all about the fight. Tenzo walked up the stairs first in order to undo the genjutsu but was shocked to find that it had already been removed.

- "SHIN!" Tenzo shouted and barged into the apartment, followed by Inochi and Kakashi, only to find Shin playing with the newcomer, Gaara. "Shin san... who is this kid?" Tenzo aksed just as he felt a light whack on the back of his head. "Ow.. what?" Tenzo whined at Inochi who took off her shoes and approached the duo sitting in the room inside.

- "Umi neechan!!" Gaara ran upto Inochi and hugged her, over her rugged clothes. Inochi out of habit embraced Gaara tightly as if to convey "I am here"

- "Welcome home Yama chan! Or rather, Ino chan" Shin sported a huge smile.

Inochi let go of Gaara and hugged Shin.

- "I am sorry Shin. I didn't know my actions would affect my friends too. I completely neglected your safety in my mission, I am so sorry" Inochi tightened the hug. "I am so happy you are fine Shin"

- "Ahh Ino chan, its nothing" Shin let go of the hug and held Inochi by her shoulders. "You know how strong I am right!? I annoyed the hell out of the guard who were trying to take me to the prison and escaped!" Shin gave out a laugh which made Inochi a bit relieved.

- "Ugh, you leaf shinobi are so emotional" A stressed voice could be heard from the bedroom. In a second Sajin san emerged out of it, in what seemed to be Kakashi's clothes. "Oh and I am borrowing these clothes"

- "Hey, those are mine.." Kakashi interfered in fear. As a closeted pervert, he knew that to avoid any crisis, he would have to later burn that pair.

- "Your sister kidnapped me and the son of the Kazekage. You atleast owe me this much" Sajin yawned and went back to sleep, on Kakashi's bed, much to his dismay.

- "AND WHO IS SHE?" Tenzo seemed like the only one confused in the room. Shin, who got very friendly with Gaara was introduced all about what happened in Suna that led to the current situation. She thus took the time to explain everything to Tenzo while Inochi and Kakshi took turns to the bathroom.

After being completely refreshed Inochi, Kakashi , Gaara and Shin sat down and waited for Tenzo who redid the genjutsu barrier.

- "Man... I cannot believe Shisui san undid the barrier so easily. That too without his eyes" Tenzo groaned as he took out a can of juice from the fridge and sat down along with the others.

- "He is very skilled... You should be proud it took a minute for him to undo the barrier" Inochi said as she sipped on the orange juice.

- "Ahh, Shisui san looked pretty hurt. His face was covered with dried blood. It looked like he was losing blood from his eye sockets even after being bandaged" Shin said while letting Gaara play with her specs.

- "Uhm" Inochi coughed. "Gaara sama,are you not sleepy yet?"

- "No" Gaara put down the specs. "I want to know who you are, Umi neechan"

The whole room tensed up. Inochi and Kakashi exchanged glances after which Kakashi left the room, along with Shin and Tenzo to give them privacy.

Inochi first did what was to be done. She took off her genjutsu from Gaara which made him regain his memories.

- "What... what is this. How did I forget all this!?" Gaara screamed while clutching his hands.

- "I put you in a genjutsu Gaara sama. Those people who wanted to harm you, they wanted to unleash your tailed beast"

- "But Why... I have been trying to control it for so long" Gaara cried, still keeping his beast in check. "Everyone in the village wanted me to control my beast... why would anyone want it to be otherwise?"

- "They were trying to show that you were incapable of holding the beast.. in order to steal in and put it in someone else Gaara sama"

Gaara's eyes widened at the realisation. "I am... just a tool then. I am disposable.. even to my father" Gaara closed his eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks.

- "Why... why ?" Gaara couldn't finish his questions as he didn't have any. He knew he was disposable to his father, the Kazekage, a long time ago, but never believed it.

- "Gaara sama... I know this is hard. But listen to me.. please" Inochi pleaded as she made Gaara look up to her. "I will teach you. I will teach you how to control your tailed beast... and not only me. Sajin san and my friends too... they will also help you"

- "But.. why?" Gaara frowned. "Why would you do something like this. You are a leaf shinobi.... and you are not even related to me. Same with Sajin neechan. Why are you all being so nice to someone like me?"

- "Because you are important to us, Gaara sama. And we love you"

Gaara's eyes shot back.

- "There is no why in this Gaara sama. I love you and care for you as my own brother and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life" Inochi stared at Gaara which made him stiffen up. Gaara saw the truth in her eyes, and he wanted nothing more. To be able to stay close to his Umi neechan as long as possible became a wish for him, which could only see it light if he controlled his tailed beast.

- "Neechan... Thank you. For everything" Gaara leaned forward and rested his head on Inochi.

Inochi softly smiled and picked up Gaara. She knew he was exhausted, not only from all the travel but also from the energy that he lost after gaining his memories back. She laid him down beside Sajin who was snoring like a baby and tucked him to bed.

As she came out of the room she was met with three pair of eyes which held different expressions.

Shin was confused as even though Gaara had told her everything, she didn't know the strong connection between him and Inochi. Tenzo was scared and in guilt, as he thought it was wrong to have kidnapped such a young kid from his home. Kakashi on the other hand held an expression which said "Good job" which was all the conformation Inochi needed to be satisfied with her decisions.

-"Don't look at me like that" Inochi sighed and sat down on the kitchen table again.

-"Do you think introducing to Naruto would help him?" Kakashi asked after taking the last sip of his drink.

-"I do plan to train them together. He needs friends, especially those similar to him"

-" Gaara chan... He is such a nice kid. So well mannered and cute. I cannot fathom the hell he had been living in. You did a good thing Inochi chan, you helped him escape a cruel world." Shin put up a thumbs up towards Inochi.

Just then all of them turned their gazes to Tenzo who was biting his lips in distress.

-"What?" Tenzo asked just as he got aware of the stares. "Ugh fine. Although I don't really know what should have been a better route, I still don't really accept this kidnapping" Tenzo looked at Inochi. "Inochi chan, you get me right. We have both countered something similar to kidnapping in our childhood. And I don't think in any case I would have enjoyed getting kidnapped"

-"Tenzo san but this is not a normal kidnapping is it?" Shin jumped to defend Inochi's actions. "Gaara chan was going go be killed! He was saved by Inochi chan. And in order to not blow her cover she had to flee that night. She had no other choice!"

-"Yes I get that-"

-"Stop you two" Kakashi intervened. "Stop making fuss in my apartment. We need to take out some futons coz my bed is hogged up by that person. Shin san.. you take the sofa. We three can sleep on the floor"

-"Inochi chan, won't you be uncomfy?" Shin asked as she didn't like the idea of Inochi sleeping between two men.

-"Ahh no no. We have been on numerous missions together so there's no problem. I have even seen them naked so don't worry" Inochi turned to take out the futons just after finishing her sentence thus leaving Tenzo in shock.

-"WAIT WHAT!-" Tenzo followed Inochi and relentlessly kept asking what she meant.

Atlast after months of gloom, there was some noise in Kakashi's apartment. Inochi too felt how fast her mind felt at ease after returning to her home. She couldn't wait to meet Naruto, but knew that there were more important things waiting to be taken care of in the morning.