Mist had never been more noticeable in the Leaf Village. The sun had still to rise; Kisame and Itachi walked among the destroyed buildings early that morning. "What the hell happened in here?" Kisame commented while staring at the early risers continue to help rebuild the village.

"Orochimaru," was the only thing Itachi said. He was looking for a certain person. Hanako was usually not one to wake up early, but after this she wouldn't have gone to sleep. When Itachi walked past a shop he immediately stopped and looked back at it. Kisame stopped, having walked ahead of him, and looked at Itachi with confusion.

"Itachi-san?" asked Kisame. Itachi didn't reply. Instead, he walked into the shop. It smelled of recently made dango and green tea. Itachi smiled and tears threatened to fall down his cheeks. Kisame followed his partner inside and sighed. "Do you want to sit down and eat something?" he asked, gaining the Uchiha's attention. "My treat."

Itachi looked away to the floor and barely nodded. Kisame grinned and picked the table closest to the exit, in case they had to walk out quickly. That's how they were used to do in most restaurants they stopped to eat. Someone would always recognize them and they had to leave as quickly as possible to avoid fighting. Kisame didn't mind killing off some bounty hunters, but Itachi was against it.

Kisame looked up when the waitress approached them with a smile, placing two cups of steaming green tea on the table. "What would you gentlemen like to order?" she asked. The woman flinched slightly when she saw Kisame, but immediately looked at Itachi and managed to smile softly.

"I don't want anything, thank you," Kisame said in huffed voice.

"An order of Hanami Dango please," Itachi muttered softly in embarrassment.

"Coming right up!" The woman giggled softly before walking back to the kitchen.

"I didn't take you to have a like for sweets," Kisame commented, taking a sip of his tea. Itachi looked at him for a moment before looking towards the exit. He noticed a group of talking people walked into the shop and sat down a couple of tables away from them.

One of them sighed once he sat down. "I hate that Orochimaru guy. I hope someone catches him one day and gives him what he deserves," he commented.

"How did he get in, anyway?" another one spoke. The waitress approached them and started to take their orders. "An ANBU should have noticed him right away."

"My wife works in the Decoder Unit, and she told me that a friend who works directly with the elders told her that they suggest someone covered him up," said a third member.

"Who would have covered for someone like Orochimaru?" the first one asked.

The third shrugged, "A traitor of course."

Itachi was so focused in their conversation that he didn't notice the woman came back with his dango and put it on the table in front of him. He looked at it and frowned when he noticed a piece of paper neatly folded under his plate. He took it and unfolded it. It was a note from the waitress.

I think you're cute~

Wanna hang out?

Itachi rolled his eyes and crumpled the piece of paper into a ball before throwing it to the trash can next to the exit. "Do you think maybe it was..." the second member murmured lowering his voice, "Hanako Uchiha?"

Itachi clenched his fists and looked at the visitors from the tip of his eye. "Hey!" The third member shushed him. "Don't say her name out loud, she might appear out of nowhere."

"Not only that," the first one continued. "Look who's out there."

Both the second and third turned around to look outside. Itachi followed their eyes out of curiosity and cursed lowly. Kakashi was standing right beside the exit while reading a book. Kakashi didn't like sweets and Itachi knew it, so there was no way he was there willingly. He must have seen them.

Itachi looked at Kisame and nodded. "Hey, you guys!" Kakashi suddenly said and Itachi flinched slightly but sighed when he saw Asuma and Kurenai outside. "You two have been hanging out a little too much lately..."

"Idiot!" Kurenai snapped, looking away with a slight blush in her cheeks. "Anko sent us to pick some dango for her..."

"Anyway, you don't like this shop, what are you doing here?" Asuma asked.

Kakashi closed his book. "Waiting for Sasuke, we were supposed to meet."

"It's unlike you to be the first one to arrive," Asuma commented, following Kakashi's eyes inside the shop where he found two hooded figures. Impostors. "Not since Obito's incident."

"Obito?" Kurenai asked.

"Sometimes it's necessary," Kakashi said, cutting Kurenai off with a glare towards Asuma. The latter only smirked.

"Have you seen Hanako?" Asuma asked. "No one has seen her since the attack. I already sent Gai to look for her, but he hasn't received any positive news."

"She didn't even show up to the funeral and, to be honest, we were hoping to see her. Maybe you know where she is?" added Kurenai.

Kakashi looked at the Jounin with serious eyes. "No, why?"

"I bet you have heard the rumors," Asuma continued. "The elders are blaming Hanako for Orochimaru's invasion to Konoha and her complicity in the Hokage's murder. The ANBU are hunting her down right now."

Kakashi's eyes widened. "What?"

"Kakashi," Sasuke spoke and all Jounin turned to look at him. Itachi widened his eyes when he saw his younger brother outside the shop and looked at Kisame. His partner nodded and they left without getting noticed. Kakashi heard movement inside and looked only to see the figures were gone. He then looked towards Kurenai and Asuma who only nodded in understanding and left.

"What's going on?" Sasuke asked, looking inside the shop. He didn't find anything out of the ordinary.

"I just wanted to talk to you, it will be quick," Kakashi replied.

"Can we go somewhere else, though?" Sasuke frowned. "I don't like sweets."

Kakashi chuckled. "Alright, no problem."

* * *

Hanako stood in front of Kaichi's door. She was debating herself whether to knock or not, whether to say goodbye or just disappear again. Hanako sighed shaking her head. "I'll just come back later..." she muttered to herself.

At the moment Hanako turned around, Hyori opened the front door and the Uchiha faced her. "Hanako?" asked the Senju. "What are you doing here?"

"I..." Hanako was at a loss for words, but shook her head. "I was just passing by."

"Liar," Hyori smirked, walking out. When she noticed Hanako's fidgeting posture and nervousness, she frowned. "You're leaving again."

"What?" Hanako snapped her head up and looked at Hyori with wide eyes. "How did you-?"

"Because I know you," Hyori approached her with a serious face. "Is that why you're here?"

Hanako gulped and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry..." she muttered at a low voice but Hyori heard her and looked away.

"I'm not going to ask why..." she said, "I suspect I don't want to know the answer." Hanako sighed and shook her head.

"I just wanted to say goodbye," she continued. "I didn't want to leave again out of the blue. Although, I think it's better if I just go and stop causing you guys trouble."

"Hanako, stop." Hyori took a deep breath before looking back inside. "Ryusuke, Hayato!" she called. "You have a visit." Hanako pressed her lips together in anticipation. The two kids hurried outside in excitement.

"I knew it was you!" Ryusuke screamed and threw himself at the Uchiha. She received him with her arms wide open and a smile on her face. Hayato joined them later in the hug as well.

"Why did you come so soon?" Hayato asked, "You weren't supposed to come until Wednesday."

Hanako smiled with a shrug. "I needed to come earlier," she said. "Something happened and I..." Hanako was at a loss of words when she looked into the eyes of her brothers.

"Hanako," Hyori's voice pulled her out of her trance. "You have to tell them."

"Tell us what?" Ryusuke asked with a frown. He looked at Hanako with suspicion on full display in his face. "You're not leaving again, are you? You just came back."

Hanako stared at their faces, apologetically. "I'm sorry..." she said but her voice broke. Tears filled her eyes and she gritted her teeth. "I'm sorry..."

"We want to come with you," Hayato said with tears gathering in his sockets. "Please, don't leave us here, sis. Take us with you!" The boy hug Hanako around her waist, making the older Uchiha spill her tears.

"I can't..."

"WHY?" Hayato pulled away and looked at her in confusion. "Where are you going that you can't take us with you?"

Hanako looked at them and sighed, wiping her tears with her fingers. "How about we make a deal?" she proposed. Ryusuke's eyes became curious.

"What kind of deal?"

Hanako smiled. "I'll let you come with me, once you become Chunnin."

"HUH?" Hayato was the first one to react. "But we haven't even graduated from the Academy yet!"

Hanako knew she couldn't take them with her, it would be far too dangerous. They were better off where they were, safe in the village. Maybe at some point they would change their minds and decide to stay. That's what she hoped for, at least. "All right," to Hanako's surprise, Ryusuke smirked. "You've gotten yourself a deal."

"She has?" Hayato asked, but when Ryusuke looked at him he immediately nodded and looked back at Hanako. "You have!"

Hanako just chuckled, she found her brothers to be hilarious. "What's going on out here? What's all this ruckus about?" Kaichi walked out asking, then his eyes landed on Hanako. "Uchiha? What brings you here?"

"Visiting Ryu and Hayato," Hyori rolled her eyes, looking at the blond with a knowing smile. "You do know they're her younger siblings, right?"

Kaichi's jaw dropped. "No shit!" he exclaimed. "Seriously?"

Hyori huffed loudly, closing her eyes. She placed a hand on her hip and looked back at Kaichi with a tired expression. "Why doesn't it surprise me?"

Hanako only crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked away with her eyes closed. At that moment Kazuki, Takeshi, and Ren appeared on the horizon, their silhouettes slowly approaching. Hyori looked at them and then her eyes went back to the Uchiha.

When Hanako felt their presence, her eyes softened and she looked at them. Kazuki stood beside Hyori, Ren stayed with Kaichi and Takeshi was the only one who kept walking until he stood in front of her. Hanako looked at the ground. Takeshi wasn't nervous like he usually was when talking to her after she returned. This time he was confident enough to even look her in the eye, but she was the one who couldn't even hold a proper stare. "I..." she muttered, "I should get going..."

Takeshi took a hold of her wrist before she could move. Hanako gathered her courage and looked at Takeshi with expecting eyes. "We just got here," he said raising an eyebrow. "Why are you avoiding us?"

"I am not avoiding you," she said calmly while pulling away from his hold. "Now, I really have to go."

"Hanako," Takeshi's voice was stern. The girl looked at him with a serious face.

"What?"

Finally, Takeshi was the one who looked away. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Hanako gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to scrunch her face and look away. She had an idea of what he was going to say. Kazuki smiled at Takeshi, and nodded at him to continue. Hyori covered her mouth, curious of what was going to happen. Kaichi and Ren looked at each other and shrugged. Hayato and Ryusuke glared at Takeshi.

"Hanako, we have been friends since the first day of the Academy and I have been there for you whenever you needed me." Takeshi looked at the girl while talking. "However, I want to be more than a friend who helps you in times of need. I want to be the reason you smile, I want to be the one who makes you happy, and I want to be your motivation to wake up every morning." Hanako closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Takeshi took her hand and lifted it to his chest. "Hanako, since I met you, I knew I wanted to be with you. I love-"

"No." Hanako interrupted him before he could finish. She pulled her hand away and looked at him with seriousness.

"What?" Takeshi was at a loss of words.

"The answer is no," she repeated. "I'm sorry, Takeshi, but I can't give you those things." Takeshi looked at her with shock. He seemed to have trouble processing her words. Hanako looked down and shook her head. "What you feel for me, I can't return it. I just can't. I'm sorry."

Takeshi's body trembled a little and he took a few steps away from the Uchiha. Hanako followed his movements. "I accidentally heard you when you told Kazuki how you felt about me. Since that moment I knew my answer." She smiled softly. "I'm sure there are a lot of girls out there dying to go out with you, so don't waste your time with me." Hanako looked at him straight in the eyes. "You are a sweet guy, Takeshi, and one thing I'm sure as hell of is that I don't deserve you."

Takeshi slowly looked down and stayed like that for a while. Hanako sighed and looked at the rest of her friends behind him. "Sayonara min'na," she muttered with a wave and turned around.

Hyori and the twins felt an emptiness inside them all of a sudden, while the others were baffled. They knew it would be a while until they saw Hanako again, probably years. Takeshi fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands. Kazuki walked towards him and put a hand on his shoulder. Hanako walked away, not turning to look back.

"I'll see you later, Nee-chan..." Ryusuke muttered for himself.

Hanako smiled on her way. "Sayonara, Ryusuke, Hayato. I'm sorry you had someone like me as your sister..." A tear rolled down her cheek.

* * *

"That was close," Kisame commented once they were almost outside of town. He and Itachi now walked on the road right next to a river. "Who would've thought Hanako would turn out a traitor... I actually never expected she would have this hidden side of her."

"She's not a traitor," Itachi said quickly. "She was probably blamed for what happened, but the elders don't care about that."

"Oh?" Kisame looked at his partner with faint surprise. "Konoha doesn't seem to be that special at all, then. Sounds a lot like Kirigakure to me."

Itachi didn't say anything, but he stopped walking. Kisame stopped right next to him and looked up to find two Konoha Jounin looking at them in defensive stances. "You two don't seem to be from around here," said one of them. "What business could two impostors like you have in our village?"

"Guess we have been caught," Kisame grinned.

"It's been a while, Asuma-san, Kurenai-san..."

Asuma narrowed his eyes. "If you know our names then you must have a connection to this village."

Itachi slowly took his hat off and opened his cloak so his face was shown. Asuma and Kurenai both widened their eyes and gasped in surprise. "It's definitely him..." Asuma muttered. "Itachi Uchiha."

"Are these friends of yours, Itachi-san?" Kisame asked, reaching for his hat and taking it off as well. He grinned at both Jounin, "Then it's only courteous to introduce myself as well. Kisame Hoshigaki, it'll be my pleasure to cut you into threads."

Asuma grinned at Kisame's remark, "The same goes for you," he said.

"Itachi-san, can I kill them?" Kisame asked his partner.

"You speak very confident of yourselves," Asuma said, "I must admit, Itachi, to come back after what you did...you really have some guts."

"My objective here isn't to fight you," Itachi said slowly, "Please don't intervene; I do not wish to harm you."

Asuma scoffed. "And what would your objective be?"

"Itachi-san..." Kisame warned in an irritated voice. He was tired of hearing Asuma speak so carelessly to them, and was itching to attack —he would have done so by then if Itachi wasn't his partner.

"It seems we won't get anywhere without a fight," Itachi finally gave in to Kisame's wishes. "But Kisame, don't overdo yourself, you tend to be scandalous."

"Right, right..." Kisame chuckled as he untied his big sword and landed it on the ground with such force it cracked the ground. "I'll try..."

* * *

Hyori growled in exasperation at the constant pounding on the entrance door. She was sitting at the kitchen table with her friends and Hanako's siblings, when someone almost tried to knock the door down with their fists. The brunette let out a sigh and walked towards the door and opened it. She was met by two ANBU members, who stood menacingly in front of her.

"Excuse me?" Hyori raised an eyebrow at both of them. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"In fact, there is," one of them replied. "We are looking for Hanako Uchiha, and some information we have suggests she was here. Tell us where she went, and we won't bother you."

At the mention of Hanako, Hyori got serious all of a sudden. "Your information must be mistaken. She hasn't been around." Hyori was about to close the door but one of the ANBU put his hand on it, preventing her from doing so.

"I know you're her friend, Hyori Senju, and if you're lying to us just to protect a traitor, I promise it won't end well for you."

Hyori looked at the ANBU straight into his face and hissed: "Look, I don't care who you think you are, but my relationships are none of your business. And for the record, Hanako won't talk to us anymore, so you're wasting your time here."

With that said, Hyori slammed the door closed on their faces.

* * *

Gai walked slowly towards the room where the village barrier was heavily guarded. Said room was located inside the Hokage mansion, deep into the building. When he got there, he didn't even bother to knock. He only wrapped his hand around the hilt, opened the door, and walked inside.

"Who's there?" asked the man guarding the big city map, jumping at the sudden appearance. "Gai-san?! What are you doing here?!"

"A Jounin from the village has gone missing," said Gai in a serious voice, so unlike him. The guy of the map was dumbfounded, he didn't recognize the person in front of him like the crazy person wearing a green suit he knew Gai was. "Look for Hanako Uchiha, she has gone missing since the Hokage's death."

The guy gulped and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry but I can't help you. That is classified information," he muttered slowly.

Gai approached the man slowly with a friendly grin. Then, out of the blue, he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close. "You are going to tell me anyway, we think something happened to our friend and we need to know her location." The guy was trembling furiously as he stared at Gai's serious façade. With a gulp, he opened his mouth to speak.

* * *

The members of Genso returned to Miyu's house to think about what had happened and then realized Hanako had left them once again. Miyu was the one who noticed first. Hanako didn't normally take too long to shower, so she must have gotten away a few minutes after Miyu left her to herself. Miyu knew how Hanako was, so she barely gave her half an hour to get ready before she made her way into the room only to find it empty. The fresh clothes she had fetched for her were gone, and there was still a faint steaming sensation, left after someone took a shower.

Miyu knew Hanako had gone back home, to Konoha. But she didn't know if she was going to eventually come back. When she returned to where the rest of the crew stayed, she looked up to meet their expecting gazes. Yuu was the first one to ask: "Where is Hanako?"

Miyu smiled slightly and met her eyes. "What do you think?" She almost laughed softly at her depressed face. Yuu was always like the kid in their small organization, she joined when she was barely nine, and even though she was now thirteen, sometimes she still acted like a kid.

"She didn't say goodbye..." she muttered, looking sadly at the ground. She then stood abruptly, and walked towards the entrance door.

Kai sighed tiredly and looked at her from the tip of his eyes, "Yuu, where do you think you're going?"

"Isn't it obvious?" she snapped at him with a glare. "I'm going with Hanako," she finished as she opened the door and closed it behind her in a loud bang. Kai smirked at her behavior and stood up from where he was sitting comfortably on the couch.

"Kai?" Miyu raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm going with her, I don't know about you guys, but after finally finding Hanako I'm not exactly eager to let her run away again," and with that he disappeared behind the door, following after Yuu.

* * *

Hanako walked in the middle of a forest. After visiting her brothers and friends, she needed some time alone. The forest was the first place that came to mind and she couldn't help going there. She sat beside a tree trunk and lay on her back before closing her eyes. The presence of multiple chakra signatures prevented her from relaxing.

"Well, well, look at what we have found," Hanako growled upon recognizing Nerumi's voice. She opened one of her eyes with the Sharingan activated to find him standing right in front of her. He was looking down at her lying figure, with his arms crossed in front of his chest. "Seems to me that you're not pretty good at hiding."

"I beg to differ," she smirked. "If you were looking for me, then it took you awhile to find me."

Nerumi scoffed and kicked her side. Hanako closed her eyes to ignore the pain, but it only managed to anger her more. "Don't speak to your superiors in such an informal way, you filth."

Hanako laughed. "Superiors?" she looked up at him with mockery. "I'm sorry, what?" Nerumi lifted his foot to kick her again but Hanako grabbed his ankle before he could touch her. "You're not my superior," she said. "And I will never regard you as such." She let go of him and closed her eyes again.

Nerumi clenched his fists, but before he could do anything Hanako had disappeared from his sight. "What?"

Hanako now stood behind another ANBU, while taking out the dirt from under her fingernails. "Wow, there's a lot of garbage in here," she commented. The ANBU jumped and hurried away from her. Hanako looked up at them in surprise and then smiled. "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"

"You..." The ANBU hissed but was suddenly interrupted by Nerumi.

"Hanako Uchiha, you are hereby under arrest after being declared guilty for high treason and complicity in the murder of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. In addition to the existing charges of the destruction of a civilian town, murder of important Feudal Lords and the condition of prime suspect in the murder of the Fourth Mizukage." Hanako only listened to him with a knowing smile. "You are though condemned to immediate execution, without the right for trial."

"Wow...that escalated quickly. I'm curious, however, as to why you think you have the right to make that decision," Hanako commented with a dry chuckle.

Nerumi didn't answer.

"I am curious too," a new voice added. They all looked up to find Jiraiya lying in a branch, looking down at them with inquiry. "The ANBU are merely the Hokage's corps of private bodyguards. They are not allowed to act without prior instruction. And since the Root was disintegrated, not even the elders have right to dispatch this unit. You should be in hiatus, helping reconstruct the village with the rest of the Shinobi."

Hanako smirked at him and then at Nerumi. "He has a point there, idiot."

"The Fifth hasn't been chosen yet, so whatever order of imprisonment or execution you declare has no legal value," Jiraiya continued. "I suggest you leave now, and I won't mention your recent acts of cowardice to the upcoming Hokage."

Nerumi and company huffed before disappearing. Hanako smiled up at the Sannin. "I never thought you would stand up for me, thanks."

"I only did it because I need a favor from you," he said and Hanako huffed. "And you seem to be that kind of person who cooperates only when you owe the requester. I prevented the ANBU from arresting you, so now you owe me this one favor."

Hanako clicked her tongue. "You seem to know me better than most people I've known for years," she commented. "You're right. There are only two ways you might get me to do something for you. Dealing or hiring," she smirked. "And I highly doubt the likes of you can afford my services," Hanako scanned him up and down. Jiraiya scoffed and landed a few feet away from her. "So, what do you need?"

"I see you're back to being the scumbag you were before coming back to Konoha," he said. "To be honest, I liked you better when you were nice."

"The nicer version of me wouldn't be able to kill a fly," Hanako commented with slight disgust. "Besides, you didn't know me in my dark days so you can't really know. Now, what's the favor?"

Jiraiya looked at her seriously. "I'm leaving Konoha to look for a specific woman. Naruto will be coming with me, but I want you to come too."

"Why?" Hanako raised an eyebrow.

"I met Kakashi after the Third's funeral," he said. "He told me you were leaving Konoha. I bet you still don't know what to do, so come with me until you figure it out." Hanako sighed. "Besides, the Akatsuki have started to move. They might come after Naruto during the journey, and I want you to be there if that happens."

Hanako shook her head. "You know they're after me as well, right? If the Akatsuki know we're together, they'll come at us like tigers hunting their favorite meal. They won't let such an opportunity pass by."

"More of a reason to figure out their motives. Why are they after the Kyuubi?"

Hanako already knew the answer to that, but she couldn't let Jiraiya know. Only four people ever knew what the Akastuki wanted, and one was already dead. The Infinite Tsukuyomi was a hidden jutsu only Tobi, Zetsu and herself knew about. No one else.

"I don't think it's the right time to expose Naruto though, he might get severely injured."

"That's why I want both of us to be there. The Akatsuki work in pairs, so three against two would give us the advantage."

Hanako scratched the back of her neck and clicked her tongue. "Fine, I'll come." Jiraiya smiled. "However, I'll stay back as an observer. Just as a precaution."

* * *

Sasuke stood in the secret room underneath the Uchiha Shrine. He recalled Itachi had mentioned it once before he left, on that tragic night. With the aid of a candle, he barely managed to read whatever scribbles were carved on the stone in front of him, but being honest with himself, he understood none of it. With an irritated grunt, Sasuke turned away from the stone and made his way back up the stairs.

Kakashi had told him absolutely nothing important. It was like he had wanted to make sure he wasn't up to something when they met. He barely asked him how he was feeling, and if he would be able to resume training as soon as possible. Sasuke bit his lip and blew off the candle after he reached the outside of the shrine. He left the candle there, and made his way home once again.

"Maybe I should look for him, perhaps we can begin our training tomorrow," he muttered to himself.

When he reached the Jounin's apartment, he was confused upon hearing a chorus of voices coming from Kakashi's room.

Kurenai looked at Kakashi lying immobile in his bed, he twitched slightly once in a while but he wouldn't give any sign of waking up. "It's not every day we see Kakashi so beaten," she commented.

Asuma nodded solemnly. "I guess that kid was tougher than what we gave him credit for..."

"You think it's possible," Gai started saying. "That Hanako's disappearance might have something to do with him suddenly showing up here?"

"He did mention he was after the Fourth's Legacy, although Kakashi mentioned something about the Kyuubi," Kurenai explained.

"Anyway," Asuma interjected, "Did you find any tracks on Hanako?"

Gai shook his head, "No, she covered everything up. I even went to her apartment but it was so neat, as if she had never been there. She was careful not to leave any traces upon her departure."

"I see..."

Kakashi twitched again, calling everyone's attention. Nobody could know what he was going through inside his head, except for him, for whom was so vivid he couldn't even discern between illusion and reality anymore.

Kakashi observed the amount of Itachis standing in circle around him, the number rounded the hundreds, and each of them held a long sword in their hands. He was held up in a wooden 'T', with his arms outstretched and his chest revealed. Blood tainted his clothes from the multiple stab injuries he had suffered.

"You actually thought Hanako would choose a pun like you?" Itachi asked, stabbing him once again right through his heart. He moaned in pain. Kakashi couldn't understand how he wouldn't die. "It's actually pathetic seeing you like this, Kakashi-san."

"Shut...up..." Kakashi barely managed to say. "Why would you come back here, anyway? Are you looking for her?" he breathed heavily. "No, you're not. This is not the first time you come back, is it? But it is the first time you decide to let us catch you."

"It would be better for you if you just step away from my plans. Why I came back doesn't concern you."

Kakashi managed to glare at the man in front of him. "Leave Hanako alone, she certainly doesn't need someone like you."

Itachi observed him curiously, but didn't say anything on the matter. "Is that so..."

Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and opened the door of Kakashi's room impatiently. "Why is there a bunch of Jounin gathered in Kakashi's house?" he asked. "And why is Kakashi in bed?"

No one answered. Another Jounin stepped into the room, panting heavily. "Is it true?" he demanded. "Itachi came back? And he's after Naruto?"

Sasuke could feel his world crumbling around him. He turned around, and left the apartment as quickly as he had come. Itachi was back, the Jounin had said. Why was he back? Was he really looking for Naruto? What could he possibly want with that good for nothing?

It didn't really matter to Sasuke whatever reason Itachi had to come back. For all he knew, this was his chance to get his revenge, and he was going to take it.

* * *

Jiraiya registered himself and Naruto in a comfy motel. They had walked to a nearby civilian town, full of tourists from all countries. Hanako stayed behind as planned, watching the two of them without being noticed by either of them. Naruto didn't know of her presence but Jiraiya often glanced at her location at times.

Hanako could feel Itachi and Kisame's chakra and stayed back so she could follow their movements. They were also following Jiraiya and Naruto, and didn't seem to have taken notice of her presence. Hanako smirked and decided to approach them. She lowered her chakra until it disappeared completely and tailed behind them until they stopped at a bridge. Below it, people walked on the road talking animatedly among themselves. Gypsies made up all kinds of performances, from playing with fire to lying in a bed of pointed nails.

Hanako was hiding in a tree as she observed Itachi and Kisame stare down at the road. Jiraiya and Naruto still hadn't come out of the motel reception, so she suspected they were waiting for them. A woman wearing a purple dress suddenly walked out of a store. A stone was thrown in her direction, softly hitting her foot. Hanako looked down at her in curiosity. Itachi was the one who had thrown that stone, making the woman look up at his figure standing on the bridge before he and Kisame vanished.

Hanako frowned. What was Itachi doing? Her question was answered when the woman continued walking before stopping right in front of the motel's entrance. The Uchiha girl pressed her lips tightly, the woman started posing sensually and seconds later Jiraiya walked right out and grabbed her by the waist. Hanako rolled her eyes before covering her face with her hands. "You're such an idiot, Jiraiya." Jiraiya was probably doing it on purpose, knowing that she was there to watch over Naruto. But still, she didn't think he would get to enjoy it that much.

A crunchy sound called Hanako's attention and she looked back over her shoulder. At first sight, it seemed to be a normal bird but Hanako looked closer and her eyes widened when she noticed it was made of clay. The bird flew towards her and Hanako cursed loudly when she fell from the tree. The bird exploded into several colors, calling the attention of passersby.

"Oh? Fireworks?" The all awed in unison, while Hanako rolled back and walked into a local store. How could she have been noticed? She had her chakra hidden, they shouldn't have been able to feel her presence. Inside the store, Hanako looked around and flinched when she saw another clay figure. It was a spider, and it walked menacingly towards her.

"Okay, we are inside a store, you cannot blow up in here..." Hanako looked behind her until she found the exit. She smiled and prepared to run. When she looked back at the spider, it was getting ready to jump at her. Hanako sprinted towards the exit as the spider jumped in her direction.

"KATSU!"

Hanako covered herself as the spider exploded. People nearby screamed in horror as the building collapsed due to the expansive wave. It didn't help the cause that the second floor of a close building also collapsed at that moment. Hanako hit the ground in a loud a thud, and grabbed her arm in pain. Debris fell all around her and she got into a fetal position until the commotion stopped. People hurried to get away from the place until the road was deserted. Hanako was covered in dust, she coughed a couple of times until she finally managed to get up with pain preventing rushed movement. Her body was slowly healing from severe cuts and broken bones, but nothing she wasn't already used to.

"It looks like you won't be able to run away now, hn..." Hanako frowned and looked up. There was a figure, darkened by the sun behind him, standing over a hovering clay bird.

"Who are you?" she asked at him, but her eyes moved down to another figure emerging from the debris. It looked like a hunched man, with robotic movements. Hanako focused her Sharingan on him and gritted her teeth when she observed that he had no chakra flows.

"We are the Akatsuki," the creepy figure said, "and we are here to invite you into our organization."