Gama Bunta Toad Boss "Naruto?"

"Welcome back, sensei. That was a close one. We didn't think you were going to make it. Fortunate, Sasuke spotted you."

"Hey."

Kakashi thought he was dreaming, "Where's Jiraiya, Sakura and Iruka sensei?" Waking up on his master's former friend, the Gama Bunta, was rather something and alarming especially after what he had went through.

"They're already back in the village."

"Enjoying the view."

"Huh?"

"Actually, the reason why you are still here and not in the leaf hospital is because, Sasuke and I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?"

"What did you learn while with Itachi."

Kakashi froze.

"I mean I know I shouldn't be asking you this but it's obvious something's going on between the two of you."

When Kakashi looks next to him, he saw that his student, Sasuke had his head lowered, his expression unreadable. He felt a pang of guilt and turned back to his other student, Naruto, "He helped me take down someone. Someone more powerful than you, Sasuke, and I combined," was his answer.

"Maybe but you know Master Kakashi, I believe there's more going on then your letting on. But then again, from the way you answered, I don't think you quite know for yourself."

"Naruto, what do you mean?" Why did Naruto's voice seem different. It was like he was..

"You know how protective I am of Sasuke and of any friend. If anything was to happen to them, I might not handle it well."

"..." His eye widened by the realization of what the blond-haired boy was getting at. As he tried to gain distance between them, his wrist was grabbed by a strong hand emitting enormous retained power. He stared down at it, seeing it was Naruto's. Forbiddance filled him as the alarm bell's sounded off in his head and of the potential hazard he was in.

"Relax sensei, I wouldn't do anything you wouldn't do first. It's not like I'm saying you would do such a thing but you know Itachi now. Sasuke's most hated rival beside me that is."

The raven-haired boy beside him went rigid when he heard that which made Kakashi all but wonder. How much Sasuke is going along with this.

"You worked with him and he seems to have an interest in you. Even though you are my master, I hold something for Sasuke that Itachi holds for you."

"And it won't be broken. Got that?" His arm was let go but not undamaged. Holding it to his chest he stared at his pupil like he didn't recognize him and Naruto smiled at him then turned back to facing the clouded blue sky.

Like none of it happened.