if

chapter twelve

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Tōketsu did something that was as close to a laugh as anything she could do. "Who do you think told me to come find you? I came to find you because I had a dream from the Sage. He told me that I was going to get some visitors. He didn't mention anything else about you, but the next day, I wandered around waiting for you. It was a godsend, too, because if any of the members of my group had found you... you'd probably be food. Since you showed up with me, you were safe. And now you always will be."

Sakura sighed, quiet. She didn't know what to think, so she turned her face to look at the fire for a few moments. She wished she could do that- get guidance from the Sage of the Six Paths whenever she needed it. That would be invaluable. Then she looked at the panther seated nicely in between her and Sasuke. Maybe I have all the guidance I need right here. Thank you, Lord Hagoromo. If anything, maybe it was his chakra that guided her to those books about Tsukinoyo that Lord Second had written. "We do have other questions. before you leave, my Lady, if you please."

"Yes, yes, ask away." Tōketsu said, flicking her ears in Sakura's direction.

"We have some questions about this enemy we'll be fighting." Naruto said, face getting all scrunched up in concentration. "Have we fought them before?"

"Certainly." Tōketsu shivered. "He is everywhere, and everything, he corrupts nature, and good humans. He takes and takes and takes, for himself. I don't know what he calls himself, but even the birds in the trees fear him. He is not natural, the manifestation of evil itself. But he pretends to be of nature, and it sickens us. He's a danger to all living things. I believe it is your duty is to destroy him, and to make right what he twisted up."

Team 7 looked at each other.

Sounds like...

Yeah it does.

Damn it, I hate him...

You think he's still in the Akatsuki? That is who you're talking about, right?

If he is, we'll find him.

What age, approximately?

Twelve or thirteen, probably, Naruto.

Ugh.

Actually... that reminds me. There's something I think I have to do.

Sasuke?

Will this affect the team in any way?

Probably not, just remain calm when it happens

Do something drastic, and I'll kill you.

Shut up, Naruto, if this works you probably won't have to. It'll be drastic enough for my own family to kill me, to be honest.

Be careful.

Yeah, Sasuke, for Kami's sake, don't blow our cover.

I would never.

Tōketsu looked at the four of them with interest. "Was it something I said?"