Chapter 1

Hidden in Blood and Waves

The Mission Desk in Konoha had been unusually quiet for the past few days. So much so, that Iruka was having a hard time staying awake. After all, he'd put in a full day at the Academy shaping the pliable minds of the next generation of shinobi. After bandaging their scrapes, wiping their noses and dismantling their pranks, Iruka spent an additional four hours grading papers and making sure the lesson plans for the following week were in order. Normally the frantic pace of the Mission Desk was enough to keep him going – but today – he was finding it impossibly dull.

In an attempt to wake up, Iruka clasped his hands over his head and stretched. The attempt failed when he broke into a yawn mid-stretch. He felt the heat rise in his cheeks and self-consciously rubbed the scar across his nose as he glanced around in embarrassment. Thankfully, the only other chunin – Itsushika – was too busy reading a newspaper to notice Iruka's transgression.

Iruka glanced at the wall clock and held back a frustrated sigh. He still had three more hours before his shift ended. He rolled his shoulders and turned to look out the window. His reflection in that window startled him. He couldn't believe how tired he actually looked. Iruka took a moment to straighten his uniform. That helped – but he still looked a bit disheveled. He frowned and his reflection frowned back.

Iruka noticed his normally tidy ponytail was halfway down – allowing stray strands of his dark brown hair to cascade toward his shoulder. His brow furrowed – and this time he didn't hold back his frustration while he pulled his hair loose of its catch and worked to recapture it in a tight ponytail. Only once his hair was gathered back atop his head did Iruka venture to look through the glass of the window to the village below.

Lampposts illuminated small sections of the sleepy village, the light gathering in bright pools at the bottom of the posts. Meanwhile, the rest of the streets and buildings were cast in the paler light of a nearly full moon. Barely anyone was out this late at night – and those that were looked to be heading for home after a long day.

These quiet nights were a rarity for any Hidden Village – and Iruka knew he should be happy with the silence – but still, somehow, he missed the bustle. He sighed once more and moved back to his post behind the Mission Desk – glancing at the clock once more. He groaned. Not even five minutes had gone by.

The sound of quiet snoring cam from the other desk. Iruka looked and saw Itsushika fast asleep, with his arms and face sprawled across the pages of the newspaper he'd been so recently reading. Iruka smiled at the irony of the situation and was just reaching the decision to let the man sleep, when a commotion out in the hallway caused the other to wake.

Before Itsushika managed to lift his head fully from its resting spot, Iruka was already at the door. He'd recognized Naruto's voice – and the fear it held was enough to wipe away every ounce of fatigue from Iruka's mind.

"Where's the Hokage? Come on! Granny Tsunade has to take this thing so we can go back for him!"

Naruto was clutching an ornate scroll case in one dirty fist will he shouted at the guards in the hall. His blond hair was more of a mess then normal, his clothing was torn in various places, and it showed smears of blood and the traces of quickly healing wounds on the exposed skin. At his side, Sai was looking a bit worse for wear as well. The young man's pale skin was riddled with cuts and bruises, and his eyes held traces of something that could almost have passed for fear – which was rather alarming, considering Sai wasn't one to normally show emotions. His black hair was plastered to his forehead by what Iruka hoped was just sweat.

Iruka swallowed back the lump that was forcing its way into his throat. He knew Naruto had been on a mission near the Land of Waves – after all, they'd planned to meet for ramen when he returned. But obviously something had gone wrong. He glanced around the hall, but there was no sign of the rest of his team. Iruka tried to smile, and approached the two youths – hoping to soothe away some of their distress.

"Naruto – Sai – we'll send someone to find the Hokage for you, OK?"

Iruka motioned to one of the posted guards – and thankfully they followed his suggestion without any arguments. Once the guard disappeared, Iruka returned his full attention to his former student. Naruto's eyes shifted around the hall as though expecting someone to jump out at him. It was only then that Iruka noticed the bloody kunai still clutched in the young man's other hand. Iruka frowned and looked toward Sai. He wasn't doing that much better – which was disturbing – considering the rumors that Sai was a member of Root. But the young man had his short sword still in a defensive position – even though they were back in Konoha.

Iruka chewed on his bottom lip while he tried to recall just what Team Kakashi's mission entailed. While his mind raced, he attempted to calm the boys down.

"Naruto – Sai. . ." His voice took on the tone he used with agitated children in the Academy yard. "Until the Hokage arrives, why don't you put your weapons away and take a breath. You look exhausted."

Sai blinked at him and tipped his head to the side – then his gaze shifted to his sword as though he hadn't noticed it was still in his hand. Iruka let out a quiet sigh of relief when he lowered the weapon – although he still didn't put it away. Meanwhile, Naruto's expression grew distant. The blond genin shook his head.

"It doesn't matter if we're tired, Iruka-sensei. We have to go back."

The words were spoken with such conviction that Iruka had to wonder just what his former student had gone through. Finally, Iruka remembered the mission scroll he'd handed to Kakashi a week ago. It was a typical B-ranked escort job from a small village on the border of the Land of Waves. They were supposed to meet the man and bring him back to Konoha to meet with Lady Tsunade. It was supposed to be a by-the-book job.

Iruka glanced back at the scroll case clutched in Naruto's hand. He moved a step closer to the boys– noticing the slight tensing of their muscles when he moved. He needed to find a way to get them to relax.

"Naruto . . ." Iruka didn't get a chance to finish his thought.

Tsunade and a handful of ANBU appeared at their sides. The Fifth Hokage looked like she'd been pulled out of bed – but she was all business when she addressed the two members of Team Kakashi.

"Alright kid – REPORT!"

Naruto held the scroll case out to her. "Take the damn thing so we can go back!"

She blinked at him and then looked between Naruto and Sai. "What happened? Where's Lord Taisetsu?"

Naruto scrunched his face up like he did anytime he was remembering something unpleasant, and turned away – his breathing became uneven. Sai's quiet voice filled the silence.

"Dead."

Tsunade's eyes widened. She looked around the hall – then back to the young ninjas. Her tone held a bit of anxiety in it. "What about Sakura?"

Iruka's own eyes widened slightly. He'd been so worried about the state of Naruto and Sai he hadn't thought to ask about the young medic. Again, Sai responded in a professional voice.

"We dropped her at the hospital to be taken care of."

Now Tsunade's eyes closed. "And Kakashi too, I suppose?"

A near sob escaped Naruto's throat. Sai continued – although if Iruka was any judge, the young man's voice sounded tight in his throat.

"We left him behind."

Iruka felt an unexplainable dread fill his being, and he spoke without even realizing it. "What do you mean you left him behind?!?"

Sai's eyes widened and he took a step back – raising his sword slightly as he went. Iruka recognized that his words must have come out fiercer then he'd intended. But it was Naruto who answered the question.

"He didn't give us a choice, Iruka-sensei. He knew they'd follow him – especially after they killed Lord Taisetsu." Naruto paused and looked at the bejeweled scroll case that was still clutched in his hand. "Kakashi-sensei made us swear to bring this thing back to you – and then he took off in the opposite direction."

Naruto took a shuddering breath and forcefully pushed the scroll case into Tsunade's hand. He hissed through his teeth. "Take the damn thing already!"

Tsunade took the object and frowned. "Why was Kakashi so sure they'd follow him, Naruto?"

The young man looked away. Iruka's heart clenched at the look of utter helplessness on the boy's face. Sai filled in the missing pieces.

"We were outnumbered and Kakashi-senpai knew they would do whatever they needed to in order to obtain the scroll – especially after they callously killed Lord Taisetsu. He made sure the enemy saw him give us the scroll and then also made sure some of them saw him secret away another scroll within his vest – then he ordered us to scatter."

Sai paused. Iruka nodded at what Kakashi's thought process must have been at the time. "So he wanted to hide the real scroll in plain sight – knowing the enemy would never expect him to give it to anyone else."

Sai nodded. "The plan was successful. The enemy only sent a handful after us – while the rest set after Kakashi-senpai."

Tsunade stared at the scroll case in her hands once more. "How many went after him?"

Sai took a moment to respond – as though he were counting them in his head. "Thirty-two."

Iruka and Tsunade spoke as one. "Thirty-two?!?"

Naruto trembled as he spoke. "That's why we have to go back! He's going to need our help!"

Tsunade's next words stunned them all. "No – he won't."

Naruto and Sai seemed shocked – and it was Iruka who put a voice to their distress. "What?!? Why would you say that?"

Tsunade shot him a death glare – but Iruka was beyond worrying about that. Kakashi was the village's top jonin. But even he would need help against so many of the enemy.

The Hokage responded to his outburst in a clipped tone. "Thirty-two to one are odds that even I wouldn't take."

Iruka blushed as she continued to explain her logic. "I can't allow our resources to be wasted in such a way – and Kakashi Hatake would agree with me on this."

Iruka clenched his fists – and he knew his face would betray his growing anger. He'd never been able to hide his emotions that well. "This is crazy! You can't just let him go so easily. . ."

Tsunade spun toward his – a fire in her narrowed eyes. "Easily? Are you really that naive Iruka Umino?"

That was when he noticed the loss etched into the Hokage's face, and the haunted look behind her golden eyes. Iruka bowed his head in shame. "Forgive me, Hokage. I had no place speaking to you that way."

He heard her sigh. "Iruka – I know this isn't easy to take, but it is what it is. All that's left is to send out a retrieval squad for verification and – if necessary – to erase any traces."

Iruka heard a sob from Naruto. He ventured a glance in the young man's direction. The genin had lowered himself into a seated position and buried his face in his hands. His words were hard to hear – but they were enough to make Iruka realize just how much the boy had grown since his time at the Academy.

"Kakashi-sensei said you'd say that. . . and he made me promise on my nindo to accept whatever you said."

Iruka cautiously moved to Naruto's side and placed his arm around his shoulder. After a moment, Naruto shifted his face to lean into Iruka's chest and cried. Seeing the agony his former student was suffering, a firm resolve settled into Iruka's being. He turned his face up to meet the Hokage's eyes.

"Lady Tsunade – I have one favor to ask of you."

She narrowed her eyes at his words. "And what is that, Iruka?"

He hardened his gaze. "Assign me to the retrieval squad."

-- --

The soft whirring of countless machines brought Kakashi back from the edges of oblivion. The sound was oddly comforting in that it meant he'd survived – once again. But at the same time – something didn't seem quite right. The tone was off in the way it was echoing between the walls – and the scents within the room – although antiseptic in nature – carried an underlying smell of something . . . unfamiliar.

Kakashi allowed his awareness to sharpen further – although he made certain to keep his breathing controlled, his eyes shut, and his chakra-flow steady. He could feel that he was on a bed – covered from the waist down by a crisp sheet. He could also feel numerous wires trailing across his skin – leading, no doubt, to the various machines surrounding him. His mask was gone – replaced by an oxygen mask – the moist air even now blowing over his nose and mouth. There was also the disturbing discovery that his wrists and ankles were encircled by thick leather straps – he was being restrained.

About the only thing Kakashi Hatake could be sure of at the moment was that he was most certainly not in Konoha.

That thought led him to wondering just where he was. A noise from the right side of the room drew him back to his current predicament. From the sounds – he began to get a mental picture of his surroundings – not quite ready yet to open his eye or let on that he was awake.

He heard a door slide open, and then slide shut again after one – no, two – people entered. From the sound of the footfalls made while they crossed to his side, Kakashi knew approximately how far from the door he was. Both sets of footsteps fell in time with each other – so it was likely – by the length of those strides and the force of those steps – that the two were men – similarly built – and in all probability, adults.

Kakashi's deductions were partially confirmed when the two began speaking – the first in a low bass voice and the second in a clear tenor.

"I still think we might be taking too many chances with this one."

"Don't be ridiculous. There's nothing he can do in the shape he's in. Relax a little, and remember our oath to heal." Kakashi felt warm fingers press against his wrist – doubtlessly checking his pulse. "You can't tell me you aren't the least bit curious about him? Besides - there's a very good chance he won't wake at all."

The other man grunted and walked to the opposite side of Kakashi's bed. His voice sounded a bit strained and he switched to a harsh whisper. "I wouldn't count on that, Samidare. These readings show he's probably already awake."

The man called Samidare hastily let go of Kakashi's wrist with a gasp. Kakashi wondered briefly why he was causing such fear, when it was quite obvious he wasn't able to do much of anything to them in his current state. He sighed internally – and figured it would be easier to get answers if he just asked.

He made a point of taking a deep breath before slowly and deliberately blinking his right eye open. It took him a second to get his eye to focus on the unfamiliar surroundings – but once he managed it, he had to keep from laughing at the almost comical expression of terror on the man's face as he stared at him. After all – wasn't this the same man who was just stating there was nothing to worry about from him?

The middle-aged man stood a bit taller then Kakashi's height and was solidly built – although it was obvious from the softness of his muscles that he was not a shinobi by any means. His skin was the shade of wet sand – possibly from exposure to strong sunlight – and his wavy brown hair fell to just below his ears. Light blue eyes looked out of place amidst the darkness surrounding them – and currently held a look of abject terror within their depths.

The startled man glanced across the bed at his companion. "Chuutetsu, he's staring at me. . . what should I do?"

The other man stepped around to Samidare's side and sighed. "Well, I suppose we should ask him how he feels."

Kakashi noticed with satisfaction that his assessment of the men while his eyes were closed wasn't too far off. This second man was only a touch shorter then the first – but his muscles were a bit more prominent – giving Kakashi the impression that this medic had training outside the field of medicine. The man's skin was darker then Samidare's – almost the shade of coffee – and his graying hair was cropped close to his scalp. Kakashi watched Chuutetsu approach him.

"So – you've finally rejoined the living." The man stopped and furrowed his brow before continuing. "Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and forced a single word past a throat that seemed disturbingly unused to such an act. "Yes."

The word was muffled slightly under the oxygen mask, and the medic seemed to realize it wasn't really needed anymore. He slowly reached toward Kakashi's face and removed the mask. Kakashi allowed a small frown to cross his lips. "Where am I?"

The two men shared a confused glance and then turned back to Kakashi. Samidare approached and leaned closer. "You don't know where you are?"

Kakashi tried to shrug – and regretted the movement when a dozen cuts and scrapes he hadn't noticed before flared to life. A low moan escaped his lips, and his eye closed from the pain. After a moment he forced his eye open again. "I assume I'm in a hospital."

Again the men shared a concerned glance. This time Chuutetsu answered. "You are."

Kakashi glanced around once more – not seeing anything in the room or on the men to give him an idea of where he was. He knew he'd been heading to the Land of Waves. But this room and these people didn't match that land at all. He resettled his gaze on Chuutetsu's face and gave a slight tug against his wrist restraints. Both men tensed at the movement.

"Is this really necessary?" He tried to keep his voice as harmless as he could.

"You really don't recall how you got here, do you?" Chuutetsu's dark eyes widened a bit.

Kakashi tried to think of what he'd been doing before waking up in this room, but all he could recall were a few very hazy things. He knew he was being chased – and he knew his team wasn't going to be able to help him. The more he tried to remember – the worse his head ached.

"No – I don't." His words carried his frustration in their tone.

The two medics stepped back from the bed to converse in hushed tones. Kakashi, however, with his acute hearing, was able to hear every word.

Samidare's voice sounded awed. "How could he not remember? He managed to kill six of the cadre before they finally sedated him!"

Chuutetsu's low voice supplied a bit more information. "It could just be a result of the trauma from whatever brought him to our shores. The others said he was striking out without even focusing on anyone as they pulled him from the water. Honestly – I don't think he killed any of them on purpose . . . and I don't know how he survived in the first place. The temperature of the water alone should have killed him after just a few minutes exposure – and by the style of clothing we found him in - I have a feeling he's from someplace pretty far away."

Samidare's answer seemed uncertain. "I heard they still haven't figured out how he ended up in that part of the ocean. But I suppose the coldness of the water could be why those wounds didn't do him in."

Chuutetsu turned his head back toward Kakashi. "I just wonder if he is going to be more trouble then he's worth."

Samidare nodded his head. "Well – I guess we should let the others know he's awake. Then it won't be our concern anymore."

The gray-haired man's gaze locked with Kakashi's and his face softened slightly. "We can let them know once we make sure his health is stable."

"But Chuutetsu . . ."

The obvious senior of the two waved his companion's worry away. "You're the one who reminded me of our oath, Samidare. Now let's do our job."

The two walked back to Kakashi's side. The jonin tried his best to look harmless as he addressed Chuutetsu directly. "Can you at least tell me what village I'm in?"

The man blinked his eyes. "Village? You're in the city of Hyoukai Yobou. The nearest village would have to be on the far side of the water – in the Land of Mist. Is that where you're from then?"

Kakashi took in this new bit of information with more then a little shock. He tried to keep it from his voice. "No – I'm not from there."

Samidare's voice chimed in. "He looks more like those freaks from the Land of Lightening anyhow. Maybe that's where he's from. That place is almost as close as Mist."

Kakashi took a breath. "No."

His mind was spinning – how did he get so far from home? Just from this little conversation he figured Hyoukai Yobou was located somewhere to the Northeast of Mist and Lightening countries – but obviously outside of the shinobi lands – or he would have heard of it before. It also explained why they didn't recognize the clothing he'd been wearing. Was it possible these people didn't know about the shinobi? He needed more information.

Chuutetsu moved his hand toward Kakashi's still closed left eye. "Is there a reason you're keeping this eye shut tight? Are you in pain . . ." The man paused and pulled back a bit. "What is your name, by the way?"

Kakashi considered giving him a false name – but at the moment his mind was still trying to catch up. His words left his mouth before he could stop them. "Kakashi Hatake."

Chuutetsu smiled – making his face look much younger. "Good! That's a start. I'm Chuutetsu and this is my junior – Samidare."

Kakashi decided not to let him know that he'd already figured that information out. "Pleased to meet you."

Perhaps if he continued to 'cooperate' with these men, they might feel comfortable enough with him to let his restraints loose. Then he might be able to find a way home.

The younger of the two still didn't quite smile – but he did seem to relax a bit from Kakashi's polite response. He'd have to be cautious. "Could I bother you for a sip of water? My throat is a bit dry."

Kakashi noticed a slight blush creep onto Samidare's face as he moved quickly to the side table and poured water into a glass. He moved to Kakashi's side and frowned when he started to bring the cup to Kakashi's lips.

Chuutetsu chided the man. "Obviously the man can't drink it when he's flat on his back, idiot. Don't they even teach you the basics in your studies anymore?"

The senior medic turned back toward Kakashi with a hard edge in his eyes. "Kakashi, if we remove your wrist cuffs do you promise to behave?"

Again Kakashi wondered just what had passed to warrant his restraint – but he pushed the thought from his head. In all honesty – with his physical strength and chakra levels as low as they currently were – he couldn't harm anyone even if he wanted to. But he didn't intend to let these men know that right now. Instead, he slowly nodded his head and spoke in a soft whisper.

"I promise, Chuutetsu."

The gray-haired man waited a moment longer and then slowly reached for the first wrist cuff. Kakashi did his best to remain absolutely still so as not to worry the medic. Samidare's concerned voice filled the silence.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea, Chuutetsu?"

The other man chuckled. "I doubt he has enough energy right now to sit up on his own. Besides – I'm not releasing his ankles – and he's still hooked up to everything else. Now give me a hand with the other wrist and help me adjust his bed."

The tone was just stern enough that Samidare quickly followed the directions. It bothered Kakashi just a bit to find that Chuutetsu's appraisal of his condition wasn't far from the mark. Although he probably could have sat up on his own, the act likely would have taken all of his energy. Still, once he was no longer flat on his back, Kakashi felt much better.

Samidare lifted the glass once more toward Kakashi's lips. The medic only flinched slightly when Kakashi's hands took hold of the cup just below his grip and guided it the rest of the way to his mouth. Kakashi savored the cool liquid as it made its way down a throat that craved it. He frowned when Samidare pulled the cup away after just a few sips.

The junior medic's voice sounded amused. "Slowly, Kakashi. You don't want to rush things."

Chuutetsu stepped forward again and reached toward Kakashi's left eye. Kakashi tensed – but fought down the urge to strike the hand away. All that would result in would be to have the restraints reapplied.

"So then - why are you keeping this eye shut, hmm?" Kakashi felt the lids pried open and heard the intake of breath at the sight of the red iris of his sharingan eye.

Kakashi waited for recognition of who he was to settle in, but it never came. Instead the senior medic looked at him with a confused expression. "Has your eye always been that way?"

Before Kakashi had a chance to answer the unexpected questions, the door opened and a handful of new people rushed into the room. A very young - loud, man with a startling turquoise jacket on pushed his way to the front of the group.

"Why didn't you tell me the man was awake? I could have your job for this Chuutetsu!"

Kakashi tensed when he noticed four of the new arrivals were holding long pointed rods of metal – obviously some sort of weapon – and were leveling them at him - but he did his best to remain still. The medic turned back to face the far shorter man.

"Lord Koharu. He only just woke. We would have informed you once we had finished our evaluation."

The younger man narrowed his eyes and stormed past the medic to get a better view of Kakashi. He could just imagine what he looked like to the stranger. Again, Kakashi noticed the skin tones around him were closer to brown then white – so, even to his own eyes, his pale skin looked only a shade darker then the sheet covering his legs. Thankfully his silver hair was cascading over his left eye at the moment – so at least his sharingan was shielded from the new scrutiny he was undergoing.

Kakashi calmly turned his gaze toward the young man who obviously held a higher rank then those around him – although Kakashi doubted it was earned. More likely this was the pampered son of the person who truly held the power here. The man was barely older then Naruto – and his pudgy face was framed by straight black hair that was slicked back across his brow with some sort of oily paste. His dark brown eyes were set too close together and made him look like an insect as he stared at him.

Kakashi wasn't exactly sure who the hell these people were. . . but none of them seemed to recognize him – so perhaps there was still a way out of this mess.

Kakashi bowed his head slightly. "My Lord – my name is Kakashi Hatake. And I humbly thank you for saving my life, and apologize for any trouble I may have caused. And I implore you to help me find my way home."

His words had their intended effect – the young lord sputtered – unsure what to make of him. Kakashi resisted the urge to laugh and instead waited silently – head still lowered – allowing the young fool to make the next move.

-- --

"What do you mean you don't have him?" Kurogane grabbed the useless chunin by his throat and pinned him to the wall. The man struggled to answer but couldn't seem to get his voice to push pass the fingers threatening to crush his windpipe.

"Lord Kurogane – he might be able to answer you if you let him down." The calm voice of Kurogane's aide drifted past the gasps of the man he was holding.

The chunin was dropped unceremoniously to the ground and Kurogane turned toward where his aide was standing at attention. "You could be right, Boudachi."

The chunin struggled back to his feet – trying his best to straighten his uniform before speaking again. "My Lord Kurogane – we had him at one point. He was subdued and being transported to you from the Land of Waves – as you ordered. But Kakashi Hatake broke loose of his chains and jumped ship into the waters between there and here." The man paused and swallowed deeply before continuing. "He killed most of the others during his escape. I doubt he survived the waters Lord."

Kurogane strolled across the room to look out the window. The cliff his clan's house perched on gave him the perfect view of the harbor where the ship that should have carried Kakashi Hatake to him was moored. Even from this distance he could see the damage the Leaf jonin managed to leave behind. There were gaping holes in the planking and the mast was split in two. The chunin was fortunate he had not gotten in the man's path. Or he wouldn't be alive to report to anyone.

"He's alive. He's a Hatake after all." Kurogane ran his hands through his long silver hair and turned back to the others. "Were you at least able to obtain the scroll?"

The chunin reached into his pouch and pulled out a narrow tube of parchment. "This was the only scroll we found on him, Lord Kurogane."

The aide stepped forward and took the parchment in his hands. Boudachi glanced down and frowned. "This isn't the document we needed, Lord Kurogane."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Kurogane leaned against the window sill. "After all – why would I expect anything less from my brother's son?"

He took a deep breath. "Tell Akuma I have a job for him. I don't care how many men he needs - or how long it takes – but tell him to find Kakashi Hatake and bring him to me."

Boudachi bowed low. "Yes Lord Kurogane."