Chapter 5

"What could do that."

"I have no idea."

"Then get an idea! I have a continent's worth of suspects right now and I need that list narrowed. So either think of something or walk in there and find out what happened!"

"I can't do a mind walk like this. I follow the memories then follow them back. Trying to go in here I'd risk just trailing off the 'path' so to speak, in either going forward, or coming back. It could lead to false information, me getting stuck in his subconscious psyche for far longer than would be healthy for either of us. And that's just the better outcomes of a botched mind walk. Whoever your looking for evidently knows enough about Yamanaka clan techniques to devise this pretty ingenious counter. Its as though someone fabricated an entirely new psyche and drove it into his skull. My suggestion is to look through any records you have regarding people that know mind manipulation techniques."

"And pray its not something someone came up with on their own." The professor all but hissed before turning to look at the Anbu to his left. "Tell Inu to widen his search parameters to include long term village residents, this could be a domestic case where someone found access to the Yamanaka clan scrolls."

Inoichi gulped, catching the Hokage's eye but not daring to say a single thing. The message was clear.

His clan was now under heavy scrutiny as well.

If something didn't fall into its place in the investigation...well...he didn't really want to think about that.

Just then another of the Anbu had the courtesy to step into the room in full view before approaching the Hokage.

"Sir we've discovered something."

"Speak."

"The village barrier teams reported an anomaly. Their most sensitive sensor nin could feel it for an instant. They couldn't identify what it was but-"

"Investigate further. Cross reference with patrol groups of chuunin see if anyone reported anything odd last night."

"At once."

"Hokage-sama." Inoichi stepped forward. "We should tread very carefully with Uzumaki-san. If I'm right and this new...fabrication of memories is right on top of his old ones he could be very confused when he wakes up."

"That would explain why he attacked one of my Anbu." The Sandaime hummed.

"Soon enough his real memories should prove more formidable than these new fabrications but until then his behavior might be a little erratic. I suggest when he wakes up you be there, along with some familiar faces if possible."

The aging Hokage nodded. "I'll see to it Inoichi."

-0-

The cage is empty.

The massive bars that had loomed over him years ago when he first stepped foot into this place, still stand.

Only they hold vigil over a hollow.

There is nothing within. There is only the churning water beneath his feet, the echoes of its sound bouncing off the cold walls.

He cannot see Kurama. He cannot hear him.

He can't even feel an echo of his presence.

His friend is gone without so much as a footprint to have ever indicated he was here.

-0-

When Naruto opened his eyes the sun was already high in the sky, the light filtering in from the outside world.

He pushed himself up to a sitting position, groaning at the stiff soreness in his joints and muscles. Rubbing at puffy, tear crusted eyes as his thoughts tried to organize themselves.

He looked down, at his too small hands, looked at this room that just seemed too big.

He was here. He was alive and he was here...

And they were all gone.

Why hadn't they told him?

Why?

He could have tried to push the channeling seals more! Refined the displacement matrix, tried to integrate some kind of chakra storage seal into the design!

He could have done something!

Why didn't they fucking tell him!

His hands clenched into tight fists. A white knuckled grip as his fingers clench so hard his nails threaten to break the skin...

But only threaten...

He can't even do that anymore.

He sobs, the fury and strength leeched out of him, leaving only despair.

Not even Kurama...

And now he's here.

Alone again...

There's a hand grasping his and Naruto jerks, startled to realize someone had snuck up on him.

It'd been a while since people could do that.

He looks up, expecting to see a nurse only to find a surprising face.

"Baa-chan!?"

Tsunade, as young and beautiful as ever, frowned. "What happened to Tsunade nee Naru-chan?"

Naruto blinked, confused. He'd never known Tsunade when he was a kid!

Did he?

The blond woman's lips pursed. "These memory issues must be pretty bad." She muttered to herself before sitting down on the bed at his feet. "What do you remember about me kiddo?" She asked even as her hands glowed with that familiar scanning technique as she hovered her hands over him.

"Uhh...you're Tsunade-baa...err...nee?"

She nodded, chocolate orbs observing him carefully.

"And you-" He paused, noticing something. "Hey where's your necklace?"

The slug sannin blinked. "My what now?"

"Your necklace! That green jewel! The Shodaime's necklace where is it!? I don't have it so you should!"

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