Everyone spent the night at a nearby inn, planning to return to Konoha the next day. After dinner, Naruto asked Sasuke to meet him in the small grove outside the inn. Naruto was already waiting when Sasuke arrived, and Sasuke was surprised to find someone else there too: Young Sasuke.
Sasuke asked in confusion, "Naruto, why did you ask me to come here? If you have something to say, say it."
After a moment's thought, Naruto said, "There's something I've been keeping from you. I wasn't going to tell you, but I think it's better if I do."
"What is it? Tell me," Sasuke replied.
"It's about Tayuya," Naruto said. "We couldn't find her soul in Death Space this time. I don't know how you feel about it, but I imagine it must have hit you pretty hard."
Sasuke's body trembled. He knew how Tayuya felt about him, but he had never openly responded to her feelings. His own feelings for her were strange. He couldn't quite call it romantic affection, but she was more than just a friend or companion. During his time with Orochimaru, Tayuya had always looked after him and stayed by his side when he was at his loneliest. He was grateful to her, but that gratitude hadn't quite become love. They were more than friends, but not yet lovers.
Sasuke stared hard at Naruto. "What exactly are you trying to say?" He knew Naruto wouldn't bring this up without a reason.
Naruto sighed. "You might be angry when you hear this, but I still think I have to tell you. The reason we couldn't find Tayuya's soul in Thanatos's Death Space was that her soul was already incomplete. Then Thanatos killed her while she was trying to save you, and her soul entered Death Space.