"Are you sure you're ready?"

"Of course, I've had too much training to back down now."

"You were suppose to have exactly 15 yrs of training before this, as he has had

Many years also."

" I know…but I've had a S-rank criminal teaching me, all he's had is a good- for - nothing- sannin."

"…You know what will happen if you fail again…"

"I know."

" Wow… I can't believe its been fourteen and ahalf years since I've step foot in this village."

"Don't get to comfortable ,Naruto. We're just here to see how things are.""C'mon Jirya, you always treat me like a little kid. I am 26 years old." Naruto says wearly , looking around for anybody he knew. Jirya sighs."I'm going to talk to Tsunade , why don't you go train or something."

"WHAT!!I'm finally home from training and you want me to trainMORE!?" Naruto bursts out. A few villagers look up from wht they are doing but don't say anything. Jirya said nothing. Has Naruto stood alone watching Jirya walk away he had a thought. Probably a impossible thought ,but still. Naruto starts racing toward the one place he had always ran to when he was in trouble. Just a few more turns and I'll be there he thinks. Just has Naruto turns the last corner all the hope in his eyes turns to misery. It look as if no one had lived in the Uchiah Manison in years.

Naruto couldn't stop staring at the once nicely painted mainsion, which now was a dark and gloomy sight. The metal on the gate had long been replaced by rust; Even the old swing that held so many memories was about to give way.

Naruto quietly walked up towards the manision. Once he got to the door he stopped. What was he suppose to do if it was locked? Break in? No, no matter how much she had put him thru he would never do that to her. She still blonged here.

"Hey Naruto!"

Naruto turns around to see Haruno Sakura , a old childhood friend, waving at him on the other side of the gate. "Naruto, What are you doing here? This place has been deserted for years. Why don't you and I get some ramen?My treat!" Sakura smiles. Naruto tries to smile back but it ends in failure. "I'll be right there." Naruto mumbles, slowly catching up to his old friend.

"So Naruto, hows your training going?" Sakura ask between a small slurp of noodle.

" Trainings going good…I guess." Sakura looks deeply into her bowl of ramen. "Naruto, I

Know somethings bothering you. By now, you would already have ate your way thur ten bowls… you can tell me." Naruto gently pushes his bowl away and looks down at the polished table.

"I'm just not hungery." There was a awkard silence intil Sakura finally speaks up.

" You would still love her even if she massacred the whole village, wouldn't you?"

Naruto tenses up but slowly calms back down. "Why did you bring her up like that…"

"Because Naruto, I know what your going through. When Sasuke left… I felt empty and still do today. Its hard to let someone go…but I think it might be the best."

"Best for what?"

"For you , Naruto. Whenever your back in the village you never eat and your Always hanging around the Uchiah Manision. And when your gone your training to your death with Jiriya. I'm saying this because I care… I think you should just forget about Kurakay. " Sakura goes back to playing with her ramen, " It's just not healthy . Besides, Kurakay really wasn't the righ- Naruto?" Sakura looks to see a empty seat. "CHA! HE LEAVES ME THE BILL!! I'M GOING TO GET HIM!!"

My feet were pounding , but I kept on. I had to reach the leaf village before nightfall. Atleast, that's what Itachi sensi told me. He said the quicker I get this done , the better. I hope this can be done quickly. But even now, theres something about this mission I can't shake off my heart. I'm pretty sure that he still remembers me… then again fourteen and a half years is along time.I bang myself in the head. Stop thinking about him…even if you might still…I gulp, I was about five yards away from the leaf village. I slowly take down the guards and head into the village, slipping into a dark ally.

Finally….I'm in.

Why did Sakura have to bring her up like that? I know it was only out of thought…

…but…

..Why did you go Kurakay?…

Naruto finds himself in the forest, the gentle rush of a waterfall not to far. Naruto walks to a shaded spot and sits down. As he slowly closes his eyes he could almost feel Kurakay by him, her sweet laughter trembling out after about everything he said…

"…It's been a long time…hasn't it?"

Naruto quickly looks up to the tallest tree to see a small glimpse of sky blue hair.

" Who's there?"

There was a long silence. Everything went still.

"I asked you a question! Why won't you answer?"

The wind tumbled through the trees making the forest have a eerie feel.

"Are you sure you don't remember me?" A small figure jumps from the tree, landing on it's feet. Naruto stands up and stares real hard at the mysterious figure. It seemed as if the forest became darker. Naruto steps forward alittle , stunned by what he was seeing.

"Kurakay, is tha-" Naruto gets cut off by a familiar yet distant voice.

"Uzumaki Narutofight me!"

" Tsunade, can I stop now? I've been doing the same jutsu for days now." Mika pleas.

"Not intil you have got it down perfect." Mika sighs and starts to do it once more. Just then there was a rustle in the bushes. Tsunade turns sharply and takes out a kunai. "Who's there? Show yourself!" Keeping her eyes on the bushes she slowly puts her kunai away.

"It's just you, old man. When did you get back into the village?"

"I got in just two nights ago, but not just for a visit." Jiriya says softly, tring not to draw Mika's attenion away from her training. " Oh? And why have you come back?" Jiriya gets out of the bushes and sits beside Tsunade. "Its about Naruto. I haven't seen him since we came back and I'm beginning to wonder why the Akatsuki haven't struck yet." Tsunade takes a sip of tea ,thinking of what Jiriya just said. "You'r saying that it could be anytime soon?"

"Well, they held off eleven years more then I thought. They most have some kind of stragey or weapen they've been holding back. For now we need to keep a close eye on Naruto intil I can find out more." By this time Mika had already stopped training and started to listein. "You just said yourself that you haven't seen him in a couple of days." Tsunade whispers . "Exactly. That's why I'll need someone who knows where he usally is and can locate him fast."

Mika runs toward the two sannin. "I'll do it!"

Both Jiriya and Tsunade look at Mika. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. I've been on the same squad since we were 12. I'm probably the best one for this mission."Mika smiles. Atleast now I could finally have a little break from training.

Jiriya gets up from his spot. "Well, where do you think he's at now?"

"Um…ramen shop mabey the for-WHAT! YOU WANT ME TO GO WITH HIM!! BUT HE'S-"

Tsuande cuts in, "Naruto's sensei and it would be best if he went. If you have any problems call me." The Hokage walks off with out another word. Mika slowly turns away

From the toad sage and mutters softly, " I. Hate.You."

" Well, lets make a truths. Just intil we find Naruto."

"Fine. But I still hate you."

"Wha? Kurakay, your finally back!" Naruto exclaims. Naruto takes another step forward and reaches out,less then 5 feet away from the rouged ninja. Without hesitation, Kurakay quickly jumps back another 3 feet."Don't you dare come any closer!" she says, throwing a kunai and just barley cutting his face.

Naruto lefts his hand up slowly to the wound. "Kurakay?…Is that really you?"

" Yes. It is."

"WHAT THE HECK HAPPEN TO YOU!?"

Kurakay looks down, tears pushing their way to the surface. But before one could be noticed she quickly does hands signs for a jutsu.

'That's a the sign for -' Naruto thoughts get cut off by a intense amount of heat and flames. "Instead of standing there in a daze I would probably get to safer ground."

Naruto snaps out of it and jumps into a tree. 'Why is she attacking me? Is that

Really her?'

"KURAKAY!Why are you attacking me? Whats wrong with you?"

"I am only doing my mission."

"Mission? Whats your mission?" A faint wind blows, making the bones in both ninjas bodies stiff. 'Why is she not answering me? This isn't like her.'

Kurakay sighs lightly. "Isn't obivious , Naruto?"

"Huh? What are you saying, your mission is to destroy me or something!?"

Atfirst, it seemed there were tears overflowing in her eyes, and the weakest smile came apon Kurakay's face making Naruto back up as much as he could in the tree.

"It's something like that."

"I say we should check the ramen shop, since that is wher-JIRAIYA?" Mika stops in the middle of the road looking back and forth. She sighs and walks slowly to the nearest bar.

And what do you know, theres Jiraiya tring to pick up a woman. Mika pushes her way thur the crowd getting closer every second. Just before Jiraiya could do anything else Mika grabs him by the ear.

"We're on a mission, arent we?"

"Yeah, but I was just getting to know her!" Mika lifts a eyebrow, "Really?Then whats her name?" "Well, that's a perfect question and there s a perfect answ-OW!"

"Let's go,who knows how long it will take to find Naruto."

Just has Mika finishes saying this, a huge KABOOM! comes from the left of the bar.

"Found him."

'Did Kurakay just say what I think she said? She wants me…gone?'

Naruto thoughts are scattered by a blast of smoke bomb. Kurakay finds Naruto in the mess of purple smoke and throws about 10 kunai, everyone of them miss but two. Naruto falls back and hit's a tree trunk. ' I can't keep on dodging like this…but I don't want to hurt her…'

The smoke clears up, showing Naruto that she had not just thrown 2 but 10.

"Why are you doing this Kurakay? "Naruto shouts, looking everywhere for her. Kurakay appears behind him, focusing most of her chakra to her hands. "As I said earlier, I'm just doing my mission." Naruto turns around to see the rouge ninja come in for a attack.

Kurakay's icy cold hand reaches up and gently touches Naruto's cheek. She lets her chakra explor his memories,searching for the right ones. She could feel every thought, every single memory cross her mind as well as his. Just doing this part of the jutsu was tring.

'Whats happening? I can feel some invisible force tackle threw my head. It's like its

Looking for something." Naruto's eyes grow heavier and heavier intil finally they shut.

After a couple minutes of unconsciousness(sp?) Naruto re opens his eyes.

He stares at Kurakay for a moment, tring to place where she belongs in his memory. Nothing. "Do I know you?" ask Naruto.

'I did it… I erased every single memory having to do with me… with us.'

As Mika and Jiryia try to catch up to Naruto they notice something. The whole day it had looked like a beautiful day, but now the sky was turning gray, black clouds blocking the sun. " That's odd, it was just sunny a minute ago." Jiryia says. Mika rolls her eyes and keeps moving.

" I really did it. " Kurakay says aloud, not noticing the puzzled look on Naruto's face. He scratches his head and repeats the question. "Do I know you? You kinda look familiar but then again…you're a complete stranger. "

" I have been a S-rank crimanal for the past fourteen years. We were in the middle of a live or die match. My mission…take you back to the head quarters and destory the village." Naruto blinks a couple of times. 'That's a lot of information to tell if were enemys but okay…I'll take it.'

"Fine. I guess we were at the part when I was about to win?" Naruto says with way to much cockiness in his voice. Naruto does the hand signs for Shadow Clone Jutsu. Kurakay smiles slightly and jumps to the ground. 'Finally, I'm gonna get my fight. I can show him how strong I've become since we were little.'

While Kurakay lands gracefully on the ground, Naruto throws a smoke bomb, hiding him and all his clones.

'Which way,which way…' Mika steadily studies both beaten up roads in her mind. "I say that way." Jiryia points to the left path. "Why should we go down there. For all we know it could lead to a dead end. I say we go down the right path." Mika says crossing her arms in disaporoval. They both turn there backs to one another. As they list all the things they hate about each other in there minds they see smoke rising about 100 yards away.

"That must be them." mutters Jiryia. They both start running toward the rising smoke.

"It shouldn't take us too long to get there… right? Nothing too bad should have happen by now." The two ninja slowly try to ease there mind off the subject as they run towards the suspicious smoke.

" You're good, but that doesn't mean your as good as me." Naruto shouts, trying to catch his breath. Kurakay looks in his deep blue eyes and smiles. "…You're actually better than I thought…"

They both come in for punches. But before Kurakay's punch could hit, Naruto grasp her arm and throws her back a couple of feet. Kurakay rolls a few times before hitting a tree.

' Maybe if I lie her for a moment…I can catch my breath. He sure is different then when we were little..' Grasping for breath Kurakay slowly gets back up. She whips a bit of blood from the corner of her mouth and charges for another attack. But before she could get any closer the sound of footsteps came closer with every second. Her and Naruto turn there attention to a small brush. Just as Kurakay was about to throw a Kunai Mika and Jiryia appear. "Mika, Jiryia? What are you doing here?" Naruto shouts, with that cute confused expression on his face. " Naruto? We finally found you! We've been searchi-Kurakay…is that really her?" Mika turns her head and finally realizes that they were both covered in scratches and dirt. Her voice got real whispery. " So you' r the one they sent… I should have known it was going to be you." Kurakay kinda shrugs, filling her shoulders with pain. Naruto looks back and forth at them. "Mika, you know her?"

Mika looks at him like he's crazy. "What do you mean I know her? We both know her, Me, you, Sasuke, and Kurakay were all on the same team."

He scratches his head in confusion. "But she's a criminal… how can I know her?"

Mika eyes widen in surprise. "You….erased his memory!?"

Kurakay slowly brings her head up to watch the sky, Ignoring Mika's question. A couple of drops fall turning into a small shower of rain. "You know…you could answer me. Just tell me what your doing here?" Mika slightly tilts her head. Kurakay closes her eyes and slowly opens them. "Its…raining…"

'And you just figured this out?' Mika thinks as she watches the two stand there. Jiryia comes forward a little. "Naruto, are you sure you don't know her?" Jiryia s question snap Naruto back into reality. "Of course, She's the girl I've been fighting for the past hour and a half. That reminds me…" Naruto focuses all of his chakra to his left hand. A glowing blue ball appears in his hand. Mika starts to run toward them but is stopped by Jiryia. "This is there fight. Let them finish it."

Mika gives him a ugly look. "Kurakay! Watch out!" Mika shouts, hoping it won't be to late. Kurakay brings her head down and looks shocked at the incoming Rasengen. Before she could dodge it hits her. Coughing up blood, Kurakay slowly builds up for one more move. 'If I go now… then I'll give you your memories back. It's the least I can do." Kurakay brushes her hand across Naruto's cheek. She collapses with a small tear in her eye. Naruto looks around confused. "What are all you doing here? And why's Kurakay on the ground like that?" Naruto looked at Mika and Jiryia's faces and got a pretty good idea of what happen. He looks down at his scratched up hand and realizes exactly what happen. "How could I? I never wanted to hurt her." Naruto says, clenching his hands into fist. Jiryia steps forward a little. "It wasn't your fault. By the looks of it she erased your memory for a short time. Don't blame it on yourself, she brought on her." Jiryia goes up to Kurakay and picks her limb body up. Mika looks up in surprise. "What are you going to do with her?" she shouts. Jiryia starts walking then stops. "She's your old team mate right?….she wont last long in this state." He starts to walk again. Mika, figuring that Naruto probably wanted to be alone, catches up with Jiryia.

Sitting on the cold hard chairs of the emergency room, Mika plays with a little piece of hair in frustration. 'How long is this going to take? Its already been two hours…'Just when Mika almost loses it she feels a head on her shoulder. Mika looks up in happiness.

"SASORI! You're here. What took you so long?" Mika frowns a little at her husbands lateness. " I had to finish up a mission before I came." Sasori stares at a empty space on the wall. There was a slight crack from half way up that look sort of like a dolphin.

" Have they said anything?" Mika shakes her head. "No, I still can't get over the fact that she really tried to fight Naruto. I mean, she was so small and weak when we were kids…and I must say she was on the dense side if you know what I mean." Sasori gives Mika a small smile. " She was like that for awhile when she first join the organization….but then she changed. But who cares? This subject's making you depressed and I don't like to see you sad like that…" Sasori leans in for a kiss. Not a long or harsh one, but a sweet gentle peck. Mika gives Sasori a small smile. "Does that make it any better?"

" A little." A light bulb goes on in Sasori's head. "Why don't I take you out to dinner tonight?" Mika bites her bottom lip in decision. "I don't know…"

"I'll take you to your favorite salad restraint. " Mika smiles in agreement. They walk out hand in hand. As they pass Tsunade in the hallway, she stops them. "And where are you two going?" Before Mika could say anything Sasori steps in. "I'm taking her out. Do I need your permission or something?" Mika slaps her forehand. 'Sasori you idiot! That's no way to talk to the Hokage…especially when I have to train with her every freakin day.'

Tsunade looks back and forth at both of them, then smiles. "Just don't keep her out to late. Mika, come by my office in the morning and will start your training." As the Hokage walks off, Mika breaths a sigh of relief. They walk the half mile to the restraint in peace.

"Hey Sasori, do you ever miss the sand village?" Mika asks quietly. Sasori looks down at her oddly. "What brought this up?" Mika shrugs her shoulders casually. " I'm just curious, that's all."

" No. Not really. I was miserable there. That was one reason why I joined the Akatsuki. And the reason I left." Now it was Mika's turn to have the odd facial expression. " The Akatsuki was just beginning when I joined. It was tough and there not really the most sentimental people." Mika lays her head on Sasori shoulder and smiles. " I'm just glad your with me right here. Right now." Sasori blushes slightly but put his arm around his wife. "Me too."

ONE WEEK

TWO WEEKS

THREE WEEKS

author's note: I'm goning to try to make this in to first person .and if you don't know what that means, I'll be using 'I' a lot. Meaning you'll see through kurakays eyes.

When I first woke up I didn't realize where I was. I could hear voices in the distants. For a moment the voices stopped, making it completely silent. A door opened out of nowhere and light poured in. I pushed myself up to my elbows to see who had came in but dropped back down when I felt a distinct pain in my side. Before I could ask a name I was pulled up and thrown into a wall. I screamed, naturally. The pain in my side was doubled now. I slowly pulled myself up with the help of a nearby shelf. Finally, the voice speaks.

"I told you what would happen if you failed this mission."

I suddenly realized that I was back at the Head Quarters, and I was getting my punishment. "I…I didn't…I'm sorry Itachi…sorry…"

I could feel his glare on me already deciding what to do. I prayed that it would be something that I could live through. Strong arms suddenly grab me by the shoulder, none that which where my cousins. I was dragged out of the room and down a familiar hallway. I didn't struggle, I had no energy to waste on something that useless. I was still thinking of what I was going to do when I was pushed into a small dark room. I was let go but suddenly realized I was still bound by hand. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I looked around at my new surroundings.

It was about six by six room with nothing much in it to call it a room. Everything smelt damp, like the smell of fallen rain. There was no light except for the small amount that came from the window. The window. I stumble over to the window and examin it. About 4 feet wide and 3 feet long I knew I could fit through it. But first I had to get this stupid ropes of my hands. Taking a deep breath and focusing all my charka into my hands I break the bonds. I flex my wrist in there new found freedom, but then I noticed the bloodly marks on them in the fading light of day. I was foolish to do that move but it was my only choice to get out of here. Brushing off the pain I firmly grip the bars on the window. In a matter of seconds the bars turn into melted steel. But before I could even climb out, the room starts to spin throwing me back onto the floor in a deep sleep.

I woke up with a throbbing pain in my head. It was pitch black except for the soft light of the moon. I pull myself up and walk back to the window. I push myself into the window sell and crawl out. I get to my feet and start heading into the dark forest surrounding the head quarters.

The breeze was slight. The air was silent. The best weather for mediatation. After the whole Naruto and Kurakay feascio I needed a break. I'm just glad Tsunade gave me a little vacation, I think thankfully. I take another deep breath let my mind wonder. So many thoughts…I could hear one child crying for their fallen ice cream cone. Another voice told me that a couple were having a hard time. Ugh, speaking of couples with problems I need to solve my own. Ever since that night I asked Sasori about the Sand Village he's been avoiding me. If I knew it would up nerve him I would have kept my mouth shut. As I thought about my problem I sensed a disturbances in the thought stream. It wasn't something I usally sensed like jealousy of one to another or hatred between team members, it felt more like failure, like someone losing a bit of themselves. It felt like death. A shiver ran down my spin as I search through all the confusion for the soul. What I saw through me right out of my kekki genki, leaving me breathless. I knew I'd have to tell Hokage. I jump out of my meditation postion and run toward the Hokage's office.

It didn't take me long to reach her office. I raced paced Shizune taking her time with Lady Hokage's afternoon tea. I pull the door open, panting, I strid to her desk.

"Lady Tsunade, I have some bad news…really bad news.." She puts her chin on her hands and leans forward. "I have some bad news of my own also."

Walking out of the infirmary ,the fog in my head got even worse. I thought everything was actually going to get better but when I walked up to the nurse's desk for updates their faces told me everything. I didn't take a breath as I raced to her room just to find scattered sheets and oxygen not being used. I backed out of the room and closed the door. Dragging myself down the hallway I tried to ignore all the gossip but I couldn't. All of it was really things like 'She's been gone since last night' or ' she was still unconscious though'.

I made my pace faster until I was out in the sun light. Making my way around the corner I was suddenly stopped by two of Granny Tsunade's right hand guards.

"Naruto Uzumaki, Lady Hokage would like to speak to you." Naruto looks at both of them and sighs. "What does Granny Tsunade want now?" The other one lets out his own sighs. "Would you just go. Its important." I shrug and go on, trying to get away as far as possible from them, but not before I heard the one thing that would get me moving faster than the speed of light.

It was still late night so the moon was high above . My legs ached and for some reason it was hard to breathe. I let out a dry cough and look around, I knew where I was. I was in the old training grounds, a mile from the head quarters. I close my eyes and think about the first time Itachi took me here to train…

" Again. Your not putting enough energy in it." I let out a gulp of breath and do as I'm told. The luminous sun had been betting on my shoulders for hours,with me being out here before dawn. As I'm about to finish the last move in the jutsu I slip and fall.

I get on my knees and try to push myself up but slump back down into the ankle long grass. "You lasted longer than I thought you would." I look up at my sensi and smile but stop myself. I had been trying to get out of the habit of smiling at all the good things but it's a hard one to break. I try once more to get up but fail. My legs felt numb and I start to lose consuiosness. But just before I lose myself I cough up a mouth full of blood and collaspe. Next thing I remember I'm being layed into my bed and left alone to heal. My mouth tasted of meds and I was positive I could feel something cold on my forehead. Has Sleepiness took over me again I couldn't help but smile.

"YOU'RE MAKING HIM WHAT!?" I stemmed over what my sensi had just said. It was too much too handle. I knew she had been thinking of something for the past few weeks but this?

"I know it sounds extreme but to tell the truth I'm not getting any younger. Also this would give me more time to train you." Tsunade turns to her desk and fingers through a assorment of papers, then finding the right one she hands it to me. "All he has to do is sign this document. Which I'm sure he will since-" Tsunade was cut off by the door slamming open revealing a excited Naruto that no ones seen in a while. " Is it true, Granny? Are you really making me Hokage!?" I sigh,someone must of split the news. I glance at Tsunade waiting for her to lose her temper but instead I see her taking deep ,slow breaths.

'Most be trying to stay clam so she can drink after all this is over.' I think sourly.

She finishes the breathing excersies and smiles. " Of course. All you have to do is sign this and we can prepare for the ceremony." His smile got bigger and he did something very expected. He runs up and hugs Tsunade,not caring if she can breathe or not. She pulls him off, not really in the mood for a hug.

"I knew yu wouldn't refuse so I already made your official out fit. " Tsunade walks up to a chest in the corner of the room and open it, revealing something so obvious. I glance at Naruto and see his face light up like a five year olds on Christmas day. I feel my face twist into a frown. "You just had to, didn't you?" I ask saractisly. "I…I love it!!" Naruto says, taking it out of Tsunades hands and holding it up to him.

"Glad you like it. I should go make the annoucement then." I wait till Tsunade's out of the room and then I turn to Naruto. "You're seriously going to do this?" Naruto looks at me in disbleif like I had stabbed him in the heart or something. "Well, yeah. Its been my life long dream." I sigh and walk out leaving him be.

I shake myself out of the flashback and keep heading on. It seems those times were over.