Sorry for the length of the "short" story. tried making it as short as possible without reomoving any important bits or detail - short stories just arn't my style. Anyway hope you enjoy it. This is my first attmpt so any feed back would be welcome. Thank you :)

Naruto's head was pounding behind his eyes as he felt his knees giving way from beneath him. He fell to one knee, hands clutching his head, hand over ears,
"My head," cried Naruto through his clenched teeth and tightly closed eyes "my head, it's killing me" Naruto opened his eyes looking up for Sakura, who stood motionless before him, Naruto's eyes crying, tears of crimson.

6 Months earlier.

"Quit complaining Naruto" Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi were bounding through the trees' branches towards a small open field where they were to check out while on their mission.

"Argh, this is stupid. Why is grandma Tsunade sending us to a small field anyway?"
"Because," replied Sakura, annoyed "Lady Tsunade wanted us to check out a disturbance in that field" Naruto replied with an annoyed sound before continuing across the branches, hanging behind Sakura; Kakashi leading the way.

Not long after the trees began to thin out and team 7 stopped themselves on a thick branch that had a clear view of most of the small field while also being hidden behind a thin selection of trees that aided to hide them from any potential threats.

Kakashi sat motionless, only his eyes flicking over the landscape in search of anything unusual. On the far end of the open field of grass to team 7 was a small steaming crater, only about a meter deep and 2 meter in diameter.

"That looks like the cause of the disturbance. Better go down and take a closer look for Tsunade. But remember, be careful" said Kakashi his eyes still focusing on the field.
"Why? Do you think something is wrong?" asked Sakura, leaning forward slightly in an attempt to see what Kakashi may have seen.

"Not that I can see, but it never hurt just to be on the safe side" something in Kakashi's voice hinted a smile from behind his mask.

"Well," started Naruto, standing up on the branch "the sooner we get there the sooner we can get back to the Leaf" Sakura nodded in agreement and the three of them made their way over to the crater.

The crater was still surrounded by warm air. They stood on the edge of the crater, inspecting it. Kakashi pointed out scorch marks on the surrounding grass and in the centre of the crater, indentifying that it was a small explosion that had caused the disturbance in the field.

Light footsteps approached from behind them, causing Naruto, Kakashi and Sakura to spin around all at once to face the on comers. It was two men; one very smart looking with clean fresh clothes, glasses and perfectly neat black hair, the other man was all bulk and muscle and had a shaved head. The two men stopped several meters away from the members of team 7, the smart looking man with a sly smile on his face.

"Thought we would have found you here" stated the smart looking man still smiling. Unsure of which member of team 7 the man was referring to Kakashi was the one to answer. "So, were you two the ones who set of the explosion here"
"Maybe" stated the larger man, chuckling to himself.

"But of course it was only to draw you out" finished the smarter looking man.

Sakura shifted her position, hand at the ready for her kunai; Naruto shifting and snarling at the pair of men.

"And which one of us is that?" asked Kakashi almost in a daring tone. The smarter looking man moved so quickly that he disappeared then reappeared right in front of Naruto, who had to take a step back to balance himself from the sudden surprise of the man being so close.

"This one" stated the smart looking man as he looked down upon Naruto, only an inch or two taller than him. Sakura reached for her kunai and Kakashi moved to react to but the man was still too quick as he grabbed Naruto's black collar and moved back to stand besides his partner, holding Naruto by him. Kakashi and Sakura made their move heading towards the two men. The smarter man released his grip on Naruto's collar and moved forward to block both Kakashi and Sakura's attack. Naruto went to move but the larger man wrapped his gloved hand around Naruto's throat, lifting him of the ground. Naruto struggled against the man's grip, but quickly loosed his energy to move as the man's glove absorbed Naruto's chakra and energy quicker than he could replace, rendering him helpless in seconds. He could hear Kakashi and Sakura frantically battling to get to him, even as he struggled for air and his vision blurred and faded to dark, he could still hear them fighting before even his hearing faded to nothing and all was dark.

"What!" exclaimed Tsunade, slapping her fists against her desk

"Yes. It appears that the explosion in the field was only a diversion to get to Naruto" stated Kakashi

Tsunade scolded at the wall before asking "Were they a part of the Akatsuki?"

"No they didn't appear to be involved with them at all" Tsunade continued her scolding at the wall before turning to face Sakura who was staring down at the floor lost in her miserable thoughts. She turned her attention back to Kakashi, "send a team of anbu black ops to pick up the trail. Then I want you and Sakura to remain here till they return"

Naruto heard the echo of vacant halls and the feel of cold cement on his face before his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He could only just make out the dark shapes of his surroundings. A room made of cement, a pathetic excuse for a bed in the corner and the metal bars along one wall that made up the bars of his cell. He tried to sit up but found his body unresponsive, the cold on his face spreading along his body.

"Don't bother" came a girl's voice, simular age to him; "they gave you with a paralysis drug" Naruto looked to where the voice was coming from. The girl was leaning against the bars outside of his cell. Before Naruto could respond she walked away and out a door that lead to a lit hallway. As his eyes adjusted to the low lighting he saw that lining the narrow walk way outside his cell bars were numerous cells on either side of the walk way and simular silhouettes of other prisoners. Lights flicked on along the prison passage way, blinding him for a moment. A pair of men in white coats approached him, lifting him to his feet and dragging him out of his cell and down the lit hallway outside the prison room so that his toes scrapped along the concrete floors. He tried to move, to fight or escape, but his body would not obey him anymore than a twitch.

Eventually his toes were scraping against a smoother surface, tiles. He lifted his head as much as he could to examine the room. The small room was completely covered in white tiles, an elevated bare bed in the centre of the room, small metal cabinet unit and the far wall containing a large window which viewed another room that had seats facing the window; a viewing area. The room smelt of strange scents that Naruto had never smelt before, his mind was slow to work; the room looked very familiar like the village's hospital rooms only smaller and more menacing. The two men in coats laid Naruto on the bare bed. As they turned their backs on him to search through their cabinet Naruto tried to force his body to move, but still he couldn't, only managing to move his head or barley clench a fist. One of the men turned back around and hovered above Naruto with a needle filled with clear liquid, closing in on Naruto's eye.

"News my Lady!" exclaimed Sakura excitedly as she burst into Tsunade's offices, shortly followed by Kakashi.

"Yes" replied Tsunade, "The team of anbu black ops returned last night." She paused, placing one hand within the other and resting her head atop of them before continuing "Seems Naruto was taken to a small building complex hidden within a forest by the border line of the Land of Rain. You both will leave immediately with a member of the anbu black ops team who discovered the hideout"

"Yes my Lady" replied Sakura bowing in respect and hurriedly rushing out to get prepared, desperate to reach Naruto.

"Kakashi," continued Tsunade "When on this mission, you are to observe before rushing in. Got it?" Kakashi nodded in response "Something doesn't seem right about this place so be careful" and with that Kakashi left to prepare.

Meeting at the main entrance Sakura approached Kakashi and a stranger, who must have been the member from the anbu black ops team. The man introduced himself as Akame. He was the same height as Kakashi, with dark brown short hair and a small scare beneath his jaw line.

Not long after the three of them set off, Akame leading the way. They reached the small field where Naruto had been taken, Sakura staring down the crater in the field as they passed through to the other side and continued on their continued on their way. Several hours past before they came to a stop.

"We will rest here a while" stated Akame, without looking at either Sakura or Kakashi; instead surveying the tree the surrounded them.

"Wait, what about Naruto, we should just –"

"Sakura," started Kakashi, stopping her, "we don't know what is ahead of us. We couldn't get past that man to even get to Naruto, let along if there are more skilled ninja like him in the building complex" Sakura stayed silent, watching a leaf blow past her feet in a breeze.

"Sakura" Kakashi's voice was close to a whisper as he spoke, waking Sakura from her growing night mare, "we're leaving here soon" and not long afterwards they were packed and setting off along the tree branches again. Akame stopped on a branch ahead of them and silently lifted his hand, letting Kakashi and Sakura know to stop. The three of them perched on the branch of the tree looking down upon a small clearing with a two story grey building in the centre. The building looked old, yet new at the same time, its windows were barred and several ninja stood guard over the complex.

"We're going to need a plan" stated Sakura, watching the guards.

"Yes," replied Akame, pausing to think for a moment "I say you and Kakashi infiltrate the complex and find Naruto while I keep the guards occupied. That is if it is alright with the both of you?" Sakura and Kakashi glanced at one another before nodding in agreement.

Akame perched on an open spaced tree and threw a kunai towards the nearest guard, missing his target on purpose. The guard flinched before focusing on where the kunai had come from, he immediately saw Akame and called for the other guards, all of them converging towards Akame, who rose to his feet ready to counter attack.

With the guards focusing on only one end of the complex, Kakashi and Sakura slipped through an unguarded door and inside. The floor and walls were made of concrete, the passage way lit by scattered lights and several hallways leading off to other ends of the building. Kakashi checked the way was clear before turning into one of the we're here" she nodded before turning another into another connecting hallway, opposite Kakashi's hallway and headed down it as quickly as she could without making too much noise.

She paused and crept into the first door along the hallway, entering a small room with chairs opposite a window that viewed into another room. Sakura moved further into the room to peer through the window. The room through the window was all white with tiles and a bed in the centre. On the bed was a teenage boy with red hair. He was strapped down against the bed, a cloth in his mouth to stop him from yelling. Surrounding the boy were several men with glasses and white coats, poking needles into the poor boy, who squirmed in an attempt to escape.

The door to the room creaked close; Sakura reaching for a kunai and turning to face the door. A girl, about the same age as her was standing between her and the door, long brown hair to her shoulders, and a sly smile on her face.

"Don't bother. That's what I told your friend, but he didn't listen" said the girl, still smiling.

"What?" asked Sakura, frustration growing inside her as she realised the girl was mocking her.

"Your friend, you know the one you came here to save?"

"Yeah, I know him" replied Sakura gritting her teeth

"Well, you see, I told him not to bother escaping. And now I'm telling you not to bother trying to save him" Sakura raised her kunai to eye level and shifted her posture in preparation to attack. As she lunged forward the girl simply stepped to the side and slid her hand with surprising speed along Sakura's side leaving lines of blood behind. The wound was not deep or serious, only a scratch. She turned to face the girl again, ready for another lunge, the girl lifted her blood covered fingers to inspect before giving a smile, her canine teeth longer than normal. The girl saw that Sakura had noticed her irregular teeth and purposely lightly bit down on her lower lip with one of her teeth, piercing the skin so a thin line of blood ran down to her chin, before licking it clean again.

Sakura was infuriated, the girl mocking her more. She lunged again, this time the girl jumping into the air and landing the back of her heel against Sakura's head, sending her to the cold ground before her vision faded to nothing.

Naruto sat in his cell, able to move his body now. After having a needle go through his eye he was relieved to find that his eye sight was still alright, but behind his eyes he could feel the oncoming grind of a headache, its intensity increasing by the second.

"I have a surprise for you" stated the brown haired girl with the sharp teeth and claws, Shiri "and I think you'll like it" Naruto didn't have to look at her to hear her sly smile in her tone. He didn't want to play her annoying mind games right now; he just wanted her to go away, along with his growing headache. But Shiri continued anyway, "A friend of yours" That caught Naruto's attention now, realising that someone from the Leaf must have found their way here. Panic gripped Naruto, he knew what all these injections were for, what they do and what the horrid treatment does to a person's mind and he didn't want that happening to one of his friends. Shiri disliked Naruto's silence so she spoke to cause a reaction from him, "your friend should be arriving to one of these cells soon"

"Who?" exclaimed Naruto, knowing what happens to people who are in these cells.

"Oh, I don't know," Naruto gritted his teeth, trying to focus on Shiri and not his painful headache "some girl with pink hair" his panic increase as he realised it was Sakura who had come for him, but he couldn't allow any of these things to happen to her, no way.

"Don't. Don't you dare hurt her" he gritted his teeth further, the pain becoming too much.

"Oh, so she does mean something to you, well in that case we better get her prepared so she can join you" Shiri finished with a amused humph sound.

"No" cried Naruto, desperate.

"Well," started Shiri, dragging the word, pretending to be in thought "we could always make a deal"

"What sort of deal?" Naruto glanced up at her, his eyes hard, every movement shaking his body with pain from his head.

"How about this? If you stay here without any funny business and agree to take the treatment, then maybe Master will let your friend and her companions leave without harm" she paused, waiting for his answer. Naruto sat silent for a moment trying to think, his headache only making harder for him to concentrate. He didn't want to agree with this treatment, he knew what it did, but if he didn't agree it was still going to happen to him and to Sakura as well.

"Okay" said Naruto, his voice flat, "But let me see her first" Shiri nodded her head in agreement, her smile faded. She pulled out a key and unlocked Naruto's cell, moving over to him.

"I'm sorry for all this Naruto." She sounded sincere, "She is in the cell in the room across from the hallway" and with that she left. Naruto slowly got to his feet, every movement sending new waves of pain rippling through his head. He entered the narrow passageway, walked out into the lit hallway and straight across to the second room of cells till he found Sakura's and sat by her cell, waiting for her.

Sakura sat with her knees to her chest as she sat in her cell. Wondering where Naruto was. She had looked as best she could from her cell to the other cells, but found it hard to make out people through the dim light.

"Sakura?" said a familiar voice from the other side of her cell bars. A dark silhouette sat leaning against the cement wall just outside her cell in the narrow passageway. The voice sounded tired, sad and weak.

"Naruto?" asked Sakura in response, hoping. The silhouette's head lifted, peering up at the cement ceiling as he spoke.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?" asked Naruto without moving. Sakura quickly moved to the corner of her cell closest to where Naruto sat, pressing her face against the bars. He turned his head to make eye contact with her, his eyes both tired and sad.

"Kakashi and I came to get you" Naruto didn't respond, "Naruto, if you're not in a cell then why haven't you left?"

"I'm staying here"

"What? Why?"

"Because by staying here, they will let you go" Sakura froze from his words, "I don't want this happening to you" he lowered his head, staring at the floor.

Sakura's voice became quiet and emotionless as she asked, "and what exactly is it they are doing to you?" she was unsure if she wanted to know the answer.

"They," he paused, thinking of how to explain it; "they take people and change them" Sakura was silent, waiting for Naruto to continue, "They control them. This treatment they give messes with your head. They take away the memories that make you, you. It's hard to explain" he looked at her again, his eyes unbearably sad.

"But, then why would you agree to stay here, come back with me –"

"No. I can't. If I do they will only hurt you next" Shiri entered the narrow passageway then and opened Sakura's cell so that she could exit her cell.

"Sakura, you see, Naruto is like me now. He is no more than a prisoner here" It was the first time Shiri spoke without a smile on her face.

A tear ran down Sakura's face as she glanced between Shiri and Naruto, both looking sad and tired. Sakura walked over to face Naruto, staring at his eyes as he started back, not wanting to believe what they were telling her. Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto, not wanting to leave without him. Naruto hugged her in return, holding her close for the last time.

Shiri then lead them both to a door that lead out to the open. Kakashi and Akame were there, on their knees with their hands held behind their backs and the enemy standing close behind them. Shiri, Naruto and Sakura standing before them. Shiri ordered the guards to release Kakashi and Akame, who stood opposite them waiting for the outcome to become clear to them. Naruto pushed Sakura lightly on her back towards Kakashi, encouraging her to go to them and to leave him. She turned to face Naruto, her eyes full of panic and sadness. Naruto spoke quietly so only Sakura could hear, "I'm so sorry Sakura, but I want you to go with them and not to come back" he attempted another sweet fake smile, which only made Sakura sadder. Naruto gave her another push forward, this time Sakura taking a step forward, pausing, then reluctantly continuing the rest of the way to Kakashi, crying. Kakashi reached out to her and placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, still trying to make sense of what was happening.

Kakashi, Sakura and Akame didn't move for a long moment, watching Naruto. Shiri returned inside the building leaving Naruto outside. He stared at all of them with his sad eyes before slowly turning and heading towards the door.

"Please Naruto!" cried Sakura, taking a step forward. Naruto stopped, keeping his back to them, not wanting to show them his tears. "Please Naruto, come with us" Naruto shook his head slowly in reply before continuing to the door and inside the building without looking back.

6 Months later

Sakura entered Tsunade's office. She had been summoned for a mission. Neji and Kakashi were both already with Tsunade, obviously chosen to be the other members of the make shift team and Kakashi as the team leader.

"Sakura, good you are here" commented Lady Tsunade, hands folded beneath her chin and her gaze hard. "Sakura and Kakashi, you two have been selected specifically for this mission due to your knowledge of Naruto," immediately Sakura knew that this mission was to include Naruto, who last she saw, had left her in an effort to protect her. Tsunade continued, "And due to your team being down one, no, two members since Sasuke, Neji has been chosen to fill in with your team during this mission. Now, I have been notified through several reports from several villages throughout the Land of Fire, and even across the border, that Naruto has been causing some trouble."

"If I may ask my Lady, what sort of trouble?" asked Kakashi, a question that was also on Sakura's mind.

"Particularly assassinations, which, to what extent I do not know. But we have been given word that Naruto is to be heading for a small village to the west of here, near the border. Your mission is to find him and to stop him."

"Stop him?" It was Sakura who asked this time, her voice raised "What do you mean by stop?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes "you know what I mean Sakura. Naruto has become dangerous. If you wish you can try to talk him out of it or even bring him back here, but if that does not work your team must do what is necessary" Sakura fell silent and looked off to her side, not wanting to think of what might lie ahead in this mission. She was happy to have a chance to see Naruto again, but also scared. Tsunade further explained their destination; the three of them remaining silent.

It wasn't long after Kakashi, Neji and Sakura set off to the west of the village. After a days and a half trip they reached the quiet village. Naruto was estimated to reach the village within the day so the team spent their time quickly setting up residence in a local motel. Their room contained a small kitchen and bathroom, a small living area with a window overlooking the village's main road and a large bedroom with an elevated bed platform with three separate mattresses for them. The three of them spent the remaining light hours of the day observing the village for any sign of Naruto, all of them connected by wireless communication collars.

The day past and without any sign of Naruto, leaving Sakura feeling disappointed. She so badly wanted to see Naruto again, to convince him to come back to the Leaf with them, but she was also relieved that he hadn't shown as she was fearful of what changes must have occurred to him to cause him to attack people as Tsunade had explained. She wasn't sure if she wanted her image of Naruto being ripped apart due to his 'new' self.

The second day arrived and again the three of them separated to watch over the village with their communication devices. The sun rose and fell and again with no sign of Naruto. Kakashi had announced that they were to return to their room for the night.

On the way back Sakura heard a scream from the close forest. Instinctively she pulled out a kunai and entered the forest, slowing her pace as she reached the source of the scream. She hid behind a tree trunk as she surveyed the area. A young adult male was on his knees begging to not be killed, blood dripping from his mouth and his body covered in dirt and scratches. A familiar figure entered Sakura's line of sight as Shiri approached the man, grabbing him by his shirt collar and lifting him off the ground and holding him in the air, his feet several inches off the ground.

Beside Shiri appeared Naruto.

He looked the same as he always had, his same orange and black clothes, the same blond spiked hair; the only difference being his missing ninja headband. Sakura felt a pain in her chest, she wanted to call out to him, but knew best not too. Instead she whispered through her communication device to Kakashi and Neji telling them her location and that she had found Naruto.
"Good work Sakura," came Kakashi's voice through her earphone "just stay put, we will be there very soon. Whatever you do don't let him know you are there yet, we don't know what he might do"

Sakura remained behind the tree, watching as Naruto and Shiri held the pleading man. The man still begged for his life to them Shiri responding with an amused smile; Naruto looking serious, stern and cautious. Shiri lifted a single sharp finger to the man's throat and slicing along it; his body going limp as his blood fell to the floor. She then released her grip and let his body fall to the ground in a lifeless heap.

"NO!" exclaimed Sakura, leaving her position from behind the tree and to the man's lifeless body on the ground. She checked for a pulse, her hand becoming covered in his blood, but to no luck. He was already dead. Sakura stood up straight and turned to face Shiri and Naruto who stared back at her in silence.

"Why," started Sakura, her voice shaky "why would you Naruto?" Naruto didn't respond but only started at her in silence. Shiri lowered her posture bearing her pointed teeth, ready if Sakura was to attack.

"Because it was our mission" replied Naruto slowly, his voice flat and emotionless, not what Sakura expected from him. She thought that he would be surprised or upset or happy to have seen her, but then her memory went back to when he had talked to her in her cell "They take away the memories that make you, you.". It then occurred to her that if Naruto had been exposed to this treatment that he may not even remember her.

"Naruto?" Sakura was surprised as her voice began to shake "do you remember me?" Naruto remained silent, just staring at this strange girl in front of him, "Naruto, what is my name?" When he still remained silent she couldn't contain her emotion anymore, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "Naruto, please, what is my name? Tell me my name" desperate Sakura took a step forward, Shiri quickly stepping in front to protect Naruto, grasping Sakura round her neck and lifting her with surprising strength above the ground. Sakura struggled for air, but refused to remove her eyes from Naruto's who started vacantly back at her.

"Shiri" at the sound of her name she turned her head to face Naruto as he spoke, ordering her in a slow calm voice, "release her" he then looked away, unable to continue looking at the strange girl. Sakura's breath caught. Maybe Naruto had looked away from her because he recognised her.

"But why?" asked Shiri with a snarl.

"She is not our target. There is not reason to kill her" Naruto turned his back to Shiri and Sakura and began to walk off into the woods. Shiri, dropping Sakura hard to the ground and quickly followed after Naruto.

Sakura quickly regained her breath just as Kakashi and Neji arrived. After explaining what had happened the team decided that after packing up and returning the man's body to the village they would go after Naruto and Shiri and not long after they set off into the woods following Naruto's trail. The three of them desperately followed the trail all through the night and the next day, but with no luck of gaining any ground on them. The team reluctantly stopped to camp for the night, needing the rest.

Sakura slept lightly that night. She didn't want to sleep. She wanted to continue in hopes of reaching Naruto again. A rustle awoke her with a start; looking around the camp she saw a figure leaving the camp site. Checking it wasn't Neji or Kakashi, she left after the figure on her own. She was hoping the figure wasn't Shiri, who seemed intent on killing her despite Naruto's orders. She could see the dark silhouette of the figure up ahead through the dim moonlight breaking through the leaves. The figure ahead had stopped. Standing with his back to her, was Naruto. He didn't' move as she approached, he stood perfectly still staring down at the ground till she stood in front of him. He lifted his head slowly till he made eye contact with her. His eyes were different to earlier, his eyes showed confusion and interest in Sakura.

"Naruto?" said Sakura softly, almost a whisper in the night.

"I don't," his eyes took on a more sad expression, his voice flat "I don't remember your name" Sakura didn't want to hear his words.

"Then why are you here?" she wanted to scream her question at him, but he seemed so fragile that she thought if she raised her voice beyond a whisper he might flee like a frightened deer.

"Because I want to know. You know my name I want to know why or how you do and why it is so important to you that I know yours" his eyes were no longer sad but curious.

"Where is Shiri?" asked Sakura suddenly cautious, that this encounter with Naruto was too good to be true.

"Not here" It wasn't a full enough answer for her but she continued anyway, not wanting to waste precious time.

"I know your name because we were good friends."

"Then, if we were such good friends, why have I forgotten your name?"

Before Sakura could answer she heard her name being called out from the direction of the camp site. Kakashi was awake and wondering where she had gone, it wouldn't be long till he found her and Naruto, but she didn't want him to come over to where she was, she wanted it to be just her and Naruto. Naruto didn't move he kept his eyes fixed on Sakura even as she looked beyond him to where Kakashi's voice was coming from; he still didn't remove his gaze. He grabbed a light grip around one of Sakura's wrists, not wanting her to go just yet. Surprised by his sudden touch she looked back up at him and realising that he was still waiting for her answer.

"You forgot because of the way you are now" Naruto stared at her eyes, trying to understand what she meant.

Looking away Naruto spoke, for the first time, sounding ashamed, "I'm not the same am I?"

"No"

"Was I better before?"

"Yes, so much better Naruto" she lifted a hand to reach out to Naruto but paused, Naruto paying no attention to her hand hanging in the air only an inch from the side of his face.

"Sakura?" Kakashi's voice called again, this time closer. Sakura's heart began to race; she didn't want Kakashi to find her and Naruto. Naruto saw Sakura's faint panic in Kakashi's approach. This time he grasped both her wrists, holding eye contact with her.

"Why is it so important for me to remember your name?" he asked slowly

"Because I hope that if you do, your memories will come back and you will be you again"

"And what if I don't remember?"

"Sakura?" asked Kakashi, surprised and finding Naruto and Sakura together.

"Uh, Kakashi, I –"started Sakura but paused as Naruto moved to face Kakashi and his back to Sakura.

"Naruto?" Kakashi sounded astonished as though he wasn't completely sure it was Naruto.

Having been interrupted Naruto went to leave before turning to face Sakura over his shoulder." I will try to remember." Then he ran off into the night. Sakura's chest ached from watching him leave yet again.

Neji was awake when Kakashi and Sakura returned to their camp site. Sakura explained to Neji and Kakashi Naruto and her conversation.

"It seems," stated Neji "that he wants to remember. He somehow knows that he is different and that he isn't complete" Neji always had spoken wise words that somehow made everything make sense. "The questions he was asking you," continued Neji "he knows or feels that you, Sakura, knows him well enough for you to help him remember" Sakura nodded, agreeing that that did seem to be the case with Naruto.

"I remember" stated Sakura "that when Naruto and Shiri talked to me back at the building complex, that even Shiri was like that. She stated that Naruto and she were prisoners despite their freedom"

"Hmm, that does make sense." Sakura looked up at Kakashi waiting to hear his input, "It seems that Shiri also has that empty feeling that she is not complete and that she understands that, but does what she is ordered to do anyway" Neji and Sakura sat in silent agreement. "This is good though," he continued, "Naruto wants to know. So he may seek you out again Sakura. We may not have to search for him if he is to come to us."

"But what are we going to do?" asked Sakura "Tsunade wanted us to stop the assassination, but we didn't. Do we stay at wait for Naruto or do we go back to the Leaf?" Kakashi paused for a moment, thinking her question over and the possibilities.

It was Neji who answered, "Best we return to the Leaf. If Naruto really does want to seek you out he will follow. Think about it. You are always in the Leaf or around the Leaf unless you're on a mission. Naruto is always moving. It is much easier for both parties for him to find you."

Returning to the village, Tsunade wasn't very happy with the results of their mission, yet she was intrigued by Naruto's encounter.

"Alright Sakura, from now on you will only be giving certain missions. You will only be given missions that occur close to the village or ones that involve Naruto. That way movements are limited to him coming to you or you going to him. I'd rather not dally time if he was to come here and for you to be on a mission elsewhere"

"Yes my Lady" responded Sakura, bowing in respect. And with that she was dismissed. Only taking on simple, close missions till she meets Naruto again.

Several weeks past before Naruto appeared again.

Sakura had been out late for dinner as a team with Kakashi. Not that they were much of a team without Sasuke and Naruto. They left the restaurant late and went their separate ways. The streets were dark and vacant this time of the night. The only soul being a slinky cat sitting on a fence. Sakura slowed her pace till her footsteps were silent, she could feel that someone was near; a potential threat. Naruto stepped out from a side street and stood there, till Sakura had reached him. She was surprised to see him in the Leaf, but didn't show her surprise on her face. Instead she continued walking. She walked past him, picking up back to her usual pace now that she knew that the person she had sensed was only Naruto. Naruto turned and followed her as she walked, hanging several meters back.

She walked past her house without hesitation, Naruto still following her. She knew that he would follow her till someone noticed him or until she stopped. She knew exactly where to take him.

She stopped at a door and turned the handle, the door having always been unlocked. She entered the room, leaving the door open for Naruto, who didn't bother closing the door behind him. The small living area and kitchen was dark and dusty smelling from being vacant fro to long. She went through into another room, this one containing a bed. She stood beside the bed, Naruto stopping in the door way to the bedroom, waiting for her to react.

Sakura slowly turned to face him. His hair seeming faded in the low light. His body was relaxed and his face vacant and emotionless.

"I still don't remember" he stated, his eyes intent on her reaction.

Sakura sat down on the bed with an exhausted sigh, "Then why are you here?"

"Because I felt I should" the reply confused Sakura. In Naruto's state he had never acted without an actual reason. When Sakura didn't reply Naruto tried again, "Because I feel I should know your name, but I can't make it out"

"Can't you just guess?"

"I can't guess when I have nothing to start with" Sakura looked down at the polished wood that made up Naruto's bedrooms floor. She looked over to the bedside table to wear Naruto had kept a photo of team 7. Sakura stood in the middle; Sasuke to her right and Naruto on her left; Kakashi standing behind them. Naruto followed her eyesight. Curious he stepped forward and picked up the photo frame staring deep into the photograph. Sakura held her breath.

Naruto, still holding the photo, then sat down beside Sakura on the bed. He peered at the photo for a long several minutes before speaking again, eyes fixed to the photo "That's me?" he pointed a finger at the young Naruto in the photo.

Sakura didn't reply, but watched him look at his younger self. He studied it for several more minutes. "And that is you" this time it wasn't a question. He pointed a finger at Sakura's happy face in the picture. Sakura nodded even though he wasn't looking at her to see it. She worried that if she spoke it would ruin his thoughts that might be getting somewhere.

He lowered the photo and turned to look at Sakura, who peered back at him, secretly hoping something would happen. He then returned his gaze to the picture. Sakura breathed deeply, disappointed that nothing seemed to have occurred. Her attention was directed back to him after a faint drip noise. Peering down at the photo she could see a single drip of liquid slowly making it's way down the picture. Astonished Sakura returned her gaze to Naruto who sat slumped on the bed, bent over the photo, not looking at her. She sat motionless, waiting.

"I'm so sorry Sakura" Naruto's voice was shaky with sadness, the first emotion she had heard in his voice since his treatment. Naruto continued to cry silently, his tears falling on the photo. He never looked up at her, not wanting to show his face. Sakura slid closer to him on the bed and warpped her arms around him in an attempt to comfort him.

Beneath her touch Sakura could feel Naruto's body shaking slightly, not from cold, but not from his crying either. She dismissed it. Next she could hear the faint grinding of his teeth. Again she dismissed it for his way of dealing with emotional pain. She only realised something was really wrong when the tears that fell onto the photo were no longer clear liquid, but dark stains.

"Naruto?" she asked, but still he would not look at her. She removed her arms from around him and forced his head up with her hand to face her. Sudden panic caught Naruto. He rose to his feet immediately and stood back to the far end of the room. Sakura stood beside the bed, but it was too late.

Naruto's head was pounding behind his eyes as he felt his knees giving way from beneath him. He fell to one knee, hands clutching his head, hand over ears,
"My head," cried Naruto through his clenched teeth and tightly closed eyes "my head, it's killing me" Naruto opened his eyes looking up for Sakura, who stood motionless before him, Naruto's eyes crying, tears of crimson.