Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto anime or manga, but the Nentuoinai no Sato is my idea and belongs to none else. Unless someone else came up with the idea of the village.

The Village Hidden by the Mind

(Nentuoinai No Sato)

I want to gather up the clouds that shed tears,
I will use the peaks of the waves to run far away.
Even though I'm getting scared and distanced,
I continue towards our painted future.
Time is rushing the both of us,
Making our actions speed up.
Even if we are awakened while we dream,
We were searching for the same light.
Underneath the glittering starry night,
With the countless constellations and shadows…
Before all that what are you…
What are you gazing at?
What are you gazing at?

Chapter 1

The night was cold in Konohagakure no Sato. A pale moon lit up the night, as many had already gone to their beds to rest. There were those however who used the shadows of the night to do their work.

The three ninja sat outside the house, watching the occupant within closely. He had been tossing in his sleep for several hours. After watching him squirm for several minutes, a black mist appeared out of his ear and entered the body of the smallest ninja, who lay unconscious.

"That was a great show," the largest called. The smallest rubbed his eyes and glanced upwards, "What'd you do to the brat?"

"Thanks Higama. There weren't a lot of happy memories to screw around with. Actually, I feel kinda bad for him."

"Aaw, our Little Rekiru has grown a heart," Higama said.

"Shut up Higama, but there were still happy memories," Rekiru said.

"Do tell."

"Well, so far his memories aren't too good. Hell, I went through eight years of his life before I found a happy one. That one went down the drain."

"Go on."

"He was talking to some girl, and he seemed a little happy, so I rewrote it and now all he'll remember are insults."

"Good, anything else?"

"Yeah, I screwed up several other memories; one of which involved him accidentally bumping into one of the teachers."

"And?"

"Hey you guys," the third said. She was the only girl in the group but commanded them with a fierce air, "Can we go now. We don't want to get caught."

The other two nodded in agreement and the three were off. As they jumped from rooftop to rooftop, Higama looked over to the girl who was deep in thought.

"What's bugging you Anra?" he asked. She looked up at him.

"Why does Omoikage seem so interested in this kid?" she asked.

"Who knows and who cares," Rekiru said as they left the village and ran deep into the woods.

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The day was warm and bright, aside from several clouds settling in the sky. Sakura made her way to the bridge where Kakashi sensei had asked his students to meet him. When she arrived at the bridge she saw Naruto there, unusually early. He sat under one of the posts to the side, and had his face buried in his hands.

"Hey Naruto," she said a little cheerfully. Naruto looked up; the silliness and happiness were gone from his eyes. In its wake, his eyes were hurt.

"Hi Sakura," he said forcing a weak smile. Immediately afterward he buried his face in his hands again. After several hours passed Kakashi appeared happy and late as ever.

"Hello students. I'm sorry for being late but the path of life told me to take a little detour," he said. Then he waited for the casual responses from Naruto and Sakura, but instead only heard, "You're late!"

He glanced down to see Sakura with her usual enraged face, while Naruto was huddled by the side, looking away. Kakashi glanced around for Sasuke, but failed to see him.

"I may be, but Sasuke is later than I," he smiled. Sakura lowered her fist and looked around. After several more hours, Sasuke arrived in a somewhat bitter mood.

"Sorry I'm late, but whatever excuse Kakashi Sensei used, I'm using," He glanced at Naruto, who caught his eye and moved a few inches away.

"And what's your problem you loser?" he asked. Naruto lowered his head and answered, "Nothing."

Sasuke shrugged, and turned to face Kakashi.

"Well students, today we'll be helping the village prepare for the upcoming festival," Sakura smiled at these words. She had been planning on asking Sasuke to go with her to the festival, and hoping Naruto stayed out of the way the whole night.

"I believe several of the restaurants, i.e. the Ramen cart, needs our help moving supplies," Kakashi said, expecting Naruto to jump up to his happy old self. Instead he sat there, looking away from them.

"What's the matter Naruto? I thought you like Ramen," Kakashi said. Without raising his head Naruto replied, "Sensei, you know I don't like Ramen."

This answer caught all three of them off guard. Sakura went over to Naruto and smacked him on the face, "Don't lie! We all know you in love with Ramen!"

Naruto fell to the ground from the smack, got up and forced another smile, "No, you guys know I never did."

Sakura was becoming annoyed with Naruto's "act". She smacked him again and yelled, "Knock it off Naruto! This isn't funny!"

This time Naruto got up and said with a fake smile, "I'm not lying."

"If you two are going to fight, do it after you're dismissed," Kakashi said.

"If we're lucky they'll destroy each other," Sasuke said. Naruto frowned and quickly sat down again. Sakura frowned at Sasuke's remark and lowered her fist.

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Later that day, Kakashi dismissed the three but asked Sasuke and Sakura if he could talk to them. Once he was sure Naruto was out of earshot he faced the bewildered two.

"I'd like it if you two could keep an eye on Naruto for the next couple of days," he said.

"Why bother, that loser will probably get over his problem in no time," Sasuke said.

"He may," Kakashi answered, "But don't tell me you're not curious."

"About what?" Sakura asked. Kakashi looked off to the setting sun.

"For starter's; he was early, he's rarely ever early. He had no problem with me being late, and there was no rude remark from him. He took several insults from both you and Sasuke without so much as a comeback, he claimed to not like Ramen, and he also got hit several times and didn't complain once about anything."

"Now that you mention it," Sakura said, "He did seem a little odd."

"For most people, that is called being normal," Sasuke said as he began to leave.

"Tell you what Sasuke. This is now a mission, if you are caught, seen, or suspected, you will do D-rank missions for 5 years. If you don't do it, it will be 45 years of D-rank missions, and I want a report at the end of each day."

"That's not fair," Sakura said in his defense.

"How about I put the same thing on you," he said cheerfully.

"Actually…it can't be too bad can it Sasuke?"

"Whatever."

"Thought so, Sasuke you'll watch him for the rest of the day and you two are to switch off every day. If he goes somewhere he shouldn't, I want to know. If he meets people he shouldn't, I want to know. If he does something he shouldn't, I want to know. You're dismissed," he said as he vanished in a cloud of smoke.

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Sasuke and Sakura sat on the rooftop opposite Naruto's house. Naruto had gone to bed and was sleeping. Sasuke let out a yawn and looked over at Naruto. It was late in the night, and the moon lit up the sky.

"Why are we here?"

"No one asked you t come."

"Well, I um…wanted to help you your first day."

"We've watched him for the whole day! He hasn't done a single thing out of the ordina-" Sasuke paused and looked across the roof tops. Then he grabbed Sakura and jumped off to the rooftop of his house. He pushed Sakura down on the rooftop, and looked over the roof.

"Sasuke, what are you doing?" she asked. He put his hand over her mouth and said, "Quiet."

"Look," he said pointing over the rooftop. Where they stood seconds ago were three ninja who had appeared from thin air.

"Let's get over with this," the girl said, "And Rekiru, we're trying to get him to hate this place, not traumatize the hell out of him."

"Well excuse me for trying to do my job," the smallest said. Rekiru then made several hand signs and passed out, a thin black mist appearing above him and flying into Naruto's house.

"We need to get a better view," Sasuke said. He grabbed Sakura's hand and led her around to the side of the house. Once on the edge of the roof, he jumped to another roof top, and from there squatted down. Sakura followed his lead, and turned to face the open window. Through there was a squirming Naruto, who tossed and turned repetitively.

"What are they doing?" she asked Sasuke. Sasuke had his eye on the other two, sizing them up.

"I don't know, but we should tell Kakashi Sensei," he answered, "You go find him. I'll keep an eye on these three."

With that, Sakura ran off trying to keep as silent as possible. She barely got a few feet away before a large male ninja appeared before her. The ninja sized her up and laughed.

"Well I guess I was right," he said to himself, "How much did you see?"

Sakura stood there frozen in fear. The ninja's face was hidden behind a fox mask, and a huge sword was tied behind him.

"Well whatever," he said, "You won't live to tell anyone!"

He lunged at Sakura, several kunai drawn and full of the intent to kill.