.::CHAPTER ONE::.

Express train heading for Konohagakure

April 2011

Uzumaki Naruto had been following impulse and instinct for three and a half years, just one month after his so-called 'teacher' had selfishly abandoned him to pursue his own advocacy–to be a pornographic author.

Every moment of that first month had been perplexing. Then, gradually, confusion had eased to obsession, and a different kind of obsession, almost like a hunger, that he would lose his entire being.

He had died so he could live.

Now he was tired of running, of hiding, of losing himself in a fantasy world he'd created. He wanted to face reality. Wasn't that the reason he'd left? To escape the inevitable, the truth that he could never have the happiness that he had–oh so, longed for since he was young?

But he was wrong. It had took him almost four years to have realize that the happiness he had been searching for was not the feelings of excitement of traveling to an exotic place or witnessing the most beautiful scene of nature's wonders and capturing it on film. It was home. Roots, family, friends. The familiar that never judge too harshly.

For almost four years, he had been traveling around the world. There wasn't a lump of land that he hadn't set foot on. He had been where nature is at its finest moments and was fortunate enough to have captured it on film. He had enjoyed every moment.

But it was time for him to go home–to finally face reality, once again.

He didn't plan on staying there for good though. He could take a few days there. A kind of vacation from wonder land, he decided. He could catch up with some old friends have drinks and talk about the old memories of yester years, visit his parents' graves, and maybe, do some house cleaning?

He'd learned how to celebrate and cherish every moment of being. It was something he would never forget again.

Delighted with the scatter of buildings and houses from the train tracks, he opened his window and took snapshots of the scenery ahead, letting the wind blow through his hair. His hair was naturally blond and usually disheveled–he likes it that way.

Sasuke also like it that way. At least you wouldn't be able to complain if your hair got mess up from my noogie's, dobe, Sasuke told him once.

After that, Naruto would just let it be. Wild and frazzled–just the way he would want it.

He smiled at the memory. He was finally able to see that stuck up bastard again.

He sighed dejectedly as the thought had finally sunk in him–he was going to see Sasuke again. He could just imagine the piss off look on that poker-face of his, for not calling him during his travels. A shudder ran through him, as he envision of what the youngest Uchiha heir might do to him if they were to cross path again. He really didn't want to think about it.

He still remembered the night before his departure.

Hokage Mountain, Konoha

March 2007

In the dark green shadows of the deep woods, an hour before moonrise, they met in secret. Soon the longest day would become the shortest night of their eighteen years of life.

There would be no celebration, no rite of thanksgiving for graduation, the end of their high school life. This midsummer was a time of relief, and of new beginning.

The two who met, met in sadness.

"Have you all you need?" The one known as Uchiha Sasuke pulled his hood closer so that not a single dark lock of hair could be seen in the light of the dying day.

"…Yeah." Uzumaki Naruto laid his camera bag on the ground. The part of him that wanted to weep and to rage over what had been done, over what was to come, was buried deep. With his head bent, his unkempt blond hair danced with the wind.

"Is there no other way for you to change your mind, dobe?" Sasuke touched a hand to Naruto's shoulder, and both gazed at each others eyes.

"No." Naruto sighed as he rose to his feet.

"There are still a lot of other opportunities here in Konoha, you know?" Sasuke murmured. "Why do you have to leave anyway? I thought you love it here?"

"I do." Naruto countered. "But, if I stayed, how else will I be able to further improve myself? It's an opportunity of a lifetime, teme. I can't just let it pass."

Loneliness laced through him, cold and keen, and was ruthlessly rejected. Even now he refused to let himself be taken over by the thought of leaving–this precious place and this precious person behind.

"And it's not like I'll be gone forever, ya know." he continued. "I'll be home before you know it. You'll see."

"Hn."

"Aw, come on, teme, don't give me that shit. I'll be leaving soon, ya know. The least you could do is to try and not become such a total ass about me leaving."

"Then don't leave, dobe."

"Sorry, teme. I've already decided that I–"

"Then why?" Sasuke interrupted.

"Wha?"

"Why are you leaving?" Sasuke insisted. "Why can't you just stay and improve yourself here? It's not like the city lacks of people who has experience in the field you want to pursue. Heck, I'll even ask my fucking brother for a favor, if it means you'll be staying."

Naruto sighed. He knew that this would happen. The raven won't make this easy for either of them. Why couldn't he just wish him 'good luck' or 'have a safe trip' and just leave it at that.

"Haven't I told you already, teme? Why can't you just understand me?"

"Then make me understand. Explain it to me properly."

The two stared at each other stubbornly–neither of them wanting to give the other the satisfaction of winning this bout.

Sasuke knew that there was another reason why the other had to leave. They've known each other ever since childhood. He just knew that the other had another reason for his sudden departure. Why couldn't he tell it to him up front?

The youngest Uchiha sighed. This was starting to get childish. Weren't they supposed to enjoy their last night together? If the other wanted to let him know the real reason, then he would have to wait until he tells him. He would have to be the adult for both of their sake. He would have to be patient.

"This is stupid." Sasuke pondered. "If you're going to be stubborn about it, then fine. We'll have it your way. Here." He took out a mobile phone from his backside pocket and handed it to the blond.

The other stared dumbfounded. He ogled at the cellphone as if it were a bizarre thing. "What's this?"

"It's a phone, you idiot."

"I know that, you jerk. But what the fuck does this mean?"

"It's use for calling."

"You really are a stuck up bastard, aren't ya. What I mean is–why are you giving this to me?"

"It's for us to use to keep in touch with each other. It has roaming, so you won't have any excuse for not calling or texting me."

Gently, Naruto cupped the cellphone in both his hands. "Thanks!"

"You will call and text me." Sasuke demanded.

"Course I will. Like–everyday!" Naruto said cheerily.

"Hn."

"Believe it, teme! You know me–I never go back on my promise."

Accepting now, Sasuke raised his fist at the blond. The blond chuckled, and then hold out his own. Both their fist connected with each other.

They both stood still. Neither one of them wanted to let go. Neither one of them didn't want it to end.

The sky was filled with infinite stars that night.

The blond sighed. He never did got to call Sasuke as often as he had promised him though.

Although they did exchange calls a few times but that was it.

He wondered since when did they stop communicating. He couldn't remember which of them stopped contacting each other first. If there were nothing important to say anymore, then there wasn't any point in talking about it. They both grab ahold of the present, almost as if severing the bonds between them… Running away from the fact that they were both so far away, and talking became pointless.

Naruto always knew that it was pointless. He had always thought of the same thing. Even though Sasuke wasn't with him, his feelings won't change.

Furious with himself for going back, even for a moment in his mind, Naruto tried to focus himself. He shook his head and scratched the back of his head. We're just friends. He kept repeating the words in his head like a mantra.

As his shoulders relaxed, he continued to take snapshots after snapshots until he was finally satisfied. He sat back down on his coach seat, a tentative smile played around his mouth as he reviewed the content of his digital camera. It still amazed him on how well he could take such remarkable photos. He wasn't being arrogant or anything. It just scars him on how he could actually still be amaze of himself with his own work–even if he used a digital camera. But he couldn't help but feel proud of himself. But who wouldn't? After almost four years of studying and improving his himself and his so-called talent, he could finally say that he was damn proud with himself without being conceited.

Naruto ran his profession–as a photographer, the way he ran his life. With a style born out of instinct, and largely for his personal amusement. He was known to be a genius in his field who enjoyed capturing every mesmerizing moment.

And for almost four years of polishing himself, he finally felt contented and could even call himself as one of the best which many people–even his colleges acknowledge.

Naruto put away his compact camera back inside his pack bag. There were only a few things that he had brought with him –a few shirts, pants, shorts, some socks, and two pairs if worn out sneakers, including the ones he wore. And of course, he wouldn't be a professional photographer if he hadn't brought his cameras along now, will he? He brought along his compact camera which is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5–the one he used earlier, and also his professional digital SLR camera a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III.

Well, one can't be prepared if there are people whom need his outstanding talents, right? Although he would really wished that he had brought along all of his cameras with him though but then again, he had decided that he'd only stay here for only a couple of days.

Naruto sighed. In a few minutes, he would be in Konoha again. He would be with his friends and surrogate family again. He would be with Sasuke again.

The blond reached down his pocket and took out his mobile phone. The one that Sasuke gave him three and a half years ago was still with him–and the only one his been using.

Some things were just too precious to leave behind.

The train slowed down, then stopped at the station, he gathered up his baggages, he put on a blue baseball hat, and slowly walk out to the exit. For three and a half years of being away. He was finally home again.

He couldn't have been happier.

Nothing, he thought as wandered the streets of Konoha, could be farther from the pleasure palaces and glitz of Kumogakure. And nothing, he realized. Had ever truly to his soul than the place he grew up in. He could still remember the buildings and shops all stood as tall and as proud. Although there were some new establishments and building that were newly built. The city hasn't change at all, Naruto mused.

Konoha was very beautiful at night with all the glitter and lights giving life to the city. He could still remember the times when he and his friends would all hangout and party and drink like there was no tomorrow and would end up with a hangover and couldn't get out of bed the whole day.

He really missed those days.

He wandered the city streets and reminisces about the good old days. Every building, every corner of the streets, every alleyway, and every thing about this city holds a dear memory etched in his heart.

It had taken him too long to search for the thing he had lost once. And it had taken him too long for him to realize that the thing that he was looking for was back here, in Konoha. His home.

Hokage Street speared throughout the vicinity. Shops, malls, hotel and restaurants that comprised almost all of the metropolis's business lined it. And every single one of those shops were owned and managed by the either the Uchiha family or the Hyuuga family–but mostly the Uchiha family. One of the hotels should be his first stop, he thought. It was already eight o'clock on his cellphone, and he needed a place to crash for the night. And suddenly imposing on his friends is out of the question and not to mention rude. He decided to get a room at the nearest hotel and stay there for the night.

He stopped to study the hotel nearest to the area. Unlike the other buildings it had a high-end modernized structure and it felt as if it was just newly built and furnished. He had a gut feeling that he shouldn't enter and look for another–much cheaper looking hotel. But he had no other choice he was too tired and too hungry to even walk or move another block further. He was almost spent of energy he was already moving on sear will alone. He had been traveling since that morning not even stopping for a break.

Well, it doesn't hurt to stay in a fancy high-end hotel once in a while, Naruto thought.

Naruto entered the hotel. There were only two words to describe this particular hotel and that was high class to the highest extent. The name suited it, he decided. Hotel Akatsuki.

He walked up to the hotels receptionist. First things first, book the most cheapest room in the hotel, take a bath, eat dinner at the hotels restaurant, sleep, then tomorrow morning off to meet the demon lord himself and face his demonic wrath head on.

"Tomorrow, teme. I'll get to see again tomorrow."