Title: Never Really Home (Chapter One)

Pairing: Sasuke/Naruto, Kakashi/Iruka, one-sided Sakura/Sasuke, hints of Lee/Naruto

Rating: M mostly for language, but for some sexual content as well.

Warnings: Eventual spoilers up to recent chapters.

Disclaimers: Don't own Naruto.

The darkness suited him. As he jumped from tree to tree, he could pass by towns and cities, virtually unnoticed. This was a feat that was not possible in the daylight. His golden hair and stunningly blue eyes made sure of that.

"Sasuke..." Naruto sighed to himself.

It had been three years. Three years since Sasuke had defeated him. Three years since Sasuke had run off with Orochimaru. Three years since Sasuke had left home.

Every day, (or every night, rather) of those three years, Naruto had searched for Sasuke, but to no avail.

"Give it up, Naruto," Tsunade lectured, on one of her regular conferences with him. "You mope all day, avoid missions, and then you look for that damn Uchiha all night."

"You have no right to tell me not to look for my best friend," said Naruto in a whisper dripping with annoyance.

Tsunade slammed her fist on her desk, cracking it in two. "I have every right! As the Hokage, I order you to stop this foolish search!"

Naruto backed away, a little intimidated by the old woman's strength.

"Sasuke and Orochimaru won't be found until they want to be." Anger and anxiety sparkled in her eyes. "And dark be the day when they are."

Naruto smirked to himself. Even now, the thought of finding Orochimaru at the city gates sent shivers up Tsunade's spine. He didn't understand why. Anbu registration was up, and the shinobis were the best Leaf had ever recruited. Not only that; they had two of the legendary Sannin on their side. Whoever dared to attack the city was a fool.

The moonlight shone off of Naruto through the few holes that the leaves spared on the forest balcony. Even with his bright orange jumpsuit covering most of his body, his shape was still very noticeable. The blonde's extremely tone muscles flexed with every leap. His sky blue eyes were surrounded by a scarred face, deep in concentration and determination. His long appendages made his midnight runs much easier now that he was fifteen. When Naruto had begun his search, his puny twelve year old body could hardly handle it. But with time, it had grown accustomed to the continuous strain, almost becoming a work out in itself.

He had grown a lot in the last three years. He was even beginning to creep up on Kakashi's towering figure.

At the thought of his sensei, Naruto let out a little chuckle.

Just the other day, Naruto had gone to Iruka's apartment, eager to enjoy Ramen with his old friend. When he opened the door, it was to find a naked Kakashi in Iruka's bed.

But Kakashi was not the only one that people were finding attractive.

Now at the peek of his hormonal teenageness, Naruto was a sight for sore eyes. Especially with Sasuke gone, all the girls in town had begun to look at Naruto very differently. Even Sakura had started to blush every time he looked her way.

But those things didn't interest him anymore. In fact, he was beginning to act like Sasuke; very uncaring of everything around him except for his goal.

Naruto chanced a glance over his shoulder. He had been aware for quite some time that he was being followed, but it hadn't bothered him. As his stalker drew closer, Naruto sensed the particularly strong chakra. To avoid any trouble, Naruto quickly whispered a jutsu, and replaced his real body with a clone.

Falling behind the mysterious follower, Naruto quickly pulled out a kunai and stabbed him right between the ribs.

In the moonlight, he got a glimpse of strawberry hair and emerald green eyes.

A very aggravated and startlingly strong voice followed Naruto's surprised gasp.

"Dammit, Naruto! Don't you ever check to see who you are killing anymore?"