Summary: Maybe it's better that I become a child and stay as a child forever." After their failed attempt to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, Naruto became depress because of feeling useless and weak... And when his wish was granted... What would be the outcome?

Pairings: SASUNARU; isn't it obvious already?

"Hey" – normal talking…

'Hey' – inner thoughts

Hey – narrate

Hey – place

"Hey"– Kyuubi talk


Chapter Two: Conversation


Hokage's office

Tsunade sighs upon hearing the report of the new team Kakashi, she looks at them but his gaze has stopped at Naruto for she knew he was the one who is affected by all of this, after all, this mission was about Orochimaru and not to mention that they had a chance to see Sasuke and had failed to bring him back. She knew how Naruto trained so hard for 3 years just to save the Uchiha from Orochimaru, but it seems that Naruto wasn't the only one who had improved after all this years, Sasuke had also improved with the help of the snake bastard.

Tsunade sighs again and rest her chin on her hands and seriously look at the Team.

"Well?" she asked.

Naruto looks at her, knowing that her question was for him, the question was intently for the team but Naruto felt that Tsunade wanted him to answer for them. He looks down, and thinks of what he should answer.

'I'll try harder…'

'But…'

'If I become stronger this time…'

'Will I be able to bring Sasuke back?'

'Will I be strong enough for him to take a second glance at me?'

'Will he acknowledge me again?'

"Kit! Snap out of it!"

Naruto was thrown out of his thoughts and looks troubled, Tsunade saw this and was about to ask Naruto if he was okay but she stopped when Naruto looks at her.

"I'm here…"

'Kyuubi?'

"Tell the hag that you won't give up on Sasuke"

Naruto bit his mouth then he seriously looks at Tsunade in the eyes and told her his answer.

"We won't give up…" he said.

"I see…" Tsunade then leans on her chair and sincerely smiled at the Team, "I understand, for a while, Team Kakashi will have a good rest today and wait for your next mission." She said and dismissed the Team.


Streets

As Sakura, Sai and Naruto made their way out of the Hokage office; they were walking in silence which for Sakura was an odd experience. Normal Naruto would shout and ask her for a date and she'll punch him and decline his offer and call him stupid, but right now, Naruto was silent which puzzles Sakura.

On the other hand, Naruto was having a conversation with Kyuubi, which surprised him for Kyuubi would only talk to him when he asked for Kyuubi's chakra but right now, they were having a conversation.

"Shock to hear from me and having a normal conversation?" Kyuubi asked.

'Well, yeah, what happened? Did Sasuke damage your brain and you're talking to me?' Naruto asked.

'Or was it a change of heart huh, Kyuubi?' Naruto couldn't help but chuckle a little which Sakura caught and gave him a puzzled look.

"Naruto?" she called at the blond ninja but she was ignored.

"Keep acting like a bastard and I'll end this conversation with you, Kit" Kyuubi warned.

'Sorry… I can't help myself.' Naruto said and turned serious.

'So what's up?' Naruto asked.

"Oh, just wanted to talk and to-"

Naruto's conversation with Kyuubi was cut when Naruto felt himself being punch on his head resulting for him to stumble.

"What the fuck?" Naruto cursed and touch his head where the punch had hit.

"That's what you get for ignoring me!" Sakura shouted in return.

"What's wrong with you?" Sakura asked, worried, "You just stopped walking and stood right here on the center of the street!" she said.

"Oh?" Naruto looks from both side and scratched his head, "Sorry, I guess I was daydreaming." He said which earned him another punch form Sakura.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto whined, "We just had arrived and you're killing me already…" he said which made Sakura guilty.

"I'm sorry Naruto…" Sakura said, "It's just that, you seemed so out after our encounter with Sasuke-kun."

Sai looks at Naruto then at Sakura, "So you have noticed it as well, Sakura-san?" he asked.

"Huh?" both shinobi's asked.

"I mean, Naruto seemed so depressed while coming back to Konoha." He said; "I was beginning to wonder when he'll faint from too much depression…" he smiled.

"Isn't that Sakura-chan's part?" Naruto whined but cringed when Sakura glares at him.

"I mean…" Sai explained, "you're depression is a lot stronger than Sakura, Naruto-kun." Sai said which shock Naruto as well as Sakura.

Silence filled the place, no one dared to comment on what Sai had said. Then Naruto surprised both by laughing out loud.

"Well! This has been a long mission! I'm so tired! I have to go, guys! See you tomorrow!" and with that Naruto left his teammates without waiting for either to stop him.

"The boy was right though…"

"WHAT?" Naruto shouted surprising some of the villagers who were walking; Naruto excused himself and jumped on the roof with haste, wanting to confine himself on his apartment.

"Is it hard to believe?" Kyuubi sniggered when he felt his Kit blush for the very first time after being depress.

"SHUT UP!" Naruto whispered not wanting to catch some of the villagers' attention.

"Denial won't bring you anywhere, Kit!" Kyuubi smirks.

Naruto silently cursed himself for talking with the Kyuubi and for Kyuubi who was now talking like Kiba. And how come Kyuubi was talking to him when in the past Kyuubi would rather ignore him than talk to him, so why does he start now?

"You want me to answer that for you Kit?"

"Don't bother!" Naruto answered and thanked the gods when he saw his apartment in sight.


Naruto entered his apartment and sigh, he was thankful that Kyuubi had stopped teasing him, after his meeting at the Hokage's office, he was so stressed out because of thinking about so many things, most of his mind was about Sasuke, after all these years, he trained so hard to bring Sasuke back and yet after meeting him, he once again failed to bring Sasuke back.

He had become stronger after training with Ero-sennin but Sasuke was a lot stronger, and their last encounter just proved it; Sasuke was a genius after all, an Uchiha, a prodigy to everyone while he was just Naruto, the dead last.

Naruto went to his room and drop his body on his small bed, wanting to sleep, but from the moment he closed his eyes, Sasuke's face appeared in his mind, he ignored it at first but his mind seemed to like torturing him.

My revenge is everything to me…

I don't care what happens to me or anyone else…

If sacrificing my body to Orochimaru is the only way to kill him…

I'd give up my life a million times over…

Naruto sighs and slowly opens his eyes; it seems that after meeting Sasuke, it made him think only about the raven shinobi and no one else but him.

You still think like a kid, Naruto

That sentence was the one repeating itself the most in Naruto's mind, he admits that he acts like a child sometimes, okay, maybe most of the time, but when it comes to situations where he is require to get serious like saving someone important to you, he becomes dead serious.

He glanced at his side and saw the picture of Team 7; he remembered that it was taken after meeting Kakashi.

Slowly he rises from his bed and walked towards the picture and touches it.

"It seems like yesterday…" Naruto whispered and took the picture from where it was placed and walked towards his window; he laughs at himself then and covered his eyes…

"Why did this happen to us anyway?" he asked although he knew no one will answer, he put his hand that was covering his eyes down and looks at the picture again.

"Is it bad to want you back with us?" tears fell and then he cried once again.

You still think like a kid, Naruto…

Sasuke's voice echoed in his mind again, Naruto sadly smiled while crying.

"Maybe its better that I become a child and stay as a child forever." He whispered.

"You shouldn't wish for something like that, Kit…" Kyuubi warned.

"Someone or I could even grant your wish if needed." Kyuubi whispered not wanting his Kit to tell him to grant his wish.


The girl in red cloak had heard Naruto's wish, she smiled and turns away from the mirror she was holding and glanced at her box where the thread was put. The light on the thread was slowly fading but with the light still shining, that means that there was still hope.

She stood up and slowly walks toward the box.

"Guess I have to make my move then, with his help of course…" she said.


Kyuubi, knowing that someone was standing outside his cage opened his eyes; he knew that it wasn't his kit so he became alert.

"No need to be on your guard, Kyuubi- Sama." The person said.

"Who are you?" Kyuubi growled.

"Someone that can help…" the person went out of the dark and surprised Kyuubi when a girl appeared from the shadows.

"Who are you?" Kyuubi again asked when the girl didn't tell him her name.

"As I've said again, someone that can help your Kit." She answered.

"Before you shout at me…" she stopped Kyuubi from speaking again, "… I'll tell you that my intentions are good." She smiled.

"Your Kit has a wish, right?" she stated.

"What's it to you?" Kyuubi snarled, hating the girl in front of him.

"Grant it then…" she said seriously.

"Are you crazy?" Kyuubi roared, "There are consequences that-"

"So?" she asked calmly, "Kyuubi, you do realize that your Kit is in danger if his depression keeps up, right?" she smiled.

Kyuubi couldn't answer back for he knew the girl has a point, slowly his Kit was falling into the darkness of his heart and no one had noticed, except him and this girl in front of him.

"But…" Kyuubi was hesitant for the first time, the consequences of granting his Kit his wish was dangerous, there was no guarantee that his Kit will-

"You are hesitant…" he heard the girl said, "That's rare for someone like you…"

"Do you have a death wish girl?" Kyuubi raised his claws in front of the girl, "I could kill you right this minute…" he snarled.

"Then do it, but your only way of saving your Kit will disappear." She smiled.

Kyuubi stared at the girl for a moment and then realized that this girl was no ordinary human, he huff knowing that he had no choice.

"Do you know how to-"

"Leave it to me…" the girl answered even though Kyuubi didn't finish his question.

"Your Kit's happiness is my number one priority after all…" she smiled and with a blink of an eye, she disappeared.

Kyuubi sighs, knowing that the girl had known what he has decide, he silently cursed knowing full well that things will be out of hand if their, scratch that, the girl's plan didn't work out.

"Guess I might take the risk." Kyuubi said and started his work on making his Kit's wish come true.


Darkness filled the place

Nothing could be heard

Then small orbs appeared from the dark

These orbs then begun to merge

After merging a figure was created

That figure was a child

A child of innocence


Inside the Dream

"Kit"

"Wake up"

"Kit"

It was dark and for some reason, Naruto liked it, it was peaceful and he was not feeling anything, slowly making him want to sleep but that voice was ruining it, he ignored it at first but the voice sounded so determined.

"It's important!"

"You got to wake up!"

"NOW!"

The voice emerged from the darkness and revealed Kyuubi himself, and slowly the place turned into the place where Kyuubi was sealed and in front of his cage was a body lying on the wet floor.

Slowly, Naruto forced his eyes to open and tried to register where he was right now, the last thing he remembered was falling asleep on the floor beside his bed. He groans and covers his eyes and then he remembers that someone was calling him.

'Kyuubi?'

"The one and only…"

'What's wrong?' he asked as he slowly rises from where he was lying a while ago.

"Nothing's wrong with me," Kyuubi answered, "But you, on the other hand…" Kyuubi paused.

'What's wrong with me?' Naruto asked.

"You wished for something…" Kyuubi said.

'Huh?' Naruto was confused, 'What's wrong with me wishing something?' he said, 'You know that I always wish for something right? Since you can read my mind.' Naruto grumbled on the last part.

"Well…" Kyuubi sniggered, "I do read your mind from time to time, but this time it's different." Kyuubi reasoned. "And it's because of the Uchiha kid."

'Sasuke?'

"Yeah…" Kyuubi nods.

"Anyways, just want to tell you that your wish came true."

'Eh? It came true? How?'

"Well Kit, let's just say that it's one of my powers." Kyuubi smirks.

'So? It couldn't be that bad right?'

"Well, it's hard to say…"

'What do you mean?'

"Well, after you wake up, you won't remember who you are."

'WHAT?

'What did I wish for Kyuubi?'

"You wish to become a…"

Naruto had heard what Kyuubi said but his mind became blank after hearing what his wish was… Does that mean that he'll-?

"Kit, you okay?"

'I wished to become a kid again?' Naruto repeated what Kyuubi said.

'A kid?'

"Well, yeah… but the problem is…"

'Please don't tell me that you did something more than turn me into a kid, how old am I anyway?' Naruto was starting to lose his patience…

"Well Kit, it's not that big, it's just that, I turned you into a baby rather than a kid…" Kyuubi said calmly.

'You what?' Naruto shouted and ran towards the cage.

'Please tell me you were joking?' Naruto growled, 'I can handle being a kid but a baby?'

'A baby for fuck sake! How can a baby defend himself?' he shouted.

"It can't be that bad since you have comrades who will protect you…" Kyuubi said calmly, "And isn't that Hokage Hag there to protect you from the villagers?"

'That's not the point! How can I save Sasu-?'

"Kit, why don't you think about yourself for once…?" Kyuubi said, "All you think about is that Uchiha kid, can't you see how it affects you?" Kyuubi said.

'I don't care!' Naruto said.

'Anyways, tell me how I can change back.' He asked as he calms himself from what Kyuubi told him.

"That's easy, Kit" Kyuubi smirk, "The baby must remember something about the present you."

'What?' Naruto shouted again,

'How?'

'A while ago, you said a while ago that the child won't even remember a single thing?'

Naruto once again lost his cool and began shouting curses towards Kyuubi.

"Relax, Kit."

Naruto kept his mouth shut when he heard Kyuubi snarl at him.

"Good, listen, he is you, right? He might not remember anything but at least he has the same personality like yours." Kyuubi said.

'Are you insulting me?'

"It's a compliment, Kit." Kyuubi sighs, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Naruto sighs and let's go of the cage's pole and bows down.

"As long as the baby version of you feels the same way towards the person you love, he'll remember everything…" Kyuubi said.

"And you'll return to normal."

'Then that's easy! Once the baby me sees Sakura-chan, I'll be able to-'

"Are you sure that she's the one you love?" Kyuubi asked.

'What do you-?'

Before Naruto could even finish his sentence, Kyuubi was gone and after that, everything was covered by darkness.


The girl who told Kyuubi to grant Naruto's wish smiled as she saw the thread's light began to emit more light, although becoming a child and forget his memories, the possibility of gaining what had lost would come back.

"I guess I should start doing my work also." The girl said and turns her back from the mirror in front of her.

The girl in red cloak opens the door and slowly, the darkness covering in front of her slowly turns into a hallway.


Next Morning

Bridge

"Where the heck is Naruto!" a voice echoed at the place, making some villagers look.

"Maa, Maa, calm down, Sakura- san…" Sai said.

"How can I calm down! Even Kakashi-sensei is here!" Sakura shouted while pointing at Kakashi.

Kakashi sweats drop while looking at Sakura shouting at Sai, he then decided to go back into reading his icha icha book.

"Aren't you worried?" Kakashi heard Yamato ask him.

"About what?" he asked.

"Well, Naruto should have received the letter sent by Hokage-sama last night," Yamato explained, "I doubt he would be late when it comes to going into missions like this."

"You're right, Tenzou…" Kakashi closed his book and turned to look at Sakura and Sai. "Guess we have to pay Naruto a visit." He said.

"That's right," Yamato said, "And its Yamato now, Kakashi-senpai, please don't call me Tenzou again."

"Fine, Fine…" Kakashi said and stopped Sakura from further damaging Sai's ear.

"Okay, that's enough Sakura." He said and the pink shinobi glared at him but he didn't even flinch, "We'll go look for Naruto." He said.

"That idiot must have overslept!" Sakura then clutch her fingers. "I'll make sure he doesn't do that again!"

The team then decided to go to Naruto's apartment first to search for the blond shinobi.


Streets

"Naa, Sakura-san," Sakura glanced at Sai when he called her, "I was wondering why Naruto-kun still thinks of Sasuke-kun as a brother after all that happened…" Sai begun to asked since he didn't get it why Naruto would do everything just to save Sasuke.

Sakura looks at him, she too was curious why Naruto would go that far, although she loved Sasuke, there was a limit to how she can-

"Why do you ask, Sai?" Kakashi joined their little chat.

"I'm also curious, Kakashi-senpai." Yamato said.

"Maybe because," Sakura said, "They were alike." Kakashi just looked at her and didn't comment, 'To Naruto, Sasuke-kun was the very first one to acknowledge him." She smiled.

There's more to it than just that, Sakura. Kakashi said inside his mind.

"Maybe that's why he wants Sasuke-kun to come back with us because he is his bond."

"Bond…" Sai said, "It means that a person is linked to another person, right?" he looks at Sakura.

"Don't you think that it's only Naruto that thinks of that?" he asked.

Sakura flinched but didn't say anything.

"You know Sai, sometimes, the other person thinks he doesn't feel connected to the person whom he created a bond with," Kakashi begun to speak which caused Sakura, Sai and Yamato to look at him, "but deep inside he also thinks that they are connected, but for some reason he sometimes refuse to believe it." Kakashi said.

"Why is that?" Sai asked. Even Sakura wants to know, Kakashi was saying it as if he knows something that they don't.

Kakashi smiled and stopped walking; he glanced at his team and smile, "Oh, that's for you three to know later." He said and points in front of him, "We're already at Naruto's apartment." He explained when the three threw him a questioning look.


When they reach Naruto's door, Kakashi was the one who knocks and called Naruto's name, they waited for a few minutes but after 5 minutes passed there was no answer and Naruto never opened the door; they repeated it for five times and when the same thing happened, Sakura got fed up and steps in front; she knocks at the door with a little bit of force, she got annoyed when the same result happened.

"NARUTO!" she shouted while pounding the door with her fist, "I SWEAR! IF YOU DON'T COME OUT THIS INSTANT, I'LL BREAK THIS FUCKING DOOR OF YOURS! AND BELIEVE ME IT WON'T BE FUNNY ONCE I THROW MY ANGER AT YOU!" she said, but when there was still no answer, she focused her chakra on her fist.

Kakashi and Yamato panicked and rushed towards Sakura but they were too late, Sakura punched the door and once it was destroyed, she rushed inside first while Kakashi followed her. Yamato was accompanied by Sai when the landlady suddenly appeared out of nowhere and asked what they were doing attacking her one of her boarders.

Sakura was the first one to enter Naruto's room while Kakashi stopped at the small living room and looked around, he sighs when the place was a mess.

My Dolphin-chan won't like what I'll tell him after this mission…

Kakashi glanced at the door when he heard it closed and saw Sai smiling while Yamato was looking gloomy; he smiled and took his book out. Before he could start reading, they heard a shout.

The three then rushed towards Naruto's room and saw Sakura kneeling on the floor next to the bed.

"What's wrong Sakura?" Kakashi asked.

"Kakashi-sensei…" Sakura glanced at them with a shock look.

"So did you kill Naruto-kun, Sakura-san?" Sai asked smiling.

Sakura tried to glare but she couldn't, instead her shock expression turned into a worried one.

"Sakura?" Yamato called her name when she didn't answer Kakashi.

"Well… I didn't find Naruto." She said and then bows down, "but…" she then turned to them and placed a blanket in front of her and looks at the three men worriedly.

Then the blanket suddenly moves making Kakashi, Yamato and Sai to be on his guard, Sakura signed them to lower their weapons and she slowly took the blanket.

"What shall we do, Kakashi-sensei?" she asked looking at the three shocking face of her teachers and teammate.

Kakashi was dumbstruck, Yamato had a blank face while Sai had a stoic face but Sakura knew that he was shock as Kakashi and Yamato.

"Kakashi-sensei." Sakura called out once again.

Big blue eyes stared curiously at Kakashi as Sakura came near the three men. The big blue eyes then looks at Sakura, before looking at Yamato and Sai.

Big blue eyes that held so much innocence and curiousity that made the four ninja's speechless and unable to think of a possible explanation about what was going on.

Kakashi was the first one to calm down and said, "Let's go to the Hokage this instant."

And with that, Team Kakashi rushed towards the Hokage Tower with Sakura carrying the baby in her arms.

"This is not good." Yamato mumbled.

"Tell me about it." Kakashi said.

Dolphin-chan's going to kill me once he finds out.

~Tsuzuku~


Next Chapter:

Baby Naru!