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"1... 2... 3... 4... 5..."

The numbers steadily progressed through Naruto's mind as he watched the clouds float on by overhead. A few minutes passed.

"36...37...38...39...40..."

Ok, now it was getting ridiculous. Naruto frowned and sat up, "Why the hell am I watching clouds!?" He grumbled at himself, crossing his arms, "I should just leave that to Shikamaru..." He stood up with a slight stagger; watching clouds put him right to sleep! "No wonder Shikamaru is so tired all the time..." Naruto thought, perturbed at the idea of him becoming as lazy as his shadow manipulating friend.

The boy walked out of the training grounds, where he had been cloud-counting, and meandered into the village market. A low grumble in his stomach made Naruto's face crumble; food, that's what he needed. And where else to go for food?? Of course, when Naruto thought of food, he thought of ramen. So, naturally, the Ichiraku Noodle Bar was the first thing that popped into his skull when his stomach lurched unpleasantly.

"Hello there Naruto!" Ayame greeted the bar's number one customer with a gleeful smile as he sat himself down on a stool.

"Hey Ayame," Naruto said dryly, leaning on the counter, "Could I get a bowl of ramen please?"

"Of course!" The girl agreed, starting work on Naruto's food immediately.

"Where's the old man?" He said after glancing around.

"I'm afraid Father has a head cold and couldn't work today," Ayame said ruefully.

"Wow, he's never sick," Naruto responded, actually somewhat surprised.

"I know. I was shocked myself. He said he's going to be ok, but I just can't stop worrying."

"I know what you mean," Naruto said empathetically, "I'd be worried too. But all you can do is hope, you know? We're not doctors. Besides, the old man's strong, he'll pull through."

Ayame smiled, putting a steaming bowl of the usual in front of Naruto, "Yeah, I know. Thank you for having faith in him."

"No problem!" Naruto said, all while stuffing ramen in his mouth.

Ayame giggled at his whole-hog behavior with the food, "Hm?" She noticed someone else coming up to the bar, "Oh! Hello Sakura!"

"Good day Ayame," Sakura said in a friendly manner as she walked in, sitting down by Naruto.

"Fakura?" Naruto said, noodles still sticking out of his mouth, "Whut ah yo-"

Sakura put a finger up, "How about you swallow your food before you start talking, Naruto?" She said in an irritated way.

Naruto swallowed the noodles in his mouth, "Sorry," He smiled nervously, "So, what are you doing here anyway Sakura?"

The pink haired kunoichi expression became slightly more serious, "I was wondering if you had heard the news yet."

Naruto's raised eyebrow served as an indication for Sakura that he knew nothing about what she was talking about in the slightest. She sighed and rolled her eyes. However, her expression quickly reverted back to being serious.

"Apparently..." As soon as she started to talk, Naruto started to stuff his face again, still listening, "Apparently some of the... Akatsuki... You know, the band of rouge ninja that..." She paused momentarily, "That Sasuke's brother is in... Apparently some were spotted in the Land of Rain."

Naruto froze. Did she say...? Land of Rain? Isn't that where...

"I also heard from a traveling merchant in town that there was a battle between them and someone else..." Sakura continued, "I hope that their opposer walked away alright..."

CRASH!

The bowl smashed into thousands of pieces as Naruto's grip suddenly gave out. Broth and noodles were washed all over the counter, some even spilling over on Naruto's lap. Ayame gasped in fright as she heard the horrible sound. Sakura jumped up from her seat.

"Naruto!! What's your problem??" She looked at her teammate in an aghast way.

The blond shinobi didn't respond. He sat staring at the counter, his eyes wide. The briefing of Kakashi's mission suddenly washed over Naruto's mind like a fire hose. He clearly remembered Tsunade saying his mission would take place in the Land of Rain... Also... His memories flashed back to when he and Jiraiya started looking for Tsunade... Before that, Sasuke and his brother had clashed, with Itachi as the clear victor... He damaged Sasuke's mind greatly, and soon after, Naruto learned that Kakashi had fought Itachi and was bedridden because of what Itachi did to him...

What if Kakashi ran into him again?? No, wait... There was more than one... Would he have to fight both of them?? Was that the battle Sakura had just told him about?!

"Naruto! Hey Naruto!" Sakura shook Naruto's shoulder, becoming concerned when he didn't respond.

Ayame had gotten out a rag and started to clean up the mess on the counter, "Are you alright Naruto??" She asked urgently when his gaze was no longer staring into space.

He stood up.

"Naruto??" Sakura questioned. Both of the girls stared at him curiously, "What's wrong??"

"Sorry Ayame," Naruto said quickly, slapping 40 Ryo on the part of the counter that was clean, "But I can't stick around to help clean up! I owe you!" He had barely finished his sentence before he dashed away from the stand.

"Wait, where are you going?!" Sakura called out after him. This behavior was strange, even for Naruto.

"To see Granny Tsunade!" Naruto said. He wasn't even sure if he said it loud enough that Sakura could hear him. But that wasn't important at this point. He had to know if Kakashi was back, if he was safe.

"If he got hurt because they're looking for me..." The ninja thought angrily, "I'm gonna be REALLY pissed off!!"