-----------I had to change Naruto's destination. My memory is terrible and it's been a while since I last remember the series mentioning the different secret hidden ninja villages. It seems the Land of Fire is where Konoha secretly located at. I'm editing chapter 2 in case I mentioned the Fire Country is a total new world. Naruto's destination will still be the Land of Fire (aka Fire country, well that's what I remember people calling it) but outside Konoha. An isolated village within the Land of Fire and nearby Konoha (that's the setting I'm sticking to).

Chapter 2-

Truth of the Cage

Light crawled through the window invading the dreams of Uzumaki Naruto. Birds sang the songs of the waking morning or in this case the afternoon. Groaning for the sudden interruption of his peaceful sleep, Naruto rubbed his eyes. His blue eyes took time adjusting to the sunlight now pouring into his room. For minutes he sat there trying to recall why he was in an awkward position on his bed. By his feet, lay Sasuke's head protector. Did he actually fall asleep with it? Naruto grimaced at the thought of being emotionally attached to it. Even now he couldn't separate from it or toss it aside. His mind finally connected the events of the previous day. Someone had come uninvited into his home without disturbing any of his belongings.

Naruto's experiment had apparently failed because as he scanned the room with his blue eyes, nothing out of the ordinary came across. Perhaps it had been all a fragment of his imagination from the beginning. Lately he had been deprived of sleep thanks to Sakura and Sai keeping him in the library until late hours of the night and sometimes the early morning rays. Since lacking energy and sleep, he probably forgot to lock his door, not that he ever wanted to, close his window, and left out Sasuke's head protector. Even if someone crept into his home, they seriously meant no harm. If they did, then they had a perfect opportunity to attack him while he slept.

There was no need to alert Tsunade or Sakura of this small issue. They both had enough trouble to settle and him adding more work to their schedule would cause more problems. If this became a priority, then he alone would settle it.

Taking a quick scan around the room again he observed his home in full detail. The fridge remained closed, and on his table were stacked ramen cups. He examined the room until he remained satisfied. There was no sign of disturbance and surprisingly a gentle peaceful aura lingered in the air. A ting of disappointment came over Naruto but he shrugged it off. Why would he be disappointed in the first place? It wasn't as if he were anticipating someone or a form of sign. A pang of hope, however, remained secretly stored deep on the back of his mind. Silently, Naruto left the security of his bed without lingering too much on his thoughts.

Opening his emerald drawer where a satin blue cloth was kept, Naruto gently placed back Sasuke's head protector. He had just about enough one day spending time thinking of Sasuke. That man always preoccupied his thoughts even when he tried his outmost abstinence from it. Naruto scoffed knowing he was probably going insane. There was no way in hell he would allow Sasuke ruin his morning.

As a daily breakfast, instant ramen noodles were his first choice before any other food item available in his fridge. Cereal came in second but right now a delicious bowl of ramen noodles appealed his stomach greatly. The aroma produced from the noodles was intoxicating leaving Naruto's mouth watering. Quickly grabbing a pair of chopsticks, Naruto muttered a quick "Itadakimasu" and attacked his ramen bowl. His taste buds were on a trip to ecstasy and all the previous day's events slipped from his mind. Naruto patted his bulging stuffed abdomen in satisfaction. From last night, he hadn't changed into pajamas so Naruto searched through his drawers for a change of clothes.

Naruto was ready to take on another plain day of doing nothing but kicking the gravel on the road sides. Perhaps visiting Ero-Sennin would lighten up his gloomy mood. No, the Pervy Sage surely would pull out a copy of his erotic novels Naruto saw no point in even writing in the first place. Back to square one, what do with the time he had today? Stuck in a cage in the village was adding up to frustration. Naruto desired to receive a mission that didn't revolve around chasing neighborhood cats or fixing broken pipes. Even after an endless session of complaints in Tsunade's office, Naruto received orders to stay within the village. How long could this process possibly keep going? Eventually Akatsuki and Orochimaru planned to seek him out and he only endangered the Leaf Village further.

Naruto decided staying trapped inside his apartment dampened his spirits of ever escaping the protection against evil but not boredom. This time he made sure to lock his window tightly and securely before dashing to his half empty bookcase to retrieve a rectangular blank torn paper from a note taking spiral notebook. As he opened his door enough to allow himself room to pass through, Naruto carefully inserted the blank piece of paper between the crevice of the door where it lay unnoticed. Surely this provided a better chance of positive results of an intruder coming in. There was no chakra required in this little sneaky act and it was so childish to fool even the smartest ninja. They would check for jutsu traps first before doing anything else. To be sure the door wasn't the only portal of entry; Naruto had inserted another piece of paper on his window where it couldn't be seen easily before he had done the same to his door.

Grinning at his top notch handicraft, Naruto locked his door hoping when he got home his little trap might work essentially as he wanted it to. Peace settled in his heart for now and thought of how to spend his day. Naruto stretched once leaving the apartment complex and sighed heavily. Bothering Sakura meant hell, and Sai wasn't talkative unless you were the one leading the conversation. Everyone else Naruto associated himself with, were out on missions.

Naruto visited the shopping stalls not really paying much attention to the items on display. Old women handling the stores greeted him with a toothless smile and he kindly returned the favor. Most ninjas were out carrying out their entitled duties and the villagers waited for their safe return. Naruto grew envious of those risking their lives for the sake of keeping the village safe and Naruto too. He wanted nothing more than protect his village, his home, and his friends. The adults worried too much for his well being, he was healthier than he had been in his whole life. A young man nearing the age of 16, of course he was healthy and capable of serving Konoha. Apparently Tsunade, Kakashi, Ero-Sennin, and others shared the same opinion of keeping him from even a needle pricking. He wouldn't die that easily, not when he had one important issue to settle.

A warm breeze brushed against his whiskered cheeks slowly manipulating his blond locks to dance along with the rhythm. Peaceful scenery invited him of the village children playing in the sidewalk happily laughing. They were throwing a rubber ball back and forth allowing each child participating to receive a turn. A girl gasped as the ball flew from a boy's hands and rolled away from their region and entered Naruto's. In unison, they each stopped and stared at him. One of the boys came forward.

"Hey Mister can we have our ball back?" asked the boy staring at Naruto. The blonde reached to lift the ball from the ground and a smile crept on his face.

"Get ready to catch it ok?! Here it goes!" Naruto applied small force to send the ball sailing in the blue sky. The boy grinned accepting the challenge and ran some distance. Swiftly it landed in his hands and he smiled in triumph. Naruto smiled waving at the children who waved back. The scene reminded him of the distant past in the dark memories of his childhood. Though seeing the children of today carelessly tossing nightmares aside and replacing them with excitement and adventure, Naruto really felt a sense of protecting Konoha as well as his friends and the people who inhabited Konoha. The children continued playing merrily.

Naruto strolled past waving good-bye to them as he continued on his walk. He kept the same pace until he saw someone familiar coming his way. "Oi, Sai buddy!" Naruto yelled out in the open for the whole Konoha to lend ears. The ninja whose skill specialized in calligraphy and art, glanced toward Naruto a blank expression taking over.

"Naruto," Sai greeted as an unfathomable smile creeping on his pale face. Sai was wearing a few traveling packs indicating he had just returned from a private mission. Lucky bastard, Naruto thought.

"Coming from a mission?" Naruto asked occasionally attempting to strike up a conversation with Sai.

"Yes," Sai answered simply. Same as ever, always replying truthfully but never adding details, Sai liked to remain shrouded in mystery. Naruto grew frustrated hearing a short answer and pocked Sai in the forehead with his index finger.

"We're friends right? Lighten up Sai and give me the cool details of your mission," Naruto said grinning.

"An unexpected mission, though I prefer to have refused," Sai said cocking his head sideways unsure if this reply sufficed for Naruto's over excited attitude.

"Refuse a mission!? Sai, you are a high ranked ninja, I'm sure Granny assigned you at least a B ranked mission! If I were you I'd be delighted!" Naruto exclaimed displeased Sai took his missions less seriously than he did. Sai shrugged carelessly knowing Naruto would start bombarding him with endless questions. In event this should happen, Sai had a right to turn Naruto's questions aside and remain in secrecy.

"I'm sure you would be. Please excuse me, I'm weary," Sai said smiling again patting Naruto's shoulder. Naruto gaped, was Sai trying to escape from him or ignore him? Finally he had found someone he could share a conversation with but Sai declined the offer.

"Sai, you bastard, you're lying aren't ya?" Naruto wagged his finger accusingly at the pale artist. Sai frowned slightly wishing Naruto could abandon hope.

"Three days without sleep causes terrible effects, that's why I should go home," Sai explained patiently keeping a poker face. The blonde ninja appeared disappointed for some reason but quickly laughed nervously. Sai's eyes remained apathetic demonstrating hardly any emotion.

"Is that so? Then get going Sai, go sleep," Naruto said forcibly. Sai nodded silently in agreement and waved good-bye. Once Sai disappeared from his view, Naruto grew suspicious. Although Sai always acted strangely, he was stranger than usual. Almost as if Sai were keeping a secret from Naruto. Now that Naruto can recall, since a few months back, Sai seemed lost as if missing something. No, Sai just simply enjoyed have peace and relaxation without too much noise. Naruto dismissed the suspicion from his mind. Maybe if he paid Tsunade a visit…yes, giving up now is disgraceful! Naruto was determined to receive a mission even if it leads to escorting another drunkard.

Motivation set in mind, Naruto rushed to the Hokage Tower ready to receive a lengthy lecture from Tsunade. Rushing past stalls, and homes, Naruto came upon the spiraling steps leading to the main entrance. Taking in a large amount of air then exhaling, he set his goal. Rarely did he see a Jounin or Chunnin pass by in the halls which made the arrival easier. ANBU members were lacking work and were probably out in the village in a dango shop stuffing their faces (that's if they cared to remove the mask). The door to Tsunade's office was closed but Naruto could make out muffled voices from the hall. The intention of knocking left him when his name was mentioned.

Freezing, his hand went cold on the brass handle of the wooden door. In the corner of his mind, eavesdropping was a bad habit to develop but there was a slim chance he'd let this one pass. The voices continued but this time clearer because Naruto was close. In case someone opened the door, Naruto stood on the side listening carefully.

"Naruto, seems to be normal," a familiar voice said. Sai? The imbecile clearly stated he was heading home for rest. Naruto felt anger rushing through his veins. So there was something Sai was hiding and Granny was in on it too.

"Tsunade-sama, Naruto has every right to know," cut in a female voice. Sakura knew about it too?! Outraged Naruto suppressed the action of barging in and demanding to be informed of everything they were carrying on behind his back. Though if he did, Tsunade would keep quiet.

"I do acknowledge Naruto has matured enough to probably handle the situation calmly though it's better this way. That man…seriously wants to hurt him," Tsunade's voice was soft with emotion. Who could they be talking about?

"Eventually those two will face each other," Sakura pointed out, her voice revealing her desperation.

"I understand but Sakura, the letter he left a few months ago is rather disturbing," Tsunade said.

"We can't be sure it's his writing or his doing," Sakura protested.

"Oh really? Threatening to obliterate Konoha until we release Naruto to him isn't dangerous? It isn't his doing? Whatever Orochimaru has promised him no, whatever Uchiha Sasuke has a whim of doing with Naruto is my sole duty to prevent! Sakura, have I not provided you with the reason countless times? You certainly handled this information quietly and discretely, I praise you for that. Sai, you too, kept reports of Sasuke's movements in Naruto's shadow, thank you," Tsunade said her voice faltering.

Naruto stood leaning against the wall his blue eyes wide in shock and his heart beating fiercely against his chest. Was this a nightmare or reality? The voices continued on…

"The letter, Hokage-sama, exactly did Sasuke claim he would do with Naruto?" Sai asked.

"Sasuke successfully erased the life of his brother, Itachi. Avenging was always his primary goal and perhaps he's grown tired of Orochimaru's twisted schemes. Almost three years ago, Sasuke cut that bond of friendship and brotherhood with Naruto, and now he wants to initially take down a threat to him. Naruto…he's gotten stronger and Sasuke wants to hurt Konoha's heart as well as Naruto's. Personally I think Sasuke is bitter and hasn't a clue what he really wants," Tsunade explained. "In the letter, he wrote a date, time, and rendezvous but within that time frame Naruto is ordered to stay within the village boundaries. Uchiha Sasuke plans to eliminate Naruto once and for all." Silence followed as neither Sai nor Sakura tried to break it. Naruto himself was astonished and extremely pissed off.

The temptation of busting through the door and throwing a wild tantrum was growing difficult to contain. Sasuke asked for him through a letter he never received information of. Sasuke planned to murder him which sounded bad but the fact was clear. The time had finally come for them two to settle their past. This was between them two and them two only. Why was Tsunade preventing him from seeing Sasuke? This was Naruto's fight, a fight to convince Sasuke and if not, seriously give Sasuke the beating of his life. This whole time he lingered unsure of what to do and now he knew.

"Hokage-sama, from returning from my mission, Uchiha Sasuke was last spotted within the Fire Country's borders," Sai said breaking the tension in the lingering in the air. "For about three days, I camped out with several ANBU tracking down his routine. It appears he's becoming impatient as each day progresses. Our location was a day's travel from Konoha to a densely populated village to the north of here. That one village is isolated from the others within the borders of the Fire Country making it the perfect secluded spot for Sasuke."

"So close…"

"For the meantime, Sai, I would like you to take observation of Naruto. Better yet, Sakura allow him to spend time with your family therefore he is closely under our eye…" Tsunade's voice trailed off. Naruto had enough of this nonsense. He clenched his fists so tightly that warm crimson red liquid dripped from his hands on to the floor. Another opportunity to have a confrontation with Sasuke rose. There was no way in hell; he was going to let that chance escape. In the past confrontations, he fucked up, but not this time. Naruto quietly existed the hall and once he was sure, he was out of ear shot, he sprinted.

From sprinting, he ran, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Adrenaline rushed through his blood and coursed through his body. Sasuke was so near, he could probably imagine leaving the main village gate and seeing him on the other side. Anger, anticipation, fear, and emotion gripped him as he ran down the roads like a madman. The sun was setting behind a row of houses as Naruto's mind raced. Sasuke, the name repeated in his brain countless times. The desperate feeling of arriving to his home became unbearable. If Tsunade won't assign him a mission, he himself, would assign one. Before anyone can realize his intentions, Naruto climbed the steps to his second story apartment. He almost opened the door but stopped in mid way.

His mind reverted back to the trap he laid before leaving his home. It was dark outside now, the stars shinning above and Naruto grasped the handle; it was locked. The piece of paper lay in tact to the door hinges. Naruto opened the door to reveal, his room untouched. Every item in his home was just as he left it. Naruto felt the disappointment shrouding over him. Unfortunately he had very little time to search his home. Rushing to grab his traveling mission back pack, Naruto opened his clothing drawers with force and stuffing a change of clothes in them. Dumping the pack on his bed, he inserted a good quantity of kunai, explosive tags, and other weapons Naruto knew he probably needed. Heading to move his pack to the table, a glint of white attracted his attention.

Sure enough there on his messy bed, lay the white blank piece of paper Naruto had inserted on the window hinges. His breath grew short, and reaching for his window, his hand clasped the window pane. It hung loosely as if he never locked it firmly in the first place. Was this a sign? Naruto remained entranced by the open window wondering who could have come back and why. Taking the paper in his right hand he studied it for any form of writing but it was undisturbed. Sasuke…

Naruto shook his head at the thought. There was no way Sasuke had an entrance to Konoha let alone come in and do as he pleased. Sasuke desired to deprive Naruto of his life so why visit and leave without making a single move?

Sasuke…was it you who came? Why do we have to fight? Let's be friends again, let's bother Kakashi-sensei by arguing, and let us go on missions again. Sakura misses you….I miss you. Naruto remained the remainder of the precious time he had staring at the piece of paper. There were many questions he wanted answered.

Grabbing his bag, Naruto fixed his head protector, and closed his door. Sasuke was in his grasp, and Naruto wasn't having second thoughts in letting go of Sasuke's hand. Not now….not ever….

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A/N: I seriously took time writing this chapter. I erased original ideas and replaced them countless times with other ones until I came to this. Hopefully it was satisfying enough to keep reading for more. Also there might be some silly grammar mistakes, I don't really edit them. (sorry for that, I'm lazy)