I LLLIIIVVVEEE! Hello everyone; after taking a long break to get back my thoughts (and do crap for college) I created another chapter and hope there are those out there that still has a blot of faith in me making a semi-mediocre story... That is some what alright.... Sniffle...

Anyways, hopefully this can explain why the last chapter was what it was. Oh, and a little game; there are two Japanese names that are anagramed of popular manga authors (Last and first name respectively). HINT: Their Manga-to-Anime shows both appeared on Cartoon Network at night. The winners get to sick a naked rabid bear at Itachi!

Chapter 2: Awaken to Reality

However he wouldn't ever get them. The moment they reached a clearing, Naruto was faced with Orochimaru and an army of sound Nin. Kin tossed Naruto aside as she walked as she walked to the Snake, with a pleased look on her face. As she walked towards the leader, he pulled out his sword and stabbed her in the stomach, but her face still had the eerie smile. Then they started to advance…

And a snore disrupted the world as Naruto woke up from his odd dream.

…

The boy groggily got up from his bedroll inside the rented room of the apartment. The loud snoring form of Zaku who was all over a couch while Kin took the bed, both unaware of Naruto getting up. That was until he opened up a curtain letting a midday sun blasting through, and Zaku screeching as he fell off the seat ("AHHH! The light! It burns us!").

"Come on you two. Let's get some jobs done so we can have some cash." Naruto said loudly as he pushed Kin out of the bed after she only groaned. "And then we train." He finished with a grin. The two muttered under their breath for everyday they lived with him he pushed them in new fighting ways so that they could survive their most important battle…

"Alright you babies, hurry up and get whatever needs to be done, done. I'll be in the line at the mission office and pick up something."

After getting dressed quickly from some plain clothing from that night to his normal attire, the old Anbu field uniform and the "Jr" Akatsuki cloak (which after torn from battles during the chunin exam and after, was now a ribbon stranded cape) minus the gas mask. That item was lost a while ago, not like he needs it now.

After giving his "team" a final glance and an eye roll with raised brows left the building to the Assignment office. However, felling like he's being watched by every ninja he passes because of his dream, Naruto recalled to himself about his short time in the village hidden in the leaf to separate the horrid dream from reality.

It has been one week since the last time I saw Itachi. During which was the biggest turmoil in my life occurred, but for once I think it's been for the better. In Konoha, walking around without my mask (which felt like the biggest part of my identity now ever since I lost it a little after the chunin exams when Orochimaru attacked), I felt more naked and insecure than I could remember. But the citizens don't care, yet somehow in their emotions I can sense mixed feelings.

Of course for them, their dealing with the demon fox boy, the one who was shunned from the village, small, crying, broken in more than one way, back with some sort plan of unholy vengeance.

Then there are those optimistic ones that think I am on their side, wanting to protect them. So unbelievably high and mighty of themselves to think I want to protect them. Selfish hypocrites who I hate more than the more cautious ones. At least with fear I can enjoy.

Yet with that I seem a lot like either of them.

Then there are those who don't care about me; they only think that so long as I'm trying to help and nothing worse, I won't be kicked out and everyone's happy.

At least I can live with these guys with mutual respect. However, despite myself, I do like this town and its inhabitants, and I know that there are those out there that do care….

Sometimes I just don't understand myself.

Now this is the only thing that really bothered me, only a few days ago had I received a license stating that I was a 'legal' citizen of Konoha, apparently a gift from the old man, the third hokage. I don't know how he found out or why he didn't try to contact me. And apparently I was the forth's son. Not only was I sent in for a loop, but that just got me pissed off again. Like I need it. Well, at least I can deny like with everyone about that anti-climatic news. The last thing I want is to be anyone's son. He finished with a sigh, finding himself before the office.

…

Today the place was teaming with ninja of every rank as they ran in and out receiving and giving jobs for cash. Naruto knew too well that they needed it after the attack since a good chunk of the city was in ruins, but that only contributed to the overload of work for all to repair the damage. He approached the desk and was greeted by a grunt of a tired looking official.

"Take it you're looking for any work? Well, I'm sure we could find a lawn that needs mowing…" Then the guy faded back to reality and saw who he was looking at and felt a shiver fall down his spine.

"Actually I was looking for something more exciting." Said Naruto with a grin. One thing that never tired out for him was the initial reaction of the townsfolk and seeing a shocked face once in a while.

"Errr… Right. Well, what is available that is high ranking for some one of your… status is a B ranked escort mission."

"An escort? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to keep me away through any means." The man shook a bit which relieved Naruto a little with a smirk. "Well than, whom am I escorting?"

The official whispered something to a co-worker that was walking by, who then nodded. He continued to behind the wide doorway and called out in a voice barely loud enough for Naruto to hear; "Mr. Mohikisto, you already have someone who has applied for your job request. Please come here." The moment Naruto saw the client, he turned around in shock as if he pretended not to see. It was the old man he preformed his first mission for while in the Akatsuki. He had the look of cold indifference that could be hidden under the façade of warm actions that was seen once before.

Before they could be "introduced," Naruto pulled off a little genjutsu to change the color of his hair to black, eye to a stormy grey, and the removal of his whisker-like birthmarks on his cheeks, enough to have the man not recognize the boy but strong enough that the change couldn't be detected by normal means of dispelling illusions. Slicking his normally wild hair back so that it would be harder to identify, Naruto stuck out his hand and acted as if they never met before.

"Hello, I'm Narachi Romhiu. I shall be helping you to your destination…"

The man, Mohikisto, took it with a strained grin. No longer was he wearing the ratty rags but instead turned a 180 and wore what looked to be a silk suit. "So you are to be helping me to the village hidden in the star? Where is your team?"

"They are preparing as we speak back at their apartment. Please, follow me."