So, third chapter! I should let you all know now, before anyone starts complaining, that the story I'm writing is different from that in the manga, obviously. I've changed a thing or two. Nothing too major.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto

Naruto rolled over in his warm hospital bed. He had to admit, it felt nice sleeping in heated sheets with a pillow full of feathers, rather than waking up on the cold, hard snow-plastered ground as he was accustomed to lately. This euphoria, however, left him quickly. He frowned and rolled onto his back.

"Akatsuki..." He whispered, staring at the flourescent lights above him. The attack was sudden and random, and it wouldn't leave Naruto's mind. Would they try to sneak up on him again? Should he leave the village, perhaps? No... thats the coward's way. What he would have to do was train. Harder and harder, until he stood a fighting chance to save himself if they ever tried to capture him again. Yes, that was it. He would need to find that perverted hermit and ask him to give him his toughest training yet. "but before that..." he told himself, sitting up out of bed as his stomach gave a violent growl, " I'll visit the old man at the Ichiraku Ramen bar!" He smiled, deciding that a few dozen large bowels of ramen would be something he might consider his last meal, as he would train relentlessly after he slurped his last noodle.

Naruto stood up straight and streched, trying to put Akatsuki out of his mind. He opened the door to his room and strolled out, zipping up his jacket to lock in some warmth. In the distance, someone started shouting. He almost turned around, but decided against it. Nothing was going to distract him today! He opened the door to the hospital and walked into the chilly air, just as the angered yelling grew louder. He began to throw his right hand up in front of his eyes to protect them when someone grabbed him around the waist from behind, knocking the wind from him.

Naruto let out a shocked yell as the man threw himself on top of him, forcing Naruto's face into the freezing snow. He couldn't think - He couldn't move! Was Akatsuki making an attack in broad daylight? In the center of the village!? Naruto panicked, feeling stronger chakra flow from him. He could force this man off of him - he could kill him! He wouldn't be taken! unfortunately, though, just as the chakra of the nine-tailed fox began to flow through him, all his chakra disappeared. Something gently pricked the back of his neck and Naruto closed his eyes, took a breath, and fell into darkness.

--------

Somewhere in the darkness, a young man stood with his back against a wall. He had his arms folded across him and was listening intently on what his master was saying to him.

"Akatsuki is growing stronger..." The older man said, brushing his long black hair from his eyes. "They'll be overpowering me any time now..." he growled. The younger man listened. "If they capture all the jinchuriki, it will be the end. We must.. stop him. Especially if they reach the kitsune demon."

The young man's ears perked. He smirked. "We've had this conversation many times before. I remember you informing me... the names of the remaining jinchuriki... Uzumaki Naruto, he was the container of that Kyuubi, no?"

"Yes.. the strongest of the tailed beasts."

There was a lenthy pause. "I'd been thinking... we should capture him. If we have a safe hold of him, Akatsuki will not be able to capture all the beasts. Of course, they'll come after him here, when they find out where he is. It will be a good chance for... a fight I've been waiting for."

Orchimaru looked up. "True. I was thinking of that myself, I have been for a while. We could easily capture the boy and weaken him so he wouldn't be able to use the demon's chakra. It would be easy, of course, but if all Akatsuki members come after him here..."

"I'll kill them." Sasuke answered. "I'm stronger than he is."

"There's more here than Itachi, Sasuke!" Orochimaru said, a bit angered. "You know how important this is. You'll be needed to fight - not just your brother, but all of those who wear the Akatsuki cloaks."

Sasuke stood up straight, "I know. Don't underestimate me, Orochimaru-sama." He said seriuosly. his sensei smiled.

"Never. Though you might have a problem. That Uzumaki Naruto kid, he was your best friend, was he not? I've seen the way you two used to work together. Will you allow me to capture him? I can't hope on you somehow...betraying me, can I?" He growled, glaring at Sasuke, who smirked.

"Never." He answered. "I can capture him myself if that is what you want. I'll bring him here... myself."

----

Naruto opened his eyes and immediantly panicked. His eyes had not nearly adjusted to the bright lights over him before he let out a startled yell, not knowing where he was after he was knocked unconscious. He jumped from the bed he was in and immediantly began to get his bearings. Someone was advancing on him, causing Naruto to scream and back away twenty feet until he slammed into a wall.

"Naruto!" The person exclaimed. Naruto took a deep breath and blinked. His pounding heart began to slow. It was only Tsunade, who was wearing a startled and concerned look on her face. "Naruto, it's ok, it's me! Calm down!" She ordered, keeping a good distance away from Naruto in case he started freaking out again.

Naruto had calmed when he locked eyes with the Hokage. He was in the hospital again. "I'm sorry." He said slowly, taking a deep breath. Tsunade was quiet. "I was..."

"I understand." Tsunade said slowly, walking towards him and gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright."

Naruto was now ashamed over how excited he had gotten. He acted like... a child. "I thought you were..."

"I know. The man who attacked you was an ANBU officer. I ordered him to watch over you, and I might have said that if you escaped, I'd demote him to a Genin, so forgive him for being so brutal."

Naruto sat on the familiar hospital bed. "Tsunade Obaa-chan... your mean." He said sternly. Tsunade smiled.

"I ordered him to stand outside your door, which is where he is now, so no more trying to esca--"

"I wasn't! I didn't--"

"I'm serious! Now, I know your worried about Akatsuki, but I can promise you that they won't be back for a while... months, at the least. But I need to know your safe. A few guards -"

Naruto jumped up. "No!" he yelled. "I don't need guards! I need the Perverted Hermit to supervise my training! I'm not going to be a burden to anyone, damn it!" He growled, serious. Tsunade blinked. She expected as much.

"Very well, Naruto. I will order Jiraiya to train you relentlessly. It will not be easy - I'm going to help. Of course, because I'm going to be a part of your training, your team-mate Haruno Sakura will be training along with us, as she is my student. Will you be ready for it?"

Naruto smiled. "I always am."

"Good. I will dismiss the ANBU guard thats eavesdropping on us, then you will begin your training immediantly..." she said, then hesitated. "Well...first, you should eat some ramen. It could be considered something like your last meal." He smiled. She had read his mind.

---

Sakura was returning the files she was to copy for Tsunade. The day was as boring as it was long, and copying files made the hours seem like weeks. She entered her office and placed the papers on her un-organized desk.

"Thank you, Sakura." Tsunade said. Sakura turned to leave. "Wait. I know you don't like this type of work. You'll be starting physical work again today and will train with jiraiya and myself." She said in a dignified voice. Sakura perked up.

"Train with.. two of the three Sannin! Yes, yes, I'm looking forward to it, Tsunade-senpai!" she smiled. This was what she needed - to be strong! She would now really be following in the footsteps of Tsunade. "What time should I meet you?"

"Bring all your ninja gear at noon. You may be used to Kakashi, but I will not be late so make sure you are on time! The training area near the woods sounds good." She said, looking over the papers Sakura handed to her.

Sakura couldn't stop grinning. This was what she wanted! This was what she needed! "Yes, I will! Thank you very much!" She turned to leave, ready to gather her gear up as quickly as possible. Tsunade stopped her again.

"Oh, I might have forgotten - you will also be training with Jiraiya's student, Uzumaki Naruto." she said simply.

Sakura frowned, her back still to Tsunade. "Oh? Well... I'm still looking forward to it." she said, feigning a smile and leaving the room. Once outside the door, she cursed her luck. Of all people...this was going to be awkward.

----

This chapter was a little rushed, sorry. I taped Naruto's mough shut, so he'll not be adding his input today! Yay silence!

Next Chapter: Sasuke-kun!