A/N: Hello again. (: Wow... I actually finished chapter 3... how long after I said I would/could? Its not that I didn't want to.. I have like seven half finished attempts. In fact I'm still not 100% sure that I've nailed it and gotten where I wanted to. Though I did attempt some comedy in this so feel free to shoot me if the want arises. c:

I'll dedicate this to Eveybaby13 who gave me a review earlier today that made me so happy. ^^ Thanks, I hope you read this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did.. well yeah... it so would not be shonen -cough- Yaoi -cough- and the rating would blow your mind. ;D

It's Only True.

By todo-mahem.

.:Chapter Three: Step by step:.

Running, running, running. He'd done it before and Naruto would do it again. He'd chase down his targets and get them one way or another. He'd never give up, that was his promise.

Yet this... this kind of running was entirely new to Naruto. It terrified him because for the first time in a long time Naruto was running away. And he had no hope.

He'd ran as fast as he could using his chakra to fuel his movements, eating up miles and miles as he went. He swept past trees, people, animals as a flash of orange that was gone as fast as it was there. Naruto felt he had never ran so fast in his life.

When he eventually slowed to a stop by a trickling stream Naruto paused to gulp down water before once more taking off without any particular destination.

'I just have to get away.' Was the only thought that Naruto allowed into his head.

'Away, away, away, away... away .... away..... away...' Naruto didn't know when he left consciousness. He didn't even realise that he wasn't awake. As his movements waned and his head fell forward his body followed.

When Naruto awoke moonlight flooded his sight as he tried to sit up, but fell back from the strain. How long had he been lying there?

Glancing around the clearing Naruto's eyes widened in alarm as he comprehended the situation.

Three old women sat on a tree trunk not two metres away, hunched over and staring silently and intently at Naruto. A cold wind stirred causing chills to run up Naruto's body and as he looked down he noticed that his shirt was rolled up to his chest, the seal clearly visible.

"Jinchiruki," The woman in the middle croaked without looking up. "You're far from your home."

The woman on the left stirred and stared straight at Naruto, cold white eyes reflecting in the moonlight. "Far away, and nowhere to go but back."

The woman on the right coughed lightly before she too looked up, her eyes as clear as the others. "All alone and terribly unloved."

Once more the woman in the middle spoke, as she too looked up, her eyes deathly pale. "Poor little fox, what will you do now?"

Slowly Naruto sat up, eyes wide and wary. Rolling his shirt back down Naruto turned to the old croans, crossing his legs.

"Wha- What's it to you what I do now?" He managed his voice sore and hoarse.

"What's it to us?" Asked the one on the right. "Well... you could say that we do not approve of you wanderings."

"Yes..." The woman on the left spoke up once again. "The beast of fire should be kept locked up, not roaming freely."

"Hush." The woman in the middle spat out before Naruto had a chance to retort. "Heed us Uzumaki, don't lose your heart to this darkness, it's not becoming and It is an insult to your parents. Become strong once more, stronger than before. Train yourself until you can face again your adversaries. So that when faced by them you do not even blink. Do that and return home."

As one the old woman stood and walked away into the darkness, Naruto didn't even breath as the disappeared from site. Five minutes later as If broken from a spell Naruto called out after the woman, not expecting a reply.

"AND HOW THE FUCK DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO THAT?!"

As if from nowhere, carried on the wind the old croans voice whispered in his ear. "Find your path, find your teacher, or are you incapable? Any Hokage could do it."

Naruto stiffened at the words. 'Any Hokage huh?' Naruto mused to himself.

'Good idea!'

---

1 month.

Gaara was never easily surprised. Ever.

The pure notion would be scoffed at by ever member of the Sand village who knew they're Kazekage as the emotionless boy he outwardly was.

But when Naruto, worn and battered showed up at the gates of Sunagakure and collapsed one month after he was reported missing from Konoha, well the rumours have it that Gaara went so far as to let his eyes widen at least one tenth of a millimetre. Those rumours were quickly squashed when the Kazekage reportedly turned and walked away from the unconscious Shinobi without a second glance. Ruthless was their leader, and they loved him for it.

When the blonde finally woke in a dark cold room with white sheets tucking him into the bed snugly, well to say the least he freaked. Perhaps the head case med squad had come to get him, had Tsunade finally dubbed his as insane and sentenced him to a life of solitude. White walls did not go with orange!

Jumping from the bed Naruto felt his way around the room until he came to a door which he wrenched open, squinting from the light on the other side. As his eyes adjusted Naruto let out a cry of shock before jumping back a meter and falling on his backside.

"... Stoic as ever I see Gaara." Naruto muttered, pulling himself to his feet. Rushing forward the blonde grabbed the Kazekage's hand warmly and smiled a small smile. "It's good to see you."

Naruto expected at the least a grunt of reply, or a nod of recognition. But instead Gaara's face contorted into a sort of grimace and glare which would have sent any missing-nin, running back to their village, begging for mercy.

Taken aback Naruto clenched his hands in front of him and fidgeted.

"What. Happened." Gaara said each word as if it was painful to talk with a level voice. His eyes, still slits of furry caused Naruto to warily step back a pace.

"Well... uh, you see... I kind of... hmm, well I suppose I... and then, you see... well, yeah..." Naruto mumbled.

"...I see." Gaara spoke a bit lighter this time. "Follow me Uzumaki."

With that Gaara turned and walked down the hard sandy walkway.

Naruto almost breathed a sigh of relief when they came out onto the balcony. Fresh air assaulted him like a welcome friend and Naruto felt a lot lighter.

Gaara sat with his back against the balcony wall, placing his giant gourd beside him. Naruto walked nervously up to the balcony ledge before turning and facing Gaara.

"Explain." Gaara's voice was quiet but demanding and with a sigh Naruto told Gaara everything. When his story was done Naruto dropped to the ground, laying his back, hands folded underneath his head.

"So what do you think Gaara?" Naruto asked. "They meant you right? You're the stoic bastard that the three granny's said could help me face Sasuke again."

"Hmm." Gaara replied.

Sighing loudly Naruto closed his eyes.

"You've changed Naruto." Gaara said quietly, causing the blondes eyes to fly open as he turned his head and looked at the other man. "And I do not like it."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, surprise in his voice.

Gaara's eyes narrowed once more. "I mean what I say. You're not the same. I expected you to be...well, more like you were last time you were here. Right from the start, it's like your light has gone out."

"Oh." Naruto said, turning his head back and staring at the clear blue sky. "Well, I suppose it has."

"Hn." Gaara stood and pulled is gourd strap back over his shoulder. "Stay as long as you like Naruto, but while here you will train with me. Be ready."

"Ok Gaara." Naruto said as the Kazakage walked back inside.

Naruto stayed on the balcony until darkness settled over the desert. As the cold crept over him nostalgia kicked in and Naruto immediately thought of Sasuke's dark hair and pale skin which seemed to reflect the pale moon so completely.

Cursing to himself Naruto stood and walked back into the darkness of the Kazekage's building.

---

3 months.

Naruto crawled into his room, clothes torn and breathing shallow.

Moaning loudly to the empty room as he collapsed onto his bed Naruto didn't even bother to take his shoes off before curling up into a ball and waiting for the fox to heal his wounds.

Gaara had been as unrelenting as usual, with his knowledge of the fox's ability he didn't hold back in the least.

"Bastard." Naruto mumbled as he stretched out his right arm. It had been broken in yesterday training, and almost again this time around. No matter how long Naruto had been sparing the Kazekage he was as strong as ever and holding his own was challenging.

"Ergh! Why am I still here?" Naruto mused to himself before his face became blank as pain rushed forward inside him.

"Oh...that's why." Naruto curled up tighter, hugging his pillow to his chest. Stupid Sasuke.

'I bet he's just fine without me... Just fine.' Naruto thought as his tears spilled over.

"No!" Naruto yelled to the empty room, as he wiped away his tears. Letting his expression settle back to the blank focused face Naruto felt a little more content.

Last time he tried to do that, as the many times before, he'd failed and cried himself to sleep.

Satisfied with his improvement Naruto allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

Little did he know, that in your sleep your true emotions cannot be with held.

'Sasuke.' Naruto whispered, as the tears continued to flow through his tightly closed eye lids.

Gaara, checking in on Naruto in the night noticed his tear streaked face. From now on the training would have to be harder. Glaring at nothing in particular Gaara closed the door and walked towards the rooftop to keep watch over his village.

Stupid perverted bastard.

"If this plan doesn't work I'll show him why my sand coffin is feared, and never give him the chance to tell the tale of it." Gaara muttered to himself as he went.

---

5 months.

As kunai clashed against kunai, the final weapon in this battle, Gaara fell forward, lying flat on the ground.

Almost a second later Naruto followed.

Breathing heavy the two tried to regain their composure and after five minutes Gaara managed to sit up, while Naruto merely rolled over onto his back and stared at the stars.

"Good fight." Gaara murmured.

Grinning from ear to ear Naruto stretched. "Yes." He replied.

"You're improving a lot."

Inwardly Naruto revelled in the compliment. Keeping his voice level Naruto spoke quietly. "Thankyou."

Sighing loudly Gaara stood and kicked Naruto's foot.

"Ouch! What was that for you stupid bastard??!" Naruto yelled, getting to his feet and glaring at the other man.

"I am not Sasuke." Gaara replied his expression level and stoic. "You do not have to treat me as you will him."

"...Oh." Naruto's face was shocked. Sasuke. His name sent a streak of anguish through Naruto's gut. Trying to hide his grimace Naruto faked his best smile and punched Gaara lightly on the shoulder. "Yeah I know that! Sorry."

Glaring and turning his back on Naruto Gaara began to walk away. As Naruto began to follow him, Gaara stopped.

"Also, there is no point in trying to hide from me what his name does to you Uzumaki. You may fool the others and lie to your Hokage in those letters... but I am not oblivious. Try harder."

Naruto didn't move as Gaara walked from the training grounds.

Falling to his knees Naruto put his hands to his eyes in an attempt to stop his tears, but there were none. He couldn't cry any more. He hadn't cried for a while now. He didn't feel any better for it though.

"Why, why, why?" Naruto moaned quietly to the empty air. "Why can't I hate you?"

Wrapping his hands around his stomach, as if in attempt to hold in his pain Naruto stayed where he was until the light touched the sky.

Glaring at the sun as it stretched over the horizon Naruto couldn't help but wish for the darkness to come back and engulf him in its own, cool hold.

"Oh god I miss you Sasuke." Naruto murmured. "Just a little longer Sasuke... we can be together soon." Naruto felt his sadness once more well up inside him.

'After all, he was my best friend before I loved him like this... I can do it again.'

---

6 months.

"Gaara?" Naruto slipped through the door to the office as the Kazekage turned from the window and looked at him.

"Do you need something?" He asked, his expression as neutral as ever.

"Uh, well actually...I think it's going to storm...I mean I know what you said, but I was just out there and it looks huge!"

"Yes, but it won't reach here. Not at this time of year, I've told you this." Gaara said, turning back to the window and looking out over the village.

"Right..." Naruto said.

Sighing Gaara placed his hands on the window sill and relaxed forward. "What do you really want Uzumaki?"

Naruto paused. Of course Gaara would realise that wasn't what he wanted to say.

"Well...I know I said a year, and it was agreed upon... but I think I want to go back." Naruto said lamely. "To Konoha."

Gaara didn't say anything so Naruto continued.

"It's just the storm I saw it and I had a feeling, that well I shouldn't stay here anymore. It's like its waiting for me or something!" Naruto rambled. "I've never been one to run and hide, and this feels like just that! I can hide my emotions pretty well now, I've had time apart and Sasuke should have gotten over what I said by now right? So I think it would be ok now, I think I would be ok now and-"

"Naruto." Gaara cut him off.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked.

"Do you still love him?" Gaara words came out of nowhere, completely taking Naruto by surprise.

"Uh...Well yeah...I don't think that will ever change, but I want to see him again...even if I can't have him know my feelings."

"...Good. You can go." Gaara's reply should have shocked Naruto but not one for postponing things; Naruto instead rushed forward and hugged Gaara before running from the room.

"Thanks Gaara, bye!" Naruto yelled, already half way down the hall.

Gaara let out a light sigh.

"He was right." Gaara murmured. "He knew he'd go back now... he got it exactly."

'You better be right.'

'Of course I am!' The Sanin had answered. 'You'll see, let him think that he's in control, that he'll be able to cope. In the mean time Sasuke should pull his head in.'

'Hn.'

Jumping to the window sill Jiraiya turned and grinned at Gaara. 'Oh, and one more thing... when I'm right, which I will be, since you doubt me so much how about you call me "Super Great Sanin" from then on, deal?'

The man winked before turning and jumping into mid air and disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Like hell." Gaara muttered as he kept his ever vigilant eye on his home.

He felt it in the air as the wind smoothly changed direction, facing back towards Konoha. He watched as the orange form rushed through the village towards the gate, waving at various villagers as he went.

"Good luck Uzumaki..." Gaara said quietly.

---

"Tomorrow." Jiraiya stated blatantly.

"What?" Tsunade replied not even trying to hide her annoyance.

"Tomorrow he will-" The man had to stop his words for his loud sneeze which sent him stumbling backwards comically. Rubbing his nose Jiraiya continued. "Eh, excuse me, probably one of my women talking about me. Anyway as I was saying, Naruto will be back tomorrow."

"What are you talking about? What have you done this time?!" Tsunade yelled, slamming her fists on the table before her as she stood up, knocking over her chair in the process.

"Oh calm down Tsunade, it's unbecoming. It's all a part of my plan."

Rage formed on the woman's face.

Jiraiya was already halfway to the village gate before she even had time to form her threat.

---

Sakura placed the two mugs of hot tea on the table as Sasuke entered the room and glared.

"I thought I made it clear that I did not need you to do this Sakura." Sasuke stated.

"Oh I'm quite sure you did Sasuke." Sakura replied sweetly. "But I on the other hand haven't had a chance to go shopping as I've been indisposed for the past two days with matters regarding one of my best friends and well I was really aching for a hot cup of tea. Though you wouldn't know anything about that would you, ne?"

Sasuke scowled and sat that the table as Sakura sat across from him.

"So, when he's back," Sakura began. "Will you tell him that you love him too?"

Completely ignoring the woman Sasuke picked up his cup and swallowed the hot liquid.

"Sasuke?"

"..."

"Hey do you think this mark on my face where I got a bit burnt by some fire yesterday has cleared up well enough? I'm not too sure..."

"I'll tell him." Sasuke said. "If he will listen."

Smiling Sakura replied. "He will, I'm sure he will."

"Mmm."

"Sasuke?"

"Hn?"

"I'm glad your back... Really."

"...thanks."

The silence that followed was more comfortable than the two had ever shared. But the looming thought of Naruto was never too far from either mind like a dull ache.

It had been long since Kakashi had sat with them as team 7, but Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had on more than one occasion came together for ramen or drinks.

The empty seat beside Sasuke drew Sasuke's attention out of the corner of his eye.

"Soon." Sasuke murmured while Sakura reached her hand over the table, taking his in her own and giving it a light squeeze.

---

A/N: Thanks for reading!!! /hands out eternal love. Please review with critisism/death threats/abuse and/or marriage proposals. 3 Take care. (: Until the next and final chapter.

P.s: Check me out on deviantArt!! .com. (: