Disclaimer: Naruto, his friends and the universe he lives in don't belong to me, but to Masashi Kishimoto. I write solely for my own pleasure and I don't make any money with this story.

Chapter Four: Be Reasonable!

„What were you thinking?" Yamato asked. „If you were thinking at all."

„There was no time to think."

„Particularly if there is no time to think you should be careful not to do anything stupid."

„What was stupid about what I did?"

„Risking your life like this!"

„It were only my kagebunshin."

„Your true self went as well."

Naruto swallowed. It had been his true self after all that had met Itachi. He decided to be silent about it.

„You know the risk", Yamato continued. „You are in greater danger than any of us, even though you are stronger than most of your teammates. You are the jinchuuriki, so it is you they are after. We also have reason to believe that you are Itachi's personal target. You should be on your guard and not rush out as you did."

„How can I save Sasuke if I am afraid of Itachi?"

„How can you save him when you are dead? Stop acting the hero and begin to think!"

He left Naruto speechless and humiliated, all the more because he knew that Yamato had a point. Still he could not completely subdue his anger. He was fed up with having to be careful all the time, never moving too far away from the Jounin of the team, always remembering that he was the jinchuuriki, targeted by Akatsuki and in mortal danger if they ever found him.

Damn. As if he was a precious doll, not the strong shinobi he really was.

He went to Sakura to vent about his frustration.

„It's not your fault", she said. „But no one can help it. You are their target. Be reasonable!"

It was easy for her to say that: She was not in his place.

„Tsunade did what she could for you. The council would have preferred to have you stay in Konoha."

Be content with the constrictions imposed on you. They could be worse. Don't envy those who may enjoy their freedom.

Kakashi was not much better.

„I know it's not easy for you, but please keep in mind that we are doing our best: Be with you and give you the protection you need while trying to find Sasuke. It won't be forever. One day Akatsuki will be defeated. Just don't rush into action any more without consulting us, and most important of all, never again go anywhere without taking anyone with you."

I won't tell him that I met Itachi, Naruto thought. Just as little as I told Yamato.

He felt alone, separated from the rest of the team by a thick wall of glass. During recent years he had forgotten how it felt: Now, just when he had come to think that he had found himself friends, that his endeavors to make himself likeable had born him fruit, that he was now accepted and could say good-bye to his loneliness, it had returned, stronger and worse than ever.

Hinata felt that he was troubled. „We care for you", she said. „We want you to stay alive."

She meant well, but her words only made the wall grow higher.