Silver: Hey all! Er…Sorry for the long….long…LONG wait…But here's the next installment! :D Better late than never, right? Look, I'm sorry. Unfortunately I happen to have a life, and that doesn't always give me access to a computer with internet. So…Enjoy. Or not. Don't complain to me.

Deidara: Silver owns none of the characters, just the little events she dropkicks them into.

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Come find me...

The words lay heavy on his mind. Even through the fun and games, the memories he knew he would cherish, those words scrawled on the little slip of paper haunted him.

Naruto had found no clues to his father's location and it worried him. What if he was still alive? What if he was hurt? He felt selfish, roaming the theme park with Sasuke and laughing, as if his father weren't waiting for him somewhere.

The day ended and Sasuke walked Naruto back to the shop, his face wistful. Naruto still wondered what had given him the impulse to buy their old orphanage, but he didn't bother asking. He suspected his old friend had inquired the same thing of himself, only to find no answer.

The stars above seemed to wink at them, the moon a little sliver in the sky. They attracted the attention of both boys, causing them to stop and stare. "Thanks, Naruto," Sasuke said, never breaking his gaze. "I had a lot of fun today."

"It was nothing," he assured him.

"No, really, Naruto." Now Sasuke had turned to the boy, his expression serious. "It means a lot. I..." He hesitated. "I haven't been able to let loose like this since you left, Naruto..." Sasuke's eyes fell in a way Naruto had never seen before. Instinctively he reached out to the boy, a way of asking what had happened during their separation. "No one's hurt me or anything like that," he told Naruto defensively. "It's just...Well...You'd have to see it to understand, I think."

"Let me see it, then." Sasuke seemed to analyze him for a moment, looking him up and down and back again. His eyebrows were knit together as he thought, and he had a small frown set across his features. Then he shook his head and took Naruto's hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I can't," he said. "Not yet." Naruto was about to protest, but Sasuke interrupted him with a kiss.

How many times would they do this, only to separate again? The idea ate at Naruto as he folded his arms about Sasuke's neck, pulling himself closer and deepening the action between them. He was beginning to enjoy kissing him, but he didn't know when Naruto would have to leave him again, nor for how long. He was a sadist and a masochist, torturing both of them as more kisses came in succession of the first, each more desperate and passionate than the last, like the world's most wonderful drink dwindling down to it's last drop. Sasuke clung to him, and Naruto sensed a greater want behind the sweetness, a desire that he could not fulfill at the time not because he was afraid to break the two of them, but because he was afraid of his own innocence.

"I need to get home," Naruto gasped during a break in their exchange. Sasuke scowled at the mention, causing the boy in his arms to chuckle. Then his expression turned thoughtful, his eyes slightly curious. "What?"

"I was just thinking of something that happened recently," answered the Uchiha. "I think it concerned you, though I didn't get the full details. It could be nothing, but I think you should look in to the old apartments across town. I don't think you'll find anything interesting, since they've been condemned for years, but it's worth a peek." Sasuke didn't allow room for questions. He took Naruto's hand and led him home, not saying a word to one another. Occasionally they did happen to remind each other of their sudden embrace with a single glance, and they were turn a shade of pink before looking away. Naruto could already see that their relationship was a shaky one, part due to Sasuke's desperation that could be felt with nearly every touch, every look, and part because of Naruto's uncertainty.

It was something to be pondered at a later date. When Sasuke dropped Naruto off, he waited patiently for the boy to disappear from his sight. When he could no longer see his figure, Naruto ran inside to call a taxi. The others were not present, likely fast asleep by now. They trusted their youngest member to return home safely, though they wouldn't know until morning that he chose to leave once more.

The lights of the city flashed by the window in streaks, though Naruto paid them no mind until they began to melt into the dismal scenery of the old neighborhood. All buildings seemed nearly condemned to him, but little lights and old cars told him that they still possessed inhabitants. The driver dropped him off on a street whose nameplate had long disappeared, either due to disrepair or vandals, and Naruto began the walk to the old apartments. They loomed tall in the distance, like a depressing beacon of the area's former glory. Most of the windows were gone, and those that remained were scratched and covered in thick dust. Yet the building itself was a marvel to the blonde, who stared in awe as he tried to imagine what it had been like during its first opening.

He stood for nearly half an hour examining the building before he went inside. It resembled the outside; broken, abandoned, dusty. Doors had been left ajar, some ripped off of their frames, likely thanks to thieves who hoped for scraps of items to sell. One door had caught his interest, though he nearly missed it. The thing was still intact, but there was an odd little picture carved in to the wood. Graffiti had covered it over the years, but it stood out proudly despite it all. For an old building, the image was very intricate and detailed, completed by a talented hand. It was a little fox with long whiskers that made Naruto unconsciously touch the mysterious markings on his face.

He went inside. The entire place was bare but for a large safe that had been bolted down and an abandoned picture frame, the picture still in it, to his surprise. He ran his hands over to old metal giant, unable to be broken or stolen by those that had wandered in to the apartments like he had. It looked expensive, with a lock that could only be broken by a special key. Something precious was obviously inside.

With a defeated sigh, Naruto curiously examined the photo. He nearly dropped it. He had only seen one photo thanks to Itachi, so he knew the man in the picture to be his father. The two were a carbon copy of one another; blue eyes, blonde hair, the silly twist of the mouth trying not to give away a fun secret. The woman he had not seen, though he remembered the description of his mother. She was beautiful, with long, light brown hair and dark eyes. Her eyes held the same mischeif that her son possessed now as she held tightly to a fox plushie, likely won for her by Yondaime. They looked madly in love with each other, unable to focus on the camera because they were so transfixed with the one beside them. They were both so young, so happy. Naruto ran his fingers gently across the photo-the glass had been broken, left to collect dust on the floor.

A bump. He felt a bump beneath the side of the photograph that Yondaime occupied, and Naruto excitedly pulled the picture out of the frame. After gently putting it into his pocket, Naruto pulled the little key from its hiding place. He began laughing. He probably sounded hysterical. He turned back to the safe, hands shaking as he shoved the key and opened the door. A single velvet box lay inside. It was small, the kind that held earrings and other small bits of jewelry. Dust had been unable to penetrate, just like the thieves, so the box had been left completely clean as Naruto took it.

Inside was a diamond engagement ring, obviously for the deceased woman in the photo, but also a little slip of paper. Naruto was almost afraid to touch it, as if it might burn him if he tried, but he eventually opened it.

Son,

Congratulations, you've found me! Well, sort of.

You may have guessed that this is the old apartment your mother and I lived in before you were born. Know that she was a wonderful, fantastic, inspiring woman, Naruto, and she loved you even before you were born with all of her heart. I hope the photo and this ring is enough to keep her close to you.

Now, I realize I am leading you on quite the treasure hunt from this point on, but it's for the best. We don't want the wrong folk to discover any of this-that wouldn't be any fun, would it? So I hope you've turned out to be a smart boy, or you have a trustworthy friend-like Itachi or his brother-who can help you when you're stuck. This first little bit of information should be the only thing I'm giving you straightforward.

In the far right corner of this room there should be a board that lifts up. Beneath it is the fox I won for your mother about a year before you were born. Kyuubi is its name and it should hold the next clue.

Happy hunting,

Yondaime Uzumaki

He closed the safe and put the letter in his pocket with the photograph before rushing to the corner. He tested the boards, all of which seemed rather loose to him, but he managed to locate another box. This one was simple cardboard, worn away by moisture and years of neglect. Gingerly Naruto pealed back the top, which fell off and on to the floor, and took the old plush toy from its hiding place. The years had been fairly kind to it, with the fur still rather soft and clean. It didn't even smell, which surprised him a little, but he was more curious about how this was supposed to help him reach his father.

He would have to thank Sasuke for the tip…

It was probably two in the morning when Naruto finally made it back to the shop, and Itachi was awake when he arrived. His face was blank, with no emotion, though that didn't mean anything. The young boy feared his guardian was angry with him.

"Where have you been, Naruto?" Itachi asked calmly. "You said you would be home by ten. Was Sasuke with you?"

"Sasuke dropped me off at ten," Naruto replied. "I called a taxi and left afterwards, though."

"Hm."

"Itachi, look, I found dad's old apartment and—"Itachi held up a hand to stop him.

"Naruto, I agreed to help you with whatever task Yondaime gave you," he stated, walking over to face the blonde. "That doesn't mean you can just run off to wherever you feel like going. You need to understand that this is dangerous business you're getting in to."

"I understand…"

"I'm not sure you do." Itachi sighed and brushed the hair from his eyes, allowing a grim expression to cross his features. "Naruto, I don't know who was after your father when I saw him last, but I'm certain that treading in to such territory will hold great risk. If you can't start taking this seriously I don't think I can let you continue."

"I'll take it seriously!" Naruto declared. "Please, Itachi, just…Let me continue. I think I can find dad." Itachi then noticed the fox and the ring box, recognition flashing in his eyes.

"I haven't seen this for almost nineteen years," he whispered. He reached to touch it but stopped himself. Then he shook his head, appearing for a moment decades older than he really was. "Just try to at least tell me what you're doing before you run off, okay? You're a part of this family, so I worry about you, kid."

Itachi went back to bed, and Naruto soon followed suit. That night he dreamed of nothing but keys, foxes, and Sasuke...

Naruto analyzed it and analyzed it, hiding all of the next day in his room, but Kyuubi didn't seem ready to give up his secrets. He just couldn't understand what was so special about the thing, not a single clue. "Dad must've thought I'd be some genius or something," grumbled Naruto, though the thought made him smile. "High expectations..."

"What are you muttering about?" Sasuke wrapped his arms around Naruto's middle, catching the blonde off guard and making him jump. This made the Uchiha laugh. "Edgy, aren't we?" he stated. "What's with the fox, Naruto? I've never seen it before."

"Something my mom used to own." He wouldn't go into details. "I got it yesterday after you left."

"Huh." Sasuke's eyes became soft and a little smile came to his face. "I'm glad you've got something of her's, if nothing else."

"Yea." Naruto snuggled it a little before turning around to face Sasuke. The boy still held on to him. "Sasuke?"

"Yes?"

"You don't think..." Naruto struggled to ask it, and he turned a little pink. "You don't think we're going too fast with this, do you? I mean, I've only been back for a short time..."

Sasuke stepped back a little, keeping his hands on Naruto's shoulder as he said, "My feelings haven't changed since we were kids, Naruto. Not for the worse, anyway. If you're nervous about jumping in to a relationship, I'll ease up, so don't think of me as some sort of sex-crazed guy looking for a good time."

"I didn't say that," Naruto retaliated, glancing away.

"No, but I'm pretty sure that was a worry of yours." Naruto didn't say anything. "I love you, Naruto. You may not love me just yet, but I love you. I always will, I know it."

"You shouldn't be so obsessive. I'm nothing special." Sasuke sighed and shook his head, as if Naruto simply wasn't getting the picture. "Don't do that to me. Besides, what would you do if I left again?"

"Easy. I'd follow you."

"That's what you said last time."

"I was cocky, then," stated the Uchiha, giving Naruto a dark grin. It made the boy's heart pound. "This time, I'll make sure you don't leave my sight."

"What, are you a stalker now?" joked Naruto, laughing. The serious look on the boy's face made him stop, however, made him pay a little more attention. Sasuke didn't say anything, just stared and stared until the point sunk in. "You're...You're stalking me...?"

"Careful observation," he corrected. Naruto broke away from Sasuke, absolutely horrified that he would do such a thing.

"What the hell, Sasuke!"

"Naruto, you don't understand--"

"You can't just follow people, Sasuke! You can't follow me!"

"Listen to me--"

"You need to see a psychologist or something, Sasuke, you're freaking me out--"

"LISTEN." Sasuke clamped his hand over Naruto's mouth, his eyes dark, angry, and sad. "I thought you were dead, Naruto. When I heard sensei call your name in class that first day I thought someone was playing a trick on me." The blonde moved his hand away.

"That's ridiculous, Sasuke."

"Is it, Naruto? We were only kids. You ran away in the middle of the night and the police couldn't find a trace of you." Tears threatened to spill in Sasuke's eyes, and he looked away so Naruto couldn't see. "I didn't get anything. Not a phone call, or even a letter to tell me if you were safe. When the authorities gave up the search it ripped my heart out. I had to listen in on the adults, and they kept saying how someone could have kidnapped you or...or killed you." Sasuke wiped his hand across his cheek, and Naruto touched the boy's arm only to earn a tired look in return. His face was flooded with tears. "I don't want to lose you again," he said, almost whispering. "I don't want to feel like that ever again, not when I know you're alive and safe. I don't think I could survive it, Naruto. I really don't think I can, not when you're all I've got."

Naruto couldn't remember seeing Sasuke cry before, not even when they were little. It was always Naruto being the crybaby, running to his friend whenever something went wrong. Now Sasuke hid in Naruto's shoulder, trying to hold back everything and resume his usual calm. It was almost frightening.

"I'm sorry," Naruto whispered, holding on to Sasuke now. "I...I didn't think..." A light laugh came from the boy in his arms.

"You didn't know," he replied. "I haven't told anyone, before." He broke down into uncontrollable laughter, shaking his head the entire time. "I feel like an ass, complaining like this."

"You feel like an ass?" They laughed and laughed, though they barely knew why. Eventually Sasori passed by the door and banged on it, shouting at them to quiet down. "You're the greatest person I've ever known, Sasuke," Naruto stated, a smile still plastered to his face.

"You too, Naruto." They stared at one another for a long time before coming together, happy to simply have the taste of the other on his lips. It was brief, and when they parted Sasuke said, "I love you."

"I love you, too, Sasuke..."

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Silver: I'll admit, not a whole lot happened in this chapter, and I can't guarantee when the next post will be. Hopefully you'll check back in from time to time, checking to see when I've taken a break from my own life to control the lives of Naruto and Sasuke. Bye for now!