Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to Daystar Clarion

Uzumaki's War

Chapter Four

He dozed fitfully, dreams plaguing him- or more like memories, the same images running through his mind over and over. His fingers closing around her throat, her eyes bulging from the crushing pressure- the scent of her terror; he didn't know that terror even had a smell until now. It drilled itself into him unto he could see it upon his awakening that morning, or evening- afternoon- it really didn't matter anymore. His internal clock was all messed up anyway. He lifted his hands to his face and stared at his fists, gazed at his white knuckles. He opened them, and saw the half crescent marks where his nails had pierced his flesh.

Someone cleared their throat- he lowered his hands and spotted a very familiar face that he hadn't seen in quite some time. His face split into a grin, involuntary really, and the white haired man's teeth gleamed back at him in response.

"So the brat awakes," he stated, dark eyes twinkling. Naruto gave a good natured smile and sat up, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Where have you been?" he complained- whined really, but he imagined he was allowed some whining room.

"I've been around," Jiraiya leaned back in the extra chair, pulling several small colorful books from his sleeves. "Wrote several more of these."

"What a perv," Naruto replied, but he couldn't stop grinning.

"Looks like I came back on an important day," Jiraiya began, face going serious. "One of your nurses said you claimed that you were attacked. You see any faces?"

Once again his mouth moved on its own volition, his face as well, the muscles drawing into a frown. "I...I can't remember it that well, except that it was someone I knew..." his eyes drifted to the sheets he was sitting on, then moved up to stare at his sensei. "Yes, it was someone I knew, because I do remember letting them in, and I wouldn't just let in someone I don't know. I'm not that stupid." Stop this! He shouted to the Voice. Stop controlling me! But the Voice continued on. "It must have been a henge."

Jiraiya's dark eyes gazed at him in silent speculation; he felt a wave of terror run through him. He knows! Naruto's face paled. He must know what I've done.

Calm yourself, the Voice cautioned. He knows nothing.

Yes he does! Naruto replied. He's smart! He knows things! He was wringing his fingers in distress, jumping when Jiraiya dropped a hand on his shoulder.

"Take it easy," the toad sannin admonished, looking concerned. Naruto took a deep breath and looked at the man.

"I just wanna get out of here. I need to train more of I want to be Hok-ka-k-" His lips curled up, his brows furrowing. He quickly wiped his face, trying to brush away the evidence of-well- whatever the hell that was. Suddenly it seemed like he was having issues with certain words- probably more signs of brain damage. He gave a nervous smile. "I bet there some awesome new jutsu you have to show me."

Jiraiya smiled. "I'll talk to Tsunade- it'll be good to get you out of here."

Naruto beamed.

-----------

Shikamaru walked into the room, eyes darting between the seven people standing in various spots in the room, his eyes immediately darting to newer faces- Jiraiya-sama and Hatake Kakashi. Both he hadn't seen in some time, though Jiraiya-sama he hadn't seen personally in four years or so. Shizune-san and Sakura stood on either side of Tsunade-sama, who sat at her desk. Iruka-sensei stood slightly apart from them, while Neji leaned against a wall, hands buried in his sleeves, pale eyes watching them all.

Tsunade-sama gestured for him to come forward, and he nodded a greeting towards the others. "I need Neji and you to recount the day you found Naruto. There are some things we need to go over again."

He grimaced, glancing at Neji. He didn't like spending too much time remembering the events of that day four years ago. "You start. You saw him first." All eyes turned to the Hyuuga, who gave him a brief glare before opening his mouth.

"We went to retrieve him to pursue Uchiha. Nara knocked on his door- he didn't answer." Shikamaru had a feeling Neji was going to make this as short as possible. Tsunade-sama leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk as she gazed at him. "I activated the Byakugan-"

"Why?" The interruption came from Jiraiya-sama, causing them all to blink at him. "Why did you activate the Byakugan?"

"He was taking too long to answer." he stared back at them a moment, as if waiting for more questions.

"Go on," Tsunade-sama coaxed. "What did you see?"

"I saw Uzumaki hanging...from the ceiling..." Neji shifted against the wall uncomfortably, glancing over at him. "Nara kicked open the door and I rushed in to free him."

"What was the condition of his home?" Kakashi asked.

Shikamaru spoke up. "Nothing was out of order, a couple of scrolls here and there, but there was clearly no sign of a struggle." He remembered like it had happened yesterday. "You may want to ask Kiba and Chouji- they may have seen something I missed."

The Hokage leaned back the chair with a sigh, rubbing her temples, and for a brief second, he saw a few wrinkles appear around her lips and eyes, but when he squinted there was nothing but youthful flesh under her fingers. "Naruto claims that he was attacked," she said, causing Hyuuga to dart eyes his way.

"Attacked..." Neji repeated carefully, as if tasting the word would reveal the truth of it, staring at her. "Did he say who?"

"No," Jiraiya-sama replied in her stead.

Sakura bit her lip, having been very quiet the whole while, so when she opened her mouth, he wasn't in the least surprised. "Well, it's completely possible." She looked at the toad sannin. "He said that it was someone he thought he knew. It was obviously Sasuke. When Naruto saw him in the hospital, he claimed that Sasuke had done it to him."

Shikamaru frowned in thought. This incident had been relayed to him by word of mouth- Sakura had told Ino, Ino had told Chouji, who later, managed to tell him around a rack of ribs, so he was sure it was no longer as factual as it had been leaving Sakura's mouth. "It's a possibility," he agreed. "but if Naruto blames Sasuke, why doesn't he seem to remember who attacked him?"

"Curious indeed," Tsunade-sama looked at Sakura. "Did you ask him about Sasuke directly after he accused him?"

Sakura nodded. "He didn't seem to want to talk about it- he was more interested in Sai." She looked over at her sensei. "Have you gone to see him yet, Kakashi-sensei?"

The silver haired ninja nodded. "He was asleep though, and I still had a mission to report." Sakura looked relieved.

"So a ninja under a henge- supposing under the guise of Sasuke, attacked Naruto in his home and hung him. But there was no sign of a struggle-"

"And he had lacerations on his arms and belly," Neji added.

"Which looked self-inflicted," Shikamaru continued.

They were all silent a moment, then Tsunade-sama spoke. "We found a bloody kunai in his bathroom to go with those wounds..." They all lapsed into silence again. It seemed to him, that Naruto was trying to cover up his actions by placing the blame on someone else- that Sasuke may indeed have something to do with this, and the blond was simply hoping they would all jump to conclusions that would suit him. It was crafty...very unlike Naruto actually- but then, so was suicide, and he hadn't ever thought that was something the wild blond would do or even contemplate.

Suddenly Iruka-sensei spoke, startling them all- the chuunin had been so quiet, which surprised him; he had thought the man would be more vocal about all this, especially since he was reportedly very close to Naruto. "What about before all this?" he looked at the Hokage. "Didn't you say Naruto was withdrawn and pale?"

"Yeah, he was." Sakura answered almost grudgingly, like she wished the chuunin hadn't brought that up. "He wasn't like his usual self- not as talkative as he had been." Sounded like depression to him.

"You think he's lying?" Neji put forward plainly, and Shikamaru resisted the urge to nod.

"I think he's telling the truth," Sakura replied quickly. "It makes total sense. He thought it was Sasuke at the door, lets him in, and it attacked." Iruka-sensei gave a hesitant but thoughtful nod.

"But what about the gashes? Sure the ones on his arms could be explained away, but not the ones on his stomach, because his shirt didn't have any gashes through it. The only way those could not be self inflicted is if he was held down, someone lifted up his shirt, and ran a blade along it." Neji argued, and Sakura sent him a sullen look. "And of course, even if that had happened, Naruto would have at least put up a fight, and no doubt would have trashed his place in order to fight back or escape. I think he's lying."

Sakura bit her lip harshly as if to hold back unpleasant things, and Shikamaru suddenly felt real sorry for her. He knew, from Ino, that Sakura didn't get along with Sai- nor did Sasuke, and their sensei was rarely around anymore...Perhaps in her mind, Naruto's revival was supposed to be the resurrection of her old Team, it was clear that was what she was hoping, and he and Neji were crushing it down. He glanced over at her sensei, but Kakashi's eyes were flat and cold, an expression he had adopted in the last few years; it was clear he wasn't getting his hopes up.

"Why don't I just take him then," Jiraiya-sama said into the silence. "He's well enough physically to leave. I'll take him out, train him up a bit. Maybe with time, he'll either remember or 'fess up. Naruto's good at keeping secrets, but he doesn't enjoy having them. He'll talk, whether he's aware of it or not."

"What about Akatsuki? Haven't they been on the move searching out jinchuuriki?" Iruka-sensei asked nervously.

"They haven't set their sights on Konoha since the last time they tried to capture him. We'll stay close to Konoha." Jiraiya-sama replied with a shrug.

This was news to him. The Akatsuki had tried to capture Naruto? When? He glanced over at Sakura, who looked none surprised at his words. He would have to talk to her later, and brave her wrath.

"Fine," the Hokage conceded. "You can take him- but give him a week here first. I still want to monitor his condition here before he goes."

Jiraiya-sama nodded. "Fine with me," His eyes drifted toward the windows. "Its been a while."

--------

The cool, fresh wind touched his skin in a welcoming way, as if greeting him from his long stay indoors, but Naruto hunched his shoulders as a cloud passed over the sun, a brief shadow over them all, allowing him to see better in a too bright world, and it mirrored what he felt inside. Like there was a shadow over him.

And now, you are free, the Voice commented.

"I will miss you Uzumaki-san," nurse Yayoi said behind him with tear filled eyes, and he turned to her and gave a small bow.

"Thank you for taking care of me," he smiled wanly at her. She gave him a quick hug, turned to Iruka-sensei as if she were about to say something, but turned away and rushed back into the hospital. He was actually sorry to see her go- she had been so nice to him.

Iruka-sensei turned to him. "Do you want to stay with me or back at your apartment?"

He thought the Voice would have something to say about it, but it was silent. Naruto wanted to be alone right now- he didn't want the chuunin to hover over him day and night- he needed some place where he could do some deep thinking.

"I'll go to my place," he muttered, smoothing a wrinkle in the black shirt Iruka-sensei had given him. "It probably needs some cleaning."

Iruka-sensei smiled. "Alright. I'll go with you."

"You don't have to," Naruto replied anxiously. Damn it but he wanted to be alone!

"No-no, I definitely want to help out."

He has orders, the Voice commented distantly. He's supposed to stay with you.

"Shut up,' Naruto muttered, and the chuunin turned puzzled eyes to him. He gave another wan smile and headed in the direction of his apartment, the chuunin instructor by his side. He struggled to keep his shoulders from hunching as he moved through the village, eyes darting to the crowd of people passing by and around him- not used to all the activity after being in the hospital for so long.

Calm yourself, the Voice cautioned. You only have a week here, then we are free.

Naruto resisted a scowl, eyes instead darting to several people he noticed were giving him double looks, all of them looking to be in their thirties or older, faces looking startled- one even whispering 'deja vu.' Naruto quickened his pace, turning down a street, then pausing in confusion. "Wasn't there a street here?" he asked, frowning. In front of him were a row of apartments and businesses where he was sure a street used to be. It was one he used to take to his place.

"Oh, there was a brief skirmish here from a nuke-nin from Kuma. The street was demolished and they had to rebuild it. That was... two and some years ago." He struggled to keep his face blank, aware that Iruka-sensei was studying his expression. "Here, let me show you another way."

He almost snapped that he knew plenty of ways to get home, secret ways in fact, but stopped himself, instead following the instructor down more familiar streets until they approached his complex. It was a different color. "When did-" he cut himself off and simply followed the man up to his door to see that it was open. Iruka-sensei stopped him, pulling out a kunai as he stepped cautiously into the apartment. Naruto patted his pockets, wishing Iruka-sensei had stashed a kunai in there somewhere when he had provided the pants. He stepped closer to the door, heard brief murmuring, then Iruka-sensei returned, closely followed by Sakura. Great, Naruto sighed and entered, the others at his heels. Thankfully, it was exactly as he remembered, only cleaner.

"I did some dusting and stuff," Sakura commented as he checked his bedroom, eyes zeroing on his made bed. Where's the frog? A chill ran through him, and he resisted the urge to search about the room. He didn't remember cleaning up the frog- he had left it on the bed. Had Sakura cleaned it? Had she seen it and wondered? He bit nervously at his fingernails as he turned to her, about to ask after it, but the girl spoke eagerly, even giving a little hop. "I had to throw out all of your clothes because they won't fit you," she patted his shoulder, and he realized how much taller than her he actually was. "So I figured I'll have to take you shopping to get new ones." There was a look of sheer glee in her eyes as she spoke, which was real creepy. So was the word 'shopping.'

"I don't want to go shopping," he muttered, slumping down on the couch.

"Too bad," Sakura said with a shrug. "The only clothes you have are the ones you are wearing."

"What about my boxers and stuff?!"

Sakura grinned. "I threw those out too." Naruto groaned and slumped into the couch, rubbing his face. "It's been my secret fantasy to dress you in some decent clothes."

You need to invest in better fantasies, he thought with a grimace, turning to look at Iruka-sensei, who was sitting in a chair, head resting in the palm of one hand, a satisfied half smile on his face. It was all very tiring, and he suddenly wished to lay down in his own bed and relax a bit, and maybe find out what happened to that damned toy frog that he had chopped up. Someone had to have seen that.

We have to get rid of them, he turned his head quickly- the Voice had come from his bedroom.

"Do you want to go now?" Sakura asked hopefully.

"No, no thanks. Maybe tomorrow. I just want to rest." He got to his feet and headed down the hall toward his room.

"Alright. But maybe you should eat something before you retire." Sakura headed for the kitchen. "I packed a few noodles in here for you."

"That's okay Sakura," he called. "I'm not hungry. I just want to sleep." He turned to Iruka-sensei. "You don't have to stay."

"That's aright Naruto, I-"

"No really, you don't have to stay," he gave the man a pointed look. The chuunin looked startled.

"Naruto," he began, but he cut him off.

"I'm not a baby sensei. I've been living on my own since the orphanage kicked me out. I don't need you to watch me."

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, both Sakura and Iruka-sensei looking everywhere but him for a moment. Then Sakura spoke. "We got orders, Naruto. We stay with you until you leave with Jiraiya-sama. I'm sorry but, with what happened, this is the way its gotta be."

Rage flew through him, hot and irrational; he was moving toward her, but then Iruka-sensei was in his way, looking at him like he had never seen him before.

"Get. Out," he hissed menacingly in the chuunin's face.

"Naruto calm-"

"Don't tell me to calm down! I'm sick of everyone telling me to calm down. If I have to hear those words one more time-"

"Naruto," Iruka-sensei's face was pale, but his mouth hadn't moved. The voice did not belong to him. Naruto spun to the door, ready to release his fury upon the newcomer, but it deserted him when his eyes connected with Kakashi's. The jounin was standing in the doorway, eye taking in the scene with disapproval, staring at him. Naruto paled, quickly backing away from his former sensei, eyes riveted on the silver haired man. Why was he here? Shouldn't he be off doing important missions- or worse, spending time with that Sai person and Sas...

Calm your-

"Shutupshutupshutup!" He pounded his fists against his skull and headed for his room, quickly shutting and locking it behind him.

If you don't want me taking over Naruto, the Voice whispered distantly, then you need to better control your emotions or I will take over.

"Naruto?" Sakura banged on the door. "Naruto open up."

He took a deep breath, stepping away from the door, rubbing the cold sweat away from his face, eyes darting around the room, half expecting the frog to be on the bed staring at him. His eyes fell on the framed pictures on his dresser, one with him and Iruka-sensei sitting over a bowl of ramen, another with him giving a thumbs up, Jiraiya-sensei grinning behind him. He moved to the dresser, picking up the third- it was a picture of Team Seven- all looking so young, so innocent. He had been so happy; he'd had friends, a sensei he respected...he'd had a future. His eyes drifted to a younger Sasuke, and he was gripping the picture so tight the thin glass cracked.

"You've gotten much taller," Naruto jumped, dropping the photo, spinning to see Kakashi standing behind him. He had heard no one enter. The jounin picked up the picture and placed it back on the dresser. Naruto averted his eyes and moved away from the man, but was stopped when Kakashi gripped his upper arm He stared at the mans shoulder, unwilling to look him in the eyes. "Are you alright, Naruto?"

"Yeah,yeah. Fine." He looked at the hand gripping his arm pointedly, but the jounin still did not release him.

"It was to my great surprise to hear that you had awakened, I just got back two days ago." A jolt of surprise ran through him. Kakashi-sensei had been gone this whole time? He had assumed the man didn't want to bother with him. "What happened just now?"

"Don't you have to get back to your Team?" Naruto snapped, yanking his arm from his grip and turning toward his bed, spotting Iruka-sensei in the doorway, face drawn in concern. His face reddened, and shame rushed through him. What the hell was his problem, shouting at the man like that? Iruka-sensei didn't deserve any of this! "Sorry Iruka-sensei," he apologized. "I didn't mean to get so angry, I just want to be left alone right now." He pulled back the sheets and sat down on the bed.

Kakashi moved to the door and exited as silently as he had arrived, patting the chuunin's shoulder as he passed. Naruto laid back on the bed, rubbing his eyes and staring at the ceiling. He heard the door shut, and knew he was alone- finally blissfully alone. Iruka-sensei must be angry with him though.

Of course. Your emotions are sporadic. You are not doing a good job convincing everyone that you are sane.

Naruto rolled his eyes and turned on his side, facing the wall. Of course he had been wrong- he was not alone. "Just be quiet, will you?" he shut his eyes tightly and willed himself asleep.

----------

"What do you think?" Kakashi leaned against the wooden wall as Jiraiya sipped his sake. He flipped through another page of his book. Jiraiya placed the cup down and stared emptily at the street.

"I don't know what to think." His brow furrowed. "Have you talked to Uchiha?"

"Yes. He knows nothing- though it's interesting to see how upset he is about it- didn't think anything bugged him anymore." They were silent again, Kakashi's eyes glued to his book. Then, "He looks just like his father..."

Jiraiya refilled his cup. "I know."

---------

He knew where he was, he had been in the dank, piped hallway several times before in more stressful situations. He moved down the dark hall, water up to his ankles, lukewarm but uncomfortable. It was strange, he knew that it was pitch black in here, yet for some reason he could still see, able to look up at the pipes running along the ceiling, able to spot the occasional closed door that lined the walls every few paces. He knew where he was going, and he sloshed through the heated watery darkness until he entered the clearing, and he could see the large gates that kept utter carnage from taking over Konoha.

He approached the gates, peering into a new type of darkness, one that was almost tangle, that one would have to part to walk through, wondering where the Fox was in all that. But it remained silent- except for the sound of water dripping from pipes he could no longer see, and the sound of water going along a current somewhere.

Okaaayy. It appeared he would have to be the one to start this. "Why did you wake me?" he called into the darkness, not bothering with etiquette. His voice did not echo, rather it seemed muffled, as if there wasn't enough space for it to do so. There was a moment of palpable silence, then a giant red eye appeared, half open, peering in mild interest at him. "Why did you wake me?"

Fangs appeared, a rather long and malicious grin. "It was good, for a while," Its booming voice too seemed to be swallowed up by the surrounding darkness. "Not having to hear you, not having to help you, not having to make up for your petty human weaknesses." The Fox chuckled lazily. "But I was getting bored, and it was sooo fun watching you crack."

Naruto glared hatefully at the demon. "There's nothing wrong with me!" he snapped.

The second eye opened and the sheer force of all that undivided attention made the blond take a step back.

"If you're not careful, you'll get us killed," suddenly the Fox moved close to the gates, and Naruto was bathed in the red glow of its eyes. "And I won't like that." The heat of its breath rushed over him, heating his skin, leaving the stench of carrion in its wake.

No need to fret, the Voice drifted down from the corridor. I'll take care of us. The Fox's eyes drifted to the corridor, then back at him, the grin widening.

Naruto's eyes narrowed and he headed back down the hallway, eyes darting to all the closed doors. There, in the shadows, a door was open, and a person was leaning in the black doorway. As he approached, it became clear that it was him, or a clone. He stopped in front of the other, looking him over. He was wearing the same thing as Naruto, had the same spiky hair, same marks on his face, same height. But ah....his eyes were different. Though they were blue like his own, they had a strange sharpness to them, too intense, like he was glaring without actually glaring. Too sharp, too bright, as if they were trying to take everything in at once.

"You're the Voice," he stated, almost disbelieving his own words, and the Voice smiled.

Yes, as you want me to be.

Naruto scratched his head nervously, his stomach feeling queasy. "So, you are me."

Yes. I'am the proficient part of your mind- I get things done. You need me.

"No I don't. I don't need you. I want you to leave." He was starting to sweat.

The Voice's face did not change at all, those eyes continued to bore into him with the same intensity as before he had spoken. It doesn't work like that Naruto. I am here now, and I will take care of you.

A grumble of amusement drifted from the Kyuubi's direction, and Naruto's face burned hot under the gaze of the Voice.

There is no need for you to worry. Only do as I say, and all will be well. You'll be back on the road you desire.

"I don't trust you," Naruto hissed.

The Voice smiled cryptically then. You mean, you do not trust yourself.

Naruto jolted awake, blinking rapidly at the ceiling, the echoes of the Fox's laughter ringing somewhere in the back of his head. He sat up, dropping his legs off the side of his bed, and dropped his head in his hands. This, was Hell. He waited for the Voice to comment on his thoughts, but it was silent. He lifted his head, wondering if he was alone in the apartment. He stood up and tip-toed to the bedroom door, pressing his ear to the wood. He couldn't hear anything. He opened the door, peeking out and spying Iruka-sensei sitting on his couch. He sighed and exited. Iruka-sensei lifted his head from some scrolls and gave him a hesitant smile.

"Morning Naruto. I brought you some of my clothes for today." He lifted a pair of dark gray pants and a long sleeved black shirt – not much different from what he was wearing now. "You can wear it while you're out with Sakura." Naruto grimaced- he didn't want to be out with Sakura.

He took the clothing from the man and stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him, but freezing in place. There was blood splattered about the linoleum. "Oh shit," he breathed, blinking rapidly, dropping the clothes onto the floor, then stooping quickly to rescue them from the mess. He had cleaned this up! He remembered cleaning everything up!

Naruto-

It was fresh! How could it be fr-

Naruto!

The Voice rang throughout the bathroom, making him jump, wiping his sweating face with shaking hands.

There's nothing on the floor.

It was true, his blue eyes widened in disbelief. There was no blood on the walls and floor. It was clean- perfectly clean.

"But...but I saw blood!" he gasped. There was blood in here- he saw it.

There was no blood here, it was only your expectations, a trick of the mind.

Naruto ran a frustrate hand through his hair. "I'm so sick of this shit."

Be-

"Shut up," Naruto hissed. He dropped the clothes on the counter and pushed open the shower door, half expecting a tub full of bloody water, but it was clean. He undressed and turned on the faucet, stepping under the warm water. "Not a word from you while I'm in here," he cautioned as he soaped his hair, occasionally glancing down to make sure there was no blood pooling at the bottom.

---------

"This...is perfect." Sakura held up the blue shirt under his chin, ignoring the flat look on his face. "It matches your eyes."

"I don't want it to match my eyes, Sakura," he groused. Once he had gotten out of the shower, he was greeted by an over eager kunoichi determined to 'revamp' his wardrobe. She didn't seem to care that most guys didn't care about clothing matching their eyes, she was too bent on fulfilling a female fantasy he had previously been unaware of. She had all kinds of interesting new things to say about his orange jacket and pants- and through her diatribe Naruto was left to wonder if this pink haired girl even liked him. Did friends usually say things like that to one another- or think thoughts like that while smiling to their faces? The thought was so daunting that he quickly discarded it for simple paranoia, which he'd had enough of.

So he took the clothes the kunoichi tossed his way- blues, greens, grays, more blues... he didn't know there were so many different shades of blue- navy, indigo, cornflower, cerulean, azure, cobalt, steel, teal, sapphire, midnight, dark, light, and baby blue. They were all still blue in his eyes. Deciding that he'd had enough, Naruto placed the pile of acquired clothing near her and backed away slowly, leaving the store and turning down a crowded street, glancing back repeatedly to make sure she wasn't following, dropping into an alley and leaning against the cool brick wall. His eyes to the villagers, he watched as they passed by, going about their lives, nibbling on a fingernail as he hid from Sakura .

We're being watched, the Voice intruded. Naruto's eyes darted about the square nervously, trying to spot the ninja he was sure was watching him, his eye falling on a familiar face across the square. Sai, dressed in a long sleeved shirt and black pants. Sai, the one who had taken his place. The ninja was smiling and began to cross the square, moving toward him; Naruto moved away from the wall and stuffed his hands in his pockets as the other approached.

"I don't think we were properly introduced," he extended his hand. "I'm Sai." He was close to grinning.

Naruto gazed at the hand distrustingly, not taking it, instead nodding. "I'm Naruto, as I'm sure they've mentioned."

"Not really," Sai replied, still smiling as he dropped his hand to his side. "If I hadn't investigated myself, I imagine I would have never known of your existence."

Naruto stared at him. How spiteful of him, the Voice commented, coming from behind him. He's afraid of you.

Why? Naruto puzzled, eyes never moving from Sai's pale face, staring into those black eyes.

Perhaps he never truly managed to take your place- perhaps he never felt like he had to, except now you are awake.

Naruto smiled back at him. "It'll be good to get together again."

Sai continued to smile, but he could see it become frosty around the edges. "You're not a part of Team Seven anymore Uzumaki. They've moved on without you, became jounin. What use do they have for a suicidal genin from their past?"

Naruto's smile had long since wilted and he was now glaring at him. "I can see why she doesn't like you," he snapped, relishing the moment when Sai's smile faded away. "You were just warming my spot."

"You'll be back in that hospital in no time," Sai replied softly, his smile returning as he turned and left the alley.

"Yeah, and I'll take you with me," he muttered, watching him go before he made the seals for a Kage bunshin and sent it after him.

Why did you do that? The Voice inquired in his left ear, and he smacked it in agitation.

"I wanna know where that bastard lives," he replied. The Voice said nothing. He kicked some dirt with his shoe, then headed for the training grounds, hands still stuffed in his pockets. Here's to hoping the grounds are where I last remember, he thought bitterly. His muscles were too loose, too weak, and he wanted to be in better shape when Jiraiya-sensei came around to pick him up. He'd known, somehow, that when the toad sannin showed up, that things would get better, that Jiraiya would get him out of there. Jirai-

It was I that got you out of there.

Naruto paused, staring at the cobbled ground. "Jiraiya-sensei got me out. He talked to Baa-chan, and because of it, I was let go."

The Voice said nothing, but a great feeling of unease settled over him, and that weight returned, causing him to hunch his shoulders. He continued on quickly. To his relief, the training area was still there, though it looked slightly different, which was reasonable- many spars had no doubt taken place here. He stretched his muscles, touching his toes, flexing his shoulders, twisted his torso, took several deep breaths-

"Naruto-kun!" He turned to the excited voice, seeing Rock Lee charging at him like he was being pursued. The taijutsu specialist stopped abruptly in front of him, face split into a wide grin, eyes twinkling. "Are you training?"

"Yeah," Naruto replied with a smile.

"Yosh!" Lee tossed a fist in the air triumphantly. "Come with me- I'm planning to run ten laps around Konoha or I'll have to do one-thousand push-ups- with only my thumbs!" There was an unnatural gleam in his dark eyes. Naruto doubted he could do even five laps, but the idea of some basic cardio was appealing. He nodded and began to follow the 'green beast' at a quick pace.

What a coincidence that he found you, the Voice whispered opaquely.

"Shut up," Naruto muttered in exasperation, feeling his weak muscles begin to burn. He lengthened his stride and took deeper breathes, eyes focusing on Lee's back, who was charging ahead of him, shouting back encouragements every thirty seconds or so. Lee was probably the least deceitful person he would ever know- it angered him that the Voice would even bother to insinuate that the guy was up to something.

And suddenly he knew where Sai lived, about two miles from the training grounds, on the second floor of an apartment complex a street away from the fish market. Apartment D-two.

Good, the Voice murmured, and for once, he agreed.

He managed two lousy laps around the village before he gave up, deciding to go back to his apartment, despite Lee's encouragements to continue on. He promised him that he would do two more laps tomorrow, which pleased the jounin, and he ran off to complete the ten laps he had given himself. Naruto stumbled on home, sweating and aching, looking forward to the well earned shower. His neighbors curtains swayed as he passed, and he paused to send a glare their way, sure that they were peering at him from behind them. They used to complain whenever he was too loud, and had no doubt gotten used to the silence of the last four years.

The light was on in his window, letting him know that it was occupied, probably by Iruka-sensei or Sakura. He hoped it wasn't Sakura, but when he entered, there was a feminine perfume in the air, clearly it was her, and she was in his room, placing shirts on hangers.

"I got you an orange one," Sakura shook a simple orange tee at him. Naruto shoved his hands in his pockets and waited for her to start shouting at him for leaving her, but she said nothing of it, except that she wanted to know where he had been.

"Training with Rock Lee," he replied, opening a drawer and seeing that she had brought him color coordinated boxers. Boxers! Where were the boundaries?!

"What?" Sakura's voice came behind him, and he realized he was staring down at the boxers still. He lifted his head and smiled at her.

"Nothing. Just going to take a shower."

"Cool. I put everything away for you," she stepped up to him, crossing her arms and staring at him pensively. Here it comes, Naruto thought grimly. "Naruto, are you mad at me?"

He felt surprise run through him, his brows lifting. "Why would I be mad at you?"

She bit her lip, her eyes got glassy, alarmingly so. "I don't know. I just have this feeling that there was something I personally did that-"

"Stop," Naruto cut her off. "Really, I'm not mad at you."

"I know, it's just," a few tears escaped. "are you sure?"

"I'm not mad Sakura, honestly. Everythings' fine. Lemme just take a shower." he moved around her and dug in the closet for some night-wear, annoyed at the vast variety of shirts Sakura had put there. He pulled out a long-sleeved blue shirt and headed for the bathroom.

"I'll cover for you!" Sakura burst out, almost desperately as he was about to close the door.

"What?" he looked at her.

She wiped her face rapidly. "Listen, they were all discussing you, the other day, about whether or not they believe your story," she sniffed. "It doesn't look like they believe that you were attacked. The way they found you-"

"Who found me?" Naruto demanded, heart pounding.

"It was Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and I think Chouji. No one told you?"

"What do you think?" Naruto snapped, feeling both hot and cold at the same time. "No one tells me shit!" Shitshitshit! Shikamaru had found him! Shikamaru was a freaking genius.- any story he told would be picked apart by him. No wonder Shikamaru and Kiba had been giving each other those looks- they had found him, probably hanging there- His hand was clenching tightly to the doorknob. What was he going to do? If-

It doesn't matter Naruto. Though they seemed to have discussed this, they still intend to allow you to leave. They are willing to overlook this, willing to ignore the facts in favor of your happiness.

This is not going to work! What am I doing here?!

Sakura must have seen the panic on his face, because she spoke quickly. "It's okay! Jiraiya-sama is supposed to take you out next week and get the truth out of you, and you'll continue to train." She sighed, leaning heavily against the hallway wall. "You know, for the last four years, all I wanted to know is, why you did what you did. It bugged me every night, every exam I took, every battle I fought that you weren't there when you should have. But I don't care anymore- I really don't. I just want us to be Team Seven again, like before. You, me, Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei. That's all I want." She dragged her hand through her pink hair in agitation. "I'm sick of old memories..."

"We can't be a Team," he replied sullenly, having avoided a panic attack. "I've been replaced." He tried to keep the venom out of his voice when he thought of Sai.

"Replaced?" A scornful look came over her face. "You mean Sai? Him? We barely tolerate that guy! He wasn't even Tsunade-sama's choice to put on the Team. He's part of Root."

"What's Root?" Naruto was on his way to being confused.

Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "That really doesn't matter. What does is that we want you back, that's all."

Naruto gave her a weary smile. "Thanks Sakura-chan." It really was nice of her to be so supportive. She beamed at him.

"No problem. I'll leave you to your shower then." She turned away as he shut the door, leaning against it, body aching from the run, mind utterly tired. Completely spent. He moved over and turned on the shower, then leaned against the sink counter, staring at the drain. What was he doing here? He shouldn't be here- he was supposed to be dead- this was all supposed to be over and done with. He shouldn't have to keep finding ways to cover up what he had done. Whatever energy he had left deserted him suddenly, and he dropped to a crouch, fingers gripping the edges of the sink, keeping him from laying flat on the linoleum.

He wished he had never wakened, wished that Shikamaru and Neji had never found him, wished that rope had finished him off like it was supposed to. Bitter tears rose, and his throat tightened. What were they going to do when they found out what he had done? Was that small room waiting for him?

No Naruto. No it is not. Be at ease, I'll take care of you, I won't let them lock you away. Only do as I say. The Voice could barely be heard over the sound of water beating against the tub. Get up Naruto. You have a shower to take, then you can rest. And if he was lucky, he wouldn't wake up. Naruto pulled himself to his feet, catching his reflection in the bathroom mirror, which was slowly fogging up. There he was, taller, older, face narrower... He smashed his fist into the mirror, watching it crack, distorting his face, a large chunk breaking off and falling into the sink. He stared at his fist, watched as the lines filled with blood and began to seep over his knuckles and into the sink. He stared at the broken shard. Maybe-

No. The Voice rang in one ear, and he smacked at his head. It was the last thing he did that night that was his own, for the Voice took over, making his body move over to the shower and getting in. It made him wash himself, it made him dry off, get dressed, wrap up his hand and toss the shard of broken mirror in the trash.

It made him walk out into the hall and holler a goodnight to whoever was in the living-room, which was Iruka-sensei. It made him decline dinner and crawl into bed. It made him shut his eyes so there was only darkness. And all the while he screamed and shouted to be set free, beat against his own mind, warred over control of his own body, but failing.

You give me no choice Naruto. I have to do what's best for you, the Voice said. You'll have control in the morning, but tonight is for rest.

No! Naruto howled. Let me free! Get out of me! Let me go! This is my body! Mine!

No Naruto. It is our body, the Voice replied in a gentle tone. It belongs to the two of us.

And something about that gave Naruto pause, because for some reason, it almost seemed like the Voice wasn't quite referring to him. Dark laughter drifted from the darkest parts of him. Kyuubi!.

No! This is my body, he shouted at the Voice. It does not belong to the Fox.

Our wellbeing is directly related to the Fox, for the Fox shares our fate. But do not worry about him. Do not worry at all. All will be well, only do as I say.

He could not win this fight. He had lost- he had lost long ago, four years ago, on that building roof. Sassuuukkkeee, he howled his rage as he shrank away in a quiet corner of his mind.

Don't worry about him, the Voice whispered. I'll take care of him.

All the while, Kyuubi laughed, laughed until he probably made himself sick, until darkness numbed him, and he knew no more.

TBC

I'm hoping to get maybe- eight chapters out of this. At the most, ten. We'll see.