Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Authors notes: Hello everyone! Once again, my greetings to you all! Just as I promised, Chapter 4 is only one day after the last chapter, to make up for my vacation lateness! Now, let's get started shall we? Boy oh boy, this chapter is the very core of this entire story! This is the lighter that ignites the cigarette Asuma is always smoking, something so important, that the anime would be incomplete without it! :) On a more serious note, this chapter ends Naruto's Arc, and begins Sasuke's mini Arc, followed by the core of the story, the story itself! As a note, Central is reference to like a government central, example, Washington D.C. In this chapter, whoever can guess the identity of the two mystery people Naruto encounters, will get a fanfiction cookie from me! THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR KIND AND LOVING REVIEWS, FAVORITES AND ALERTS! You all inspire and drive me to write better, faster and stronger :) Much love to you all!

And so without further a due, let this crucial chapter begin!

3 years and 30 days

Chapter 4

The Winds Of Fate And The Storm Of Destiny

Naruto woke up that morning wide awake and earlier than usual, despite having had, wistful, but happy memories of the old man Jiraiya in his dreams. He wanted to try on Jiraiya's suit and let Tsunade see him before she left for central. He got up quickly and after doing his usual routine, rushed to put the suit on. He then rushed out of his messy orange infested room to the door, hoping Tsunade hadn't left.

This rush however, landed his face in Tsunade's chest, which was more than half breast. She was dressed in a formal grey suit with a knee length skirt, but she somehow always managed to make all her clothes lack room to ever close the top-most button.

"Is something wrong Naruto?"Tsunade asked puzzled. Naruto usually wasn't up this early or in a rush. Naruto pulled his head back, gasping for air. After regaining his breath he spoke with a wide smile, "I wanted you to see it on me before you left!" Naruto took a few steps back to let Tsunade examine him.

"My, you were in a rush, look at how badly you put everything on!" She stepped towards him to fix the tie, tuck in the shirt, fix the collar and straighten the shirt, all the while Naruto mumbling about her being an unappreciative old hag. He was surprised however when he felt warm lips on his forehead. "You look really handsome Naruto… Jiraiya would've been proud." She then proceeded to get her suitcase, next to the door.

Upon taking a step out however, she glanced back at him. "You better bring it back in one piece though… or you won't see the light of day." She playfully threatened. Naruto, shocked, playfully spoke back "Oh just get lost you old hag!"

Tsunade was obviously annoyed. "Old hag? If I wasn't in such a hurry you'd be getting such a pummeling right now! Anyways I'm leaving now, don't get into trouble Naruto!" And with that, she picked up her suitcase and closed the door on the way out.

Naruto took a deep breath to relax. It was going to be an emotional day according to Sakura. He glanced at the clock, which told him it was 6:24 AM. He decided to have breakfast since he was already dressed, and was extra careful not to ruin his suit. He just barely managed to make some pancakes, which took him more than twice as long due to the caution he was taking for the suit. He even almost dropped the mix all over his suit when he nearly tripped on a kitchen chair's leg. When he was done he still had an hour before Sakura came over, so the blonde laid himself on the couch, and took a nap.

A pink haired girl walked down the street, in an elegant, red dress that had certain aspects such as the sleeves as if it were a kimono. Her hair was picked up, her green eyes as bright as ever, and most would say she looked very nice. She received some stares and cat calls as she walked down the sidewalk, making her way to Naruto's house. As Sakura neared a corner, the house was visible. She walked through the gate and knocked on the door, hoping Naruto hadn't overslept. Since a few minutes had passed with no answer, it was obvious he was asleep. Sakura, annoyed, took a deep breath. She did not feel like getting angry or attacking annoying blondes, because it would ruin her hair and her dress. Instead from the dark confines of her purse, appeared the key to Naruto's house.

Yesterday afternoon, he was so distracted he left it in the door handle. Sakura, tired and wanting to go home, just took it to give it to him tomorrow. Evidently, she had another use for it now.

She unlocked the door quietly and stepped inside. Surprisingly, it was much cleaner than she could have ever expected. The only sign that Naruto had lived here recently was the fact the kitchen was a mess. She walked into the living room, looking for his bedroom, but nearly jumped from shock when she noticed the corpse on the couch.

Normally Sakura would've held her temper no more and just scream in his ear until he woke, but she noticed the spotless suit he was wearing, and the fact he was ready to leave. She could tell he had taken her advice and woke up early to dress and be ready.

"Like any twit, he probably woke up too early. Idiot." Sakura chuckled and proceeded to pinching his nose. After a few moments, Naruto immediately woke up and after falling to the floor in his rush, finally noticed the pair of green eyes staring at him.

"AHHH! Sakura, what are you doing in here!?" Sakura chuckled and waved the key in his face.

"You left it on the door yesterday smart one. Anyways I'm glad you're ready, let's go! We definitely can't be late today." She helped Naruto get up and after a few minutes, they locked Naruto's house and left for school.

They chatted lightly and walked at a good pace, receiving some strange stares from the pedestrians due to their over dressed elegance. At last, the metal gates of their school were in sight. Normally a student who's been there for three years wouldn't have been excited to see the gates, much less surprised, but being decorated with many balloons and ribbons, this prompted for Naruto and Sakura to quicken there pace there in excitement.

At the gate they met up with Sai, who wore a very clean and very stylish old-style suit with many purple trimmings and designs. Even Sai was excited, evidently all the social activity having had some effect on his usually calm and strange manner. He gave Sakura a curt hug and gave Naruto "five", terminology for a hand clap Sai never understood.

"My goodness, look at you Sakura, you look amazing! And Naruto, you look really good too!" Sai said, with an honest grin on his face. He was evidently very excited.

"Thank you Sai! Your look really handsome as well! Have you seen anything interesting or really out of the ordinary yet?" Sakura was curious if there were more surprises than a more than elegant gate.

"Yes! I overheard some teachers and guards whispering on about getting some things to work on before the students started arriving. I also overheard many kids planning pranks and end of the year celebrations. Today is looking out to be a very interesting day."He ended his intelligence report with a small grin.

Naruto interrupted, obviously getting more and more hyped by the second. "Hey come on, I think I see the rest of the gang over there!"

The trio made their way over to the large group of elegantly dressed teenagers. Everyone looked very good, dressed in fine suits of all colors and dresses of all lengths and styles. Hugs and laughs and gestures of all kinds flooded the group, and they were all honestly have an amazing time. They spent some time chatting lightly and playfully messing around.

They were however, interrupted by the famous sand trio of the school, Gaara and his brother and sister. They were star students in the school, whom were very involved and knew where they wanted to be and knew how to get there. Fast. Gaara and his siblings had some of the hardest classes and were some of the most involved people in the school, taking the top positions in the student council and other important clubs. Due to their immense amount of responsibilities, and having previously lived in a desert no-name town, they were called the famous sand trio. But a notable downside to this is that they hardly ever had much time to socialize. They did however stay on good terms with everyone, most notably Naruto and his gang.

Gaara, dressed in a white and red tuxedo to match his hair, spoke in his usual monotone voice. "Hey, take my advice: go to your class early, ahead of most people, and you won't regret it later." He was interrupted by his sister, who had a purple kimono detailed with fishnets and beads. "Especially for Chouji and Shikamaru, since one loves food and the other is lazy!" she said both adjectives with extra emphasis. The other brother interrupted, having worn a basic black suit with white trimmings "Were not supposed to tell them Temari, you're going to get scolded by Iruka!"

Shikamaru, being lazy, as highlighted by Temari, was still a genius, and caught on all too quickly. "Well then Chouji, let's get everyone and head for Kakashi's, that way we don't miss the celebration…"

Gaara faced his sister. "Now look at what you've done Temari, he knows. We can't tell anyone, even if it is just your cru-" A firm hand clasped his mouth so that he couldn't speak, though muffled words continued to be said.

"Eh heh… if you don't mind well be leaving now, we've got a lot of responsibilities to attend to and stuff…" She blushed and began dragging her brothers away.

"Well that was strange don't you think Sakura?" Ino questioned. "It definitely sounds like they are hiding something…"

The blonde girl was poked in the head by the lazy genius. "Can we go? We already know what it is, well at least I do, and Chouji is drooling more than Kiba's dog just thinking about it so can we please get moving? Celebrations are SO troublesome…"

The large group made their way to their class, where they were in utter shock to find Kakashi in a suit. It wasn't anything much out of the ordinary but anything out of the ordinary is extraordinary when it came to Kakashi. What's more, in place of where the perverted book always was, there was a camera. However that wasn't the strangest thing about Kakashi's appearance yet. He still had on his motorcycle helmet.

The class knew that Kakashi rode his motorcycle to school, but why did he still have his casket on? Just as the large group of questioning teens was recovering from the shock, Kakashi spoke in a large but muffled voice.

"Take your seats and don't make a sound." These words were all too familiar; he had said the same thing on the first day of class.

On that first day, Kakashi had told them to not make a sound, and the class stayed that way for a few hours. Eventually he put away his book and said: "If there's any one question you could ask me, just one, what would it be?" The whole class had been quiet, obviously annoyed by the masked teacher, and not even Shikamaru had realized it was a trick question. Naruto, evidently pissed, just spoke out. "How about you just start class so we can get it OVER with already?" What Naruto didn't know is that he just answered the question of the year.

To continue with his tradition, he asked the same thing. "If there's any one question you could ask me before you never saw me again, what would it be?" Naruto's hand flew up and before even being called on, he asked. "Show us your real face!" The class suddenly realized what this meant for them and were cheering and yelling.

Kakashi sighed. He knew it would come this eventually. "Very well, I shall now remove my helmet…" He removed his helmet… slowly… tauntingly… The class could feel the silence and the suspense weighing down on them. Suddenly the helmet flew off and Kakashi's hand covered his face. His other hand then counted from three.

Two.

One.

And his hands were behind his back, and the class was shocked at what they saw.

It was a perfectly normal face. On the contrary, some of the girls blushed because it was a very handsome face. The class was obviously in shock and confused. Shikamaru spoke up. "Why have you had your face hidden up until now then?"

Kakashi grinned, shocking the class even more by its exposure, and he spoke, "No, you'll laugh if I tell you."

"Aww come on sensei! Please?" Naruto begged from his seat.

Giving another long sigh, he gave in. "Fine. The truth about my mask is…I've always wanted to be a ninja…"

The class erupted into laughter, more than Kakashi expected, and though he was blushing lightly, he had to ask, "Why is it so funny?"

Kiba, crying from laughter, managed to answer. "It's a long story sensei, trust me!"

Finally after the class calmed down from its laugh attack a bit, Kakashi spoke over them. "If you're quite done laughing, I have your seating assignment. Once you know your number, I suggest you make your way to the cafeteria right after I take individual and group photos. But let's make it quick, it only benefits you after all! "

Kakashi gave out the numbers and once he was done, both with numbers and photos of all kinds, they were dismissed. They made their way to the lunchroom, only to be shocked by how well decorated it was. There were ribbons and sparkles all over the ceilings and walls, there were fine-clothed round tables with colorful centerpieces all over the room, including one extra large table. The center of the cafeteria had a podium, and once the beauty of the place sunk in, they proceeded to finding their seats.

Naruto sat in table 7, a three seat table where Sakura and Sai also sat with Naruto. They began chatting lightly, admiring all the pleasant sights as the rest of the school streamed in and found their seats. Naruto looked around to find everyone paired up with a part of the group, and Chouji in the large table with Ino and Shikamaru.

Naruto laughed at the sight. It wasn't because Chouji was bad or anything, rather because he needs a much larger table to eat, both so he and his entire selection of food can fit. Eventually a bell rang and everyone looked towards the podium confused. There, Temari appeared and spoke into the microphone.

"Welcome everyone! Before we begin the festivities, let us have a feast! As I speak right now there are many chefs preparing an amazing meal for you all! In a few moments, waiters will come around and pass out menus and take your orders. Please feel free to enjoy this time to converse while the food is prepared!" As she finished the room began clapping, and on her words, menus and waiters went around to each table.

Sai ordered some lobster and shrimp, Sakura ordered a special chicken dish, and Naruto ordered, not to anyone's surprise, a dish of fine ramen. They then began to chat as their orders were made, surprised at the amazing work of the heads of the student council.

After just a short wait, many of the dishes began to pour out. Half of them went to Chouji, much to Naruto's amusement, and most everyone began to eat.

The food had been delicious, and the food itself was the topic of chat for most of the tables. Laughs and smiles and happiness were plentiful in the cafeteria. The teachers went around to give handshakes and comments to individual students, along with pictures, and they eventually went to a long narrow table to eat as a staff. Finally, after even Chouji was full, Gaara and his siblings, followed by most of the school staff, went to the podium. Once all lights and eyes were directed at the red haired boy who stepped up to the podium, he began to speak.

"Good afternoon everyone. You are all the latest graduates of Konoha, an honor bestowed only to the best of the scholars. I do hope you've enjoyed your wonderful dinner. Now before we dismiss you to reveal our final surprise of the day, it is time to recognize important moments in our time here and recognize important facts in and coming into our lives. I'm sure you realize this is where normally a long and overdramatic graduation speech would be inserted, but rest assured this will be much shorter than you think." A few low chuckles resonated in the room. "We have made many memories and learned priceless experiences and knowledge in these grounds. As we move on let us never forget what we've been through. Let us all achieve anything we can and want to do and let nothing stop us. Let us never be forgotten, and let us never forget."

Just as he stopped momentarily the room burst into a long applause. Some people were very touched by those few and simple words he had said. Naruto gazed up at his friend who shared a similar goal as him. He too hoped to one day receive such an applause, to give such a heart spoken speech. This filled Naruto with much more pride, determination, and purpose in life, as many more unrecognizable and shapeless emotions welled inside of his very being. Naruto clapped with sheer emotion, and didn't stop until he was the last one. When the applause died down, Gaara continued.

"Thank you so very much for your support, it fills me with much pride and joy to have represented you in the student council this year, and I'm sure my brother and sister feel no less the same. One can be a leader, but without support from such amazing people as my siblings, a leader could only achieve so much. A leader can also be determined and kind hearted, but without a strong, united and unique body to lead such as this one, he would be no more of a leader than a follower. I don't think I have to go one by one and point out just how special and amazing each and every one of us truly is. And so it is with much enthusiasm that we now open the cafeteria doors as well as the auditorium doors, to reveal to you our final gifts of the final day you are to be within these walls. In the auditorium, we have prepared an extraordinary ball for you all to enjoy, for three hours, in which time you will be released early. Thank you all very much, and please, enjoy!" Gaara ended enthusiastically, and bowed down at his fellow classmates, as they all applauded and cheered once more, and with a few final farewells from the staff, everyone began making their way to the auditorium.

As Naruto stepped in with a large crowd past the large metal doors, he could've sworn it was just as beautiful and fancy, if not more, than the cafeteria was. The roof was decorated with elegant lights and ribbons, the bleachers were moved out to make room on the floor, and a stage had been incorporated into the back o the auditorium. On the stage, elegant cloths and designs draped the sorounding area of the stage, and there in the center, the controls of the musical equipment was placed.

There were nice tables full of refreshments, and the rest was dedicated purely to chat and dance space. The room had a warm, friendly and spacious feeling to it, which only invited the teens to enjoy themselves even more. Once everyone was inside, the lights dimmed and the stage was lit.

Suddenly a voice erupted out of nowhere as a small figure ran to the center of the stage and spoke into the microphone. "Hello everyone and welcome to your graduation dance! Yes, I said YOUR graduation dance! It's your day today and I, Konohamaru, nephew of your beloved sensei Asuma, will be your DJ! Let's get this party started!!" Naruto laughed quietly. He could've sworn that midget must've practiced those lines for hours! Before anyone could recover from shock and complain about the "DJ's" size, the small kid ran to the turn tables and placed the first song of the evening. Once the song was recognized by the room, it erupted into cheers and the "ball" had begun.

As soon as the music started, everyone noticed all the wondrous lights and flashes coming from the roof of the stage. Somehow, the student council, or rather Gaara and his siblings, had managed to even get a special effects truss into the auditorium! As the large group of friends began murmuring about the amazing preparations for their graduation, Gaara came up behind the group and greeted them.

"Hey. Are you enjoying the festivities?" Gaara asked, formal and straightforward as ever. Naruto beamed him a large smile and put his arm around Gaara's neck. "Of course! Were STILL trying to figure out how you managed to get all this together but man, this is way cool!"

Gaara smiled lightly. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves, I've been planning this since the first day I was elected." A few wide eyed teens started at the red haired boy. "Anyways, I've got just a few matters to attend to before I can come and socialize with you guys. I'll be back in a bit." With that, he turned around and stalked off into the hallways.

With his leave, the large group only had one moment to breathe before they all exploded into the fun that was flowing from graduation dance.

The three hours of the dance had gone by rather quickly, but everyone had more than thoroughly enjoyed it. The students were leaving the school through the front gate. They didn't leave quickly though, as the thought of that being the last time they crossed under the arched metal gates brought them a strong sense of nostalgia.

Naruto wasn't exempt from this feeling. As he walked alongside Sakura and Sai, both of which tired but in very good spirits, turned around to gaze upon their very last time in those grounds. The walls of their school had been like their home. It had shaped the very people they were now. Giving the school one last solemn glance, Naruto spun on his heel and spoke to his two best friends.

"So… what now?" he asked, a little sadness in the edge of his voice which he failed to hide.

Sakura took one deep breath and gave the blonde her attention. "Well, guess we just got to stay in touch until it's time for us all to meet in a new school again."

Sai nodded curtly, a small grin still on his face. Even the boy who didn't show emotion must have some sort of feeling for the events that have happened.

"Oh that's right! I need to get home quick, my mother is expecting me so that she can take the family out on celebration. I won't be able to walk you guys home, is that ok?"

"Sure, don't worry; just hurry or you'll be late!" Naruto smiled as Sakura gave both him and Sai a tight warm hug, and ran off into the distance. Naruto watched her go into the distance before he started walking alongside Sai quietly. Naruto broke the silence and tried to make conversation.

"So, what are you going to do during your vacation Sai?" Naruto asked, curious as to what the mysterious boy would do for three months.

"Me? Well I'm going to travel around I guess. My brother wants me to get out of the house and enjoy myself. I might visit him too; he's also at the fire country's capital like Tsunade."

Naruto was a little stunned. "Travel? Where are you going to travel then? And you have a brother? I didn't know that, what's he do at central?"

Sai grinned lightly. "Travel around to places I guess, paint stuff there, and explore places. It really is boring to go alone though. As for my brother, he's not exactly my brother. It's a long and complicated story I'd rather not tell. He does however, own a restaurant in central."

"Oh that's so cool; he must get a lot of customers! And you could always ask me or Sakura to travel with you, though we would have to save up a penny or two first." Just as Naruto finished, they arrived at the front gate of Sai's ever mysterious home.

"That's a good idea. I'll see you around then Naruto." He waved the blonde goodbye and disappeared into the dark stretches of his dark house.

Naruto watched him go into his home before he continued walking to his own. The streets were lively and busy, and a beautiful sky seemed to invite everyone to come outside and have fun. The sky also seemed like if it was going to give a very nice sunset in a few hours. It was just so clear, so nice, and so inviting!

Just as he was thinking this while walking, an old lady in front of him dropped most of her grocery bags.

Naruto, out of courtesy, went down and picked most of them up and handed them to the old lady. She had curly old hair that seemed to be a faded version of some shade of red. She had a typical old style dress and many wrinkles adorning her possibly once youthful and nice expression. The old lady gladly accepted the help and spoke in a squeaky yet raspy high pitched voice.

"Oh thank you so much child! Oh dear, my back would've been in pain for weeks if I had to pick them up myself."

Naruto grinned lightly. "It's no problem lady, just doing my bit to help."

She squealed in delight. "Ho ho! Such a fine mannered young boy. No, I couldn't possibly let you go unrewarded! Child, let me explain myself: I am a fortune teller. One gaze into your eyes and I have the ability to predict your future! Come, let me tell you yours, it's the very least an old woman can do for such good youth!"

Naruto chuckled shyly. "umm.. ok" The old lady's wrinkled hands grabbed his face and pulled it down, and she gazed into his eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

The fortune teller then closed her eyes and spoke in an airy monotone voice.

"You… You have a very unique and interesting future ahead of you. Full of drama, violence, danger and peril. But it will also be entwined with a path of love, friendship, kindness and good. Very soon… I see an encounter which will shift the path of your life into this vortex… An encounter that will reunite you with a special one, and give you a chance to save them from their demons…" She let go of his face at last and then secured her bags. She then chuckled lightly at Naruto's puzzled expression.

"Dear boy, a word of advice: Follow your loved ones, and don't put anyone before them. Good luck child!" She patted him on the arm and proceeded to walking along at a slow pace. Naruto was frozen in place by the sheer abnormality of that old lady. As the old lady walked off, Naruto unintentionally overheard some bits of her murmuring,resembling more like crazy rambling than murmurs. Her voice then exploded into some high pitched squeals of laughter. Naruto just stood in place.

Once recovered from shock however, he put the crazy old hag aside and proceeded to his destination.

However, his destination today was not home.

Every year on the first and last day of vacation, Naruto made it his routine to pass by an old abandoned house in a secluded and nearly empty plot of land. This house caught no one's attention and was not the site of anything special, abnormal or paranormal. However, to Naruto, the old house meant a lot to him.

He took a few shortcuts he'd learned over the years, and ended up in an empty alley street. He then spotted the stone and iron fence of the house, and followed it to its gates. Once there, the stone and metal plate implemented into the fence which showed ownership of the house, was ancient as ever, but still held a name very dear to the blonde boy.

Uchiha.

The house looked as untouched as ever and abandoned as it had been for three years now. Ever since the day Sasuke disappeared, so had the life and the owners of the house. Naruto had many fond memories in this sacred place, and was glad it seemed to remain here, one of the few remaining testimonies of the existence of his childhood friend. However, the gate was not untouched. The lock had been ruined by force and the gates left open.

And out of the ancient house which once belonged to his precious friend, appeared a cloaked man with a strange blue tinge to his skin.

The stranger who dared to trespass his special place now approached him in a dark manner, storming from the large front doors of the house that was once Sasuke's.

The man's eyes held a wild expression, one which sent shivers of sheer fear down Naruto's spine.

Just what in the world would happen next?

Little does Naruto know, he's just been dragged by the strong winds of fate and into the ever raging storm of destiny…

Coming up on Chapter 5: Dragged in by the Winds of Fate into the Storm of Destiny, Naruto is now caught in a vortex of events and conflict, where every detail and event determines the sheer outcome of it all. The old lady predicts her future, but just how far can her old wise words be taken? A man storms at Naruto, the strong gust of wind that sends him into the very center of the storm. Connections made, Naruto's long wanted wish at arms reach, everything hangs on a single phone call. Naruto's Arc ends and Sasukes mini arc begins, in which afterwards the winds blow full force... All coming up in Chapter 5!

:)