EM: Rewritten and retitled chapter 7. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Not mine, nor will it ever be.

Chapter 7: Dark Clouds

It was relentless. All it did was make him really want to leave. Or find his bed. Or better yet, a ramen stand with a nice piping hot bowl of ramen. But he couldn't. Not yet. Not when he hadn't completed his training.

He stood underneath a canopy of leaves as the rain poured down and ravaged the earth. The rain was so thick he couldn't see three feet from where he was sitting. He wasn't about to go train in the rain. He had done that countless of times already and it had only ended in a raging feverish cold the next day and then he couldn't train nearly as hard as he needed to. So that was out of the question as least for now. He was sitting cross-legged at the base of a tree and his clothes were soaked. A sudden chill ran up his spine, from the cold rain or something else, that he couldn't tell. But he felt something. Like he was being called…

Cerulean eyes, shaded by a thick amount of gold hair stared out through the hazy gray atmosphere.

Naruto Uzumaki wasn't happy at all. This training, that he wasn't getting to do, was really making him angry. All he seemed to do was train, train, and train. He hated that he was so weak. Him needing to train was only proof of this.

Why not just use me instead? We've done it before.

He nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice inside his head. He still couldn't get used to that.

Yeah, no. I won't have any repeats of those battles. Next time, I have a feeling you'll actually kill me.

He heard a growl like chuckle. The Kyuubi had become a problem. He should have just kept him locked up tight in that damn cell.

Yes, but you needed…no you wanted my help remember? And you got it kid. Besides, if you die, I die. And I can't die yet.

"Well wouldn't that just be horrible." Naruto sighed. He just wished that the stupid Uchiha would come home. He couldn't understand what was keeping him from coming back. There was no other place for him to go. He didn't belong anywhere but with them. And yet he still made no inclination that he was going to come back.

His mouth turned down in a frown. Stupid, stupid Uchiha. Always did make me restless with anger.

His eyes turned up to the blackish-gray cloudy sky. His thoughts turned elsewhere and he saw a flash of pink and green. His mouth relaxed again.

Sakura…

He remembered Sakura on days like this. Her determined eyes and her set mouth. The way she held her shoulders and the concentration she poured over her assignments. And then that look, the one that begged her to bring Sasuke back.

He screamed out in frustration. The sound went nowhere as a deep boom resounded in the sky above him. The rain had turned into a storm.

As the rain fell even harder and thunder resounded in the sky, Naruto saw a flash in the distance and sighed.

He couldn't figure Sakura out. She wanted Sasuke back, but then there were those times…those times when he thought she was actually looking at him. Those peculiar days when he was sure she was watching him and smiling at the same time. When her eyes turned soft and she spoke his name softly.

/Flashback/

Naruto was standing before Konoha's gates, Sakura beside him. It was early morning and the sun was just peeking over the treetops. Naruto waited for Sakura's goodbye. There was a longer pause than necessary and he turned his head to look at her. She was facing him, her green eyes focused solely on him.

He was surprised to see her looking at him so intently that he was taken aback. But then again, sometimes she was just not there, like her mind was wandering somewhere else. She did that a lot.

"Naruto…" A small smile slowly formed on his lips. He loved that. The way his name sounded so…so divine rolling off her tongue. It made his insides melt every time she called out to him.

"Yes…" Her eyes dropped from his gaze and her hand found the other. She was nervous about something. He could feel the tension shimmering from her body.

"Naruto…please…be careful." Naruto almost nodded his head in a habitual way before he caught the way the words came from her. They were hesitant…unsure. Like she was deciding whether she wanted to mean them one way…

"Sakura…I'll be fine. I always am. Don't worry."

He chuckled to try and lift the mood that seemed to have befallen Sakura.

"I'll make sure I get stronger so that I can bring Sasuke back to you."

He said the last part with less enthusiasm than before. Not that he didn't want Sasuke back himself. Sasuke was important to him too. He was the brother he wanted, the best friend he only just found, and a rival that pushed him beyond his own limits. He would never want Sasuke gone from his life or Sakura's. But…

"No I mean…" Her words stopped his thoughts and something suddenly seemed different. He saw her there, standing before him and she wasn't just Sakura. Sakura never acted shy with him. It was so…so unnatural.

"Sakura…" He paused, not knowing what to say, and opted for something he swore he wouldn't do. He took a step forward, closing the distance between his body and hers and her head jolted up. Green eyes met blue.

Naruto reached out and finally took Sakura's hand in his own and held it as if it were a lifeline for him. His other hand came up to her face and his fingers gently caressed her cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed for those brief seconds his skin made contact with hers and then they were open again.

He stared deeply into her eyes. He wanted to crush her body to his at that moment. He wanted so badly to take her face and close the distance with his. But he wouldn't, couldn't do that until he knew for certain of the feelings she had.

"It's just training Sakura. I'll be alright." The words came out hushed as if he had to be quiet. Sakura's body trembled and Naruto didn't know from what, but she nodded.

"Then…then I'll see you when you get back." He then let his hands fall from their positions and he took a step back. Knowing he had already crossed a different boundary, he hefted his bag over his shoulder and looked up.

On his face was none other than his goofy, but endearing smile.

"Don't worry Sakura. I'll be even better than I am now." His smile grew even wider.

"Believe it!" He punched his fist into the air and turned and headed out to begin his training.

/End Flashback/

CRACK!

The sound of thunder brought him out of his reverie.

Damn rain…

And then the rain only started to come down harder, as if mocking him.

Naruto sighed again. He wasn't getting anywhere. If the rain didn't stop he wouldn't get to train and if he didn't get to train he wouldn't get stronger and then he wouldn't be able to beat that stupid Uchiha and then Sakura wouldn't be happy again…

If he just kept thinking about the things that wouldn't happen he wouldn't have the will to keep going. He had to keep going…for her sake.

"YOU STUPID UCHIHA!"

His voice went nowhere over the sound of the storm raging around him. He growled in rage and flew out of his sitting position.

"STUPID RAIN!" If he didn't know better he thought the rain was doing it on purpose, coming down harder that is. He sat himself down again, and sighed. Again.

He closed his eyes.

"I give up…"

Just as he was thinking about how he would make up training for the time lost, he heard something. His eyes flew open and his hand already had kunai at the ready. He was crouched low, under the branches of his shelter tree and he was scouting the area for the movement he had barely heard.

I know I heard something…

Ding.

He jumped at the very small sound of something he couldn't recognize. He turned round and round but still couldn't trace where he heard it.

Am I hearing…

I heard it.

Be quiet so I can figure out what it is.

Fine. Suit yourself.

Naruto grunted.

Ding.

There it was again. What was that stupid sound?

Ding.

It was much louder now…

"A bell…?"

It came out as a hush as if a revelation of some kind had finally come to him.

Bells…bells mean-

Shut up!

Naruto waited for the source of the bells to appear. But what he saw wasn't really what he had expected.

Konoha

Tsunade had been up all day looking over paperwork again. It always seemed to pile up no matter how much she went through it. A sigh escaped her lips and she looked out her window. The harsh pang of the rain against the rooftop was rather comforting. It was a reprieve from the daily and nightly chatter she was getting sick of.

She leaned back in her chair and closed her tired eyes. She was staying up later and later as well. This business with the neighboring villages just wouldn't be resolved. She was hard pressed to send her shinobi out to do anything at this time, but something had to be done. She just couldn't make any kind of decision.

Suddenly there was a knock at her door.

"Come in." She opened her eyes and saw a head of pink hair.

"Yes Sakura?" She closed the door behind her and came to stand before Tsunade's desk.

"I came to see if you were still here."

"Well as you can see I still am. What do you want?"

She shifted her feet.

"Get on with it girl. I'm tired." She watched as Sakura closed her eyes tightly and squared her shoulders.

"I…I want to go search for Sasuke myself." Tsunade sighed. Ever since their last meeting with Sasuke, Sakura had been spouting nonsense like this every time she opened her mouth. She shook her head slightly.

"Sakura, I've already told you the answer to this. I will not allow you to search for a missing-nin. That is not your job."

"But-"

"Sakura."

Tsunade didn't mean to be harsh with her; she was just getting on her nerves with this Sasuke business. It was hard enough trying to keep Naruto from bugging her about Sakura, but this Sasuke business with Sakura was ridiculous. She hadn't realized how obsessed one girl could get. Not that she didn't know about a little heartache for a man herself. She still thought about Jiraiya now and then…

She felt the sting of tears at the corner of her eyes. Stupid Jiraiya. He just had to go and be the hero.

"Lady Tsunade?"

She heard Sakura's voice through her thoughts and looked up. There was a worried look on her face.

"Sakura please…just leave it to Naruto. I don't want to lose anyone else here…" Sakura started at the surprising tone her voice had taken. She knew what Lady Tsunade was referring to and felt guilt rush over her.

"I'm sorry Lady Tsunade. I just feel so helpless." Sakura bowed her head. She hated waiting. Tsunade understood this all too well.

"I understand Sakura. How do you think I feel? And I'm the Hokage. I can't do anything I want. Please just…be a little more patient. Trust Naruto."

Sakura's eyes widened at the last part. She already knew she could trust Naruto. She knew he would do whatever he had too to bring Sasuke back…but she was starting to feel guilty for that as well. Why should she put all the pressure on Naruto alone? Shouldn't she, the one who really wants him back, do it herself?

"Yes Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade watched as Sakura turned and walked out the door. It was hard keeping all the ninja here satisfied. All of them wanted to do something for Naruto and the village. They were all willing and ready to go off and get themselves killed. It was hard enough keeping Naruto in check. She had grown quite fond of him and his stubbornness. It reminded her a lot of Jiriaya…

She felt tears prick at her eyes again and took a deep breath. She couldn't think about such sad things at the moment. She had too much work to sort through.

Perhaps I should send Kiba and Hinata to the Hidden Cloud…we do need a new treaty…

"No…I can't. It's just too far away to send them when the village is in this position." She sighed heavily, massaging her temples.

Perhaps Shikamaru's team should escort that wretched woman who thinks she can just leisurely spend her time here…and it would get her out of my hair…

Ding.

Tsunade looked up from her paperwork and out the window. Did she really just hear something?

Ding.

She was sure that she had heard something now. But why was it so familiar? And why did she get the feeling she didn't like it at all? And then it hit her.

"No. Absolutely not."

Tsunade leapt out of her chair and waited for it. The one messenger she couldn't stand. A blue and silver cat with long pointy ears was suddenly sitting on her open windowsill. Its bright yellow eyes stared at her intently and its tail was flicking back and forth rapidly. A single bell hung from its neck.

"Meow." Tsunade groaned. She would rather have the girl show up unannounced then send the damn cat her way.

"Cut the crap cat. It's not like I could ever forget you. What the hell does she want now?" The cat nimbly jumped down from its position on the window and slowly walked over to Tsunade's desk and then proceeded to jump up onto it. Well it was more of a graceful float instead of jump. She stared at the cat and groaned again. She sank back down into her chair.

"So very nice to see you as well Old Lady. How have you been?"

Old Lady…who does this cat think it is?

The cat's eyes didn't leave her face and it was starting to get unnerving with those big yellow eyes never blinking.

"Could you maybe blink once? And you still didn't answer my question. What does she want now?" Aoi blinked and shook its body from head to tail.

"She's coming here. Now. Tonight. She needs to speak with you immediately, and also another…a boy. I've already gone to retrieve him. She's also bringing the dark-haired one with her."

"Why tonight? Can't she just wait for another day? I'm really not in the mood." Aoi didn't move an inch.

"Fine. What's this all about now?" Aoi waited still. Her head reached down and she proceeded to lick her front paw and then the other. The bell jangled while she did so.

"She wants to finally end it."

Tsunade's eyes went wide. End it? As in end it with Orochimaru? But that was…far too dangerous. She didn't doubt that Akiko's skill would be strong enough for him. It was that her mental state was unstable. Going to face Orochimaru head on was a hefty gamble.

"Are you sure?" Aoi only looked up.

Tsunade closed her mouth. Akiko must be serious. She thought about this for a moment. If Akiko really did end it with Orochimaru, then Konoha would be safe again. She herself would have less to worry about. No missions being left undone, no ninja dying…

Tsunade's eyes closed.

"When will she be here?" The bell jingled again.

"She'll be here soon."

"What is it that she needs to talk to me about?" Tsunade opened her eyes.

Aoi was sitting so still, the cat looked more like a beautifully carved and painted statue rather than a living animal.

"She'll be here soon."

Naruto

"What the hell is that?"

Naruto didn't exactly expect a cat, especially a blue and silver cat, to be walking towards him in a raging storm. But the most peculiar thing about the cat was that a ball of some kind of barrier surrounded it. The rain pounded on the surface of the cat's protection and merely slid down the side. It wasn't getting wet at all.

"Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto's mouth popped open in surprise.

"Huh?"

Naruto stood up immediately.

You should be bowing to me.

It's just a cat Kyu-

"Bow to whom? I follow no one but my master." Naruto's mouth fell open wider when the cat started talking, in response to Kyuubi. This cat could…hear Kyuubi? It didn't seem possible but when Kyuubi had spoken it had replied.

"What the hell are you?" The cat's rear sat on the grass and Naruto felt a gust of air rush over him. He immediately felt dry and suddenly it was quiet and no raindrops were falling into his eyes.

"It seems Kyuubi's traits are passed on to his vessel." The cat paused, as if to blink but didn't. "Wonderful."

Naruto felt the rush of anger from the Kyuubi but didn't let it overtake him. He was more stunned by the presence of a talking blue and silver cat.

It's the Nibi no Nekomata's familiar, baka.

Familiar? So does the real thing look like this then? And if Neko-san does, then do you as well? Are there little foxes that look like you running around?

Stupid retch! I don't keep such trivial things around.

Naruto flinched as the backlash of the Kyuubi reverberated throughout his body. That time it had actually hurt.

"If you're finished?" Naruto growled as Kyuubi did and tried to suppress all of Kyuubi's feelings. This was what he was training for.

Listen here you worthless rat, my power is greater than yours. And if I seem to remember correctly, I've kicked your two tails once before.

Naruto wanted to say something but kept his mouth firmly shut and his thoughts from straying too far near the Kyuubi's. He heard the small cat growl.

"I have but a message you insolent beast."

Then SPEAK before I lose my patience any further!

Naruto flinched again. The Kyuubi was raging inside him and he felt each wave of chakra like the force of a battering ram.

"I, or rather my master, request your presence back at Konoha to discuss a matter of importance." Naruto cocked his head to one side. He felt the Kyuubi's tails twitch with impatience.

"Your master? Oh you mean…well why would they want to see me?"

"That is for her to tell you." The cat sat still, its twitching tail the only indication it was alive. Naruto couldn't leave. He had to train his mind and his body for the Kyuubi.

I don't know any girls who carry around Bijuu's like I do. This is ridiculous.

"Some girl I don't even know can't possibly have anything important to say to me. Besides I have training to finish." The cat did not look pleased at that.

"Whether you want to come or not, it is not your choice. I will take you back to Konoha. It's just whether we do it the hard way…or the easy way."

Naruto jumped up.

"Look you can't make me do-" The cat growled and a dark aura surrounded it. He felt Kyuubi respond to the threat within him and his emotions were starting to mingle with the Kyuubi's and suddenly he wanted to rip the cat apart. He could see it happen. His body would morph to accommodate the Kyuubi, he would pounce, strangle the cat and then rip it in half while it struggled in vain to escape. The sweet satisfaction that rolled through him snapped him back to reality when he realized he was bent over, breathing heavily. He would not let the Kyuubi control him! He had to control his own body.

"Fine…fine…" He panted and slipped to the ground, clutching his stomach.

The cat turned and started to walk away. Naruto didn't though and the rain immediately fell on him like buckets, and thunder roared over his head.

"Hey! Wait!" He got up slowly, feeling the Kyuubi's power struggling within him and he ran after the cat, feeling a dreaded weight hang over him.

Konoha

Lady Tsunade waited with Aoi Katai. It wasn't a very pleasant wait. Aoi cleaned herself the whole time and Tsunade waited impatiently.

And she continued to wait. The storm picked up in ferocity as the night went on and Tsunade didn't see anyone.

"He's here." Finally, thought Tsunade.

After waiting half the night, it's about damn time.

Tsunade waited for her two visitors. A knock at the door told her someone was coming in. It cracked open first and then opened fully to reveal her late visitors.

A blue and silver cat with a single bell hanging at its neck strolled in first. She thought at first that the cat had somehow gotten to the door without her seeing, but she looked back to her desk and there was another Aoi.

What the?

Followed by it was Naruto.

"Naruto!" Tsunade leapt out of her chair and walked around her desk. She walked up to him. He chuckled and was rubbing the back of his head. His eyes told her though, that his training was not going too smoothly.

"Hey Grandma." She didn't even pause at the familiar name he used for her. It was a relief for her actually to hear that. She looked up then as her third visitor walked in.

"Kakashi?" He grinned. Well…she guessed that he grinned. From the way his eye lifted up, she was sure it was a grin. That stupid facemask hid everything.

"Well I was out…and I saw Naruto walking for Konoha and he was muttering about meeting with someone and then I saw a blue and silver cat and I just knew I had to come with as well." He…grinned again.

But Tsunade had to wonder where Kakashi was out at in the middle of the night and in the middle of a storm for that matter. She didn't like to dwell on his oddities though. He very well could have been out by Uchiha Obito's grave. It was his most visited site.

"Why is Kakashi the only one who is soaking wet?" Naruto looked back at Kakashi and the very large puddle of water that he was making.

"Oh…haha that was Aoi's fault. She kept me dry but Kakashi-sensei must've already been in the rain. So he was wet before." Tsunade looked back at Aoi, and where there should have been one Aoi, were two.

"Well could you two explain why Naruto was called here and why are there two of you? I could have sworn that girl had only one annoying cat…" Naruto looked up at Tsunade with a questioning look.

Damn…I said something.

"You mean this cat belongs to someone you know?" Tsunade saw out of the corner of her eye Kakashi give a look as well. Now she'll have to try and avoid something she shouldn't have brought up in the first place. But she was saved the trouble.

"Silence." Each cat sat up and began to walk closer to each other. And before each person's eyes both cats walked into one another and faded to combine into one blue and silver cat, with two bells dangling at its neck.

"Now isn't that interesting." Kakashi's voice broke through the shocked silence.

"There is good reason for your presence. Be silent and wait." But wait they didn't because Tsunade's door then opened. Nothing came through at first as the door was just hanging open, but a bent head popped through.

The figure in question walked through the door and her head came up. Her abundant vibrant red hair streamed down her back and glistened from the rainwater that was gently sliding through to drip onto the floor. Her presence exuded a calm that belied what would ensue and she walked through the door slowly. She had on all black and a strange black design crept up the side of her stomach. She had a black face covering hanging loosely around her neck. Twin katana were sticking out from the place strapped on her backside and there was a medic pouch at her waist. She had fingerless black gloves on her hands. When her head came up, deep green eyes met cerulean blue ones.

The room seemed to stop and become heavy, like fog drifting in through the window. Her eyes met his and everyone in the room saw something different. Tsunade saw a very different girl from only a few days ago and knew that something was very wrong. Kakashi looked from Naruto to the familiar looking girl and saw a moment, one between two he had not thought he would ever be able to see again. Naruto at first didn't see anything that might have been familiar to him, but then he saw a gentle face and a loving voice carried with it, and he felt tears prick at the back of his eyes from a vague and distant memory that he did not recognize as his own.

Perhaps because the eyes could not be seen or it was the sight of the hair that caught him off guard but Kakashi was the one to first speak and no one expected that to come out of his mouth.

"Kushina...?"

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