Fanoflotsofthings: I feel like an awful person…

Emiko: Why's that?

Fanoflotsofthings: Because I have been taking so much time to finish this story… I mean I started it in 2009 and I still haven't finished it.

Neji: It's because you want it to turn out well! Plus you never gave up on it; you're still trying to get it done.

Emiko: Then there's the fact you put your heart and soul into the work trying to make it the best you possibly can.

Fanoflotsofthings: Thanks guys that means a lot!

Hinata: Enjoy!

Gaara: Remember she owns nothing!

"Said"

'Thought'

Kyubie Talking

Flashback

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Emiko watched her husband sadly. Neji had not been the same since Naruto left. She understood, maybe a little too painfully, what Neji was feeling. Naruto had been the one to introduce her to Neji after he had saved her life from some bandits that were going to take advantage of her bloodline trait. It was love at first sight…at least for her. She had never asked what Neji thought of immediately after meeting her. One of the first things she noticed about Neji was he still had trouble believing that fate did not control his life; however, him watching Naruto continually kick fate in the ass showed him that he could do the same. She wished would time would hurry up and go faster.

Neji knew that his wife was worried for him but he had a hard time pretending to be okay. Plus he would not lie to his wife like that; it worse than him admitting he was not okay. He missed Naruto terribly. They had a routine of training every Friday at two then go for tea and dango afterwards. They usually talked about their life and how things were going. He missed venting his frustrations and celebrating the joys of life with Naruto without the over the top enthusiasm that Lee practically screamed from his every pore. It was not that he didn't like Lee's enthusiasm that was part of him, but he sometimes needed the calm that Naruto provided him. It eased his soul.

Tenten could not believe what she was seeing half the time anymore. Lee could not seem to bring himself to even train, and that terrified her more than she would like to admit. But she understood because it was hard to train without the blonde cheering them on or sparring with them always kicking their asses. She was never one to show her emotions, but it was becoming increasingly hard to keep moving. Naruto had beat into her quiet literally that Neji would never be interested in her. That had been a tough week but Naruto had stayed by her side waiting for her to realize what she needed wasn't that far away from her. She could never be able to thank Naruto fully for what he did for her.

Lee could not bring himself to train. It was frightening for him to not be able to train, but it wasn't right without Naruto. Yes Naruto had been away on missions and he would still train, but this was different. Naruto wasn't home he was with the Akatsuki and that alone seemed terrifying. He had heard much about the Akatsuki and every single one of them had incredible but terrifying talents. He hoped that Naruto was faring well and that he was finding some kind of happiness with them.

Iruka spent most of his days completely immersing himself in his work. He would work obnoxious hours in the mission room hoping to exhaust himself. It never seemed to work and it only made his co-workers really worried. Plus Kakashi was so worried about him, it hurt him to make Kakashi worry but it was hard. His little brother was gone again and it wasn't due to enemies on the outside but on the inside of the village. That hurt more than words could describe, that the ones that were suppose to be there for him were the ones to damage him to the point of running…which he had never ever done.

A gentle tap on his shoulder and a kiss on the cheek pulled Iruka out of his musings. He looked to see an exhausted Kakashi. He felt a pang of regret seeing Kakashi this way. Kakashi was no doubt feeling just as bad as himself and barely sleeping without Iruka in bed. He felt tears slowly track down his cheeks, only for Kakashi to gently brush them away. He never felt like he deserved this wonderful man, who could have whoever he wanted but choose Iruka. Iruka pulled Kakashi down for a gentle kiss. He swore he would take better care of himself for both of them. Kakashi had lost a student once; it was not easy to deal with another one.

Tsunade felt like she was going crazy! There was no blonde knucklehead idiot to bug her. She never realized how much of a relief it was for Naruto to give her that break that she so desperately needed half of the time. She missed his randomness and the way he cared so deeply about everyone and his bright cheer. That was gone when he had been in her office last. She hoped that Pein was able to help him. Life would never return to normal without Naruto's cheer ringing throughout the village. She had noticed that since Naruto had been gone that village no longer held that cheer; it was almost like it had been drained of it when he left. She had been surprised with the amount of complaints from regular villagers demanding that Naruto be brought back immidately. It just proved that this village needed him. Time could not possibly go fast enough.

Rookie nine and any ninja at home would meet once a week to see if everyone was okay…well maybe not okay but alive. They shared the same thoughts that it was becoming nearly impossible not to think of Naruto. Everywhere any of them went something would remind them of the blonde some memory that may not have come up with Naruto being there. It was nearly impossible not to look and see some remnant of the blonde. None of them realized how big of a part the blond knucklehead had been in their lives till he was gone. They all wondered how Hinata, the sand siblings, and the villagers of Sunagakure were holding up with the blonde's absence. Naruto ended up at that village a lot.

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Hinata hated watching Gaara like this. It was almost like he reverted back to his old self just without all the killing intent. He would sit for hours starring out the window. To be honest, it creped her out a lot when he was that way because in those moments he was more statue than man. She could only guess what he was thinking. She missed Naruto's constant letters detailing all his adventures and improvements. She had so much to thank him for. Naruto had been honest with her about him not sharing her feelings at the time it had felt like the world was ending, but he had showed her that someone else had the capability to love her like no one else could ever love her. Naruto of course had been right and she never regretted the moment she had given her heart to Naruto.

Gaara could feel Hinata's eyes on him, but he couldn't bring himself to reassure her that he was okay. Naruto had done more for him than anyone else ever could. Naruto and he shared the same pain and understanding on what it was like to feel completely alone. Naruto had shown him that he could change and that he was not the monster everyone feared him to be. That he could have a normal life, at lease as normal as one could obtain while being a ninja. Plus he had given him more than a friend; he gave him a beautiful wife that he sometimes doubted he deserved. He immediately pushed that thought down before turning to his wife, opening his arms wide. Not even a minute later he had his wife snuggling into his chest. He let out a content sigh as he wound his arms tightly around Hinata; this would keep him from losing his mind with worry. His village shared his worry and that was enough for now.

Temari and Kankuro hated not knowing what was going on with Naruto. They may have not been as close to him but they still cared about him. He had helped Gaara when they were too afraid to and probably didn't care as much as they should have. They would forever be thankful that someone had cared way more than anyone should or would be able to. They watched Gaara and Hinata cuddling thankful that for that moment neither of them were sad, but were enjoying the fact they had each other. They hoped Naruto would continue to grace them with their presence soon; it was getting pretty dull around here.

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Fanoflotsofthings: Well, there is the second part of people from Naruto's home. The next chapter will be done probably some time tomorrow…hopefully. I just wanted to make sure I got the next part out for the readers.

Naruto: What's coming next?

Fanoflotsofthings: (evil grin) You're just gonna have to wait and see now won't you?

Naruto: (hiding behind Pein)

Pein: What'd I miss?

Fanoflotsofthings: Nothing to concern yourself with.

Sasuke: Comment!

Fanoflotsofthings: Damn it Sasuke! What have I told you!? (sends Sasuke to Sakura)

Sasuke: (distant screaming that turn into moans of protesting pleasure)

Fanoflotsofthings: I have never been a big fan of Sasuke or Sakura. Can you tell?

Pein and Naruto: (quick nodding of the heads)