Chapter 5: Found

-2 Months After Naruto's Disappearance-

It's been two months since Naruto's disappearance. His disappearance had been wearing down on Sasuke and Iruka. The rest of the class also missed the intelligent blonde too but not as much. Kiba was one of the least that missed the blonde. Naruto was one of them, he was actually someone Kiba considered a friend. Up until he decided to turn into a smart ass and leave him as the dead last in class.

Naruto was everything Kiba could be, if he wasn't so lazy and stubborn. But instead of making the wise choice and try to improve himself, he decided to wallow in self pity and hated the blonde for his success. He had heard endless nagging from his elder sister and mother about why he couldn't take a page out of Naruto's book and actually try in the academy.

With Naruto now gone, Kiba finally had a break from all the nagging. He was worried for the blonde of course. He wasn't a complete ass. But he did take advantage of the blonde's absence. With Naruto gone, his grades suffered drastically. All Kiba had to do was put in a bit more effort, and he became second to the dead last. The dead last was currently once again Naruto Uzumaki.

Sasuke had reluctantly taken the top spot in class. He however didn't want it. He convinced himself he was only holding that position until Naruto got back. He had to stay strong for Naruto. If he returned, no WHEN he returned, he would help the blonde to take his mantle back. As weeks passed by and Naruto had yet to return, he had once again slipped into his cold personality. He was only his normal self around Iruka because only he understood what he was going through. Together they would be there waiting for the blonde.

Hinata was the second best in class now. She was a bit more pleased with her ranking in the class, but she did feel bad for the blonde. All the work he put in, all the effort, only to be kidnapped and reset back to the dead last. She gave a small prayer for her fellow classmate to return safely and alive. He was going to be a future ninja of the leaf, a comrade. In the back of her mind, she hoped he was alright.

When it was announced to the class that the blonde was currently missing, there were a few cheers coming from a couple of civilian kids. All praising that the monster, demon, and whatever names they could call him, was now gone and missing. After a scolding from Iruka, he sent them outside of class so he could punish them later. Sasuke wanted to beat the crap out of all the kids that insulted Naruto and cheered for his disappearance. Meanwhile the rest of the class had offered silent prayers for his safe return. As each day passed, the student's hope for the blonde's return was dwindling. Meanwhile Mizuki was always seen wearing a smile on his lips.

-5 Months After Naruto's Disappearance-

Their hope for Naruto's return was being tested. Sasuke and Iruka had begged Kami for Naruto's return each and every day. Every day after school, the two would go and check Naruto's regular places where he would be. Training grounds, Ichiraku's, his apartment, and the Hokage's tower would be visited by the two.

It has been five months since the ANBU squads have been dispatched to find Naruto. And they have yet to return as well. That was promising and yet terrifying at the same time. It could mean that there were leads on where Naruto was being held, or that the ANBU squads had met their demise possibly along with Naruto, or that Naruto had already been killed. Everyone that cared for the blonde was hoping that they were close to locating and bringing home Naruto.

Sasuke was getting more and more depressed as time went by. He wasn't this depressed for a long time. His daily schedule would be to show up to school and then head home to train. Sometimes when Iruka had free time, he'd go and train with Sasuke. Their worry for the blond had only gotten their bond stronger due to Naruto's absence. They heavily relied on each other to keep them from entering a deep depression.

Sasuke was also very worried that WHEN Naruto returned, it would be after the genin selection exam. If the time came and Naruto wasn't there, he was fully prepared to fail just so he can be on a squad with Naruto. He cared deeply for the blonde, not wanting to be further separated once he returned. Once he does return, Sasuke is going to be watching over him at all times so that nothing like this can happen again.

The genin exams were a month away. Everyone was excited about becoming a ninja, excluding Sasuke of course. All of Sasuke's fangirls wanted to be on his team, all of the guys didn't want to be on his team. Sasuke only wanted Naruto to be on his team, so he's willing to wait till he comes back to become a ninja.

Sasuke looked out the window and let out a sigh. 'Where are you Naruto?'

-A Month Later-

It was a week till the genin selection exams and Sasuke was internally panicking. There was still no news on Naruto's location or anything. Iruka was putting on a strong front for the class, but Sasuke knew how he actually felt. He was a broken mess, much like himself. He was always struggling to pay attention to class. His mind would be swarmed by thoughts of what Naruto was being forced to endure. He was having one of Naruto being tortured while being strapped to a chair.

Shaking his head to clear those horrible thoughts away, he focused back on Iruka. He was going over what was going to be on the genin selection exams. As he was going to dismiss class, there was a knock on the door.

Iruka went to open the door and was surprised to see an ANBU there. "Hello ANBU-san, how can I help you?"

"Hokage-sama requested your presence Umino-san." The ANBU replied and looked around the class until he spotted Sasuke. "You as well Uchiha-san"

Hope and fear instantly washed over both of them. They turned to look at each other, and nodded. "Alright class, you're dismissed." After all the students left, Iruka and Sasuke made their way towards the Hokage tower to see the aged leader.

Once arriving, Iruka knocked on the door. Hearing confirmation to enter, they opened the door and walked in.

"You called Hokage-sama?"

"Yes Iruka-kun." The Hokage said with a small smile. "Iruka-kun, Sasuke-kun. I have fantastic news." Both of them were filled with hope as a chill made its way down their spines. "Naruto has been found and returned. He's currently resting in the hospital."

Sasuke was filled with joy, so much that his knees gave out, making him fall. Iruka let out a few tears of joy and choked out a sob. The Hokage himself had a few tears in his eyes. They were all relieved that Naruto had made it back safely. He had been brought back to his family.

"However." The Hokage continued with a heavy heart. "He was extremely malnourished, and had cuts and bruises all over his body that weren't healing. We assume that something the kidnapper did to him is preventing Kyuubi from healing the boy. You'll be able to visit him tomorrow." The Hokage let a small smile across his lips. "He'll be fine though. He's too stubborn to stay down."

Iruka let out a soft chuckle. "Yes. Yes he is." Iruka stood up and bowed towards Hiruzen. "Thank you Hokage-sama for bringing back my little brother."

"Your welcome Iruka-kun. I'm happy to have my surrogate nephew back as well." Hiruzen said with a small smile.

"Thank you Hokage-sama. Can he come back to the academy soon? Will he be able to become a genin?" Sasuke blurted out the last two questions. He wanted to know if he could graduate alongside his friend.

"If he is healed enough by the time then yes. If not then I should be able to push back the exam for him." The leader told the boy. "Truth is he'll kill me if I don't let him become a genin." The Hokage chuckled as the two snorted. "Alright you two can go home and rest knowing that he's finally back to us."

"Hai Hokage-sama." The teacher and student replied. After they left the aged leader could only smile at how much the two cared for Naruto. 'I'm so glad he has those two. Kami forbid something happens to those three.'

-With Naruto-

Naruto woke up to find himself in a hospital bed. He bolted up thinking they were going to do that to him once again. His eyes started to water up recalling the events of last time. He remembered the pain he felt coursing through his body. Naruto felt rage boiling in his stomach. He hated them for doing that to him. When the door opened, he threw all the KI he could muster at the person who opened the door. This caused the people to fall on their knees instantly terrified and turn pale.

The second they opened the door, they fell on their knees due to an insane amount of pressure from somewhere. Sasuke and Iruka were currently on the floor trying to get up, to do something. However before they could try anything, the pressure disappeared and they were tackled to the ground. Hard.

"I missed you guys so much!" Naruto shouted through tears that were pouring out of his eyes. "Please. Please don't let them take me! Not again!" Naruto was starting to hyperventilate.

"Calm down Naruto!" Iruka yelled. "You're hyperventilating!"

"Naruto! Calm down!" Sasuke tried to calm down the blonde.

Seeing that the boy wasn't going to calm down, Iruka chopped him in the back of the neck. After he was knocked out, Iruka gently lifted him and placed him back on the bed. Now that both of them were getting a good look at the Naruto, they can see what the Hokage meant.

Naruto's body had greatly taken a hit due to him being gone for all that time, and not to mention what else he was put through. He no longer had the fit lean muscles he once had. No, now he barely had any muscle. He was so skinny that his bones could easily be seen. He was also deathly pale, almost white as a sheet of paper instead of his usual tanned skin. 'What happened to him!?' The two thought to themselves.

"He'll be fine."

Iruka and Sasuke turned around and saw the doctor that was assigned to Naruto. "Will he be able to come to the academy this week?" Sasuke blurted out.

"Yes. He should be fine after two days here." The doctor said as he walked up to Naruto's bed. "He wouldn't stay any longer than that anyways." Turning to look at Iruka, the doctor continued. "Iruka, I need to have him eat plenty of food to regain his strength. Once he's out of here, watch over him and make sure of that."

"Understood sir."

"Alright. Get going you two. His visiting times are over anyways. Leave him to me, I'll make sure he's better." The doctor told them with a smile.

Naruto was left alone after the doctor did his check up on the blonde boy. After waking back up, he stayed on his back staring at the ceiling. What he had been through, had deeply affected him. However… he didn't want others to worry about him. He can't let them know.

'No one can know… I'll keep it in, and act like everything is fine.' Naruto thought to himself. A tear rolled down the side of his head. 'Yes… everything is fine.'

Alright! Naruto's back! What's going to happen next? What's Naruto bottling up?

Hope you guys liked this chapter!

Criticism is appreciated! It helps me improve!