A.N. Thank you for all of the reviews it really helps out a lot. As to what direction I plan to take this fic... well, I have never written yaoi before. Don't have anything against trying either. I hunger for my share of reading good yaoi too. ^_~ I haven't exactly had any pairings planned just yet. I have a huge part of this fic worked out and I haven't entirely decided what I'm going to do. I can very easily go any way; it all depends on where I want to take it. And I also don't mind any suggestions.

Sorry for the wait, I have been up to my neck with things lately. Hope you enjoy and I look forward to hearing from any of you. Feel free to message me if you wish, or drop me an e-mail. You can find that info in my profile since I finally got to adding that stuff. Thanks again to everyone!

'Italics' - A persons thoughts
--Italics-- Flashback or memory

Chapter 1
Four years later....

Uzumaki Naruto chuckled at the cute pink-haired woman beside him. One thing for sure, he could never get enough of Haruno Sakura, even if she would be nothing more then a friend to him.

"Naruto, are you ever going to take anything serious? I thought you wanted to pass this test!"

The seriousness of her tone and the look in her eyes was too much to take, Naruto flat out laughed at her. "Really Sakura-chan, you by far take everything too seriously."

Sakura paused in step, causing Naruto to have to do the same. A gentle breeze blew through her hair as she stared down at her hands. Naruto found himself lost in her, she had grown into a beautiful sixteen-year-old woman. If his heart wasn't leading him toward different paths, then maybe... if she wanted... he would have been very happy to have her by his side.

"Sakura-chan, are you ok?"

"If you become an Anbu..." Her voice broke off, as though her thoughts drifted to other things.

Naruto placed his hands behind his head, threading his fingers, and smiled. "It would be cool wouldn't it? I haven't decided on what my mask should...."

"Naruto, really!" Her head snapped up to meet his gaze, tears were clearly seen in her eyes. "Sasuke...."

Naruto flinched at the name; a brief spur of anger rushed though him. Neither of them had spoken that name in quite some time, it always brought bad memories. Naruto's hands slipped from behind his head to take a hold of Sakura's.

"If Sasuke really betrayed us, then why hasn't Orochimaru attacked Konoha yet? It's been four years! I just don't think..." She sniffed before wrapping her arms around him. Naruto, surprised by her touch, stiffened briefly before giving in and hugged her back. He had always been there for Sakura and always would be.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto sighed, "He's a Missing Nin, no matter what. He's still a threat to this village as long as he's out there. But I'll find him, I can guarantee that."

"Sa.... Sakura!?" A surprised voice shouted behind them.

Naruto felt the girl in his arms stiffen. He released his hold on his friend, perhaps his best friend, and chuckled nervously at the shocked look on the fuzzy eyebrow boy's face, who stood no more than ten feet from the duo.

"Lee-san!" Sakura stepped back and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ears, her cheeks were stained a deep shade of red.

"Wha..." Lee pointed at Naruto as he stared at Sakura.

Naruto smirked, if he was still the troublemaker he use to be he would have stuck his tongue out at Lee.

Sakura quickly closed the distance between herself and Lee. "It's not what it seems." She placed a hand on his arm and gently persuaded him to lower it.

Naruto watched the exchange between the two quietly and smiled. Sakura had found a path to lead her toward happiness. Rock Lee held nothing but the highest affections toward the pink-haired Chuunin. Naruto sighed as he watched Lee hand a small bouquet of flowers to Sakura. Feeling a bit uncomfortable he bid the two goodbye, then headed back down the path that led into the forest that surrounded a good portion of the village.

"NARUTO!" Sakura's cry caused him to halt, smiling he turned to face the couple. "Good luck on your test!"

"Thanks, Sakura-chan!"

Naruto walked slowly down the path until he came to a small clearing. He liked to visit this spot often, just to spend time exploring his feelings. Taking a seat in the grass he closed his eyes to concentrate. His test was in a few hours and until that time he would rather be alone to think a few things over. He tried to concentrate on the skills that he would need to perform for his exam, but his thoughts kept drifting to the one person who he hated the most. The one that he planed to hunt down like the traitor he was.... Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto lightly touched his right side where Sasuke's kunai had pierced him so long ago. The wound might have healed, but his memory of that day would never fade away.

- -"Sa... Sasuke....?"

His hand trembled as he grasped the kunai that was buried into his side. The handle was warm and sticky with his blood. The wound that was inflicted wasn't life threatening, but was very painful. His eyes darted to the boy who stood before him. Sasuke turned to face him, his Sharingan eyes glared at him, holding no remorse.

"Next time, Naruto, I won't hesitate in killing you. Stay out of my way." Uchiha's voice was laced with hatred. The dark-haired Genin kicked at the ground in front of him, sending a cloud of dust and debris into Naruto face before he turned to walk away.

"Damn you!" Naruto growled as he rubbed his eyes. Clenching his teeth, he slid the kunai out of his body. Rising on wobbly legs, Naruto held his side trying to keep the blood from flowing out of the wound.

"SASUKE!"

Naruto trembled in anger, he was being ignored. He could feel what chakra he had left rush through him. With what strength he just gained, Naruto threw the bloodied kunai that was still in his hand at the other youth. Sasuke turned just in time for the kunai to whiz by him and embed itself into a tree.

"What the hell!" Sasuke froze in his spot, his eyes wide from shock. "Naruto?"

"I won't let you make this mistake."

"You don't understand, Naruto. This is the path that has been chosen for me. This is what I want!"

Naruto's hands clenched. All this time, did Sasuke not hold any respect for his comrades, for him? "What of those who care for you?"

Sasuke snorted, his dark eyes becoming angrier by the minute. "There's no one who truly cares, and there never will be."

"I care." Naruto was unable to meet the others gaze. "I care what happens to Sasuke."

"Then you're a fool."

Naruto growled deep within his throat. He knew there would be no convincing Sasuke and his side hurt too much to go after the boy. He could have easily called forth the chakra of the nine-tails, but held off. There really was only one option left, let Sasuke make his own mistakes. "If you go, you'll be branded a missing nin and hunted down."

"So be it."

And with those words all faith he held for Sasuke vanished. "Then I'll do whatever it takes to be the one to hunt you down, you TRAITOR!"

Sasuke took a step back. His face was void of any emotion, but his eyes showed something else. Silence stretched between the two for what seemed like an eternity before Sasuke finally spoke up. "Then I look forward to our next meeting."--

Naruto's concentration drifted away from his thoughts when the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, someone was watching him. Without opening his eyes, Naruto sought out his stalker, reaching out with his mind to find where the source of chakra was coming from.

His eyes snapped open when an all too familiar presence appeared behind him. Springing to his feet, but staying in a crouched position while he slipped his kunai from his pouch, Naruto quickly aimed his weapon for the intruder's neck. He knew that his attempt would be blocked, but none the less he couldn't let people sneak up on him. A ninja should always be prepared.

"Naruto."

"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto smirked as his instructor released his hand. Placing his kunai away, he stood to face the older man with a smile. "What brings you here?"

"I came to bid you luck."

"Thanks, but I won't need it. I'll be an Anbu by nightfall for sure." Naruto stretched and glanced at the sun, its location in the sky let him know that it was time for him to go. "What did you really come here for?"

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Like a book." Naruto smirked when he could clearly tell that his former Sensei was grinning under his mask.

Kakashi's amused attitude suddenly became serious. "It's about the first mission you requested if... when you become an Anbu."

Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. What was Kakashi up to? "What about it?"

"I've received word that he's been spotted in the Water Country in the company of two others about three days ago."

Naruto grinned excitedly. "Orochimaru?"

"Highly unlikely."

"Humph." Naruto crossed his arms. "Doesn't matter, he's not who I'm after anyway."

"Naruto...."

"There's no need to worry about me, Sensei." Naruto cut him off. "This is something that I need to do."

"Very well," Kakashi nodded. "You should get moving or you're going to be late. I'll check in with you later." Kakashi waved and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Naruto could have laughed over Kakashi's comment on being punctual; the man still to this day never was on time. But he still agreed with his Sensei and quickly sprang into the trees and headed toward the village. He didn't travel very far when he suddenly came to a halt, staring into the trees to his right. He had the same feeling again, that someone was watching him, following him. The ninja in him wanted to pursue the person. But he knew if he was late even by a second for his test he would miss his chance at becoming an Anbu. They didn't take any slackers within their ranks and he needed the title to achieve his goal.

"Hey!" Naruto pointed in the direction he was sure the person was hiding. "I know your there! If I wasn't busy I'd have to kick your ass! Next time try hiding your chakra better!" Naruto waited for a response, prepared to defend himself if he needed to do so, but the chakra he had felt before was no longer there. Satisfied that he scared whoever it was off, he continued on his way.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dark eyes glared at the young blond-haired man in the distance. He could tell by the black clothing and green vest that he was looking at a Chuunin, perhaps even a Jounin. 'Damn.' He came to a halt quickly when the Leaf Shinobi stopped and stared in his direction. He smirked as he listed to the loud mouthed blond yell in his direction and lowered his chakra level, he didn't need a confrontation with any Leaf Nins yet. He waited and watched the young man leave until he disappeared in the distance.

'You haven't changed at all, Uzumaki Naruto.'