Woot! Wow I was surprised by the response I got. '' May be I ain't so bad at this fanfic thing after all:P Anyways, on with the show. Oh, keep in mind, for the pairings, I'd like to have it decided by this chapter.

NaruSasu:2

NaruSaku:2

So please, to limit the confusion, I'm throwing all other pairings out because these seem to be the main one. So vote for one or the other, because right now it can go either way. By next chapter it can't. So vote! Vote like the wind! ''

Fire country was very beautiful. Most of it existed as peaceful treasures of nature, undisturbed by humans, the one creature that constantly opposed fate. The serenity remained intact here, and this was one of the many advantages of being a shinobi. Merely standing, gazing upon the seemingly infinite field of green as birds gracefully danced in between the gaps, praying one's eyes could catch more it... But it is more than senses can comprehend.

Amidst all this, one shinobi did not spare a second glance. He couldn't care less if all Mother Nature herself burned down this very instant. No, for today was the day... Yes, Orochimaru's plans would be completed today, and this particular shinobi couldn't fail – for his sake. Kabuto gently adjusted his glasses so they would be placed higher up on the bridge of his nose, preventing the glare. Everything was set up: the four bodies needed for testing had been placed on beds, accurate blood types, and everything as requested. His tools had sharpened the previous day, and he reviewed all surgery techniques – not that he cared for the corpses. It merely another challenge for him. Praying that his experiment would be a success, Kabuto gently began his mission. The body was exquisite, quite rare, actually – a female virgin with unique attributes... But none of that mattered, to Orochimaru, anyways, and what his master wanted, was what everyone wanted. Gently taking the sharpened blade, he touched the nerve. As he saw the hand flinch in reaction, he smiled. It was a success. Now all that remained was to match the remaining nerves and their protocols. If it went according to plan, they would be finished by the end of today.

Naruto stood atop a particularly tall tree, staring at Sound Village. His face remained unrevealing, but his eyes were blazing with fury. He was but a quarter mile away from the village, no, from the monster who robbed his best friend, from the envoy of darkness in his life, the parasite who lived on not his, but others' strengths... And he couldn't do a damn thing about it. During the Chuunin Exams, Orochimaru was but three feet away, and he sank to his feet when his friends needed him most... When his village needed him most... When Sasuke needed him most... And you can't do a damn thing about it now a part of him told him. Naruto hoped, prayed it was the kyuubi part of him. Today, it all counted. Sasuke's dream, Sasuke's freedom, Sasuke's life... Naruto stopped for a minute, wondering what he would gain from this... Sasuke... I'd get Sasuke back... Reminding himself, he drove on.

"Kuso." The guard said. "What the fuck is happening now?" He had a simple job – guard one door. All enemies would come from one entrance. He had traps set up all over the place, seals ready to blow ten armies to ashes, and forbidden kinjutsus ready to use... But someone was avoiding them. It was surprising how complicated things could get when one was trying to fight Uchiha Itachi.

Opening the door, Itachi examined things one last time. Yes, everything was in order. No seals had gone off, the guard seeming to be alive, and not even one dust particle out of place. Orochimaru would have no idea what was coming. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught something. His red eyes glowed in the dark, but he covered himself with genjutsu. Itachi had seen him before... Yes, definitely this intruder was someone he knew, but whom? The jinchuuriki for the nine tails had a tracking device on him... His chakra could be sensed from miles away by the Akatsuki members... And yet, Itachi had not sensed anything all of today... He merged with it... The Kyuubi is no longer for the taking... And no longer a threat.

Orochimaru's base was very well hidden, as expected from a Senin. Nevertheless, being a Senin can only get one so far. His base was underground, and, predictably, in the heart of the Sound Village. It had one entrance which Orochimaru himself did not use. No, he had a seal which took him inside. Two windows were located, and one exit door. The main entrance was not used because it was in fact a decoy. Stepping inside would transport on directly to the Manda which would kill that person in an instant. On top of all this, the whole base was under genjutsu. Unfortunately, the two perfect people were chosen to go infiltrate his base: Uchiha Itachi was going via the decoy entrance, and Naruto who was coming from the back.

"Someone's breached our base." A deep growl was heard.

"Kukuku... So they've come... Well, it was expected... Sasuke-kun, I suggest we leave immediately." An evil voice said. "Kabuto!"

"It's all here." Kabuto said giving Orochimaru a piece of paper. "We're ready to leave."

"Excellent."

"They're coming?" The deep voice repeated again.

"Stop talking like that." Kabuto snapped.

"Your precious Naruto-kun, and you brother. Both of them. I suggest we leave immediately. You're still no match for Itachi."

"Heh... Naruto won't kill me... And Itachi... Itachi needs his third Mengekyuou user... He can't afford to kill me... Whereas I can afford to kill both of them. I'm staying, Orochimaru. You don't have chips, I do now." Sasuke said coldly.

Orochimaru, however, merely laughed. "Who said I needed you alive, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke's brows narrowed.

"Yes, I thought I might run into this problem, and so I had Kabuto prepare the necessary items. You may stay if you wish. After all, I'm sure you can defeat the Kyuubi boy and Itachi together. Good bye." And Orochimaru's seal activated.

Just as Orochimaru left, the wall to the right of Sasuke exploded, revealing a tall ANBU covered with dust. An expensive katana with a black and golden handle neatly sheathed away. Its hilt was glimmering in the light. He was dressed in complete black, his mask still on. The brown dust was clearly visible on the contrasting black, but the man didn't care. He stepped forward, unsheathing his katana. "Come with me." he said in a clear, confident voice.

"Naruto... So tell me, are Kakashi and Sakura here as well?"

The ANBU didn't say anything, only concentrated.

Fuck, I sense it, too... He's here at last... "You'd better leave if you want to live. I have no intention of harming you, or no use for you." Sasuke said quickly as a single drop of blood fell from his finger. Quickly unwrapping a scroll, he said, "Summoning no Jutsu!" but nothing happened.

Orochimaru's base was roughly three square miles of mazes and traps, all located underground. Needless to say, if it disappeared, the ground would collapse – and that's just what happened. Suddenly, on each of four corners, an explosion occurred, nullifying all stability of the sedimentary rock in the area. Sasuke quickly used chakra to jump fifty feet in the air, through the roof to safety. As he jumped onto a nearby tree, he saw the hole in the ground, a three cubic mile hole in the ground. Frowning to himself, he thought, Naruto? No... No Naruto doesn't have enough power to do that... He wasn't even moving... Then it was Itachi? Itachi may be the cause, but wasn't he... Looking past that, he saw two creatures of opposite sizes.

The giant Manda, one of the most powerful summoning creatures, lay spread out on the blood-drenched ground, dead. The redness only grew as he looked on, and it covered most of the villages. Everything was in a dead quiet – the rock had come to a still, all animals had left in fear of the Manda, and any villagers either left or were killed. Amidst this, one sound was heard. Splosh... Splosh... Splosh... The found of footsteps in puddle – a puddle of blood. Uchiha Itachi was walking away from the Manda without scratch, knee high in blood, yet no emotion on his face. Itachi was balanced perfectly – no anger, no benevolence. No emotion, yet humane. He was the one exception to the paradoxes of life, the one loop hole in controversies... He was... untouchable.

Sasuke stared at him, his anger growing by the second. This was his dream, his goal... His vengeance... Finally, after all these years... It's time... Sasuke jumped down, splashing the cursed blood everywhere. "You die today."

Itachi didn't even pay attention to him. His eyes were focused hard on the crumbled ruins of Orochimaru's lair. Suddenly, another explosion occurred. All the dust was blown away, revealing an ANBU standing. So he's wind element. A/N:For those of you who are keeping up with the Manga, in my story Naruto has finished his elemental training. Itachi turned to Sasuke who was rushing.

Naruto jumped onto the raised ground where Sasuke and Itachi stood. The whole area was demolished. And I thought I'd have to eliminate the remaining Sound nin myself... Turning his attention to Sasuke, he saw his former rival living out his dream of killing Itachi. Sasuke wasn't worried, he wasn't begging, he was in desparation... Sasuke... He thought as he looked at his old team mate and comrade. Heh... Comrade... Lee's rubbing off on me...

"Firestorm no jutsu!" A blazing tornado of fire rushed at Itachi, but as soon as it touched, it subsided, leaving Itachi without a scratch. Grunting, he yelled, "Lightning pulse!" Chidori's rushed out of his body to Itachi, but used an unknown jutsu to deflect them. "Summoning no jutsu!" Sasuke summoned two smaller snakes, but Itachi used Mengekyuou and they died instantly. Jutsu after jutsu Sasuke kept using, and Itachi merely dodged or deflected. Itachi wasn't stressed yet, but Sasuke was.

Looking at his ex-best friend's face, he saw a twisted image of what used to be. Sasuke was sweating, tired to hell, but still going on desparately to kill the man who ruined his life. There was a strange malicious smile on his face, as if he loved the adrenaline rushing through him, as if he loved to see the blood... Sasuke... Is this what you wanted? In the end, this is the great battle you sought? To fight like this? Sasuke was outright frustrated, and it began to show. His decisions began getting increasingly rash.

Sasuke now jumped at Itachi and used taijutsu, but with every stroke, lightning coming out of his body – much like a the Hyuuga Jyuuken technique, only with lightning. Itachi was much faster than Sasuke, and Sasuke was quickly forced into the defensive.

"You've improved..." he barely muttered.

Sasuke backed away now. What?

And the minute he was off guard, Itachi went in for the kill, but Sasuke was aware enough to dodge and retreat a couple yards.

"But your decisions are rash..." Itachi finished his comment. "I have no use for you. Leave, Sasuke..."

"FUCK YOU!" Sasuke was literally crying now. All his anger, frustration, and sadness amplified by being contained throughout the years was now coming out all at once.

Naruto remembered Jiraiya's words. "It's hard for people to let go... But over time, if you talk about it, cry... The emotions are let go, and you get over it. I didn't say you forget it, no. It remains in you mind... But you learn to carry on... That's why you have to communicate to people when you're suffering..." But Sasuke didn't... Sasuke... You were just as lonely as I was... And you didn't tell anyone... And you never let anyone in, either... We could've been something... We should've been... Best friends, rivals... The strongest shinobi in Konoha... But look at you now... A tragedy, Sasuke, that's what you are... And looking at Sasuke, his dear friend in such a desperation hit something inside Naruto.

FLASHBACK

It was raining... The freezing rain drenched him and the cold, crisp air cut through him like blades, but eight year old Uzumaki Naruto didn't care. He stood, sloshing in the mud with his dirty shoes. "Damn it! Why won't it work!" He ran again, having chakra in his hand, and yelled, "Bunshin no jutsu!" But nothing happened. Slipping, he fell into the mud, making the rest of him the same brown. "Damn it!" And he got up again. He would make it work! He had to make it work! He did it again and again, but nothing happened the whole time. Finally he broke down sobbing. "Why!... W-Why..." Through his ragged breathing, he managed to find enough energy to stand up, only to be knocked down by the slippery mud – and he lay there for the rest of the night...

END FLASHBACK

We both needed someone... We needed... love... The whiskers on Naruto's face widened. Sasuke was laying in the mud right now, and he needed Naruto. Naruto was not going to deny him a cry for help. A huge gust of wind caught Itachi's attention. Making a cyclone, he fired it at Itachi. Itachi dodged, but right as he dodged, Sasuke came at him with a chidori. Itachi grabbed Sasuke's arm, snuffed out the Chidori, and broke his bones in two. But right then from the cyclones, kunais rained down – kunais which had wind spinning like a vortex, enabling them to cut through anything. Itachi knew he couldn't block or dodge this... He forced into a situation he did not like very much. Stamina was his weakness, and that's why he was going after the ninetails. But right now, he had to use his chakra.

"Tsunami Shield..." he muttered. Yes, Kisame was useless, but his jutsus weren't...

A wave of water froze above the kunais. As the kunais cut through, the ice shattered and fell on the ground, cutting Sasuke in many areas. But the dust that was caused from this allowed Sasuke to escape; unfortunately, it did the same for Itachi.

Speed, eh... I can do that. "Flying Thunder God Jutsu." Naruto used the kunais thrown by the cyclone to teleport anywhere they landed. Landing behind Sasuke, he picked his friend up and helped him to safety.

"Let me go... I have to kill him."

"You can't do anything with broken arms."

"Who says they're broken?"

Naruto's eyes widened as he saw Sasuke was perfectly fine. He used a chakra barrier that teme... Heh... Just like old times. "Fine then... We take him down together."

"Hn..." The dobe hadn't changed much after all.

Uchiha Itachi was not like other evils... He had strange look of rationality about him. The prodigy was always calm and composed. Wearing a black coat, he kept his mysteries about him, never revealing what was inside. Never expressing his emotions, he was the ultimate mystery. He rarely ever spoke, and when he did, it was only in absolutely necessary cases. And now, Sasuke was staring at the devil himself... Uchiha Itachi smiled. Not a malicious smile, not some evil, killing intent, but just an ordinary smile. As if a 'Hey, nice job. Thanks.' smile. Using a strange jutsu, he left immediately.

The kyuubi is no more... My mission is a waste... And I already contain the eight-tails... My worries are over... Making hand seals, Itachi left with the words, "It's a pity, Naruto... I could've used you..."

Naruto looked around, not bother to wonder what the hell that smile was about. All the trees in the nearby area were burnt to a crisp by Sasuke's jutsu, all nearby buildings were demolished, all the ground in a five mile radius was unstable, one of the most powerful summon spirits was cut open, its blood had seeped through to probably bedrock, three cubic miles of earth was missing, and the Sound Village was officially no more. Fire Country would reclaim the land in no time flat. Sitting down on a rock, Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other for the first time in a long time.

For once in his life Sasuke simply stared. He stared at the wonder before him. How could someone be so... so... Foolish! A part of him said. Another said giving. Naruto was very... Forgiving... naïve. Sasuke was torn. He looked at Naruto as his blue radiant, passionate eyes sparkled in the sun. His carefree blond hair waved in the wind. His face bathed in dirt and smudges. Naruto picked up his katana, burned his broken mask, and began to leave.

Turning around one last time, he looked at Sasuke. He took off his mask. "You were my friend... Rival... Brother... I was foolish and determined... But Sasuke... I've learned to move on... I've let Sakura-chan down, myself down, my village down. I'm not going to let you down as well... So I'll get out of your life... One last time, please come home." Naruto said firmly and put on his mask.

"Naruto... I have to kill him. That is my life..."
"Both of us together couldn't kill him, Sasuke... So what next? You're going to find someone to train you? I doubt you could even beat me and walk away healthy. Besides... Let's pretend you did kill Itachi... So what? Does that bring back your family? Does that ease the loneliness? Itachi is just an outlet for your pain and frustration. You're just a little brat, wanted to get back at everyone, wanting everything. Look at you... You're so similar to Itachi you can't even see it. Do you think your parents would've wanted you to become like this? Their proud heir, someone who can mercilessly kill their family... Someone who turned out to be a missing nin bent on revenge. Is that what they would've wanted? You're crushing your parents' hopes and dreams right now, and that's enough to kill... So right now, you're killing your parents... Is that what they wanted you to be? I somehow doubt it..."

"What would you know, Naruto? You never had a family... You don't know the –"

"Don't you ever say I don't know the pain, Sasuke... For someone who doesn't have a family, it's worse... Because right then, I finally got a family... You, Sakura-chan, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei... You were all people I knew would die for me any day, and I would do the same... That is family, Sasuke. You don't have to be blood related. And when I finally got you all, I promised myself I didn't want to be lonely again... I would hold onto you tighter than ever. And right then you had to go and rip my heart out... Just leave like that! I felt that pain twice! So if I acted like you, I would go hellbent on killing you! I would go out and try and try stalking and just leave Sakura-chan and go! And then Sakura-chan would leave trying to kill me, and we all just have a big happy killing-fiesta! Hell we could have a whole train! Me, you, Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei, Ero-Senin, Baa-chan..." He picked up a rock and threw it away as tears rolled down his eyes. But most of those words were his emotions speaking, and not him. "I loved you..."

Sasuke's eyes were cold. "I would never kill my parents... And as far as I can see, you just want me back at Konoha... So, what would happen then? I get arrested and killed. I might as well die killing Itachi." he said emotionlessly.

"You wouldn't die..."

"You know as well as I do the Council would kill me!" Sasuke roared. "It's pointless all right! I'm dead either way..."

"So am I..."

"What?"

"I was sent on a mission to assassinate you... Obviously, I've failed... The council will exile me... But I'm starting a new village, Sasuke. I've decided. One day I'm going to change Konoha and come back... And one day I'm going to become hokage... You just... You... just go and get yourself killed..."

Sasuke's eyes were wide... Naruto gave up his dream to spare him? Naruto gave up his once chance at being a hero? Killing an A Rank Missing Nin would definitely give a good shot at being hokage... And he gave it up for friendship... Naruto... You always were too foolish... "Naruto..." he called back.

Turning around, Naruto didn't bother to hid his tearing eyes. "What..." he croaked out.

"After I kill Itachi, I will come back to Konoha, give you all credit of killing him, capturing me, and do everything I can to make you Hokage." Sasuke said smiling for the first time in a long time. He couldn't help it. Naruto's idiocy was beyond stubbornness.. It was worse than determination... He was jackass that put his heart right where it could get hurt. Smiling, he said, "Do we have a deal?"

"It'll be too late by then, Sasuke. I doubt you may even be able to kill Itachi..."

Sasuke took up his emotionless face again. "Well that's all I can offer... Good bye, Naruto."
Turning his back to him, he said, "Good bye, Sasuke..." And he disappeared.

Sasuke looked at his former friend leaving. Somehow there was a sinking feeling in his heart... He didn't like this, not one bit... But what could he do. Picking up his belongings, Sasuke looked one last time in the direction of Konoha... In the direction of Naruto – one man who would he knew would willingly give up his dreams and die for him, a missing nin and traitor. Naruto... Perhaps one day I may be able to repay the favors... Sheathing his sword, Sasuke, too, disappeared.

The grotesque scene was left untouched after that... All humans in the area where never to be seen again. Many look upon this as a tragedy, that life there was ruined, but proud humans fail to see that Nature lives on through disasters and paradise all the same. Nature doesn't need humans, it is humans who need Nature...

Naruto quickly returned to Konoha. Entering Tsuande's office, he took off his mask, though it was unnecessary. Tsunade could recognize his chakra from a mile away. Looking at him with a sad face, she cut to the chase. "How did it go?""I failed." Naruto said coldly.

Tsuande winced. Naruto didn't even bother to hide it. He stated it like it was, and that was never a good sign. "Was he too strong?"

"I don't know... I infiltrated Orochimaru's base, but he and Kabuto managed to escape. Then Itachi showed up as well. He killed the Manda as well as the Sound Nin... And I mean the entire base. The Sound Country is no more... Orochimaru's base itself was blown up. I'm estimating only fifteen percent of the Sound Nin are alive... Mostly genin, for only genin live that far away from the center... Naturally, Orochimaru doesn't care about lives lost. In any case, Itachi soon left... And I didnt' bother to fight Sasuke. I have failed." Naruto was stolid in expressions.

Tsunade's face paled. The Coucil knew of this mission, and they had been waiting for this kind of opportunity since he was born. As if on cue, the door opened to reveal the Council Members arriving. "Hokage-sama, we heard."

Instead of Tsuande answering, Naruto faced them. "You will speak to me. I want Tsunade-sama to have no part in this. She has enough on her mind already. I am the one who failed. Not her." Naruto said strongly.

However, the Council members didn't flinch; instead, most of them smiled. "Good," Hiashi began. "Then you understand your punishment."

"Hai, execution."

Whispers were exchanged within the members. After a while, they concluded, "No... Exile."

Ah, that's right. They don't know about me and kyuubi merging, so they think if I die, kyuubi comes out... Well, at least I'm alive.

"Very well. I will leave by tomorrow." It would've been different if Naruto at least attempted to kill Sasuke. But having admitted to the contrary, he was condemned.

"Seven o' clock in the morning we expect you to be out of this village. By noon you should be out of this country." Hiashi finished, and they cleanly exited the room.

Naruto put on a sad smile as he collapsed onto a nearby chair.

Tsunade didn't bother to yell or scream... It would only worsen the situation.

Getting up, Naruto kissed Tsunade on the cheek. "I'll see ya round Baa-chan. After all, it's already three o' clock. Can't waste anytime. Bye."

Tsuande broke down sobbing.

"Naruto..."

Naruto turned to meet the cause of the sound. "Ero-Senin. What's up?"

"Here's your stuff. Let's go." Jiraiya threw a pebble at him.

Ah, he used that jutsu... "Go where?"

"You've been exiled! Where do you think we're going? To everyone else."

The ANBU was completely lost now. "What?"

"Just move your lazy ass, man."

Jiraiya led him to the East Gate.

Naruto smiled when he saw everyone else packed up as well. "So... We're all leaving Konoha, eh?"

Lee smiled sheepishly. "Indeed! We have all resigned from our posts. We are starting our own village, with you as kage!"

Naruto's eyes widened at that. It definitely seemed that they had thought this over quite some time, or they wouldn't have made such a large decision so quickly. "Very well, but we are lacking some supplies. Namely, people. Our village wouldn't be much with only fifteen people. Buildings we can take care of easily with jutsus, but food and water? We wouldn't be much of a threat, and we need to defend ourselves from ANBU and Hunter Nins who will definitely be after us." In response to this long list of complaints, they just smiled. Naruto's eye brows went up. "So, I'm guessing you guys have solution for all this?"

Shikamaru now stepped forward. "Well, we knew this would one day happen because of kyuubi, and so I began planning from a long time back, actually. Plans kept getting out ruled, or changing, until I settled on this one alone. So, we've gathered quite a many people, actually – the equivalent of three-fourths the Sound Village was. We have others from Konoha who want to start a fresh life, people from Mist, Sound Nin farmers and residents who were oppressed by Orochimaru, and people from Sand. So population is taken care of. As for food, the location I have planned has plenty of space, and we have more than enough farmers. I have an entire book of law written already which I made from seeing the flaws of Konoha --"

"And probably playing Shogi..." Naruto smiled.

"Ah... Yes, well, that, too. So government is taken care of. As for protection... Well, we have rather strong allies, so Konoha wouldn't dare attack us..."

"Who --" Naruto though for a minute. Smiling, he looked Temari's boy-friend. Damn you're lucky to have her, Shikamaru... "Gaara..."

"Kazekage Gaara," Sakura corrected. "And since the Sand and Leaf are allies, they wouldn't dare attack us for fear of alienating the Sand."

"Very well, I admit you everything set up."

The crowd exchanged high fives for overcoming Naruto.

"However," he began, much to their disappointment. "What about you... No doubt the others will coming with their families... But you, we are just barely adults. Have you considered your families? No doubt Shikamaru has... But leaving all of that for a brand new life. And what if we come back... No matter what happens Konoha is our home. After we change it, we all come back, I become hokage here... What happens to all those people? Do we just abandon them? Or do we stay there forever, forgetting our past? Do we really have what it takes?" Naruto said sadly. He knew they were doing something for his best interest, but he couldn't afford to let them get hurt.

There was along silence. It was as if the whole village was awaiting this answer.

"Well, take your time. I'm leaving tomorrow morning six o' clock... So tell me then, all right... And, guys... I really appreciate this. I really do. I just don't want you to get hurt... After all, you're all I have left... You're all I ever had. That's all." And Naruto left with the gloomy note.

"Hey everyone!" Kakashi now came.

Ino and Sakura were red.

"Uh-oh... I'm late aren't, I?" Kakashi paled.

Though it was one of the brightest days Konoha had seen in a long time, everything was gloomy. Naruto himself was in a world far, far away. To a time when he had not worries... To a place where where the leaves dance and the fire burns, the shadows of fire illuminated by the village... and a new leaf sprouts... The spirit of fire is passed down to the Konoha ninjas... The small fires in Konoha will become big fires... And will one day become the next generation hokage... Continuing to shine in thevillage... He remembered the Sandaime's words and all the memories he had of this place. He gently touched the walls of academy, closing his eyes, as if trying to go back in time. He could feel the spirit of everything he had done, everyone who had come here... All the lives that had changed because of this place. Naruto Uzumaki knew no one and nothing lived or died in vain... But it was ever more difficult to let go of those who you knew were still alive. He explored the classrooms, remembering each incident and prank excitedly as if he were still a child. Each memory became fresh in his mind again, and his mind filled in the empty seats with students, and silence was replaced by all the noise he and the other 'diligent' pupils would cause... And soon enough, he was caught in all his memories... However, his parade was brought to a halting screech by the cleaners.

"Oh. I'm sorry." And Naruto quickly left.

Entering his apartment, he quietly sat on his bed, still reminiscing. He couldn't leave, he just couldn't. No matter how much he tried, no matter how much pain and suffering he went through, this was still his home... And he loved Konoha. I'll come back one day... I'll be back, and I'll become hokage... I'll visit all the kids... Be nice... Just like old-man hokage... I'll be the greatest hokage... Naruto wasn't surprised when he saw wet drops falling on his... well, the bed sheets. Not mine anymore... Finally getting a hold of himself, he decided to go and visit Ichiraku for one last dinner.

Arriving there, he frowned when he saw it was closed. Upon reading the sign, he found they were closed "for losing their #1 best customer, Uzumaki Naruto. Never to re-open."

"Ayame-chan..." he said out loud though no one was around. "I'm so sorry... So very sorry."

"Hello?" Naruto heard a familiar voice. "Naruto-kun!" Ayame came out. "Come inside! One last meal for our best customer. On the house." she said smiling sadly.

"No, I couldn't..."

"Oh, come on!"

"Well, at least let me pay."

She sighed. "I guess there's no use in arguing then. Fine, you can pay."

"One large miso, please." Naruto said stepping into the familiar and comforting warmth of the restaurant. While he ate, he explained how the mission went. Ayame was always a very good listener, and Naruto would often come by just to talk out his troubles.

"Well, Naruto-kun." she said as he finished. "We have one last surprise for you."

Naruto's eyes widened. Surprise? They're bankrupt. I can't accept any gifts!

"We're coming with you! We heard about it from your friends, and we've decided to come along!" She said smiling.

Naruto hugged her, sobbing. "Thank you... But, are you –"

"Of course we're sure! Father says he's young enough to make one last journey."

Naruto smiled happily. Perhaps this won't be so bad after all.

Early dawn, Naruto got up to see the sunrise. It was wonderous as ever, but today it seemed even more so. It seemed Lee had already gotten up, not so surprising considering the guy got up at four o' clock. He looked the window of the Hokage tower. Tsunade was still asleep. He kissed her on the cheek one last time. Whispering, "I love you, Baa-chan." he quickly took his pebble which contained his belongings and left.

The morning fog had just rolled in, and the flowers were sprayed with the honey and wonder that is morning dew. The air was cool and comforting – almost as if Konoha itself was weeping that Naruto was leaving. Smiling, he said quietly, "Good bye, Konoha... I'm leaving."
"Not without us, you're not."

Whirling around, Naruto saw Sakura and along with all his friends. Smiling, he asked the obvious. "So, you're all really going to come, eh?"

"Yosh! Let's go! The spirit of youth waits for no man!" At this, Sakura gently hugged him. Everyone else was busy mingling, but one pair of aquamarine eyes sadly watched the even.

Once everyone was out of sight, Lee came to Naruto. "Naruto-kun, I didn't have time before... But I have a confession to make."

Taking a deep breath, Naruto sighed. "I know, Lee... Take good care of her." Naruto said to end the conversation quickly. He had to many things to think about, and he didn't want to think about this as well... At least, not just yet.

Well... That didn't come out as good as I wanted it to. Ah, well... Practice makes perfect, ne? Anyways, that's the chapter, though I'm disappointed in myself. Goes and weeps Anways, next chapter is the setting up of the village! Village of Ice? Nah... I have to decide... Plus I need help cuz I don't know Japanese. '' Ah, well. Hope you enjoyed it.