The next day, Kakashi went to visit his young depressed pupil yet again, only this time; he had a request for the him. Starting to close the gap between him and where Naruto stood, Kakashi wasn't surprised when the boy spoke without facing him. "What is it Kakashi? I thought I told you not to disturb me…" He finally stated with a cold tone.

Kakashi waited to reply until he was five feet from Naruto and still walking over calmly. "Well…Tsunade wants to see you real quick." He inquired, waiting for any signs of displeasure or danger from the boy.

Displeasure wouldn't even cut it; the word hate was a strong enough word to use here, as Naruto growled and turned to look at Kakashi finally.

"What the hell does that old bat care about me anyways? Why do you two keep insisting on meddling with my training. What's your de-"

Naruto suddenly stopped before bowing his head with a growl. Kakashi blinked as Naruto spoke again. "It's that damn village ain't it?….They're afraid I'm going to break the seal aren't they?…Or do they not even care?"

Kakashi didn't know how to reply to this. The village never said anything about Naruto really. Sure he had heard through the grape vine that some would rather have him dead then the seal broken but…he couldn't say one or the other truthfully. "…The village…is unsure of what to think but, there are some that still wish for your well being….and they would like to see you….if you'll allow it." He said rushing the last part.

"…Fine…but this counts as a visit to that hag." Naruto said after a moment of silence. Turning on his heel; he followed Kakashi out of the forest, and back to the home he once knew. 'No…my other self once knew…'He noted, still tracking behind Kakashi. He notice the fear in a few people's eyes as he walked past them; some also scowling. Naruto was reminded of why he left; because he was a monster that no one wanted anything to deal with.

As they reached the Hokage building, Naruto noticed some of the teachers from other teams had gathered. He flinched inwardly as they smiled gently at him; though he had no idea for what purpose. 'Probably to make sure I don't cut them in half…' Naruto reassured himself before they moved onward. Closing the doors behind them; Gai looked at the others. "Think it'll work?"

Kurenai sighed, her eyes holding much worry for her own teams safety. "I don't know but….I sure as hell hope so."

Asuma nodded lightly to her comment. "I never really liked the boy enough to care whether or not he'd hurt himself but…right now; I think this should be our main priority. Fox seal or not…the kid's…been through a lot."

Still walking further up; Naruto glanced around and noticed that the guard ninja that were usually here were no where to be seen. Perhaps they were really going to try and ambush him? No, Naruto knew that no matter how twisted he became; even the old bat would never order that. A smug smirk began to spread on his features as they made there way to the third floor. Stopping as a shadow of a man stood at the top of the stairs; Naruto was almost shocked to see Iruka. "Hey…" The brunette ninja said holding out his hand to Naruto whom looked at it like it was some sort of virus.

Slowly letting his hand drop; Iruka's features turned grim. 'So it's true…he's really changed', the Chuunin thought to himself as he walked with the two up to Hokage's office. Finally reaching the door, Iruka opened it for the two.

Naruto peered inside to see Tsunade looking up; her face also lightening when she saw the boy. 'What the hell…I was cheerful and they would scream and holler at me and now I'm a…freak and they smile?' Naruto thought before plopping himself in a chair; Kakashi walking and standing by Tsunade's desk; Iruka doing the same. "What the fuck do you want and how long is it going to take?" Naruto questioned.

Iruka would have been all over Naruto's ass for such comments had Tsunade not waved him off with a dangerous look. "I wanted you to see a few people…people whom have missed you for a very long time…"

Naruto leaned forward and laughed till he couldn't breath. "People….miss me?" He cried out in-between his wicked laughter, "Oh that's rich! Nice one old hag, you had me going for a moment."

Tsunade looked at Naruto hard before she stood up and started to leave; causing Naruto to jump up. "Whoa, whoa! Hey! You call me in here and just get up and fucking leave? What the fuck is this all about?"

"I'm going to let you see these people…one at a time in private with only Kakashi and Iruka in here…"
"To make sure I don't bite their heads off?" Naruto smirked slightly, though was shocked when Tsunade replied while laughing.

"I don't think your mouth is that big enough squirt."

Naruto blinked as she then motioned for the two men to follow her. "There...better for you?" She smiled gently before closing the door.

Why did her smile and her laugh just hurt him? Why did he feel a pain of guilt for just-

No. He didn't feel guilt. It was his wounds…they hadn't healed all the way. Or at least he kept telling himself that. Shuffling his feet on the floor, his eyes rushed to the door when he heard hollow footsteps outside it.

Naruto stood up when he saw Shikamaru walk in, in the lazy walk that he always had. Blinking lightly; Naruto raised a brow as Shikamaru smirked back at Naruto. Neither said a word for a moment; both getting a good look at each other. Shikamaru had grown, though his hair was still in the same style it had always been in. He now wore a vest similar to Kakashi's, with his old pants. Naruto looked the same; wearing a black and orange coat now instead of his old orange and blue. He had also gotten black pants to match. Naruto looked the same as ever, minus the wild look in his eyes; his aura of hatred that Shikamaru could have sensed all the way downstairs and the man wounds on his body that were exposed. "…So….you really have changed huh? How troublesome…"

'Same old line.' Naruto noticed with a smirk. "Yeah…I have…so who cares?"

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head and sighed in an irritated way. "Well duh. Me and however else is out there dobe."

Dobe… the one word he never wanted to hear again. Baring his claws and fangs; Naruto's eyes narrowed at Shikamaru. "Don't call me that or your going to never be able to speak again."

Shikamaru merely raised his hands calmly. "Listen I'm not here to fight. I just want you to know my opinion…I want the old Naruto back."

"Why, so you can judge him with your damn rules and opinions?"

"No, so I can have my friend back…"

Naruto stopped as Shikamaru walked over and sat down on the couch a crossed from him, his eyes showing no deceit nor did his words. Naruto said nothing to the boy as the door opened again. This time Neji appeared with Shino at his side. Both boy's looked the same; minus that Neji's hair was a bit longer. Both boy's stopped dead in there tracks when they saw Naruto.

Neji was speechless and his expression held that of confusion and horror. Had such an honorable person turn so dark? Shino's expression was hidden behind his glasses but by the frown on his face; Naruto could tell he disapproved as well. Folding his hands, he raised a brow at Neji as he looked away. "So…you think I'm a shame to the village now? That this was my destiny?" Naruto replied coolly, catching the boy off guard. "No…we're thinking on how could we have been so blind as to let our friend fall into so much darkness." Shino said stepping up.

Naruto's eyes narrowed as red bled into them. There was that word again. 'Friends? I don't have any friends…they don't care…they just…I don't know..' "Well that's what happens when no one comes to your rescue and your bashed into the wall by one of these…'friends'." Naruto said spitting the last word as though it burned his tongue.

Neji glared at the boy. "So what? You can't get yourself outta this jam? I thought you were going to become Hokage. I thought never giving up was your ninja way…" Neji said recalling the boy's words.

Naruto growled, his fists balling to where blood dripped from his palms. "People change…and I think I could get a break once and a while…everyone breaks…but most people get back up with friends…I didn't have that solution so I found another way out of the darkness."

"Only to drift deeper and deeper into it." Shikamaru replied from the couch.

Naruto slammed his hand against the desk now. "So what! You wanna keep telling me to change? Fuck you."

Both boy's sat down on the couch. "No…we want to ask you…to come back." Naruto heard a familiar voice call out.

Inside the room now was Ino and TenTen; both looking weary of Naruto as they regarded him carefully. Yep, nothing different about those two either. "Come…back?" Naruto asked with confusion.

"Yeah…we could careless what your like now…your not killing anyone and we want our friend back…"

Naruto walked over to the light blonde hair girl and growled. "When did you ever accept me huh?"
TenTen stepped in front of Ino as the girl flinched away from Naruto. "Yes, we made mistakes, but can't you just forgive us?"

Naruto said nothing as Choji and Rock Lee walked in as well; the same expressions on their faces as the rest. "Yes, we don't want to leave you alone as you have been for so long. Your our comrade." Rock Lee added smiling.

"…Yeah….you used to eat ramen with me all the time…and you didn't care when I asked you for a bowl." Choji muttered; obviously not good with these things.

"You've taught me that I could change my destiny…" Neji also piped up with a blush of embarrassment.

"And me, that loud mouth brats turn into great ninja!" A voice came from behind Naruto.

Turning to see the last two people walk in; Kiba and Hinata, he recognized the call had been from the mutt-face. Naruto looked around him as now everyone took a seat on the couches around him. At this point; he was utterly confused. 'Why…why are they wasting their time talking to me….trying to pull me back even though they thought I was such a nuisance…and why do they look so sincere?' He thought as he placed a hand on his head.

"Why?" Naruto heard a soft voice ask behind him. Turning, his eyes widened as Sakura walked in. "Because we care about you Naruto…and you….you're an idiot running around in the dark forest so…how about we help you this time eh?" Sakura said; sticking her tongue out.

Naruto stood for a moment before he fell back against the desk. Why did he feel a sudden void in him being filled; why were his eyes leaking and his heart pounding and aching at the same time? He didn't understand and couldn't comprehend it as Kakashi walked in with Iruka and Tsunade. "How about coming back home kiddo?" Tsunade asked with a smile to match Sakura's.

Naruto's head hung lightly as he looked at the floor. "So…you want me to come back huh?"

Feeling the room tense; Naruto lifted his head.

His blue eyes mixed with tears of confusion and sorrow. He didn't know what to do; what to say. If he came back, would that mean not being able to get Sasuke back…and if he did; would that mean a better choice and help him bring him back. Naruto swung his head like a wild beast suddenly. 'I don't know! I don't know!' His mind cried out as he ran and jumped out of an open window from the third floor. Landing on his hands and feet; he raced off to the forest with the rookie seven, teachers, and Hokage all behind him.

The fox ran wild as he dashed past bushes and tree's. 'What do I do…what…why am I doing this all for Sasuke…? The bastard left me but I…'

Naruto lost his balance and fell face first into the dirt. Quivering slightly, he pulled up his coat and shirt, exposing a small heart scar on his mid-chest with the word Sasuke in the middle. "…because I love you…"