ShadowRain313: Hey, I want to say thanks again for all of the reviews I got from everyone. This is the most reviews I had ever gotten. Remember, keep reviewing! I love reading all of your opinions. Make 'em long too:D Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------

Chapter 4: Repercussions

It has been 7 hours since the incident back in Konoha. The morning sun had risen and it was 10:30am. Naruto trudged wearily through the forest. He had no clue where he was or what land he was even on. But one thing was for sure, the bright sun did not cope with Naruto's mood right now.

His dirty cheeks showed off his tear stains and his eyes were red and slightly puffy. Even though he had stopped crying a couple of hours ago, his face stilled showed the event. His head was downcast and his dirty, blonde locks fell in front of his eyes since his headband wasn't there.

'My friends. I can't believe they abandoned me like that.'

His black bad was slung carelessly over his shoulder, and his stomach was rumbling in hunger, but Naruto noticed neither.

"Where will I go? I am no longer a ninja, but a civilian, but will they still send ANBU after me? Uhh! I don't know what to do!" Naruto shouted in frustration.

He walked a little further and came upon a stream where a family of deer was drinking from it. Naruto stood at the edge of the clearing watching them for a while until he decided to step into the clearing. The deer were immediately on alert and darted away from danger as fast as they could. Naruto was sad at this.

'Not even animals like me can stand to be in my presence,' he thought dejectedly. He walked over to the stream and dropped his bag next to it. Naruto kneeled down next to it and stared at his reflection. After a couple of moments, he threw his hand out and struck his reflection, disgusted with himself.

"I hate my life…." He grumbled. Tears sprang back up in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He reached down into the water and brought it to his face. Wiping away all traces of grime, dirt, and blood. His orange jumpsuit was ruined from the amount of blood covering it, but right now, he was too tired to care. Once he was finished cleaning his face off, he cupped his hands together, filled them with water, and then brought them to his lips and drank the cool water.

When he put his hands back into the water, to drink again, a sudden realization came across his face.

"Wave Country!"

--------------------Konoha--------------------

Tsunade lied in Iruka's arms for almost an hour before she was able to gain back her composure. At least, enough to stand. In her hands, she clutched Naruto's headband with an iron fist. She held it as if it were her life line. It was only after she was able to stand on her own two feet, that she realized Iruka's shoulder were shaking lightly, and tears were gradually sliding down his face. This only caused Tsunade to tear up again.

"Oh Iruka." She whispered softly.

"How could they do this to our Naruto? He never did anything to the villagers and they turned on him. I want him back here Tsunade." Iruka was so distraught that he didn't add the honorific at the end of Tsunade's name.

"I want Naruto back also Iruka. He-He was like a son to me."

The sounds of the villagers dispersing brought them out of their sorrow. They were then filled with rage when common sense settled in.

"Tsunade-sama?" questioned Iruka.

"I am Hokage. I will deal with them. Tell ANBU to spread the word that there will be a town meeting tomorrow at noon. It will be mandatory for every villager to attend. No exceptions. All those who feel above my word and don't show…..will be executed." By now, she had stopped crying and a steely resolve replaced her features.

Iruka stared at her for several moments, looking to see if she as serious, and when he saw that she was, he nodded his head and replied, "Yes Hokage-sama."

----------------With the rookies and others--------------

The rookie nine, minus Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke, and the other leaf ninjas that were considered Naruto's friends, sat inside their old classroom at the academy. They had all saw the villagers throw the flames upon Naruto's apartment. They all knew Naruto was no where in there. In fact, they knew he was somewhere, just whether he was or he wasn't still in Konoha. The earlier events had rattled them, and they were all still in a cloud of confusion.

"I can't believe what I heard. Naruto has the Kyuubi no Youko sealed inside him? It just doesn't make sense. He acts in no way like I thought a demon should." Kiba said.

"I know what you mean." Agreed Choji, while munching of a bag of chips.

"But it explains a lot." Said the bug master Shino.

"It does?" asked Ino.

"Yes. Foxes are sly and tricky by nature. Always associated with pranksters. Sound familiar? And the whisker marks on Naruto's cheeks. I believed that they were a family trait, but if he has a demon inside him, then it is the demon's trait being shown." Everyone was shocked that Shino spoke more than one sentence, but given the circumstances, it was understandable.

"But that could just be a coincidence. Is there any real proof that we know of that says Naruto has the Kyuubi inside of him?" Rock Lee said. Naruto had become one of his most trusted friends. Even if he did call Lee 'Bushy Brows' constantly.

"I guess not." TenTen said.

It was at that moment that Sakura and Sasuke walked into the room. Their wounds have been healed by the Medic Nin's but their clothes showed off all of the wounds they received. They both wore looks of confusion and apprehension.

"Hey guys. One of the ANBU said he saw all of you gathered here. Can someone tell us what is going on?" Sakura asked. So they all filled them in on what had transpired. By the end of it, Sakura had a look of disbelief and wonderment and also worry covering her face. Sasuke looked as he always did, but his eyes were slightly wide in disbelief, before they narrowed in speculation.

"Wha- but that's- its not possible. And that story of Naruto attacking us is completely wrong. We were attacked be Rock Jounin when we were on a mission. There is no way Naruto can have the Kyuubi in him. Is there?" Sakura questioned.

"We're not sure right now, but we are trying to come up with some proof. You guys never noticed anything out of the ordinary with Naruto have you?" asked Neji. Hinata was standing by his side. Her head was downcast and she hasn't said a word since the riot earlier. Even though that wasn't unusual, it just seemed wrong at a time like this.

"No! I have never-"

"Sakura. Think carefully. Remember back in the Forest of Death? When Naruto was fighting Orochimaru?" Sasuke interjected. Sakura pondered for a minute before her eyes widened in realization.

"Oh my god Sasuke! Your right!" She exclaimed.

"What!" Shouted out everyone. Even Hinata.

"When we were fighting, in the forest, it looked like Naruto lost control. His eyes turned this crimson red color, and his nails and teeth became sharper. Animalistic like. His whiskers were more prominent and the way he moved was different."

"How so?" questioned Hinata. Everyone was startled by her question and lack of stutter. Her head was held high and a determined look was upon her face.

"When he jumped from branch to branch, he did it on all fours. He actually did it while running at all times. And…"

"And what?"

"And… he only stopped 'it' all together when Orochimaru did a type of seal on his stomach…..Actually, he did it over an already existing mark. I only saw a glimpse of it, but it was definitely there."

"Sakura, do you remember what Orochimaru said when he did that seal?" asked Shikamaru.

Sakura thought for a moment, before she shook her head.

"I do," said Sasuke. "He said 'Five pronged seal.'"

At this, Shikamaru gave a sigh.

"What?"

"That's a seal used to contain demons." Shikamru said gravely. The room grew quiet after that. Everybody was trying to absorb all the information that they had just heard. However, their pondering was interrupted when Iruka trudged wearily into the classroom. He was surprised to see all of his former students piled in his classroom, but at the same time, he figured they would be asking questions sooner or later. It just happened to be sooner.

"Is it true, Iruka-sensei? Is the Kyuubi really sealed inside Naruto?" asked Ino. Everyone held their breath, awaiting his answer.

Iruka's eyes grew sad and troubled as he stared at all of them. For a moment, it seemed as if he wouldn't answer. But then he dropped his head and replied solemnly. "Yes."

Once again, everyone grew quite. And then Hinata surprised everyone by asking another question. With no stutter evident.

"Iruka-sensei? How is Naruto-kun? He looked so, so sad and heartbroken earlier. Is he alright?"

Everyone looked to Iruka for an answer and they were very, very surprised when they saw tears gather in his eyes and when he turned away from them. Putting his back facing them. "Nar-Naruto is-is g-gone." He whispered. His voice was cracking now.

Hinata's eyes widened in sadness and disbelief, as did everyone else's. "Wh-what? Where i-is he?"

"No one knows. By the time T-tsunade-sama and I arrived at his apartment, it was already ablaze, and, and no one knew where he went. But I-I know……I found his forehead protector on a table. It wasn't dropped on accident, it-it was placed there."

By now, tears were sliding down the girl's faces and several of the guys had their heads downcast.

"But he-he wouldn't just leave it! He treasured that more than anything else!" Shouted Sakura.

Iruka looked up at Sakura. "He would if he le-left Konoha. After all, you only need it if you want to be a Leaf ninja."

"Bu-But, he wants to be Hokage!"

"Maybe not anymore." Iruka answered back.

"I-is he going to be a missing nin now?" Hinata asked. Tears were still sliding down her face.

"I don't know. Since his headband was left behind, that counts as his resignation, but it is what ever the council decides."

-------------------------------------------

ShadowRain313: Hey everyone. I have a couple of things to say. The story is taking place after Naruto brings Sasuke back from the Valley of the End. Oh, and, Everything is taking place three years later than what the show starts out on. So Naruto is 15, and so on. Also, Everyone is a Chuunin. Thank you. And review please.

Chapter 5: Traveling