Naruto didn't have the heart to exit his room, even long after their 'guests' had left. He sat in the corner of the room, wallowing in self hate and misery, claws lightly rubbing against the wood floor out of nervous habit.

After a couple hours, Tsunade came in, glancing over at him. "Lunch is ready," she said lightly, but her face was pulled into a worried look, and for a minute the fox wished he paid more attention to the conversation she had with the snake man. It must of been bad, to make her so sullen looking.

Carefully lifting himself up, he dragged his body into the kitchen, where the smell of ramen wafted in the air.

The blond sat down. He stayed quiet, eyes focused on the table surface, until mahogany was suddenly replaced with udon.

"Eat up," Tsunade ordered, and he did, carefully pulling the hot noodles into his mouth. He didn't know what it was about it, but the hot food seemed to help his mood. And the fact that it was his favorite meal didn't hurt either.

Carefully lifting up his gaze, he was startled to find two eyes peering at him. Swallowing his bite, he ceased eating, now worried at the look. "What's wrong?"

His step mom glanced down, then sighed, choosing her words carefully. "Naruto...let's go for a ride."

---------

His blue eyes gazed at the trees that passed by their pick up truck. The steady bumps of the road kept him from falling sleep, though he caught himself nodding off every once in a while. He would glance over at Tsunade for an explanation, but her stony face didn't reveal anything.

They drove for hours, and hours, and Naruto realized he had never traveled so far. In fact, this area wasn't even remotely similar to his own neighborhood. He frowned. What was it that made baa-chan drive so far?

Soon, she pulled over to the side of the road. Getting out, she nodded at Naruto, coaxing him to do the same. Ignoring the nervous feeling in his gut, he slowly kept his stride with his mom as she led him into the woods. There was a peaceful silence, not including the birds chirping and the leaves twitching from scurrying animals. But it was peaceful, as any woody area was.

The feeling in his gut grew more painful. "Baa-chan...why are we out here...?" He asked quietly, still walking.

Silence was broken by the wavering voice behind him, full of...regret? And sorrow? "Naruto. Please forgive me...I hope one day, we can live together again."

"What? But-"

His words died in his throat as Tsunade placed a well aimed hit to the back of his neck. He only coughed once, then passed out, eyesight slowly fading to darkness.

-------

Sasuke had been there, watching as the two piled up into the car and drove away. He was curious...a day trip perhaps?

"We need to get to the brat and have our revenge."

And so, he waited patiently, ever quiet and observant.

"He will come and report to us when he finds anything out."

And many, many hours later, when it started to darken, the car came back. Only Tsunade climbed out of it, sobbing quietly into a hankerchief.

"Sir, there's no way we can get to him. He has been abandoned somewhere far away."

He smiled. Interesting.

"...I see..."

----TBC----

Sorry it's so short, but I felt like I had to put something up...Anyways, next chapter will be longer, R/R!!!