Chapter 7

Disappearance

Okay. That's it. I give up. I'm going to give you this chapter, because I hate not updating. Still though, I am quite hurt that you guys couldn't post some simple reviews. In fact, I would've enjoyed if you went back and re-reviewed or reviewed the other chapters, but sadly you didn't think of that. This is the deal now though. I will update every week, giving you all time to at least go 5 reviews a chapter. I know I have at least 10 readers, so that won't be hard. After all, it makes no sense to get 2 reviews and 83 hits. So, that will give you enough time to review. Okay? Please enjoy this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: ...I think I'm giving up on owning Naruto...NO! I WILL NOT! NEEEEVER-thunk.

Masashi Kishimoto: ...-hides blowgun-

Sakura felt the tears creep down her face as the last of Naruto vanished over the horizon. But these tears did not come from the loneliness that she felt now, or the sadness dwelling inside her, but rather from the fact that the one person she thought would never give up just did right in front of her. Naruto never gave up; it was against his nindo, to never go back on his word.

I will not die until I become Hokage.

Instantly, her body froze. Naruto had a high chance of dying now that he was Hokage. That statement he made so long ago had no affect anymore on his life. His dream had been achieved, but would he really die that quickly?

No.

That wouldn't happen, no matter what. Naruto was strong, stronger than any ninja Sakura knew. The tears stopped, but the sadness didn't fade. Now the pain ripped and tore at her chest, unlike last time when it just clawed at her mind. Ever since her and Naruto became a couple, she became intertwined with his spirit. But that came with a terrible feeling, whenever he was gone from her, for any reason, a sharp pain ripped her chest apart. Sakura clutched her chest, and released after a few minutes.

"Sakura-san," Lee coughed, and walked up the kunoichi. "Don't chase after Naruto. He'll be fine, trust me."

Sakura nodded half-heartedly, knowing fully well that he wouldn't be fine. What havoc would be released on the villagers of Konohagakure now that their Hokage had been taken over by someone evil? Nothing good, that was for sure. With a sigh, she turned around and left the castle she had come to, heavy-hearted.

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Naruto looked around at where he stopped to rest. He figured he had set a major distance between him and the village, so they weren't in any danger. Sadly though, he never could rest. Every second, he had to fight to remain dominant, not allowing Kuroki to completely get a grip on his body. His mind was half controlled by the evil presence inside of him now, but luckily Naruto had complete control over his body somehow.

"Just give up. You know you can't win." Kuroki's voice echoed in his head. "Rest. You need it."

Naruto growled, "I can't give up. I brought you out here so I can kill you…" He took a brief pause. "Even if that means giving up my life."

Kuroki huffed. "You care too much about that pathetic village of yours." Again, the painful throbbing picked at Naruto's brain. "Just forget about them."

A chuckled escaped from the Hokage's lips. "Seems like you can't make a very good argument, Kuroki." Deep inside his soul, he could also hear Kyuubi laughing. "Kyuubi has better choice of words than you."

"I could kill you now, if you like." The evil presence inside of him retorted back. "It's easy."

"…" Naruto looked down at his pant leg, and took out a kunai.

"…What are you doing?" Kuroki demanded, alarmed.

Naruto tested the blade of the projectile by swiping his finger across, making a little cut on his index finger. A smirk swept across his face, and he held the blade up to his arm.

"Boy, I warn you." Suddenly Kuroki's voice was urgent, alarmed, and afraid. "Stab yourself and I will kill you n…"

Kuroki fell silent as Naruto whipped the blade across his arm, across a strange black seal that appeared at the shoulders. "You are only conscious when this seal is cleared of anything." Naruto stated, briefly touching the wound he'd created on his arm. "I just can shut you up by slicing you there. Very convenient, don't you think?"

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Zebutiou froze as her eyes became an icy blue again, shock plastered over her face. "That damn idiot…" she growled, clenching her fists. "That damn idiot failed."

Sokitou glared at Zebutiou. "You mean he failed to take over the Jinchuuriki?" he implied, puzzled.

"No, he's in his body…" she muttered, her eyes fading into a violet again. "But the Jinchuuriki's found out how to silence him."

Gyurioi frowned. "I told him that it was too obvious. He needs to hide that seal of his."

Deidara glared at Tobi, but still kept an ear on the conversation. "Kuroki-san is just like Tobi. Ignorant and idiotic."

"B-but Tobi's a good boy!" Tobi choked, clearly offended. "Deidara-san is so mean!"

Shouji sighed angrily, "Would you just shut up! We don't give a crap." A dark ball of black chakra shrouded the Akatsuki member, clearly showing signs of anger. "I won't hesitate to kill you, Tobi."

Tobi began to back off rapidly, scared out of his skin. Rumors had spread within Akatsuki that Shouji was a demon in disguise, but most people refused to believe such what seemed like nonsense.

Tagikura stared at the scared Akatsuki member with a cold glare, tension growing within her. "Tobi-kun," she said in her soft tone. "I understand that you are one hyper member in Akatsuki, but there are times when you need self-restraint." Softly, her green gaze melted, but still shone with anger. "Don't make things more difficult then they are."

"WOULD YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP!" Sokitou screamed, clenching his ears. "GOD! You're like a bunch of four year olds!" He brought his hands down to his side, relaxing slowly. "Come on. Even if Kuroki-san hasn't fully taken over the Jinchuuriki's body, we can still go capture him nonetheless."

Sasori nodded his head in agreement, "Just don't forget that this Jinchuuriki has a strong spirit. It'll take some time."

Gyurioi nodded along with Sasori's statement. "Even you had trouble with him, Sasori-sama." He pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone. "This will be the hardest one yet."

"Let's just leave…" Sokitou said impatiently. "Kuroki-san at this rate will be kicked out of the Jinchuuriki's body."

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Tap…Tap…Sakura rapped on the table in the kitchen, nervous. Tap…Tap…Everything tried to come out correctly in her head, about why Naruto decided just to leave. Would he be replaced as Hokage? "Naruto…" she muttered, staring out the window at the sunset. "Where in the world are you?"

A knock on the door disrupted Sakura's thoughts, startling her. Whoever it was knocked again, and she stood up to go answer it. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Sasuke. "You sure are making yourself at home here, aren't you?" she growled at him. "What do you want?"

Sasuke frowned at her reaction from seeing him, and entered the apartment. "Where's Naruto? He said he needed to speak with me a few days ago." He said, looking around the apartment for the blonde Hokage.

"He's not here…" Sakura muttered. "What did he want to see you about?"

Sasuke glanced at Sakura, but turned his to the window. "I don't know. He just said, 'Sasuke, I need to talk with you privately on Wednesday.'" He answered, and plopped down on the couch. "Do you know where he is?"

Sakura flinched. This was the exact question she wanted to avoid. "Just out. He'll be back," she sighed. "I'll tell him that you stopped by when he returns. Goodbye." Wanting to get Sasuke out of the apartment, she opened the door for him.

As if he too wanted to leave, Sasuke immediately got up and walked out of the apartment, passing a goodbye wave to Sakura before closing the door behind him. Sakura's gaze flickered back to the window, the sun now fully set, the stars twinkling in the sky. Naruto…She walked over to the glass, and gently placed her hand on the cold surface. Can you see the stars tonight? You're not one of them, right? You're still staring up at them, admiring them? Not looking down at me, and admiring me? A frightening thought flashed through her mind, releasing a tear from Sakura's eyes. You're still in this world, right?

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Naruto sighed happily as he finally shut up the annoying presence within him. "God…" he sighed. "He's more of a pain than Kyuubi." Coldness pricked at his skin as the sun set on the forest around him. Curling into a tight ball, he looked up at the stars. Sakura-chan…he thought in his head. I'll be home soon. I promise. I need to take care of a little business first.

The next few chapters will focus on Akatsuki, and a 'special' character joins! Please Review!!! See you in a week! REVIEW GOOD!!!

Yamahato Yokimoko-san