A New Day!

A Naruto-Neko original

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Naruto. Still.

Chapter 3

News that the famous Ume, who lived there, and Subaku Gaara, the Kazekage, had arrived in Konohagakure spread fast. Ume, knowing there was no time to waste, dragged Gaara through the back alleys and shortcuts in town to the Hokage's mansion. She had to speak to Tsunade, immediately.

Once the two made it to the Hokage, Ume had to use all of her self control. She was better than Naruto, she told herself. Tsunade was surprised to see Ume and Gaara. She waited for Ume to say something.

"What happened to Naruto?" She demanded of the Hokage. Ume's violet eyes were dark with anger and worry. Gaara didn't say anything, but his eyes were filled with anger, too.

Tsunade sighed. She looked tired; like she had been up all night. Ume noticed, but didn't soften. "Naruto was training about a month ago. Hinata was around, but Sakura was with me. Hinata saw 4 dark figures come up to him, and talk to Naruto, but before Hinata could do anything, they all left."

Ume's fist clenched. She had a pretty good idea who it was. "Where is Sasuke?" was all she said.

Tsunade looked down at the sake bottle on her desk. "He disappeared at the same time."

Ume shouted a curse, and then punched the nearest wall. This was why she almost didn't go out of the village to train. She grabbed Gaara by the arm, who was still silent, and started walking out the door. Before she left, she turned her head to the lady Hokage.

"I'm getting them back, Lady Tsunade. I promise you. I'm not saying they'll be in one piece, though."

Tsunade softly chuckled to herself as the two left the room. She knew that Sasuke and Naruto should fear for their lives, and not because of the Akatsuki.

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Gaara was in shock. Who would take Naruto, besides Sasuke on one of his "revenge fits?" He looked at the back of Ume's head. Her long, raven-black hair was whipping out behind her. Her jaw was set in determination, reminding him of Naruto.

Ume stopped suddenly, pausing to take a deep breath. She blushed slightly and told him that she forgot to breathe.

"…So, what's your relationship with Naruto?" Gaara asked. He figured it could be helpful to know more information.

"He was my best friend," Ume replied sadly, looking at her hands. They were clenched on her lap. "We grew up together. We were in similar situations. My parents were gone, because of the nine-tails. I didn't blame him, though," she laughed quietly. She looked at Gaara. Her eyes were full of tears. She wouldn't let them fall, however. She wiped her eyes on her hand. "You two are Jinchuriki, but you aren't the monster that you have inside you. Well, that you had inside you, at least."

Gaara then determined he was going to help her. She really was going to find Naruto, but he thought that she may need help, so she wouldn't kill him, Sasuke, and whoever else may be with them. Ume calmed down, and suggested they start off again. Gaara guessed she knew what happened to them, but he had no idea.

Ume must have read it in his face.

"I think Sasuke is trying to take revenge on someone. And he probably needed Naruto's help. I think I know where they ran off to." Ume explained this while looking ahead, using some sort of jutsu to scan the area ahead. It reminded him a little of Byakugan, but Ume wasn't related to the Hyuuga. Gaara turned his attention to the road ahead of him.

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"Sasuke, why are you so bent on revenge?" asked a blonde impatiently. He seemed to just want to get out of the dank, smelly room and outside to fresh air.

"Hn," replied Sasuke, whose hair was midnight blue and in the shape of a duck-butt. His eyes were dark.

The blonde rolled his eyes. The blonde's eyes were bright ocean blue."I'm serious, Sasuke."

"No one else will kill him," said Sasuke finally, "that's why I need to, Naruto. He helped ruin my life. Now shut up and focus."

Naruto focused on his training, for about five minutes. He stopped and asked, "Who is it exactly we're trying to kill? If you don't tell me, I might as well go home."

Sasuke was silent for a moment. Naruto thought he was being overly-dramatic. "Uchiha Madara."