Chapter 4

Sasuke was annoyed, no he was downright pissed. The night before Neji had not mentioned anything about Naruto, and while he understood that Neji had just returned from a mission, he was still ticked. Then before he even got to ask Neji in the morning Shikamaru arrived and told them that Tsunade summoned them both to her office. (No doubt she probably wanted to reprimand him for last night's actions.) As he, Neji, and Shikamaru entered the 6th's office, Sasuke noticed another person present in the room.

Said person smiled emptily when he saw Sasuke, "Ohayo, Sasuke-san."

Sasuke Scowled and gave a curt "Sai," Before proceeding to stand before the Hokage. "You sent for me?"

Tsunade looked at him and sighed heavily, "Yes. I have matters to discuss with you, starting with your behavior last night. You consciously broke probation and left your watcher. I understand that you and Sakura had an argument, but that is no excuse. I have already reprimanded her as well for her irresponsibility. That just leaves you to deal with. For now I've decided that until Naruto is well enough to return to his position as your guardian, you will have two watchers in his place. Shikamaru has informed me that Neji has taken you in. Your second watcher will be Sai." She looked at the other two men, "Do either of you have any questions?" Both shook their heads. "Very well then, I'll move onto the next topic: Naruto."

Sasuke's ears perked and he looked at Tsunade intensely. She gestured for the others to leave the room.

"I knew you'd eventually begin to seek answers as to what happened to Naruto, and frankly I'd rather not explain to you what little we know. Last night you saw the real Naruto for a brief moment, which disappeared just as a shadow clone would. This isn't the first time that Naruto and Kyubi separated into two separate bodies. A little over three years ago, shortly after the time of your and Naruto's last confrontation it happened. Naruto didn't return to Konohagakure. When he was brought back Naruto was asleep. There was nothing physically wrong with him, but he just wouldn't wake up. He was in a comatose state for nearly three weeks when he suddenly disappeared one morning. For a moment we were worried that he'd been kidnapped – taken during a moment of weakness. But as I was contemplating sending out a team to search for him screams of anger and terror echoed throughout Konoha. And everyone in the village could feel the Kyubi's chakra resonating from one single point– Naruto's home. I feared that the worst had happened – that the Nine-Tails had been released, and in a way he was. I had expected to find wounded people and buildings torn to pieces, but none of that greeted me as I neared the apartment. What I did find was one Naruto standing in front of the open doorway while another Naruto was destroying the contents of the room. It shocked me even more to realize that the one causing destruction and mayhem was Naruto and not Kyubi. I'll never forget what happened that day. Not Naruto's anguished yells, the tears of frustration and pain that ran down his face, or when Kyubi stepped into the broken room and held Naruto close to himself. The pained look on Kyubi's face as he calmed Naruto down, and Naruto sobbing himself until exhaustion took over. I would have never believed the Nine-Tails could have held such compassion for another if hadn't seen it for myself.

The next time Naruto awoke he was visibly emotionally drained. He tried to act as if he were fine, but it was obvious he wasn't ready for much of anything. A few months went by and he was slowly but steadily becoming more and more stable. I'd begun allowing him on light and easy missions after he'd threatened to paint graffiti on a few choice houses if I didn't give him something to do. One such mission required him to venture out of Konoha to gather herbal ingredients. It was suppose to be a simple and easy mission, so I sent only Sakura and Sai to accompany him. I wish I had taken more caution and sent more people, but it was a routine mission and I was too relaxed. Itachi and Kisame showed up that day. From the reports that were given to me, it seemed as though Itachi had used the mangekyou sharingan on Naruto, who passed out as a result. Thankfully when Itachi went to take Naruto the Nine-Tails appeared once more and protected him. Both Itachi and Kisame retreated that time and Sakura and Sai returned with Naruto with minor injuries. However Naruto had once again fallen into a coma. For over a month he didn't stir. It broke my heart to see him like that, but if he wasn't going to wake up then there was nothing anyone could do. Not long afterwards while I was making a weekly visit his eyes opened and Naruto sat up. I was so surprised that I'd nearly missed it – that I almost thought it was really Naruto smiling at me like and idiot and calling me and old baachan that worried too much. I almost called him on it too. But then I saw Kyuubi's pleading eyes. How much he wanted to help, even if it meant taking over for a while, and I understood the sad truth. Naruto didn't want to wake up anymore. He no longer had the will to get up and live – he became like that of a broken doll. Kyuubi gave me the choice of whether or not he would stay. I knew how controversial it would be if I let the Nine-Tails take over Naruto's body, but if I didn't I knew he still wouldn't wake up and he would slowly weaken and wither. Obviously you can tell what I chose to do.

That happened nearly two years ago, and within all that time no one has ever been able to catch even the slightest glimpse of Naruto until last night. Hinata's words may have been harsh Sasuke, but there is probably some truth to them. You seem to be at the center of both his disappearance and reappearance."

Sasuke was silent with shock. He slowly rose from his seat and reached for the door to leave. Neji and Sai were waiting for him in the corridor, but he didn't spare them a single glance – his eyes cast to the ground. He stayed unmoving for a few minutes, and Sai was the first to speak.

"Sas-" he began but stopped as Neji held a hand out to silence him.

Sasuke's eyes were still cast downwards, but silent tears could be seen falling down his face. After another moment he finally spoke – his voice shaky.

"I-I want to see him. Please. Take me to Naruto."

Tbc…

Okay so this took a long time I know. I was stuck in a rut, but hey better late than never right? And having people review made me actually want to update too. Thanks to everyone who reads this fic. Hopefully you won't have to wait as long for the next chappy!