-------

As Itachi and Kisame talked about the 'keeping Naruto Issue' things weren't going well in Konoha, especially after Sasuke discovered that Naruto was missing since he left the training grounds. He had this nagging feeling that told him something was wrong, but thinking that nothing could actually go wrong especially about the blonde, because he'd been watching him fom a long time except that morning.

He was wrong… He was so wrong.

Right now, Tsunade already gave a signal that if Naruto didn't show up the next morning they're gonna search the whole Konoha and the wide forest around it.

------

Why is it that things are never easy?

Sasuke, after hearing that the dobe was in fact missing, went to different places to search for the blue eyed boy. He tried passing by Ichiraku, looked through his apartment, even searched the whole training grounds. He climbed the Hokage Mountain (1), it's the last place he hasn't checked yet. Getting his hopes high, he jogged faster expecting to see the blond haired boy. But when he reached the top, his smirk fell.

There was none.

Just an empty space.

The raven walked at the edge off the mountain, activated his sharingan and looked at the whole village. Jounins and Chuunins were everywhere. Probably looking for the boy as well. But he knew they won't find him. He knew that Naruto's not within the village. Because he couldn't pick up even the slightest chakra trail from his teammate.

Where is he?!

Sasuke sat down and begun thinking what could've happened to Naruto. It's really impossible for him to leave the village on his own. Mainly because he loved Konoha and there was no way he'll go without saying anything.

He closed his eyes and tired to remember each and every actions Naruto did this week. Maybe he'll see something unusual, something out of place, something not--

The memories of Naruto talking to himself and mention Akatsuki ran in his mind.

Akatsuki… is it even possible

-right, something he'll regret.

He quickly stood up and ran towards the Hokage tower. He needs to inform her what happened. She have to let her know. But he immediately stopped,

But what if she asked how did I know?

Tch, doesn't matter.

With newly found determination, Sasuke continued running. He knocked (because only Naruto can throw the doors of the Hokage's office without actually knocking) hard on the wooden door and waited to be acknowledged by the one inside the room.

"Hokage-sama!" Sasuke said as he opened the door

-------

Naruto heard a knock on his door. He shouted 'come in' as he continued bouncing on his bed.

"Naruto-kun, you'll ruin the springs if you continue jumping." Itachi stated

The boy immediately stopped as his smile fell. Itachi noticed it and regretted what he said. Instead of saying sorry, which was not part of an Uchiha's vocabulary, he said

"On the other hand, we can always buy you a new one." Relief was shown on Itachi's face as the blond boy continued laughing as he bounced on the bed.

The older Uchiha walked across the blond boy's room and sat on one of the sofas. He just stared at the boy who's obviously enjoying himself at the moment. He was bored as he followed Naruto with his eyes, and without noticing, he fell asleep. Some minutes passed and Naruto jumped from his bed to the floor. He walked towards the sleeping Uchiha and sat beside him.

Naruto looked at the man's faced, mesmerized by the beauty beside him. He paused as he recalled a memory of him and a boy, who looked exactly like Itachi but so much younger, resting after training. He smiled a little and glanced at Itachi again. He jumped a little as he was faced with red eyes.

"Did you know that staring is rude, Naruto-kun?"

"I--I…" Naruto was speechless. Seeing this Itachi raised another question

"And what were you thinking awhile ago. You seemed to be spacing out." He smirked at the fidgeting boy

"I-- I certainly am NOT spacing out!" he exclaimed "I merely recalled a memory that's all."

"Would you like to tell me about this… memory?" Itachi knew it wasn't good. But he wanted to know what the boy remembered. After all, he couldn't let Naruto remember his brother, it's too early for that.

"Well, I saw you and--"

Me?He mentally laughed a little How can I appear in your memory when I wasn't part of your past"and?"

"And there was me… and we were resting after training. You were younger back then."

"Really?"Ah… It was about Sasuke again

"Yeah. Ne Itachi, let's go eat something. I'm starving."

"Sure." Itachi stood up and went out of the room. Behind him was the blond haired boy.

------

The Godaime looked at the Uchiha and nodded

"Did they find the dobe already?"

"Not yet." The Hokage said with much anger that she clenched her fist.

"Where the hell is that brat!" She punched the wall beside her and cause a lot of cracks on the wall. She glared at Sasuke

"Do you know where he is?"

"No." Sasuke answered quickly. Telling her that Naruto might be with the Akatsuki won't help.

Just then an Anbu appeared beside the raven and opened a scroll to read their mission report. It was pretty long but what was fixed in their mind was, Naruto was still missing.

The next day, Tsunade sent out different teams to different countries. The have to search the ones near them first before moving to the farther ones. By morning they all separated by walking to different directions.

As Team Kakashi moved forward Sakura and Kakashi were discussing about Naruto's disappearance and what could have caused it. There's always the 'traitor theory', but everyone knew that Naruto would sacrifice his life just to save their hometown. There's also the 'kidnapping theory', with the Kyuubi sealed inside Naruto, there's always a possibility that he'd been kidnapped. Alright with that cleared they moved to a new topic.

How?

How did the trespasser/s entered the village without being blocked by the guards? How did they kidnap Naruto? And lastly, why didn't Naruto fight back?

So many questions left unanswered. And maybe it'll never be revealed until they ask Naruto themselves. But first, they have to find where Naruto is.

--------

As Naruto and Itachi walked along the hallway, the Uchiha stopped and pulled Naruto in an empty room, which, of course, surprised the blond.

"What's up?"

"Naruto-kun, do you remember when I told you that you're a ninja?" Itachi asked

"Of course I do? Why? Are there enemies?" He turned his head to his left then right

"No." The older one said with amusement "I just wanna tell you that whenever I am outside the inn, I would make an illusion and cover my real appearance, for example,"

Itachi murmured something, then there was smoke. When it cleared out, Naruto saw a different man standing in front of him. He has a short black hair that barely reached his shoulder, chocolate eyes, and tan skin, we was a little taller and a little muscular. He was nothing like Itachi.

"In this form you will no longer call me Itachi, understand?"

Naruto nodded in response "But what should I call you?"

"You decide, what do you want to call me. Any names you like, what you think is the be--"

"Sasuke."

Wha-- Sasuke?! "Why thatname?"

"Why is there something wrong with it?" Naruto tilted his head on the side to show confusion

Oh right, he doesn't remember a thing "No, there's nothing wrong, I just want to know."

"Well, that name has been popping in my mind for the longest time now. I don't even know who Sasuke is. It always the name, never the face." Then there was sadness on his face

"That's okay then" Sigh. The used to tell me, that once you find your weakness you must destroy it. He looked at Naruto but now that I've found mine… exactly how will I destroy it…There's no way I can.

"Let's go now Sasuke!" Then there was a very bright smile on the younger boy's lips. And it didn't go unnoticed by the older Uchiha

As soon as Itachi stepped outside of the inn they were staying at, he knew it, felt it. It was very very far, still he could sense them.

So, they finally knew he was gone. They'll be arriving here this afternoon I just know it. He stopped on his tracks causing the boy behind him to bump on his back

"What is it Ita---Sasuke?" There it is again, the smile that lingers on his lips whenever he says his name

"Nothing really." He started walking again remembering the things he needed to do and stuff he needed to buy for Naruto. They passed by a grocery store but they decided to eat first.

Naruto was happy. Yes yes, he was very happy. The boy inhaled the ramen in front of him and then it was gone. Itachi might not be by his side before to know that Naruto eats a LOT of ramen in one meal, but right now, with this kind of speed. He calculated he'll be paying for 18 bowls of ramen after an hour.

He was right. Good thing he never runs out of money. Thank you very much Pein's credit card.

They went to a grocery store and bought all the necessary and the not-so-necessary things for Naruto. They spent the rest of the afternoon talking at the park about the memories that Naruto forgot and the visions and dreams the blond boy seems to remember about a certain pale boy, whom he thought was Itachi. Just then they heard Naruto's stomach rumble

"You're hungry again?" Naruto shyly laughed, scratching the back of his neck.

Itachi decided to be nice. Change was good once in awhile. He left Naruto on the restaurant again and let him eat as much as he wanted. It's not like it's his money they were spending.

-------

Team Kakashi arrived at the village, they were assigned to investigate, that afternoon. Since they almost used all of their chakra to be at the highest speed knowing they wouldn't encounter any enemies on the way.

They unpacked their things on the room they rented for the night. Sasuke went out after awhile still thinking about a certain blond haired boy. Again, he was alone, with no one else but himself. He could no longer think straight without being interrupted by the boy's smile. But sadly, it's just in his mind. Again, he came back to reality,

Naruto was nowhere to be found.

The younger Uchiha went to the streets looking for a restaurant. He might as well eat outside since he didn't feel like going back to the inn just yet.

He sat down on one of the stalls and placed his order. He kept staring at space until a loud slurping noise disturb him from his musing. He was planning to ignore the noisy person but he couldn't stop his head from turning to that direction.

And there he saw him once again.

His eyes widened as he whispered the name of the boy

"Naruto."

TBC

(1)I'm not really sure what it's called XD

So yeah. I'm still alive . Hope you enjoyed reading. and review me if you like . questions, comments and suggestions are encouraged. Flames are allowed .