Jirayia cursed as he walked through the hallways of the Hokage-tower, the wrinkles in his face clearer due to his massive frowning. He only asked one thing.

"Where did Naruto go!"

The little boy jumped back frightened. "I…I don't know…"

He frowned even deeper and continued to walk through the halls.

-

"Are you cold…?" the icy tone of Itachi's spoke.

Sakura hid her head in her legs, wondering how to get lose of her chains and strangle the man before her. She flinched when the wound on her leg stung again.

"No…" she answered.

"You are lying…"

She didn't say anything after that, feeling to exhausted to fight with him right now. She closed her eyes and rested her head on her hands. Sleep would do her good.

Without her realising it, he took her hand and pushed her to her feet. She was wide-eyed in surprise and stared at him confused, forgetting in a short second all her hate. She was too tired to think anyway.

His gaze pierced hers and clenched her wrist harder, making her flinch. The wound in her leg made her unable to stand steady and she fell limp to the ground, screaming as the wound opened again. Itachi watched her.

"Damnit…" she cursed and brought her other hand to her leg, trying to find just little chakra to heal it.

Itachi just stared at the blood running down her leg, as if he was thinking deep thoughts.

-

Sakura leaned against the tree trunk as she struggled to catch her breath. The ANBU had been after her ever since she ran through the 3rd security border, now it was just a matter of time before they found her. She smirked and made few new hand seals she had trained these last few years.

Feeling the genjutsu do its work she rested her head against the trunk. With a swift motion the ANBU flew past her, completely oblivious to their surroundings.

ANBU was some of the best ninjas, but challenging Tsunade's best apprentice was out of their league. She snorted and rubbed her temples, feeling a headache come her way. With a swift motion of her body she dodged the flying kunai and she fell into the mud.

She groaned even louder and sat up furious and met the face of the infamous Uchiha Itachi. He looked at her amused for a second. "You got mud in your face…"

She glared at him and rubbed her cheeks so the dirt came off. "Thank you for your great observation Itachi…you must enjoy making my life a living hell…"

"No…not really…"

Sakura wiped the last of the mud out of her face and watched as he had moved closer to her, a dangerous glint in his emotionless eyes. She turned her face upwards and studied it with a hint of anger. She knew very well enough that she couldn't defeat him in her current situation…

"You were the one who told them to invade Konoha?"

"…"

She looked away, disappointment in her chest. "You were…"

Sakura bit down in her lip. " I thought you were going to leave me alone from now on…I have no interest in you, except revenge…"

He watched her and after a few seconds he turned and disappeared into the woods.

-

With a few jumps Naruto managed to watch as an Akatsuki cloak flew forward and disappeared as if it hadn't been there in the first place. Cursing he realised that he had to hunt the down in another way.

Naruto jolted backwards when he saw a few ANBUs suddenly attack him from behind. He avoided them with ease and landed on a tree branch. He narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing!"

They bowed in apology and took out their kunais. "Sorry Rokudaime…but the Nanadaime has commanded your death…"

Naruto's eyes widened and he yelled as loud as he could "What? Are you telling me that the Nanadaime has been chosen? Why?"

The ANBU looked to the side as if in regretting something. "You have been banned from the hidden village of leaf and the Rokudaime is now officially a missing nin of the country of fire…"

Naruto calmed himself down. "Why?"

"It seems that the council had already chosen your successor and claimed that they had enough evidence on you to throw you off…"

One of the female ANBUs seemed to glare at him. "Because you are the Kyuubi!"

The Rokudaime stood stiff and felt their half gazes of hatred directed to him. His hands clenched as he tried to calm down. To think …that they would break the law…and believe that he…Naruto he…

Without a second thought he disappeared, but not without having kunai ripping in his lower part of his cape. Naruto needed to make sure they didn't lie to him; he wanted to be sure that this was a dream and he would wake up in his bed with Sasuke and Sakura banging his door, telling him to hurry up.

-

Sakura startled when the bush beside her moved furiously and with a swift movement of her hand she slammed it into the ground, causing it to crack. Of course she hadn't thought that it would attract the attention of ANBU, but she couldn't get too risky.

The person jumped out of the way as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and she hit the tree where it landed, the blow destroying an eight of the entire forest.

Panting hard Sakura quickly avoided the arm being brought at her and kicked the person hard in the neck, but nothing happened. Her eyes widened as she jumped backwards and stared terrified at the person before her.

Readjusting his glasses he readied his hands.

"Kabuto…"

He smirked and charged at her again, but she narrowed her eyes and pointed her finger at him. Kabuto was clearly aiming for her neck, so she had to avoid his hands as much as possible. With a swift motion of her hand she poked him and the middle of the chest while bending down so that his hand hit the tree before him.

He gasped as he felt his lung puncture on his right and quickly jumped backwards. Readjusting his glasses he glared at her. Sakura stood sternly without any emotion in her face, taking out her gloves from her small wallet on her leg.

He smirked. "You have grown strong"

She snorted and took the right glove into her mouth and placed the left firmly unto her hand.

He took his hand to his lung and healed it as much as he could, still panting hard from pain. "Orochimaru must have been mistaken"

Sakura raised an eyebrow at him.

"You have surpassed your teacher in more than one way, possibly grown to be the strongest woman in the world that has ever existed"

She put on her right glove and still glared at him.

He grinned as he felt himself become able to breathe again. "It is an honour…"

Sakura sighed, "You are just as Naruto…you talk way too much" before Kabuto knew what had happened she was behind him and her elbow ready to trust into his vulnerable neck. He managed to get out of the way just in time and watched as the ground she hit exploded into a thousand pieces.

"You are not getting away!"

He cursed at her speed and did a back flip landing on the tree. She ran towards it and slammed her fist into the soft wood, making it split in a half. Her brows furrowed and she jumped upwards, making a strike against Kabuto.

Just as she touched his skin it disappeared into a small pile of smoke. "Damnit! Kage-bunshin!"

"Watch your back…"

Sakura's eyes widened when she noticed that her flow of chakra had changed. Realising the he had closed the chakra hole in her right arm, she cursed. Sakura knew she would have to rely on her left arm for this fight.

"Don't underestimate me!" she screamed and turned the tree behind her into dust, Kabuto snickering as he jumped out of the way.

" I am not…but I have my orders Sakura-san"

They met halfway and he grabbed her right hand and grinned. Sakura furiously tried to hit him with her left, but was unable to due to the kunai Kabuto brought against her wrist.

He neared his face closer to hers and watched as the anger increased. "You do look pretty" out of nowhere she slammed her forehead into his, making her dizzy for a second, Kabuto fell to the ground, clutching his head in agony.

"Aargh!"

She panted and dried his blood off her forehead, cursing as she stumbled slightly backwards and needed to grab the nearest tree. With an ironic laugh she whispered to herself. "I have defiantly spent too much time with Naruto if I just did that"

He groaned and sat up, holding his head. Sakura seeing his state of vulnerability jumped into the trees and did few hand seals. He stared at her confused, when she yelled into the air.

"Katon! Karyo endan no jutsu…!"

His eyes widened as she drew in her breath and quickly did some hand seals himself. With one last inhale she blew and the large fireball hit the ground satisfying, the burning intensifying. She panted and stumbled a bit, but she was none the less still standing.

A foot behind her head caught her attention and she jumped backwards and landed on another branch. With a swift move with her hand she quickly did some other hand seals and closed her eyes. Kabuto narrowed his eyes when all of sudden she disappeared in a pile of leaves.

"Genjutsu…"

"Not quite"

His eyes widened when he felt a hand connect with his face, cracking his cheekbone. Sakura smirked shortly and kicked him in the stomach, breaking a few rips. He landed unconscious on the ground while Sakura landed before him.

"Damn…I loose too much chakra doing this…"

She closed her eyes.

-

"Kabuto…" the grey-haired nin turned around and stared at the tired Orochimaru, who rested his head on his right hand, gazing at him

"Haruno Sakura…don't underestimate her…"

"I am not sir, she has tremendous power and it wouldn't be too much trouble if she is just like her teacher…"

Orochimaru chuckled. "Oh…that might be it…but did you know she was original a Genjutsu type that Haruno Sakura…"

He raised an eyebrow "she was?"

"Oh yes…and her chakra is almost flawless, I would say she would be able to perform many jutsus without loosing any chakra at all…"

Kabuto eyes widened in satisfaction as he walked out the door, still smirking.

-

Sakura sighed and felt for just a few seconds safe. With a satisfied grin she slumped down the tree trunk, wondering if Naruto was okay…and if Tohru would find her.

-

Temari awoke startled when a rather furious Kankuro threw her door. Groaning she dried her sleep eyes and glared at him. "What do you want?"

The baby turned in his sleep.

Her brother closed the door again and waited to see if she was going to kill him, before he spoke. "Konoha has thrown Naruto of the position…"

Suddenly she weren't tired anymore.

"What?"

"It is a conspiracy! They have been waiting for an opportunity like this!"

Temari waved her hands. "Wh…what wait? What are you saying? You can't do that…you can't throw the Hokage off ?"

Kankuro seemed a bit itchy and scratched his ear. "I know. Some of the ninjas are trying to kill him"

"Excuse me?"

"Don't worry. Shikamaru fellow isn't one of them…"

She sighed slightly and stood up, putting on her outfit before she looked at her baby boy. "Make Tayu take care of him, we are going to help Naruto"

Kankuro grinned. "Why do you think Gaara told me to get you?"

She smirked and cracked her knuckles. "Because your sister is damn smart"

-

Shikamaru jumped from tree to tree with Chouji following him faithfully behind. His face turned into a frown and Chouji noticed.

"I can't believe it." Shikamaru said. Chouji raised an eyebrow.

He jumped to another branch. "This was all a set up to get Naruto off the position…"

Ino came faithfully from the left side and followed the two of them while replying. "They say that Tsunade's heir can be thrown of it seeming unworthy by the council."

Chouji looked at her, Shikamaru just frowned deeper. "Does that mean they have waited two years to throw him off?"

Ino nodded. "I think so. Didn't you hear that there has been a rumour circulating?"

He looked at her.

"It's said that Naruto is the nine-tailed-fox who attacked the village twenty-three years ago."

Shikamaru's eyes widened and he bit his lower lip before stopping. His companions stopped beside him and stared at him confused. With a swift motion of his right hand he slapped himself on the forehead.

"It all makes sense…"

They looked puzzled.

"Naruto is the nine-tail…everything makes sense…the chunnin exam and the battle between him and the Tuschikage…the reason why Jirayia forbade him to lose his temper…it all makes sense…"

Ino looked the other way and brought her hand to her chest not sure what to feel right now. "So…is he dangerous?"

"I do-"

"Oh of course, he's not!" Shikamaru and Ino turned their heads to Chouji who stood proudly. "Naruto's has never hurt anyone, why should he do it now?"

Ino pointed her finger into the air, interrupting him. "May I add that Sakura has this weird claw-like scar on her right arm? She said it was Orochimaru, but I doubt with the shape of the scar it could impossibly be him."

Shikamaru stared into the tree trunk.

"So Naruto is dangerous, and we don't know what happened-"

"Shut up Ino…"

"I- what did you say, Chouji?"

"Naruto is our friend…he has been it for ten years…is it wrong that we suddenly begin to doubt him, when he has done nothing but gain our trust these past years."

Shikamaru stopped him. "Chouji, the village might not feel the same way…you know how people are."

He was silent. Ino stared at him with worry.

"We just have to get him out of the fire-country before the village hunts him down. This is so troublesome."

With a swift move they jumped from the tree branches into the dark of the night.

-

"Naruto!"

The blond haired Hokage turned around surprised, his fist ready to punch whomever tried to get in his way. He stopped when before him stood a panting Neiji, with a small girl clinging to his side.

"I heard that you were searching for Sakura-san, and this girl too so I brought her with me."

Naruto quickly jumped to the other branch and took Tohru in his arms. She looked at him strangely before obeying. Naruto noted quickly the stunning similarity between her and Tsunade, but it wasn't the time.

Neiji activated his Byukugan. "Don't worry, we are alone and you can find Sakura 2,426 miles northwest from here. She had to be teleporting. Hurry out of here."

"What is going on Neiji?"

"When you left the village to search for her out of nowhere they stopped all the ninjas from bringing you back. I was lucky that I was assigned to assassinate you."

Naruto flinched and narrowed his eyes.

"But even if I would I don't stand a chance against you." he smirked, before raising his hand towards him. "Please give me your forehead protector."

"What for?"

"I will give it as a proof that I have assassinated you. Hurry out of the fire-country and seek shelter somewhere else. Lets meet at the mile marker in the grass country three months from now, once Konoha is back at peace."

Naruto clutched Tohru closer. "I have no idea what is going on!"

"Just go! You are in major danger by staying here. If you don't get away you will die."

Neji narrowed his eyes, "Naruto, there's something about the Nanadaime I don't like…"

A branch cracked and Naruto turned his head, Neiji stopped him with his hand. "It's just Ino, Chouji and Shikamaru."

And true to his word, the infamous group ten stood before them. "Oiye. Naruto." Shikamaru called out.

Ino smirked, embracing the oblivious Naruto who just stared at her confused. She grinned and gave him a small peck on his cheek. Chouji humphed and looked the other way.

"So where're you going Naruto?"

He shrugged. "I don't know…I have to find Sakura first."

They nodded and Neiji motioned once more with his hand. With a heavy hand Naruto untied his forehead protector and gave it to him. Tohru watched him with curiosity.

"But Neiji, it isn't safe for Naruto to travel alone to the borders. They might be three, but Sakura and Naruto should have someone to aid them if trouble arises."

There were several exchanges between them before Shikamaru stood up. "Very well, I see no other option."

Chouji stared at him dumbfounded and was about to interrupt him, when Shikamaru stopped him with a single motion of his hand. "Don't, I would be able to help them more than any of you anyway. This just keeps on getting more troublesome."

Neiji glared at him. "You'll be expelled from Konoha!"

He sighed and rubbed his neck bored. "Of course I am, but that doesn't mean I haven't been aware of the current situation of the council." He smirked. "There is a reason I got this from you Naruto."

He showed him a piece of paper that allowed him to stay in the Sand-village. Naruto stared at him wide-eyed. "But that was four months ago!"

He shrugged. "I thought they would end it sooner, but of course they needed a reason to get you off. Why do you think they got Sakura back?"

"They were the ones?" said Naruto incredulously.

"Oh yes…they knew about her situation of the Akatsuki and the little girl there." Shikamaru pointed at little girl in Naruto's arms. "But I couldn't quite figure out why she helped the Tuschikage?"

Neiji folded his arms. "The Rock has retreated for now but it is just a matter of time before they get back and attack. It is for the better that you are off somewhere Naruto…"

The former Hokage seemed to think hard about the current information given to him, brushing his thumb across the whiskers on his face.

"Naruto, I will go with you and Sakura, and then split off to the Sand village." Turning to Ino and Chouji, "I will contact you guys as often as I can. It's for the better that they hide somewhere only I know of."

All of them nodded and Shikamaru cracked his knuckles. "Now, let's go off. What is our status Neiji?"

The Hyuuga seemed to examine the area for a bit and spoke. "ANBUs are heading our way; we need to move either northwest. That must be you, Shikamaru and the small girl. We go south and then turn around and move back to the village and give our proof of Naruto's disappearance."

They all looked at each other one last time, Ino seemed on the edge of tears and Neiji wore a tense look before he spoke again. "Naruto, I will take care of Hinata-sama for you. I will make sure she is one piece when you return."

Naruto waved his hand. "It's okay Neiji, just make sure that she is happy." He grinned, "Hinata is strong, let her find love somewhere else right now."

The Hyuuga stared at him for a moment before nodding.

With one last glance the trees' leave rustled. It seemed, as no one had ever been there in the first place.

Ino glanced backwards and smiled sadly. Chouji stared at her, "I didn't know you had feelings for Naruto Ino."

"Hah, who do you think I am? I am just very fond of him, that is all. He's a good guy Chouji, sort of like you…"

There was silence.

"We just liked to talk over a cup of ramen, and sometimes we laughed, other times we were sad. He missed Sakura just as much as I did. We just had a lot in common."

Chouji seemed to grin in relief. Neiji just continued to stare ahead, clenching the protector in his hand hard. With a small whisper he promised himself something. "I will protect Hinata-sama at all costs."

-

A/N: and then you say "what is going on?". I was a bit disappointed in myself because I felt like I was doing a horrible job explaining, and why should Naruto run away from Konoha? Yatta…yatta.

However, the story FINALLY begins. After eight chapter of some sort of prologue we are beginning at the "growth" part now. Sakura, Naruto, Shikamaru and Tohru are on the run. Don't be disappointed yet; Naruto isn't the former Hokage for nothing.

1: what is the whole thing with the council? Why didn't Shikamaru explain that…

Note: next chapter.

2: why did you call Sakura the strongest woman alive?
- she is a medic
- she can control her chakra perfectly
- she can do many jutsus
- her genjutsu is more perfected than Kurenai's
- her strength is as strong as Tsunade's

tell me if you know anyone stronger.

3: does Ino love Naruto?

No….

4: what is the whole thing with Neiji/Hinata?
whoops…did I forget to tell you that I like that couple. (please don't shout at me!) I won't make them a couple though, I can make hints ect. Bla bla bla.

5: I have no idea how you are going to make NaruSaku happen.

Real relationships (the one who last the longest mostly) are based on a long term friendship before hand so that you already know each other and learns to adapt. It can be awkward if it isn't returned, but if it is, it can turn out quite well.

Note: if you have ANY questions at all I will answer them personally. These questions are questions I do to make the story and the actions more understandable.

As you all know I have a link to my Rokudaime picture in my profile. I plan on making more. However, you are all welcome to do fanart…(this sounds actually pretty sappy) because my work is sloppy and I am very lazy when it comes to drawing. XD

All rights to Kishimoto.

And a biiiiig Thank you to my Beta-reader, causeIambetta.

Review or flame me if necessary. (remember, I like the ones who are nice and I like that ones coming with ideas for future progress…I take all your ideas in to consideration)