A/N: Yey! An update just right after Uchihasitter yip yip ^_^ Haha, I'm so happy :) Though I apologize this came late! Enjoy!

The Last Message?

Chapter 6: Troubles

"Kyuubi?".

Yeah, kit?

"Is it me or there's this chakra I'm sensing".

Naruto received only a bit of silence, waiting for the demon to reply. Somehow, he wanted an answer and somehow he didn't. His blue orbs were focused solely to where he was heading as he kept his pace up to reach his destination. To where it scared him to feel the chakra.

Konoha.

Kit..., the usual deep voice was raised to a minimum, I doubt you're wrong.

Well, he expected that.

Try getting a range, will ya?

The blonde nodded, closing his eyes, yet he was still able to keep up on moving forward. And, surely, right where Konoha was located, a chakra different from anything he had encountered caught his attention. Then, suddenly, it was gone. As if he had just imagined it. But he knew he didn't. It was just hidden and some sort of jutsu was allowing the chakra to play with his senses. Or it wasn't something fresh, maybe.

But, opening his eyes, he felt his heart pick up. The signature was well-preserved in his head and it was enough to make him remember the aura it sent. Whoever's chakra it was, it spoke of danger.

It spoke of something menacing as death.

A spark of determination wavered in him as he thought about it. Tsunade wasn't able to get all the facts right. Whoever he was suppose to encounter, it's no human. It was no normal deranged shinobi. Even if he knew about the fact that it was an Akastuki he was facing, something told him that his opponent was just more than different. He or she may even equal to his and Kyuubi's fused strength. And that was saying something now that he and Kyuubi had gone to further lengths to raise their power.

Kit, you're not giving up on me right now, alright?

Naruto raised a smile at the snarled remark that heightened his confidence. "Of course, Kurama. You know me...". Yup, he had to believe in himself. He had to.

The demon scoffed in his head. Yeah, unfortunately, I do.

"Wow, that hits the spot", the blond joked.

Well, I guess I do know your ins and outs... So, what'll you do when you see that Uchiha kid, huh?

The smile faded and the boy swore when he almost tripped against a tree again just like yesterday when Kyuubi mention that name. "I'm not going to see him...it's only Tsunade I'm reporting to. After that, I'm done".

Coincidences can happen, kit. Coincidences...

"Coincidence, my ass. Now shut up about him, Kyuu. I'll deal with that -him- later".

At least you know that you will. And with that, the demon's voice faded from his head.

Shaking away Kyuubi's words, Naruto's eyes shone as he kept looking forward. Towards Konoha, towards where his catch was probably located, towards where harm was in store...

Towards where Sasuke may just see him.

He just hoped not.

Sasuke woke with a groan, his body stiff, his neck aching. Blinking out sleep, he realized the sun was glaring too much at him despite the fact that his room was always devoid of light. Once he finally was able to see properly, he realized he was still in the woods. It seemed he had passed out there for a day.

He groaned again, realizing his position. He was under the shade of a tree, his back to the wood's trunk and the sun was directly on him. His whole body was screaming to be in a bed.

With that resolve, he got up, his body feeling rigid from his awful sleeping position. It took some minutes before the raven finally exited the forest and into the village as he realized he was able to get so deep into the woods. Once out, he noticed that the part of the forests he was in was just near Konoha's gates. When he cocked his head to it, his eyes followed on to a blond woman talking to a younger blonde man almost her height.

The blone woman, based on the green robes she had on with that usual busty figure, was Tsunade. And whoever she was talking to...

Looked similar to Naruto.

He froze. Sasuke wanted to hit himself. He was definitely still half-asleep and just groggy. Just having a torturous delusion. At the thought, an arrogant smirk graced his lips as he looked straight at his mind's imagination of "Naruto". Oh well, let him have at least this to savor. Yet, somehow, something was screaming at him to remember something that has been informed to him. Just then, it seemed that the person's talk with Tsunade was done and he was suppose to head off.

As he turned away from Tsunade, the raven saw the Anbu-looking "Naruto" wearing a heart-stopping smile just like the original when he wanted to reassure someone. When his position was directly facing the Uchiha, his eyes locked with Sasuke's own. The smile fell immediately and wide sapphire orbs replaced it, letting the look mask his features. Sasuke only watched as those eyes looked him over as if he was searching for something in the raven's face. But what? Then they turned wider, this time looking watery. What? Before he could even figure that out, the blonde stepped back. One step. Then another. Until he fully turned and hair covered his face. And just like that, he ran off. Gone.

Sasuke stayed stuck in his spot. Well, there goes "Naruto". Away from him like the real one is. Then he frowned and suddenly remembered the smirk he previously had on. Arrogant, bastardy, mocking. Distant blue eyes hazed his mind again. No, they were watery too. His eyes widened and his heart beat in panic. Was that what "Naruto" had seen?

Shit.

If that was really Naruto... then it would look to him as if he was taunting the blonde of the memory of him confessing. He felt his chest tug.

The question now was: Was that Naruto?

And just what was he seeming to forget about today again? He growled in frustration.

"Sasuke?".

The raven immediately turned to the bossy, questioning voice, then gave a small tilt down of his head, his stoic face in place. "Tsunade-sama".

The woman clacked her shoes as she came towards him. "I apologize. You came here to meet him, did you?".

What? His heart picked up. "Him?".

Tsunade raised a brow. "Naruto, I mean".

The name rang immediately in his mind and nothing else. Blood pounded in his ears as his eyes widened again in surprise. "Y-you mean... that was actually Naruto?".

The Godaime looked over his appearance and she seemed to had noticed only now his dishelved state. "Yes, that was him. I had an appointment with him, remember? And if I may ask, Sasuke, where have you been, looking so... ruined. Has this something to do with that gaki?".

He shook his head immediately. "Not at all, Hokage-sama. I'm fine". He wanted to punch himself. That was what was screaming at him. That Tsunade had already told him that Naruto was reporting to her today.

The busty woman looked as if she didn't believe him but said otherwise, "Oh well, since you're here anyways... come with me, you can get your headband today already".

"Yes, Hokage-sama".

Sasuke followed the woman to her headquarters, feeling his feet dragging beneath him.

What had he done now?

Tears blurred in the Naruto's eyes as he kept running in a pace that was inhuman.

Kit, get a hold of yourself! Stop, will ya?

Naruto paid no heed to the command, only adding speed to his run. He really didn't want to accept it at all.

Just as he had finished telling Tsunade of suspicions without any worry that anyone else was around, Sasuke just had to be there. Giving him a haughty smirk. Thinking that the simple gesture was already an act of taunting rejection was too painful to think of. Too painful to even bear as his chest felt so tight like he can't even breath anymore. It hurt. It was so stupid of him to think that he could handle whatever Sasuke blows at him when he couldn't even stand to bear just a mocking look from the raven.

Was he really ready to take on the rejection once he gets back?

Droplets began to fall benath shattered blue orbs until it seemed it watered every step of ground he planted his feet upon. Rubbing off the shed tears were of no use to him anymore. He just kept going, not minding where to or how far, he just knew he had to move away from where his heart had just been beaten roughly.

Ignoring Kyuubi's voice as he talked about something feeling off from where they were.

Chakra.

"So, here's your heaband, Uchiha. I will just call for you once a mission is open", Tsunade said dryly, handing the black cloth to the pale hand that reached out stiffly. With the situation as it is, Sasuke can't seem to sustain to think straight. The Hokage's words were merely too distant to reach his ears.

Oblivious to Sasuke's mental anxiety, Tsunade continued, "And just so you are informed, Sasuke, due to your...um, profusion of power, yor rank is among Jounins for now. It will still be decided upon if you could get a rank up soon enough. I doubt they'll disagree", she sent a smug smile.

The raven nodded firmly, not bothering to return the expression. But somehow, this time, something was screaming at him to say something. An idea clamorously rang in his ears and he decided to choose his words carefully. After all, he had told himself that this was the last time he could convince the woman to send him to his blonde. He should remain hopeful in order to explain to Naruto as well, once he'll be allowed.

Once he's with the blonde.

He cleared his throat. "Tsunade-sama, if I may ask. Is it okay if I am allowed to be in the rank that... that could, um, help with Naruto's mission already?".

Immediately, Tsunade's eyes were ablaze and Sasuke wondered if he had said something really wrong. The blonde woman spoke in an eerily low tone. "Sasuke, don't tell me that that's the reason you have come for registration".

The Uchiha right away shook his head. "Not at all, Hokage-sama. That is a misjudgment. The opportunity of chasing after Naruto had just come to me right now. It's... it's a misunderstanding I have to clear with him", he added in a low voice, hoping Tsunade would pick up on understanding his situation.

Then, all of a sudden, she scoffed along with a humor-filled smile. "Interesting choice of words, Uchiha. You... "chasing" after Naruto? Why, it seems that your roles have reversed this time. Now you're practically the one tantalizing with me to go after him. Huh, funny, isn't it?".

Sasuke stayed in his fixed position, realizing what the woman had just said. Yeah... funny. He just kept silent, waiting expectantly at Tsunade to tell him if his request has again been rejected or not. He wished on the not.

But thereupon, the Hokage began shuffling through papers, her eyes on the desk as if they weren't just having a conversation. "Look, Sasuke, even if you do get a rank up, the mission was made for Naruto. Only Naruto. By that, I mean that he goes fight this mission by himself".

As she looked up, she noticed a spark in the Uchiha's midnight eyes, a flash of emotion she can't decipher pasting over it. So she began in a stern voice, not requesting but demanding. "Uchiha, listen here. I must warn you, if you seem really concerned about Naruto's safety, there is nothing you can do. Nothing, alright? And if you do, I will take action. The only reason you aren't bound and considered as a traitor is because of your action against Akatsuki. For protecting Konoha. Are we clear?".

Sasuke stared straight at serious, gleaming eyes then nodded, finally running out of the buliding at Tsunade's command, thoughts running in his head. With the way the Godaime was looking at him, he was sure she wasn't going to break her word. She was really going to take matters in her own hands once the raven does something.

Sasuke snarled in annoyance as he kept running. Now there really wasn't any hope left and he was feeling so useless. Powerless. But when he thought about it, why was the woman going to such further lengths just because of going? What did it hurt to go?

That's when the raven felt... sensed the familiar surrounding around him and stopped dead in his tracks. His vision blurred, his head feeling light. Right where he stood is the exact place where he had left a horrible scene of his self to Naruto. His mind went berserk as he fell to his knees, tears falling below his eyes, his whole body shaking.

What had he done now?

What had he done now?

The question haunted Sasuke again. Naruto was alone for crying out loud. His only thoughts were probably wishing of never coming back to Konoha. After all, Sasuke was there, ready to reject him. Just as he had a glimpse of hours ago. The thought hurt the raven. Yet he didn't even really know the beginning of hurt when he wasn't even feeling Naruto's pain.

Why was he always so bent on hurting others even without knowing it?

Tears broke him even more and he decided that the place he was in wasn't the right place to break down. Especially to be seen as an Uchiha. He set forward towards the nearest tree in the forest, moving slowly as he went behind it. Right there, he finally began to beat the wood with full force. It didn't take too long before his shaking stopped him as he fell down before the tree, wrapping his knees as he cried silently on top of it.

He just wanted to be with Naruto, damn it.

The reason he came back was only for Naruto's sake. Now here he was, making such a horrible, huge mistake. A mess. He was such a failure, he thought.

"Hmm? What is the great Sasuke Uchiha doing here looking like he's not? I knew you better than this, Uchiha".

The raven's sobs stopped as he snapped his head to the voice.

It was Neji.

"Hyuu-Hyuuga, what are you doing here?", he asked startled, voice hoarse. Right before the pale-eyed man, he may have looked so ruined. Unlike his own self. Stoic, confident, emotionless. Now, he looked so contradicting to those traits.

"That's what I'd want to ask you, Uchiha". To Sasuke's surprise, Neji's eyes softened. Huh. That was unusual. "Is there something wrong?".

The raven shook his head as he wiped his tear stained hands on his pants. "It's nothing, Neji. I just-".

"Is this about Naruto, then?".

The name instantly seized the Uchiha from moving even one inch. Wide charcoal eyes turned to the long-haired man. "What do you mean?".

Neji looked at him with a serious expression. "Judging by the way you reacted around Naruto ever since you came back...well, I don't know what it means but it seems you care about him so much that you fear for his mission, right?".

"Y-you know about his mission?".

"Some information here and there".

Sasuke remained silent, unsure if he wanted the so-called information. Did he really dare to know? He was worried about Naruto, yes, but that didn't stop him from fearing the contents of the mission. After all, if it was meant to be handled by a Jinchuuriki such as Naruto... then it was really worth danger. Without haste though, Neji had already continued. Sasuke couldn't stop him now. He wanted to but he can't seem to speak.

"They said he was on a search for this...shinobi. Strong, deadly, and has caused harm to a number of skilled ninjas. Anbus. It had been informed that... she or he had an equal strength to Naruto. Of course, you do know of Naruto's extra power, don't you? So, not wanting to cause any more danger to Konoha, they sent Naruto".

The Uchiha stood frozen as he let the details sink in. So Naruto? This so-called ninja's only equal? But if numbered ninjas, not to mention Anbus, had already been slaughtered... who's to say what condition his blonde will end up with once he gets back.

If he gets back.

He shuddered. Please, Kami... no...

"Oh and Sasuke... I'm not suppose to be the one to tell you this... but you haven't killed the Akatsuki so they say. The ninja wore a black robe with red clouds on and- Sasuke?".

The Uchiha's heart stopped, blood rushing at his ears.

"Sasuke?".

Neji still wasn't given a reply. What he didn't know was: right at that moment, Sasuke Uchiha didn't care about the law anymore.

Pale fists clenched as rubies flashed against black, hardened eyes.

"WHAT?! What the fuck happened?", the shrill voice of Konoha's leader echoed the room. Right in front of her were her two bloodied, injured gate keepers.

"G-Gomen, Hokage-sama!", one of them stuttered. "Sa-Sasuke Uchiha, he-he just began hitting violently. And", he swallowed, "His sharingan was activated. We couldn't stop him".

Tsunade gritted through her teeth as she slammed a fist at her desk. "When was this?".

"N-not too long ago, Hokage-sama", the other replied.

"Shouldn't have gone too far", she muttered to herself, "Then again, this is an Uchiha we're talking about". The blonde woman turned to the two. "You're dismissed. I appreciate your efforts. Battling Sasuke Uchiha is no easy feat. Head to the clinic ward immediately".

"Y-Yes, Hokage-sama", they both replied in unison.

When they left, the Godaime called out, "Shizune!". Immediately, her pig-carrying assistant was by the door. "Get half of the Anbu to track down Sasuke Uchiha while the other half locate Naruto Uzumaki's position. Just in case, that kid had already reached the gaki. Then let Jounins report to me anything about Uchiha's actions just before he ran out. Quickly, Shizune!".

"H-Hai!". Then she dashed out the room.

Tsunade finally sat down, letting out a troubled breath as one hand massaged her temples, while the other swished her sake. "I don't know what the deal is with that Uchiha but something tells me he already knows...". She took a sip. "So just who the fuck told him?".

Right where Sasuke had made a dash for it, "Hyuuga Neji" still stayed in place. His lips tugged on a malicious smile as he released the harem jutsu.

"Hmmm... let's go visit Naruto-kun this time, shall we?".

Well that came out shorter than expected :( Oh well... please review and see my other stories too please?