A/N

Hello again! I know you probably thought you had to wait a few more years for another update but I made it back within a few weeks. Stupid me decided to pick a college major that involved tons of writing, and uninteresting writing at that. I've been pretty much drained of all creativeness because, in case you didn't know, any and all school sucks. I did want to continue this story, I've had it rattling in my head for awhile so it would be nice to get it all out before I'm 30 or something.

This chapter was a little more difficult to get into because it was very much something that sets up the next few chapters sets a couple of events into motion, and I have a major issue with impatience and I just wanted to skip this and get to the other parts because I mean...yeah. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story since my last chapter, here are my acknowledgments and replies to them, it's gonna be long brace yourself:

NaruopokeeAurorafan yeah Cobra was pretty awful! I dunno about Gaara, maybe you'll find out more later...? If Naruto was changed it probably wasn't for the better, it's sort of his thing! the-darker-side-of-things I'm glad you liked it, it was intense! All I can say is stick with it to find out exactly what happens...how corny.
Neko-NightLover thank you! I'm sorry it took me like three weeks to update! ColorlessXrainboW you're review(s) were quite interesting to read, like I said I know (especially in fanfiction) the abuse/dark side stories are very prevalent but I do think my story/idea is a different take and original in it's own way. I was not inspired really by anything besides my own twisted mind, so hopefully that made it fresh enough for you. Yes I think the dark themes are definitely hard to read and unfortunately I don't think there's a light you'll see in that tunnel when you read-at least not yet! I'm glad you liked the story in your second review, and I agree with what you said and the real theme/goal of this story was to explore and kind of...expose the trauma that really occurs when people are hurt physically and psychologically by events that happened to Naruto and how it leads down a destructive dangerous path. I hope you kept reading and are enjoying or enjoyed it! Nala1220 I'm glad you're excited for upcoming events? And sorry (not sorry) it's not what you anticipated, I really wanted to take a detour from the expected route the story was headed and I know for some reason people didn't like the swerve into gangtown AKA New York but hopefully people grew to understand etc. Ibuki I really enjoyed reading your reviews it was quite exciting and fun to read kinda like a live action reaction to the chapters, so it was really fun to read. Since you reviewed every chapter(which I loved) I don't want to try to address every single one or this might be longer than the chapter, but thank you! I hope you all like this new chapter.

WARNING: Dark and angst material
DISCLAIMER: Naruto is not mine and none of the characters are mine etc.

Konoha hadn't changed. Naruto wasn't sure if that made him happy or sad, as he gazed through the tiny window he had managed to sit beside. Everything looked the same as when he had left. The same rolling green hills in the background, same tall trees surrounding the buildings and roads that were carved into the earth, from up in the air they all looked so insignificant- but they were intimidating and almost menacing as they drew closer. Naruto stood quietly alone on the escalator that led to the ground floor. Taking a deep shuddering breath he got off the moving stairs and took a step forward. Konoha hadn't changed, but he had.

Naruto moved to the exits skillfully slipping in and out of the people who were crowding towards the baggage claim, Naruto hadn't brought any so he could hopefully get out on the street before the mob he had traveled with did. Well he hadn't brought any physical baggage. Naruto forced his mind to shut off as it began to replay the sickening thud a body made when it hit ground that was eight stories away and pushed the doors open stepping out into the place he thought never to return to.

A warm breeze brushed Naruto's face as he walked to the edge of the sidewalk and stopped taking in his surroundings. The breeze vanished as quickly as it had come and Naruto noticed how humid it was. Hadn't it been freezing the last time he was here? Naruto almost counted the months and months he had been gone but decided against it. He needed a plan.

Naruto had spent his entire plane trip trying to calm down and not have a panic attack in the middle of the aircraft, it was all he could do to placate his mind with thoughts of how being arrested and detained at the airport would prevent him from seeing Iruka. Naruto now needed to figure out what to do. Naruto looked around past the line of taxis waiting to pick up travelers, he didn't want to pay a taxi, the drive to the hospital would take most of what was left of his money-flights from New York to Konoha weren't cheap. Naruto needed to be careful with what he had left. He also didn't need to draw attention to himself, he didn't think anyone he knew would be around the airport but he didn't want to be seen. Everyone who had ever known him knew about what had happened to him. They knew he was trash, he didn't think he could take the disgust in their eyes when they saw him—or worse, their pity.

Poor little Naruto…

A memory of being taunted in the Konoha orphanage flashed in his mind-

The bus, that would be the best way.

It might take longer but it was cheaper, and there was much less of a chance a sophisticated millionaire would be anywhere near one to see him there. That was a bonus. Moving forwards Naruto walked with his head down and tried to stick to the most covered parts of the airport slipping behind columns and walking in the shadows as much as he could, he didn't want to even take a chance of being recognized. Reaching the bus station Naruto took a moment to look at the map, it would probably take an hour for the bus to reach the hospital. Naruto cursed in his head, time was precious he had no idea what Iruka was dealing with at this very moment. Seeing no other option Naruto walked through the open doors and paid his fee. Smoothly walking around two people arguing ahead of him Naruto made his way to the back of the bus and sat down on the seat closest to the aisle, he didn't want anyone sitting beside him and if he sat at the window it gave easy access.

The bus sat idling for what seemed like hours to Naruto but in reality it had to have been only a few minutes. Finally after a few more people found their way into the bus and took their seats the drive pulled the lever that shut the doors and the bus slowly but surely began lumbering out and away down the street.

Leaning back in his seat Naruto stared out the window. The houses, cars, and trees became one long blur as he let his eyes lose focus. He had sworn he'd never come back here again. Konoha had brought nothing but pain and misery, from the time he was just a baby crying and bleeding in the wreckage of his mother's car on the road to the moment he left Konoha on a red eye it had offered him nothing but pain and nightmares.

Naruto had once let himself think that the bad things that had happened to him were just bad luck, rough spots that life threw his way to set him on his right path or make him stronger. He had stayed in Konoha but blamed it for everything that had happened to him. Now Naruto was back, but he supposed he couldn't just blame Konoha anymore, horrible things just followed him it seemed. New York was proof enough of that.

Do the horrible things follow me, or do I cause them?

Naruto wanted to dismiss the thought but it drove through his mind like a knife through butter. For a long time he had simply thought the world was bitter and cold destroying anything and everything at random, whatever happened just happened and the world kept on turning. But what if the world was simply a blank canvas? What if the world was just a place where people made their mistakes and were punished because of them? Maybe it wasn't fate or a cruel apathetic world that doomed him; maybe it was all just his fault.

The thought was enough to bring Naruto into a brooding thoughtless state, he wasn't aware of anything that was going on around him. He allowed the dark clouds of his mind to fill the space where the real world should be as he stared into nothingness, consumed in his own musings. Naruto was never sure if he slept or if he just stared for the rest of the bus ride, it was sheer luck or perhaps some basic instinct that shocked him into awareness as the bus stopped at the hospital. Scrambling to his feet Naruto lurched forwards clinging to the metal bars that lined the aisle of the bus and took the steps down to the Konoha Hospital.

Naruto turned once as the doors closed and then looked back as the bus drove off leaving him alone. Konoha Hospital was too white, too clean, too…horrifying. Naruto resisted the urge to shiver as he looked forwards at the white washed building covered with glass windows. Naruto always thought the Hospital was a little creepy but considering his last memory of the place Naruto certainly didn't have a high opinion of it now either.

Naruto began the trek towards the white daunting structure. Each step seemed to make his heart swell and hurt with a feeling he could only describe as dread. He wasn't sure what he expected or what his mind and body were telling him to be afraid of. Was it that he might be too late, Iruka was gone? Or was it that Iruka would be fine and Naruto would have to face him, explain to him what happened, and be forced to confess everything he had done.

Naruto wasn't sure why but every step he took closer to the wide glass automatic doors became more and more of a struggle. Reaching the doors he tried to focus as the wind from the sliding doors blew his hair and left goose bumps on his skin. He was here for Iruka, it didn't have to be any more complicated than that. Scanning the room he spotted the young woman sitting behind the help desk.

"Hi…excuse me, I'm…I'm here to see Iruka Umino?" Naruto lipped his lips suddenly very aware of how much of a mess he must look to everyone else in the hospital. The young woman looked him up and down before turning to her computer, she pressed a couple of keys into the computer.

"Umino Iruka, I see, and what is your relation to the patient?" she turned her eyes back to Naruto trying, and failing, to discreetly look him up and down. Naruto couldn't even imagine what was running through her mind.

"He's my…father," Naruto swallowed as his thoughts went back painfully to the day Iruka had taken him in.

"Alright, well he's on level 8 room 116," she turned back to the computer, "I'm not sure when his visiting hours are but the waiting room…sir?"

Naruto had turned and left as soon as he caught the room number, he had this sudden and urgent need to see Iruka and he wasn't sure why it suddenly overcame him. Half running to the elevators he willed the technology to go faster, as he stared at the light up arrow button. The elevator let out a ding and the doors slid open, Naruto almost tripped in his hurry to get in.

As the elevator smoothly started upwards Naruto started to try to figure out what he was going to say to Iruka, what could he say? Naruto felt like he was arranging a scene, writing a script of things he needed to say…or what Iruka needed to hear. He had failed miserably by the time the elevator reached level 8 but if he stopped to think now he knew he would lose his nerve.

Moving briskly before his brain could turn him back he scanned the signs that pointed him to the correct door. Taking one more nervous breath Naruto placed his hand on the door handle and pushed it open. Naruto stopped in his tracks as the door opened and he took in the scene.

Doctors surrounded a hospital bed in an abnormally large room, nurses stood by beeping machines and scribbling notes onto clipboards. They all turned when they heard the door open and Naruto fought the urge to blush and the urge to run as they all stared at him with wide suspicious eyes. The doctor flipped his pages over and stepped towards him.

"Can I help you, sir?" he was a tall man with dark thinning hair, his glasses were pushed up on his head but there were red marks on his nose where they usually rested.

"I…I'm here to see Iruka?" Naruto hated the thin warble in his voice.

"Yes, I see, well is restricted from visitors at the moment I'm afraid you'll have to come back another time," The doctor stood straighter and his eyes were stern. Naruto suddenly felt like a child back in elementary school.

"I'm his son," Naruto fought for control over his voice striving to sound more confident, "I'm family you can't kick me out of here."

The doctor hesitated visibly and turned to look at one of the nurses who stood behind him. She furiously flipped through a clipboard she was holding.

"There is a family member mentioned on his form, Doctor," she held the paper to the doctor.

"What's your name?" the doctor turned and peered at him.

"Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto tried to raise his chin in defiance but had a sneaking feeling that his gesture failed. The doctor looked down again and shrugged, stepping aside and motioning Naruto forward and into the room. Naruto felt a weight of fear lift off of him as he cautiously stepped inside the room, moving towards the bed the hospital personnel had gathered around but as he got closer that weight of fear quickly returned.

Iruka was lying on the bed motionless, he had an oxygen tube over his mouth, his skin was a tight grey color and his forehead glistened with sweat. His arms were littered with an IV and multiple cords that were stuck onto him leading to machines. Naruto gripped the sides of the bed and gazed down on the sickly figure that was Iruka. Heat started to build behind his eyes so he closed them, willing some sort of control over his body. He turned a little too quickly to face the staff behind him.

"What's wrong with him," Naruto demanded.

"You…no one has told you?" The doctor looked suspicious again.

"I've…I've been gone, in New York, we didn't…communicate," Naruto thought back to how he had told Iruka not to call or write him when he left, he didn't want to leave a trail for anyone to follow. The doctor handed the clipboard to the nurse behind him and clasped his hands together stepping forwards.

"Iruka…your father, he is suffering from an extremely advanced stage of brain cancer. A tumor grew in his brain and the cancerous cells have spread through his body and he has been in hospital care for about a month now, after the tumor was discovered."

Naruto gripped the hand rails til he thought they would snap, the news hit him like a bullet.

"What…what are we doing for him, why are all these wires…is he going to be o-okay?" Naruto looked down at Iruka, letting the shock of the doctor's words roll over him like a wave.

"There isn't much we can do," the doctor's voice was now gentle, "by the time we discovered the tumor it had grown very large, there were already signs of growth in other parts of the body. We attempted some treatment but none of it has worked so far, your father consented to research studies and experimentation to see if they would have any effect…so far we have had no positive results."

"Then he…is he in a coma, what I don't…" Naruto couldn't find the words to speak, he wanted to collapse, he wanted to close his eyes and never open them again.

"He's not in a coma, but he does sleep the majority of the time due to some heavy pain medication, Naruto I'm sorry but we're not sure…how much time Mr. Umino has left."

Naruto staggered back away from the hospital bed. He barely made it to the couch in the corner before he fell down. Covering his face with his hands he stifled all noise he could possibly make. He wanted to scream he wanted to cry he wanted to shake Iruka and tell him to wake up and snap out of it. This was just another nightmare, it had to be…

"We'll give you some privacy."

The doctor and the nurses filed out of the room but Naruto didn't even notice as the door swung shut behind them. He didn't care about them, he didn't care about anything but Iruka. All this time he was in New York…he left, he went to New York because he was scared, he ran like a frightened child and left Iruka in Konoha. Alone, and sick, dealing with it by himself. Why didn't Iruka contact him? Surely he would've sent word…

Naruto realized slowly that even if Iruka had sent word he had ran away, he had gone and lived with a gang getting into trouble and Iruka…did Iruka send word? Did he try to tell Naruto he had to go to the hospital? Did he wonder why Naruto had never answered why he had never come? A sudden rise of nausea was his body's response to his thoughts. Naruto lurched to his feet, he needed to leave but wanted to stay. Naruto's weak limbs reminded him that he hadn't eaten in what felt like days.

Moving to the door Naruto figured he would get something to eat at least; he couldn't be there for Iruka if he passed out on the couch from hunger. Opening the door he made his way back to the elevator and out of the hospital.

Naruto didn't want to go far, he just needed food and to get out of the hospital. The very air of it made him sick and fueled his desire to run. He tried to force calm thoughts as he walked back outside, he knew there was a small dinner nearby he used to work at during freshman year at college…that seemed so far away now. He wanted to save his money so he walked to the dinner, thinking only about his feet as he methodically stepped heel over toe.

He walked into the dinner and chose the farthest seat from the door as he could. It was the least crowded area of the dinner and no one really looked back there. He prayed that no one would recognize him there as he ordered his meal to a waitress he had never seen before, what if one of his old friends came by? Or an ex-coworker?

He doubted they would recognize him now. Were they ever truly his friends, anyways? Naruto noticed he was having those dark sorts of thoughts more often now. But it was true, wasn't it? The friends he had when in college thought he was an entirely different person. None of them had truly known who he was or where he came from, none of them knew what he truly thought or believed. They all knew the bubbly happy-go-lucky boy, the bouncing ditzy blonde who was always ready to smile and hang out. They probably would turn and run if they saw him how he really was. Naruto wouldn't blame them.

His thoughts continued down their dark path as he picked at his food, he didn't really have an appetite for anything but his body was demanding some sort of nutrition. His mind was constantly going back to Iruka and what he could do. He thought of what would happen next.

Naruto would stay with Iruka, everyday, he would stay in that room until Iruka was better. When Iruka was better he would take Iruka somewhere, anywhere, out of Konoha. A beach maybe, to help him feel better as he recovered. Naruto figured he would have to find some sort of income but that could be figured out later when Iruka was getting better, Iruka was a fighter. He would get better. The doctor had mentioned experimental research, which would probably be the best bet for Iruka's recovery. Naruto would try to help out as much as he could, now that he was here it would be easier they could use his blood or tissue for samples or a bone marrow transplant or whatever they needed.

Naruto was actually starting to feel better as he finished his food, his thoughts in a row he knew where he was going to go from here, how he was going to fix everything. It would be fixed; after Iruka was better they were going to rebuild everything start from the ground up, but do it better this time. Naruto looked up from his table to search for the waitress.

His eyes swept the room and he froze. His eyes followed in horror as a figure disappeared from his vision and through a doorway that led deeper into the diner. For a moment just a moment…it couldn't be, not here not…but it was, Naruto saw in the cruel mouth the slightly bared teeth. The low tilted hat that covered the majority of his face. Naruto stood up, realizing he was shaking violently as he pulled a wad of money out of his pocket and threw it on the table.

Stumbling as he moved he surged through the diner towards the exit. He had to get out, he had to leave he needed to get away NOW. The man was back, the monster, he knew he was alive, should've known he'd be waiting here. He must've known about Iruka…and he was back, back for vengeance. Naruto needed to get somewhere safe somewhere far away before he had another encounter with him because he was sure he wouldn't survive the next one.

Maybe it wasn't, Naruto had never seen his face and it could've been anyone…but the cold feeling he got when he saw him…

Finally Naruto reached the door, he practically threw himself out of it and into the parking lot. Looking behind him he checked to see if anyone had followed him and frantically kept moving- and slammed into someone. Naruto reeled back and fought to catch his balance. A hand reached out and grabbed his arm, keeping him steady.

"I-I'm so sorry, I wasn't look…" Naruto's eyes focused on the person he had run into.

The tall body was surrounded by light as it blocked the sun from view, he was well dressed and holding a briefcase in one hand, his raven hair and gleaming eyes confirmed who he was even Naruto felt the air rush out of his lungs instantly cutting off the half baked apology he was about to finish muttering leaving him with one word:

"Sasuke."

Sasuke Uchiha's eyes glistened with what might have been mix of slight surprise, apathy, and possibly a sliver of amusement, probably at Naruto's reaction to seeing him. He didn't seemed effected by the awkward reunion at all Naruto noted and in fact didn't seem to care at all that he had just literally run into Naruto.

"Ah…hello Naruto, fancy seeing you here," Sasuke's voice was flat and emotionless as his eyes grazed over Naruto's body like knives. Naruto cleared his throat nervously. He found it difficult to maintain eye contact but at the same time didn't want to look away.

"I…I just…"

"I see you've gotten a little clumsier since last we met," Sasuke's dry voice cut deeper than his gaze. Naruto shifted uncomfortably.

"I was just on my way back to Iruka," Naruto muttered looking down at Sasuke's pristine designer shoes. Those were new.

"Oh yes, I had heard," Sasuke looked a little bit bored with the conversation already, "have you just arrived? It was my understanding Iruka's been ill for some time now. Over a month, actually."

Naruto flinched from Sasuke's acid tone, "I just heard about it I was…" Naruto stopped lost for words.

"Predisposed?" Sasuke suggested, once again bored, "I can see that whatever you were doing involved dirt and ripped clothing. Not getting into street fighting, I hope. I hear it's bad for your health. You do seem to have built up your muscles a bit, too, but from the scars I assume you're still learning."

Naruto bit his lip, hoping his face didn't read how close Sasuke was to the truth. The feeling of slight pressure caused him to realize that Sasuke's hand was still gripped on his arms from when he had stopped the blonde from falling over. Wrenching his arm away from Sasuke's grasp Naruto took a step back from the raven haired man.

"Oh I'm sorry," Sasuke's eyes flashed with an emotion so suddenly that Naruto wasn't able to catch what it was, "Does my touch disgust you? I'll try not to touch you again. That is if you're staying, planning on running off again?"

"I didn't…it doesn't!" Naruto searched for words that wouldn't come, the feeling of bewilderment was overpowering him.

"If you're not planning on running off again what are you planning on doing?" Sasuke stood back on his heels and crossed his arms, "I thought with your dramatic disappearance you were done with Konoha."

"It wasn't a dramatic disappearance," Naruto snapped the only feeling he could manage to relay was anger, "I'm here for Iruka not for your comments or opinions."

Sasuke gave a short unkind laugh, "Believe me Naruto, I never expected you be back here for me. You made your feelings crystal clear last time we spoke."

"Sasuke you don't understand…"Naruto shook his head frustrated and afraid he was starting to blush with embarrassment. It was true he had never expected to face Sasuke again after he left, he wasn't sure what he should say.

"You're right I don't, you're back for Iruka but you're a little late, aren't you? You seemed to be completely done with Konoha and everything in it when you ran off and left everyone who tried to help or care for you in the dust. You disappeared because you're scared and feel sorry for yourself despite everyone trying to make you feel safe. Then, after months of nothing, you come back. So you're right I don't understand, would you like to enlighten me?" Sasuke's voice was calculated and cold, he didn't raise his voice a single time. Naruto thought that might have been what stung the most.

Naruto took another step backwards and clenched his teeth and fists.

Sasuke's smooth and apathetic look slid back easily into place, "I didn't think you would. I suppose you must be busy, I was just headed for coffee myself. Would you like me to get you something? Or did you find someone else with money and mansion to take care of you now?"

Naruto's power of speech left him as he looked at Sasuke in the face again trying to see if he truly meant it. Did Sasuke really believe that Naruto had been using him? Did Naruto use Sasuke? For an awful moment Naruto considered it, he wouldn't put it past himself. Naruto had always called himself miserable trash, he supposed that made it easy for him to use someone like that. Whether he did or not the fact that Sasuke thought he did was enough.

Naruto became aware that his mouth was hanging open, clamping it shut he crossed his arms and looked back down at his feet.

"I have to go," Naruto muttered as he propelled himself forwards and back towards the hospital, making sure to give Sasuke a wide berth as he passed.

He fought the stinging tears that threatened to once again spill over, wiping one fiercely away as he stomped his way back towards Iruka. Looking back he supposed he should be happy, he got what wanted didn't he?

Sasuke Uchiha hated him.

A/N

So there you go, Chapter 16 is finished! I hope you liked this chapter maybe I blasted a little bit of your expectations which was sort of what I'm going for.

Oh and some random info, I almost wrote a chapter where the plane Naruto got on was held up by Snake terrorists but I tossed the idea after it turned out to just be over the top drama and a plethora of jokes about Snakes on a Plane.

Anyways, review if you wanna and until next time...bye!