Disclaimer for the hell of it: I do not own Naruto, 'cause if I did then Obito would still be in Konoha, Kakashi would find a lover and Naruto would have the Rinnegan.

Note: Tsume Inuzuka is Kiba's mother; canin companion is Kuromaru.

Chapter 12: Problems of Konoha

Tsunade was not happy. She wasn't sad, mad or grouchy. She was just plain ol' pissed.

Naruto was missing; she was concerned. Very concerned. He was not only her favorite ninja, but he also was the entire reason she was here, in Konoha serving as Hokage.

A knock on the door interrupted her. She looked up, feeling a flutter of hope. "Come on in."

Tsume, Kakashi and Yamato stepped in.

"Good, you're back. Report," the Godaime demanded.

"Gaara-sama sent out a few Suna nin's to the Land of Wind's outskirts and neighbouring countries. Although it might take a few days—or maybe even a week—they should be able to pick something up," Tsume stated.

Tsunade nodded. "Good. Thank you, you three. You may rest now."

The three nodded, and marched out; Kuromaru waving his tail in slight disappointmetn, tailing his female Inuzuka companion.

The Hokage sighed, rubbing her temples once they were out. Is this seriously all I can do...?

Sakura sighed, leaning on the bridge and staring down at the water. Naruto is missing. Naruto almost annihlated Konoha. Naruto could be dead. The Kyuubi could have taken over Naruto. The Kyuubi could have killed Naruto. The Kyuubi could be the Kyuubi right now.

The kunoichi winced, not taking those last four thoughts very lightly. Although she didn't want to admit it out loud, the idiot was her closest friend—alongside Sasuke, of course.

I gained a friend back and now another one is gone... Sakura pondered. She sighed, a frown furrowing her brow. Karma is a real bi—

"Sakura."

Said kunoichi shot up, snapping out of her muse. She saw Sasuke standing there, his brow raised. She blushed in embarassment, realizing that she was talking out loud.

"O-oh...hi, S-Sasuke..." she stuttered. "Didn't see you there. Um...s-sorry about that." She nervously laughed.

The Uchiha rolled his onyx eyes. "Yeah, hi."

"What are you doing here?" Sakura asked.

"To see you." His voice was coated in sarcasm.

"Really?!" Sakura exclaimed.

His amused expression gave her the silent and aburt answer of 'no'.

"I came here to muse over my thoughts, like what you were doing," Sasuke stated. "The only difference being I won't talk out loud."

She glared. "Oh, funny." A heavy silence fell between the two for a brief second, before being broken by the pink haired kunoichi. "S-so...are you worried? About Naruto."

"No," he grumbled. "That idiot isn't going to die anytime soon, that's for sure. And I highly doubt the Kyuubi would be taking over the dobe anytime soon, either. Remember what he said when we first met Tsukiyomi? They already trust each other."

"It could be lying for all we know..." Sakura mumbled.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "So doubtful. Do you not have faith in your 'closest friend'?"

Sakura slightly blushed. "You heard that too?!"

"The entire thing."

"W-what...?!"

"Don't shout. It's annoying."

"Oh, uh, s-sorry..." Sakura's voice was nothing but a whisper.

"That's too quiet," Sasuke grumbled.

The kunoichi only laughed nervously, her face redder than a tomato with embarrassment.

Kurama suddenly sneezed, shaking the entire sewer, scaring the Yondaime, making Naruto scream in shock; in response Minato shouted in surprise and the Kyuubi jumped up, bristling and cramped.

Kurama growled in annoyance, sitting back down. "Dammit Naruto!"

Said blonde blinked. "Wha—?! I didn't do anything!"

"Yeah, right," Kurama retorted.

Minato stared at the Kyuubi in shock. "Holy mother of—"

"Woah, there!" Naruto interrupted. He put his hands up. "Slow down there; language, dad."

His only response was a shrug and another growl of annoyance.

Uh...yeah...EXTREMELY short chapter...again...sorry...ish...

I suck at romance, btw, so if you're a SasuSaku fan, don't get your hopes up. Plus this story is Naruto and Akatsuki-centric-ish.

The Akatsuki will make an eventual appearance as a group of shinobi and organization to meet Tsuki-chan, Naru-chan and Tobi-chan.

NO, this is not a filler.

BTW, if you like my writing style and want to see more, then visit my profile if you haven't already. My story status(s) are in there and a THREE-PART story is coming soon; called Kings and Queens.

Now I am going to bluntly put this: it is dark-ish themed and will have angst moments of Naruto wallowing in his grief, sadness and sorrow.

Peace! :3