What It Means To Believe

It had been three months since the Third's death. Three months since his name was added to the memorial stone. Three months since Naruto left taking everyone's memories with him. Except for one. Inoichi. Because he was an expert of going into people's mind he had taken it upon himself to search his own mind unlocking the hazy memories that were meant to be sealed forever. It took him days but he gained them back. It had shocked what he saw. What Naruto had done. But it had seemed that the blonde knew what he was doing because after a week with the memories he found a note addressed to him from the missing shinobi.

Oi Inoichi.

I figured you would unseal the memories. I guess you figured out what I did to everyone in the village. I made a promise to you Inoichi and I intend to keep it. I never go back on my word. But you can't say anything to anyone about what I did. Sealing their memories...it's best they didn't know. Don't mind them. If you don't understand you will during the time I'm gone. Whatever you do don't react to what they say about me. All they remember me for is being the Nine-tailed fox. The demon child of the village that no one wanted and caused the Third's death.

The only other person who still has the memories of me is Gaara of the Sand. You don't know this but he will be the Kazekage soon. I had planned and planned for this moment and everything is falling into place. Make sure the village makes a treaty with his. He will understand why. I have written him a letter in which I need you to give to him when he visits.

Inoichi. Keep believing in me. I promise I will not let this war happen. You will watch your daughter grow. She will have a family of her own. I hope you're ready for when Choji asks her to marry her.

No matter what news you hear about me just know I'm doing this for a better future. Just keep believing in me.

I'll see you guys again one day.

Naruto Uzumaki

That day Inoichi had vowed in front of the memorial where the name of Naruto's parents were engraved and the Thirds that he would keep believing in the blonde.

While he knew the truth people in the village no longer knew.

"I hear he left after the Third's death. He was suspected of killing some of the Uchiha members." Whispers of his 'betrayal' were spreading like wildfire around the village. "I heard he was going to be imprisoned. They say that he had planned the whole thing and were going to exile him or put him to death." Inoichi heard it all. Heard them refer to Naruto as the "demon child" "good for nothing" "a rodent" anything that could be said was said. Inoichi had been so angered that he had realized it. Until the words that Naruto had written echoed in his mind.

Don't mind them…

It baffled him to see how people viewed Naruto. How some of the villagers had wanted to kill him themselves if he hadn't left. He couldn't understand it at all. It wasn't Naruto's fault...

But he kept it in. He went on day to day knowing what he knew. Then the day Gaara came Inoichi had set up a meeting to give him the letter. Sasuke had reacted badly in seeing Gaara and tried to attack him but Gaara didn't do anything but defend himself with his sand making sure not to harm the other.

When given the letter Gaara had enclosed himself within his sand.

Gaara,

Thank you for going along with all this. I'm sorry I didn't tell you what I was planning. No one in the village remembers me. I took their memories and sealed them. Inoichi is the only one I knew who could get past the barriers. I know your probably angry with me for leaving you like I did. For going with Orochimaru. I did this to protect everyone. Please understand. Everyone has a choice and I made mine. I will visit you from time to time when I can. I don't know how long I will be with him but I will send you reports when things change.

I love you Gaara. I didn't abandon you. I never will.

Also watch out for Itachi and Sasuke. We were involved too much in their lives so they will probably be more confused and easier to anger...along with Shikaku, Jirayia and Kakashi.

Naruto Uzumaki - Brother

After finishing reading Gaara had let himself cry silently within his sand. Though he knew Naruto would never leave him it still hurt to know that he wouldn't see his older brother's smile or his stupid grins. How wildly his hair would be in the mornings and somewhat tamed afterward. It hurt to know that Naruto though knew his pain...was still going through his. He knew Naruto was a special person. Not just to him but to the world and a burden would always lie on his shoulders. Naru...please come back still being you...

Composing himself he folded the letter and placed it in his robes safely. He made sure he wasn't crying anymore before letting his and fall.

His looked at the people in the room. Kakashi, Jirayia, Itachi and Sasuke. Inoichi was standing in the corner with a knowing look on his. He gave a light nod to the man.

"I am the Kazekage in my village." That shocked the four others in the room. "A long time ago...my brother's dream was to be a kage one day. So I decided to be the same for the sake of staying brothers. I know you believe I betrayed this village but I was only trying to prevent serious damage done with working with Orochimaru." He explained slowly for them to understand. "I wouldn't betray the village that took me in." No...I wouldn't betray the village that Naruto loves so much. "I am here to sign an alliance with you all." It didn't take long for the council to show but hell had broken loose.

"We understand that you are a junchiruki as well. You must know our position of needing help to capture Naruto Uzumaki." They were choosing their words carefully in order to keep the alliance but Gaara wouldn't hear any of it.

"As another junchiruki I cannot and will not hunt one of my own. You don't and will never understand the pain we went through. We are a family and to betray our family...the only ones who know what we are going through is sin in our eyes. What you're asking me is to find and kill one of my brothers. I understand that you had a great loss of the Third Hokage in your village but...one loss doesn't make up for years of torture. I understand Naruto Uzumaki and he understands me. We understand each other. If you go after Naruto then it is unfortunate for you will run into the other eight who will die protecting Naruto. Me being included." Gaara had never talked so much in one sitting but here he was telling them what was going to happen. To see their shocked faces was a great satisfying feeling for him and knew if Naruto was there he would have been laughing.

"Surely you cannot be like that monster." Gaara's eyes flashed a dangerous yellow before he calmed himself down. "Be careful what you say." Standing stiffly Gaara turned to walk out of the room though stopped looking down to the door knob. "You call him a monster...did you do so when he was a child? A mere child who knew the meaning of true hate at such a young age. To be left alone and treated as an outsider in his own village. No one willing to see him as a small child who just wanted to be seen. You call him a monster...but in truth you are the monsters. No human could leave a child like that. A monster indeed. Look in the mirror and you'll find one." He stated opening and slamming the door as he left leaving the council silent.

As he walked flashes of Naruto came to his mind.

Naruto stood there looking at the memorial stone as it rained. Gaara standing behind him as he looked at the names. "Why are we here Naruto?" The small red-head asked looking up to Naruto. They had been in the village for a few months now and Naruto had wanted to visit the stone. Naruto smiled down to Gaara taking his hand and leading him closer to the stone. "See these two names?" He asked lightly pointing to names that were close to each other. One starting with an M and the other with K. Gaara nodded slowly looking back to Naruto. "Those are my parents. My father was the Fourth Hokage and my mother was a great shinobi. My mother died in childbirth and my father...died sealing the nine-tailed fox in me." He explained with a smile still on his face. Gaara glared slightly at the name. "How could he do that to his own son?" Gaara questioned angrily.

Naruto let out a small laugh as the rain continued to poor on them.

"I thought that way too...for a long time. I met him once...when I lost control. He told me after the years went by and all that I went through he really didn't have a right to call himself a father. He told me he believed in me and that he had undying love for his only son. It his job as my father to make sure I knew this. He told me that he believed everything happened for reason. He sealed the fox in me to not only save the village he swore to protect but because he believed I was more than just his son. He said he'd always believe in me even when I couldn't see him. He would always be with me." He said with a small grin and Gaara couldn't help but sniffle.

Naruto remembered Gaara's own father and hugged the smaller boy. "He can be your dad too. We both are the sons of the great Fourth Hokage!" Naruto exclaimed as both soon laughed at their own antics.

Gaara knew Naruto meant it. To see the Fourth as his father and he did. Everyday his thoughts would be questioned. If Naruto approved of his actions. If their father approved of his actions.

"Gaara you're pushing yourself to hard." Naruto chided softly as he helped the red-head sit up against a tree. "Don't do that anymore. Your making great improvement...you can afford to take a break once in a while." The blonde stated with a bright gentle smile. "You don't want dad worried either right? If he was here he would probably make you stay in bed." Gaara couldn't help but pout.

Naruto laughed and soon Gaara was laughing too.

The red-head's hand clenched tightly as he walked to their old apartment.

When he walked in he looked around the place. It was clean.

"Naruto what the hell did you do!" Cried a frustrated Gaara as he walked into the kitchen seeing his blond brother trying to cooking something. Everywhere was dirty. The only clean place was the sink. Naruto rubbed the back his neck laughing nervously. "Trying to make food?" Gaara looked dumbfounded. "How did you make all this mess? I was only gone for twenty minutes!" Naruto laughed another nervous laugh. "I'm a messy cooker!" Was his only defense.

If Gaara wasn't Gaara he would have face palmed.

Though in a second Naruto had threw whatever he had in the bowl at Gaara who looked disgusted before turning annoyed eyes to the blond and grabbing whatever failed food was in the other bowl and throwing it at him.

Naruto's laughter filled the kitchen as they had an all out war of food fighting.

He felt the tears brim his eyes once more as he walked to the bedroom they once shared together as children.

"Naruto...can I sleep with you in your bed tonight?" Asked a frightened Gaara who was holding a small brown teddy bear. Naruto opened his eyes scooting back some and letting Gaara climb into bed. "Still scared of storms?" A small nod came and Naruto giggled softly. "Don't worry Gaara. I'll be here to protect you." Gaara couldn't help but smile as he fell asleep. Naruto right alongside him.

Gaara's eyes fell on the brown teddy bear he had left for Naruto since he was leaving and also knew Naruto would take care of him. His eyes roamed the bear. He was still in perfect condition. He saw new stitching though. Walking more into the room he picked up the bear and looked at the new thread. One was red that spelled out Gaara. The other was bright orange that spelled out Naruto. His hands tightened on the bear as he looked out the window.

"I'll be here to protect you."

Gaara let out a soft snort. "I guess it's my turn to protect you Naru." He muttered softly as he gazed back to the bear. He looked around the apartment and had decided he would take everything that was sentimental Moving he grabbed an empty box and began placing items. Starting with the bear. He grabbed the team photo on Naruto's night stand. He grabbed all the photo albums knowing some held Sasuke and Itachi. He grabbed the weapons that were left behind knowing that Naruto didn't use them for a reason. He glanced at Naruto's clothes and it felt wrong to leave them so he ended up taking those as well. Moving through at the apartment he took what he knew was important. He stopped by the kitchen and spotted Naruto's frog wallet. He let a soft laugh come out as he grabbed the overstuffed wallet remembering the day they got it.

"What in the hell is that ugly thing?" Gaara questioned as Naruto bought something from a merchant in some festival being held in the fire country. "It's not ugly!" Defended Naruto as he showed him the frog wallet. Gaara gave him a look and Naruto only grinned. "It's okay to be jealous." Gaara let out a snort. "Not of that ugly thing." Naruto huffed though only grinned. "I got a matching one for you too!" Gaara paled. He looked down to the other hand and there it was. Gaara's nightmare. "I'm not keeping it." Was his instant reply. Naruto only laughed and Gaara couldn't help but smile slightly.

Gaara used his sand to pull out his own wallet. "I couldn't get rid of the ugly thing in the end." He smiled slightly once more before turning the lights off in the apartment. With the box in hand and both wallets safe in with the letter in his robes he left the one place he called home.

He was back at the small Inn he was staying for the remainder of his visit. After he got in he placed the box on the bed and went to the shower. When he came out he wasn't too sure if he should be surprised or creped out that Itachi was standing looking at the photo albums. Instead he chose to feel pity.

Itachi's hands were gripping tightly at the albums. His eyes showing the sharingan spinning wildly as tears threatened to fall.

"Why can't I remember?" Gaara didn't know what to say to him. He knew why but he didn't need him running what Naruto was planning. Whatever it was. "You don't need to." He stated as he moved around the room.

"Did he really kill my father? Did he really betray this village like everyone is claiming?" Itachi questioned the red-headed Kazekage. "In these pictures...he looks happy. His smiles...how can he do all of it. He's even wearing a leaf band. How...how can he do this?" It wasn't making since for the poor raven. Some of the pictures were of him and Naruto sitting rather close. He wasn't stupid. He knew what it looked like. He knew something was going on between them just from the pictures. But what he didn't get was why he couldn't remember. Every time he attempted his head would starting hurting.

"Perhaps power. Greed...or maybe he was tired of how he was being treated. I don't know what to tell you." Of course though Itachi had more memories of them. All three of them training. Naruto have let him keep the ones that were strict and almost to a professional degree of training. He had to make sure Itachi didn't remember them.

"Maybe you do remember Itachi. You're just in denial. Perhaps knowing that you've trained us and one ran off with the enemy is too much for you to handle right now. It seems we didn't really know Naruto as well as we thought." His response only made Itachi angrier. "It can't be. Sasuke is feeling the same! He-He wouldn't do this!" He shook his head as he shut his eyes. With the memories he had they were only of Naruto and Gaara training with him. Not once did they laugh. It felt wrong. All wrong.

"Sasuke is young. He doesn't understand. Therefore it is only natural for him to feel confused. You are an elite shinobi Uchiha Itachi. Begin acting like one. Everyone loses somebody. No matter what we believe." He knew it was cruel for him to say those words. But he had to be weary. No one knew or remembered the Naruto he and Inoichi knew. Instead they remember a different one. One who didn't give a damn about them. Only that he wanted to grow stronger.

"What about you? You were with him. You lived with him. Tell me how can these pictures lie? Why are we smiling? Laughing? How can you fake these pictures?" Itachi was outraged and was doing a poor job keeping it in. Gaara watched as Itachi tore himself down in front of him. He didn't even flinch the album was tossed at his feet some of the pictures were scattered on the floor. "How can you tell me that same boy left this village willingly?" He screamed at Gaara who looked at him before looking down at the pictures. "Tell me why I can't remember any of these moments...it feels...wrong to not remember. Like something is ripping inside of me." Gaara looked up to Itachi sighing looking out the window unable to look the older raven in the eye.

"Perhaps you were in love with him Uchiha. Now learning he betrayed the village you don't want to remember anymore. Remembering...it only brings pain." He stated softly before looking up the moon letting his thoughts wonder. Looking back down to the pictures he bent down picking one up. Naruto was hanging upside down from a tree his face red. Gaara was sitting at the base of the tree with a smirk as he looked at the trapped Naruto. Itachi was holding his hand over his mouth as he tried not to laugh his face peaceful. Iruka had been the one to take the picture.

Gaara sighed as he sat down wanting to relax for the day. But Naruto had boundless of endless energy and it was wavering at him. So he had set a simple trap. He knew Naruto would be proud of him after all he took pranking up as a habit when Naruto bothered him. That thought made him smile gently before his lips turned into a smirk as he heard a familiar angry cry.

Opening his eyes he spotted Naruto hanging upside down from a rope. "Damn you Gaara!" He cried trying to cut himself off. It was hard to do which normally wouldn't be a problem for Naruto but Gaara had been smart and used a bungee rope and so he was bouncing all over the place and that wasn't a good idea with a sharp blade in his hands. He crossed his arms over his chest as he relaxed to the sounds of a struggling Naruto and muffled laughter from Itachi. It was when a flash went off did they pay attention of Iruka who was laughing at the scene. Naruto only give his signature grin before he met the floor as Itachi helped him. All three ended up laughing at Naruto who groaned muttering curses.

Gaara felt guilty that he was keeping all this from Itachi. He glanced back to the broken raven before picking up another picture. This time he was the one who took it.

Naruto was sleeping on top of Itachi in his room. Itachi having his arms around the blond as if keeping him safe and with him. Both having peaceful expressions. It was also snowing outside so it created a nice feeling.

Walking over to Itachi Gaara handed him the two photos knowing it could be a bad idea but seeing the one who looked after them suffer was torture. "Take these. Keep them with you and never let them go." He paused knowing that Sasuke was going to come to him as well. After all they were a team. He would wait for that encounter.

Itachi took the two photos looking at them. His heart ached with unknowing feeling. "Now go back home." He watched as Itachi left the room after composing himself. Finally his night would come to end.

While Itachi was walking back to the Uchiha compound looking at the photos. His mind couldn't wrap around it all. He had these...feelings, the confusing thoughts ever since they all learned of Naruto's betrayal. Sasuke had woken up with a fever and headache trying to remember. No one believed them when they said something felt wrong. But seeing these pictures they knew something was right. Breathing out calming his storming heart he looked up. Yet his eyes met with a yellow moon and a fuzzy memory came to his mind.

" Look Itachi. A yellow moon."

The headache once more began as he tried to remember but only bringing up more fragments of different memories.

"Itachi your paying for my ramen."

"Look! It's a crow!"

"Itachiiiii! I ate your pocky."

"I love you 'Tachi."

He was on his knees by the time the last words came. So many things rushing at him at once and nothing was helping. He ended up passing out from the pain and fortunately Sasuke had been looking for him and found him holding the pictures. To say Sasuke was confused as hell was an understatement. He was torn. He didn't understand it either but he had taken the pictures and tucked them in his clothes. He heaved his brother over his shoulders and began the way home. Their mother going and fussing over the older raven as soon as Sasuke walked in with a passed out Itachi on his back. "I found him like this. He's been stressed lately. Just needs rest." Sasuke spoke evenly as she helped get him to bed.

Sasuke retreated back to his room looking at the pictures. He saw Gaara was in one of them and he wondered if Gaara knew something. He thought of the two as teammates. He still remembered the mission where he was about to die. Haku's needles were going to strike him. He had even activated his Sharingan but it was still no use he was impaled with them. The last thing he saw before he passed out was Naruto screaming and Haku flying from the ice.

So he didn't understand why Naruto would betray his village. Nothing seemed right. Nothing added up.

He knew Naruto was the junchiruki of the village. He found that out during their missions and the slip of people's tongues. He also knew about Gaara so he had a feeling the two were close. Though glancing at the pictures he didn't think they were as close...

Tucking the pictures under his bed he slipped out of his shoes and took off his shirt before laying in his bed looking out his window. Three long months since the blonds' betrayal. Most of the people were happy...but for the younger generation and ones involved with his life were having a hard time...remembering. Brought on by headaches. On top of that they needed a new hokage. The fifth Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Konoha. He sighed before trying to sleep. Harder then it seemed.

It was two days after when Sasuke finally went to Gaara who was standing at their old meeting grounds. Where Naruto was tied up. Sasuke moved slowly before stopping a few feet away from the red-head kage. "Your here about Naruto." Gaara had sensed his chakra a long time ago. A perk with training with Naruto for years. They were much stronger than them. "You know something. Something we don't." Sasuke stated not moving as the wind blew against them. Gaara gave a small nod. "Are you going to tell me?" Sasuke questioned and watched as Gaara turned to him.

The red-head glanced up to the sky. The blue reminding of Naruto. His brother who have yet to visit him. Have yet to indicate he was alive. But he didn't doubt anything. Naruto was strong and something like the likes the snake wouldn't kill him. "I cannot tell you what you already know. Like I've told your brother you're only in denial. Having been on the same team as him it has only clouded your judgment. But I will give you two parting gifts to remember the one we call Uzumaki Naruto." Moving forward he pulled out to photos. Sasuke took them without hesitation and looked at them. His eyes widen.

One of them had Naruto grinning like an idiot and Sasuke covered in paint though if you looked closely enough you could see a faint smile. Sakura was outraged and Kakashi only had his eye closed in a 'u' meaning he was smiling. Gaara was off to the side looking at some animal and looked to be a bunny. They had been on a mission a D rank to help a farmer paint his barn. So why couldn't Sasuke remember this particular memory?

He looked to the second on. Sasuke was on Naruto's back who was pouting and Sasuke sporting a smirk. You could see that Sasuke had broken leg and Kakashi was reading his book. Gaara had been the one to take the picture.

He looked back and stared at Gaara who looked at him as well. "Like I told the other. Keep those safe. Never let anyone see them." Gaara turned to leave but Sasuke had stopped him by grabbing his wrist. "Wait...you said before. Your reason to becoming Kazekage. Your bother..." Sasuke was also piecing it together. Gaara looked back to the sky. "Naruto Uzumaki...he is my brother. His dream was to become the Hokage of Konoha. I had hoped for such...still believe he will become greater. I don't care if he betrayed the village. Or what your village say about him. He will always be my blood." Gaara took his wrist back and gave a ghost smile before walking away leaving Sasuke to his thoughts.

Sasuke looked down to the pictures and plenty of thoughts clouded his mind. He tucked them in his clothes before walking back to the Uchiha compound deep in the thought.

It was still early. The sun had only raised three hours before. His mother was awake making breakfast for him and Itachi who had been silent for the last two days. He had given the older his pictures back and he just seemed to be in thought like Sasuke was. Nothing was making since.

A hiss sounded as a door opened with a small creak. Yellow eyes looked to the figure who was sleeping. His chest rising and falling though it seemed the sleeping figure was dead. "What is it you need Orochimaru?" A crisp harsh tone came from the now awake blond who sat up his dull blue eyes with a spark of annoyance settling in them. "Why must you be so mean Naruto? I came to wake you. Training will begin in an hour." The older sannin hissed out with fake adoration. Or it could be real. Naruto didn't want to believe it was real. It only made it creeper.

"Very well. Leave." It was a short simple order that Orochimaru didn't like and glared at the much younger blond but said nothing as he left. Sitting up Naruto looked to what he was wearing. A simple gray kimono to sleep in. Black shorts and fishnet shirt to train in. He wore bandages over his hands and legs covering the weights that could go against Lee's. Blue sandals off to the side. The one thing he still kept. While his headband had been stored away.

He hadn't changed much since he left. His hair still wild though a little longer. His eyes weren't bright since he knew having emotions shown could be used against him. He had trained after he was well and recovered from the jutsu he had used and he was still training.

Naruto stripped his kimono and placed on the other set of clothing. He wouldn't be surprised if the snake was watching him change. Kabuto wasn't to happy with how Naruto treated his 'Lord' but he didn't say anything. After all Orochimaru had taken it. The others eventually would be killed and Naruto hoped soon.

He knew that Konoha was still looking for the fifth Hokage. He knew who he was looking for.

Guess we will be meeting soon Granny...

Another chapter! Also the masks are like ANBU. Covering their whole face.