The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja: Naruto no saishū odessei

by SkittleHeart and LadyAngel

Naruto turned into the Six Paths to bring peace to the Ninja World and brought back many fallen ninja with the Rinnegan... including Obito. Now they must recapture Obito, give the tailed beasts their freedom, deal with threats from the revived Uchiha and the Elders, and all while dealing with missions and teen drama. Shikamaru's life just got more troublesome! SASUNARU & others!

5. Unwanted

The Tale of a Gutsy Ninja: Naruto no saishū odessei

Chapter Five

Unwanted

Disclaimer: We don't own Naruto, if we did, when Sasuke saved Naruto in the Haku arc we would have had him say 'I hated you but now I know I was just longing with desire' :P

A/N: Sorry our internet was down for AGGGGGGEESSSSS! We missed our SASUNARU fanvids, fanfiction, doujinshi, and SkittleHeart missed the Akatsuki too! But to make up for it this is even longer than usual so have fun with that! SkittleHeart apologises in advance for her crack scene at the end. None of the scenes of a similar kind will be that cringy. That's a promise. DATTEBAYOOOOOOO!

SkittleHeart: Temari, Kiba, Sasuke, Sakura.

LadyAngel: Shikamaru, Hinata, Chouji, Naruto.

Shout out to:

The Secret Shinigami Thanks for the follow :D

clio1111 Thanks for the AMAZING review again! :D

dreamlessnightswish Massive thanks for the favourite, follow and review :D

kingNick65 Thanks for the follow :D

2x2justfau Thanks for the follow :D

Temari POV

I pulled my cloak tighter around me shivering slightly; living in Suna made everywhere else seem like the Land of Snow. Gaara had better appreciate how much I was going to miss being in my nice warm bed. Then again, I had the opportunity to see him while I was here. I allowed myself only a small smile because I would absolutely not be a Matsuri about this.

Even so I found myself speeding up, Kankuro struggled to keep up, it was his own damn fault for insisting on bringing so many damn puppets. I threw an impatient look at him. He smirked walking slower. I bit my lip before smirking, "I wonder what will happen if Naruto gets hurt because some of us are slow walkers. I can just imagine our darling little brothers face..." I trailed off Kankuro was sprinting to the village. 'Works every time' I thought smugly.

I gave chase. We arrived in the Leaf in five minutes. I looked around I couldn't see any of the Rookie nine. 'Our arrival was short notice I suppose' I thought disappointedly. "Ah Lady Temari, Master Kankuro-san welcome." One of the two guards who always seemed to be at the gate greeted us, "On what business have you come here for today?"

"Hey, we need to speak to the Hokage." Kankuro greeted them with an easy smile. 'He had no doubt worked with them at some point' I guessed.

"Sure!" One of them, the one with a bandage on his nose, said with a beam, "I'll take you to her right now." I nodded and followed him. Kankuro falling into step with the man I looked around guess. 'I'll have to find the lazy one later' I thought with a sigh and small smile.

Shikamaru POV

My morning wasn't going well. I woke up five minutes before my alarm only to find a note from Sasuke's older brother telling me to meet him on the rooftop of the bakers in approximately twenty minutes. "Life is such a drag…" I groaned to myself getting up, quickly getting dressed and jumping out the window before my parents woke up.

I didn't need my mother yelling at me for not having a breakfast; I could hear it now, 'SHIKAMARU, where do you think your going at this time? And with out breakfast? You know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Your sensei has told me you have an IQ of over two hundred so there is NO EXCUSE. Get yourself back in here and sit yourself down at that breakfast table. Whatever it is you are up to will just have to wait and you can tell whoever it is your supposed to be meeting that your mother said her son needs his breakfast. I don't care if it's the Hokage herself…' she would ramble on and I would pretend I was listening. 'Yes mothers are definitely a drag.'

That reminded me that I would need to stop by and see Ino at some point. My dad was telling me that her family had tightened the reigns since we had gotten back from the war. I felt really bad I hadn't been there for my old teammates, but Sasuke and Naruto required a lot of my attention, especially Naruto who had chosen me as his personal advisor. I would never have accepted if it was anyone else that had asked me, a position like that is just too troublesome but it wasn't anyone that asked me… it was Naruto… my friend… the guy that brought back my dad and my sensei… the ninja that saved the world. 'I guess I kinda owed him… what a drag' I thought to myself.

I landed on the roof of the building with a light thud seeing Itachi promptly waiting there. He came over to me with an affable smile on his face. "Good morning" He greeted me politely. 'He definitely isn't like Sasuke.' I noted his friendly conduct.

Nodding lazily, I got straight to the point. "So you want to discuss how the mission went?"

Itachi smirked at my frankness. "You don't like exchanging pleasantries?" he asked not offended in the least. I was thankful that he shared his brother's professionalism, well the professionalism that Sasuke had most of the time.

"Why bother? It's a useless waste of energy." I yawned.

"Very well." Itachi nodded. "You are right. I asked you here to discuss how your mission went to Land of Waves."

"I learnt a lot on the mission…" I began taking out Asuma-sensei's lighter and lighting a smoke. "As you might have expected I worked out the bond between Naruto and Sasuke… or at least as close to describing their bond as I could. I doubt anyone could fully understand a bond like theirs." Itachi nodded in agreement.

"Neither of us could have predicted half of what happened on that mission." Itachi didn't interrupt me, which I appreciated, but patiently waited for me to continue telling him exactly what I had happened.

"I had Naruto and Sasuke fight Haku using only gennin level skill in order to prolong the match since they would have easily over powered the two shinobi at their current skill level." Itachi nodded his head indicating he had expected this and would have done the same.

"During the battle, Naruto and Sasuke seem to have devised a plan where they utilised Sasuke's weakened Sharingan and Naruto's ability to sense Sasuke's chakra. Their plan appears to have been to purposely let Sasuke get hit by Haku's senbon so that Naruto could then sense Haku via Sasuke's chakra. However they didn't expect Naruto's violent and somewhat irrational reaction to Sasuke's faux death. Naruto's chakra became unstable like it did the day he performed that jutsu and he came close to killing us all."

Itachi's eyes widened in alarm. Patient as he had shown himself to be, he had to say something then, "I suspected something serious happened on the mission with the way that Sasuke has been behaving but I never suspected something like this. Have you told anyone? Does the Hokage know?" he asked clearly concerned about who had this information.

"I did omit this information from my report nevertheless Lady Tsunade is aware of the events that happened in the Land of Waves." He looked as if he was going to say something but I spoke before he could. "You don't need to fear. The Hokage cherishes Naruto like her own grandson. She wouldn't do anything to harm him. The information is on a need to know basis only and she needed to know." I don't know why but I was reassuring him. 'From the confidential information I have been given by Shizune, I knew that everything Itachi did in the past was for Sasuke and with the bond between Sasuke and Naruto it makes sense that he would care for Naruto's wellbeing also' I reasoned to myself.

Itachi reluctantly nodded at my answer but I could see that he was still concerned.

"There was something else that I found… strange. While Naruto was in that state he accessed the Rinnegan again and copied Zabuza's Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique to a capacity that he it wasn't a mere copy but an improved performance of the same jutsu. I don't know if you were aware that Naruto still carried inside of him the power of the Sage of the Six Paths, but I for one did not. And on top of that for him to be able to copy a jutsu and improve upon it, that isn't one of the abilities we catalogued for the Rinnegan but it is an ability of the Sharingan. I have been thinking about this ever since I saw Naruto perform the jutsu. Is it possible that the Sharingan originated from the Rinnegan?"

"It isn't just possible." Itachi answered my question. "But it is known in the Uchiha clan that this is in fact the case."

"I feared as much," I sighed. "Will Naruto's power ever end? It is so troublesome. I saw the strain first hand that the chakra put on his body. It was much like the Nine Tails Cloak before Naruto gained control, and we know that harmed him. I fear the damage that this power could do to Naruto while he doesn't have it under control. I know this isn't something we have much knowledge in but does Nagato have any idea on what to do?" I asked afraid that my friend might be destroyed by his own chakra next time.

"I have been passing messages between Naruto and Nagato who have been discussing the Rinnegan and the various other powers Naruto has gained. From what they have both told me, Naruto appears to have access to all the power of the Sage of the Six Paths but he doesn't have the knowledge on how to use it. That seems to have been locked in the Ten-tails statue with the Tailed beasts." Itachi informed me. "However Naruto does want to learn how to use the power. He came to me just last week to ask me to teach him the Sharingan; something that maybe possible with the Rinnegan."

"Is it wise to try something like that while he cannot control the power in the slightest perhaps it would be better to teach him with someone present who can subdue that side of him? That is how Naruto trained with the Nine Tails chakra. He had Captain Yamato present from the Anbu who has the cells of the first Hokage and could tame Tailed beast chakra. If Naruto had something like that it would lessen the risk. Does Sasuke know about this?" I asked him implying he would be the perfect person to aid Naruto with his training.

Itachi shook his head. "I agree that Sasuke would be the ideal safety net for Naruto but as things stand I doubt my brother would do it. I'm guessing you have noticed that Sasuke is doing everything in his power to avoid spending time with Naruto because…"

"Because of the guilt" I commented.

Itachi smiled pleased he wasn't going to have to explain it to me. "Apparently so."

I yawned, "I guess all we can do is see how things go-"

Our meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Gekko Hayate; a Jonin that had been brought back from the dead by Naruto during the Fourth Shinobi War. "Shikamaru," he spoke to me very cautious with Itachi there, "Godaime Hokage has called an emergency meeting in her office." He told me the bare minimum in the presence of Itachi.

Itachi noticed but asked about the meeting anyway: "Do you have any idea what it's about?"

Hayate looked at me to see if it alright to answer and with Itachi's reputation most would want to give the ninja exactly what he wanted. I nodded. "I'm not sure…" he started. "But a group of Sand nin arrived this morning, unannounced, perhaps it has something to do with that" he offered.

"Sand nin?" I asked curiously this time.

Hayate elaborated, "The Company was made up of two of the Sand Siblings, Lord Kankuro and Lady Temari and the Kazekage's young student, Matsuri." I was glad that Temari was part of the group sent from the Sand, I hadn't seen her since the end of the war several months ago and I had been starting to miss her condescending tone and sarcastic comments.

'It's odd that they would arrive like this without sending word beforehand.' I predicted their arrival only means more trouble. "This is going to be troublesome" I groaned, jumping up and walking over to the edge of the baker's rooftop. "Well I better get going," I told the pair, "Goodbye."

Hayate quickly followed behind me. "I'll come with you. I have business at the… Hokage office…" At least that's what he claimed but who knows whether that was actually true. He could easily have been making it up since he was keen to get away from the Uchiha.

Either way I liberated him from remaining on the rooftop with Itachi, I sighed, "Come on then."

Temari POV

I sat tapping my leg impatiently across from Lady Tsunade. 'They are taking their damn time' I thought biting my lip. Kankuro looked perfectly at ease. I really should be the calm one being the oldest and all. But I knew if this didn't go the way Gaara wanted the Kazekage of the Sand would...

The door creaked open Shikamaru walked in dragging a complaining Naruto by the ear. "SHIKAMARU! LET GO OF MY EAR. I'M WALKING, I'M WALKING!" He yelled.

Shikamaru sighed letting him go when his gaze locked on mine.

He smiled slightly mouthing 'meet me later.' I nodded returning his smile.

"Now everyone's here..." Tsunade said firmly glaring Naruto into silence, "What business does the Sand have with the Leaf?"

I stood up, Kankuro following my lead, "The Kazekage, Gaara of the Sand, feels that the future Hokage should have extra protection with Obito still at large. We are here to offer our services Hokage-sama." I bowed politely.

"WAIT WHAT!" Naruto shouted outraged, "Baa-chan I don't need guards especially not these two! If I got attacked by Obito they would only get in the way! No offence." Naruto threw a look over his shoulder at us. 'We weren't that bad' I thought angrily.

"HEY YOU LITTLE BRAT DON'T GET SO COCKY JUST BECAUSE YOU HAD A MOMENT IN THE WAR! AND SAYING NO OFFENCE DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS OFFENSIVE LET'S GO RIGHT NOW!" Kankuro shouted.

"KANKURO! CALM DOWN!" I shouted my brother down, "WE'RE HERE ON BUSINESS GAARA WILL KILL US IF WE SCREW THIS UP!"

"YOU WANNA GO! BRING IT KANKURO!" Naruto shouted.

"This is getting so troublesome." Shikamaru sighed.

"FORGET GAARA. HE'S NOT HERE RIGHT NOW. OKAY BRAT, LET'S TAKE IT OUTSIDE!" Kankuro shouted running to the door.

"YOU'RE ON!" Naruto shouted. Jiraiya started smirking watching Lady Tsunade. I looked at her confused and saw a dark expression cross her face. I flinched back. She stood up, picked up her chair and threw it so hard into the back of their heads it shattered. "OW BAA CHAN! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" Naruto yelled.

"ALL OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP! NOW SIT DOWN!" She snapped. They gulped and obeyed.

Kankuro looked terrified while Naruto stage whispered, "Don't worry Granny's just hung-over."

"Naruto." She growled. He whimpered and put on a huge apologetic smile.

"I'd be quiet now if I we're you Naruto." Jiraiya laughed. Tsunade glared at him. He immediately smiled the same idiotic smile as Naruto and held his hands up with a laugh. I inwardly smirked you would think the two were biologically related.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes at Naruto, "Gaara has a point. Most of the Elders have made complaints that you're running wild and I think guards are a good compromise." She held her hand up as Naruto began to object. "I don't doubt your strength Naruto but Obito may not be alone. You're the one that say people should help each other and now you have to accept theirs." She told him sternly. I nodded approving her words. I had always held Tsunade in high admiration for her being such a strong ruthless kunoichi.

Naruto stood up a dark look crossed his face. He spoke softly now, "Granny I hear what your saying but I'm not rejecting because I want to be a brat. Obito is strong. They wouldn't stand a chance. Hell I can barely face the guy. I don't want people getting injured needlessly. I would just end up protecting them when I need to be on the offensive. The only one anywhere near my level is Sasuke!"

Tsunade nodded slowly. "Shikamaru!" She snapped. He jumped up. I sweat dropped. He had clearly been napping, "Fetch me Sasuke Uchiha he will become the head of Naruto's personal guard."

"WAIT WHAT!" Everyone shouted at once. 'Gaara would not go for this!' I exchanged a horrified look with Kankuro. 'He is going to kill us!'

"GRANNY I DIDN'T MEAN I WANTED HIM TO BE MY GUARD." Naruto shouted. "HE'LL NEVER LET ME LIVE THIS DOWN!"

"Lady Tsunade the sand will have to object, he has betrayed the Leaf for this criminal before and Lord Gaara will not be satisfied with this arrangement." I protested.

"I agree with Lady Tsunade. It's a drag but Sasuke has too much to lose in the Leaf if he betrays us now, he wouldn't risk his clan. And he is the only one with the power to stand up to Obito in confrontation." Shikamaru said slowly. I shot him a death glare. 'Was he trying to get me killed?'

"I don't need guards at all!" Naruto snapped, "I looked after myself for thirteen years without anyone lifting a finger to help me. I think I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself!" He opened the office door.

"NARUTO STOP!" Tsunade commanded. Naruto paused for a moment but didn't look back at the Hokage. "You will accept a guard whether you like it or not. You will have to have one as Hokage anyway, so suck it up! You will not tell Sasuke Uchiha of this arrangement until the Sand Siblings have time to inform their brother, am I understood?!" She demanded.

"Fine!" he said in the tone of a scolded child. "I won't tell Sasuke. But…" Naruto made it clear his compliance ended there. "I'm not agreeing to be protected like some sort of china doll. That is not me and it never will be. You can say all you like 'I will need a guard as Hokage', but I won't have it. I am no different to any person in the Leaf. No, I am different, but you have it all backwards Baa-chan. It is my role as future Hokage not to be protected by the people this village but to be the guard of the people instead." Naruto had done it again making the whole room turn to silence by just speaking.

"This is something I firmly believe in. I have said that it to you now, I will say it to the Elders and I will go all the way to Suna to tell Gaara that too." Naruto firmly clenched his fists. "I don't care who it is you assign me, I will run away, and if you assign Sasuke then I will just run faster."

"STOP BEING SO CHILDISH!" Lady Tsunade slammed her hands down on the table.

"If being childish stops you from endangering people by giving them the stupid job of keeping me alive THEN A CHILDISH I WILL BE!" Naruto slammed the door of the Hokage office storming out presumably to sulk somewhere.

Tsunade sighed, "Brats these days." She started mumbling to Jiraiya and Shizune.

Kankuro and I turned to each other at the same time, "YOU'RE TELLING GARRA!"
"NO YOU ARE!" We chorused. Shikamaru sighed mumbling something about 'troublesome siblings and glad I'm an only child.'

'Wait didn't we get forced to...' "Kankuro give me a black scroll." I told him.

"NO YOU'LL MAKE ME SIGN A CONTRACT LIKE THAT TIME YOU MADE ME DRESS IN THAT..." He trailed off as everyone raised an eyebrow. "Just no." He said at last.

I rolled my eyes. 'That's only happened five times whiny piece of...' "No I'm going to write a message and make Matsuri deliver it. She doesn't need to know what kind of news she's delivering." I grinned evilly.

Kankuro smirked, "That could work."

Hinata POV

The Hyuuga district employed world-class cooks as personal chefs meaning that growing up I was served only gourmet dishes and tasted only the finest delicacies. However I didn't enjoy these critically acclaimed meals like I did dinner at Kiba's house.

Kiba-kun had spent the whole afternoon with his mother in the kitchen making me a simple grilled steak salad. Kiba-kun had insisted on having a dinner more to my tastes and Tsume-san agreed on the condition that Kiba-kun helped her in the kitchen. Hana-san kept teasing Kiba-kun telling him 'This is real nice of you Kiba' or 'This is the first time I've seen you set foot in the kitchen to do something other than eat' or 'Hinata is a special girl eh Kiba.'

Kiba-kun was so embarrassed by Hana-san's teasing that he threw several pans at his sister shouting, "SHUT UP! YOU'RE JUST JEALOUS! NO ONE EVER THOUGHT YOU WERE SPECIAL-" Kiba abruptly stopped shouting his cheeks flushing bright red at the admission.

"WHAT WAS THAT LITTLE BROTHER?!" Hana-san started throwing saucepans back at a violent rate.

Eventually the pan wars ceased, ending strangely with both of them chuckling and Kiba-kun returned to helping his mother in the kitchen.

Kiba-kun covered my eyes while Akamaru, Kuromaru (A/N: Kiba's mums dog) and the Three Haimaru Brothers (A/N: Hana's dogs) tapped saucepans with their paws to create a drum beat and Tsume-san and Hana-san made trumpet noises. "Ta da!" Kiba proudly proclaimed uncovering my eyes and revealing his master piece. "What do you think?" He asked me excitedly.

The food looked… intriguing. I could tell Kiba-kun had worked really hard on it. The steak was cooked to perfection, it was a darkened brown and tender to the touch but somehow Kiba had turned the fresh salad into a blended mixture that resembled mushy peas. It did smell delicious though since the flavours from the tomatoes, lettuce, and all the oils and spices had absorbed into the meat creating a thick marinating sauce.

"It smells lovely Kiba-kun" I gave him a warm smile. It was the first home-cooked meal I ever eaten and it tasted all the more delicious because someone had taken the time to make it just for me.

Love, warmth and comfort filled Kiba-kun's whole home something that I never experienced with the cold formalities of the Hyuuga household. It was just the little differences like how at Kiba's house everyone asked each other about their day not because they wanted to hear a list of achievements but because they wanted to know what you had been doing and how you felt.

I started to spend more time at Kiba's home than I did my own. The Inuzuka's were quickly becoming my second family. That's why I couldn't stop worrying when Tsume-san fell ill with the flu because it was like my own mother was sick. I stayed over at Kiba's house, helped Kiba-kun and Hana-san with chores and help nurse a reluctant Tsume-san back to health. I wanted to do all I could to help the family during this hard time but no matter what I did it didn't feel like enough.

Eventually I figured out how I could help, I needed to get the ingredients for an herbal medicine that Kurenai-sensei had taught me to make. To my luck, that morning, Hana-san sent Kiba-kun and I into town to get in the weekly food shop. I wanted it to be a surprise. So I suggested to Kiba-kun that he take the half of the list with the meat on to go to the butchers while I went to the grocery store to get the rest of the shopping and then we would meet outside the shop when we had finished everything.

I scanned the list that Hana-san had given to me. I needed to get milk, bread, cereal, fruit, vegetables, noodles, tofu, eggs, sake, natto and tsukemono. I started off down the fruit and vegetable aisle stopping to get some peaches for Kiba because he had enjoyed those when he tried them. I was trying to encourage him to eat a more balanced diet. I couldn't bear for Kiba-kun to get ill too. While I was carefully placing the five juiciest peaches into a bag, the shop door opened and the bell rang.

"Don't you think you're worrying too much Neji? I'm sure Hinata is fine." TenTen's sighed exasperated as she followed Neji-nii-san inside the store.

I couldn't let Neji-nii-san find me, because if he did, he would ask me to go home and I couldn't refuse him. Ducking down I managed to knock the whole basket of peaches on top of me, "Ek" I squeaked.

"Are you alright back there?" The cashier asked lazily filing her nails looking bothered by the mess I had created.

Neji-nii-san paid no attention to the disturbance I caused instead he answered TenTen's question. "I have every reason to be concerned TenTen-"

'What am I going to do?' I panicked starting to feel lightheaded. 'What am I going to do? Neji-nii-san will recognise my voice if I answer her. What am I going to do? What am I going to do?'

TenTen rolled her eyes at my cousin. She went on to ask him, "Do you believe that Hinata is in danger?" 'Only in danger of being caught' Kiba would have teased if he were here. The anxiousness I felt only moments ago vanished and was replaced by this feeling of safety and calm. 'I wish Kiba was here,' I forlornly thought, 'Kiba would know what to do.'

The cashier then forgot about me more interested in her filing her nails.

Neji scoffed at TenTen's question and snapped "Yes."

"Neji…" TenTen pressed him knowing even he acknowledged that was a lie.

"I have barely seen Lady Hinata of late. She only comes home to eat and sleep, and sometimes she doesn't even do that. I'm not the only one who has noticed, the servants are starting to gossip and it won't be long before Hanabi hears them, and she will not hesitate to tell Hiashi-sama about this. I don't want Lady Hinata to get into trouble because of that Inuzuka idiot because I tell you now TenTen it's him causing her to act this way." I started to feel guilty because Neji-nii-san was blaming Kiba-kun for my absence.

"This way? What are you talking about? I thought you wanted Hinata to come out of her shell and be more defiant of her father. Just because the change hasn't been what you wanted doesn't mean it's a negative thing. You should be supporting Hinata through this not chasing her down like some kind of criminal. It's not like she is running riot." TenTen noticed the stubborn look of objection on Neji-nii-san's face. TenTen sighed, "Let me ask you this Neji. Has Hinata missed any clan meetings or commitments?"

"No." Neji-nii-san answered her reluctantly.

"Has Hinata missed any of her training sessions with you?"

"No but-" Neji started.

TenTen cut him off. "Hinata is fine leave the poor girl be." TenTen grabbed a packet of pocky (A/N: chocolate-coated biscuit sticks) and walked over to the cashier to pay.

Neji-nii-san followed her starting to argue again, "You are failing to see my point here TenTen…"

TenTen sighed and in a very languished tone told my cousin, "You're a genius Neij. By now you must have realised you don't have a point." Neji-nii-san turned his nose up at her trying to use his own intelligence against him. TenTen didn't entertain Neji-nii-san's response, "You are so adamant about finding Hinata because you don't like her spending time with Kiba. You're just making excuses to stop that from happening. I can see right through you Neji Hyuuga."

TenTen clearly had won the argument but Neji-nii-san wouldn't accept defeat that easily. Defiantly, Neji-nii-san called to the cashier, "Excuse me. You haven't by any chance seen my cousin, Hinata Hyuuga." The shop assistant began to blush, little hearts seeming to appear in her eyes as she looked at Neji-nii-san. 'She is going to tell him,' I panicked, 'she definitely saw me come into the shop.' The cashier didn't say anything for a long time just staring into Neji-nii-san pale eyes. He disregarded her leering looks and asked again, "Have you seen my cousin?"

TenTen scoffed at the cashier falling over Neji-nii-san and placed the money for her pocky on the counter.

"Boy… it's hot in here…" The girl began to fan herself. "Hinata you say…" She finally answered him struggling to think as she rung up TenTen's order on the till. 'Please don't, please don't, please don't…' I chanted inside my head. Neji-nii-san had his back to my direction and doing something I would never have done before I stood up and waved my hands around to stop her from telling him. Both the cashier and TenTen spotted me. I gave them a pleading look asking them not to tell Neji-nii-san. TenTen gave me a faint smile and nodded. The cashier turned to Neji about to reveal my location when she caught TenTen's dark glare. Suddenly stuttering, she said "Um… no… I don't think so. I'll keep an eye out though." The cashier had her revenge by giving Neji-nii-san the change and completely ignoring TenTen standing there.

TenTen snatched the change out of Neji-nii-san's hand giving the girl behind the counter a scowl that said 'I'll remember this.'

"Arigatou." Neji bowed respectfully before leaving with TenTen in tow.

Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Kiba-kun passed by the shop window with two brown paper bags in his arms. He couldn't see past them and was heading for a full on collision with Neji-nii-san. 'Oh no…' Without even thinking, I dropped the basket in my hands and ran to the door.

"Hey," the cashier yelled, "you better pay for that-"

Running by the counter, I paused to bow and weakly placate her, "Gomen nasai."

Kiba-kun and Neji-nii-san crashed into one another just before I got to the door.

Angrily Kiba shouted, "WATCH IT!" He didn't look up to see who had had bumped into but instead began to pick up the contents of the paper bags that were now on the floor.

Neji-nii-san's body stiffened realising who had crashed into him. "YOU!" He raised his voice like it was an accusation. Neji looked menacingly over Kiba, snapping, "Where is Lady Hinata? What have you done with her? I'm warning you answer me or-"

Kiba-kun was on his feet that second equally threatening in his manner towards Neji-nii-san. "OR WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!"

Kiba was shouting, Neji-nii-san was mocking him and Akamaru barked loyally for his master.

I took a step forward wanting to intervene. I didn't want two people I cared about fighting because of me. 'I'm not worth all this' I wanted to tell them.

I stopped noticing Kiba was starting to clam down seeing me standing there at the shop door. Then through gritted teeth he asked my cousin in all seriousness, "What is you're problem with me hanging out with Hinata? She's on my team and she's my friend." Neji-nii-san gave Kiba only a look in reply that said 'Isn't it obvious? I don't think you're good enough for Lady Hinata.' I knew Neji-nii-san couldn't have meant it, he was just being overprotective but Kiba wasn't going to stand by and be insulted like that. Kiba-kun ended his speech with a sharp jibe at Neji-nii-san, "Because I'm trying to see things from your point of view but I CAN'T GET MY HEAD THAT FAR UP MY ARSE!"

"This is your last warning. Tell me where my cousin is NOW!" Neji-nii-san clenched his fists looking so infuriated that he might hit Kiba-kun. Kiba looked away making it clear his lips were sealed. "This is your own doing then. EIGHT TRIGRAMS: ONE HUNDRED—"

I ran out to stop them. 'NOOOOOOO!'

TenTen spotting me, spun me around, whispering in my ear, "Run for it Hinata. Don't worry about them, their barks worse than there bite but if Neji catches you he will take you back to the Hyuuga compound. You don't want that, right?" She said with a knowing look on her face. "Run. Run as fast you can. Run as fast as your legs will carry you. Run." Nodding at her words, she gave me a light push on the back and I ran as fast I could from the outside of the shop.

I kept on running until I made it to the highest point in the village, the Hokage monument. In the Academy I remembered Iruka-sensei teaching us that the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, envisioned this as a symbol that the Hokage would always watch over the village. It was very fitting then that I found Naruto-kun sitting on top of the carved rock face of his father, the Fourth Hokage, looking out over the village always acting our protector and hero.

Though sitting there Naruto-kun looked disconsolate; he sighed and he sighed again more deeply. This wasn't like Naruto-kun at all even when he was crying inside he always had a smile to give the world. Concerned I approached him, "Naruto-kun?" I cautiously whispered stepping closer to him, "You look very troubled. Is there… Is there something wrong?" I didn't want to pry if it was a private matter.

Naruto jumped a little not expecting to see me standing there. "Oh Hinata it's you. You made me jump. I didn't sense your chakra. Sorry…" He began to explain with a forced smile rubbing the back of his head like he did to detract from how hard he was trying not to be upset. "How are you doing? How is Neji? Is he settling in alright?" Naruto started a huge tirade of questions. I grimaced at Naruto. He always did this then he was upset turning the conversation away from himself and focusing all his energy on other people.

"I'm doing well and so is Neji-nii-san," I bowed my head a little. "Arigatou Naruto-kun." Naruto raised an eyebrow at me thanking him. He looked like he was about to say something but before he could I wanted to express my gratitude to him fully. "Everything has been so busy since the end of the war that I never got to say that to you. Arigatou, arigatou, arigatou Naruto-kun for saving us all during the war, for bringing Neji-nii-san back, for-" I could feel an ache in my heart. Guilt ate away at my heart for selfishly pulling Neji-nii-san out from the barrier at the price Naruto-kun's life. I whispered tears beginning to stream down my face, "Gomen nasai Naruto-kun… for what I did… to you"

Naruto walked over to me and ran his fingers under my eye lashes wiping away the tears. "Don't cry Hinata" his voice softened soothingly. "You don't need to say those things to me. Neji is a good friend and I wanted to save him. I wanted to save you all. No one should thank me or apologize for that. Besides," a warm smile appeared on Naruto's lips all of a sudden, "I should be the one thanking you. You and Neji are the ones that saved my life. I won't let you or anyone in this world ever forget that. You are my Heroes. Dattebayo!" Naruto beamed making that a promise and I smiled back despite the tears on my face.

Naruto shortly after returned to his spot on the rock.

I didn't know if Naruto wanted to be alone but I decided he needed someone to be there for him. Kiba-kun had taught me it was better to talk things over with someone. He had always put a smile on my face when I was feeling down and now it was my turn to do the same for Naruto-kun. Trying to make as little noise as possible not wanting to disturb Naruto, I sat down next to him and gently asked "Do you want to talk about it?"

Naruto was a little more open this time and sighed, "I'm not allowed to talk about it."

"Then I won't ask" I told him. I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable around me but at the same time I wanted to make sure he was going to be okay. So warily I asked him, "But you're going to be okay…?" I wanted to make it clear that was the most important thing.

Naruto-kun nodded half-heartedly and went back to staring down at the village.

We sat there for a long time just in silence. "Hinata," Naruto finally spoke, "you're from a posh family, right? You have guards and stuff."

"I suppose I am." I hid a small chuckle behind my hand.

On a more serious note I answered him now, "As the eldest daughter of the Head of the Hyuuga Clan I was assigned to guards protect me." I didn't want Naruto-kun thinking I just saw people as servants or helpers. Quickly I added, "My protector's name was Ko-kun. He is a very dear friend." Naruto nodded his head his mind clearly wandering. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I tried to move on and find out the cause of Naruto's question, "Why do you ask?"

Naruto paused before asking, "Did you ever feel bad for letting others risk their lives for you?" He didn't like others putting their lives on the line for him. Naruto had told me that during the war when I was upset that again he was the one saving us when we were supposed to be protecting him. 'Naruto must be troubled because as the future Hokage he would need bodyguards and that went against Naruto's nature; in his mind he was our protector not the one to be protected.' Naruto didn't realise it but he had let me know exactly what was bothering him.

"Of course" I told him.

My answer confused Naruto slightly, "Then how could let them?" he asked.

I nodded understanding Naruto's concern. "Do you remember back in the Chuunin exams? What Neji-nii-san told you about the branch family's duty to protect members of the main household?"

Naruto nodded telling me what Neji-nii-san had told him about our clan: "Neji showed me the seal on his forehead and he said that it was the main families control over the branch members. It was very confusing…" Naruto scratched his forehead racking his head for the information.

"Neji-nii-san was obligated to jump in front of me that day because his duty was to protect a senior member of the Hyuuga Clan over himself. I couldn't bear to live with that, I felt so guilty. I kept asking myself 'What makes me so important? So special? What could possibly justify putting my life before Neji-nii-sans?'" Naruto nodded understanding exactly where I was coming from.

"When I told Neji-nii-san how I felt, do you know what he said?" Naruto of course shook his head. "He told me that he didn't jump in front of me because he is a member of the branch family and it was his duty. He said that he jumped in front of me because he loved me and he would rather he die than I. Even if it was a gesture of love, I was terribly upset by Neji-nii-san's words because I didn't want for him to do that and I would have rather died."

"That's when Neji-nii-san stopped me pointing out that we were saying exactly the same thing. 'We all would rather die than see our loved ones perish.'" I spoke the words just as Neji-nii-san had said them to me hoping they had the same impact on Naruto-kun that they had on me. "Neji-nii-san said on the battlefield anything can happen and anyone can die; I could have easily died for you as Neji died for me. Having someone duty bound to protect you cannot save your life but having friends that care about you can." I smiled before adding, "That was something a very dear friend of his taught him." Naruto had a small smile on his face recognising the teaching.

"Neji-nii-san told me that for him being a guard was just an excuse for him to watch over someone he cared for and he made me realise that by having him at my side I had the chance to do the same for him." I ended telling my story but Naruto still looked a tiny bit confused.

Naruto still looked a little troubled so I gave him some direct advice. "If you ask me Naruto anyone guarding you is lucky because they are in the safest possible place at the side of the Hero of the Village."

Naruto had a smile on his face. "You know you're really smart. Are all the Hyuuga's genius?" He wondered placing his finger on his chin. He quickly snapped out of it adding, "Thanks a lot for your help Hinata. You really made me feel better."

My cheeks flushed red. 'Naruto-kun just complimented me…' "Arigatou Naruto-"

Before I could say anymore, Naruto moved really close and spoke really fast, "But I'm-not-having-guards-and-I-didn't-say-i-am-and-do n't-tell-anyone-I-did-because-Baa-chan-will- END ME! ENNNNNNNNND MEEEEEE!"

I was prepared for the sudden light headedness and to faint, but nothing. I was just left staring at Naruto-kun's face. Naruto-kun also looked kind of shocked that I hadn't fainted but he went back to staring over at the village with a smile on his face. 'What is wrong with me?' I asked myself. 'Naruto complimented me, he moved so close to me, he smiled so sweetly… why am I not fainting?'

I stared at Naruto at my side… his golden hair, his shinning blue eyes… but before my eyes his hair turned to a dark brown and his eyes a deep chocolate brown… 'Kiba' I recognised the figure before me. As soon as I recognised him the mirage disappeared and it was Naruto sitting there again. Suddenly I was seeing Naruto without rose tinted glasses and off of the pedestal I had him on… It wasn't like Naruto had done something wrong or I saw something different when I looked at him. Naruto was an amazing person because Naruto was… Naruto. But now I realised Naruto-kun was an idol for the world like… a great leader… a legend… a hero… but on a personal level he wasn't the person I looked up most in the world… that was someone else.

That person was the one always trying to make me feel better. That day he came through my window when I thought my world was falling apart… "Akamaru let's go! Hold on tight Hinata!" I felt so dizzy when we jumped through the air but inside I was smiling.

Or the day he tended to my wounds… "Like I told you earlier Hinata you're important to me and I don't like the idea of you being in pain." Kiba whispered softly, dabbing the cuts on my arms ever so gently, controlling his natural strength.

He was the one pushing me to be stronger. Both by what he said… "You're the next leader of the clan, right? You tell them what to do not the other way around. You can do this, I know you can. I haven't met a kinder or stronger kunoichi than you. So you tell us what to do and we will do it." And by his actions… I always admired him for being strong like when he battled Naruto-kun during the Chunnin exams…"They have their own abilities. I want to find one for myself."

But he also knew when to be kind and compassionate..."Don't worry about it Hinata. You fought so hard—just relax." He gave me a warm smile.

The one who protected me. Both physically... In the Chunnin exams he didn't want me fighting Neji or Gaara because he didn't want me hurt… "If you get that sand guy forfeit immediately! The only guys remaining are you and Chouji, Neji, Lee, the sound nin and the sand guy. Listen Hinata… and one more… If you do get Neji then do the same forfeit. He's cruel to you... you'll get beaten to a pulp." And in our latest mission… "D…ON'T YOU FUCKING TOUCH HINATA" Kiba got up spitting the blood from his mouth onto the ground.

And emotionally… Like the timehe pulled me into his arms rocking me gently as if he knew that I needed comfort. I felt safe and comfortable in his arms like they could shield me from the world. I had no worries or fears; just this feeling of calm. Kiba just being there with me made feel like I wasn't so alone. Or the time he rubbed my back comfortingly, resting his head on my dark locks. "Don't cry Hinata… please… don't you cry."

That person was the one always trying to be better for me. On the battlefield… Kiba and Akamaru morphed into a beast double the size of any transformation I had seen them perform before. "SUPER FANG WOLF FANG" he roared as they spun in a violent assault against the enemy.

And off… Kiba uncovered my eyes revealing his grilled steak salad. He asked me excitedly, "What do you think?" I could tell Kiba-kun had worked really hard on it.

That person was by my side every day. 'How could I be so blind?'

I could finally answer the questions that I had been thinking but quickly dismissed in my mind. 'What is this strange feeling? And why is happening to me? And with Kiba-kun?' The feeling that had always been there is love.

Doing something completely out of character, I asked him, "Do you remember that time… when Pain invaded the Leaf… and I said something to you?"

"Um…" Naruto's cheeks went bright red when he realised what I was talking about, "Yeah… I remember."

"Can I ask you why you didn't say anything… to what I said?" My voice became very weak realising how embarrassing this topic was for both of us.

"I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to hurt you Hinata. You're my friend… a really good friend… but—I know how painful rejection can be. For years I watched Sakura heartbroken because she loved Sasuke and he didn't return those feelings. I never wanted to break someone's heart like that. I don't know… I guess I believe that with true love… like soul mates and everything… that kind of love is returned. That's why I decided not to say anything… I knew that someday you find someone to return those feelings because you're a cool person Hinata… even if you are a bit weird… and I knew that person was right in front of your eyes." Naruto unsubtly hinted with a massive grin that made my face light up like a red traffic light.

'Did Naruto-kun know? But how could he? I had only just realised.' I was panicking with all these questions filling my mind. 'How could he know? Was I being that obvious? Did Kiba-kun know?'

Naruto's attention sharply switched from me down to the main road that leads to the Hokage office or more specifically to the dark haired raven that was walking towards the entrance. A lot of people were afraid of the dark aura the Uchiha gave off, the crowd parted to let him pass but unfazed by it Naruto stood up stretching his tired limbs. "I should really get going. Baa-chan will send a search party out for me if I don't get back soon." Naruto began to do hand-signs. "Thanks for your help Hinata. Bye."

"Goodbye Naruto-kun" I smiled at him. After he disappeared I whispered, "Thanks for helping me too."

Naruto-kun appeared on the path behind Sasuke. "Sasuke, hey, wait up!" Naruto called after him running to catch up with the Uchiha.

Sasuke's mannerisms softened at Naruto's presence. Contradicting this lighter change in him though, he told Naruto coldly, "I'm busy Naruto I have a meeting with the Hokage." The way that Sasuke said Naruto's name though had an undeniable affection to it.

Naruto ignored Sasuke's stoicism and slung his arms over his shoulder. With a smirk he said, "Baa-chan won't mind if I crash her meeting."

Sasuke paused for a moment. Then he abruptly and harshly nudged Naruto off him, "Its clan business you're not invited."

Naruto pointed right in Sasuke's face clearly trying to antagonise him, yelling, "Fuck you Teme. I'm the future Hokage you know—"

Sasuke didn't take the bait. "You're not coming" he stated flatly.

Naruto stood there stunned that Sasuke didn't argue with him and Sasuke took this chance to proceed in walking towards the Hokage office having a much darker aura than before.

I could see everything so clearly today. Chuckling to myself, I said the very same words Naruto had spoken to me just a short while earlier, "That person is right in front of your eyes."

Kiba POV

'Damn Neji' I cussed inwardly rubbing my shoulder. At least Akamaru had sunk his teeth into his ankle. 'I have the best dog in the world' I grinned.

I started up the Hokage monument; the direction Hinata had been running in.

'Jeez what was Neji's problem like I would ever do anything to hurt Hinata.' That was if I hadn't freaked her out with the way I had been acting recently, I sighed. It was hard not to be overly affectionate with the person you had loved for three years straight, and maybe even before then, especially since the war... The war where she had almost died right in front of your eyes and you weren't even fast enough to do anything about it. I could never outright hate Neji because he had been able to save her when I couldn't. I was going to make it up to her for the rest of my life…

Akamaru whined and nudged me in the direction of the faces of the Hokage monument. Hinata was sitting talking to Naruto they were both smiling. My blood boiled. I began to see red. 'Why always him?! Calm down Kiba' I ordered myself taking deep breaths. 'You promised never to tell her so she didn't have to feel guilty and she would always be in your life as your best friend. I had just thought that maybe... lately... it was stupid' I decided finally.

Just as I was about to approach, smile in place, Naruto teleported down from the monument. 'Must have seen Sasuke or something' I shrugged. "Hey Hinata." I said with an easy smile.

She turned to look at me a blush spread beautifully across her cheeks. Unfortunately though I knew it wasn't for me, it was for him. Akamaru bounded up and licked her face she giggled patting his head. I envied my mutt for a moment before her soft tone had my attention, "Hi Kiba-kun, I hope Neji didn't hurt you, I wanted to help but TenTen said—"

I smiled interrupting her, "It's fine seriously he'd have probably thrown you over his shoulder and dragged you home. Then who would eat the terrible food I serve up?"

"K-Kiba-kun." She smiled her blush darkening.

I offered my hand, "Now may I escort you home Lady Hinata." I said in my most snobby look-at-me-I'm-Neji tone.

She giggled taking my hand. As I pulled her up I ignored my racing heart. "Why thank you Kiba-kun!"

"You're most welcome m'lady, what were you and Naruto talking about I asked as we walked down the monument." I asked like the curiosity wasn't burning my brain.

"Oh nothing really." Her blush darkened again and she looked at the floor.

"Oh, did he confess something?" I asked Ice filling my heart. 'Subtlety had never been my strong point.' I joked to myself.

She managed to look up at me then, "Quite the opposite really. I realised that while Naruto is someone I admire. My feelings for him aside from that are... ones of just friendship and had been for a while."

My jaw hung open in shock. I checked her over… 'She seems okay.' There was an awkward pause, "That was sudden. Is there a reason?" I asked.

"No reason." She said quietly walking faster.

"Hinata tell me, did he do something to you because I can go and..." I started angrily.

"No nothing like that…" Hinata said walking even faster. I was jogging to keep up.

"A hint?" I begged chasing after her as the sun caught her hair making it shimmer.

"Nope!" She went brighter running faster.

"Just a little one?" I pleaded as I followed her all the way back to mine. She gave away nothing and my sister promptly hit me over the head with Akamaru's bowl claiming 'Women are entitled to secrets.'

Shikamaru POV

Temari and Kankuro left to notify Gaara about the plans that Lady Tsunade was going to put into place. That left me alone with… Master Jiraiya who was further pissing off an already fuming Hokage. I sighed trying to zone them out. 'Why do these things happen to me? All I ever wanted to do was to spend my days watching the clouds or maybe even having a long nap' I yawned at the thought.

Lady Tsunade's hand tightened around the cup that she was drinking out of; shattering the glass in her hand and spilling sake all over her desk. "Shikamaru," she snapped getting my attention, "go after Naruto and make sure he doesn't do anything troublesome." She said purposely using my choice in words for the situation.

Turning around I strolled out of her office, groaning, "Man this is such a drag…"

I had been following Naruto for the past three days. He had spent most of his time on top of the Hokage monument and that's where I had been sitting in cover of a large rock for the past hour. Naruto had gone but I couldn't risk coming out too soon or my cover would be compromised. From what I heard Naruto caught up with Sasuke and he wouldn't let Naruto do something too reckless, I hoped. I had observed the additional cautiousness he had around Naruto (that Itachi had been talking about) since we came back from the Land of Waves. Now I just had to wait for Hinata and Kiba to leave…

"No nothing…" Hinata had a light pink blush on her cheeks as she started to walk away.

Kiba was hot on her tail jogging to catch up with her. "A hint?" he begged.

"Nope!" Hinata's cheeks got even redder and she began to run.

"Just a little one?" I heard him plead as they disappeared back down the mountainside.

'There must be something in the water' I thought to myself coming out from the shadows. "Love is troublesome" I sighed, lighting the first smoke I had in a whole hour.

"Is it really now?" I felt her chakra signature behind me – Temari. This mission Tsunade had assigned me managed to take up all my time. I had barely seen Temari and she was in the village. I knew there would be complaints because I hadn't taken the time to see her when she less than ten minutes away at any given time. There had to be a way… then it occurred to me. 'She will have to just come along with me' I thought feeling a little devious about using my mental prowess to make my social life a little easier.

I smirked, "You're not a drama queen." There was one thing I had learnt with Temari and that was 'Never antagonise a woman and never ever anger Temari.'

Temari smiled too, "Glad to hear it or I would have had to kick your arse."

I rolled my eyes beginning to walk down the side of the rock face. "Coming?" I asked her. She looked confused. I sighed, "Gaara wants to know where Naruto is at all times and you're meant to monitor him around Sasuke, right?" It was a rhetorical question because I already knew the answer.

She looked taken aback, "How did you?-" She smiled then realising I had just worked it out. Debating about telling me what her mission entailed, she finally decided and with a grimace said "Gaara contacted us. He said that he's coming to the Leaf immediately which means as soon as he can scare off all of his duties. As you might have guessed he wasn't happy about the plans for Naruto's protection." Temari looked at me with a wary look in her eyes, "He should be here in less than a week."

"Tsunade will refuse to let him in if she has to" I told her with a sigh. 'Politics is very troublesome…' I thought to myself.

Temari laughed, "You underestimate my brother. He is well aware that Tsunade might refuse him but he plans to come under the guise of the Chuunin exams. He and all the other Kage worried for Naruto's safety will pressure Tsunade to host the Chuunin exams a lot sooner than planned. Once they are here… my brother can be very persuasive…" she added with shiver. I nodded understanding her fear. 'Gaara can be very intimidating when he wants to be and sometimes even when he doesn't mean to be.'

But then our Hokage was no push over… "Forcing Tsunade into a corner… that's a bad idea… I hope they know what their doing." I groaned continuing down the path. When she didn't follow me, I asked again, "Are you coming?"

Temari turned her head stubbornly, "Fine. I'll come. But only because you're making such a lame excuse to spent time with me." She walked right past me then moving in the direction that I had seen Naruto disappear in. "I'm feeling in a generous mood…" she added with a small smile on her face.

'Girls… always playing hard to get.' At least she had fallen for coming with me, all in all, it was a success. The small success only reminded me off all the many problems Naruto and Sasuke, Kiba and Hinata, and I'm sure myself and Temari were going to face ahead of us. I smiled following after her, 'Love really is troublesome.'

Chouji POV

Deflated, I went to eat at Ichiraku's. "Hi Chouji," Ayame gave me a smile, "what can I get you today?" She asked taking the pencil out from behind her ear and holding her notebook out in her hands.

"Hello Ayame," I did my best to greet her with a small smile, "for starters I'll just have seven bowls of Tonkotsu ramen garnished with sesame seeds, five bowls of Miso ramen with spicy bean paste, butter and corn, leeks, onions, ground pork, cabbage, sesame seeds, white pepper and garlic, four bowls of Shio ramen topped with pickled plums and two bowls of Shoyu."

After finishing writing down my order, Ayame gave me a friendly smile, "Coming right up."

'I missed them.' I stared glumly at the back of Ayame's head while she hummed frying the noodles. 'Shikamaru was always busy with the latest Hokage troubles and trying to talk to Ino was no easier; she was always busy with her parents or out with her new teammates. I didn't mind, not really… I knew it wasn't on purpose but… I missed them.'

Finishing off a bag of my favourite barbeque potato chips, I walked up to the Nara residence. Knock. Knock. Knock. I knocked on the door. It wasn't Shikamaru that came to the door but his dad, Shikaku. "Hello Chouji, how are you doing? How's your dad? Were you looking for Shikamaru?" he asked me surprisingly talkative this morning.

I beamed. "Hello Shikaku-sama *chew, chew, chew*, I'm doing well thank you and so is my dad *chew, chew, chew*. I will tell him you asked after him *chew, chew, chew*." 'I'd been looking forward to this all week. Shikamaru and I hadn't been able to meet up much since he was either on missions with his new team or training to become Naruto's personal advisor for when he becomes Hokage. The last mission had overrun so much we had to reschedule our lunch plans until today.' With a smile, I asked, "Shikamaru and I arranged to have lunch today *chew, chew, chew*. Can you tell Shikamaru I'm here *chew, chew, chew*? In bed still I bet *chew, chew, chew*." I shook my head with a chuckle.

Shikaku scratched the back of his head. "Well… uh… Shikamaru isn't here. He rushed off on errands this morning and hasn't been back since. I did overhear though that there was an emergency meeting called by Hokage-sama. He's probably just running late…" He tried his best to make excuses.

I stopped eating. "Oh, I see, that's alright," I tried my best to hide my disappointment behind a grimace, "I'll probably just go with Ino or one of the others." I didn't want him or Shikamaru to feel bad. 'It's not his fault, he is just doing his job and I know he would be here if he could' I reminded myself. "Have a nice day." Bowing respectfully, I said "Goodbye."

It was the same when I went to ask Ino. I walked past the flower shop window, about to go inside, when I spotted Ino happily chatting away to her new teammate Sai.

I stood there frozen at the door.

"Hey Mister," a little girl asked me placing her hands on her hips, "are you going in there?"

I answered without really thinking about it. "Uh… no… sorry…" 'I could go in, I know Ino wouldn't mind but she seemed so happy… and she really hated fast food restaurants anyway.' With one last regretful look at the flower shop, I bowed my head and walked down to Ichiraku's feeling more isolated than ever.

"Is everything alright Chouji?" Ayame asked in concern. "You don't seem like yourself…" she was hesitant to speak not wanting to upset me. "… You didn't order half as much as you usually order. You usually give Naruto a run for his money." she chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

"That's why you and Naruto are my best customers," Teuchi commented struggling to carry in a new stewing pot, "and Iruka of course" he added with a chuckle.

Teuchi struggled attempting to lift the large silver container onto the counter. "Do you want some help?" I asked afraid that he might hurt himself.

Teuchi leant back putting the weight of the entire container onto his back. "No… I'm fine… thanks… Cho-" CRACK. "AHHHHH!" He yelled dropping the container.

"Partial Multi-Size Technique" I expanded my hand and caught the man and the pot he was carrying.

Slowly I shrunk my hands easing him to the floor. Ayame ran over to her father, anxiously checking him, she asked him, "Dad, dad, are you alright?"

Teuchi pushed his daughter's frantic hands away. "I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine Ayame, look," he tried to get up but winced in pain, "OWWW!"

"Dad stop! Don't push yourself!" she made her father to sit back down. "You need to go to the hospital." She urged him. "I'll take you…" She began to lift him up trying to lean his weight on herself but his much larger frame was too much for her.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm fine." Teuchi objected. Teuchi tried to pull out of his daughters arms but he was clearly putting to much strain on his back. "I can't just leave the shop. Who is going to look after the place?" Ayame struggled all the more now that he was resisting.

'They're going to get hurt.' I jumped over the counter helping Ayame hold her father up. "You stay here. I'll take your father over to the hospital."

"Are you sure?" She asked a little hesitant like it was asking too much.

"I'm sure." I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thanks Cho…," Ayame rushed over to a pot that was boiling over. "I'll have your order ready by the time you get back." She pulled the pot off the stove wiping the sweat off her brow. "It's on the house" she added trying to smile though she was clearly stressed and worried about her father.

I gave her a warm smile. "Thanks a lot but don't worry about my order now." My stomach rumbled violently furiously disagreeing with the words coming out of my mouth. 'You can't be selfless when there is food involved Chouji. It's food. Foooooood. You love FOOD!' The smell of sweet ramen was in the air. 'Be strong Chouji,' I told myself using all my will power to move. 'Poor Ayame has enough on her plate. AH, PLATE, FOOD!' "Just get yourself sorted out" I lifted Teuchi up and sped over to the hospital.

Sakura stood by Teuchi her hands glowing light green with her medical nin-jutsu. "Does that feel better?" She asked him after she was finished.

At first Teuchi was hesitant about testing it out but soon after he was limberly shaking out his back. "It feels much better" He finally gave her his verdict. He got up ready to go, "Thanks for all your help Sakura-senpai…"

Sakura used a single finger to push the fully grown man down onto the hospital bed. "Hold it right there." She told him firmly. "You aren't going anywhere. You haven't been fully healed. I was only able reduce the swelling. You have torn some muscle tissue in your back and will need several treatments before you are ready to go home. Do you understand?" she asked fiercely. 'Naruto is right. Sakura can be very very scary' I thought to myself.

Teuchi sighed, mumbling, "I guess I have no choice then."

"Good." Sakura smiled happy she had gotten through to him. "Now we will leave you alone to get some rest" She told him leading me out of the room.

A little confused by the medical talk, I asked her, "Is he going to be alright? Ayame was very worried about her father and I want to be sure I can give her some good news."

Sakura nodded giving me a warm smile, "You can tell Ayame he's going to be just fine."

"That's great" I gave her a grateful smile.

After saying goodbye to Sakura, I walked back to Ichiraku's to tell Ayame the news and hopefully get a bite to eat. Pulling back the blue and golden sign, I slide open the doors, "Ayame?" I called to her.

There was a huge crowd of people inside, a sea of orders clipped on the board and pots boiling over all over the place. Ayame was rushed off her feet; running back and forth acting as host, waitress and chef. "Hi Chouji," she said running past me, "how's my dad?" she asked trying to find a moment to listen to my answer but there were too many impatient customers trying to get her attention.

I was about to answer when she stopped me, pausing me with her finger, "One second."

She ran off to take another order and then ran back to me. "Okay" she huffed.

"Excuse me" another customer called over to her.

'There is no way that she is going to be able to do all this by herself.' I rolled up my red sleeves. "Ayame." I told her firmly so that she couldn't refuse. "I'm going to help and I won't take no for an answer"

Ayame grip on her note book tightened. She looked like she was ready to explode—

Concerned, I tried to get her to answer me, "Ayame"

"Really?" she beamed, "thank you, thank you so much." Ayame was so happy that she ran over to me and kissed my cheek. "Thank you so, so much," she continued hyperactively completely oblivious to how much I was blushing, "You know what after we have finished here for the day let's go out together for some…"

"BARBEQUE" I proclaimed excitedly.

Ayame stared at me in shock.

Embarrassed, I blushed all the more and began incessantly apologising, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, sorry…"

"Actually," Ayame placed her hand on her chin thoughtfully, "barbeque does sound good. I get sick of eating just ramen all the time." She laughed leading me over to the kitchen, "Let's sort this lot out and we'll go."

Sasuke POV

"SASUKE!"I heard Naruto's scream over and over again as I watched his face crumple and take on demonic features. It didn't belong on Naruto's face, it wasn't right, yet once again it was I who had pushed him to it. Naruto was allowing himself and his life to be destroyed for me AGAIN.

"Naruto." I sighed rubbing my forehead with my fingers. Two loud raps came from my bedroom. My father. I frowned it was unusual for him to visit my room. Normally we spoke briefly at meals and in clan meetings. 'This couldn't be good.' "Come in." I called.

The door clicked open and sure enough my father walked in. "Sasuke." He acknowledged me sitting down on my black armchair.

"Father." I greeted him putting down my paperwork.

"We need to discuss something away from the ears of those who might object to the conversation being brought up entirely." 'Meaning Itachi' I thought to myself biting my lip.

"Go on." I told him making sure my tone was smooth.

"It's about your friendship with the future Hokage of the village." He told me bluntly his face stern.

"What about Nar- Uzumaki Naruto?" I asked my voice cold. I noticed the looks he gave Naruto when he thought Itachi and I weren't looking. 'Had there been conflict between the two? I couldn't see how that was possible they hadn't ever been alone.'

My father looked distant as if trying to figure out how best to say whatever it was he had to say. Taking a deep breath, he looked me in the eyes and said "The clan are worried about your close friendship. They fear you may put the village above the clan."

"Na- Uzumaki is not my friend. He is a teammate. He is necessary in our re-establishment into the village." I told him coldly internally choking on the words as I said them. This was the guy that had given his life to bring them back and here I was disrespecting the only person in the world that I considered a friend. The one bond I never broke and here I was denying it again.

"He is here everyday. They are simply worried that you may turn on them in favour of the village and your brother has given them foundation for this belief. Teammate or not, he is far too intimate with the Uchiha's defensive systems, he could launch an attack the minute the village told him to with maximum chance of success!" His voice began to rise at the end.

Naruto attack the Uchiha? "With all due respect father, if he wanted you dead then he wouldn't have brought you back. Naruto wouldn't kill because he was ordered to, he is not Itachi. He has helped re-establish us in the village and for the time being the clan willaccept that he is necessary. The clan will always be my priority and I have given them no reason to doubt this; accomplishing every task, every challenge that has faced us." I gave him a blank stare realising my mistake of saying Naruto casually. His face hardened. 'Though,' I thought, 'not wavering in my resolve.'

"Promise me you will at least consider what I have said. Your appointment as leader of the clan is still very new and there are many who consider it foolish to give such a task to someone so young and... emotional." He spoke almost threateningly.

My lips pulled into a tight line, "Of course. Now if you would excuse me, I have a lot of paperwork for the upcoming clan meeting."

"Of course my hardworking son, you really are the prize jewel of the Uchiha," He squeezed my shoulder walking out of the room. I didn't respond until I heard him open the kitchen door downstairs when I promptly slammed my head into the desk as hard as I could it shattered into a million pieces. I groaned rubbing my forehead 'Great now I probably had splinters in my forehead.'

The door burst open. Itachi ran in taking notice of the shattered desk, "Sasuke are you alright?" He asked concerned.

"Just greatttttttttt," I replied sarcastically, "Wait did you actually use my door?!" I asked in shock.

"Trying to cover a bloody forehead with diversion tactics isn't going to work on the one that taught you it." Itachi smirked chucking a wet cloth from the sink at me.

"Thanks," I muttered wiping the blood off, "Its nothing just paperwork."

"And trying to lie to the one dubbed a 'pathological liar'?" Itachi shook his head sitting down on my bed.

I debated running out the window to one of Orochimaru's old hideouts. "Fine. Father said the clan disapprove of Naruto associating with the Uchiha clan."

Itachi growled. I looked at him in shock. It was very expressionate coming from him, "I knew this was coming, Sasuke you need Naruto around. The Uchiha clan disapprove of any association outside the Uchiha clan. In fact, they disapprove of a lot things and they don't particularly approve of anything. If you're to make sure their safe, you have to push this, make them accept change or they will never move out of the past."

I nodded slowly he turned to leave the room. "That was very openly kind, honest and non-manipulative of you brother." I commented with a smirk.

"I know there's this weird feeling in my mouth and I feel a bit lightheaded." He smirked.

"And a joke! IMPOSTER!" I shouted throwing a kunai which he caught recognising the chakra with my Sharingan. "What happened?"

"Someone said I should give it a try but I didn't think so many people would react this way." He mused looking at the kunai. "Interesting." He muttered to himself walking out. My thoughts turned back to Naruto, Itachi was right of course but I couldn't stop the scenes from the land of the Waves running through my mind. 'Avoiding him hadn't worked unless… I became more extreme with it but then…'

"Naruto." I sighed again before walking over to my other desk. 'Concentrate on the paperwork, concentrate on the paperwork' I willed myself.

Naruto POV

"You go right ahead Naruto." Itachi insisted going to get a change of clothes. Sasuke thought that Itachi had been reinstated as an ANBU commander but really Baa-chan just gave him the uniform as a cover for his missions to Rain Country. Since Itachi wasn't a real ANBU, he couldn't be seen in the Leaf Village in the uniform, so he took out some casual clothes to change into for training; a black T-shirt with the Uchiha symbol on the back, tan pants with a weapons pouch to strap on the back, fresh bandages to put around his ankles and black sandals. "I'll meet you out at the third training ground."

I was exhausted. I had been on patrol with three different squads last night, I had attended a charity event for orphanage where I had spent my childhood and then I had a meeting with Baa-chan to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming Chuunin exams. 'Which Sasuke and I get to take part in' I excitedly thought. But even if I had no sleep, I couldn't cancel this training session because it was rare that Itachi and I were available at the same time.

I yawned, "Sure." 'If I got there fast enough I might even get a short nap' I thought to myself cunningly like an evil mastermind.

I walked down the hall casually passing Sasuke's door that was wide open. I glanced inside to see Sasuke hard at work doing paperwork. 'He must be really bored' I thought to myself. Leaning against the door frame, I chuckled. "Having fun Teme?" I asked in a sarcastic tone. Sasuke went rigid but I just ignored it. 'Huh no quick-witted rebuttal.' I was slightly alarmed. 'He's probably stressed out' I reasoned. "Um… so… did you hear that the Chuunin exams are coming up?" Sasuke didn't look up from his work continuing on as if he hadn't heard me.

"Well they are," I continued, "and it will be a chance for us to finally become Chuunin. Can you believe that it's been over three years since we last took the exams? And everyone else is a Chuunin now. And we aren't. It's insane. We only saved the ninja world." I emphasized this point sarcastically with a chuckle. Sasuke didn't respond busy writing something down. 'He's definitely listening' I noted seeing the way his body would tense every now and again.

I carried on what I was saying, "Oh, and you know what else, Gaara is coming to the Village. You know he's Kazekage of the Sand now. He was appointed at sixteen. It's amazing right… he must be the youngest Kage… ever! I really admire Gaara-"

"Naruto," Sasuke spoke his voice cold and detached, "I haven't got time for this. I have Clan business to attend to."

"Alright TEME," I said deliberately trying to get a rise out of him, "I have training with Itachi-NII-SAN anyway." 'I just had to wait for it,' I told myself, 'any second now, he would yell at me, 'WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR GOING TRAINING WITH 'ITACHI-NII-SAN? HE'S NOT EVEN YOUR FUCKING BROTHER…" I smiled at the thought.

Sasuke didn't even comment staring intently down at the paperwork in front of him.

"TEME! DON'T JUST IGNORE ME!" I was prepared to get him the angriest he had ever been in his life. "IF YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING TEME THEN YOU ARE AGREEING THAT I'M A BETTER NINJA THAN YOU, THE BEST NINJA IN THE WORLD!" He said nothing. "RAMEN IS THE BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD! RASENGAN IS BETTER THAN CHIDORI! THE SENJI CLAN IS BETTER THAN THE UCHIHA CLAN!" I shouted anything that I could think of to make him mad. I clenched my fists enraged that he still wasn't saying anything. "JUST SAY SOMETHING!" I demanded. Still he didn't speak.

'Why? Why are you being like this?' There was this terrible ache inside my chest. I put my hand protectively over the pain grasping my jacket. "Sasuke…" the word slipped out of my mouth. I watched as Sasuke's grip tightened on his pen but still he refused to say anything.

"Naruto," I heard Itachi's silky voice behind me, "what's going on in here?" he asked me. I didn't say anything just looking at Sasuke who still wouldn't look up from his papers. 'Yeah. What is going on?' I wanted to know myself. 'He is being worse than usual. He has barely spoken to me since our fight with Zabuza and Haku, even to shout at me. No, even worse than that, he refuses to argue to me.' Something is very very wrong. I stepped closer to him, 'Why won't you speak to me? I'm your friend.' That was my message to Sasuke but he didn't want to hear it only growing colder at the hidden message.

When I didn't say anything, Itachi looked to his younger brother for answers, "Sasuke." He ignored him too.

Itachi sighed stepping inside the room and walking up behind me. "Naruto we should really get going to the training grounds. Shikamaru told me that you have an eleven o'clock appointment with the Feudal Lord's niece. You don't want to be late." Itachi began to walk over to the window trying to get a rise out of Sasuke himself but Sasuke didn't get angry in the slightest instead he stood up, collected his papers together and moved to leave the room.

I looked after Sasuke as he left the room. I didn't want to leave my friend when he needed me—

"Naruto are you coming?" Itachi called from outside the window.

Sasuke paused for a moment before sighing, "Itachi is calling you Naruto." He continued to walk. "Don't keep him waiting."

"Uh…Yeah…," I said eventually, "bye… Sasuke…" I slowly made my way to over to the window to where Itachi was waiting for me.

We landed in glade centre of the third training ground right next to the three wooden stumps where Kakashi-sensei tied me up during the bell test.

"Now, first things first, let me tell you a bit about the Sharingan. The Sharingan, which literally translates to Copy Wheel Eye, is the kekkai genkai that appears in some members of the Uchiha Clan. It is one of the Three Great Dojutsu meaning the Three Great Eye Techniques, along with the Byakugan and the Rinnegan. The power of the Sharingan grants the user heavenly abilities which is why the eyes are known as Heaven's eyes. The Second Hokage defines the Sharingan as 'the eye that reflects feelings'-" Itachi gave me this long speech like something out of a textbook.

"Itachi," I whined, "can't we skip all the boring stuff and get to the good stuff?"

Itachi looked startled by my suggestion but laughed. "You sound just like Sasuke when he was little. It was always 'Nii-san spar with me' or 'Tachi teach me the Sharingan.'" He had a faint smile on his face looking back fondly at his childhood memories with Sasuke. It struck me then 'What if Sasuke didn't want me to train with his brother? Maybe that's why he was so upset. But then why not just tell me that? I'm his best friend and it's not like he has ever been afraid of telling me what's on his mind before.'

Itachi still smiling, continued, "Just like you Sasuke always wanted to be one step ahead and jump straight into things. He wanted to do everything I could do when I was twice his age. It always was a competition with Sasuke." Itachi's face darkened all of a sudden, "And when I refused to give my foolish little brother what he wanted, he would ask our father, did you know he taught Sasuke the Great Fireball Technique, a C rank jutsu, before he even started the Academy?"

Itachi looked like he was in a dark place so I tried to lighten the mood a little. I chuckled, "Who didn't know that? Sasuke is such a show off. You should have seen him when he activated the Sharingan. He was all 'I'm-Sasuke-Uchiha-bow-down-and-worship-me,' it was really annoying." I felt lighter all of a sudden genuinely laughing at the memory. "You should have seen his face when I learnt the Rasengan. He was soooooo PISSED!"

Itachi chuckled. "How about I tell you about the skills you will get if you manage to master the Sharingan?"

"I have fought Sasuke LOADS of times. I know all that stuff," I boasted with pride. "I want to know how to make my eyes glow red and say "Sharingan" in the 'I'm-a-Uchiha-I'm-so-cool' voice. If I can do that then all the girls will like me. Ero-sennin will get sooooo jealous" I let out a little cackle at the evil genius of it all.

"So that's why you want to learn the Sharingan." Itachi said raising an eyebrow.

"Uh…" I scratched the back of my head with a massive grin on my face. "I do want to learn the other stuff to like copying other people's ninjutsu, and genjutsu… I FREAKIN' SUCK at genjutsu…" I was speaking extra fast worried he wouldn't teach me.

Kakashi-sensei told me it was a privilege to be the first non-Uchiha to naturally develop the Sharingan, and I knew he was right. 'Sasuke would chidori me for not taking this seriously.' I thought with a grin. 'But then Sasuke had tried to chidori me because QUOTE… 'You're too happy and it's pissing me off.' There was a massive grin on my face. 'No smiling Naruto' I rebuked myself. 'You have to take this seriously,' I forced myself to remember why I was doing this, 'becauseif you fail there could be a Fifth Shinobi War.'

"Good." Itachi smirked at my serious face. 'It's alright for him,' I thought turning away and pouting, 'Uchiha's lack facial muscles, well at least that's what Kiba told me, but he told me his sister told him, and she's a vet and that's pretty much the same as a doctor.' Itachi suppressed his amusement getting down to business. "Now just let me go over a few things," he added before I could object, "just in case, you don't know them."

"Alright" I beamed. 'I'm going to know all this—hehe' I thought looking forward to proving my genius.

"The Sharingan's abilities can be split into two parts: the 'Eye of Insight' and the 'Eye of Hypnotism.'" Itachi was off again on another long speech.

"The 'Eye of Insight' produces a range of skills. The first of these abilities is the power to see chakra flow by giving colour to chakra. The second is granting the user an incredible perception allowing them to recognise genjustu and different forms of chakra. This also gives the user the ability to ready lips, mimic movements and eventually it can evolve to being able to track fast moving objects before finally giving the user predictive capabilities. The third and most well known ability is that it grants the user the ability to memorise and copy almost any ninjutsu, genjutsu and taijutsu technique they witness to near perfect accuracy, apart from other kekkei genkai."

"Now, then, the 'Eye of Hypnotism' also grants the user various skills. This Sharingan is capable of inducing a unique brand of hypnosis that involves suggesting actions and thoughts to an opponent through genjutsu cast by simple eye contact. More advanced Sharingan users such as Obito or Sasuke have taken this ability further to the point they can control powerful summons like Manda, Chief Toad or the Nine Tails."

"There are a few other abilities I could tell you about but I don't want to overwhelm you on our first training session." Itachi looked down at me, "Do you need me to explain anything?"

I groaned falling backwards onto the grass, "That just made my brain hurt."

Itachi frowned. "I see…" He began to pace back and forth. He had that intense look on his face that Shikamaru gets when he's being a genius. Finally he stopped, raising a finger indicating he had an idea, he asked "How do you normally learn new jutsu?"

Memories flashed through my mind of being taught the Rasengan with Ero-sennin and learning Rasenshuriken with Kakashi-sensei and Captain Yamato. "Um… normally Ero-sennin or Kakashi-sensei show me a jutsu, tell me how it works and leave me to it." I answered him. "That's how I learnt Rasengan and Rasenshurikun."

"Oh so you're a kinaesthetic learner." 'A kina-what?' I stared at him blankly. 'Is Itachi speaking some kind of foreign language?' I had to wonder.

"Huh…" I said in confused. Itachi chuckled.

"You learn by carrying out a physical activity, trial and error, rather than listening to a lecture or reading about a technique."

I sort of understood what he meant. "I guess so."

"Then my big speech was for nothing then."

"Sorry" I said smiling and rubbing the back of my head.

"It's alright Naruto. I should have asked to begin with." He gave me a warm smile. "Okay, now we have that established, we can build your training around that style of learning." Itachi thought about it again for a second. "I'll explain how to activate the Sharingan to you. The power of the Sharingan is tied to the Curse of Hatred. Do you know about the Curse of Hatred?" He asked me.

Happy I finally understood something, I eagerly nodded. "Yes I do. Madara, or rather Obito pretending to be Madara, told me about the Curse of Hatred. He said that if a Uchiha loses what is close to them then they become consumed by darkness, like Sasuke was at the loss of the Uchiha Clan." I answered before realising it was Itachi I was talking to. 'I didn't want him to feel bad.' "What does the Curse of Hatred have to do with the Sharingan?" I tried to move the conversation on.

Itachi didn't appear to be upset by my words. "That's right. Now that Sharingan ties in with the Curse of Hatred because it's hate that causes the manifestation of the Sharingan. The despair brought on by painful experiences, causes the brain to release a special chakra that affects the optic nerve and creates the Sharingan. Therefore advancement of the Sharingan requires more painful experiences that cause the user to delve into darkness until it completely consumes them. Does that make sense?" He sounded like a textbook again.

"Um… no… not really."

"You have to hate." Itachi told me straightforwardly. "Tell me Naruto. What gets you angry? What do you hate?"

"Well… I hate the three minute wait for the water to boil for ramen—" I started to answer him.

"That's not exactly what I had in mind." Itachi commented looking like Sasuke did before he called me a 'Dobe' or face-palmed or something like that. "I'm asking what get's you really mad, angry, hateful? Before you had control of the Nine Tails chakra, some of it would spill out to create the Nine Tails cloak but that wasn't because you were angry over waiting three minutes for water to boil for ramen. What made you get angry enough to access the Nine Tails chakra?" he asked this time more curious about my answer.

"A lot of things made me angry enough to access the Kyuubi's chakra such as if my friends got hurt or injured or killed." I shuddered at the thought. "K-k-killed." My mind began to flash back to that day... the image of Sakura falling to ground in front of me… the blinding light from the fireball that had burned Sasuke… their bodies on the ground and Obito just stood there… laughing… he was laughing… he still is laughing…

"Naruto," Itachi's voice was filled with concern, "are you alright?" He asked clicking his fingers in front of my dazed face.

"Yeah" I said quickly trying to get rid of the worry on his face. "Sorry… um… those are the types of things that got me angry enough to rely on the Nine Tails chakra."

Itachi nodded seeming to be contemplating my words, "It's that darkness we must tap into to awaken the Sharingan."

"I'm not sure it will work." I shook my head a bit. "To gain control over the Nine Tails I had to conquer the darkness in my heart at the Waterfalls of Truth."

Itachi sighed, "This might be more difficult than I first anticipated." He once again began pacing; thinking over what we were going to do. When he finally stopped, he had a smile on his face and chuckled to himself, "Who would have ever thought that it could be bad thing to be so far removed from darkness?"

'What is he talking about?' I heavily sighed, "It's not like that at all. I had more reason than most to fall into darkness. I grew up as a Jinchuuriki living in the Leaf only to be shunned and hated for the Tailed beast inside of me." I placed my hand over my chest it was aching at the memory of the loneliness of my childhood.

The comfort I took from that darkness was all the people I had bonds with now like Iruka-sensei, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi-sensei, the rest of the Konoha Eleven, Ero-sennin, Baa-chan and all the people of the Leaf Village. I felt only love at the thought of them. "But instead of hating everyone for the past I wanted to make them see me as more than this hateful beast that destroyed their village. I dreamed of doing that by becoming the next Hokage and now I am the future Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves." I beamed.

"I have been in the darkness but I chose not to let it destroy me." I shivered now not wanting to go back to that cold, lonely, hateful place again. "I don't know if I can do what you're asking me to do; to accept hatred only for power. That's everything I have been fighting against with Obito and with Sasuke. Isn't there any other way I can access the Sharingan?" I asked him hopeful that there was.

Itachi gave me a warm smile. "Like I said before Naruto you are truly remarkable. But-" His face darkened. "There is no other way."

That coldness came over me again but this time I just went to my safe place…

Out of the darkness there was Iruka-sensei gesturing with his hand for me to follow him, "Come on Naruto, I'll take you out for some ramen, my treat." I reached out ready to go with him but before I could take is hand Sasuke emerged from the blackness at my side. I exchanged looks with Sasuke for a brief moment but by the time I looked back around Iruka-sensei had gone.

I turned to Sasuke. He grunted with a smirk on his face, "Hn." He then lifted his hand up to mine to fist-bump with me like we did as genin, when we had finished a mission and totally kicked the other ninja's ARSES! I raised my hand and we fist bumped as he dissolved away.

Just as Sasuke disappeared, Sakura-chan appeared giving me her compassionate smile. "Naruto," she waved, "come on we have training with Kakashi-sensei." I wanted to run after her but she was already fading.

There was nothing for a few minutes.

Late as always, Kakashi-sensei materialised in front of me, "Sorry I'm late. I got lost on the road of life." I wanted to point at him shouting 'NO YOU DIDN'T, NO ONE BELIEVES YOU LAME EXCUSES KAKASHI-SENSEI.' But seconds later he was gone too.

Face after face appeared; the Rookie Nine, Baa Chan, Pervy Sage and all the other villagers. 'They are my safe place. I can go anywhere as long as they're with me.' With a renewed confidence in training, I smiled at Itachi, "Then I will embrace the darkness, but I will not do it for power, but to protect my friends." Itachi smiled with me.

"Now let's get you angry." He said a sly grin appearing on his face.

Training did NOT go well. Itachi and I used the same technique that Kakashi-sensei and I used for Rasenshuriken. I summoned hundreds of shadow clones having them get as angry as possible and then by reabsorbing them I tried to find the best way to get angry. However, it didn't seem to matter how mad I got, the Sharingan didn't awaken. I was starting to think that it impossible but Itachi insisted we keep trying, and I needed to do this for everyone.

The guards waved me inside as I strolled into the Hokage building. You could hear Baa-chan having a meltdown all the way down the road. "WHERE IS ALL THE SAKE GONE?! I NEED SAKE NOW. GET. ME. SAKE!" She yelled in a fowl mood.

"Um… there doesn't appear to be any…" Riichi, a high-ranking jonin, was wetting himself as she shouted him down.

"DON'T TELL ME USELESS THINGS. JUST GET ME SAKE!" She demanded.

"There isn't any left-" He dared to say signing his own death sentence.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" The jonin went flying through the door.

"GO GET ME SOME MORE THEN!" She snapped. "WHY AM I SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS?!"

"That's not very nice." Ero-sennin scolded her playfully.

Baa-chan wasn't in the mood. Infuriated, she threatened him, "YOU'LL BE GOING THROUGH THAT DOOR AS WELL IN A MINUTE!"

I helped the poor Jounin to his feet. "Arigatou Naruto-sama." He spoke very formally and bowed.

Sheepishly, I laughed and rubbed the back of my head, "No need to do all that. We're comrades. We fought side by side during the war. You were part of the Fourth Division, the Long-Range Battle Division, right?"

More and more people were just happy that I knew who they were. Riichi smiled with pride answering me, "Yeah that's right I was. I helped Lord Gaara in sealing the Second Tsuchikage before you arrived on the battlefield."

I nodded, "Good job. He was a hard one to seal. He taught Gramps Dust Release and he slipped right past Gaara and I even after we sealed him."

Riichi rubbed his neck obviously in pain because of Baa-chan's attack. Feeling sorry for this poor guy, I gave him some advice. "She got you pretty bad huh. You know if were you," I whispered, "I would run for my life. Baa-chan in psycho bitch mode is SCAARRRY! I would rope some other sucker into doing it." I winked at him.

Richi nodded. In a familiar tone this time, he thanked me, "Kansha Naruto." He fled down the corridor for his own safety.

Yawning, I walked inside Baa-chan's office. "Have you drunk all the sake again Baa-chan?"

I ducked as she threw a chair in my direction. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY BRAT?!" She yelled.

The chair smashed on impact with the wall behind me. "JEEZ BAA-CHAN THAT WOULD HAVE FUCKING HURT!" I complained seeing the damage it caused.

"Don't mind Tsunade she is just stressed about choosing Chunnin proctors." Baa-chan scowled at Ero-sennin for reminding her but he just sniggered like a mischievous school-boy.

Baa-chan's had a large stack of files on her desk and she had barely gotten through half of them despite the four empty sake bottles that were on the side. 'So that's why Baa-chan is PMSing…' I thought to myself knowing full well she'd throw the desk at me for a comment like that. It was common knowledge for anyone who knew Baa-chan that she didn't do the paperwork; that was left to her highly annoying but highly efficient assistant Shizune. 'So where is Shizune today?' I asked myself looking around for any sign of woman who had scheduled every moment of my life before I got a much lazier assistant of my own. 'Shikamaru is sooooooo much better than that drill-sergeant Shizune.' I shuddered at the memory of my early morning wake up calls that on more than one occasion involved a squad of ANBU and a series of tranquiliser darts.

Ero-sennin must have read my mind because the very next moment he answered that question. "Shizune has gone out for the day so Tsunade has been left to do it all by herself." Ero-sennin was having fun winding Baa-chan up but no one in their right mind would push her too far. No one would want to awaken the PSYCHO BITCH inside granny. "For-" Ero-sennin went to speak but Baa-chan cut him off. Baa-chan looked pissed. Her look darkened and her temple throbbed which was her way of saying 'One more word and you're out the door.'

I picked up a couple of the files and flicked through them. Scratching my head I gave them my suggestion, "Baa-chan I know who make a good Chunnin proctor, Hinata."

"Hinata Hyuuga?" Baa-chan asked taken aback a bit and wanting me to clarify.

"Isn't she that shy girl that doesn't talk that much?" Ero-sennin asked trying to put a face to the name.

"Yes and yes" I answered them both. "I would have never thought of Hinata before but she has grown a lot in confidence. She jumped in to save my life twice. And it's not just on the battlefield that she has really come out of her shell. I mean I had a full blown conversation with her the other day and I don't think I have ever had a long conversation with Hinata before. I dunno, you don't have to listen to me, I'm just saying I think she would be really good at it and she deserves it. She did save the Hero of the Ninja World." I smirked knowing they could hardly refuse after that.

Apparently 'Hero' had a use-by date because Baa-chan wasn't buying it. "Naruto I don't-"

"Come on," I whined, "Hinata will be way better than the crazies that usually get picked." I was referring directly to Anko and Ibiki. 'They were just scary' I thought with a shudder. "Please, please, please with Konoha's number one knuckleheaded ninja on top." I knew that any moment Baa-chan would given in and hit me calling me a spoilt brat but I really wanted to do this for Hinata.

"Awww come on Tsunade let Naruto impress the girl." Ero-sennin appealed to her giving me a wink.

My cheeks blushed red. "ERO-SENNIN IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" I yelled at him. 'How could he think that? This was still Hinata we were talking about… that would just be… weird.'

Ero-sennin gave me a goofy grin. "No need to get defensive Naruto." He put his hand over the side of his mouth then and no-so-quietly whispered into Baa-chan, "Just let the girl do it this kid needs all the help he can get."

I jumped over the table at him. "Coming from the guy who writes those PERVY BOOKS." I grabbed Ero-sennin's collar shaking him about. "The only girl you could seduce is a HOOKER and that's only because you'd be paying her!" I could feel the dark angry aura below me. I looked down to see Baa-chan's eyes burning with anger—

'Oh right,' I thought having an abrupt realisation, 'there together now. SHIT!' I clambered back off the table. Holding my hands up, I tried to reason with Baa-chan in full psycho bitch mode. "I'm sorry Baa-chan, I forgot, I didn't mean-"

Baa-chan rolled her sleeves up. "NARRRRUUUTOOO!" She yelled. She sent me flying out of the room.

My head hurt like hell after going through Baa-chan's reinforced hickory (A/N: strongest wood) door and hitting the wall outside. 'OW!' I mentally yelled. I got up brushing all the shattered plaster off myself. "Stupid Baa-chan… hitting me all the time…" I mumbled to myself.

I looked inside the room ready to shout at her. I found her blushing in Ero-sennin arms and then very suddenly they started to make-out. 'EW' I thought. 'That's just wrong… their old.' "AH!" I shouted at them. "AT LEAST WAIT UNTIL I LEAVE!" I slammed the door shut despite the two massive holes Riichi and I had made. "They are worse than a couple of teenagers" I groaned walking down the corridor but underneath the utter disgust I was happy that they made each other happy.

Hinata POV

My body was thrown back by Neji-nii-san's attack and I went skidding along the dusty courtyard.

Neji-nii-san didn't relent for a second returning to a fighting stance. "Again" He instructed.

Neji-nii-san summoned me at first light for training. He had increased our schedule ever since my father had named him Head of the Clan. Neji-nii-san believed that if I found the strength to defeat him in front of my father, he would reinstate me as the heir, but I was starting to believe that could never happen.

We fought time and time again but the result was always the same…

Neji-nii-san contained me within the Eight Trigrams circle, then hit me with a number of powerful blows, "Eight Trigrams: Sixty Four Palms." By striking sixty four points throughout my chakra pathway system, my chakra flow stopped, making me unable to stand.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm" Neji-nii-san released a high speed palm thrust knocking me to the ground.

Neji-nii-san by-passed my defences using gentle fist to deliver sharp blows to my tenketsu points.

Pulling myself up, I heard the whispers and chuckles of the servants going by. They said things like "It's an embarrassment", "How can she be Hiashi-sama's daughter?" and "Let's just be glad that Neji-sama has been chosen to be the heir." Their words were like extra blows against me.

Inhaling deeply, I tried to block them out and the pain. I could barely hold my aching arms in a fighting stance and the will power I used to get this far was growing weak. "Byakugan" I activated it for the two hundredth time this morning.

Once again Neji-nii-san and I locked in the hand-to-hand combat style of gentle fist.

The tide of the match was in Neji-nii-san's favour and I was constantly on the defensive using my natural flexibility to fend off his countless attacks. "Hinata," Neji-nii-san grabbed my attention, "however do you expect to win this match by just fending off my attacks? Attack me." He demanded. "Make me go on the defensive."

I had been sparring with Neji-nii-san all morning but I hadn't even come close to beating him. I couldn't help doubting my abilities as a ninja. 'Had I grown at all?' I had to wonder. Neji-nii-san read the look on my face and commented, "Do not think just because you haven't beaten me once today that you have not progressed? You have, greatly. I have not gone easy on you and have come at you with everything I have. You have shown you can defend against some of my strongest attacks but you will not defeat me by just defending. You must attack me. If you won't then you have given up already and it isn't worth this match continuing." Neji-nii-san broke off his attack at those words and turned to leave the courtyard. Walking away Neji-nii-san stated, "You are only weak if you are unwilling to help yourself."

I just stood there my head hung long on my shoulders as Neji-nii-san walked away.

"YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Kiba walked into the courtyard with Akamaru by his side. "HINATA ISN'T WEAK! SHE COULD EASILY KICK YOUR SORRY ARSE!"

Neji-nii-san temple throbbed in angered by Kiba-kun's presence. Neji-nii-san controlled his temper turning to Kiba and demanded answers, "What are you doing here Inuzuka? This is the Hyuuga training ground and you're not allowed to be here." Neji-nii-san made it clear that if Kiba-kun didn't leave then he would forcibly remove him from here.

"Like YOU could make ME leave!" Kiba-kun scoffed at the suggestion. Walking past Neji-nii-san and over to me Kiba-kun said, "You know ARSEWIPE you're the kind of person who, when someone first meets you, they don't like you. But when they get to know you better, they HATE YOU! Anyway," Kiba dragged out the word, "I have permission to be here. Shikamaru sent me to deliver a message to the both of you." With a perfectly straight face Kiba-kun told Neji-nii-san, "Neji the Hokage orders are for you to get the biggest ball and chain you can, secure it to your leg and jump off a tallest cliff into the deepest ocean…" Kiba paused for dramatic effect just waiting for his words to sink in.

Neji-nii-san and I stared at him blankly for a moment and then Neji-nii-san charged at Kiba with a murderous look in his eye. "EIGHT TRIGRAMS-"

Quickly I moved in front of Kiba-kun shouting "EIGHT TRIGRAMS: ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY EIGHT PALMS." Neji-nii-san hadn't expected the attack and was thrown back across the courtyard. My eyes widened, I stared down at my hands in shock… 'Did I… did I just do that? That was Eight Trigrams: One Hundred and Twenty Eight Palms…'

"WOAH… that was freakin' awesome! HIGH FIVE FOR WHOPPING NEJI!" Kiba grinned putting his hand up for high five me.

For a second I wanted to smile excited having accomplished this new move but then I saw Neji-nii-san lying wounded and I felt terribly guilty. "Neji-nii-san…" I whispered stepping closer to my wounded cousin. Neji-nii-san got to his feet moving closer to us. "Gomen nasai, gomen nasai, gomen nasai" I continuously apologised. Neji-nii-san froze in front of me glaring at Kiba-kun over my shoulder saying 'THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!' "Gomen nasai Neji-nii-san I… I shouldn't have done that but he didn't mean it, did you Kiba-kun?" I looked up at him a pleading look in my eye.

Kiba looked guilty and scratched the back of his head, "Um… it was a joke."

"What was Shikamaru's actual message?" Neji-nii-san asked through gritted teeth.

I looked back at him with an apologetic smile on my face trying to prompt him to tell Neji-nii-san the message.

Kiba smiled back at me and let out a sigh, "Okay. Fine. Shikamaru said that the ANBU squad Neji is assigned to will be leaving first thing in the morning." Kiba-kun turned to me now his voice softening a little, "And Lady Tsunade wants to see Team Eight in her office sometime this afternoon."

Neji controlled his anger at the news turning to leave again. In a stern voice Neji said to me, "After you have taken on board what I have said Hinata we will continue this…"

'No-' I didn't want him to go.

Kiba-kun put his hand on my shoulder and encouragingly whispered, "You show him Hinata."

I had to do something… I looked around the courtyard spotting Akamaru drinking out of a water spring at the side. 'That's it…' Using enhanced chakra control granted to the Hyuuga clan by the gentle fist, I condensed the nearby water in the fountain into needles and launched the self-made senbon at Neji-nii-san. Using my byakugan, I aimed the spikes with precision at my cousin, attacking different chakra points along his back and the last one aimed directly at the blind spot at the back of his neck directly above the first vertebra.

The needles didn't even come close to Neji-nii-san before he released chakra from every tenketsu in his body; using the technique known as "Eight Trigrams: Palms Revolving Heaven" he rotated his body to counter the attack and created shield of chakra around him. Afterwards Neji-nii-san was facing me again, "That was impressive. I never would have expected you to use ninjutsu on me. You're going to take this seriously then?"

"Hai."

We both took on offensive starting positions showing that there was going to be a battle for dominance in this battle.

"Byakugan" Neji-nii-san and I activated in unison.

Kiba-kun and Akamaru sat down at the side. "Wooooo," Kiba cheered with a whistle, "GO HINATA!"

An hour later Neji-nii-san and I finished training, Kiba-kun and I met up with Shino-san and we walked over to the Hokage's office for our meeting with Lady Tsunade.

Walking up the path towards the Hokage building we were surprised to find no shouting, screaming or crashing from inside. Kiba-kun said what we were all thinking, "What the hell is going on?"

In a flat voice Shino-san answered rather pessimistically, "It's probably bad news."

"Jeez Shino don't be such a downer. Maybe the Hokage's just in a good mood-" Kiba-kun stopped talking thinking that was unlikely. "Well we won't know anything unless we go inside and find out, isn't that right Hinata?" Kiba turned to look at me waiting to hear my opinion on the matter.

Cheeks flushing red under his gaze, all I could do was nod in reply.

There were small groups of genin busy cleaning under the supervision of their jounin leaders. One of the groups I recognised instantly as Team Ebisu; Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi. Konohamaru was busy mocking what I deduced was Ebisu to his teammates, "Didn't I tell you round and round in circles like this…" Konohamaru emphasized the circular motion with his hands. "No, no, no," he stopped his teammates, "don't just smudge the dirt…" In the end Konohamaru lost interest in mocking their team leader and threw down the rag, "This stinks."

Kiba-kun took the chance to step in. Calling over to them, he asked, "Oi Konohamaru what's all this about?"

"What does it look like? I'm cleaning." We all took a step back as he snapped. "It's all that Old Hag's fault always wrecking the place and then turning us ninja into maids. She better just wait because when I become the seventh Hokage I'll make her do my dirty laundry…" Konohamaru's eyes flamed as he pictured his evil plan coming into fruition. "She'll have to wash my smelly old socks and my dirty pants and I'll tell she can't have a nose peg because it's a training exercise," he mocked the reason she clearly had given him for cleaning the Hokage building, "MUHAHAHAHAHAHA."

Attempting to laugh a long with him Kiba-kun asked, "How come the Hokage's fussed about prettying the place all of a sudden?"

Moegi answered as Konohamaru continued his evil laugh, "Lady Tsunade is having all the genin in the village clean the Hokage building because the rest of the Kage are coming to the Leaf Village for this year's Chunnin exams."

"Um… that's strange… I hope everything is alright. I have never heard of all the Kage attending the Chunnin exams." I commented to the others.

Konohamaru, who had finished laughing, answered me, "This years Chunnin exams are different than before. They are being broadcasted across the whole ninja world since we are taking part…" Moegi raised an eyebrow at him and Konohamaru quickly added, "…and the Boss."

Ebisu appeared behind the three unsuspecting genin with a menacing glean in his eyes, "You three aren't talking instead of polishing are you?"

The three genin shuddered under the frosty glare of their jounin leader, "N-N-NO," they stuttered in unison before racing back to work.

Konohamaru returned to complaining, muttering under his breathe, "I bet Boss isn't being made to do such useless tasks…"

His teacher grabbed him by the ear and pulled him off towards a dirty patch of floor. "How do you expect to become Hokage when you don't take these things seriously?"

"GET OFF ME YOU CLOSET PERVERT!" Konohamaru whined using the name I heard Naruto-kun call Ebisu.

We left the squabbling team to walk into Lady Tsunade's office. Hokage-sama was rubbing her temples looking tense while Master Jiraiya rubbed her shoulders soothingly. "That better? See I told you I have magic hands…" He whispered into her ear not hiding the erotic undertones.

My cheeks turned red, Kiba-kun mouth hung open and even Shino-san's eye brow twitched in shock.

Tsunade-sama clearly used to Master Jirayia's ways just rolled her eyes at his words. She commented, "Unless you're magic hands can organise all this," she lifted up her files and let them fall all over her desk, "I don't give a shit." Lady Tsunade returned to rubbing her temples, "This is all that brat's fault demanding to come here right away."

"I know, I know…" Master Jiraiya whispered soothingly kissing the top of Lady Tsunade's head.

Kiba-kun coughed loudly meaning to announce our presence, "Uh… We are here for the meeting?"

Lady Tsunade shook Master Jiraiya's hands off her shoulders and tried to bring an air of formality back to her office. "Ah yes come in…" she ushered us inside. It seemed that things were returning to normal when the Hokage-sama's high shrieks could be heard again through the halls: "SHIZUNE, SHIZUNE! I NEED THE FILES FOR TEAM EIGHT! SHIZUNE!"

We walked inside her office, the three of us standing in front of her desk and Shizune rushed inside with a small stack of files inside her hand.

"Here you are ma lady" Shizune bowed respectfully and glared at Master Jiraiya for standing so close to Hokage-sama. Master Jiraiya stepped back raising his hands up in surrender. 'Moving away, moving away very slowly, moving away' his expression said as if Shizune were some kind of wild animal…

Lady Tsunade opened one of the files in the front of her. "I don't know if you've heard but this years Chunnin exams have been moved ahead. They will be held here in the Leaf two weeks from today. All of the Kage will be joining us here within the week." Kiba-kun gave her an impatient look saying 'We know all that. What's this got to do with us?' Slightly irritated Lady Tsunade continued, "Due to the threat that Uchiha Obito poses, I will be sending various groups to meet the Kage at our boarders. Your mission will be to escort Kazekage. You will be leaving Thursday morning-"

Kiba-kun's cut her off with a smug grin on his face, "That's a pretty big mission. Our talent is finally being recognised-"

Lady Tsunade scoffed at Kiba-kun. "I would have sent a group of Jounin or ANBU on this mission but the Kazekage was very insistent," her temple twitched in annoyance at the Kazekage's request, "on who I send to meet him." Shino-san and I realised immediately that Lady Tsunade must have wanted us to join Naruto's team but Kiba didn't quite get it…

"Woah… the Kazekage asked just for us." Kiba-kun commented with an excited look on his face.

Shino-san's eyebrow twitched slightly which was like a Shino-face-palm. Impassively he asked, "Will Sasuke and Shikamaru be joining us?"

"Yes. Naruto, Sasuke-" Hokage-sama began.

"Wait WHAT?!" Kiba cut in looking horrified. Flailing his arms about, he shouted at Lady Tsunade, "HELL NO! THERE IS NO WAY WE ARE GOING WITH SASUKE." In a panic Kiba-kun put his hands on my shoulders and steered me towards the door. "COME ON HINATA LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" Kiba-kun managed to move me all the way to the door before I ground my heels into the floor stopping him.

"Kiba-kun…" I whispered in a low voice. Turning to him, I tried to reassure him, "Its okay."

His face paled filling with concern. "No it isn't Hinata," he started quiet but then turned raising his voice at the others, "the guys a FUCKING PSYCHO… he killed his own BROTHER, attacked the KAGE and planned to DESTROY THE ENTIRE VILLAGE! I wouldn't trust that guy to look after my goldfish never mind trusting him with my friends." I stepped forward about to say something but Kiba-kun stopped me, "I mean I've been cool about him being in the village but I'm not just going to let you be around the guy…" I moved closer still and Kiba-kun's voice lowered so much I doubted he even thought I could hear, "I will protect you this time."

Lady Tsunade realised as I had that this wasn't just Kiba shouting in anger. She heavily sighed, "If you object so strongly…" she paused reluctant about her next words, "then I guess I will have to get someone else." I knew just from the look on her face that no one else would be willing to work with Sasuke.

"NO!" I shouted turning to face a stunned Lady Tsunade. "I… I want to go on this mission. I… I'm not afraid to go with Sasuke-kun and neither should any of us. Naruto… Naruto-kun is our friend and he trusts him… and I have seen…"

I recalled Sasuke's mannerisms softening at Naruto's presence, the affection in his voice as he said his name, and remembered knowing in that moment that he loved him.

"…I have reason to believe personally that we can trust Sasuke-kun."

Kiba-kun broke the stunned silence and with a warm smile he announced, "That settles it then we are going on the mission."

"Hinata" Lady Tsunade snapped her voice filled with authority. "There was something else that I have been meaning to discuss with you. I was reluctant to do this at first but now I see what he means…" Her words seemed cryptic because she was only half talking to me and half talking to Master Jiraiya.

We all looked to them eager to hear what they meant. Kiba-kun finally asked, "What who means?"

Lady Tsunade didn't say anything at first but then she turned to me with a smile on her face. "Congratulations you have been selected as one of this year's Chunnin proctors."

As was tradition in the Hyuuga household every afternoon my father, Neji-nii-san, Hanabi-onii-chan and I gathered in the dinning room for our evening meal.

Two waiters accompanied by the Head Chef brought a small silver trolley into the room. The Head Chef hit a little cymbal and announced the dinner choices for this evening, "Tonight I will be serving grilled monkfish cheeks with umeboshi and shiso dressing or grilled salmon with seven-spice and miso broth."

As was custom in our household my father made his dinner choice first, "I'll have the grilled monkfish."

"Excellent choice." The waiter placed a small silver tray in front of my father and lifted the lid to reveal his steaming hot dinner.

The new order in our household meant that the Head Chef then turned next to Neji-nii-san. Neji-nii-san politely ordered from his choices, "I'll have the grilled samon."

The Head Chef didn't need to look between myself and Hanabi-onii-chan to decide who to ask next. Hanabi-onii-chan rudely waved him over with her nose turned up in the air. "I don't like grilled monkfish or salmon." Hanabi-onii-chan had enjoyed the Chef's grilled samon on a number of other occasions, but this was a power game to her. She wanted to make this poor man do extra work just because she could. She shooed him away demanding, "Make me something else."

The Head Chef looked for my father's approval of her request and promptly he left to make my sister her dinner.

All while this was happening Neji-nii-san looked at me with an odd look on his face. Eventually he sought to grab my attention asking, "What would you like to eat Lady Hinata?"

"I'll have the grilled monkfish" I answered both Neji-nii-san and the waiter with a smile.

The attendant waited for a moment before Neji-nii-san signalled for him to bring over what I had requested. "Did you not hear Lady Hinata?" He reprimanded him. At Neji-nii-san's words, the man was quick to obey and hurried to bring my food to me.

My father observed the whole incident both sighing in disappointment in me and in approval of Neji-nii-san authority over the servants.

Another routine was for my father to spend the entire meal talking with Neji-nii-san and mostly, if not completely, ignoring myself and Hanabi-onii-chan. Breaking his chop-sticks, he started today's conversation, "I hear you will be leaving us tomorrow morning for an ANBU mission."

"That is correct." Neji-nii-san answered him respectfully but somewhat dismissively.

I looked up to see if Neji-nii-san was okay and again he had that same strange look on his face. He caught me staring at him, smiled and said "Lady Hinata do you have any news to share with us?" I almost choked on a piece of monkfish. All these thoughts raced through my head, 'Oh no Neji-nii-san knows… how? I only found out this afternoon… He wants me to tell my father…'

My father turned to me then expecting me to answer Neji-nii-san's question. "I…" I stuttered unable to speak to my father.

My father impatiently sighed, "Speak up. Haven't I told you to speak clearly in public?"

I felt deflated knowing that no matter what I said to my father it would be wrong in his eyes. "I have been chosen be one of the proctors for this year's Chunnin exams."

My father was lifting a piece of fish to his mouth but he stopped hearing the news.

Hanabi-onii-chan laughed at the idea, "You? A Chunnin proctor? What was the Hokage thinking?"

Neji-nii-san cut her short. "I think it very wise of Hokage-sama to choose Hinata as one of this year's Chunnin proctors. Hinata is proven herself to be a fine Shinobi worthy of such a merit. We must remember that our future Hokage is the reason this year's Chunnin exams are getting so much attention and Hinata saved Uzumaki Naruto during the Fourth Shinobi War. Its only fitting that Hinata be involved and it will be much publicity to the Hyuuga Clan." Neji-nii-san commented unconsciously feeling the need to persuade my father this was a good idea. Neji-nii-san looked directly at me then, "It's a great accomplishment to be chosen Hinata. Congratulations."

My father put his chopsticks down that second. "You are right on a lot of things Neji, this is a great accomplishment and it will bring a lot of publicity to the Hyuuga Clan but I feel you would be more suited to the task. You are the future head of this clan therefore it is you who should be representing us and building relations with other villages." My father returned to eating his meal any discussion on this over in his mind, "I will meet with Hokage-sama in the morning and have you take Hinata's place."

"I want to-" I started to say.

My father's eyes narrowed looking directly into mine, "You want what is best for this clan."

Looking away I hid my watery eyes, "Y-"

"HINATA IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR STUPID FUCKING CLAN!" Kiba yelled storming into the room with three of the servants trying to restrain him.

"Kiba-kun" I gasped shocked to see him.

"Inuzuka… we did not invite you in… please leave…" They tried to reason with him.

"GET OFF ME!" Kiba tried to shake them off but they were wrapped around his body like crawling ivory.

"Look Hinata, it's your dog of a boyfriend. Someone should call the police…" Hanabi-onii-chan whispered beside me.

"OUCH! THAT FUCKING HURT! YOU DAMN MUTT!" One of the servants yelled because Akamaru bit their ankle to free his master…

"Or the pound." Hanabi-onii-chan chuckled to herself.

Kiba marched across the room and slammed his hand down on the table in front of my father. "If you really cared about your clan you would resign immediately and hand control over to Hinata. Hinata is the smart, kind..." Kiba would have continued but my father was no longer listening to him just branding him an 'idiot.' My father scolded the guards failed attempts at stopping Kiba-kun and signalled for them to seize him at once. Determined to get his message across, Kiba-kun shouted right in my father's face, "You know what you should be BEGGING Hinata to do this for you."

My father took a napkin from table and wiped Kiba-kun's spit from his face. "Ko," My father called out into the hall. Ko-kun appeared in the doorway bowing before my father. "Escort this Mutt out of the Hyuuga compound and tell the guards the he is not allowed on the premises. If I find him here again then I will have him arrested for trespassing-"

"No" I gasped.

My father's gave me a stern look causing my mouth to snap shut.

Kiba-kun saw the exchange and stared down at my father with a look of absolute disgust, "You're not even worth my breath. You're too thick headed to understand how amazing your own daughter is."

Kiba left my father sitting there fuming at the insult to his standing, "HOW DARE YOU! AND IN MY OWN HOME!" There was a faint smile on my face knowing that if Kiba-kun had heard him earlier then he would have scolded him, saying, "'Haven't I told you to speak clearly in public?'" I wanted to say it for Kiba-kun and join him.

Coincidently, at that exact moment, Kiba-kun walked around the table and held his hand out to me. "You wanna get out of here?" I stared at the hand extended out to me and up to see the cheeky smile on Kiba-kun's face. 'That smile…' My heart fluttered in my chest. Kiba-kun made me feel like there was no one else in the room and he gave me the strength to take his hand to leave with him.

As we moved to leave out the dinning room doors, Neji-nii-san got up and roughly pulled Kiba-kun's hand away from mine. "Where do you think you're taking Lady Hinata?"

Kiba-kun had a dark rage very different to his usual anger at Neji-nii-san, "Be a bastard to me all you like…"

"You are not taking my cousin anywhere." Neji-nii-san spoke over him.

"…I don't fucking care…" Kiba tried to drown Neji-nii-san out.

Neji-nii-san spoke over him again, "You are not leaving this room with Hinata."

"…but to Hinata… I didn't even think you were that low."

Neji-nii-san heard his words and was rendered speechless.

Kiba-kun took my hand into his and moved us towards the door. "You want to know where I'm taking Hinata, I'll tell you. Somewhere she will be treated like the AMAZING person that she is and DO take that to mean the furthest possible place from any of YOU."

Neji-nii-san wouldn't meet my gaze as I passed him. I could tell from his violent reaction to Kiba-kun's words that he thought there was some truth to them. 'Neji-nii-san don't feel guilty…' I wanted to reach out and comfort him. There was a part of me that wanted to stay for Neji-nii-san but there was a larger part of me that wanted to run away from this place at Kiba's side and never look back.

"Come on Hinata," Kiba-kun gave me a smile as we walked out of the doors, "you can stay at my house."

Sasuke POV

The meeting today was even longer than usual suddenly complaints about Naruto were piling in fast from most of the senior members of the clan. I pushed my door open, fully intending to collapse on my bed and never wake up. When a loud shrieking thing ran at me, "SASUKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Karin squealed like the banshee.

"SHUT UP KARIN YOU'RE MAKING MY EARS BLEED!" Suigetsu shouted.

"YOU SHUT UP! YOU WEIRDO FREAKY FISH BOY! I DON'T KNOW WHY YOUR EVEN HERE." Karin yelled back. "YOUR SHOUTING IS DISTRACTING ME!"

"YEAH, WELL WELCOME TO MY WORLD!" Suigetsu threw his hands up in the air.

"Chidori." I said quietly and darkly, lightning forming in my hand.

Shrieking they both ran behind Juugo who sighed running a hand through his hair.

"Juugo save us!" They shrieked grabbing an arm each and hiding behind him

Juugo gave me an apprehensive look raising his hands up in surrender, "We just came to give you the information you asked for Sasuke-sama."

I sighed, dispersing the chidori and sitting down heavily on the bed. "What have you found?"

They all turned more serious in that instant. Juugo stepped forward with Suigetsu, "They are holding secret clan meetings in which they plan to kill the future Hokage Uzumaki Naruto and take-"

"What?!"I growled, "You're lying! Take it back!" I demanded.

"Your father is leading the meetings for God's sake. Isn't that Naruto guy meant to be your best friend?! Even if you don't want to believe it, you have to at least take it seriously; the guy saved not only your family but you too. He gave you everything you have!" Suigetsu snapped angrily. I looked at him as did Karin and Juugo. 'That was very… unexpected.' "What! The guy got me my brother's sword and he's pretty cool getting us criminals a place to live and all." Juugo nodded thoughtfully.

'Great more Naruto fanboys.' They couldn't be right though, the Uchiha clan had sworn their alliance to me, and my father he couldn't... He hated Naruto that much was clear but he wouldn't do this to me.

There was a knock at the door. 'Hide' I mouthed. They all rushed into the ensuite closing the door quietly behind them.

"Come in." I called arranging my face so it was perfectly blank.

The door burst open and in bounded the source of all my headaches. "Sasuke." Naruto beamed, "Itachi's late so I thought I would-" His smile filled the room and a pain stabbed at my chest exploding through my veins. I took him in from his bright blue eyes to that ridiculously bright hair. I couldn't put him in danger anymore and I wouldn't allow Itachi to either.

This wasn't because it was what the Uchiha's wanted. This was a desire to keep the only person in the world that knew truly me safe. He wasn't going to believe me unless I wholly meant it. I took in his smile, 'The best friend I had never wanted but could never break my bond to.' I knew I had to break him completely or he would never stop trying. Looking up I put on my darkest voice, "Get out." I interrupted his babbling.

"TEME DON'T BE SO RUDE!" He yelled but I think he knew something was off.

"I'm not joking around this time Naruto. I want you to leave and not ever come back to this district again." I told him looking into his eyes. 'Please let me have inherited Itachi's lying abilities,' I pleaded, 'just make him believe me this once please.'

Naruto's smile faltered. "Hey Teme what's wrong? You've been acting even stranger than usual lately. Is this because Itachi's training me if it bothers you I can-" He started again.

I interrupted. "Naruto, we're not friends, so it wouldn't matter even if you were training with my brother. You mean nothing to me. However your presence is unsettling to the other Uchiha so as leader of this clan I forbid you from coming into the Uchiha district." I told him as coldly as I could his eyes took on that hurt look he had always had as a child.

"Sasuke... you don't mean it. We're best friends, we always have been and-" Naruto's voice shook he was taking it in. I had to do this fast before I backed out-

"But I do mean it Naruto." I let out a cold laugh, "Why would you honestly believe I would want to be friends with you? You were a means to an end, nothing more. I needed you to bring my clan back so I convinced you we were 'best friends'; saving your life, defending you, all the time we spent together was all to achieve my goal." He tried to meet my gaze but I purposely turned around biting my lip so hard it began to bleed.

There was a long silence. Naruto looked away the light dimming in his eyes when he spoke however it was with complete conviction. "Even if that is the case… even if this bond between us meant nothing to you… it meant everything to me. He was falling to pieces; his eyes watering one second and then he was angry the next. "Naruto was in utter turmoil. "I CAN'T, I WON'T BELIEVE IT, WHY ARE YOU SAYING THIS?!"

Naruto took the time to collect himself. His voice became too quiet to be his, a whisper. "If you honestly don't think there isn't anything between us. Then," he looked me dead in the eyes making me take a sharp intake of breathe, "thank you." The expression on his face was contradictory; he smiled at me but there was nothing but pain in his eyes. "Thank you for saving me from loneliness and for being my first bond."

Naruto grimaced, "I promised I would bring you back to the Leaf and that I would free you from the Curse of Hatred." Through gritted teeth he said the next part, "That's over now. I understand… our friendship… whatever this thing is or was. Its over." There was this tiny flicker of a flame still in his eyes, hope. "But we still need to bring the Uchiha clan back into the Leaf and-"

"It will be all business from here on out I will have my advisor communicate with yours, we will go on missions together but this charade of friendship ends now." I told him as bluntly. His eyes were flickering all over me taking every part of me in; my face, my body language, my tone. I needed to make him leave quickly he was far too good at reading me.

I turned away from him making it so he couldn't see my face. He answered me his voice shaky, "If that's what you want Sasuke, then fine." He wanted to leave but was lingering here because he didn't want it to be over. He knew like I did that once he left everything would change. "I only ever wanted you to be happy. You're still my friend even if I'm not yours." His words struck my heart but I could only be enraged he wouldn't let go. He knew what I was going to say— Putting his hands up in surrender not able to hear it again, "Don't worry, I won't bother you anymore." He turned to leave now but paused for a second. "If you ever do need me I am here ya know?" He voice broke at the end.

"I never needed you Naruto." I told him stiffly facing him my expression blank. "I only ever needed your power."

"Fine. Tell Itachi-" Naruto stiffened sensing my brother's chakra. "Never mind bye Uchiha-san." With a poof he teleported, my face drained of all its blood and I collapsed back on the bed. Naruto I-

"WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!" Itachi demanded from the doorway, "WHAT DID YOU DO SASUKE!"

"I did what needed to be done brother." I told him firmly with a dark smirk on my lips.

"YOU'RE SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT! YOU HAVE REACHED NEW LEVELS OF FOOLISHNESS. ALL THIS TIME I THOUGHT YOU LACKED HATRED BUT THAT'S NOT IT, IS IT? IT'S THAT YOU LACK FUCKING BRAIN CELLS! THERE WAS ONE PERSON, ONE PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO CARED ABOUT YOU DESPITE YOUR MORONIC WAYS AND YOU CHASED HIM AWAY!" My brother's usually calm face was livid as he yelled at me louder than ever before.

I snapped at that. 'How DARE he make out this wasn't for Naruto's own good?' "WHAT WOULD YOU FUCKING KNOW?! I DONE THIS TO PROTECT HIM! THE CLAN WANTED TO KILL HIM! HE WASN'T SAFE HERE! I KNOW YOU DON'T GET THIS, NEVER HAVING HAD A FRIENDSHIP BEFORE BUT YOU'RE MEANT TO PROTECT THAT PERSON!"

I took in his expression when I told him that the clan wanted to kill Naruto, there was no shock, "YOU KNEW, YOU FUCKING KNEW ALL ALONG AND YOU DID NOTHING! HE COULD HAVE DIED YOU SELFISH BASTARD!"

"OF COURSE I DID! ANYONE WITH A PAIR OF EYES KNEW MORONIC LITTLE BROTHER! BUT UNLIKE YOU I CAN PROTECT MY COMRADES BECAUSE MY LIFE GOAL IS NOT TO IMPRESS FATHER! FRIENDS ARE MEANT TO PROTECT EACH OTHER YES, BUT THEIR ALSO MEANT TO TELL EACH OTHER THINGS INSTEAD OF PUSHING EACH OTHER AWAY ALL THE DAMN TIME!" Itachi yelled back at me.

My own face was red with rage everything he said made me want to kill him all over again. "HA THAT'S BLOODY RICH COMING FROM YOU! THE FRIENDLESS, PATHOLOGICAL LIAR! YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE!" I shouted the hurt from finding out the truth about my brother resurfaced and I hated him for it. 'Making me kill him only to find out...'

"I'M PRETTY SURE WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT MY LAST LIFE WAS PRETTY MUCH A WHAT-NOT-TO-DO LIST! I DO HAVE FRIENDS AND WHILE I MIGHT NOT HAVE ALWAYS TOLD THEM TRUTH, I NEVER PUSHED THEM AWAY FOR SUCH A SELFISH REASON! AND I WOULD NEVER EVER THROW AWAY MY BEST FRIEND LIKE A PILE OF TRASH." Itachi shouted back fire on his breath. 'Was he trying to imply Naruto was his best friend?'

"NARUTO IS NOT YOUR BEST FRIEND AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE NEVER WILL BE. HE IS BANNED FROM THE UCHIHA DISTRICT AND YOU ARE FORBIDDEN FROM SPEAKING TO HIM ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN BUSINESS TERMS!" I shouted spitefully at him making the rule clear.

He stopped shouting his face turning cold, "You think you can tell me who I can and can't talk to?"

"As leader of the clan I believe it is my right." I sneered.

My mother appeared next to Itachi in the doorway looking between the two of us concerned. "Boys what's going on?" She asked worriedly.

"Nothing mother." I told her glaring coldly at Itachi whose face had slipped back into its cool indifferent mask.

"Nothing. Nothing but your younger son needing surgery to pull his head out from out of his arse. Congratulations Sasuke, you're a true Uchiha, father would be so proud." Itachi commented in a completely calm voice moving swiftly out the room.

My mum stood there for a few seconds digesting what Itachi had said as if she couldn't believe it, "Itachi Uchiha that was very rude, apologize!" She called after him.

He simply 'Hned' before walking into his room slamming the door. "What happened to that boy? He's always been strange but never..."

"He hung out with criminals for year's mother. Of course he has picked up some bad habits, I hear he's been hanging around with a lot of different women lately and he's always sneaking in late." I told her in a whisper. I thought wickedly, 'That will definitely keep Itachi out of my way for a while.'

She gasped, "Are you alright Sasuke?" I nodded. "I better go see to your brother then before he..." She ran out of the room and knocked on Itachi's door.

The door creaked open behind me.

"That was harsh." Suigetsu commented.

Karin nodded her agreement looking sadly at the door. "Sasuke you only just got them back. Are you sure this is what you want?" Karin asked softly.

"ALL OF YOU OUT!" I shouted enraged. 'Why was it the whole world versus Sasuke Uchiha?' They all scurried out the door and finally I was alone.

It was what I had wanted all day yet now... "Naruto..." My voice getting angrier I stormed across the room, "Naruto." I growled. Picking up my armchair, I held it above my head before swinging around and out the window it shattered into a million pieces. I laughed as some glass stuck in my cheek.

"Naruto." I laughed hysterically gathering a chidori in my palm I charged along the walls bringing down the walls and the bookcases which I proceeded to throw all over my room.

"NARUTO!" I shouted laughing manically. I threw both my lamps into midair using chidori blade to shatter them into a million pieces, glass rained down. I looked at my bed; I picked it up holding two of the corners of the bed and swung it round the room effectively knocking the last things off the desks.

I caught sight of the bracelet Naruto had given me on my wrist. My stomach clenched. I spun around three times before sending the bed through the wall. It crashed right down the hall and into Itachi's room. I heard shattering plaster and glass. I heard my mother call up about keeping the noise down for our neighbour's sake.

I walked over to the one intact thing left in my room. I watched the blood drip down my face paper, glass and wood covered my body. A dark smile taunted me from the other side of the glass. Itachi appeared in the reflection behind me, "Feeling better? Because I guarantee he won't be." He intoned darkly before walking out the hole in my wall into the night.

"Never," I whispered to my reflection, "I'll never feel better again." I looked down punching the mirror into a million pieces blood trickled down my fist. I fell to the floor, sitting with my back against a piece of the wall and staring blankly at the night sky which was now visible because my wall was completely destroyed. "Naruto…" I whispered one last time.

Sakura POV

A frantic knocking came from the door as I was pulling on my headband, "SAKURA GET THE DOOR!" My mother shouted from upstairs.

"GRR!" Inner me shouted at my mother. She could get the damn door herself but I just sighed. "Yes mother."

The taps were becoming frantic, "I'm coming!" I yelled sighing. 'It was probably Ino or Lee. Most likely Lee' I smiled and shook my head that boy had no sense of time.

"Hey L-..." I trailed off my smile turning to concern as I took in Iruka-sensei's panting form. "Iruka sensei? What happened?" I asked.

"Naruto..." He panted heavily coughing. "Have you seen Naruto?"

"Naruto? No why has something happened?" I asked worried. 'Had Sasuke done something?'

"He missed our Wednesday morning breakfast yesterday and I can't find him. I've been asking around and no one has seen him in two days! I'm so worried it isn't like him. He wouldn't just leave without telling anyone!" Iruka rushed. I noticed the huge bags under his eyes 'Had he been searching since yesterday?'

"Maybe he went training with Kakashi-sensei have you asked him?" I asked.

"Kakashi is missing too..." Iruka said slowly. "But no they train close to the village and Naruto would tell me." He coughed again. 'Exhaustion' I deduced.

"He might just be in a part of the village you haven't been to yet. Iruka-sensei why don't you come in, I can make you some tea and we can discuss where he might be," I offered gently. He quickly shook his head.

"I need to keep looking if you think of anything let me know and-" I promptly caught him as he fell forward.

"Sorry sensei but Naruto wouldn't want you running yourself ragged like this." I whispered before dropping him off at the hospital to rest fortunately it was only a couple of blocks from my house so I managed to avoid unnecessary questions. "You don't need to worry sensei I know exactly where to look for Naruto." I grimaced before jumping back out the window.

I arrived in the Uchiha district in a matter of minutes. It wasn't hard to find that bastardshouse it was the biggest most extravagant house... and Sasuke was right outside it apparently ordering some builders plastering a massive hole in the wall.

My suspicions were confirmed this amount of damage meant Naruto hadto have been here.

I gritted my teeth sending chakra to my fist, I charged at him. He turned casually grabbing my fist in a hand and throwing me through the air. "Sakura." He acknowledged me simply turning back to the wall.

"YOU BASTARD WHAT DID YOU DO WITH HIM?! YOU KILLED HIM DIDN'T YOU?! WHERE IS HE?!" I shouted charging again tears streaming down my face.

He easily dodged with an irritable tone, he answered, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"YOU KILLING NARUTO THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" I shouted even louder even more enraged 'How dare he lie to my face I...' All of a sudden he was in front of me Sharingan blazing red, his grip on my arm was so tight and I was sure it would leave bruises.

"Naruto's dead?" He asked. There was a lot in his voice danger, threats and... pain... 'Pain? What was I thinking this is Sasuke Uchiha,' I berated myself, 'he didn't care if Naruto was dead.' I examined his face again there it was barely concealed fear was he... did he...

"You should know you're the one that killed him!" I snapped but he wasn't even listening anymore he fell to the floor against the pillar.

"Naruto... I was trying to... AMATERASU!" He shouted all the buildings around us were enshrouded in black flames.

"SASUKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING! SASUKE STOP IT!" I shouted at him people ran out into the square screaming.

He ignored me muttering Naruto's name repeatedly. I watched as his eye began to bleed. 'The strain of the black flames' Naruto had told me. Why was he acting like this?... like it mattered? He had been all ready to kill him himself not six months ago.

Suddenly a black blur fell in front of him, "RELEASE!" Sasuke's brother Itachi appeared in front of us dispersing the flames.

"What's going on?" He angrily demanded looking from his shaking brother to me.

"I was asking your brother what he did with Naruto. No one's seen him in two days. I assumed your brother went through with his threats and killed him." I told him firmly, his eyes widened and he dropped down in front of Sasuke.

"Sasuke are you alright?" Itachi asked trying to make him focus.

He turned to me, "Have you got confirmation he is dead?" Itachi asked coldly.

"At the moment he is missing but no one has given him permission to leave the village neither did he tell anyone he was leaving." I told him my tears starting up again.

"Then I doubt he is dead. If he was, Obito would have launched a new attack to recapture the ten tails." Itachi spoke directly to Sasuke now, "Naruto is fine you know that stop being foolish." Sasuke stopped mumbling and stood up.

"I'm going." Sasuke told him.

"No you're not. He is probably still upset about the incident and you do not have permission to leave without him. You chose this clan, now you have to stay here and keep your promise." Itachi told him walking off.

Sasuke started after him but I stood in his way, "You will not ruin what Naruto worked so hard for. Even if you didn't kill him, I know you had something to do with his disappearance. I will make sure you stay away from Naruto, you only ever cause him pain and I won't-"

"You're right I agree." Sasuke interrupted his face blank.

"I don't care what you think I- did you just agree with me!" I asked shocked.

"I don't have to explain myself to you but I agree, I want you to keep Naruto safe and away from me." He confirmed.

"Then how do you propose we do this? You could just leave again." I asked surprised he was being so honest.

"If I left he would just follow and bring me back." He told me with a sigh.

"Then join my team. Lady Tsunade can't argue, we would tell her it is so I can get over my anger at you and eventually go back to Team 7. She'll have to agree." I told him.

"That could work." He nodded.

"I will go organise it now." I told him walking off. "But Sasuke I will never let us be Team 7 again just so you know." I warned him sternly.

"Fine by me but just so you knowSakura, if you ever lie about Naruto being dead again or if he in fact does die and your the unfortunate one that has to tell me, I will kill you." Sasuke's voice rang darkly.

I narrowed my eyes at the threat but he was already dealing with upset Uchiha's.

"Yes, yes Uchiha Itachi will be punished for the burning down of your homes Maki-san." In my irritation I didn't hear what Sasuke was promising someone until I was halfway down the road.

"Thank you Uchiha-sama." 'Was he seriously going to blame his brother for all of this?' I shook my head. 'What did I ever see in him? His looks? His prestigious clan? He could be sort of nice as a genin when he wasn't being moody. But seriously the drama? No thank you.'

I was going to miss having our friendly team. I was sure Sasuke wouldn't be going to our post-mission meals or join in on the banter. I sighed 'I had to do this for Naruto.'

I made my way to the Hokage building. Shizune was at her desk so I waved to her under her pile of paperwork. Seeing me she said "Hey Sakura, Lady Tsunade wanted to see you she has a new mission in your squad."

"Hai, thank you Shizune." I nodded respectfully. I made my way down the hallway greeted by various shinobi.

Finally I knocked on the door, I heard scrambling around before, "Come in." Lady Tsunade sat behind her desk and Master Jiraiya was adjusting his jacket. "Sakura," she sounded surprised, "Aren't you working in the hospital today?"

I shook my head, "No it's Thursday my shift doesn't start until seven."

Tsunade nodded, "What can I do for you?"

I took a deep breath moulding my face into a calm mask, "I want you to move Sasuke Uchiha into my team. I want to rebuild Team 7 and I feel that spending time working with him in a group I'm comfortable with will be the best way to achieve this."

"That's excellent so why don't you move back onto Team Seven?" Lady Tsunade challenged.

I knew that was coming, "Because Naruto will believe everything is fine straight away and I still need time to deal with my issues concerning Sasuke."

"I understand your reasoning Sakura but Sasuke needs to be in a team with Naruto for the time being. I know you're only requesting this because you want to keep Naruto safe." I flinched, 'She knew?' "But," she continued, "for now he is safer with Sasuke." I opened my mouth to protest, "It's true only he has the power to control Naruto's chakra if it gets out of hand and only Naruto can counteract Sasuke's darkness."

"That can't be... I could stop Sasuke if he went back to Obito. Sasuke himself said that he is a danger to Naruto!" I protested.

Lady Tsunade smiled sadly, "You're a strong girl Sakura, my disciple in every way, probably more than any other of my students but you won't be able to stop Sasuke. He and Naruto are not in league of any other shinobi but that's not the only reason Naruto can stop him."

I looked at her confusedly, "What do you mean?"

Master Jiraiya whose presence I had completely forgotten spoke, "It was partially our fault Sasuke was overcome by darkness before. We never should have separated them in the first place." I must have looked completely lost because he elaborated with a grim expression. "Naruto and Sasuke have always had a sort of balance. Sasuke challenges Naruto to be stronger and Naruto challenges Sasuke on his perspective of life. After the Chuunin exams when Naruto saved Sasuke from Gaara they had a big fight on the rooftop which I'm sure you remember?"

"Yes." I whispered thinking of how scared I had been when they had sent their Chidori and Rasengan flying at each other. It was a turning point. The closeness they had after that had turned...

"We thought by separating them we would remove Sasuke's resentment for Naruto's rapid progress while he felt at a stand still." I nodded showing my understanding. "It had the opposite effect see Naruto knew that communicating through fighting and insults was how he could communicate with Sasuke. He was effectively trying to get Sasuke to focus all his hatred on him. It was working Sasuke was becoming lighter, in fact he nearly chose the village through Naruto's influence but when we separated them the pair became more alone and more darkness seeped in. By separating Naruto from Sasuke, he began to feel loneliness and while he was always there for his comrades and believed in their abilities, he never let them protect him in return."

"So," I started cautiously the words tasting horrible in my mouth, "Naruto is sort of Sasuke's light source? Sasuke gives Naruto someone he can rely on? THAT MAKES NO SENSE! SASUKE UCHIHA ABANDONED HIM FOR YEARS ON END, HE IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE PERSON IN EXISTENCE. I'M SORRY SENSEI BUT YOUR WRONG SASUKE UCHIHA ONLY CARES ABOUT SASUKE UCHIHA! AS FOR SASUKE HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE LIGHT BESIDES WHO THE HELL FEELS BETTER BY BEATING UP HIS SUPPOSED 'BEST FRIEND'! ARGH THEIR BOTH IDIOTS!" I shouted storming out slamming the door so hard the hinges snapped.

"That's hardly a normal reaction yourself love." I heard Jiraiya mumble.

I was about to storm back in when I heard Lady Tsunade erupt. "What did you say about my prize student?!" Her voice was low and dangerous. I guess I could let her handle that moron I had my own to deal with.

Sasuke POV

I fought back the yawn threatening to erupt. I spotted Tino Uchiha and quickly ducked into a building. Maybe lying to the clan, telling them I was on a mission so I could look for my best friend who I had just gone out of the way to break and convince I didn't care about, wasn't the best idea but I knew I couldn't rest until he was back.

"Did you hear? Naruto Uzumaki is coming back today?" A girl gushed buying a watermelon.

"Ohhh really, he's so dreamy, I've been trying to ask him out on a date but he's always so busy! As to be expected from the hero of the Leaf!" She fanned herself I gritted my teeth hands balling up.

Her friend giggled, "Oh you're so bad. Rumour has it he loves that pink haired teammate of his, Sakura Haruno."

Their babbling made me want to chidori the whole damn shop but I needed to know... I stepped out in front of them, they shrieked and the watermelon smashed all over the floor. 'Serves them right.' "Where is Uzumaki Naruto meant to show up?"

"Uchi-Uchi-Uchiha-Uchiha Sa-" The brunette stuttered.

'For Kami's sake.' "Yes, yes Sasuke Uchiha. Now where the hell is Naruto Uzumaki? I would answer with out the stutter this time if you know what's good for you." I smirked. With that the pair of them fainted in front of me. "DAMN IT!" I cursed.

"Um Sas- Sasuke-kun Naruto kun will be at the main gate in five minutes." I turned around to see Hinata she smiled shyly.

I had never seen her so bold. It was quite impressive what three years could do to someone. I nodded, "Thank you."

"Hey Hinata we gotta hurry everyone is on their way-" Kiba stopped in his tracks spotting me he put Hinata behind him.

"Kiba." Hinata pulled his arm making him look at her raising an eyebrow.

"You're right I'm sorry." He smiled gently at her before turning back to me with an apologetic look, "Look dude I'm sorry we've all been giving you the cold shoulder, it's just hard to accept you as the good guy you know? But from now on if you need people to go on missions with you… well Hinata and I well we'll help, guess that's all. See ya come on Hinata we're running late now."

They turned and walked off, Hinata turned back, "Sasuke-kun do you want come with us?"

I tried to smile but from Kiba's facial expression I guess it just looked contorted Naruto was always telling me to try, "No I need to pick supplies up for the mission but thanks for the offer."

Naruto probably wouldn't want to see me anyway my eyes started to burn again. I would have to talk to Itachi the Mangekyo must be acting up they'd been stinging for a few days. I must have said the right thing because Hinata smiled and nodded while Kiba grinned, "That's cool see you later."

I waited until they walked around the corner before sprinting through the trees. I reached the main gate within a minute just as a procession was coming through the gates. "Get in line youthful criminals!" Gai shouted pushing a criminal back into an already perfectly straight line.

"Gai their under the control of the sharingan, Naruto made sure they couldn't run and to top it off they have chakra cuffs on!" Kakashi face-palmed. I ignored them scanning the crowd of criminals for the familiar shock of blonde hair.

Finally I saw him hobbling, half being supported by... 'Itachi!' I fumed internally, 'What was he doing! We were meant to be avoiding him!' Itachi looked on worried as Naruto limped into the village.

I edged through the trees trying to get as close as possible.

Finally Iruka and Sakura caught sight of him and ran up screaming his name…

"Naruto where have you been?" He smiled at them as Iruka and Sakura pounded on with questions. I could tell it was false, it didn't burn bright enough, it didn't reach his eyes and his mouth didn't crinkle just the right way. I felt something crumble inside I grabbed at my chest…

"Naruto… where did you go?" I leant in intently trying desperately to hear him. 'Where had he been?' Naruto turned around to answer them making it impossible for my sharingan to read his lips like I had been doing before. I finally managed to get into the tree closest to him. Had no one noticed he was injured, 'why were they just standing there?!' Naruto just what happened to you...

Naruto POV

I caught Iruka-sensei's lingering gaze on the bruises on my neck. I wasn't used to taking a beating without Kyubbi's chakra to heal me so I looked a lot worse than usual coming back from battle. I didn't want them worrying self-consciously pulling up the collar of my jacket to hide my wounds. Iruka-sensei gulped before cautiously asking, "Naruto where have you been?"

I stared right through them with my practiced smile fixed to my face.

"Naruto… where did you go?" Sakura-chan asked me a little more insistently.

'Where…' I struggled to think straight, 'Where did I go?' Painful memories flashed through my mind…

"Fine. Tell Itachi-" I stiffened sensing Itachi's chakra. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stay and fake a smile, not this time. There was only one thing that I could think of doing- 'RUN!' I could barely weave signs my hands were trembling so much still I gave my best friend the formality he wanted, "Never mind bye Uchiha-san" I teleported away.

My teleportation took me far into the dense woodland outside the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

A single step forward and I fell to my knees. "Goodbye Sasuke…" I whispered my very own farewell with an endless stream of tears on my face.

My heart ached so much it felt like Sasuke had been stabbed me with a kunai or chidoried through the chest- THUD. THUD. THUD. My heart felt like it was ripping apart. THUD. THUD. THUD. "AH!" 'Stop, stop, stop,' I begged the pain to go away, "STOOOOOOPPPPPP! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I cried out so loudly all the birds in the nearby trees took flight. Hammering my fists against the hollow earth, I sent waves of chakra out of my body, trying with all my might to expel all the hurt, the pain, the sadness and the darkness.

Sasuke had told me time and time again that we weren't friend and that he had severed our bond but this… This was far worse than anything he had said to me while consumed by the Curse of Hatred. He was denying our bond even existed- I looked into his cold onyx eyes and for the first time they were entirely hollow. His words played over and over in my mind… '"You mean nothing to me… nothing to me… nothing to me… nothing…"' This distorted image of my best friend was in my head coldly laughing at me. '"Why would you honestly believe I would want to be friends with you?"' It taunted me with an arrogant smirk.

"HOW CAN IT MEAN NOTHING?!" I punched the ground imagining it was Sasuke's smug face. "HOW CAN IT?!" I struck the ground harder refreshed by the pain to my knuckles. "Ow!" I winched and for two seconds I was free from the dark memory of Sasuke. To soon it returned to tormenting me, '"I never needed you Naruto."' He spoke with cold indifference to the suffering this was causing me. I had to stop it—

"HOW CAN IT MEAN NOTHING?! OW!" I hissed at the pain. No longer was it Sasuke I angrily punched at. I struck the ground over and over because I wanted the physical pain to distract me from the emotional breakdown I was experiencing. Repeatedly, I chanted hitting the ground with my fists, "HOW CAN IT MEAN NOTHING? HOW CAN IT MEAN NOTHING? HOW CAN IT MEAN NOTHING WHEN IT MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME?!"

My last punch to the ground caused a tremor across the landscape. "Just…" My eyes were so flooded with tears I couldn't see, "WHAT DID I DO?!" I thought back over everything looking for ways I could have been a better friend to Sasuke. "WAS I NOT GOOD ENOUGH?!" It felt like I had failed in everything. For so long Sasuke had been my goal; to defeat him, to be acknowledged by him, to be his friend and to bring him back to the Leaf. "WHY WON'T YOU LET ME BE YOUR FRIEND?!" I pressed my forehead against the ground, my tears mixing with already the sodden soil and in a croaky whisper I revealed the hopeless tragedy of it all, "It's all I've ever wanted to be."

"Um… kid… are you alright?" asked a traveller coming out of the trees. He wasn't from the Leaf and he wasn't wearing a headband so he wasn't a ninja, I sighed in relief. I didn't want anyone to recognise me like this…

'I should be wary of strangers' I told myself. I didn't trust my ability to sense evil intent right now…

But this couldn't be a bad person; he had stopped to see if a total stranger was okay. I wanted to reassure him, "I…" The words wouldn't come out of my mouth. I choked, "*cough* I *cough* I *cough**cough**cough." Even in the darkest of places… the cold loneliness of my childhood… the helpless search for Sasuke… the death of my Sensei, I managed to keep a smile on my face for the world outside but I couldn't lie and pretend everything was alright with this… at least not so soon. "I… *cough**cough**cough*" I attempted to speak again but still nothing more came out.

"HEY," the man rushed to support me, "hey are you alright?"

I wiped the side of my mouth noticing and hiding the blood I found there. Looking up at the man, I strained to put a smile on my face, "Yeah... just a big night out…" I lied poorly, pushing away from him and struggling to support myself.

The man gave a hearty laugh—His eyes widened as he looked at me, "NO FREAKIN' WAY! You're Uzumaki Naruto aren't you?" He stuttered a bit his eyes brightening in excitement, "You really are him. Wow man, I can't believe this, to meet you in the flesh, no one back home is going to believe this…" He rambled but I couldn't pay attention long enough to listen or say something.

The only words I heard out of his mouth after that were, "You're the hero of the Ninja World." 'Hero…' I repeated in my mind. That's what I needed to carry on. I had lost Sasuke and with that all direction but this man had reminded me I was a hero, the future Hokage and I had a village to protect so even if Sasuke refused everything else… I could still protect him.

Lifting my trembling hand, I noticed how dirty and wounded it was, so I wiped it on my jacket before holding it out to him. "Thanks for the help…" I stretched the words out waiting for him to give me his name.

"My name is Hayahi Yukito Naruto-sama" He grabbed my hand with both of his and shook it enthusiastically.

"Well thanks for the help Yukito… what village are you from?" I asked distracting myself with pleasantries.

Proudly he answered me, "I'm from the Sand Village." 'Gaara…' the thought of my friend made me come up with a plan.

I wasn't strong enough to put on a brave face for everyone back in the village but I wasn't meant to leave the village without telling Baa-chan either. It was easier to fake happiness with a total stranger so… "That's cools. Eh…" I scratched the back of my head not knowing how to go about this, "Do you think you could pass on a message to Gaara for me?"

He was taken aback by the request, "Me. Deliver a message to the Kazekage. I'm no one… we only just met… aren't you meant to sent messages secretly in case enemy ninja get hold of them? I could be anyone…" Yukito continued to ramble.

On any other day, I could tell I would really have gotten along with the guy but unfortunately today the whole world had turned to SHIT. So instead of making a new friend—I shuddered at the thought. I needed to get through this as quick and painlessly as possible. I replied with an agonizing smile on my lips, "You have a trustworthy face."

I had only closed my eyes for only a brief second and my mind had drifted to those painful memories…

Iruka-sensei and Sakura-chan were waiting for my answer. I scratched the back of my head forcing another faux smile to my lips, "I went training on Mount Myoboku. I sent a message to Gaara and Gamakichi was meant to get a message to you guys but Gamatatsu is claiming he's diabetic to get more snacks so they had to get him chocolate first … I guess I got back before they got here… I didn't mean to worry anyone…" I explained trying to hide behind this strange laughter.

Iruka-sensei looked at the crowd of criminals I had brought back to the village. "Um… how was it that you ended up with all of them then?"

"I would have been back sooner but I sensed evil intent by the village… so I followed it." It wasn't a complete lie, that's how it happened, however I didn't want to return to the village because I still hadn't dealt with it. I was just itching to Rasengan something… "I raided several hideouts that Obito has been using since the war and discovered that he has been collecting S-rank criminals planning to use them in some kind of army by putting them under genjutsu. A lot of the hideouts that I found must have been Orochimaru's lairs because they were covered in snake iconography and filled with those creepy prison cells he kept people in like in the Sound or on Demon Island. I came so close to capturing him the last time…" I told them envisioning my invasion of the last of Obito's hideouts.

Down every corridor there were ninja being forced to attack me their eyes glazed over under the hypnosis of the Sharingan…

"Rasengan" I pushed a palm full of chakra into a group of ninja.

A large ninja towering over all the rest of his teammates tried to grab hold of me, using teleportation jutsu I got behind him and slammed a rasengan into his back.

"Rasengan, rasengan, rasengan, rasengan," I charged down the halls blasting away the ninja, "rasengan, rasengan, rasengan, rasengan."

There was a large chakra signature coming from deep within the base— "Obito," I said through gritted teeth, "I'm coming for you!"

"RASENGAN!" I blasted down the stone doors at the heart of the hideout.

At the centre of the hall there was a gigantic snake statue coiled up with candles in its eyes. Sitting on a stone throne at the foot of the statue was a dark figure and the only part of them I could see were their glowing yellow snake-eyes. 'Orochimaru,' my fists clenched, 'he was the perfect person to vent my anger out on. He stole Sasuke away from the Leaf, he turned him into…'

The dusty remains of the stone door scattered around me as I went inside.

My chakra started to bubble anxious for a proper fight, "COME OUT!"

"Naruto," the voice almost sounded like Orochimaru, "what an unexpected surprise. I did hear rumours that you hit several of our bases over the last few days. It's all very impressive…"

Kabuto came out of the shadows and into the candlelight. He was wearing a long maroon coloured cloak with a hood resembling a serpent's head with white, red and yellow marking that looked like eyes. Kabuto's appearance had changed dramatically and he had taken on many of the traits of his former master; purple eye markings, scaly patterns on his face and much of his body, and a long white snake was fused to his abdomen that slithered out from under his robes. I could still tell it was Kabuto from his trademark black rimmed circular glasses and his recognisable silvery hair that was now in unkempt bowl cut.

"But wouldn't it have been smarter to have rested before attacking us. You don't look well at all, when was the last time you slept? Or eaten for that matter?" Kabuto's pushed his rimmed glasses up his nose a clinical curiosity in his eyes.

"Where is Obito?" There was darkness in my voice.

"I suspect that it has been a long while. Let me guess you're experiencing muscular pain, join pain and severe headaches; poor short-term memory and concentration, and difficulty organising thoughts and finding the right words; painful lymph nodes…" He looked at me at that and deciding I wouldn't know what those are he elaborated, "they are small glands of the immune system. You are probably experiencing stomach pains, sore throat, insomnia and that sleep is not refreshing, sensitivity to light, noise and foods. And that just causes psychological difficulties such as depression, irritability and panic attacks and maybe even other symptoms like dizziness, excess sweating, balance problems, and difficulty controlling body temperature. Yes," he gave me a wry smile, "it would definitely have been wiser for you to attack us after you had rested or," he laughed a little like Orochimaru, "maybe even with some reinforcements."

The mention of sleep made me feel all the effects of tiredness at once. I need to get out of here right now and find Obito, "Tell me where HE is NOW!"

"Ah… I see so it has been a long time. Now is that because you haven't had the time to sleep or because you can't…" Kabuto asked overly intrigued.

I didn't say anything to his words.

"I see so it's a psychological affliction."

Having enough of this dickhead trying to get into my head I shouted, "TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"

"Could it be Sasuke? Don't tell me you finally realised he isn't the same boy that you grew up with in the Leaf?" He smirked in amusement.

I couldn't hear his name. Not now- "N-NoOW!" My voice cracked as I snapped at him.

Kabuto just gave me a sly smile.

"Fine. If you won't tell me willingly, I will just make you tell me- KAGE BUSHIN NO JUTSU!" Two shadow clones appeared beside me looking to me for instructions.

"As a professional I think it's unwise for you to fight me in your condition" Kabuto advised sarcastically.

This feeling of exhaustion became even more intense and I finally released what had been happening this whole time, "Release the genjutsu." I wanted to smash my fists into something not some stupid illusionary battle.

"So you picked up on my Temple of Nirvana Technique." Kabuto weaved hand signs and revealed a fluttering rain of sleep-inducing white feathers. "My my you really have grown… This is the powerful genjutsu I used to put an entire stadium of people asleep during Lord Orochimaru's invasion of the Leaf Village. It is highly impressive that you could pick up on it, bearing in mind genjutsu is your weakness and I managed to bind both Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha despite their considerable genjutsu prowess. Then again I always told Lord Orochimaru you were one to watch…"

The shadow clones either side of me were losing their balance…

One yawned, "I feel sleepy."

"How about a nice nap?" The other yawned too.

I followed on with another yawn- 'I have to do something FAST.'

The shadow clones understood the instructions I gave them, nodding in unison they shouted, "Hai." They began to spin chakra in their palms, "Eat this ARSEHOLE…" they yelled charging at a still rambling Kabuto, "RASENNNNNGAAAAAAAANNNN!"

Simultaneously, I gathered nature energy inside my body disrupting my own chakra and dispelling Kabuto's Temple of Nirvana Technique. My eyes snapped open as I activated "Sage Mode."

I had hoped to take Kabuto off-guard but he effortlessly dodged my shadow clones, "That was a bit obvious wasn't it Naruto. Maybe I was wrong about you-" He stopped talking seeing that my eyes had changed and noticing that his illusionary feathers had dissipated.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips, "Very well. I have always wanted to test my senjustu against another but it is rare to come across another at my level." Kabuto passively pulled nature energy inside of him. His appearance began to undergo its own alterations; the marking around his eyes extending back and the growth of four horns on his head as well as darkened sclerae. Opening his glowing snake eyes he proclaimed, "Let us measure our power Sage versus Sage!"

Kabuto bit his finger, moulded his chakra and planted his hand down in from of him. There was smoke all around us and out of it four snakes appeared. A trio of brown coloured snakes with tomoe-like patches and an even bigger version of the purple snake Manda that Orochimaru summoned when he fought Ero-sennin and Baa-chan.

I didn't waste a moment biting my own finger, moulding my chakra with hand-signs and placing my hand down in front of me. I used the same formation of attack I did when I had fought Nagato; I sat on Gamakichi's back on top of Chief Toad with Gamaken and Gamahiro at our flanks.

Our summons went to head to head on command while Kabuto and I charged to face each other in hand-to-hand combat.

It became clear too quickly that we were too equally matched, in terms of speed, strength and agility so we pulled back choosing to turn to our powerful ninjutsu attacks.

I didn't take a moment to recover despite my breathing becoming dangerously rapid, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." Two shadow clones appeared beginning to pool chakra in my hand. It felt like all the hurt inside seeped out with my chakra. It was so refreshing; I just kept feeding it more and more. "GIANT RASSSEEENNNNGGAAAN!" I yelled charging straight for Kabuto.

Kabuto struck the ground with his hands creating a large wall of earth in front of him, "Earth Release: Earth Shore Return."

The barrier shattered at the chakra storm my jutsu created and Kabuto was forced to teleport out of my line of attack.

I didn't want to waste the jutsu. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Chief was under attack from Manda so I hurled the Giant Rasengan at him taking down the snake with a single attack. "You alright Chief?" I called up to him noticing the deep bite wounds on his arms and the anguished look on his face.

Gamabunta took a long drag out of his pipe before answering me, "I'm find kid just look after yourself-" He knocked back two snakes which Kabuto had ordered in my direction.

I turned my attentions back to Kabuto, who was again weaving hand seals, and seeing that I was trying to follow what he was doing he spoke to me. "I think you have proven that it would be unwise of me to meet you in a battle with only my own ninjutsu. Luckily for me I do have some reinforcements- Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation." At that point four wooden coffins came out of the ground. "Did you know Naruto that I was quite disappointed that you didn't die on the battlefield? No, it's not what you might think. It's just you would have made a wonderful addition to my collection." The doors fell open one-by-one revealing his four reanimations that were none other than four previous Kage: Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze. "I would have made you my star piece, the King on my shogi board, the Kage of Kage's."

My eyes were immediately drawn to one coffin in particular. Looking at the fair-skinned man that on more than on occasion had been compared to me; both having bright blue eyes and spiky bond hair. He was wearing a standard Konoha-nin uniform and a short-sleeved long white haori, decorated with orange flames on the edges and with 'Yondaime Hokage' written vertically down the back. 'The Fourth Hokage… my father.'

"D-D-Dad…" I stuttered knowing his face only from the time he stopped me from unsealing Kyuubi. "Dad," I stepped towards him my eyes watering, "dad you're being controlled, you need to SNAP OUT OF IT!" My voice rose in desperation at the prospect of being forced to fight my own father.

"Ah, ah, ah," Kabuto shook his finger at me, "there is no point trying to appeal to their emotions Naruto. You see you're not the only ones that learnt from your mistakes during the war. I have made sure I eradicated all traces of their personalities before using them in battle especially against you… you have a pesky habit of reaching people emotionally."

My eyes burned since I used up all my tears and in anger I clenched my fists, "YOU BASTAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRD! HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT THEM MAKING THEM DO YOUR BIDDING! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO MY FATHER! FIGHT ME YOURSELF COOOOWAAARRRD!" I didn't have a care in the world rushing straight for Kabuto despite his Kage defence.

On command the First Hokage went on the attack, creating a massive forest of trees in an attempt to block me from reaching Kabuto but using the speed I inherited from my father I evaded the giant wooden branches. Dodging the trees, I failed to notice the marked kunai all over the woodland but I soon learnt they were there when the Second Hokage and my dad performed the "Flying Thunder God Technique"; appearing from every direction and attacking me with lightening fast taijutsu.

There was a flash of yellow before me. Putting up my hands up defensively, I tried to once more to petition to my father, "Dad please stop… I don't want to hurt you… AH!" I keeled back as he landed a roundhouse kick to my side.

I jerked forward as the Second Hokage struck my spine, "Urgh!"

I couldn't keep up with them without Sage Mode and I couldn't keep them back long enough to collect nature energy. 'I don't need to fight them,' I reminded myself, 'I just need to get past them.' "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." I created a wall of shadow clones around me making them fight the Kage while I looked to see how large the marked area was and teleported out of its range.

I wasn't out of trouble yet. Now I was stood face to face with the Third. He looked much younger than he did when I knew him; his small spiked goatee was dark brown instead of grey and he didn't have all those wrinkles. He still looked like the man I knew though so despite Kabuto telling me it was pointless, I couldn't stop myself trying to get through to this man I had known my whole childhood, "Old Man please wake up!" I gave him a pleading look, "I really don't want to fight you."

He stared at me with those blank black eyes before throwing a single shuriken at me, "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique." In an instant he created thousands of clones out of that one shuriken. Taking a kunai out of my pouch, I hit them all over the place, having great difficulty trying to evade them all and suffering a number of deep wounds.

Afterwards, I pulled a number of out of body… one… two… three bloody kunai clanged on the floor.

Combining my incredible chakra levels and speed, I turned my body into a human bullet similar to Kiba's Fang over Fang Technique and blasted through the any further interference aiming straight for Kabuto.

All the Kage appeared at an unhuman speed at Kabuto's side. The First Hokage creating a wooden hand barrier "Wood Release: Hotei Technique", the Second Hokage made a water defence "Water Release: Water Formation Wall", the Third Hokage spit molten mud that solidified into a protective shield "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall" and my dad created a torrent of air around them "Wind Release: Tornado Tower Technique."

My attack pierced through all four of their barriers as if there was nothing there at all. "THIS IS FOR ALL THE NINJA YOU HAVE DISRESPECTED WITH THAT JUTSU!" I declared fuelling my chakra will with all the hurt, pain and anger I had been feeling.

The moment of impact my father used his "Mutually Instantaneous Revolving Technique" to switch places with Kabuto.

I was too far gone to stop. "DAAAAAD MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!" I clamoured.

The strangest thing happened next, before my very eyes, my dad smirked turning into Kabuto. "You not as good at sensing genjutsu as you think" Kabuto commented with a sinister smile.He used the distraction to eject snakes from his robes and I was flung backwards as they inflicted multiple assaults on my body.

"Argh!" I winced as their teeth and their poison sunk into my skin.

"You're failing to impress me Naruto." Kabuto started to walk towards me twiddling a kunai between his fingers. "Where is all that power you had in your battle against Obito? As you are you are hardly a worthy opponent. The Sage I want to fight is the one of the Six Paths. Show me your Rinnegan, show me your mastery as the Ten-tails Jinchuuriki, show me EVERYTHING!" He lifted the kunai threatening to deliver the final blow. "YOU ARE WEAK, and do you know why you are weak?" Kabuto ran his hand through his silvery locks restraining himself, "You always claimed that your greatest strength was your emotions but I have proven that they only hinder you in battle. Oh well, I will change that…" Kabuto had gotten inside my head, using the one thing I thought knew about the world, that emotions made you stronger. 'But how can that be true? How can that be true when I feel at my weakest because of them?' For a second… a split second… I considered just ending it all. Sensing my surrender Kabuto lifted the knife into the air, "…you will be joining my collection after all and the first thing I will remove are those useless emotions of yours."

'"MOVE YOU FUCKING IDIOT!"' I could hear Sasuke's voice as clearly as I could hear Kabuto. I instantly rolled out of Kabuto's line of attack and his kunai came down just beside my head.

Gamabunta took one swing with his arm and Kabuto was sent crashing into the side of the cave.

Gamakichi hopped over to my side asking in concern, "You alright Kid?" He tried to help me to my feet but my legs were too weak to stand on their own.

"What the hell just happened?" Chief asked coming over to us.

"Genjutsu." I gave them one word. They looked between each other puzzled. I did my best to clarify, "I was never fighting the Kage… it was a trap… genjutsu."

An avalanche of rocks came down on Kabuto when he crashed into the wall causing him to have to shed his skin. He slithered out from under the mass, taking on the form of a white snake with arms, similar to Orochimaru's true form, and rising up into an offensive position he roared "YOU LITTLE BRAT!"

But seeing that I needed Gamakichi to support me Kabuto smirked, "This will be over soon enough."

"FUCK YOU!" I yelled trying my best to heal myself like Kyuubi had taught me.

Kabuto was amused by my resistance at this point taunting me, "You know with you out of way or better yet at my side, I might make a few additions to my collection from the Leaf Village: Master Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade or even that pink-haired girl, I hear her medical ninjutsu is quite something," he paused then before hissing with his snake tongue, "and of course there will be a place in my collection for Sasuke-kun."

I let go of Gamakichi walking closer to Kabuto with a limp. "Don't you…," I stuttered as a sharp pain ran through my body, "don't you… DON'T YOU DARE THREATEN THE PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT!" I looked straight into his eyes with an unwavering certainty that I would protect my friends no matter what it takes, "I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU TOUCH MY FRIENDS!"

"A big threat for someone who can barely stand" Kabuto sniggered mocking me.

"Even like this," I took a step forward making the ram hand sign, "even like this I can beat a LOSER LIKE YOU—KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!" Three shadow clones appeared behind me and together we stumbled forward. 'One more step for Ero-sennin, one more step for Baa-chan, one more step for Sakura-chan, one more step…' I chanted inside my head pushing myself forward, '… for Sasuke!' I broke into a run.

Simultaneously, Kabuto licked his lips and charged in my direction.

"AHHHHHH!/AHHHHH!" We roared.

Kabuto scooped up all three of us into his mouth and swallowed me whole.

"NARUTO!" Chief shouted.

Gamakichi yelled "KID!"

Inside the snake's dank dark stomach, I pooled all of the chakra I gathered into my hand while one of my clones changed its shape and the other its nature. "WIND RELEASE: ULTRA-BIG BALL RAAASENNNNNSHURRRRIKEN!" The jutsu created countless microscopic wind-blades that severely damaged Kabuto's body at a cellular level; severing all the nerve channels in his body leaving Kabuto unable to move and attacking the entire chakra circulatory system which could not be repaired with any form of medical ninjutsu.

Kabuto's snake form limply fell forward onto the hard stone floor.

I used the last of my strength to force the snake's mouth open and climb out; battered, bruised and covered in slime.

Gamakichi hopped over to me with the other toads following behind him, "Jeez kid don't scare us like that…" he began examining my injured body, "are you alright? You look pretty beat."

"I'll… I'll…" I stumbled forward as my legs buckled.

Concerned Gamakichi hopped a little closer, "Naruto-"

"I'll be…" I flinched as every nerve ending in my body exploded in pain, "fine."

I rose to my feet collecting nature energy and combining it with my own chakra to begin the healing process that Kyuubi had taught me.

I turned to thank the toads for their help, "Hey thanks you guys."

"Don't mention it" Gamakichi waved it off.

"I don't know why you're saying that, you didn't do anything but sit on my head the whole time." Chief reprimanded him taking a long drag form his pipe.

"Don't be like that pop."

Gamakichi hopped over to Kabuto, stuck his tongue out at him, "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha … YOU LOSE… WE WIN-"

Kabuto's eye blinked.

Gamakichi nearly jumped into my arms in fright, "SHIT he's alive."

"Don't worry about him, he's paralysed and can't wield chakra anymore." I assured them whilst trying to focus on balancing the nature energy with my chakra.

The moment I activated Sage Mode I sensed a dark energy still coming from somewhere within the hideout – 'Obito is here.'

I raced out of the hall.

I searched corridor after corridor, room after room, and every nook and cranny.

Following the chakra, I ended up on the path leading out the stony entrance of the hideout. I skidded to a halt seeing Obito standing there a smug grin on his face. He started his space-time ninjutsu beginning to disappear with four hand-selected S-rank criminals in tow…

"Better luck next time." He mocked using that Tobi voice of his.

"NO," I ran, "NO," I pressed on harder, "NO," and faster, "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" My fingers grazed the edge of Obito's purple cloak but in the end my hand phased right through him as he disappeared.

"COME ON!" I looked at my empty grasp and shouted enraged, "I HAD HIM! I FUCKING HAD HIM! COME ON!" I clenched my fists so hard that it drew blood. "WHY?! WHY AREN'T I EVER STRONG ENOUGH?!" I felt like a failure all over again… I couldn't even protect him.

Gamakichi, Chief and the others came out of the hideout carrying Kabuto's body which had reverted back to its human form.

"What are we going to do now?" Gamakichi asked as it began to rain.

Looking up at the sky I allowed the clear water to wash away the dirt and slim. A few moments passed and I realised that this was no ordinary rain because the water droplets were infused with chakra, Nagato's chakra. This must be the Rain Tiger at Will Technique he told me about. The falling rain is closely linked to Nagato's senses so whenever the rain is obstructed by a chakra belonging to someone not of the village, the existence of the intruder can be detected. I could have taken a step back into the shelter of the hideout not allowing myself to be found but… at last… I wanted to go home.

Solemnly I whispered, "We're going home."

"That maybe…," a dark voice stopped my mind from wandering any further, "but WHO SAID YOU COULD GO OFF ON YOUR OWN?!" Baa-chan appeared behind me her temple throbbing and her fist about to hit me.

"Calm down Tsunade he looks fine. I told you, didn't I? 'He's my pupil he can handle himself.'" Ero-sennin told her a proud look on his face.

Baa-chan's hand slowed down enough for me to dodge but I wasn't strong enough to take the opening, "AHHHHH!" I yelled as her fist contacted with the side of my face.

Everyone was shocked that I hadn't been able to dodge the hit, a hit that I could have missed as a genin or any academy student could have missed for that matter. Iruka-sensei and Sakura-chan quickly ran to help me to my feet. Pretending it was just a fluke, I jumped up hollowly laughing, "Jeez Baa-chan is that how you greet the village's H-H-HE…" I fell backwards my legs too weak for the movement, "ROOO."

Iruka-sensei and Sakura-chan then helped me to my feet.

"Thanks you gu-" I started to say before I felt hands pull at the collar of my jacket.

Sakura-chan raised her voice in alarm as she examined the bruises on my neck, "Naruto what's THIS? You're hurt… seriously hurt." I tried to pull away thanking Kami I had hidden the more serious ones… and the bites. "You need to get to a hospital" she ordered beginning to drag me away with her monster strength.

I pulled away from her straightening up, "I'm fine Sakura-chan."

Baa-chan restrained me, moving my collar aside and examining the cuts, bruises and even a bite with an expert eye. "Naruto," she snapped her tone of voice I'm-Hokage-you-better-listen-to-me, "you must go to the hospital right away."

"No hospitals." I pulled away from her more forcefully this time terrified that she was going to keep me here, "I have a mission to go on-"

"You're not in a fit state to go anywhere" she snapped back.

I turned away from them all.

Looking back out the gates of the Leaf Village I whispered, "I want to see Gaara. I'm going."

Sakura-chan as one of my closest friends and former teammate of Team Seven was chosen to approach me. My heart stung a million times over at the thought – 'Team Seven.' "Naruto…" she cautiously whispered coming up behind me putting her hands up in surrender, "at least let me give you some emergency aid."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw her worried face; a lonesome tear rolled down her cheek. Feeling guilty I reluctantly gave my assent, "Okay Sakura-chan but I'm going on the mission." Sakura-chan's glowing lime green palms healed the more superficial cuts I hadn't hidden but the majority of the pain was still there to distract me from the emotional torture I was still experiencing.

This entire time Itachi had been keeping the crowd back with the fear that he might massacre anyone who tried to pass him but all of a sudden he moved back into the trees leaving the ANBU to handle the mob. When the crowd realised that Itachi wasn't coming back, they burst past the ANBU guards and came running in my direction…

"WELCOME BACK! NARUTO-SAMA! WELCOME HOME!" they cheered waving banners about with my name on them.

The large group of villagers was made up of all types of different people ranging in age, interest and vocation but here they were united with this look of excitement on their faces.

'I can't let them down' I vowed to myself. I began to move in the direction of the crowd. Iruka-sensei tried to stop me, "Naruto wait—"

I waved his concern off only focusing on pleasing the villagers.

I heaved a deep sigh before fixing my muscles into a smile, "HELLOOOOOOO LEAF VILLAGE! IT'S ME, UZUMAKI NARUTO, I'M BACK!" I fist bumped the air causing the whole of my side to explode in pain. "SORRY I'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG BUT I'VE BEEN BUSY TRACKING THAT SCUMBAG OBITO. IN THAT TIME I'VE CAPTURED SEVEN HUNDRED S-RANK CRIMINALS THAT UCHIHA OBITO WAS GOING TO USE IN AN ARMY." I crowd stirred in horror at the prospect of a war. "I…I… I…," I did my best to quiet them down, "IN THREE DAYS I RAIDED SEVEN OF OBITO'S HIDEOUTS AND CAME CLOSE TO CAPTURING HIM. JUST IMAGINE WHAT I COULD DO WITH FOUR DAYS… OR FIVE…"

My tone became more solemn as I started up again, "AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, MY FATHER WAS THE FOURTH HOKAGE, THE NINJA WHO DIED PROTECTING THIS VILLAGE FROM THE NINE TAILS, AND AS HIS SON AND A FUTURE HOKAGE OF THE VILLAGE HIDDEN IN THE LEAVES I WILL GIVE EVERYTHING I HAVE TO PROTECT THIS VILLAGE INCLUDING MY LIFE!" The whole crowd was silent at my words. I scratched my head awkwardly knowing how morbid that sounded. Hiding behind an arrogant laughter I sneered, "NOT THAT HE WILL EVER GET THAT CLOSE." The crowd laughed with me and began to cheer. "I PROMISE YOU NOW THAT I WILL STOP UCHIHA OBITO! THERE WILL BE NO FIFTH SHINOBI WAR WHILE I'M AROUND! DATTEBAYOOOO!" My whole body was sore at his point but in Uzumaki Naruto fashion I sent a giant Rasengan into the sky.

I spent the next half hour meeting and greeting all the different villagers. Ayame and Chouji came out of the crowd with a large tray with ramen on it the smell alone was enough to turn my stomach (A/N: It's a sad day when Naruto doesn't want ramen), "Hey Naruto," Ayame gave the tray to Chouji and jumped into my arms, "I'm soooo glad to see you're alright. You don't know how worried we've been. When Iruka came by the shop looking for you and said he hadn't seen you in days. We were so so worried. SO worried." She stressed by squeezing me tighter putting pressure on my injuries but I did my best to not let it show, "Promise me you will never ever do that again." She told me give me a stern look.

I grimaced crossing my fingers behind my back, "I promise."

Chouji stepped forward presenting me with the giant bowl of steaming hot ramen with perfectly textured noodles in a thick miso broth topped with vegetables and narutomaki. "Here you go Naruto we've been working on this all morning."

I forced a massive smile on my face, "Arigatou, Arigatou, how have you been? How has business been? Sorry I haven't been around much. I really missed you and Ayame and of course the ramen." I rambled moving the ramen around the bowl without actually eating it. I hadn't been able to keep anything down since I left the Leaf and I didn't want to offend old man Teuchi. "I'll be sure to come by when I come back from my mission," stealthily I put the chopsticks down on the tray, "I'll bring Gaara with me too. He's Kazekage of the Sand Village and can tell everyone in Suna how AMAZING your ramen is. Now… I should probably get ready for the mission… " I turned to leave when a black blur fell down in front of me.

My heart, my breath, my whole body froze – 'Sasuke.'

Sasuke POV

I narrowed my eyes, 'why was he refusing ramen?' I noticed his hollowed cheek bones and eyes that had more bags than the crazy lady in the Uchiha district that went shopping fifty times a day.

"So spying again foolish little brother?" Itachi whispered coming up directly behind me.

I stumbled and in shock fell from the tree... right in front of Naruto.

I saw a lot on his face; shock, pain. My own throat constricted and my eyes started to burn. As I nonchantly stood up and brushed the dirt from my shirt like I hadn't just fallen out of the tree, I greeted him, "Naruto."

"Did you just fall out of a tree?" The girl who had offered Naruto food asked. I ignored her.

His eyes widened even further, "Uchiha-san." He said quietly. 'What the hell was up with the formality sure he didn't think we were friends but...' I noticed the untouched ramen that they had all but forgotten as Naruto distracted them.

Murmurs came from those around us, "Did he just call Sasuke Uchiha-san? Did they have a fight?" Nosey buggers it was like being surrounded by Itachi.

"You're going to eat that before it gets cold?" I asked coolly narrowing my eyes.

"Uchiha-san the mission doesn't start for another hour yet shouldn't you be attending to your clan?" He answered narrowing his own.

"You don't look like you've had much sleep. You should probably eat that to regain your chakra." I avoided his question with a statement taking a step closer. People were gossiping, some were crying, some were holding their breath as if we were going to rip each other up.

"I am perfectly fine Uchiha." Naruto asked with that annoying fake smile. "Would you like some? Or does it kill you to accept anything from anyone?" 'That was it.' I took the bowl and chopsticks from Chouji and walked up to him. The only thing in between us was the ramen bowl. I swirled the noodles to get as much as I could on them and shoved them into his open mouth.

He swallowed them as everyone around us gasped, "If you're done embarrassing me and pretending to care, I'm going to go and see the people that actually want to talk to me." He whispered turning away to walk off, "Don't worry you fulfilled your obligation to be here as a clan leader."

A strangely familiar irritating voice rang out, "Heyyy Naruto, you're back Sasuke has been a right bi-" Suigetsu shouted running up to us halting when he reached us.

"'Sasuke has been a right what', Suigetsu?" I asked darkly.

"Sasuke has been a right B- B- Brilliant leader and a great friend." He tried to recover unsuccessfully.

"What are you doing here anyway?" I growled.

"I came to- uh - I had to - uh check the gates- because -um -there water damaged" Suigetsu managed with a laugh.

"You know I know that was complete bullshit?" I asked so there was no confusion.

He nodded. "Get back to your post."

"Yes sir. Bye Naruto nice to have you back." He said miserably turning to walk off.

"Suigetsu wait. As future Hokage I relieve you of your duties today. I mean you'll need the day off to practise with your new sword right?" Naruto brought out a sword similar to a sewing needle.

"Nuibari!" Suigetsu exclaimed snatching the sword.

"I don't think a day off-" I started but Suigetsu looked panicked and interrupted.

"Karin is that you calling? 'Yes Suigetsu it's me Karin I need to make cereal for Sasuke-kun would you help me?'" Suigetsu put on a high girls voice that was not convincing at all and ran, "Thanks Naruto!" He yelled.

"WELCOME!" He yelled back. Sakura was now healing most of his cuts but I knew he was hiding more.

"Naruto you need to—" I started.

"I don't need to do anything Sasuke. As long as I'm alive, you're doing your duty as my guard. And as we aren't friends you don't have a right to an opinion. Come on Sakura I have to talk to Kiba about the mission anyway." He walked off Sakura looked shocked but followed him all the same. My eyes were burning, 'They must want to destroy everything in this stinking village too.' I mused before spying Itachi handing Shikamaru an envelope. 'Great just when today couldn't get any worse my brother's meddling...'

Next Chapter: Mission to escort Gaara,Shikamaru becomes everybody's love guru, Hinata makes a shocking discovery, Tsunade forces Sakura into a comfortable position, Sai helps Ino with her emotions, LEMONS and more!

Crack Scene:

He swallowed them as everyone around us gasped, "If you're done embarrassing me and playing pretending, I'm going to go now to see the people that want to talk to me." He whispered in my ear flicking it with his tongue. By accident or not I don't know. But...

I turned and kissed his cheek. (A/N SH: The one on his face for all yaoi pervs :P the good stuff comes later) "Wha-what was that?" Naruto stuttered.

"I said I didn't want to be friends not that I didn't have wet dreams about you or wonder if that tan goes all the way down to here." I licked my lips rubbing a hand along his trousers.

"So you don't wanna be friends but you want to fuck me?" Naruto asked slowly.

"Now you're getting it!" I pulled him in running my hands up his shirt and licking up his neck along his pulse.

"SA-SASUKE!" Naruto cried out pushing his lips against mine.

"So Sasuke is really Sasu-gay?" Chouji asked Sakura who I vaguely noticed had turned red before Naruto was unbuttoning my shirt and running a hand down my abs.

"No way the Hokage likes men?" The crowd commented.

"Well they did always have this tension I just didn't realise it was that kind of tension." Another commented.

"Wanna get out of here?" I whispered nibbling his earlobe.

"But Sasuke I'm full of poison." He whined as I ran my hand down the back of his trousers.

"I think I can manage to suck it out as well as other things." I smirked he took my hand and we ran off through the trees.