A/N:

Yup! Here it comes. Not sure how it'll turn out since I wrote the Author's Note before writing the actual story. Still, please show me a lot of support and tell me what you think.

ENJOY!

Warning! Grammars, always...

Pairing: Not sure. Maybe implied ones?

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!

Leaving Behind

Chapter Three

Naruto slowly opened his cerulean colored eyes, wincing when the bright light harshly hit him. The second try was better and when he took a look around him, he let out a relieved sigh. It was a small room with white curtains, orange walls, a small bookshelf near the window, and a large study table with a tray of fresh porridge on it. There was nothing spectacular about the room, except for a large photo in front of him. It was of a red haired man and a blonde boy around one or two. The man was hugging the boy and smiling softly while the blonde boy's face was completely blank. The picture was beautiful. It depicted the emotion of the whole scene very well. A bittersweet memory of faded happiness.

Naruto smiled wistfully at the photograph. It reminded him of better days and the time he spent with the man. Back then, he was loved dearly and safe. He knew the evils of the world but it couldn't touch him. He held no worries. It was just him and the man, spending their days together playing or learning. Sometimes, they'd just sit beside each other on the porch and watch as the rain fell. Both lost in their own thoughts with a steaming cup of green tea that they'd always leave untouched. Those days were peaceful and calm. He had never thought that he'd lose it all.

That's life, he supposed. Nothing ever goes unchanged.

"Kit?" Naruto glanced at the door. There was Kurama, standing at the door with a shocked expression with watery eyes.

"Kurama," Naruto smiled. He was always happy to see the immortal fox. "Something happened to me?"

Kurama rushed over to the blonde boy's bed and hesitantly reached out his hands to Naruto's face before grabbing him into a crushing hug. Naruto laughed a little at Kurama's reaction, wincing when his chest burned for whatever reason. The fox pulled back and grabbed Naruto's face and stared at the boy intently.

"Don't ever do that, again. Ever!" He growled. Confused, the eyed boy just nodded.

"What happened to me?" He asked the man in front of him.

"You passed out for three days!" Kurama roared angrily after he'd disengaged himself from Naruto. "I should be the one asking you what the hell happened!" The fox rubbed his face before taking in a deep breathe. "Now, dig in that brain of yours and tell what happened."

The blonde slid to the edge of the bed and shook his head when he felt a slight migraine. He was starting to remember a little, but not enough to get a whole picture. He winced when he remembered getting scolded by Kakashi and running laps around Konoha. That was it. He didn't remember how he got in such a bad condition, though. Or...was he in a bad condition? Perhaps he shouldn't mention Kakashi at all?

"I think…" Naruto blinked as his vision got a little blurry. He groaned when he felt his stomach heaving.

"Breathe, Kit. Breathe." Kurama's one hand rubbed the blonde's back gently while the other grabbed a nearby trashcan. "Here." He pushed it in front of the boy and purred soothingly. He waited patiently for his Kit to finish before pushing the trash far away. "Kit?" He whispered.

"Sorry." Naruto wiped his mouth and took in a deep breathe. "What happened while I was out of commission? The kids?" Naruto have the fox an expectant look.

"They're fine." The fox reported while he grabbed for a wet towel nearby. "However, your situation was bit...complicated." He winced as he said that. "I had to take a few matters under my own hands."

"Meaning?"

"I…" Kurama swallowed heavily. "I staged a kidnap attempt on you. Right now, your peers think you're in the hands of an Iwa nin." Naruto blinked. "I—The—I needed time for you to recover. The Hokage doesn't know about your, uh, situation so I staged a kidnapped attempt and told him that you're with me."

"You...do realize that this will have some serious consequences, right?" The blonde asked slowly.

"They'll cover it up." Kurama tried. "Your village will never let your true identity become known to the populace."

"Yet, the populace still knew of my Jinchuuriki status." Naruto answered dryly. The man in front of him huffed. "It's okay." He said as Kurama lowered his eyes. "You brought time. Am I alright now?"

The red haired man's eyes softened. "No. You need to stay here for two more days. I need to make sure you're alright. I've got Kyo taking care of Haru and Kiyoko."

Naruto nodded. It was good to stay away from his team for a few days. Staying near them made his heart ache.

…

"This house," Naruto asked a day and a half later, "I didn't know that you still kept it."

The blonde was sitting on in front of a table in a modest dining room connect to the kitchen. Kurama, his only company since he'd woken up, was in the kitchen cooking. Naruto had been forbidden from going outside since they were near Konoha borders.

"He left it to you. So, after we left it and bought the other house, I went back and kept it in order. I've had glimpses of back then and you both seemed really fond of the plants. The house also had a lot of memories."

"Is that why you…" Naruto let the sentence fade.

"I didn't tend to this place for that sole purpose. I thought that it would be a good hideout if anything were to ever happen." Kurama walked over to Naruto with a tray and two steaming bowls. "Here."

"Ramen?" Naruto smiled.

"Shut up and eat." The fox growled with a red face.

The blonde boy grabbed his chopsticks and smiled. Life wasn't so bad, he thought. If he went back in time, he didn't think that he'd change anything. There were a lot of painful things that happened but they all led to him meeting Kurama and his kids. His experiences helped him grow and become a stronger person. The road wasn't easy but the destination was worth it, he thought.

Kurama looked up from his bowl and furrowed his brows. His kit looked happy, and he wanted to preserve the moment for as long as possible. When he'd been sealed inside the child, he'd been a mass of hatred and destruction. He remembered that. He knew also, that he hadn't been the greatest person to Naruto. He'd killed the kids parents and left Konoha in shambles. Made the kid a target of hatred for his actions.

He had never held any regret for his actions until he came into contact with the blonde child, his kit. He'll admit that he definitely didn't act courteously the first time they met. He'd left the boy in a coma for three months and used his unconscious and defenseless state to slip his chakra out to corrupt the boy. When Naruto woke up from his comatose state, Kurama had already broken a bit of the seal off to allow him to talk with the child.

He was a demon. He had whispered thoughts into the child. Insecurities, and suicidal thoughts. Give him nightmares and exploit his weakness. But still, through all of that, the child stayed strong. He had been frustrated that he couldn't corrupt the blonde haired boy. He had wanted to prove that humans were selfish and inferior—that even innocent children could grow up to be monsters. Finally, he pushed too far.

When the boy was four, maybe five, he'd slipped a little of his chakra into one of the patrons at the orphanage. It was easy to do since the patrons there would always beat Naruto up for any insignificant reasons. He had underestimated the hatred the patrons there held for the blonde boy. He thought they would just torture Naruto—beat him up, starve him, stab him a few times, sell him, kill him…

He didn't know that there would be casualties…

The patron there had noticed that Naruto loved the children more than anything. They were precious to him and the patron realized that the only way to truly make the boy suffer was to take away those that he held dear. So, the patron started the fire that killed all the orphanages except for three. Naruto and his two kids, Haru and Kiyoko.

Kurama had regretted it instantly when it happened. When what he had worked so painstakingly hard, was accomplished; to break Naruto. The boy wanted to kill himself and Kurama regretted his actions for the first time. Not for self preservation, but he realized that he never hated the kid. That he wasn't annoyed by Naruto's purity, he actually loved it. Naruto's caring and gently personality that never changed, no matter what...it had attracted him. He just couldn't admit it to himself.

The boy, Naruto was truly kind and forgiving. He never once blamed anybody. Not truly, anyway. He accepted everything. When the first person he'd ever cared about passed away, Naruto understood that that was just life. When he'd been sent to a neglected orphanage, he took matters into his own hand and took care of the children that needed caring. When the fire started...he'd broken down and cried. Not for himself but for the innocent children that lost their lives, for the people that couldn't see through the curtains of darkness and let go of their pain to move on and be happy in the present. He never blamed anyone for the hand they'd play in his life.

When Naruto had almost killed himself, he'd given up hope in people and was ready to die. Ready to bury the people's hatred for what he'd contained. He was understanding to the end. And to Kurama, who'd prayed for the very first time since ever, for Naruto to live, thought it was a miracle when Haru and Kiyoko's cries filled the emptiness in the blonde boy's soul. They'd given him hope, a reason to live, and something worth fighting for. They reinstilled the hope for people that they weren't truly beyond saving. They just needed a lot of caring.

And so, Naruto eventually learned of the hand Kurama played in the blonde's life. Instead of met with scorn, anger, or any kind of negativity...instead, Kurama was met with a sad smile full of forgiveness and understanding and in that moment, the fox had never felt more ashamed or humiliated of himself.

"It's okay." The boy had said with a sad smile. "For what you did, it's okay. I won't hate you. Getting angry at you won't change anything. We can't go back and fix our mistakes. We can only live in the now and not in the yesterday." Kurama had cried for the first time.

The fox lowered his head in shame and anger at his previous self. Memories of the past came randomly these days. Happy ones, peaceful ones, sad ones, painful ones. They all came and left whenever they pleased. Some left him smiling, others left him in shame and self-loathing, while some just made him angry.

"Kurama?" Naruto called. The redhead had been silent for a awhile.

The fox's head snapped up. "Huh?"

"You okay?" The blonde was a little curious. Since he'd woken up, Kurama seemed a little distant.

Kurama blinked and took a deep breath to calm down. "Yeah...I just need to tell you something, that's it. I wasn't sure when I'd tell you, but it's probably better now than later." Naruto nodded and gestured for the fox to go on. "I'm planning on leaving for a trip."

"And?" The blonde asked cautiously.

"I'm not sure how long it'll take." Naruto frowned. "I want to do a little research."

"Is it for me?" The boy asked.

"It's...It's for me. I have a few things that I want to check out. And I have leads now." The red haired man waited with baited breath for Naruto's response.

He couldn't go with a clear conscious if Naruto didn't approve of it. Kurama found it appalling at times at how much the boy's approval meant to him. However, this was something he was going to do regardless of what the blonde thought. He'd have to leave with an empty heart, but he was still going to do it.

Naruto sighed and stayed silent for a moment. He could see that this was something that Kurama really wanted to do. The fox wouldn't be able to find any peace, otherwise.

"Come back safe." He smiled, though his heart ache painfully.

…

Naruto stared at the large, framed picture intently. He'd been at it since seven in the morning. It had caught his attention after he'd finished packing. He didn't have a copy of the photo and he didn't remember the photo being there when he was younger. Before leaving, he wanted to commit it to memory. He only had a few more hours left before he had to leave.

"Kit?" The beautiful man popped his head in. "Ready?"

Naruto got up and grabbed the dark cloak beside him. "Yeah." He whispered.

He walked out of the door and gave his room one last look before walking out. When he got out Kurama was already outside with a light armor that flared out for easy movements. His red hair swung freely and in his glove covered hands was a spear that held intricate designs.

"What's this?" He asked raising a curious brow at Kurama's choice of clothing.

The fox turned towards him with a serious look. "I'm leaving today. This is my cover."

Naruto frowned. "I thought you were going after I got back to Konoha?"

"You can handle yourself, brat. If I stay in Konoha, the people looking for me will attack." The fox sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I'll help from the shadows."

Before Naruto could get a word in, Kurama was already gone. With a frustrated groan, he also left for meeting spot the red headed man had told him about. When he arrived, an hour had already passed. He could've made it there earlier but he wanted a leisure walk. In Konoha, it was rare that you'd have time to yourself. Even if there were no training or missions, there were still genins that would barge in. Shinobi did not know the definition of privacy.

The area for the meeting was near a large tree—one of the largest he'd ever seen. Next to the large tree was a tree stump and across were clusters of rocks. Other than that, there was not much. Trees surrounded the place, but nothing distinctive.

"Naruto-kun." The blonde slowly turned to face the old man.

"Hokage-sama." He bowed respectfully. He took note of the sad and disappointed look of the old man and felt a little bad. The old man wanted him to be like his other persona; happy and endearingly disrespectful but that wasn't who Naruto was.

"I heard you've been kidnapped, but you're not. Is there something I must know?" The Sandaime asked politely with a little edge. Naruto was immediately reminded of why the man was Hokage.

"The Kyuubi no Yoko has gone on a journey." He ignored the old man's flash of fear and shock. "I was needed to...accompany him for awhile." The man's hesitance made Naruto a little wary.

"Did he say where he was going or why?"

"No, Hokage-sama."

The old man nodded with a contemplating look and gestured for Naruto to follow him. It seemed the old man had a lot to think about. Kurama leaving only made the matters worse. While Naruto wasn't always aware of the ins and outs of Konoha politics, he knew that politics were stressful. He saw for himself how much of a toll it took on the old man. Naruto wished that he could help, but his interest and the old man's interest were way out of whack.

Three hours later, both were in the old man's office. It air was stiff and tense, both not quite sure what to do with the other. They'd already discussed Naruto's cover story and both were just waiting for the rest of Team Seven to arrive. The Hokage had sent messenger bird over an hour ago, and the team were due to arrive any minute.

The Hokage, instead of focusing on his pile of papers, was instead staring at the blonde boy intently. A nervous and unsure Naruto wasn't something he saw often and it was amusing. So many emotions ran through the boy's face. Usually the boy wasn't easy to read. You only saw what he wanted you to see. Even for a man as himself who's had a vast amount of experience was the same as everyone else. Simply said, when it came to the blonde boy, he was stumped.

Naruto never interacted with him more than he had to. Whatever time he would spend with the Hokage, it was always forced. The first time that the old man had met Naruto, he was surprise. More than surprised, actually. The kids had two children he claimed as his own, had his own house, had enough money to support his lifestyle, and the most shocking of all: the fox was out of the cage!

Sarutobi didn't know how to react. He'd done and said a few things that he wasn't proud of, but he reasoned that it was all to protect the village. Naruto needed to become a shinobi so that they could keep watch of the Kyuubi. He didn't trust that the fox won't run wild. He'd like to say that he regretted forcing Naruto to become a shinobi, but he didn't. The boy was a natural and having him as a shinobi meant that the boy didn't fall into civilian custody. It was also a way of protecting the boy. That wasn't to say that he only cared for what the boy contained. The old man also cared for Naruto as a person. It was just hard to care for someone that didn't let you in.

There were many times in the past where he'd tried getting close the boy. He had used excuses like keeping cover to go and take the boy out for ramen or shopping for clothes. In public, the boy was epitome of rowdy and unpredictable—a fool. However, as soon as they were alone, he'd completely change. Instead of the bright boy who loves pranks, he's a quiet and polite one. Such a contrast that when he became cold and distant, it hurt. The boy wasn't aware of it, but people were attracted to him like a bee to honey and the Sandaime was no different. He hadn't been unaffected at all.

Even so, the boy was completely oblivious of it all. How he'd hurt someone without even intending to. It would stab right through the heart. Maybe, the Hokage thought, that the only thing Naruto kept was his obliviousness. Oblivious to the people that wanted to get close to him, to get to boy and claim a part of his heart for their own. It was the same said for the blonde's teammates. Kakashi was had failed before he'd even started. The pink girl never even had a chance to start with.

The closest was probably the Uchiha boy. To a passerby, they'd think that Naruto treated everybody close to his heart, but it was not so. They couldn't by far enough. To the boy, the so-called-friends he made in and out of his academy years were just as good as strangers. He cared for them but they had no place in his heart.

He only cared for them. He didn't love them. Call the old man greedy, but he didn't just want Naruto's care. He wanted Naruto's adoration. Maybe it was because he saw a small part of it when the boy interacted with the Kyuubi and the two kids Haru and Kiyoko. He wanted to ellicitate a smile that would warm the heart of the coldest man alive. He wanted to see the eyes that would light up in happiness. The eyes that shone so blue, nothing could ever compare. Not the best jewels, not the sky, and certainly not the ocean. He wanted to see those things and to an old man, there would be nothing he'd ever treasure more than those sights.

"They're here." Naruto said as his facade changed immediately.

The blonde was in his usual orange jumpsuit with his bright blonde hair that put the sun to shame and bright blue eyes that were rarer than any jewel. Naruto, the Hokage thought, was a heartbreaker but no one bothered to look past his clothes to see anything else. However, the old man chuckled to himself, even in the horrendous orange jumpsuit, the boy managed to look cool...or at least he did before he sensed his teammates. Now, he couldn't see it anymore.

"Come in," he called before they could knock. He gave a meaningful look to Naruto and put on a grave look while Naruto looked down and tried to look sullen.

The door slammed open with Kakashi in the middle. The other two were beside him; the pink girl on his right and the Uchiha boy on his left. The three had panicked faces and the look of someone that just had their heart torn out. It saddened the old man's heart to see that Naruto would never return any of their feelings of love and care.

"Naruto!" The girl whispered with teary eyes.

The Sandaime saw a flash of guilt enter the boy's eyes before disappearing immediately. Huh, Sarutobi thought, maybe he has let them in.

"Hokage-sama," Kakashi said after he'd managed to straightened his face. Naruto was purposefully making a fool of himself and laughing boisterously. Telling the story of his supposed kidnapped with exaggerated gestures. "What happened? Who had him? How did he escape?"

"Calm down, Kakashi. Everything's fine now. The rogue nin didn't torture him or anything. They were just looking for exotic things to sell, and as you see, Naruto-kun is very exotic." The silver-haired man opened his mouth. "Naruto escaped when the nin fell asleep."

"How?" Kakashi asked. "If those nin could subdue Naruto then that must mean they're chuunin or above! How did he managed that?"

"I'm a prankster, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto smiled widely. "There's nothing a master prankster can't do!" He gave the man an exaggerated thumbs up. "I can get myself out of sticky situations, easy."

Kakashi stared at Naruto with a hesitant look. He wanted to continue on asking questions but another part of him just told him to be happy that the blondie was fine. He bowed his head in resignation after a few moments. He would concede now but later, he was going to ask questions.

Thirty minutes later, all of Team Seven were outside of the tower. The atmosphere between them was less than pleasing. Naruto was nervously fidgeting while the other three walked on in silence. The blonde wasn't sure what to say to them. To be completely honest, he wanted to get away from them as soon as possible.

"Naruto-kun." The blonde looked up nervously at his sensei. "Forgive me."

"What for?" He asked. He was slightly on edge.

"It was my fault that you were kidnapped." The man said.

The blonde shook his head and smiled. "Not your fault sensei." He said.

"Let's go eat." Sasuke suddenly blurted. Three confused faces turned to him. He scowled and started walking. If the others wanted to follow him then they would.

"I can't." The raven immediately stopped when he heard the Naruto's voice. The whipped around and glared. "Maybe tomorrow." The blonde went on, oblivious to the raven's growing ire.

"Idiot!" Sakura yelled as she punched Naruto hard. "Who do you think Sasuke-kun was saying that for?! We've all been worried about you!" She huffed angrily and crossed her arms.

Naruto struggled to maintain a confused look as he tried keeping the pain at bay. When the pinkette had punched him, the breath had been knocked out of him and he was having a hard time keeping himself from blacking out.

"Sorry, Sakura-chan." He mumbled.

"He needs to rest, Sakura." Kakashi interrupted.

He gave Naruto a nod and the blonde quickly ran off.

He needed to escape.

A/N: Sooooo…..nothing interesting happened. That was kind of boring. Still, I'd love to hear what you have to say. Like maybe, what's Naruto's past? Why Naruto seems to be in pain more than not? Where did Kurama go? What happened to the kids? And whatnot.

Ask your questions in your review. Give me your thoughts or your predictions. I'd love to hear those! What do you think will happen next? REVIEW AND TELL ME!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!