ONE WEEK LATER

Naruto followed the dusty trail, leading up to Yuki's bedroom, his sandals barely making a sound on the wooden beams. His eyes scanned around for signs that his wife had followed him to his destination, concerned she might find out about Yuki's apparent disinterest in the duo. He was concerned for his friend for the simple fact that they had remained extremely close, the trio, and as of late, she had withdrawn completely. No contact. She had remained as distant as the sun which shone its light overhead. He adjusted his headband on his forehead, taking another step. He was almost to the front door, and his heart raced impatiently. His mind tried to trick him into believing that it was all in his head. Surely, Yuki had her reasons to be away from them…right? Perhaps some new form of training…or missions from Granny Tsunade. Yet, he couldn't lie to himself. He knew something was wrong, and he intended to find out what. He raised his hand, only for a breeze to rush past him, blowing the door open ominously. Almost immediately, the Gennin felt the difference between inside and outdoors. Inside a dark and sinister feeling emanated from the entire household. The dim apartment made it impossible to see in. The house had been converted into a shadow's home, from which no light could break through. He squinted in an attempt to see, finally making out the stairs which led upstairs to his friend's bedroom. He felt his way towards the door, slowly, taking in the lack of furniture which had once filled the house. It felt empty, and sadness permeated the air, sucking the very happiness out of Naruto, who reached the top of the stairs, extremely concerned for the woman who resided here.

He raised a hand again to knock, only for her to speak.

"Come in, Naruto-kun."

The voice was softer and more afraid than he'd ever heard the girl, and Naruto opened the door, smiling in an attempt to try and cheer her up.

"Yuki-chan! How's it going?" he asked, sitting down on the bed. He stared at her confused. She sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring straight ahead. He glanced behind his seat, to the picture that hung on the wall. It had been her fifteenth birthday, after she had completed a mission. Akira, Naruto, Anko, and Kakashi all stood around a beaming young girl, who stuck her tongue out at the camera, a thumbs up held out defiantly.

"It's been awhile, you know…"

The blonde haired genin turned back to the woman, who spoke, her very voice solemn, and gloomy.

"Yeah. But we're still here together right? I mean…it's not like anything's changed much, dattebayo?" Naruto replied, starting forward. He reached to touch her, only for the girl to shrink away from him.

"Yuki-chan?"

She refused to look at him, and he felt his heart despair. He couldn't understand what would possibly cause the girl to act as she now did.

"Yuki…come on now. What's going on? You've never hidden from the truth, or run away. Why? Why do you run from Akira and I?"

He watched her turn away, and finally lost it, smacking her. He grabbed her shoulders, squeezing into her flesh gently

"LOOK AT ME! The Yuki I knew was never afraid of anything. She stood strong for what she believed in, remaining firmly rooted in her beliefs. What is going on?"

The girl acknowledged his gaze, while touching her sore cheek in disbelief.

"N-Naruto-kun."

Her response stunned, him, almost immediately, as her head fell, tears pouring from her eyes. He didn't expect that from the Jounin who'd always done her best to keep her emotions well under control. He let her go, and waited for her to calm down, watching her avert her eyes from his stern gaze. He waited a minute, before getting up, and grabbing a cup of water. He placed it in her hand, watching as the glass trembled under her shaky grasp.

"The Mizukage wants me to become a Kirigakure shinobi. She has promised to help me train, and even reveal what she knew of my parents. She told me that she had been raised with them, so she knew them on a more personal basis than anyone could have been."

The blond haired Genin's eyes widened, in realization.

"You're not considering going to that village are you?" he shouted, waving his hand about animatedly.

"What about Kakashi-sensei? Anko-sensei? What about me? WHAT ABOUT AKIRA? You would walk out on the people who love you, who helped you? Who care about you?"

"IT'S NOT THAT EASY!" she screamed at him, her eyes meeting his. He took in her state, which was in complete disarray. Her eyes streamed with tears, and she looked wild. She didn't even look like the girl he knew. She shook her head, taking a sip of water, holding the glass between her hands.

"Yu-ki-chan," Naruto stammered.

"It's not like I had much of a choice…When I was little, my grandmother told me great stories about my parents. She never revealed how they died, or what happened to our clan. She told me about the good, and hid the bad. And now, I have a chance to learn about my parents! I've wanted to know for thirteen years of my life! You can't understand how much it means to me! And-and…"

Naruto watched her, and felt his heart shift. He hadn't known that she had been carrying such a burden, since the moment she had arrived back in Konoha.

"Your mind is made up…" he said, saddened.

"I can get stronger. The Mizukage promised me, she could help. You don't get to being Kage, by being weak…"

Naruto shook his head, taking her hand.

"You don't get to be strong, by being alone. I've been down that path. The burden of being alone will tear you apart. The darkness will consume you, and you'll lose yourself. Yuki-chan…stay here."

He watched the girl shrink away from his touch, standing up, grabbing the bag which lay next to her bed.

"Yuki chan?"

"Tell Akira-san, I love her. I have to go now."

Naruto started to chase after her, but she disappeared, teleporting away from his touch. He stared at the empty space before him, his heart yearning to understand his friend's choice. Yet, time was of the essence. If he wanted to stop the girl, there was only one way to do it. He dashed to the window launching himself into the air, his heart hammering in his chest. He knew that if anyone would stop the girl, Akira wouldn't let the girl go. He hastened homeward, dashing past the villagers, ignoring the cries of his comrades to stop. He had an urgent task which had to be fulfilled.

He landed on his front porch, opening the door. He dashed to his wife, breathless and grabbed her arm tightly, forcing her to look at him.

"Yu-yuk-yuki…leaving…village. Stop her! NOW!" he panted. He tried to catch his breath. The race to his house had taken a mere five minutes, by which time the girl would be too far out of his range to catch up. But not the demon…she was faster than he or Yuki was. Within the millisecond the demon was gone, and Naruto fell to the ground sighing in relief. Akira would stop the girl. If it cost the kitsune her life, so be it. Yuki was a Konoha shinobi. Nothing else.

WORKING ON THE NEXT CHAPTER AS I UPLOAD NOW. I'LL UPLOAD THE NEXT CHAPTER TOMORROW I PROMISE!