"Still having nightmares?" Sasuke asked

"Dont remind me," Naruto yawned as he was looking at his paperwork. 'Great another report,' he thought. All Naruto just wanted to crawl in bed and go to sleep, but he knows if he tried, the nightmares will start all over again. 'Why is this happening?' Naruto wondered. He can't focus on his work, and Sasuke noticed. He also noticed the dark rings developing underneath Naruto's eyes.

"Naruto, you should talk to Kurama again. I think these nightmares and Kurama have a connection, " Sasuke said.

"Dont you think I already tried that?" Naruto snapped, "He just says that it has nothing to do with him!" As soon as the words came out, Naruto's shoulders began to sag as he slumped in his chair, exhausted. "Sorry, Sasuke, this whole thing is stressing me out," he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes.

Sasuke quirked an eyebrow. "Naruto, this won't be the first time Kurama lied to you," he replied. "I won't be surprised if he's lying now,"

"Look, Sasuke, if Kurama wanted to hurt me, he would've let me know by now. He's not the type to hide what he wanted to do, " Naruto said.

"But these nightmares -" a knock on the door cut off what Sasuke was about to say. The door creaked opened and it was Shikamaru. Once Naruto noticed what was in Shikamaru's hand, he let out a loud, exasperated moan. More paperwork.

"Nice to see you too," Shikamaru said.

Shikamaru took one look at Naruto and noticed the dark rings developing underneath his eyes.

"Still having nightmares?" Shikamaru asked as he laid the pile of reports on Naruto's desk.

Naruto nodded as he began to succumb to his fate with these reports.

Shikamaru paused and said, "Maybe these nightmares have something to do with you being a jinjuriki."

"You know, Hinata said the same thing," Naruto said, yawning as he grabbed a paper from the pile of reports. Naruto put down the report, and his eyes drooped. He can't concentrate. Shikamaru looked at him concerned. He has never seen Naruto like this. He's usually energetic and ready to take on the world, but now he looks like the complete opposite. "Naruto, I think you should take the day off," Shikamaru said, worried.

"And let these reports pile up, i dont think so," Naruto said

"Naruto, we both know you can't focus. How about you go to Ichiraku's and get yourself some ramen to cheer up?" Shikamaru suggested.

"Hmm, it has been a while since I've been there," Naruto said.

"You should," Sasuke agreed

"Ok, I'll go," Naruto nodded. He got up off his chair and headed out the door.

"Im heading out," he said as he walked out the door

--

" Naruto! It's been a while, " Tuechi said with a big smile, but once he saw how Naruto looked, Tuechi's smile lessened.

"So, the usual," Tuechi said gently

"Yea, the usual," Naruto said, trying to hide his exhaustion

Tuechi went to work kneading and cutting up the noodles.

"So howve you been?" Tuechi asked, his back turned and cutting up the beef.

"Busy, but nothing i can't handle!" Naruto exclaimed. Naruto is trying his best to be chipper. He's glad that he escaped the dreaded paperwork, but he still had the nightmares to deal with. He pushed those thoughts aside as his ramen was placed in front of him. The smell coming from the ramen made Naruto smile. 'Just what the doctor ordered,' Naruto thought.

"You know, sometimes the answers we're looking for can be found by someone or something familiar," Ichiraku said

Naruto took the bowl to his lips and drank the broth. Naruto pondered on what Tuechi said. 'Man, this is the third time someone said this to me'

"You know what youre right, old man" Naruto said getting up. He was about to pay his bill, but Ichiraku stopped him.

"This is on the house" he said "You should go home and rest."

"Thanks" Naruto said surprised

"Anytime" Ichiraku winked

--

"So youre going to see Gaara then?" Hinata said watching Naruto packing for the trip.

"Yeah i gotta figure this out and end this once and for all" Naruto said zipping up his bag.

"Ok, be careful Naruto" Hinata said she went around the bed and kissed Naruto.

"Hopefully, youll get some answers" Hinata said with a small smile on her face.

"I hope so too, Hinata" Naruto said.

"Ok, im off, tell Boruto and Himawari Ill be back in a couple of days" Naruto said

"I will" Hinata said

'Hopefully this wont be a waste of time' Naruto thought to himself as he left Konoha behind