I knew you would find me

OK...another revamped chapter. Please any comments or issues or questions don't be afraid to ask! They're just some smaller detail things, but its important to the rest of the story! I'm slowly shifting the plot back to where it supposed to be, lol XD Thanks and Enjoy!!

AN: Hi everyone!! Ok...thats all I wanted to say XD LOL. Enjoy!

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“Sasuke-bastard, what the fuck is going on? You almost killed—” A brutal jutsu attack drove through his system, causing the young man to stagger backwards in surprise, which only turned into anger as he threw himself forward, viciously attacking the black-haired nin.

“Stop lying to yourself, dobe. You can’t beat me. You can’t stop me. These people are fools. You’re a fool! You think they will let you become Hokage?” was the rasping reply from his sparring partner, which only angered Naruto further. He dodged the fire jutsu his hands coming together and the Kage Bunshin’s springing from his body.

“Take it back! I will become Hokage! You’ll see!” A kunai slashed through his shoulder, and Naruto leapt back before it could penetrate deeper.

“I’ll be dead before you ever become Hokage.”

Naruto splashed cool water on his face as he waited for both jounins to come, once more another memory assailed his mind, it had been their biggest and worst fight. It had also been the last time Naruto had seen him before having to take a blade to him. How easy it was to kill the man he loved, all for the sake of a scapegoat.

“You have no idea how right you were, Sasuke,” he whispered, staring transfixed as the water drained down in sink.

“Naruto, Shikamaru, and Neji are here,” Sakura said through the bathroom door. Naruto nodded, sweeping from the bathroom swiftly to meet the jounins he chose to leave for Konoha.

“I’m sending you both back with a message to Konoha,” he proclaimed, a look of surprise flashed briefly over both of their faces. A Hokage would never send his guards from him—then again, Naruto was not a run-of-the-mill Hokage, if there was such a thing.

“The council won’t like this,” Neji said calmly, eyeing Naruto before exhaling slowly.

“Well, the council doesn’t like half the things I do, so they can shove it up you-know-where,” the blonde huffed, pulling an empty scroll from the shelf and beginning to scribble out the orders. He heard a soft scoff Shikamaru but ignored it.

“They would find that too troublesome,” Shikamaru muttered quietly to his partner. Neji only stared stoically at the Hokage leaning over the table, writing out whatever orders he wanted, everything about him screamed confusion. In a flourish, Naruto made a few more appropriate marks and stood up.

“This needs to get to the council safely. I want every free hunter-nin after those rogues immediately,” Naruto said, finishing the scroll quickly. It was messy, but it would get his point across.

“We will return immediately,” Neji said with a slight bow pulling the scroll gently from the Hokage’s fingers. He stared at the hand briefly, his pale eyes traveling up to Naruto’s own; he held them briefly until the Cerulean depths yanked away hurriedly.

“Don’t bother,” Naruto said dismissively, “I can hold my own.”

He turned away, knowing about the disapproving looks he was receiving, but also knowing that they wouldn’t disobey his orders, at least, not yet.

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“Naruto?” a voice called into his darkened house. It had been five days since the deed. He had refused to talk to anybody since that day, he knew a few of his closer friends held a constant vigilant over him. Pressing his lips together firmly, he ignored the young ninja who was calling for him. His eyes fell on the folded forehead protector. After destroying the body, one of the hunter-nins had passed this on to him. It was a half attempt of closure, but it brought nothing more them haunting memories and constant nightmares.

“Naruto? Please, you can’t stay here forever. Tsunade-sama has entrusted the village to you while she is away.” Of all the people that had to try and coax him to speak, it had to the pink haired ninja. He could feel her enter the house and how she slipped towards his bedroom. She waited for him, patiently. The blond looked up finally after a few moments of silence from her.

“What?” he croaked.

“We can’t have a Future Hokage who won’t lead his people,” she said gently, coming forward and easing on the bed next to him, resting a hand softly on his shoulder.

“Fuck being Hokage!” he snarled throwing the comforting hand she had on his shoulder. If Sakura had been surprised by the comment, she didn’t show it.

“It’s been your dream for over the past ten years. The council has already appointed you. You don’t want to let Konoha down.” She said firmly, unphased by his reaction. He was hurting, they all were.

“How can you act as if nothing’s changed?” Naruto asked, suddenly standing up quickly. Sakura averted her eyes her hands folding in her lap.

“Everything’s changed Naruto,” she replied lowering her eyes.

“Then stop acting like it hasn’t! He’s gone because of me—”

“Naruto, you once said a shinobi always stands up to what he believes in,” Sakura suddenly cut him off standing up determination in her voice. The blond glared at her for using his words against him.

“How do I make peace treaties when I know I’ve killed someone who is practically my own flesh and blood?” he asked quietly. They had been more then just friends before he left. Much more…

“You make peace within yourself first.” She replied, prodding his chest meaningfully. She left without another word

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Naruto found himself at the same oasis later that night. His feet just took him there, and he hadn’t even realized he was leaving the village until he saw the rising sand dunes, and felt the warm breeze flitting drifts of sand through his clothes.The walk didn't take long and as soon as he was near the calm waters he closed his eyes and sank down into the sun-heated sand letting out one relieved sigh. This place Gaara had shown had eased his mind. Maybe he could finally move on...

“When have you last had a full nights rest?” a quiet voice came from behind him. Naruto jerked up from the warm sand in surprise at being snuck upon, a kunai in his hand just out of impulse. Gaara stood a good three feet from him, looking down at him, his arms crossed. His face impassive as ever,

“I sleep well, thank you very much,” Naruto snapped irritably sinking back down with a slight huff hoping Gaara would take the hint and leave.

“You don’t eat well either,” came another observation.

“I eat well enough,” the blonde replied, “And anyway, why do you care?” With that he closed his eyes intent on ignoring the other completely.

“A failing Hokage does not bode well for the future of peace between our nations.” Gaara voice broke through the quiet and Naruto ground his teeth together,

“I’m not failing, Gaara,” Naruto hissed, “You don’t know me,” he continued more softly, his eyes now focused on the clear, inky black sky, be-speckled with stars.

“He eluded every other nin searching for him that night. Why do you think he sought you out?” The low voice penetrated through Naruto’s mind, it felt as if a bucket of ice had been dumped on him, his body tensed and a shiver passed over his spine at the memories those words brought him, his eyes jerked open and he sat up fast his attention on the other Kage crouching next to him, the flat green eyes not leaving his own.

“Don’t you think I’ve asked that question to myself countless times already?” his voice sounded strained and desperate to his own ears and it disgusted him, he sounded weak.

“You confided to me once that you had loved him. I’m sure he proclaimed that himself to you that night as well.” Mused Gaara impassively.

Naruto felt his stomach churn at the thought and he looked away pulling his knees up to his chest. He could vividly feel how smoothly his blade sank into Sasuke’s body as he sagged against him, whispering the words into his ear.

“Stop it, Gaara,” he hissed edgily.

“Your condition has worsened. It makes you an ineffective leader.” Gaara continued ignoring the warning in Naruto’s voice.

“I don’t have a condition!” Naruto snarled and his eyes glared at the red-headed leader next to him. A wave of nausea passed through his body and took all of Naruto's control to stop himself from swaying forward.

“Can you fight? I’m sure your strength has waned since you had someone to fight for. Are the people of Konoha not worthy?” Pressed the other man, the words were cutting but Naruto didn’t want to hear them, he swallowed thickly anger running hot at the base of his stomach, fueled by the jinhchuuriki in his body.

“Gaara, would you just shut up!?” He snarled jumping up from the ground, his cerulean eyes narrowed in rage. The cool, pale green eyes just watched him, causing Naruto’s anger to burn all the brighter.

“How can you spout self-righteous shit? You don’t know what it’s like to kill your best friend,” Naruto took a shaky breath, “and lover.” What he thought would be a few hours of reprieve away from his duties had turned out to be filled with broiling self-doubts and stomach-turning memories. He didn’t want to have this talk with Gaara, especially now.

“Don’t I though?” Gaara’s whisper was barely heard through the blood pounding in his ears. Naruto knew the other was slowly gouging for a reaction, but he was too angry to care, if Gaara wanted a reaction he was going to get one!

“Don’t lie to me!” Naruto roared, the rage erupting through him in a blaze of red-hot chakra. Any ninja within ten miles would have felt it. An explosion of sand shoved the blond up against the nearest tree, pinning him there before the situation could get out of hand. Gaara knew perfectly well the power of a demon and could see the blond was using every once of strength he had in his reserves to fight against his sand attack. The once bright blue eyes had turned blood red, the snarl escaping his throat turning feral in his attempt to force the sand from his body. His arms escaped from the encasing sand, the fingers curved into claws. A focus of chakra and sand wrapped around them, pinning them down once more. It took all of the Kazekage’s own power to keep the chakra in the sand, Naruto was powerful and could easily escape from Gaara’s sand if his chakra went completely out of control. The red-head stepped forward as Naruto strained against the binds, only stopping as the sand began to reach crushing force,

“Yashamaru,” he breathed once he was within a few inches of Naruto’s face, “was the closest thing I had to a friend when I was younger.” His voice was hushed and only the stirring of the palm leaves above could be heard for how quiet the area had become,

“Do you know what happened to him?” Gaara asked the besieged man. The marks of the demon were fading from his face, but Naruto’s eyes were still narrowed in angry slits, red tinting the far edges of the eyes.

“He tried to kill me. In turn, I took his life.” Gaara could still vividly remember that night, the look on his precious persons face as he told him that he could not be loved, was not loved by anyone. The now cerulean eyes slowly widened in shock.

“I was a mere child.” He continued but before Naruto could reply hidden chakra filled the area from Suna ANBU and high ranking Jounins.

“Kazekage-sama!” someone shouted, and soon the sand trapped Hokage had dangerously placed Kunai’s at his throat. Any movement would mean instant death on his part.

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TBC

Ummmmm...sorry. Cliffy. Sort of lol...XD, wanna tell me what you think? (here's a secret: Click the review button XD)


Kawaiicrimsonkitsune: Sorry if you think it's boring XD I'm trying, really, Was that any better? lol XD