I knew you would find me

AN: Hey, Back with this BRAND SPANKING NEW CHAPTER FOUR!! YAY!! Um..other then that this chapter COMPLETLY re-written, Chapter 32 should be out soon. Promise, Erm...please tell me what you think about how this chapter went ^_^; It would greatly mtoivate me onto higher and greater writing heights if you did ^_^ (And the chapter 32 will come out VERY soon if you do


Hi Everyone!!! Thanks for those who reviewed much love!!! XD

Kawaiicrimsonkitsune: LOL I have no problem having my reviewers tell me what they think XD lol, in fact I encourage greatly, unless they're flames which I just snicker at. I’m glad ur enjoying it ^^

Eien_no_Ren: lol, thanks. I’m trying…this is totally different from what I usually write. I’m a big smut writer, check out my HP stuff if u ever get a chance XD lol. So this is a bit difficult for me^^


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Gaara’s eyes watched impassively at the retreating backs of the Konoha envoys. His arms crossed he felt the steady gaze of his brother on his back.

“No luck again?” Kankuro asked quietly, both eyes trained on the youngest of the Sabaku children.

“What luck do you speak of?” Gaara replied not taking his eyes off the quickly disappearing traveling group, he heard a snort of amusement from his brother but ignored it.

“I know you’ve been trying to get into his pants for the past few months—” Green eyes shot up to silence his sibling, the sand rattling angrily a bit in the gourd and he stepped towards the marionette user, Gaara’s eyes narrowed on Kankuro who had been stunned into silence,

“Unlike you, my attentions have nothing to do with sex” He hissed disappearing in a whirl of sand. Kankuro stared at the spot he disappeared from, his eyes wide. As soon as Gaara disappeared Kankuro relaxed his stance,

“Damn, and they say I’m always in denial.” He said rolling his eyes in annoyance and slowly turned to watch the lightening sky.

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Naruto’s mind was clouded with thoughts of how the week had gone with his stay in Suna…he had never had such a fight with Gaara before…they were friends. He narrowed his eyes in thought, how the Kazekage knew about the missing nin and he did not was beyond him. The entire time he had resided in the desert land Naruto’s mind had been assailed with nightmares and past memories, Gaara had not helped with his little ‘talk’ in the desert.

“Hokage…” Someone said next to him. Naruto looked over at Neji who was regarding him calmly, a jab of guilt flashed briefly through Naruto’s system but he controlled his face keeping it impassive and he rose a questioning eyebrow,

“Yeah?” He asked, the lilac eyes looked him over more closely,

“What did you and the Kazekage discuss?” He inquired, the concern only lighting his face by the way the corners of his mouth pulled downward in a frown. Naruto wasn’t sure if he wanted to answer that question and he shrugged dismissively,

“Nothing important, he was showing me an oasis near the outskirts of the desert, he...” Naruto paused for a brief second, then, “He wanted me to relax,” continued the blond in an unconcerned manner.

“You argued.” Neji continued making his statement a blatant observation. Naruto’s back stiffened and his eyes narrowed slightly,

“You want to know why I lost control of the Demon.” He stated his voice flat. The Hyuuga passed his eyes over the precession; they were taking the civilian route back to Konoha because of the advisers chosen to come were not shinobi’s. He reached out and grabbed the wrist stopping Naruto short,

“You don’t lose control, Naruto, What did Gaara talk to you about?” Neji asked. The Hokage regarded him calmly before twisting his wrist from the grip whipping around with a kunai he had pulled out from a hidden pouch he has specially put into his civilian clothing and pressed it against Neji’s throat without warning.

“You don’t demand information from me Hyuuga.” His voice was low, and then he withdrew sliding the blade back in the inside of the cloak before he stepped away with exhaled breath,

“I don’t want to discuss this here or now.” Naruto said softly, The Byakugan user knew his friend and Hokage had not drawn blood, but he still rubbed a few fingers of the place the blade had been.

“I only ask because I am concerned for you.” The Hyuuga replied, Naruto’s stance eased a bit at the words and he let an apologetic smile come over his face,

“Thanks, but keep that concern for another time, fall back and join the Suna escorts, I think they will be taking us to the Konoha borders.” Naruto said, discussing what had happened out in the open could cause more then just rumors to spread, but even more civil disobedience and perhaps Naruto’s removal as Hokage. He had sacrificed everything to becoming Hokage, losing the position would mean everything he had worked for, and done would be for nothing.

“As you wish.” The Hyuuga was heard before he fell back. Naruto could feel the others eyes on his back as they traveled through the thickening forest. Neji always seemed to be watching him.

“Atsuma,” the blonde barked suddenly, one of his advisors looked back at him before hurriedly running over to him, giving him a low bow

“Hokage-sama?” he inquired, his voice a wavering unsure of what Naruto would ask,

When we arrive I have no meetings, correct?” he asked, “No mission assignments for the genins?” Naruto continued his questioning of the envoy.

“You should be free,” came the hurried response from the other. Naruto glanced up through the trees to the lightening sky, they should return to Konoha within a few short days.

“Good,” he said softly, he had plenty to think about.
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Naruto made his way through the village silently, it was dawn on the third day, he was told there were no meetings and no missions to hand out, he was able to make it to the Memorial Stone without being stopped. Pausing he let a rueful smile grace his lips, his eyes reading each name, there were plenty of shinobi’s who gave there lives to protect the village he didn’t know…there were plenty who he did know.

“Did I do the right thing?” He asked out loud to the gleaming black stone, it was the same question he always asked it, but he never seemed to receive any answers. He felt the presence of another behind him but he didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Hard question there Naruto-kun” Kakashi said lightly behind him. Naruto didn’t look back at him as he trailed the names again.

“How many times have you asked that question?” Naruto inquired turning around to gaze at his former teacher. Kakashi tucked the little orange book back in his front pocket, one eye trained on the stone before giving Naruto a calculating look,

“Once.” He replied, Naruto nodded turning his gaze back,

“What’s brought on such thoughtfulness?” Kakashi mused behind him breaking the silence once more. The Hokage let another small smile grace his face,

“Rough time in Suna, The Kazekage was…attentive.” Naruto replied. He almost felt the gleam in Kakashi’s eye at the word, ‘attentive’.

“Really? How attentive?” Kakashi asked slyly, a little grin on his face.

Flashes of their argument flitted briefly through Naruto’s mind and he let a short laugh escape his lips, turning towards Kakashi,

“Too attentive.” He replied shaking his head, his eyes back on the stone. Kakashi stood silently behind him seemingly waiting for him to continue with how attentive the Kazekage was.

“Don’t you have genins to train?” Naruto asked smirking lightly as Kakashi pulled the book back out, obviously the conversation hadn’t gone has he had hoped.

“I’ll just get stopped by an old lady to save her cat from a tree and I’ll just have to help her,” Kakashi replied cheekily. Naruto let a wider smile grace his lips at his former teacher’s words and they fell into another comfortable silence, letting the early morning wind play pleasantly around them. Naruto turned his eyes back to the weathered stone.

“Maybe it’s time you let him go.” Kakashi said gently, seriousness in his voice. Naruto closed his eyes slowly before giving his head a little shake, he turned around to face the former sensei.

“Have you let Obito-san go yet?” He asked furrowing his brows a bit. Kakashi raised one hand to adjust the Hiate-ate on his head,

“Though there is a place for him in my mind and thoughts, he has not consumed my heart.” Kakashi’s teasing tones had left completely and before Naruto could reply he disappeared in a small cloud of grey smoke.

“It’s different…” Naruto trailed off. He didn’t have much time to dwell on the Kakashi’s words when he heard a high yell coming from the opposite side of the training ground;

“Hokage-sama!! Hokage-sama!!” The blonde perked up at the sound of the voice a grin forming on his mouth. Turning around he saw a young academy-nin running towards him, his dark, brown hair messy and un-kept around his face.

“You promised to teach me the shadow clone jutsu when you got back!” the young boy accused glaring at the Hokage in most threatening manner he could.

“Shouldn’t you be at the academy, Yukiko-Chan?” Naruto asked with a sly smile, trying to hold back the snicker that had started to form at the back of his throat at the sight of the young academy student. He was a lot like Konohamaru, except much more persistant.

“Maybe,” came the reply, “But if I’m with you, Iruka-sensei can’t yell at me!” The boy exclaimed, “And you’ll buy me ramen!” He continued looking excitedly at Naruto, his eyes wide and willing.

Naruto couldn’t help it he let out a loud laugh at the words before crouching in front of him so that they were eye level.

“Yeah, and I’ll get an earful from Iruka like no other,” he replied, rubbing his hands affectionately through the brown unruly hair the young boy glowered at him at the words, the eyes set in fierce determination.

“But you’re the Hokage! You can fire him!” He whined finally pushed Naruto hand out of his hair in annoyance, a pout forming on his face. Naruto snorted while looking away, the kid was cute, but persistent as ever.

“Yeah right,” he muttered with a little laugh.

“Come on!! Hokage-sama! You promised!!!” The young boy started again suddenly grabbing Naruto’s wrist and tugging a few times, “Please! Don’t you remember!! Yous aid after you returned you would help me!!!” The academy student begged.

“You keep calling me ‘Hokage-sama,’ and I’ll march you right back to the academy for Iruka-sensei’s full wrath,” the blonde said squarely, the boy stopped tugging staring at him before a smile spread across his face.

“Naruto-sensei?” the boy tried, his bright brown eyes shining. Naruto finally gave in. Nodding once he nudged his head towards the middle of the training ground,

“Better. Lets go.”

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“Hesitated you say?” Shikamaru asked as he inspected his weapons closely, sharpening the edges of a dulled kunai with the side of a wet stone before returning it to the holder on his thigh without a second thought. Neji was next to him both were discussion the happenings at Suna and what had happened after Shikamaru had left.

“Yes. I know he hasn’t fought against anyone since The Uchiha Mission but one would think a spar is a spar.” Neji replied calmly crossing his arms and gazing at the other. The Shadow manipulator glanced over at him

“Not for him.” Shikamaru said with a slight shrug, “Probably doesn’t want someone else to replace him.” He continued picking up a few more blades and checking them over carefully.

“He already tried that.” Neji muttered bitterly his lilac eyes closing in annoyance. Shikamaru glanced over at him a frown twitching at the corner of his mouth.

“You said the Kazekage was there?” He asked bringing the conversation away from those dangerous waters. The Hyuuga glared at the weapons still laid out to be cleaned and sharpened.

“I can only assume he had watched Naruto longer then I had” The Byakugan user said shortly, at that Shikamaru looked up at that his brows furrowed in confusion,

“Why would Gaara-sama watch Naruto is my question,” Shikamaru mused out loud putting the final blade away deftly his eyes flickering from Neji’s face to over his shoulder, Sakura just landed lightly in the doorway, her face lacking its usual warmth of greeting others.

“One of the missing-nins has been captured and is custody.” She said quickly, “And I have no idea where Naruto is, I’ve searched everywhere.” She continued looking worried. Shikamaru sighed,

“I know for a fact he was at the Memorial Stones…”He didn’t even finish when the young women disappeared completely, he stared after her before rolling his eyes.

“Tch…” He grumbled, putting his hands together for an easy flash step, leaving the rest of his weapons on the table. Shikamaru knew his impulsive Hokage would more the likely want to talk to the nin face to face and he would head straight to the holding cells. Neji watched as the smoke cleared and let the feelings broiling in his veins settle before following after the shadow-manipulator.

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“Why are we doing this! It’s so boring! I thought you said I was going to learn something exciting!” Yukiko whine loudly, his hands shaking as they formed a well versed seal; his faced all scrunched up from concentration. Resting against a tree, Naruto opened one eye grinning slightly. The young ninja glared at him and Naruto plucked a fallen leaf from the ground swirled a bit of chakra in his hand and watched as the leaf flew and landed on Yukiko’s head.

“It takes a lot focus to be a ninja, something I didn’t learn for a long time.” Naruto replied, Yikio pouted looking up at the leaf,

“And what’s with the leaf?” He growled crossing his arms, the Hokage chuckled

“Well, I can tell you this cock and bull story about it being the symbol of our village, and how long ago they used these leaves to focus which is why they are on our headbands.” Naruto said wave his hand in an offhand manner, watching the other closely,

“But to make a long, boring un-exciting story short, it works, just think about the feeling of the leaf pressed against your forehead, it really does help you focus on one spot” Continued the Hokage, the young nin gave him a dubious look before placing his hands together scrunching his face up once more pressing his hands together

“Bunshin no jutsu!” He said loudly, an exact copy appeared, wavering with effort before suddenly disappearing. Naruto bit his lip frowning a bit as the boy sighed in defeat,

“I can’t do this!!” Yukiko groaned falling backwards a bit exhausted. Naruto shook his head stifling his smile,

“Come on do it again, it wasn’t that bad, you’ve only started as an academy student!” Naruto ruffled through his hair, crouching next to him, The young boy rolled up onto his feet,

“But I’ve heard that you were able to master the Kage-Bunshin no jutsu when you were just an academy student!” Whined the boy trying to explain way his short comings. Naruto grinned at that comment,

“But would you know I failed the academy test of clone making twice before that?” He said tapping him on the head where the leaf was still pressed against.

“Focus.”

Yukiko nodded placing his hands together his eyes furrowed, Naruto watched him quietly before turning as his name was called behind him,

“Naruto-san!!!” It was Sakura, she landed near his little training area he had created for him and the academy student. The boy glared at the approaching nin for her interruption and was just about to open his mouth when Naruto wrapped a hand over it giving him a warning glance, Sakura’s anger was not something he wished to deal with.

“I finally found you! I have important information that needs your immediate attention.” She said, glancing at the child then back to the blond. Naruto nodded quickly once pulling away from the young boy and walking towards the women,

“Missing-nin squad eight has caught and effectively placed a rogue nin in custody” She said low enough for only Naruto to hear. His eyes widened then he turned to give an apologetic smile towards the student,

“That’s enough for today, Yuk-chan. You should get back to the academy. Sakura go with him. Tell Iruka-sensei he’s been training with me,” The boy looked disappointed that he would have to back to the academy but Naruto smiled brightly crouching once more to be eye level with him,

“Keep practicing, if you master this one I’ll show you some really cool jutsu’s” He promised. Yukiko nodded grinning and running off ahead of the pink-headed nin. She watched him before turning to Naruto but the blond was already gone.
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“Has he said anything?" Naruto asked lowly watching as the nin glared towards the wall. He had pure black eyes and he was wearing a off-white ragged hakama with a thin rope obi, he looked like one of the left over Orochimaru henchmen.

“Nothing, everything I’ve done so far hasn’t broken him.” Replied the other man, his lips set in a deep frown.

“I’m going in.” Naruto said outloud, turning towards the door. Ibiki stared at him briefly before nodding grimly,

“I don’t feel it is necessary for you to have to talk to him, I will get the information out…” Naruto turned his eyes on the interrogator, narrowing them slightly,

“I need to know why he broke from Konoha myself,” Naruto said, his eyes drifted over to the sullen-looking young man sitting in the small room. A chakra inhibiter jutsu had been placed on him and the room, but he was still dangerous a dangerous man. Just to put the old man at ease he turned towards Ibiki,

“Is Yamanaka Ino back from her mission?” Naruto asked calmly,

“I don’t deal with missions Hokage...” Started the other man evenly, pausing to glance through the door at the captive, then back at the calculating blue eyes,

“She can be my eyes and ears inside his head. Go get her. I should be fine.” Naruto ordered

“‘Should be’ isn’t good enough,” Ibiki muttered as he turned to do the bidding, Naruto watched him until he disappeared from sight and grabbed the handle of the door, he received an alarmed look from the ANBU posted at the doorway,

“Hokage-sama!”

“Stay at your post,” Naruto snapped before opening the door all the way, shutting it behind him with a click. When he first got to the holding facility, he had met Neji and Shikamaru who apparently heard the news from Sakura about the captive. He didn’t need them worrying anymore then they already were and had sent them on D rank missions with their genins.

“Mutsu Tabito,” Naruto said softly gazing at the man. The man snapped his gaze up to his, both eyes narrowed, his forehead protector had the familiar slash through the insignia, indicating his allegiance was not with his home village.

“Hokage-sama,” was the sneered reply. Not fazed by the rudeness, Naruto took a step forward, watching the rogue nin even more closely. He looked very familiar.

“What squad did you work under?” He asked circling the man like a vulture would a piece of rotting flesh, the black eyes glared straight ahead, and his lips tight in anger. The closer Naruto looked at him, the more familiar he became, and he then saw a very familiar curse seal tattooed at the base of his neck. Three swirls in a circle, the very same as Uchiha Sasuke, his eyes narrowed at the sight. He was one of his.

“You were in a three man squad, number five I believe, a medical nin right?” Naruto recited, watching as an angry shudder raced down the mans back and the glare deepened.

“You went on the Uchiha assassination mission.” He continued softly his mouth right next to his ear. The nin whipped around, a thin senbon needle in the palm of his hand. Naruto caught it deftly gripping the wrist so tightly he could feel the strain of the bones and in one twist the wrist snapped. The Hokage watched as the nin bit back a cry of pain and ignored it.

“So were you one of the Uchiha’s tagalongs before or after he left the village the first time?” He asked out loud turning towards the man holding the limp wrist, again his question went un-answered. Naruto didn’t show any sign of his aggravation. He suddenly felt the others chakra and looked up, seeing Ino in Ibiki’s arms, and suddenly glanced at the captive nin as he began speaking,

“Hokage-sama! Please remove yourself from the holding area,”

Naruto glared through the small window at Ibiki whose eyes were set in the familiar scowl.

“Stay out of this, let him speak,” Naruto demanded, he waited watching them both carefully, and Ibiki finally nodded

“Hokage…” Ino protested, but Naruto decision was final, she nodded once, the mans one hand moving up,

“Kai release,” was the muttered phrase. The missing nin shook slightly as he was finally released and he threw one disgusted look over his shoulder and the infiltrator, Naruto grabbed his chin roughly forcing him to look at him

“Answer me.” Naruto ordered finally, ignoring the worried looks into the room, he could deal with those later.

The man spat in his face, his hatred blazing eyes narrowed,

“No.” He hissed through his teeth.

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AN:See brand new Yay!! Any problems? Issues? Suggestions for the rest of my fixes? Please let me know!!