Hey Everyone! This is my first Fanfiction Story! I'm So excited!

***For reference: This is set after Sasuke tries to leave for Orochimaru, but before Naruto would have left with Jiraiya.

***Disclaimer: I don't own anything Naruto!

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Only A Shadow can Reach Into the Darkness

Chapter 1: Lost in the Darkness

It had already been months since the battle in the Valley of the End where Naruto had been able to stop Sasuke from leaving. Sasuke continued to stare ahead as team seven made their way down the forest surrounded path.

They were walking back from their last mission. The sun was setting behind them, but the ever-hyper-active blond had loudly complained that he didn't want to stop for the night- Ramen was calling him home!

"Come on! They weren't even that tough. We took them down no problem and we are almost back to Konoha! Let's just keep moving so I can get my ramen! I've already used all the supplies I brought!" Naruto said as he licked his lips. "Naruto! Shut up! Sasuke needs his rest and-" "I'm fine Sakura" The Uchiha interrupted.

"He has been even more of a cold prick since I dragged his unconscious ass back here." Thought Naruto as he shot a glare towards the two young ninjas. "And all Sakura can do is fawn over him and continue to apologize for any and every transgression she thinks she has caused."

Kakashi, who had been silently reading his book up until this point, decided to intervene before another "friendly rivals" fight broke out. "Sakura is right. We will camp here tonight and leave in the morning. There really isn't any rush to get back to Konoha is there Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"You don't understand Kakashi, I really wanted to be back tonight." Naruto thought. Outwardly though, he snorted at the decision, "Ha! Yeah, you're right! I bet poor little Sasuke does need a break!" Before the Uchiha could retort, Naruto had run off screaming about finding firewood.

Naruto waved goodbye to his teammates with a huge smile and bolted in the direction of Ichiraku Ramen. When he was sure he was far enough away from his comrades, he rapidly switched direction and flew home landing deftly in front of the decrepit apartments. "Haaa… Finally, I'm home…"

'Home' was an interesting choice of words for the building. The walls were bowing and dull green paint peeled from every board in the long, musty hallway. At the very end on the left was Naruto's apartment. Sighing to himself, the blond slowly opened his door while carefully watching for any sign of an ambush or property damage.

His apartment consisted of only two rooms. A bathroom that was so small the door hit the sink when opened, and the rest of the apartment. There was no need for him to try to lock it anymore. Naruto knew that would just end with his door being completely broken down, and in any case, he had nothing worth stealing.

After deeming the space safe, he entered the dark room and flipped on the lights. The power flickered at first, but to Naruto's annoyance, stopped working altogether.

Naruto threw his ninja equipment to the floor and began pacing back and forth, the light from a lone, partially boarded up window catching his shadow and the dust that swirled about his feet.

Finally making his decision, the blonde quickly picked up his gear and made his way over to the torn, blood and sweat-stained bed while pulling out a kunai. He held the knife in his bared teeth and used his now free hands to frantically remove his jacket, the rest of his pack falling to the hard floor.

Holding the kunai to his wrist, the blond paused. His eyes didn't hold the shine and determination they did when he was out in public. They were dull- misery being the only difference between his eyes and the eyes of those who had already left this life behind.

With one deft motion, the blade sliced upward, leaving a valley from wrist to mid forearm in its wake. The blonde eyed the wound, memorizing the moment before the blood began pouring out. Warm liquid trailed down his raised arm, congregating on his elbow before spilling to the floor.

Naruto slipped to the ground so that he could rest his back against something without ruining his bed even further. He slowly closed his eyes while he leaned his head back against the uncomfortable mattress. Darkness started creeping into the blonde's mind, and his last senses picked up the blade hitting the floor.

"Foolish boy… I should not heal you after such distasteful displays of weakness" growled the Kyuubi.

"Then don't… I've told you before I would be happier if you would just let me die…" Naruto replied coldly while he walked up to the large cage in front of him.

Kyuubi just shook his head sadly. "If you die, then I die too baka. Besides, I have grown quite fond of you."

"I don't want a lecture right now. I just want to rest. Will you tell me a story?"

"Very well kit, I will heal you and tell you a story. But, you must eat as soon as you wake, understood?

Ever since the incident on the bridge with Haku and Sasuke, the seal that had previously kept Naruto and the Fox separate had been warped, loosening some and allowing the two to merge not only their chakra but the young boys' humanity as well.

Naruto nodded as he laid down before the giant bars. He closed his eyes and listened to the deep voice of the demon, wondering how long it would be before he woke up.

Shikamaru was lying on his back lazily watching the clouds go by. "I was supposed to be training, but I spent all of my energy just walking over here. Troublesome" he thought to himself.

He knew he needed to train more. Although the mission was a success, and it was his first time being a team leader, bringing Sasuke back had almost been a disaster with many of his comrades sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Panic welled up inside of him. His mind started racing-"If I had just been stronger, smarter… If I had just been more like-." The chaos he felt slowed, "Naruto" he thought.

Sighing, Shikamaru pushed himself to his feet and readied himself for training. He couldn't help but smile. Naruto had grown on him and so many others since his time at the academy. He had to get stronger so he could protect the people precious to him. People like the blonde shinobi. "Naruto… I wonder what you are up to today. Probably face down in a bowl of ramen."

With one last look at the clouds, he started training, not realizing just how wrong he was about his friend.

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I can't believe the first chapter is over with! Thank you for reading! Please review!