Hey guys… I'm sorry for the late update. I know it has been awhile, but I couldn't get on for a good reason. I was right in the middle of my Final exam, and when that was over, I moved right to Korea. I'm really sorry. I was having a hard time getting used to everything, and I didn't have a computer.

Thanks to everyone for their patience. Love you all.

Disclaimer: I no own Characters.

--

Naruto ran blindly through the empty streets of the city. All he could hear was he's heavy breathing, his feet hitting the streets, and his heart pounding away madly. Behind him, he could feel Sasuke nearing in. Naruto clenched his jaw and forced his legs to pump faster.

"Naruto, stop!" screamed Sasuke.

"No!" Naruto hissed.

Naruto ignored the ache in his legs. He knew he couldn't out run Sasuke, the fact making him angry. That anger was the only thing that was kept him going.

However, a second later, Naruto felt a hard pull at his collar. Sasuke had grabbed his shirt. The force sent Naruto flying back, into Sasuke, and both of them crashed to the ground.

"LET GO!" Naruto screamed, thrashing violently in an attempt to escape. However, Sasuke had managed a firm grip on the blonde when they fell. Naruto kicked, punched, and bit Sasuke, but his grip only got tighter. Finally, Naruto gave up and settled. He glared up, hissing. "What do you want?"

"Come back," answered Sasuke, unruffled by brusque tone of the blonde.

Naruto snorted. "Why would I want to do that?"

"The school needs you," said Sasuke in his monotonous voice.

A flash of anger shot through Naruto. Oh, the School. Sasuke was only doing this for the school.

"YOU JERK!" Naruto screamed suddenly, pushing Sasuke aggressively on the chest. Sasuke hadn't expected it, and his grip slipped. The blonde stood up, glaring down.

"Why do you think I left?" he yelled. "It was for you! Because you hated me! You wanted me to disappear… you don't care about me at all!" Naruto spilled all the resentment he had kept until now. "All I wanted was to make everything right again. Why… do you have to make everything so hard for me…?" Naruto's voice quivered, threatening to break into a sob. Naruto covered his face.

"Naruto…" Sasuke whispered, a quiet shock crossing his face. He stood up, putting his arms around the blonde.

"Don't touch me." Naruto said, pushing the raven away. "Stop pretending to be nice when you don't even mean it."

"I'm not pretending."

"Stop lying!"

"Listen Naruto—,"

"No, I won't listen! I so tired of you lying just because of the schoo—," Naruto got cut off, because Sasuke had locked his lips around the blondes. Naruto struggled, trying to push Sasuke off. Sasuke didn't let go. Naruto slowly stopped, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Sasuke whispered, wiping the tears off the blonde. "I love you."

Naruto didn't answer, but just nodded.

Sasuke kissed him again, and this time Naruto responded.

"Ahem,"

Naruto and Sasuke broke off, looking back at the sound, startled.

Standing there was Jiraiya and Neji.

"Well," said Jiraiya. "Well, this is interesting."

"I see," said Neji. "So you HAVE been to the school."

Naruto and Sasuke had told Neji and Jiraiya the whole story, from when Sasuke had found him, to how they ended up here.

"Yes. Now that I have explained everything, it's your turn," Naruto looked up, determination showing in his eyes.

Neji sighed. Jiraiya closed his eyes and started. "I suppose there isn't any more point of hiding it…."

It was 12 years ago. Jiraiya was a High-ranking Gifted. He had a student named Minato Namikaze, the man known as the hero of the country for sacrificing his life and saving the City.

The War had begun suddenly, the enemies name being the Kyuubi. There was always a tension between them, and Kyuubi made the first attack.

The City, being unprepared, was losing. When they thought there was no hope, Minato united the Gifted and fought the Kyuubi. Jiraiya fought alongside of Minato. The war ended in victory, but Minato lost his life in the process.

Before he died, he called Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya…" He whispered.

"Minato. How are your wounds?"

"It's not important. I'm going to die soon"

"Don't say things like that. You're gonna get better—,"

"I know very well that I can't make it. But that's not the reason I called you here. Jiraiya, can you do me a favor?" whispered Minato.

"You know I'll do anything," Jiraiya answered.

"Promise me you'll do it. No matter what."

"I promise."

"Good, I knew I could count on you."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Jiraiya, I want you to take my son and escape the school."

Jiraiya gasped. "Minato…! You know very well that your son has a power!"

"Yes, that's why I'm asking you to do this. I don't want Naruto to suffer. I can't let him go through this. Not him. I have to…!" Minato gasped, coughing blood.

"Minato…!"

"Promise me Jiraiya. No matter what."

"…Okay. I'll do it."

"Thank you… I… knew… you would…" Minato never finished.

"Minato? Minato! Wake up!"

The doctors came in, hearing Jiraiya's scream.

That night, Minato's funeral was preformed.

Naruto was crying.

"Naruto." Jiraiya approached.

"Jiraiya..! d-daddy…!" Naruto sobbed.

"I know… I know…" Jiraiya hugged the sobbing boy.

"Naruto," said Jiraiya suddenly. Naruto looked up, confused. Jiraiya put his hand over the blonde's forehead and muttered. "Forget everything that's happened. About the School, about Gifted… and about Minato."

Naruto let out a shocked gasp, and fell forward. Jiraiya caught him, looking down remorsefully.

"I'm sorry. This is the only way."

--

"So that's why I couldn't remember anything. My memory was suppressed." Naruto muttered.

"Yes." Jiraiya answered.

"Who is Neji, really?" asked Naruto, eyeing the brunette beside him.

"I'm one of the people that the School didn't find out. Jiraiya helped me." Neji shrugged.

"Oh… so you're a Gifted?" Sasuke asked curiously.

Neji glared.

Sasuke stood, confused.

"Don't you understand, you jerk? Naruto is in danger right now. If only you hadn't taken him to the school…"

"Stop it," said Jiraiya. "He didn't know."

No… it IS my fault, thought Sasuke.

"Naruto can't escape now. The Superiors will track him down no matter what." Jiraiya went on. "Now the only thing he can do is to go back."

"I'll go too," Neji said.

"Neji…" Jiraiya trailed off, confused.

"Naruto is like my brother. I can't let him face the danger alone." He looked at Naruto and smiled.

"Thank you." Naruto muttered, grateful beyond words.

"Hurry, we don't have much time," said Sasuke suddenly.

"Huh…?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Gaara is buying us some time, but it can't last. We have to hurry."

"Let's go." Neji said. Then they were off.

Jiraiya watched after them, his forehead creased.

"Sorry Minato."

--

Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji crept stealthily along the halls of the South wing. Already, too much time had passed. They decided to go to straight to school, to see if there were any search parties going on.

However, nothing was different about the school. It was serene and quite as always. A door slid open, and Gaara stepped out.

"Naruto…!" He breathed, surprised, and clearly relieved. "You found him." He turned, facing Sasuke.

"Yes." Sasuke answered, making a face akin to a smile.

"I'm glad your back, Naruto. I was sure the Superiors would notice."

"I'm sorry Gaara." Naruto mumbled.

"No, don't be."

They introduced Neji, and Gaara slightly glared at him; Neji only made an amused smirk.

When Naruto and Sasuke had left, Neji had remained. Gaara didn't care to notice; he eyes only followed the blonde with a longing look.

"You like him," said Neji.

Gaara glared and looked away. Neji gave a smirk.

"Why don't you go out with me? I was getting bored."

"Shut up," hissed Gaara, walking away.

"Though," Neji smirked, amused. "I like challenges."

--

There you go. I hoped you enjoyed it.

I'm sorry again for the late update; I'll try to update faster next time.

Thanks for reading! Review! (bows)