Naruto: A Different Life

Untitled Chapter 20ish

"Do I have to?" Naruto moaned before falling pitifully on to his bed, landing on his face.

"Yes." Kat said for the 47th time since he first asked- three days ago. She was currently packing his bag with spare sets of clothes and anything he would need for his journey back to the Leaf. She and Kakashi had decided that he should just by new things in the Leaf so Naruto wouldn't need to carry a whole bunch of stuff back and forth every other month. Since Kat bought the stuff for him in the Sand, Kakashi was providing the money in the Leaf for expenses.

"So we have two hours until we go see the Kazekage so they can put the seal on you. After that we can go out wherever you want for dinner, since this is the last night you'll be here. Do you want to wear the red or orange shirt for tomorrow?" She held up the two garments in question. Naruto met her eyes and they both smiled. "Orange," the said simultaneously. The blond had picked up Kat's love of the color orange in the time they spent together.

"So like I was saying," She continued as the laid out his clothes for tomorrow, "you will get the seal tonight and head out at eight thirty with Kakashi and a Sand ninja. Your class will get to say good bye and watch as you leave. They would throw a fit if I didn't let them," Kat muttered this last part. When the class learned Naruto was leaving for two months there was a mini riot- letting them send him off was the only way to calm them. "After that it will take about a week to get to the Leaf. You will attend the Academy there and live in your old apartment with the Sand ninja who is coming with you."

"I wish it was you coming with me," Naruto said sadly. Kat was now a full time instructor at the Academy here, along with Yukio, since no one else took the job.

"I know," Kat sighed, pausing in her packing. "I want to go with you. Maybe I'll be appointed at some point, but not this time. Hey, but don't forget."

"Hmm?" Naruto hummed in answer.

"Ha! You sound kind of like him." Naruto looked up and Kat continued with a grin. "Itachi promised to meet you when you get there right?!"

Naruto suddenly remember the conversation he had about a month and a half ago with the raven haired ANBU.

"But why do you have to go? Can't you stay here as well as Kakashi?" Naruto pleaded at the entrance to the Sand Village. Itachi stood in front of him with a small bag packed and ANBU gear on except for his mask, which was held in his hand. Naruto had been begging him to stay ever since he had gotten up.

Itachi sighed for the twenty-second time since breakfast and gave his answer once more. "No, I have to return to the Leaf Village. I have been gone too long as it is."

"Ugh! It's so not fair," Naruto groaned.

The raven haired ninja smiled slightly and lowered himself to Naruto's level. "Don't worry Naruto, I won't be gone for very long. You will come to the Leaf soon enough and I will be there when you return."

Naruto's big blue eyes met Itachi's black ones. "Really? Promise you will?"

He pulled the blonde into a hug and said quietly, "I promise."

He missed Itachi a lot and was beyond excited now to see him again. A huge grin covered his face that was depressed moments ago. "I nearly forgot about that promise! Now I am almost happy to be going!"

A sigh came from the door. "Really? Isn't there any other reason you should be excited about? After all it is your home village. Surely you must miss something!" Kakashi leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed casually.

"Hmm," Naruto pondered this question and sat up. After a moment he nodded. "I guess I miss gramps and Iruka-sensei a bit. Oh and Ichiraku's Ramen! Their ramen is actually better than Yui's and Kora's, ya know."