Disclaimer: I do not own 'Naruto'.

'Time' = Kurama

'Time' = thoughts

"Time" = speaking openly

'Cha!' = Inner Sakura.

~o0o~

Naruto would have never thought the saying 'you never realize what you've got until it's gone' would be related to his whiskers.

"I actually miss them." He pouted in his mindscape, absently rubbing the spot where the scars used to be. Kurama just snorted at him, rolling onto his side with a big yawn. "Don't you 'keh' me, fuzzball."

"I just would have thought not having whiskers would be a relief, since it caused you so much grief in your past life." Explained Kurama, casually picking at a fang. A dark cloud rose over Naruto's head. "Shut up." There was a pause of silence before the blonde sighed and dropped to the floor in a huff. "So we really can't go back?"

"Why are you still caught up in that?" asked Kurama curiously, hiding his concern for his sealer. "Aren't there more pressing issues to worry about?" Blue eyes once confused morphed into dawning horror. "…Ah Kit you really are stupid."

"ITACHI IS HERE!" Kurama sweated slightly, 'He only just remembered? This guy...' "Then-then what else is different?! The wave mission! What if Gato isn't even there?! WHAT IF…" he shuddered, "What if Gara is a girl?" This caused Kurama to nearly choke.

"WHY WOULD YOU THINK SUCH A THING?!"

~o0o~

Minato pinched the bridge of his nose in pain, his son…Dear Kami the list titled 'Things That's Different With Naturo' have sky rocketed in the past day or so. Maybe he's obsessing…Okay so he's being more than obsessive but the pain in the back of his head telling him (more like shouting) something's disturbingly wrong won him over more than once. He's even pondered on bringing Jiraiya back to Konoha so he could use his underground network to find answers.

Taking a deep calming breath, the blonde focused on the rustling of leaves in the distance and cheerful voices below belonging to the village. He was standing on the roof of the tower, trying to unravel this case of his son. It was pointless, he knew it, more than once he's asked himself what was wrong. It's been getting him nowhere. Worrying is getting him nowhere. Action would. But alas, until Obito arrives he can't take action.

…Or can't he?

NO. Minato gripped the railing so hard he heard it creek. No he can't do anything suspicious. If he acts in anyway that would point Naruto in the direction that he's noticed something, who knows how he'd react. This is a basic fact on how to approach a suspect –

SNAP!

His grip broke the railing and pierced the skin of his palms, but he didn't notice. Minato closed his eyes and counted to ten. What sort of father is he? Thinking his son as a suspect! Exhaling tiredly, the blonde suddenly felt ten years older. What would Kushina do? A sad smile ghosted his lips; she would have been an excellent mother. Probably punch him so hard over the head so hard he'd see stars and shout at him to let Naruto be. Maybe this is all in his head. Maybe this is puberty? Maybe Naruto being a Genin and soon facing all sorts of dangers is warping his view to make his little boy stay at home and be safe?

Minato smiled, "What a load of bull." Wishful thinking as always, he chuckled. Despairingly he knows Naruto's changed. Drastically? Yes. Suspiciously? No.

So why was he worrying? If only him saying he's a father would be enough. Sighing he let go of the railing and winced seeing the damage. As an experienced shinobi Mianto knew it wasn't enough to hinder his work. Feeling the blood run down his arm and stain his while robe, the blonde clucked his tongue. 'Troublesome.'

"Its a little early to be reminiscing Hokage-sama." A lazy voice said behind him.

Minato rolled his eyes fondly. "Not reminiscing, Shikaku, worrying."

"Ah. This about Naruto's recently strange behaviour?" Minato raised an eyebrow and turned around to stare at his friend. The Nara shrugged. "Shikamaru told me his attitude was troublesome."

'Typical.' Minato mentally snorted.

"If I may be so bold…" the blonde nodded, "have you checked his seal?"

"No." he sighed. "His personality hasn't changed that drastically."

Shikaku snorted and scratched his cheek with a jaw-cracking yawn. "Well then why are you worrying? He's at that age, its called puberty Minato. Even Shikamaru's changing, don't single Naruto out."

Minato scowled and turned so his back was towards his friend. "I know all about puberty, Shikaku. It's just…a feeling. Something's not right." There was a pause before Shikaku sighed.

"You know when a shinobi gets to a certain age their paranoia is registered well above average –"

"Are you calling me paranoid?" asks Minato, his head snapping around, eyes flashing in a warning.

The Nara doesn't even flinch. "Yes." He nodded. Again there was a pause, but this time the air was thick in tension.

Minato sighed and lowered his head, lines under his eyes somehow darker. "I apologize, Shikaku." His friend laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay, Minato. I was also somewhat out of line, but I'm warning you not only as a shinobi but as a friend. Don't dig too deep a hole into your worries. I don't want to see our beloved Hokage loose himself to paranoia because his son was going through puberty." He says with a slight teasing smirk. Chuckling, Minato pats Shikaku's hand and nods before grimacing. Looking down Shikaku let out a wince at seeing blood coating the top of his hand. Raising it up for inspection he sent a deadpan look to the now expressionless Yondaime.

"…"

"Don't ask."

~o0o~

A tired yawn echoed training ground seven. "Why are we here?" Pouted Sakura as she rested her back against Naruto's, seemingly too tired to care she was being intimate with her long time crush. "It's not like Kakashi-sensei will even turn up this early, going by what happened last time."

Sasuke shrugged from where he was standing while Naruto began to nod off. The Uchiha nudged him with his foot making the blonde jump awake, throwing a kunai in the process. Sasuke leaped back and scowled, "Is this going to become a habit with you?"

Naruto smirked as for an answer.

"Tch."

Five minutes later was passed in deafening silence. Naruto couldn't stop fidgeting in boredom. 'Kit stop that you're giving me a headache.' "Bah!" the blonde finally cracked and jumped up making Sakura fall to the floor, limbs splattered aimlessly. "Er…Naruto?" mumbled Sasuke hesitantly. Watching his long time friend pace madly.

"Enough is enough!" he cried and shook a fist in the air. "I'm gonna hunt that scarecrow bastard down and drag him back myself." Said Naruto as he began to stretch in preparation. Sakura and Sasuke shared a look before stretching themselves. "Guys?"

Sasuke huffed, "We're coming too." The pinkette cried in agreement. "Yeah! And when I get my hands on him he's gonna wish he'd been early. Perverted sensei." She grumbled in disgruntlement. Naruto bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from smiling.

Just then, for a fragment of a second he could see the future Sakura.

"Alright then." Nodding in consent before marching off in the distance to the memorial stone. Behind him Sasuke pocketed his hands and followed, an eager almost bouncing Sakura besides him.

"Do you even know where you're going?" asked Sasuke.

"The memorial stone." He replied. Sakura tilted her head.

"Why would he be there?"

Naruto sighed, "Because all of his friends are on that stone."

Nobody said a word.

~o0o~

Sigh, I'm sorry for not updating in forever. No excuses except nada motivation. And I also apologize for this being so short.