Before reading, I would like to say that it has been enjoyable writing these stories, but I am no longer active in writing in any shape or form, nor am I on this site anymore. This story was one of my first attempts at writing, so there will be missing depth at times and parts where things should have been handled differently, but all in all it turns out decently for what it is. I have removed all Author notes so there will be no explanations or break ups in your reading...

All my stories were written in 2007, so there are things we know now that we didn't back then

Also I do not read review posts anymore, so don't expect any replies

FYI: I like using honorifics when possible but I'm clearly an English only speaker, so forgive anything that looks off when it is a different language. Enjoy Chapter 1.

Walking the Line Between Life and Death

Chapter 1

Summary: There is a fine line between life and death. Uzumaki Naruto becomes a missing nin during his 3yr training mission. What could drive him to betray his very own village? Does anyone care enough to bring him back?

I don't own Naruto or anything that could possibly make me any money.

I'm moving the whole timeline up 2 years, so they were genin at age 14 – I'm more comfortable that way (12 yr olds shouldn't have to kill people in my book)

'thoughts' "speaking" 'demonic' – I don't do flashbacks

"Jiraiya! What are you saying?" Screamed the busty blonde while massaging her temples in exasperation

"I'm sorry Tsunade-hime, each of us cared for the brat, but there is no mistaking it." replied the white haired self proclaimed super pervert. "There was no sign of a struggle and he was completely pissed about not being able to go after Sasuke… again. I tried to find him, but he was just gone. He has never displayed that kind of stealth before unless he doesn't want to be found."

"That is still no excuse! You were supposed to be training him and making sure Akatsuki stayed away from him. I bet you just left him training himself as you went to your perverted peeping."

"Well, you see the thing is…"

"JIRAIYA!" the old pervert was launched out the nearest window by the irritated Hokage. Scribbling down information on a scroll she called in one of the Anbu guards. "Take this scroll to the council, it's time we retrieve our lost ninja, we can't loose another one." She ordered. The guard took the scroll and ran out the door. "He knows he can't become Hokage when he isn't here" she said to herself thinking of what could possibly go through the kids head.

"We are sorry Hokage-sama, but there is no way we can afford a mission of this upbringing. All available funds need to go to strengthening our village. Not only will we need to pay the ninjas on this mission, but we will also lose income from not being able to complete missions they would be pulled from." Informed the head of the council.

"I'm sure I could get quite a few of our Ninjas to volunteer for the mission without accepting payment." Countered the Hokage.

"As true as it may be, we need those ninja for active missions, besides one person isn't worth this much of an undertaking."

"What do you mean with that? You guys nearly begged me to send a large group to retrieve the stuck up Uchiha." Stated Tsunade while her anger was rising.

"That was different; he was still impressionable at that age. That thing is much older, and we will probably be safer without him here. We all agreed on this, so there is no chance of changing our decision; it is final."

"You guys act like the smartest ones in this village, but you are clearly all idiots. If you all would have treated Naruto correctly from the beginning, you would never even have to consider worrying about Kyubi, but after what this village has done to him…" Tsunade left them hanging and turned to leave the council chambers when she was called back by the council.

"Tsunade-sama, make sure his is classed as a missing nin."

"Yeah what ever you ass." She replied while storming out of the chamber.

Only one week has past when the next bingo book was issued to all ninja in Konoha. Like every other Wednesday the whole crew of leaf genin of 3 years back, now all at least chuunin, were meeting like usual at training ground 23 when an overly excited Kiba came running to the group with Akamaru, late as usual.

"Hey guys, the new bingo book is out, I got you all a copy." He hollered out.

"Kiba! Do you know how to keep quiet!" Screamed Sakura as she bonked him on the head.

"Thank you Kiba-kun." Said Hinata as the rest of the group nodded in agreement and took their copies to look through. The group sat around looking through the book at their own pace occasionally pointing out various people when they heard Hinata gasp loudly. All eyes turned to her as she looked completely… pissed? Hinata stood with anger as everyone cringed at the face of impending doom coming from the always kind heiress. Byakugan flaring, she stomps over to where the recovering Kiba was sitting. The group stared in awe at the rage seen in the dark haired girl as she grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the nearest tree holding him there.

"Kiba," she said enraged even dropping the usual suffix. "If you ever play a prank like that again, I will break every bone in your body." Kiba gulped as the group backed a few feet away from her in fear.

"W-what did I do? I h-haven't p-pranked anyone in years." He stuttered out in sheer fear while being eyed by the all seeing eye of the Byakugan.

"Those are real then?" seeing him nod her eyes welled with tears as she unceremoniously dropped him to the ground. "I'm sorry Kiba-kun." Her eyes leaking tears down on her face looked back at her discarded book and bolted from the area carrying the sounds of uncontrolled sobbing with her.

"What's wrong with Hinata?" Kiba wondered out loud trying to massage his neck.

"Might be hormones." Simply stated Ino like it was obvious.

Picking up her discarded book, Shino opened it to the last page she was at and raised an eye brow while reading. "Turn to page 34" he said causing everyone to jump, since he never talked. Everyone turned in their books and were surprised at what they read.

Uzumaki Naruto

Age: 17

Rank: Genin

Status: S Class Missing Nin of Konoha

Notable Jutsus: Rasengan, Kage Bushin

Although ranked as genin, expect well over Jonin capabilities. Most likely has a vast collection of ninjutsu as well as proficiency in taijutsu. DO NOT attempt to engage the target, his real strength is still unknown, possibly Kage level.

The group just stared at the page in wonder trying to figure how the loud self proclaimed future Hokage would even consider running like the traitorous Uchiha. Well, at least now they knew what caused the recent threat coming from their shy counterpart. Many times in the past 3 years, more so in the last year, there have been reports of villagers and even high level ninjas mysteriously showing up in the hospital. Officially there is no plausible explanation as to why they only have damage to internal organs, but the blonde haired legendary medic knew exactly why; they spoke ill of a certain genin in front of the wrong Hyuuga, but that would never be publicly known.

Following the lead of Hinata, the rest of them ran to the Hokage tower to give a piece of their minds. Upon arriving they heard the unmistakable sounds of yelling coming from the Hokage's office, but were confused as to who Tsunade was yelling with.

"What do you mean you can't do anything about it!? You're the freaking Hokage! You need to do something! Something isn't right, you know that he would never leave, and now he is labeled as a missing nin to be killed on sight if possible! You can't let that happen!"

"HINATA SIT DOWN!" she flinched a bit at the severe volume, "and the rest of you pansies get in here!" jumping at the acknowledgement, the rest of the teams came through the door into the office seeing the fuming heiress sitting impatiently. Seeing the look on her face, everyone decided to take a chair a good distance from her just incase.

"I guess you are all here for the same thing," seeing a nod of agreement from everyone, she rubbed the bridge of her nose and started in. " Naruto was due to return this week, but just last week Jiraiya returned without him with the news that he disappeared without out leaving a trace, even for a sannin to follow. Logically this means he purposely took off not wanting to be found. Although knowing Naruto, nothing follows logic so I petitioned the council to allow a village funded rescue mission, but was declined by everyone on the council making it impossible for even me to give the mission. I'm sorry, but there really is nothing we can do." Everyone looked disappointed, but frightenly Hinata still held her anger and stood to leave before looking back at the Hokage.

"You might be seeing the council soon." She warned before Tsunade stopped her.

"Hinata, I have overlooked your previous actions to this point, but this is a direct order… do not attack the council, if you do it will be seen as treason, and I won't be able to protect you from the death penalty." Warned the worried blonde.

"Like I really care anymore, I'll be in my room for a few weeks, don't bother to come by." Her anger faded as her sorrow took over; with tears pouring down her visage she hurried out the office door slamming it ferociously.

"Tsunade-sensei," Sakura called out, "what was she going to do?"

"Remember the mysterious injuries?" she asked while the pink haired one nodded. "well…" Tsunade nodded towards the door. Sakura stared at the door looked back to her mentor and looked back at the door with astonishment.

"You mean all those attacks were caused by Hinata? Why would she attack innocent people?" All the occupants of the room dropped their jaw at the accusation, except of course Shino and the lazy Shikamaru.

"I believe after Naruto left she couldn't stand the ridiculing of him anymore and kind of snapped. We all know what she really thinks of him, and I probably would have done the same if I heard them, so I kept it under wraps. Besides who would really suspect someone so shy in doing those things?" asked Tsunade.

"So, does she really think no one knows of her feelings for him? I mean she still tries to keep it a secret, but anyone that has seen her anywhere near Naruto can plainly see it all." Stated Ino.

"What!? Hinata likes Naruto!?" shouted Kiba while everyone fell off of their chair.

"Kiba! You are possibly even more of a thick headed idiot that Naruto! She is your teammate and you never once saw the red face and fainting she did around him?" shouted Sakura pounding him on the head.

"Uh, I though she was like allergic to him or something." He replied earning another whack on his head

"You really are dumber than Naruto, at least he has an excuse of not having a family." Lazily commented Shikamaru as he wandered out the door mumbling. "Why did you have to be so troublesome Naruto?"

"Is there something we can do Tsunade-sensei? I can't loose another teammate." Asked Sakura now showing some feelings.

"No, I'm afraid not, even if we convince him to return, he'll be surely executed. I just hope he finds what he is looking for, that baka."

Those that show emotions had the distinct look of defeat as they left the Hokage tower. The group split going to their own destinations thinking of how they possibly could have lost another ninja.

….Later