Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, wish I did.

Rated: T, for language only

Notes: 1) Takes place sometime after chapter 281. Except I'm ignoring Yamato and Sai because I don't really have a handle on them, and they're irrelevant to this story. Heh. Also, sort of ignoring the "spy". Just assume this is sometime later and that Team 7 went to look for Sasuke.
2)This is a semi-linear story. There is a plot, but it's told in a different way. Three points of view (Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura) on three seperate meetings. Meaning there is some crossover of story between chapters. Just warning you.
3)Sorry, but you may find some characters a little OOC. I try not to, but I'm putting my own ideas, opinions and hopes into them and the story's made up, so it's bound to happen. I'm planning on ten chapters at most, but depending on how this goes and how good my focus is, it may change.
Anyway, I hope you give it a shot and at least enjoy it a little.


Blessed Be Those Who Mourn

Two-Letter Word

Sunlight beamed down brightly through the wisps of clouds that insisted on remaining in the sky. It warmed his body and tickled the skin that peeked out from the hem of his pants and sleeves of his jacket as he lay haphazardly in the grass. Though they sat quietly, likely in deference to his unusual sour mood, he knew they were there, could feel the presence of those he knew so well.

At any other time, a day like this would have lifted his spirits. He would have enjoyed it in the company of his teammates, no, his family, as they traveled, maybe taking a bit of time away to spar and sweat and reach that point of healthy exhaustion. At any other time, he'd have basked in the warmth of the sun, drinking every last bit into himself. But on this day, the warmth did not reach his inside and the light went purposely unnoticed. All he saw right now was darkness, his eyes closed to that light, with a forearm draped over them as an added measure. He didn't want to see the beauty of the day that betrayed him. An angry sigh left the mouth that held a frown he didn't even realize he was wearing.

He wasn't here now, in this clearing, with these people. He was back in the morning, trapped in the recent memories held there, trying to figure out just where he'd gone wrong.

The whole affair had robbed him of a little bit of hope, a little bit of determination, in essence, a little bit what made him, him. It didn't feel right. He didn't like it.

His frown deepened.

What was going on? He was sure, absolutely sure, that when they finally met up again, he'd be able to fulfill the promise he'd made so long ago. After all the time gone by, he was sure he'd be able to make things right again, repairing the wrongs of the past. But fate had other plans apparently.

Wait. Fate?

Since when did he believe in fate? What was he thinking? He didn't believe in such things! He believed in making your own way, writing your own future. He was the misfit who would be Hokage. Everyday he proclaimed it, fought for it, believed it to the very depth of his being and nothing could persuade him otherwise. And he'd proved all those doubters wrong, hadn't he? It was promised to him now, and that was almost the same thing, wasn't it? He'd broken his so-called fate. He knew it could be done, that things could change, so why? Why had everything turned out so wrong? Was there such thing as fate after all? No. That wasn't it. So where has all this doubt come from? It wasn't him, wasn't him at all. And he didn't like it.

In that instant, he had felt the same as he had in that empty valley when his friend had tried to kill him. Alone, defeated. Incapable of doing even the simplest thing right. It shouldn't be so hard to return something back to its proper place.

The feeling was uncomfortable, made him feel outside himself.

It wasn't him.

And he didn't like it.

Were promises really so hard to keep? Was his ninja way really so fragile?

No, that wasn't it. It couldn't be.

He knew that line of thinking was wrong. He could change things. He could keep his promises. That's just who he was. A little hyperactive, a little clumsy, a little loud? Yeah, sure, maybe. But he was also loyal, determined and proud. A person who could be relied on no matter what the circumstances, he'd always come through. He'd never once truly doubted that before. Sure, two and a half years ago he'd come close to questioning it. But only briefly. Certainty returned swiftly, and because it was so important, it came back that much stronger.

But now, after this, he felt that doubt again, gnawing like some hungry little insect at his subconscious. This was not who he was.

And he didn't like it.

It was all the fault of the morning, it was to blame. He'd waited so long for that morning to come. Rehearsed it over and over in his head so many times, knowing exactly what he'd say, exactly what he'd do. Imagined how he'd finally be able to fulfill that promise. How he'd at last be able to assuage a little of the guilt that haunted him. Envisioned how he'd be able to prove that he could in fact be a good and true friend. The scene would replay itself nearly everyday, deep in the recesses of his mind. It was not nagging or obsessive, just a gentle reminder of what he didn't want to forget. Not that he ever could.

The reality, however, had turned out to be quite different. In every way he could have possibly imagined.

He let out a small, frustrated sigh and rolled to his side. Forearms met face as his back curled into a fetal position. Slowly, his eyes opened a sliver, allowing a bit of that cruel light to touch his weary senses. If he was to face the failure, he'd have to face the day. His mouth parted slightly as he whispered so softly that he was certain to be the only one to hear.

"Bastard."


Their fateful meeting, as it turned out, was about far from what he expected as it could possibly be. He'd always imagined their reunion in fighting, a great clash of power, dotted with shouts and angry insults. Or maybe he'd just find himself dragging the missing-nin's sorry ass back to Konoha after a devastating battle with that snake Orochimaru. At the very least, he though it would be somewhere in the deep recesses of the Land of Sound. Not in some quiet, no-name village in the middle of nowhere. And certainly not in a ramen bar.

The day had begun the same as many others. The remaining members of Team 7 awoke and, gathering their things, took another step towards their goal. It was a beautiful day, clear and warm with a slight breeze that prevented it from becoming too hot. The group had been thankfully left alone by the Akatsuki, who after the abduction of Gaara, had turned their attention to demons other than the Nine-tails. It was a blessed respite from constant attack, allowing most of Team 7's time to be spent in blissful peace. Undisturbed. Quiet. Secure. In a word, boring.

Not that Naruto was complaining. Not at all. It's just that having no one to fight meant he had nothing to do. Well, he still trained when he could, but it wasn't quite the same. On the other hand, not having some group of crazed, power-hungry missing-nins chase you everywhere did have its upside. For one, it meant they'd get the chance to stay at an inn instead of the middle of some forest. And he'd finally be able to sleep in a nice cozy bed instead of on some nasty jagged rock that managed to poke him in the back no matter what way he turned.

But most important of all, he thought to himself as he walked through the sleepy little town with a goofy grin plastered on his face, he'd get the chance to eat something good rather than whatever it was Kakashi decided to feed them. This "something", of course, was ramen.

His stomach grumbled as the mere thought of his favorite food floated through his ration numbed mind. "Ramen, ramen, ramen," he sang out loudly, earning him some strange glances from the local folk. He didn't seem to notice, though. Instead, his grin widened as he quickened his pace, all the while singing some new ramen devotion song he'd just made up.

Guided by his acute nose to an establishment specializing in said ramen, his smile, if possible, grew even wider until settling into his trademark fox grin. He walked through the entrance of the restaurant and just as he was about to let out one last joyous call for an order of his favorite dish, he stopped cold. A sense of complete familiarity overcame him. Not expecting such a pull in such a place, he found himself frozen, and for once, utterly without words. Chakra signature notwithstanding, and even with the passage of time, he would have recognized that figure anywhere. He could already see in his mind's eye the face of the raven-haired teen who sat at the bar facing away from him. His frame was a little taller, his hair a little longer, but even so, there was not a doubt in Naruto's mind as to the boy's identity.

The fox boy was suddenly struck dumb. Before him sat the person he'd wanted to see, the one person he really felt a connection with. His throat grew dry and scratchy, his muscles stiff and heavy. Naruto felt his mind instantly swimming with a million different thoughts until he began to feel a bit dizzy. Swallowing hard, he desperately tried to calm his strangely overactive nerves.

Many things tumbled through his mind in a second that seemed like eternity, as the object of interest slowly turned his head to look curiously over his shoulder at him. Naruto stood strangely motionless in the doorway. Empty black eyes met the deepest of blue as the world seemed to go silent. An all too familiar smirk graced the pale boy's lips.

"Long time no see," came a voice lower and colder than memory served. "Dobe."

"Sasuke . . . "It was the only word he managed to squeak from his suddenly mute lips. What the Hell! He'd spent all that time, thinking, planning, and now that he was finally faced with the person he'd been seeking all this time, all he could say was his name. He, the Number One Loudmouth Ninja! How many times was it that he was told he didn't know how to keep his mouth shut and now that it mattered most he could think of nothing to say? What the fuck was wrong with him?

The smirk on the dark-haired boy's face deepened with just the slightest touch of confusion tinting his eyes. Not so much that your average person would notice, but to Naruto, who knew him so well, it couldn't be any more obvious. He wished he knew what Sasuke was thinking, and moreover what he could possibly do or say to seal the rift that had been torn between them.

The missing-nin turned to fully face the blond with his elbow still resting gently on the bar. Naruto numbly noticed a big bowl of ramen that had been allowed to cool, relatively untouched.

"What's the problem, Uzamaki? Never known you to be at a loss for words. At least not for unintelligent ones anyway."

With a start, he came to his senses. The familiar biting words, that nasty look, it brought him back in time and suddenly he found himself once again a twelve-year-old outcast trying to sputter out insults. "H-hey, you bastard! Who do you think you are? Like you're one to talk. Yeah right. The great Uchiha Sasuke. What the hell's so special about you? Other than the fact that you've still managed to walk around with that stick stuck so far up your ass?"

He sneered defiantly at his best friend, thrilled that he was quick enough to think of an adequate, if typical, retort. Caught in his adolescent memories, he temporarily forgot the gravity of the situation he was currently in.

By now, the exchange had garnered the attention of nearly everyone in the bar, as they took what they hoped were inconspicuous sidelong glances at the pair. Neither boy seemed to register or care that they had somehow become the focus of attention.

Naruto saw his old friend's expression almost . . soften? What was that about? What kind of idiot became less angry when insults were thrown at him?

"Whatever you say, dobe."

"Tch!" Ever the clever wit, Naruto stuck out his tongue before screwing his face into his typical anti-Sasuke scowl. Arms crossed childishly over his chest, he attempted to glare his friend down, predictably losing miserably. How easy it had been to fall back into their childhood, assuming their old familiar roles. Despite the fact that they were once again fighting, Naruto found he rather enjoyed the 'old camaraderie'. He was almost ready to ask his old sparring partner for a friendly bout in the woods, just like the ones they used to fight in times that were more innocent. With the memories of all the good (and bad) days they'd spent together as Team 7 running circles in his head, he let the edge of his mouth quirk up with just the hint of a smile. He all but lost himself to the hazy sweet before.

But such solace was short-lived.

With a pang, he realized just how much he'd missed those old days. If only he could go back, he'd be sure to do things right, and save his friend before he fell over the edge. He made a secret futile wish that this little slip back into time was real, that it could last, that they could go back to their early genin days. As if no time had passed and nothing had changed.

As if one friend had never betrayed the other.

Reality hit him like a blow to the ribs as the truth flooded back. The boyhood pout slowly faded from his face. His eyes lowered to stare at the ground as his body seemed to melt into misery. No matter how much he'd wished that tragedy had never happened, it had, and would weigh over any exchange the two would ever make. He was furious with Sasuke for everything he'd done, part of him just wanted to pummel the bastard into the ground until he was good and bloody. But another part, a greater part, was filled with regret, seasoned with the bitter taste of guilt. During their battle, when he was so encompassed by the shame of being blind to how much pain his supposed best friend was in, he was almost willing to let Sasuke kill him. Since that time, part of him always questioned just which one was really to blame for the tragic events of that day. That same nagging part also wondered which friend was the real traitor. When he raised his eyes to once again meet those of his old friend, they had a lost, almost faraway look to them. He looked at Sasuke, but he didn't see him. He was really gazing back at a time that had passed.

"Sasuke . . ." he spoke in a voice that couldn't possibly be his own. "Why did you leave?"

He saw his friend's intensely dark eyes narrow, though the expression remained the same cold detached one as before. But Naruto knew him well enough to know that he was bothered by the unexpected change of topic. He again couldn't help but want to know what was really going through Sasuke's mind right now.

"We've already been through this."

"Yeah."

Absently rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, Naruto looked askance at the teen who quietly sat regarding him. This time he really tried to see him as he was now and not as he was then. This new Sasuke that somehow wore the mask of the old Sasuke. It almost felt like he had just walked out of Naruto's memory, but the reality of the present made this image seem off. The fox boy squirmed a little, uncomfortable in the presence of someone he no longer knew. No, that wasn't quite right. Looking at his friend, he could still feel the pull. No matter what changed, what passed between them, this boy would always be his best friend. Beyond a doubt, when he looked into those impossibly black eyes, he could see it. Below the surface was the real Sasuke, desperate to hide himself from the world. The Sasuke that he had known. Looking deeper still, he could even make out the shadowy remnants of the child that once was. The boy that sat before him was a lie. It pissed him off. He really hated making this long awaited meeting with a stranger.

It was then that Naruto suddenly realized he didn't much care anymore why Sasuke had left. It was an old argument from a different time and place that no longer held any real significance for him. Now, at this moment in time, all he wanted was to have his best friend back.

His patience snapped.

"Why are you being so damn stubborn!"

"What are you talking about," was the quiet, flat reply.

"You-you bastard!" Relying on old tactics, Naruto rushed up, grabbing Sasuke by the collar. There were things about his old friend he understood well, but others that still confounded him. He could see why Sasuke had felt compelled to leave to some extent, though not why he went to Orochimaru. But there was no way Naruto could ever understand why he'd choose to stay. Blue searched black, searching for something, anything that showed the real Sasuke was listening. "Why are you staying with that snake! For power? From a creep who can't even beat your brother? How exactly is that gonna help anything? You'll never win that way. There are always other options, idiot! Did you ever even bother to look? Were you too possessed by your curse to think straight? Or are you just that stupid? I mean, how can you agree to something like this? At this rate, that snake will be taking over your body soon. And then, even if he could manage to beat Itachi, assuming he'd care, it would be him doing it, not you. Exactly how is that getting vengeance? And what about restoring your clan! For a supposed 'genius', you're about the dumbest person I've ever met!"

Sasuke watched him with an utterly bored expression. "I'm looking at the dumbest person."

"What is wrong with you!" Ignoring the insult, Naruto was nearing his breaking point, barely able to control the boiling rage that welled up within him. The feeling inside him made him vaguely wonder if this is how Sasuke felt all the time. Remembering the rage thrown at him the last time they met, Naruto felt an ache, thinking how burdensome it must be to carry that type of hate everywhere you went. And his desire to save his friend swelled along with his anger.

"You. Are. Not. Sasuke. I don't know who the hell you are, but you're not Sasuke. Sure, you may look the same, speak the same. But I'm not as stupid as people think, you know. You- you're just a shell. An illusion you wear to make the real Sasuke feel better about himself." Naruto yanked him closer till mere inches separated their faces. He'd make the real Sasuke listen to him, if he had to shove the words down his throat. Breathing ragged, he spat out, "Tell me. Is it working?"

Something unknown flickered in the dark eyes before they settled back into their cold, expressionless façade.

"Get your hands off me."

His voice sounded cold and sharp like audible ice, biting into Naruto's ears. He absently felt a quick shove against his chest, causing him to momentarily lose his grip on the shirt and Sasuke took this chance to free himself. Turning, the missing-nin headed to the exit.

For a second, the fox boy just stood there, his hand holding air as the other meant to disappear from his life. Had he really seen nothing in those dark eyes?

"Stop."

It was a near silent plea.

But the benighted boy heard it. And stopped.

"You have to come back to Konoha."

Silence.

The blue-eyed teen lifted his head, locking their gaze on the shadow that was his closest friend. He had to make Sasuke understand that he could come home. No, that they wanted him to come home. He didn't know how to put into words just how much he'd missed him. It just sounded cheesy. True, he did kind of want to beat the shit out of the moron, but that could wait until later, until after Sasuke came home. Now was a time for persuasion, not alienation.

"We've been waiting for you, you know. All this time. That's why I'm here. Why we're here. We were sent to bring you back. Konoha's still there for you. I know it won't be easy, but you're not alone anymore." He wanted Sasuke to see there were people who cared and would stand by him, people who'd help release him from his solitude. Naruto felt a little silly when ticking things off a list, but right now it's all he had. "Sakura-chan came too, she hasn't given up yet. Even Kakashi-sensei's here. We were sent by Tsunade-bachan, so there's nothing to worry about. I know she'll let you back in . . ."

A short, derisive scoff cut off anything further he meant to say.

"So what? Is that supposed to mean something? You really think they'd just embrace a traitor? Tch! You really are naive, Naruto."

"If you want to think that, go ahead. But at least I'm not some stupid selfish bastard."

"Hn." Sasuke raised his head to the sky as if he were looking for something. The fox boy waited as his old friend stood strangely passive in the doorway, hoping that something had gotten through that thick skull of his.

"There's nothing there for me."

Apparently, so far he'd failed.

"Are you even listening? Your family is Konoha." Naruto's fists clenched painfully against the answering silence. It was as if they were back in the Valley of the End, locked in another epic battle, only this time all the scars they wore were hidden. This could not be happening. Not again. "And what about me? What about your best fucking friend! Or was that just another lie? You can't do this! Not after all this time. I believed in you, you asshole. After so many people gave up. I've held on these past two and a half years. I'm not letting go now. I'm not gonna let you leave again. It isn't fair. I made a promise, you know. To Sakura-chan. I promised to bring you back. But it wasn't just for her that I made that promise. It was for me, too."

Naruto had to make Sasuke believe; make him understand just how much he meant to him. He had one best friend, one brother, one whatever-their-connection-was, and nobody else could ever fill that place. He wanted to make him see just how much he'd missed him and the unnamable thing they still shared. But to do this, he first had to reach the real Sasuke, who dwelled deep down somewhere inside this stranger.

"But it was also for you. Well, for the person you really are, anyway. 'Cause this isn't it, Sasuke. You may like to think it is, calling yourself an 'avenger', wallowing in your self-pity, trying to convince yourself that this is what you want. But I know you better that that. I don't know where you got your fucked up idea of self, but this isn't you. And I think somewhere in that stupid head of yours, you know that. None of this is gonna make you happy. And none of it's gonna make things right. You need to come back to Konoha – to where you belong."

"Tch. You always did talk too much."

"Maybe. But I'm still right"

Sasuke inclined his head ever so slightly as if he wanted to look back, but couldn't. Nearly every eye in the place was focused on him, as anxious as Naruto to hear the reply to his impassioned plea. Naruto was certain he must be turning blue from holding his breath for so long. From the corners of his eyes, he could see the customers watching as if the boys were playing out a scene in some sort of strange street performance. There was a moment of impatient silence before the show once again resumed.

"You realize of course Uzamaki, that you're asking all this from a person you've just called a stranger."

"That's kinda the point, isn't it?"

Impressed by his own insight, a small smile spread across Naruto's lips. But the smile somehow made him too comfortable, brought with it too many memories of smiles he'd once shared with the teammate he'd lost. There had to be something more he could do, some way to convince his friend that what he was saying was right. Naruto could feel him pulling away. He could sense that same loss as from years ago, only more palpable this time since now it had a name. As he stood in Sasuke's silence, a sharp pain choked his throat. As if acting without permission, his mouth opened and let out his voice.

"Please . . ."

It sounded pathetic, even to his ears, but he couldn't stop it.

"Please come home with me."

Sasuke made no answer. No indication that he'd even heard. But the still quiet that had overtaken the bar left no doubt in Naruto's mind that he had. He hadn't wanted to sound so weak, but he was feeling the same as when Kakashi had carried him home from the Valley of the End. Back then he was nearly overwhelmed with the weight of some tremendous guilt. After all that had been said and done that day, he couldn't help but wonder if he was the only one who'd really felt friendship with his teammate.

Or was it the other way around?

Maybe he, Uzamaki Naruto, had never shown real friendship for the Uchiha prodigy. Maybe if he had, none of this would be happening now. Maybe if he'd just stopped in his petty rivalry for one damn second, he would have seen the truth behind those placid eyes. Maybe he would have seen how isolated and alone Sasuke felt, how he carried sorrow and anger with every step he took. A small part of Naruto hated himself for not bothering to really look before it was too late. But he shoved that thought aside, instead straightening his back and holding firm to his resolve. This was not the time to worry over the errors of the past. Right now, right here, he had one goal and couldn't allow himself to stray.

A long, tense silence stretched before them like a shroud. Naruto squeezed his eyes closed as if he could somehow change Sasuke's mind through sheer force of will. Then an odd sound filtered through the room, reaching Naruto's ears. It was soft, melancholy, and somewhat . . . resigned? The fox boy's heart leapt in his chest. Maybe some part of what he so desperately wanted to convey had reached its destination. He wanted so badly for Sasuke to understand . . .everything. Turning his body to fully face the silhouette of his friend, he dared to hope. The black-clad teen had slouched his shoulders; head lowered in a distinctly unSasuke-like stance. Something had changed, though Naruto didn't know what it was. He saw his best friend slowly raise his head; take a deep breath, as if readying himself for a major decision. Naruto took a bold step forward, reaching, certain that he'd hear the words he'd waited so long to hear. Anticipation and hope rose up and surrounded him as he started to believe.

"No."

What?

Without a glance back, Sasuke walked from the bar and vanished into the street, breaking Naruto's heart for the second time.

A heavy pall fell over the normally cheery ramen bar, as the play unexpectedly ended. The nervous gestures and shocked murmurs of the customers took place somewhere far from where Naruto stood. Even these strangers couldn't believe the outcome of such an emotional exchange.

No? The word tumbled through his mind like some vicious spiked wheel intent on destroying his psyche.

No. This couldn't be happening. This isn't how things were supposed to go. It was all wrong. Maybe he should have apologized for failing him as a friend. Though he doubted he would be met with anything but derision if he had. Maybe he should have thrown away his pride and got down on his knees and begged. Though he probably would have only been kicked and laughed at. Maybe he should have just unleashed Kyuubi and let the damn fox demon take care of everything. Then at least he was sure to win. He was stronger than he was the last time they fought.

Or was he?

If he was so strong, why couldn't he make Sasuke believe the one simple thing that was so painfully true? Did he still not understand his best friend, even after all this time?

No, that wasn't right...

Naruto knew Sasuke better than he knew himself. Sasuke wanted to return. He knew it, had felt it leaking out of every pore of the missing-nin. So why had he said no? Why? Why was everything wrong? How could he fail . . . again?

And why the hell was he just standing there!

Hand outstretched, jaw dropped open, that one simple reply had turned him into a twisted statue of himself. Who knew a two-letter word could hurt so much? Everything felt wrong. The situation was wrong. Sasuke's answer was wrong. But what bothered him most was that HE was wrong. Just standing there, doing nothing, watching like it was someone else's life that was crumbling. This was not the way Naruto behaved.

He felt wrong.

And he didn't like it.

His face screwed up into the form of his pain as the awareness of his surroundings returned. All the eyes he felt trying so hard not to stare made him feel like some sort of exotic animal on display.

And he realized he wasn't hungry anymore.


On the grass of the clearing, Naruto lay uneasy as he sighed into his hands. He felt a failure, like the useless outcast that the people of Konoha so often said he was. Why hadn't he been able to do anything when Sasuke just walked away? He just stood there, staring instead of chasing, mute instead of shouting. He should have done something, but he didn't and he couldn't figure out why.

He saw himself again as he did they day of their separation. Bathed in the overwhelming guilt that told him that he had never been a true friend, and never even tried to understand this person he felt so close to. But so much had changed since then. He understood Sasuke so much more than he ever had before. This time should have been different. This time he should have been able to be the friend he wanted to be and reunite the shattered remains of Team Seven.

He still couldn't understand how it all had turned out this way. He felt himself slipping into a place he didn't like. There was a sudden clench in his chest that threatened to release the tear he held at the edge of his eye.

NO!

Without warning, he shot himself to his feet, opening his eyes wide to the sun and managing to get a surprised "yelp" from the pink-haired girl who sat across form him.

No. He refused this. He wouldn't cry over that bastard. Not yet. Not until he was good and ready. He was Uzamaki Naruto, dammit, and while some things about him had changed, he never was and never would be some weak, sniveling coward that gave up. With an effort, he swallowed back his tears and vowed to save them until he'd fulfilled his promise. He would not be shedding them now. With that one simple declaration of refusal, he felt he'd regained that which he'd lost. Who knew a two-letter word could give such strength? When he'd brought Sasuke back, then, and only then, would he allow himself to cry.

He'd be saving those tears for when he was happy.

Looking to the heavens, he reaffirmed his promise, if only to himself.

Sasuke had told him once, "We hurt because of our bonds". Without a trace of doubt, Naruto knew this to be the truth. That was what brought him pain on this day. But he held a connection to Sasuke that couldn't be severed, despite the Uchiha's efforts. There was no name for this thing they shared. It went beyond teammates, friends, or rivals, it went beyond even family. It was a tie hard won and all the more precious for it. And yes, sometimes it hurt. But he'd rather keep the pain than lose the bond.

He shouted to the sky as if it could somehow carry his message to its intended.

"You just wait Uchiha Sasuke! I'm Uzamaki Naruto! I have my own ninja way and I won't back down, especially to you! I'm bringing you home whether you like it or not!"

With a look of grim determination set to his face, he nodded, as if saying that had somehow decided something.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the amused smile on his team leader's hidden face.

Turning to the jounin, he put his arms behind his head and gave him the biggest, widest, most classic Uzamaki fox grin.

TBC. . .