Hiya! :D

A/N: This is my somewhat happier continuation of The Tragedy. You can go check that out if you want to know the back ground story, or just read this as it is. (Don't read The Tragedy if you don't like reading about: abuse, swearing, drinking, murder, and violence)

Warning: There is language and some street fighting contained in this chapter.

Setting: Nine years after Sasuke's parents were killed and Itachi disappeared without a trace!

Disclaimer: NARUTO ain't mine! (Otherwise the Akatsuki would rule the world!)

xXxXxXxXx

The faint sounds of tires rolling on pavement, carrying their owners through their everyday lives, unconsciously, filled the raven-haired boy's ears. He wasn't trying to listen to the sounds of the outside, in fact he avoided it. Block out the world, it was routine. The world and all it's people didn't give a damn about him, so why should he?

Trust no one. Live for yourself. That was the harsh reality the young boy faced in his earliest years and it carried with him throughout his everyday life. A life that left him walking down a shady street near twilight on a cold day in October.

His fists balled into the pockets of his oversized navy blue sweatshirt, the hood pulled over his head, hanging low so his eyes didn't leave the pale grey pavement. The rough jean fabric of his pants was swishing loudly as he hurried up the sidewalk. Over the scuffles of his sneakers on the ground, the teen could discern other muffled footsteps were trailing his every step.

It only encourage him to gain more speed, though he couldn't help feeling that he should've bolted two blocks back. Something was holding him back. He knew it was the Suna gang that trailed after him, their intentions clear. They did not chase the raven-haired boy with friendly objectives. The Suna were out for blood, Uchiha blood.

A few days back, Sasuke had heard from another kid that the Suna were sick of his attitude. They wanted to teach him a lesson. A pricey one, that could cost him the life he'd clung to for all his years on the streets.

Almost there, the boy thought to himself, just a bit further. . .

That was when he heard one of the Suna break their rank, racing forward. Upon hearing the irregularity of their steps, he whipped around. His open palm shot up to protect his face from the blow, capturing his attacker's hand in the process. It was the female.

Four blonde pigtails at the back of her head and green eyes that lusted to inflict pain on her prey, and in this incident her prey was himself. He recognized her as Temari, a hotheaded bitch who liked it rough in the sack. Of course that was the only information he'd managed to attain from the guys around the area.

"Well, that's not very nice," said the Uchiha, smugly staring down the girl. His grip tightened on her hand.

A snarl came from her throat and Sasuke's onyx eyes caught the glint of a blade, emerging from her pocket.

"Shit," he cursed, releasing her knuckles and jumping back. He avoided the knife just barely, the rip in his sweatshirt was the proof of that. He put up his fists, lacking any other weapon. "Well, what do you guys want?"

Temari let out an indignant snort before replying, "You. . .dead!"

The blonde charged again, the hand clutching the knife swung at him from his right, he dodged again. There wasn't much he could do, the eyes of the girl's companions bore into him as the fight progressed, they were getting off on it. Another bit of information Sasuke had picked up, the girl fought alone because the guys liked to watch her. Disgusting.

The Uchiha knew that he had to do something or he was going to wind up dead before the real fight started. Smoothly, the boy swung a punch to her gut, the blow made contact, but it cost him. The blade sliced into his right forearm as he pulled his arm back, the cut wasn't severe only painful.

Gotta get rid of that knife, he recognized. It would have to be his first priority if he stood a chance against the girl alone.

The blade came at his abdomen, straight forward. His midsection swerved to his right, swiftly avoiding it. Before she could react, his left hand nabbed her wrist, snapping it back with a crack. He couldn't tell if it broke or sprained, but it was effective.

"Fuck!" she shrieked, releasing the hilt of her weapon. It clattered to the ground and Sasuke's right crashed into her side with all his force.

"Jackass!"

A hard object smashed into the back of his thigh, his leg buckled from the force. Letting go of the injured girl as he collapsed to the ground, his knees pounding into the pavement. A kick came from another of the Suna, who'd joined the brawl, landing it against the Uchiha's back. His hands caught his body before he hit the ground. Sasuke attempted to rise back unto his feet. No good, another kick came at his side. He was knocked onto his back.

The injuries were piling up now, he was beat. Exhausted, he panted, clutching his ribcage. He gazed up at the sniggering Suna above him, happily witnessing his agony. The group had come together, crowding around the broken Uchiha. It signaled that the fight was over, they were going to end the arrogant Uchiha at their feet.

"Now you die, you son of a bitch!"

Sasuke's eyes snapped shut, he didn't want to look at his dispatcher. After fifteen years, he'd managed to survive only to die at the hands of a street gang. It wasn't how he'd planned to die, not like this.

Dammit, this is so fucked up! Sasuke cried inwardly, desperation conspiring, awaiting the bat, knife, or pipe to come down on him.

After a long moment, the lids of his eyes gave way. His gaze was directed upward, toward the reddening sky, as the sun was setting a fair distance behind the tall buildings in the better part of town. Astonished, he did not see the twisted expressions of his enemies, they were missing. He jolted upright, clutching his sides, his eyes landing on three new fighters. They were attacking the Suna and successfully driving them away.

Sasuke watched mutely as a girl with bright red hair, snagged one of the gang bangers by the shirt and kneed him in the crotch with enough force to bust a wall. He gulped, silently promising to never piss her off.

The other two effectively chased the rest of the Suna away. The redhead cried out furiously after the retreating gang,

"That's right assholes! Next time you try and ambush Sasuke we'll kill you! Nobody messes with the Taka!" She lowered the fist that she'd been brandishing and hurried to Sasuke.

"You okay?" she asked, her face showed the concern of a sister.

Sasuke nodded, still shocked to be alive. His stunned expression melted into a grateful smile, getting to his feet with his friend's help.

"Arigato, Karin."

The girl blushed. "No problem, Sasuke-kun." She pressed her cheek against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist, and holding him tightly.

Well, at least Sasuke thought of her like a sister, the girl clearly had other ideas.

"Ne, Sasuke, you hurt?" asked a pale haired boy, he was rubbing the blood on his hand off onto his shirt. Suigetsu always enjoyed a good fight, hanging around the young Uchiha helped quenched his boredom. The raven-haired boy always managing to piss someone off, it was somewhat amusing.

"Yeah, I wasn't armed," admitted Sasuke, feeling foolish.

The other member of the makeshift gang, shook his head slowly. The young, orange-haired man was obviously disappointed in his friend, wandering around without even a knife. That was like suicide for a street kid. He had to wonder if suicide had been Sasuke's aim. He knew the kid was self-destructive, at best, and he'd had accidents.

"Sasuke, if we hadn't come along you'd be dead," stated Juugo flatly, his frown deepening. "Try taking better care of yourself." He stepped toward the bloody Uchiha, handing him a switchblade. "Hold onto this."

Sasuke nodded, obediently taking the knife from the overprotective man, stuffing it into his pocket. There was no reason to argue, taking it would make his friends feel more at ease and if he didn't, Juugo could be forcefully persuasive when necessary.

"I'm hungry," complained Suigetsu, stretching out his limbs. "Let's get home, Karin, you can fix Sasuke up there can't you?" He was eyeing the girl, clinging to the Uchiha, with jealousy.

"Yeah, let's go," agreed Juugo, fearing the Suna might counter attack if they remained. Not that they couldn't thrash them all over again, but it did prove tiring.

The group of four made their way up the street. Karin still stuck closely to Sasuke's side, her grip on his midsection was unwavering. Normally Sasuke would tell her off, but he felt that the incident could slide, after all she had saved him. Suigetsu drifted into the lead, hurrying home, driven by the grumblings of his stomach. Juugo was the opposite, silently falling behind. The older boy was overly cautious as usual, scanning behind them for enemy eyes. The nagging feeling of being watched was making the orange-haired boy nervous.

Safely, the group arrived at the desired location. An abandoned house at the end of the ghetto, home of the Taka gang.

Property marketing had plummeted when the delinquent up rise consumed the poorer side of town. It was good for the homeless band of rebels, not so much for the honest citizens though. Inside their hideaway, the gang settled.

Karin got to work with bandaging up Sasuke, while Juugo and Suigetsu prepared some food. Just like every other day when Sasuke got jumped. The Uchiha wondered if his time had been up years ago and these people that seemingly gravitated to his side were unjustly prolonging his existence. Pushing the thought away, he let the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile.

At least I have them for now, he alleged mutely. They were as close as family got for the boy, the sentiment worked both ways. Though, he wondered when the day they too would abandon him. It seemed everyone left him eventually.

Everything. Everyone. Sasuke lost them somewhere along the way.

It hardened his heart and though he enjoyed the time with his temporary family, he wouldn't get attached. Attachment leads to betrayal.

"Karin, you can eat now," permitted the Uchiha, waving her away. He was fixed up already and felt drained. Sleep was all he needed right then.

She reluctantly nodded, leaving him alone.

Exhaustion pulled Sasuke into the darkness of a light sleep, forgetting about the day's events.

~*~*~*~*FOUR HOURS LATER*~*~*~*~*~

"Sasuke-kun, get up," cooed Karin, gently poking the boy's bare stomach.

To her delight, she'd found him shirtless and passed out on the floor, head resting on his sweatshirt. His angel face was serene as he slumbered, it made Karin blush. He was so gorgeous, and she was the only girl in his life! It made her feel like it was her destiny to marry him!

"Come on, Sasuke-kun," she whined, lightly shaking him. He usually wasn't a hard sleeper, this should be much easier. "Sasuke!"

"Karin. . .mmm. . ." mumbled Sasuke in his sleep.

The redhead froze, her breath hitched, an eager blush creeping over her features. Staring wide-eyed at the sleeping Uchiha, she found herself leaning forward.

Is he dreaming? she wondered silently.

"Sasuke-kun?"

". . .I love you. . ." muttered Sasuke, still unconscious.

Karin felt her heart leap and couldn't help inwardly asking, Is he talking about me!? Suddenly waking him was the last thing on her mind, she wanted more.

"Sasuke-kun," she whispered into his ear. "Who do you love?"

"Mmm. . .Suigetsu. . ." he answered in a slur.

"'The hell!?" shrieked Karin, falling backwards onto her butt. Her outburst snapped the raven-haired boy straight from his dreaming.

"What?" shouted Sasuke, jolting upright. He urgently turned to Karin, finding her mortified expression. "Karin, what happened? Are you okay?"

The redhead nodded, gulping.

"It was a, uh, bee," she lied, calming herself. "I came to wake you up. We need to go shopping so Suigetsu and I were going--"

"I'll go," he offered, sensing that he wasn't going to be able to sleep after her scream. It had shaken him up a bit. A trip to the store might make him feel better. "You can stay."

Frightened by the fact he wanted to go with Suigetsu, after she heard him talk about the pale-haired man in his dreams, Karin fiercely objected.

"N-no!"

"What is it now?" questioned Sasuke, staring puzzled at his friend.

"I want to go, Suigetsu can stay," she hurriedly cleared up.

Sasuke quirked an eyebrow, but he agreed to the arrangement. He had the feeling that something was wrong, and Karin didn't want him to know about it. He shrugged it off, getting to his feet.

After slipping on a plain gray T-shirt, Sasuke met Karin out front. It was dark out, yet he still noted that she slipped a black handgun into her jacket pocket, he didn't question her about it.

Karin usually carried a gun on her at all times, being a girl. It was necessary too, Sasuke admitted that Karin was pretty gorgeous for a street girl, a lot of guys were after her. Most of them weren't nice either. Sasuke himself had saved her from being taken advantage of twice. It was how he acquired his brotherly nature toward the girl.

"Let's go, Sasuke-kun!" she called cheerfully, ensnaring his hand in hers. Then she began pulling him up the road, humming cheerfully.

Sasuke was getting a bit annoyed, Karin was being pushy again.

"Karin, I can walk on my own," he told her, irritated.

The redhead made a pouting face at Sasuke.

"Hn," he grunted, allowing it for then. Her face lit up, ecstatic. "Just don't pull me so much." His injuries had yet to heal, being dragged around was not going to help.

"Okay!" she giddily agreed, falling back in pace with the Uchiha. Her fingers entangled with the boy's at her side. Karin felt like his girlfriend. The feeling was unrivaled for her, nothing could make her happier except actually being Sasuke's girlfriend.

The chimes of a small supermarket sounded over their heads as the pair entered the store, engulfed by the bright fluorescent lights.

"What are we getting?" asked Sasuke, his eyes lazily peered around the inside of the store.

"Not much," answered Karin vaguely, she was already running through the list in her head. She smiled, turning to Sasuke. "You just get the milk, 'kay?"

He nodded, releasing the girl's hand and heading for the back of the store. The chill of the freezer hit his bare skin as he opened the door to pick out a cartoon of milk. Once he procured the container, the Uchiha turned around only to have a shopping cart ram into his side.

"Watch where you're walking, jackass! . . .Oof!"

"Gomenasai!" came the melodically panicked cry from the Uchiha's assaulter.

Sasuke glanced up, his hand rubbing his battered stomach, to find two people who'd been driving the cart. The one who'd apologized was a young woman. She had dark blue hair thrown up in a bun, with a giant white flower clipped in the right side. Their was a horrified look in her gold and silver-blue eyes. She looked like a dwarf compared to her companion. The man at her side was two heads taller than her, he was clutching his side. (The woman had hit him for being rude.) His hair was silver, slicked back and his violet eyes were watering from the impact of the blow. There was a silver amulet dangling around his neck, that briefly drew Sasuke's attention, he couldn't recognize what it was for.

"Uh, it's okay," the young Uchiha managed, wincing slightly. The collision was going to result in another bruise.

The man suddenly looked at him strangely.

"Hey, aren't you--"

Wham.

The woman delivered a swift punch into her partner's gut.

"Bitch!" the silver-haired man exclaimed.

"Gomen, for hitting you," said the woman hastily, taking her friend by the arm and dragging him away from the Uchiha.

"What're you fuckin' hit me for!?" the man cried out as they rounded the corner.

Dumbfounded, Sasuke stared after the odd pair.

"You okay, Sasuke?" questioned Karin, finding him staring into space.

"Yeah," he mumbled, dropping the carton into her basket. "It's nothing."

xXxXxXxXx

To Be Continued~!

xXxXxXxXx

Arigato for reading! :)
Hope you liked it! If you did please review!
I'd love to know what you think about it and hear suggestions and such.
It would truly mean a lot to me! 3