Prologue: New Beginnings
Rain was gently falling around the shattered landscape of the Valley of the End, just miles outside the Village Hidden in the Leaves, almost like the sky was trying to wash away the events transpiring. Standing on the water in front of one another were two young men staring each other down exhausted and bloodied. Black eyes, with what looked like a red six-pointed star in front of a blood red pinwheel bored into blood red eyes with vertical slits and horizontal pupils, both with a look of sadness and hesitation. Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, former teammates and friends , now unsure of where they stand after clashing in their most recent conflict. While unbeknownst to them a figure wearing a mysterious mask was watching the entire event unfold.
"Why do you keep coming after me loser, can't you see that this is my path, the path of an avenger. So I was wrong, it wasn't Itachi I needed to avenge against, it was Konoha. Their council killed my clan, now I need to get my revenge." The look of sadness left the Uchihas' eyes replaced by one of intensity and resolve, his grip on the hilt of his sword tightening, as his stance became more ready to attack. All the while Naruto just continued to stare at his friend, narrowing his eyes, as the fox influenced sage mode began to grow stronger allowing more of the Kyuubis' chakra to become mixed with the nature chakra. Moving forward at a slow walk the blonde shinobi was now standing directly in front of the Uchiha, leeting his hand come to rest on his friends shoulder, his gaze never leaving the Mangekyo stare of Sasuke.
"I get it, you're angry and hurt, and I would be too. You want to to destroy all those behind that decision, but what you don't understand is that you have. All the members of the Village Council back then were gone before we were even proper shinobi, Jiji-sama is dead because of Orochimaru, and you killed Danzo. Sasuke can't you see, you're just being used now, Madara want's to use you to destroy Konoha. Please come back, help use rebuild the village, and you can rebuild your clan too, the right way." Sasuke allowed the information to sink in, and Naruto was right, his path was cat an end, it was time to come home, if they would take him back at least. The young Uchihas musings wouldn't last long though, standing before the two young ninja was the form of the ancient one himself, Madara Uchiha.
"You truly are the Fourth's brat, always talking about the right way and bringing out the best in everyone. You fail to see some are meant to be tools, like my brother, like Itachi, and like Sasuke. Once I'm done I'll be the last Uchiha, and even greater than the Sage of Six Paths, I'll be unstoppable. The Ten-tailed beast will be within me and I'll control the world" The two young men looked towards the living founding father of Konoha, both with hate and disgust. Sasuke took Narutos' hand from his shoulder looking at his friend with a smirk, not the one of hate he'd worn the past three years, but the one from the days of Team 7.
"Alright loser, how about this, we take this guy out. He was starting to get on my nerves anyway, and the Sharingan shouldn't die out especially if he thinks he should be the last to have it." Naruto was speechless, all he could do was nod to Sasuke as the Uchiha continued on. "Then there is no time to waste, Madara Uchiha is going down."
Walking through the forest the two young shinobi were beaten and bloodied, doing all they could not to collapse from exhaustion. Making their way back the shattered remains of Konoha, holding each other up for support, both wincing but still with small smiles on their faces even after such a battle. Neither said anything, but they didn't need to. Naruto and Sasuke had fallen into comfortable silence thinking about what would come of their return, Naruto about how this would affect his relationship with Sakura and Sasuke about how the Village would react to his react to his return. Their thoughts weren't to last long as they left the tree line behind them, Naruto seeing for the second time how Konoha had fallen to Pain, but it was the first time the Uchiha had beheld what had became of his former home and he couldn't help but feel sadness rise, his family home was gone…just like everyone elses'. While they just observed, the villagers began to applaud the two young shinobi, while one pink haired kunoichi was in a dead sprint at the two. Naruto just allowed himself a sad smile and a few words to Sasuke.
"Well here she comes, it's all for you Sasuke." The Sharingan wielder wasn't so certain, her face and body language said otherwise.
"Don't be so sure loser." No sooner had the words left Sasukes' lips, Sakura had tackled her blonde team mate to the ground sobbing tears of relief. Sasuke managed to sturdy himself without his friend at his side, but he felt hands grab him none the less, and behind him was Kakashi. It was always hard for Sasuke to tell, but by the way his former senseis' eye was squinted he was smiling at seeing his former student, and he was happy to see him again as well. While Naruto was stunned at what he was seeing, the was no way this could be real he thought, but it was, so real that Sakura looked him dead in the eyes and laying a kiss on his lips.
"I told you that you didn't have to go searching for him, but I'm glad you did Naruto. I'm glad Team 7 can be back together, but I've thought a lot about what you said the last time we talked, don't ever say that I lied to myself, I love you Naruto Uzumaki." Sasuke watched as his team mates, a smile coming to his face at the words, came together once more in a passionate kiss, but his smiles wouldn't last too long as Tsunade, awoken from her coma, came towards Sasuke.
"You've caused us a lot of trouble Uchiha, I should actually give you such a harsh sentence you never see the light of day again" Sasuke winced at the tone of the Hokage, but kept strong as Kakashi patted his shoulder reassuringly. "However, the gaki really worked hard to bring you back, and I can see a difference in you now, you seem lighter. So one year on probation and confinement to the Village or lack thereof seems appropriate." With a smile the Uchiha nodded his agreement, and was pulled into the embrace of the Hokage he'd hardly known. "It's good to have you home for those two," Tsunade whispered nodding to Naruto and Sakura, the latter who was leading Naruto to the medical encampment. "Now you need to get there too Sasuke, I'll have Ino take you." With that Sasuke felt more dainty delicate hands take hold of him, and he turned and looked into the pale blue eyes of Ino Yamanaka, she was much prettier than he remembered her being. However she didn't look as delighted.
"Come on Uchiha let's get you checked out I guess." The harshness of the girls tone affected him in a way he never imagined, drawing a wince from him. Noticing this Ino decided to take the venom down a little, after all he came home at least. "It's good to have you back Sasuke-kun." He wasn't sure but Sasuke thought he might be blushing, it had been such a long time since he'd shown that amount of emotion. It didn't matter though, new beginnings were on the horizon for him, and the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
AN: I know it was probably awful, but the idea popped into my head and I had to do it. I know it's a next generation fic but I had to lay out the ground work this way, and if you liked it but were missing the battle with Madara, don't worry all the details will be explained of that fight later, and it will be epic. However I plan to have an even more epic fight than it for later on. Reviews are much appreciated, thank you.
Update: Yeah it's back on a new profile. It's been a long time since I've written fanfiction, but getting back into anime has made me want to take up my old stories on a new profile again, so enjoy.