A/N:
Hey folks! Welcome to the first story I've written in years! I wrote this at 3 in the morning, so please point out any errors I've made. Hopefully you enjoy it. I've got something up my sleeve. Also, as you'll soon discover, my story is utterly dark. I, however, am not. I just enjoy dark things? You don't have to follow my logic. Please, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and stuff.

Meticulous

Chapter 1:
Return

"Thou art to me a delicious torment." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Naruto..." the familiar voice whispered. The blonde yanked his head in the other direction. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

"Sasuke..." He whispered back, still engulfed in a state of surprise. They were in the Valley of the End, as they had been so long ago. Or...had it been that long? To Naruto, time was an elusive force. There was only the training with Jiraiya, and his ultimate goal; bringing Sasuke back to Konoha. So what were they doing here? He dare not remove his gaze from the raven-haired boy that stood so calmly only a few yards from him. Sasuke did the same, his Sharingan intently focused on the blonde. The water rippled from underneath his feet as Naruto took a step towards him.

"Naruto..." the familiar voice whispered again."You're WEAK," Sasuke said with sudden aggression. The change of tone made Naruto jump. The hostility and malevolence in his voice jarred Naruto's senses. The voice echoed and pounded in his head. "You couldn't even save your best friend. You're pathetic," the voice said with disgust. It continued to echo in Naruto's head, the volume slowly building.

"No..." Naruto barely managed, his voice cracking to a stop. He fell to his knees, his hands reaching for his throbbing forehead. The memories of that day seemed to unfurl in his mind alongside the voices that now taunted him. The demon fox's laughter now joined the chorus of insults. Naruto couldn't take it; he burst into tears, the voices tearing at his sanity. He managed to glance up at Sasuke, who was smirking; seemingly amused at the state he had put the blonde in.

Suddenly, dark tendrils emerged from below the surface of the water, their lengths wrapping tightly around Sasuke as they began to pull him below the waves. Naruto staved off the voices and broke into a run, desperate to save him. However, Sasuke didn't struggle. That same amused smile was still plastered on his face as the tendrils, which Naruto could now identify as monstrous snakes, dragged him below the water.

"Goodbye, dobe." Sasuke taunted again as his head sank beneath the water. Then there was silence. All that remained of the raven was his Leaf headband, which haplessly floated in the water before Naruto's feet. Naruto dropped to his knees again, tears streaming down his cheeks. Powerless again. He felt disgusted with himself. Why couldn't he save him? Why couldn't he save the only person in the world that he...

Naruto woke with a start, his breathing heavy and sweat drenching every part of his body. He gripped his sleeping bag tightly, as if to confirm if his surroundings were indeed real. He rubbed his eyes, which still felt heavy. What a nightmare. Though he was groggy, Naruto could tell it was morning. The smell of dew wafted through the open window of the hotel room and a faint red glow drifted into the room.

Naruto was startled when he found Jiraiya wide awake, staring in concern from his position on the bed across the room. Jiraiya sighed as he anxiously rubbed the back of his head. He stood up, stretched slightly and walked over to the blonde.

"Listen, kid…I think we should head back to Konoha for the time being." Jiraiya said, the concern rising in his voice. Much to his disdain, Naruto greatly opposed the idea, complaining that his training had just barely started.

"There's no way that I'll be able to bring Sasuke back if I don't…"

"Sasuke…is part of the problem. You've been writhing in your sleep, screaming his name. And, overall, you just…haven't been yourself," Jiraiya said. Naruto could see his face grow pale. In fact, he didn't think he had ever seen the usually outgoing Pervy-Sage filled with such concern or fear.

"Besides, it will only be for a short period of time…just until you've settled down a bit. I would like to have Tsunade…evaluate you." Naruto choked slightly. He didn't like the sound of that.

"You're crazy, Pervy Sage. I'm fine…a few nightmares won't bother me!"

But, despite Naruto's arguments and complaints, Jiraiya had already made up his mind. They were to return to Konoha. Immediately.

Naruto reluctantly unpacked his belongings and spread them haphazardly across his small, messy apartment. He had steeped into a greater depression the minute they had arrived at Konoha. Barely a month into his training and he had developed psychological issues. Immediately, the taunting from his nightmare filled his head. He really was weak. Not just physically, but emotionally. He could never compare to Sasuke, and, despite wanting to believe that he could fulfill his every promise, he was flooded with doubt.

He broke into a sweat, despite the cool October air that danced into his room. He wiped his forehead with his now shaking arms. He decided to put the unpacking of his equipment on hold and went to retrieve a glass of water.

"Naruto," a voice whispered. The voice made him gasp in fear, and he dropped the half-filled glass on the floor. Standing near his bed was Sasuke Uchiha. His Sharingan-enfused eyes looked directly at him.

He rubbed his eyes and smacked himself across the face. He had to be dreaming. But no manner of physical punishment could waken him from this nightmare. Finally, he spoke to the raven-haired boy.

"Am I dreaming? You l-left…you…" Naruto started, but was unable to finish his sentence. The raven had placed his hands on Naruto's face, cupping his cheeks. The contact was enough to make Naruto's face flush, and tears began to stream across his face.

"Idiot. You're not dreaming. And I didn't leave." He said. And with that, he placed a chaste kiss on Naruto's lips. God did it feel so good. This felt real. He wrapped Sasuke in his arms and embraced him in a tight hug. He closed his eyes and smiled.

But then, something didn't feel right. He opened his eyes and let out a scream. Sasuke's figure had been replaced with hundreds of squirming snakes, hissing in anger and protest. Naruto let his arms fall, and the mound of snakes dropped to the floor. Naruto screamed again. In anger. In anguish. In misery.

"Naruto! Naruto!" A voice called. Naruto opened his eyes. He was in the Hokage's office, situated in a chair directly in front of Lady Tsunade's desk. Surrounding him were his peers, all showing signs of deep concern.

"What…happened?" Naruto said, gasping for breath. He was still sweating.

"You passed out…and began to violently convulse." Tsunade said. She stood up, walked around the desk, and placed her hand on Naruto's head. She half-smiled at Naruto and ruffled his hair. This did not comfort him in the least.

"Don't worry…we'll figure out what's going on. Then you can go fulfill that promise you made."

Naruto nodded slightly.

"Is this really necessary?" The hoarse voice said.

"Yes." The cool voice said.

"My, my. I never would have expected…" The hoarse voice said, amused.

"Enough. Let me have my way. Don't interfere." The cool voice said, unplaced.

There was a pause.

"Very well. You won't be able to keep this up forever, anyway." The hoarse voice hissed.