Fweee, my first Naruto fanfic. Sasu/Naru, of course. It's not often that I venture out of the Yugioh fandom, but I felt I just had to for this . I hope you guys like it. I have no idea where this story is gonna go, but I have a good feeling about it. Hope it's not too OOC ;
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I just draw it a whole lot.
Raiting: R, just to be on the safe side.
Pairing: Stated above
Spoilers: Everything before Sasuke runs off to get power from Orochimaru is fair game.
Impact
By: Dai-onna
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Sasuke sighed as he snuck out of his house, second and third thoughts on what he was doing flooding his mind. He was giving up on everything he knew; his home, his pride as a Konoha shinobi, his... friends.
Even now, even inside his own mind, he balked at the word. Friends made you weak. They were a liability. When they were hurt, you were hurt, and that made them a weapon that could be used against him. There was no way he could kill Itatchi and avenge his clan with that noose around his neck. His brother wouldn't hesitate to use them against him.
He wouldn't take that risk. He needed power, not hinderances. So he would go to Orochimaru in search of the power he offered. But the doubts crept back up on him again. Was the offer genuine, or merely a trap? If he recieved the power, would he merely be one of the wicked Sannin's pawns? And if everything else fell into place, would the power even be enough?
That was the worry that stuck deep within him, that nagged at him relentlessly. This was his last ditch effort, his final hope, his desperation. He was gambling everything on this. If it wasn't enough, then he would have nothing left.
HIs stomach sank at the thought.
He hefted the bag on his shoulder, glancing back at his home one more time; most likely for the last time.
Silently he crept through the streets towards the village gates, keeping all his senses on alert. If he was spotted,e verything could be ruined before it began.
Halfway to the gates, his sharingan flared as he heard noises coming from down a back alley. Sinking into the shadows, he darted his gaze back and forth, searching for the source of the noise.
The tell-tale flash of orange told him everything he needed to know. But his teammate wasn't fallowing him. And that made him wonder just what the blonde trouble maker was up to, so late at night.
He was torn, between ignoring it and going, and his far burried concern for his self-proclaimed rival. Naruto was so brash, so straightforward and upfront that he wasn't the type to sneak around in the middle of the night.
With a muttered oath, he gave in to the urge, following after the blonde easily, silently thinking that whatever the other was up to better be damn good to delay him this way.
When the other came to a stop, he was in a back lot behind what was once the Ichiha ancestral home. A lump rose up in his throat and his stomach churned as he stared at the building that was once his home. The memories assailed him of his brother's betrayal, and the brutal murder of all those that he had held dear. What was the dobe doing here? Why was he in such a place? Stealthily creaping up into a tree, he over looked the blonde.
--
Naruto stretched some, sighing deeply to himself, taking in all the scents of hte night air. He came he often now, had started just before his trip with the Pervy-sennin. It was his solitude, his sanctuary, and now his training grounds. He had discovered the place by accident, but had quickly learned that it was the perfect place to practice in privacy. For reasons unknown to him, the entire region was full of abandoned houses, including the one nearest him; the largest one. He didn't know what had transpired in this place, but he could feel the death here. The sorrow and the loss. It permeated the air just as intensely as the acrid smell of blood had filled the air so many nights ago. He understood loss, and treachery, and betrayal. He was used to it, and with the Kyuubi spirit that had been inside of him so long, he was at home in it.
He had taken up residence in the lot behind the lavish, traditional training hall/mansion. With targets set up, and obsticals littered about, he had taken control of this land. He wouldn't dishonor the dead by invading the home, but he would make use of what he could, and use this land to become strong; perhaps with the blessings of it's former owners. He didn't think he would ever know.
When he had finished his stretches, he took the athletic tape from his supply bag, wrapping it around his knuckles tightly. In the center of the lot, there was a large wooden post stuck in the ground, rope wrapped tightly around it. Sliding weights he had gotten from Gai-sensei onto his wrists, he prepared himself. It wasn't simply enough to have powerful techniques. As his experiences had proved, you couldn't always rely on the chakra it took to use those jutsus. He also needed physical strength to fall back on. Skill and power that were his own, and not borrowed from the fox demon that dwelled within him. He would never truely be strong in Sasuke's eyes, he believed, if he always had to rely on a power that wasn't his own.
He knew he would never respect himself, and never have the respect of anyone else that mattered to him him if he could not be responsible for his own fights; if he could not win with his own abilities. So he would train, as long and as hard as he had to, to become strong and powerful. He wanted to protected the people he loved, and to fulfill his dreams. But formost in his his mind and heart, he had to prove himself to his long-standing rival. If he didn't have Sasuke's acknowledgement, then none of it was worth it.
Clenching his fists loosely, he dropped into a stance, narrowing his eyes as he began to assail the rope-covered plank with swift, fearsome punches. His speed was also something that needed work. Compared to people like Sasuke and Lee, he might as well be standing still. He glared at his fists, his eyes barely catching their movements as it was. He ground his teeth some, willing his punches to be faster, despite the angry burning in his arm from overuse.
--
Sasuke just stared at the other from the tree, in sort of a detatched shock. He knew, better than anyone how stubborn Naruto was, and how he would never give up on his dreams. But this was a side he hadn't seen much before. This determination. He had never known the dobe to go out of his way to train or improve his skills.
There was a raw look on his face, he could tell, his gaze aided by the Sharingan as he watched him in the dark. The boy was beginning to drip with sweat, despite the chill in the night air, but the blonde showed no signs of letting up in the battery of the wood that Sasuke expected to splinter and break at any moment, despite the rope-guard. He knew full well the force behind one of his teammate's serious punches. And Naruto looked nothing if not serious at that moment.
Something that was unusual all on it's own.
His plans forgotten for the moment, he could only watch the blonde as he worked himself past fatigue and exaustion. His friend's stamina was envyable, and one of his most redeeming factors as far as his ninjutsu was concerned. The boy always seemed to find enough to keep going. He didn't think anything could keep the other down for long.
--
Naruto pulled back from his assault, panting heavily, looking at the ravished, frayed ropes around the wood, and the equally ravaged tape around his knuckles, both bearing clear signs of his workout. But he was far from satisfied, far from done. Still, it wouldn't help him any to push too hard. Breaks, though few and far between, were necessary.
Drawing in a deep breath, he moved to grab his water bottle.
"You can come out."
Sasuke jolted from his place in the tree, his eyes widening him some. He was positive he hadn't given himself away in any way. Scowling in frustration, his hopped down nimbly from the tree.'
"How did you know I was here?" He demanded cooly.
The blonde looked up at him with his usual lazy grin.
"I could smell you."
Of anything he might have expected, that hadn't been one of them. Still, he quickly composed himself.
"Finally picking up on your canine heritage?" He quipped dryly. He was surprised to see a dark look cross the other's face before it was masked by the usual bright look.
"Nah, you just stink." Came the obvious reply, but it was obviously less genuine than usual. Sasuke however wasn't about to persue the reason. It simply wasn't his nature.
"So, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked of him, taking a long swig of his water, looking at him with with mild annoyance and curiosity.
The raven-haired teen's eyes narrowed.
"That should be my question. This is my home." He said curtly.
The look on the blonde's face was priceless, and if he had had any less control he would have laughed outright. The boy's mouth opened and shut, but no sound escaped him as he was obviously at a loss for words.
Naruto didn't know what to think. He had heard bits and pieces of the Uchiha tragedy, though if they could help it, the villagers wouldn't have let him even breathe the same air as the Uchiha clan, much less let him get close to him, so many of the details were lost on him. But still, it explained the empty area and the aura of death that surrounded the place.
He shuddered a little at the thought that Sasuke was the only one to escape this massacre. He grew uncharacteristcally solemn at that, not daring to say anything to that. Even he had his limits.
"I like it here. It's a good place to train without being interrupted." He said neutrally, watching to see if he would protest.
Much to his relief, no refusal was forthcoming. All he got was a grunt.
Sasuke was still raw, being in this place. He hadn't come this close to his home since the tragedy had occured. It left him on edge and it was hard to keep a reign on his emotions.
"What are you doing training so late?" He asked cooly.
"Ah, well, I just wanted to get a little extra edge, you know. More training never hurts, and I couldn't sle-- Ah, hey! What are YOU doing out so late?" He asked, then narrowed his eyes. "And what's with the bag?" His expression dimmed a bit.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, simply glaring past his teammate's shoulder, not answering him.
"You....were leaving..." The blonde's accusation was disturbingly quiet, almost a whisper. It unnerved Sasuke far more than his yelling would have.
"You were going to Orochimaru, weren't you?"
"I'm doing what I have to do to avenge my clan." Sasuke gritted out.
Naruto's eyes were narrowed to slits, lit up with an anger that sent shiver's down the young Uchiha's spine.
"You bastard." The blonde spat. "You were just going to leave, not tell anyone? Don't you give a damn about the people in this village?" He demanded, approaching him menacingly.
Sasuke tensed, his own expression glacial.
"My purpose in life is to avenge my clan. Everything else is secondary." He seethed.
Naruto's eyes flashed, as he reached out, his actions much faster than they had been during his attack on the wooden plank, his emotional state drawing out some of the Kyuubi's speed. He gripped Sasuke's arms tightly, his fingers bruising.
"Teme. You're no better than Itatchi." He hissed, causing the older teen to stiffen sharply.
"How dare yo--"
"Shut the hell up." The enraged blonde growled, his eyes flashing with something dangerous. "You don't give a damn about your clan.
You're just out for blood. And you're disgracing everything the Uchiha family was about. Loyalty to the Konoha. You wouldn't know loyalty if it bit you in the ass. You don't deserve the Uchiha name." He snarled into the black haired boy's face.
Sasuke was frozen, his normally pale features nearly stark white now.
"Y-you don't know....you can't..."
"I don't understand?" The blonde supplied. "You're right, I can't understand, I never had parents to lose, or anyone to betray me. I was hated by everyone. But I could watch. I could listen. The Uchiha family was one of the prides of the village. And it was a tragedy what happened. But the family name still held more pride and respect than I will ever know because YOU still lived on to bring pride to that name. Is this what you want your family to be remembered by?" He demanded.
Sasuke floundered, his mind whirling.
"What would you do?" The emotional teen demanded, trying his hardest to get a handle on his thoughts. "What would you do if your family, the people you loved most were killed. Would you let me or Sakura stop you?"
Naruto laughed bitterly.
"Of course not, because you'd be dead."
Sasuke blinked a little.
"Wha...?"
Naruto shook his head, giving the other a shake.
"And you call me an idiot. You, Sakura, Kakashi and Iruka sensei. You are all my family, the only family I've ever had." He hissed. "You act like you're alone in this, like you have to do everything yourself. Look around you, dumbass. You have a brother and sister and an.....eccentric uncle, all of whom would be there without question if you needed it." He insisted, getting into the other teen's face.
Sasuke panted softly, having a mental overload, trying to get a hold of himself as he met the blonde's gaze.
"I have.....to avenge my family." He stammered out. He was fighting against the seal on his neck that was threatening to flare up, but he wouldn't let Naruto see it, wouldn't show that much weakness. He found himself being shaken again.
"You CAN, you WILL, but not like this! Do it the right way. Honor your family, and your village. You're a Konoha shinobi, dammit, the genuis rookie. Act like it! I'm the one who makes the foolish, reckless decisions, not you!"
Sasuke could only blink at that logic, his head spinning.
Silence fell between the two, barely inches separating their faces. Naruto was panting from his outburst, and Sasuke was uncharacteristicaly lost. Breath calmed and emotions settled slightly, but they didn't break apart, both seemingly caught up in the other.
"We've....been here before." Sasuke murmured quietly.
Naruto blinked once, then twice, trying to place that when the memory hit him. That first day, when he'd been perched on the desk in front of Sasuke, staring the nonchalant teen down.
"Yeah. But there's no stupid genin to push us into each other." He pointed out, his fingers curling into the material of Sasuke's overshirt without noticing it. The silence filled a few moments more, then Sasuke spoke.
"I guess we'll have to improvise." He murmured.
Naruto blinked a little at that.
"What are you talking abo--"
He was cut off when the taller teen tilted his chin up, pulling him close to seal their mouthes together.
The blonde shinobi was dumbfounded. Sasuke was kissing him? The feeling was both familiar and alien. He'd only had one other kiss in his life, but it was the same person, so the sensation, the texture of the other's lips, was the same. He didn't know how to react to that. HIs brain told him to pull away, that this wasn't right. But he was getting drawn into the kiss. HIs hands were clutching at Sasuke's clothes, his lips were moving against the other's. His blood heated up and the feeling was drawing him in.
It wasn't just his own instincts that were influencing him, but the instincts of the Kyuubi deep inside of him. He could feel the heat in his blood, in the very pit of his soul. The fox demon within him was recognizing
Sasuke as a potential mate, and it flared his own burried needs for closeness, for recognition.
With a muffled sound, he pressed himself up against the dark haired boy, his hands moving up his arms and over his shoulders to wrap around his neck tightly in an act of possessiveness.
Sasuke was surprised, by both his own actions, having never expected to be so enticed by the dobe, and Naruto's, never having expected him to respond. If nothing else, he'd expected to be attacked for his little slip up. At the moment, though, he didn't have it in him to complain about the results. The smaller shinobi was plastered up against him, responding to his mouth with a passion he often demonstrated during their fights. The familiarity of that passion had him sinking deeper into the budding desire inside of him.
But there was something else, something looming beneath the blonde's trademark exuberence, something dark, and dangerous, and hungry. He didn't know whether to be frightened or excited by the feral presence he could feel inside the other.
Naruto moaned softly when he felt something warm probing at his lips and parted them in wonder, accepting the other's questing tongue into his mouth. The feeling was an unusual one, but had his stomach flip-flopping in response and his body growing unbearably hot. He wanted to submerge himself inside the other, within Sasuke's ever-present ice, in hopes that he could quelch the fire inside of him.
Hands were on either sides of his hips, holding him to the slightly taller form of his teammate, the grip hard, unyeilding, as if he feared Naruto might try to escape.
Indeed, though, escape was the farthest thing from his mind, despite the way the lines between his own consciousness and the Kyuubi's seemed to blurr, and the way he had no control over his body which seemed to be running on instinct alone.
This was something that had been building between them, it seemed, all this time. Beneath the masks of hate and resentment, beneath the wounded pride and the quest for ackowledgement, this passion, this desire, this hunger had been quietly building, waiting for the moment to be released upon the unsuspecting teens.
The furious kiss didn't break until both boys were breathless, their lips bruised and their hearts racing. They didn't pull apart, once again staring into each other's eyes, reflecting the confusion and need they both felt, and the hazy mist of desire that surrounded them.
Naruto was the first to react, hesitantly uncoiling his arms from Sasuke's neck, his hands sliding down to rest on his chest as a buffer between them.
"That was......that was......What the hell was that?" He finally demanded, quiet and a little breathless.
The onyx-eyed boy let out a stuttered chuckle, shaking his head some, unable to look directly at his rival.
"I would think even you could figure that out, dobe."
"Hey! Don't call me that, asshole!" The blonde protested, more out of instinct than anything else. The familiar exchange made the situation a little less uncomfortable.
"But seriously... what....why did you... what is going on here?" THe blonde couldn't seem to get the question he wanted to come out right.
Sasuke faltered slightly, not really having an answer that wasn't a cop out. It was on the tip of his tongue to say that it was a mistake, that it was some sort of joke, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it, and he had the feeling the the other wouldn't believe him anyways. The passion that had errupted between them had been too strong, too overwhelming to be anything but genuine.
"I don't know..."
Silence reigned between them as they both floundered for something to say, something to break the growing tension in the air.
"It was....it was good though....right?"
The blonde's tentative question had Sasuke jerking his gaze up to look at him. Naruto had his gaze planted firmly on his feet, and even in the dark, the blush was evident on his whisker-marked cheeks. He looked... endearing, if nothing else, and very unsure of himself. Sasuke found himself, uncharacteristically, wanting to smile.
"Well, of course it was good, I was involved, wasn't I?"
The crack put a considerable dent in the tension and Naruto's lips quircked up just slightly against his will.
"Arrogant ass." He muttered, but there was no edge in his voice.
Sasuke smirked at that, reaching out to tug an errant lock of the other's hair.
"Of course, you weren't completely completely horrible."
The blonde scrunched his nose some at that.
"Feh."
"You could use a little more training, though..."
Cobalt eyes met Onyx.
"That an offer?"
Sasuke gave him a bland gaze.
"Well, I can't let my teammate bring me down, can I?"
"Jerk."
"Dobe.
The teens shared similar smirks as a brief moment of understanding passed between them.
Then their mouthes were on one another again and they were once again intwined in each other. The feeling of it was just so natural that neither was willing to let thoughts and sensibilities get in the way of their desires.
Naruto's mind was in a shamble, his sensibilties protesting that Sakura-chan was the one he loved, the one he wanted, but the protests seemed feeble in his mind. His feelings for Sakura were pale in comparison to this. Deep down he knew that Sasuke was the one who could bring out his full potential, who had the capacity to understand him. Perhaps he would fight it later, but right now, it just seemed so....right.
Later, they both lay on the ground, panting. Their clothes rumpled and their breath labored. Sasuke was on his stomach, resting on his arms, with the blonde next to him, on his back, staring up at the stars.
By unspoken agreement, neither had tried to go beyond kissing, understanding that neither was ready for anything like that. They were young, and this was all so new to them. And though they would never admit it, it was a bit frightening.
Sasuke was lost in his thoughts. Outside of Naruto's arms, reality returned to him, and he realized that nothing had really changed. Itatchi was still out there, somewhere, and he was still far too weak to be a match for him. One day his brother would return for him.
For Naruto; he reminded himself, a churning in his stomach that threatened to make him ill.
After everything, after all that the other sharingan user had put him through, it wouldn't be he that he would come back for, it would be Naruto.
Something that burned a jealous fire within him. Why was it Naruto? A boy that had never had any association with the Uchiha clan. He just couldn't understand it.
"Hey, dobe?"
The blonde twitched a little at the name, but understood that it helped keep things in perspective if they didn't start calling each other by name.
"Yeah, jack-ass?"
Sasuke let out a half-hearted chuckle before sobering.
"Why.....why is Itatchi after you?"
The silence that fell between them was anything but comfortable, and the look on Naruto's face unnerved the older boy.
Naruto's face was a combination of pain, and distate, brought on by bitter memories. With out thinking about it, he placing his hand over the seal on his stomach. He didn't want to tell Sasuke. He didn't want to lose the grudging respect that he had gained from his teammate. He didn't want to see the slowly growing affection there turn to hate and disgust.
Still, more than anyone, his teammate had the right to know. With a soft, imperceptible sigh, he sat up, carefully peeling off his shirt.
Sasuke's eyes widened at that. Of all things, he had not been prepared for that. Still, he couldn't tear his eyes away. In the moonlight, the other's honeyed skin was like a pale gold, flawless and enticing.
With a brief gaze at Sasuke, the blonde began to draw out his chakra until the seal on his stomach became visable.
The raven-haired teen gasped softly and Naruto had to turn his gaze away, unable to look directly at him.
"Itatchi doesn't want me...he wants what's inside of me." He murmured solemnly, for the countless time cursing his fate.
"What....what is it...?"
Naruto could hear the confusion in his voice and he closed his eyes tight.
"When I was a baby....the Yondaime sealed the spirit of the Kyuubi inside of me." He whispered, hot tears of shame stinging his eyes as he remembered all the people who had hated him because of it, their children who had hated him simply because all the adults did. He hadn't deserved it. he hadn't done anything. He was just a lonely child that didn't understand why everyone despised him so. All he had wanted was for someone to see him and care. Iruka-sensei had been the only one to do that, the only father figure he had ever had.
Sasuke just gaped at him for a moment, prepaired to chide him for lying to him about such a serious matter. But there was no lie in how miserable the other looked, like his heart was shattering into a million pieces and he was trying to pick them up one by one. There was no disguising the seal on his stomach either. And the more he thought about it, the more pieces seemed to fall into place. The village's general disgust for the other boy; even before he had ever started causing trouble. Sasuke couldn't remember a time when the village hadn't despised the lonely boy. He had often wondered why, but had never asked.
It also explained the sudden power surges. Naruto was strong and skilled, yes, but there were times, like when he had faught Gaara, that the other had gone well beyond his limits with an unnatural, and frankly, evil chakra.
Was that the reason behind it? Was that how he always seemed to have something left. Was he tapping power from the Kyuubi?
The thought sent chills down his spine. He had heard the countless stories about the demon fox from his parents when he was young, and in his lessons durring the acadamy, and the thought of confronting one of, if not The most powerful youma to ever plague their land turned his blood cold with terror. And to have that beast living inside of you....to control it...to draw on it's power without loosing control....New, unbelievable respect for Naruto blossomed within him.
Then the full impact of what the blonde said settled on him.
"Itatchi wants....the Kyuubi?" He choked out.
Naruto was a little confused. So far, Sasuke hadn't reacted at all to his revelation. It unnerved him a little.
"That's what Pervy-Sennin says, though he doesn't know why." He murmured, not daring to look at the other.
Sasuke nodded absently.
"And the fox demon is inside of you? Has been, all this time?"
Naruto flinched a little, bracing himself for the other to despise him.
"Apparently. I didn't find out until the academy graduation. And even then it was by accident." He murmured meekly.
Sasuke looked up at him in confusion at that.
"You didn't know? They never told you?" He asked curiously.
The blonde let out a bitter laugh.
"Feh, you know, they actually had a rule about it. That no one was ever allowed to tell me about it. Pervy-sennin says that it was because the Yondaime wanted me to have a normal life, to be respected by the village and happy." He scoffed at that. "Talk about backfiring, huh?"
Sasuke could only gape. All these years, Naruto had been protecting the village by being the vessal for the dreaded Kyuubi, by keeping him sealed away, and the entire village treated him like a plague; like something to be despised and forgotten. How the hell could they do something like that. And for so long, to have been a little, boy, all alone, no parents, no friends, something he could understand all too well, and not even know why. He felt his stomach lurch at the thought. At least he had known the love of his family. What it was like to have people care for him; protect him, even if he had lost him. And even then, the rest of the village had been there for him, offering comfort, support, respect for who he was. He had refused it, but it had been there.
Naruto had had nobody for so long...
His chest constricted odly. Now he understood Naruto's reactions durning his fight with Gaara. Why he had acted so strange. He must have seen so much of himself in the truamatized Sand-nin
"How....how could they do that to you?"
Naruto could only blink at that, jerking his gaze. The words had been whispered, so surely he'd missheard them. It had sound like....like...the other sympathiszed with him. But that wasn't possible...was it?
"Nani?"
Sasuke was livid, true enough, but it was on Naruto's behalf.
"How could the village do this to you?!" He demanded of the world. "They should be treating you like a hero. Countless of them would never have the courage to even face the Kyuubi, but you live with it inside of you every day.
You keep it in check and keep the village safe. They'd all be dead if it wasn't for you."
Naruto could only stare in undisguised shock. HIs eyes were wide, and welling with unshed tears. Sasuke...didn't hate him?
"You.....you..."
Before he had time to react, Sasuke had his arms full of crying shinobi and he was at a loss for what to do.
Tentatively, he brought his arms up around his friend, rubbing his back lightly. Comfort was decidedly not his strong suit and he didn't know what to do. But right now, even his heart wasn't cold enough to turn his friend away.
Naruto sobbed softly into Sasuke's chest. He was floored by the fact that the other didn't hate him, and it was a litle too much or him to take. He didn't know how to take it all. he was just so overwhelmed, so relieved. he didn't know what he would do if Sasuke hated him. he support and acceptance of someone so important to him went a long way to help loosen the painful grip of loneliness around his heart.
He sniffed softly, glancing up at a clearly uncomfortable Sasuke, giving him a watery smile as he tightened his arms around him.
"Arigatou, Sasuke-kun." He murmured lightly.
The dark-haired boy nodded some, not really understanding what he was being thanked for. Apparently he'd done something right, though.
"Uh....you're welcome?"
The situation seemed to dawn on the blond and he laughed lightly, burying his face in Sasuke's shoulder.
"I won't tell anyone you're actually a nice guy if you don't tell anyone I cry like a girl. " He muttered lightly, laughing at himself.
The dark-haired boy snorted softly, shaking his head.
"Deal."
Naruto sighed softly, relaxing into the other. It felt good, he decided, really good, to have someone who didn't hate him for what was inside of hime, who was actually upset for him, who cared about the way he had been treated by the rest of the village. It made him feel warm and loved inside. It helped him heal.
Sasuke hmmed to himself, frowning internally. He'd run into a serious roadblock. He couldn't leave now. Because of Naruto, and because of himself.
The other had torn apart his plans with a few angry words, and had shredded his determination with some heart melting kisses.
Sighing some, he gave his teammate a wry glance.
"You know you owe me for this; keeping me here. I need to be stronger, I have to be able to avenge my family."
Naruto glanced up at him, his expression sober before his face split into a wide grin.
"Then we'll train and get stronger together." he chirped brightly. "We'll become powerful until we're the only match each other has." He nodded firmly, clenching his fist, a grin on his face and a gleam in his eyes.
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at that.
"You think you can keep up with me, Dead-last?" He drawled.
Naruto's eyes narrowed in challenge.
"Bring it on, pretty boy."
--TBC--Yay, my first chapter done. How was it? FF.net was being a pain about the formatting Please review and let me know. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Also, I'm torn between Gaara/Lee and Saku/Lee. Which sounds better?
Hopefully the second chapter won't take too long.
Review!