Title: "Ask Me Instead"
Author: i gaara
Disclaimer: I do not own NARUTO or any of the characters.
Author Notes: Some spoilers up to chapter 176, and things after that never happened. Other comments will be at the bottom.

Prologue

Sasuke leaned a shoulder against a nearby tree, fatigue taking its toll from the recent sparring match. His attempts to calm his breathing were wasted as he continued to inhale greedy intakes of oxygen. His body trembled, his heart pounded in his ribcage, daunting to tear away. The strain on his legs and the aches in his every fiber threatened his composure, but oddly enough, Sasuke loved the feeling.

A heavy thud reached his ears and Sasuke imagined his opponent. Naruto would be sprawled on the ground, mimicking his attempts to bring air into his lungs. An arm would cover his face—his cerulean colored eyes against the scorching sun. Only warm breezes would ease him, and Sasuke. Droplets of sweat would exude from his tanned skin, sticking to his torn clothing. Bruises from hand-to-hand combat would ache and sore tomorrow.

Waiting for Naruto's final stage of exhaustion, Sasuke finally sat down to face him.

"What's wrong Sasuke," Despite his shortness of breath, Naruto refused to let a moment to scoff his rival pass by. "Can't keep up with me anymore?"

"Ask me that when you've won, dobe," Sasuke said, frowning at the blonde's briskness.

"Don't you worry, asshole, you won't be calling me Hokage one day for nothing!"

"Hn," was the only response Naruto received as he beamed his foxy grin towards Sasuke.

His dream to become future Hokage would have been laughable to Sasuke for many different reasons in the past. Back then Naruto had a louder mouth and showed off as much as Sasuke had to rescue him from danger. It was like a compulsion for Naruto, and Sasuke labeled it pure stupidity. He was certain any person such as that would never gain the title of the ultimate shinobi of a village. Up till now, it would have been laughable to believe so.

Much to Sasuke's chagrin, the noisy Chuunin was improving. His show of progress manifested during the Chuunin Exam but like many others, he chose to overlook it. But after the incident on the hospital roof, it occurred to Sasuke he couldn't ignore it or pass it for pure luck. Naruto was becoming strong, possibly stronger than him. It was one of those moments that actually infuriated Sasuke more than it disturbed him. It was as if he was slipping - failing and it meant his brother was somewhere laughing at him.

Sasuke knew he should be anything but content with his life thus far, so he wasn't. Detached from all that didn't suit his goal was essential, so he was. All of his thoughts were fixated as of very that fatal transient moment when his brother killed their clan. He wouldn't speak out and dare cry when moments were rough. He couldn't cry and defy what his brother started until he killed him.

'But Naruto...'

The blonde was a target of mockery, the wretched that was taunted. Yet he rose the highest during disastrous moments. If he wanted, he could declare Naruto a fitting rival, not in words, but the only rival he wanted. Why he selected and preferred him wasn't definite. He just felt closer despite how much the blonde infuriated him.

Since the Chuunin Exam, Sakura had also grown. She had become confident in her ninja skills, even as basic as they were. Her knowledge and analysis abilities remained sharpened, which made up for what she lacked. While she was still below that of Naruto, Sakura gained respect from Sasuke. Her match with Ino proved she was more than just a rabid and annoying fan girl. It made Sakura jump in glee when Sasuke had actually admitted it in words.

Sasuke had hoped the confession would ease the constant shadow of the pink-haired girl, however. Granting Sakura would approach him with more dignity and behaved less competitive in a crowd of girls, she was more encouraged by the said confession than anything else.

Prior to her prevaricate approach towards Sasuke, Sakura would now request appropriate meetings that he could not reject. It showed how cunning she grew, a necessity for a shinobi that Sasuke couldn't ignore in her. And if only it ended there, Sakura was less protective of him when he was injured during sparring matches, and that Naruto was highly grateful for.

Sasuke secretly hoped Sakura was the only one who changed from the experience. However, the Chuunin Exam caused a chain of events that many wished to leave unmentioned. Naruto and Kakashi were one of those many people.

Besides eating Miso Ramen, Naruto's other hobby was training. Half of his free time was spent doing so, but lately that was all. The villagers saw Naruto unaffected by the events, given he always wore his trademark grin and continued with his childish remarks. Only his teammates could see through his pretense and reasons for seclusion.

'Iruka is dying...'

The words echoed in Sasuke's head as he glanced at Naruto, who sat up abruptly and tugged at the collar of his orange jacket. Sasuke smirked as Naruto voiced his annoyance, removed it without ease and laid his head on it afterwards. Naruto noticed Sasuke's eyes on him and grunted why he was staring at him. Sasuke simply turned away.

When he certain Naruto wasn't glaring daggers at him anymore, he resumed watching him. Naruto was deep in thought.

The Chuunin Exam didn't finish as expected due to the attack by Orochimaru and the Hidden Sand. Not many died, but numerous were injured while protecting the Village. Iruka was found barely alive and was rushed to the hospital but later, by the pleading of Naruto, to the newest Hokage, Tsunade.

That was the moment Sasuke saw the emotional change in Naruto. After hours spent outside the Hokage's door, Tsunade came out with faint smile, and asked for Kakashi aside. They all knew what she was going to tell him.

He would be told that, although Iruka's wounds were cleaned and closed up, his condition was not improving. He was poisoned, and despite their efforts to find an antidote, nothing was working on the man. It was highly possible he would die. (1)

Sasuke kept a close eye on Kakashi, the way his body tensed and eye drooped in an impassive fury. After years with their Sensei, Team Seven learned how to distinguish his emotions, even with limited features. Or perhaps they just knew Kakashi would retort in that fashion since Iruka and he were a couple. As shocked as Sakura and Sasuke were when they discovered the pair was dating, Naruto wasn't.

After Tsunade paused in her discussion, Kakashi nodded and momentarily looked at Naruto before following into her office. Naruto frantically searched the faces of Sasuke and Sakura, half expecting to find the answer he ached for. He didn't want to assume the answer he already knew, he didn't want accept that Iruka was going to die. Iruka was his father, his mother and his brother; he couldn't bear losing the single person who took care of him like family. He couldn't and wouldn't allow it to happen, so he ran, not to be found two days after.

If the situation wasn't already at its worst for Naruto, villagers blamed him for Iruka's condition, as ridiculous as they were. It was their way to release grief and who else was blameworthy than Naruto, the child they called demon. From then on, Naruto avoided large group activities and trained, unable to hang on to his charade.

It became a daily routine for Sasuke when Naruto would stand outside his estate and demand a match. He'd oblige his requests but wasn't sure if he did it out of pity or kindness. It just felt... right.

Kakashi often wasn't late for meetings on the bridge anymore, and when he was, he didn't make outrageous excuses. It shocked even Sasuke on the first occasion, but it was expected. It did trouble him when Kakashi trained Naruto more than himself.

"Sasuke!"

The mention of his name sprung him back to reality. While he couldn't remember ever closing them, his eyelids lazily opened. He winced as the sunlight struck his dilated eyes and blinked several times to get used the harmful rays. When they adjusted, he spotted Naruto standing before him.

"Let's stop for today. I wanna go see Iruka-sensei before it gets too late."

Naruto stretched out a hand in front of Sasuke only for it to be smacked away. As they prepared to leave, their ears perked up to an impending sound of footsteps. Looking at the direction, Sasuke saw Kakashi, Sakura and Tsunade heading their direction. Sparing a quick glance at Naruto before making a beeline towards them, he noted his trembling.

"What are you doing here, Old Hag?" Naruto studied their faces and experienced a knot deep within his throat.

"Naruto... I came to..." Tsunade faulted in her speech and gave a pleading look towards Kakashi, who in turn sighed.

Kakashi took two steps forward and kneeled so he was eye level with Naruto. He watched the hysteric movements of the cerulean colored eyes and knew Naruto was petrified beyond belief. He must have known what was coming.

Kakashi wanted so badly to turn away as Naruto bit his lower lip and clutched his bag for dear life. Naruto wanted him to lie and if it weren't for Sakura's hand entangled with his for support, Kakashi would have.

"Iruka is dead, Naruto."

This chapter was primarily to give some background for the story, just in case there was some confusion about a timeline. Hopefully I succeeded a little.

Edit: (1) A lot of people were asking that I give more detail about Iruka's death, which I don't think I was ever gonna elaborate on – hahaha. But I added a small passage that will hopefully suffice. It may actually work out to my advantage and help the story move along quicker, as far as the plot goes.

I'll be sure to add a note in my next update for my readers that have been around longer.

Anyway, for new readers: please review!