Aneko: Yaaayy! I loved writing this fanfic!!!
Sasuke: You mean you loved torturing me.
Aneko: Shut up. This is a favor for me and my friend. You look cute with a cat following you around.
Sasuke: Sulks
Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Naruto...or Sasuke-sob-
Neko-chan
1. Stray
Uchiha Sasuke stood at the bridge, waiting for the rest of team 7 to arrive.
The breeze pulled at his black hair, and his flawless onyx eyes observed his surroundings.
"Good morning Sasuke!" His solitude was interrupted by the voice of Haruno Sakura, the kunoichi on their team. She had interesting pink hair and emerald eyes. She smiled cheerfully at Sasuke.
"Hn." Sasuke replied. He said nothing else, as usual.
Sakura hummed to herself quietly, as they waited for Naruto and Kakashi. One thing Sasuke did appreciate about Sakura was that she was always on time. Naruto was sometimes, but Kakashi…well, he was a lost cause.
Naruto was late this morning. Not that Sasuke minded that much. It was too early to deal with the loudmouth right now anyways, and Sakura wouldn't be too loud on her own (he hoped).
"Geez, where's Naruto? He's late…" Sakura frowned. Sasuke said nothing.
On cue, a voice called out, "Hey, Sakura, Sasuke!" Uzumaki Naruto ran up grinning. He put his hands behind his spiky blonde head,
"Know what we're doing today?"
"No. Why?"
"Just wondering. You think we'll get a cool mission today?"
"Probably not," Sasuke said, squashing Naruto's hopeful expression, "we're still genin after all." He said the word genin like it was something despicable. He felt like Naruto, though he didn't voice it anywhere near as volubly. He wanted better missions, but how would they get any, at genin level?
It wasn't rank Sasuke was concerned about, but those fighting for it. This was where strong ninja were, where he could test and increase the limits of his strength.
Sasuke sank back into his reverie as Naruto droned on (rather loudly) about something, until he felt a familiar chakra.
"Hey guys." Kakashi appeared right in front of Naruto.
"WHOA!" Naruto, who had jumped on the railing of the bridge, for who knows what reason, waved hid arms unsuccessfully, falling into the water below.
"Dah! Kakashi-sensei, don't surprise me like that!" Naruto jumped out.
Kakashi's one eye not covered by his headband frowned, 'Naruto, that shouldn't have surprised you."
"Yeah, what kind of ninja are you?" Sakura scolded. Naruto pouted.
He better not spend the whole mission like this…Sasuke thought. He didn't want Naruto to get in the way, no matter how minor the mission. He may have been getting stronger, but he was still basically an idiot.
Kakashi briefed them on their mission, and Sasuke let his mind wander as it was explained again for Naruto.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Naruto jumped forward.
"It's in the other direction, Naruto." Kakashi pointed to the path Sasuke and Sakura were already on.
"Uh…yeah! I was just testing you, Sensei." Naruto bluffed confidently, running after the other two.
Sasuke walked home gladly that evening. He had developed a small headache from Naruto. Sighing, he walked home to his apartment. He had no need to live in the huge Uchiha compound all alone. It only held bad memories anyways.
It was a small place, with few furnishings besides a table, some chairs, his bed, and a dresser, where a group photo of Team 7 sat.
Sasuke fixed himself something to eat, then went to bed.
Sasuke was, as usual, first the next morning.
He put his hands in his pockets as he waited for Naruto and Sakura to arrive, closing his eyes.
He had lost track of time by the time a voice said, "Hey, where's Sakura?"
Sasuke opened his eyes to see Naruto looking around confused.
"How should I know?" Though he didn't say it, he was curious. Sakura was never late. She usually arrived right after himself.
"Sakura's not here yet?" Kakashi appeared, looking surprised.
"That's so weird! I hope she's not sick."
Kakashi's here already? ...It must be later than I thought…
At that moment, Sakura ran up. "Sorry…I'm late!" She said, breathing a little heavily. It sounded like she had run the whole way.
"What happened?" Naruto asked.
"As I was leaving, I saw a bird with a broken wing outside my window. The poor thing was still alive, so I took it inside and fixed its wing in a brace. It will eventually be able to fly again."
"You really like birds, huh Sakura?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, I thought it would be sad if he was trapped on the ground and not able to fly free again."
"Oh…" Naruto didn't look like he understood.
"Well," Sakura thought an easier answer, "you have a favorite animal, right?"
"Oh, yeah!" Naruto's face cleared up. "I like dogs. They're really loyal."
"Yeah, they're good for summoning jutsus." Kakashi said, nodding.
"well, what about you, Sasuke?" Sakura asked.
Sasuke thought about it. He had never really had a favorite animal before, but he thought of one.
"I like cats. You don't have to take care of them. They're fine alone."
"Oh. That makes sense. They're cold like you."
"NARUTO!" Sakura said in a warning voice, raising her fist over her head.
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry Sakura, don't hit me!" Naruto begged, covering his head with his hands.
"Could we get going now?" Kakashi asked, shepherding Naruto in one direction as Sakura and Sasuke followed behind.
"It's going to rain…' Sakura said, looking up at the gray sky. They were headed back to the bridge after their mission.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed, also looking up.
'Well, that's it for today." Kakashi's one eye closed in the way it showed he was smiling. "You have tomorrow off, by the way." He disappeared, and the three ninja split up, heading home.
Not long after they separated, Sasuke felt the first drops on his head. He didn't walk any faster-it was just rain.
That's why it took him awhile to hear the faint mewling sound above the rain, but when he did, he stopped. It was so annoying, calling repeatedly and insistently.
Sasuke walked toward an open alleyway, and the noise got louder. He looked around, and came face to face with a pair of bright green eyes. The mewling stopped immediately.
Sasuke stared at the scrawny creature in front of him. It huddled pitifully against the wall, seeking shelter from the rain, though it did no good. The drooping tail and whiskers showed him it was a cat.
They regarded each other silently for a while. Sasuke ignored the water dripping down, plastering his wet hair to his face.
"Hn." Frowning, Sasuke turned and began walking home again.
Aneko: Yay! First chapter complete!!! Sorry if anyone seemed ooc...