A/N- Ok so when you read this keep in mind the way Orochimaru talks. I know he doesn't talk like this in the anime, but I eeded him to be a really rough character.

Disclaimer-I do not own in any way shape or form Naruto. No matter how much I may want to.

The Thief

Chapter 1

Lord Naruto of Kanoha, seventeen and weary, breathed deeply as he tilted his head and looked at the sky. Weak wintry morning sunlight shone through the baron branches of the wood. To his right ran the river, swollen with melting snow. To his left a steep slope rose, shielding him from the north wind. Despite that he shivered and wrapped his cape more tightly around him before he sat on a fallen log.

His frog hoped up to crouch beside him, and he reached out to stroke his orange head.

"We'll go back soon, Gamakichi," he promise," Just a little while longer."

In truth he could not and should not linger long here, because he was alone save for his frog, but he needed the peace and quite, if only for a brief time. It was difficult having everyone in Konoha look to him for guidance, as they had since his father had fallen seriously ill. His mother had died at his birth, and his elder brother had passed away of a fever seven years ago, which meant he was temporary charge of the estate.

Indeed, a year ago, he would not have been permitted to walk out of his father's castle without an escort. That was when they could afford a (1)garrison, and before a bad harvest and the cost of equipping his late brother as a night had depleted their funds. They had used all that remained of their money to pay King Sarutobi's taxes. When the soldiers of their garrison realized his father could not pay their wages, they had departed.

His father had never paid much heed to money, as long as Konoha provided enough to pay taxes allow them to live I some ease. Unlike many a noble, including their neighbor, Baron Itachi, the earl of Konoha had no lofty, grasping ambitions.

Unfortunately his father had not foreseen how an illness, a bad harvest, and an increase to their taxes might one day put his family, his estate, and their village in jeopardy. Baron Itachi, whose personal greed knew no bounds, had seen an opportunity. Shortly after Naruto's father had became sick, the baron had arrived at Konoha to offer him both his protection and marriage.

He would rather marry the meanest pauper in Konoha than marry Baron Itachi. As for his 'protection,' he would use that as an excuse to gain control of his family's estate, though his father yet lived.

So now his days were filled with trying to run the estate, and preventing Itachi from swooping down like a hawk to snatch it from him.

How he wished his father was better, his brother alive, and his mother, too! Then he would not have this great burden pressing on him day after day, hour after hour. Even now it was tempting to keep on walking through the forest and away from the responsibilities that awaited him back in Konoa.

But he could not and would not abandon his father or the people who lived on their estate. He was the earl of Konoha's son, and he would not shirk his duty. To do otherwise would be dishonorable and disgraceful.

With a low croak Gamakichi stiffened and raised his head-a warning that someone was coming.

Naruto jumped to his feet, straining to see through the trees, his ears alert for any unusually noise. The unexpected sound of male voices drifted toward him like spirits on the wind.

Who could it be? This was his father's land, and nobody lived near here.

Maybe it was outlaws or poachers. If they were thieves, his fine cape would be reason enough to attack him.

His fear building, he tried to whistle to Gamakichi, but his throat and lips were dry with dread.

"Gamakichi, come!" he croaked as he began to clamber up the muddy, slippery slope. He grabbed on to roots and rocks, and paid no heed to the mud clinging to his clothes.

Gamakichi thought this some kind of game. His eyes gleamed and he croaked excitedly as he gleefully followed him.

Once on top, he threw himself down in the mud behind a fallen tree. Gamakichi crouched beside him, his eyes still gleaming, but at least he was mercifully silent.

Peering through the space between the log and the ground, barley breathing, he watched four rough looking men approach on the path below him. All wore brown tunics, dark woolen breeches, and thick leather boots. Each carried a sword in a scabbard dangling from a belt at his waist. All but the lat had another knife stuck through his belt.

The man in front, who looked to be the leader of the small band, was very tall and lean. Two thin purple marks leading from the inside of his eyes to the bridge of hi nose rest on his face, The two men behind him were Just as lean, and could hardly see their faces for the dirt and straggled hair. They both carried large leather pouches.

The fourth man brought up the rear. He was more slender than the others and whore no linen shirt beneath his leather tunic, so his muscular arms were bare despite the winter chill.

These men had to be thieves or poachers and were surly very dangerous.

Wishing he had never left the castle, Naruto tried to flatten himself even more against the ground.

"We'll rest here," the tall man announced in a harsh, stern voice as he came to a halt where Naruto had been moments ago. He sat down on the fallen log and waited until the others had stopped. "Ere, give us that pack, Kabuto," he said to the one wearing spectacles. "Time to split the takings."

The man with the spectacles handed over a large leather sack. The leader sat it on the ground, and the others gathered around, he drew some smaller leather purses from it, the kind well-to-do men wore tied to their belts beneath their cloaks.

Naruto didn't know anyone wealthy enough to wear such a purse in or around Konoha. These men must have come from Suna.

The leader eyed the fourth fellow, "We'd 'ave 'ad more if His Highness over there didn't have a soft spot for the ladies."

The two filthy men chuckled in a way that made Naruto's blood run cold.

"There were plenty of men's purses to take," the fourth one offered with a shrug. He had a slight accent that made Naruto wonder if he was a Scot.

More surprising he sounded only a little older than Naruto-nineteen at the most-and of a much higher class.

Young in years, perhaps, but old in sin if he was with these others. As for his manner of speech, no one was born a thief.

Gamakichi croaked and he quickly put his arm around him to hold him still. Whether any of them was high ranking or not, he was sure they would hurt Gamakichi if they caught him. As for what they would do to himself, he didn't want to think about it.

The leader frowned, "You're lucky you got as many as you did, Sasuke, or I wouldn't be in so good a humor."

The young man crossed his arms. "Since I did all the purse cutting and took all the risk, you should be happy."

"Ere, what's this, then? Baby goin't cry?"

"I think I should have half, Orochimaru, not a quarter. While I was cutting purses, you wee all sitting in a tavern, well into your cups."

The one called Orochimaru got to his feet. " Well, ain't you the hoity-toity one? Just' cause your mam was a Scots lady. Tell us again how she died, eh? And who your father was?"

As the young man scowled, the older one grinned with a horrible mockery. "Don't know who he was, do ya? He left her when she got with you, an the rest o' your high and mighty family cast her out like the whore she was. And you think that means you can out an airs boy?"

"The way I sound has paid for your ale more then once, Orochimaru. It gets me into places your lot wouldn't dare venture, as you well know."

"And because it does, we protect you-or are you forgettin' that? You ain't been hanged yet, have you?"

"No. But I'm not a little boy needing your protection anymore, either."

"Oh, you're not?" Orochimaru demanded.

"No. Now, give me my share-the last you'll ever get because of me-and I'll be on my way."

"Just like that, eh, Sasuke? You think you can stand here and tell us your leaving."

"Why not? I've repaid anything you ever spent on me for food or rags to wear." Sasuke took a step closer. "Surely you don't expect me to be grateful for the ay you 'protected' my mother?"

"She needed a man's safe guarding, or she'd have been dead in a fortnight-"

"She needed money, and by the saints, she got it the only way she could, "Sasuke growled, his accent growing stronger with rage. "Aye, she might have died all the sooner from a knife or a blow, but you saw to it she lived-and she paid you your share, until she couldn't bear it and ended her miserable life. But by then, I was old enough to steal, so no matter, eh Orochimaru?"

Drawing his sword, Orochimaru glanced at the other two men. "Fine thanks, this, eh? We take the little beggar in, train him proper, and when he starts to pay us back, he tells us he's desertin' It ain't that easy, Sasuke"

The others went to stand behind Orochimaru, making it three against one.

"I won't turn you in," Sasuke retorted even as his hand moved to the hilt of his sword, "if that's what you're worried about, tempting though it may be. Why would I, when I'm as guilty as you?"

"Fer money, or t's save yer own neck."

"I give you my word!"

Naruto held his breath as Sasuke began to pull his sword from its scabbard.

"If you can't," he said, "it's because I am what you made me. Now give me my money and let me go. Find another gutter brat to train to be a thief. There are more where I came from."

"But few who sound like right popinjays when they want, or are quick on their feet," Orochimaru retorted. "And we was just going to head to Kirigakure. That's where the real money is." His sword swayed menacingly. "I really think you ought t' change your mind, me buck. It'd be a pity t' have t' lose a hand or an eye t' learn a lesson."

Sasuke took another step forward, his eyes fairly blazing with anger and determination, the way a warrior's would on a battlefield if he faced a detested enemy. "Aye, but I'll fight you if I have to, Orochimaru"

Orochimaru put his other hand on the hilt of his sword. Naruto's heartbeat quickened, for a firmer grip surely meant he was preparing to strike.

"So, you want to try me, eh, Sasuke?" Orochimaru jeered. "Think you can beat me, do ya? I warn you-you'll be sorry."

At that, Sasuke ran forward and threw his shoulder against Orochimaru's side. They fell together, Sasuke on top. Orochimaru's sword swung through the air. Sasuke rolled put of the way. Panting, he jumped to his feet, while Orochimaru staggered upright. Then they both crouched, swaying slightly, swords at the ready, circling each other.

"I'm gonna kill you for that," Orochimaru snarled.

"You can try."

Gamakichi started to fidget.

"Shhh, Gamakichi. Be still!" Naruto urged in a whisper, his gaze fixed on the combatants below.

"Kabuto, Kimimaru-you'd better help me," Orochimaru said.

They drew their swords, yet didn't get any closer.

"If you die, Orochimaru, they won't have to share the take you, you see," Sasuke noted with a sneer.

"And if you die, that's more for us, too," Orochimaru countered.

Sasuke suddenly bent and grabbed a handful of dead leaves and dirt. He threw it at Orochimaru and caught him square in the face. As Orochimaru spluttered and stumbled back, Sasuke ran forward, raising his sword.

Before Sasuke could strike, Orochimaru recovered and blocked the blow. The clang of sword on sword seemed to fill the wood as they swung their long, dangerous weapons at each other.

Orochimaru must have been a soldier, Naruto realized. An untrained peasant who tried to use a sword it like an ax, expecting the weight of the weapon to do all the work, the way an ax head made chopping easier. A trained soldier knew to use his back as well as his shoulders and arms, to move in one fluid motion-he expected his body to provide the power, not the sword. Waiting, Orochimaru held his sword directly in front of his chest to protect himself.

Sasuke did, too, at first, and parried Orochimaru's blows with skill. Soon, though, the point of his weapon hung low, nearly in the mud, as if he was too exhausted to hold it upright. That left his chest unguarded, and he feared the worst until Sasuke suddenly rushed forward and lifted his sword directly upward, coming at his enemy from below instead of head on or sideways. His sword slashed Orochimaru shouted a curse and dropped his sword.

Naruto nearly cried out in amazement. Sasuke's apparent fatigue had been a feint-a mere deception-and it had worked! Unorthodox it might have been, perhaps even something a knight would consider dishonorable, but it had certainly been effective.

Then one of the men behind Sasuke crept toward him. He raised his sword, ready to bring a blow down on Sasuke toward him.

Naruto shrieked and half rose-and Gamakichi took it as a signal to hop over the log and bound down the slope.

Gasping, terrified that he'd been seen and heard, he threw himself back down behind the log. He stared through

The gap, terrified that they would start climbing toward him. Despite that, he had to get Gamakichi, so he desperately tried to whistle again to call him back, to no avail.

At the sight of the frog bearing down on them, the men froze where they stood, until the one behind Sasuke cried, "A (2)hunting frog!"

Taking advantage of the distraction, Orochimaru rushed at Sasuke, catching him off guard, knocking him to the ground, and punching him hard. "That's for thinking you could leave us, boy. I could stick you like a pig, but I won't, because the knight who owns that hunting frogs sure to hang you for trespassing on his land!"

Sasuke didn't respond. He didn't even move although Gamakichi hopped up to him.

Meanwhile, the two filthy men grabbed the leather pouch and stuffed the purses in while Orochimaru grabbed Sasuke's sword. Then they fled along the path.

The blood throbbing in his ears, his heart pounding like a minstrel with a drum, Naruto waited behind the log for what seemed an eternity, watching Gamakichi examine the fallen young man. Eventually Gamakichi sat beside him and looked up the hill, as if waiting for Naruto to join them.

He wasn't going to move until he was sure those men were really gone. Finally, when he felt it was safe, he rose. His legs trembled a little as he brushed the leaves and mud from his cape.

He didn't want to go near that thief, even if he was unconscious. He only wanted to get Gamakichi and hurry safely home. Once there, he would send for Kisame the reeve. As his father's representative in the village, he could gather some men and come to get this ruffian. He would also tell him to be on the lookout for the fallen man's comrades.

"Gamakichi!" he called out as boldly as he dared.

Gamakichi didn't move. He just sat on his haunches and looked at Naruto.

Naruto didn't want to leave him. Those men might decide to come back for their companion and steal Gamakichi or hurt him.

"Gamakichi!" he called again, and still didn't move.

Sasuke didn't move, either. Was he dead, or only unconscious? If he wasn't dead and lay out all night, the cold or an unintended injury might kill him.

So what if he did die? He was a thief an outlaw-maybe even a murder-and the punishment for such crimes would be death.

Despite that, a spark of pity kindled in his heart. Given what he had heard of Sasuke's history, was it any wonder he was a thief? What other alternatives had life offered him but stealing and cutting purses?

He was a Christian, and should be merciful and charitable. If Naruto let him die, his death would be his fault because he had done nothing to prevent it. Of course, he might be saving his life only to a horrible end in a hangman's noose…unless he could be made to see the error of his ways, repent, and become something better than a thief.

He couldn't spend anymore time dithering. He first thing he must do, he decided, was to see if the young thief was alive or dead.

He made his way carefully down the hillside trying not to slip. He came to a halt about four feet from where Sasuke lay, flat on his back, his arms flung outward as if in surrender. A nasty bruise had formed on his temple, and blood trickled from a gash. His chest rose with his breathing, though, so he was still alive.

Naruto studied his face. It wasn't a bad-looking face, beneath the dirt. He might even be quit handsome. Naruto moved a little closer, noticing the angles and planes of his chin and cheekbones, and the excellent teeth beneath full lips. He had a very fine nose, too. Indeed, he looked like one of the carvings of an angel in the chapel.

That was ridiculous. If this youth wee an angel, he was a fallen one, full of sin.

Naruto looked away from his face. His bare chest were all muscle, without a single bit of fat, like the rest of his body.

Naruto thought of the way he had defended himself. Thin he might be, but he was lean and strong-graceful. Almost. And he was certainly an excellent fighter he could probably hire himself as a soldier. Noblemen were always seeking men for their garrisons.

Why, if the peasants of Konoha could be taught to fight like him, they wouldn't need hired soldiers to protect the estate.

His breath caught in his throat.

And then he smiled.

Garrison-The troops stationed in a fortress or town to defend it.

(2) It was wither this or Pakkun but I decided with the frog.