Wow. I'm kinda scared. This is the first, real multi-chapter story I've ever actually started writing. And my first honest to goodness fanfiction. And my first complicated plot... etc.

The idea wasn't created by me; it's mostly Drake's. But I'm the one writing it. Since I'm way better at it than he is XD.

Pairings: SasuNaru, NaruSaku

Warning: Yaoi. Might get limey, depends on my mood XD. CHARACTER DEATHS! (don't kill me!)

Note: Some stuff from the main plot gets changed. For example, while Sasuke is gone, Sakura gets over him.

Disclaimer: Them biznitches ain't mine.

Updating: Might take a while, since I go to school and all, and I'm taking a load of advanced/college classes. -.-"

Chapter 1

"Come on, Naruto! Everyone will be there!"

"No, I already told you, I don't want to go, Sakura!"

The pink haired girl sighed and placed her hands on her hips. Naruto had been this way for six months, since the day Sasuke had left. He didn't want to leave his apartment. He didn't jump at the chance of a date with her. He didn't even feel like having ramen anymore. And frankly, she didn't blame him. Sasuke had been the closest friend he'd ever had, and the loss had been hard on him.

"Come on. Just for today! It'd be nice to have you with us. It's like you're dead, or don't exist, or something since you never come out of this room anymore."

"I might as well be..." Naruto muttered under his breath.

"What?"

"I said, I might as well be! Why didn't Sasuke just kill me? He'd have his power, and I wouldn't have to deal with this!"

"Naruto, not that again! How many times do I have to tell you before it's drilled into your brain? He didn't kill you for the exact reason you wouldn't have. It was probably pure luck that you were the one knocked out and not him, with an attack as strong as Rasengan. And if it would've been him, would you have been able to kill him?"

Naruto sighed. She used this argument every time. He knew she was right, so there was no use in fighting back.

"That's what I thought. Now then, since this argument has been won for the 1000th time, are you coming, or am I going to have to dress you myself and drag you down to Ichiraku?"

"What happened to asking nicely?"

"I don't care about the answer. Though if you say yes, it'll be easier on the both of us."

"You don't have to be so mean, Sakura-chan..."

"Yeah, yeah. Save it, and get dressed already. I'll give you five minutes before I come back in here and do it all myself."

He watched her turn and leave his room. He let out a small laugh. That Sakura... Always keeping an eye out for me. But of course, it hadn't always been that way. In fact, it wasn't until after Sasuke left that she even paid him any attention at all. Of course. When he's here, who else is there to care about? But when he's not here... He sighed. I'm the only one who seems to care... Damn it... He changed into his usual black t-shirt and orange pants, ran his hands through his hair to fix it up a little, then turned to look at the photograph on his nightstand. The one of team seven. He felt tears welling up in his eyes, but he blinked them away. No. I'm not going to cry for that bastard. He left us. He betrayed us, a voice said. Then why are you still moping? a second voice asked. And with that thought, he picked up his forehead protector and walked out of his room.

"Finally! I was about to go get you in a minute..."

"Just... let's go, Sakura."

They walked together to the ramen stand while Sakura talked all about her day, complained about how Tsunade was being hard on her, and how he should get out more. When they arrived, the others were already there, waiting. They all waved and said their hellos to Naruto, whom some of them hadn't seen for months, thanks to missions, and Naruto's recent dislike of people. Soon, everyone was talking about one thing or the other. But Naruto paid no mind; he was too busy thinking.

I have two years left to train, but why does it feel so damn long? He pondered this a moment, then realized what the answer was. That's right. It was always Sasuke who trained with me. He was the one I always sparred with... Why can't I just be strong enough? Why won't they just let me bring him back now? Don't they want him back? Don't they care one bit that Orochimaru only wants him to take over his body?

"Naruto-kun? Are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine, Hinata, don't worry about it!"

She gave him a sad smile, then turned away. If they all knew what was wrong, why'd they keep asking?

Wait a minute... Someone's watching us. Naruto found that the chakra signature was familiar. Whoever it was must've been poor at masking their chakra... Or they wanted people to know they were there. Wait... No, it's not just one person's chakra... It's two of them... combined...? That didn't make sense. Of course, there were ways that people could take others' chakra, but when they did... It didn't feel like this.

"Hey, Hinata? Could you use your Byakugan to check the area? You know, for unfamiliar people?"

"Oh, sure, Naruto-kun." She activated her Byakugan, then turned her head slightly. "I don't see anything that looks suspicious. You probably heard a squirrel in the bushes or something."

"Yeah. Probably..." Yeah, because of course squirrels have that strong of a chakra. He rolled his eyes, then put his head down on the counter. And that was the only idea I had too... I wonder why didn't the others notice..? Surely they aren't too consentrated on their conversation that they would notice such a strong flow of chakra... Maybe I should ask Tsunade to alert the jounin that there's someone. Wait, maybe that's what they want you to do. If there is actually more than one, then that one you actually noticed could be used as a distraction... That was stupid. Hinata had already told him there wasn't anyone there. Of course there wasn't! He was probably just imagining things... Or being paranoid. Then why can't I get rid of the feeling that something's going to happen? He sighed. I should really stop thinking... He lifted his head and looked around.

He sighed, then put his head back down. There it is again! But it's kind of... strong and weak at the same time... Maybe they're injured...?

"So... Naruto. What have you been up to?" Sakura asked.

"Oh... uhm... Not much... Reading some scrolls, practicing Rasengan..."

"Is that all you ever do?" Ino asked. "Doesn't seem all that interesting."

"Well, sometimes I get some missions... But that's not very often..."

"Huh. Maybe you should ask Tsunade-sama for more. You know, to keep your mind off of... things?" the blonde girl suggested.

"Yeah, may--" But he stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened. Another flare up!

Neji let out some sort of a growl beside him. Akamaru barked when he saw the expressions on their faces.

"What is it, Akamaru?" Kiba asked. He barked again, and Kiba looked at Neji and then at Naruto.

"Hey, is something up?" Kiba asked.

"I just felt a chakra flare up," Neji said in a low voice. He activated his Byakugan. "Just as a precaution."

"Now that you mention it... I feel it too," Tenten said, while getting ready to grab her weapon scrolls.

"Wait!" Sakura said in a harsh whisper. Tenten froze.

"What?"

"What if it's not an enemy?"

"Well, just in case it is! It's best to be prepared..."

"Both of you, shut up!" Naruto whispered.

"I say we go check it out," Kiba said. "Anyone coming with me?"

"I'll go," Naruto said immediately after Kiba was done speaking. They both started towards the village's entrance.

"You guys! Don't--"

"Ugh, Sakura, give it up! Let's just go!" Ino said.

"This is so troublesome," Shikamaru said, but he got up anyway. The rest of the group got up, and they all followed the two boys. They came to a stop when they caught up with them.

"Naruto, what are you--" Chouji stopped talking as he looked in the direction Naruto was pointing at.

There was a figure in the distance. One with glowing red eyes. As it came closer, it's features started becoming more visible. It was a boy, about their age, with black hair that was spiked up in the back. He wore a blue shirt and cargo shorts. He looked a mess; there was dried blood on his clothing and some on his face. Scrapes and bleeding gashes all over his body. Dirt covered his sandals, and was in his hair. His shirt and shorts were severely torn. In his hands, he carried something rounded that was dripping some sort of liquid.

"Oh... my..."

"It... it can't be!"

"But... can it?"

"Bark!"

"I thought--"

"I-I... Oh no, Naruto, don't!" Sakura cried out, but he wasn't listening. He had already started his dash towards the other boy. Sakura made to grab his arm, but he was faster than her. He stopped about two feet from him.

"It's--"

"Uchiha Sasuke."

How's that for a first chapter? Haha! I'm actually very pleased with how it turned out. I just hope you guys like it!

Kirami Belle