This is set after Volume 26, Chapter 233. This is when Sasuke has just defeated the now unconscious Naruto. But instead of him leaving, I wrote a different version. Three-shot. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Naruto's not mine! Neither are any character's in the series. Sorry!

Bold is thoughts

Italics is past

Ch. 1

SASUKE POV

I looked at the boy at my feet. The orange clad ninja seemed to be sleeping, his peaceful free of emotion as opposed to just mere seconds ago. The nine-tailed image was gone, replaced by a silent, exhausted child.

A halo surrounded us, slowly fading to circle Naruto's face, finally leaving.

I sighed, breathing heavily. How was it that the boy who, just months back, couldn't make a simple clone, almost defeated him?

I dropped the headband around my head. I started to speak, "I-"

But, it started to rain, the droplets hitting our faces. Suddenly, a sting hit my arm. I coughed in pain. Feeling something sticky hit my fingers, I opened my eyes. Blood. Falling to my knees, I coughed, the scarlet hitting the dirt next to my closest friend. As my brown eyes reopened, I found myself hovering over Narutos' forehead. Naruto…

"Why, Sasuke? What made you do this?" Naruto yelled desperately.

Why? Well, because I need to defeat my brother. And I need to prove that I can be worthy of being an Uchiha. But the words that came out were, "What does any of this have to do with you?" I asked harshly, Orochimaru's voice overlapping with his. "I have my own path. I won't let anyone lead me any other way… No matter who it is. Silence pierced the air. "Let me make this clear to you…My childish games with you leafs are over. Go home," I was saying, but found my heart become heavy at closest friends' face.

"Chouji… Neji… Kiba…Shikamaru… Thick Brows…They all risked their lives to follow you here."

"Good for them," I said starting to walk away.

A growl broke the mist, "What the HECK are you thinking about your leaf comrades?" the fox-boy roared.

Naruto grabbed me and roughly shook me, only responding to my retort with one of his own. I wasn't paying attention until a single sentence caught his attention, "You can't do it! I'll take you back with full force!"

Take me back? That could never happen. Eventually, we were fighting again, not caring that we were mangling each other. Fighting again, and again. He refused to let up. Too stubborn. Too focused on friendship. He could never be a shinobi.

"This wasn't the fight I wanted," he whispered.

I fumbled for a second. Did it matter how and when it was fought? What was wrong with him? I attacked again. Finally, after landing a fatal hit, I watched, ready to see him collapse. Instead, he healed and stood his ground.

Shouting, fangs protruding from his mouth, "SASUKE! YOU WON'T GO TO OROCHIMARU! EVEN IF I HAVE TO BREAK THE BONES IN YOUR ARMS AND LEGS, I WILL STOP YOU!" Jumping toward me. I used my power, as much as I thought needed. Nothing worked.

I told him he could never understand, that he'd never been there. But, like always, he said something back, in his soft, caring tone. How irritating.

"… If I'm with you… I wonder… If it's like being with a brother."

My stance wavered. "Why… Why do you go this far for me?" I asked, my voice clear and cruel. The answer stopped my heart.

"For me… It's one of the first bonds I've ever had. That's why I must stop you!" He said clearly.

I paused, my brain flashing through memories. Smiling, I took out my headband. "Come… Naruto. Then… I will break that bond!" I said, opening my arms to him.

Yet again, we fought. Attack after another, finally giving our final shot…

You… never gave up. Even when I wanted desperately to kill you. Why?

KAKASHI POV

I had to make it. They were powerful. I knew how much damage they could inflict to each other. And they had only grown stronger after then. One of them would die, but I kept hoping it couldn't be true. I kept running.

Jazz here! Just read that scene, and I thought, Why Sasuke? SO I decided to try it out. Don't kill me if you've read past this. This is just after reading that scene. Thanks! Hope you like it. There's more comin up!