A/N: I'm really more of an essay-writing type of writer. This is just one of my lazy attempts at story-writing. But I hope some people will like it. Maybe it sucks but i'm kinda new at this. I have no idea if there is such a thing as a Jounin exam. Just bear with me. But, one thing is for sure...SASUKE ROCKS!

Hello there, little girl. My, my, what a pretty face you have. Beautiful. You'll be perfect for my little brother, for Sasuke. Don't be afraid. I'll spare your life... After all, the Uchiha Clan must continue to live on. I shall spare your life. You will live. But only on one condition…

CHAPTER ONE:

I loathe you. I hate you…

Please. Please don't do it, Itachi. Don't.

"No!"

Sasuke woke up with a start. A nightmare. The nightmare. He never thought that it would haunt him again. Blood. The blood of his clan. The blood of his parents. And the fear. The hatred. It was unbearable. Cold sweat was dripping down his face as he tried to shut off the images from that horrible night. Deep breaths. Yeah. That would do it. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. He closed his eyes as if it would erase the memories that came rushing back. Sleep, it seems, wasn't going to help him escape his past.

It's been six years since he last saw his brother. Itachi. Six years since one of the last members of the Uchiha clan died in the hands of his own brother. And now, Uchiha Sasuke is truly alone. The only living member of one of the most feared clans in Konoha. Alone. Even thinking about it sent cold shivers down his spine. He was utterly ALONE. You should get some sleep, Sasuke. Jounin exams tomorrow.

"Sasuke-san!" a female voice cut through his train of thoughts. A blur of pink covered his eyes as Sakura bounced into view.

"Hello, Sakura."

"So Sasuke-san, are you ready for your Jounin exam?"

"Yeah."

"Are you nervous?"

"No."

Short, straightforward answers. That's all you can expect from this raven-hair boy. Correction. This raven-haired guy. The years have been good to Sasuke. At 18 years, he turned exactly into what Sakura had expected. A head-turner. Handsome, genius, skilled. What more could you ask for?

Ignoring Sakura, Sasuke continued to walk towards the main battle stadium. He didn't see her frowning from behind him. He didn't see the disappointment in her eyes. For a guy who wants a companion, he was completely oblivious to fact that there, behind him, was someone who wanted to be with him. He stared blankly ahead, uncaring. His measured steps carried him onward, his hands in his pockets as usual and his striking face remained cold and expressionless…

"Sasuke-san!"

For the second time in five minutes, a girl ambushed him. But this time, locks of golden hair greeted his view.

"Hello, Ino."

"Good morning, Sasuke-san. Ready for the exams?"

"Sure."

"Nervous."

"No."

"…"

Another set of short, straightforward answers. That's all you can expect from this raven-haired guy. The Jounin Exam will start in half an hour, Sasuke. Better hurry up.

"I'll see you around, Ino."

The raven-haired Sasuke walked away. He didn't see her frowning behind him. He didn't see the disappointment in her eyes. His face remained cold and expressionless. He wished his heart would be that way too. Unfeeling. Unaware of the loneliness he was feeling right at that moment.

Soon, the fighting arena came into view. A number of Chuunins were lurking in the streets waiting for the first light fireworks that will signal the start of the final exams. They all stopped and stared as Uchiha Sasuke passed by. They eyed him cautiously as he silently walked towards the entrance gates. Some of them eyed him nervously. At such a young age, he has already proven to every single ninja in Konoha that he was one of the best. His toughest rival, Uzumaki Naruto, remained the only person who could have the possibility of defeating him in combat.

BOOM!

The sound of fireworks had all of them running for the entrance. Only a selected few will be promoted to the rank of Jounin. Nobody doubted that Uchiha Sasuke would be one of them. After all, his only purpose in life now, is to fight.

"You put on a good fight, Sasuke."

The new Jounin's eyes widened with surprise as his old mentor suddenly appeared before him.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

The masked Jounin extended his arm to congratulate his former student. The Jounin exam proved to be one of the most exciting events to date.

"So, what does it feel to be a Jounin. Haah, wasn't it just yesterday that I was training you, Naruto and Sakura?"

All Sasuke could do was nod his head. It didn't feel like yesterday to him. It seemed a million years ago. He was a different person back then. His heart was full of hatred and anger towards his brother. He even sought the evil power of Orochimaru just to have enough strength to defeat the murderous Itachi.

But all that has changed. His heart wasn't filled with rage anymore. It was empty. A dark pit of loneliness that no one he knew could fill. He was different from them. And no matter how hard he tried, he would always be set apart from the rest. That's right, Sasuke. You'll remain like this for the rest of your life.

"Why the far away look?"

"Huh?"

"You do know that you should be celebrating, right?"

Sasuke looked at Kakashi blankly and took him a second to realize that, indeed, he should be celebrating. He was a Jounin now. This was a new stage in his life. Not everybody could achieve what he had just done.

"Naruto and the others are already at the ramen store. We should go there too."

"It's alright, Kakashi-sensei. You go on without me. I'll just take a walk or something."

Hatake Kakashi let out a deep sigh. All these years and Sasuke still hasn't change. Still the brooding ninja with a superiority complex. He shook his head in dismay and looked at his former pupil.

"You should really lighten up. And I know just thing you need."

Kakashi's visible eyes glinted mischievously as Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Without a word, Kakashi signaled Sasuke to follow him. Reluctantly, he followed, just as he did when he was but a mere Genin.

"Where are we going?"

"Just follow me. Maybe you'll run away if I tell you."

That wasn't the most encouraging thing to say. It made Sasuke more inclined to just turn around and walk towards the opposite direction. But his curiosity got the best of him.

They continued to walk along the streets of Konoha, constantly making turns here and there. It didn't take long for Sasuke to realize that Kakashi was taking him to the woods. This confused him all the more. They were walking in silence and his former teacher hasn't uttered a word since they left the city center. But he didn't complain. He learned long ago to expect the unexpected when it comes to this odd Jounin. No questions asked. This better be worth my time.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon, a perfect condition for a long walk. They were quite far from the city proper now. Rows of trees surrounded them as they walked along a grassy path that was almost entirely covered with fallen cherry blossoms. Sasuke could hear the small stream near by. He could see the exact place where he became a Genin. It was a long time ago. Looking back, he remembered how determined he was to be on top. His father always told him that he should be like his big brother. But where are you now, Father? Slain by your own son. The son you were always proud of. The son you always wanted me to be. He never gave you the chance to see me grow up. And he never gave me the chance to see you grow old. That's why I didn't give him the chance to live.

"We're here!" Kakashi stopped announced so suddenly that Sasuke collided with his back.

"Kakashi-sensei! You're early!"

Kakashi-sensei. Early? Yeah, right. Like that's gonna happen. A young woman was walking towards them with a big smile on her face. Sasuke didn't realize that there was someone else in that vicinity except Kakashi and him.

"Sasuke didn't feel like celebrating, so we headed here."

The girl's eyes which was fixed on the masked Jounin a while ago was now directed towards him. They were calculating purple eyes and seemed to take in everything without giving anything back. Her face was perfectly framed against her long black hair.

"So, this is the infamous Uchiha Sasuke." She held out her delicate hand, which he shook with his own training-worn hands.

"Sasuke, this is Chiyo."

A/N: This is the new and improved chapter. I know, I know. I didn't change a lot but I still hope you like it. I'll be adding chapter 5 as soon as I get the chance. You may also want to read my new fan fiction: THE LAST LOVE LETTER. I know, I know. I'm not good at titles so just bear with me.