So...I was looking at my profile picture and was like "Hmm…this might make a good story." So, here it is. Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN NARUTO! -grumble grumble…-
The boys are 9 yrs. old in the flashback, just to let you know.
He collapsed on the ground, paralyzed with exhaustion and cold. The snow fell gently around him, covering the world in a white blanket. Blanket… he thought, recalling that time, that one time he had ever felt truly warm. It was snowing then, too…
He ran through the streets, eyes blurry with tears. He ran and ran, barely noticing the cold until his legs gave out, and he collapsed beneath a tree. He shivered and tried to control his sobs. If he cried this easily, how could he ever hope to defeat his brother? The thought nearly made him burst into tears again, but he hardened his face, determined to be strong. He knew he should get out of the cold, but his legs were so sore, and he was so sleepy…
"…ello…hello…"
His eyes flew open as he realized he almost fell asleep in the snow. He looked up to find a blonde-haired boy about his age carrying a large fleece blanket awkwardly in his arms.
"Are you okay?" the boy asked with wide-eyed concern. "Are you cold? I have a blanket we can share," the boy offered.
He nodded slowly, noting the cold stiffness in his neck. The boy sat down quickly, as if his newfound acquaintance might change his mind otherwise. He carefully draped the blanket over the two of them.
"What's your name?" he asked when he was all settled.
"Uchiha Sasuke…" he answered tentatively, expecting the usual sad look, but the boy just smiled brightly.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet ya." He frowned and cocked his head slightly. "Have you been crying?"
He was about to deny it, but noticed the concern in the boy's eyes. "Yes," he replied, turning his head away.
"I used to cry a lot, too. But now I don't 'cuz Sensei takes care of me."
He looked up in surprise and slight curiosity. "Don't you have parents?"
A sad look crossed the boy's eyes before he replied, "No, I never had parents."
He hesitated for a moment. For the first time in his life, someone else knew exactly how he felt. "I don't have parents either," he said. "They were killed a year ago," he added darkly.
The blonde boy's eyes widened for a moment, and then he gasped. "Oh no, I'm late!" He almost ran away when he felt a sharp tug on his sleeve.
"Please don't go!" The boy stopped and gave him a confused look. "I-I need the warmth…" Another confused look and, then, a bright idea. The boy started to rip the blanket in half. "Wait! What are you doing?"
"I'm giving you some warmth! Here you go! Bye!" With that, the boy ran away, slowly disappearing into the distance.
"That's not the warmth I was talking about…" He stared after the boy for a few moments, wrapped the blanket around him, and started to walk home.
He looked thoughtfully at the piece of ratty cloth in his hand. Naruto, I'm coming home to your warmth. He tucked the cloth back into his shirt and set off once more, his energy renewed.
Aly: Well, I hope you had your toothbrushes for that one!
Naruto: -pulls an old piece of cloth out of his shirt- I remember that…
Aly: -glomps Naruto- Aww…you're so kawaii!
Sasuke: Get. Off. Him.
Aly: -let's go with a sly smile- So Sasuke, do you still have your piece?
Sasuke: Hn.
Naruto: Sasuke?
Sasuke: Look, dobe, it's right here. -pulls out his piece- Okay?
Naruto: -glomps Sasuke- Yay!
Sasuke: Hn. Come here dobe. -pulls him into a closet-
Aly: O.o Well, I gotta go guys. -grabs camera- See ya!