Author's Note:

Hey everyone. This isn't the story I thought I would write while working on the other, but this one spoke to me more lately so this is it. I hope that you all enjoy it. I enjoyed writing it. "Path to Memory and Recovery" notices are in the author's note at the bottom.

Important: Also be warned in case the summary wasn't enough this is SASUNARU romantic relationship. If you are not into that do not read the story unless you can look past that. It is rated T not for sexual content, but for mature content and the homosexual factor. I am just being safe. Itachi is also alive and a good guy here.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything pertaining to it besides the idea for this fan fic.

…On With The Story…

Sled Dog Dreams Chapter 1: Misgivings and Friends

The road was bare, the lighting dim. An icy wind swept through the sleeping town in the wee hours of the morning. All was quiet at that time. Even the sun was still hidden, but soon it would appear…

A highly alert snow hare grazed on some of the last grass that could be found without digging. The surrounding woodland was starting trying to come back, but winter was lasting longer. The snow falls more frequent and stays longer. The mushiness is becoming nothing, but a memory and the rivers freeze thicker.

The hare grew still for a moment, listening. When nothing seemed out of the ordinary it returned to its grazing. There was movement in the brush, but the hare did not stop grazing. The movement was so soft, so precise that being right next to the creature that made it did not make the movement anymore noticeable. The hare stilled again. It scaned the area ready to bolt. There was a flash of movement and the hare bolted. The chase was on. An orangish-yellow blur followed the white blur of the hare. The hare was close to it's whole and made it in just in time. The blur hit the mound and began whining and digging at the whole. The hare was gone.

The blur was an orange dog mixed with wolf and had yellow-ish markings from his nose, down his neck, chest, and stomach, and under his tail. His legs were also marked in yellow with them being all the way up the right legs and up to the hock of his hind legs. His paws were bigger than most and his head looked that of a wolf as well as his fur texture. His stunning blue eyes shone with his disappointment. He was hungry and hadn't eaten in almost a week. He shook off the snow that had collected in his fur also jostling the black and blue bandana around his neck before he turns and starts in a direction towards a town just through the trees. He would not venture into town during this time. People did not take well to his wolf heritage. This creature's name is Naruto. His father was a Rough Collie x Belgian Tervuren mongrel. His mother was a beautiful white wolf. However, both his parents are gone now. It was his mother first after falling through ice and second his siblings died off without their mother. Then, his father died after taking him to the town with the last of his strength from his injured dying body. He was a champion lead dog, but trying to live in the wild with his mate proved fatal in the harsh cold with the scarcity of food and competition from his mate's wolf pack that was not fond of him.

Naruto wondered the outskirts of the city, headed to the one place where anyone accepted him. He was headed to old Saratobi's place. Saratobi lived just outside of town. He owned many dogs. Most of his dogs were trained sled dogs and some were strays that took up residence there. Some had other owners, but stayed at Saratobi's for the space and company. Old Man Saratobi is a kind man and his grandson, Konohamaru is a fine young man. Konohamaru plans to follow in his old man's footsteps and become a great sled dog race champion.

Naruto trotted along the outskirts of town as planned and so far so good.

"Hey half breed!" A shout came from his left. Well, it was going good. He continued on ignoring the voice. "Aw, you've hurt my feelings. Why won't you talk to me?" The voice now had a form. It was the town champion dog of last year's biggest race. He was a pure bred husky with a white coat, a handsome brute the people call him. Unfortunately he was just that, a brute. His name was Jake and he was meaner than a starving pack of wolves.

"Don't you have anything better to do, maybe go look at yourself in a mirror?" Naruto shot back, the laughter in his voice is very obvious.

"You think you're funny huh?" Jake growled and proceeded to scruff Narutor hard with his jaws and tossed him a few feet away. Naruto skided, but was back on his feet quick. He instinctively got in a fighting stance teeth bared while a few drops of blood hit the snow. Jake is a little taken aback at being threatened by Naruto. Naruto usually retreats. Jake relaxed when Naruto drops his aggressive stance for that of a defeated one as he turned to leave. "That's it half breed, run away. You are nothing, but a coward!" Jake yelled after Naruto. Naruto just continued his trek as if nothing had happened. It was a common thing for Naruto to get picked on in some way, shape or form and in fact it is almost a daily occurrence. Naruto was used to it.

"Jake, where are you? A voice called in the distance.

"Consider yourself lucky half breed!" Jake yelled as he ran towards his father's voice. Naruto continued walking.

His trek was coming to an end. The old house was in sight and some dogs were already in the yard. Naruto could see Shikamaru, a lazy Bernese Mountain Dog and Bull Mastiff cross sluggishly dragging his paws as he moved towards the porch. Naruto chuckled as he watched the yard come alive with its occupants and soon there would be visitors such as himself.

Slowly he made his way down to the yard. His wound was still bleeding, but it still went unnoticed by the half wolf stray as blood began to make a trail down his neck. Before he reached the bottom a shaggy looking brown mongrel came bounding towards him. It was a Border Collie and Boizoi mix by the name of Kiba with a brown and white coat. He was followed by a larger white dog of unknown heritage named Akumaru. Kiba was glad to see Naruto. He had been gone for a few days. Others in the yard noticed the blonde coming as well, but some favored staying where they were. He would get there soon enough. However, like Kiba, Lee, a greenish-grey greenish Chow Chow x Weimaraner, was extremely excited to see his friend and bounded towards him as well. Lee passed up Kiba and skidded past Naruto trying to stop. He bounced back quickly and still beat Kiba to Naruto. The three playfully scuffled for a bit until Naruto yelped making Kiba release him and stare trying to find out what happened.

"I didn't bite you that hard. You turning into a whimp on me wolf boy?" Kiba teased although he truly was analyzing his friend. That got a spark in Naruto's eye.

"Shut it Kiba! I could take you any day!" Naruto retaliated. Meanwhile Lee was quietly standing in the background staring at Naruto's slightly bloodied neck. He wondered what the blonde got into as they made their way to the yard with the other two bickering the whole way. It only took a bit of sniffing for something to recognize Jake's sent. He finally decided to voice his concern.

"Naruto," Lee started gaining the stray's attention, "you ran into Jake again didn't you?" Lee watched as Naruto stopped in his track and looked down. Naruto felt weak in that moment remembering how the people and dogs treat him in the town. His shame only lasted a bit before his head was back up with a dog smile on his face.

"Ha, yeah and I sent him running with his tail between his legs!" Naruto boasted while laughing. Lee smiled as he thought, "He never lets it get him down." Naruto laughed and continued his banter with Kiba who changed the subject. They made it into the yard and other dogs came up to them. The first to get there was Sakura, an Ibizan Hound x Saint Bernard mix with a pinkish red brown coat coupled with small white markings in various places. Her eyes were a lime green. She noticed the blood immediately and her happy demeanor became dark quickly. Lee and Kiba jumped away and Naruto leaned back onto his haunches bracing himself for what was about to come.

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled. "Why can't you stay out of fights?" She said as she batted him with her paw. She went on about stupid fights and being more careful. When her speech and beating was over she preceded to start cleaning the bite wound. The others deemed it safe and decided to greet the wolfish dog. Hinata, a pureblooded Akita with brown, grey, and white, came up to Naruto and stuttered a quiet hello. She was followed by Neji-an Akita x Saluki cross of the same colors in different patterns on his sides and head-her cousin who gave a respective nod. They actually belonged to a respected family who did not race, but trusted Sarutobi with their dogs and they seemed to like wandering over there anyway. Some dogs still lay off to the side only deciding to move if they heard the breakfast bell. Some waited to eat while other's waited to go home to eat only to return later when their mastered did not need or want them for anything. Shikamaru, a Bernese Mountain Dog x Bull Mastiff mix, were considering not even moving then.

"Thanks Sakura-chan," said Naruto in a sincere quiet voice. Sakura just kept cleaning the wound. "Hey where's Sasuke?" Naruto asked becoming lively again after a bit of care from Sakura. Sakura stopped cleaning deeming the wound clean enough.

"Sasuke is in the barn with Itachi. Sasuke and Itachi have been a bit off lately. We do not know exactly what is up though. Just so you know." Sakura informed him as she sat down in front of him. Naruto gazed off towards the barn in thought.

"Hey Teme! Itachi!" Naruto yelled as he suddenly sprung up and towards the barn. He started a few of the dogs around him, but they just shook their heads at the wolf dogs antics. Naruto raced towards the slightly ajar door only to almost run right into a pure black Siberian Husky with a blue sheen to his coat and red eyes, Itachi. He skidded to a stop and fell back onto his back. "Oh, there you guys are," Naruto said as he rolled onto his stomach and rose to his paws.

"Dobe, why are you making all that racket?" Sasuke, another pure black husky with black eyes and Itachi's little brother, droned in his usual monotone morning voice. He was so closed off on a regular basis, but he was impossible in the morning before breakfast. He could sometimes be a little playful in his own way such as now, teasing Naruto.

"Stop calling me dobe!" Naruto yelled getting all in Sasuke's face. Itachi chuckled despite himself. Contrary to what others thought Itachi was a bit more layed back then Sasuke. He also had a habbit of worrying for Sasuke. He knew Sasuke could take care of himself, but he is Sasuke's older brother so it is only natural. Even now he was worried, but he would do something about. He was just discussing things with Sasuke.

"Naruto, it looks like you ran into that hoodlum again. We could hear Sakura yelling at you." Itachi said walking putting his paw on Naruto's head. Naruto shook the paw off and huffed.

"It's not my fault the idiots got a stick up his a** bigger than Sasuke's!" Naruto defended himself. Sasuke glared at him for comparing him to that cowardly brat. Naruto just met his glare with a smirk.

"I cannot tell if you are mad about me talking about that stick up you're a** or about being beaten by Jake" Naruto said followed immediately by dodging a swing of Sasuke's paw. Naruto smirked as did Sasuke.

"So Naruto, it has been a few days longer than usual." Itachi said changing the subject.

"Yes, I have been hunting and I wondered a little far trying to find food, but came up empty. Luckily I happened by a rabbit on my way here this morning. I will be glad when the winter ends especially since it doesn't seem to want to end this year. I'm losing weight here." Naruto said as he sighed with a bit of a whine to it. He would not tell them that the rabbit got away. The two dogs said nothing in their quiet agreement. Naruto was homeless and he had problems being around in town so he was forced to utilize his instincts and hunt most of the time. "Anyway how is training going? The big race is coming up soon right?" Sasuke and Itachi nodded.

"I think I have almost finished teaching Sasuke enough to win if my otouto does not screw up." Itachi said with a smirk

"You swear you are so high and mighty while I am nothing. You are not the only one with skills." Sasuke calmly responded to his smug brother. Naruto knew now why the brothers have been acing strange as others put it. They were just worried. Last year during the last stretch of the big race, The Alaskan Shinobi Challenge, the team was crossing a lake, but the ice was thinner than usual and the first half of the team fell through. Itachi had broken a rib and his left front leg. The ice was slippery and Sarutobi had a hard time getting the dogs up. Itachi was saved along with another dog and his mother who promptly died from hypothermia before she could be warmed enough. Their father had tried his best to keep Itachi a float who was the third one out. Their father became too cold and drowned before he could be saved. Itachi hung on. He was always a fighter and he could not leave his younger brother alone. Sarutobi did not make it to the finish line that year and neither did Sasuke and Itachi's parents the great Mikoto and Fugaku. They were champions. Since then, Itachi had healed. He could walk and run, but he would never race again. His leg can't take it. Now it was Sasuke's turn to be a legend. He has run in races throughout the year with a multitude of combination with the dogs laying around outside. Since it was discovered he would also co-lead with Neji in that year's Challenge he was determined, but worried. So Itachi did extra coaching and reassuring. He knew Sasuke was ready, but he needed Sasuke to feel so. Naruto had found out and helped out a bit at times. If they were acting off it had to do with the Challenge being right around the corner, about one week to be exact.

"That's great! You better win Teme!" Naruto said. Sasuke knew it was his way of giving Sasuke something to beat. Sasuke and Naruto competed a lot. It was no secret that Naruto wanted to be on a sled team, but no one trusted him and Sarutobi has not made a move to train him for it. Sarutobi was a nice old man who treated Naruto with kindness, but he may not even realize Naruto wants to be on the team. He may think Naruto just finds it entertaining to copy the sled dogs while training.

"As if we won't usurutonkachi" replied Sasuke as he smirked meeting Naruto's serious blue eyes. Naruto stared hard for a few more seconds and then his stare softened. Sasuke dropped the degree of his smirk. Itachi stood off to the side and watched the small exchange. Naruto never ceases to amaze him. He could boost Sasuke's confidence level with minimal effort. It was sometimes hard for Itachi because felt that he himself also intimidated Sasuke due to Sasuke's high regard of him. Of course that could be just him being paranoid. He smirked at the thought, but not too long. Naruto all of a sudden attempted to cuff Sasuke on the nose and Sasuke almost let it happen. Naruto snorted and told Sasuke he was getting better. Naruto was older then Sasuke by a few months. "You should get better. I have avoided all of your attempts recently." Sasuke mocked. Naruto jumped him and they play scuffed for a bit until a familiar tone was heard. The breakfast bell was loud and clear even in the barn. They could here the dogs outside running and barking in excitement. The older dogs ate from bowls and the younger dogs ate from two troughs. The two Uchihas walked out and Naruto followed them out of the barn. He stopped however, when e got half way there and picked up a toy and began to play with it. The Uchihas kept walking thinking Naruto had eaten already. He never ate with them anyway. This time Naruto just didn't want to get closer to food as he was desperately hungry. Naruto grew bored of the toy soon and decided he wanted to try to get a meal again while he visited Kyuubi.

"I'll be back later! I am going to visit Kyuubi!" Naruto called o the dogs. Most were too preoccupied with eaing to really notice, but most heard him. Sarutobi watched to joyful wolf dog and smiled. He always did like the little rascal.

Naruto trotted off expecting to spend the morning with Kyuubi and then head back to Sarutobi's place. Even though he was hungry, they prospect of seeing his friend put an extra bounce in his step making him temporarily forget his hunger.

Author's Note:

Yay. I finised a chapter. I have a story I have not updated since last August. If you guys want to keep me on my toes please review. It will encourage me to update sooner as I feel like you guys actually care to continue soon. I would greatly appreciate it. This is to be a multi-chapter story so stay tuned. I hope to have the next chapter out within three weeks. I am a college student and I get busy and everyone knows you are not always in the mood to write at all or well when stressed, but I will try to update regularly. I may update before then.

If you keep reading this author's note many of my current readers will get helpful information about another story of mine, "Path To Memory and Recovery"

Notices:

Path To Memory and Recovery Notices:

I am so sorry. I am definitely putting the story on hold to brainstorm and write some more. So this is sort of a gift from me until I can sort that out. I will also decide if I should start over or not. Maybe rearrange some stuff, but most likely not. I may ask for reviews becaue it will make me work on it more because I feel bad for making you all wait too long when I got complements or helpful suggestions or corrections. So it may have one more chapter before I put it on hold in order to warn others who haven't read this story and put the other on alert.

Please: Read and Review

Until Next Time!

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