Sasuke: This is our Naruto RP that we've been working on for the past few months. We both consider ourselves to be fairly decent writers so we've made sure to include a lot of details so you guys can enjoy the story. It takes place right before Itachi and I fight Kabuto and we've altered a couple things to make it flow more in the beginning, such as Naruto being in Konoha to start with. I start out with Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and Naruto is able to go into Tailed Beast Mode. We hope you enjoy (mainly because we have about 200 pages that we can't wait to share!)


'You know, there are times even now when I look back and wonder what I had done wrong, if I could have changed anything. I guess it was some kind of desperate attempt to figure out what brought me to this point. Not the point now where I am alone in this park, swinging on this swing, watching the lights from the windows of all the buildings slowly turning off one by one. But what exactly did I do different than the others. Their paths are set straight, and surely mine had been set the moment I decided to be a Hokage. Yet still, I'm not, and everyone else has their dreams completed, their goals seen out. Maybe its about time I start looking for a new path?'

This was not normal for Naruto to be seen out after dark, alone, friendless, contemplating the usual things that would normally keep a sane person awake at night. But he was there, slowly kicking his feet into the sand, letting the motion of the chains bring him back and forth across the ditch. He remembered being a child, watching children play on this swing set from afar, dreaming that he too would one day possess a friend who would help him reach the top of the bar. No such luck sadly, his friends had their own lives, their own families, and when the missions were complete they would go home and live out those lives. The only person in this whole world who understood how he felt… left, along with part of Naruto that he could never take back. Why? Because Sasuke Uchiha had been his first of many bonds he created since starting his personal quest, but Sasuke was also the only one who was alone and in the end did something with himself. He left to gain power, to become someone great! Sure Naruto was great in his own way but he still had to look up to others, he still had to hold his tongue, and he was still kept in the shadows. In a way he envied Sasuke for the bravery he possess… though he would take that to his grave.

The night air still clung to the afternoon rain shower making the air moist, hot even. The sand wasn't fluffy as usual, it was dark, and the foot prints… his foot prints were still as visible in them as the moment he walked across the park. Naruto knew these thoughts were a burden on his mind, and he really didn't need to be reminded of it every time the sun went down, but it was difficult when he knew somewhere, out there, someone might be thinking exactly the same about himself. The wind picked up, causing locks of his golden spiky hair to brush back and forth over his forehead; and just as the wind picked up, the moon, once so bright in the sky was covered by a dark cloud.


Left…right…left…right… Every step he took echoed in his heart, hollow and empty except for the thought of revenge. The dark clouds gathering above seemed to reflect his mood, the light from the moon covered in shadow. He could faintly hear the talking coming from behind him as his ever loyal companions followed close behind, Suigetsu and Karin bickering yet again while Juugo remained silent and stoic. He ignored them, instead focusing on what he had to do, the reason he was heading for Konoha in the first place.

Itachi…it always seemed to come back to him. His entire life had been defined by his brother and now, even in death, the elder Uchiha held a grip over him. He couldn't get the words out of his head, the words the masked man, Madara, had spoken to him in that dark, damp cave. Itachi, murderer of the Uchiha clan had been innocent…well not entirely. Yes, his brother had slaughtered every member of their clan but had only done so on orders from the council in Konoha. The Uchiha had been planning a coup, something he could now understand why. The village he had thought he would protect has seen his family as nothing but a stain on their perfection.

That was fine by him. He was tired of his clan being tainted by Konoha. His brother had given everything for the village, only to be treated as a criminal and an outcast. No one would remember his sacrifice, they would only celebrate his defeat. Sasuke would force them to remember. He would carve the name of his brother in every man, woman and child in that cursed place he had once called a home. 'To Itachi, your life was more important than the village.' As it is with me, Sasuke thought, seeing the gates of the village approaching. Itachi was far more important than this place of ignorance.

Now armed with his brother's eyes, he would bring ruin to the place he would never again call home.

He stopped before the gates, keeping his distance in the trees and heard the others stop behind him. "I'm going in alone," he said, pulling up the hood of the black cloak up.

He saw Karin take a step forward out of the corner of his eye. "But Sasuke-kun-"

"Alone," he snapped back at her, Sharingan blazing to life more in response to his emotions than a conscious will. He curbed it before it could morph and do real damage to the girl. Despite being an annoyance, she was useful, for now. "Do what you want but don't follow me." He didn't give them a chance to say another word before taking off.

It was dark in Konoha, lights beginning to turn off as people went to sleep. It was an excellent time to strike but he knew better. He was born and raised in this village, despite the taint it brought to his mind. He knew the guards were doubled and maybe even tripled with everything that had been happening. It was an easy matter to find the weak spot in their patrols, allowing the single guard to catch his eye for a moment, long enough to fall into a Genjutsu.

He let the man fall safely, knowing a death would cause a panic. He wanted this to be a surprise to Konoha, especially the Elders.. The ones who had given Itachi his instructions in the first place. He would savor the looks of panic and fear before plunging his Kusanagi blade into the their chests, frying every cell in their bodies with his Chidori.

He landed on the other side of the wall, keeping his head down and eyes their normal onyx. On the off chance anyone was about, they weren't likely to recognize him and with his chakra concealed, even the sensory types wouldn't be able to locate him unless they were looking very specifically for his signature. He set off down the street, intending to kill some time before the shift change would happen. He didn't want to admit it to himself but he was nostalgic, this being the first time he laid eyes on Konoha in three years.

He found himself walking past the Academy, memories coming up that he pushed down with determination. They were all lies, this happiness, his 'friends'. They were just as guilty as the rest of the village. His thoughts were broken as he saw a figure sitting on a swing in the distance and was thrown back to the past. How many times had he seen the same person sitting there, alone again while others went home, laughing with their families?

He kept his distance, knowing that if anyone were to recognize him, it would be the blond sitting only feet away. However, he couldn't bring himself to move away, staring at Naruto's back like he had done so many times. Half of him wanted to reach out to him, assure him that he wasn't alone, despite what the villagers said. The other half, the winning half, assured him that Naruto was an enemy, just like the rest. Instead of running away, he simply stood there, hesitating in his decision to speak up or to run away.


Naruto bowed his head, slowly letting his cheek rest against his fist that continued to clutch the chain on the swing. Sky blue eyes slowly closed before opening again, almost as if all his thoughts had been silenced, his determination was gone and for that very moment Naruto looked tired. This moment would have lasted, he would have continued to sit on that swing until day break, and by that point he would be able to go back to his friends and live the life he imagined himself to have. But something new interrupted, it caused him to jerk up in surprise then look down at his pocket.

"What the…" A whisper of words were paused when his questioning stare was answered when his hand reached into his side pocket and retrieved a small rectangular device. For a moment Naruto stared at the object, that still unpredictable object, before it burst to life once again, vibrating and ringing at full volume. A cry erupted from Naruto's lips as he lost grip on the shiny red case. "Dammit!" A curse followed as he leaned down and grabbed it up again. This stupid thing, which had been a gift from Sakura, had been his worst companion to date. At least Sai understood when to go home, but this thing wouldn't stop ringing and buzzing at all hours of the night. A 'cell phone' they called it, more like a demon object from hell! Naruto flipped open the phone and the bright screen caused him to wince and squint his eyes at the text. "Sakura?"

It was a message from his pink haired friend! 'Naruto!' It read, 'my family wanted to invite you over, are you busy?' An invitation? Naruto leaped to his feet in glee. An invitation from Sakura!? Oh what a night this had become! Naruto had such high hopes, he had so many plans running through his mind about how he would woo the girl of his dreams that when he turned around and began to walk, his face pressed close to the phone as he attempted to message back to her, he never noticed the shadowy figure standing ahead of him until the persons shadow merged with his own.

Blue eyes glanced up, first expecting to see a village guard, but when his vision focused on the person before him he stopped, slowly letting the phone fall from his face to his side. There was something in the air, a tension that was unwelcoming, threatening even. It made Naruto's happy feelings disappear, and now, Naruto was on edge.

"Hello?" Oh yes, Naruto! Perfect thing to ask the creepy man standing in front of you, of course the stranger could see you, he was standing there all along probably! But the light was behind the figure, and the cloak was making it impossible to see who was under the hood. Naruto just stood, neither in defense or completely unguarded as he waited for the answer.


Sasuke couldn't help but feel some small spark of amusement as Naruto fiddled with the device. It seemed even time hasn't changed some of the blond's personality and habits. He almost felt relieved but the thoughts were pushed away with annoyance. Even now, despite his commitment, the idiot managed to sneak his way into his thoughts. He watched Naruto stand but made no movement in response, the blond walking closer to him. Surely Naruto recognized him, surely he knew who it was standing in front of him. The one he had trained three years for, the one he had chased down with such determination, the one he cried for.

As it turned out, the blond didn't in the slightest. The single word was enough to make Sasuke smirk to himself, knowing nothing had changed. They were standing so close but once again, he had the dark on his side, concealing his features. He recalled what Madara had said earlier, about the tailed beasts and how Akatsuki wanted them. The younger Uchiha had agreed to go after the Eight Tails but Madara would be sending Pain after Naruto. He had a brief image of Naruto, floating in front of the statue as the Kyuubi was ripped out of him, leaving a lifeless shell. He could barely imagine Naruto, of all people, being lifeless.

He took a step back, forcing his body to relax. There was no use in starting a fight here, in Konoha. Despite his new power, he would be caught without even making it to the first room in Hokage tower. However, some part of him, some insignificant and clearly moronic part had to say something. "Naruto." That was all he got out before realizing his mistake. He obeyed the first thought in his mind and turned away from the blond, walking down the path.


"Naruto." The figure in front of him said in response, and the blonde was hardly expecting it, that and the fact that once the name was stated, the figure turned and began to walk away. A strange and confused expression lingered on Naruto's face as he watched the strange and… creepy figure retreat. Was this the part Naruto was supposed to understand what to do and follow the person? Was he trying to show him something? But that voice, it was bugging him… like a ghostly reminder of somebody he had lost long ago. No… it can't be… Naruto's eyes narrowed in determination, and he knelt down, before pushing up and leaping high into the nights sky. With grace and skill he hadn't always possessed, Naruto landed a good few meters away from the figure, but the only difference was, they were facing each other again. "You said my name, who are you and why are you leaving all of a sudden."

Always so determined, Sasuke thought to himself, eyes narrowing beneath his hood. He hadn't wanted to fight but it seemed like the blond was giving him no choice. He reached for his Kusanagi's hilt beneath his robe, keeping a hand on it as he watched Naruto. His mind easily understood the situation, the main point being that the blond was always slower than he was, even now. While Naruto was the hard hitter, he was the snake, the one who sped through enemy lines, cutting the head off the wolf. He flashed behind the blond, his blade out and at his throat, although he held back his lightning, knowing it would make noise. "Don't follow me," he snapped before sheathing the blade in a flash, like he had done hundreds of times, and setting off once more. He gave a small smirk to himself, knowing exactly what Naruto would do. Maybe he wanted his so called friend to chase him since, at this point, threats would only serve to encourage him.


The figure wasn't listening, and it was starting to annoy the blonde. But the figure hadn't even said anything before he disappeared. The movement couldn't have been timed by a blink, not even a heart beat, because one second the man was in front of him, then next he was behind. Naruto felt the cool familiar metal edge press against his bare neck, one swallow and he'd threaten it to draw blood. But Naruto was still, knowing that whoever this was, he could have killed him right there… yet he didn't. Instead Naruto felt the hot breath from his captor as he finally spoke.

"Don't follow me." Yet again it gave Naruto no answers, and what peeved him completely was this stranger was almost toying with him! The blade was gone as quickly as it had come and Naruto no longer felt the presence of the man behind him. The blonde turned his head slowly, looking over his shoulder, watching the stranger walk away… out of disrespect, out of pride, the man never revealed who he was even after showing he knew Naruto. The boys jaw clenched and fists tightened. Suddenly Naruto turned on his heel and with a burst of speed he flew at his target. A kunai was ripped from its pouch, spun around once on his finger before his hand closed around it. He knew this rash behavior would probably get his ass beaten, but he was now determined to at least find out who this person was.


Sasuke spun, reacting immediately, three years of intense training and a lifetime of shinobi skills that had been drilled into him guiding his steps. Sharingan flared to life, a constant companion in every battle that he had faced as he caught Naruto's wrist, smoothly deflecting the attack. His hood slipped back, only slightly but enough to reveal ebony bangs tinged by blue and bright red eyes, the colour of blood, swirling in their depths. "What did I just say, idiot?" He was letting his emotions get the best of him, something that seemed to happen far too often when it came to Naruto. The blond seemed to have this ability to bring out of the best and the worst in him. Without even saying a word, Naruto had brought a flood of emotions, some that were definitely negative flowing back to him, the most dominant of which was annoyance. Why didn't he ever listen to anyone? It was like dealing with a child sometimes.

"Ah!" Naruto small shout was only caused due to his footing and motion being completely thrown off. He nearly tripped over himself as his wrist was caught by the skilled stranger and forced away from its target. Naruto looked up, fully expecting to see a fist come at his face, but instead he wasn't being countered, instead he was staring up into the face of Sasuke Uchiha. Naruto had stilled, his mind blanked, and he did not seem to want to move from this position, Sasuke could have easily pushed him over like a rock if he wanted to by this point. Blue eyes just stared into brilliant crimson and the boys name fell on the tip of his tongue. Suddenly his mind came back into full gear, it worked, desperately trying to figure out why he was looking into the face of Sasuke. Why, after so many years of chasing, Sasuke had come to him. There were so many questions, ones that he knew Sasuke would never willingly answer. But what the Uchiha said struck him and that was now on top of his list. What did he mean?

"Sasuke…" He breathed out, finally finding his voice. The tightening in his chest was familiar, something he was used to every time he came across his best friend. Tears were threatening to escape, so many emotions were working through him that finally his body reacted and he slowly fell to his knees in front of the Uchiha. "Why?" He whispered, looking up with a helpless expression. "… why can I never follow?" It wasn't what he had planned to say, but with so many emotions, so many thoughts, it came down to the fact that Sasuke was becoming this torturing figure in his life. Constantly coming back in right when Naruto thought he could live without him.


Sasuke let go of his wrist, watching the blond fall before him. Tears again…it was always tears when it came to Naruto, nothing but sadness and desperation. It was something he was becoming used to seeing, that brief glint of determination followed by grief. "You can't understand me," he said, looking down at him, eyes still the same filled with a hatred that the blond would never be able to comprehend. Naruto was too good, too bright to know the depths of his darkness. "Why do you chase me, Naruto?" He demanded, the question being one that burned in his mind whenever he saw his former teammate. Why, even after all these years did he come back? Didn't he see what Sasuke was? There was no bond, no piece of it that he hadn't shredded with steel and lightning.


By this point Naruto had bowed his head, shutting his eyes, and doing a terrible job at hiding the tears that now fell onto the pavement before him. Why couldn't he understand him? It wasn't as if he didn't try to! At some point he thought he understood Sasuke, but then Sasuke did something that Naruto never saw coming… he pushed everything away, every person who he had grown close to, even Naruto himself. So Naruto knew he couldn't understand Sasuke, but Sasuke was also never giving him a chance to try. "Why do I chase you?" He said in a slow voice before slowly raising his head again. "I thought you'd see this by now, Sasuke… look who is the slow one."

Naruto slowly stood, one hand on knee as he got up, his arms swaying slightly as he regained his composure. "I want you back here, I want you back in this life! What you are doing out there will get you killed! And what? You have new friends? But would they ever compare to what we used to have?" He gave a long pause before continuing. "You were one of my first bonds, Sasuke! And I cannot give up on that, and I never will! You may have thrown me away, spared my life, but just know that as long as I walk this earth I was always try to find you again."


Sasuke knew, deep down, that Naruto would never give up. It was his ninja way or whatever he used to shout in the middle of their battles. He also knew that Naruto would never approve, never accept what he had done, what he was about to do and some part of him wanted to see that reaction. His eyes narrowed only slightly, taking in the blond's face before speaking. "You want me to be apart of your life again? You know nothing…you're as ignorant as this village you belong to," he snapped, the words containing a venom he knew would be heard. "You talk about this bond we had but I've destroyed it." He gave a small chuckle, the sound dark and ringing with madness. "I'm not here for you, Naruto. I'm here for your precious elders. The ones who ruined my brother's life." Too much, a voice in the back of his mind said. You're telling him too much. He doesn't need to know. "I'd spend more time training and less time worrying about our pretend friendship. The Akatsuki are on their way here for you." It didn't really matter if he knew that, he told himself. Madara was planning to send Pain here and from the few stories he heard about the man, he knew it would only be a matter of time before they dragged Naruto, bloodied and beaten to the statue to have his beast extracted.


Naruto was now trembling with anger, Sasuke's words were full of such hate and madness he could see his sanity slipping away. It was only a matter of time before what Sasuke said would come true and who would morn? The Uchiha wouldn't…. but he would see, he would have to come to understand that what feelings Naruto held for the other would not be broken just by hateful words. "I doubt it… I doubt every word you say! I know you, Sasuke, better than anyone! I just wish you saw it, no…" He closed his eyes, willing himself not to say too much. "I wish you would just see what you could truly have here!"

Naruto had done it… well, he had done something, because the moment his words slipped from his mouth the wind picked up again. It wasn't just an average wind gust either, it blew so hard that it felt like a giant fan had been placed beside the two. Naruto shielded himself, bracing his weight on his slightly bent legs as he looked over questioningly at Sasuke. "What are you doing!?" He shouted, having not been aware Sasuke could conjure up this element. It wasn't him, that's for sure! But the wind continued, the trees swayed violently and suddenly, as if an invisible hand smacked against the blonde, Naruto flew forward, toppling into the Uchiha. "SASUKE!" He shouted, as the wind storm seemed to turn into a tornado around them, there was an invisible weight, not allowing either to move until finally the ground under them opened up and with a scream, Naruto and Sasuke fell right through.