Shadows within a Dream
By: Kisu
A/N: Yay! I hope you guys enjoy this! This is an intro to what will happen throughout the story..and I just screwed up with my AOL broadband..stupid AOL! stab stab
Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me..sadly…
Part 1.1: And How It Begins…
In the depths of the forest, it was strangely quiet. Not a cry from a bird or a rustle from the wind blowing through the leaves was heard. However, the sound of battle was fast approaching. Two figures raced through the trees in a blur. One had bright hair the color of the sun and the other had hair the color of the night. With no signs of tiring, they paused and darted back to their pursuers in a battle of life and death.
"Sasuke! Get down, you bastard!" The one with golden hair yelled.
"What? I can take him on, idiot!" The other one shot back with equal anger.
"You stupid bastard! I can't cover you if you're that far away!" Naruto yelled as he ducked the enemy's fist. His hands came together to do a quick seal. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" Six shadow clones appeared and fanned out to attack the enemies.
"Shit!" Sasuke swore as a shuriken embedded itself in his shoulder. He wrenched it free and leaped in the air to avoid a valley of shurikens.
"Sasuke! Behind you!" Naruto shouted from afar.
"What?" He spun around and gaped as the enemy ninja's needle attack shot straight toward him. A flash of yellow appeared before him and pushed him back.
A clone. Thanks, Naruto.
But in the next instance, that clone coughed up blood and didn't disappear like a clone should have done. A shadow clone couldn't be that realistic, could it?
"Naruto?" He stammered. "You weren't over there?"
"Sasuke, you damn bastard." The blonde boy laughed. "I was always next to you." He clenched his hand into a fist and slammed it into the face of the attacker. They quickly eliminated the rest of the enemies. When Sasuke took care of the last man, Naruto winced and clutched his chest.
"You all right?" Sasuke asked as he ran over to him.
"Yeah." Naruto replied.
"You're really stupid, risking yourself like that." Sasuke snapped.
"Hey old man. What is up with all the complaining after someone saved your ass?" Naruto beamed. "Hate to break it to ya, but I'm not going to die yet. That Hokage title is still waiting for me." Sasuke gave a small grin and slapped Naruto on the back, the other boy grunted in pain and Sasuke frowned. "Let's head back and report to that old hag." With a puff of smoke, Naruto disappeared. Sasuke frowned and followed Naruto's example, disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"That damn Sasuke." Naruto grinned. "He has become irritating as ever, thinks that he's my father or something."
"Naruto!" Sakura waved as she walked up to him. "Have you seen Sasuke-kun?"
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed. "Isn't that bastard behind me?" He turned around with enthusiasm and stopped in a grunt of pain.
"Naruto, are you all right?" Sakura asked, concerned. "How was the mission?"
"A piece of cake." Naruto smiled as he placed a hand over his stomach. "Killed a few men, took back what was requested, saved Sasuke's ass—the usual." Sakura smiled, softly.
"It's great having you back." She commented. "These few months have been quiet. We need you around to liven things up a little."
"Sakura-chan, don't worry about me." Naruto replied. "I like it best when you're happy."
"Eh?" Sakura stared as Naruto gave her a genuine smile. "Naruto…?"
"See you later, Sakura-chan!" He walked off, waving over his shoulder.
These past seven years, they had grown up so much. However, the three of them hardly had time to spend with each other, especially since they received numerous missions every day. Some of them took up months, such as the most recent one that Naruto had gone on. Sasuke and she had waited anxiously for him to come back. Days turned into weeks and then into months. When he came back, he was different. A shadow haunted his eyes again and he purposely distanced himself away from people.
Naruto had always put up a brave front, even if he was shaken on the inside. Death and killing never settled well with him. But sometimes, killing was a must. Especially since large sums of money came from clients who wanted assassinations. But Naruto, this boy soon to be a young man, was a unique person. She looked forward for the day when he became Hokage.
"Hey Godaime, you old hag." Naruto greeted the woman behind the desk. Tsunade continued to go over her papers.
"You're polite as ever, Naruto." She responded without giving him a glance.
"Give me a mission." He said.
"What? I just gave you and Sasuke one, a few hours ago." Tsunade frowned as she looked up.
"Oh yeah. We got the scroll back from those stupid guys." Naruto grinned. "So give me another mission, I need something to do."
"You just got back from a year's worth of a mission and you continue to ask for more missions. Why don't you relax for awhile and let me pick out a really good one for you." Tsunade suggested.
"I don't need rest, you old hag!" Naruto yelled. He was cut short as a sharp pain lanced through his systems. Clutching his abdomen, he fell onto a knee.
"Naruto!" Tsunade gasped as she got up and rushed toward him. She placed a hand on his back and sent a wave of healing power into his body.
"It hurts. The seal." Naruto gasped falling onto his hands.
"Don't worry, I'll go get some help!" Tsunade ran over to the doors and swung them open to meet the face of a startled Sasuke. "Sasuke, help me bring Naruto to the hospital!"
"Eh?" Sasuke rushed over to Naruto. "What's wrong?"
"Don't touch me." Naruto gasped as Sasuke reached out to him. "I'm fine."
"You clearly need some medical attention." Tsunade told him, firmly.
"I'm fine! It's been like this throughout my last mission." Naruto gasped. "Give me a few minutes."
"Naruto!" Tsunade frowned, her eyes wide with fear. "Sasuke, watch him. I'm going to get people to find Jiraya."
"Hai, Godaime-sama." Sasuke replied. He crouched next to Naruto and watch as he shook in pain. It looked like the pain he had gone through when Orochimaru had given him the cursed seal. "Hang in there, Dobe." He said. Outside, he looked calm and passive. Inside, he was torn in fright and panic.
"Sasuke." Naruto gasped. "Run."
"What?" Sasuke asked, staring at his sweat drenched face.
"The Kyuubi might slip from my control." Naruto groaned.
"Kyuubi? What are you talking about, Naruto?" Sasuke frowned.
"You don't know?" Naruto smiled, in amusement. "Funny."
"You're stupid. You must be delirious." Sasuke replied. "But then you're always stupid."
"Shut up. I'll tell you Sasuke." Naruto said. With effort, he pulled up his shirt and Sasuke gaped at the spiral that circled his belly button. "The seal of the Kyuubi."
"The Nine-Tails." Sasuke gaped, his hand reaching out to touch the spiral. It suddenly glowed red and Naruto grunted in pain. "Naruto!"
"I can't keep up with it anymore! Damn fox!" Naruto hissed. "I'll make sure that you don't escape! Even if it costs me my life!"
"NO!" Sasuke shouted and lunged forward to grab Naruto, but the boy had disappeared and he met the floor painfully. He got up quickly and ran out the door, almost colliding with Tsunade.
"Sasuke?" Tsunade asked, as she barely avoided him.
"Naruto told me about the seal!" Sasuke gasped. "He's going to try to kill himself to get rid of the Kyuubi!"
"I don't think that is even possible!" Tsunade gasped. "You must find him, Sasuke! We have to find him, quickly!"
"Hai!" Sasuke nodded, running down the staircase.
"Kuso Kyuubi!" Naruto whispered, as he held onto a tree. "Think you can escape that easily, huh?" He staggered through the forest and winced in pain. Slowly, Naruto moved his hand from his stomach to his chest. Blood was leaking through his shirt and his hand came off stained red. "Those damn needles were really something. I hope that bastard is happy." He took another step and fell to the ground as the seal burned his skin. With great effort, he pushed himself up into sitting position. He took out a kunai and turned it so the blade would be pointing to his heart.
A force within him kept trying to prevent the movement with his arm. Naruto bit down onto his lip and gave a merciless smile. "Guess I have no choice." He sighed. "So much for that Hokage dream." Putting all his strength into his arm, he drove the kunai down and heard the ripping of flesh. Blood splattered on his face and he closed his eyes in satisfaction.
"Oy, Dobe."
Naruto's eyes shot open and he glanced up at Sasuke's face. The Chuunin was looking down at him with a smirk and he quickly glanced back down at his chest. Sasuke had intercepted the kunai with his hand. The kunai had pierced through his palm. Naruto's eyes clouded over and he shook in shock.
"Why?" He asked. Sasuke pried his hands off the kunai and jerked it out of his palm. He held it in front of him and allowed the blood to drip onto the floor.
"Remember when we were Genin? You also swore upon your blood." Sasuke said as he crouched down next to him. "Since you're always by my side. I'll stand by yours. No matter what happens, I will protect you from the Kyuubi."
"Sasuke…" Naruto whispered, meeting his eyes.
"Killing yourself?" Sasuke scoffed as he stood up. "That's not like you, Dobe. I never thought you would give up so easily."
"Sasuke."
"What?"
"Sasuke…arigatou." Naruto whispered, his eyes shone brightly in the darkness. "Demo…gomen ne."
"Huh?" Sasuke finished tying a piece of cloth around his hand and turned his attention back to the blonde Chuunin. He stared at the red chakra that began swirling around him.
"It looks like I've lost." Naruto laughed. He stared up at Sasuke, his eyes shining with happiness. "Sasuke, if I don't turn back to myself. I want you to be the one to kill me." His eyes crinkled and a bright smile graced his face.
"Naruto." Sasuke stared.
"Daijobu." Naruto smiled. "Don't worry, I'll hold out for awhile longer before the Kyuubi completely takes over." He sighed. "There's no moon tonight. But the stars are beautiful, aren't they?" Sasuke smiled warmly and sat down next to him.
"Yeah." He replied. Naruto leaned his head against his shoulder and closed his eyes.
"You're the first person that has acknowledged me so openly, Sasuke." Naruto murmured. "Not just me as Uzumaki Naruto. You've acknowledged me as the Kyuubi."
"Naruto is Naruto. Having the Kyuubi sealed within you, doesn't make you any less of who you are." Sasuke told him.
"Same goes for you. Sasuke is Sasuke." Naruto said, tiredly. Sasuke continued to stare up at the night sky. That night, the two slept under the stars hidden away from all.
***
Sasuke shot awake, his eyes scanning his whereabouts. Slowly, last night came back at him and he stared in regret at his hand. He wasn't going to use it anytime soon. He turned his head and found the space that Naruto had occupied beside him was now empty. "Naruto?" Sasuke called. "Damn. The Godaime wanted to examine him." He got up and walked down a small path. Sure enough, Naruto was sitting next to a stream, his head in his hands. Water dripped down his neck and seeped into the collar of his shirt. Sasuke frowned and took a step forward. "Dobe."
"Don't come any closer." Naruto snapped. "Leave me alone."
"You don't know how much I want to do that." Sasuke responded, icily. "But the Godaime wanted to take a look at you. I don't know why she bothers." Naruto's fingers curled in his hair and his fists tightened. He was trembling all over. "Naruto? Let's go."
It was then he let out a hair-raising scream and fell on his hands. His fingers dug into the ground, cracking his fingernails. "Naruto!" Sasuke ran forward but Naruto knocked him back. Wisps of red chakra began swirling around him.
"Sasuke, please. Run." Naruto whispered. "If you don't. I might kill you."
"Dobe, I told you last night that I'll protect you." Sasuke growled.
"I don't want to kill you, Sasuke." Naruto shouted. "Too much blood has stained these hands! No more! No more!" He slammed his fist into the ground. "Sasuke! Leave now!"
"No!" Sasuke yelled, determination etched in his face.
"SASUKE!" Naruto screamed.
"No." Sasuke replied, quietly. Naruto groaned and the chakra became stronger. It lashed out at anything it could reach and Sasuke stood still, anxiety came over him when he felt its evil aura.
"Kill me before I reach the village." Naruto choked. He screamed again, grabbing onto his head.
"Naruto!" Sasuke ran forward and was instantly knocked back. Naruto stood up slowly and raised his head. His eyes were no longer blue, but were replaced by red slitted ones.
"It was quite a struggle." A deeper voice came from Naruto's mouth and Sasuke stood, trembling in fear. "The seal has not completely broken." Sasuke clenched his jaw and drew out his kunai. "Konoha is still standing? We'll have to change that." Sasuke stepped forward and raised his head in a leveled glare.
"You have to go through me first." He said, coolly.
"Oh? Who are you?" The Kyubi possessed Naruto asked.
"Uchiha Sasuke, Avenger." Sasuke smirked. "I'll bring back Naruto, whatever it takes!"
TBC ^_^