A/N: This is the beta'ed version. I am very thankful to 80X18 for taking the pains to beta it. You're a sweetheart 80X18! Anyway, continue reading. Would love know your views on this. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Saving Me

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a calm and almost amused voice halted Uchiha Sasuke's brooding contemplation as he stood dangerously close to a cliff he had originally planned to jump off.

Sasuke turned to glare at the source of interruption that disrupted his musings of his most crucial life and death moment. A man of roughly his own age smirked back at him with the brightest blue eyes Sasuke had ever seen. The intruder had a mop of untamed blond hair and extremely tanned skin. The man was leaning against the rocks with a lit cigarette clamped between even white teeth.

The Uchiha glared at him and said in an annoyed tone, "I don't recall asking you for your opinion about this activity that I'm going to indulge in. Honestly I couldn't give a rat's ass about a stranger like you. Speaking of which, since we are both strangers I'd rather you scoot off and leave me alone."

Upon hearing this the blond only smirked harder and as he dragged a puff of his cigarette he moved towards the raven.

"Honestly, I have better things to do besides trying to talk you out of suicide, which isn't only excruciatingly painful, but I'm afraid to say it's quite lame since there will be that 1 percent chance that you might not actually die but get stuck in between some rocks and loathe yourself and your sheer sense of stupidity for bringing this on yourself," he remarked in a calm and amused voice, whist peering down at the dangerous cliff below.

"Besides you really seem to think that you've lost everything don't you? I can in a way understand what you're going through, but in all honesty, just ask yourself is it the end?" the blond asked as he began to walk away.

Behind him, the Uchiha tried to absorb everything that had just transpired and quickly regaining his wits, he ran after the mysterious stranger. There was something he needed to clear up.

After catching up with him, he placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder and turned him around. "You spoke like you know my dilemma," Sasuke said, in a bored yet inquisitive manner as if trying to appease the other man. After all it wouldn't be a matter of surprise if this man knew about him since he was so famous.

"Of course I know about you. Why, you're Uchiha Sasuke, youngest son of the founder of Uchiha Corporation, the late Uchiha Fugaku. You're twenty-five years old and according to Variety, the last person you dated was the famous actress turned model, Haruno Sakura but it didn't last long," he said sympathetically and continued, "You have my apologies on that. Furthermore, coming to the point, the Uchiha Corporation's biggest rival to date is Hyuuga Group of Companies, which is owned by none other than the billionaire Hyuuga Hiashi. However, the reigns of the companies lies in the hands of your former batch mate, Hyuuga Neji and Hiashi's own daughter, Hyuuga Hinata."

Sasuke stood staring passively at the man neither encouraging nor discouraging the man to continue.

The blond continued anyway, "Coming back to the Uchiha topic, Uchiha Corporation's power and influence began to deteriorate exactly on the 17th of April, 2006 when the most influential member, the backbone or your elder brother Uchiha Itachi resigned from his post as Managing Director. Owing to his failing health, your father was in no condition to return back to the business and so the entire pressure fell upon his youngest son who was finishing his education in some fancy college," he said.

Sasuke digested his words as the man continued, "You were bound by your family obligations and took over the management of the business. But soon your lack of experience got to the Board Members namely Yakushi Kabuto, Orochimaru and some more that were waiting for a chance to profit from the organization. They compelled you into seeing in the wrong direction and make foolish decisions which ultimately lead to the Corporation's downfall.

Itachi tried to step in then and make amends but, apparently it was too late for the stumbling company to stand upright again. The roots had already been destroyed making Uchiha Corporation sink faster than the Titanic. You felt overburdened with guilt for the shame you brought upon your glorious empire and now you're compelled into doing what you are about to do. Am I right?" he asked, quirking an inquiring brow and taking a deep drag of his cigarette.

Sasuke vaguely tried to figure out why he was listening to this. The man was a fucking stranger for crying out loud! But then, he needed to know what was being said about him behind his back. He needed that fuel to foster his fire and make his will as strong as iron. Dying was the only solution he had.

As Sasuke turned around without another word he decided, yes death would be the right solution his peace and home to resort to.

Behind him, the quiet voice interjected. "You think death is the ultimate solution, don't you? You really think running away will change everything? Will you be able to find peace? Will you be able to look your father in the eye when you meet him in the afterlife? Have you ever considered going there and fighting than running away? Have you thought that if there was a possibility that you could bring back time would you change your past?"

Sasuke turned and replied in a chilly voice, "I don't dream about hypothetical situations that only exist in the figments of a writer's imagination. And anyway I don't understand why I'm even talking to you. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go."

Sasuke turned on his heel and began striding back the cliff when the tanned hand stopped him.

"What if I have the situation that isn't hypothetical? What if you can really go back? What if I could help you revive your company and help it reach the top?" he asked.

The raven smirked. "And what do you want in return? Fifty percent of the shares? The entire Uchiha Corporation under your name? Name the price you want in return for your little help."

The blond smiled and turned away. He spoke with a steel voice that reeked with contempt and hatred, "My destination is merely a milestone in the journey of your success. You seek power, fame, and the Uchiha glory back. I merely seek revenge. Destruction of the Hyuuga Group of Companies."

He turned with dead finality towards Sasuke. Sasuke looked completely shocked. "You didn't just say what I thought you did. Did you?"

"Yes, I did. Destroy Hyuuga. Run them out of competition. Kill them. That's my goal and for that I am willing to help you with everything I have," he replied and moved closer to Sasuke, so close that his breath was ghosting over Sasuke's ear, making goose bumps rise on his pale skin.

The man's voice was filled with such hate and contempt that Sasuke almost stumbled. Absentmindedly, Sasuke asked, "What is the catch?"

For a moment the blond looked confused. "Catch? What are you talking about?"

Sasuke took a deep breath before speaking. "For starters, I don't even know your name, who you are, what you do, or anything at all. And you jump out of the blue and ask me to help you destroy a company that is way out of my league and you're willing to help me? No thanks. If anything, I don't wish to let my sorry ass go to jail and humiliate myself more. Please just let me be. Thanks -'

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I am a Manager in the Sales Department of Hashirama Pharmaceuticals. I have no bad record, I'm a legal citizen and if you wish to know more about me you can ask later. But in all honesty, I'm the good guy. And I need you as much as you need me. So do we have a deal?"

Sasuke thought this over for a second.

He didn't really have anything left to lose now did he? Swiftly and very resolutely he took the hand that the other man offered and taking a deep breath Sasuke said, "I have to be the biggest fool in the world, but I believe you Uzumaki. So, when do we have to get started on this ordeal?"