Disclaimer – I do not own and never will.

See chapter 1 for warning content.

This chapter is for foxxxy for adding my story to their Favorites! Thanks!

Chapter 2

Conversations and Plans

His heart ached … throbbed … He didn't know Sasuke all that well. Didn't know what had happened to make him the way he was but knew he had a better understanding; if only a little.

Naruto had been shocked beyond belief to hear that Sasuke's brother was the one to kill off his family and clan members. He had a hard time accepting that a relative would do something so … so horrible. He understood that there were people out there with low morals but killing one's own family? It was a crime!

Though it did make sense that Sasuke's brother was responsible, seeing as he was not in the Village anymore and of the way Sasuke spoke of him that one time.

What Naruto wouldn't give to have known his own parents … and even though they were dead at least it hadn't been someone close to them who had been responsible. At least he thought so … He'd like to think so. He didn't even know who his parents were or if he had any siblings. But it wasn't like he hadn't ever asked the old man. He'd never really gotten a straight answer … just that they had died protecting the Village.

And when he'd been younger, that was enough.

But Sasuke knew … Knew his parents. His family … and they were killed by someone he loved, someone he looked up to …

It … it hurt … Just by knowing, imagining. To Sasuke it had to be … it no doubt was a lot worse.

And that hurt would never get better … it would always ache. Just as it ached for him that he didn't have a family. But if Sasuke talked about it, he would feel better. Talking helped and it may not solve anything but it would bring some of the hurt down.

Of course Naruto got that it also wouldn't get better so long as the person responsible was still alive. Sasuke's brother was out there … the one would killed off his family and just by knowing that, the hurt would throb all the more. It most likely did otherwise Sasuke wouldn't be so bent on killing the guy.

He wasn't so sure revenge was the answer … If he were in Sasuke's shoes … if he had lost what Sasuke had … would he be able to just let that go? Or would he want … need to take revenge?

Naruto was sure it wouldn't make him feel better. It certainly wouldn't bring back those who were killed. But he didn't know … for sure what he'd choose.

If Sasuke wanted it … wanted revenge … then as Sasuke's friend/rival (even if Sasuke didn't acknowledge that) Naruto would help in any way he could. Within reason.

And maybe down the road Sasuke will realize that revenge wasn't the answer. As he was sure it wasn't. But until then he'd try and understand. Try to be there for the prick even if said prick didn't want him to be there.

Naruto clenched his fists as he stared. Sasuke could push all he wanted … it won't stop him.

Sighing rather stiffly, Naruto's eyes narrowed.

He felt like crying as Sasuke's words repeated, making the ache in his heart increase. But at least it wasn't as bad as the initial hit of Sasuke's words.

He didn't know how long he stood there, staring at the spot the black haired Uchiha had been. But it must have been a while as he heard his name being called.

Turning ever so slightly, only managing a small cheery smile he faced the approaching person.

"Yes Sakura?"

"Naruto have you seen Sasuke? He isn't at his place." A soft female voice asked.

A sharp pang shot through Naruto's heart, unsure why but ideally thinking it had to do with what he'd learned, he ignored the odd sensation.

"No Sakura. I don't know where he is."

Sakura's face fell, she had hoped to get a chance to talk to him and ask him out.

"Oh well if you do see him tell him that Kakashi Sensei is looking for him. He said he'd be at the Academy for a while."

"Sure." Naruto muttered.

Sakura sighed, huffing before turning away and headed away.

Naruto watched her leave, wishing that she'd give him more thought. He had a crush on her, always had but no matter how many times he asked her out she turned him down. It was all Sasuke this and Sasuke that …

Sakura was a very pretty girl, with emerald eyes and long pink hair; now short. Having cut it during the chunin exams. She wore a red outfit almost a dress with white circles. She had a huge, very huge crush on Sasuke. And like him she was always ignored or told 'no' by the stoic Uchiha.

He wished that Sasuke would pay Sakura a little more attention, at the very least so that perhaps Saukra could get it through her head that the Uchiha wasn't all that great and look at him.

Sighing Naruto rubbed a hand through his spiky blond hair and glanced to the sky. Looking away after a few minutes he set off to find the Uchiha bastard, and then he'd find a spot to train.

After about an hour Naruto finally spotted the Uchiha under a large tree. It was hard to tell if Sasuke was in a good mood, he hardly was and considering earlier he doubted Sasuke was right now.

"Oi you bastard!"

Sasuke's head snapped up a scowl on his face "What do you want now, loser?"

Naruto halted and glared briefly, ideally wondering why he thought about telling Sasuke, it wasn't like Sakura had told him to find him. And he may be upset and slightly concerned for the Uchiha but he didn't need his attitude.

"I ran into Sakura and she mentioned that Kakashi Sensei wants' to talk to you."

"Hn." Sasuke's cobalt black eyes stared into Naruto's blue ones for a moment before closing as he stood. He was not in the mood to talk with Naruto.

Reopening his eyes he set off in search of Kakashi, ignoring the now irritated blonde.

"You don't have to be like that!"

Whatever else the blond shouted was lost as Sasuke turned his thoughts on Kakashi. He had a few questions for his perverted Sensei and depending on how that went, he would be able to decide on what to do. Hopefully.

~88~

Today was a nice and peaceful one and he wished he could have spent time reading his book "Make Out Paradise" but sadly with the Lord Hokage's death and Orochimaru's attack on the village there was much to do. Right now however he was waiting for Sasuke, he had told Sakura that he needed to talk to him, the Uchiha would be here soon enough. If he wasn't so busy he'd have gone to find him but it couldn't be helped. Or sent a messenger bird but it wasn't like it was all that important.

He was at the Academy helping with repairs and giving Iruka a hand. Being under man certainly had its down sides.

The door opened emitting in a moody Uchiha. He looked rather calm as he usually did but it was easy to tell that something was bothering him.

"Great I was waiting for you." The silver-haired male said. Kakashi was a Jounin that had a mask over the lower half of his face and his leaf head bead covering one eye.

A brow rose on Sasuke's face, obviously wanting to know why Kakashi wanted to talk to him.

"Sasuke I want you to be careful, bad things have only just begun, things will get worst." Often that was the case. Sasuke was aware that Orochimaru was after him and he wanted to make sure the Uchiha understood that. He felt that by telling Sasuke, he would hopefully not do anything rash. They didn't want him to take off in search of Orochimaru after all.

A scowl found its way on Sasuke's face as he crossed his arms, but opting not to comment he simply nodded.

Kakashi came to the conclusion that Sasuke wasn't about to come out and tell him anything so asked him instead.

"Alright what's on your mind?" Sasuke shifted uncomfortably glancing to the side.

Almost unsurely Sasuke uttered, "I feel like I'm being watched …" Sasuke trailed off as he scoffed, eyes settling on Kakashi with a glare. "I know I am."

"It's just a precaution Sasuke. The Village was just attached and we have reason to believe Orochimaru might come back for you. He infiltrated the Village undetected; he might do it again even if he is injured. The Anbu will be able to handle whatever happens."

Sasuke's glare deepened and his mouth opened to retort but Kakashi continued, "I know your capable Sasuke and can handle yourself but you're not ready to deal with Orochimaru."

Kakashi crossed his arms, sighing as Sasuke became angered.

"I know you think you are but you're not. You should focus on getting stronger and perhaps then-"

"You don't know that!" Sasuke snapped angrily. "And even if that's true then why aren't you training me!"

"You know very well why Sasuke. The Village is in need of repairs among other things, you can easily train by yourself. And if that's an issue you do have teammates who would be willing to help." Kakashi voiced firmly yet softly.

"I don't need their help!" Not waiting to find out if there was anything else Kakashi wanted to say. Sasuke turned on his heel, slid the door open and left. His decision made.

~End chapter 2~

Sorry for any spelling mistakes … and any OOC ness. This is not the original version. I pushed the original back to add some things in but this does still have some of the original.