Warnings: None.

Disclaimer: Naruto and characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Shonen Jump

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C. Two;

Getting To Know You

Seidai; Refugee Camp

At first I didn't know what to think. Just mysteriously finding that damn capsule in a cave with a human in it. My first instinct was to not believe my eyes, but how stupid would that have been? The boy was real, by all means. You could touch him and your hand wouldn't go through him, and he sure as hell didn't levitate like Kiba said he might (I guess his mind is stuck on the conclusion that the boy is some sort of ghost).

Either way, I feel that I must protect this boy. What propels me to thinking that I have no idea. And lately my dreams have kept me awake. I keep imagining this laboratory, and that boy in this tube. I don't even want to know what that strange green liquid was that was surrounding him... it gives me chills just thinking about it.

I fought against my conscience, and ended up bringing him back to the camp. I knew that I couldn't just leave him there. Besides, something tells me that this guy has something to hide, and maybe if I get on his good side, I can get some answers out of him.

-- Sasuke

"My, Kiba. What a story." Hinata said, sitting inside the food tent where it was warm.

Kiba and Sasuke didn't get back until around midnight, and everyone there was far from sleeping. There was news going around that another bombing raid may occur again during the night, making most of the people restless and even afraid to sleep. The night was getting bitterly cold.

"It's not a story, Hinata! I'm serious!" Kiba insisted.

"Kiba. How do you expect me to believe that the man next to Sasuke came from some time capsule in a nearby cave?" She coughed a little, Kiba rushing to her side. "Don't worry, Kiba. The cold is getting to me a bit." Hinata turned to Sasuke. "Do you believe his story, too?"

Sasuke sighed. "As far-fetched as it sounds, Hinata, Kiba's right. The thing we found in that cave was something that was mainly used to preserve things during times of war. Such as if a soldier were to lose his leg during battle, they'd stuff it in there and take it out later for when they re-attached it. In this case, someone must have pushed him into it, and either forgot about it, or wanted him out of the way."

"That's not it," the blond boy said. "He didn't forget about me. Nor did he push me away. He did it to save my life."

The three stared at him. Hinata coughed a bit more. "W-Who? If you don't mind my asking..."

The boy focused his dull eyes on the full moon. "My only friend, I guess you could say."

"So," she started, unsure, "if their story is true, and you're really from the year 0012, what are you going to do? Waking up 3,000 years from your time must be really hard."

The boy didn't reply. What did they expect him to say? Never in a million years did he think that Madara would just carelessly lock him in that prison, when he knew that he would've fought to save him. Now, he has to try finding a new purpose for living, less it tear him apart. But what could he possibly live for in a place like this? A time like this?

"C'mon, Hinata. He must be kinda tired. Not to mention really confused. Let's just leave him alone for a while." Kiba took Hinata's hand and helped her stand. "Sasuke, I'm gonna help Hinata get washed up. Can you watch after Kawatta for us?"

Sasuke nodded and watched them walk off to the nearby stream. He motioned the stranger to follow him by the river to sit.

"Kawatta?" The boy questioned.

"It means 'different'," he informed, placing the young child on his lap. "She's blind."

"Ah... I see."

"Hinata had point. What are you going to do now?" Sasuke gently ran his hand through Kawatta's hair.

"I don't know. What is clear to me is that I need to find a reason to live, and fast. I can't go on without a purpose."

"Why's that?"

The boy shrugged. "Back then, I lived for my master, Madara. He said that since he gave me life, I should protect him with it. That is part of the reason why I am confused. It is not like him to act hastily like that. I understand the will to protect another's life, but didn't he say that I..." He stopped.

Sasuke just stared at him. No matter how dead the boy's eyes looked, there was no way to mistake the pure confusion in them. But he just sat and listened instead of commenting. Sometimes it was best that way.

"And now, I'm angry because I don't fully understand what confusion is!"

"What's your name, anyway? You know mine."

"... He named me Naruto." He said.

"Do you have a last name?"

" I don't know. Did he give me one?" Naruto pondered to himself.

"Well, what would you want your last name to be?" Sasuke asked.

"... Uzumaki."

"Why that?"

"Because!" For the first time that night, Naruto smiled. "They go together!"

"You know," Sasuke said, chuckling lightly, "you sure are a wonder. One moment you're this void person, and now you're all happy."

"I know. It's a defect."

Sasuke rose an eyebrow at Naruto's choice of words. Something about him is a little too different...

Shrugging the idea off, he yawned. "Man, what I wouldn't do for a nice bed."

What is it about his guy? He looks so much like Madara-sama, yet is so... different. Naruto sneezed out of the blue. "Stupid dust," he mumbled.

They sat in silence for a while, neither knowing what to say, or if they should say anything. Sasuke found himself growing more and more curious about Naruto. Things like, 'Why was he trapped in that capsule?' and 'What did he mean by defect? What's he rambling about?' Somehow, Sasuke just couldn't find a way to start asking those questions, and maybe Naruto wouldn't even answer them.

"What was it like 3,000 years ago?" Sasuke asked instead.

"It was a dark time," Naruto started. "I was around for about five years before my master was attacked. I remember him educating me about laws and such, and that you couldn't trust anyone back then. He had said that the region was growing increasingly evil and its people power hungry. All they wanted was to play God, I guess. From what he told me, the world was a terrible place to be apart of; especially here in Seidai. I never really understood or comprehended most of what he told me. I was in my early stages of learning."

Early stages? Man, this guy sure knows how to confuse you. "Was your 'master' a good man?"

Naruto nodded. "Very much so. Although he was very, very strict when I first met him, he treated me like I belonged in society... like I had a place. He was kind to me, but was cold at the same time. He wanted me to learn discipline. He had said that if he was kind to me all of the time, that I'd grow soft, and he wouldn't have that. I had to be strong. Strong enough to protect him when he needed me to." Naruto paused and turned to Sasuke, looking at him with confused eyes. "What about you? I don't know you at all!"

"There's not much to tell—"

"Sure there is!" Naruto cut in. "Everyone has a story. Like... where and when you were born, or-or how old you are. Your parents, favorite foods, color, animal--"

Sasuke put his hand over the blond's mouth. "I get it." He put his hand back at his side. "I was born here, I'm 27, my parents passed away when I was eight, my brother passed away when I was 17, I like onigiri and tomatoes, my favorite color is..." Sasuke looked into Naruto eyes and smiled a bit, "blue, and I believe I don't have a favorite animal. There aren't much around anymore."

Naruto smiled. "See? That wasn't so hard!" He heard Sasuke 'hn' under his breath.

I kinda like Sasuke, Naruto thought. He's been nice to me so far, and hasn't looked down on me like he's more superior... and he even has the same aura as Madara. The only thing that gets me is this fuzzy feeling in my chest. Hmm...

"Sasuke," Naruto said. "What does it mean when you get this fuzzy feeling in your chest around someone?"

The raven took a second to think. "Well... it could mean you like them, or perhaps feel safe and comfortable with them. I'm not too good at feelings."

Naruto nodded in understanding. "I'm not good with them either..."

It could mean that you like them. I just met Sasuke, so that's out of the question. I probably feel this way because he reminds me of Madara. So it's gotta mean that I feel comfortable around him. Yeah... that's it. Comfortable.

Naruto was brought out of his thoughts when Sasuke sighed.

"It appears that the raiding notice was false."

Naruto scanned Sasuke face, catching the evident exhaustion in the boy's eyes. It made him feel a bit uneasy seeing Sasuke in that state. He didn't know why. "Hey... Sasuke. You should get some sleep. I can look after Kawatta for a bit. They should be coming back soon anyway."

"What's got you worried about me all of the sudden?"

It was Naruto's turn to sigh, but his born out of frustration. "Because! You're my friend! And friends look after each other!"

Sasuke looked a bit shocked at Naruto's rant, but nonetheless handed the little girl over. "Watch over her with your life until they get back, you hear?"

Naruto nodded, smiling a bit at the somewhat familiar command. "With my life, Sasuke. Promise."

Sasuke moved from his sitting position on the grass to lay on his back, with his arms behind his head, and doze off. Naruto sat with Kawatta on his lap, playing with her hair, gazing at the beautiful stars.

--

Sorry for the shortness. Changed some grammar/sentences but nothing too major.

Meanings:

C. One (Please tell me if they are incorrect.);

Kashikoi means 'Wise'.

Nagoyaka means 'Gentle'.

Ryou means 'Endure'.

C. Two;

Kawatta means 'Different'.