Title: Selfish

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto


Chapter 2


Sasuke grumbled irritably as he tugged on a weed in the garden. He shot his brother a scathing glare before muttering under his breath. "A disgrace to the Uchiha clan." Those who knew Sasuke before the Uchiha massacre would've been shocked at the boy's drastic change in attitude towards his own brother. The younger Uchiha had been nothing less than adoring towards Itachi when they were smaller. Now, Sasuke held little respect for the man. He growled in disgust when his thought drifted back to the day of the genin team assignments.

Flashback

"Okay, we'll start with introductions" Kakashi, one of Team 7's jounin instructors, greeted cheerfully. His only visible eye curved into a 'u' in faux happiness. "State your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams. Who will go first?"

There was a momentary pause as the three genin eyed each other to see who'd start the introductions. About a minute later, the three appeared to have given up as the two female genin in the team began to revert back to staring at their crushes and Sasuke began to delve back into his brooding.

A slight sigh from the team's second instructor caused them to glance up. "I am Uchiha Itachi. Hobbies are training and going on missions."

The rest of the team was silent, expecting the teen to continue. It wasn't until Kakashi grinned again and started his own speech did they realize that all they were going to get from Itachi were the basics.

"My name is Hatake Kakashi" the silver-haired jounin informed. "My hobbies and likes are not suitable for your ears. Dislikes...uh...dreams..." he trailed off at that before pointing to the girl closest to him. "Your turn."

"My name is Haruno Sakura. I like..." she glanced at the boy next to her. "My hobbies are..."she drifted off, thoughts filling with fantasies about the younger Uchiha and herself. A squeal later was enough to have Kakashi sweatdrop and move on with the introductions. "Mini-Itachi, you're next."

Sasuke growled at being compared to the older Uchiha. "Uchiha Sasuke. Hobby is training. Ambition is to find and kill a certain someone." At this, he glared at Itachi, whose eyes were flickering between Sharingan and normal onyx.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the growing tension between the two glaring brothers before indicating for the last team member to go.

"Watashi wa Kurosaki Narumi" the girl chirped, unaware of the gloomy aura to her right. "My hobbies are singing, dancing, and cooking. I like...um..." she blushed at this, sneaking a peek at the raven-haired instructor. "My dreams are to get married and have kids!"

"How can you like Itachi-san more than Sasuke-kun?!" Sakura scolded Narumi when she caught the look the other girl gave to Itachi.

"Che. Who'd want to like Itachi?" Sasuke added. "A man who can't get over the murderer of his clan is pathetic."

"I'm pathetic, otouto?" Itachi scowled. "You're the one that can't get over the murder of our family."

"Break it up, you two" Kakashi cut in. "Tomorrow we'll have our first mission. Stop with the petty argument until you get home."

End of Flashback

Sasuke grunted as the force of his pull caused him to stumble back slightly. They have been doing D-rank missions for a week and the only training they've gotten were on chakra control. At this rate, he'll never be able to catch up to him.

"Okay, now that we're done with the mission, let's report back to Hokage-sama" Kakashi informed when the team finished ridding the garden of weeds. While the genin were tying up their garbage bags, he went over to rouse the teen Anbu from his daze. 'Seems like all that's on his mind is Naruto-kun...'

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"Team 7, upon the request of Kakashi, you guys are allowed a C-rank mission" Sarutobi informed, pausing to allow the team to celebrate. He could feel the miniscule throbbing of a headache forming from the high pitched squeals from the two female genin. 'They need more discipline...' He coughed to get them out of their reverie that went along the path of "fate must be on my side, giving me the chance to be with my crush!" The Hokage coughed again to get their attention. "Tazuna-san, you can come in now."

At this, a drunken old man stumbled in, eyes glazed as the heavy stench of alcohol filled the room. "What's this?!" he cried out upon finding his escorts to be three kids, a teen and a weird looking jounin. "They're going to be my escorts?! They look like they're just playing ninja!"

"Tazuna-san" the Sandaime interrupted, stopping a fight before it was going to start. "There is an Anbu member as well as a more-than-certified jounin with them. You're getting a bonus here. The Anbu member is more than what you've paid for."

Tazuna settled with nodding as he had nothing to say against that. "I am Tazuna, the great bridge builder. You are to escort me back to Wave country. I expect you to fulfill your mission."

"Very well. Team 7, gather your stuff and meet at the east gate in 10 minutes" Kakashi informed before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

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Itachi rested a shoulder against the gate beside Kakashi as they waited for their students to arrive. His eyes gained a distant expression as his thoughts began drifting towards the person who's been on his mind for days. 'I'm becoming pathetic. My mind can't focus on anything but him. Even I am disappointed at my behavior.' The raven shifted slightly over when his fellow instructor moved closer.

"Maybe you should move on?" the silver-haired man whispered. "There has been no sighting of him since the massacre."

'Have I been that obvious?' the teen glanced down. "He was my only anchor in the family."

"Sou ka...I hope your daydreaming won't cost this team's first C-rank mission to be a failure."

Three minutes later, the rest of the team arrived.

Itachi glanced at Narumi. 'They look so similar...blond hair, blue eyes...even their names are close. But Naruto's hair is short, spiky, lighter, and softer. His eyes are a more translucent shade of cerulean. Naruto is pale though...whereas the girl's tanned. The difference between their attitude is huge...Narumi's like a baby when compared to Naruto in power...and Naruto is more tranquil whereas the girl's a hyper fangirl.'

"You can't compare her to him" Kakashi pointed out, as they started their walk towards Wave. "There's hardly anyone that can match up."

"Eh? Kakashi-sensei, what are you two talking about?" Narumi interrupted, curious.

The said jounin glanced over at the Anbu in silent questioning. Assuming from the emotionless features of the younger male, Kakashi began to explain. "We were talking about Itachi's fiancée."

"Nani (What)? Itachi-san is engaged?" Narumi looked ready to cry. 'Noo...'

"Hai. He's been engaged for two years now" the masked man informed. "You look a lot like him."

"I do?" the Kurosaki perked up. 'I might have a chance...he? Itachi-san is gay?'

"Yup. Same hair color and eye color. But I must say..." Kakashi hesitated, unsure whether or not to go on with the statement. 'I hope she doesn't get offended...' "Sorry, but you can't and won't ever match up to Naruto-kun."

"Why not?" the girl glared. "You just said we're alike."

A bitter chuckle interrupted their conversation. "I don't like Naruto. He's the one I want to kill" Sasuke admitted. "But even I can't deny that he's more beautiful and powerful than you...and that bastard's younger than me. Che."

The jounin patted the younger Uchiha's shoulder. "Ah, it's not that bad of a confession. Naruto-kun is one of the most stunning shinobi in both looks and power in Konoha."

"I see..." Narumi sighed pitifully. 'I really don't have a opportunity of getting Itachi-san to like me, ne?' "Ano...do you have a picture of him?" she asked. 'At least I'll be able to see who I lost to...'

"Iie (No). He's been missing for two years now" Kakashi shook his head.

The blond seemed to cheer up at this. 'I have my turn to get Itachi-san to like me!' She hummed happily as she skipped beside her crush.

'Oops...oh well. I hope it wouldn't kill her...when she finds out that she has no chance later on...' the jounin scratched his head sheepishly. 'This is like some angst-y love triangle drama...'


Same time : Somewhere in Raigakure (Lighting Country)

"Eh, Naruto-san?" Hoshigaki Kisame called out as they sped through the trees towards Wave Country.

"Yes?" came the short reply.

"What am I supposed to do in Wave?" the shark-like man asked. 'It's almost as if they've picked the mission purposely for us...It's been years since I've been back to Wave.'

"Retrieve a debt from someone who has borrowed a hefty sum" Naruto answered vaguely.

"Is that all?" the taller male raised an eyebrow. "That's too simple."

"You'll find out soon."

The two fell into an awkward silence after that. Kisame was too paranoid to make small talk with the eleven-year-old and the other didn't seem to enjoy random conversations.

--- 2 weeks later ---

"According to sources, our target should be arriving on the unfinished bridge on the north side of the village" Naruto pointed to the spot on the map as they leaned against a tree just outside of the village. "Prepare yourself for a fight, there'll be bodyguards..."

Kisame stared at the boy hesitantly. He watched as the blond's eyes dart towards the direction of the bridge and narrowed. "Is there a problem?"

"Iie. It seems like there are going to be extra insignificant worms thrown in our way. Ikuzo (Let's go)."


On the bridge two weeks after arriving on Wave...

"Halt!" Zabuza lifted up an arm, causing everyone to stop their fighting.

The chidori crackling in Kakashi's hand fizzled away as the mirrors formed by Haku vanished. Itachi who was midway through a fire technique dropped his hands while Sasuke stopped in his run.

"It seems like we're no longer enemies" the nuke-nin muttered before stepping back towards Team 7.

A loud laugh rang throughout the bridge. "Demon of the Mist, eh?" an obnoxious voice broke through the mist. "More like a baby!." Several laughs followed, indicating that there were more than one person there.

"Gatou" Kakashi growled, identifying the owner of the speaker. The mist had partially cleared away, revealing a large man in a business suit standing about five feet away from them.

"Heh! With all this money, I can get as many assassins to get rid of the threat to my empire! Zabuza and his gaki (brat) might not have been able to remove the bug, but with money, I can buy any shinobi to accomplish this task" Gatou smirked smugly.

"I certainly hope you didn't use up all your money just to remove a civilian" a hypnotic voice got rid of the haughty look on the criminal mastermind swiftly.

Everyone looked towards the two figures shrouded in mist behind the large group of assassins that Gatou brought along, watching as they got closer.

"E-eh-h-heh" the fat man in the business suit could be seen sweating buckets. "N-Naruto-sama..." He stepped back away from the newcomers.

"Naruto?" Itachi called out, eyes staying on the shorter of the two silhouettes.

The said boy merely lifted a hand and pulled off the Akatsuki hat, sealing it with a seal painted along the inside hem of his sleeve. How he managed to keep the bells dangling from the straw hat silent was unknown.

Narumi who was staring at her "rival" gasped as the boy's features were revealed. 'He's so pretty...' She wailed mentally, self-esteem dropping.

"Y-you haven't c-changed since the l-last time I saw you, N-Naruto-sama" Gatou stuttered.

"Iie...neither have you, Gatou" the blond replied. "It's been a year and you're still the coward hiding behind his money."

"Zabuza!" a gruff voice broke through the hostility.

"Kisame" the nuke-nin acknowledged. "You've gotten a brat to take care of, I see..."

"Actually...he's my senpai" the blue-skinned man informed awkwardly.

"Kisame" Naruto commanded, causing said man to turn towards him. "There's no time for idle chit chat. Finish your mission before we move on to the next part of your exam."

"Exam?!" Gatou shouted with a red face. "Is that what I am to you?"

"I don't believe there was anything else between us" Naruto crossed his arms, eyes keeping watch on Team 7 who was still shocked at seeing him again after two years of no contact. "We were merely loaner and borrower. I'm here to pick up your debt...what better than to take advantage and use this as a test for new recruits?"

"Okay, let's start" Kisame nodded. "What are the rules?"

"None. Just retrieve the money he owes. He owes us 4,526,492,987 yen ($45,264,929.87 USD). You are to remove any form of distraction. The only thing you cannot do is kill Gatou before you've accomplished your task."

"NARUTO!!!" Sasuke, who snapped out of his daze, growled, rushing towards the younger boy.

"Sasuke, stop!" Itachi ordered. "He's an S-class missing-nin. You're only a genin. You can't defeat him."

"Sou ka...That's why he was not surprised when Haku revealed himself..." Zabuza muttered. "He already knows someone who's stronger than Haku and younger too..."

"He murdered our family, aniki! You're going to let him go?" the younger Uchiha hissed. "You are weak! Just because he's your fiancée, you're going to let him go?"

At this, everyone turned towards him.

"Hisashiburi da na, gikei (It's been a long time, brother-in-law)" Naruto greeted serenely as if he's done nothing wrong.

"That brat killed most of his in-laws?!" Zabuza exclaimed, shocked.

Upon hearing this, everyone took a few steps away from the Akatsuki member. Even Kisame didn't know about this.

"He was the executor of the Uchiha massacre" Kakashi informed solemnly. "A nine-year-old Anbu who single-handedly murdered an entire clan of shinobi who held the Sharingan, leaving these two alive."

"I suggest you keep out of Kisame's mission" Naruto advised the Konoha ninjas. "He needs Gatou for a mission. You guys can reap the benefits of us getting rid of him for you."

Kakashi held a hand over Sasuke's mouth while keeping the said boy from charging at the blond. He nodded at Itachi, knowing that the teen would want time to talk to his ex.

"Naruto-kun..." Itachi whispered, standing only a few feet away from his love. "Why won't you come back to Konoha?"

"So forgiving after what I've done, Itachi?" the blond sat on the rail of the bridge, watching as Kisame began fighting with the thugs Gatou hired.

"There must've been a good reason for you to have done that. Come back, Naruto. I missed you."

"Reason? I was just testing my strength."

"That wasn't what you said when you left."

"Sou desu ka (Is that so)?"

"You said that you left because I couldn't save you...what went wrong?"

"Nothing. The clan was merely a stepping stone."

"I see...then if it means fighting you to bring you back, then I'll do so" Itachi activated his mangekyou sharingan.

"Very well." Naruto hopped off the rail. His right arm slipped out of the sleeves to unbutton the top three buttons of his red-clouded black cloak from within, revealing a black fishnet top. From his neck and through the fishnet, black tattoos of odd symbols could be seen. "I hope you took in what your Hokage told you."

"Katon: Gouryuuka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet)"

"Kaben no Yami (Petals of Darkness)"


Author's Note: Another OC has managed to sneak her way into the story...and this one might stay longer. However, Narumi's probably only going to be used to add to the drama. Hmm...Then there's also the stupid names I've made up for techniques Naruto is using. Sorry about that. Petals of Darkness sounds girly doesn't it? What it does? You'll have to wait and find out!

Finally done with chapter 2! I think I went overboard with the japanese in this chapter...hopefully I got them all right. I got help from NarutoFan, NarutoHQ, and AnimeLab. xD. Enjoy!