Note: In case you get confused, italics = character thoughts or imaginations. Basically any of the unspoken besides the narrative.

Chapter 2 ~ 子供の時 pt.2 ~ Kodomo no Toki part 2

Sasuke…is he someone I can relate to? Even though we exchanged but a few words…I feel like I can understand him. But it's as if solitude is the only way he chooses to live…I was born alone so I would never choose that path for myself.

He was the exact opposite. He had all the skills, talent, and acknowledgement she could ever wish for. For some reason, Sasuke really struck a nerve on Naruto, a worthy rival.

"Sasuke-kun…Sasuke!" Naruto called in her seductive voice, hinting him to come over. Sasuke looked her up and down. She was all dressed up for him, revealing her sexy figure and deep waist, lightly tanned skin, bouncy golden pig tails, glossy pink lip gloss, and crystalline blue eyes that made her all the more attractive. "Sasuke-kun, come over here" Naruto pouted. "Oh Sasuke you had a long day…want something nice to eat, or a massage? Ne~ne? Or would a kiss make you feel better…?" Naruto put her arms around his neck. "Naruto...." Sasuke put his arm around her petite body, hands on each side of her waist. "Kiss me Sasuke…" Sasuke's heart was pounding fast and loud, he couldn't believe her words.

In class Sasuke was alone day dreaming again, thinking about the kiss they shared on the first day that stole his heart, only to be interrupted by noisy squabble:

{

"Hey guys I heard Naruto loves ramen. Feed her ramen and she will love you forever!!!" The boys gossiped.

"Really?? Where did you hear that I would love to take Naruto on a date!"

"Yeah...she's incredibly cute…"

"That damned Sasuke is in the same group as Naruto…he gets to see her practically every day!"

"I hear they quarrel all the time. Rumor says Sasuke beats Naruto in training all the time."

"Seriously? No wonder she's always so worked up about him…"

"Well what did you expect….when it comes to school Sasuke is at the top and Naruto is well…an outsider."

"At least Naruto has common sense, she's not the least bit attracted to Sasuke! That means we have a chance!"

}

Chance my ass……ramen huh? Sasuke thought to himself. There it goes again. Why is she dominating my train of thought…? I promised myself I would never get caught in fragile bonds again…bonds so easily cut.

Sasuke too, fought hard to not like the little fox. Naruto shouldn't have been so important. She was only distracting him from his goal anyway… But he liked her and despised her at the same time. Her values were the opposite of his. A person who acts without a care in the world…she would never understand his ways. It was annoying. He grew to feel only hatred, as a way of preventing pain and suffering. But for some reason, he was able to feel her ambition, her spirit. He also couldn't help but to feel she was really pretty and sweet.

There was just something that brought the two together...

Outside, Sasuke watched as Naruto played with the other boys and girls. She brought light not only to him but everyone. Why did all the other children deserve her? After all…he was the one who suffered alone all these years. He grasped his chest in pain. His heart was hurting. Naruto was the only person able to steal all the unwanted attention that Sasuke got without lifting a finger in the first place. She was the most hated in the village since she was born. But now she possessed a mysterious power and would be acknowledged just like the Uchiha. Was he attracted to her warmth…her smile…her blue eyes? All he knew was he wanted to get even closer.

Sasuke took a lone walk in the village. All of a sudden there was a loud thud and he was on the ground.

"Itaiii….(That hurt….)"

"Oi teme…watch where you're---" Sasuke ended his blunt remark and looked up half dazed, realizing Naruto was on top of him.

"Sa…sasuke-kun?!" Naruto said in shock, not realizing she was still on the ground with him.

Sasuke was about to bleed through his nose at the proximity and hearing his name part through her soft pink lips. Hmph...figures it was her..she's always so clumsy. And she said my name so cutely..

"Na-naruto…" Sasuke wished he could stay in this position forever.

"Huh-? Kyaaaaa oh crapp!!!" Naruto jumped up immediately after realizing she was still on him.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto surprised that he was actually curious, replief. "Oh..um I'm going to go train for a bit..so I can get stronger and beat you!!" She pouted.

"Heh really now. Are you sure you don't need any help?"

Sasuke…he's offering to help me? Wait a minute why is he being so nice to me all of a sudden...is it because of the other day?

"REALLY!?!? YOU WOULD???" Naruto said, eyes sparkling for a mere 2 seconds before she had a change of heart. "W-Wait a minute…what's that supposed to mean! Why would I need help from you!!" Naruto put her nose up and gave him the shoulder.

Sasuke was shocked at the sudden outburst… "Hmph…whatever….baka."

"Nani?!? What was that?" Naruto thought she heard a baka come out of his mouth.

"Well in that case, let's race to the training field!! Last one treats me to ramen hehe!!"

"Naruto!" Sasuke ran after her.

"Sasuke-kun please teach me everything you know!" Naruto hugged him tightly and looked up at him, begging with puppy eyes. Sasuke's imagination took him even further. He was decided. Naruto…is…mine.

~At Ichiraku Ramen~

"Say Sasuke…this is the second time you came with me to Ichiraku after training…but you never eat any ramen…why is that? You always bring that onigiri (rice ball) of yours…is that all you eat?"

"Sasuke huh? I don't see Sakura here today are you bringing kawaii Naruto chan here on a date? A wise choice I must say Naruto loves Ichiraku ramen!" The cook smiled.

"D-d-date?!?!? Sou jya nai wa yo!!!! (That's definitely not it!!!!!!!!)" Naruto nearly spat. Sasuke just sat and smiled quietly to himself. Sasuke what are you plotting... Naruto glared. Like I would date that conceited bum…

Sasuke treated Naruto for ramen again. He was silent as ever and cold, even when she tried to lighten the atmosphere and bring up conversation. She could feel deep inside he was lonely and heartbroken and kept him company anyway.

"Ne~ Sasuke-kun, you should really try some of this ramen!" Naruto moved closer to Sasuke and attempted to feed him a bite of noodle and naruto.

Sasuke blushed feverishly. "N-no way w-what are you doing…chotto (wait)…!!! You were eating that!!!!" Sasuke nearly choked in shock as Naruto shoved the bit of food in his mouth. Crap this is good…

"Argh………you idiot. So this is what they call naruto heh…" Sasuke moved in closer to Naruto, eyeing her lips.

Naruto, surprised was nervously blushing. "H-huh…TOO CLOSE!!!!" Naruto accidently punched Sasuke too hard out of the way, leaving Sasuke grasping in pain on the ground.

"Huh…ah did I hit too hard? Gomen ne Sasuke!!!" Naruto said innocently as she slurped up her last bowl of ramen. "Hehe I'm gonna beat you at training tomorrow! I'm all fired up from this ramen!!"

"N-naruto…you baka…" Sasuke winced in pain.

"Say Sasuke…it's getting late I need to head back and shower from all that training!"

Shower?!?! Sasuke imagined Naruto in nothing but a towel. "Sasuke-kuun." Naruto blew him a kiss. He was about to choke on all the blood gushing out of his nose.

"SASUKE??!! What's wrong you're bleeding so much!!! Is it my fault??" Naruto said in horror at the poor boy who looked half dead on the ground. They were quite a sight at Ichiraku's.

She was breaking down his barrier slowly. Never had Sasuke been close to anyone after that miserable day… after the death of his parents…the betrayal of the brother he deeply loved.

For some reason Naruto came to accept the way Sasuke was. He wasn't so bad after all. It made her really happy that he was able to treat her to ramen. They were able to eat lunch together and train, just like normal friends. In reality, she really admired him.

-----------------

Hokage assigned Team 7 to a C-rank mission. In order to prepare, Naruto hurriedly went over Sasuke's to grab some training equipment.

"SASUKE-KUN!!!!!!!!!" Naruto stormed in, but Sasuke was nowhere to be found. "Hmm..maybe I was late after all…" Naruto twiddled her thumbs and walked around the house looking for Sasuke, stumbling upon a photograph. "Hm? What is this…Sasuke has a family??? He even has a brother! Aw they look so cute and happy together…totally not the Sasuke I know now. But why is no one around…" It suddenly hit Naruto like a lightning bolt. Did they all……die??? What could have happened in this house… With that Naruto hurried out of the house, seeing that Sasuke wasn't there anyway.

"Ano… Kakashi-sensei?"

"Yes what is it Naruto chan?" Kakashi replied looking over at Naruto.

"What happened to Sasuke's family? And why is he trying to kill his brother??"

"Naruto!" Kakashi said in shock of the sudden question. It wasn't really any of her business. And how did she know about it??

"I'm sorry sensei…it's just that…I feel like we should understand Sasuke more. I-I-really hated him at first…but now I know…Kakashi sensei…I really want to help him…"

"Naruto…" I guess now that they are close teammates it's natural for her to be concerned…
And so Kakashi explained the tragedy of the Uchiha clan. Naruto was ready to burst into tears by the end.

At an early age we both experienced the worst kind of pain.

To be continued…

A/N: Hope you liked this! As usual review please & stay tuned because it's going to get really romantic from this point on... ^^; This is just the intro, longer chapters will be coming.