Author's note: Sorry guys for not updating sooner. I wanted to change my format, but being the deuce I am about computers, I had to do a little inquiring first. In any case, here's the third chapter. Hope you guys like it.

Once again, thanks to all the reviewers! It warms my heart to read such encouraging comments. sniff, sniff (~_*)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

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The // is equivalent to three consecutive periods. In other words, a pause or an interruption.

Chapter 3: DUTY!

*Flashback (earlier that morning)*

Sasuke woke with a start, as he always did on this certain day of this particular month. An insistent thought was pounding at the edge of his mind, intensifying as if a sledgehammer was wedged into his skull.

What did he have to do today? What? One glance at his spotless calendar with its sole marking eased the throbbing. So it was that time of year again. Was this what his body was telling him?

As his pain ebbed, Sasuke struggled out of bed and hurried to finish his morning toiletry. Presently, he emerged from the bathroom and strolled to his closet where he removed a formal black suit. Donning it on he glanced at himself in the mirror. The dark colour of the fabric contrasted horribly with his fair skin. He despised the suit. He despised what it connoted and most of all he despised what he had to wear it for.

Every year brought the same ordeal, the same daunting guilt as he entered that place of death and kneeled before his family tomb. He would stay there for hours, cleaning the burial grounds, placing fresh flowers and incenses on the shrine, as if his single day of worship was enough to compensate for his neglect the entire year.

It wasn't as if he didn't want to show his respect more often, but rather that he couldn't. He couldn't endure the suffering it brought him each and every time. Because, while performing his normal responsibilities of trimming the grass and washing the tombstones, his heart would beat so hard he was often afraid he would faint. Was this how the heart of the guilty beat? He was sure it was.

Raising a callous hand he ran it over his reflection, the two-dimensional image that was so much like that other man. He was growing up to be more and more like him everyday. What could possibly ensure that he wouldn't become the same ruthless monster? Only death, only death would prevent such an occurrence. Oh how he yearned for that day when he could avenge his family and in the process kill himself. Life was not worth living if it meant living this way.

Sighing, Sasuke opened his window and leapt onto the ground, stealthy merging into the shadows of the trees and disappearing out of sight. Unbeknown to him a blur of orange was following close behind.

Naruto's POV:

Sasuke must really be out of it if he can't sense me trailing Naruto thought as he bounced from tree to tree.

He had waited for the silent boy for what had felt like ages before seeing him leave through the window. So the asshole had put some consideration into his outfit. A suit for crying out loud! It was as if he'd prepare for a date with Sakura rather than just a simple training session. The arrogant bastard!

But even as he thought this, a smile creased his face. So the jerk did have a heart. He cared enough and that was redeeming. Perhaps he will make Sakura happy. Thinking this, Naruto felt his heart lightening ever so slightly. He would be happy for her.

Seeing that Sasuke was going to keep his promise, Naruto decided to leave. But just as he was about to turn around, a certain shift in Sasuke's direction stalled him. Sasuke had taken a left turn and was now running in the opposite direction, skimming through the commonly unused dirt road as if he had traveled it a hundred times before. Frowning, Naruto followed him.

Unfortunately, his luck ran out. In his haste to catch up with Sasuke he had expelled too much charka, allowing the other boy to detect his trace. Sasuke came to an abrupt halt and whirled sharply around. Naruto let out a small gasp at his sudden stop and effectively gave away his position in the process. Immediately a kunai came whizzing at his head. Frantically attempting to dodge it, Naruto lost his balance and fell from the tree, landing with a crash against the gravel ground.

"What are you doing following me, Dobe?" Sasuke asked through clenched teeth.

Naruto rose unsteadily to his feet and spat out some blood. That fall had really hurt, but he wasn't going to admit that any time soon to the dark-haired ninja in front of him. So rather then respond to Sasuke's question, Naruto posed his own.

"What are you doing? Have you forgotten that you promised to meet Sakura this morning at the training grounds?"

Naruto watched as an evidently sour Sasuke became even sourer. Surprisingly, he caught a look of regret flickering briefly over Sasuke's face before the stoic boy resumed his normal expression.

"I'm not going," Sasuke replied in length before turning to leave.

But a violent shove from behind sent Sasuke tumbling forward into the dirt. He rose indignantly and looked at his soiled suit. The blonde was going to get it now!

Grinding his teeth, Sasuke swung around and sent his fist crashing into Naruto's jaw. Except, the unexpected happened. Naruto didn't fall. In fact, he didn't even budge. He stood perfectly still under Sasuke's devastating blow, despite being in a great deal of pain. Sasuke withdrew his fist slowly and eyed the fox boy. Naruto's silence was having a strange effect on him, posing an even more intimidating force than were he to show overt anger.

"Are you satisfied?" Naruto finally asked. "Now can you go back with me?"

Sasuke blinked twice before Naruto's words registered. God, but this boy isn't normal. He must really care for Sakura. Already starting to regret his action, Sasuke attempted to explain.

"I // I can't, Naruto," he whispered. "Tell Sakura I'm sorry. I'll try to make it up to her // somehow."

"What can be more important than helping a friend regain faith in herself?" Naruto demanded softly, resting a hand on Sasuke's sleeve and halting his process.

"Duty," Sasuke replied in an equally gentle voice, before he pried free Naruto's fingers and sprang into the woods.

For a split second Naruto was frozen to the spot, uncertain how to respond. Then he found his voice and hollered after the retreating back of his teammate: "Damn you, Sasuke! What am I suppose to tell her???"

*End of flashback*

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This explains a lot, doesn't it? Hope you guys are less confused and more sympathetic towards Sasuke's and Naruto's actions. (~_*)