A/N: If you haven't caught up to the recent Naruto chapters, then they're might be a few spoilers mentioned here and there. Just letting you guys know before I ruin the suspense if you are currently watching the anime instead or basically stopped watching or reading Naruto. Ah this also includes a one-sided SaiXNaruto. (Poor Sai.)

----I changed the destination for Naruto so if you read the 2nd chapter, just skip to the part where Naruto eavesdropped on Tsunade to the part Sai is talking. Or you can just continue reading and pick up from there.

Chapter 3-

Violent Reunion

Naruto darted through the dense forest that surrounded Konoha and acted as a barrier. Preventing attention from the village guards took time which Naruto clearly knew he didn't have. The last thing he wished for was Tsunade sending flocks of ANBU members to retrieve his ass back to Konoha. Patience had never been a quality he obtained even over time and now he wasn't the least close to embrace it. Naruto managed to slip through the sleeping village unnoticed. He took a different path where hardly any guards lingered during the night. Tsunade's flaw happened to be she trusted Naruto enough from leaving the village and now Naruto was taking advantage of that small flaw. Of course if the circumstance had presented itself differently, right now his teammates, Sakura, Sai, and Yamato would be at his side but unfortunately they chose to conceal Sasuke's return all to themselves. At the mere thought, Naruto couldn't help but clench his fists.

The blonde decided to set aside his friends' betrayal since his thoughts should be preoccupied in sneaking past other ninjas out in the field. If escaping from the village were as easy as he had made it seem, then Tsunade was certainly losing her touch. Naruto was sure this wasn't the case therefore he sped up in case other ninjas had discovered his trail. Fortunately tonight's shift was loose and Naruto jumped with ease from branch to branch in the forest. Besides searching for Sasuke, Naruto's goal consisted of covering a good distance before anyone in the village noticed his absence. Sailing through the dense forest, Naruto took a brief moment to sense if there were any shinobi on his track or near his area. Sensing no signs of chakra, Naruto grew more confident.

The day before, he vowed to take matters into his own hands if Sasuke were the one involved breaking into his home. Perhaps the intruder wasn't Sasuke but the slim chance of it being Sasuke existed. Sakura, like him, shared the same feelings of brining back Sasuke though the pink haired medical ninja took matters into her own hands excluding Naruto from her plans. Naruto avoided the thought of his precious Sakura-chan lying to him. Already his night was going rather well and he wanted to keep it that way. He lunged forward a few branches without breaking a sweat. All the training Jirayai taught him built up to this moment when he'd settle the score with Sasuke. There wasn't time much time left until Sasuke's whim wore out and he moved on to another plan. The existing whim was his only chance to see Sasuke once more and even if he lost his life in convincing Sasuke to come back, at least Sakura and Sasuke could reunite on peaceful terms.

How long his absence would go unknown, Naruto hadn't the slightest clue. Searching in the Land of Fire without Tsunade noticing anything suspicious was slim. Even so Naruto kept on moving forward reaching for Sasuke's hand. What seemed like hours of traveling under the starry canopy of the night were only minutes stretched out to taunt Naruto. As he progressed a few miles out of Konoha's borders into barren lands surrounded only by traveling routes and merchants daring to face their luck along the road, the blonde gradually saw a change in scenery. The once dense forest came to an end and Naruto ran now on barren land resembling that of the Sand Village. Fresh air entered his lungs and he rejoiced. Being cooped up at home all the time happened to affect his state of well-being.

Time soon flew by and the first rays of light crept slowly into appearance on the nearby hills and mountains. Early morning greeted Naruto bringing him comfort knowing he had at least another day of travel before reaching the village Sai had mentioned. Naruto's geography wasn't the best but he knew exactly of the village Sai spoke of. It lay more than half a day away from Konoha. At Sasuke being that close from home, made Naruto wonder why the raven hadn't already come back. At the rate he was going undetected; Naruto estimated he was provided with approximately two days for finding Sasuke in that village though he reckoned he'd need less from the time provided. Delighted on how well he was doing considering Konoha probably sent ninjas to retrieve him the man felt it was fated he and Sasuke meet again. Naruto passed through a few small villages that were under control of the Fire Country. Humble inhabitants whispered amongst each other their suspicions in seeing a Leaf shinobi enter their territories at high speed. Naruto sincerely hoped none of them grew the idea of reporting him to the closest shinobi they knew. Avoiding trouble from other shinobi also posed as a problem to his "foolproof" plan.

Needless to say, Konoha was the hidden village of the Land of Fire. If other shinobi that were out tending to political matters in the main cities controlled by the lords then Naruto would seriously be in a pinch. Naruto knew once he crossed the main bridge that served as a major trade network for countless villages scattered throughout the land, the number of villages close together would gradually thin. Knowing the main route attracted bandits and hidden ninjas, Naruto had taken a detour that still led to the bridge. This made Naruto think why in the world Sasuke chose the Fire Country to hide in. If there was one issue the Konoha and the Fire Country's lords agreed on, it was the danger Uchiha Sasuke posed to the both of them. Sasuke was cautious and to land purposely himself in a treacherous situation was not in his demeanor unless the raven concealed a plan of his own. The man bore a bounty attached to his forehead in flashing lights for heaven's sake. Probably most of the assassin shinobi had a picture of the remaining Uchiha in their bingo book. Naruto pondered if Orochimaru was involved in this messed up affair.

The twisted bastard resembling a sly snake waiting to sink a deadly poison onto anyone who posed an actual threat to him or because he enjoyed watching his prey struggle and beg for mercy. Then again Orochimaru would not declare the whereabouts of his hideout so easily which meant Sasuke and his newly formed team was involved but Naruto had no clue of Team Hawk. His bet relied on finding Sasuke alone without having the four eyes (Kabuto) interfere for the sake of protecting Orochimaru's precious vessel. The mere thought of Sasuke's body being possessed by Orochimaru made Naruto nauseas. There was no way in hell he'd let Sasuke be taken over by that creepy pedophile.

It was now around noon and now he had covered more than half of the distance from Konoha to the isolated village Sasuke was claimed to be hiding in. No signs of pursuit crossed his path. Since he had been given the command to lay low in Konoha, his friends were assigned other tasks or mission while he stared stupidly outside his window. He didn't associate with many and they would suspect he was out killing time by eating at Ichiraku. The odds were on his side this time. He stopped after a while as his stomach beckoned to be provided with food. Unfortunately Naruto couldn't dawdle from his destination and the ramen inside his pack remained untouched except he managed to eat a few on-the-go snacks. They sufficed for the moment and even for Naruto this mission was more important than the craving for food.

Naruto counted the villages found inside the Fire Country, excluding Konoha, and cursed under his breath. There were too many to count with his fingers. He was grateful to know exactly which village Sasuke was lodging in. It would take him week's maybe months to pinpoint which village the one Sasuke was hid in. There was also the high risk of crossing paths with a field Leaf shinobi attending that village's protection. Even if he removed his head protector, the moment they lay eyes on his blonde hair and whiskered cheeks, he was a goner. Everyone in Konoha knew of the infamous Uzumaki Naruto, the vessel for a demon fox. If only he were recognized for his talent as one of the top shinobi his village had to offer rather than being the vessel for some damn fox demon that only caused despair.

Naruto hardly paused on his journey and if he did, it was to confirm if any raging ANBU members followed by Tsunade herself were behind his tail. Once he paused to replenish his strength for if he wasted every spurt of his conserved energy, there wouldn't be enough to fight at an equal and if possible, a superior level to Sasuke. Naruto gritted his teeth, his training of course toughened up his mind and his physical body as well but this time he'd prove to Sasuke he was someone and they were friends who shouldn't expand rivalry into a serious fight. The fox vessel painfully smiled at the old memories when he disliked, no still did, feeling inferior to anyone else. At the countless arguments and insults he had shouted repeatedly to Sasuke trying in all his might to grasp the Uchiha's undivided attention. Sasuke, without a doubt, also got stronger. The Sharingan proved lethal even to Naruto but from what he heard of Kakashi's lessons was how to avoid eye contact if possible if Sasuke had it activated (which of course the raven would).

The number of people living in far out villages began to decrease as the proximity between each village increased. Naruto knew Sasuke's plan was to isolate himself as if not to draw unwanted attention. Unfortunately for Sasuke the Leaf shinobi weren't going to sit waiting for his chaotic attack against Konoha demanding for Naruto. Instead they infiltrated several spies and became familiar with his daily routine. The blonde scoffed at the thought. Like the infamous Uchiha Sasuke would allow himself to be watched. Hours flew by and before Naruto realized night began to fall again. His destination came to his eye of vision soon too.

The village of Rikaku (1) compared to Konoha wasn't large enough to inhabit a dense population. Houses were built in an organized fashion where there was enough space to walk at peace in the wide dirt roads. The local market vibrated with violent colors begging for attention from the consumers. Overall the village's economy appeared to be in good shape. Although the houses noted the antiquity, they weren't lacking water or electricity and were presentable. As Naruto entered the village from the west, an ominous feeling overcame him. Something felt terribly wrong. After moments of pondering why he felt unsettled in entering such a gracious village, Naruto felt chills running down his spine. He wasn't one to believe in omens or such superstition but when he strained his ears, he heard nothing. There was absolute silence around him except for the heightening rhythm of his heart and breath. At nightfall the crickets noisily broke the still quiet silence but there were no crickets providing music. A strong familiar aroma filled Naruto's lungs. The sweet metallic smell of blood filled the air.

Naruto reacted instinctively, pulling out a kunai in less than a second. Armed, he walked deeper into the village ignoring the fact he'd probably walked into a trap. His footsteps ricocheted off the walls of the homes only amplifying the sound. Blood tainted the streets and fire crackled over destroyed homes. Naruto gripped the metal kunai tightly as anger rushed through his veins. Soon bodies were in his sight, reeking the village of death. Women and children were not excluded from this horrible massacre. Naruto felt the pending disgust rising to his mouth, but he suppressed the urge to vomit. 'Sasuke.. .' The name alone spread mixed emotions, hate, friendship, and an unbreakable bond. Although Naruto wanted to deny this work was not Sasuke's, he knew it was.

Watching the horror unraveling before his eyes, bodies of children sprawled on the dirt road as if their life had had no significance to begin with. Naruto tore his eyes from a young girl whose body was beyond repair. If Sasuke was the beast behind this maddening torture, Naruto couldn't process what ran through the raven's mind as he murdered these innocent people without hesitation. Naruto searched carefully for possible survivors but most were already in another world beyond his reach. The blonde heard a loud crash on the other side of the wall that lined the streets. He turned in all directions before jumping off the ground to land on the small support of the wall and landing on his feet on the other side. A house had collapsed from the fire engulfing everything in its path. Naruto's mouth opened slightly as a figure stood only yards away from him. He drew the kunai in a deadly stance in case the other person was no ally.

"Ah, an intruder," said the voice clicking their tongue. Naruto furrowed his eyebrows together.

"Who the hell are you?" Naruto growled bothering little to hide his anger. The figure came closer slowly and the fire illuminated their features. It was a young woman appearing to be about Sakura's age and height. She wore glasses and her shoulder length hair was a shade of violet red. The girl grinned evilly as she skewed her glasses taunting Naruto.

"That's my line," she claimed crossing her arms. Naruto bared his teeth at the cocky young woman who taunted him amusingly.

"Tell me why you killed all these people!" Naruto demanded.

"None of your business Leaf shinobi. My advice is to leave now or my partner will kill you on site," the girl said with a heavy sigh. Naruto raised quizzical eyebrows not having any intention in letting the bitch have her way. Hurting women was a disgrace even to him but if she were this type of women who could care less if a child died by her hand, and then he had no regrets scarring the pretty face.

"Then let him come, I'd like to kick his ass," Naruto growled.

"Still don't get it? He's not merciful and will torture you until you die. Oh well, I have no interest on your life ending," she said shrugging.

"I won't die," Naruto proclaimed confidently. "Why did you hurt these people?!"

"On pure whim," answered another voice. Naruto's heart stopped for a moment missing a few beats as the cold familiar voice echoed inside his head. The voice that haunted his dreams almost every day, the voice that resonated countless times shattering the other thoughts that once preoccupied his mind, and which caused the deepest part of his heart to skip madly. The voice he promised never to forget as long as he lived. He tried to speak but nothing came out of his mouth just staring into the space where the voice had come from. "So you finally show up, Naruto," the voice said closer.

"Sasuke…" The name he whispered at night when no one could hear him escaped from his lips. As an invitation to beckon the Uchiha into sight where the fire illuminated his every feature. He, like Naruto, had grown in the past year appearing more like a man rather than a child whose entire family was murdered by his very brother. Unfathomable onyx eyes observed the shocked Jinchuuriki placing a hand on his hip. Orochimaru's style of clothing still affected his apparel. The opened white flannel tunic revealed a pale well-built chest, a violet knot seemed to be trying Sasuke's loose tunic together to his navy blue pants and the blue drape. The young woman rushed to his side pointing at Naruto.

"That is the guy you've been looking for Sasuke-kun? All this for him? He doesn't seem worth your while," the young woman exclaimed disapproving the mere presence of Naruto.

"Leave, this matter doesn't concern you, Karin," Sasuke said paying hardly any attention to Karin's insults directed towards the blonde. Karin shot Naruto a cold glare as if he had won Sasuke's heart.

"We're part of the same team, how can it not concern me? Besides that boy is emitting a hell of a chakra…" Karin served mostly in sensing chakra of enemies or her teammates. Her skills proved to be useful most of the time as well as her canny intellect in the medical field. For the moment, Sasuke had no use for her. The fact a suffocating chakra coursed through Naruto's body was true but this hardly interested Sasuke to take Karin too seriously. Naruto would never strike him down, not now, and not ever. Sasuke on the other hand was all the more amused on the methods he could use to tear the fox vessel into pieces. The anticipation was too great.

"As the leader of Team Hawk, I'm ordering you to departure for a while from the village. Pass the message on to the others," Sasuke said his eyes flashing dangerously toward Karin. Karin scowled seeing Sasuke had developed no interest in anything except the demon fox vessel that completely was out of focus.

"Remember your limitations Sasuke-kun. There are certain things I can't repair even by miracle. Have fun bonding," Karin emphasized the last word before disappearing behind the crackling flames. Sasuke smirked, limitations were nothing to him. Karin underestimated his abilities and power.

"I've been waiting for you, Naruto," Sasuke said immediately capturing Naruto's undivided attention. The blonde clenched his teeth as he hissed the raven's name. "The Leaf has surely grown overprotective to a pitiful child like you."

"Why did you kill these people? You want to kill me, not them so why?" Naruto demanded ignoring Sasuke's comment of Konoha protecting him. Sasuke gave no reaction to the question; he simply continued to observe Naruto. The blonde was the one who was agitated with hundreds of questions bubbling in his mind but so far Sasuke hadn't attempted to satisfy any of them.

"My minor activities aren't what I wanted you to witness but there's no helping to subside your eccentric behavior. If Konoha weren't preoccupied protecting their hero maybe these people could have lived. I'm not complaining, you came," Sasuke replied this time pulling out his katana. Naruto tensed as he knew Sasuke wasn't one to listen to words but merely on whim and impulse. Still he kept faith he might be able to avoid a bloody battle. He hissed as he knew Sasuke proved a valid point-Konoha ignored this village knowing a sinister group threatened countless lives.

"Murdering people wasn't necessary to grab my attention! Entering my room in the dead of night is enough!" Naruto growled through his teeth. Sasuke cocked his head not looking at all surprised. His onyx eyes bore into Naruto's confused blue eyes.

"Then there is no room for argument."

"Oh like hell there is! How you managed to travel to Konoha and survive flocks of ANBU from tearing your body into pieces and fled to Rikaku is beyond me, but visiting me really was significant. Instead of this mayhem you could have waited until I got back, I wouldn't call Sakura or Kakashi if you didn't want to see them! Is there a true reason why you want to kill me?" Naruto no longer had the self control he had prepared before embarking on this fateful mission. His emotions were flooding his thoughts and all the rational ways were evaporating. Sasuke remained calm as he grasped his katana with one hand.

"I thought carefully of that but I don't like waiting. The plan also became too easy. I had several chances to extinguish your life without raising any attention but I realized how quick the task would be. Instead I want to see you suffering the worst pain imaginable. You're one of the last people I must eliminate to complete my vow as an avenger then it's Sakura, and so on until I crush the damn Elders of Konoha who sat behind the scenes pulling the strings," Sasuke explained his voice hardly indicating the fury pent up inside. Naruto flinched at the mention of Sakura's name. Clearly talking was causing more problems because he suddenly no longer cared how careful he was in choosing his words.

"Go ahead, cut me, do whatever you want but don't you dare lay a finger on Sakura-chan! She patiently waited for you and she likes you! What the hell did she ever do to you?!" Naruto said shrilly.

"Protecting her even when she lied? What about the nice replacement you are so keen of?" Naruto no longer cared if Sai and Sakura lied and betrayed him because they were in danger. Correction, all of Konoha, was under a horrible threat. His body reacted before his mind deciphered a logical reaction and Naruto launched himself at Sasuke forgetting how professionally trained the Uchiha was. Sasuke hardly made an effort in lifting his katana against the blonde who struggled to keep Sasuke from cutting him into pieces with just a single kunai.

"Unlike you, I can forgive Sakura-chan and Sai too. Yeah, I'm pissed but there is no reason for me to end their lives. I would have lied too in order to protect the both of them so we're even. Konoha is my home so if I can't convince you by words to come back then I'll drag you by your hair if I have to!" Naruto's hand trembled as Sasuke exerted more force against Naruto's useless kunai. So far the Uchiha had yet to unleash his full potential as did Naruto.

"Konoha home? That place was never a place I could call home. Wouldn't you agree Naruto?" The way Sasuke emphasized his name sent chills down his spine. For once Sasuke dug into the grave of the past. The dark past Naruto sealed in the darkest corners of his mind where he desire nothing but to forget it. True, when he was a child, no single villager approached him in fear of the demon fox residing in his cursed body, but never did it cross his mind to murder the whole village in vengeance. Naruto grew puzzled not sure why Sasuke bore a grudge against Konoha since the fault of the Uchiha clan's obliteration was all Itachi's fault.

"No…never…Konoha had been my home and will continue to be. How can I become the Sixth Hokage if I can't even save one friend? Or hate my village? I won't rest until you come back with me. Itachi is dead isn't he? There is no reason to attack Konoha," Naruto said. Sasuke shook his head knowing Naruto hadn't the slightest clue the type of organization Konoha had when the shinobi weren't in the Hokage's presence.

"Naïve as always maybe that's a blessing for you. Three years and nothing you haven't changed mentally. My motives don't have to be explained to a man who will die by my hand," Sasuke said. Naruto sensed Sasuke's chakra growing more sinister by the second.

"Is that your final answer?"

"Yes."

"Then there's no helping it…" Naruto quickly pulled back before Sasuke could emit the deadly Chidori on his katana. Unfortunately Naruto knew nothing other than the Sharingan and the cursed seal as well as Sasuke's katana but Sasuke too, had no clue of the new powers Naruto had acquired in those three years. Sasuke now had his Sharingan fully activated a deadly aura surrounding him. "I don't want to fight, not you."

"If you are passive how can you expect to defeat me? Waiting for the infamous Kyuubi to provide help?" Sasuke said hearing nothing of Naruto's last minute pleads. Naruto stopped, remembering how previously Kyuubi had met Sasuke personally and claimed he was a dangerous threat as some other Uchiha. Thinking about the fox demon chilled his blood; he had no intention of allowing the beast control his body again.

"I don't need that bastard's help," Naruto growled. Sasuke took no time to reply and before Naruto had time to even blink, he was beside him. Instant pain shot on his shoulder and Naruto instinctively clasped a hand over his wound, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Oh forgive me that wasn't your throat." Blood flowed freely into Naruto's hand and he felt his shoulder going numb from the Chidori emitted on the Kusanagi. Naruto hardly had a moment of grace and he felt Sasuke's weight crushing him on the ground. With one hand, Sasuke held the Kusanagi and the other he pinned Naruto's injured shoulder to prevent him from escaping or using any jutsu. Naruto gasped in agony as Chidori emitted from Sasuke's hand and into his wound numbing his shoulder but not the pain. The kunai he had held lay feet away from him and his pack had come off too nowhere near in sight. He was fucked; there were no ways to overpower the Uchiha.

"S-Sasuke," Naruto groaned feeling dizzy from the blood loss. "You bastard…"

"You are too weak Naruto, you can't even give me an injury that may slow me down or kill me. You should have killed me when you had the chance."

Naruto gave Sasuke a look of disgust mixed with many deep emotions that it was hard to decipher whether the boy was angry or suffering from his wound. "I'd never kill you," Naruto finally replied his voice distant. Sasuke felt a pang of guilt but quickly replaced it with indifference. The fact Naruto could never bring himself to hurt him was apparent to Sasuke which he now used as a weak point and so far it was working perfectly. "I never once thought of ever killing you. You're like a brother to me, without you I feel like a part of me is missing." Sasuke taken aback increased the pressure on Naruto's shoulder. He sneered evilly.

"Like a brother? Don't make me laugh. Whatever bonds we shared as children was nothing more than an illusion that you enhanced to block out the negatives in your life. I recall claiming I severed these so called 'bonds'." Naruto tightly grasped onto Sasuke's white sleeve his eyes becoming unfocused.

"Our bonds aren't broken and they won't be. Right now you're only blinded by Itachi and only him why can't you notice me and Sakura?"

"What the hell do you know?!" Sasuke asked menacingly now pointing the Kusanagi at Naruto's throat. "Apparently you've never fought with all your might against family for vengeance and discover they were never the enemy but the people you trusted were all along! Since his death, I vowed to destroy the Elders of Konoha and not just them, but the whole village will pay for what they made Itachi and our clan endured!" Naruto was at loss for words not knowing what to say to comfort Sasuke. He never had a family to begin with and if he considered anyone family they consisted of all his friends, especially Jirayai who influenced him greatly. Sasuke was his brother, how he can not relate to the feeling of fighting a person close to him.

"I, too, was condemned as a disgrace to the village and I couldn't hate the village. I knew they were right, I was a monster but you had a family while I had nothing. Yes the pain was unbearable but time healed it, I didn't want to cry anymore instead I wanted everyone to know me as a great ninja as Uzumaki Naruto, not a boy who lived tormented by a fox demon. I'm sorry for Itachi but move on, you wanted this, and you got it." Naruto's words were sharp razors only condemning Sasuke further than he regretted his actions. The perfect composure Sasuke considered worth praising was rapidly depleting as Naruto's words were doing more harm than good. He grabbed the boy by the collar using one hand while the other held the Kusanagi against his frail neck.

"Don't act so high and mighty thinking you understand me or know what I'm thinking," Sasuke warned, his Sharingan flashing threateningly. Naruto wasn't the least intimidated by his menace because he too now was controlling if a bit of the conversation. "Having an idiot like you is a threat to me."

"Then why haven't you murdered me yet? You could have done so while I slept," Naruto pointed out matching Sasuke's irritated tone. The raven glared silently at Naruto processing his command a few times before comprehending the true meaning. Just like Naruto, who vehemently exclaimed he would beat him into a bloody pulp until Sasuke no longer required the action to breathe, he too wanted to hurt the boy even if he proved innocent from the Konoha conspiracy. Naruto made a bold declaration within his demanding question burning in his mind. To begin with, he warned Naruto to stop from searching for him or to even consider their blood brother relationship could once again be repaired. It was too late, he knew that, but Naruto didn't seem to comprehend the issue. Even so, the deepest part of him despised himself for beating the blonde but the pain amounting in his heart lifted whenever he saw Naruto also sharing the same fate. Sasuke's sadistic behavior was sickening yet relieving.

"Killing is easy, but causing one perpetual agony is more amusing. Right now, you squirming under me are only the tip of my plans. Unless you decide to awaken that cursed fox…" Naruto's eyes widened in fright realizing Sasuke's intention of meeting with Kyuubi again alerted Naruto to focus rather than deliberately frustrate Sasuke more. If Kyuubi took interest in this battle, then he'd be consumed by pure emotion not rationality. Sasuke smirked seeing the blonde glaring at him.

"I don't need his help! If we do fight, then Kyuubi has no reason to butt in. This is between the both of us! I'm bringing you back by my own hand!" Naruto said his teeth clenched.

"Still rambling about that shit even when you're in such a position? What will it take to change your mind?"

"Nothing and no one."

"Why are you so keen to cling on to me?"

"Must I list a thousand reasons for you to comprehend?!"

"Hmm…even if you provided me with exactly a thousand reasons, I still wouldn't be convinced."

"Doesn't hurt to try."

"Then convince me, Naruto." Naruto saw this as a challenge and with Sasuke's eyes focusing an intense gaze on him, he felt that he was given an opportunity to redeem their bond. Unfortunately, Sasuke kept his body from escaping and he waited for some sort of lecture.

"To start off, we're friends. There's also our Team 7, me, Sakura-chan, and you but I guess you can count Yamato and Sai now too….uh, um, oh yeah, and Kakashi, Granny, Shi-"

"I could care less of who you associate yourself with. If you give me mediocre reasons there is not a single chance you can convince me." Sasuke placed pressure on the katana cutting Naruto's skin. "What a shame, to die like this." Naruto bit his lip preventing a groan from escaping his lips. The less he made noises the more Sasuke would lose interest. Apparently Sasuke saw through his charade and sneered placing the katana's sharp point on Naruto's palm. Naruto attempted to rescue his hand from the katana but he couldn't move. Hot pain shot all over his body as Sasuke pierced through his palm. "A-hh!" Naruto possessed no will power to control the scream from his throat. Sasuke pressed his katana deeper until the point was visible on the back of Naruto's hand. "S-Sasuke!" Naruto hissed the pain numbing his head. All he required was a single reason that could stop Sasuke from torturing him and his wounds were only making it worse. Scanning idea after idea as Sasuke advanced on Naruto's abdomen, Naruto frantically panicked. The Kusanagi was inches from damaging his internal organs; there was no time to think. His other hand, was free, with that he reached for Sasuke's black raven hair. The raven wasn't expecting this reaction and looked up an evil smile creeping on his lips.

"Beg if you can't ta-" The sentence was left unfinished as Naruto abruptly closed his eyes tightly not wanting to be haunted by the image in the future, and quickly engulfed Sasuke's cool lip with his own blood stained lip. Sasuke, needless, to say, was shocked in Naruto's rash action. The Kusanagi clattered on the floor as it had slipped from Sasuke's no longer collaborating hand. Naruto pressed his lip harder hoping this prevented Sasuke from using the katana against him again. Sasuke regained his composure in seconds and pushed the blonde back on the ground wiping his lips with his sleeve. Naruto stared at him a pang of disappointment arising. Silence followed heavily around them. The infamous memory of their first kiss during their Academy days lingered taunting them and Naruto averted eye contact from Sasuke. One single fact continued gnawing at their pent up denials until they both could not deny what their past relationship had resembled.

"It was never brotherhood…"

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(1)- Rikaku is a village I made up since I don't remember the mention of other Villages in the Land of Fire.

A.N/: First I considered having a massive fight between the two rivals but it's difficult to write their actions through the battle, there's also on how their jutsus are used that I had to consider. I didn't want to bring out Kyuubi yet either so I settled for a long conversation dealing with what has occurred during the rivals' separation. I think I made Sasuke too soft or is he dark?