For my reviewers: I luv you all! I was so delighted to know that a lot of people had taken interest on this fic, Was so inspired by the responses I almost did not finished doing Ep5 before posting this. So then… laugh on! ... cry later. (devious grin)

Disclaimer:
Naruto is copyrighted to Masashi Kishimoto and other legal blahs. Seikei Senior High (an existing school) owned by its respective School Director, or whoever owns it.

Summary:
Do you believe that this world is an endless cycle? Perhaps we are being reborn to justify what we have done in the past. Some Millennia had passed ever since. Ninjas and samurais are long gone. And once more, two people will meet for the second time. Will it end right this time? NaruSasu.

Author's Notes
Check the earlier chapters. I've fixed some bits. You might want to update your copy if you're the type who saves fics to HD. :D

Rewrote chapter 3. Not contented with the flow of this certain chapter. That's why it's delayed. I hate OOCs. Pls tell if they're kinda off. But before that, pls consider the different background they're living in comparison to the 'now'. And BTW, it's really funny you know, when Naruto always fail to recognize someone because of an alteration in appearance (ie, Gaara, Shino in manga)

FYI stuff:
Chiba-ken and Tokyo-to are different prefectures. Chiba-ken lies at the west of Tokyo. Sasuke lives at Aoyama, a Tokyo municipality near Shibuya while Naruto is in Urayasu City, Chiba that is near the Tokyo Bayside(eastern part of Tokyo). It is found in the borders of Chiba and Tokyo. Their school is at Urayasu, and is just walking distance from Naruto's place. Seikei is a school from Tokyo. The the school is known for its intelligent students.


Just one more chance. Just one more life. I know there would come a time that you will remember that you loved me as much as I love you. I have once lost everything especially you. I will never let you go this time. I'll never let go. Ever.

-Reincarnation-
By veiledlantern

Episode 03
-Friends and Enemies-


A week since the first day of school, Naruto was bored out of his mind; he skipped classes once more, or rather, had been able to skip class again, despite the efforts of his Class Representatives.

Somewhere, in a rather dark, secluded, vandalized side of the subway near the mouth of the stairs that led to the outside street, there sat 3 people each with distinct face paintings on their face. Well, the other one claims the 3 stripes on both of his cheeks were birthmarks, but that's out of the question anyway.

They loitered lazily, sitting on the floor, not caring if it was dirty or not. Nobody dared to go near them or claim their place. Actually, this was one of the least passed by subway in the line. And them being there helped diminish even more passers by. So technically, this place was unofficially their's. Other gangs knew well that it would only result in broken bones and twisted muscle tissues if they tried to take it. Many did, but ended up in the hospital. This was the place where Naruto, Kiba and Chouji hung out with their fourth member (that had been missing out lately) almost everyday. Sometimes, they allowed other people to stay in this place. Like Kiba's other groupies, or Naruto's bandmates.

And today, it's just the three of them.

Naruto frowned at the invisible air.

(Uchiha Sasuke)

Naruto remembered the black haired guy that had just approached him rather... shyly before he cut classes. And was that a blush on his cheeks? And what wass with the stare?

"Damn..." Naruto raked his hair and sighed in frustration

"Hmm?" Chouji noticed Naruto's dazed expression, "What is it man?" he said as he continued ravaging his barbecue chips.

"Could it be...?"

"What?" Kiba inquired.

A short pause. The fleeting sound of a running train was heard from afar. Naruto crossed his arms, his eyes in slits. He seemed to think about it before opening his mouth to speak.

/I hate that guy…/ His mind supplied, but it came out as, "I think I'm gay."

Chouji choked on his meat. Kiba laughed and shoved his can of Coke to Chouji then thwacked his back. Hard. Naruto had yet to notice what words he said aloud.

"Yeah right, and I'm going to marry my dog tomorrow." Kiba laughed out, "Nice one, Naruto, but we're not buying it."

"Oh? really? And here I thought you've already married your dog!" Chouji said after greedily drinking Kiba's coke along with the 2 cans of soda sitting on the floor. Afterwards, he barked out a boisterous laugh.

"Fuck you man!" Kiba shot out his middle finger at the fat ass. "And how dare you finish up my coke!"

Naruto sighed then scratched his marked cheeks roughly in frustration.

"Arrrrgghh! You know what, I really, really hate him, he annoys the shit out of me, with that calm face of his and, seriously, I mean, I can't stop thinking him, with his long black hair and his cute face. I know he looked nerdy and stuff, being the Valedictorian and books and papers and the teacher's favorite and all. I mean, what's with him? He's nothing special, you know. And he should let his hair fall down, instead of tying it up." Naruto inhaled to regain his breath and glared at the wall.

That earned him a laugh from his companions. They were already used to Naruto's blabbers and blunders and twisted thought patterns.

Kiba gaped before laughing much harder than before. "Damn, Naruto, man are you in love?" A snort, "And with a guy too! What's wrong with you?" Kiba's sharp eyes closed hard and the red face paint on both sides of his face was almost misshapen because of the way his face contorted in the laugh.

"Umm… I dunno." Naruto looked thoughtful for a while thinking over what Kiba had said then snapped his head at the guy, looking surprised. "Eh, how is that?"

"What's how?" Kiba noticed his change of expression.

"That I'm in love?"

"That faraway look on your face and the way you keep on sighing for 5 hours or so is a DEAD giveaway buddy." Chouji reported in between bites of potato chips.

"Really?"

"Looks like you're twice the moron you are when you're in love Naruto. Snap out will ya?" Kiba said.

Naruto just gave them a confused twist of his brows and mouth.

Both guys laughed at Naruto. Then it suddenly dawned upon him. His eyes widened as he gasped.

/Did I just say what I think I've just said? Chikushooo…/ He felt he needed a comeback. Fast.

"Hey! Hey! For your information, I'm not! I'm just… well, I just appreciate his looks! Yeah! That's all!" Naruto retorted in a shriek, hands fisted, shaking and flailing.

"Because the fact is, I hate him!" Well it was half true you know, he inwardly agreed with himself. Yeah, he just hated the guy because he had all the attention that he didn't deserve. Because he's an ass. He paused to rethink. /Hmm, how do I know he's an ass? We've rarely spoken to each other over the four days I was present this week. But still, he's an ass./ He nodded with himself, pleased with his excellent reasoning.

The two just watched their friend wearily as he nodded to himself, a bit lost. A while ago, he was yelling at them at the top of his lungs. If only brains could grow like muscles do.

ooOoOoo

Naruto, still deep in his thoughts, walked his way back home. There was really something odd about that Uchiha, aside from that superior aura. And it had made him curious.

/Could he possibly be a girl? He really does look like one. But he's wearing a boy's uniform./

He racked his brains for a possible explanation. But none came out.

/And why the hell am I all curious about him, anyway/

He felt mad for a while but soon, his shoulders drooped in defeat. Then he suddenly perked up when a thought came across his naughty mind.

/What if he's really… how about… what if I…/

A wide malicious grin grew on his face. "Ku, ku, ku ku…" He rubbed his palms together.

Which meant he was up to no good. Again.

/He, heeee. Lets see what he is then./ He contemplated ways of finding out, stopping every now and then, blabbering and arguing with himself in his walk.

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

-achoo-

In a place far from where Naruto was, someone from an upper-class residential district in Tokyo sneezed. Sasuke sniffled, momentarily distracted from her patented Uchiha brooding position. /I shouldn't have stayed too long in the shower. Now, about that plan…/ She separated her fingers and fumbled in the cabinet to get something under her table. After some time, she found the object.

/Ossu./ She took out a long, white bandanna, with grim determination crossing her features. She held the bandanna in both of her palms, took a deep breath and tied the cloth around her head dramatically. Then she took out the notepad she had been writing on for days.

Mission #1 Befriend Naruto; Mission #2 Make Naruto remember; Mission #3 Make Naruto fall for me again – left for future plans

Lots of Xs marked the words filed under the first row. She scrunched her nose in annoyance.

/I failed that much already? Mattaku. I must produce more positive results next week./
She looked thoughtful for a while before adding more sentences below the scratched ones. She started to enumerate the possible conditions and calculated for good timing. Then she returned to her position again.

"I could create a scene that involves him talking to me, or make us communicate more. Now, how to make us alone. I have to devise a plan to do that one. He's quite difficult considering the circumstances and his memory…" She paused for a moment before writing again.

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

It was undeniably late. Ever since he moved into Urayasu when he was 11, he was taken in by his Pseudo-uncle or father or brother or whatever he might be. Nobody in their neighborhood ever stood against him. Even at the ungodly hour he arrived at their house. Keh. He's the only bully here. They had no right to. Unless they wanted to rearrange their body parts and have rainbow-colored skin. Naruto would gladly help them out with it. Anyway, Naruto was idly wondering why Iruka was not pushing for the adoption papers yet. Not that he minded much. He was contented with his current life as it was. The fathering love of the guy was enough to fill up his orphan-since-birth heart. And up till now, he's still not even close to finding where the hell he came from. He's starting to think he came from a rock.

/Or maybe I'm a boil… or a pimple… or anything that sprouts out of nothing for that matter. Heh. Like I care anyway./ He glowered at nobody.

But he knew, deep inside his heart he did care.

His thoughts were cut off when a couple of shadows blocked the road. He smirked, showing his longer than normal canines. Five people. Some about his age. Others a bit younger than him. There was one that swung a golf club to the right. Another one had a baseball bat that was slung on his shoulder. He glanced at their uniforms, then his brows raised.

"Seikei? You came all the way here just to get beaten? You good little kids go home already, your Kaa-san might miss you."

The guy in the center looked at him up and down then snorted.

"Chi, you're Naruto? I wonder why the hell they are afraid of you. You don't look strong at all. You're just tall. And you look like some drugged in the ass rockstar." Some chuckles from the rest of the five guys. "You knocked one of us last week, and you're not going to away with it."

"Heh. It took your balls that long to get revenge for your wimpy friend? He's the one that came to me, its not my fault." He waved his hands airily, with a smirk plastered on his face.

"You Asshole!"

The 5 boys launched at him, the two armed ones brandished their weapons and one with the baseball bat clumsily aimed at him. Naruto simply stepped on the other side and kicked his knees while the boy struggled not to stumble down. Never cutting his movements, he swiftly maneuvered his right hand, fisting it to punch the stomach of the other one. The swishing sound made him duck down and the very hard and very metal golf club missed his head by several inches, making a faint, whistling sound. His unruly hair stirred from the force. That could have been his head.

This angered Naruto. "Teme ga…."

He kick away the one holding the club who flew several feet into the trash can then held up his left palm to meet the fist of another boy. He gripped it firmly then twisted the arm around the boy's head, then punched his sides. The said boy shouted in pain. He swung the same arm to elbow the attacking 4th guy hard in the stomach. That one immediately fell and coughed for air, twisting in pain from the hit the hard elbow gave him.

The golf boy came back in action, raising his club above his head and ran towards Naruto. "Gyaaaa!"

Naruto rotated to give him a roundhouse kick, aiming for the wrist. The boy cried a hurting yelp and the metal club flew out of his hands. Naruto then delivered a good blow at his chin, knocking him out in an instant. The others clutched their aching parts and backed away protectively while Naruto eyed them with wild savagery only he could produce. His voice was quivering with fury.

"Don't ever go after me again and don't bother bringing more people with you, I'll just add them to my list of Seikei losers whom I've beaten. Now go before I entirely beat you all to pulp!" He took one heavy step then the guys hurriedly staggered away and helped their knocked over companions up and fled as fast as the could.

He gave a last firm huff before turning around to go home.

"Mattaku. You never run out of action do you Naruto? How troublesome." A ponytailed brown-haired boy with a scowling face appeared from the opposite alley catching up with him.

He slowly calmed himself from the rush he had from his fight. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. When he started to recover, he smiled big at his friend.

"Oe Shikamaru, you lazy asshole, where on Earth has your lazy ass has been? I've never seen you before or after class ever since the first day. I thought you said we're enrolled in the same school."

"Does your stupidity have any limits Naruto? Of course I belong to another section, and I'm a year ahead of you, plus, the population of the entire school is more than a thousand so don't expect me to meet with you everyday." Shikamaru folded his arms above his head.

"And besides, school stuff." A lazy eye looked up the dark sky.

"Hmph, knowing you, you'll just escape to the school attic to have a great view of the clouds." Naruto leaned sideways to tease his friend.

Shikamaru let out a melodramatic sigh as if it's the greatest trial in the world to be dragged out of his cherished 'cloud-gazing session'. And maybe for his indolent self it positively was.

"It's really troublesome, you know. My secretary would drag me inside the Student Council Room and stack work on me, telling me not to slack off. So I only have a little time to do cloud gazing. Sometimes, none at all." Shikamaru frowned at the star-lit sky.

"Eh? Is it that really bad? I mean being in the student council? I heard that they have benefits and stuff, and they are excused from classes and, why are you not hanging out at our place anymore? And… EHHH? You're in the student council?"

Shikamaru glanced over Naruto. Disbelief written in his frowning face.

/Don't tell me he had realized I'm in the Student Council just NOW./

He creased his brows further. Sometimes, it's really hard to follow the line of thoughts of this guy. If not for his appearance, you would never expect that this lanky boy who had a big, loud, annoying mouth, that looks an idiot is even more than he appears to be; he could actually kick butt.

And of all the questions thrown to the dark-haired boy, none of them were answered. Naruto didn't react. He was used to his friend's bizarre behavior. For several minutes, they walked in relative silence.

"Why are you here in this part of town anyway?" Naruto asked.

"Cousin." Shikamaru looked ahead. "Here's my street. See you again, Naruto."

"Ah." Naruto replied an affirmative, then the two friends parted ways.

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

"Tadaima." Naruto mumbled tonelessly at the opened door while removing his shoes. He felt sticky. He should take a bath.

Iruka spied on his little boy's clothing. He looked rumpled and dusty. He was beginning to have a suspicion from his looks. By glancing at the sore fists, his thoughts were confirmed. And that's when he exploded.

"How many times should I tell you that you should not fight? You're not really listening!" Iruka appeared on the front hall, with hands on his waist, frowning.

"Cut it off, Iruka Oji-chan…. I'm not in the mood to listen to sermons right now." Naruto pass over him tiredly.

Iruka glared at Naruto for a while before finally sighing and closing the door. He also knew that it was useless reprimanding Naruto about his brawls, because it was always other people who would mock him into a fight. Knowing that boy and his temper, he could easily fall for an insult. Plus, he never backed out on anything. And that was the thing that the other schools misunderstood him for. Even though he knew how troublesome Naruto could be, he was never the one who initiated a fight, unless provoked or for some heavy reasons.

He sighed, giving up.

"It's already late. You could heat up the Tonkatsu in the fridge. The sauce is on the table. I think there's enough rice in the kitchen. You can cook more if you want. I'm going to sleep now. And don't forget to bring your spare key in case you come home late again. You're making me loose my sleep."

He walked towards his room. "And wash your chopsticks."

"Unh." came a reply.

"Oyasumi." Seconds passed and the only noise that was heard was the wild tapping of water on the hard cold tile. Iruka reached out for the door handle but stopped when he heard a timid voice.

"Oyaji…How would you know when you like a person?"

So his boy had someone he fancied. He smiled at the idea. Just this week he had been in Senior high, now he already had a crush. He walked back to the living room. Time flies indeed.

"Well, lets see. Her little actions are always noticeable, your heart beats faster when she's near, and… do you always think about her?"

Hesitation in the bathroom. He imagined a little blush was present. "Iya… well, you know, this person… this person makes me curious, I mean, annoys me, and so... yeah, I kinda think about this person most of the time and… no! I mean it's just because I hate that person… but… so… well… He's annoying!"

Iruka laughed at his babbling, completely missing the male address and continued on. "Naruto…are you sure you really hate this person? Why don't you try to be nice to her and befriend her first? I think you sort of like her."

"Really? Why should I? And that person would never be friends with the likes of me."

"That's because you're putting up with that bad guy image of yours." Iruka said, amused.

Naruto continued. "Plus, she might not like me. I'm not that good looking. Why the hell do I look this way anyway?"

"Stop whining Naruto. You don't look bad yourself you know, just have to lose that scary make-up, accessories and comb your hair. You look okay."

Naruto snorted at the combing hair part.

"Why would they care about the way I carry myself?"

Iruka sighed. Good thing being a teacher gave him enough patience so he could deal with this particular brat.

"Just try telling her, Naruto. It wont hurt to try. You said you're bad at giving up, but you haven't even taken a shot at telling her and you already have doubts."

A pause.

"But jii-san… she's a he…"

"So that's why…"

Then Iruka caught up with it.

His eyes bulged.

"N-NANI?" He stormed to the bathroom door. "What do you mean by that? Boyish? She's a tomboy?" Iruka hoped for the best. His adopted son was not…

"No, he's male."

Kami-sama.

"R-really… oh… so that's why… no wonder you're hesitant about it then."

The door opened to a glum face that offset his bright hair. Unlike kids his age, he was not skinny. Instead he had well-defined muscles. At a young age, he entered a side job as an assistant construction worker to make himself a living, even before Iruka took him. Actually, he had no plans on continuing in Upper level high school, much less going to a university. Iruka had just convinced him to stop working this year and try at least finishing his Senior High School.

"Does that make me gay, Oyaji?"

"N-no, I don't think so…"/I think I needed time to think about this./ He's not that prepared to digest this new information yet. Remembering something, he suddenly brightened. "But you also like girls. So that does not make you a gay, does it?" He smiled. He is at least thankful that the kid is open to him, unlike some other kids who would turn to friends instead. "Remember Sakura?"

"Ugh, yeah, I liked her till I saw what she really was. Her attitude is such a turn off, not to mention scary." Naruto grimaced.

Iruka laughs "She's not that bad as you think she is, Naruto. Well at least you do like girls. Oh yes you do, you liked peeping on the girls' changing room at your first school!" Iruka gave him a disapproving glare. Naruto in return scratched his head and flashed a patronizing grin. Iruka ignored that and resumed, "You know what bisexual is, don't you?"

A long pause indicated that Naruto was thinking. Then he hesitantly replied.

"Y-yeah, I think so. So I guess that settles it then. Why don't you sleep jii-san? You might be late for your faculty meeting tomorrow."

"Ah, you're right. Tell me what comes of it when you… confess, ok?"

"Ah, mochiron! (sure)"

" Sa, oyasuminasai, Naruto."

"Oyasumi." Naruto grinned at him as he stepped out of the bathroom. It actually took several minutes before what his Oyaji had said sank in. He froze in his position. Then exploded.

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEE! NO! I'M NOT GOING TO CONFESS! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING YOU OLD MAN YOU!" Naruto shakily pointed his finger at Iruka with a shocked face. This earned him a laugh from his surrogate father. Iruka looked him over. In no time this brat would surpass him in height. How fast he grew. Literally.

When Naruto saw Iruka finally entering his room and locking the door, he placed the Tonkatsu in the microwave then turned the rice cooker to reheat and immediately scuttled to his room to get some clothes. He came hopping back to the kitchen, struggling in putting his shorts on.

Then he tripped on them.

A loud thud on the floor.

"Itee….." He rubbed his nose then straightened to fix his shorts then checked the microwave. He put his shirt on when he saw that it still had time.

"Keh, as if…" Naruto scrunched his nose. Then said in a loud voice, "I'm not going to confess to him, not soon or ever!" But quickly realized that Iruka might be disturbed in his room. "Ooops."

/Hmph, and I still have to investigate. Don't my stupid classmates notice at all? He's too fishy. And I'm going to find out who he is. And no, I'm not that interested in his private life. I just want some blackmail material, that's all./

He was lost in thoughts while his hands automatically got a plate and scooped a bowlful of rice. Then he got his tonkatsu from the microwave and poured some sauce on it.

"Hmm… where to start, where to start… Itadakimasu." He grabbed his chopsticks and started shoving food in his mouth

/I never peeped on boys, nah, its too uninteresting but if I wanted to know, I should do it. Euck. Well, he's the only one I'm going to peep on, not the entire male population./ He shuddered at the thought while standing up to fetch a pitcher and a glass.

"Then…what? Hmm. I actually have no idea what to do next." He swallowed several gulps of iced tea. "Oh well, maybe I'll plan it then and there." He shrugged.

So much for a day. When he finished eating he pushed the plate and strode towards his room when he suddenly froze in mid-step, his left foot hanging high in the air.

"Oh yeah. Plates. Chopsticks. Iruka jii-san might get angry."

He grudgingly went back to the kitchen. "Chikushooo."


nani-what
mochiron-sure
itee-vulgar term of itai. (well, Naruto is an ill-mannered boy… what can we do?)
Kami-God
Saa-expression, somewhat like.. 'so…'
Oyasumi-good night
Oyasuminasai-more formal expression for good night.
Tonkatsu- (mmm love this food…) fried pork in breading with a… tonkatsu sauce. (shrugs)
Tadaima-I'm home
Chikusho-goddamn

I believe that Sasuke is a very organized person, even in his thoughts. It's so prevalent in the series. I find it cute of how he's actually very talkative in his mind and being very logical. Actually that's the only thing I find humorous in him. So of course, being myself, I would exploit that thing, haha! Besides I also find it amusing that Sasuke is actually organizing his little Naruto campaign and taking it all too seriously.


Chap Edit:2006/July11/July05