-Konoha-
After speeding through Konoha, Naruto landed in front of the Hokage's tower with Sasuke on his shoulder. He walked through the doors and found a woman sitting at her desk in front of the Hokage's office. He placed Sasuke on one of the chairs and walked to the receptionists desk catching her attention "Yes can I help you?" the receptionist asked "I need to speak with the Hokage, it's urgent!"
The receptionist got up from her chair, walked to the door, and went inside. She then came out and motioned for him to enter. Naruto decided to leave Sasuke who was no longer sobbing, but silent and wide-eyed. Naruto entered the Hokage's office and found the Hokage taking deep pulls off of his pipe, the room was filled with smoke, it almost felt like he was in a burning building. Naruto bowed and walked towards the Hokage's desk. Hiruzen sat still, with an almost permanent frown on his face "So, you already know then?" Naruto asked with sadness in his voice "Yes" the Hokage sighed deeply "Itachi has been declared a missing nin" Naruto looked into the face of Konoha's leader and clenched his fists
"You knew!" Naruto growled at the Hokage. Hiruzen's face shot towards Naruto's in surprise "What do you mean boy?" Naruto got angrier "I got there in the middle of the killing and there was no one else there, and there is no way any ANBU got to the Uchiha compound and back here before I did" Naruto was shaking with anger. Anger at the fact that the Hokage would let an entire clan and it's women and children be slaughtered. Hiruzen took in a puff of smoke and closed his eyes taking in the relief of nicotine. He looked at Naruto "Careful boy, accusations without proof are dangerous to throw around. Especially at a Kage. Think about it, why would a Kage order the destruction of such a powerful clan?" Hiruzen asked Naruto wanting him to figure out why it had to be done without telling him "The only reasons would be either the Kage was threatened by the power of the clan, or they were trying to take over the village. But that doesn't make sense how would you know if the Uchihas were planning something. There's no way they would be so open about it to let anyone figure it out. Only the top ninja would know before it hap… " then it hit Naruto "Itachi was the one who reported it" Naruto's head hurt there were so many things that were starting to make sense "So you made him kill his family?" Naruto said in disgust
Hiruzen shook his head in shame "He volunteered. He knew he was the only one who could take all of them out before they knew what was happening. The only thing he asked was that we spare his brother and keep his clans' plans a secret so the Uchiha name would not be disgraced" Naruto sat down in one of the chairs in the office trying to absorb all of the information "So he wasn't going to kill Sasuke" Naruto remembered what Itachi said back at the compound, but he didn't understand it until now. 'Take care of Sasuke. He will need someone like you in his life' It all made sense now, he just couldn't imagine what Sasuke must be going through "What about his brother what will happen to him?" Naruto asked "He will be returned to the Uchiha compound after we clean it up. Until then, he will stay at the hospital"
Naruto got up "Until the compound is ready I'm taking him to my house" Naruto said making sure the Hokage knew it wasn't a question. As Naruto closed the door Hiruzen took a long pull off his pipe 'He probably could've blended in with Nara's as well' He exhaled the smoke a let out a sigh 'Hopefully we won't fail you like we did your brother Sasuke'
Naruto nodded his head goodbye at the receptionist as he passed her and scooped Sasuke up again. He disappeared in a blur only slightly slower with the weight of Sasuke on him. He reached his house in a couple of minutes, and entered the compound when he saw his dad walking his way with a confused look on his face "What's going on Naruto, who's this?" Inoichi asked "His name is Sasuke Uchiha, you'll probably be called in for a council meeting soon. You can find out then, I need to ask mom to make some tea, and put this one in my room" Naruto was starting to feel overwhelmed with everything that happened tonight. He looked at his dad with tears starting to form before he wiped them with his one free arm, and used it again to hug Inoichi "I love you dad" and then Naruto disappeared into his room and sat Sasuke down. He bent down and looked Sasuke in his eyes for a minute before he spoke "I'm gonna go get us some tea, okay?" Sasuke blinked and nodded his head silently
Naruto came back into the room ten minutes later with a tray of tea and sat down in front of Sasuke placing the tray in front of them. They sat in silence drinking their tea for an hour. They exchanged no words except for the occasional glance in the others' direction. Naruto didn't want to force Sasuke to talk, instead he'd wait until he was ready. When they were done drinking their tea Naruto put the tray to side and looked at Sasuke and smiled a little "You can take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor tonight" Sasuke nodded and laid down. Naruto smoothed a blanket over the floor and proceeded to lay down as well. After 2 hours Naruto looked over at Sasuke and saw his eyes still open looking at the ceiling. Naruto sighed decided to say something before he saw that Sasuke had switched from the ceiling to him and spoke "What's gonna happen to me?" Sasuke asked "They are going to clean up your compound and prepare your family for their funerals, then they'll move you back in" Naruto said looking at Sasuke "I don't think I can go back there" Sasuke said with a tear forming "I don't know if I can handle being alone, I don't think I'm strong enough" Naruto looked in Sasuke's eyes and felt the pain he was feeling then he looked at the ceiling "Well until you feel like you're ready I'll find a room here you can stay in" Naruto said making Sasuke smile a little "Will your parents mind? I don't want to impose on them" Sasuke said "Ehh" Naruto said waving his hand as if dismissing the imposition "Don't worry about them, they won't mind a bit. We should get some sleep it's been a long night"
The next morning
Naruto woke and found Sasuke fast asleep, and decided not to wake him. He opened his door and saw his dad sitting on a chair sipping tea beside his door "How's he doing?" Inoichi asked "Better than expected" Naruto responded "Good… I cleared an old storage room that you two can clean up and move him into for now" Inoichi told his son. Naruto smiled at his dad for a few seconds and then his smile turned to a frown "I really gotta use the bathroom" and ran off causing Inoichi to chuckle
After Naruto was done in the bathroom he went to see if his sister was up and found her in the flower shop with her mother watering plants. When he was caught off guard by someone else in the shop he went towards the far side of the shop where he saw a girl with purple hair and recognized who it was "Oh… hey Hinata when you said you come in the morning I didn't think you meant this early" Naruto laughed rubbing the back of his head. Hinata turned and smiled "H-hi Naruto. Yes I like to come before everybody is up and on their way to work" Hinata said blushing "Um… are you okay Hinata, you look a little red. Do you have a fever?" Naruto asked placing his hand on the girl's forehead causing her to get even more red "U-uh no. Sorry I have to go" Hinata blurted out before she ran out the store. Naruto was confused as to what happened and stared at the door before something hit him in the arm "Way to go dweeb, you ran her out" Ino said laughing at her brother. Naruto rubbed his arm feigning pain "What was that for?" Naruto asked Ino while shaking his lips as if he were about to cry "Hey play nice with you brother Ino" Noriko told Ino in a stern voice "I barely touched him, he's faking" Ino said pointing at Naruto who was still rubbing the spot she hit "Nuh-uh that hurt" Naruto said before their mother walked back to the flowers she was watering. After which Naruto smiled at Ino and stuck his tongue out at her "Oh that's it, you wanna see how hard I hit" Ino said before chasing Naruto around the compound. Naruto always slowed down just to give Ino a chance, but she never caught him. After Ino sat down next to a tree to catch her breath Naruto landed on the branch above her sitting down letting his legs swing freely "We're gonna be having someone stay with us for a while" Naruto told Ino "Who?" Ino asked
"Sasuke Uchiha"
"Why?"
"His family's gone and he needs somewhere to stay where he won't be alone"
"What do you mean gone?"
"Gone gone"
"Oh… where's he gonna stay?"
"Dad cleared out and old storage room that we're gonna clean up and furnish"
"Can I help?"
"Sure the more people the better"
"Well… I'm gonna go back to the shop and help mom, I'll see you later okay?" Ino said before standing up and brushing herself off
"See ya later"
Sasuke didn't wake up until mid afternoon and when he went outside he saw Naruto training and he sat down near the training ground waiting for him to finish. Naruto continued training for two more hours before he stopped and over to Sasuke "Hey sorry that took so long I was focused" Naruto said "No problem it's nice being outside" Sasuke responded before Naruto motioned for him to follow. They arrived at a dusty room filled with cobwebs and dirt "Looks like we have our work cut out for us" Naruto and Sasuke laughed "Yup… you wanna get started?" Sasuke asked "Yeah let me just get my sister, she said she wanted to help" Naruto said running towards Ino's room. He pushed open Ino's door and walked inside to find her cleaning "Hey don't use up all your energy here we have a ton of work to do c'mon" Naruto said leaving to go back to Sasuke, while Ino followed. They got back to the room to see Sasuke had already started to sweep up the floor while they were on their way "Hey Sasuke, this is Ino" Ino waved at Sasuke "Hi, nice to meet you" Sasuke said
After five hours of cleaning the room was spotless. The three of them sat against the wall and let out a collective sigh "Oh man, finally" Naruto said "I never thought we'd finish"
Sasuke smiled "Thank you guys for helping, I appreciate it" Ino smiled at Sasuke "No problem, that's what friends are for" Ino said causing the other two to smile "Well me and Sasuke still have to move some furniture in, but we can handle that if you wanna go grab something to eat Ino" Ino smiled and got up to grab dinner. Naruto and Sasuke got up as well to get the furniture. They both wiped sweat off their forehead "Let's get started" Naruto said
-Konoha-
1 year later
Over the course of roughly a year Naruto and Sasuke trained vigorously, with one pushing the other not letting themselves slack off. Sasuke had started using weights like Naruto and out of the ninja they knew Sasuke was only second to one person in terms of speed. Over time Naruto became the brother that Sasuke wished Itachi was. Sasuke had all but deserted the Uchiha compound. He never felt at home there after what happened. He was happy to say he found a family. One warmer and kinder than his previous. Still he thought about his parents everyday. He wondered why Itachi did what he did, but there was only one way to find out. He'd have to get stronger to one day be able to confront Itachi, until then he'd try to enjoy what he now had.
"Alright I think we can rest for a while don't you?" Naruto asked Sasuke "Yeah, you wanna head home?" Naruto nodded and took off with Sasuke right behind him. As they got in front of the gate Naruto almost bumped into his father who was exiting "Hey dad where ya headed?" Naruto asked wondering where his father was going so early in the morning, the sun had barely risen "Well I wanted to surprise you, but I guess now's a good time to tell you. I'm headed to the Hokage's office to ask if I can enroll you and Sasuke in the academy early" Inoichi told the now ecstatic boys "Are you serious! Yes, you're the best, you're the best!" Naruto said jumping up and down in excitement "Thank you sir! We won't disappoint you" Sasuke said with the biggest smile either of the Yamanaka's had ever seen from him "Sasuke please enough with the sirs, I told you're part of this family call me Inoichi" Inoichi said making Sasuke smile even more "Alright I better get going before it's too late, and you guys have to wait another year" Inoichi joked "What are you waiting for run dad run!" Naruto yelled while Sasuke nodded enthusiastically. Inoichi smiled and shunshinned away "Alright we're going to the academy" Naruto said "I can't wait!" yelled Sasuke
-Konoha Ninja Academy-
1 week later
Naruto and Sasuke stood among their soon to be classmates in a room that looked like an auditorium. Naruto recognized a Hyuuga in the group from his eyes, but no one else stood out, except for a boy with the largest eyebrows he'd ever seen. After an introductory speech they were ushered into a classroom and told to sit down. Naruto looked at Sasuke who nodded. They took a seat next to each other in the front row. They were determined to prove Inoichi correct in his decision to enroll them early. The boy with the large eyebrows walked around the classroom looking for someone to sit by when he was met with laughs and insults "Aren't you the kid who doesn't have chakra? How pathetic" "Who the heck let you in here" "My dad says you're a liability"
Naruto looked back and frowned, he felt bad for him. He looked at Sasuke and tilted his head in the boy's direction as if asking him a question "Sure why not" Sasuke said. Naruto got up and walked towards the boy "Hey I'm Naruto Yamanaka what's your name?" the boy smiled "Hello Naruto Yamanaka I am Rock Lee" Lee replied "Wanna sit next to us?" Naruto asked "That would be most pleasing Naruto Yamanaka" Naruto chuckled "Just Naruto is good" Naruto said "Okay then Naruto" Lee said with a wide smile, showing teeth so white Naruto thought he'd go blind if he looked at them for too long. They walked back to their seat and sat down "Oh yeah almost forgot, Lee this is Sasuke Uchiha, Sasuke this is Rock Lee" Naruto introduced the two "Pleased to meet you Sasuke Uchiha" Sasuke nodded "Just call me Sasuke" Lee smiled causing Sasuke to squint for a second "You got it Sasuke"
-Konoha Training Ground-
1 year later
The last year was just like any other except for the inclusion of one Rock Lee. Naruto and Sasuke introduced Lee to weights which when told it helped them get faster Lee couldn't put them on fast enough. Lee's speed increased exponentially rivaling Sasuke's which was incredible for only a year of wearing them. Naruto and Sasuke didn't think it was possible, but Lee was able to push them in training more than they already were. Lee's taijutsu was the best of the group and Naruto's ninjutsu was the best with Sasuke being the best in Katon which he learned before his family was killed.
Inoichi had given Naruto a chakra affinity test and Naruto found that he had a Fuuton affinity and a minor Suiton affinity. Naruto didn't know any wind users so the only jutsu he knew were minor ones which he incorporated into his taijutsu. His latest achievement was incorporating the use of Shunshin with his taijutsu combos. He was still toying with some ideas for his nintaijutsu, but he was happy with his use of the Shunshin. After all it took him an entire year to master the technique, which to him was much too long.
Sasuke only knew Hosenka no Jutsu, but he too mastered it being able to change the direction of the fireballs at will through the use of his chakra. It took him years to master the jutsu, and he was now toying with ideas for his jutsu. Most nights both boys would stay up late bouncing ideas off the other and taking the time to think of what the other could do as well. They had come up with some ideas, but they weren't rushing anything. They were still in the academy after all.
Rock Lee stuck to basic taijutsu focusing on speed and power rather than techniques. He figured he would need a sensei adept in taijutsu in order to learn anything knew. He did enjoy watching the other two practice their ninjutsu sometimes wishing he could use chakra, but every time he felt this way he was determined to become the best taijutsu user the ninja world has ever seen.
They would continue with their training regimen until they graduated the academy and start their lives as shinobi.
-Konoha Academy-
3 years later
Everyone was in their seats taking the written portion of their graduation exam. It had only been fifteen minutes, and there were already three students done with their tests. Naruto and Sasuke had their papers flipped over and were playing tic-tac-toe on the back of their exam packets. The other boy was the Hyuuga that was in their class who they learned was Neji. He was somewhat reclusive in the academy, but Naruto would often see Neji escort Hinata to the flower shop in the mornings before class started. Naruto tried talking to him, but Neji seemed uninterested in making any friends. After forty five minutes passed their Chunin instructor Iruka Umino, a nice man with a large scar across his face called for the tests to be passed forward then collected them. When Iruka collected Naruto and Sasuke's papers he sighed when he saw over 200 games of tic-tac-toe scribbled across the back of every page of their packets. They both gave their stressed teacher a big smile before he gave up and decided to get on with the exams.
Twenty minutes later Iruka started calling up students one by one starting with the number one ranked student to the last. Neji was up first and created his clone and henged it into Iruka, who gave the clone a once over and smiled "I expected nothing less from you, great job and congratulations on becoming a genin" Iruka said as he handed Neji a hitai-ate "Next up we have a tie so we'll go by alphabetical order starting with Mr. Uchiha over there" Iruka said pointing at Sasuke. Sasuke performed a perfect copy of himself not bothering to henge the clone.
After Sasuke received his hitai-ate Naruto was called up and performed another perfect clone and received his hitai-ate. Once he met Sasuke outside they ran to a different part of the academy hoping they didn't miss Lee's exam. They arrived in a gymnasium looking room where Lee was stepping forward to spar with someone. When the man who Lee was to spar with came out, Naruto and Sasuke's jaws dropped as they saw what they imagined was what Lee would look like in twenty years and if he had a bowl cut.
"Aah so this is the youthful spirit who intends to become a shinobi without having the ability to use nin or genjutsu!" Guy shouted at Lee who at the sight of Guy went wide-eyed. Guy smiled with teeth that were only rivaled by Lee "Let's see how brightly your will of fire shines!" Guy shouted
Lee got into a taijutsu stance and Guy followed. They stood there for a few seconds before Guy looked at the two boys "Can one of you youthful spirits kindly officiate for us?" Both boys sighed then looked at each other and nodded then proceeded to play rock paper scissors with Sasuke beating Naruto "Man you cheated" Naruto sulked "How is it possible to cheat in rock paper scissors?" Sasuke asked through a chuckle "I don't know, but you did. Whatever" Naruto walked over to the two fighters hunched over "Begin" Naruto said half-heartedly
Lee took off at a speed that caught Guy off guard and Lee was able to land a punch took the gut of Guy, who shook it off and threw a kick at Lee. Lee dodged the kick, but realized it was a trick when he found himself skidding across the ground from a punch. Lee tried to regain his senses standing up, but Naruto saw how dazed he was "Okay that's it" Naruto told Lee "No Naruto I can still fight" Lee said with determination in his voice "Yeah I know you can, but I'm pretty sure he got all he needed to pass you" Naruto said reasoning with Lee
"Your friend here is right Lee I'm happy to say that you have proved yourself genin material. Your will of fire shines as bright as mine did at your age. I envy the man who gets to train you" Guy said with a thumbs up "Thank you. I hope my will of fire will burn bright and make you proud" Lee said with tears coming out of his starry eyes "Oh Lee do not let anything extinguish your flames of youth!" Guy exclaimed with tears streaming down his face.
Naruto had had enough and grabbed Lee hitai-ate and then grabbed Lee and dragged him out of the room "I thought it would never end" Sasuke sighed. Naruto let out a breath that sounded like it was held the whole time "It was almost too much to handle. Never again Lee, do you hear me NEVER AGAIN" Naruto pleaded with Lee.
"C'mon let's grab some ramen and head home, I think that whole ordeal gave me chakra exhaustion if that's even possible" Naruto said. Lee decided to go home and get some rest as well before he began his after school training. Naruto and Sasuke started walking to Ichiraku's. Naruto liked the old man Teuchi who owned the place and his daughter Ayame. They seemed like genuinely nice people. Naruto was happy to give them his business.
After eating, the two boys headed home to nap before meeting Lee for more training. When they reached the compound they ran Noriko who was heading back to the flower shop after grabbing something from home "Ah it looks like my two boys graduated, I never had a doubt. Congratulations" Noriko said before she pulled the two boys in for a hug "Thanks mom" Naruto said and started walking "Thank you ma'am" Sasuke said with a small tear in his eye. Sasuke had grown to think of Noriko as a second mother. She had always treated him like a son "I'm proud of you Sasuke" Noriko said putting her hand on his head. Sasuke hugged her again and then ran to join Naruto where they spent an hour talking about their jutsus before they fell asleep.
A/N 100 follows woo! Here's longer chapter because I love you guys. I would've written it sooner, but I was busy this week. Now, on to reviews.
This may upset some people, but this will 100% not be NaruIno. I really like including Lee in here, I think he was an underused character that could've been awesome. I won't give anything away, but I will be using all of the Konoha 11 to some extent in this story. Also Naruto and Sasuke are going to be getting much stronger soon. Not over night, but they will improve drastically. Any ideas involving original jutsus will be greatly appreciated I'll be racking my brain for ideas, and things involving affinities. I have some ideas I think will be awesome, and I hope you'll like it.