First thing first, I am a terrible person for not updating in ages. It has been six months, half the year. I am so sorry. Please enjoy. This chapter is all about Sasuke and Naruto. the next chapter will be full of action. I promise to update the next chapter within the next week, I mean within seven days from now.

For a small recall, Karin and team are currently in pursuit of Sasuke.

Naruto and team have started their mission.

And Sakura is in the village itself; I am yet to introduce her in this story.

Coming to Sasuke, here you go.

Sasuke has been racing against time ever since he heard things from the masked man. It takes three days from the Uchiha clan's place where he fought his brother. But he is going to reach Konoha in less than two days. He was still weak from his battle with Itachi. Yet he was managing to go in his full speed pushing the limits too hard. As he sprints, he has his blazing sharingans activated.

Hope I don't encounter Naruto in the village, was what was going through his head. He knows how a good friend Naruto had been to him.

If only on that fateful day, when Naruto chased him down against all odds, he had listened to his best friend, things would not have ended up like this. It would have been much better. He was ready to die that day if that was what it takes to drag him back to the village. To not let him rogue. It was for his sake, and he knew it. Naruto has always endured the pain of being alone, all by himself, right from the day he became a part of this world. Since his birth, right from the beginning Naruto had no one. He knows that Naruto's pain is much greater than his. Only, he did not have a target to let it all out at. But he did. He had a target. His brother, and so he gave into his hatred.

They were the only kids from their village who knew what loneliness would be like. Truth to be told, deep down, Sasuke has always been jealous of Naruto. He was the top of his academy. He was known as the last Uchiha, a prodigy. He had been popular among the girls. His kekkegenkai was incredible. He was the sharing wielder of whom the village was proud of. But Naruto, he was despised because of something he should not be faulted with. He was not a pro nor was he great with his skills. And he was always the bottom of their class. He was not popular with the girls, he was only popular with the entire village. Not as a monster or a fox or a jinchuriki, but as a cheeky grinning knucklehead. As a hyperactive knucklehead who would not give up on his dream of one day becoming the Hokage. Of one day earning the respect of the villagers he has been deprived of for as long as he could remember. As a leaf shinobi who would never go back on his word, no matter what. As a prankster who can make friends with anyone. And all of that has made Sasuke jealous. Most of all, his sunny bright personality, with which he would make everyone happy and light headed just as he is. He was gifted to change people. He was gifted with his personality. He was gifted not in skills but in life itself. And his determination was not to be neglected of.

He helped himself. He was there for himself. He strived hard to be one among the others. And he did. He ignored no one. Not a friend nor a foe. So was he not ignored by anyone anymore.

He always saw Sasuke as a competition. In every little thing there would be a comparison. Even if Sasuke doesn't give a mind, it won't be left out. After all, Naruto has a great nagging character, better call it persuasion ability. And what was the reason he chose Sasuke to compete with? Sure Sasuke was the best among those of their age. But it was not the only thing for Naruto never thought low of anyone who lacked enough skills. It was because he saw Sasuke as the only person close to him. Who had a life close to his. Who had become lonely like him. He knew better than to leave him like that all alone. It pained him to see Sasuke like him. And so he decided he would give Sasuke a someone who was there for him to compete with, fight with, to call a loser; watch the loser as he tries to prove himself to him and to believe that he was important to the loser.

That was the start of the academy and in time they became rivals. Only rivals and not enemies. And then there was team seven. Kakashi and Sakura joined them. Being on the same team as Naruto, he got even closer to the loser.

He has always been jealous of that very loser. And in time they were equally skilled. Naruto actually matched his level without any kekkegenkai. And then there came a reason to get more jealous of the yellow head. He hated himself for the fact. He hated everything. With Orochimaru's bait added, his desire for revenge surfaced and he lost himself. He was angry with Naruto and he crossed the line trying to show the loser who was better.

He remembered that noon clearly. If it was not for Kakashi, they would have been on the verge of death. Who thought rasengan and chidori were so powerful until they were targeted towards the water tanks? They would have killed each other. Thinking back, he chuckled a little, Naruto pissed him the most then, and not because of his thick headedness. He laughed at the thought.

Now what was he? Insane? To not go show himself to Naruto and say a little hello? But he knew better. And there was a lingering feeling of regret that he would not be able to meet Naruto for one last time and and tell a simple thank you to his as well. Thank you. That reminded him of her. But it was her he was going to. He wondered how her reaction would be. He heard that the team seven had a replacement for him and that Naruto and Sakura have made it a goal to locate him and drag his being back to the village. He wished things work his way.

But then he was not able to move an inch forward. Great, he thought. He could energy draining out of his body completely. He was utterly exhausted. And he was forced to come to a halt right were he was at the point, on the branch of a tree. If he was in the middle of a jump, perhaps we would fall down straight to the ground. He jumped off the tree. He dropped down to a sitting position unable to stand any longer.

No, not now. I can't stop now. He was desperate. But there was nothing he could do. He tried standing up, bit no use. He tried getting some chakra for curse seal, who cared if it hurt, but of no avail. And that was the moment when his conscience pricked him. His curse mark was nonexistent. It was gone. As he tried to recall the incidents of recent past, he remembered how his brother got Orochi snake out of his and how he burnt it with the black fire. His brother had done so much for him. He freed him from Orochimaru as well. Now, once again he felt that there was not a chance that the disguised man's words were all just fibs.

Smiling at himself, he leaned against the tree behind him. With the lasts of his strength, he gently touched the back of his neck, were once there had been a black mark.

"Itachi," he uttered, "nii-san." It felt so new yet so close. His hand fell back to his laps as he lay there unconsciously.

A/N:

Phew, a chapter full of musings.

I am so sorry for not updating this in a while. I just didn't find my interest all this time. Sure the college schedules were busy, but I could make time for this if I wanted to. I apologise again. But I got really interested now, during my semester end exams..sighs..and I just kept writing this when I should be seriously studying for the finals.

So guys, what do think of this story up until now? Please tell we what went through your minds as you read this. It means so much for me.