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Naruto lay on the grass as he tried to catch his breath. Once again he tired himself out. He used too much Chakara because of the Shadow Clones and because of the Rasengan. He used up all his energy due to his Taijutsu training. Yup he was tired as hell. "4 hours of training and I'm tired? I have to last longer. If there's a fight, I need to be stronger than I am right now." The blonde said as he slowly closed his eyes.
Without realizing it, the blonde had drifted to sleep.
:Dream State:
Seeing his best friend turn his back on him had crushed his heart and soul.
'You are weak and holding me back from my goals." The Uchiha says as he has his back turned. The blonde looked around at his surroundings and realized what he was dreaming about. He reached his hand out and started running towards Sasuke.
"No. Don't go Sasuke, you don't have to do this! Stay here with me!" He ran faster though he was going no where near his goal. The faster he ran, the more Sasuke grew distant. "Please don't go. Don't leave me alone!!"
Jus then everything went pitch black. Naruto's heart raced faster. His whole body felt numb, his legs shook with fear.
He heard a harsh laugh, it sent shiver's down his spine. Up ahead he saw Sasuke facing him with cold red eyes. Next to him stood a dark figure, "Sasuke-kun has chosen his path. He belongs to me now. And now no one can save him. Not even you…Naruto." He laughed. "Naruto, you're such a loser."
The blonde boy tried to fight back tears that threaten to spill. He bit his lip. Anger and betrayal mixed into one. The sight of Orochimaru and Sasuke together broke his heart.
He felt something slick its way around his whole body. He heard slithering sounds but wasn't sure what it was until it came to his face. A large snake had been crawling all over Naruto's body. It swiveled around his neck. The snake Sannin and the Uchiha were laughing as one. "Hmn. As useless as ever dobe." Sasuke said as he whispered something to Orochimaru's ear. He smirked. "Well then, it was nice to know have known you at least for a while Naruto-kun. Now it seems you serve no purpose in this life, now die." He said.
The blonde boy felt the snake tighten around his neck, choking him. Naruto tried to get the damn thing off but to no avail. "Please…Sasu…ke…" he tried to make out but afterwards no words came out. Everything seemed to fade. His body had given up on him, he landed on the cold floor. His tears streamed down his cheeks. "Why did you have to betray me like this." Just then Naruto felt himself being lifted up.
"Don't cry over someone who doesn't deserve those precious tears." A voice had said. Naruto blushed as he saw the man who was carrying him bridal style. "I-Itachi?" The older boy smiled, "I'm here to save you from the darkness Naruto. Don't give into it. This happened for a purpose. You deserve so much better Naruto-kun. Don't beg the person who betrayed you to come back." Black orbs stared into blue ones. "Itachi…" He was silenced by a pair of lips. Naruto's eyes widen, but soon leaned into the kiss. Once again Naruto felt tears make their way out of his eyes.
'This warm sensation? What is it?'
As Itachi broke the kiss he smiled once more, "Remember that there's always someone out there for you."
:End of Dream State:
Naruto's eyes slowly opened.
He jolted up and touched his lips with his fingers. "Even in my dreams you somehow manage to steal my heart." He whispered to himself as he looked around. It was midday. The sun was about to set, and a little aching sound bought Naruto back to reality. "Guess its chow time." He said as he clutched his stomach. He lazily got up and started walking.
He was in his 4th Ramen bowl by now and yet Naruto ordered some more. "My god, you should eat something other than ramen you know." A voice had spoken. Naruto turned his head, while a few noodles were hanging from his mouth. "Shizune-san! What brings you here?" He asked as he watched the older woman take a seat next to the blonde. "Well I was looking for you because Tsunade-sama told me to look for you because she said she needed to talk to see ASAP." Naruto arched a brow, "Granny wants to talk to me? Did she tell you why?" All Shizune did was shake her head and also order a bowl of Ramen. "She just told me tell you that and to please take it easy. You know your wounds haven't completely healed yet. It's the internal organs that need more time to heal." The dark haired woman said as she peeled her chopsticks and started eating.
'Wonder what old Lady Tsunade wants to talk about. I just hope she doesn't know about Itachi. If she did find out then I better enjoy my life right now because it's possible that I may die tonight.' Naruto sweat dropped at the very idea. As if she read his mind Shizune had spoken up, "All I can say Naruto is your not going to die. I think she just wants to talk to you about the upcoming missions."
"Yeah you're probably right. I need to get back on track if I want to get much stronger. After all I am planning to be the next Hokage." He grinned. Shizune looked at Naruto and smiled. "Well I'm done now. I guess I better go see old granny." Naruto said as he stretched. "Well I'll catch you later Shizune." "Oh Naruto before you go I wanted to ask you something." Naruto looked curious. Though Shizune had a very serious look. "Naruto…are you still planning on going after Sasuke?" Naruto's heart sank. He bowed his head. Shizune got up and hugged the blonde boy. "I'm sorry Naruto. Please forgive me, I didn't mean to—" "Naruto shook his head. "No. It's okay. And no, I'm not planning to go after him. There's no point in going after a friend who doesn't appreciate what you give them in the first place." Shizune wondered, what made Naruto say those words. She didn't exactly new the relationship between Sasuke and Naruto, but she knew this much, she knew these boys were rivals and best friends.
"Any who not that I don't want this hug to end but I have to go to Tsunade before she get's mad." Naruto said as he smiled. The older woman smiled and back and gave the blonde boy one last hug. "I'll see you later then Naruto." The blonde boy waved and went on his way.
:In Akatsuki Base:
"Sooo where do we go from here? I mean Itachi is on no state to go on missions. He's been daydreaming about that blonde guy from Konoha basically this whole day, and I'm sure he's not in the right mind to concentrate." Kyo ranted to the Akatsuki members. "Well it's all up to the leader. Though I'm not sure weather he knows about this whole situation." Sasori had pointed out. "Well I just hope leader-sama doesn't kill him or something." Konan had said. "Well if he tries to then I'll try to convince leader-sama to not do so." Kyo had said while she clinged to her girlfriend's arm. "Good luck with that. I'll buy you a bunch of dumplings if you make it out alive. Un." Deidara had said as he crossed his arms. "Is that a bet?" "Only if you want it to be." Both teammates glared at each other. "Deidara you're such a bothersome." "Oh and your not one? Un." Both teammates glared at each other until Sasori and Konan backed their beloveds away from each other, before things go ugly or out of control.
"Well then I suppose we should cover for him, after all, with out his Sharingan, we would be losing valuable eyes." Sasori had implied. "Yeah, and he would probably get killed right off the bat if he goes into the battle field."
"I'll have you know, I don't get distracted so easily." Itachi had walked into the room where the four current Akatsuki members were. "Itachi!!" Kyo ran to him and hugged him tight. "But you've been thinking about him since we got back from the Leaf. You also mumbled something to yourself. I think you said I'll be back for you." Itachi eye's twitched; he didn't exactly remember why he told his secret love life to the younger girl. Oh wait that's right, she actually helped him understand what love was. "Please tell me you didn't tell the others." Kyo smiled cheesy, "Just the part where you couldn't stop thinking about him." Itachi placed a hand on the smaller girls head and smiled, "Good, other wise I would've killed you." His all too sweet smiled creeped Kyo all together. "Hehe, isn't that something to laugh about."
"So Itachi, you sure your okay to go on missions? From what Kyo tells us, you seem to have fallen hard for Kyuubi. Un." Deidara said. "I didn't fall for the Kyuubi; I fell for the container of the Kyuubi." Itachi had said as he remembered sweet smell of his, fresh strawberries mixed with honey. "Well whatever, just make sure Leader-sama doesn't find out about this. Wouldn't want the Kyuubi container to start a relationship with an Akatsuki member. Un." The blonde haired man was right. The leader didn't exactly want any connections with any of the Jinchuuriki. "Well then let's get to our missions, Ita-chan, it's your lucky day, cause we need to go to Konoha again." Kyo said as she and Konan were ready to leave. "Sasori-sensei, Deidara-sensei, wish you luck in your mission, I know you'll succeed." The small teen grinned as the two older men smiled. "Hope you don't get in trouble again Kyo. See ya later." Sasori and Deidara both disappeared in a cloud of smoke leaving the 3 team mates. "Let's get going." The blue haired woman said as she felt her arm get grabbed by her girlfriend. "Yeah, c'mon Ita-chan! Let's go see your future wife!!"
At this Itachi's eye twitched, though he was secretly excited. He was going to see his Kitsune again.
'Naruto…'
:In Tsunade's Office:
"So you mean to say that you're sending me with Jiraiya in a 2 year mission?" The blonde haired boy was confused by Tsunade's decision.The minute he came in all she said was 'you're going on a 2 year mission.' "Well it's more like a 2 and a half year mission, Knowing you, you probably want to save Sasuke as soon as possible so I ask Jiraiya to—", "No!" Tsunade was taken aback by this. "I mean I don't want to go away on a silly 2 year mission just for training. I mean the training part is fine but I will not be saving someone who doesn't deserve or need it." Naruto said as he clenched his hands into fists, and looked at the floor, "I won't save that bastard after he killed his own heir." Tsunade looked shocked; she clasped her hands together and placed them in front of her. (A/N: Sasuke style) "So you're giving up hope on him?" She asked at this Naruto smirked.
"Of course not! Why should I sacrifice myself for someone who wasn't grateful for the little things he had? Why should I hope he even has a chance of change, if he wants power so much that he's willing to give up on people he loves then he can be my guest. Other wise, I will save him."
Tsunade wasn't surprised much. She couldn't blame this boy for all the suffering he's going through. She understood him completely. "So what do you plan to do now?" She asked with curiosity. Naruto shrugged as he rested his arms behind his head. Smiling, "I guess I'll have to train, after all I'm still planning on becoming Hokage." Tsunade felt like crying. Never before in her life has she seen someone put up with so much. This boy has lost both his lover and son at the same time, yet he smiles. She was no idiot. He'd smile just so people can think he's okay. She got up from her chair and hugged the smaller boy.
"Naruto…you're truly something else you know." She said. Naruto hugged her back, "I know." They smiled and Tsunade wasn't able to go back to work, all due to Naruto. He said he was feeling…'lonely' at the moment so he asked if he could stay and talk. Tsunade being the caring 'sister' and 'mother' as always, welcomed him to stay. They talked throughout the whole day until sunset. Though the pair didn't seem to notice since they were chatting away. Little did they know someone was watching them from a distance…
:In Sakura's Room:
The pink haired girl sat along her bed staring out the window. She wondered what Sasuke was doing or how he was. She gritted her teeth and curled her hands into fists. "That stupid son of a….how was he not able to bring back Sasuke? Then again you can never count on Naruto to do a simple little task." She said as she looked out into the village. "I hope someday he get's kicked out from the village. Everyone still thinks that's he's an evil demon. And they hate him even more since he couldn't bring Sasuke back."
She got up and picked up the photo frame from her bedside table. Gently she caressed her finger where Sasuke was. She loved the picture of her team, just that the only thing that messed it up for her was Naruto. He was in it and he was glaring at Sasuke. 'If only you were aware of my love for you Sasuke. Then maybe we could've lived a happy life and I could've helped you rebuild your clan.' Sakura mentally thought. Ever since she was younger she fantasized about getting married with Sasuke and other crap like that.
"Please come back to me Sasuke. Please…nobody will get in our way. I know you love me in secrecy. Please come back so we can be happy together. No one will bother us, not even Naruto…" She hugged the photo frame, "No one…."
(A/N: Bleh…I felt like barffing when I wrote this ;P )
:In the woods:
"Aww, it's getting dark…I hope we make it in time." The smaller girl said. Itachi, Konan, and Kyo were jumping from tree to tree. Half way through the trip they had to make a few stops due to Kyo's potty time. "And who's fault is it for stopping so many times?" Konan teased Kyo as the smaller girl pouted, "Hey! I can't help it if I can't hold it in." She said as she grinned. "C'mon guy's we're almost there, just a few more trees left…". Itachi said as he hurried, he was already a few feet ahead. "HEY!! Itachi…wait up a bit?" Kyo shouted and sight, "Oh forget it. No point in saying anything, now I can see he's really eager to see that Naruto guy." Konan chuckled. "Well that just goes to show how much he loves that boy." Kyo giggled and looked over to Konan. "Really cute don't you think. But if this Naruto guy isn't good to nii-san…" she curled her hands, "then he better watch out." Konan sweat dropped. "Now hold your horses Kyo. I'm sure Naruto isn't bad, other wise Itachi wouldn't be seeing him now right?" She asked as she spotted a tint of pink in her girlfriend's cheeks, before she turned away.
"Still though. He better watch out." She said. The blue haired woman shook her head, "Any who, let's hurry up before we get scolded by Itachi…again." Kyo nodded. Both pair hurried as they tried to catch up with Itachi.
:In Konoha:
YAWN. "Okay kid, time for you to go home and get some sleep. Wouldn't want you to get sick in any way." The blonde haired woman said as she finished stacking up a few papers that lay on the ground. "Okay, oh and I'm very sorry I took up your time nee-chan." Tsunade hugged the blonde haired boy and smiled. "Don't be silly. You know you don't have to be sorry, besides I put you before anything else." Naruto hugged the older woman tight. "Thanks a lot…Tsunade." Naruto said. "You're welcome Naruto."
After the hug Naruto made his way out and into the streets of Konoha.
He walked and walked, though he couldn't help but feel a little cold. Of course he figured it was probably mid night, which is why it explained not having to see anyone out in the streets. The blonde kept on walking until he came to a halt. He turned his head, he sensed a familiar chakra, though he wasn't sure if he was mistaking it. He spotted a crow fly out into the bright filled moon. He shrugged it off, and then…thump! He walked right into someone. Before he could land on the cold floor he was lifted up by a pair of strong arms. The stranger carried him in bridal style.
Naruto confused as ever, he looked up to face the stranger, though he relaxed when he saw red eyes filled with excitement. "Itachi-sama…you scared me." He said as he smiled. "Gomen Naruto-kun, didn't mean to. What in heavens name are you doing at this time of night?" Itachi asked as he looked into blue innocent eyes. Naruto grinned, "Well actually I was on my way home. I kinda stayed with grandma Tsunade. We we're chatting a bit." "A bit?" Itachi asked with an arched brow. "Okay maybe for a few hours but…I felt a little lonely so I wanted to stay with her for awhile." He said with a sad tone. Itachi placed a kiss on Naruto's forehead. "Don't worry Naru-chan. You won't be alone anymore." He said with a heart warming smile. Naruto felt his heart warm up. He wrapped his arms around the older man's neck and smiled. "So…you said you were heading home?" Itachi asked as he looked away, someone was trying to hide their blush.
Naruto nodded and found it rather cute when Itachi seemed a little embarrassed "Yeah. Let's…go home…Itachi." Naruto said above a whisper. Though he was sure Itachi heard him. All the Uchiha can do was smile.
Soon we'll have a place we can call home Naruto.
Soon…
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