My, my... seems I have received writer's block on my other fic... sigh, how troublesome!

Oh, HI! Sorry, today I am just a bit of character myself. Something I hope the character's in this fic are. My brother changed apartment, and guess who had to join him to pack and unpack? Well, no big deal apart from that it has been a LONG weekend. Luckily, it's summer and my vacation is running neatly.

However, summer, autumn, winter or spring, my writing goes on. I hope my words didn't scare you all of last time. My life may sound like hell saying we have worse problems in the family, may I put it this way. We've lived with this for most parts of our lives, so really we don't think about it in that way. Like I say, "Live for the day, you may die tomorrow."

Well, it is true, you cannot predict the future you know. However, i really hope to finish writing this before that happens.

Oh well, enough with the sniffy teary drama. Let's get this show on the run!

Better warn you before the start though. There is a time jump, but that's because this story fixes more around the characters then the missions. Sorry about that, but I have marked it for you so you know what will happen. And I am not responsible if you are half asleep when you start reading this you know.

Shitza

Ps: Today's chapter is a mix between reality and dreams. And about the dreams, thank God for dream-guides. They sure help out creating a dream.

PPs: This just hit me. How come Sasuke and Naruto graduated the same year when Naruto have failed three times and Sasuke is technically a year older? Doesn't make sense to me...

Chapter 3

Nightmares,

Orochimaru Makes His Move

It was raining, heavy droplets of rain poured down upon them. It dripped down from the dark fringe that framed his face. One drop, two drops, three drops... a hundred drops fell down all the way to the ground.

"Sasuke..."

His face could only be at the most ten centimetres from his. Those blue orbs, half opened and his mouth waiting with a plea whispering his name. Like he could do anything else? He bent forwards, steadily forward, until their mouths met.

They were kissing in the rain.

Above them green leaves rustled in a warm wind. His scent filled his nose trills, intoxicating. His lips moving down to the curve of his neck. Never before had Sasuke felt such a desire. To pleasure instead of pain.

"Naruto!" he whispered into his lover's neck. "My Naruto!" he said possessively.

Above the clouds cleared, the sun shone drying the water from their bodies. The two teens, caught in a battle of dominance without the other giving in, did however not notice the change in weather. The fields of red flowers or the silent lake.

"I love you, dobe... I love you so much, Naruto!"

Sasuke woke up with a start. "Damn!" he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The image of himself making out with the usuratonkachi, it was disturbing. After all, what did he have in common with Naruto?

He looked around in his dark room, The Uchiha mansion had once been a full and lively place famous for the Uchiha inhabitants and the welcoming atmosphere. But now, it looked like a ghost town. House after house, all silent and empty. Most houses were barred, many had sunk together into a pile of wood. No one cared about them, not in the way Sasuke did. The Uchiha mansions were his memory of his happy days, before the murder of his clan.

As well as it reminded him of the murder. Some of the streets had been blocked personally by himself. His aunt's ant uncle's bakery was one example. He couldn't live on seeing the old shelves that once had held Konoha's best bread.

This was why he hoped to revive his clan. Not because he felt like it was his duty to do so, go to hell with duties. No, it was to wipe out the old painful memories with new ones. He wanted someone else to run that bakery and he wanted other people to live on the streets he and his clan had lived on ever since Konoha was born.

He sighed. Sometimes he just felt so empty. Ever since his parents deaths he had no one to cry in front of, and a few times he would cry in front of their memorials that had been raised a few months after the incident. Back when he was small, he could cry in the arms of his mother, Uchiha Mikoto. Now when he cried, no one would see him. No one would ever see the tears of an Uchiha ever again. He had promised himself never to cry openly.

Outside the moon shone brightly, illuminating the back yard. Figuring out he would not be able to get any sleep until his thoughts would have settled, Sasuke got up and walked outside. Dressed in just a pair of grey pyjama pants, he looked up. It was the same moon that had illuminated the murder. It was always the same moon, and like him a witness to the horrid things that had happened.

He sat down on a bench under an old willow. The air still held a slight chill, not surprising since it was just the beginning of April. The winds came from west, with a faint smell of forest and grass.

He sighed again. Even the fresh air couldn't calm him. Sasuke cursed softly. Why? Why would never the nightmares leave him?

And he meant both of them...

The years bring many memories, both joyful and painful. In Naruto's case many of his memories were painful, yet through the pain joy crept between in short episodes. His life was truly a roller-coaster going up and down, like his mood. Few knew about the mask he wore to look like the luckiest guy of all, when he in fact had lost just as much as Sasuke. After all, he didn't even knew from where he came from.

His mother had died giving birth to him. She named him right before her death. His father had been killed among many others by the very same Kyuubi that was now stuck in his stomach. Another reason for really hating it. Sometimes taking the chakra from the beast felt horrible just because it was from that beast.

Naruto locked his apartment and sighingly walked down to the streets. It was raining heavily, huge drops fell onto his blond hair, trickled down his face blending into his tears. Tears of loneliness. Even though he had friends, deep inside he had no one to love him.

He met up with Sakura half-way. Both of them were dressed in the usual Konoha attire, green west, net-shirt and so on. Sakura was talking about the new mission the two of them had been signed to take, as Chuunin they were allowed to take B-ranked missions as well. And today's mission was a delivery message, a scroll that had to be taken to the Hidden Village of Mist. Of course, as they walked towards Tsunade's Office, Naruto wondered if Sasuke would be allowed to join. Yet who doubted it, he had a feeling it was still too early for their teammate to join in such an important task. The two Chuunin arrived minutes later outside Tsunade's Office and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" the female Hokage said.

The door opened and Sakura flinched seeing Ino inside the office as well. "Ino-pig, what are you doing here?"

Naruto smiled. Through the years Ino had grown a bit more understanding and a bit less Sasuke obsessed. As a friend she was great, helping out with different kinds of tasks. She trained a squad of Genin as well. But the thing that had made her a Jounin, or really Tokubetsu Jounin was her newest techniques that allowed her not to break into someone's mind, but to analyse it. This technique played an important role through hearings against the mass of criminals as well trained ninjas had been able to break through the seals that required them to talk. But none could break through Ino's determination.

Ino smirked. "Surprised to see me, Big Forehead Girl?" she asked.

The old Ino-pig and Bit Forehead girl didn't hold the same meaning anymore. Both girls had grown as closer friends since the Chuunin exam, yet never showed it openly. Only people who knew Sakura or Ino very well knew the hidden messages under these remarks.

"Where's Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

Tsunade cleared her throat. "Sasuke was assigned to a D-rank mission only ten minutes before you got here. He is still a Genin if you recall it and you know as well as me that your next mission will be a B-rank. And, I have forbidden him to go outside the village without a suitable escort." Tsunade finished.

Naruto could feel the anger in his throat. "What is that supposed to mean!" he asked clenching his fist.

The two girls silently started to giggle. Tsunade simply smiled as Naruto never changed, no matter if he was a Genin or Chuunin. He still fought for himself and for his friends. This was one of the reasons Tsunade knew he would one day become Hokage. Because this ambition burned even brighter within him then with any other Hokage before him.

Tsunade didn't answer his question, and as the three of them hurried to finish this mission with hurry. After all, they had a time limit of deliverance and probably a few traps and ninjas waiting for them on the road.

"Naruto, hurry up!" Sakura said as the three of them ran down the streets, passing many friends on the way, all of them wishing them luck. Before they reached the gates out from the village Naruto caught sight of Sasuke who was carrying a huge log over his shoulder. All three waved before hurrying away.

And there it was again, Sasuke could feel a certain familiar coldness in his chest.

The cold of being alone.

(Five Days Later)

Things worked perfectly fine in Konoha. Of course people had their quarrels, but all in all they were one big family. And a family helped each other. The sun shone again, after days of constant rain, and people had hurried outside to do what needed to be done. By the Nara Clan's farm you could see Nara Shikaku and his son Nara Shikamaru keeping an eye on all the deer, as well as looking at the clouds. At the Akimichi Clan, Chouji took lessons from his father in the famous Akimichi medicine, with a huge amount of snack-pauses. As well were the Inuzukas out walking with their mass of dogs. Akamaru, who had grown a lot during these years roared happily escorting his master on his back. Indeed, Akamaru had grown big enough to let Kiba ride him.

Naruto had returned the day previously from his mission, no problem at all. The delivery was made with less efforts. A few other Chuunin from some unknown organisation had crossed their path but they didn't bother more then a warm up. They were probably fresh Chuunin, because in his words they were unusually weak.

Even Sakura had agreed with him when he spoke about it.

In another part of Konoha, Sasuke was practising Shuriken, closely being watched. Yet by the days the number watching his had decreased from 30-25 ANBU watching him. Tsunade had given in and agreed to the Leader of the Squad that 30 were a bit too many for guarding a kid who probably wouldn't do much more damage.

The day seemed peaceful, except for one thing. Sasuke received a chill through his spine as he realised that it was too quiet for being Spring.

The birds were all quiet.

His movement suddenly stopped and four ANBU members hurried over to him. After these days he knew many of them by voice, a very few in identity. His hand wandered up towards the seal-mark on his neck and he growled. It was beating slowly. A warm heat rose from it, only indicating the worse. He could almost see it before his eyes, Orochimaru being on his way to retrieve his container, only this time Sasuke was reluctant to it all and would do his best to fight it.

"Are you okay?" one of the ANBU members asked.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. "No, call the Hokage. Orochimaru is on the move, perhaps on his way here."

All the ANBU around him stared at him. He could feel those eyes behind those masks, glaring into his soul for insurance.

Suddenly two of them disappeared, their image became blurry before they were completely gone. Sasuke fell to his knees, the throbbing and a searing pain shooting through his body. The two other ANBU taking him by an arm each before taking him back to the Uchiha mansion.

An alarm went through Konoha in a rapid state as more reports flew in through the window of the Hokage's office.

Hokage-sama

We've heard rumours from several sectors that a black tornado has occurred. Yet, as we inspected this further we found several places where ambushes had occurred. Tenten examined some of the bodies, they all seemed to have been eaten from inside by snakes.

Not only that, but Lee confirmed as well that the tracks are heading back towards the Village. Please raise the alarm, someone is after the Village or something in it.

Hyuuga Neji

And another said:

Hokage no Konoha

Various reports have reached my ears. It seems that Orochimaru is aiming for once and for all destroying Konoha. I've sent some of my underlings to aid you, after all we are still allies, at least by contract. I have given them my orders to aid you and stand under your command, I cannot join you myself out of certain affairs.

Sincerely

Sabaku no Gaara

The Kazekage of the Village of Sand

Yet the worst word she received only this afternoon came from none other then Jiraya, who came with even more problems.

Tsunade sighed. It seemed as if every Hokage had to experience some kind of tumult, and today it was her time.

Tsunade-hime (hime means princess.)

You have probably already heard this earlier, but since we are old friends I thought I could tell you this as well. Orochimaru has made his move and has gone after Sasuke. I still find it unbelievable that your little Uchiha decided to return, but oh well. Uchihas have always been a mystery to everyone.

Even though, don't turn your blind side towards other foes, evil is growing stronger as you read these words of mine. Sasuke will probably be able to assist your dispute with Orochimaru with various knowledge in what that bastard has planned. Even though no one probably believes him anymore, I think you should listen to that.

I really would want to give you a fully-fledged message about my spiritual success with the Icha-Icha series, but that will have to wait. This evil I am talking about is even greater then Orochimaru's and you already know parts of it. Indeed, long time ago I figured out that Akatsuki (whom I have kept an eye at for the last years) had a plan to capture the Kyuubi and the other tailed creatures. But this isn't all. Their intention from gaining all of these powerful animals are their will to steer the ninja world. Through a map I spotted just briefly, they have remade the lines and picked one land each to rule. And guess what? I noticed Itachi's name here where Konoha lies.

Don't tell Sasuke this yet. No need for the guy to die earlier then his brother has expected.

Jiraya

Ps: Some of the girls I met wants to say Hi as well, but I couldn't find any place other then here to put it.

In some words, Jiraya was predictable and yet faithful to the village in where he was born. Even though he rarely came back to the village, Tsunade knew he did his utmost to make sure that people stayed safe. And yes, she agreed with him though, he would never become Hokage. She remembered back when he and Naruto had gone to persuade her to take the role, he had told her when she asked him that it would never happen. 1, All the girls would sack him after only a few days and 2, he was a scaredy-cat.

Two ANBU suddenly appeared before her. "What?" she asked. I already know what is happening. I've received reports from our own people, the Kazekage and Jiraya. Tell me something new...

"Tsunade-sama!" one of the ANBU said. "Uchiha Sasuke just warned us that Orochimaru is coming here."

The Hokage looked up. "Uchiha?" she said in astonishment.

"It seems his seal is different from Anko's. He can detect the Snake's movement and he seems pretty conscious upon where he will strike."

Tsunade stared down upon Jiraya's words. What did the old Frog-Hermit know that she didn't know?

"Get Uchiha here at once then. I need to know everything about this." she said clearly. The two ANBU nodded, bowed and then disappeared. As Tsunade waited, Shizune appeared wearing her Jounin clothes.

"Tsunade-sama. We've sent a various amount of Chuunin and Jounin to guard the South area. From the reports Orochimaru has been detected to appear there and we are waiting for your commands."

"Shizune..." Tsunade started, ready to give her command. But before she was able to say more the ANBU returned with Sasuke, who surely didn't look surprised to be there. It felt in fact as if...

"You know something, don't you?" Tsunade said looking at the expression of the Uchiha's face.

Sasuke didn't answer her question at first, simply smirked. It wasn't before one of the ANBU tugged his hair that he spoke.

"I heard you sent your forces to meet him south, am I right?" he asked.

Shizune gasped. "How dare he..."

Sasuke grinned. "Then that is stupid. Orochimaru will attack from North, and there is hardly any defence there, you know."

Tsunade paled as she turned to the window, only to find half of the shinobi-world's armies out there.

"We're doomed!" Shizune said...

Sasuke sighed. He knew ever since the mark started to throb that something like this would happen. Once more the pain seared through his body.

"Damn you, Orochimaru!"

TBC

I think we'll stop here. For today. Before you ask, yes, the first part was just a dream, with a lot of meanings. Almost every part of it can be classified as some information.

Well... this chapter surely brings out the tension. And it surely remind me about the link between Harry Potter and Voldemort. Yet this isn't a Harry Potter story, and it will not be like it. Before you ask why I decided to start the Orochimaru/Konoha war now, it's because I have bigger fishes to fry, and I think both the manga and animé agree with me there.

More Naruto, more Sasuke and more tension next time. This chapter took a long time to type, so I better stop typing here and go rest my fingers in cold water. Not to mention, suddenly my computer has started sounding weird, so i better check that out as well.

Bye for now, see you laterz!

Shitza