Chapter 6

Naruto sat on top of the Fourth Hokage's stone head, watching dusk settle on Konoha again.

Sasuke's blind.

Upon hearing these words from Minato's mouth, Naruto had lost his head. He had forgotten completely that he was supposed to act normal and that any problem on his part could get him killed.

What! He had slammed his fist onto the desk again. You're lying!

Minato had gone back to his suspicious pose. Naruto, Sasuke's been blind for over a year. You know that-

No! Naruto had back away from him. No! You're lying! Sasuke's not blind!

With this statement, Naruto had spun away from his father and jumped through the window. The Hokage had immediately followed him, but Naruto had thrown him off with two dozen shadow clones and disguises.

Naruto!

He had sprinted through the streets of Konoha. Coming up to the Uchiha compound, he had shoved the guards out of the way and blasted through the gates.

He had found Sasuke in a dark room, doing nothing.

Sasuke?

The Uchiha had raised his head.

Who's there?

Naruto hadn't answered, but flipped on the light.

Sasuke hadn't reacted, not even a flinch or blink.

It's not true.

The dark-haired teen frowned. Naruto?

It's not true.

Sasuke had turned to the sound of his voice. What are you doing here?

Naruto hadn't answered. He had seen the scars around Sasuke's eyes. He had seen the way his lids didn't lift all the way. What he had not seen was the familiar, contemptuous, nearly-black orbs sneering at him.

Well?

You . . . you're . . . but—but how . . . I don't

Sasuke sneered, but it was tinged with bitterness, not arrogance. The wonderful Namikaze Naruto, Konoha's hero, son of the Fourth Hokage, is stammering? That doesn't become you, great one.

Naruto had moved closer to Sasuke. You're blind.

Sasuke had frowned, his lips tightening, extenuating the deep scars around his eyes.

How did this happen? Sasuke?

Naruto had run forward, grabbing his friend/rival by the shoulders.

What are you talking about?

Who did this, Sasuke? Who did this to you?

Sasuke had snorted. Come to lord it over me, Naruto? How you had to pull me out of there and save my life?

Sasuke! Just tell me! Who blinded you?

Sasuke had shoved him away with all of his strength, which wasn't all that impressive. Quit playing stupid, Naruto!

I'm not!

The Uchiha had snarled at this. You expect me to believe that you don't remember your great achievement? How I failed and killed my father, brother and teammates along with the enemy?

What? What's wrong with you?

Oh, I get it. You want me to relive it, huh? Sasuke had laughed, an unpleasant, harsh sound. The worst day in my life?

Sasuke—

Fine. I was on a mission. My father and brother were on a team with me and several other Uchihas. We ran across a great enemy. He used a certain technique and I copied it with my Sharingan.

He had spat the last word out with utter contempt.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the skill necessary to control the technique or the Sharingan eye. I had only mastered it a few months before.

No, Sasuke, you—

I lost control.

Sasuke's hand had curled into a fist.

I killed the enemy, that's for sure, but I also killed all of my teammates. Sasuke's voice had almost cracked on the last word, but he held it together.

No.

Oh, yes, Naruto. The bitterness had returned, in full force. Then you arrived. You found me, injured and unconscious on the ground and fought off the one ninja who had kept back. You picked me up and carried me back to Konoha. If you hadn't come along, I would have died.

Sasuke.

He had stood up by now.

Do you remember yet? You saved the Uchiha heir. You are the hero of the clan and of Konoha.

But, Sasuke, your eyes—

Sasuke had snarled again and taken a wild swing at Naruto, who had easily blocked it.

I guess the great Naruto has a streak of sadism no one knew was there, huh? Well, this ought to satisfy you, bastard!

Who—what happened to your eyes? Who?

Sasuke had laughed again.

You're looking at him.

Naruto had back away, staring dumbly as Sasuke had thrown his head back and laughed at his own joke. Get it? Looking at the guy who gouged his own eyes out? Well? Get it?

Naruto had sensed an Uchiha guard coming closer to him, calling out for Sasuke. He had left again through the window, only to encounter a couple of ANBU black ops. He again used shadow clones, disguises and substitution jutsus to get rid of his followers. He had run through Konoha's streets, time and time again foiling his pursuers.

Naruto now sat on the stone head of his father.

Sasuke's blind.

Just yesterday, he had sat on this same spot and watched the sun set with Sasuke.

Sasuke's blind.

Naruto ran his hands through his hair. He buried his face in them.

Sasuke's blind.

No, no Sasuke can't be blind. He can't be. He's the best fighter I know, he mastered the Sharingan years ago.

Naruto slammed his fist into the ground. His knuckles came away bleeding.

That's right, Naruto. Get a hold of yourself. This—this—whatever this is, isn't real!

He took a deep breath.

In the real world, Sasuke isn't blind. He never messed up like that.

Sasuke's not blind.

Sasuke's blind.

Naruto shook his head vigorously. No this is some kind of illusion. Those scars—the scars were just some kind of illusion, part of the trap!

But . . .

NO! I said enough.

Naruto snapped his head up.

Alright! Enough moping. Naruto, you need to find out exactly what happened and reverse it! Then, everything will be back to normal.

Yeah, that's it! I'll fix this! Believe it!

"Naruto!"

He spun around to see his father standing behind him.

Crap. What's he doing here? Can't I be alone? I need to think.

Minato stood about ten feet away from Naruto, and two ANBU were stationed behind him. He had doffed his robes and was dressed like a normal Jounin.

He's sure more dangerous than a normal Jounin. Naruto thought. Especially when he's angry. Like now. Minato had his mission face on, the one Naruto had always seen in the picture in the Hokage's office.

He waved the two ANBU away and they left in a flash. The Hokage took a step forward. "Naruto."

Hmm. I think I'm in trouble.

Naruto spun around and sat back down.

Suddenly, Minato was next to him. Naruto jumped. Geez, he's silent. And fast. What is he here about?

"Naruto . . ."

Oh.

Yeah.

The whole Naruto-didn't-know-Sasuke-is-blind thing. Crap, crap, crap, crap! What do I do? What do I do?

Ha! I know. I'll lie!

Uh, what should I lie about? Oh, man, now I have to come up with some kind of story. What will he believe?

Minato was silent for a while. He opened his mouth to speak, but Naruto cut him off.

"Uh, Dad."

"Yes?"

Naruto bit his lip. Well, here goes. I hope he'll buy this. "I, uh, didn't want to scare you or Mom, but . . ."

The tension went up. Minato didn't say anything. Naruto waited for a couple seconds.

"Well, son?"

"I've, um, been having headaches lately. Really bad ones. That's why I've been acting weird."

Minato didn't say anything for a long time. Naruto could hear him doing what sounded like deep-breathing exercises. "Is there anything else?"

"Yeah." He waited a couple seconds. Is he buying this? "This isn't the first memory lapse I've had."

His father closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. "How long has this been going on?"

Naruto shrugged. I think it's working. "I dunno. A couple months."

"Naruto . . ."

"I'm sorry," Naruto whispered. "I just didn't want to scare you."

There were several seconds of silence. "I'll set up an appointment with a medic nin tomorrow. In the meantime . ."

Yes! It worked! Naruto bit his lip to contain his relief. "What should we tell Mom?"

Minato chewed his lip. "The truth. She'd kill me if we didn't. Besides, she might know something other medic nins don't. We'll just wait until after dinner."

Naruto nodded. Whew. Dodged that one. I'm safe for now.

"Let's go home. If we're late, your mother will worry."

Naruto frowned, but stood anyway. "Won't she be worrying—"

"Shut up and walk."

The younger blond sent a glance to his father. Man. He looks a lot older. I did that?

No! Why am I caring about him? He's part of this trap, which means he's my enemy or he's not real. Either way, I don't care.

Still, he kept an eye on the Hokage the rest of the way. Alright. Crisis averted for now, but what happens when they find nothing in my head? I'll have to stall the doctor's appointment for as long as possible.

They walked through the streets of Konoha, two nearly-identical men, height and clothing the only differences. The two continued the walk to the rather large house that the Hokage and his family lived in.

At the door, a boy of about ten with gold spikes greeted them. Kenji gave a half-grin. "Hey. Mom was just about to send me out to find you."

"Yeah, you know how I hate dinner being late." A beautiful woman with brilliant green eyes came into the entryway.

Mom.

Minato moved quickly and swept her up in his arms. Their kiss was long and deep.

"Ew." Kenji walked out.

Meara and Minato laughed. "You won't think so in another couple years," the boy's father warned. Naruto noticed some of the lines around his eyes had softened.

"Hn." Kenji walked upstairs. Minato and Meara only laughed harder.

"YOU'RE HOME! YOU'RE HOME! YOU'RE HOME!"

A blonde bundle of energy launched himself at his father. Minato caught Raidon and swung him up.

"Can we eat now? Pleeeeaaasse?"

Minato laughed. "Alright! Alright! We'll eat as soon as you wash your hands."

Raidon wrinkled his nose. "Why? They're not dirty!"

Naruto cut in. "You're seven, Shortie! They're always dirty!"

"Nuh-huh!"

"Yuh-huh!"

"Nuh-huh!"

"Yuh-huh!"

"Nuh-huh!"

"Yuh-huh!"

"Nuh-huh!"

"Yuh-huh!"

"Stop!" Meara managed to laugh and scowl at the same time. "Raidon, wash your hands." He scrunched up his face and stomped off.

Naruto smirked after him. "Hehehehe!"

"Naruto," she continued. "Grow up!"

Raidon collapsed with giggles. "Hahahaha!"

The Chuunin snarled and charged at his brother, who promptly let out a scream and scrambled upstairs. Ha! Still scared of me, Midget. When Raidon was in the bathroom, water running, Naruto headed back downstairs.

"Minato, what's wrong?"

"I'll tell you after dinner."

"Is it about Naruto? I heard he broke into the Uchiha compound today."

"I'll tell you after dinner, Meara. It can wait until then."

"Minato-"

Naruto chose that moment to come downstairs. "Raidon is following your instructions, oh great and terrible leader." He bowed low to his mother.

She raised an eyebrow. "And you, unworthy subordinate?"

"Working on it, impatient and powerful one."

"That will be acceptable for now. Unimportant blonde one," she said, addressing her husband.

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Go retrieve the food from the place of cooking," Meara ordered. Minato bowed and left the room.

Naruto popped back up and grinned, but his grin faltered when he saw the look on his mother's face. There was a strange look in her eyes, one Naruto had never seen before.

She reached up and smoothed a lock of his hair back. "I love you, Naruto."

The breath seemed to stop in Naruto's lungs. I love you. Nobody had ever said that to him before. He stared at the woman before him.

"Ah, thank you," he whispered.

Meara laughed. "That's what your father says half the time I tell him, too." She ruffled his hair again and walked away.

Naruto stared after her, close to tears. I love you. She was the first person to say that to him. Stop! She's either the enemy or she's not real! Stop! He buried his hands in his hair.

"Naruto? Are you alright?" It was Raidon, a concerned pout on his cute face.

The Chuunin smiled. "Yeah, I just have a headache, that's it."

"Oh." Raidon reached up and massaged Naruto's head with his still-wet hand. "Does this help?"

Despite the fact that his hair was now sopping wet, Naruto nodded. "Yeah. Thanks." Raidon grinned up at him.

Tama's voice came floating into the kitchen. "Dinner's ready! Come and get it!"

"Bet I can beat you!" Raidon challenged. He sprinted ahead, short legs pumping.

Naruto stood up and took a running leap over the seven-year-old's head. Raidon squealed and clutched his mop of hair. "Mooooom!"

"Boys! Just sit down!"

Raidon made a humph of indignance. "But he jumped over my head!"

"Aaaand I got here first!" Naruto stuck his tongue out.

The little boy snarled and charged, much as his older brother had done minutes ago. Naruto smirked and the two began to wrestle. The older was easily handling Raidon when suddenly his ear was grabbed and twisted. He gave a very manly yelp of surprise—not pain.

Meara dragged him to his feet, holding Raidon the same way. "Didn't I tell you to grow up!" she snapped into Naruto's clutched ear. She pulled him to a seat and sat him down in it. "You are doing the dishes tonight!"

Naruto gaped at her. "But—but, I—can—"

"Don't complain!"

He shut his mouth. But I've never done dishes! All I eat in my apartment is instant ramen! How do I do dishes?

Raidon was seated across from him. The two scowled at each other. Raidon began to "innocently" swing his legs, managing more than half the time to hit Naruto's shins. After a few minutes of this, Naruto couldn't take it anymore. He gave the seat of Raidon's chair a swift, hard kick and sent it sliding across the floor to bang into the wall.

"Ha!"

"Mooooom!"

"Minato, say something!"

"Boys! Listen to your mother!"

"Minato!"

"What! I said something!"

Naruto and Raidon snickered at their parents. Kenji walked in with a big bowl of soup. He dragged Raidon's chair back to the table and spooned some soup into his bowl. "Eat this and don't talk. You two are idiots."

"You're related to us, you know," Naruto retorted.

"Yes," Tama agreed, striding in with a dish of vegetables. She dumped some onto Naruto's plate. He made a face. "But we clearly got all of the smart genes."

Naruto tried to shove the vegetables off his plate back into the serving dish. Tama hit his hand. "Stop that!"

"But I don't like vegetables," he whined.

"Yeah, me neither." Raidon chimed in, spraying soup.

Several voices made noises of disgust and reproach. He grinned and shoveled more soup into his mouth.

"DAAAAD!"

Right before Raidon could shower the dinner table with more soup, a yellow flash rushed by Naruto and a hand was clamped over the boy's mouth. So that's the famous speed of the Yellow Flash, huh?

Naruto grinned. "I guess being the Yellow Flash of Konoha is good for something."

Minato rolled his eyes as Meara entered with the main dish. She chuckled. "Yeah. Forget the Great Ninja Wars or saving people from collapsing buildings. His greatest accomplishment to date is the salvation of the dinner table." She dropped a kiss on his lips.

"Ew. I'm eating here." Kenji stared pointedly at his plate, which was now laden high with vegetables.

Naruto eyed the green stuff on his brother's plate. "Are you sure we're related?"

Kenji raised his eyes and met Naruto's. "What's wrong with vegetables?"

Naruto sneered. "I'd rather have ramen."