Pairings:

None

(Will NOT take requests for pairings)

I was stuck at first, still deciding whether or not to add pairings, but then I saw 'This Time Around' by Crimson Skies which has no pairings and has many people who enjoy it. I didn't read it, but I'm positive that it's a good story.

However, it reinforced my belief that I had decided when I made this newer version: You don't need a pairing to advance a plot. There are not many stories out on this site that aren't driven by some sort of romantic element and I want to try and make a story like that. It'd be a challenge since the best, yet cheapest way to advance the story is by using romance.

Challenge accepted! :D

Yeah, that's about it. I know guys, I MADE YOU WAIT OVER THREE MONTHS FOR THIS?! I'll tell you guys what happened:

School. Illnesses. School projects. My Beta duties. Finding my own Beta. Reading a book for school project. My sister moving in the apartment below mine. My parents fighting. More Illnesses.

Yeah... even more can be found on the bottom section of my profile. xP

Summary:

The night of the Kyuubi no Yoko attack is drastically changed when the Nanabi no Tora and Hachibi no Okami assist it. Two villagers, knowing that the Yondaime's son wouldn't be able to handle all the chakra of three of the most powerful bijuu give up their children for the sealing.

Warnings: AU, possible language and... fast forwardness...


Moving On (Pt. 1)

These last several hours have been weird for Sasuke. He had thought his only friends showing up in the Uchiha Compound was just a mistake or maybe even some surprise playdate and that Ishi-san would be there soon to pick them up when the sun started to set. After he had told Naruto and Sakura this, their faces had instantly brightened up. This had almost shoved Sasuke off of his balance.

There was a huge contrast in their eyes. Unlike when he had been over their house where they had a knowing shine that Ishi would come back, there was something much darker that had been cleared away for something even brighter than knowledge; hope.

Why would those two need hope? From his brief meeting with the kind man, he could tell he wasn't one to suddenly abandon people without a reason. Therefor, Naruto and Sakura had no reason to have hope in their eyes. They didn't have the right to have it in their eyes.

Nevertheless, Sasuke had taken both of their hands and led them through the parted crowd to his house. They had shown him theirs, and now it was time to repay the favor.

It was only right as their friend.

His Okaa-san had greeted him first, smiling brightly at the his two friends who shyly hid behind him. Eventually, her kindness had won them over and they were eagerly introducing themselves. Upon hearing Naruto's name, she had frozen up and looked at him with a shocked expression. Uncomfortable and afraid that he had done something wrong, Naruto had slowly inched himself behind Sakura only to suddenly be taken up into Mikoto's arms and held closely to her shaking body.

He hadn't understood this behavior for Mikoto had never shown it before. One glance at Sakura told him she didn't understand what was going on either but since his Okaa-san didn't seem intent on hurting Naruto, she wasn't moving to do anything either. The blond didn't move either, maybe because he was to shocked to do so or because he didn't want to risk upsetting the sobbing woman any longer, Sasuke wasn't sure of.

Eventually, Mikoto pulled herself together and apologized profusely to all three of them before inviting them in for a small snack. After a tasty plate of something that she had long wanted to try out, Mikoto had ushered them outside to play, saying she'd be back in a while. It hasn't taken them long before another round of tag had ensued.

When his Okaa-san returned, it was getting late. The sun had nearly disappeared over the horizon. Ishi-san should've been there to pick Naruto and Sakura up by then, even though he didn't want them to leave him alone here.

He thought it was unfair. With Itachi-nii-san always busy with work and no one wanting to play with him, he was alone. At least Naruto and Sakura had each other when they were alone (they never seemed to be separate from each other for long; Sakura absolutely refused having Naruto being away from her). Couldn't they stay just a little bit longer? His selfish wish had been answered, for Mikoto had told them with a strange smile on her face that Naruto and Sakura would be staying over.

Then, she had nudged them gently into the bathroom to clean up for dinner. They had stared at each other, not really comprehending the situation, but did as they were told. Once finished, they had a delicious dinner between the four of them; his Chichue was preparing for a clan meeting and Itachi was out patrolling the walls of the village. After that, Sasuke had lead them into his room, the haven he could only escape to at night. Mikoto provided Sakura with some clothes while Naruto used his older pajamas since he was smaller than them both. They were now just sitting around his room, staring at anything but each other. The loudness of playing and laughter had been replaced with an awkward and foreboding silence.

His room was spotless, most likely from Mikoto's "spring cleaning" earlier that day. Sakura was leaning against the wall, an unreadable expression on her face. Finally, she spoke, the first to break the dreary silence. "... I don't think Tou-san's coming back."

Instantly, Naruto's head snapped up from his spot on his bed. He aimed a dirty look at the her who flinched slightly. "How dare you say that! You know Tou-san will come back; he'd never leave us behind."

Anger sparked in her eyes at his accusation. "I know that!"

"Then why did you say it?"

"Because it needs to be said!"

"No, it didn't, stupid!"

Sasuke turned between them, back and forth. It was a fierce game of Monkey in the Middle, and he was the unfortunate monkey. "Hey, guys...?"

Sakura stood up quickly and aimed a pointed finger at Naruto, eyes ablaze with fury. "Who are you calling 'stupid', Naruto?"

The youngest, now realizing his mistake, gained an apologetic and reluctant expression. It was something Sasuke hadn't seen before, proving that the mysterious lack of Ishi-san and the sudden accusation had shaken up the boy's nerves more than previously perceived. However, Sakura had been provoked past the point where she would be able to see that her 'otouto' was obviously having insecurities.

This was proven true when she crossed her arms, her glare not leaving the blond. "Well, Naruto?"

"Saku-"

"Shut up, Sasuke." Sakura snapped, turning to the other. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her attitude.

"Sakura!" She rolled her eyes, but gave him her attention. Disgruntled by her attitude, he continued on to say. "If you have to take it out somehow, please do it on anyone and anything but Naruto. The two of you don't need to be fighting each other when Ishi-san is nowhere to be found."

Sakura's angered expression started to slacken as the words seeped in. Sasuke was right; they shouldn't be fighting. They should be concentrating on finding Ishi. Then, she frowned. "But Naruto didn't need to call me stupid."

Sasuke nodded, seeing her point. The insult really wasn't needed. "Fair enough."

They both looked over to the bed where Naruto was observing the exchange with downcast eyes. After a few moments, he finally mumbled a 'sorry'. Sakura sighed, smiling tiredly and pulled herself onto the bed to embrace her younger brother in a hug. "It's okay."

The hug was slowly reciprocated as Naruto relaxed into the embrace, sighing happily. Sasuke did nothing but stand a few feet away from his bed, watching Sakura rock Naruto to sleep and tuck him in. He only nodded when Sakura wished him a good night before snuggling in the spot next the sleeping blonde. He heard her breath even out. Sasuke backed up until is back hit the wall. His legs buckled underneath him and he slid down, not loud enough to disrupt the faint snoring of his friends.

Sasuke didn't have anyone who would do something like that for him. While Mikoto loved him dearly, he didn't think even she would do it. The other kids and Itachi were usually too busy with their ninja duties or out-right refused to come within a certain distance of him. His father usually ignored his presence unless he wanted to talk about "power" and "how they will rise up". Nothing a four-year-old would really be interested in.

What right did they have?

Yes, what right did they have? How dare they have hope in their eyes? How dare they look lost? It wasn't fair! They do not deserve it that emotion.

Afterall... unlike him, they had each other, didn't they? They've always had each other.

Sasuke had no one.


DONE! Yes, I feel like a winner! :D *is totally not* Either way, this chapter is not filler, more like the building block for the next chapter. Besides, I did say that chapters 6-9 were mostly going to be on the aftermath and people's reactions.

Seriously guys, this has been a hell month for me. January is very much my busiest for the following: Christmas, New Years, then my sister-in-law's B-Day *Jan 5th*, then mine *Jan 9th*, then mom's *Jan 16th*, not to mention coming back to school after a two-week long winter beak, along with finishing school projects from over said break, then completing hw for school after coming back from break, and me trying to update all my stories at least once. It got worse with me being sick of all things. If you wanted to count the number of days, it's go up to two and a half weeks and is spread around randomly throughout the month of January.

So... yeah. Fuck the flu. :/


Translations:

Chichue- A very formal way to refer to your father


~Kitsune-Ohime-Sama~