Disclaimer – I don't own Naruto

This Time Around

By Crimson Skies

Chapter Eight – Resolution

Mikoto stood before the kitchen sink. The pan in her hand was being scrubbed furiously, though it hadn't been dirty. As of that moment, her emotional state was just short of frantic. Perhaps some would find it odd that she was washing clean dishes in the early hours of the morning. She did it because she needed something to occupy herself and she'd always found something soothing about doing dishes. In truth, she'd been up the entire night.

Late the afternoon before Sasuke had come storming into the house. She had gone to the entrance, ready to congratulate him for she was sure that he'd passed his exam. Instead, she witnessed him stalk past, his new headband clenched in his fist. She was startled to see unshed tears in his eyes. That was unusual. Shortly after he'd turned six she couldn't seem to remember him ever even close to crying, barring his father's death. Sensing the dark cloud lingering around his room, she'd decided it was best to wait until he calmed some before speaking to him.

She found herself lingering in the entrance after he'd left, as though waiting for something. With a start Mikoto had realized that she was waiting for Naruto. It was then that she knew the blond boy had become a permanent fixture in her life. He usually visited the house six days out of seven. Actually, she had wanted to invite him to move in with them, but knew better. The rest of the clan would never allow him to live on the compound. Certainly they'd managed to remove Sasuke from his position as heir on the grounds that he was too young to assume the role. It was just a convenient excuse, seeing as they could have found a temporary replacement. She knew the real reason of course and she had a feeling that Sasuke did too. Itachi's shadow would forever hang over their heads. Furthermore, Fugaku was no longer there to represent or defend them. Sasuke was still a child and she herself had married into the clan.

Sasuke's mood and the distinct lack of Naruto indicated that something was very, very wrong. Briefly she wondered if Naruto had failed the exam. She had dismissed the possibility as soon as it made itself known. It hardly seemed likely. She knew first hand how poor Naruto was at studying, but she also knew more about his abilities than either boy realized. She'd seen them spar once in the yard. That day she'd gotten home early from her errands and they hadn't noticed her arrival. The skirmish she'd witnessed had been half-hearted at best. Their movements had contained the ease of practical experience however. From that glimpse of ability, she had seen great potential. There were other incidents as well, little things that offered insight to one who looked for it. And look for it she had. Mikoto wasn't entirely sure why they hid their ability, but she had a good guess. The villagers were not fond of them after all.

Now Sasuke was missing, several ninja had come to her door asking about Naruto, and she finally had an idea of what was going on. Apparently Naruto had stolen the scroll of seals. Having known Naruto for six years she knew that there had to be more to it than that. And Sasuke was probably neck deep in whatever trouble Naruto had found as well. The large meal she'd made to celebrate their graduation lay untouched on the table. She was torn. If they came back, she didn't want it to be to an empty house. At the same time she desperately wanted to join the search. She'd been a jounin before retiring in order to raise her children so she was just as qualified as any.

When she heard voices outside the house, she abruptly dropped the pan in the sink. Water and soap spuds dripped from her hands when she reached the door, as she'd forgotten to wipe them. She dried them nervously on her apron. A subdued Naruto and Sasuke entered, followed by an exhausted chuunin. She recognized him as Iruka, a teacher at the Academy. She stared for a moment, assessing the trio's condition. Naruto's jacket was slung over his shoulder and there was a bandage wrapped around his upper arm. Sasuke seemed to be unscathed. All three seemed to be physically spent and emotionally drained. She quickly ushered them in.

"You boys!" she sighed, tension flowing out of her. "You scared me." She bent forward and gathered them in her arms. They stiffened simultaneously. Sasuke relaxed quickly, but she could feel Naruto shaking. A soft sniffle reached her ears. Releasing them, she straightened.

"You're not hurt?" she inquired of them.

"Just me and Iruka-sensei," Naruto informed her, touching his bandaged arm, "but we've already seen a medic."

"I'm fine," Sasuke added.

"Good. You're both going to go wash up and then straight to bed." She absently brushed a strand of hair out of Sasuke's face. He scowled at her slightly, which privately amused her. "I'm glad your safe, but that doesn't me I'm not upset. We'll talk after you both get some sleep."

"Yes, ma'am," Naruto answered quickly. Sasuke nodded in agreement. With a gentle push, she sent them toward the washroom.

"Umino-sensei? Would you like a cup of tea?" she asked politely.

"I would appreciate that very much, Uchiha-san," he answered with true gratitude. Silently, he followed her into the kitchen, taking a seat when she gestured at the table.

"I apologize for the mess," she said clearing away the meal that had been left on the table. She quickly set to work making the promised tea.

"It's quite alright," Iruka answered. Quiet followed. Mikoto gave Iruka time to think, as it was obvious he was gathering his thoughts. Moments later, she poured two cups of tea, setting one before Iruka. She then took the seat opposite him at the table.

"I'd like to know what happened, if it's not too much trouble," Mikoto said finally. Her calm tone hid the concern in her voice, but it was quite obvious that nothing would equal 'too much trouble' in her eyes. She would have an explanation.

"I thought you would, which is part of why I escorted them here. The other reason being that I wanted to make sure they were okay," Iruka explained, wrapping his hands around the warm teacup sitting before him.

"I see." She sipped her own tea patiently. "I heard that Naruto stole the scroll of seals."

"Yes. Mizuki, one of my co-workers, was a traitor. He tricked Naruto into believing he could graduate if he learned on the techniques on the scroll."

"What? Naruto failed?" she exclaimed, losing her cool for a second. "That can't be possible." She shook her head slowly.

"How so? Naruto is last in the class rankings. He's barely made it through the year. I thought you knew," Iruka told her, puzzled.

"Either the academy is much harder than it once was or something else is going on. But forget that for now. We can discuss it after you finish the story. Feel free to give me an abbreviated version."

"Of course. After finding out that Naruto had taken the scroll, I joined the search. I managed to find him, but Mizuki arrived shortly after. That was when I learned what Mizuki had done. It was during this confrontation that Sasuke was discovered hiding nearby. Naruto defeated Mizuki using kage bunshin, which he had learned from the scroll. Before he could though…well, there's no good way to say it." Iruka paused here, not certain how to continue. "Mizuki told them, Naruto and Sasuke, about the Kyuubi. They know."

Mikoto blinked, almost not understanding. "What? How did…how did they take it?"

"Naruto, I think he might have preferred not knowing. At the same time, now he understands the reason why he's disliked. He's strong though. I don't think this will pull him down," Iruka said firmly.

"You're right. It would be unlike him to let it get to him, but I'm going to watch him all the same. And what about Sasuke?"

"Honestly, I think Sasuke might have been more shocked than Naruto. He seemed to absorb it pretty well though. I don't think his view of Naruto has changed much. He also said that Naruto would have to explain some things and I'm not sure what that meant. I'll bet they're talking right now."

"Sasuke's not one to let something like that rest," Mikoto said. "He can be stubborn. He's a lot like his father." She sighed, closing her eyes briefly. "Thank you for telling me. Now about Naruto failing…"

"Yes, I would like to speak about that as well."

"Umino-sensei, I know very well that those boys keep things from me. Honestly, I can't really make them tell me. They're very good at concealing things, that much I've noticed," Mikoto informed him.

"Concealing things? Naruto? Forgive me, but that's surprising. Even when he pulls a prank, he can't keep quiet about it for long," Iruka said, disbelieving.

"I've seen some interesting things, and the rest you can call woman's intuition," she replied confidently. "I watched them spar once, though they didn't know. I must have been a spontaneous thing, because they never train near the household. Actually, I think they were fighting over food, but I digress. It was a simple battle, taijutsu only on account of the fact they were in the courtyard I think. I was impressed by the fluidity of their movements and the way they were completely at ease with themselves. The way they move when they think they're not being watched…it's a confidence I've seen only in accomplished ninjas. They've been hiding some of their abilities I think."

"I suppose you would know. After all, you were a ninja yourself. What I don't understand is why…wait…actually I think I do," Iruka said, his eyebrows rising.

"I thought it might be because of their standing in the village," Mikoto said. She stared into her cup thoughtfully.

"Perhaps, but I think Naruto wants to prove himself too much for that to be the reason. I was wondering if they knew how we split up genin teams," Iruka said carefully. Mikoto caught on quickly.

"It's not too difficult to find out. After all, almost everyone starts on a team. It would make sense for them to want to be on the same team. Sasuke would have to hold back to ensure he didn't graduate early."

"Yes. I think they may have done the only thing to ensure being placed on the same team." Iruka drained the rest of his tea. "But what bothers me is why Naruto would deliberately fail the exam. Maybe he just had difficulty with bunshin in particular."

"Speaking of the exam, I noticed that Naruto was wearing a forehead protector," Mikoto looked at the teacher curiously.

"I passed him on account of the fact that he successfully performed kage bunshin which he learned from the scroll," Iruka explained. "I think I'll still place them on the same team. Even if we're right, I think it would probably be good for Naruto to be around someone who understands and accepts him. Plus, I'd hate to disappoint them after they went to all the trouble," Iruka said with a sigh. "It actually makes my job easier that Naruto graduated, since now I can evenly split the graduates in groups of three."

"You really care about your students, don't you Umino-sensei?" she asked softly. He blinked at her, and then nodded.

"I do have a soft spot for Naruto though," he admitted. "Someone has to watch out for him. I'm grateful that you've been looking after him."

"As people who care about him, we need to stick together," she agreed. A sudden yawn split the man's face.

"Excuse me. It seems I've stayed too long," Iruka said sheepishly, rising to his feet.

"No, the fault lies with me for keep you so late. It's been a long day." Mikoto graced the teacher with a motherly smile. She rose and walked him to the entryway. "You must be tired. Thank you for staying so long in order to explain things."

"It was no problem. Thank you for the tea, Uchiha-san," Iruka replied. She watched him leave, grateful for her new ally.


"So, um…" Naruto mumbled as he finished arranging the spare futon on the floor of Sasuke's room. He never slept in the spare bedroom when he stayed. The knowledge of its former occupant made him uncomfortable. Sasuke watched Naruto fidget from where he sat on his bed, legs crossed. Inwardly he was grateful that Naruto was starting the conversation. Sasuke simply didn't know how to begin. "So now you know," Naruto blurted. He sat heavily on the ground.

"Yeah. But, what I want to know is, why?" Sasuke asked hesitantly.

"Why?" the blond echoed. Naruto's face was a mixture of puzzlement and dismay.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why does that law exist? And why…why you?" Sasuke clarified. Naruto looked away, not answering.

"Do you…do you hate me?" he asked warily, eyes fixed on the wall.

"Hate you? Do you hate me?" Sasuke inquired. "Don't answer that, you don't have it in you to hate people."

"Hey! I hate Orochimaru and Itachi and Kabuto and…and…" he trailed off, unable to think of more names. Sasuke smirked at him and Naruto abruptly realized that the other had been baiting him. He growled, but couldn't help it when the corners of his mouth quirked up. Sasuke felt relieved to see Naruto act himself again.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing, dobe. What I mean is that I've given you enough reason to hate me. What reason have you given me? Other than being a loudmouthed idiot. But that's beside the point."

"Bastard. I'm not an idiot."

"…" Sasuke's eyebrows rose in disbelief.

"Shut up!"

"I didn't say anything." Sasuke smirked as Naruto huffed. Slowly, the silence became uncomfortable.

"But still, it doesn't bother you?" Naruto asked, going somber again.

"The only thing that bothers me is that you didn't tell me, though I think I understand why…" Sasuke muttered darkly.

"It's not that! I trust you!" Naruto was quick to assure him. Sasuke looked skeptical. "I'm not lying and I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have, and it wasn't even true," he said quickly, almost rambling. "It's just that…" He shuffled, and Sasuke nearly missed the words he muttered next. "…I was scared."

That really threw him. Naruto said that he had been scared. It was an admittance Sasuke never thought to hear from him. He found himself believing it, despite the sheer absurdity of the situation. "Why…were you scared?"

"I don't know. I guess I thought you'd hate me. It…seems kind of stupid now," Naruto explained, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm just used to being hated."

There was something so very wrong about that statement that all words left Sasuke. He found himself thinking of his own mother, and how she'd been so cold towards Naruto in the beginning. For the first time since they'd landed in the past, he fully comprehended the fact that she was human. He'd held the memories of his parents on a pedestal for so long that he never really thought of them making mistakes. Even though she'd lived this time, he'd still subconsciously thought that one day she'd disappear. It was weird to think of his mother as an individual who made mistakes. At the same time, he found himself proud that she wasn't still like the rest of the villagers.

"Everyone you meet…everyone who cares about you…it's been an uphill battle for their acknowledgment. Even from our generation, we unthinkingly imitated the hate of others." His words were so soft that Naruto didn't catch them.

"What was that?" the blond asked. "I couldn't hear."

"I just realized why the law was made. So that you could grow up normally. It didn't work, did it?" Sasuke concluded.

"Like convincing the clan you're not your brother," Naruto joked. Sasuke didn't begrudge him for it. Naruto was the only one with the right to joke about such things. Actually, it helped prevent Sasuke from brooding on such subjects.

"Hmph." Sasuke's face was a mask of deliberate indifference. "Just when I thought you were being mature for once."

"I'm not twelve ya know! Well, maybe my body is but…damn it, you know what I mean!"

It was then that Naruto witnessed something that very few would ever see. A few chuckles escaped the Uchiha before he buried his face in the mattress. Naruto saw his body shaking as he howled. Even with Sasuke's face buried in the covers Naruto could hear his unbridled laugh. Sasuke had laughed before, it was true, but never had he lost so much control. It was so ridiculous that Naruto couldn't stop his own laughter when it started. He laughed at Sasuke and their situation and the utter absurdity of it all. He laughed until tears poured down his face.

"That had to be the weirdest thing I've ever done," Naruto choked why he finally began to calm.

"Weirder than going to the past?" Sasuke asked, lifting his face off of the covers.

"Definitely much weirder."

"More than being almost nineteen in a twelve year old body?"

"For sure." Naruto favored him with a wide grin, scratching the back of his head. They shared a mutual smile. It seemed to Naruto that things had worked out after all. "We're okay then?" he wondered aloud.

"Yeah," Sasuke agreed. "We are." He crawled under the covers of his bed, weariness weighing down on him. The sound of Naruto's loud yawn reached his ears.

"I guess we can talk about the rest later, 'cause I'm tired." Naruto truly had a talent for stating the obvious.

"Hn."

"Alright, alright, I get it! I'll shut up now." The blond shifted on the futon before finally relaxing. Sasuke was half asleep before a thought filtered through his fogged mind. He looked down at Naruto lying on the floor.

"That's not the weirdest thing you've done," Sasuke muttered sleepily.

"Huh?" Naruto grunted.

"Oiroke no jutsu."

"…You're such a jerk Sasuke."

"Idiot."


I will say that about two thirds of that chapter was pure inspiration and the other third planned. It was longer than usual and I finished it rather quickly. Within a WEEK! That's unusual, let me tell you. Seriously, don't expect the next update to come this fast. I'll do my best to finish writing it soon though. Speaking of, the next chapter brings the introduction of Team Seven! Yikes! Already this is becoming longer than anticipated. Why do all my projects get bigger and bigger as time passes? One more thing. I will repeat, for those who missed it, that THERE WILL BE NO MAIN PAIRINGS IN THIS STORY. Meaning the main characters will not be paired with anyone. Look for that in the sequel.

Thanks to:

ILLK, aznpuffyhair, Rei Tamashii, kawaiineziumi, hecate-19, Aki no Yume1, ChaosRonin, koyuki-san, PsychicLunar, gabrielchaos, Endermon, Sir Grag, Satern Mya, cartoonwatcher31, RaitenKitsune, maleficus-lupus, dragonninvoid, genbo, VoidArts, loaned, miz-hinatarox, naruto93, Fic Slayr, Heather-Hezzer-and-Honaluki, LuoLiBei, Gohan is MINE not yours, Cute and Fluffy, Raebef, Logrus Mage, Novalight, NowOrNever, Soiel, forgottenone1, vash14, Lee, Pixie Smith Again, liemtenshi, Sarehptar, Parselmaster, cheerful-pinkstar, Cyberwing, reighost, TheSunshineGirls, RumiAngel, Cayasha, Peacebunnie, KokoroAngel, insanechildfanfic, dater, C.M Aeris Queen of Insanity, Rokane Ree, Xx-Naruto-Fangirl-Xx, Ami Angel, cfox, GundamWingFanatic90, TheTrueSilver, pingpan

For reviewing. I appreciate all of the support.

Until next time!