Here's an update. Your reviews are great, enjoy.

"Hey, look at that boy." Sakura pointed a childishly chubby finger at a kid who was hiding under the slide. "I think he's crying!" She turned to Ino, and they giggled. Sakura then turned back to look at Sasuke, who leaned against the tree with his eyes closed.

"He's new here, huh?" Choji asked, his voice slightly muffled by the chips stuffed in his mouth. "Is he in our grade?"

"Hm," Ino placed a finger at her chin. "He looks like a fourth grader. I think so, whatcha think Sasuke?" Again, the raven was addressed but said nothing.

Hinata pulled at the fabric of her dress, looking toward the blonde kid, her pale eyes worried. She had seen him around recess too, he hadn't made any move to speak to anyone, finding a spot by the flagpole by himself. But he wasn't crying—no, he was just empty. He almost looked indifferent but the void look in those blue eyes of his, showed otherwise. Hinata had only gotten to look into them because their desks were paired together in the classroom. They were in the same fourth grade class; Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, and Choji were in the other. "H-He's in our grade." She clarified, now staring at the roots of the tree.

"Whatever, still, he's a weirdo." Sakura nodded her head very sure of herself. "Who sits alone two weeks into school? He should have friends!"

"Why are you concerning yourself, Sakura?" Sasuke spoke at last, his eyes opening, laced with amusement. "If you're so worried, go be his friend."

Sakura pouted down at the raven, the challenge in his voice making her want to roll her eyes. She shifted her tubby body to stand on one foot. It wasn't impossible, the kid was just shy or something. She would do it. "Watch me!" Sakura adjusted the bow in her bright pink hair and stomped off toward the slides. The rest of the group watched her for a ways, then got up to follow the show.

"Hey!" Sakura called out, almost to the blonde boy. He jumped at the aggression in her voice, turning to look at her. She extended her hand toward him, "Get up... you're going to come play with us." She waved her chubby fingers at him. In truth, she was trapped by the blank stare in his eyes. He was so desolate—like the walking dead. It was scary and she slowly retracted her hand, watching as his face remained the same. Now she began to wonder—why had she even taken notice of this boy in the first place? Suddenly, she didn't want to have any part of this, she didn't want to talk to this kid. But her eyes stayed glued to him, then something surprising happened. At the exact right time, at the exact right angle, the sun reflected right off the boys hair, making her squint against the sudden brightness. Sakura stood in the sand agap—it was like all the shadows around him had disappeared, his eyes still stood in the grave but Sakura saw this as potential.

The others caught up to the pinkette. Sasuke looked between Sakura and the boy, a dark eyebrow raised, "Told you, you don't have it in you Sakura. This idiot is useless, leave him be."

But Sakura didn't seem to hear him, which make Sasuke recoil. No matter how much she wanted to return to playing with her friends, this blonde kid... he should be able to play too. The teasing words from Sasuke only pushed her further—he may just be impressed when she befriended this boy. Hesitantly, Sakura kneeled in the sand next to the blonde. "Hey... really, come play with us. You'll have fun I promise." She wrapped her fingers around his, he tensed but didn't push her away. "C'mon?"

Naruto looked at her. Then up at the small group of kids who stared down at them curiously. His eyes focused on the judgmental boy that was Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura smiled at the blonde, "Don't worry about him. He's just being a bully." She pulled Naruto to his feet. "What's your name?"

The boy froze, now standing with the other children. The females looked upon him with eager faces, awaiting his answer. The overweight boy munched on his chips, having lost interest. And the raven haired boy glared at him, but still waited for his name. Naruto took a deep breath, finally really breathing for the first time in a very long time. The air was sweet, maybe a bit cold but that was okay. She said he would have fun, and he would. It was funny how an act of kindness did this to him—she reminded him of his mother in a way. This was hope. "My names Naruto Uzumaki. And I'm gonna—"

"Naruto? What a stupid name." Sasuke said rolling his eyes. He started away, motioning for the others to follow him. Sakura started to protest but was caught off guard when a hand reached out and took hold of Sasuke's shirt, forcing him to turn back to face Naruto. Sasuke gritted his teeth.

"What did you say, bastard?" Naruto asked, frowning. Sakura squealed, there it was. There was a spark in his eyes, it was angry, but it was there.

Naruto had no idea what he was doing. He didn't want to fight—but he wouldn't have his name insulted. His parents had named him after someone important to them, his namesake would not be dirtied. Plus, it felt good. To do something, to be loud, to be aggressive. It made him feel alive, he could be beat to a pulp any second—and it made him want to fight harder. The arrogance, superiority, the prideful. This raven embodied everything that he would never get to have. Why did someone like him get to have everything in the world?

"I called your name stupid. What are you gonna do about it, idiot?" Sasuke did not like this new kid grabbing him, Sasuke Uchiha, in the least bit. This little ant—how dare he raised his voice to someone so much above him. He had better learn his place. He acted like his words had struck a cord—but everyone was subject to the Uchiha's ridicule. A nobody like him should be lucky to be going to the same school as him. Someone who came from nothing. Where did this blonde get this kind of nerve?

Later that day, Sasuke's parents were called and he was grounded for a week for getting into a fight. That would be the only time Sasuke Uchiha had ever stepped foot into the principals office, for getting in trouble. It would be the only time, because Sasuke swore to himself not to let another person ever have so much control over him again—it wasn't natural. Even later that day, Naruto's aunt renounced all custody of him to the state and moved to Kiri. Throughout his years in foster care, Naruto would have a total of three other homes, before deciding to live on his own his sophomore year of high school.

/O\/O\/O\/O\/O\/O\

"I'm assigning a seating chart according to last names. So everyone, get up and move to the back of the class, right now!" Ms. Anko commanded of her 7th grade class, waving her clipboard in the air. When no one moved, she glared. "If you little munchkins don't get up—all of you will fail the semester!"

The class tripped over one another as they scrambled to get to the back of the class. Ms. Anko started to place students in their seats, one by one until each student was situated. The desks were arranged in groups of four. Naruto gritted his teeth, feeling like he was being frozen. Sasuke did the same, edging closer to the end of his seat, like he was being burned. The other boy looked at them curiously. The girl only focused on Sasuke, her eyes lidded.

Naruto scoffed loudly before turning to glare at Sasuke openly. The Uchiha didn't bother—not wanted to waste his time with something so trivial. But after about 10 minutes of feeling Naruto's eyes boring into his skull, Sasuke turned. "I wish you would quit that, dobe."

"Hm, didn't know you had wishes." Naruto replied. "I thought you had everything you wanted." Sasuke then rolled his eyes and began taking notes on what Anko was saying. Naruto turned away and toward the left side of the room, a blur of pink catching his eyes. Sakura was hurriedly writing down notes, her green eyes focused intently on what she was doing. She had really slimmed down since elementary school. Naruto didn't know what to think about that, he didn't want to look away from her, yet he didn't want her to catch him staring. Besides Hinata—she was one of the first people to be nice to him. He didn't know what to think about that.

"Sakura saw you." A voice was next to his ear. Naruto flinched and turned away quickly, his face bright with a rush of color. He blinked his eyes twice before his ears recognized the snickering sound coming from the raven next to him. "You are hopeless. She doesn't like you like that."

"You're a jerk! I can't stand you," Naruto cursed the blush that only spread over his cheeks. Sasuke laughed even more at the display. "And how would you know anyway?"

"Because she likes me." Sasuke grinned at the utterly shocked look on the blondes face. Did this feel good, or did it feel good? The bell rang and Sasuke started to pack his things. Before leaving the room, he looked back at Naruto, who wasn't so shocked anymore. He looked more along the lines of... Contemplating. And whatever it was the blonde was thinking, Sasuke had never seen such a deep look on his face.

/O\/O\/O\

Naruto leaned against his fist, drinking his milk absently. He stared at something above him. Ino tapped the table to get his attention. "Hello~! Anyone there?"

"Huh?" The blonde boy jumped. He found that everyone at their table was looking at him.

"We asked, Naruto, if you were going to sneak into the 8th grade dance with us." Sakura whispered, her face bright with excitement. The seventh grade wasn't assigned any dances, but it was possible to sneak in, through the back door, to the 8th grade ones. It was rare to get caught and the group had finally summoned enough courage to try it out.

"Believe it!" Naruto grinned. He sat his milk on the table, then took a deep breath, still looking at Sakura. "Hey, Sakura, you remember—"

"Sakura! We still have to take that test for Kurenai. Hurry up, we have to go!" Ino motioned for Choji to join them. Sakura nodded her head and lifted her lunch tray. She dumped it into the trash can and was out the door before Naruto had closed his mouth.

Shikamaru stood from the table next, claiming there was a nap waiting for him in the library. Hinata mumbled something and pattered off too. Soon, only Naruto and Sasuke were left at the table. The blonde wouldn't leave until his food was finished—it was about the only decent stuff he would be getting for the day. Plus, it was free for him. Sasuke only stayed because he wanted to insult Naruto. "Like I always say, hopeless." Then he exited.

That night, the group of 7th graders successfully infiltrated the dance. However, the moment was shortlived due to the fact that Sasuke had brought in a lighter. It was purple and expensive looking, but a real lighter regardless. When questioned about his actions, he would give no one any answer, just an Uchiha-worthy glare. It didn't help that Naruto was trying to wrestle it away from him when a teacher kicked them out.

"I can't believe you! Now I'm stuck out here!" Naruto yelled, stomping around outside the gym doors. He paced back and forth, trying to wrap his head around how angry he was. "You bastard!" He glared at the raven who had gone to sit at the picnic tables. Naruto marched up to him, "What do you have to say for yourself? Why did you even have that?"

Sasuke shrugged and pulled the lighter out of his pocket again. The teachers hadn't even taken it away, too afraid of his last name. "Shut up, dobe." He rolled the object in his hand, running his fingers up and down its shape. Naruto tried to see it more clearly, but the raven kept it from his sight. The blonde sighed loudly in annoyance—they were the only people not at the dance! He sat down next to Sasuke in defeat. Sakura was probably in there—"I'm moving Naruto."

The words were so sudden that it took Naruto a moment before he understood what Sasuke was saying. "Is that why you haven't been as bastardly lately? Don't get me wrong—you're a butthole—just not as much."

"Maybe," Sasuke opened his hand fully, revealing the dark purple lighter he held in his hand. It wasn't just expensive, it was beautiful—there were swirl patterns decorating the glass part and the Uchiha crest engraved the silver part. Naruto didn't know much about lighters, but what did Sasuke have this one for? "It's not for long, just so that my father can complete some kind of deal in Japan. A couple years max."

"Years?" Naruto was surprised. The raven would normally keep this information to himself, or rub it in his face. Then a thought occurred to him. "Sakura! She's gonna miss you." Sasuke scoffed and it made Naruto scowl at him. He really didn't appreciate anything! "You have to tell her, give her some answer. Wait—when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

"What?"

"If you can't even understand that, I'm done talking." Sasuke said simply.

Naruto sighed, not knowing what to say next. Was his friend moving? Should he be sad? Well, his rival was leaving too. Should he be happy over that? "Ya know, even if you suck, you were fun to fight with while it lasted. Try not to freeze over Japan when you get there." He had to give Sasuke some props for igniting the fire within him. No, more along the lines of Sasuke keeping it lite with his arrogant ways. If it weren't for the combination of kindness from Sakura and rivalry from Sasuke, he probably wouldn't have resurfaced. His parents wouldn't have liked it if he didn't learn to forgive.

"I already told everyone who needs to know. Like I said, when I come back, I expect you not to be such an idiot."

Naruto rolled his blue eyes. "Watch, when you see me, I'm gonna be the best thing that's ever happen to Konoha. No one will even care about you, not with Naruto Uzumaki around."

"Hn. As if you could ever measure up to me. I beat you in everything."

"No you don't!" Naruto frowned. He thought hard—trying to think of a time when he'd beat Sasuke at something. Damn, it was harder than he thought. Then it hit him—"I held hands with a girl before you. If you ever have!" The way Sasuke's face laced with pink told him all he needed to know. "Ha!" A small win, but a win nonetheless.

Sasuke shoved the lighter back in his pocket. "W-well I don't have time to do that! You would have time since you're such a loser. I could if I wanted."

"Nope, no one wants to hold hands with such a jerk~!"

"Sakura would." Sasuke grinned.

"She doesn't count! She would hold my hand too, I bet. So, shut up!" Was that his comeback for everything? It just wasn't fair. Not fair at all! Naruto leaned back against the picnic tables. He didn't believe Sasuke when he said Sakura liked him—or atleast, she somewhat liked Naruto too. In truth, the girl he had held hands with was Sakura, which counted for something. But, he would not tell Sasuke this if only for the sake of their argument. He—He didn't want to reveal this information and hurt the bastard. It would be a huge blow to his ego if he did. It would be difficult to have any type of comeback and their rivalry...

"Hn. Well what about this," Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest. Naruto looked up. "I've kissed a girl."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, staring at Sasuke's pale face. He scooted up next to him, trying to find signs of a lie. The raven was still red from their previous subject, so it was hard to tell. "If that's true... who was she?"

"You don't know her. She doesn't go here."

"Liar!" Naruto declared. There was no way Sasuke got his first kiss before he did! If the blonde wasn't waiting for Sakura, he could've had it a long time ago. No way! "I need some proof then!"

Both boys paused. Proof? How do you prove something like that? Of course, one way crept into their minds, and they both blushed at the thought. They couldn't do that. They were both boys and... well what did gay mean? It wasn't that much different from liking girls. So... then? Sasuke moved an inch toward Naruto, not one to back down from a challenge. He suddenly pulled them to their feet, his face even redder than before. Blue eyes went wide—he wasn't serious? Reaction time was way off for Naruto that night, next think he knew there was a pair of wet, sloppy Uchiha lips against his and his knees went weak. A tongue unprofessionally wiggled around in his mouth, exchanging too much saliva. Still, Naruto's stomach grew warm. The moment Sasuke pulled back, Naruto started to fall forward. The raven caught him barely. "Omph—get up!"

Still, the raven helped him steady himself. Naruto kept his hand tight over his mouth, eyes still peeled wide open. "That real enough for you?" Sasuke's voice was low, a whisper. It caught Naruto off guard, and he furrowed his eyebrows. Sasuke patted his shoulder, as if congratulating him on something. Then he released him and took a step back. "Naruto, you really are the dumbest person I know!" His voice was loud triumphant. Naruto frowned and looked around, recognizing that tone. That was Sasuke's vicious ridiculing voice—but who was his audience?

Now, something terrible happened. Naruto couldn't remember it clearly, having wanted to forget it mostly. Years later, way after middle school and into his senior year of highschool; he would recall what happens next and speculate on if it made him stronger, or even more broken. He would compare that nights events to another moment in his life. By the end of senior year he would have his answer.

Sakura and Ino were next to Sasuke suddenly, the pinkette scowled and the blonde smiled. Sakura handed both Sasuke and Ino a five dollar bill. "Look, now you've gone and made me lose Naruto!"

"You bet on my first kiss?" Naruto asked, his voice still holding a type of hope. But his heart already knew what this was—betrayal. The bet wasn't if he had had his first kiss—it was if he would kiss a boy, and Sasuke nonetheless. He had felt this feeling plenty of times in his 13 years of life. Whether from his foster homes or the absence of his parents. "Heh..."

"Oh, shut up! I can't believe you get to be Sasuke's first kiss." Sakura growled. Oh, so Sasuke had been lying too? She folded her arms over her chest. "You're not right for him Naruto, keep the fruit cake-ness to yourself. I don't wanna see it."

Despite himself, Naruto's eyes watered. They were banning against him. But what about Sasuke? It took two to tango. Neither girl faulted the raven for a single thing, like it had been Naruto who started the whole thing. "You guys are taking this the wrong way! I hate Sasuke—I trusted you Sakura."

"No, you trusted Sasuke. The day I pulled you up from that sand, you've been all over him." She said, her green eyes not breaking from his. "You fight with him, yell at him, chase him all over school. You always say that its me and Sasuke who were there for you, what did Sasuke do besides get you sent to the principals office? I was your friend—you stopped being mine when you started liking Sasuke."

Naruto thought about what she was saying. It was true, no matter how twisted the logic—in a way he did like Sasuke. Even if he tried to explain himself, they had passed judgment already. He was no longer their friend. Something within Naruto snapped that day—but not what you think. He didn't sink back into that water, he didn't feel like he was drowning. The blonde felt like he was walking on solid ground. He realized something—ever since fourth grade Sasuke and Sakura had been his crutches, Naruto gave them credit for every good aspect in his life. Since he had no one, the attention they gave him felt like it would be the last he ever got. If Naruto didn't cling to it with all he had, it would disappear. And there it went. But no more, he would be responsible for himself! All things he did from that day on would be on his own accord. Naruto was old enough to be his own person.

No matter how stupid, Naruto would own up.

So, years later and into his senior year of highschool, Naruto would remember that night clearly. And he would do things of his own accord, and be responsible for it. By the time he was able to compare it to the other events in his life, his answer was absurdly clear.

/O\/O\/O\/O\/O\/O\

"I bet he's using you."

"Shut up, Sasuke."

"No, tell me. Just how good is the ssex?"

"Of all times for you to speak to me, you want to know about my sex life?" Naruto snapped, finally looking up from his papers and at the raven haired boy. They were trapped in detention together, the rest of the students either asleep or on their iPods. It was just his luck that he wasn't tired and had no iPod. Naruto growled, "If you must know, Kiba is fucking great. Literally."

Sasuke laughed, a slightly high-pitched and wild laughed. Naruto frowned at the display. He... Sasuke was high off something. Studying the raven further, his eyes were bloodshot and his hands wouldn't stay still. He was high. The blonde should've known when the raven crawled into the desk next to him, clearing his throat for a conversation. "Are you okay?" Naruto asked quietly.

"I'm fucking great. Ask Sakura!" Sasuke snickered. "Or Ino. Or Ayame. Or Mabui. Or any bitch you want. But not Hinata—Neji would just kill me~!" His smile slipped from his face and they fell into awkward silence, with Naruto trying to ignore him. This was no state for Sasuke to be in. His prissy boy body couldn't handle it, which was making it obvious. If the teacher were to pay a bit more attention...

"I'm not fucked up, if that'sss what you're thinking." Sasuke said, tapping his fingers against the desk. "I knew you were going to—be in here. I mean since you were gonna be here. I just... wanted to tell you hi or something and it didn't go quite as planned."

"Why would you want to tell me hi?" They didn't have casual conversations—they cussed each other out whenever they happen to pass each other in the hall. Then went on their jolly ways.

Sasuke shook his head several times. "No, I didn't want to say hi. Idiot. I wanted to say sorry, but it just didn't happen. Deal with it, faggot. Or what, is Kiba going to beat me up?" He spoke quickly, the words almost running together. Sasuke was really not the drug type.

Naruto rolled his eyes. Only four more years. Then he and Kiba would move out of this stupid town and be done with all this. Sasuke wouldn't be able to reach him.

"You're... such a fucking... Idiot." The raven scowled at him, then sniffed. "I hate you for that." He put his head down on the desk and rolled into his own little drug-induced world. After the bell rang, Naruto contemplated waking the raven up. Then he decided not to.

Well, I hoped you enjoyed that. This wasn't truly what I envisioned for this chapter. I couldn't put my thoughts into words, but thats something I must work on. Please review. But before you do review, take the time to read my chunky authors note below.

Some things about this chapter: Remember their ages and level of naiveness. In elementary school, people were a lot more accepting. By the time middle school rolls around, we all start feeling deeper and growing into the kind of person we're going to end up being. Sakura has been die hard for Sasuke since before Naruto sprung up, okay. Also, this chapter is pretty important to the story, a lot is foreshadowed. Shout outs to anyone who catches any hints!