My computer and I must be at odds or something because issues still arise, however I have hopefully fixed our dispute. I believe that my laptop will work now, meaning turn on when I hit the button… Okay, so finally hit the double digits. Chapter 10, hope you all enjoy~ R&R

The wind roared through the chasm, causing the air to be turbulent and unsettling. The Uchiha's eyes were more concerned with the gaping space between the shambling bridge and the trees that looked like nothing more than a blanket of green coverage below with a small line of blue portraying a river. A stilled breath was all Sasuke could manage as he tried to recollect himself and remain calm, despite the very gnawing sensation of death that intertwined along with the vines that held the two shinobi in place.

Naruto hung upright with the thin plants wrapped around his waist and arms, leaving his legs hanging below. Sasuke, on the other hand, was stuck upside down, a few feet below his teammate. His one arm was completely free while his other was tangled along with his torso and legs.

"Now look what you did, you loser," Sasuke called up as he tried not to let his aggravation slip. He was having difficulty looking up to his comrade.

"You were the one who started it! You yelled at me to go faster! It's your fault too!" The blond peered down as he yelled, being careful not to move. There was no way to save themselves and it was all Sasuke's fault for being such a- No, he didn't want to antagonize the other, not at a time like this, but the Uchiha just kept egging him on and it tore through his psyche to a point where he needed to argue back.

"I didn't cause this, you did." The raven knew that he had to stay as motionless as possible, aware that any vital movement could cause a tear in the vines and then they would both be goners. The plants were not going to hold out forever. He needed to think and that loudmouth wasn't helping.

"You did too!" His voice echoed below. Naruto started to struggle, causing Sasuke to sway.

This was getting ridiculous. "Stop. Moving," he said sternly.

"I'm trying to get back up!" he shouted.

"Sasuke, Naruto, stop struggling against the vines. They're the only things keeping you there. I'm coming to help," Kakashi said. He had to remember to remain composed or something could go wrong. He tried to think of any solution as quickly as possible.

"Naruto, Sasuke, be careful!" Sakura called out with her hand over her chest. This couldn't be happening… Her head swiftly turned when she noticed a pull on the tattered ropes that held the aged bridge in place. It was going to fall apart. "Kakashi sensei, the bridge! The ropes are starting to break!" The binds connecting to the wooden posts began to come undone. Kakashi was able to grab the ropes just as they snapped, initiating the bridge to swing violently.

The two that were left hanging simultaneously held their breath. Naruto let out the air he was holding. "I hate this! What are we going to do?" He received no reply. "Sasuke?" he asked curiously.

The teen was looking to the ground below. The tension he was feeling was slicing through the air. He could really die here… and before he thought that he didn't care about death…

"Sasuke! Hello!"

"What?" he asked sharply.

"Zoning out at a time like this isn't going to help!"

"Shut up. I know that," he responded, rolling his eyes.

Naruto was glancing down at his friend and waited a moment. The height they were at, the situation they both produced through dispute… "I get it… I'm… afraid too, but we can't worry about dying! Kakashi sensei and Sakura are right there!" He tried pointing, only by extending his finger for that little bit for emphasis. "You're like the smartest person I know and I'm a screw up. So let the idiot up here know what to do!"

Sasuke moved his head, looking over at Kakashi and Sakura. He had no idea how to save himself or Naruto. He released a breath, permitting a restful calmness to take place of his apprehension.

"Sakura, get the other side," Kakashi ordered. "Naruto, Sasuke, this is not the time to argue about who's at fault. Work together and find a way up. If we let go, the bridge will fall. You don't have a lot of time. Find a way to climb up."

"But my hands are stuck!" Naruto yelled to his sensei.

"Be resourceful. You'll find a way." His tone held as much assurance as he could muster. His hands stiffened around the slipping ropes. Kakashi knew that the two of them could work together and figure this out.

"I can't reach anything." Naruto glanced below. "Sasuke, how about you?"

The Uchiha slowly shifted his head to look downward. This was obviously a bad position to be in for him to do anything. The longer they were stuck here the more likely they would fall. "Give me a minute," the boy replied evenly.

"We don't have a minute! I'll just pull myself up!" Naruto spoke hastily as a jerking from the plants lowered him marginally.

"Don't. The vines will break. How many times do I have to say it?" Sasuke observed the distance he was to the side of land Sakura and Kakashi were standing on. He mentally went through the tools that he had with him. A few kunai, wire string, shuriken, and some scrolls. Then an idea struck him and he knew it could work, but he had to be entirely accurate.

"How's that plan coming along?" Naruto inquired with uneasiness in his voice. "Because the last time I checked, we don't have all day." A piece of wood broke away and fell past him. "That could be us! Hurry up, Sasuke!"

His eyes closed briefly. "I'm going as fast as I can."

"You have a plan?"

"Yeah, just don't move anymore."

Sasuke slowly inched his hand to his kunai pouch and pulled one out. This plan was going to be a little challenging with one free hand. So he had to cut vine that secured his arm. It caused him to lower a bit. He anticipated that nothing more would happen…

With his now free left hand the Uchiha pulled out his wire string. He carefully tied the cord around the kunai, and made sure it was tight. The Uchiha knew that the wire was strong, but he didn't know how much weight it could support. Although he couldn't measure how much he needed, he'd just have to make an estimate. After cutting the wire he took out another kunai and repeated the action of tying them together on opposite sides.

Naruto watched, scrunching his face in confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Sakura, I'm going to throw the kunai up to you," Sasuke explained, ignoring his teammate's question. "I just need to you catch it, then secure it. Can you do that?"

The girl nodded, understanding what he was about to attempt. "Yeah. Kakashi sensei, can I let go of the bridge?"

The Jounin nodded, comprehending Sasuke's plan as well. "Go ahead. I got it."

Sakura ran over to the edge where she was positioned well enough to catch the weapon. "Okay, I'm ready." Sasuke took a moment to eye his distance again and then he threw the kunai, shifting some afterwards. The kunoichi caught it effortlessly. Sakura then jogged over to the closest tree and wrapped the wire around a few times, locking the kunai in place. "I'm done!" she called out.

"How did you throw that to her?" the blond asked. "You're upside down." There were something's that he didn't even know was possible until he observed the Uchiha do them with no effort of any kind. During training, missions, it made no difference…

"Doesn't matter. I need you to cut yourself free," Sasuke said quickly, taking out another kunai.

Naruto shook his head fiercely. "No way! I'll fall!"

"No, you won't. Just trust me." Sasuke's voice was rushed as he voiced urgency.

"But what if…"

He spoke more firmly to make his point. "Naruto, just cut the vines. I won't let you fall."

"Fine. I'll trust you." Sasuke threw the kunai upwards. Naruto struggled some, but managed to grasp the shinobi weapon. He was able to slice one of the vines, pausing as he dropped considerably.

"Hurry up," Sasuke warned.

"I'm trying!" The blond cut another plant. He was dangling by one around the wrist. "Okay, one more." The vine abruptly split. Naruto's eyes snapped shut as he fell. The jinchuuriki was jerked to a halt the moment felt a hand around his wrist. The ninja opened his eyes. "You saved me…" Naruto said in minor disbelief.

"I said that I wouldn't let you fall. Now here, take the kunai." He handed the other kunai attached to the wire to the blond who was now hanging freely below him.

"What about you?" he asked, taking the weapon.

Supporting Naruto's heaviness wasn't going to last when it came to some measly plants. "I'm not sure how much weight the wire can hold. So you need to climb up first and then send the kunai back to me."

"I can't do that. What if you fall?"

He shook his head. "I won't. Just go."

"Why is it always like this?" Naruto said after a pause. "You always save me first."

"This isn't the time, Naruto," Sasuke replied with distinct hast.

"You know that I'm not going to let you fall either."

"I'll be fine, but it's not helping if you don't let go."

It actually aggravated him that Sasuke was staying so calm. "You act like nothing bothers you, even right now. And at first, even I was naïve enough to believe that, but now I know that it's a lie… I just can't stand you sometimes," he said with a sigh. "You're my friend and yet we act like we hate each other. It's pointless to pretend that hate is above everything. You still act like Team Seven doesn't mean anything to you. You even said that…"

The Uchiha exhaled. His grip was getting weaker. "I didn't say that it was meaningless."

"Then why were we fighting? Why are we always arguing? It's just not worth it. I'll never understand it and I'm being to feel that I don't know who you are anymore…"

"I did get something worthwhile since the time the team was formed... You somehow became my closest friend, even though I used to hate you," Sasuke admitted without restriction. "I never wanted a friend. I never needed anything or anyone before this team was assembled."

"But look where we are right now. The team isn't the same as it was when it was formed. As long as I know that I have these bonds with the people I care about, I know that I'm going to be okay. Can't you say the same thing?" Naruto glimpsed down for a moment and then at the others, realizing that time was running out.

"I can't be sure that I'm even worth these bonds," he answered, so low that it wasn't audible to the other. Sasuke then felt a miniscule snap from one of the vines. "This isn't the time for some speech. Like I said, just go." He was having a tough time keeping hold.

"I can't risk letting you fall. If you fall when I'm climbing up, no one can save you. And I can't let that happen."

"If you hurry up then there won't be a problem," he persisted.

"No," the other replied in a huff.

"Why are you being so stubborn about this?" he asked, getting irritated.

"I don't want you to die! If you fall, I fall, that's how it's gonna be."

The Uchiha felt his grip slip even more. "You're not a damn hero, Naruto. Just shut up and go."

"You're right, I'm not… I'm not trying to be… but you've always been one of mine," he explained earnestly. "It's not because you've saved me from stupid mistakes that I've made, but because-"

All of the vines holding Sasuke in place simultaneously broke. The Uchiha swung down below and Naruto made sure to tightly grip onto Sasuke's wrist so he didn't fall. The two of them were sent toward the side of the cliff. Sasuke turned some, allowing his shoulder to slam into the rock to lessen the impact, not having the time to put his foot out like Naruto. Their position was now switched once again. The blond felt as if his shoulder would pop of its socket if he held on much longer.

Kakashi let go of the bridge and ran over to help them. He and Sakura hauled the wire until both Naruto and Sasuke were safe enough to use their chakra to climb up on their own.

"Are you two alright?" Kakashi asked.

"Fine." Sasuke rubbed his left arm which was now covered in a bruise. Blood finally stopped rushing to his head as looked over at the gap.

"Yeah," Naruto added, rounding his arm.

"I was so worried," Sakura said, pulling them both into a sudden hug, but let go once she realized. "Sorry."

"Hey, we're fine. No sweat." Naruto was trying to play it cool.

Sakura smacked him on the head. "You had me worried sick! Don't act like it was no big deal!"

"Ow, alright, alright." He then gave her a smile. "Thanks, by the way."

She was confused. "For what?"

"For caring," he responded sheepishly.

Her heart sank for a moment. "Of course I care, we're friends."

"It just means a lot," he said, playing it casual. The jinchuuriki gave a smile. "Another hug would help though."

"Don't push it."

Sasuke untied the kunai and let out a tired sigh. He wasn't even sure that was going to work. He was glad that Itachi had taught him something useful all those years ago. His brother only showed him the basics and he expanded on it, remembering how Itachi completed the act.

Kakashi knew that could have resulted with them falling, but luckily even Sasuke and Naruto could put their differences aside at a crucial moment between life and death. "That was good team work and quick thinking on your part, Sasuke. Of course, if you two didn't argue then this whole mess could have been avoided. Anyway, I'm just glad that you guys can still work together."

"We could have died. I am never crossing a bridge ever again," Naruto said, looking across to the other side. His ankle had a fading pain, but other than that, he was fine.

Sasuke looked down at his knuckles, noticing they were bleeding a little from strain he placed on his hand. The prior injury proceeded to only get worse. His hand stung and his arm plainly hurt. Naruto seemed to get off unscathed as always. For some reason he healed quickly.

"The bruising should go away in a few days," Kakashi said nonchalantly as he examined the Uchiha's arm. "It's pretty bad, but it'll only hurt for a little while."

"It stings like hell," he commented. The black and blue covered the majority of his arm.

Now that everyone was alright they could continue. "Well, even though we were delayed, we can still make it on schedule if we hurry."

"But the sun's going to be setting soon. How about a rest?" Naruto asked with a pout. "I'm tired."

"We will, but not right now. There's still daylight." Kakashi jumped up into the trees, allowing the other three ninja to follow suit.

Naruto stopped. "Oh, hey, Sasuke?"

"What?" he asked, glancing behind him before he had the chance to follow the other two.

"I never finished what I was about to say earlier." His hands rest behind his head. "I think of you like a hero because well… you may be driven by revenge, but even through that darkness you always seem to pull through, all on your own. I mean, don't get me wrong, you're the most arrogant person I know, but you're my best friend too and you understand me better than anyone else."

"I wouldn't say that we understand each other that well. You can only comprehend a minor part of my life. Like I said before, you don't know how it feels to lose family."

"But… I feel like I have a family now. Iruka sensei, Kakashi sensei, Pervy Sage, Grandma Tsunade, you and Sakura, it's small, but I'm happy. It's not the same, I know." The blond was aware that the other would counter with that statement. His gaze wondered over to the trees. "Every day when we were training together or on some mission, I always wondered when I'm with you, if that is what it feels like to have a brother. This was one of the first bonds I ever had… Since day one, I've been jealous of you. You were always stronger, more popular, everything that I strived to be, but never came close to. I've looked up to you for years, but hid that behind our rivalry… When I apologized, I really meant it. I want this stupid fight to be over already."

Sasuke crossed his arms, allowing some stillness to settle between them. "You might be my closet friend, but I'm not the type of person you should look up to," he said coldly before jumping off into the trees.

Naruto sighed heavily, casting his stare downwards. He didn't understand why Sasuke always choose to close himself up. He never found it challenging to be open with everyone he met, so the Uchiha's isolation didn't make sense. He wondered what it would take for his teammate to see that on his own. He shook his head in discontent. Chakra was summoned to his feet as he leaped off into the woods.

The three of them still mentally decided to stay apart and quiet as they traveled. Kakashi didn't know what he could do at this point to make them talk. He just needed to leave it up to them to figure out. When his part came into play he'd do more, but for now he has said all he could.

Naruto jumped ahead of the others, landing beside the Jounin. "Kakashi sensei?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you explain something to me?"

"If you want to know something about Sasuke, then the best thing to do would be to ask him yourself."

"But there's a problem… He won't talk to me. But I see him talk to you all the time so…"

"Just find a way to talk to him. That's all I can tell you."

"Alright…"

Sakura turned her head to the side. He was silent, always silent… even after a near death experience… The kunoichi pressed her lips together. His attitude and outlook was always presented to her as a mystery. She slowed some, making sure that her sensei and Naruto were able to get ahead. Her voice rung out lowly, almost gloomy. "Do you remember the day this team was formed, before the bell test?"

"Vaguely," he responded in monotone.

"Well, I remember it perfectly. I know that none of us knew anything about each other back then, but it's different now. That day that I talked to you and made fun of Naruto for being alone, you got mad at me."

Sasuke lowered his gaze. "I don't remember that."

"Well, it was a long time ago." Her eyes sank to the tree branch as she landed and pushed off. It's not like Sasuke should remember something so frivolous… To her, it was a crucial moment, one that caused her to try and understand both Naruto and Sasuke better. She paused, taking a breath to continue. A breeze divided the air between them. "If being alone hurts you, then why do you chose it? Revenge isn't going to make anyone happy, not you… or me."

The question took the Uchiha by surprise, though he didn't show it. She was inputting herself into his decisions. "I knew it…" He closed his eyes momentarily. "I'm not like you or Naruto. I'm traveling a path the rest of you can't follow. Sometimes I'm going to make choices that neither you nor Naruto will understand."

"I know what happened to your Clan, Sasuke. I know that you have been through so much pain because of everyone you lost. But why put yourself through more?" Her voice held a sorrowful undertone. Her eyes fought back tears. The kunoichi's gaze fell on him beside her. He was never decipherable, even in word choice.

"I have reasons for what I do. Reasons that I don't need to explain to you or anyone else," he said icily with a minor turn of the head.

She felt like she had to force her eyes away from him now. "I don't get it."

"Of course you wouldn't." He looked at her now, his voice remaining even when he spoke.

"But I want to," she said in a whisper.

"And I don't need you to."

"Sasuke, I care about you so much and I just want to help. It hurts everyone when you do this," she nearly pleaded without asking the question. Her light green, wet eyes were involuntary swayed to Sasuke's blank expression. The lump in her throat was ignored as the words slipped past her lips without resistance, accompanied by tears. "…I …I love you with all my heart and I can't stand to see you do this to yourself… I know that you're hurting, but everyone else around you wants to help. No one wants to lose you… I don't want to lose you. For once, can't you just please, let the past go?" A tightening in her chest was felt as she wiped her eyes.

Sasuke couldn't bring himself to look at her directly. "No… None of that means anything to me," he responded dryly.

"Why?" She had stopped moving, landing with her stare to his back.

He had also become stationary, watching the others get further ahead. "The only thing I can live for is my revenge and I have all the intention of doing so."

"I always feel like I'm on the side lines when it comes to this team and I'm tired of it. I'm not going to just sit back and watch you tear yourself apart inside. You can't just live your life for revenge. How can you call that living?"

"Do you think I care? I get it. You want to help, just like everyone else, but I don't need it. Do I have to spell it out for you? Revenge is my purpose. I'd never expect you to understand."

"Then you don't give me enough credit. But if you think that your friends won't try to save you then you're wrong."

"Save me from what?" he asked unpleasantly.

"From yourself… Don't you understand… if I were to lose you due to revenge… I'd know that pain myself. Because it would be you …" Sakura wiped her eyes once more and her look cast at Sasuke's shadow as he remained silent. Her hand laid rest on the tree. Tilting her head, she stopped from saying anymore that lingered on her lips. It was quiet for a while before she jumped ahead of him, intending to leave without a response.

The Uchiha stayed behind before deciding to catch up to her. "Sakura, thank you… but there are just some things that I need to do alone." Sasuke then went ahead of her, ending their conversation. He knew that all she had to do was stop thinking about it to make the hurt inside fade away… It would be nothing but a fleeting memory…

Sakura stopped in her tracks. Her hand brushed insecurely along her arm. He left while she stayed. Nothing she did or said mattered anymore. She could wear her heart on her sleeve for all her life and Sasuke would never see it.

He thanked her and she unknowingly allowed that to be the last words between them. When Team Seven was assembled, all of her focus was centered around Sasuke, but then she saw worth in Naruto too. Her feelings were straight. She knew where her heart lay practically in pieces, yet she didn't need to care as long as she believed that Sasuke would always be right there. Not beside her, she accepted that he didn't feel the same, but she held onto the miniscule hope that maybe one day… Her feelings would be returned… Again, she pushed off the branch to catch up.

Naruto had looked back and saw that Sakura was talking to Sasuke and felt obligated to let them speak. This feeling that he faced was unknown and hostile. That whole bridge incident really made him stop and think about what was going on at this moment and the previous day. He never spoke liberally about his friendship to the other, not knowing the consequence of stating simple facts.

For some reason Sasuke was just so calm during the whole ordeal. Not at first, but the second he was brought back to reality. Sasuke actually said that they were best friends and to him, that made it true. Maybe the team could finally return to normal, rebuild with a fresh start. It was just unbelievable that they could break apart to begin with, but he had to admit that it was happening. Acknowledging the problem was the only way to stop the space between the four of them to stop spreading further apart.

Sasuke was now traveling in the center of everyone. He could understand that they were worried, but felt that they shouldn't hold that over his head. Both of his teammates had thrown sudden sentiments at him without much warning. When it came to friendship, he tried so hard to evade it. Simply because of his brother's words the night of the massacre, to gain those eyes… The death of your closet friend was the price. And he didn't want to be a murderer like his brother. The only blood he wanted to draw was the one that took everything from him. Any other, their blood, wasn't his to spill; their life wasn't his to take.

Ignoring the confession Sakura expressed moments ago was also something that needed to be done. Love was a concept lost in translation to him for many years. No matter who it was, he would never feel affection towards anyone. It only resulted in pain. It wasn't his place to stand between these three people that cared about him while he fought the tugging pull of abandoning them or staying by their side, waver in his head.

The thoughts were drained from his mind. This isn't what he needed right now. He could admit to himself that he was afraid of declining Orochimaru's offer. But the pros and cons evened out in the end. Konoha and Sound were not the same place. One was a safe refuge and the other an unreliable prison. It wasn't clear to him. He didn't know the better alternative, but what he did know was that this mission would eventually fulfill its purpose without him attempting to put in effort. And that is an aspect that he didn't quite understand. His time limit was a week, yet Orochimaru didn't care that he left the village, didn't care that spending more time with his team would be less valued for his angle. Unless there was a reason behind it all… There always was something…

The Uchiha looked above. The sky started to be devoured in night as the sun's time to leave came upon them. Maybe some sleep would do him good. He hasn't been sleeping that great lately.

Kakashi landed in a clearing up ahead. "We're staying here for the night. We need to set up camp, but we're leaving at sunrise." He received a groan from Naruto and Sakura as they landed. "That still gives us plenty of time to rest."

"Yeah, but nothing else," the blond said, plopping on the ground. "All that's going to do is leave us with sleep," he complained.

"It's not that bad," Kakashi responded lazily.

Sakura sided with the jinchuuriki this time. "I don't know sensei, maybe we should have stopped at a town or something."

"If you really want to travel through the night, then we can."

"No, no," Naruto replied quickly. "We can stay here."

"Good, then let's get a fire going. It's supposed to get a little cold."

Sasuke leaned back against a tree, watching the three of them talk. A small chill ran up his spine as a gust blew. His head turned to the side for a split second before he felt his arms being pulled by his teammates.

"Don't be lazy, we need your help to set up too," Naruto said. "Just because you stand off like that, it doesn't mean you're invisible."

"So, stop trying to be," Sakura added as they lightly tugged the Uchiha. Sasuke didn't bother protesting.

"You can do the fire," the blond said with a nod, letting go. "Hey, this kind of reminds me of the Forest of Death, just minus the man-eating, giant animals."

"And ninja attacking us left and right," the girl responded.

"The Forest of Death wasn't that bad," Sasuke said indifferently, even though he had a rather sore memory of the place.

Naruto gave a small laugh. "Coming from the one that got attacked by that creep."

"At least I didn't get digested by a giant snake."

"Oh yeah, well at least I forgot the pass phrase thing."

Sakura sighed, shaking her head. "That was the point, remember?"

"So? If it was a word at least I would have got it, but you had to come up with this long pointless, rambling sentence thing about ninja and weapons or whatever."

"If you weren't an idiot who got captured twice, then it wouldn't have been necessary," Sasuke pointed out.

"Hey, I-"

"Guys," Kakashi cut in. "Before morning."

"Yeah, yeah," the blond replied with a grin.

Sasuke just lowered his gaze. A headache was already forming.

I hope that I explained Sasuke's plan enough (two kunai tied on opposite sides of the wire string for a grip and the other for security when tied around the tree so they can swing over). Anyway, I have a roundabout idea of how may chapters this story is going to be, meaning pretty long. And if anyone is worrying about parings or whatnot, there isn't any due to none in the anime at this point (Sasuke retrieval arc). But the bridge is all done with so onto the next chapter for me, which I'm trying to stay ahead of myself but that's hard with writer's block, but I believe I'm pass that now :) I'm really missing the old Team Seven because of this…