What Does It All Mean?
Part II, Chapter XIII: Lesson Overdue
Author's Note: Dueling Harry Potter style, I can write. Not this! So please excuse the lame fight scene… the dialogue was important though!
And in the last chapter, those who guessed the anime Shikano was watching… it was Kodocha! Give yourselves a pat on the back. However, since Ell was the first review I received with an answer, that person received a portion of this chapter before it was published.
Sasuke still remembered the layout of the hospital. He continued to walk down the hall when he heard Naruto speak to an ANBU guard. "We'll be right back," he heard and footsteps started again. Sasuke opened the door to a dark staircase that ascended upwards and in a single file, made their way onto the roof. Sasuke walked slowly, gritting his teeth with every step on his right foot. He would not show weakness. Not to that drop-out, not to him… his enemy, the one thing standing in his way…
If he defeated Naruto, he would get what he wanted: strength and his clan.
Sasuke swung the door open, the cool air blowing down the staircase. The fresh Konoha air filled them as they both walked onto the roof.
"This is where we fought for the first time, right?" Naruto mused out-loud.
Sasuke turned. "It'll be different this time." Then his mouth pulled into a tight, angry sneer. "This time, I'll kill you."
A frown appeared on Naruto's lips as he narrowed his eyes. "You really are stupid."
"We'll see what you have to say after I'm finished with you!" Sasuke sped into a run, gritting his teeth with each painful stride. He held his fist high in the air and threw a punch towards Naruto's face. Naruto caught it in his hand and twisted Sasuke's wrist effortlessly. Sasuke hopped off the floor, swinging his left leg in a kick; Naruto blocked Sasuke's leg with his own and pushed him away. Sasuke fell on to his back and bit his lip, holding back the pain running down both his legs.
"You okay there, traitor?" Naruto remarked, seeing Sasuke's lips twisted in pain.
"I'm gonna wipe that smirk off your face, drop-out," Sasuke warned as he got to his feet. His left knee buckled from underneath him and he fell to the floor, palms against the cement.
Naruto could not hold back a chuckle. "God, you suck. I mean, really suck."
"Laugh all you want," Sasuke growled and he bit his lip as he stood to his feet. "I'll silence you forever!" he took a half-step back, took a deep breath and launched at Naruto again. He attacked with a series of fast punches, all aimed at his vital spots. Still, Naruto moved from left to right, as if in a dance, avoiding Sasuke's attacks. Sasuke took a deep breath, feeling a thin line of sweat coat his brow. Why was Naruto avoiding his attacks so easily? Sasuke's injuries were not that bad, were they? He knew going into this fight that his power was slightly diminished, but… Perhaps he really did underestimate Naruto. Sasuke could feel a painful pulsing in his shoulders and he could barely lift his leg for another kick.
"I don't want to kill you," Naruto said softly.
Sasuke stopped, hesitating for a moment. "What?"
"More like I can't kill you. Because honestly, as much as I'm pissed at you, I can't," Naruto admitted, sounding quite displeased with himself. "I made a promise a long time ago."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"And I'll keep my promise to her… to him," Naruto's fist tightened. "I'll keep my promise to them!"
Sasuke felt his chest tighten. Them? "Akio… Sakura…" he caught himself muttering.
"Yeah," Naruto growled. "Your family. The one that you left behind! You're gonna pay!"
"By what?" Sasuke cracked his knuckles. "By standing there and running your mouth?"
"I'll make you see how much of a dumbass you are!" Naruto punched his fist into his other palm. "Even if it means breaking all four of your limbs!"
"I doubt you could," Sasuke jumped in the air and began an array of seals. He took a deep breath and exhaled, releasing a planet of fire in Naruto's direction. "Katon! Goukakyu no Jutsu!"
Naruto folded his arms over his face and jumped back from the flames. Whisps of embers caught on his sleeve; he rolled back, extinguishing any flames on his body.
His chakra was not at full strength, Sasuke finally admitted. He had only about one-third of it returned. That ratio was too great compared to Naruto; he could feel the energy being released from Naruto's body. And it was not the instable Kyuubi energy that he fought against years before. This was Naruto's own power, a steady whirlpool of sharp wind chakra… Even still, he could not lose to him. He just… would not. Sasuke had too many things riding on Naruto's life. Sasuke tried to think of a quick strategy. Making Naruto mad did not make him sloppy; it just made his stronger. Sasuke knew that. Instead of anger as his tool, perhaps something else…
"What are you fighting for, Naruto?" Sasuke smirked. "What do you have to gain?"
Naruto patted down the last flame on his elbow. "What?"
"What do you expect to gain by fighting me? Their adoration? His admiration? Her love?" Sasuke tsked. "It's been years, Naruto. What makes you think their views will change so that you'll--!"
"You idiot!" Naruto growled. "I'm not selfish like you! Not anymore!" He tightened his fist as his side, hollering. "You just don't get it! It's not about me! It's never about me! It's always about them!"
Sasuke stood still.
"Their happiness is more important! And if that means having you here--," Naruto was in Sasuke's face in a flash and then delivered a right hook to his jaw, "then I won't argue."
Sasuke staggered back from his punch and cradled his jaw from the hit. His eyes fell on his old teammate as the wheels in his head began to turn. Naruto was in the way… right? But he was willing to give it all to Sasuke…
Wait. This was about them. About Akio, his son, and Sakura, his past lover. When Naruto and he fought in their youth, it was about who was stronger. And now, Sasuke made a sudden realization. The reason to fight was not about strength.
But strength… that was more important… right? Defeating Naruto, killing him to gain power… that was more important to Sasuke, right? When did his desire for power take a detour?
He prayed he had enough chakra. He jumped back and channeled his energy to his fist. Within a few seconds, electric bolts erupted from his body and condensed into a ball in his right palm. The waves of blue lightning mimicked the sharp chirping sounds of birds as it cracked through the air. Just a few more seconds…
Naruto saw what he was doing, watching the blue bolts of lightning surround his opponent. Naruto shook his head. Naruto opened his palm and within a few moments, a ball of condensed air formed on his hand. The air was spinning at a violently fast rate, and his hand quaked as he grasped the spinning sphere, controlling the compact hurricane.
"I'm going to end this now!" Sasuke leaned forward and dashed for Naruto, struggling to control his Chidori. Perhaps, he could get his answers later.
"No! I'll end it!" Naruto stampeded to his opponent as well, charging at him full speed.
Do not hold back!, a voice said to Sasuke. "Chidori!"
"Rasengan!"
Just as they were in arms length, two kunais cut through the air, one sailing towards Sasuke's head, the other one towards Naruto's. In response, they both jumped back slightly, distracting them both for what was about to come. In one moment, they were face to face in a battle. The next moment, Sasuke found himself thrown against the water tank, while Naruto was thrown towards the roof access door, bits of the door and adjacent wall crumbling on top of him. Chidori and Rasengan were released in opposite directions, exploding in the sky, causing an impromptu but very brief storm. Bits of metal bent and gave way to holes, causing water to flow out, drenching Sasuke. Sasuke cursed, feeling more pain shoot up his back. "Dammit, who the hell--!"
"Oi!" Naruto's yell rang heavy across the air. "Kakashi-sensei! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Sasuke looked up a couple feet to his right and saw Naruto sitting in a pile of rubble. And on the spot where they were fighting stood their old teacher. "Some things don't change, I suppose," the jounin teacher said. But it was not in his usual easy-breezy tone. Kakashi was upset. Sasuke struggled to stand up but each movement felt as if a mace was beating him. He decided to remain still.
"Sasuke," Kakashi addressed. "Your condition is still very weak. Why would you bother to fight?"
Sasuke turned away and did not say a word.
"I had it under control, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto growled. "I know what I'm doing!"
"I'm sure you did," Kakashi arched his eyebrow. "Did you also know what to say if Akio found out his hero and his father were fighting?"
Immediately, Naruto's shoulders fell, releasing a heavy sigh. "Dammit," he bit.
Kakashi sighed, his tone painted with disappointment. "Naruto, I need to speak with Sasuke."
Sasuke looked up.
"But-!" Naruto argued.
"Don't you have an appointment with Godaime?" Kakashi interrupted with one breath.
Naruto nodded obediently and stood, dusting debris off his clothes. "I'm not through with you," Naruto growled at Sasuke. With a stern frown on his lips, he pointed a finger at the Uchiha. "You'll suffer a hundred times worth their pain!"
"Naruto," Kakashi cocked his head to the side, instructing him to leave.
Satisfied with his last remark, the blond left in a flash.
Kakashi put his hands in his pockets as he approached his former student. Sasuke sat still, not attempting to stand. He felt as if his muscles were torn to shredded bits; he took deep breaths, trying to keep the painful groans to himself.
"Some things just never change," Kakashi reiterated.
Sasuke said nothing.
"What were you planning to achieve?" Kakashi asked, standing about three feet from Sasuke's sitting form. "You were hoping to kill Naruto?"
Sasuke remained silent.
"He could have killed you."
Sasuke glared at him. "I could have handled him."
"Not in your condition. You can't even stand up."
"A simple handicap," Sasuke bit.
"No. That was simply suicide," Kakashi shook his head. "You may forever see him as a drop-out but he's strong. Far stronger than any of us expected."
Something stabbed Sasuke in the gut.
"I'm not sure as to what kind of progress you made under Orochimaru's care. Under healthy conditions, I'm sure you're a force to be reckoned with. However, don't doubt that Naruto could hold his own."
"Then why did you stop us?" Sasuke hissed. "We're not your students anymore." The way Kakashi was speaking to him, it was as if he were twelve years old all over again.
"It doesn't matter," Kakashi paused before continuing. "Violence isn't always the answer."
"It gets the point across--."
"And what point is that, Sasuke?"
"Naruto is in my way."
"Of what?"
"Everything."
"Everything?"
"Yes, everything," Sasuke pressed his palms against the ground, next to his hips. "Everything that is rightfully mine. Power and my clan."
Kakashi's forehead creased. "What makes you think that?"
"It's been years, Kakashi-sensei! Nearly twenty years and my brother is still alive! He should have been dead!" Sasuke struggled to his feet and grasped the bent metal around him for support. "I fought him. I could touch him but still--."
"—couldn't kill him," Kakashi filled in.
Sasuke's lips drew to a thin line.
"And I heard Naruto managed to hold him back."
Sasuke cursed.
"You thought by killing Naruto, you would be a step closer?"
"I have no choice."
"You always had a choice, Sasuke. Your decisions from the past brought you to where you are now. Not Naruto, not Orochimaru and not Itachi."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly.
"You could have chosen to turn your back from that path. You could have turned your back from Orochimaru--," Kakashi started.
"I did!"
Kakashi paused. "When?"
"Almost five years ago, after I left Konoha."
Silence.
"Why did you leave?"
"He still didn't give me all the power I needed. He was going to take my body before I obtained my revenge. I couldn't…" Sasuke shook his head.
"So then?"
"I had to find it elsewhere."
"In Naruto's death. Just as Itachi did to obtain his Mangekyo?" Kakashi crossed his arms.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the Sharingan user. "I have no choice," he repeated firmly. "I'm an avenger. That is my reason for living."
Kakashi blinked. "Are you sure about that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You told me once of your dreams: to kill Itachi and to restore your clan." Kakashi shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "It seems to me you have another purpose in life."
"My revenge comes first."
"Why?"
"For my clan's honor."
"And you can't restore your clan's honor by continuing it?" Kakashi suggested. "By breathing new life into the clan, that won't bring an ounce of honor. Yes, yes," Kakashi said with a drop of sarcasm. "That's understandable."
"I'm not going to turn my back on my clan."
"I'm not telling you to. But I highly doubt your family would have wanted your life to go down this dark path."
Sasuke's brow twitched at that tone. "You don't understand."
"What I don't understand is how you can choose a life of sorrow over a life surrounded by people who love you. Sasuke," Kakashi's eyes softened. "The solitude, the loneliness… it's one of the most painful existences. But you still have another chance to live. Live with a family that now exists. That you missed for years. That's what it comes down to, isn't it? The road to life doesn't always have to be so lonely."
Sasuke could not find any words after that.