A/N: This is basically a continuation from Sasuke's blast from the past in the last chapter. They were originally one but I decided to cut them in two. I need to thank Animefangirl95 for bringing this up. Sorry if there was any confusion.

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Regret

0~o~0

"What…?"

Sasuke stumbled upon a horrifying sight that would haunt him for the rest of his life. It was a scene that the young Uchiha had come across many times by working with the White Snake, but this specific event was different. The victim this time was someone he knew. Deep within the White Snake's hideout, a familiar spiky-haired blonde was thrashing and throbbing on the ground; clutching his throat like he was mere moments from ripping it out.

"What did you do to him?"

"Oh, Sasuke-kun, you have perfect timing as usual. I found this little whelp snooping around the compound earlier today. He seemed to be looking for something…" The White Snake replied non-chalet sipping a glass of wine "…or someone."

Me.

"I'll ask only once more. What the hell did you do to him?"

"It's simple question which has a obviously simple answer, Sasuke-kun. I'm testing out my latest batch of the Hell Release on our little intruder."

"Why would you do that to an innocent bystander?" Sasuke's face contorted in anger.

He was surprised Sasuke could ever get so angry over something so…trivial. The perfect Sasuke that he envisioned was crumbling away before him - all because of some random street urchin that wandered into his estate. Sasuke never showed an ounce of concern for his fellow pupils. Not even for the three that followed him on a daily basis. He was more or less preoccupied with 'handling' the information he could provide him with.

Yeah, thanks to you, I was able to take down a few gangs along the way.

Who was this boy and why was Sasuke so attached to him?

"This boy was amazingly resilient. I'm almost ashamed to admit but he put up an amazing amount of resistance when he entered the estate. He quite easily put half the pupils here before he was finally put down. As I watched him fight, I honestly grew curious as to this boy's true abilities. Based on my observation I've understood that his true unlocked potential is actually quite limitless! The data received from this little experiment will be ground breaking! Isn't that astounding for a boy his age?"

"Naruto…"

Sasuke was frozen in place. He had watched this process countless times. Enough times to know that there was nothing he could do for his so called friend. Naruto was currently at the stage where he would either bare through the excruciating pain...or choose to take his own life.

"Gah…augh…ugh…gack…" Naruto made the oddest sounds as he continuously slammed his fist on the concrete floor. He could have only imagined what was on the blonde's mind when his gaze fell directly into Sasuke's impassive expression for a moment before he shut them close letting out a strained groan.

He must have hated me.

I hated me.

Out of nowhere, his violent erratic thrashing came to a halt as he laid completely still – his large blue eyes wide open.

"Is he dead?" Karin asked nervously.

No matter how many times she saw this she could never get used to it. She was happy that Sasuke protected her (unfortunately Suigetsu as well) from the White snake a few months back. If it wasn't for him coming to their defense, she would have been that mess on the floor instead.

Just then, the blondes eyes turned ruby red for a split second before it just as quickly changed to a violent shade of orange. The once carefree expression that he was famous for became angry and manic. His slightly neat spiky hair became frazzled and his front canines grew slightly longer – becoming somewhat beast-like. Sasuke stared straight into the dark aura that was surrounding his friend. He was different; Sasuke could feel it. He pounded his fist on the ground – probably to establish control of his new body - then groggily got up randomly swinging his body from side to side.

Suddenly he let loose an estranged maniacal laughter that echoed through the estate. Those nearest to him instinctively took a step back.

That would probably be for the best. Actually, just run.

"Restrain him would you?" The white snake ordered and his pupils obediently followed, immediately readying a wall of protection around the crazed blonde ready to put him down if necessary.

"...my head hurts…there's a strange ringing…in my head." Naruto spoke with a childlike innocence. "It won't go away…no matter what…why won't it go away? Why?" A few pupils, a girl in particular, motioned back from his violent outburst. In that instance his eyes locked onto her as he grinned.

"I see…you're causing all of this…if I hurt you…it will stop for a while…but if kill you…it will go away forever…I see. I just need to kill you." Naruto's grin spread to the far corners of his cheek, turning his staggering body to the girl.

"What-"

With a burst of speed, Naruto was already in front of her faster than anyone could register. He reeled his arm back for a moment before he rammed his fist against the girl's chest. They could have sworn that they heard a cracking sound when he made impact. Naruto wasted no time, he held onto the girl's shirt as he repeatively smashed his forehead against hers. Despite the severe injury he was placing on himself he kept smashing his head into hers, even ignoring the fact that the girl had already long lost consciousness.

When her crumpled body fell against his, he seemingly lost interest as he easily tossed her limp bloody body to the side.

"Why…it still won't go away…it's getting louder…why it won't stop…why why why why why why why why!" Naruto clutched his head tightly screaming at the top of his lungs.

"One isn't enough…I need more…more blood…more violence…more more more more!" Naruto cackled loudly.

He rushed for the nearest pupil – luckily he wasn't as weak willed as the girl – who made an attempt to punch Naruto in the face. Naruto immediately made direct impact with the boy's fist with his own. The result was not what the boy expected. There was so much force behind the psycho's punch that he swore that his fingers, wrist and bones had cracked under his strength. Before he could scream out in pain, like one huge connecting movement; the psycho smashed his elbow against the boy's gut, grabbed his head, smashing him to the ground where he unleashed a barrage of brutal punches.

Before he could go any further, two pupils jumped into action restraining both his arms and head. Naruto roared loudly, breaking his arms free, smashing his elbow into one of the pupil's face as well as the other's stomach.

What was with this guy? They had been given the Heaven's release so why was he so much stronger than they were? It didn't make any sense!

While the pupil staggered back with his hands covering his face, Naruto turned around unleashing another round of brutal fists of fury that the boy had trouble defending. With the continuous strikes Naruto was applying to his gut, he wasn't surprised that he was coughing out what seemed like a bucket of blood. With his mouth still open, Naruto jammed his hand into the boy's mouth, pulling out the boy's tongue out. For a moment, everyone wondered what the small psychopath was up to. But then, it came to them.

"Wait Naruto stop!" Sasuke screamed but it was too late.

Naruto pulled the boy's head down by his tongue then did the unthinkable. He delivered a devastating knee to the boy's chin. Naruto finished up by grabbing the boy's head and smashing it into the concrete floor.

"He just made him bite his own tongue…" Karin covered her mouth in horror. The boy's muffled screams filled the room as he began to bleed profusely. Naruto grabbed his ears, unable to bear the boy's screaming. He smashed his foot on the boy's body and with that it went limp.

"…is he dead?" Before long, Naruto's eyes locked onto the red head with nothing but killing intent in his eyes. "Eek!" She squeaked, and Naruto rushed.

"That's far enough!" Suigetsu quickly stood in-between them pointing his sword on Naruto, but that didn't stop him by an inch. He just screamed as he charged for him. Incapable of speech at this point, huh?

"Don't kill him!" Sasuke ordered and the boy frowned. Nevertheless, Suigetsu swung his sword with such precision and force that not even the mad berserker could completely avoid his strikes. Chopping things was Suigetsu's life. So it was understandable that he got a little carried away. Even if he did kill the boy, no one would miss a murderer right? Sustaining minor injuries to his torso and arms the blonde was forced back to the defensive as he narrowly avoided the sword's deadly accuracy.

Suigetsu began to notice something. As he continued his advance on the berserker, it became surprisingly harder to land a blow on him. The longer he dragged this fight on, the less of a chance he would have for victory. The berserker's sudden grin activated Suigetsu's bodily warning system. After the blonde dodged one of his strikes, his arm whipped around his blade and made his way to Suigetsu's head. He was forced to dash backwards to avoid the berserker's strike. It wasn't long until Suigetsu was on the defensive.

"Just what is this guy…? Sasuke I'm sorry but I'm going to die if I don't put him down now!"

"What? No!"

Unhesitatingly, Suigetsu's strikes became quicker and more precise as he began to target Naruto's vitals. Despite this change in strategy, Naruto's offensive never dropped. He allowed Suigetsu's attacks to hit him. He was sacrificing his defense for even the smallest chance for Suigetsu's body. Just what was this kid?

All it took was one slip up; it was all over.

Suigetsu froze. His eyes widened beyond belief; not only him but everyone else in the room. "What…?"

"This child…" The White Snake muttered.

Naruto cackled maniacally as he held Suigetsu's blade in his bloody hands. Suigetsu couldn't believe his eyes. In the last second of his horizontal strike, the berserker's open palm collided with the blade immediately putting a stop to his attack. Suigetsu felt his blade strike the bone. Did his gloves save his hand from being sliced clean off?

No. It was Suigetsu's blunder. He mistakenly held back at the last second. Not only was that a chancy move that could have cost him his hand, but the amount of strength required to stop a blade at that speed was ridiculous.

Naruto held the blade tightly, charging for his opponent – slicing his hand in the process – as he slammed his open fist against Suigetsu's throat. Naruto quite literally ran with the swordsman until he smashed him against the wall, crushing the boy's throat in the process.

"You're killing him Naruto stop!" The Uchiha prince shouted but to no avail. Naruto kept chuckling to himself, seemingly in a trance as he increased the force to the boy's throat. Whatever was left of his friend was nowhere to be found.

"Shit!" Before Sasuke could charge off, the White Snake appeared out of nothing and grabbed his shoulder.

"Now you can't possibly believe that you could stop him?"

"Of course I can!"

"No Sasuke-kun. If you fight him, you're going to be killed or fatally injured. I can't allow you to do that."

Sasuke shrugged his arm off and immediately flew into action. Before Naruto could notice him, he lodged his knee deep into Naruto's back. Naruto didn't howl out in pain, rather he followed up by twisting his body planting a firm elbow in the space between Sasuke's eyes. Sasuke held his screams in with his hands as he held his face, but Naruto didn't let it end there. He rushed to Sasuke dropping Suigetsu's unconscious body to the ground.

He pulled his arm back during his sprint and let loose a powerful haymaker directed at Sasuke's gut. Sasuke gritted his teeth and closed his mouth tightly; he didn't want to taste his lunch a second time. Sasuke knocked his hand away in a small fit of rage and made a few jabs for Naruto's head. At first Naruto could only dodge a few, but as it dragged on Naruto avoided them all.

What was this?

Much like Suigetsu, Sasuke found himself on the defensive. Not much later, Naruto aimed a raging straight at Sasuke's face. Sasuke moved his body to dodge but Naruto quickly pulled his arm back, shifted his weight and delivered a punch to Sasuke's face. A feint?

Naruto's advance continued as he placed well timed punches, whilst beautifully avoiding Sasuke's, until Naruto got bored deciding to grab the Uchiha by his shirt collar and throw him across the room.

Those were my moves…Sasuke pieced together as he dragged against the concrete floor. No wonder he was getting harder to hit. He analyzed our attack patterns and copied them that short amount of time whilst losing his humanity!

Is this the true power of the Hell Release?

"Kabuto, would you be so kind as to restrain this pest problem?" The white snake's attitude was a cool as ever as he walked over to the downed Uchiha.

"Certainly sir." Kabuto bowed slightly before he opened his cell phone.

"You don't seem to be doing so well Sasuke-kun."

"…shut up…gah…"

"If you wanted, I could give you a power that would allow you to defeat this menace in a matter of seconds." He smiled snidely.

"No…I refuse…" Sasuke coughed.

"I'm sorry to say this but without it you have no hopes of defeating him. As you can see, all my subordinates including Kabuto are having some difficulty taking him down together."

He looked over to the berserker practically ripping through his subordinates with ease; bring them down with precise – yet animalistic- strikes. He seen a similar case to this with Jugo. However, Jugo's weakness was extremely apparent on first glance. Though this one blonde berserker was clearly small and weaker in terms of physical strength, he was smaller, quicker and ultimately more deadly.

"What do you say Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke didn't respond.

Kabuto had reached his limit within minutes. This child –no- this monster was impossible to kill let alone handle! His stamina levels and strength hadn't dropped in the last twenty minutes of combat with 10 of Kabuto's best men. Rather, the monsters skills and strength seemed to increase with a larger group. He was only going to get stronger and stronger. He had to be destroyed.

The bloodied monster cackled lightly, towering above his downed (possibly dead) elite. Not good…

"Step aside. I'll take care of him." Kabuto watched the small Uchiha walk forward, cracking his knuckles and his neck.

The Uchiha clicked his teeth feeling nothing but disappointment. The Heaven's Release that the White Snake spoke so highly of was barely any help to him. He didn't feel any different than before. All he got from the vile liquid was a slight numbing sensation in his body along with a massive skull splitting headache. Regardless of his condition, he believed he was the only one in the estate that could have stopped Naruto without killing him.

Sasuke's hands itched into his usual fighting position, but he made sure that he kept them in such a way that whatever direction Naruto came at him, he'd be ready. In the corner of the berserker's eye, he caught hold on the raven haired avenger.

And that was when everything went completely crazy.

Naruto ran at full speed towards Sasuke with widened eyes – like he had finally found what he had been looking for. Which was true. However impressed Sasuke was with the inhumane speed of his self-proclaimed friend, he had to put those thoughts aside as Naruto charged at him.

Watching him in that one short moment Sasuke realized just how big a gap there was between the two of them. Naruto was, at this moment, a monster. He moved from his form and prepared himself for the flurry of pin accurate blows and strikes that were coming his way. As skilled a fighter as he was, this battle was on a completely different level than anything he had ever been a part of before.

Fighting for his life was nothing like what Sasuke had expected. He did not entertain the thought that he would be able to keep himself calm and composed, but he did not expect his first thoughts and reactions to be those of panic either. He reached for the holster on his hip and began to draw his weapon. This was his key to victory.

Naruto kept his advance constant and relentless. Sasuke, even with his heightened abilities (?), was lagging behind. Every strike, every muscle, every cell in his body had been heightened yet why wasn't there much of a difference from his previous fight? Was there this much of a difference between Heaven and Hell?

This however did not falter the Uchiha even for a second.

"Not even the Heaven's Release could help him…" he heard Karin gasp.

"Just who do you think I am?" Sasuke replied as he lured Naruto in by avoiding his fist, and turned it into a brilliant counterstrike by slapping both his opened palms around Naruto's head. This disoriented the berserker long enough for Sasuke to apply blunt trauma to Naruto's chest with his fist.

"I knew you could do it!" The redhead shrieked.

Sasuke managed to thwart Naruto this time, but it sure as hell wasn't going to happen again. He knew this well. But Sasuke's plan wasn't to fight fire with fire but to fight fire with water.

I can't believe I thought of that line…

Anyway, Naruto was now gifted with the fighting abilities of the Gods while Sasuke was gifted with increased senses and intelligence (?). He was going to put it to good use.

Unfortunately, Naruto was either very lucky or more intelligent than Sasuke gave him credit for. He felt like sharp edge grazed his hand and his secret weapon fell to the ground. His nails? His elongated nails were as sharp as knives. The White Snake did mention that the Hell Release focused on your primal instincts and physical attributes; quite literally turning you into a killing machine.

Blood began to pour from the wound and Sasuke found he could not form a tight fist any longer. Even if he risked recovering his weapon, there was probably no way he would be able to grip it let alone use it on Naruto.

"Shit."

It was the oddest sensation he had ever experienced.

Sasuke was so overwhelmed by contradicting emotions in the next moment that he was surprised he was able to feel them all. He wasn't proud of many of his actions in the past but not once did he regret them. But now, his actions had indirectly lead to his and his self-proclaimed friend's downfall into darkness. The seeds of regret were sown deep into his heart.

There were so many thoughts, emotions, and memories flooding to the front of his consciousness that he did not even feel pain.

Not the slightest amount of discomfort even though he felt like his body could not be anymore bruised. He could feel the long trail of his own blood as it started to pool and trickle down his hand.

He watched impatiently as the berserkers fist began its slow decent towards his body. If he was going to hit him, why couldn't he speed it up? As his impatience mounted, so did Sasuke's anger. He was tempted to reach up there and just bring the fist down on himself if time would just get back to normal.

Irritation finally got the better of him and he reached for his attacker. Much to Sasuke's surprise, whatever seemed to be slowing the rest of the world down was not affecting him. His good fist plowed into the stomach of the berserker. Before the boy even had a chance to feel the pain, Sasuke swept the legs out from under him.

There was no time to think. Whatever this was - adrenaline, endorphins, Heaven's Release, whatever – this was his chance for a counter strike.

He punched the berserker as quickly as his body would allow. The first thing he was met with were the berserkers sluggish attempt to trip him with a leg sweep, but Sasuke saw this coming and dashed back. He moved between his claws and wild swings easily enough, but he knew something had to be done soon if they were all coming out of here alive.

Sasuke's eye glanced over to the bloody mess in the center of the room. Well most of us.

When a decent enough opening presented itself, Sasuke pushed his fist down and rammed his head into Naruto's.

"Naruto I know you're in there!" Naruto responded with an enraged roar, reeling his head back for his continued assault. "Remember Sakura?"

Naruto's eyes flashed open for a minute, and this gave the Uchiha just enough time to parry his last blow and deliver a devastating combination of quick blows to his head, neck and chest before the berserker fully recovered.

Sooner than expected, the monsters movements became slow and sluggish – easy enough for Sasuke to dodge and counter. By the look in his eye, even the monster himself began to wonder what was wrong with his body.

"I did some research and figured why she didn't remember you."

Again, he gave a window of opportunity but he would not be so lucky this time around. The berserker had learned from his previous mistakes, he seemingly blocked the Uchiha's words out as he strengthened his guard. Even with this the Uchiha would occasionally break his guard while only suffering minor blows to the stomach and head.

But he couldn't let that stop him!

"She didn't forget you Naruto! Someone robbed her of her memories!"

That was it.

The beast came to grinding halt; all thought processes derailed. The beast paused; giving the Uchiha the exact results he needed. It was a good thing that Naruto had a one track mind or he would have noticed the 'weapons' on his thigh and in his hands; Syringes. Harmless injections that would have put even a raging bull out.

From the beginning Sasuke had these in his balled fist, slipping each needle in between each of his counterstrikes; each one slowing him down more and more. This was probably the sole reason why he was able to dodge any of the berserkers attacks. And now, it was finally time for the coup de grace.

Naruto kept his guard up but it wasn't enough time for him to block the syringe Sasuke slammed into his chest. In a fit of rage, the berserker smashed his fist into Sasuke's side knocking the holster away from him. Naruto charged haphazardly grabbing the Uchiha and knocking him to the ground, where the berserker grabbed a syringe on the floor and slammed it into his chest.

This was fine. Sasuke was well aware of the impacts the Heaven's Release would have on his body moments after its application. In all honesty, he rather be asleep during all of that.

Sound was beginning to reach his ears again and the world was returning to its normal speed. The berserker landed next to him with a thud and groan as his moments were coming to an end. With this, it was over.

From the corner of his eye, Sasuke caught a hold of the White Snake's goons beginning to close around them. Sasuke's final spurt of energy were put into his words.

"Don't you dare touch him! I decide what happens to that boy, got it?"

"Why are you so attached to this one?"

"It's…none of your…goddamn business."

Sasuke's migraine seemed to worsen and the pain in his body began to intensify. He felt like ripping his head off! Despite his pains, he knew that it would be over soon. It's the only reason he didn't scream out –rather- he began to huff and heave. The effects were more stressful on his body than he anticipated.

"Your body needs to rest now, Sasuke-kun." Sasuke could only shoot him glances at this point. The White Snake seemed to pick up well on his messages. "Alright, I won't harm him. I will observe him, however."

Rather than relax Sasuke's body seemed to tense up. His thoughts raced and he was gifted with increased brain activity in that one moment. A memory that was long forgotten by Sasuke resurfaced the moment a snide grin crawled up the White Snake's face.

Those eyes…no it can't be!

He was thrust back to the Uchiha mansion for a last moment's breath. Those piercing yellow eyes, that icy-pale skin, that snide grin were all parts of the last thing that he had seen that night.

The White Snake and that person were one in the same. How could he forget such an important detail? How could he let this chance at revenge slip by him so easily?

"You…"

"Hm?"

As he slipped into unconsciousness, the raven haired boy swore on his family grave that everyone who conspired against the Uchiha would die by his hands. This sole vow sent the Uchiha into a dark void that he never truly recovered from. But before he dragged them all down to hell, he needed power.

After that day, every fiber of his being was committed to gaining that power. He cultivated the necessary resources. He recruited the strongest personnel he could find. He waited. He planned. All that was missing was the right time to strike.

That man began a war with the Uchiha family that Sasuke had every intention of ending.

He ran. He didn't look back - for what chased him through the dark corridors were more frightening and terrifying than any monster out of any story book.

Every move he made, every step he took felt like a move in the wrong direction. In the back of his minds he could feel the dark entities that were chasing him growing closer.

Adrenaline poured into his system and their running broke into a sprint as he scurried across a city street. In that instance, the raven haired boy's spine tingled; he sensed the one of those dark shadows pulling closer to him with every step he took. He had to get out of there quick.

"There he is!" A man screamed.

The boy immediately hopped over the trash bins at the side of the street and slid into the alleyway only to ram into the white stone wall. He ignored the searing pain, groggily got to his feet and dashed deeper into the alleyway. His freedom was only inches from his grasp. Six, five, four, three…just then.

Someone grabbed his shirt and threw him back into the wall. It was two of His prized test subjects, Jiroubou and Kidoumaru. Sasuke made an attempt to fight them off, but his wounds from his previous fight prevented that. So of course he was downed in a mere instant.

"Where do you think you're going?" The overweight man cackled.

"Yeah. You can't be planning on running after you destroyed our hideout and tried to kill our boss, now can you?" The thinner one asked, striking the boy in his stomach.

"I have nothing to say to either of you." The boy wiped the grit of his face, shooting both of His pawns with a look - a look not of anger, but defiance.

"That's a shame. If you don't say anything to defend yourself we might go overboard and kill you right here and now."

"Right." Sasuke coughed, pulling his body against the nearing wall. "I have no qualms about what's going to happen, however, I can't say the same about my friend over there."

The men immediately tensed up. They had thought that the boy was alone. They knew of him and his 'friend' well. The two had always been side by side, following the bidding of their master like the loyal dogs their master thought they were.

But on this night, they launched a full scale act on the White Snake's estate with the entity of the younger pupils. They weren't sure of the details since they were out on reconnaissance for their master but they were informed that it didn't end well for them. Their Master had been fatally injured during the war but they managed to defend themselves against the pupils with minor casualties. The pupils weren't faring any better, they were forced to make a retreat losing a few of their forces in the process.

Why did they over look that fact tonight of all nights?

Like a monster right out of a horror film the boy stood behind them, his facial features hidden in the darkness of the night; all except for one of his bright orange eyes that looked at them like they were his next prey. Evidently…they were.

"Knock yourself out." With Sasuke's approval, the boy's cracked grin shone even under the fall of darkness.

What happened to them afterwards…Sasuke rather not remember.

Moments later, under the harshness of the heavy rain, he along with his self-proclaimed best friend walked along side a dank ravine when the Uchiha's bitter anger got the better of him.

"Dammit Dammit Dammit! How could I have failed? Everything was perfect!" His fist made impact with the wall next to him.

"…is that all you can think about?" Naruto's deadpan voice seemed to match well with his heartless expression.

"All those months of doing his dirty work, all those months of planning, all of it gone to waste! All because I overlooked the White Snake using both of the drugs! How can you not expect me to mull over this?"

"…you bastard." Naruto's dispassionate expression betrayed his actions. He kept his expression remote while he grabbed Sasuke's shirt and slammed him into the wall.

"All those people that we recruited, all the people we had helped - most of them DIED tonight. And all you can think about is how your plan FAILED? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Let go of me Naruto!"

"Not until you fucking understand what just happened!" His face grew furious. "Haku, Gaara, Sanae, Sora, Yamato, Yuuij, Ayame, Sai, Rei, Akio, Kirei, Raito, Saki-"

"I get it!"

"No you don't! If you did, you'd understand that your plan failing wasn't your biggest mistake!" He moved his hand down and allowed Sasuke to slide down the wall.

As the Uchiha wallowed in what he thought defeat felt like, he looked up to his self-proclaimed friend. His crystal blue eyes shone through his despair, looking upon something that Sasuke couldn't. What made him so determined? What kept him from the cold icy claw of the abyss?

What kept him sane was more annoying than persistence and more dangerous than any blade. Hope.

"We can make a change in this city, however small it is." Naruto spoke up after minutes maybe hours of silence. "We may be monsters but it's our choice what we do with our curse."

"What are you saying?"

"I finally understand what my parents accomplished...what they were trying to teach me all those years ago." Naruto turned to Sasuke with a dauntless expression. "I'm going to save as many people as I can. Even with my abilities I can't do it alone. I need your help." Sasuke didn't respond.

"If you won't do it for me or yourself, do it for the people who fought alongside you today. Honor their memory by preventing anything like this from happening again."

"I'm not…"

"Think about it." Naruto stated as he made his way out of the ravine. The White Snake's goons should have been searching for them on the other end of the city by now. Now was as good a time as any to leave.

He turned to his young self, who seemed like he was on the verge of tears. It was about time that Sasuke asked just who - or what - he was. If he was just a simple memory on rerun, he'd have disappeared a long time ago.

"Are you my innocence?"

The boy shook his head from side to side.

"…are you death?"

The boy shook his head up and down; a small smile forming at his face.

"Are you going to drag me down?" Sasuke asked without any surprise in his tone.

The boy shook his head from side to side, his smile never once faltering, as he pointed behind Sasuke.

Sasuke watched a golden orb of light appear out of the nothingness. The orb mirrored the image of that of an average heighted man. It stretched its arm out to Sasuke, who in turn copied his actions for a brief moment. Sasuke then quickly gritted his teeth roughly, slapping the transcendent light's hand.

"I am better off dead. Everyone would live a better and happier life without me around." Sasuke turned away with his hands in his pockets, as he began to walk deeper into the void.

"Come on kid, we have to go." Sasuke urged the small boy, who looked back and forth between Sasuke and the light, at a loss of what to do. Though he couldn't talk, he pulled on Sasuke's shirt urging him to go back but he kept walking.

This is my punishment.

"Stop being so stubborn for once." His husky voice rang through Sasuke's eardrums as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"…out of all the people my brain could have come up with for the position. It just had to be you, huh?"

"You know you'd be lost without me." He chuckled. "It's what friends are for right?"

"Friends respect each other's decisions."

"That they do, but really, who do you think I am?"

Sasuke understood the true meaning behind those words. 'I don't care what you say. I'm doing it my way whether you like it or not.'

Sasuke groaned, turning around without another word catching a glimpse of several entities of light. His classmates, the Konoha Eleven (as they called themselves), Ren, Itachi (bastard) and…

He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Come on Sasuke. It's not your time yet, you still have things to do." The kind yet strict woman in black smiled.

"Mother…"

"You have to uphold the Uchiha name son. Don't let me down." The gruff yet caring man smirked.

"Father…"

"It's time to come home Sasuke." Ren came forward gently wrapping her hands around his arm, pulling him towards the light.

"What kind of cliché nonsense is this…" Sasuke muttered.

"Just go with it." Naruto grinned.

"I already said that your lives would be better without me around!"

"We don't know if that's true or not but even if it is I-we want you around."

"You're all too damn selfish." Sasuke glared.

"We learn from the best." He retorted.

Sasuke took one finally glance back to the small boy whose smile hadn't dropped. Before he disappeared into the darkness, Sasuke muttered. "Guess I won't be seeing you anytime soon, kid."

And with that, the boy disappeared.

...

A burning light entered Sasuke's eye lids, waning and fluttering as the time rolled by. His eyes slowly opened, finding himself being crushed to death underneath the body of a small girl.

"You're heavy…"

Her head stirred for a moment, before it shot up looking at him with eyes full of tears and a smile he had never seen before. "Sasuke!"

As Sasuke's Arc draws to a close, I'd like to hear what you guys think of it compared to the last. Feedback is always appreciated.

A/N: If you've noticed, this entire story so far is based on what people think and see of Naruto as a person; never what he thinks of himself. It won't stay like this forever though. In the next arc, Naruto's Arc (Name pending), it will take everything from his point of view and reveal stories that I haven't mentioned yet - Gaara, Haku and Yuuji's more specifically.