Author's Notes: To the readers who expect the story to get down to business and show some romantic cra….(Klaine:--)…ehem sorry…romantic moment with the characters I'm very sorry! I'm not really a mushy person. I want to develop the characters before sending them away to the climax and I tend to write in puzzles. I enjoy reading and writing fics that need to be solved of pieced together so you can expect this fic to be very, very, very…did I mention very?...anyway very long! So for the first few chapters it deals with Naruto and Sasuke's friendship 'development' enjoy it while it last hehehe. So if you don't have the patience…er…you won't know what happens???......(scratches head)

Er…is Arashi Yondaime's name? I'm using it ok? If it's wrong please tell me.

Disclaimer: Naruto is ours! He's our boyfriend; Sasuke stinks – he's basically an over-used, cold-hearted character. No offense meant. XD Hehe…duh, this is why it's called a "disclaimer"…. :D

Author/s: Me, with Klaine tagging along at some point.

Caution: still not edited KLAAAAAINE!

Chapter One: Blood Murder

(Part Two: nine-tailed demon)

My knee is still shaking, like I was twelve,

Sneaking out of the classroom, by the back door.

It was dead silent and only the rustling of the leaves can be heard. The young Uzumaki was hiding behind his guardian. The scene in front of him is something he WILL remember.

"YOUR barking mad Itachi." The Hokage breaks the silence.

"I know your family's been hiding it for generations."

The Genin exam. It is where young squire is examined by Guild teachers to judge if they are fit to join a squad. They also receive the hitai-ate as a sign that they are already a part of Konoha's army

The Guild Masters were setting preparations the night before and was still at it early dawn but of course the two youngsters sleeping peacefully somewhere in the castle's left wing couldn't care any less. For them the early morning breeze only made them want to snuggle more into the warm mattress.

The previews event unconsciously brought the two rivals closer. It was a sweet sight. The nurse was even hesitating to wake the two boys up but the Prince has a history class in the morning and a Genin exam in the afternoon. The king would surely be angry if he misses it.

"Sasuke oujisama please wake up." The boy stirred but didn't wake instead he made a move to smoothen out the blond tresses tickling his nose. The brown haired nurse giggled but never the less she tried again.

"Sasuke oujisama it's time to get up." This time the prince did open his eyes but refuse to leave the warmth the other body was giving.

"You have history today." She stated

"Kurenai-san?" his voice still horsed from sleep.

"Yes, Sasuke oujisama?"

"Can Naruto come too?" The pale boy asks. Sleep was already wearing off the boy's eyes.

"You could ask him but I don't think he has any change of clothes here."

"He can Borrow mine!" He exclaimed. The wavy haired nurse was shocked. For a prince to share clothing with some one…it was…it was…but then again this is Naruto after all. "But please wake him up first you don't want to be late now would you." It was then that Sasuke notice that his friend was still sleeping soundly on his bed.

"Naruto wake up." He tried shaking the boy gently to try to wake him. It didn't work.

"Naruto!" he tries a little harder but the younger sleeps like a rock.

"Five more minutes Iruka-sensei." He mumbles. Sasuke's infamous patience flared. Without warning he shoved Naruto out of his bed hard.

"You Bastard! I was having a nice dream about RAMEN." He added the shaking of the fist to complete his angry pose.

"Ahou! I was trying to wake you up normally but you sleep like the dead." He says in a calmer voice. He'd rather be caught dead then to be seen having a temper tantrum over a stupid matter.

"Sasuke oujisama, Naruto-kun…" She hopes that they won't start a fight so early in the morning. She doesn't know how he gets away but Naruto is very lucky not to get punish for bad mouthing the prince.

"Just hurry up and put on these clothes."

----

Half an hour later…

"Hurry up dobe." Both were running through the castle's corridors trying to get to Sasuke's class on time. "We're going to be late because of you." He added.

"ME? It's not my history class. I don't even wanna go in it!" his friend defended.

"Usuratonkachi! History is important in running a country."

"I'm not running a country and so are you. It's not like Itachi Oujisama's gonna die." Naruto's words somehow struck a pain in Sasuke's chest. He stops which causes the blonde to bump into him. It was then that Naruto realize what he said.

"Sasuke-sama…I'm sorry I wasn't thinking." With Naruto facing Sasuke's back the other just clench his fist and said. "Go home Naruto. It was wrong of me to invite you."

"Sasuke-sama..." Naruto tries to reason out but the prince cuts him off.

"I SAID LEAVE! " he shouts.

"Fine." Naruto turns around and runs. He won't let Sasuke see him cry again.

Pushing down the more painful feeling in his chest when Naruto left Sasuke proceeded to his history.

----

"Naruto-kun!" he can hear his sensei's shouts a mile away.

Iruka was angry he cooked up a warm batch of beef ramen just for his favorite student (His only student) only to find the Hokage scratching the back of his head with a solemn grin on his face.

----

"Hokage-sama, it's late and Naruto isn't home yet. I'm really worried." The motherly like teacher paced. "Ah…you see…" The Yondaime was nervous that's never a good sign. "I couldn't find Naruto so…" It only took about less that a second for Arashi to prepare himself to dodge the flying kitchen utensils thrown in his direction.

"Wait!...Iruka!" He tries to start but the words 'Naruto' and 'couldn't' find was all it took for the gentle Chunin to challenge the Hokage himself, throwing almost everything but the kitchen sink.

"Let me explain!" he tried again His Hokage skills barely keeping him alive. (Was that a butcher knife?)

"Naruto is with Sasuke-kun." Sighing as he manages to catch a clay cooking pot. It was a family heirloom.

"Really? But you said…"

"Hold on. Let me explain." Placing the pot carefully on the counter he continued. "I went to the castle to look for Naruto and I saw Itachi-sama. He told me that Naruto is in Sasuke's room so I went there to check on them but they were already asleep so I decided to leave him there."

"Oh…" Finally the sensei/nurse calmed down. "Thank goodness his ok."

"Ah…anou sa…Iruka." He starts. "Yes Yondaime-sama."

"Please get someone to help you clean up the kitchen." It was then that Iruka realize the mess he made in the kitchen. " AHHH! Yondaime-sama I'm really sorry!"

----

"Naruto!" He was about to give the boy an earful but it melted away as he saw the child looking lost sitting on a wooden swing at the Uzumaki's back garden. He got closer and sighs.

"Naruto-kun, what's wrong?" He cooed.

"I screwed up again.' He said sadly. "I got Sasuke-sama mad at me." He sniffs.

"But you always make Sasuke oujisama angry." He tries to lessen the tension but he knew that it was fruitless.

"No. I finally got the chance to have a bestest friend…" (wrong grammar I know but for a kid it doesn't matter) " …and I screwed up." It was heartbreaking to his the kid like this. "What do I do know Iruka-sensei?" He looks up with pleading eyes.

"Naruto-kun it's really not that easy to gain real friends." He couldn't resist. He had to give Naruto a warm bear hug. "But once you find even just one." He pushed some sunshine hair covering the baby blue eyes. "He will never ever make you feel sad again." He smiles. ".And besides if you loose Sasuke-sama over something like this then he isn't your friend at all." Naruto buries his face into his mother-figures chest. "You don't understand Iruka sensei…You don't understand at all…Sasuke-sama's special" the lat part was almost inaudible but Iruka caught it.

Naruto was right. He didn't understand what his student meant. Although he wanted to his dependent wouldn't say anything more.

----

"Itachi oujisama…" An ANBU under his command snapped him out of his reverie.

"What?" he said flatly. The ANBU cowered in response. Great just what he needed a new recruit with no backbone when it came to him. Itachi didn't like this one. He prefers to have allies rather that useless slave-like Nins it's a shame in his book.

"We finished cleaning up." Buy this he meant taking off the heads of the illegal mafia that trespassed the Wind's borders in a hidden residence.

"Search the entire place. Gather all the information you could find." He declares. The squads dispersed at an instant…hmm…no back bones but none the less practical.

Edging himself to what seems to be like master's bedroom Itachi notices something out of place on one of the Tatami mats. He takes out a kunai an carefully slashes the mat. There, underneath he found a number of scrolls. He quickly labeled them as useless until he felt two small ones that seemed to have a certain amount of charka. It was sealed. He knew this kind of seal quite well. Without the knowledge of his group he hid the two scrolls in his robe and surrendered the rest to the squad.

----

"Sasuke-sama!" a response. Good. The prince was zoned out for five minutes. We'll at least he was looking at him now. "Sasuke-sama I've been calling your attention for a while now." His teacher Morino Ibiki states. "Oh." was the prince's only response.

"What's wrong with you today? You came late for your lessons and your not paying attention. Itachi-sama was never like this." Sasuke grinds his teeth in attempt to stop himself from charging at his mentor. What he knows about his brother, he never taught him.

Did he not notice it before? Was he always being compared to Itachi? Or maybe he was seen as just Itachi's shadow. He never really thought about it not until Naruto accidentally choked it out. Speaking of Naruto... He sighs.

"Maybe that kids a bad influence. You're starting to become like him. Useless and lazy. He doesn't like to study at all. Yondaime must be shamed of him staining the family name."

'What the hell is he talking about?'

"Sasuke-sama you should stay away from that brat, Naruto."

"YOU DON"T NOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM." The prince shouts as his hands slams on the wooden desk. "You don't know anything about him." He repeats in a softer tone but he held a touch of ice in it. "How dare you say such things about him."

"Sasuke-sama…" Ibiki tries to calm his charge but…

"Silence." The first time that Sasuke actually showed authority. He stares at him and to the educator's surprise the child's eyes were flickering from dark hues of coal to crimson blood read. 'Sharingan?'

Sasuke gets up to suddenly for the chairs taste as it falls down on the marble floor. The pale boy ran away fro the room.

He lost his composure. He rarely…no... he never lost his cool demeanor but when Ibiki bad mouthed Naruto he felt….

---

Academy student were all lined up to take the Genin exam. Among them was Shikimaru. He wasn't able to take it last year because he over slept. Now with his father's constant berate he manages to remember.

A guy, wearing his forehead protector backwards with a toothpick in his mouth, suddenly appears out of nowhere.

"OI" was his rude and boring introduction. " My name is Genma Shiranui. I'm your Genin examiner. You only need to perform one thing to pass my judgment" Naruto has a bad feeling about this.

"Look its Sasuke oujisama." One of the students stated. Everyone looks toward the direction where she pointed out. All except for Naruto who turned his head away and was being block by the older Shikimaru. There it was again. Admiration. The admiration for being the prince of Konoha, the academy's current number one rookie and a person who might become just like his brother, the crowned prince Itachi.

"Okay, Okay. Enough fuss" he states. He still looks bored out of his mind. " I still have a lot to do so will make this quick." Everyone now had their attention focused on him. " The jutsu you will perform to pass is Bunshin no Jutsu."

Naruto's weakest technique. He was sure to fail now.

The first one to perform was Sasuke. As expected he executed the technique perfectly. The others followed. When Naruto's turn came everyone was watching. He did the hand signals and said the jutsu out loud. Unfortunately his Chakra control was not quite well and he created a useless clone. Everyone laughed everyone except three new Genins and the bored special Jounin. "You really are stupid Naruto." One of them teased.

"No his not." A shy softly spoken girl tried to defend but she was unheard.

"Yeah Ahahaha! Guess I'll try next time." He laughs but a raven haired boy new better.

----

Back on his Home's tree swing Naruto was again found quietly staring on the ground. The only one who didn't get a Hitai-ate. Iruka wanted to comfort him but he knew it was best to leave the depressed child alone.

"Naruto." A firm yet understanding voiced brought the blonde out of his reverie. He looks up only to find the man he really didn't want to see the most. Arashi held the nylon rope that connected the swing to the tree. " I didn't pass." He shamefully said. " I know" he smiled.

" Yeah go ahead rub it why don't yah." He puffs

"But you know you weren't interested in becoming a nin in the first place."

The younger blond looked down." I won't be able to be as good as you, Itachi oujisama or Sasuke-sama anyway. I can't become a Hokage or an ANBU I'm not even a rookie so what's the use."

" I swear I'll beat him! I never back down on my words. That is my own ninja way." His father imitates in a more mature voice. " I believe I heard you say that countless of times especially when you want to beat the hell out of Sasuke-kun." Yondaime sways the swing gently. " You're not Itachi-sama nor Sasuke and your most definitely not me. You're Naruto. Yes you're the Hokage's son but you're Naruto just the same." Naruto looks up to meet the same but darker sets of eyes. The older of the two grins.

"Tell you what." He let's go of the rope and walks towards a spacious area. He signals Naruto to come and the boy follows. " If you can get me to move even just a step from this spot I'll pass you to the Genin level."

"You serious?"

"Yeah and as a bonus I'll share with you a secret family technique."

"You're joking!...Ouch!" he hits Naruto on the head. " Brat! I'm the Hokage course I can do that. Do we have a deal?" Naruto still looks hesitant. " Come on you already said you'll become a ninja don't tell me your backing out of your word." It was then that Naruto runs to try to beat the other man.

----

It was already dark Naruto was panting while his father didn't even break a sweat. He didn't know how late it is but he saw Iruka locked the main gate so he guessed it was pretty late.

"Give up." His father asks. Naruto just stuck out his tongue a cute way of saying 'go to hell.' Yondaime smiled. He knew Naruto. Naruto although was yet lacking determination never gave up on a set goal. He barely had time to prepare himself when he notice that Naruto was about to launch another attempt. Giving a high kick that the Hokage easily blocked he delivered a following punched to the other's face. Yondaime smirked. Naruto was just still not skilled enough to challenge him.

" WHAT THE FUCK!" the older suddenly exclaimed as his toe was met with the base of Naruto's sandals. "You brat! That hurt!" he shouts. The boy just grins and gave his Chichiue a peace sign. " I win Now give me my forehead protector."

"What?" the elders said confused.

"You Cheater! You said I passed when I manage to move you from that spot." True enough the foot that Naruto stepped on move from its original spot.

"hehe…" 'yeah. He was his son alright.' He couldn't be more proud. "I'm a man of my word gaki" he shuffles the blonde's hair.

"Congratulations Naruto-kun." Iruka who was watching the whole ordeal wanted to stop them earlier but he knew he can't go against his master's decision. He goes towards Naruto and takes out his forehead protector causing his hair to loose its tied state. Somewhere hidden in only Hokage knows where the silver haired Jounin was his bleeding nose away.

"Here." He ties his own Hitai-ate on Naruto. "Thank you Iruka-sensei." He jumps to give his sensei a hug while his father pats him on the head. "Naruto…" Arashi starts " A true Shinobi isn't measured on how well nor how many jutsu he can perform." He waits for the little one to stare at him. "Determination is the key. You don't need this techniques to be strong."

"What do I need?" the child asked. His father only pats his head. " You'll know soon."

"You can come out now…" The Yondaime suddenly blurts out. This got Iruka and Naruto's curiosity.

"I know you're here the whole time…" he states.

"Sasuke."

At the mention of his name the boy let himself appear from the shadows. "Sa…Sasuke-sama?" Naruto wanted to run towards his friend but he was not sure if Sasuke was still mad at him.

"Iruka-san." He whispers to the caretaker. "Please send a messenger bird to inform the king that Sasuke-sama will be spending the night here." Iruka got the hint and went on to do the last request for the night.

----

"I see you passed…" the other stated.

"Yeah…"

There was silence again

"I'm sorry" the blonde apologizes.

"Why did you say that earlier? Why were all of you comparing me to Nii-sama. I don't like it." This time it was Sasuke's turn to look away from his friend.

" Compared?" the smaller asked " I never compared you to Itachi oujisama." Still Sasuke wasn't looking at him.

"Sasuke-sama is Sasuke-sama. He can never be anyone else. Sasuke-sama cannot be Itachi oujisama because Itachi oujisama will never be more special than Sasuke-sama. Sasuke-sama is my bestest friend! At least for Naruto." Sasuke was now facing Naruto.

" I'm Glad you passed" he says.

" So you could have a Good RIVAL that could beat the crap out of yah!" the other tried to joke.

" Idiot. You're the one who always lose."

"WHY YOU…" He was about to give Sasuke a piece of his mind when the said boy walks toward Naruto to give the other a light punch on the shoulder. "I wanted my friend to pass."

Naruto smiled back back.

---

Itachi arrived from his mission a few hours ago. He stayed in his room to finish deciphering and analyzing the scrolls he found. He places them under his drawers and walks toward the balcony to think.

"Nine-tailed fox demon huh…."

-----------------------tbc----------

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

FINISHED! 3 down….don't know how many to go….

Damnshet! Naruto is so OOC for meh….anyway do you guys know who Genma is (hearts)??? Heheh! I lOVE GENMA SAMA! His so cool and collected he didn't even flinch when the sand Nins came attacking Konoha. (shet I'm turning into a gay monster again) waaaaaaaah but Genma-sama is so cool I can't help it!

Preview? Mind can't make a previews now…head hurts

Please review!