Shadows within a Dream

By: Kisu

A/N: If no one could make it out, the story would be divided into 3 parts. Each part continues the story with all of them growing a bit older. In the first part they've already become Chuunin. Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura was 16 years old---the other Chuunins are around that age too. =D

Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me…T____T

Part 2.1: I'm back

The sun was setting and it sent rays of purple, pink and orange over the land. One person however, stood staring in the direction of the sun, waist deep in the water. His bare shoulders glistened with moisture and shadows played on every tone muscle down his back. His hair, darkening to gold fell to where it brushed against his shoulders and wisped around the calm face as a light warm breeze wafted through the air.

"Naruto, are you done yet?" A man with shockingly white hair stood on a rock that overlooked the lake. "If you stand in the water too long, you'll catch a cold."

"It's so peaceful here, Sensei." The young man replied, quietly. His voice was a smooth baritone that had evolved from a voice that used to be high and annoying.

"Like the Fourth." Jiraiya commented to himself. "I have another chance to raise a Hokage." He smiled to himself and also stared at the point where the sun was sinking. "Come on, Naruto." He called out. "We'll try to get to Konoha before dark."

"Before dark?" Naruto turned around and glance up at the frog hermit. "I don't think so, we'll probably reach there at midnight."

"We'll we aren't anywhere closer if you don't get out of that water." Jiraiya responded.

"Hai, hai." Naruto smiled as he walked out of the water, a towel wrapped around his waist. Jiraiya smiled. He was so proud of Naruto, but sometimes he wanted the boy to lighten up a little. He haven't seen that Sexy no Jutsu in such a long time.

"How unfair, Naruto!" Jiraiya wailed.

"Sensei?" Naruto was already dressed and was way ahead of him perched on a branch of a tree. He has glanced back when he realized that Jiraiya wasn't following him.

"How dare you leave without me!" Jiraiya yelled as he picked up a boulder and threw it at him.

"Nani?" Naruto frowned, turning his head. He was caught in the face by the boulder and was knocked off the branch.

"Lousy kid." Jiraiya mumbled.

***

It was late at night and the moon had risen to its full peak. The Godaime of Konoha sat at her desk with paperwork sprawled all over. She sighed as she stared her door, her mind filled with thoughts. Slowly, she sat up and smirked as her joints popped from the stiff position she had been for hours. She made her way to the window and pushed it open. A light night breeze wafted into the room and rustled the stray hairs that hung over her face.

Don't disappoint me, Naruto.

***

Sasuke leapt nimbly onto a branch of a tree and settled down to wait. Naruto had left, two years before this day. He had anticipated this for a long time, training and getting stronger for Naruto's homecoming. He had realized that if Naruto sought out for his true strength, he should do the same. Sasuke flexed his hand, a ghost of a smile flitting over his lips. Over the past two years, he had become stronger, faster, and even taller and now he was 18. He was eager to see how Naruto had turned out and how strong he had become.

"Oy."

Sasuke glanced down to see Kakashi peering up at him with that same hidden smile. Iruka lounged next to the trunk of the tree with his eyes closed.

"Any sign?" Iruka asked, quietly.

"Not yet." Sasuke replied.

"They're here." Kakashi spoke up. They turned to the face the undergrowth of the forest and waited for the two familiar figures to appear. They stood motionless, almost holding their breaths for the appearance of what they remembered of the bright, cheerful boy.

"What are you looking for?"

"Naruto." Iruka replied.

"Why would he come from that way?"

"Eh? Why wouldn't he?" Iruka turned around and came face to face with Jiraiya. Iruka took a moment to register this and he jumped back, pointing his index finger out in accusation. "When did you get here? Where's Naruto?!"

"Hey, it's not like I lost him or anything." Jiraiya said as he crossed his arms. "Or at least I don't think I lost him. He tends to wander off from time to time." A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "There's a full moon tonight."

"What the hell does mean?" Sasuke demanded as he looked down at the trio.

"Oh, the Uchiha kid!" Jiraiya grinned. Sasuke fought the urge to pummel the perverted frog hermit into the ground. "Naruto will be pleased to see you."

"He—didn't come back with you?" Sasuke asked, hesitantly.

"Damn, don't get your panties in a bunch." Jiraiya said, pleasantly. He failed to see Sasuke's death glare and Jiraiya jerked his thumb to their right. "He's over there staring at that goddamn moon." All three pairs of eyes turned to that direction.

***

A young man stood in the middle of the village. His face was upturned and the soft glow of the full moon cast its rays over him and gently illuminated his features. His long strands of golden hair danced around his face. There he was. Uzumaki Naruto. He was stronger, older, and quieter.

Iruka was the first to break the silence. "The Fourth." He whispered.

"Iie. The Sixth." Jiraiya corrected him with pride. "Naruto! See who came to greet you!" Jiraiya shouted. Naruto's head turned slowly and he recognized them.

His eyes closed and his lips curved into a content, genuine smile. "I'm back." He said, finally. Sasuke felt his insides twist and he swallowed with effort.

"Naruto has grown so big and strong, I'm so proud of him!" Iruka cried.

"Baka." Kakashi sighed. He looked up with his one good eye and noticed that Sasuke had tensed.

"He's changed." Sasuke said finally.

"We saw a lot of death out there." Jiraiya said, quietly. He cleared his throat. "Well, I'm off to report to the Godaime! Naruto! I'm going to see Tsunade!"

"Tell the old hag I said, hi." Naruto replied, without even raising his voice. His smooth rich baritone was a foreign sound to them. Sasuke shivered unconsciously and Iruka smiled.

"Well Sasuke, we'll see the Godaime too." He announced. "You and Naruto must have lots of things to talk about." He vanished in a poof of smoke and Kakashi gave him an encouraging smile. He also vanished in a poof of smoke.

***

Sasuke blinked and watched Naruto for a few more moments. The boy had not moved a muscle since he answered Jiraiya. "What is so amazing about that thing?" Sasuke asked in annoyance. He disappeared and reappeared a few feet away from Naruto.

"Isn't it beautiful, Sasuke?" Naruto asked, his blue eyes never wavering from the bright glowing orb. "The world has so many beautiful things. I just hope to protect it so others could cherish its beauty."

"Have you become stronger?" Sasuke asked. Naruto tore his gaze away from the moon and met his eyes.

"I've found what I wanted to protect." Naruto replied, simply.

"Dobe…" Sasuke breathed.

"I'm glad you've recovered, bastard." Naruto grinned. "Or I had to go to hell to kick your ass."

"Heh. I'd like to see you try." Sasuke smirked. Naruto looked away.

"I'm glad you're all right. I wouldn't forgive myself if something had happened to you." He said, quietly.

"Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault." Sasuke frowned.

"Was it?" Naruto met his eyes and Sasuke felt himself drowning in its intensity. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he looked over his shoulder. With a great leap, he knocked Sasuke to the ground as several shurikens flew through the air.

"He followed me here." Naruto said, wearily.

"Who?" Sasuke asked as he glanced into the dark.

"Are you ready, Sasuke?" Naruto asked, his faces inches from his.

"Ready?" Sasuke repeated, blankly. "For what?

"Uchiha Itachi has returned to Konoha."

***

"Itachi?" Sasuke took the hand that Naruto offered and they turned their gaze toward the shadows where the shurikens had come from. "He's back." His voice was emotionless, but he felt the desire of revenge affecting him. Naruto watched the same spot with calm eyes, flickering back to Sasuke to watch his expression before staring back at the same spot again. "Come out, now!"

"Good to see you are alive and well, Sasuke." The voice, slightly deeper than Sasuke's came from the shadows and a man walked forward with great leisure. The darkness peeled off of him like silk and Sasuke narrowed his eyes. The blood-red sharingan glowing in his eyes made Itachi look animalistic. A mocking smile spread across his lips and he stopped in a casual stance. "Well, aren't you going welcome Aniki home?"

Sasuke growled and narrowed his eyes. This time. Itachi wouldn't get away.

TBC! *_*