Shadows within a Dream

By: Kisu

A/N: I just discovered I spelled everyone's names wrong and some of my chapters have typos -_-;; But thanks for all who reviewed! I have a strong fascination with Neji now. *_* But Sasuke would always be my number one! =D I wonder…if guys read yaoi fics…hmm.

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me T___T

2.3: Aniki

"This is what happens when you make me mad."

Naruto stood in the village, wide eyed at the destruction around him. Where a village once stood, busy and lively was now a barren land with rubble and remains that burned with dying flames. Slowly, he raised his hands to his head and screamed. His head tilted upwards and an agonized howl tore from his throat.

"No." He whispered. "No."

"Did you enjoy this scenery? It's your fault. You're fault that the village was wiped out."

Naruto trembled in anger and pain. He swung around to see Sasuke's older brother watching him. The sharingan was blood red in his eyes. "I won't forgive you!" He screamed, lunging forward.

***

It was the same dream again. It was a memory that his mind refused to let him forget. It was when Uchiha Itachi betrayed him. Naruto wearily opened his eyes and blinked at the bright sunlight that filtered into the room. He turned his head to the side and stared at the young man that was half draped over him. Black silky hair fell across Sasuke's face and pooled onto the white sheets.

How long was I out? He wondered. Sasuke stirred and opened his eyes; he slowly raised his head up and rubbed the sleep away.

"You're awake." He said, plainly.

"Yeah." Naruto replied, watching him.

"Took you long enough." Sasuke stretched and his muscles rippled as his shirt stretched across his frame. "You were out for half a week."

"Oh." Naruto blinked, casting his gaze onto the ground.

"Did you come across my brother a lot, during your training?" Sasuke asked, suddenly. "You two seemed to be on familiar terms. It seems like it wasn't the first time you two crossed paths."

"Yeah." He replied, shifting his gaze to Sasuke's sandaled feet. "I have a grudge against him too. But I'll leave him for you."

"What did he do?" Sasuke asked.

"He wiped out a village." Naruto told him. "Nothing remained. The children weren't even spared."

"Just like my clan." Sasuke replied, darkly. "Everyone was killed but I was spared."

"Your brother sees himself in you." Naruto commented. "That's why he didn't kill you."

"What?" Sasuke slid his gaze from the window to focus on the figure lying on the bed. "What do you mean?"

"Your brother was the prodigy of the clan. He was raised with expectations and a fate was decided for him. He was to be the next head." Naruto explained. "Your brother never made any friends. Those who got close to him were for selfish needs. They won him over and used him as a tool, every time. So he became cold and aloof. When you were born, you showed potential higher than Itachi. The title of the next head was switched to you." Sasuke's eyes widened, he had never known this. "So Itachi trained hard to try to sway your father's decision, desperately trying to allow you to live a normal childhood. But then, he snapped. He became angry. Angry at the system of the Uchiha clan. Angry that the advanced bloodline toyed with the fate of each individual."

"Then he killed everyone." Sasuke realized. "He was protecting me? How do you know this?"

"He told me." Naruto said, quietly. "Not that I really wanted to hear it in the first place."

"How come he never told me?" Sasuke demanded.

"He's not the kind of person to sit back and relive old memories." Naruto laughed, shortly. "And tt's not like you two are on speaking terms. Besides, the occasion never rose up."

"It still doesn't change anything!" Sasuke snapped, confused at the mixed emotions circulating through him. "He killed my family. It makes it seem like you're protecting him."

"I just wanted to tell you his side of the story." Naruto's hair fell shadowed his eyes as he met his gaze. "If you won't kill him, I will." Sasuke went silently and stared down at the scar that ran across his palm.

"Thanks for telling me." He said finally. "When I was younger, I looked up to him. He was my older brother and I loved him. Even though he killed our parents and wiped out the Uchiha clan, he's still my older brother and I still love him." He drew in a shaky breath and clenched his hand into a fist. "That's why I must be the one who kills him. I won't let anyone else kill him."

"I understand." Naruto responded. "I won't stand in your way." The room was silent, saved for the billowing curtains at the window. Naruto pushed himself up and the sheets fell to his waist. He realized that he didn't have a shirt on. "Hm. No scar." He mused as he touched the spot where Itachi had run a sword through him.

Sasuke got up and sat down on the bed. He wrapped an arm around his neck and the other reached down to touch the hand on his chest. "Did it hurt?" He asked.

"Did what hurt?" Naruto replied.

"When you fell from heaven." Sasuke smiled as he placed his lips on his neck. Naruto snorted at this. He tilted his head back as Sasuke nuzzled the crook of his neck.

"Yeah of course it did. It's not like I have wings." Naruto said in amusement. Sasuke sank his teeth into his flesh and Naruto yelped and pulled away. He clapped a hand over his neck and stared at Sasuke. "You bit me." He pointed out in accusation.

"You were away too long." Sasuke snickered as his dark eyes danced. He got up slowly and stretched again. "Oh well." He shrugged and made his way to the window. Naruto stared at him blankly and there was a peaceful moment between the two of them. Of course, this was interrupted by someone knocking on the door.

Naruto looked up, expectantly as Iruka walked into the room. "Oh so you are awake." He grinned. "I heard voices up here and I doubt that Sasuke was talking to himself." The dark haired Chuunin glanced at him from the corner of his eye before turning it back to the outside world. "Are you hungry, Naruto?"

"Of course." Naruto grinned in reply. "I think I want to drop by an old ramen stand." He brow furrowed and he glanced around the room. "Anyways, where am I?"

"My house." Sasuke told him from the window.

"Eh?" Naruto stared at him. "What happened to my place?"

"Ahaha. Jiraiya-san, had a little accident and burned down your apartment. Of course, the whole building was burned down. The tenants were quite unhappy about this." Iruka smiled. He waved his hands to appease him.

"Sensei!" Naruto growled, his hands curling into his fists. "When I get my hands on you…"

***

Jiraiya sneezed and the women in the hot springs screamed. Buckets and other objects came hurling over the fence toward him. He jumped up and ran away, rubbing his nose.

"Damn. Someone must have been talking about me." He frowned.

***

"What is this?" Sasuke walked into the kitchen, irritated at his unknown guests. "What are you all doing here?" Naruto walked in behind him and gave them a smile, bowing his head.

"Konnichiwa!" He greeted them. Iruka, Kakashi, and Tsunade were sitting around the table drinking tea. Tsunade squealed and jumped up when she spotted Naruto.

"You're so big and handsome!" She smiled, flinging her arms around him. Naruto laughed nervously as she ruffled her unkempt hair and checked to see if he was still wearing her old necklace. Sakura turned from the stove and sighed in exasperation. She waved her spoon in the air.

"I hope you're hungry Naruto. I made a lot of stew!" She beamed. Everyone stared at her in fear, Sasuke crept out of the kitchen and Naruto looked around.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"The last time she cooked for us, we all had the runs." Kakashi whispered. He raised his voice to address Sakura. "I think I'll pass for now! Ah, Godaime-sama. Didn't you have a mission awaiting for me?"

"Yes!" Tsunade got up, quickly. "An important one!"

"I'll walk you out." Iruka smiled anxiously, as the three left the kitchen. Naruto shrugged and sat down at an empty seat. Sakura placed a bowl of rice with a generous helping of beef, carrots, and potatoes on top.

"Enjoy!" She grinned.

"Itadakimasu!" Naruto smiled, grabbing a spoon.

***

The doorbell rang and Sasuke opened it, staring at the newcomers with his usual dark expression.

"Ano…" Hinata blinked uncertainly at Sasuke. "I heard Naruto-kun was staying here."

"Yeah. He's in his room." Sasuke said as he moved aside.

"He hasn't woken up yet?" Shikamaru stated in astonishment. "It's been almost a week."

"Yeah, he woke up. But within an hour he was back in bed." Sasuke replied.

"Why?" Hinata blinked.

"Food poisoning."

***

Hinata wrung her hands in worry as Naruto hurtled past her to the bathroom. This was followed by a lurching sound as the blonde emptied out what little contents remained in his stomach. She quickly followed him and helped him back to bed.

"I'm going to die." He moaned as he lay back down. "I just didn't know it was this soon." Shikamaru looked up from the game of Go that he was playing with Sasuke.

"Now we have a secret war weapon." He commented, dryly. "We'll send Sakura undercover to cook for the enemy. No poison will be detected because there would be none." Sitting opposite of him, Sasuke thoughtfully placed a black piece down.

"I think it's just the stomach flu, Naruto-kun. Food poisoning wouldn't last this long." She poured him a cup of warm water and offered it to him. Naruto blinked blearily at her hand before pulling the covers up over his head.

"I haven't been sick in a long time." He mumbled through his covers. "This blows."

"How unlucky for you, Naruto." Shikamaru grinned. "You just got back and you fell sick. I'm sure Hinata would love to nurse you back to health."

"Shikamaru-kun!" Hinata blushed, staring at the figure underneath the covers. "Ano ne, Naruto-kun..."

"Don't worry about it, I can take care of him." Sasuke interrupted. The two looked over at him and Sasuke's eyebrow went up. "It's no trouble. I do live here." He glanced at the motionless figure beneath the covers. "Oy Dobe. Did you suffocate yourself?" Getting no response, he got up and tugged the covers from Naruto's grasp. The covers came off easily, revealing Naruto's sleeping face. The three of them crept silently out and Sasuke shut the door. "That's the first time he has fallen asleep like that. He says the room unnerves him. He's used to sleeping outdoors."

"It was good to see him again." Hinata smiled, softly. "He'll be back on his feet in no time." She stared at the door with a warm expression. "We need him here. I hope he doesn't leave again." The two boys stared at her and she shook here head as if to dislodge her thoughts. "What am I saying? Sorry for the trouble."

"Well, what you said was true." Sasuke replied, uncomfortably. He tone was uncertain and Hinata and Shikamaru watched him with awe. He did have a personality under the ice-cold demeanor! "What?" He glared. Hinata giggled softly.

"You've smiled more since he came back." She said. "I'll be leaving now." Shikamaru nodded.

"Me too. We'll visit again soon." Shikamaru added. Sasuke walked them to the door before slamming it shut after them. "Maybe he didn't want company after all."

"Maybe." Hinata smiled, as they walked down the street.

TBC…^_^ the next one is better!