Author's Notes: I recommend you not read this if you aren't up to date with the latest releases of the Naruto manga. AKA Naruto 2. This is just a drabble about Sasuke's mixed feelings about Naruto, Orochimaru and Itachi. Set in the current Naruto story arc but reflective of Naruto and Sasuke's last battle. Note: Sasuke x Naruto if you read between the lines. Sasu's still very confused so he says a lot of things that seem fragmented or contradictory. Enjoy.
While Pondering in the Serpent's Den
It's been two and a half years since that day. . . so much has happened; most of it is a blur to me. At that time and even to this day, the greatest battle I've ever fought was with him.
We fought for so long. I was giving it my all but every time I seemed to gain the upper hand, he would take it just a step further. No matter how hard I pushed him, he would push back with an equal if not greater force. When the curse seal spread to level two, I had thought I would be the victor I thought that I was at last more gifted then him.
We ran towards each other for the final blow, me with an amplified Chidori. Him with his swirling sphere of wind larger in size from how I'd remembered it. Our two attacks clashed and he was left unconscious on the ground. I stood believing that I'd won. Then I felt it; every thing inside me twisting almost ripping. It hurt so much and I knew it had been from his attack.
He was still breathing and I realized that it was my attack that had dealt the lesser amount of damage. I knew in that moment that I had to kill him. To obtain the power that Itachi so casually wielded. I had to have that power if I was to confront that man and avenge my clan.
I had come so close and all I had to do was wrap my hands around his throat or stab him with my kunai. Regardless of the near paralyzing pain I felt, it would be a simple matter I could endure the torture and then rest after. And yet. . . for some reason I could not kill him. I tried. There was a part of me that desperately wanted to but I couldn't do it.
I went to Orochimaru glad that I'd let him live, while making excuses for leaving my mission unfinished saying to myself that I would obtain great power in my own way.
Sometimes I wish I'd killed him. A lot of the time I'm angry that he'd followed me and made me fight with him as he wept over how precious a person I was. Mostly I hate myself and him for leaving me with that encounter as our last memory.
I'm supposed to be training myself, readying myself to kill Itachi. I'm supposed to be hating him but more often then not my thoughts fall back on that spunky and emotional guy. I remember his tears and his anger and the intimidation and physical inferiority I felt towards him.
I think I need to see that guy again. I'm stronger now than I was back then. I need to destroy him and in doing so, keep him from my brother. . . No. What I need to do is finish this with once and for all and put him behind me so that I can focus on Itachi and my revenge. After that I can-after that Orochimaru has dominion over my body.
Naruto I hope our paths never cross again.
End.
