Author's note: Heh, thanks for reviewing, you guys! You managed to get me all inspired! I initially wasn't planning to write a continuation so soon, but I just couldn't stop myself. It's actually been a while since I've written fanfiction so it's nice to experience that whole review-anticipation thing again. I'd forgotten how fun and helpful it is. Anyway, this chapter… it's kind of different from the first one in that Naruto doesn't refer to Sasuke as "you" anymore. In this one, the "you" refers to anybody in general. It may sound confusing, but I think you guys will follow it okay. I hope, at least, haha. I was actually considering making this a completely different one-shot because of that reason, but it actually does relate to how I wanted this story to go, so I left it in. Ah well, you guys can be the judge of how this is turning out, eh? Oh, and one last thing, the 3-star breaks is a little nod towards Kurt Vonnegut. Okay, alright! I'm gonna stop talking now. On with it, I say!
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The wind is blowing on our backs today.
As ninjas, we're taught to pay attention to the wind. It can be our friend as well as our foe. And as with anything, the actual trick comes with understanding it.
It can tell us plenty. If you're out and about – on a mission perhaps – you can predict if a storm is coming. The air gets heavy, the sky goes dark, and the wind… it gives off a distinct smell. Rain. You can smell the rain from afar. It fills your nose completely, and you'll know that you have to stop for the time-being. Notice the way the trees are swaying? Build a nest that hides from the current.
Other times, the wind will give off the smell of death – of blood. And when it hits your nose, you're prepared. As a ninja, you must be prepared.
Conceal yourself. Attack. Survive.
* * *
There's an older saying that's different from what we're taught, however.
They say: Let the wind carry you.
I guess that's another way of saying to let fate run its course. Life – or wind – will lead you to a certain location, for example, and all you can do is make the most of it while you're at that place in time.
In this case, you're not opposing the wind at all. You're not fighting in the opposite direction or staying behind. You go with the storm. It may lead you to danger, but you face the danger when you get there.
* * *
"Oi, Sasuke?"
"Hn."
It's amazing how fast he can change his demeanor. Just a moment ago, he was all weird and… I guess once you're there, it's not that bad?
"You ever just go with flow sometimes? You know...just close your eyes and walk blindly?"
"No… That would be suicide."
"But you could end up somewhere awesome, don't you think?"
"…"
"I mean, sometimes we're given bad situations. Sometimes they don't even make sense, no matter how much we try to think about it. But when we actually accept it… we learn." A pause. "Either that, or hide from it." Another pause. "Or go insane."
"Or try to make it better," he offers.
"Yeah, exactly! Make your own destiny! We're all the same in some ways… all given some kind of pain that could make us weak…"
"But we're still not the same, Naruto."
"Why?"
"Because we all grow up to think differently. The pains may be similar, but we get to think a certain way and it's hard to say if there's a right way of thinking in the first place."
"Hm…"
"Where are we going?"
* * *
Sometimes we surround ourselves with people who think the same way we do because we don't want to be corrupted… or something. We shield ourselves and censor others because it's the only thing we can do to not go crazy and lose ourselves completely.
But then… as you live your life, you meet certain people that challenge you – challenge your way of thinking. Your roads collide somehow. Your roads clash.
Those people become your rivals, maybe. For a while, you're convinced you hate them. You envy them. You hate how they think. You hate how they act. Anything they do…
* * *
"That used to really annoy me!" I say, suddenly.
He is still looking ahead, un-phased at my outburst. "What did?"
"That!" I point at the spot in his shorts where his right hand is stuffed inside.
He gives me a strange look. "Why?"
I laugh quietly, remembering. "You always acted so… I don't know. You just gave off this high and mighty aura when we first started. It really pissed me off, y'know. The hands-in-your-pockets thing."
He smiles a little and doesn't say anything.
I continue, "But I guess it's just some weird thing you do, ne?"
"I guess," he says.
"Hah!"
"Hey, you pissed me off, too."
"Yeah, right!" I say, mock surprised. "How?"
He looks over at me and grins. "That stupid orange color."
"Hah!"
* * *
Then you're thrown in numerous situations together, you and your rival.
And suddenly, it's not just about your own survival… but the survival of your comrades as well – rival included.
We're taught that, too: Those who break the rules and codes of the ninja world are called trash. But those who don't take care of their comrades are lower than trash.
So maybe that's what made us do those things, then?
Maybe it was this code that made us two fight side-by-side, saving each other's necks time and time again. We were forced into it, you could say. We want to be shinobi, so we have to have to take care of each other. Hell, it's another code if you look at it that way. A code of breaking codes.
Still… there has to be something more beneath the surface. A ninja must see beneath the underneath. And I know there's more.
But it's downright impossible to explain.
* * *
"Oi… we're here!"
… in front of my home.
"I don't know if I want to go in…" he mutters. I can see the smile in his eyes though.
"Hey, I didn't lead you here. We both walked, didn't we?" I bounce up the steps. "Come on!"
He looks at me strangely once again but follows me inside anyway.
* * *
Sometimes I can't tell if it's the wind or if it's our very own feet that take us places.
Does it even matter?
TBC
Author's note: This is a little request for Naruto fanatics/experts. I follow the anime, y'see, but I'm willing to get a few spoilers (from the manga) for little details that'll help me out in the next chapter. If there's anyone out there who's willing to share some insight on specific questions I have, I'd really appreciate it. If you're interested, please email me at bladeofclouds@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot!