Uzumaki Sasuke
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 6: Deep Breaths of Darkness
A bell rung, and Sasuke's eyes opened immediately. He was startled and then looked in the direction of the sun. Suddenly, he realized that the Ninja Academy had started and he was going to be late. He hurriedly grabbed his gear from off the grass and hurried into the Academy, hoping not to be too late. After hearing what Itachi had said to him the night before… Sasuke sincerely did not want Naruto to suffer through the pain that he has.
"Make it in time…" Sasuke breathing quickly.
The young shinobi ran as fast as he unsteady legs could carry him, into the school. The doors were about to close as he just slipped in right before. Although he did not see what he wanted to when he did.
"Ah young Sasuke-kun. Please have a seat," announced Iruka sensei.
Sasuke found himself standing with many eyes wandering around him. Guys were looking resentful of him and in a way disgusted. The girls had been going through fits of giggles and laughter. Sasuke thought that he would never be able to fit in with them… Like he had never fit in before. Sasuke looked at his shoes and quietly walked over to an open desk.
"Sasuke?" said the voice.
"Naruto?" asked Sasuke a bit startled.
Naruto looked questioningly at Sasuke and into his dark eyes. Sasuke's eyes grew a bit sad, though he mustered all the kindness within his heart and spoke to his soon to be, best friend. Sasuke took a deep breath and looked to the light blue eyes that he had seen so long ago. Sasuke had been wishing for himself to return to his childhood…but now, he wasn't so sure he wanted to see someone else living his life.
"Naruto, I-" started the former Uchiha.
"No need for words. Nothing matters now, we are going to be shinobis…powerful that were trained from the heart of Konoha itself. Even though I do not approve of your actions towards our family, I do respect you as a fellow ninja," Naruto said happily.
The dark eyed boy smiled deeply and so did Naruto. Although, Sasuke heard the distant shouts from the other tables. For some reason…Sasuke felt remorse and somehow…wanted Naruto to have his life for him. Naruto had been friendly towards him even though they each knew that they would be rivals. Although, himself, Sasuke had been distant and isolated from Naruto in his former life. The Uchiha Sasuke he had once known knew that he would never be able to be friends with anyone.
"Naruto-kun! Don't hang out with Sasuke!" shouted a girl.
"He doesn't deserve to sit next to Naruto-kun, Iruka sensei," complained another.
"Now, be nice to Sasuke," Iruka sensei said irritably. Why did people hate the Yondaime's son? Because of the Kyuubi? It was outrageous! He threw his life away to protect the village and wanted Sasuke to be accepted to the village as a hero…
"Naruto-kun! Please be my boyfriend!" shouted Sakura from the table above him.
"Sakura-chan!" shouted Ino through gritted teeth. "Stop asking random guys out with you."
"Naruto-kun!" she shouted ignoring Ino.
"What?" Naruto asked bluntly.
"Well, didn't you hear my question?" she asked happily.
Sakura winked at Naruto and the blonde buried his head between his hands. Sasuke knew that he needed help stopping these girls. Sasuke laughed at him and then stood up. The class grew silent as he did so, for Uzumaki Sasuke was known for shutting the world out. Uzumaki Sasuke was known to keep his mouth shut. Uzumaki Sasuke was known to grow lonely and pitiful. Uzumaki Sasuke was the one who allowed no one in…
"Quit it. All of you!" he shouted suddenly.
All the kunoichis in the class were stunned. For they were still praising Naruto and never really noticed Sasuke. The dark haired boy stood up with his eyes burning with a dark fire. He was standing by a friend and a new rival. He had never felt so strongly about anyone so far, and he didn't know why Naruto was the one he had a sudden bond with.
"Naruto is not a doll, you girls play with all the time," Sasuke said confidently.
"Shut up, Uzumaki!" taunted one girl.
"Souyo! Souyo! Yeah! Demon Fox!" shouted another.
Sasuke looked aghast at the other people in the classroom. He had no power here. He was not even anyone in the Academy. The girls still went over to Naruto's seat making the blonde very annoyed. Sasuke then sat down next to Naruto before the other girls had. The blond realized that the dark haired boy had sat next tom him and felt happy…
"Thanks, for before…" Naruto said thankfully.
"It didn't do much…" Sasuke said sheepishly.
"No one has ever stood up for me like that. All the guys hate me, want to be like me. And all the girls want me to love them," Naruto said.
Sasuke didn't reply and looked at the desk before him. Iruka sensei got the class to quiet down and soon began the lesson. Sasuke smiled at the teacher, for he had helped him out once before. Iruka sensei was a great person… Even when the Nine Tails had killed his parents, he was able to see further than that and see the boy before the Nine Tails.
"We will begin Shuriken training now," explained Iruka.
"Now?" moaned the class.
"Hai…hai, it is essential to begin this earlier to develop aim and precision. No excuses, just go outside and we will practice. The first team to score perfectly, will be allowed to not have homework!' announced Iruka sensei.
"Ehhh?" echoed the class.
The class went outside and Iruka looked promisingly at Naruto. The blonde haired boy stepped up and threw the shurikens at the pole of wood. Everyone knew that the Uchiha would not even miss one. Sasuke looked at his feet and knew that he was going to make them fail. He was put into a team with Naruto and Sakura. The girl looked wistfully at Sasuke and kept staring into Naruto.
Sasuke closed his eyes and opened his mouth trying to remember the lyrics of the song… Without it, Itachi's plans would be carried out… and he would never be able to return home.
Kono kokora Kono karada Kobo sora no hate
Kiri saita senkou wa ware ga yaiba no saki ni
"Ah, good try Naruto…" Iruka sensei said a bit disappointed.
Sasuke opened his eyes as he was joyful that he remembered part of the lyrics. The next two lines had seemed more beautiful than the last. As he did, he saw some girls groaning and Naruto looking sad. Then his eyes fell upon the pole… Sakura, was still in love with Naruto. Nothing seemed to deter the girl in having her love.
"I'm losing it…" Naruto whispered.
"What happened?" asked Sasuke.
"He missed half of them…" whispered a boy next to him.
Sasuke saw the pole closely and saw only a few shurikens were in line. Many had fallen off…not being thrown hard enough and some were out of line. Sasuke looked aghast at him and his eyes widened. He had not expected Naruto to… not be able to do something so simple…
"I don't know why…" Naruto said softly.
"It's all right," Iruka sensei said reassuringly. "You are Academy students after all. There is always room to improve here."
The young Naruto slinked back onto the lush grass as the other students had tried it. Although, none have been able to hit more than Naruto. Of course, the Uchiha genius… No… Finally, the dark haired boy holding the Kyuubi within him, stood up determined for everyone to acknowledge his existence. The fierceness in his eyes showed that he was undeterred and ready. Although, he was still an Uzumaki.
"Don't ruin it for us!" Sakura shouted with scary eyes.
He looked at the pitiful girl with eyes of discord and pain. He only laughed silently to himself for he was in a team with Naruto and Sakura. They needed to get the highest marks necessary for this task. Although Sakura had no idea, that Sasuke was more powerful than he had actually looked. He had more powerful than everyone combined.
"Good luck, Sasuke," Iruka sensei said as he winked.
Sasuke breathed out and then focused himself. He only thought about the goal. Nothing else, and soon he allowed his hands to release the shuriken. With such force and impact, everyone close their eyes and then slowly opened them within a few moments.
Everyone was stunned. Sasuke was still in his stance breathing heavily. The dark haired boy looked before him, and was amazed. All the shurikens were in a perfect straight line before him. Iruka sensei looked really proud and marked it down on his clipboard. Sasuke smiled, although looked back at the class only looking at him with darkness.
"What?" asked the young Sasuke.
"Sasuke, you have been out for two days…" a person nearby whispered. "What happened in your sleep?"
"What!" exclaimed Sasuke. Two days? This is the last day before…I'm trapped here forever! No, I haven't learned the lyrics yet… This is a nightmare…
"How did you get so good and-"
"I don't care about that…" Sasuke said slowly.
The dark haired boy knew that he had to stop Naruto from going home, until he knew the lyrics. Everyone was still gasping at the achievements Sasuke had done. It was a terrible feat to conduct, although he had nothing to do with it. Sasuke closed his eyes and tried to remember the lyrics with every hard thought within his head.
"Jaa, its time to go," Iruka said at the end of the day.
The boy did not see where time had went. He thought that he had only closed his eyes, although the whole day had almost passed. The evening was coming and soon was the horrible feat. Naruto was exhausted from the many praises and Sasuke had never been so determined to try to learn the lyrics.
Why can't I remember?
---
"I need to go home Sasuke, thanks for everything today," Naruto said with a smile.
Naruto certainly had his old character, which had made Sasuke happy. He knew that tonight was the night though… Itachi must be stopped. Naruto was in for the horrible surprise.
But doesn't he need to feel the pain I have through the years like I experienced his pain? asked a voice in Sasuke's head.
Sasuke was about to follow Naruto home and try to remember the last lines of the song. So he could go home, right? Although he moved his foot forward, he almost did not want to stop Naruto. He wanted Naruto to feel his pain.
Was that being a true friend?
Author's Note: Short Chapter compared to the rest. But I needed to save some of it. Hehe, hope you liked this chapter and I'm terribly sorry about the late posting. I will get the next chapter done soon. I swear. As long people wanna read it. Thanks, please review!
