Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


Sasuke: Early Memories

The first memory he can recall is of animal mask individuals standing over him. It's the empty eyeholes that haunt him. No warmth, affection, or kindness is ever shown, just an empty void. It's a memory he wishes to forget.

The second memory he has is of meeting the two individuals who were to become his closest friends, if that's the word to use. The emotion this memory brings is confusion. He wonders why they don't have those strange faces that always watch him. He doesn't know if he likes them yet, but at least they don't look weird.

The third memory he has is watching the animal masked people hover over another crib. The bright-haired infant he learns is named Naru is making noises. He watches in fascination as the animal masked individuals get excited over this; it makes him wonder if they would get happy if he did it too?

Building up his courage, he lets out a few noises. The result is like magic. The animal masked people freeze for a moment and slowly look over at his crib before one comes over and looks at him. He lets out another coo. This pleases the masked man as he turns to his companions. "It seems Naru is a good example. Sasuke is following in her footsteps." This is the day he learns his name.

The fourth memory he has is of being forced to lie next to Shikamaru with Naru on the other side. He remembers wondering what the point of this is, but then he sees how the masked people are looking at Shikamaru closely. He wonders if this has more to do with Shika than him.

His hunch is soon proven to be correct as he watches how the masked people are rougher with Shika than they are with him and Naru. He takes this as a warning that he better keep doing things to make the masked people happy.

The fifth memory he has is befriending Shikamaru. The boy is quite like him, unlike Naru who's always talking, although he can't blame her since this makes the animal masked people happy. It doesn't stop him from ignoring her, though.

The sixth memory he recollects in stunning clarity is the day he learns that the animal people could be mean, very mean. He can still see Naru throwing a tantrum because he and Shikamaru were ignoring her again. Then the Cat masked anbu, snatching her up and throwing her in that dark closet.

It's a day he won't ever forget because that's the day he realized Naru was trapped here right along with him and Shikamaru, and the only reason that the masked people were nice to her was that she gave them what they wanted. He is nicer to her after that.

It's right after this he learns about Lady K, after hearing the animal masked people talking about her. He decides he doesn't like this person, although he's never met her. Naru and Shikamaru don't like Lady K either, and Shika even tells him he believes everything is Lady K's fault. He agrees.

Then everything comes together when Naru says, "I don't think we're safe." He couldn't agree more.


Author's note: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, please forgive me. Nerdzone6.