A/N - So here is the revised version of chapter 2. I really feel like Sasuke must have been going through a horrible time with Orochimaru and also dealing with depression and anxiety at such a young age. Also in this chapter we see Sasuke using a memory altering technique. According to Narutopedia only one Uchia was ever known to use/master it. It also caused major side affects, but for the sake of this story, where going to pretend that Sasuke can do this technique without melting Naruto's brain. So, yeah... Don't forget to leave review if you liked this chapter.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2 - Torn

"Kage bunshin no jistsu!"

A hundred Naruto copies appeared and spread out in every direction around Konoha. He wasn't going to let Sasuke get away this time. As Naruto raced through the forest, he only hoped that he could catch up to the Uchia. Suddenly one of his clones was hot on his former team mate's trail not far from where the real Naruto was. He forced more chakra into every leap and headed in the direction of his double ganger.

He finally caught up and his copy gave him an extra boost before disappearing. He could now sense Sasuke's unique energy trail he left behind. The determined young ninja pushed himself to go even faster.

"I told you not to make me regret this" the distinct voice said close behind Naruto, but when he turned around there was no one there.

Naruto stopped and stood ready in a combat stance.

"Is this the thanks I get for all my trouble?" Sasuke said, but Naruto couldn't see him.

"I'm not letting you get away this time Sasuke! Now come out and face me!" he yelled.

Slowly the Uchia appeared from the shadows. The moon's light revealing his red eyes. He leaned against the tree trunk looking at his pursuer. The Uchia just glared at the other young ninja. Naruto dropped his arms and took a slight step towards Sasuke.

"Why won't you let me help you?" he asked sympathetically, his expression desperate.

Sasuke was confused. He was expecting Naruto's usual speech about how he had return to Konoha and to leave Orochimaru.

"What are you talking about dobe?" he asked annoyed.

Naruto stepped closer. "If I could I would hunt down Itachi and bring his head to you. You're my first real friend, my best friend. I'd do anything for you Sasuke-kun. If only you'd let me!"

Sasuke looked very uncomfortable. "A rogue nin can't become Hokage baka! Or did you forget"

Naruto shook his head and smiled sadly. "I know that might complicate things, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Let me help you, let's get Itachi together!" he said and offered a hand to his friend.

Sasuke slapped his hand away and Naruto looked shocked up at the Uchia.

"Don't you understand? I have to do this alone. I have to get strong enough to kill Itachi by myself. It's my revenge, no one else can help me!" he said exasperated. Was it that hard to understand?

He was about to make a run for it when the blond Ninja threw his arms around him. He was hugging him. Sasuke just stood there, frozen.

Naruto pulled away and looked at the slightly taller ninja. "You don't have to do this alone. That's what friends are for!" Sasuke saw the sincerity in those big blue eyes. His heart skipped a beat just as when he had first met the blond.

The day they had accidently kissed at the academy, Sasuke knew he was in love with Konoha's number one loud ninja. He could never get Naruto out of his head or heart, no matter what. He loved him, secretly of course. And for a while it was good, until his worst fears were realized when Itachi returned to Konoha for the Kyuubi. He would not allow him to ever harm Naruto!

Sasuke shoved Naruto away. He couldn't allow Naruto to get involved. He would never be able to live with himself if Naruto got hurt because of him.

Naruto looked hurt. Sasuke had rejected his friendship once again, his heart sank. Tears stung his eyes, but he stepped finally aside for the Uchia to pass. Sasuke was again surprised.

"That's it? You're not even going to try and beat me unconscious and drag me back to Konoha?" he asked.

Naruto shrugged. "Looks like you made up your mind. Who am I to stop you?" He said sarcastically.

"Naruto…"

Sasuke was torn. He wanted to tell Naruto how he felt, but then what? Naruto could reject him or want to follow him back to Orochimaru. Either way, it wasn't going to help the situation. He walked passed Naruto. He turned, only to see the blond had turned his back on him and was wiping tears from his eyes. Sasuke's heart pained. He just wanted to sweep the blond into his arms and hold him tight. Naruto noticed that Sasuke hadn't left. He turned to him and saw an expression in the taller ninja's face that he hadn't expected. Sasuke's eyes showed so much pain and confusion.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked concerned.

Sasuke realized he was staring at Naruto, he quickly looked away. Naruto stepped closer. He placed a firm hand on Sasuke's shoulder. He looked into the worried face of couldn't believe it. He was a jerk, always putting Naruto down, rejecting him and yet here he was, still worried. Did Naruto care that much? Could it be possible that he felt the same? No, Naruto saw him as a brother and friend, nothing more. Sasuke looked down at his feet. Naruto pulled him into a tight embrace again. The Uchia instinctively froze. He felt so tired, scared and alone. Sasuke hugged the blond back and buried his face in the other boy's neck. This time Naruto froze. Was Sasuke actually hugging him back? Naruto pulled away slightly and looked at his friend. Sasuke's dark eyes avoiding Naruto's gaze.

"I'm so sorry!" Sasuke said as a sob escaped him. "All I want to do is protect you Naruto-kun"

Naruto was surprised at how intimate Sasuke had used his name. Hell, he was surprised at what Sasuke was saying, what he was doing. Naruto's heart swelled. Holding Sasuke like this felt right. He rested his head against the Uchia's shoulder. This time it was Sasuke that pulled away. The two boys looked into each other's eyes, blue meeting onyx and the tips of their noses almost touching. Sasuke couldn't stop himself leaning in to kiss the blond. His lips felt warm against his own. Naruto was stunned. What was Sasuke doing? Yet he didn't pulled away, instead he allowed the Uchia to kiss him. Sasuke noticed Naruto hadn't moved and quickly pulled away. He moved back a couple of steps, shocked at his lapse in self-control.

"I… I…" Sasuke stammered stepping back even further.

He was about to make a dash for it when he felt Naruto's hand take his and pull him back.

"I always knew you were special to me, but I realize now it's more than that..." he said gently.

What little control Sasuke had vanished at the sound of Naruto's words. He grabbed Naruto and kissed him again. This time the blond kissed him back, opening his mouth to allow the Uchia's tongue access. Sasuke pushed Naruto roughly against the tree trunk. Naruto's hand slipped underneath Sasuke's obi to feel the warm skin pressing against his palm. Sasuke's own hand grabbed a fistful of blond hair. They pulled away, panting heavily from their heated kiss. Sasuke pressed his forehead against Naruto's. Naruto had a sheepish smile on his face.

"Wow" was all the blond could say.

Sasuke smirked at him. For a moment they just stood like that, holding each other's gaze.

"I still need to go" Sasuke finally said, breaking the silence. Naruto took Sasuke's face in both his hands.

"Then let's go" he said and gave Sasuke a breath-taking smile.

Sasuke sighed and pulled the hands away from his face and held them gentle in his own.

"No" he simply said.

Naruto Looked confused. "But, just now…"

"It doesn't change anything Naruto. I can't allow you to get involved. I have to stop Itachi once and for all. I won't allow him to hurt the only person I still care about!" he said fervently.

Naruto reached his hand towards the Uchia's face again. Sasuke's eyes closed as Naruto caressed his cheek. When Sasuke opened his eyes again Naruto met his gaze with unbreakable determination. "I'm not letting go this time. Either you stay or we go together"

Sasuke knew no matter what he said that Naruto was serious. Nothing he could say was going to change the blonde's mind. Unfortunately neither one of Naruto's suggestions was an option. He smiled sadly at the boy he loved. He gently pressed his lips against Naruto's forhead.

"I'm sorry" he said, heart aching at what he was about to do.

The moment he made eye contact with Sasuke, Naruto saw that he had activated his Sharingan again. Naruto felt himself falling back into the genjutsu before he could look away. Sasuke saw the boy's eyes go slightly out of focus and knew that he had successfully caught him in his mental trap.

"Naruto, can you still hear me" he asked.

"Yes" the blond replied in an emotionless voice.

"Good. I want you to forget that I was ever here. Forget that you saw me, forget chasing me, forget what we said and…" He broke off, his voice breaking slightly. "And forget that we kissed".

Naruto still stood there with a vacant expression.

"You're going to go back to your apartment, go to bed and sleep. Tomorrow when you wake up, you won't remember any off this. Do you understand?"

"Yes" Naruto simply replied. Sasuke lightly kissed the boy in front of him again.

Naruto didn't respond. Sasuke took one last look at Naruto and then told him to go. It was the most painful thing he had ever done. At that Naruto turned around and headed back towards the village. Sasuke watched him leave with a heavy heart. Maybe once this was all over he and Naruto could try and figure out exactly what was between them, but for now he was safer in the village with all his friends and loved ones protecting him, but there was no time for mopping around and feeling sorry for himself. Sasuke took a deep breath and steadied himself. He needed to focus on getting stronger and killing Itachi. It was the only way to keep his dobe safe.