Chapter Six

Sasuke's Decision


"You okay, Sakura? You look really tired," Naruto looked over his shoulder at the pink haired girl as the sun crept through the trees, showering the forest in light.

Sakura thwacked the blonde over the head before returning to pack her bag up. "Did you forget I was up all night guarding you?!" She snapped.

"Augh! That really hurt you know?" Naruto rubbed his head before he rolled up his sleeping bag and snapped up, stretching his back.

The pink haired girl grumbled to herself before briefly running her fingers through her hair, meekly stealing a glance in Sasuke's direction. Her brows furrowed as she noticed the raven haired boy staring at Naruto. Sighing, her gaze fell to her bag, "what do I expect? Sasuke just came back to the village. What I look like would be the last thing on his mind."

Her line of vision followed Sasukes to the young blonde who was bickering with Kakashi, insisting they leave as soon as possible only to have it thrown back in his face by the silver haired man.

"Naruto, before you talk about leaving you should pack your things first," he'd say, pointing to the stray ramen cups littered around the blondes sleeping bag.

The young blonde sheepishly itched the crown of his head before grinning, "I could pack that up in no time."

"Why is Sasuke so interested in what Naruto's doing all the time?" Sakura pondered, turning back to her bag before swinging it over her shoulder. "I mean, he has gotten stronger over the years. Is that what it is? Is Sasuke threatened?" Her green orbs narrowed before she shook her head slightly, "no, it couldn't be that. He's still just as strong as Naruto, if not stronger."

The pink haired girl drew a deep breath in before awkwardly dawdling to the raven haired boy who leaned idly against a tree, folding his arms over his chest. "Good morning Sasuke," she greeted with a smile.

"Hn," he regarded the pink haired girl for a moment before returning his gaze back to the young blonde who was now complaining and struggling to shove his sleeping bag in it's carrier.

She followed his line of vision before chuckling slightly, "he's not much different is he?"

An awkward moment of silence passed before she continued. "Sasuke?" She fidgeted with her fingers, feeling slightly unnerved, curiosity got the better of her. "Did you and Naruto have another fight?"

The raven haired boy whipped his head toward Sakura, making her green orbs widen. She watched his onyx globes whirl with an unidentifiable emotion, his brows furrowed for a moment as a flash of confusion ran through his features, making her breathing still. Why did he look so sad for a moment?

His usual nonchalant facade returned as quickly as it left before allowing his gaze to fall to the ground. "What happens between Naruto and I is none of your business. Stay out of it," his voice flowed like silk, as though he wasn't fazed at all. "Is that all?"

Her green orbs widened, his words struck a memory in her she hadn't thought about since the day he left.


(Flashback)

Sakura followed her two comrades to the hospital rooftop before seeing them break out into a fight. It was unlike their usual rivalry or sparring matches, it was something more aggressive and it unsettled her in a way that it wouldn't usually. Anxiety unfurled in her chest as their battle was coming to a close.

"Chiori!"

"Rasengan!"

The pink haired girl watched as the two forms ran at each other with blue light dancing in their palms, their jutsu's were weapons that should never be used unless their intent was to kill. Her green globes widened significantly, deciding she knew she had to do something about it, who else could? She was alone.

"Stop it!" She cried, her body moved on its own as she ran at the two forms, hoping somehow she could mediate. She had no plan but she knew it had to stop.

"Sasuke!" The blonde haired boy howled as he drew closer to the raven haired boy.

"Naruto!" Sasuke hauled his Chidori back, readying to drive it into Naruto's stomach.

"Stop!" Tears welled up in the corner of her green orbs before their former teacher intervened at the last second, grabbing each boy by the wrist, forcing both Sasuke and Naruto to propel their attacks elsewhere. "Kakashi sensei…"

"That's not an attack you'd aim at a comrade," Kakashi's tone was serious as he held Sasuke's gaze before the raven haired boy ripped his arm from the older Shinobi's grip and left, leaving

destruction in his wake.

Sakura's chest ached while she abruptly wiped away her tears, "Sakura." Her eyes opened to see Kakashi, his one orb curved into a smile. "Don't you worry, it'll be alright. We'll soon have them back to their old selves again. Cheer up, okay? I'll see you soon." With that, the older Shinobi left, leaving Naruto and Sakura to themselves.

the duo stood in silence before Naruto strode up to her, his fists shook with something she couldn't identify, whether it was anger or sadness, she didn't know.

He never made eye contact as he spoke, "Listen Sakura, this is between us stay out of it."

(end flashback)


Her green orbs snapped back to their full colour. She was lost in her memory for a moment before choking, "right, that was all." Her gaze fell to her feet, allowing the memory to resound in her mind for awhile. Sasuke disregarded her as the two stood in silence.

"Back then, I believed it when Kakashi said it'd be alright. I stayed out of it when Naruto told me to, thinking it was just their competitiveness but how am I supposed to feel now when Sasuke's the one telling me to stay out of it? What happened between those two?" She was lost in thought before remembering the young Uchiha's flash of emotion that ran through his face moments ago.

She thought of the forlorn expression his dark orbs gave away at the mention of their blonde comrade. An unfamiliar feeling welled up within her chest as she stole a glance at the blonde who was now forcing Kakashi to help him fit his sleeping bag within its carrier. Her green globes widened, whipping her head back to her feet as she began to recognise the sting in her chest. "Am I jealous of Naruto?!" she wondered incredulously. "No way! Why would I be?" Trying to talk herself out of it only made her feel all the more worse. She couldn't see any reason to feel jealous.

"Alright!" the blonde exclaimed, earning Sakura's attention, "now that that's done, let's get going."

Her green orbs softened as she saw the young blonde plaster a grin onto his face. "No, there's no reason to feel like this. Sasuke and Naruto are still friends. Of course he'd warm up to him before anyone else," The pink haired girl took a deep breath before following team Seven back to Konoha.


"What would the Akatsuki want with Itachi's eyes?" Tsunade searched every single file with even just a mention of the Akatsuki but for the life of her, couldn't find one single answer. She came up with several theories but none just seem to fit. Slamming her fist on the table, she exhaled slowly before her gaze sat upon the mission report Sai had dropped off this morning.

Snatching the file up from her desk, she hastily flipped through it, reading every detail down to the last letter again. "How is it that Sasuke was able to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan? Only a handful of Uchiha has achieved that," she skimmed through Sai's description of their encounter with the Tobi which read;

"Sasuke acted accordingly to the situation although when word of Itachi had arisen, he became visibly discomposed."

The older blonde's brows furrowed as she paid careful attention to the pale boys evaluation. Sighing, she leaned forward and rested her elbow on the desk as she pinched the bridge of her nose, tightly shutting her eyes. "Was I wrong to send Sasuke on this mission?" Her mind whirled with all sorts of questions regarding the the raven haired boy before she heard her door creak open. Looking up, she was greeted with familiar silver hair and a mask, his eyes weren't able to conceal his smile.

"Kakashi," she spoke as she sat up in her chair. "You're back, already? I wasn't expecting you until this afternoon, it's only…" she looked to the clock on her wall, "fifteen past nine."

"We made our way back home earlier this morning so that we could return as soon as possible," Kakashi said matter of factly. "I assume you've already received a mission report from Sai?"

"Yes, we're still in the process of examining Itachi, it was made top priority in the medical and interrogation unit. The mission was a success, well done Kakashi."

"Thank you Lady Tsunade," The older Shinobi looked down slightly before slinging his bag off of his back and pulling a yellow folder from it. "I haven't gone home yet but I wrote a detailed mission report this morning before we set out for the village. I thought it'd also be a good time to discuss—"

"Sasuke?" the older woman interrupted, as if she knew this conversation was coming. "I'm already aware he's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Sai had already covered it in his mission report. If I'm understanding this correctly then that means Sasuke has the Amaterasu in his possession now. Am I correct?"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Kakashi admitted before setting his mission report down on her desk. "I've filled out all the specifics about the mission and my evaluation of Sasuke but right now, I believe that he's not fit for missions regarding the Akatsuki on Team Seven as he is right now."

Tsunade curiously raised a brow, "what makes you say that?"

Kakashi averted his gaze to the ground, he was somewhat awkward about talking about it but he had no other choice if he were to be honest. "Sasuke is still ruled by his fixation on revenge. From what I saw with his run in with Tobi, he was easily provoked and angered by the Akatsuki's association with Itachi and knowledge about him. It's too soon for him to join missions involving the Akatsuki, he's too influenced by Itachi's former affiliation."

Tsunade nodded, her silence urging him to continue.

"We're anticipating an attack from Pain at any moment as you'll read in the mission report, Tobi said he's on his way to the village. Naruto is the Jinchuuriki, he is the centre of the Akatsuki's goals right now. We can't risk Sasuke's emotions obstructing Naruto's focus. Until Pain has been taken care of and the Akatsuki disbands, I don't believe Sasuke is fit on our team yet."

Tsunade was silent for a moment as she mulled over his words. "I see," she said "I understand your point. So Itachi is still a big influence on him then, his anger even extends to the Akatsuki."

"From what I gather, it appears to be that way."

"Alright… Thank you Kakashi. It's important we know everything that makes Sasuke tick if he's going to settle into the village again. You're dismissed for now," Tsunade sighed "go home and relax for now because we're anticipating Pain any day. We'll need all the able bodies we can get."

Kakashi nodded in agreeance as he furrowed his brows, thinking of Pains anticipated arrival. He strode over to the door before looking over his shoulder at the older woman "Lady Tsunade," he voiced, earning her attention "I do think that Sasuke's emotions overwhelm him when it comes to Itachi but when he is free to join our team again, I want to train him."

"Train him?" Tsunade echoed, a little confused by the sudden request.

"He has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and he is the last in the Uchiha bloodline. If he's going to possess such a powerful Kekkei Genkai then I think I can guide him in the right direction. I suspect he may have also acquired a few other abilities along with the Amaterasu."

Tsunade's hazel orbs widened a fraction as she stared at the silver haired Shinobi in wonderment. Some may frown upon taking in a former missing nin to supervise throughout their training although she couldn't help but respect the silver haired Shinobi, just as she did the third Hokage when he had always tried to offer Orochimaru some kind of reprieve.

"Kakashi," she began, her voice stern. "You also carry the Sharingan. You have first hand experience but what if he were to leave the village again? I'm just not sure if nurturing the Mangekyō Sharingan at this stage would be wise, it's truly a force to be reckoned with and if he decides to betray the village again then we'll have a bigger case on our hands then we did before. The village elders… and myself would have to eliminate him," she ended sternly. The older woman didn't believe it would happen but she had to make sure Kakashi understood what it meant to train a former missing nin.

The silver haired Shinobi fell quiet as his gaze fell to the ground for a moment before answering, "He already left once because I remained ignorant to the fact that he was never going to let his vendetta against Itachi go." He turned to face the older woman as his dark orb whirled with clear resolve. "This time, I will train Sasuke and I'll do it right. I will not allow him to fall into the wrong hands again. What he's feeling right now won't last forever. He may still be easily overwhelmed but he never endangered our mission once, even when provoked by Tobi. He demonstrated a Konoha Shinobi's loyalty on the mission."

Tsunade watched as Kakashi's resolve never faltered. She mulled over his words as he anxiously waited for her response. "I put you in charge of evaluating Sasuke because you know him better than any other Jounin. If that's what you see fit then I have no problem with him undergoing training with you. But Kakashi," she began hesitantly "if this is about not being able to stop Sasuke from leaving before then are you sure you want to risk not being able to stop him again if he decided to take that path again?"

"Yes." Kakashi answered without hesitation, his voice unwavering.

"Very well then. After Sasuke's six month probational period, he will be permitted to join Team Seven under your strict supervision and training. Until then, the ANBU can keep him under surveillance."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade," Kakashi answered earnestly before her door heavily creaked open.

"Kakashi before you go home, I want you to find Naruto and ask him to finish his mission report then come straight to my office. Tell him that's a direct order from me," Tsunade ended before the silver haired Shinobi nodded and clicked her door shut.


Naruto stretched his arms over his head as a groan escaped from the back of his throat. "Home sweet home," he exclaimed as he strode through the village with Sasuke and Sakura at his side. "Kakashi sensei sure was in a hurry this morning, wasn't he?"

"Well, yeah" Sakura said matter of factly "he's our team leader, it's his duty to report to the Hokage as soon as possible you numbskull."

"Oh, right" Naruto grinned. "Did you guys wanna get a bowl of Ichiraku ramen? I've been craving it for days. I could really go for some before training."

"Training!?" Sakura exclaimed "how could you be thinking about training after we just got back from a mission? I'm exhausted!" the pink haired girl sighed "but no thanks, I'm going to go home to shower and get some sleep because unlike you, I actually stay up for my entire night shift."

"What're you talking about!?" Naruto called as she rounded a corner towards her home.

"See you guys!" She called over her shoulder, chuckling at the young blondes usual temperament.

"Can you believe that Sasuke?" Naruto pouted, folding his arms over his chest. "I wouldn't say I always fall asleep throughout my night shifts." The young blonde awkwardly thought over his past experiences guarding team Kakashi, he never really was much of a night person. He looked to Sasuke after his lack of response to see deep onyx orbs gleaming at him.

Naruto's blue orbs widened slightly as they fell to his porcelain lips when he recalled the last time he was standing guard for the night. He fought back the flush that threatened to creep up his face, that all happened because he was falling asleep. "Dammit," Naruto thought before whipping his head forward, ignoring the raven haired boys icy gaze. He contemplated whether to ask if Sasuke wanted to go to Ichiraku but his nerves were shaken. Something he noticed would happen only around the young Uchiha.

The raven haired boy went to speak before he heard heavy footfalls approaching them, he turned to see a smaller brown haired boy gleaming at the blonde.

"Hey! Naruto!" the brown haired boy cried as he formed a single hand sign. "You're finally back! Guess what I've been working on?"

"Konohamaru? Hey!" Naruto greeted before recognising his hand sign "is that—?"

Sasuke curiously watched the younger boy shrouded himself in a cloud of smoke before emerging as an older woman, leaving only a few parts of her to the imagination. "Hn," He whipped his head to the side as Konohamaru reverted back to his real self. "Stupid," Sasuke decided.

"What do you think!?" The brown haired boy exclaimed as the blonde simply raised one a brow.

"Konohamaru," Naruto began, his serious tone earning Sasukes attention. "Is that really what you came here to show me?"

The raven haired boy watched as his friends featured were stern with the young boy. He hadn't thought about it until now but when did Naruto become so mature compared to how he was three years ago? They have grown but was he really this different now?

"Come on, you're gonna have to try a lot harder than that if you're gonna beat my pervy jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed before forming a hand sign and enveloping himself in smoke before coming out as a long blonde haired girl, wearing nothing but undergarments.

Sasuke's onyx orbs widened, regarding him for a moment before briskly striking Naruto over the head, making him return back to his true self. "You're an idiot," the raven haired boy lectured before digging his hands into his pockets and continued to walk past Naruto. "He's still the same moron," he thought, storming off.

"Ouch!" the blonde exclaimed, rubbing a growing lump on his head. Naruto chased after the raven haired boy before waving back to Konohamaru, "let's do this another time! Later Konohamaru!"

The brown haired boy watched as Naruto caught up to Sasuke, he could hear him from far away bawling at the young Uchiha, "hm? What was that all about?" he wondered. It was rare when Naruto didn't have time to battle him in pervy jutsu.


"Sasuke what was that about?! You're a real jerk sometimes, you know that? This is gonna leave a bruise you know," Naruto barked, still cradling the small lump on his head.

"I can't believe you still use a stupid jutsu like that," Sasuke retorted, not bothering to justify himself.

"Huh?" Naruto whipped his head to the raven haired boy, slightly taken aback before a mischievous grin fell on his lips, "it works every time, especially on Iruka sensei! Unless of course you don't like women," he teased lightly before feeling Sasuke's glare bore into him, making him wince slightly.

"Idiot," Sasuke said curtly, "you're fine the way you are." His voice was like sandpaper as they reached the blondes ears, making his blue globes widen.

"What do you mean by that?" The blonde whipped his head to Sasuke, waiting for at least a little elaboration.

"Do I really need to explain it to you?"

"Well no, I got it, I just mean, I don't— well I just—" Naruto stuttered, unable to articulate a straight sentence.

"I prefer when you're you."

Sasuke's words were stifling. Naruto felt his chest tighten slightly, "so you mean even as a guy, you…"

Sasuke whirled toward the blonde, making them come to an abrupt stop as Naruto halted only inches from the raven haired boy. His onyx orbs held Naruto's, warning him not to continue. "I'm going back to the Hokages headquarters to do my mission report. I suggest you do the same," with that, he spun on his heel, taking the next right to head to his room, leaving Naruto to stare after him.

The blondes blue orbs narrowed slightly as he watched the young Uchiha disappear. "Sasuke… what did you mean?" He shook off any lingering thoughts before setting his sights on training. Pain was becoming a bigger threat to the village by the second and he had to get stronger. "There's no time for this now… Sasuke will be here when I get back." His pace began to gradually get faster as he began running to his house before hearing a familiar voice behind him.

"Naruto," he looked over his shoulder to see Kakashi walking up beside him "Lady Tsunade wants you to do your mission report and hand it into her straight away. She has something she needs to talk with you about. That's a direct order."

"A direct order?" He blinked at the older ninja, forgetting his previous thoughts. "Alright, you got it Kakashi sensei."


Tsunade's pen flew across the paper, signing off every complete mission report for the month before hearing her door click open as she looked up from her desk to see a head of blonde hair come through. "You took your time, Naruto," she sighed before seeing the young blonde grin.

"Sorry granny, I had to clean up first, for a village thats constantly being showered it was kinda dirty in Amegakure, you should've seen the leeches, they were—" Naruto stopped when he saw the serious expression that crossed the older woman's face. "What is it?" he asked, his tone stern.

"Do you have your mission report, Naruto?" she asked.

The blonde set a yellow folder down onto her desk before asking, "I get the feeling that's not all you wanna talk about."

She nodded before continuing. "Lord Fukasaku came by during your mission. He's requested to train you in sage Jutsu at Mount Myoboku."

"You mean the pervy sages sensei!?" Naruto exclaimed "he wants to teach me sage jutsu?"

"Yes, when Pain comes, it'll give you a great advantage." The blondes features hardened at the mention of the Akatsuki leader. "You're strong Naruto but not that strong. You'll need all the help you can get and Senjutsu is very difficult but not impossible. Are you willing to accept his request?"

Naruto cocked his head forward slightly, clear resolve spun through his eyes. "If that's what it takes to become stronger and defeat Pain then absolutely. When do I start?"

"I've notified Lord Fukasaku this morning of your return, you have until this evening."

Naruto sighed, "I just unpacked all my things," he whined candidly before earning an eye roll from the older woman.

"You will be summoned to Mount Myoboku tonight so I suggest you go home and rest. Sage training isn't easy you know."

"You got it granny," he proclaimed before spinning on his heel and clicking her door shut.


Sasuke sat on his bed, placing his head in his hands. "Naruto," he thought as his dark orbs narrowed. He hated the thought of someone being able to reach into his head and pick at every thought even he didn't dare to touch. Naruto made him feel as though he was pressed up against an unknown force, strong and unyielding.

He didn't want to know what would happen if he broke under the pressure. What would he do? All of his work sheltering himself against their bond would be for nothing but the more he'd ask him things the harder it was not to give in.

"So you mean even as a guy, you…"

"I what?" Sasuke mulled over Naruto's unfinished question.

He brought his fingers to his lips, they tingled as he remembered their trip to Amegakure. He abruptly stood up and made his way to the door, pulling on his shoes before wandering over to the training grounds. Confusion, frustration, anger and a thousand other feelings welled up within him and it was about time he blew off some steam. "Training," he thought as he approached a large clearing just outside of Konoha's main village.

The raven haired boy set his bag down next to a pole before shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath. He slowly exhaled before his dark orbs sprung open and his brows furrowed, he gripped his right wrist with his left before summing a chittering ball of light in his hand and ran at a worn pole, usually used for target training. He closed the distance in an instant, heaving his Chidori into the wooden pillar until it splintered into pieces.

He repeated this process several times, each attack more deadlier than the last as he destroyed each pillar in his path. He followed this attack with shooting several Chidori spear-like rays at the poles, practicing his shape transformation. The young Uchiha reached his limit after two hours of skilfully executing Chidori to better it each time. His back slammed against a tree as he allowed himself to lean into it, tilting his head up to see dark rain clouds gathering in the sky.

"Geez Sasuke, you didn't have to destroy the whole training ground."

The raven haired boy cocked his head forward to see Naruto strolling up to the pieces of wood scattered across the ground. He narrowed his eyes at the blonde awkwardly before pent up frustration immediately resurfaced, not sure if it was his harsh training making his heart beat accelerate.

"Some of us gotta train here too, you know!?"

Sasuke pushed himself off of the tree and sauntered up to the young blonde, standing only an arms length away from him, making the blonde slightly unnerved. "Naruto," Sasuke breathed, still exerted from his training "there are four other training grounds situated around Konoha. Why did you have to come to this one if you're just going to complain?"

Naruto's blue orbs narrowed angrily, "cos I usually come to this one!"

Sasuke disregarded the blonde and strode over to his bag, pulling out a bottle of water. "I could take out twice as many of those things than you did," Naruto teased, earning a glare from the raven haired boy.

"Let's see you try it," Sasuke challenged.

"Heh, alright." With that, Naruto formed a hand sign and summoned a clone. As they ran, the two blondes formed a blue ball in the centre of his palm, the clone disappeared into a puff of smoke before Naruto pushed the rasengan straight into a pillar, making the wood chip away before bursting into fragments. The blonde went to summon another clone before blinking, "this was the last pillar, you destroyed the rest of them!" He realised before turning to Sasuke.

"So I guess I win."

"Huh!? You think I couldn't do it even if that wasn't the last one?"

"I know you couldn't."

"Don't underestimate me," the blonde said, his tone serious.

"You still haven't reached my skill level," Sasuke confessed nonchalantly.

"Then let's put it to the test," the blonde suggested dryly "what do you think I've been doing for the past three years?"

"Hn, fine. But I'm not going to go easy on you."

"Well I'm not going to hold back so you better not or you'll regret it," with not a minute longer, Naruto ran at the raven haired boy, his knuckles flew towards Sasuke's stomach but the young Uchiha narrowly dodged it as he side stepped the blonde and grabbed him by the arm, twisting it over his back to restrict his movement. The blonde went up in smoke, escaping his grasp before the real Naruto came bulldozing in from behind him, slinging back his arm, aiming for a punch to the cheek but Sasuke was faster.

He spun on his heel and easily caught the blondes fist, "you don't have what it takes."

"Don't give me that," Naruto hissed before two hands emerged from the ground beneath Sasuke and tightly wrapped around his ankles.

"Another clone?" The raven haired boy snapped his gaze to the earth before sensing a stronger chakra signature behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Naruto running at him, "he's the real one," he confirmed before pulling out two shuriken stars and throwing them toward both Naruto's.

One star hit the Naruto in front of him, making it burst into smoke and the real Naruto jerked to the side, dodging the offending weapon. The young Uchiha tore his ankles free from the grip below him before leaping back and whipping out a wire attached to one of the Shurikens flying past Naruto, he tugged on it, making it catapult back towards his opponent.

Naruto looked over his shoulder to see the star whirling towards him at full force before grabbing a kunai from his leg holster and cutting the wire, narrowly dodging the Shuriken. "I can feel you holding back Naruto," Sasuke said from afar.

"I'll take you seriously if you take me seriously," Naruto's husky tone made Sasuke furrow his brows.

"Fine then," he retorted before his eyes deepened into a red colour, revealing the rare Sharingan.

Naruto smirked at the sight, "that's more like it."

The blonde made a hand sign before two clones appeared on either side of him, running at Sasuke. The raven haired boy held his forearms up over his face in a defensive stance as they threw punches and kicks in his direction. He watched closely for an opening before grabbing one of the clones by the arm and swinging it into the other two, forcing them back and making the two clones disappear.

Sasuke sped toward the disgruntled blonde before delivering a breath taking kick to his side, knocking Naruto down again before he burst into smoke and a log fell to the ground. "Substitution jutsu," he thought before a rustling in the trees from above caught his attention.

"Right here!" Naruto exclaimed before leaping toward the young Uchiha, leaving Sasuke no time to block his attack. The blonde threw his fist into Sasuke's jaw, making him stumble to the side as the blonde grounded himself in front of him.

Sasuke quickly regained his posture as he straightened his spine. "Those tricks of yours have always been really annoying," he growled before the two boys ran side by side at a distance. The raven haired boy made several hand signs before holding his hand to his mouth, "fire ball jutsu" he ran at the blonde, exhaling a ball of flames from his lips.

"Augh!" Naruto leapt into a nearby tree, high enough to evade the flames but the heat caused small beads of sweat to drip from his forehead. "Where is he?!" the blonde searched the training ground through the grime before feeling the warmth of the raven haired boy behind him.

"Right here," Sasuke said just above a whisper, mocking the young blonde. Naruto could almost feel Sasuke's breath brush against his ear. Being flustered, he sharply spun on his heel to face the raven haired boy.

"Wugh!" The blonde lost his footing before completely losing his chakra control, he slipped off the tree, heading into the diminishing flames. His eyes shut tightly before he felt his hand in a warm grip. His blue orbs flashed open as Sasuke was free falling with him only to briskly push off from a tree to another branch. He threw the blonde into the tree's trunk and swiftly pulled out a kunai from Naruto's leg holster and held it to his neck, noticing the accelerated pulse at the base of the blondes neckline.

"If this were a real fight, I'd have won," Sasuke mocked through a smirk.

Naruto's brows furrowed, "I'll never lose to you," With that, he wrapped his fingers around Sasukes wrist, abruptly head butting him and making the raven haired boy fall back. Naruto leapt off the tree above Sasuke as he lifted his leg before heavily bringing it down, delivering a painful kick to the young Uchiha's stomach.

Sasuke flew towards the ground, crashing into the earth with a thunderous crack. Naruto offhandedly landed next to his form, panting from exertion but Sasuke wasn't done yet. Grabbing the blondes ankle, he forcefully pulled his feet out from underneath him, making Naruto drop to the ground on his back, he shut his eyes tightly as a pained groan escaped his throat, feeling his back rattle before his blue orbs opened, only to be greeted with red orbs gleaming over him.

Before Naruto could retaliate, the raven haired boy tightly gripped his wrists and pinned them down beside each side of his face as their legs tangled together, making it hard for him to regain his composure. The young blonde stilled, feeling his blood run cold. He wanted to shake the raven haired boy off or at least struggle but he felt his fists acted on their own and relaxed under Sasuke's touch.

Naruto bit the inside of his lip, berating himself. Why did it always have to end up like this? Anything they did always resulted with some kind of confusion and Naruto was starting to suspect it was just on his side. After all, they were sparring, who had feelings like this when they were training? Pretending the other was the enemy?

An insecurity all of a sudden surfaced within the young blonde as he whipped his head away, tearing his gaze from Sasuke's. "What Sasuke and I are feeling are two completely different things… I can't be focusing on this right now, there's more going on than just me and Sasuke at the moment."

Red eyes returned to their natural shade of onyx. The young Uchiha couldn't quite place the emotion that whirled through the blondes blue orbs but if he could sum it up in one word he'd say, defeated. "Are you giving up?"

The blonde's orbs softened as he looked up at Sasuke, a grin played on his lips yet there was something about the look in his blue globes that betrayed his smile. "Yeah," Naruto muttered "I think I'm done for today."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Where was his persistent 'never give up' attitude? Frustration surfaced within the young Uchiha again, he knew Naruto could continue to fight if he wanted to, they only just covered their basic techniques. After all the years he's known Naruto, this was the first time his blue globes didn't have the same fight in them they usually did when it came to their rivalry. He couldn't understand why he even cared whether Naruto gave up or not but before he knew it, his next words fell out of his mouth like word vomit.

"What're you giving up on?" Sasuke's grip tightened on Naruto's wrists.

Naruto absently regarded the pressure but appeared unfazed, "I've got packing to do."

The raven haired boy raised a brow at the blondes evasiveness. "Hm?"

"I'm going to Mount Myōboku to train with geezer sage later today, I need to get stronger. I have to defeat Pain. The whole village is counting on it," Naruto's blue orbs hardened as he reluctantly stared into Sasuke's onyx orbs. They swirled with the same abundant determination that he used to look at him with.

"Am I… losing Naruto?" Sasuke thought incredulously before realising they were back at square one. He'd push Naruto away and then pull him back in when he felt the young blonde slipping from his grasp. Sasuke's brows furrowed in frustration, his mind whirling with questions before focusing on one in particular.

"So you mean even as a guy, you…"

Naruto's question echoed in his mind once again, "even as a guy I…"

"Hey Sasuke, are you gonna let go or do I have to fight you?" Sasuke only loosened his grip in response. The blondes blue orbs widened slightly as he saw the raven haired boy's jaw tighten, seeing the slight twitch in his cheek. "What's up with you?"

"Even as a guy… I feel this same thing. It doesn't make a difference to me what you are. I like you the way you are, Naruto," Sasuke realised before he leaned in close enough that the blonde could see the last rays of sunlight being reflected in his onyx orbs.

The raven haired boy felt Naruto stiffen underneath him. "Sasuke… what're you…?" The blonde spoke but Sasuke was silent, lightly lacing his fingers through the young blondes.

Naruto's hands were warm on his and he was aware of them in a way he never had been with anyone else's. He leaned forward and gently touched his fingers to the blondes cheek. Sasuke noticed the shape of his lips as they parted slightly, forcing a wave of desire to wash over him, a kind that he didn't recognise.

Sasuke always knew himself to be in control of everything he did, everything he's ever done has been completed with mindfulness and purpose. To him, there was no time to waste with pointless efforts and with that thought, he came to a realisation; this was the calm before the storm. There was no sense to this nor was there a purpose but since their trip to Amegakure, a new desire welled up in his core, one that didn't have anything to do with benefiting him. Sasuke surrendered himself to it, making the final push to close the distance and press his lips against Naruto's, welcoming the sweet taste of apples and ramen.

Naruto's blue orbs widened to the size of dinner plates as he felt Sasuke's soft lips gently atop of his. His head spun with thousands of words but at the same time, nothing. In an instant only one thing came to mind, "Sasuke."

Sasuke felt Naruto's arm circle over his shoulders, he could feel the blonde returning his kiss with as much fervour as his own before the raven haired boy gingerly pulled away, as if he were handling something fragile. He couldn't recognise the faint flush that crept up his cheeks, it was a feeling so strange to him, it almost wasn't natural. His onyx orbs fluttered open, seeing the blonde stare right back at him, almost just as flustered as he was.

"Sasuke…" Naruto's voice was just above a whisper, making the raven haired boy's heart pound against his chest. "Why did you…?"

The raven haired boy reluctantly unlinked his hand from Naruto's before sitting up beside the blonde, allowing Naruto to prop himself up beside him. "Why did you do that?" Naruto said after a moment of silence.

"Don't change Naruto," Sasuke replied sharply, "I like you the way you are."

Naruto stared at the raven haired boy with wide eyes. His heart wildly fluttered in his chest as his words replayed over and over again in his mind. "You… like me as I am?"

"I don't like repeating myself," Sasuke said as he hoisted himself off of the ground, hesitantly stretching out his hand to Naruto, who simply glanced at it. "Do you want a hand up or not?" the young Uchiha asked impatiently.

The blonde stared up at the raven haired boy before familiar determination unfurled in his chest, he reached out and firmly grasped Sasuke's hand before the raven haired boy pulled him up. Their hands lingered between them for a moment before they broke the contact but their eyes held each others gaze.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, averting his gaze to the earth. Words got caught in his throat, there were a thousand things to say yet there was nothing he could pull from his mouth. The blonde looked up as he heard soft footfalls retreating, making a certain frustration bubble up within his chest. "Sasuke!?" he barked "are you really just going to walk away after what you did!?"

The raven haired boy turned away from Naruto, taking a few steps toward the main centre of Konoha before he stopped in his tracks. "Naruto, I've said all I needed to say. Do what you have to do." The young Uchiha continued on his way before hearing the blonde call out to him.

"Sasuke!" he said "I don't have the time right now but when I get back, you better be here. Because I want to fight you again and I'll win. And when I win, I want an explanation." Naruto pouted awkwardly, internally scolding himself for his meek attitude.

The raven haired boy casted a glance over his shoulder regarding the blonde for a moment, making Naruto's blue globes widen significantly. The corner of Sasuke's lips were slightly twitched upward, making his stone-like features soften for a moment before turning to walk back to the Hokage Headquarters.

Naruto held a hand to his chest, digging his fingers into the fabric of his jumper. Sasuke genuinely smiled at him for the first time and it was that moment he realised he'd never seen anything more endearing. He began slowly pacing back to his small apartment, dragging his feet along the ground, his knees still trembled. Sasuke's smile engraved itself into his mind.


Naruto entered his apartment and flopped onto his bed, knowing he should probably be showering off today's training but his mind became shrouded in one thing. "Sasuke." The young Uchiha's words ran circles in his mind, making his heart dance.

"Don't change, Naruto. I like you the way you are."

"People kiss when they like each other more than friends right?" Naruto reflected "But Sasuke and I… we can't be— why did we? This feeling…" The young blonde gripped his stomach as it began to tighten into familiar knots as he recalled Itachi's question to him.

"Why're you so obsessed with my brother?"

His blue orbs narrowed slightly, the question bothered him ever since it reached his ears. What was Sasuke to him really? He closed his eyes before a sincere smile played on his lips. He wasn't sure exactly how Sasuke meant liking him but at this point, it didn't matter. An odd sense of calmness fell over him, as if he just made peace with the whirlwind of emotions that was biting at him for so long.

Sasuke was always his goal. Ever since they were still in the academy, Naruto knew he was someone he wanted to always have by his side whether it be as a rival or as a friend. But something primal awakened in the young blonde since the raven haired boy returned, something that gave his stomach knots and it made him want to kiss him. It wasn't enough just bringing Sasuke back, he wanted more. Sighing, he rolled onto his side.

"I like Sasuke too," he admitted. "As my rival, my friend or… something more. It doesn't matter. As long as he's by my side, it doesn't matter. The way things are right now are just fine."

"I've said all I needed to say. Do what you have to do."

Sasuke's words ran through his mind before Naruto drew a sharp breath in and exhaling, sitting himself up. His brows as a grin plastered itself onto his face, allowing himself to push aside his troubles and focus on his resolve. "Pain," he thought "I'm going to be ready for you."


Sasuke trudged back to the Hokages headquarters, reaching the door before a tall form appeared in front of him, wearing a white mask with four whisker marks on either side of its cheek. The raven haired boy narrowed his dark orbs at the ANBU member. "What is it?" he seethed, he wasn't in the mood for any interrogations.

"Lady Tsunade had sent three ANBU members to guard you until you are fit to stay on Team Kakashi, under his supervision. Your chakra signature was completely gone, where were you?" The ANBU's tone was firm and serious.

"Why three? Wasn't there meant to be six?" Sasuke asked, ignoring his question.

"From the feedback the Hokage received from Team Seven's mission reports, she deemed it unnecessary place you with six guards. Now answer the question."

The raven haired boy's orbs narrowed, restraining himself from forcing the guard out of his way. "I was at the fourth Konoha training grounds. My contract states I can go wherever I like as long as I'm inside the village borders. If you couldn't find me then maybe you're not doing your job hard enough."

Sasuke didn't need to take his mask off to see that the ANBU was glaring at him. "I will inform Lady Tsunade of your absence today, I'm sure she wouldn't be pleased to hear you were unsupervised. Was anyone else with you?"

"Hn," Sasuke scoffed, "if you don't believe me ask Naruto Uzumaki. Is that all?"

The raven haired boy glared into the deep black eye holes of the ANBU mask before the guard stepped aside. He pushed past the ANBU member and made his way to his room but quickly came to a stop when he saw a familiar form standing by his door. "Kakashi," he greeted. The young Uchiha continued to open his door and step inside, allowing his former teacher to follow after him.

"Why have you come?" Sasuke probed.

"Well first off," Kakashi began, openly looking around his room, "it's good to see you've been getting some training. With Naruto, right?" He saw the raven haired boy raise a brow before adding, "I just happened to overhear your conversation with the ANBU."

"Hn, why have you come?" Sasuke repeated, his tone a little firmer. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't go anywhere without someone showing up.

"Seems like Naruto really tired you out, huh?" Kakashi teased as he scrutinised his former students dirtied attire. "Anyway, I assume he would've already told you the news about training in Mount Myōboku with Lord Fukasaku. So, I thought I'd tell you that after the next three and a bit months of your probation pass, I'll be training you."

Sasuke's dark orbs widened slightly. "Training me? What for?"

"I'm surprised to say it but you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. I'm sure you know that it isn't a very common form of the Sharingan but it'll take a toll on you if you don't use it properly. It could even result in early blindness if you use it too much." Kakashi regarded Sasuke's skeptical look before proceeding, "I know you're not too thrilled about taking advice about the Mangekyō Sharingan from someone who isn't even from the Uchiha bloodline but as someone who possesses the Sharingan, I've looked into it. You don't have to be alone anymore."

Sasuke's dark orbs widened. "Alone," the word echoed in his mind.

"Well, think about it." Kakashi ended, "you also have the choice to say no. Training begins sooner than you know it so be ready," he said as he made his way to the door, waving slightly while he left the room and clicked the door shut.

Sasuke's eyes lingered on the door for awhile before disarming himself off his weapons and laying them out on his bed. "Why…" he thought before Kakashi's words echoed in his mind again.

"You don't have to be alone anymore."

His brows furrowed "why is everyone making it so hard for me to keep them at a distance."

He thought back to his training with Naruto before wincing slightly. "What was I thinking?" Blue globes flashed in his minds eye as he narrowed his dark orbs and here it was. The storm after the calm. The raven haired boy dropped onto his bed as he leaned over his knees, tightly shutting his eyes while he supported his head in his hands, thinking back to Naruto's soft lips against his own.

"Why did you do that?"

Naruto's question echoed in his mind, if it wasn't this one it was bound to be another one. So many questions that Sasuke just didn't have an answer for.

"I like you as you are," was the only answer he could give and it was true in every sense of the sentence. He thought back to their first kiss in the academy. Back then, it just seemed gross that his first kiss would be with Naruto of all people but now it was different. He couldn't place the exact moment he began to crave him since he returned to the village.

"Sasuke…"

The way Naruto had spoke his name made his chest tighten, he watched as the blonde stood in front of him and struggled to find the right words but he had decided to leave. Sasuke may have initiated the kiss and he instantly didn't want to talk about it but he couldn't conceal the faint smile that lingered on his lips. His fingers tightened over his black tresses before his dark orbs snapped open.

"I lived for one purpose," he thought as he lifted his head up to look straight out the window opposite to him, the sun had began setting though the sky was dark with rain clouds. "To avenge my clan and kill Itachi. I was so stuck in that one moment of time that I failed to notice any other thing except for this hatred and pain but Naruto, he…"

He stood up as he made his way over to the window, his footfalls light and controlled. "He kept me grounded. He forced his way into my present and my future. Madara Uchiha is out there," his fists clenched so tightly, his knuckles faded to white. "But this time I want to stay," he decided "with Kakashi, I'll master the Mangekyō Sharingan and I will destroy Madara. And Naruto… I'll be here when you get back."

Sasuke's mind relaxed under his resolve, before becoming aware of the sharp pains in his palms. He looked down to see where red lines scored across his skin, where his nails had dug in. He couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable. Everything he believed in, all of his hatred, was beginning to slowly ebb away. The past few months here in Konoha and with Naruto, was this what it was like to heal?

He shut his eyes tightly, before flinging them open. He had made his decision, finally giving into every feeling and every desire he's had since his trip to Amegakure. Sasuke looked up to the sky, regarding the dark clouds before the gentle pitter patter of rain resounded on the window. He turned back to his bed, looking over his weapons. "If Madara arrives with Pain, it will be my chance to kill him."


Naruto looked out at the dark clouds as he laid on his bed. He stole a glance at his bag before sighing, "when is this reverse summoning thing going to happ—"

Smoke manifested all around him, blocking his vision before it cleared immediately. "What just—!?"

His blue orbs widened as he caught sight of the older toad. "Geezer sage?" he uttered before looking around him, drinking in his surroundings. "Where am I?"

"Naruto boy!" the older toad greeted "welcome to Mount Myōboku. Sorry I'm late in getting you but Ma had to prepare a few things."

"Huh?" he responded, still gaping at the surreal environment around him. Everything was green and lush, even the night couldn't even jam out the light of the sun, it was just dim enough to still see everything in his path. "This is Mount Myōboku!?" He exclaimed. He went to reach down for his bag before realising he was grasping at air.

"What're you doing Naruto boy?" asked the older toad.

"My bag? What'd you do with it?" the blonde questioned.

"Your bag?"

"Yeah! Where is it!?"

"Tsunade girl didn't tell you? A reverse summoning can only carry the summoned themselves here, packing was unnecessary."

"What?!" Naruto frowned, folding his arms across his chest, "I packed up this morning then unpacked then packed again, ah! I might as well not have—" A sharp pain made his head throb as a small gasp escaped his throat. "W-What was that for!?"

The older toad held a wooden stick in his hand after swatting Naruto with it. "Don't whine Naruto boy, Ma was busy setting up your accommodation for your training."

"Oh," Naruto said chuckling slightly, all of a sudden feeling a little awkward about his complaints.

"Are you ready Naruto boy? Senjutsu isn't an easy feat, you'll need your full concentration and focus to do this."

Naruto's blue orbs lit up as his brows furrowed. "Pain," he thought as an image of Jiraya flashed through his minds eye. His voice held a new tone of gravity that earned the older toads full attention. "Yeah, there's no time to waste. Let's get started."


A/N: That's it for chapter six :) I updated this a little late because I went over it so many times, I just kept wanting to change it all the time! I don't think it's my best chapter but if you agree then I hope to make it up to you in the next! And if you don't agree then I'm really glad and I hope you continue to enjoy! Thanks for reading :)