Chapter Eleven

Naruto & Sasuke


Naruto leapt from tree to tree; the closer he got, the stronger Sasuke's chakra became. It intoxicated the forest, leaving a vibration of malice in the air. A slight chill ran down the blondes spine before he clenched his jaw tightly. Apprehension was suddenly replaced with frustration, making his brows furrow. "Sasuke," he thought, his mind becoming cloudy once again at the thought of the raven haired boy.

The young blonde shut his blue orbs tightly for a moment, seeing a reappearing image flash behind his eyes. It was a memory of Sasuke while they were in Amegakure, dim moonlight was reflecting off of his porcelain skin and making his dark orbs glimmer with something Naruto had never seen before but something about that look in particular made the young blonde want to see it at least one last time. "I can't defend what you're doing but I can at least try and stop you before you do anything else," Naruto took a deep breath in, hardening his resolve before the clang of metal reached his ears.

"Huh?" The young blonde quickly snapped out of his thoughts. Slowing down, he leapt from branch to branch discreetly before a white haired Shinobi and Orange haired man came into view, finishing off one remaining ANBU Shinobi. "Is that ANBU part of Danzo's squad!? Don't tell me he's already come this far," He thought, watching Juugo deliver a final blow to the masked Shinobi's stomach before he flew backward.

Gasping, Naruto formed a hand sign. "Shadow clone jutsu," he exclaimed as a puff of smoke erupted from the air beside him to form a clone of himself. In no time at all, his clone leapt from the tree branch and caught the masked Shinobi, breaking his fall. "Who are these guys!?" The blonde thought, eyeing the two forms below him.

"Huh!?" Suigetsu raised one slim brow, averting his gaze upward to see the real Naruto balancing on a tree branch above them, his arms folded across his chest. "Hey Juugo," the white haired man smirked, "is that the Jinchuuriki brat Sasuke was going on about?"

Juugo watched as the clone set the unconscious ANBU Shinobi down on a trunk before Naruto leapt down beside himself in time for his clone to disappear. "I think so," he said. "Sasuke told us to leave the Jinchuuriki to him."

Suigetsu took a step forward before shrugging, "oh come on Juugo," he began "pretty sure he said it was alright if it was self defence. And by the looks of things, I'd say this situation will fit the bill," he smirked, slinging his executioner blade over his shoulder.

"I'm not here to fight you," Naruto said boldly, making Suigetsu's attention snap toward him. "You're with Sasuke, right?" he asked, obviously hearing their conversation.

"Right," Suigetsu confessed "what about it?"

"Where is he?" Naruto's brows furrowed.

"Well, you're clueless aren't you?" Suigetsu jeered, "don't tell me you're actually going to try and get all buddy with him after what he's planning on doing to you. You're even more stupid than you look!"

"Suigetsu," Juugo said, his voice carried a forewarning tone.

The white haired man sighed, casting a glance over his shoulder "relax Juugo," he said "I'm just saying, he's come all the way here and pretty much walked into a death trap."

"What're you talking about!?" Naruto snapped, "just tell me where he is!"

"Well, I guess I can't say I'm too excited about fighting a Jinchuuriki…" Suigetsu muttered to himself before decidedly pointing to his right with his thumb. "Pretty sure he followed Danzo that way."

Naruto's blue orbs widened as his chest constricted. "Danzo!?" He said, his voice small.

"Yeah, that's right," Suigetsu said, scratching his head. "Don't know where they went though," he said to no one in particular.

Naruto narrowed his orbs at the two forms in front of him before making a move to follow suit but paused, hearing Suigetsu chuckle slightly. "Are you really just gonna leave two rogue ninja out here alone right next to your village? I mean I know there's not much left of it but give us a little more credit than that, will you!?"

"Heh," Naruto formed a hand sign before a shadow clone appeared behind him. "Didn't plan on it," he said as he ran into the direction Suigetsu guided him in.

The two forms stared after Naruto before Juugo spoke, "so you decided on letting Sasuke take care of him?"

"Well," Suigetsu began "the more I thought about it, the more it seemed pretty irrational to fight the Kyuubi's jinchuuriki. Who knows what kinda power that kid could have, no matter how gullible he looks. And besides, Sasuke seemed really eager to do it so if he's willing then I'm not complaining," he ended, shrugging.

"I think it's something Sasuke has to do himself," Juugo said, earning a raised brow from the white haired Shinobi. "It seems he and that boy have a deep connection," he said, contemplative.

A moment passed before Suigetsu sighed. "Hmm, whatever you say Juugo. Just don't go zoning out on that thought, looks like we've got more company," he smirked, elevating his executioner blade before three forms emerged from the forest.

Naruto's clone snapped his gaze to his comrades appearing beside him. "You guys!?" he exclaimed, as Sakura, Kakashi and Sai stood beside him.

"Naruto?" Sakura blinked.

"So you're just a clone, huh?" Kakashi questioned, "did the real Naruto go on ahead?"

"Yeah," the clone spoke before furrowing his brows. "It was kinda weird. These two guys just let me go. It seems like Danzo and Sasuke have already began fighting so the real me is trying to follow Sasuke's chakra."

"What!?" Sakura gasped "but if that's the case then Danzo will have solid proof against Sasuke's case."

"There will be nothing we could do if that happens," Sai interjected, making all eyes turn to him. "Danzo will most likely kill Sasuke on the spot if he were to attack him. It's the kind of man he is."

"That's not gonna happen," Naruto said, his voice husky. "Just focus on stopping these guys from getting to the village. I'll take care of Sasuke."

"But Naruto!?" Sakura said sharply, her green orbs widening slightly. "You're always doing this."

Naruto turned to his comrade curiously, allowing her to continue. "You always take so much responsibility for Sasuke. This time, I want to as well. I want to be with you when you face him."

The young blonde averted his gaze to the ground, slight guilt welled up within his stomach. This time, it really was more than just about that promise he made to Sakura over three years ago. This was something he felt he had to do on his own. "I know Sakura," he said softly, snapping his gaze up to her, his face was without expression. "But there's some business I have to sort out with Sasuke this time," he said. He knew it was selfish but he knew that only he had at least some kind of emotional influence over Sasuke, whether it be as a friend or not. It didn't even matter at this point.

"I know how you feel Sakura," Kakashi interrupted, "but right now, Naruto is right. I don't usually think his plans are the best but in this case I think we should stay here and take care of these guys first." The silver haired Shinobi lifted his headband slightly to reveal the rare Sharingan. "They're strong and we're not just doing this for Sasuke, we have to protect our village."

Sakura hung her head, feeling an all too familiar disappointment. Will she be one step behind her comrades forever? No matter how hard she tried, there was no catching up. "Well this is touching," she heard a voice echo from across the forest before snapping her head up.

Suigetsu smirked, "seems like even the women here are even more naive than Karin. That one looks like she's fawning over Sasuke even after all he's done."

Sakura's green orbs widened slightly before narrowing dangerously at the white haired man. Suddenly, all disappointment was replaced with anger and she furrowed her brows. "Okay then," she said, earning a glance from Naruto and Kakashi. "I will take care of the one with the big mouth," she said before concentrating masses of chakra to her fist.

Naruto's blue orbs widened slightly as he watched Sakura shoot forward, slinging her arm back before thrusting it forward, her fist connected with Suigetsu's executioners blade but the force of her punch pushed him back, snapping the tree branch in two. "Dammit!" the white haired Shinobi exclaimed before leaping beside Juugo. A frustrated growl escaped the back of his throat as he ran his hand across his blade, feeling a slight crack on it's exterior. "You've got a real ghastly punch," he said candidly before addressing Juugo. "It was a lot harder to control my balance than it looked. Watch out for that," he said.

Naruto grinned at his friends strength, knowing how capable Sakura is. He knew his plan on facing Sasuke alone was somewhat selfish but it was now or never. "Let us handle this Naruto, just go to Sasuke" he heard Kakashi say before running ahead and standing with Sakura.

"Kakashi sensei?" Naruto muttered before feeling a hand clasp his shoulder. He turned to see Sai, flaunting his usual fake smile. "Sai?"

"Is this the part where you tell him how you feel?" His smile grew wider as he saw the shock slowly creep into Naruto's features.

"W-What!? Sai! Don't be focusing on that right now!" Naruto gushed, watching Kakashi fend of Juugo and Suigetsu's frivolous attempts at dodging Sakura's attacks, only angering her further.

"Well, I guess you're right," Sai said, his smile fading. "But I was being serious. You really should do something about that soon," he said, leaping toward the battle zone, he whipped out his scrolls to before inking a bird. Naruto stared after him in for a moment, wondering what the pale boy meant but the curiosity faded as quickly as it came. Focusing on the fight in the front of him, he leapt to the front lines.


Karin watched the whole battle unfold and she couldn't stop the chills that ran down her spine. Her mind span one thousand miles an hour. She doesn't even know how many times she had to adjust her glasses just to make sure what she was seeing was correct. Danzo's arm was revealed to have Sharingan embedded in it and Sasuke was now livid. His chakra was so full of hostility, she had a hard time believing it was his but she still couldn't help but feel her stomach drop every time Danzo attacked. "He's using so much Chakra," she thought, her red orbs narrowing "it's Danzo's jutsu with those Sharingan. It's taken a lot out of Sasuke. Even with Susanoo, he's struggling."

The raven haired boy was irate. He could feel every pain in his body yet none at the same time, he was overwhelmed. Purple chakra surrounded him as Susanoo continually struck at Danzo, but every attack that connected still failed. It was those Sharingans in his arm, he was sure of it. "Disgusting," Sasuke spat under his breath.

"It's because of Itachi, I was able to have these," Danzo said, running at the raven haired boy.

Sasuke's red orbs widened before speedily running toward Danzo, "that's because you made him!" He yelled, his purple chakra dissipated as he unsheathed Kusanagi and pulled it back, aiming it right through Danzo's chest. Sasuke however, wasn't fooled as he watched Danzo disappear in front of him only to reappear behind him, raising a kunai over his back. Instantly, Susanoo blocked the older mans attack and the raven haired boy leapt back.

"Augh!" a pain erupted throughout Sasuke's body and Susanoo dissipated into thin air. Falling to his knees, he couldn't suppress his cough. Using his forearm, he wiped at the corner of his mouth. Feeling something wet, he glanced at his arm before seeing a smear of red over it, his orbs narrowed. "Blood," he confirmed "I'm using too much of my chakra."

"Sasuke!" He heard Karin cry before appearing next to him while pulling her sleeve up. "Quickly," she urged before the raven haired boy bit deep into her arm, making a green light radiate around their two forms.

Danzo narrowed his dark orbs, "she's an Uzumaki?" he noted before watching Sasuke rise to his feet. Suddenly, the older man ran at Karin, wrapping his arm around her neck and locking her in a vice grip. "No matter what happens, I can't die here, I will protect the village" Danzo exclaimed before Sasuke's summoned a Chidori to his fist. "Even if that means sacrificing this woman for that cause."

"Sasuke," Karin breathed, air couldn't reach her.

"Karin, don't move," Sasuke said before she felt a sharp sting prick through her chest.

Looking down, she saw the chidori blade before her gaze followed it to Sasuke's hand. Her red orbs widened, she was consumed by shock. "A vital point," she heard Danzo mutter to himself as they both dropped to the ground.

"He didn't have time to cast Izanagi," Karin thought, noticing her vision all of a sudden blurry. "Even if he did, Sasuke still would've struck right through me to get to him… Did he even care at all?" Everything began spinning before all of her surroundings faded to black.

Sasuke casually walked up to Danzo, who was now coddling his wound. The older man looked up to see the raven haired boy looming over him. "You went straight through your comrade," he said "that was truly a heartless action."

"If she managed to get caught by you then she was nothing but a burden," Sasuke said before pulling out Kusanagi. "You'll bleed to death by that wound but I will finish you now." The raven haired boy hovered his blade over Danzo, before raising it to bring down the final blow. "Brother…" an image of Itachi flashed behind his dark orbs before a familiar chakra signature distracted him.

Furrowing his brows, he heard the rustling of leaves from behind him before hearing his name.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke's dark orbs widened, "not yet…" he thought "I'm not ready for you yet, Naruto."

He refocused on Danzo before feeling his feet get swept up from underneath him and before he knew it, his back hit the ground and the older man hung over him with a kunai to his throat. "You hesitated," Danzo said before raising his kunai but he was too slow. Purple chakra swarmed around the raven haired boy before Susanoo came to his defence. In an instant, a hand-like form emerged from the ribcage and struck Danzo, making him fly into a wooden pillar.

Sasuke ran at the older man with Kusanagi in hand, "shut up," he hissed "there will be no distractions this time."

Danzo forced himself to his feet but pain shot through his body and everything began fading in and out. Dropping to his knees, he looked ahead of himself to see Sasuke, speedily getting closer before he appeared in front of him, plunging Kusanagi into his chest. At that moment, Danzo couldn't contain the cough of blood that fell from his mouth. He looked up to see Sasuke looming over him with pure hatred mixed with Satisfaction whirling through his dark orbs. "How did he get this strong," he thought "with my current strength, I won't have enough chakra to cast the reverse Tetragram sealing jutsu."

"This fight is as good as over," Sasuke said, his voice cold and hard. The raven haired boy narrowed his dark orbs before sensing Naruto's chakra becoming stronger before he sensed it almost directly behind him. He felt his stomach tighten slightly before turning toward the forest, where he sensed his chakra.

"Sasuke!" Naruto called, leaping onto a tree just above the training ground.

"Naruto," Sasuke thought before his dark orbs met the blonde's blue ones. Instantly, his knees trembled, with what exactly, he wasn't sure. He watched as his former comrade leapt from the tree to the training ground, looking around at all the destruction that was left behind.

"Sasuke," Naruto stopped only a few meters from him, keeping his distance. The raven haired boy narrowed his dark orbs before stepping aside and something else caught Naruto's gaze, making his blue orbs widen. Gasping, the young blonde pushed past Sasuke and ran to Danzo, checking for a pulse, leaving the raven haired boy just watching. Naruto paused for a moment, feeling a very weak pulse from the older man. He knew he wasn't going to live much longer.

"Sasuke…" Naruto uttered, "did you do this!?"

"Yes," the raven haired boy said, sheathing Kusanagi.

"Do you know what this means!?" Naruto exclaimed.

"Yes. It means I'm an enemy of Konoha."

Frustration bubbled up within Naruto's chest. Why was Sasuke being so blunt with him!? Something about the raven haired boy was different and it was a kind of different that Naruto didn't like. Something began to unfurl in his stomach but it wasn't the kind he usually got when he was with Sasuke. It was something that made his palms sweaty and made adrenaline run through his veins. It wasn't until this feeling hit him that he realised he really was facing an enemy of Konoha. But he was always facing the only person he has ever felt this way about - Sasuke. All in all, it was these two truths that just had him feeling completely lost.

"I know the truth about Itachi," Naruto said, only above a whisper but Sasuke heard every word. His dark orbs widened in disbelief, words got caught in his throat and none could rise to the surface. "Pain told me everything on the same day you found out too."

"Then why…" Sasuke said, clenching his fists. "Why don't you understand that Danzo and the village elders don't deserve to live!?" He shouted before his onyx orbs deepened into a shade of red, activating the Sharingan. "If you know about it, then why are you still so concerned for this village!? Do you think that this village deserves to live on ignorantly while innocent Shinobi like Itachi have to bear all their hate and protect them in the darkness!?"

Naruto averted his gaze to his feet. "I know," he said, his voice small. "I can't change the past. And I know that what happened was wrong. But destroying the village and killing the Konoha council won't do you any favours either! And if you choose to go down this path then I'll have to stop you here," Naruto cried, clenching his fists. His chest only continued to tighten.

Sasuke fell silent for a moment, clear anger swarmed through his red orbs but he quickly collected himself. What he was hearing hurt him. And surprisingly enough, a part of him couldn't help but hope that if Naruto knew the truth, he'd stand by him. But of course, he knew there was nothing Naruto loved more than this village. "You and I can never see eye to eye," Sasuke spat "but it doesn't matter. What I'm seeking is a revolution, that has become my true goal. I don't need your or anybodies approval. But for my dream to become a reality, I'll need something from you."

Naruto's stomach dropped. A part of him felt like he already knew what Sasuke was going to say and all of him hoped that it wasn't true. "Something from me?" he repeated.

"I need your tailed beast."

Instantly, Naruto's suspicions were confirmed and he could've sworn his heart dropped into his stomach. It made him so nauseous, his legs began to shake slightly. Until this point, there was never a time where Naruto would've even expected those words to escape Sasuke's lips.

"If you don't fight me with the intent to kill," Sasuke continued "then you're going to die."

Naruto's blue orbs widened instantly. Was this even the same Sasuke he knew a month ago!? Did his time back in Konoha with him mean nothing at all!? "No," Naruto thought, shaking his head slightly. "I can't be thinking about that right now."

"Let's go to a better fighting ground," Sasuke said, interrupting Naruto's thoughts. "I already assume you know where." With that, the raven haired boy leapt through the forest, not bothering to wait for Naruto. The young blonde glanced at Danzo again who laid against a wooden pillar, forming a hand sign, a clone shot up beside Naruto.

"Take him to the village," he told his clone before following after Sasuke, knowing exactly where they were going.

Naruto's clone nodded as he watched his original disappear into the forest. Walking to Danzo's side, he knelt down and felt his pulse before his blue orbs widened slightly. "Dammit," he thought, furrowing his brows. There was no pulse.


Inoichi yawned before taking a sip of coffee he left on his desk. "I don't know if staying up this late to examine this seal on Itachi's mind was a good idea or a stupid one," he thought, sighing. There had been no break throughs since he had come to Tsunade with his findings from their first examination. Looking at his watch, he decided it was time to go home but not before conducting one last scan on Itachi's mind. It had become a daily routine he'd developed since Tsunade made it one of his priorities.

The older man placed his hand on Itachi's forehead and did his usual scan into Itachi's mind. There was nothing out of the ordinary. As usual, it had started off with Sasuke as a young baby being held during the nine tails attack on the village. Following that were his days in the academy and endless training. Inoichi couldn't deny that he'd sort of memorised Itachi's life by now but he still somewhat found it interesting every time. It was like he was reliving Itachi's life, feeling everything he felt and surprisingly, there was not a trace of malice for the village or Uchiha clan in it. Something about that didn't quite sit right with him but he brushed it off, it wasn't his place for personal opinion.

It was till about now, his fight with Sasuke where it would usually end and that seal would just appear in his mind again. Inoichi was getting ready to remove his palm before something stopped him. "What!?" He thought, "this is… what is this?" Inoichi watched curiously as Itachi sat in a room with the Konoha council and third Hokage.

"We need an elite Shinobi to do this job," he saw Danzo say to the then young Uchiha. "You are dedicated to this village as well as an insider. If they choose to overthrow this village it will erupt in a war," he ended.

"A war?" Inoichi thought as he continued watching.

"Your mission is to eradicate the Uchiha clan," Homura said, making Inoichi gasp slightly.

The scenery had then changed and it was from there that Inoichi had witnessed Itachi bargain Sasuke's life with the Konoha council until the night of the clan's slaughter, where Itachi had cried before cutting down his own flesh and blood.

Although it was near the end of Itachi's memories, Inoichi instantly pulled his palm from Itachi's forehead and stumbled backwards, taking deep breaths. He could still feel Itachi's pain from that night and it lingered for a moment, almost pulling him into despair. "What the hell just happened!?" Inoichi thought as his blue orbs widened to the size of dinner plates. "Did I just witness Itachi's true motive behind the Uchiha clan massacre?!"

For a moment, the older man was too stunned to move. He simply stood in shock for a few moments before rushing toward Tsunade's room. He suspected that Itachi's memory could be faked but it didn't make sense to put a seal on it if it was. But there was one thing he knew for sure, he was not going to the Konoha council about this.

Wasting no time at all, he burst into Tsunade's tent. "Shizune!?" He cried before she instantly turned to him while putting a finger up to her lips, signalling for him to shush. "Huh?" He slowed his pace before walking up to her side. "What's going o—" what he saw took him by surprise as he watched Tsunade feebly sitting up in her bed, taking sips of water. "Lady Tsunade?!" He exclaimed.

"Please keep your voice down!" Shizune said anxiously before the blonde woman gave her back her cup of water and wiped her mouth. "She only woke up a few hours ago. I've already informed the village elders."

Inoichi's brows furrowed at village elders instantly before his voice became stern. "It's really good timing that you woke up," Inoichi said, at the same time, feeling a huge relief wash over him.

"That's what I'd like to hear when I wake up for the first time in weeks," Tsunade said sarcastically, her voice raspy. "Shizune has explained the villages situation to me. What's the news?"

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune exclaimed, "you only just woke up, please get some more res—"

"I'm the Hokage! Or at least I will be again when I give that rat, Danzo, a good talking to," Tsunade interrupted, "I have a lot of catching up to do so get talking Inoichi."

The older man glanced at Shizune who looked concerned for a moment but she nodded in agreeance. "Okay…" he began, "well if you recall Itachi's mind block, it just disappeared. I don't know how yet but what was behind it was… well I don't know. You'll just have to have a look for yourself."

Tsunade nodded eagerly before he placed his hand on her forehead, replaying everything he just saw to her.


Naruto landed on the first Hokage's stone monument at Valley of the End as he closely watched Sasuke land onto the statue opposite to him. "This is it, Naruto," Sasuke exclaimed "all I need to do is get rid of you and I'll have the power to fulfil my dream of a revolution."

Naruto furrowed his brows as Sasuke's voice reached his ears. No words came to his mind or his mouth. He didn't want to fight Sasuke, at least not under these circumstances. "Where's that big talk of yours, Naruto?" Sasuke smirked but it came as quickly as it faded. "It doesn't matter anyway," he continued. "I'm not interested in anything you have to say."

In an instant, Sasuke appeared in front of him, throwing a punch toward Naruto's jaw but the blonde caught his fist before leaping backward. "Stop this, Sasuke!" he cried before the raven haired boy advanced again, throwing kicks and punches in every direction but Naruto continued to dodge them. "This isn't going to get you anywhere! If you're only trying to get the Kyuubi for the Akatsuki then what you're doing is wrong! You're nothing like them!"

Sasuke furrowed his brows, "stop talking," he thought, surpassed the slight pain in his chest before he delivered a breath taking blow to Naruto's jaw, flinging him into the water. "Playing defence will get you no where. If you keep going on that way, you will die, how many times do I have to tell you? Get serious."

"Sasuke," Naruto's voice was husky as he climbed out of the water, "I'm not going to let you destroy the village, but I won't kill you either!" he cried before leaping into the air and making several shadow clones.

"Heh," Sasuke scoffed "that old trick again?" The raven haired boy dodged every taijutsu attack with ease and destroyed them all in an instant before glaring at the real Naruto. "You should know I can see right through that Jutsu by now. I know which one is the real you."

A growl escaped from the back of Naruto's throat, "I don't want to fight you like this!" he exclaimed, "right now, all I'm fighting for is to stop you and to bring you back to the village again! Even if I have to drag you back!" Naruto could feel his resolve growing stronger, it had been just how it was before he brought Sasuke back the first time but only now, his feelings made him more determined than ever.

"So stop saying that you're going to kill me," Naruto shouted as another shadow clone appeared by his side. "And don't even think about leaving cos I'm not gonna let you go anywhere!" He cried before a rasengan formed in his hand as he ran at the raven haired boy. "Sasuke!" He exclaimed before a purple rib cage formed around Sasuke's form and a hand emerged, counteracting the rasengan in Naruto's palm before it pushed the young blonde backward.

Naruto skid over the water, the pressure was too great for him to stop himself. "What was that!?" he thought to himself before gaining his composure and standing straight, staring at the defence Sasuke created.

"Stop," Sasuke said quietly before glaring at the young blonde, "just stop being so damn persistent!" He shouted before the purple hand shot out for Naruto but he narrowly dodged it. Sasuke watched as his Susanoo and Naruto went back and fourth. "This is the last fight," he thought, trying to get his legs to move but they refused. "I'll be free of this annoying bond and I'll be able to rewrite Shinobi history from here on." Something uncomfortable churned in Sasuke's stomach, his body refused to move but there was no time to stop. It was then that Sasuke shot forward and a chittering ball of light arose from his hand.

Naruto turned in time to see Sasuke running at him before he felt himself in Susanoo's vice grip. "Augh!" he cried before the raven haired boy thrusted Chidori straight through the centre of his chest. Naruto gasped as his blue orbs widened and looked down to see Sasuke steal back his hand. "Sasuke…" he uttered before he went up in a puff of smoke.

In an instant, Sasuke's red orbs widened and he heard a whirl of wind coming toward him from behind. Turning around, he spotted Naruto just above him. "Rasengan!"

The raven haired boy narrowly dodged it and leapt a few meters away from the deadly attack. "I thought you could see through my shadow clones," Naruto mocked, "you knew where the real me was that whole time, didn't you?"

Sasuke simply narrowed his dark orbs at the young blonde, "if I killed you, the Kyuubi would be gone too."

"you don't want to kill me," Naruto said as he began to walk toward the raven haired boy. "It'd be good to punch some sense into you but we don't have to fight like this," Naruto allowed a faint smile to fall onto his lips as he stood only a meter from the raven haired boy who tensed slightly by their proximity. It had felt so long since he got a good look at his former comrades face but since last time, it was bruised and grimy from their fight, making his stomach churn further. Oddly enough, he didn't like seeing Naruto like this even though it was his doing.

"I told you Naruto, I have a new goal now," Sasuke said firmly, averting his gaze to the water beneath them. "You and I can't see eye to eye and there's no point in talking. So just… die already," he hissed before suddenly plunging a chidori toward the young blonde but Naruto swiftly grabbed his wrist and threw it to the side before grabbing Sasuke by his collar and delivering a punch to his cheek, making the raven haired boy fall into the water.

"I'm not going anywhere," Naruto persisted before looming over Sasuke in an instant and pinning him down by his wrists. "And I know you're not fighting me with your full strength either!" he yelled.

Sasuke clenched his jaw before kicking Naruto in the stomach, making the young blonde topple off of him. "Shut up!" he snapped before picking the young blonde up by the collar of his jumper and punching him in the stomach, making Naruto fall to his knees.

The breath was knocked out of Naruto but in no more than a second he got up and threw his fist toward Sasuke but it was blocked with the raven boys forearm. In return, Sasuke kicked Naruto but before it could connect, the young blonde grabbed his ankle, making the raven haired boy stumble but he quickly regained his posture. They continued to engage in Taijutsu until the sun had just about rose over the two statues, showering them in orange light.

"Shadow clone jutsu," Naruto exclaimed before three clones appeared amongst the smoke.

"I told you—" Sasuke began but was interrupted as one of them had already kicked him in the stomach, plummeting him into the air. Before he could regain his composure, another clone kicked him even further up, the last clone uppercutted him until finally the real Naruto emerged from above him with a rasengan being aimed straight toward Sasuke's stomach.

The raven haired boy's dark orbs widened slightly as he watched Naruto sling his rasengan back before thrusting it into his stomach. Sasuke shut his eyes tightly but at the last moment, he opened them slightly, seeing Naruto's rasengan dissipate into the air. "Why?" he thought before realising the blonde was free falling with him. Sasuke took the chance to regain his composure and land on one of the large statues while Naruto landed on the other.

The raven haired boy narrowed his orbs at Naruto. Sasuke clenched his fists tightly, turning his knuckles white. "I told you, get serious!" He yelled. "Why do you keep hesitating every time you have a chance to attack me!?"

Naruto ignored the pang of pain that shot through his chest before furrowing his brows. "The last time I spoke to Itachi," he began, making Sasuke's orbs widen slightly "he asked me what I'd do if you were to attack Konoha." His blue orbs shot up to meet Sasuke's. "I told him that I would defend the village and find a way to stop you without killing you! I believe that Itachi entrusted your safety to me. I'm gonna protect you whether you like it or not! I think that if we're both serious about fighting each other, we'll end up killing one another. I'm sure you know that too. So I've decided that if that's the only way to stop you and protect the village, I'll die with you Sasuke." Naruto's gaze softened slightly and his lips twitched upward.

Sasuke's dark orbs widened and his stomach contorted into knots he couldn't untangle. His mind was taken back to the valley of the end. So many unanswered questions he reluctantly admitted he still wanted to know the answers to. "Naruto…" He said just above a whisper "nothing can change my mind. It's too late… what the village did to Itachi and my clan is unforgivable! You'll have to kill me if you want to stop me. But why choose to die with me? Wouldn't you rather kill me without sacrificing yourself in the process and be known as the village hero?!" He cried, "why would you go so far for me!?"

Naruto took a weary step forward. "We've been through this before haven't we?" He smiled as he leapt onto Sasuke's statue, stopping only an arms length away from the young Uchiha. "You're my best friend. How could I ever hope to become Hokage if I can't even save you? And well, to be perfectly honest, after spending the past few months with you I don't think I ever want to go another day without you," he said, taking one more step closer, making Sasuke take one step back. "We can fix this. When I'm Hokage one day, I can absolutely promise you, no loss like the Uchiha clan massacre will ever happen again. And in the meanwhile, we'll do something about the Konoha council and change it. You don't have to go down this path again, you don't have to be alone again. We both know what that's like."

The raven haired boy felt a prick in his chest at Naruto's words. "What're you saying?" Sasuke said just above a whisper. "Don't tell me you're still hanging onto such trivial things?"

"We can sort this out in a way where you don't have to suffer anymore… And what you mean by 'trivial' isn't so trivial to me. I guess I'm just trying to tell you…" Naruto furrowed his brows in thought for a moment. "Geez, this seemed so much easier to admit in my head," the young blonde thought before turning back to Sasuke "I mean come on!" The young blonde exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air for a moment, "you're the one who did the whole kissy thing on the training ground before I went to train with the geezer sage remember!? Was that just for nothing!?"

Sasuke winced at the memory of Naruto's soft lips against his that day. He could slowly feel his resolve dissolving as he melted under the weight of the blondes words. Why was it always like this with him? "Even if you end up hating me Naruto, it's just too late," he thought, willing away the pain in his chest. "No," Sasuke admitted "it wasn't for nothing… but things are different now. You love a village that destroyed my clan and tortured my brother. That makes you and everyone belonging to that village my enemy. And if taking your tailed beast in killing you in the process is what it takes to bring their wrongdoings to an end, then I'll do whatever it takes."

Naruto's head span. This conversation was just getting far too complex for him but he understood everything Sasuke was saying. He took one step closer to Sasuke before the raven haired boy took a step back. "Even if you do try to take the Kyuubi and kill me, this feeling I have for you won't change," he uttered, making the raven haired boys orbs widen.

"And… if that's still what you choose to do then like I told you, I'll just have to die with you! But don't tell me that the past few months meant nothing! Don't tell me that this doesn't mean anything to you!" A certain kind of emotion took over Naruto, one he had never experienced but all of a sudden, he found an unfamiliar confidence within himself before he realised he was inches from Sasuke's face. Grabbing the raven haired boys collar, he pulled Sasuke close, making their foreheads touch as Naruto clenched his jaw.

Sasuke firmly grasped Naruto's hands that clutched his collar, squeezing them but making no move to fend them off. He found himself frozen in the young blondes clutch, "move," he willed himself "move!" but his body refused again.

"Naruto," Sasuke said, his tone held a warning. But that was the last push Naruto needed before Sasuke's grip loosened over Naruto's hand to let it slip over the back of his neck to pull him into a deep kiss.

The raven haired boy's red orbs widened significantly, feeling Naruto's chapped lips against his. Sasuke's lip twitched slightly as he felt the young blondes free hand snake around Sasuke's waist, pulling him closer, almost desperately. Their chests were now touching and he almost couldn't tell their heart beats apart until he realised that Naruto's was beating a thousand times faster than his. Sasuke's hands fell limply to his side. Their whole fight, his body wouldn't respond to his thoughts but now it seemed as though his thoughts had no control over his body movements as he loosely lifted his arms to very lightly rest his hands on Naruto's shoulder blades.

Sasuke attempted to pull away but Naruto didn't let him, tightening his grip on the raven haired boy. Naruto's words echoed in his mind for a moment.

"I believe that Itachi entrusted your safety to me. I'm gonna protect you whether you like it or not!"

"You don't have to be alone again!"

An image of Itachi flashed behind his red orbs before they began to narrow slightly. "Is that true brother? When I'm with him I do feel… protected."

Sasuke stared at Naruto through lidded orbs and without even being conscious of it, he allowed his arms to encircle over the young blonde's back. Shutting his eyes, he fervently returned Naruto's kiss, making the young blonde's hand move from the back of Sasuke's neck to gently hold the raven haired boys cheek.

The two forms held their stance for a few seconds longer before simultaneously pulling away, leaving silence in between them. Sasuke averted his gaze downward before looking up to see Naruto already staring into his red orbs. His eyes widened slightly as he noticed the red tint colouring the young blondes cheeks and how his features creased apprehensively, almost anticipating rejection.

"Sasuke…" Naruto breathed before the raven haired boy firmly placed his hand on Naruto's chest and pushed him away, making the young blondes arms fall from his waist. "If you still think that doesn't mean anything to you then I know you'll have made up your mind about the village. But if it does then just come back with me," Naruto pleaded in a resolute voice, holding his hand out to Sasuke.

Sasuke's red orbs faded back to their natural shade of onyx before furrowing his brows. Temptation had him in its clutch, lifting his hand, he reached for Naruto's before he sensed something with immense chakra coming their way.

The two forms looked above them to see a huge pillar smash into the statue behind Naruto and chains instantly encircled the young blonde and tightened him to the pillar, restricting his movement. "W-What is this!?" Naruto cried, struggling against the chains. Sealing markings were engraved into the chains and the wooden pillar. Sasuke stumbled and fell to the ground before gaining his composure. Standing up, he saw Naruto being bound.

"Naruto!?" he cried, clenching his jaw. Suddenly, a familiar chakra appeared on top of the first Hokage's statue. The culprit wore an orange mask attached to an akatsuki cloak and Sasuke recognised him right away. "Madara!?" Sasuke exclaimed, "what're you doing here? I agreed to take the Kyuubi so what're you doing!?"

"Sasuke," Madara began "I just tagged along incase you grew weak and by the looks of things, you just did. So I'm only here to tie up some loose ends. I'll take care of the rest by myself," he said, his tone clearly suggested a smirk underneath his mask.

"So you were just using me for a chance to catch Naruto off guard?" Sasuke hissed.

"You've always caught on quickly," Madara said "but I wasn't doubting your capability. We're still comrades, aren't we?"

"Sasuke!?" Naruto breathed, the chains were tightening by the second. "Don't!"

"Tch," Sasuke scoffed before averting his gaze to the ground, his brows furrowing.

"If you were to follow in Itachi's footsteps I'd be very surprised. After all, look where that's left him. He's now in the Konoha examination laboratory, the village elders are probably just planning to write him off."

Sasuke's red orbs widened in anger, "Sasuke," he heard Naruto plea, "don't listen to him."

"I'd even say this village is Itachi's legacy and yet he's got no credit at all," Madara continued, "you're definitely not one who could be called his legacy when you're on the cusp of destroying it. But that's because you are not Itachi, you are one of us, the Akatsuki, seeking a revolution and distinguishing all the pain in the world."

Sasuke shut his eyes tightly, clenching his fists together. "Right," he confirmed, turning to Naruto, who stared back at him in shock.

"Sasuke, no, you're nothing like them," he choked before the raven haired boy turned away to face Madara.

"Hn," Sasuke responded before jumping over to Madara's side.

"Excellent," the masked man said, "I'm glad you still have your common sense after talking to the Jinchuuriki. Even Pain betrayed me to that brat."

"Let's just get this over with," Sasuke hissed before Madara chuckled.

"You're right. Finally, the Kyuubi will be mine."

The masked man formed some hand signs before chains emerged from his back, wrapping themselves around Naruto, making him cry out in pain. Sasuke furrowed his brows, as he recalled watching Naruto get staked to the ground by Pain. The feeling was the exact same as then. He could still feel Naruto's warmth on his lips, recalling the kiss they shared just moments ago. It was enough to put him into something similar to a genjutsu, only he was in reality. But as quickly as it came, Sasuke ripped his attention from Naruto to closely watch Madara execute the extraction of the Kyuubi.

"Now," Madara exclaimed, "the Kyuubi will be mine!" With one more hand sign, one long spike emerged from the centre of his palm, aimed for Naruto's seal on his stomach. "This will spike the Kyuubi, binding him for our control. Then we can get rid of the Jinchuuriki."

Sasuke watched carefully before the spike shot from his palm but instantly, the raven haired boys orbs widened, activating the Mangyeko Sharingan before a skeletal Susanoo emerged, throwing off Madara's concentration. "Susanoo!?" the masked man exclaimed before the purple figure reached for the spike but the pressure had broken straight through Susanoo. Sasuke's orbs widened, "dammit, it's that powerful!?" he thought before hearing Madara chuckle slightly. "I figured something like that may happen so I took counter measures."

"You—" Sasuke growled but Naruto instantly caught his attention as his old comrade struggled to make hand signs. "Naruto!" he cried before disappearing from his spot.

The young blonde desperately tried to make a shadow clone or a rasengan or anything but the chains were too tight. "Augh!" He felt his limbs growing weak as he saw the chains absorbing every attempt of chakra release he made. "They absorb chakra," he thought "Sasuke… you really were serious."

He saw the spike coming at him quicker than his eyes could follow, he shut his blue orbs tightly, attempting to break the chains with sheer strength but they didn't budge. "No, not yet," he thought, "I can't die yet!"

Naruto let out a cry as red chakra began to seep through his pours, feeding the chains but he heard a single crack in the metal. "It's working," he thought "if I can just overload these chains with Chakra, they'll crumble. Too much of anything is always bad," he thought before opening his eyes slightly to see the spike only a few meters away. "Dammit!" He exclaimed "I need more time," He shut his eyes tightly, anticipating the pain but instead, a heard the spike plunge itself into something solid.

"Did… he miss?" Naruto thought before opening his eyes slightly. Something was blocking its path. He opened his eyes before he was greeted with Sasuke leaning over him, his head hanging down with his body sheltering Naruto.

"Sasuke!?" The young blonde exclaimed before grinning, "I thought I was in serious trou—" he stopped for a moment before realising Sasuke was still. He followed the raven haired boys gaze down to where the spike had plunged itself through the young Uchiha's stomach.