Hey there! I bring you chapter 2 of TR! Hope you all enjoy! I promised that every month that I would update and it's actually a week earlier! Wahahha! If you keep nagging me about updating, I would!

Also, I would like to thank my first reviewers. I was really almost afraid that this wouldn't interest anyone, but I actually got reviews! You have no idea how that made me feel! I really thank you!

Disclaimer: okay, you just have to rub it in my face. I DON'T OWN NARUTO, DAMMIT! If I did, SasuNaru would be freaking CANON!!

Warnings: I actually forgot about this in the first chap. Okay, rundowns. This is YAOI, which means two male people doing such stuff that will make us fan girls squeal. I also warn you about language, gender switching, MAJOR FLUFF, and SAKURA BASHING (male and female) later on. Typos are my own fault. FUCK OFF if you don't read this kind of stories. If this is your thing, then enjoy it to your heart's content! Some KibaNaru, one-sided NaruSaku and one helluva SASUNARU!!

Italics mean thoughts.

'Italics' means voice flashbacks.

"WE'RE GOING TO THE BEACH!! WE'RE GOING TO THE BEACH!! WE'RE GOING TO THE–"

"Oh for the love of Kami, SHUT UP!!" Kiba Inuzuka yelled at his seatmate for the umpteenth time that morning. His blond seatmate paused and pouted at him.

"Kiba, you killjoy!" He sat down on the bus seat and glared darkly at his best friend. "Just because Hinata-chan turned you down on a date doesn't mean that you can take it out on me!" He said in a carrying whisper.

The dog boy darkened into several shades of red when he heard someone giggle behind them. "Thanks, Naruto." He scowled, the memory coming back to him.

The blond rolled his eyes at the brunette's behavior. Kiba was the type to take rejection badly, and he kinda felt sorry for him, since the girl he asked out comes from a family of monks and priestesses.

"Why the hell did I even ask her out?!" Kiba moaned in self-pity. Naruto patted his shoulder in sympathy. "Come on, cheer up! There's lots of fish in the sea! You'll get over Hinata-chan soon!" he said cheerfully. Kiba looked up to his friend's face, feeling slightly happier.

"Says the guy who was rejected by Haruno how many times?" Kiba asked with a wicked smile, mood lifting.

"About fifty-five times… hey! We're talking about you right here!" He pointed an accusing finger at the brunette, who was already rolling at his seat. "You keep count…you actually keep count!" He chocked back tears.

"Shut up, Kiba! At least I'm optimistic!" The blond retorted defensively. Kiba shook his head, smothering his laughs. "When are you going to realize that Sakura won't go out with you?" Naruto may be insightful at times, but this guy can't just take a hint.

"I know that she doesn't like me like that… but I'll definitely get her out on a date! I'm sure!" He grinned, letting his arms fold behind his head.

Naruto has been pinning for Sakura since god-knows-when. After being rejected fifty-five times, it's a wonder how Naruto could still smile like that. If it had been any other guy, his ego would be totally crushed.

"Naruto… you're actually serious about this, aren't you?"

"Yeah! I'll wait… I'll wait until she says yes."

Kiba stared at his best friend's confident behavior. Naruto may be a pain in the butt most of the time, but he could be very mature if he wanted to. Naruto's sunshine personality was one of the things Kiba liked about him, and he was one of the few persons who can see Naruto's… the real Naruto's personality.

Waiting… how long has Naruto waited for Sakura's answer? No offense to Naruto, but Kiba hated the pink-haired girl excessively, who was, straight out, the school's worst bitch, even worse than Ino, her sidekick. It was always because of her that Naruto always came to him, crying because Sakura gave another one of her "No"'s. But Kiba didn't try and stop him, because that's what Naruto wanted, and when the time comes, he'll be always there to pick up the pieces.

The brunette's musings were cut off when he was clobbered in the head, hard.

"Dude, don't space out on me!! You're thinking about Hinata-chan again!!"

"Naruto, you ass, that hurt!!"

A mature Naruto, huh? Screw that. Naruto will always be an idiot. Hell be damned, but Kiba preferred it that way… most of the time.

"Kiba!! What are you thinking about?!"

"Idiot! Let go of me!"

-/-

"Ah, this feels so nice!" Naruto tucked in a lock of golden hair as the ocean wind whipped his face. The ocean was a royal blue, the sun was shining brightly, and the surf was great! It would be a grave understatement to say that Naruto was waiting for this day. "Naruto! Over here!" He looked into the distance and saw Kiba waving at him.

"Coming!"

"Ah, this is the life!" Kiba plopped down on the beach towel, sighing contentedly. Under the shade of the large beach umbrella were the other boys, wearing swimming shorts (save for Chouji, who was wearing a t-shirt), watching as their other classmates playing on the beach.

"This is so troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered under the towel covering his face. "Why the hell did you come then?" Kiba asked, sitting beside the boy lying on the ground. Pineapple head shrugged. "Dad would make me feed the deers again."

Shikamaru's family owned a deer reserve in their area, which is a great spot for elementary school field trips. It's one of the sources of the Nara family's income.

"Hey Naruto! Want some?" Chouji presented the blond a pack of chips. Naruto gratefully took one. "Thanks." He bit off a piece. "Hey Chouji! How about me?!" Kiba pouted, which is a very weird expression on his face. All of them laughed, except Shikamaru, who was already dozing away.

"Shino? What's with the outfit?" Shino, with his shades, was wearing a long coat which covered his entire body, except his face.

"I don't want to get burned."

"Hey… isn't that the reason why we go to the beach?" Naruto asked, a drop of sweat running down on his face.

"I don't like sunny places."

"Then why hell did you even come here?! You're as bad as Cloud-boy here!" Kiba pointed a finger at Shikamaru, who was sleeping soundly.

"Chill Kiba. The heat's getting to you." Chouji grinned and stuffed Kiba's arms with cola cans. Naruto gave the boy a smile. Chouji did know when to break off a fight.

They stayed there, sipping ice-cold soft drinks, laughing and sharing stories (Shika had actually woken up), and were in the middle of Kiba's story when a stray beach ball just decided to crash into the party.

"Naruto, look out!"

"Eh?" Naruto looked around, and a white-and-blue ball suddenly smacked into his face. A perfect bull's-eye.

"Naruto? Oi, Naruto! Are you alive?!" Kiba asked worriedly, coming to the blond's side, but not before grinning widely and taking the money from the others.

"How does he know that Naruto's going to be hit?" Chouji asked Shikamaru in an undertone. "Blondie is a thrown-thing magnet." Kiba told him knowledgably, having heard his question. "Naruto just attracts anything, from rocks to old ladies."

"You mean an old lady was thrown at him?" Chouji asked incredulously. Kiba just smiled and checked the fallen boy. "Thank Kami, you're alive." Kiba sighed in relief.

"Sorry!" A pink-haired girl in a French bikini was running straight at them. "Are you all right?" Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her eyes showed concern, which became immediately fake when she saw who she hit.

"Sakura…"

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto suddenly bolted from his unconscious state and stared at the girl with hearts in his eyes.

"Are… are you hurt?" She was just faking interest; after all, her reputation is at steak.

"Of course not-teebayo!" The blue-eyed boy jumped up and started making stretches. "I'm perfectly fine! See?"

"Well… if you're sure…" She started moving away.

"Sa-sakura-chan! Would you go out with me?!"

"No." Her answer was sharp and concise.

"Damn… there's my chance then…" Naruto sighed, watching as she started playing again with the girls.

"Naruto, you freaking IDIOT!" A fist made contact with his head.

"OW!! That hurts asshole!" He yelled at Kiba. "What did I do?!"

"You just hear her voice and you rise from the dead?! I was WORRIED about you, dammit!"

"I can't help it! That's the way she affects me!"

When are you going to wake up, Naruto?! It's clear that she hates you! Why don't you just move on with your life?!"

"DON'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT! SAKURA IS EVERYTHING TO ME! I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND!!"

A sharp stinging blow landed on Naruto's cheek. Surprised, Naruto staggered, and saw Kiba's eyes, slanted with fury.

"I am your friend, Naruto. What do you think I felt when you would always come to me, crying, because Sakura rejected you? I would've stopped you from doing this a long time ago, but why didn't I?"

"Because you wanted it, Naruto. If it makes you happy, why should I interfere, even if it hurts me inside?! But I'm sure as hell am not going to throw away our friendship just because of that hoe!" The brunette's knuckles were white, with blood starting to drip onto the sand. The blonde's eyes widened, and before he knew it, Kiba was storming away.

Naruto didn't want this. He didn't want to fight with Kiba. Kiba was his first friend, the first person who accepted him as he is. Kiba was… Kiba was his support, his brother!

I don't want this… I don't want this!!

-/-

Kiba stared as Naruto ran away fro the beach. "Was I too hard on him?" He winced as Shikamaru put some ointment on his wounded palms and wrapped his hands with bandages.

"OW!!"

"This is your own fault, Kiba." Shikamaru stated calmly. "I know!" Kiba looked away. "But…" He fisted his hands again. "I can't stand it when that bitch has Naruto wrapped in her finger! If she tells Naruto to jump, I think he'll ask how high!"

"Cool it, Kiba." Chouji slowly unfisted the hands. "You know Naruto better than any of us. I think this is for the best."

"If Naruto managed to take my words into his empty brain skull, that is. OW!!"

-/-

What'll I do…? He sighed as no ideas came into his head. The cool sea water splashed against his body, and the only thing he could think about now is to take a swim.

I could apologize… no way! He was the one who hit me first! But maybe he was right… he was insulting Sakura-chan! Maybe I should… argh! I don't want to think anymore!

He closed his eyes and plunged into the water, trying to will all his thoughts away. I'm so confused…

His body telling him that he was deprived of oxygen, he rose up to the surface of the water, wiping the excess water off his face. He stared up at the sky, squinting as the afternoon sun shone on his face.

I don't know what to do anymore…

'Here!'

"Eh?" Naruto looked around. There was nobody there but him. "Who…" He heard a laugh.

'Over here! Over here!'

"Where?" He waded deeper into the water, trying to see who called him.

'Naru, you're slow!'

'No I'm not!'

'Hurry up!'

What's going on? He gripped his head as a headache started to form, pounding heavily on his skull. What is this? What are these voices? Who are they?

'Naru! Come over here!'

'I can't, Saku-chan! Ruka-chan told me that it's not safe!'

Where… He suddenly felt dizzy, his vision starting to blur. He tried to steady himself, but found it impossible to do, since his knees were shaking and his body felt weak.

'Naru!! Come over here!!'

I'm… he was breathing heavily, cold sweat running down his face. The world was swirling and the only thing that he could see clearly was something in the bottom of the sea.

What's…that?

He tried reaching for it, to see if it would ease the pain in his head, but it made the pain worse. He fell slowly, barely noticing the cold water and the pain in his eyes as he searched…

Found…it!

His hand tried to grab, but it was too far away. I need… to get that… he was already falling, the dark water swirling around him, chaining him under its depths.

Can't… breathe!

He can't move… he was already half-conscious… the only thing he could hear was the pounding of his heart, the feeling of nothingness…

Not now… now that I've found you…

A sapphire blue stone was twinkling at him.

Sa…

He gasped as a sharp stab erupted in his head. He felt the salty water gush up to his mouth, enter his body. He was struggling as the darkness seemed to overtake him.

I…Sa… save…

And then he heard no more.

-/-

'Naru-chan! Are you okay?!'

'Yup! A person saved me, Saku-chan!'

'Eh?! Who?!'

'Don't know… but I hope I will meet him again soon!'

'What does he look like?'

'He's very cute, Saku-chan! He has black hair and pretty eyes!'

"Geez, you sure know how to make a spectacle of yourself, don't you?"

He felt himself being lifted up and half-dragged, half-carried to the shore. The person that was carrying him dumped him unceremoniously on his back. There was pressure on his chest and stomach and, seconds later, he felt the salty water escape through his mouth and nose. He coughed heavily, his throat dry and sore. He suddenly felt very thirsty.

What… what happened? He thought fuzzily. I remember being on the beach…

"You almost drowned, idiot." The voice answered him tartly, as if reading his mind. I'm not an idiot! He tried to say, but only to end up in another coughing fit.

"Don't speak. You'll exhaust your body more."

The sun shone through his eyelids, and he found it very hard to open his reddened eyes. He did manage to squint though, and a blurred image of a person hovered above him.

"Wh… wha hapfhen?" He asked in a slurred voice, wincing as his throat protested as the spoken words.

"I told you. You almost drowned." The person has the arrogant tone that made Naruto's fist itch. And yet…

"If I wasn't there, you're probably going to die."

"Who toldja tu sav me anyway?" The blond asked indignantly, ignoring his hurting throat.

"You did, ass. I heard you."

Dok-un. Dok-un. (1)

The blond's blue eyes widened as he heard his heart beating loudly. A steady rhythm, but it was still loud, loud enough that his savior would've probably heard it.

Dok-un. Dok-un.

His vision slowly started to clear. He felt a warm hand touch his cheek. It was just a gentle brush, but it sent warm honey through his blood, and it feels so… familiar.

Dok-un. Dok-un.

He found himself staring at liquid crimson eyes.

Dok-un.

And attached to a metal chain on his savior's neck was a silver band with a sapphire stone in the middle.

Dok-un.

This was exactly the same as the one he found under the ocean moments ago.

Dok-un.

"I've found you."

Dok-un.

Naruto was staring, a faint blush overpowering his cheeks.

Dok-un.

Who…are you?!

Dok-un.

Why do you make me feel like this?!

DOK-UN!

I'm the queen of cliffhangers! I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! I beg you; I grovel at your knees, REVIEW!! If it's godlike, worship me. If you think that this is worse than crap, say it nicely. I appreciate criticisms, but bitch to me about it, and I'll keep giving you OroMadara oneshots. (Shudders)

Sooo, who is this ruby-eyed man who saved Naruto's life? Is he a good guy? A bad one? And why does he have the other half of the ring? Review and you'll get your answers soon!

(1) 'Dok-un' is actually the Japanese onomatopoeia for a beating heart. Since I really don't know how to write the sound of a heart beating, I figured this is better.

So I'll see you all next month (or shorter or longer depending on your persistence xD)! Drop me a review please! I'll see you all later!