Chapter Seventeen: The beginning

Naruto lay in bed, he gazed at his ceiling for some sort of answer. It was only a few hours more till they were to leave. Naruto was just laying there looking for an answer that he would probably never find, at the ceiling anyways. The thing was Naruto wasn't trying to find the answer to why the Hokage was so nice to him all the time, and nothing at all about Sasuke. No he was looking for the one answer he would probably never find. Maybe one day he would find the answer but he knew it wouldn't be in Konoha, no he'd never find the answer he was looking for here. Maybe just maybe out there in one of the other lands he could possibly find it, but he knew it wasn't here.
Naruto slowly raised his right hand up over his head directly so he could look at it, and he gave a low sigh. He could now barley feel the chakra build up in that arm of his, from that Jutsu. That's why he couldn't use that arm all that well. He cursed himself mentally for using it so many times, this Jutsu is a wind type a very powerful one at that. This Jutsu can cut all the chakra threads in your body permanently. And some where already gone in his arm. But that was alright, or was it. That's another thing he wanted answered. He knew, he knew all to well that if he used this Jutsu to much his dream would never come true, to be Hokage is what he wants more then anything…But was giving up his right arm worth it, and maybe the rest of his body as well. Naruto put his arm back down and gave a sigh, this was one thing that he actually wasn't scared of. He wasn't worried all he wanted to do was to get Sasuke back and make Sakura happy. He knew Sakura was in love with Sasuke, that came clear to him when ever Sasuke and him were alone, she seemed the same…but with Sasuke it was different.
And Naruto had to admit he was jealous of the Uchiha for stealing the young pink haired girls heart. But then again, he wasn't…there was something he knew. He knew something, something he could probably never do for Sasuke that Sakura could.

Naruto looked to his left out the window and gave a sigh, his eyes wandered to the faces carved in stone. He knew all the bumps, scratches, holes and everything. He gave a low sigh and sat up, he couldn't sleep it just wouldn't happen. He wondered how Sakura was doing. Was she up like him or asleep.

"Probably asleep…." Muttered Naruto as he lay back down to get some more sleep.

Other side of Konoha

Sakura walked back and forth in her room nervously, the thing was she wasn't nervous about seeing Sasuke. No she was actually worried for Naruto. She knew she could never fill Sasuke's place, neither could Sai. They both tried, but they just couldn't do it. That was a place that wasn't meant to be filled by no one else then him in Naruto's heart.
Ever since she found out about two years ago that Naruto held the demon fox, she always felt bad for treating him the way she did. But…no that's not was fully on her mind, she was worried for the blonde idiot. Such as, well she knew Sasuke and him would end up fighting one another again. And she would try to help Naruto, but he would push he away and tell her to help someone else. She was scared for the boy, she knew Sasuke was strong as well as Naruto. They were probably an even match, but she knew the only way they would be even was if he used that new Jutsu. That's something that scared her the most.

Her thoughts were being clouded, she actually wondered would Naruto give up his dream just to bring Uchiha back. She knew the answer. But still, using that technique a few more times, she knew he would probably loose all control of his chakra and never be able to use it again. She had watched his fiddle around with his arm one day shaking it over and over trying to get something to work. She knew at once, he was trying to get his chakra control to work in it again normally.
Sakura then looked out her window onto the moon. It was full tonight, it seemed larger then ever before and more beautiful. But to bad she couldn't enjoy it as much as she wanted to.

"Sasuke…Naruto" Muttered Sakura as she dreaded the thought of the day to come.

Naruto now rubbing his nose from a recent sneezed gazed out onto Konoha. He loved this village, and he knew the fourth loved it as well. That's why he gave up his life once to protect it. But now Naruto got to thinking would there be a second time he'd give his life to save the leaf. But Naruto didn't want the Kage to give another life, the fact of the matter was Naruto told himself once he'd give a 1000 lives for Arashi before he'd ever have to die again.

Then as if on cue there landed the blonde Hokage in front of him, and looked at him with a shocked face. He probably hadn't expected Naruto to be up this time of night, nor to be sitting on his ledge. As the blonde gazed at the other blonde they both gave a low sigh, and a lazy smile. It was odd the bond they had between them.

"I thought you would be in bed" Smiled Arashi.

"Oi! about you? Your up late too" Said Naruto.

"I know, but I was just checking on you all to make sure you all asleep. Well every one is asleep except for you, Sakura, that Sai kid, and the Nara boy"

"Shikamaru?"

"Yeah, he challenged me to a game of Shogi….he's pretty good at getting about ten steps ahead of you. Sucks at trying to stay focused when you talk to him" Smiled the blonde as Naruto gave him this lazy. "Well….DUH" Look.

"So…."

"Hmmm…"

"If….my mother was here, what would she tell us to do about Sasuke?"

"Hmmm…that's an unexpected question." Said Arashi.

"Sorry…"

"No, it's aright…let me think. Probably the same thing she told me when I was gone to get a lost friend" Said Arashi.

"You had a friend who was lost?" Said Naruto. The first time he'd ever heard the news.

"Yeah…he was on my team as well…well I guess that's how we make our closest friends huh? By working and arguing with them. Yeah…one day he left to go find what he wanted in life, the next thing I knew he was an S ranked criminal ninja"

"…" Naruto was listening intently.

"So, I like you in a way. Tried just to get him back, I had to at least be your age. It was before I knew the body flicker. So I trained and traind to become worthy enough to fight against him, and show him Konoha is not an enemy village"

"Why would he think that?" Blurted Naruto.

"Well, Naruto in my day…not every village was kind to each other as they are now. Leaf only had a few alliances. And many villages didn't like Konoha and the way we thought. So my friend had been one of those rogue ninja. He had refused to train under Orochimaru. The snake once asked but he denied. So he joined a group of Ninja who lived in rock country…."

"And!!!"

"Heh….then one day I asked the Hokage. The third. If I could be the one to lead the group of ninja. To go and get him, or….either way kill him."

"…."

"So, we headed out, our group consisted of hunter ninja and ANBU. About three or four for the ANBU and Hunter ninja were actually Onime's relatives"

"…" Still listening hanging onto every word.

"So….we found them after a week of searching"

"….and?"

"We killed them, all 15 of them"

"Even?"

"Yeah, I was the one to do it. Naruto that day I think part of me died, it had been the worst feeling I had ever felt. And before I had even left the village…your mothers exact words were." "I swear to god! If you don't come back, I'll dig you up from your grave and bring you back to life. Just so I can have the pleasure of killing you myself for dying" Naruto gave a laugh and looked at the Kage who sat next to him.

"So this is your house?" Said Arashi as he jumped threw the window causing Naruto to fall backwards on the bed.

"Yeah…."

"Its messy" Was the only thing Arashi said as he wandered around the small apartment and looked at the various pictures Naruto had on either the wall or his desk. The odd thing was there by the window sill was this odd collection of plants.

"What's with the?"

"When I was younger, no one would acknowledge my existence…or even talk to me the slightest. So I started to grow plants. Because they couldn't say mean things, they would just listen to me talk. And they relied on me…" Said Naruto as he sat up and shook his head a few times.

"You mother loved to garden…that's why there are so many plants around the house…." Said Arashi.

"What? She gardened you house how come?"

"Hmm…..what?" Said Arashi as he suddenly couldn't remember what he said.

"You said…."

"Right, well get some sleep. Big day tomorrow"

"Yeah…." Said Naruto as the blonde left threw the window leaving Naruto to surl up in bed and close his eyes and try to sleep.

The sun was now shining threw the open window a soft breeze filled the room of baked goods and well leaves. The pink haired girl opened her eyes and gave a slight yawn. She slowly sat up, they weren't supposed to meet for another hour. But that gave her time to actually get ready. So as Sakura pulled her self upwards and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her eyes met the ones of Uchiha. Well his pictures anyways. As she looked at it, her heart instantly skipped a few beats. Today was the day, the day they would finally bring Sasuke back to Konoha.
Sakura gave a faint smile as she walked across her room, and lifted the picture up from the place it sat on her desk. As she gazed at it she gave a faint smile she looked to Sasuke then to Naruto, they were always rivals. Always challenging each other…but she guessed that's what really made them friends in the end. But now…she wondered could that bond that Sasuke broke those years ago actually be mending again by Naruto…or would it stay shattered forever.

Naruto stood waiting at the gate of the village, next to him had been Sai. They hadn't been waiting long, Naruto had been the first to show up the came Sai only a short while after. They both stood there in silence. Soon Arashi joined up, followed by Sakura and Kakashi arriving last. (Surprise surprise that he would be last)
They all looked at one another and nodded there heads and they then headed out.

"Hey…" Said Naruto to Arashi as they ran side by side.

"Hn?"

"About that letter I got from Sasuke…what did it actually say?" Asked Naruto as his eyes lowed for a moment.

"What?!"

"I know Sasuke wouldn't write such things….so after I took it to the Hokage….I over heard some people say it was a fake…that the real message was mixed up in the letter. Is that true?" Asked Naruto. Who now got the attention of Sakura and Sai as well.

"Yea…that's right….the letter you read was a fake. All it really said for you to meet him at the boarder of sound"

"That's it?" Asked Sakura.

"Well, its to the point…and Sasuke was always like that"

"But why would he make such a long detailed.." Asked Naruto.

"Who knows, you'd probably be the best one to know that right? You two are friends" said Arashi.

"There was a time when I truly believed that Sasuke and I were friends, but now…No, Sasuke and I are no longer friends. From the moment he tried to kill me, our friend ship truly shattered." Said Naruto as he kept a constant pace along side Arashi.

"But no matter how you look at it Naruto, Sasuke will always be…and will always be your Nakama" Said Arashi as they pushed forward. ( Nakama meaning Comrade, college….ect)

"That may be true…but this time…in the battle between us, there will only be one person left standing"

"Naruto…." Muttered Sakura under her breath as she watched the blonde go a bit faster towards there destination.

With Sasuke
"There late." Stated a girl with weirdly chopped hair.

"…" While the Uchiha stays silent.

"I have to agree…even though I don't want to…they are late. That's irritating. I thought you said they were always on time Sasuke?" Said a man with shark like teeth.

"Don't worry. They'll come" Said the Uchiha. As his bind flickered to Naruto for a mer moment.

"You sure"

"Don't question him" said the other as he stayed sitting on the tree.

"What are you planning Sasuke? You seem still" said Karin as she walked up to Sasuke and tried to hold his hand. Causing him to side step away from her.

"Your excited aren't you…Sasuke" Smiled Suigetsu.

"…" Silence.

"Oh course he is, he can't wait to see his Naruto again"

"Stop talking as if he's gay…wait did you say Naruto? Isn't there a bridge named after a kid named Naruto. In water country?" Implied Karen as she got to thinking.

"Uzumaki Naruto…Konoha's most idiotic ninja to ever be produced from there."

"You seem to know him quite well Sasuke…how is that?" Implied Karen.

"You don't know much about Sasuke do you?" Said a voice from the trees. As a blonde blue eyed ninja stood in front only 50 metres away. Followed by four others.

"Hn" was all that came from the Uchiha.

"Sasuke…." Was all Sakura could mutter out as she gazed at the boy.

"So…your all here then. Team Kakashi….who's that" said Sasuke as he looked to the Hokage. The thing was he'd never actually seen the Kage, or a picture Orochimaru kept him more secret then anything else. Not even Kabuto was allowed to see the fourth.
The elder blonde held no emotion what so ever of him face as he looked to the 16-17 year old Uchiha boy.

'So this guy, is Sasuke Uchiha…Naruto's so called friend.' Thought Arashi as he looked at the teen. Both Naruto and Sasuke seemed to be looking at each other for a long lime.

"Team Kakashi huh? Well, what do we have here…your kinda cute" Said Suigetsu. As he suddenly appeared in front of the pink haired girl.

Naruto instantly looked back, he moved fast faster then he had expected but he hadn't none body flicker. He could tell that easily. Sakura seemed started for a moment wondering where this creep appeared from. He kinda looked like someone she knew, but couldn't put a finger on it. that was until Naruto blurted it out.

"Zabuza…what are you doing with his sword." Said Naruto as he looked wide eyed at the man before him.

"Hn….what's it to you brat" Said Suigetsu.

"Naruto, you shouldn't look away from an enemy. It gives them a wide opening" Said Sasuke as he suddenly was in front of Naruto with his sword out and was about to strike when Naruto was no longer there. His eyes semi widened he hadn't seen the blonde move…what exactly was going on. Sasuke turned his gave to his back where Naruto stood holding a Kunai to the back of Sasuke's neck. Ready at anytime to fully paralyze the Uchiha. He could have done it, and gotten the battle over with. But he stopped.

"And isn't also true, not to under estimate the enemy."

"Enemy" Was all Sasuke repeated. So it finally happened. Naruto Uzumaki, finally gave up. This time Sasuke knew that this time. There was only going to be one left. One left standing. In the end, nothing would ever be the same.

Canadain-Girl

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Hey all, im sorry to inform you. I wont be up-dating till after 17th of April. I know its kinda long…but Im going away to a place with no internet. So I actually may type up some of it and bring it back. But I doubt it. Anyways I will be looking forward to the reviews I hope to get! I really want to see a lot. And if you can't please send me a message or something. To know I haven't lost any devoted readers.

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