Italicized: thoughts

Italicized Bold: flash back

Chapter 6: The Secret of the Past

Naruto watched as Itachi pinned Sasuke again and put his hand on his throat nearly choking him. What's he doing? Naruto took a step forward and saw Sasuke struggling to breathe. Naruto eyes widened and he ran towards where Sasuke was. He didn't know why he ran to save Sasuke, something just made him. As Naruto reached Sasuke, he pushed Itachi violently makinghim let go of Sasuke. Sasuke fell to the ground, trying to get air through his throat. He coughed and closed his eyes in agony. Naruto eyes changed color, becoming orange and red. He growled a little. Itachi watched him and stared emotionless at Naruto.

"Move, or I will kill you," said Itachi.

"No, who the hell are you?" replied Naruto growling.

"You don't need to know."

"I won't let you near him."

"This is his battle. If he wishes to surpass me, he better become stronger than what he is now."

"What the hell?! Aren't you his older brother?!"

"So you do know who I am."

"Che."

"Little brother, the next time we meet, I will not go so easy on you, weakling."

Sasuke growled and got up glaring at Itachi. His eyes were filled with hate and his vibe sending out a killing mood.

"Itachi…"

Itachi disappeared quickly, and once he was gone, Sasuke fell back onto his knees. He started to cough again.

"Sasuke…" whispered Naruto.

"Dobe! Why did you come?!" yelled Sasuke hoarsely.

"Teme, I saved your ass back there! Is that some way to thank me?!"

"I didn't ask for your help!"

Naruto frowned and started to walk away. If that's the way he wants it, then fine! Naruto walked back to his house and closed the doors, not looking back if Sasuke was okay or not. He went up to his room and sat down to do his homework. It was an hour later when he finished. That was when Naruto started to wonder if Sasuke was still out there. Naruto got up and peeked through is window, and there he was. Sasuke still sat under the tree, his eyes in a far off gaze. He saw a blue handkerchief on his lap. A blue…handkerchief…Something moved inside of him again and another memory came back to him.

Naruto fell down as he ran after his friend. He wanted to catch up, but failed despondently. He was on his knees and started to cry. His white shirt was covered in dirt. His hand wiped away tears, but they kept falling. He tried to get up again to go after him, but his knees weakened and he fell again. Naruto sat there sadly. He saw a blue handkerchief being handed to him. He looked up to see his friend handing it to him. He smiled ingenuously and took the handkerchief. He squeezed it tightly to himself. His friend looked at him and smiled.

"Naru-chan, I would never leave you behind," said his friend.

Naruto looked at his friend, and trusted him. They would never be separated…

A single tear came rolling down his cheek and he wiped it away. Why is it that Sasuke is related to this? Naruto contemplated on it, as he watched Sasuke shift position. The blue handkerchief disappeared from view. Naruto closed the blinds and ran downstairs. He ran outside and saw Sasuke still there. He walked up to him and looked down at him.

"What do you want?" asked Sasuke as he sat.

"What're you still doing out here? Shouldn't you be going home," said Naruto ignoring Sasuke's question.

"I…I wanted to…thank you…"

"Huh?"

"Thank you…thank you for saving me earlier…I shouldn't have yelled at you, sorry."

"…This is hard to believe…you're thanking me AND apologizing."

"Shut up and don't mention this to anyone else."

Sasuke got and started to walk away. Naruto felt a bit bad. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Sasuke was about a foot away before he finally spoke.

"Do you have a place to stay tonight?" asked Naruto.

"…Why?" asked Sasuke as he stopped, but his back still turned.

"Um…well…I mean…"

"I don't need your pity."

"You don't have parents do you?"

"…"

"You're the same as me…ask me why I know? Because you act independent."

"What's your point?"

"You're fighting with your brother and you live alone…isn't that sad?"

"…"

"…Okay, my point is…would you like to stay the night at my house?"

"…If…if it's alright with you."

"Yeah…come on."

Sasuke turned around and faced Naruto. Naruto smiled tenderly at him. Sasuke blushed and hopefully thought Naruto did not see the blush. Sasuke followed Naruto back to his house, and watched as Naruto told Iruka that he was staying the night, Iruka's face brighten and he smiled gleefully at the news and allowed it without a second thought. Sasuke trailed nehind Naruto as he led him to his room. Naruoto offered him his bed and a pajama to wear. Sasuke took them gratefully. He changed and got into the bed while Naruto pulled out a futon. Night had already come and Naruto went to sleep as Sasuke stayed awake, unable to fall asleep. He sat up and looked through the window Naruto had opened. The moon was bright that night. Sasuke heard some rustles and looked to see the blanket off of Naruto. He got up and went to fix it.

"Sa…su…chan," whispered Naruto in his sleep.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he heard the nickname. He stepped back and fell, but Naruto didn't wake up. He…he said my childhood name…how…he couldn't be, could he? Sasuke stared in shock from what he heard. Naruto just slept away.