This chapter is mainly to set things up a bit for what is to come...I intend to drag every single Naruto character with a depressing life story into my evil plot! BWAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! I promise that there are no references to Biology in this chapter. I can't guarantee for the future, but I promise there will be no discussion about protists, fungi, phylum, or plants in this chapter.

The incredibly frightening pace at which Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were making was beginning to become a legend amongst the teachers, and a serious concern to some of the townspeople. The Uchiha boy was explainable. He had a genius older brother, who had become a member of ANBU at 13 years of age. The Kyuubi boy on the other hand was another matter. If he got too strong, who knew what would happen…would he destroy the village?

The Hokage sighed as he stood up to begin the meeting with the top Jounin in the entire village.

"Hokage-sama, we aren't really having a meeting about those two little kids are we?" asked one.

"Partially. There is some major concern amongst the townsfolk about Naruto not being bottom of the class…" he said, "But we will be addressing some more important matters," he smiled, seeing the looks of horror on some of their faces.

"If everyone clearly remembers the rule that was made six years ago, and the Yondaime Hokage's wishes, there will be no reprisal against Uzumaki Naruto for succeeding. In fact, we should see it as a good thing, having such a talented young trainee at the Konoha Ninja Academy," he declared.

"Now, about this letter I have received from the Kazekage. An alliance has been agreed upon, facing the matter of Orochimaru, and his recent appearance near the Hidden Village of Sand. It seems he has made an attempt on that man's life. He failed and now has vanished, once again. In order to better locate him, we will be joining forces in order to stop the Ex-Konoha Sannin: Orochimaru."

There were nods all around, from everywhere in the room.

"The Kazekage will be arriving in a few weeks to sign the treaty. Organize defenses if you would. That is all. Dismissed."

8.8.8

This was getting annoying. Thought Sasuke, as he watched Sakura run underneath the tree he was hiding in. Ever since that time he had lent her his eraser, she wouldn't stop following him everywhere. Naruto didn't seem to like the fact that she was running after him.

Even at six years old, he has always loved her …he always wanted to protect her, even now… thought the Older Sasuke.

Young Sasuke listened to that thought.

Naruto likes Haruno Sakura?

Yeah. Always has, and always will…

Then why is she running after us?

She has a crush on us…and she's obsessive about it…

As bad as Naruto?

Worse. The only one who overshadows Sakura in that aspect is Yamanaka Ino.

Ewwwwwww…she's scary. She's always smiling at me, and it's gross. Does Naruto like her too?

No. He called her a 'Sasuke freak'.

Oh…That's an insult?

No. It's a statement of fact.

What does that mean?

Never mind.

"I love you more than anything…" those words rang through Sasuke's mind. She had said that when he had left. He had thanked her, and then knocked her unconscious. He had meant it when he said 'thank you.' He had thanked her for being a friend, and a person who meant a lot to him. However, he didn't like her that much, to that point. Anyway, Naruto was the one who was head over heels in love with her…Well; right now it was just a crush, but Naruto was already becoming more competitive with him. That was good, now Naruto would be learning things by himself…sort of.

I think it's safe to go now... his younger self thought, as he peered through the leaves.

No its not. If Sakura just walked by, Ino is definitely not too far off.

As if on cue, the pale haired girl walked by, looking around furtively. Obviously checking to see if Sakura was still in the area.

Neither of them have a clue as to where we are, but Sakura's making it seem as if she does, just to convince Ino that we actually like her.

But I don't! Girls are icky!!

I have to disagree, but I understand your reasoning…

What does that mean?

Never mind. Let's find Naruto.

8.8.8

Naruto kept on punching the log. Sasuke had jumped into the trees as soon as class was over. Naruto understood. Since the rest of the class was in detention, Sakura was going to chase after him. Sasuke had told him that if she couldn't find him, she would immediately go to Naruto and ask where he was. Naruto was under no circumstances to tell her where he was. Sasuke had been quite adamant about that bit. Not that Naruto would really know where he'd be anyway. How Sasuke knew that she would come to him was surprising though.

'Cuz you're my friend! Why else?'

That little phrase explained it all to Naruto. Geez, he was such an idiot sometimes…Sasuke never told him that he was stupid, and no one did anymore, now that he was better than most of the people in the class after the past few months he and Sasuke had been friends, but Naruto saw himself as an idiot. He needed everything to be explained so carefully to him, and it took him forever to master anything. Iruka-sensei said that it was just an indication that he had a mind for detail, seeing as when Naruto mastered something, he mastered it well. Even Sasuke had said that…but man…

Sasuke was incredible. Where had he learned all of those jutsus dattebayo??? Sasuke said that his older brother had helped him a lot, but when asked for details about Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke clammed up tight. Despite what his brother had taught him, it was clear that Sasuke hated his brother almost as much as his father if not more.

"Hey! Naruto!!" shouted a voice behind him. He stopped his pounding of the log to turn and see who it was. Naruto felt his cheeks redden. It was Sakura-chan!!!

"Naruto! Where's Sasuke-kun?" she shouted at him. Did she always have to yell at him? And did she have to ask about Sasuke? A slight rustle in the trees told Naruto that Sasuke had come back. He could almost hear Sasuke mentally cursing. He had come back too early. They had planned to see if they could walk on water with chakra today…If they ever got the chance to do that, it would be so much fun!

"I don't know where he is, Sakura-chaaan!" he said, folding his arms behind his head.

"Liar. You know where he is. Where is he?"

"Why are you asking me? It's not like I'm always with him…Why do you always ask where Sasuke is dattebayo?" asked Naruto.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh…you'll never understand!!" she said irritably.

"Hey that's not nice! You've never even given me a chance!" he said angrily. She always ignored him, and she always told him that he'd never understand anything, because he was so stupid…

"Where's Sasuke-kun?" she shouted again.

"I'm not telling. Even if I did know where he was, I wouldn't tell a meanie face like you!!!" he shouted back at her

"ARRRRGH…..I HATE YOU BAKA NARUTO!!!" she screeched at him, before stomping off.

She hates me…She'll always like Sasuke more than me…thought Naruto softly to himself.

As soon as she was gone, Sasuke dropped down from the trees.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"What makes you think I'm not?" returned Naruto.

"She wasn't being very nice, and you don't look too good…"

"I'm fine! I'm fine! Dattebayo! I'm perfectly fine!"

Sasuke just looked at him for a moment in silence, before smiling.

"Okay then! Let's go swimming!"

"I thought we were going for a walk?"

"If it doesn't work, then we're just going to get really wet."

Oh…he was right about that.

"So? What are we waiting for? Let's go!!" he shouted, running in the direction of the river.

Naruto stared after his friend for a moment.

He's always going to be better than me…he thought for a soft moment.

"Come on Naruto!! If you don't hurry up, I'll be the one becoming the next Hokage!!!" Sasuke shouted from not too far away.

"NO YOU'RE NOT!!! I'LL BE THE NEXT HOKAGE!!! JUST YOU WAIT!!! DATTEBAYO!!!"

8.8.8

Sasuke came home late that night, and he came home sopping wet.

"Sasuke!! Where have you been?" his mother asked him as she rushed to grab a towel, seeing how wet her little boy was.

"I was playing with Naruto. We found out how to walk on water…" he grinned proudly, as she scrubbed his hair. "But I don't have the chakra to go for too long…Naruto had to pull me out a couple of times…" he said sheepishly.

"Naruto?" his mother repeated softly, stopping her scrubbing of his head. "Uzumaki Naruto...? That Naruto?" she said, looking at him.

Here it comes… the older Sasuke sighed exasperatedly. Not quite sure what this was going to be about, the younger Sasuke decided to brace himself for an interrogation of some sort.

"Yeah…I think his full name was something like that," he said smiling disarmingly. His mother didn't seem to fall for that smile…

"That boy is always in trouble and he's the bottom of the class. You shouldn't play with a boy like that…" his mother said.

"No he's not!" said Sasuke bristling slightly. Naruto wasn't dead last anymore. He was now around the upper half of their class, but that was just because of his academic marks.

"Naruto's a really nice guy! And he isn't stupid either! Besides, he doesn't get in trouble anymore!!" he said looking her straight in the eye, as if daring her to doubt his words.

Something seemed strange about the way Sasuke was staring at her. The look in his eyes was challenging her to try and say something bad about Naruto. Sasuke really liked Naruto, and he was defending his friend's name…It was strange... he was only six-years old.

When Itachi was that age…Itachi didn't have many friends…just the one…

Remembering how defensive Itachi had been of his friend, it didn't seem very surprising to see Sasuke exhibiting the same behaviour. She never really had anything against Itachi's friend…but for Sasuke to be friends with the Kyuubi boy…How would she know that her baby was safe?

She scrubbed harder at his head. She should talk to his Father about this…

8.8.8

So is that what you meant by 'Here it comes'?

Within his inner mind, the young Sasuke sat on the floor, watching his older self scratch his head tiredly.

Yeah. I knew she'd disapprove of Naruto.

But why? Naruto's a great person. He's really nice, and he's a great friend. He's always willing to listen and offers to help all the time! Why do all the adults hate him so much?

Sasuke looked at his younger self with an almost pitying expression in his eyes.

Because he's a Jinchuuriki.

A whaaaaaaaaaa?

Jinchuuriki. A person with a bijuu sealed inside them.

A tailed animal? What's so great about that?

You've always wondered where Naruto gets all that chakra before, right?

Yeah…you always just said you'd tell me when I'm older…or that I'd find out in my own time…

Well, I'm spilling the beans now. You know the legend of the Yondaime Hokage and the Kyuubi right?

Yeah! The Yondaime sacrificed his life to get rid of the evil nine-tailed fox, right?

Sasuke winced.

Sort of…Did you ever wonder how he did that?

Uhhhhhhh…he sacrificed his life? The response was uncertain, almost hesitant, really. He never had thought of this before…

If life worked that way, there would be a lot of people in this world who would be dead because someone sacrificed their life to get rid of them. What really happened was the Yondaime used a special technique to summon the Shinigami from the underworld. In exchange for your life, you can use the Shinigami to pull something's soul from its body and seal it into your own. However, the Yondaime was, for a reason that's beyond my knowledge, unable to seal it into himself.

Why?
I just told you I don't know. Anyway, instead of sealing it into himself, he sealed it into a baby boy…his own son, so I've heard…Guess who that baby boy was?

I dunno.

Okay…here's a hint, he's got blonde hair, blue eyes and he shouts 'dattebayo' a lot.

You don't mean Naruto do you?!?!

Who was the topic of our entire conversation?

The Yondaime Hokage.

Nooooooo…it was Naruto and why the adults hate him.

So they hate him because the Yondaime sealed a fox into him?

Yes.

That's it?

Uh-huh.

For real?!?!?

I just said yes.

Grown ups are stupid…

Watch who you're talking to brat. You used to hate Naruto before too.

His younger self bristled at that.

No I didn't!!

Yes you did. I was you, so I know.

Then that means you called yourself a brat!

Yes, and I admit it. I was a brat when I was little.

The younger mentality withdrew itself into a small corner of his consciousness to sulk over his defeat in the small battle of wits, and to reflect on the vast importance of information that had just been revealed to him.

Oh, before I forget…You can't tell Naruto you know this.

Why?

Because he doesn't even know himself. There was a rule made so that no one would talk about it in his presence. He doesn't even know the rule exists.

But he's been so lonely…and he doesn't even know why! Doesn't he deserve to know why everyone hated him?

Yeah…he does…but we're not the one to tell him that. Even though he has us as his friend, Naruto still is a lonely little guy. He doesn't have any parents…no one to greet him at the end of the day…no one to go back to after a mission…no one to scold or praise him.

I praise him!!

You're not an adult. What Naruto wants is everyone in the village to acknowledge his existence, and to recognize that he's just as good as they are. He wants to have a family. Even if they aren't biologically related.

What does biologificalary mean?

You'll learn that word when you're older. To make it easier for you to understand. You're going to have to wait until Iruka-sensei practically becomes Naruto's dad.

WHAAAAAAT?!?!?

Don't worry. From what I've been overhearing while you were playing, it might happen sooner than you think…Come to think of it, I heard the Kazekage and a delegation from the Hidden Village of Sand was coming…Maybe we could get Naruto and Gaara to get along early on too…Perhaps then the Kazekage will stop the assassination attempts on his son, so that he doesn't turn Gaara into a psychopathic killer…Wait, no that might not work…he killed his first person at four…I guess we're a bit late at that point…but hopefully that was mainly the Shukaku self defense thing…if that's not the case then we could at least stop him early I suppose…

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?!

Just ignore me for a bit and go to sleep okay? You can hear all my thoughts, because technically I'm saying all this aloud. You should just shut me out for a while if you don't want to be traumatized when I start on how Itachi killed his best friend, Kaa-san and the entire Uchiha clan.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?!?!

GO TO SLEEP ALRIGHT?!?!

Okay, so Lee doesn't exactly have a sad life story, but there are a lot of moments of drama with him too. Gaara wins by a long shot though...assassinations attempts by your father, and the one person you thought cared about you? No wonder he turned into a psychopath...