To say that Sasuke was not happy would be a major understatement. Having spent enough time around Naruto in their training, he knew that there was no way the dead last should have been able to beat Haku, an opponent even he with his Sharingan couldn't defeat. Evidence, however, suggested otherwise. It was this mystery that had occupied Sasuke's mind for the past two days. Unfortunately, he was unconscious during the final leg of the fight and so he could only rely on Sakura and Kakashi to give him details. Getting Kakashi to talk without interspersed giggles from behind a book was not something Sasuke felt even he was up to and even looking in Sakura's general direction would qualify in her mind as him asking her and that was one thing he wouldn't dare. He wouldn't be surprised if the only reason Itachi went crazy and left Konoha was because of those blasted fan – girls.

-There is one way for me to find out what happened though. The dead last was never one to be modest after all. If I can get him to talk…-

So thinking, Sasuke decided it was high time he pay Naruto a visit and started to leave to his house only to realize that he didn't really know where the dead last lived. Instead he walked out and headed for Ichiraku Ramen, assuming that if anyone knew where the blonde lived, it would be the old man running the stand. On finally finding out the address, Sasuke took off to Naruto's home. He walked into the apartment building and knocked on Naruto's door. Hearing no answer he tried the knob, finding the door unlocked. He walked in to see an apartment littered with scrolls and ramen dishes. Seeing the dead last wasn't home, Sasuke decided to try the training grounds and was turning to leave when Naruto appeared at the window.

"Bastard! What the hell are you doing here?"

Sasuke glared at Naruto as the blond walked in and sat on one of the chairs, watching him warily. Deciding that he would rather have Naruto on unfamiliar territory before questioning him he spoke.

"Get up dead last. I need to beat something up."

"Bastard…can't you ever ask if I can go play like a normal person?"

The glare intensified as Naruto jumped up and almost bounced over to him. They headed off in the direction of Team Seven's training ground. This was really the first time Sasuke had ever been with Naruto apart from training and missions and it was also the first time he had ever felt slight killing intent and fear from the non – shinobi populace. As he watched, civilians would veer out of their way slightly to avoid coming too close to the blond and it was obvious enough that even Naruto, for all his stupidity, shouldn't have missed it. Turning a questioning gaze to the blond, he saw the dead last's face was beaming, a stark contrast to the relatively normal expression that he was sporting just a short while ago in his apartment. Sasuke was quite sure nothing amusing enough had occurred yet in their short walk so he assumed the blond was remembering one or the other prank that he had played on these villagers. That would justify the killing intent…but the fear? The blond was becoming more enigmatic than Sasuke liked.

Arriving at the training ground, they each took up positions facing each other and Sasuke wondered where the dead last's loud boasts and insults had gone overnight. Naruto looked almost serious, something that was as rare as Sasuke smiling these days. A leaf blew between them as they glared at each other and they rushed forward, each aiming a right hook at the other. They collided with force enough to create a small shockwave around them, each grabbing the other's right with their left. They leapt apart as Naruto predictably formed clones and Sasuke finished the seals for Gokakyu no Jutsu, incinerating all the clones almost instantaneously. Naruto burst from the ground in front of Sasuke and tried to land an uppercut but Sasuke flipped back and away and both settled into taijutsu stances. They shot towards each other Sasuke tried to land a punch on Naruto only to have the blond leap up and use his punch to flip backwards, forming seals for Kage – Bunshin while still upside down in the air. The clones appeared on both sides of him and grabbed his hands, swinging him down and forward back into Sasuke for a momentum filled drop – kick into the slightly stunned Uchiha's chest. Sasuke flew back and flipped back onto his feet almost as soon as he had touched the ground. Looking up to expect the dead last to be gloating about landing a hit, Sasuke was further shocked to see the blonde had already settled back into a stance and was waiting for him to gather himself. Suspicious of this behavior, Sasuke activated his Sharingan for a split second to check that Naruto was truly himself. Naruto on the other hand, on seeing the Sharingan, jerked back in shock, remembering when he saw Kakashi –sensei with the same eye. Sasuke, seeing his chance, leapt forward and beat into the blonde. As it was, Sasuke was faster than Naruto and coupled with the Sharingan, Naruto was soon lying flat on the ground, breathing hard and feeling quite sore. Sasuke thumped down next to him, the pain from the drop – kick finally registering. Naruto, never one to hold in his thoughts, spoke first.

"You're related to Kakashi – sensei, bastard?"

"Idiot. Of course not."

"Then how…?"

"Tell me how you beat Haku and I might tell you."

Naruto fell silent almost immediately and Sasuke was further shocked. It simply wasn't normal for the blond to not gloat about one – upping him. He decided to try a slightly different tact.

"Is it why the villagers are scared of you?" Sasuke wasn't hailed as a genius just for his clan after all.

"Why the hell are you so interested in me bastard? What changed huh?"

Sasuke was thoroughly annoyed with this damn idiot now. He simply didn't understand how badly Sasuke needed to get stronger. Yelling at the fool, he knew, would gain no results. He would have to handle this carefully.

"I don't care about you, Idiot. I have someone I need to kill. I need power to do this. I want you to tell me how you got it."

A small part of Naruto was secretly happy for a short while that Sasuke cared enough about him to notice the villagers' attitude and try to help him. This part was rudely crushed at Sasuke's sentiment. Naruto stood up slowly and spoke.

"Bastard, I have no power anyone would want. All I have is a curse. I can't believe I almost thought you cared."

Naruto walked away with these words and Sasuke briefly considered beating the blond into the ground for daring to leave without answering him. It didn't matter if it was a curse. It was power. That was most important. And 'care'. An avenger had no place in his heart for feelings and emotions. Sasuke would not give up however. He would find out what Naruto's secret was. No matter whom he had to ask.