Swept Away from the Ashes

Chapter Four: If I were a rose, I believe I would cry

Warning: You will become very angry with Sasuke and Naruto's families, and the government. Some possible violence, not much, No lemon… shonen-ai… other than that not much…

A/N: This chapter is completely a flashback… hence why it is in italics… I hope it is okay… wish me luck to get to six pages. This will start before their meeting. (Sasuke's and Naruto's that is.)

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Sasuke: age four July 23

"Happy Birthday, Sasuke-chan!" His mother's voice harkened to him; pulling open the curtains over his windows.

"Good morning, Kaa-san." Sasuke grumbled drowsily, a little ebon-haired head popping over the covers, his eyes being rubbed with tiny little ivory hands.

"Up, up." She said sweeping Sasuke from his bed and taking him into the bathroom where a warm bath waited. She let him slip off his pajamas, helping him where necessary. She helped him over the edge and rolled up her sleeves. "Dunk," She said. Little lungs taking a big breath and his head dipping under the water, She nodded; scooping up some shampoo (1) she rubbed it into his onyx locks. She put a wet rag over his eyes and instructed him to put his head back she poured water from a glass over his head rinsing out the soap, while he chattered enthusiastically.

"Ne, Kaa-san, when will I start schooling?"

"Very soon Sasuke." His mother answered, scrubbing his head to make sure all the soap was out.

"When?"

"Father has paid a very influential scholar to take over your schooling, you will start your studies in December with one other student." She removed the rag from his eyes and handed it to him. "Wash up," she instructed.

"Really?" Sasuke asked hopefully as he washed his body for his mother.

"Yes, he used to teach all of the time. However, he only takes children which need great help or are of great prodigious standing."

"What does that p word mean?"

"Prodigious? It means of great promise, or possibilities."

"Like Aniki?" Sasuke asked innocently; his mothers face fell.

"Yes, like your older brother." As soon as that was said she made her best attempt to reclaim her smile. "You done?" She asked; he nodded, and she proceeded to fish him out of the tub and dry him off, helping him to dress. They tracked down the stairs and Mikoto pulled out the cake she had baked early that morning.

"Where are Father and Aniki?"

"Aniki will be home later and asked that he spend the day with you when he got home. Your father, he… he had a meeting to attend to and will not be home today." Sasuke looked down, feeling ready to cry.

"Hey, birthday boy!" Itachi greeted as he walked in.

"Itachi, I thought you had business."

"I told them I wouldn't do it; not on my Otouto's birthday!" Itachi looked around.

"Where is father?"

"In a meeting." Sasuke felt his heart clench. His eyes burning, this happened every birthday; he should be used to it.

"When will he be home?"

"He won't be in today." Sasuke couldn't hold it in anymore. A tiny sob escaped his throat.

"Ne, Otouto…have some cake?" Itachi asked trying to alleviate his little brother's suffering. "It is your favorite." Another choked sob escaped his wavering defenses. A tear slid down his cheek. "I'm sure father will have a gift as apology." Itachi told his little brother. "At least he better," he mumbled to himself.

"He won't!" Sasuke choked out. "He never does, he never comes to my birthday…he doesn't love me."

"He does Sasuke! What made you think that?" Mikoto shouted out.

"He told me I was worthless." Silence met Sasuke's accusation. Itachi stood from his stooped position where he had leaned to be face to face with his brother. He turned toward the door.

"Itachi!" Mikoto shouted attempting to call him back.

"I will not stand for this anymore."

"Itachi stay, Sasuke needs you." Itachi turned and looked at Sasuke watching his little body shake with the effort not to let another sob escape, another tear loose. Itachi sighed letting his shoulders sag.

"I shouldn't have to take his place. I shouldn't have to be the father. I shouldn't, but because I love Sasuke, and you, I will." He walked past his mother and reached over pulling Sasuke into his arms. "Let it go little brother. It is okay to cry when it hurts really bad." It was as if Itachi had broken the dam. Sasuke collapsed into his brother's arms, wailing and sobbing. Tears cascaded down his face.

That night as Sasuke lay in bed he could hear his father come in drunk, and his brother confronting him.

"How could you? You never come to any of Sasuke's birthdays! I know you didn't have a meeting today. I checked your calendar. How dare you come home drunk?"

Sasuke cried himself to sleep that night.

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Naruto: age 4 November 10

Naruto's birthdays had never been a big affair. He never received many presents, his nanny would sometimes give him a small slice of cake, he was not allowed to have any friends over, but then again, he didn't have any friends, so he supposed it didn't really matter. There was no mother to come in and wake him with a cheery "Happy Birthday, Naruto-kun." His nanny wouldn't do that. He was always woken with a gruff, "Up." And if he failed to comply, then he would be forced up. That was how this morning began, just like every other.

As Naruto slipped out of bed at his Nanny's first call, slipping out of his bed. He shuffled to the Kimono rack that held his ensemble for today. His Nanny helped him to tie the obi of his kimono. She brushed out his golden locks, and observed him to make sure he looked presentable. "Come, Young master Naruto." She led him from the room and down the hall to a door he was never allowed to enter. They walked up and his nanny tapped the door. "Master Arashi, it is young Master Naruto."

"Enter." A still light voice called from the inside. His nanny pushed him in.

"Oh, Naruto-kun, come closer." Naruto stumbled toward the bed where Arashi lay. "Sit up here." Naruto climbed onto the bed.

"Happy Birthday, Naruto."

"Thank you, Tou-san." A weak hand reached up and patted Naruto's head.

"You are getting so old. So big, I am sure you will be a strong soldier like your father one day. Then again, you will probably be smarter than me." A soft chuckle escaped his dry lips. His hand rubbed his cheek; it was feverish, hot feeling. Naruto felt so cold in comparison. "I'm sorry I can't be more of a father to you."

"I don't mind, Papa, I really don't. And, I'm sorry too…"

"What for?" Arashi managed to summon a look of confusion.

"For killing Kaa-san."

"You did no such thing."

"But, a boy said that it was my fault, Kaa-san died."

"That boy was full of shit. I mean… he was a liar." Arashi said correcting his use of cross language in front of his young, impressionable son.

"Papa, when are you going to get better?"

"Soon, very soon." Arashi smiled. Naruto knew he was lying, but it gave him hope; that was all he needed.

"How are things with the maids and the others?"

"They are kind to me…" Naruto decided against adding 'most of the time' to that statement, he didn't want his father worrying for his welfare when he was much worse off.

"You will start you lessons soon, won't you?"

"Yes, December."

"I see." Naruto could tell his father was having a hard time with his health. He never wanted to leave his father's side however. Did that make him selfish? Did him wanting to stay by his father's side make him selfish?

Naruto and Arashi sat and talked for hours. It was one of the very few times Naruto was allowed a guaranteed visit with his father. He wanted to scream to cry out that he didn't want to leave his father's side.

"Naruto go take a nap."

"No, I will stay." Arashi sighed, more from fondness than any real aggravation.

"Then stay."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Naruto."

Naruto soon fell asleep by his father's side.

"Is it selfish for me to wish that you don't leave my side?" Arashi asked as he rubbed his son's back. He had fallen asleep on his father's chest, the heartbeat pulsing through the thin walls of his chest. Arashi leaned down and gave his son a soft kiss on his forehead. He then called in a maid to take Naruto to his own bed.

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Sasuke and Naruto: age four December 1

Itachi carried Sasuke into the room where his teacher and peer waited. When Sasuke saw his peer, he gasped slightly, he had never seen someone of Arian Race, so it came as a surprise to see someone so obviously Arian. He wondered if he was of the Ural area. (2) Itachi informed Sasuke that he would be there to pick him up after schooling. Sasuke took the open seat in the room, and turned to his sensei to await his knowledge.

"Hello, I'm Iruka-sensei. Please take this time today to get to know your peer, I will look on."

Sasuke turned to the boy smiling. "My name is Sasuke."

"Naruto." The boy reciprocated, pointing to himself to indicate that he was referring to himself.

"This may seem rude, but can you speak the Germanic languages?"

"Not much, but a little."

"Are you Arian?"

"Huh?"

"A culture of the western world, from the Germanic area, around the Ural regions. Characterized by blond hair and blue eyes."

"Um… I have always lived here, as has my father… I don't really know."

"Oh, I just wondered."

"Have you never seen anyone of my countenance?"

"No." Sasuke answered.

"Who was that he brought you?"

"My elder brother, Itachi."

"Really? I have never seen anyone of your kind either. Such pale skin, dark eyes. Are you of the Uchiha clan?"

"Yes. Of which branch are you?"

"Uzumaki- Kazama clan. My father works as head of the military."

"I don't know what my father does… I have never had the time to ask, but my brother is a soldier he has spoken of Arashi-sama!" Naruto beamed with pride at these words, and it was then that Sasuke decided that Naruto was the prettiest person he had ever met. He wondered if his skin felt as soft as it looked. Or his hair as silky as it seemed. A blush took over Sasuke's face. Naruto's tan hand reached over and stroked the side of his face.

"It's soft…" Sasuke blushed even deeper.

"Would you be friends with me?" Sasuke asked timidly.

"Yes." Naruto beamed, "my first friend." Sasuke blushed more and more.

That evening Sasuke regaled his brother, mother, and father with stories of his new friend Naruto. The games they had played, the fun they had had.

"What is this boy's name?" his father asked suddenly.

"Naruto of the Uzumaki- Kazama clan."

"Ahh…become close to this boy we can use him to push us up the ladder Sasuke."

"Father, I don't think it wise to make Sasuke become friends with a hidden agenda." Itachi said.

"Be quiet, you insolent boy. Do as I say Sasuke! It is your duty to your family!"

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A/N: Yeah, wasn't that good, sorry. Well review me about it. I got the six pages done... next is seven... It may take a while I have 3 essays and a 10 min speech to memorize...

Shampoo- if they can have electricity poles but no electricity, walkie-talkies… then they can have shampoo.

Ural Area- An area in Russia, Slovakia… etc. Also known as the Balkans and is named after the nearby Ural Mountains.