Chapter 5: A Temper Tantrum

Kakashi jumped from roof to roof. He had just left his former student's apartment. The Jounin clearly saw that Naruto was wiggling his way through Sasuke's defenses. 'Only a matter of time before he breaks through…' he thought. The masked ninja made it to his apartment and went to get ready for bed. Kakashi yawned. It had been a long day. 'It will be an even longer day for Sasuke tomorrow.' Kakashi shuddered. The reason he suggested Gai to be Sasuke's trainer was simple. His student needed the training and Kakashi was worried that Sasuke's anti-social behavior would continue or escalate. The Jounin worried that Naruto might be affected in the long term. Kakashi hoped that Gai would take Sasuke out of the mud.

He understood Sasuke's reasons, but the kid needed to open up a bit and know he shouldn't shoulder burdens-even his own-alone. That power doesn't necessarily equal strength. Sasuke needed to learn the true meaning of strength.

'If I wasn't able to teach him...maybe Gai will…who knows…' thought Kakashi as he yawned.

The rays of the sun penetrated Sasuke's window. He stirred a bit before opening his eyes. Sasuke was pleasantly surprised to find Naruto still asleep.

"Peace and quiet for once…" the raven walked to the kitchen and made himself a bowl of cereal, not really feeling in the mood for a real breakfast. He also made sure to make Naruto's bottle before sitting down. Halfway through his meal, a knock was heard.

"Open up youthful pupil!" the man outside the door said, "it is time for your training!"

Naruto woke up just after that. Sasuke groaned silently, his eyes twitching with annoyance. 'Kakashi never mentioned he was coming today!' Sighing, Sasuke stood from his seat and opened the door. Maito Gai was standing outside beaming.

"Hello Uchiha," he grinned, "ready to start the day youthfully?"

"…" Sasuke said nothing and walked over to his room to feed Naruto. Gai followed.

"You can bring him along if you want. My team came back from a mission last night he won't be alone," Gai said, "We're just going to run today and maybe have one spar to see where you are!"

"Hn…" replied Sasuke who was now feeding Naruto.

After Naruto was fed, the avenger packed a few wipes, Diapers, and made sure to make more formula for the blond. Granted, he felt ashamed to be doing it in front of Gai. The Uchiha also made sure to bring Naruto's toys. The raven finally strapped Naruto on his back and finished packing. Gai offered him a blinding grin.

"Lets go!" Gai beamed

The sun was beating down the training grounds. Sasuke and Gai started their training with a few laps and push-ups. By a few, Gai meant at least 100 laps and 100 push-ups.

Meanwhile team Gai was fawning over a baby Naruto. Neji was intrigued about the infant. Tenten immediately cooed upon seeing him and asked Sasuke a few questions. She was curious about what had happened.

Lee cried and declared how unfortunate it was for Naruto to be in this situation, but he said it was also youthful and exciting to see Sasuke taking responsibility. Over all team Gai had taken it well. It did help that Tsunade told them in advance.

Regardless, Neji was still watching Sasuke suspiciously. Uchiha Sasuke did try to defect the village after all.

After the morning warm ups, Sasuke and Gai sparred.

Sasuke Panted. The boy barely dodged Gai's kicks and punches. The man was quick, and while he was a huge moron, Sasuke had to admit that he wasn't half bad since Gai did not give him an opening and kept Sasuke on his toes. Gai though, was holding back.

The Uchiha side stepped avoiding yet another blow. But barely. 'I have to find an opening somehow!' That was extremely difficult since all his focus was on dodging Gai. It was all Sasuke could do at the moment. 'If I had my Sharingan I would be able to see everything...damn it...'

Unfortunately Sasuke let his guard down and Gai landed a kick on his stomach, kicking the air out of him and sending him flying.

"I think I've seen enough," Gai declared.

Sasuke panted and slowly got to his feet, clutching his stomach. "What do you mean," he said breathlessly, "We just started!"

"And now I know what we need to work on!" Gai said, "Don't worry Uchiha by the time I'm done you'll be able to fight without those eyes of yours," the green man grinned.

This didn't encourage Sasuke. In fact, it made him feel worse. Anger rose within him. "How dare you say that!" the raven growled.

"He says it because it's true," Said Tenten from the side lines. She had Naruto in her lap. "You depend too much on your Sharingan to see your opponent's movement. Have you fought without it?"

"…You don't know sh*t…" Sasuke muttered quietly.

"Hey hey, no need for that!" Lee said, "Specially with young ears!"

"Let's take a break shall we?" Gai proposed.

"Hn, I'm leaving, losers…" Sasuke huffed, walking away.

"Sasuke," Neji said calmly, his eyes narrowing, "Aren't you forgetting someone?" It was a rhetorical question. Neji Knew Sasuke was leaving Naruto behind out of blind anger.

"I don't need that loser," Sasuke glared coldly at Naruto, who cringed and turned his face away, clutching Tenten's shirt, "and I certainly don't need your stupid training." finished the raven before walking away.

"Sensei," said Tenten, "are you going to let him walk away like that? Isn't he supposed to take care of Naruto?"

Neji said nothing and stared off at the direction the Uchiha took off to.

"I agree with Tenten," Lee stated.

Gai rubbed his chin and closed his eyes. "Tenten, Lee, Neji I want you to take Naruto with you for the day got it? Sasuke won't escape the village. Not the way he is now. I will report this to the Hokage" With that Gai was gone.

Sakura was at the Hokage tower reading some material Tsunade wanted her to learn about basic medical ninjutsu. This suited her better. At least she thought so. It required an enormous chakra control and precision. 'I can finally be useful to my friends somehow…' When the pinkett finished, she ran to Tsunade to tell her she was finally done with the scrolls and demand for her to start her medical training. Once she was close to the door she slowed down. The last thing she wanted was barge in. She stepped closer to the door and knocked.

"Come in" Hollered Tsunade.

Sakura opened the door slowly and made her way in. She noticed that the slug princess wasn't alone. Gai-sensei was with her. Tsunade didn't look too happy.

"Um did I come at a bad time?" asked the genin.

"Oh no Sakura," Tsunade replied, "I need you to do me a favor."

"What is it?" she asked curiously.

"Find Sasuke," said Tsunade, "the brat had a temper tantrum because Gai-the idiot-mentioned something about his Sharingan and left Naruto behind."

Gai nodded, "But he is safe, he's with my team" Gai grinned giving Sakura a thumbs up.

Sakura took a moment to process what was said. Sasuke left Naruto out of anger. Sasuke left Naruto behind. Granted, the blond was safe and not with strangers. But, one had to wonder if Sasuke would have left Naruto even with a stranger or alone, if he felt like it.

"Do you know where he is?" Sakura asked.

"That's what I'm asking you," the Hokage said, "Sasuke won't escape since there are Anbu watching. However, the Anbu were ordered to monitor him and act if Sasuke ever tried to leave the village. If Anbu aren't here it means that Sasuke is still in Konoha. I need you Sakura, to find him and bring him to me." Tsunade explained deathly calm.

"Hai," said Sakura as she placed the scrolls on Tsunade's desk. After that the pink ninja raced out of the office, rage boiling inside her. For the first time since she could remember, Sakura Haruno was angry at Sasuke Uchiha. 'CHA that ass-hole! I'll give him the beating of his life CHA!' screamed inner Sakura.

"Aw he's so cute!" Tenten said as he bounced Naruto in the air. The blonde was squealing happily.

"Yes he is very vibrant," Said Lee. The youth was carrying Naruto's things.

Neji said nothing but walked along with his Teammates through the streets. He wondered if they noticed how the villagers were staring. 'If they are, they're probably ignoring it…but why would the villagers stare at Naruto with such hate?'

As the trio walked they noticed a stench in the air. All three groaned. Suddenly Naruto wasn't so cute anymore.

Sakura ran all over the village. To every place she thought Sasuke might be. After looking for the raven for hours, the Kunouchi finally found him by the lake sitting by the dock. She marched down the hill and without hesitation grabbed him from behind and threw him back knocking him on the ground. "Teme!"

Sasuke blinked surprised at the sudden assault as well as Sakura's super-strength. Before he could react, Sakura's punch connected with his face.

"Sasuke!" she yelled, "how could you do that you can't just leave Naruto like that because you got angry!"

Sasuke wiped the blood that was coming out of his nose. The Uchiha had left to be alone. That remark about not needing his eyes strcuk a deep chord inside him. It also triggered the slight resentment for Naruto which he harbored at the beginning, since he was here because of the blond. Naruto was in his way. Clearly Sasuke wasn't thinking very logically at the moment.

"Sakura," Sasuke said in an even voice, "You don't understand."

"Oh I understand alright! You care more about yourself than Naruto and I! I don't need to understand anything else!" the Kunouchi grabbed the raven by the neck and dragged him to the Hokage's office. Sasuke felt like he was choking.

Tsunade slammed Sasuke to the wall the minute Sakura walked in with him, taking him from the girl's grip. She slammed hard enough to get her point across but not enough to hurt him badly.

"Listen to me very carefully Uchiha," Tsunade seethed, "You pull one of these stunts again and I'll personally put you in the hospital." With that she let go of the boy who slid to the ground catching his breath.

After catching his breath the boy stood up. Sasuke glared at the Hokage. "All of this shouldn't have happened" he snapped, "I was supposed to leave this place and all of you behind. Naruto got in my way"

"How?" Tsunade roared, "by suddenly turning into a baby? Did it ever occur to you that you're here because of your own damn choices? You chose to try to defect the village. You chose to attack your friend. Even if Naruto wasn't an infant, and we caught you anyway you would be in prison or dead. Maybe the idiot blond would try to beg for you to have house arrest!"

Sasuke became silent at this.

"Naruto invested every inch of energy to try to bring you back. You don't deserve his loyalty Uchiha," the Hokage finished her rant.

"Where's Naruto now?" Sasuke asked looking at Sakura and Tsunade blankly.

"With team Gai," replied Sakura.

"I'll send for them," Tsunade said sighing in exasperation.

Hehe this was fun to write. But maybe I exaggerated just a bit.