Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

"Windows to the Soul"
by Chronos Astral

Chapter 12:

'A Friend in Need'


The day before was a sobering day for the academy students, an event that held a sense of foreboding for what was to come in the future of their aspired profession, a small glimpse of the shinobi world. The act of killing and the risk of being killed. Both taxing in a physical and mental sense. But again, as explained on the first day of any child attending the academy and repetitively mentioned in its textbooks, it is the shinobi way; kill or be killed. As simple as that. Many would think little of this fact, brushing it off as a customary warning, but since yesterday, witnessing one student's attempted murder of another, it made one think in retrospect: Would they really be willing and ready to take a life as well as risk their own? The shinobi life was cruel, unforgiving, and it is rarely truly rewarding.

It was through this small realization that Iruka wasn't surprised at the small depopulation of his classroom. A good dozen or so of his students were absent and he didn't expect them to be back anytime soon. In fact, he supposed that he would be receiving formal letters or visits from their parents, informing him that they were pulling them out of the academy.

The chuunin frowned at this, for while it was credibly a good course of action, it only meant that a good number of them had not taken the dangers of ninja lifestyle to heart and would have more than likely come to a worse end in the future if they were ever accepted as a shinobi. This also meant the shortening of potential genin, but at least the ones he had seen most potential in had not wavered in their decision in aspiring for the rank of genin.

The other good side to the whole thing was that the member populace of the 'Uchiha Sasuke Fanclub' was reduced by a great margin, either from the lost respect of the boy for his actions or the shattered image of their knight in shining armor. Though it also spurred the birth of a new and much more secretive faction, namely the unofficial 'Uzumaki Naruto Fanclub', whose members had taken a subtler approach of admiring the regal blond from afar instead of outright clamoring over him like a pack of adolescent hyenas as done with the Uchiha (Some girls just never learn). As usual, the only females not participating in the foolishness of it all were the talented 'Kunoichi Trio'; Hinata, Ino, and Sakura. It's not like they needed to, though. They were already close friends with the blond in question.

What worried Iruka as of now were the two of the most promising students of his class, namely Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. It was safe to say that the two may not get along very well in the coming days, understandably so. Iruka would have felt the same way if he was a hair's width away from third-degree burns, courtesy of his own classmate. What intrigued him since the start of the day was that Naruto looked to have little qualms over what had transpired the day before as there was little change to his mannerism or general mood; bright, cheerful, and calm. As opposed to the constant brooder. Sasuke didn't seem like his normal stoic self, evident in his restlessness within close proximity of the blond boy. Since the chuunin did reprimand Sasuke by dropping his grades enough to make sure that his chances of being 'Rookie of the Year' were reduced to nil, Iruka thought that Sasuke blamed Naruto for it. That was until he clearly saw it in the raven-haired boy's eyes.

Sasuke was afraid, Iruka could tell, but as to why he would be afraid of Naruto, he wasn't too sure.


Ah, Fear. A distinct feel, smell, even taste, fear, noticed by many an experienced shinobi, or in this case, those of the Uzumaki blood. To Naruto, it was as plain as day: Sasuke feared him. Not entirely, but in a sense, a fear bred from reverence, respect, and a hint of guilt. It was easy to pick these out from the boy even without his bloodline, for his very presence made the Uchiha nervous or unresponsive, torn between recognition and denial of his classmate's strength and his obvious need to apologize.

Naruto didn't put this against the boy. In truth, he had suspected something like this to happen, albeit to a lesser extent. The blond had clearly underestimated the scars that his fellow classmate bore. He had known that Sasuke was emotionally unstable, but not to this degree. So when he had seen the rapid hand-seals formed by Sasuke, followed by the raging inferno that was conjured in its wake, Naruto was shocked, hurt, and most of all, angered. The last Uchiha loyal to Konoha had just tried to kill him behind his back, a notion brought on by the rage Naruto himself drew out of him, yet it angered him all the same.

Naruto had used a certain technique on him after his 'near-death', fashioned from the powers of his bloodline, and infused with his killing intent. It was strong and at the same time compressed enough to focus on one target. A flare of emotion, drawn from Naruto's own anger, and empowered into a glare that made the Uchiha gag on his knees.

He knew that he should not have done that though, and thus made him just as guilty. After all, his bloodline, coupled with his immense chakra, made his surroundings an amplifier of sorts that can easily control or entice emotions from anyone in his presence, explaining how the breaking of the Uchiha's somewhat unstable control of his mental state was made so easy and how anyone near him felt calm and relaxed whenever he felt the same.

All in all, it was just as much his fault as it was Sasuke's. Thus, Naruto sought to patch it up with his raven-haired classmate and hope that if they ever have to work together, it would be as friends.


Recess rolled by quickly enough, and students immediately went to their own activities, namely whatever it is a pre-teen does. As usual, Uchiha Sasuke could be found brooding in the corner, only this time seemingly agitated.

"Girls," Naruto addressed his friends, Hinata, Sakura, and Ino. "Is Sasuke-san really like that?" He pointed out said classmate.

"Pretty much." Ino commented, batting an eye in said boy's direction. She never thought much of the Uchiha, especially after yesterday's events. It took nearly all she had to restrain herself from tearing his throat out at what he was trying to do. "He's a little off today, though."

"I see..." Naruto mused and thought it over. With a nod of resolve, he excused himself from his friends and began his trek to Sasuke's table. Eyes were upon him as they noted his destination, and the atmosphere tensed.

"Sasuke-san."

Sasuke nearly jumped at the call of his name from a voice he didn't want to hear. Hesitantly, he turned his head to face his addresser, a blond boy dressed in a formal hakama and gi, seeing as his old clothes were scorched in the fire jutsu directed at him. Sasuke winced at the memory, yet responded with as much apathy as he could. "... Uzumaki."

Naruto smiled lightly at both Sasuke's hesitation and near-noticeable agitation. When Sasuke felt uncomfortable with his smile, it only widened. "You don't have to be so nervous around me, Sasuke-san."

Agitation was replaced with irritation followed with the narrowing of eyes. "Who said I was nervous?"

The blond leaned in to move his head closer, invading the other boy's space. Sasuke, in turn, leaned back, sweating a little. Naruto grinned at his antics. "I think you've pretty much shown everyone that you're nervous." He motioned to the once again growing crowd watching in interest.

"What do you want?" Demanded Sasuke, growing increasingly uncomfortable with each passing second.

"Forgiveness." Naruto stated simply.

Sasuke raised a brow at this. "You don't have to apologize for anything."

"Not like that," A familiar gesture of offering was put in front of the Uchiha boy, an open hand that was awaiting his acceptance. "You don't have to be afraid. We can be friends you know?"

"I'm not afraid of you," He defiantly turned his scowling head away in denial. "And I don't need any friends."

"Oh, yes you do," Naruto persisted with a playful grin. A spike of vexation could be felt from Sasuke, but a small amount of fear still clung to him. "You need them all too much..." Naruto's brilliant cerulean eyes bore into Sasuke's own onyx black. A link was established.


Those eyes...

They were speaking to him. Somehow.

There were no words, but they were telling him something. It calmed him, letting him think with a clarity he couldn't fathom. It was unlike the ones that had glared at him before; the eyes that he feared. These eyes were soothing, ethereal, like a mother's loving hug.

His mother... somehow those eyes knew. They knew what happened to his family, or rather, how lonely he was without them. They could see his sorrow, his fear, his anger, and his loneliness. These were all hidden in a mask of hate and contempt, but those eyes saw through it all. A spotter of his own emotions.

And they... they were telling him it was alright. It was all alright. What was alright? They didn't say. Did they pity him? No. It was... respect? Compassion?

Let go? Was it telling him to let go? Why? It was all he had left to live for. His hate was the only thing that sustained him and it drove him to be stronger. Why should he let go? After all this time...

Understanding? They understood his pain. They knew what it felt like. But how?

Acceptance. He knew he wanted it, but he denied it. It was a hindrance to him in his goal of revenge. Or so he convinced himself. But to be accepted...

Give it a try.

'Give it a try'? Did the eyes tell him that? Or... was it his own voice?

"You don't need to be alone. Having friends can be fun." The voice of the blond rung in Sasuke's head once more, cutting him away from the trance-like state he had been in. The Uzumaki still had one arm outstretched before him, expecting his own hand to meet his, and his smile still present.

Friends... It felt so foreign... And yet, so familiar...

What do you have to lose? It said again.

Hesitantly, his hand met the blond's in a firm handshake, and the clarity returned twofold. Somehow, in that brief contact, through all his doubt and through all his denial, his true voice spoke for him. "Thanks..." He whispered demurely and soft enough for people to barely hear, so much unlike his mask, and similar to the lonely boy within. "And... I..."

"Apology accepted." Naruto smiled brightly once more, in true genuine pride and happiness. Sasuke may not have let go of the hate just yet, but the blond had established a bond, and that could be enough to save him.

Naruto saw little fear and contempt now, but a great deal of respect.

And the crowd was struck in awe. Someone had actually gotten through to the Uchiha. Either it was a sign of the forthcoming apocalypse or Naruto was just that good. Many checked for any airborne pigs and falling fragments of the sky just to be sure.

"Who is this guy?" Inuzuka Kiba speculated loudly. Akamaru lifted its small shoulders up from atop the canine boy's as if in a shrug of uncertainty.

Aburame Shino was willing to silently contemplate the same question. Who was this Uzumaki Naruto? Where did he come from? And why is it that his kikaichu were at times afraid to approach him and at other times reluctant to stay away? Like they were both enamored and fearful of the boy.

Nara Shikamaru felt equally suspicious. Akimichi Chouji continued his trademark chip-munching.

The least surprised of them all were apparently Naruto's friends, a sign evident in their beaming faces for his actions. "Naruto's just too nice sometimes..." Sakura mused.

"But that is one of his strong points..." Hinata admitted with a small blush.

Those of his fanclub were inclined to agree with that statement. In the fantasies of their hearts, they envisioned the forgiving blond knight who had befriended and redeemed the fallen dark prince of his sins.


And thus as the days waned on, little by little, the once aloof Uchiha had warmed up to the amiable Uzumaki, earning a spot as one of his most trusted friends. He was gradually accepted into Naruto's small circle, with the girls a little hesitant in welcoming him, but in time, was an important part of their group. Sasuke found peace in Naruto's presence, constantly drawn to the calming aura that shrouded him, a welcome feeling that filled a little of the void he felt inside.

The Uchiha had learned to respect the blond, almost going as far as revering him, yet at the same time, feeling a touch of envy at his strength. He was always found at Naruto's side, like an escort of sorts, which to some degree was true as whoever approached Naruto would be probed by Sasuke's scrutinizing eyes, as if ascertaining a threat. In their spars, he was taught a small bit of patience and control. He still kept some of his Uchiha pride, but rarely ever displayed it openly before Naruto.

Just a few weeks before the final examination, Uchiha Sasuke sat beneath a shaded tree, winded and sweating, keeping himself upright with both arms planted on the ground. Scattered in the grounds before him in a state similar to his were his few friends. Sakura had laid flat on the grass, panting before a thoroughly diced rock. Hinata and Ino were supporting themselves on a stump, battered and minorly injured after their spar. Naruto, however, who they suspected had the ungodly stamina of at least 50 horses, still kept at his practiced katas, letting his white gi hang off his torso and onto his legs, revealing his black sleeveless shirt underneath.

It was times like these that Sasuke knew well to respect his blond friend. Not just for his strength, but his sheer will and perseverance in body and character. The boy had taken it upon himself to fill the emptiness left by the death of Sasuke's family, acting like his own surrogate brother.

In the first few spars the two had, he had spoken ill of Naruto right in his face, both out of his anger and damaged pride for each blow that pegged him down and each assault that was turned over against his favor. The blond shrugged each off with a smile, a light brotherly scolding, a warm laugh, and pat on the back. Sasuke's affronts grew lesser each day from that point.

"Naruto." Sasuke called out after catching his breathe. Honestly, the guy's sparring sessions were inhumanely tiring, and yet Naruto would always have some energy left afterwards. He wouldn't be surprised if Naruto could run a full marathon through all the countries twice (Though he obviously hasn't met Maito Gai). "How old are you?"

Naruto didn't stop from his katas as he continued mentally counting each strike at the air while responding. "I'm 13 years old."

"Hm. You're about a year older than I am?" Sasuke sounded a bit surprised and yet, almost happy.

"Yes, I think so. Why?"

"Nothing..." Sasuke hung his head low to hide the small smile creeping up to his lips.

Nothing at all... Aniki...


A/N

Trying to make Sasuke a little nicer in this fic. He's going to treat Naruto a helluva lot more respect. I'm gonna make that work somehow.

No, there will not be any yaoi no matter how it might seem like it in this chapter.

Aniki translates to 'older brother', which relates a little closer to how yakuza refer their leaders to, and not in exact context to a brotherly relationship. Though it is somewhat symbolic to how Naruto has, in a way, replaced Itachi's position of older brother, even though he's barely a year older. I'm also aware that Naruto graduates the academy at 12 but please bare with me.

Leave a review.

Also, check out my other fics:

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- "The Dreamer"
Naruto sought companionship, affection that he wished to last him a lifetime. Through an otherworldly meeting, and a mystical gift, Naruto was given the chance to obtain love by wandering the Land of Dreams. [Possible Harem