Chapter 5

Over The past 8 months, since the incident with the Cloud nin, Naruto and Hinata had become the best of friends. The two academy students would sit together in class, train together after school, and sometimes take dinner together. Naruto's alliance with the Hyuuga clan meant that he was often invited to the Hyuuga compound for dinner.

Over the past months Naruto had become adept with the Solaris Blade, to say the least. When he used it now, t was almost as if the blade itself was directing his movement, but he had yet to unlock any of the powers that the Hokage had said the sword possessed. He has looked at his family scrolls, and tried a variety of kinjutsu styles, but to his distress he found that none of them seemed to work well with his blade. As a result he had set about making his own style. It had taken him months to make the style. He carried the sword around with him everywhere, and now, when it was not strapped across his back in its scabbard, it felt like Naruto was missing a limb.

Ever since the incident with the Cloud shinobi everyone at the academy seemed to treat him with respect and awe, this was even more the case when he started bringing the Solaris Blade into the academy. Although he had yet to draw the blade in the academy, it did make him look all the more dangerous. In fact the only people who had actually seen the blade in all its glory were the Sandaime, Hinata-chan, Kakashi-nii-chan and of course Naruto himself.

Naruto's and Sasuke's rivalry had deepened over the months, and the two were well ahead of all the rest of the students at the academy. However, Naruto had yet to show his true skills. He had not shown any of the academy students, except Hinata, the Dance of the Rising and Setting Sun, his best jutsus and any of his kinjutsu techniques.

However, Naruto was worried for Sasuke. Sasuke had not missed a single day at the academy; however he had not come for the last two weeks. Naruto was so worried that he called Kakashi.

The man poofed into existence a few metres away from Naruto. "Yo, Naruto. What did you call me for?"

"Hey Kakashi nii-chan," he smiled at the older man, "I was just wondering if you could check up on Sasuke, he hasn't been to the academy for the last two weeks."

Kakasi looked at him, his one visible eye seemed to be searching. "Naruto, Sasuke hasn't been coming to the academy for a good reason," he said slowly and carefully. "Naruto, I'm telling you this because I think you can help Sasuke. Sasuke has not been attending the academy because he is grieving. Two weeks ago Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke's older brother, went on a mindless rampage, and murdered every single member of the Uchiha clan, except Sasuke," Kakashi took a pause, and studied Naruto's reaction. Naruto's face was grim and his gaze averted to the ground. "When Itachi got to Sasuke he used a genjutsu to torture Sasuke. Before he left he told Sasuke he had murdered the clan simply to test his limits, and told him that if he wanted to get his revenge, he would have to become stronger than Itachi. Sasuke's mind was broken, ripped to shreds, and he was an emotional wreck. He only got out of hospital five days ago, and ever since he hasn't left the Uchiha compound."

Naruto slowly raised his eyes to meet Kakashi's gaze, "Don't worry nii-chan, I'll save Sasuke from himself," he said this with absolute conviction and with a firm and steady voice. Without another word Naruto disappeared in a flurry of leaves.

A few moments later Naruto appeared on the roof of a building in the Uchiha sector. He quickly moved along the roof and looked around the sector, getting an image of the area in his head before jumping down onto the street. "Sasuke!" He called into the empty streets. He continued doing this until he got to the heart of the sector, where a huge mansion stood. It was almost as large as his family home. Naruto pushed open the gate and walked in. He saw that there were burn marks on the floor, and blade tracks, as though a fight had happened there. He moved along the colonnaded courtyard, peering into the rooms.

It was then that he heard a small sob, barely audible, but definitely there. He moved toward the direction the noise had come from. He found himself in what appeared to be a large dining room. There appeared t be no-one inside at a glance, but Naruto turned his gaze to the side. He saw the unmistakeable figure of Sasuke. His body was shaking, as he was obviously crying, his head tucked in between his knees.

"Sasuke?" Naruto said his voice a bare whisper.

Suddenly Sasuke's shudders seized, when he heard Naruto's voice, and he slowly his head to look at Naruto. Naruto moved closer to Sasuke, and bent down so he was crouched facing the boy.

"W-why are you here?" Sasuke asked, his voice breaking with emotion.

"Sasuke, I know what Itachi did. I can help you Sasuke," Naruto said.

"How could you help me? The only thing I want o do is kill him!" Sasuke declared, his voice loud and clear now, full of frustration and anguish.

"Sasuke, no one should be alone after something like this. I can help you with that. Sasuke, I may have never said it out loud, but I have always considered you a friend, and I know, deep down, you think of me as a friend too. Friends help each other, and I mean to help you. Sasuke, I'm an orphan too, I know what its like to not have anyone to care for you, to be shunned, and I've had it a helluva lot worse than you have," Naruto told Sasuke, a small smile on his face.

"Besides, if its power you need to beat Itachi, then I think I can help there too. The Kazama compound has its own library and training grounds. The library has loads of cool techniques and fighting styles in it. I know the Uchiha clan is a fire and lightning based jutsu clan, and that you guys use your doujutsu, the Sharingan in battle. My library can help you develop your Sharingan and get you new jutsus and fighting styles. Besides, I could even train you!"

Sasuke shot him a sceptical glance through his tears, "You teach me? You might be the best in our class, but if I'm going to beat Itachi I need someone stronger to teach me.

Naruto laughed at this. "Sasuke, I haven't shown anyone in the academy my true skills. I said on the first day I knew 10 jutsus, I've only shown two at the academy. I haven't even shown you my best taijutsu style, or used my Solaris Blade in the academy, and I'm still the best in the class," Naruto said, a huge grin on his face.

"Well I guess you are good for something, dobe. I guess it would have been a bit harsh if you were a useless ninja, and had that face."

"Shut up, Sasuke-teme," Naruto said, getting to his feet. He offered his hand to Sasuke, who grasped it and pulled himself to his feet.

With that Naruto ran off, yelling, "Hey Sasuke, race you to Ichiraku's Ramen, last one there pays!" Sasuke ranted for a moment about inconsiderate idiots and unfairness, before taking off after Naruto. If he had known how much the ramen was going to cost, he might have run harder.

From that day on, the two boys lived in the Kazama compound. They went to the academy together trained together, and studied together. Naruto taught Sasuke important skills. Without noticing, they had each become the others only family.

I know it was a bit of a boring chapter, but it'll be important to the plot, so bear with me )

Please R&R

Satansrogue!