They trained because they knew it would save their lives someday, always that distant someday. They trained to grow stronger, to garner the respect so long denied to them from their peers. Mostly however they trained for fun.

"Na-ru-to!" Sakura yelled as she narrowly dodged one of his stray kunai's. "That almost hit my head!" Naruto backed up minimally weighing his options.

Giving a somewhat strained smile he rubbed the back of his head trying to look as apologetic as possible. "Sorry Sakura-chan. It's a good thing you're so quick." He half apologized and half complimented the girl.

"Let's try again." Sakura silently accepted the apology but made sure she was further away from the target before he threw this time. With one last grin the boy focused on his task. Planting his feet firmly on the ground he threw the blade. With a whoosh it disappeared into the surrounding foliage, feet from the intended target. Restraining the curse that was fighting its way up Naruto went after the wayward blade, dragging his feet all the way.

"At least it was closer this time!" Sakura shouted at his retreating figure as she positioned herself to practice throwing. Tramping along through the thick underbrush Naruto savagely kicked the plants out of his way.

Nearing the tree line Naruto stopped his attack on the local plant life in favor of creeping forward. It was another training ground, who knew how someone would take their training being interrupted. There! There was the kunai, just his luck it was a good ten feet past where the trees ended. Cursing quietly Naruto scanned the area, finding no one he edged forward eyes constantly moving.

"What are you doing here?" In the trees stood a boy, Naruto's age if he had to hazard a guess, pitch black hair shadowing his eyes adding to the threatening aura that surrounded him.

Puffing out his chest and standing straighter Naruto never lost eye contact with the strange boy as he spoke. "Getting my kunai." It was almost like an unissued challenge hung in the air. "What are you doing here?" Challenge accepted.

The boy arched an eyebrow as he scathingly replied, "training." Resisting the urge to smack his forehead at the stupidity of his question Naruto chuckled somewhat abashedly.

At the sound of footsteps approaching they both faced the intruder. "Honestly Naruto-kun, how long does it take to get one measly…oh." Sakura scolded marching up to her blonde haired friend before noticing that they weren't alone. Silence permeated the air. "Hi I'm Saukra. Who are you?" The girl asked grinning and tilted her head to the side slightly waiting for the response.

No answer.

"Well…would you like to train with us?" Things were getting progressively more awkward.

"Why would I train with you two? One can't through a weapon and the other is a weak little girl. I think I'll train by myself." He spoke the words monotonously but the words had more than enough bite to make up for his lack of tone. Smile slipping off of her face Sakura lightly grabbed Naruto's arm which was quivering by now from pent up frustration.

"You teme! Sakura-chan is nice to you and you just…" Feeling a slight tightening on his arm Naruto halted his tirade to regard his friend worriedly.

"You can't get much better by yourself; you need someone else to help you." She spoke levelly but bore her eyes into his, her words echoed into the depths of the woods. A few seconds passed, then a few more. About to turn and wipe his hands clean of the mysterious kid Naruto was flabbergasted when he started to climb down.

Sakura's smile returned ten fold as she watched him coming towards them. Muttering underneath his breathe Naruto ran quickly to get the kunai, the original purpose behind this situation that had developed. When he returned, weapon firmly in hand as if afraid to lose it again, he just caught the boy utter his first civil word.

"Sasuke." What the hell was I thinking? Sasuke stuffed his hands into his pockets trailing after the 'Sakura' girl as she skipped ahead delight almost radiating off of her. Lost in thought Sasuke was rudely interrupted by a tap to the shoulder followed by a fox like grin and a rather simple statement.

"You're it!" With a bound the blonde was off running as fast as his legs would carry him, the girl looked back and catching onto the game sped ahead. Favoring their retreating backs with a small smile he was off. It seemed reckless abandon was contagious.

Well there you go, an update. Sasuke has finally made his appearance, whether that's a good or bad thing is anyone's guess. Constructive criticism is always appreciated and wanted though praise is never turned down. Thanks for reading! –Cloey Marie-