Once again, you guys are wonderful reviewers! I'm sorry it took so long for me to upload this, school is such a hassle! Fanfiction is entirely more important! ;) Haha!
This chapter feels like a bit of a filler but it highlights the fact that Naruto and Sasuke didn't start of OOC as they might turn out a bit later on in the story! On that note, thankyou loyal SasuNaru fans for being patient up until chapter five and you will be rewarded for your faithfullness in chapter six with a bit more very evident SasuNaruess! Woo!...? Haha!
Anywho, enjoy!
Timeless
by ferriswheel95
"I bet ya' it was that stupid Kiba!" Naruto huffed, cheeks haughtily puffed out in frustration and his foxy eyes squinted practically closed. Sakura and Sasuke walked either side of him, trying to work out just who the stranger was that 'they knew'.
"Kiba is too small Naruto, you idiot, this guy was older" she decided and Sasuke gave a quick nod in agreement. Naruto whined loudly and threw his hands up.
"Ma! Maybe the guy was just screwing with us then!" he exasperated and now it was Sasuke's turn to huff. He shoved his hands in his pockets but said nothing. His mind ran wild with options but none matched the vibrant blonde hair of the stranger, none other than Naruto of course. It irked him though, Sasuke Uchiha was used to being great so to be snuck up on not only once, but twice in the same afternoon had his skin practically crawling with detest.
"Whatever… I'm going home for real now; don't get into any more trouble. I won't be around to bail you two out the next time" he grumbled and Naruto's fists clenched, though he kept his mouth shut. They'd already had this argument once today. Sakura's face just fell, but she (like Naruto) was too exhausted to protest her loves absence.
"See you later Sasuke-kun" she waved before turning to Naruto and heading off in her direction as well, "See you Naruto" she offered before stepping off as well. Naruto stood at the cross section, only waving to the retreating Sakura. He sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
The Chunin exams, huh? He questioned, excited by just the idea of promotion and his one step closer to being Hokage.
"You did what!?" Sasuke's voice practically sprang off the walls of the Hokage's office. Naruto flinched and he pulled his mask off, giving a small and nervous grin.
"Oh come on Sasuke, it wasn't that bad, they didn't recognise me and I didn't change anything. You and Gaara still had your little angsty moment, it's fine!" He argued, but Sasuke only continued to fume. Kakashi watched from the sidelines looking amused with Iruka beside him. Kurenai and Asuma were also summoned to join the meeting as their teams would be very actively involved in the protection and of course, the third sat behind his desk.
"If you ruin this for me, Naruto, I'll –" Sasuke's voice was low and threatening but Naruto only rolled his eyes.
"You'll what Sasuke?" He scoffed, once again only intensifying Sasuke's rage. Kurenai and Asuma glanced to each other and the movement caught Naruto's eye. He turned to the two and smiled fondly, almost sadly at the memories of his bout of training with Asuma, Iruka paled when he saw the look on Naruto's face.
"God…" The brunette whispered, shaking his head and gathering the groups attention.
"Naruto, I can still read you so well…" He whispered and the blonde frowned, taking a step towards his sensei.
"What do you mean?" He asked lightly, genuinely confused. The elites in the room leaned in inquisitively but Iruka could only shake his head.
"Asuma or Kurenai… One of them, or both, are gone aren't they?" Iruka breathed out shakily, russet eyes stern and fists clenched by his sides at the mere idea of it. Naruto couldn't help but inhale sharply at the reminder and everyone else's eyes widened marginally, even Sasuke. Judging from the reaction and the silence he received from the two time travellers, Iruka could see he was right and he simply sighed forlornly.
"I could tell, from that sad smile you had…" Iruka whispered and suddenly Kurenai's and Asuma's eyes swam in panic as they gazed longingly (unbeknownst to most at this time) at each other. Kakashi's eye was simply down cast and the third was as contemplative looking and composed as ever. Sasuke on the other hand…
"What?" He breathed out, catching Naruto off guard. He turned to the raven and shrugged sadly.
"You weren't there…" Naruto muttered, the office disappearing from around him which left only him and Sasuke, as reminiscent as when Naruto met their younger selves.
"I guess not… Who?" He was composed and seemingly unfazed.
"Akatsuki member, Hidan…" Naruto whispered and Sasuke's stomach clenched at the mention of the group. The mood suddenly became very heavy and the room, except for Sasuke and Naruto, finally were overcome by a dark confusion, questions running through their heads.
"Akatsuki…" An old voice drawled from behind them all. Naruto turned to the third with a frown, not knowing that the old man could have possibly known about the organisation and the fact that he did, made him kind of mad.
"You know about them? Even now?" Naruto asked carefully, brows knitted together. The Hokage looked stern and contemplative before giving the smallest of nods but seemed unsure of himself.
"I've heard rumors… Things they are plotting –"
"So you know they're after me?" Naruto said calmly, making everyone (even Sasuke) flinch but the Hokage remained calm.
"Yes" he breathed before closing his eyes. Naruto's hands balled into fists by his sides.
"And you're not doing anything!? Actually don't answer that, I know you're not doing anything!" He yelled, storming up to the desk and smashing the fist against it.
"Naruto!" Iruka scolded but Naruto was too focused on his heated glare, aimed right into the Hokage's soul. Said man pushed himself slowly from his hunched position over his desk and leaned back into his chair, looking as wise as ever but Naruto was as stubborn as ever too. The blonde was furious, the fact that the third and he imagined everyone in this room knew about the Akatsuki, meant that everything didn't have to have gone the way it had. There need not be so much death, hate and revenge, all he wanted was peace and he was sure the third did as well. Then let the heavy burden fall on his shoulders? Why not do something now!?
"What do you want me to do, Naruto?" He asked and Naruto's rage faltered. He knew he shouldn't be upset at anyone from this time, things happened and every one (especially the third) didn't have a chance in hell of knowing how everything would plan out, but still, everything that was happening and everything he suddenly had to do; it hurt. The blonde's frame began to shake and his anger fell from his eyes to puddle at his feet.
"I… I –" he stammered, still trembling. His insistent shaking ceased though when a cold hand gripped his shoulder, pale fingers digging into the orange jacket and electrifying the tan skin underneath it.
"You can't do anything" Sasuke enlightened quietly for the third before glaring at the back of Naruto's head and oh boy, did he ever feel it.
"And you still have entirely too big of a mouth" he hissed lowly and Naruto's fist slid from the desk, instantly calm under the Uchiha's cool touch even if his voice laced lividness, his voice alone whatever the tone was all Naruto needed to be calmer.
"He's right Naruto, you're giving so much away, not that I'm complaining. But isn't that, oh I don't know, bad for your future? What if we try to change it?" Kakashi's eye curved and everyone could see he was smiling; Naruto mimicked him with a grin, albeit small.
"I doubt anyone in this room would" he nodded, very sure of himself. Sasuke's hand finally fell from his former teammates shoulder and he turned to look around at his past. Kakashi hadn't changed, even from the brief encounter after killing Danzou, he could confidentially say that his former teacher was aging gracefully.
"You'll watch over team 7 firstly, attending training sessions with the team undercover as a Shinobi doing their practical." The third finally announced, shattering the silence. Naruto, as usual, raised his eyebrows in question.
"We're undercover as if we're training to be teachers" Sasuke sighed; if he had to continue explaining such things to Naruto he knew he was going to do his head in. Naruto 'oh-ed' before nodding.
"You'll switch between teams, but of course I expect your main focus to be on your team" he continued and Naruto huffed again. Sasuke just nodded, as if he was so used to taking orders from the Hokage, as if he was used to being in Konoha. It irked Naruto.
"We'll go get you guys uniforms" Asuma finally interjected and Sasuke immediately stiffened.
Spoke too soon? Naruto mused as he watched Sasuke's eyes darken. The blonde's heart began to pound and went into a panicked over drive, he could see the raven was suddenly having second thoughts on being 'normal'.
"Hahah!" He laughed loudly and dragged the attention while he patted Sasuke roughly on the back, the raven winced but he snapped out of his suddenly dark mood.
"I haven't been in a Konoha uniform yet! Same for Sasuke! Right, Sasuke!? We're really anxious!" He tried awkwardly as he continued to laugh and Sasuke unconsciously thanked Naruto with a small nod. His stomach clenched and as did Naruto's when their eyes locked for a few moments and Naruto's heart skipped one it's beats at the prospect of seeing Sasuke suited up as a Shinobi of Konohagakure again. Sasuke's heart dropped, not missing the false hopes that whirled through Naruto's blue hues.
"Right…" He grumbled finally and the uneasiness in the room dissipated.
"Dismissed" The Hokage grunted and they all bowed, Sasuke hesitantly at first but then compliant with a glare from Naruto. One by one they slipped out of the room and the two time nomads followed the Jonin to get their uniforms.
"Just how strong is this guy anyway?" Asuma asked, glancing over his shoulder and Naruto stiffened before humming.
"Very?" He mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully and Sasuke rolled his eyes, lips tightly shut.
"He is an Uchiha after all – Ah!" Naruto's hands smacked over his big mouth and the others froze completely, staring at Naruto with eclectic and unbelieving eyes. The three Jonin's mouths hung ever so slightly and their bodies were slack with shock. He knew he really had gone too far when he saw the red flash in Sasuke's normally dark eyes.
"He's what..?" Kurenai, daring to be the first to breathe.
"No! I didn't mean too! I mean – I… I!" The blonde insistent ramble was cut short violently however and a loud crack resonated throughout the dark hallway they all stood in. Naruto fell to the ground in a pained heap and Sasuke stood above him, Sharingan flashing fiery crimson and his fist still hung in the air from where Naruto's face had just been.
"Asshole!" Naruto screamed, clutching his now aching jaw as he scrambled to his feet. Sasuke stood straight, but still fuming.
"Sasuke!" Asuma reprimanded, being the most paternal kind out of everyone currently present.
"No! If he's going to keep running his mouth he's going to ruin everything for me!"
"Like it isn't already, Sasuke!" Naruto screamed, azure eyes no longer swimming with the angry adrenaline from being punch, but now rather on the verge of tears. Sasuke froze and because he did so did the others but Kakashi and Asuma were on edge, ready to break up a fight.
Like they could… Sasuke snapped in his head, flinching to glare at the three Jonin that watched them anxiously.
"Come on Naruto" Iruka whispered as he grabbed the wrist of the blonde to drag him away and Naruto let him, his and Sasuke's eyes catching once more before blue ones darted to the side and then were hidden by the mask he slipped on. The two had disappeared down the hall and around the corner before Sasuke let his body ease and he ran a shaky hand through his dark locks with a sigh.
"You guys are worse than ever" Kakashi deliberated and Asuma nodded in agreement.
"I know you said they fought Kakashi but this is brutally hostile" Kurenai said and Sasuke grit his teeth to the point it felt like they could shatter and his fists balled at his side again, Asuma immediately picked up the aggressive energy radiating from the Uchiha. He gave him a glare and commanded him too simply 'calm down'. Sasuke growled low in his throat in defence.
"You will not tell me what to do" Sasuke barked, fists still clenched and his eyes flashing the Sharingan again and making the other's edgy and instantly tense. His blood still boiled at the sight of Kakashi and until know he thought he was hiding his detest for the man who stole his precious lineage.
"None of you have any right to tell me what to do!" He growled again and Kakashi stepped forward, Sasuke was still his student and still his responsibility, well that's how he saw it – regardless of what may have happened in the future or how distant he and his team may be, they will always be his.
"Sasuke… There is no need to be so unfriendly, come on. You two are staying at my place. Like you said, you don't want to give anything away right?" He gave a small smile before his steely grey eye was serious, bordering threatening because the grey haired nin wasn't stupid, he could practically touch the hate that dripped from Sasuke. Sasuke's cerise eyes faded into the usual onyx but his hardened expression remained and Kakashi could only guess it would be that way for a while.
"Come on, we'll get you uniforms tomorrow" He waved as he walked in the same direction that Iruka and Naruto had gone and they too vanished around the corner. Kurenai breathed out, not knowing she had held her breath for so long and Asuma just frowned, he had hoped that those two had grown by now – that and he was still shaken by the revelation that he would be dead in just a few years.
Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter will be up soon! The more reviews the quicker the chapter comes; because reviews make me excited to write more! Ahah! It's not just shameless bribery!