Hey everyone, sorry for that late update. Computer problems, school work. Blah, blah, usual excuses.

I haven't read throught this one very well, just wanted to get it up for everyone so I'm sorry if theres any grammatical errors and what not.

Enjoy!

Timeless

by FerrisWheel95

By the end of the day's training session, each of the rookie nine were heavy on the ground exhausted and sore. They all looked pretty fed up with sparing and each round seemed like it was over. All of course except one. Naruto and Sasuke stood, sweating and panting but at least on their feet, neither giving up. Naruto was profusely more bruised but his stamina kept him standing and while Naruto might not have scored as many hits, Sasuke was looking as equally physically wrecked.

"Idiot, if I was allowed to kill you by now then I would have! Just give up already!" Sasuke called and Naruto shook his head.

"Would not have asshole!" The blonde called back and the rest groaned.

"Come on guys! I don't want to be stuck here all day!" Chouji yelled, sitting next to Ino who was between himself and Shikamaru.

"Yeah! This is ridiculous! Naruto, just give up already! You're not going to win against Sasuke-kun!" Ino growled, sick of watching the blonde taking hit after hit but still frustratingly staying on his feet.

"Where was all this stamina when we we're fighting Haku, dobe?" Sasuke breathed out, only for Naruto. The blonde grit his teeth and ran for Sasuke again, fist raised. Wordlessly his punch was deflected by the other and he was granted retaliation right in the gut. The blonde coughed and his eyes squinted tightly closed from the pain. He fell forward from the blow, his knees buckling and head light. Though he braced for it, he never hit the ground, a pair of strong hands had caught him and held him up by his shoulders. After blinking a couple of times at the feet of his saviour, Naruto looked up and blushed at the close proximity they were at.

"Juugo?" He breathed out but the mask remained unmoving as Naruto steadied himself on his feet. The elder Sasuke stepped aside to reveal a younger seething one, obviously pissed about their interruption.

"That's enough" 'Juugo' ordered and as expected no one objected although from the look on Sasuke's face, he very clearly wanted to.

"You're just getting boring, it's ridiculous and you two aren't even showing technique anymore. You look pathetic" he said lowly, as if he was embarrassed for himself like Naruto was earlier. Though it was a different sort of embarrassment, it resembled something closer to shame. The younger Sasuke didn't like the elder's interjection or his words, after all he had never even seen this guy in action; he was probably just as sloppy as he reprimanded Sasuke for being! Who did he think he was anyway? To try and act as if he was all better than Sasuke when he hadn't even fought him himself! He'd show him…

Sasuke's hand slipped down into his Kunai pouch and he slipped his finger through the ring and then without a word he aimed and threw it aiming for 'Juugo'. He had intended to physically attack him straight after but it was pointless, everything happened so fast. Sasuke only got his fist so much as raised before he felt a sharp sting against his cheek and as he went to touch the offending tingle he was greeted by a sudden mask in his face. His knee jerk reaction was to gasp but of course he didn't have time to as his breath was jerked from him and his throat was seized. The young raven growled and clawed at the wrist of his attacker as he was lifted from the ground. For a moment everything was still and then he heard the clunk of the Kunai that 'Juugo' retaliated with hit the trunk of a tree not too far behind.

The crowd gulped and stared wide eyed at the two, some not even catching what happened.

"Sasuke!" A young Naruto yelled in fright, watching his teammate being so easily manhandled made his stomach churn.

"You think that you're better than me? Is that really how you so wrongly judged the situation?" 'Juugo' breathed deeply to Sasuke and the young raven flinched. If he wanted to say anything he couldn't.

"So naïve, you're lucky I didn't kill you on instinct, which is exactly what I have for people that throw kunai at my head…" His tone was lowering darkly with each word until his voice was rough and he squeezed the other's throat making his cough.

"Hey! Cut it out!" Asuma called, stalking over to break it up confidently but Sasuke ignored him. His grip only tightened and the younger's eyes clenched shut, his lips starting to tint blue before…

"Sasuke!" A voice called, muffled by a mask. The older Sasuke's entire body went stiff and he reluctantly turned to see a young Naruto and then his older counterpart standing behind him. His rage drained and his grip loosened considerably and finally after a few agonisingly silent moments he tossed his younger self towards the young blonde. Young Naruto reached out and caught his teammate before he could hit the ground and his elder self supported him as well so he sat slowly with the raven in his arms rather than tumble and land on his ass.

"Sasuke…" Naruto breathed quietly as he looked down to the gasping rave, bruises already forming around his neck. Instinctively Naruto softly the tips of his fingers along the marks against the neck while a protective rage built inside him. His head shot up to glare at the masked man and his lungs braced themselves for an onslaught of insults, he stopped however when his older self placed a sluggish hand a top of his head and ruffled his blonde locks.

"Good catch" He whispered. With that the moment between the four was gone and they were disturbed by basically everyone else.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura bawled as she hurried over to aid her 'love'. Ino followed closely behind, of course declaring her love just as profusely – if not more – than Sakura did.

"That was incredible!"

"Did you see how fast he was!?"

"I-Is S-Sasuke-kun a-a-alright?"

"He just so easily, like wham! Wham!" Kiba flaunted with an equally excited Chouji, Hinata and Shino just by for support. Shikamaru sat shaking and glaring at the criminal masked figure who stood unfazed, as if he didn't just brutally assault or almost kill Sasuke. His body trembled at the thought that someone could be so ruthless and he came to the conclusion that their teams were far too sheltered. Shikamaru's glare followed to the second masked figure, wondering why he didn't step in to stop his teammate, same with the teachers! Except for Asuma, who did after he eventually had enough.

Sasuke's eyes at last parted and he flinched when he saw everyone crowding around him, in a way it was more suffocating then the hand that was around his throat. They all ranted, getting closer when they saw he was awake and struggle he might, Sasuke wasn't getting away.

"That was quite a show, Sasuke-kun" The elder Sasuke turned to the smooth voice. The scarecrow stared at him with a half assed attempt at a smile. Sasuke just grunted and looked back to the flock of young Genin that crowded his younger equivalent. His chest tightened and he couldn't help but clench his fists in his frustrations.

Acting like they care… He snarled mentally, his being suddenly hot with rage again. He had the urge to attack and slice at them all before he was cooled by the sight of a serene looking blonde, who although was hidden behind the mask, had the expression of calm nostalgia.

"It's amazing really, to see you so hot headed and him so calm… He really learnt how to handle you" Kakashi wasn't sure if he was heard, Sasuke seemingly too transfixed on watching his partner help his younger self to his feet and begrudgingly ruffle his hair.

"Screw off" young Sasuke grumbled to the masked man that dared to touch him, let alone touch his hair!

"Who're you telling to screw off asshole?" The blonde's placid nature returning to the more familiar and headstrong one.

"Do you want to get your ass kicked again!? Stop being such an asshole!" Young Naruto whined, only to have Sasuke and Sakura glare.

"Shut up Naruto!" The pinkette cried, cracking Naruto across the head with a chiding fist.

Heavy sandals clapped along the path out of sync, silence thick between the two as they walked, the older of them particularly nervous at their aloneness. Konoha was cast under a light orange tint as the sun set behind the Hokage monument and its streets were quietly abuzz with citizens forwarding home for work.

"You don't have to walk me home, I'm fine" a gruff raven grunted to the other beside him. An elder Naruto grinned behind the mask before shaking his head.

"Its fine, Kakashi-sensei's orders after all! He's just worried and wants to make sure you're okay. You were nearly choked to death after all" he laughed light heartedly, like it was casual conversation but he stopped when he saw the younger flinch slightly at the mention and a frustrated look settled on his features. Naruto felt as if he should apologise but he knew better than too even try with this Sasuke, so he quietly shoved his hands in his pockets, as if none of that just happened.

"You know, he was right. Juugo that is… You shouldn't just go attacking strange ninja out of nowhere" the blonde tried again, too nervous for silence so he scratched the back of his neck. Sasuke turned and glared at him and his stepping stopped with a loud clunk, Naruto walked a few more paces before he stopped to turn back to the other.

"Sasu –"

"Shut up. I don't trust either of you, so don't try and be all friendly with advice and shit" Sasuke growled and pulled out a kunai. Naruto cringed and looked around, seeing there were no residents on this road. Who was he kidding, it was the road to the Uchiha compound, of course there wouldn't be.

"What did I just say about attacking random ninja that you haven't assessed yet, jerk!?" Naruto whined with his hands up defensively but it seemed to only anger the other further. The raven grit his teeth and he tossed it, the blade landing and digging itself into the ground at Naruto's (who didn't even bother to glance down) feet.

"Who do you think you are to sit there and be nervous around me, lecturing me, calling me a jerk…? Huh!? Who do you think you are!?" Sasuke's eyes were wide and his breathing uneven, he was seething like he usually did when he didn't understand something, when he couldn't put two and two together. It angered the otherwise genius Uchiha, too feel normal was unfamiliar. Naruto remained unmoving until he lowered his hands and then his body to pick up the Kunai and Sasuke let him.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you uncomfortable" his voice was quiet and he looked to the Kunai in his hand before holding it out for Sasuke to take. The raven was hesitant at first but slowly he reached for the blade and slipped it back into it's pouch, his dark eyes unmoving from Naruto's mask. The blonde shifted nervously under the penetrating gaze, then, uncharacteristically, Sasuke's eyes softened.

"You have blue eyes…" Naruto recoiled from the soft tone and he spun on his heel, his back to the Uchiha.

"S-So!?" He spluttered out nervously, still feeling the heat of the Uchiha's stare at the back of his head. The blonde could practically feel Sasuke analysing him with his hues, taking in every inch of him, catching each twitch and watching every breath.

"It's nothing…" Instantly Naruto relaxed at the dismissal and he watched as Sasuke strolled past, still looking frustrated. Naruto laughed heartily.

"Thank god, I thought you were going to knife me! Why are you so suspicious, asshole? I'm just a prac!" He laughed, walking after the raven with a relieved grin before he was made to halt. Looking down at the other (who had stopped right in his way) Naruto opened his mouth to ask what was wrong but was cut short with a quick fist to the face, sending the blonde to the ground.

"Why are you copying Naruto?!" Sasuke's knee was pressed against Naruto's fallen chest and a Kunai to his throat, but the knee was trembling and the Kunai held loosely. Sasuke's expression was desperate, searching the carvings of Naruto's mask for an answer that he himself otherwise couldn't find.

"W-What are you talking about asshole!?" Naruto spluttered out, nervous now but not feeling at all threatened. Then his body froze, his mind whirling and he 'tsk'ed before turning his head to the side, looking anywhere but the Uchiha's face.

"What, just because I call you asshole? I'm sure a lot of people call you that, 'cause you are!" Naruto huffed and Sasuke's glared darkened and he balled his fist for another attack and Naruto could only brace himself for it, not wanting to alarm the other with his impressive skills! (Yes, he thought he was just that good). Instead though, the punch not only hurt it moved something and Naruto felt a cool breeze grace his cheek. His heart raced and he panicked, throwing the younger completely off him though he landed gracefully. Naruto scrambled to his feet, head down the entire time to hide his face while one hand ran along the ground to search for his mask.

"Looking for this?" A cool voice called from behind and Naruto stupidly (he would argue instinctively) turned for the mask. The air suddenly became hot and Naruto's cheeks flushed, his breathing ragged and his eyes wide. Not as wide however, as Sasuke's. The young Uchiha dropped the mask he had held victoriously but the hand still hung there, his body to stiff from shock to move in any way. His eyes roamed over Naruto's face, the familiar smile, eyes, hair, jawline, and marks on his cheeks. The blonde fidgeted suddenly, stumbling over his words to look for an explanation but jolted silent when he saw Sasuke's mouth open and hang before closing, only to open again.

"Kakashi!" The raven screamed, bending at the knees to leap off for help.

"Shit! Sasuke! Shut up!" Naruto jumbled for the raven, pressing a firm hand over the raven's mouth from behind and pinning his arms behind his back by the wrists with the other. Sasuke kicked and struggled violently but Naruto had the obvious advantage, thought the raven couldn't see that and continued to struggle. Naruto cursed and looked around for any witnesses before he swiftly struck a pressure point in the other's neck, sending him into a dark and unconscious state.

To say that Sasuke was mad was an understatement. His wrath was vicious and Sharingan driven. Naruto, Kakashi, the Hokage, Asuma and Sasuke stood in front of a younger knocked out raven, strapped by arms and legs to a chair that was bolted firmly to the ground, this dark room of course being more often used for interrogation. Naruto panicked after he had dealt with Sasuke and quickly headed for the Hokage tower with the younger in his arms. The Third decided it was best to keep Sasuke under surveillance before and when he woke up and then promptly called the others. All of them had some explaining to do.

Sasuke however, wanted to explain nothing. He wanted to kill Naruto.

"If he doesn't kill you then I just fucking might!" He screamed, glad the room was sound proof. The blonde suddenly found himself struggling against the tight hold Sasuke had on his Jonin vest.

"Sasuke! I didn't mean too!"

"I don't give a fuck if you didn't mean to - you did! You're such a screw up!" Naruto flinched against the remark and his eyes were wide. He dared to let his gaze wander beyond Sasuke's shoulder and to the younger one strapped to the chair. Instantly his stomach clenched and he squeezed his eyes shut.

Screw up. Screw up. Screw up.

"I know! –" He threw Sasuke's hands away from his vest and stumbled back, falling against the wall. "I know I'm a screw up alright!" He yelled again before pausing to glimpse to Kakashi's sad expression and his already tight stomach twisted in a guilty uncomfortable heat. His mouth hung open, wanting to say more but clicked shut, his mind blank of anything other than apologies and regrets.

"Naruto…" Kakashi started, unsure of what to say, or how to comfort his obviously distressed student. At his name Naruto perked to catch Kakashi's eyes but when nothing followed his head bowed, eyes low and their usual vibrant blue burnt into a dark sadness. The blonde slid down the wall on his back and then sat. Sasuke watched Naruto wilt and become this small, dejected being and his own heat formed in the pit of his remorseful stomach. Before anything could be exchanged further, a low groan emitted from the middle of the room and suddenly all eyes were on the awakening Sasuke. Naruto pushed himself to his feet but stayed against the wall, the older Sasuke turned and watched his younger self firstly stir and then familiar dark hues open firstly open to slits and then after a few confused moments, burst into saucers.

"Kakashi? Asuma?" He frowned then turned his confusion to the Hokage that stood not too far behind them. "What the… Where am I? What happened?" He pulled against his restraints, softly to start with and then more violently when he realised they weren't going to easily budge. His glared at his superiors before he heard a shuffle come from the left side of him, his head snapped sharply and his memories flooded back when his eyes held aware blue hues.

"You!" He hissed and Naruto flinched, Sasuke only continued to struggle to no avail but froze when he finally saw an extremely acquainted looking teen. The older remained unmoving and uncaring while the younger Sasuke's eyes were wide, showing every confused emotion swimming through onyx eyes.

"Please don't scream…" Naruto started, only to earn a glare from the older Sasuke.

"As if I would, moron!"

"You did when you saw me earlier, you asshole!"

"What's going on?" Young Sasuke interjected, albeit calmly but his voice shook with a clarity as clear as mud. Once again Naruto's mouth hung low, unsure of how to explain or even if he should but then the Hokage stepped forward and everyone new that he would decide.

"So you're from the future, accidentally sent back in time… And protecting Naruto and everyone close to him… But you didn't want us to know, in case you changed the future… And you can't change the future because… You're too strong to change it?" Sasuke whispered. It had taken nearly an hour and a half to completely keep the raven calm enough to start explaining the situation and because Sasuke was who he was, he needed every minor detail and element of the situation. He was freed of his binds about half way through, after he promised not to run, fight or attack anyone in the room.

"Yeah, that's pretty much it" Naruto scratched the back of his head and Sasuke stood from his seat and began pacing, his face scrunched with thought before he stopped and glared at Naruto.

"But you're not even that strong! I knocked your mask off after all, so why is this guy after you?" He growled and Naruto shifted little nervously, a pink tint across his cheeks and nose.

"I am strong! Y-You just caught me by surprise!" He whined and suddenly the raven looked suspicious.

"Really? Or are you lying to us? Is this guy really after me or something?" Suddenly the others seemed to have the same question radiating from their beings. Naruto's body tensed and he could only frown, he was able to show the true extent of his powers just to prove them wrong and get his ego back. He glanced to Sasuke who was indifferent and for the first time since he had been in the past, he suddenly felt whirled back in time. A time where it was all about Sasuke.

"It's not me. It's him. That guy has no desire to kill me…" The raven muttered and Naruto's eyes dulled when he realised Tobi and Sasuke were partners the last time he saw him, even so he knew he could trust Sasuke. Although the raven had a habit for swapping sides as casually as eating breakfast, he knew Sasuke wouldn't let Tobi kill him. He knew he could trust Sasuke to understand the situation would not be in his favour if Naruto were to die earlier than planned, after all that would surely affect the young Sasuke as well. Finally the younger Sasuke deflated and he sat down on the seat, his hands holding his aching head.

"There is no way this is real…" He whispered.

"Well it is and you can't tell the others… Nothing can be changed Sasuke, do you understand?" Kakashi pressed seriously, the two locking intense looks. Then slowly, painstakingly…

Sasuke nodded.

R&R Please! The more reviews, the quicker I update, honestly! :)