Naruto: Ballad

Genre: Drama, Family, Shotacon, Yaoi

Plot: Last time, Neji met with a Sasuke look alike while Sasuke tries to rid himself of his stalker.

A/N: I would like first of all to thank my friend for contributing inspiration to me. Without her, I would be still be having a writer's block.

-:- -:-

10

Neji stood with Tsunade in her office. He came to Tsunade's office slipping out of his class. He wanted to avoid Sasuke at the same time meet up with Tsunade. He couldn't keep secret his meeting with the man looking for Sasuke as he noticed for the past couple of days, the man has been appearing around the school, around Sasuke and him. He felt that despite the situation, he should not tell Sasuke about it and so he came to Tsunade to speak.

Tsunade listened patiently to Neji. 'Does Sasuke know?' She asked her hands hiding her face as she sat on her chair behind her desk.

'Uhmm… No…' Neji answered. He waited for what she has to say which he expected he would receive a reaction immediately but did not. He watched her sat quietly, turn her chair around towards the wall where there is a view of the outside.

She looked out of the window quietly, thinking about how a man approached Neji who looked like Sasuke. There is no doubt about it, he got out and even got to find Sasuke.

'Neji,' she called, her back facing Neji. She is unaware that she startled him by suddenly calling his name because they weren't actually on a first name basis.

'Ye.. Yeah?' he stutters looking at her from where he sat.

'Can you go to our house later? For now, I want you to return to class and then accompany Sasuke as much as you can. I want him to hear it later so I ask you not to say anything in the meantime. I thank you for telling me this before to Sasuke, a wise decision I might add. I am sorry to have dragged you into our family problem.'

'No it's alright. I am happy to help out.'

She rotates her seat, faced her desk. She pushed the button on the phone on the desk. 'Shizune, can you come here for a second and escort Hyuuga out?'

It wasn't long, the door opened, a female entered the room. She bowed her head towards Neji after showing a smile. She escorts out Neji.

Neji glanced back before Shizune closed the door behind them. He managed to take a glance on Tsunade's face.

Tsunade looked serious, looked worried about something.

Neji thought that Tsunade might have feared that Sasuke would leave her, but he could tell that Tsunade wasn't worried about something like that, something more.

-:-

Neji and Sasuke arrives the house with Tsunade waiting in the living room.

Sasuke wasn't even able to pay attention to Tsunade as he looked in a sour mood.

'What happened?' TSunade asked as she turned her head to look at Sasuke walk towards the staircase.

Sasuke completely ignored Tsunade.

Tsunade turned her attention to Neji standing at the foot of the staircase. 'Did you tell him?' she asked as soon as Sasuke had disappeared into the bedroom.

'Uhmm... No… Something just happened that's all...' Neji informed with an awkward smile.

Tsunade wonders what could tick Sasuke so much to the point that he would ignore her presence and not greet her.

She stood up, walked upstairs. She figured that whatever it is it that ticked Sasuke off is nothing compared to what she is about to say. She knocked on Sasuke's door while Neji waited in the living room. 'Oi, Sasuke…' She called knocking on the door. 'I need to talk to you about something.'

'I'm not in the mood.' Sasuke answered.

Tsunade sighs. Of course she knows he wasn't in the mood, but he has to tell Sasuke the bad news before the point where he and his brother meet. 'It is about Itachi, your brother.'

'…' There is a short silence in the room.

The door opened, Sasuke peeking. He looked at Tsunade, 'That guy?' He wasn't pleased hearing the name or that she referred that they were brothers.

Tsunade sighs seeing the scorn look that Sasuke has on his face. 'Let's talk in the living room. Neji is waiting.'

'Neji?' Sasuke didn't foresee that one coming. He followed Tsunade down stairs where Neji waited for them.

Neji stood up from his seat as soon as he saw Sasuke with Tsunade. He showed a timid smile.

Sasuke turned his attention to Tsunade, knew that something was up.

-:-

Kiba is unfair as always, Naruto thought as he walks on the sidewalk. He ended up losing the paper-rock-scissors so he is forced to buy the things that Kiba and the others needed as they all wait back at the school. He didn't need the extra credit but Kiba does. He doesn't want Kiba and the others to be held back a year.

Naruto looked around the hard ware store thinking what is the best equipment he could buy with the money that he had so little in his pocket.

'Need help?' a voice came from behind spoke.

Naruto turned around, saw a male who looked familiar. He thought at first that it is Sasuke with a striking resemblance, but he realized that it is a different person, the person before him looked older and with a scar.

'…' Naruto couldn't help stare at the man.

The male smiled standing close to him. 'You are Naruto if I am not mistaken.'

Naruto looked surprised why the man would know his name. He figured maybe Sasuke told his name. 'And you are?' he asked awkwardly, though he already have a vague idea who the male is.

The male smiled, reached out one of the box that Naruto has been debating which to take. He reached out to Naruto giving the blond the box, 'I would suggest that you take this, this gadget is better than the other one.'

Naruto looked at the box, he reached for the box, put it in the push cart. 'Thank you…'

'I am Sasuke's brother…' he said with a smile. 'I would like to know how he is doing. Would you mind talking with me for a while?'

'You can visit us - -'

'I can't do that.' The male sounded depressed. 'I only have the chance today and well… He and I have been in bad terms since we separated so seeing me, he might be not pleased.'

Naruto felt pity hearing that the man wasn't on speaking terms with Sasuke. 'Uhmmm… Is it alright if I went ahead and deliver these things first then?'

He looked at Naruto, nods letting Naruto go to the counter to pay everything in the pushcart only he does. He followed not far behind as Naruto went and dropped off all he bought in the school.

-:-

Back at home at the same time, Neji just finished telling Sasuke everything just as he told Tsunade.

Sasuke looked horrified. 'THE HELL!' he shouts venting his anger to Neji. 'Why didn't you tell me about that? How many days did you wait before you could tell me!'

'You got your own problem at the moment.' Neji tried to reason with Sasuke. He didn't understand everything why would Sasuke seem furious that he had not said a word about the man; he could tell that Sasuke wasn't angry for simply not telling but a deeper reason. 'You are in no condition to have to listen to it. Of course I thought that you might want to learn about him instantly, but something stopped me. THAT guy wasn't exactly someone who you would want to get involved with. I hate to say it, but something inside me stirred up when I met the guy – and what's worst, he also has been stalking around you.'

'Stalking you?' Tsunade turned to Sasuke.

That isn't good, Neji thought at his slip up. He knows that Sasuke didn't mention anything about the stalker or the feelings that Sasuke has been building up towards Naruto. He covered his mouth as Tsunade faced him. He wanted to avoid angering Sasuke further.

Tsunade sighs, 'Okay forget about the stalker thing for a moment then. We need to focus on Itachi.'

Neji looked at Tsunade and Sasuke. 'He is Sasuke's brother so why do you - -.' He didn't know how to ask the two who seemed serious and worried.

'Itachi is Sasuke's older brother and at the same time, their parents' murderer.' Tsunade informed.

Neji is shocked at the revelation. He knows a lot about Sasuke, but wasn't expecting that his friend would have a brother much less the murderer of Sasuke's parents'.

'I took Sasuke when he is young in the orphanage… Young but know enough to know what is right and wrong.' Tsunade continued. 'Sasuke became Itachi's witness to the murder.'

Neji swallowed as she listened quietly. He wasn't sure if he could even tell anything or interrupt Tsunade.

-:-

Naruto is running out of the school when a female with pink hair stopped to call his attention. He turned to face the female.

'You are Sasuke-kun's brother correct?' the female asked.

Naruto stares at the female; he didn't know how he will respond to the female. He didn't know her but knew that she is acquainted with Sasuke somehow. 'Yes?' he tried to sound polite.

The female glares at Naruto. She suddenly chuckles. 'I bet that you are no different from your brother, filth.'

'Wha—' Naruto didn't understand what the female is trying to say.

Itachi watched from the distance where neither Sakura nor Naruto could see him but he could hear well enough.

'What are you trying to say?' Naruto raised his voice. He couldn't have Sasuke be insulted, if it is just him, it's fine but to insult a family is another thing. 'I don't know what you are trying to say, but to call Niisan a filth is -'

'A filth is a filth.' She stated. 'You are not related but I am sure that you guys are sleeping together always and…' She went on adding more insults.

Naruto's face flushed red from rage, but he still tried to calm down, prevent himself attacking her.

Itachi appeared, embraced Naruto as if he is a prince who came to the rescue. He looked at the female and smiles, 'Just because that you aren't able to get what you want with your power doesn't mean that you have to push down a little boy.'

Her face flushed from anger raised her hand. Her palm so close to Itachi's face but he had stopped it which made her angrier. 'You are no different fag!' She pulled away her hand from Itachi and left running.

'Girls these days are quite something.' Itachi said as he looked at the direction the female ran, his right arm wrapped on Naruto. He turned his attention to Naruto, saw the blond look depressed. He had been waiting for the right moment to come when Naruto is vulnerable, and that's now.

'Let's go have a drink,' Itachi invites.

Naruto have no inclination to go or refuse the invitation.

'I know a good place where you can relax.' Itachi said releasing Naruto. He pats the blonde's head.

Naruto nods, and follows Itachi.

-:- -:-

a/n: well that went well… wonder where Itachi would bring Naruto? And what plan does Itachi have returning to disturb Sasuke's new family and peaceful lifestyle. More of Naruto: Ballad for the next installment! Please keep reading and keep updating.