Insanity's Slip

Chapter Fourteen

By Boejangles

A/N: I'm sorry this took so long! I have been in a musical and have been writing a midterm paper, and just plain busy. Life happens. The voting was so messed up last chapter that I decided to write two different versions of this chapter and I hit a roadblock with one option. So, by default this will not be a SasuNaru at least at this point in time, because it just isn't fitting and a lot people didn't want it.

Kakashi looked down at his team part of him wondered if they were ready for this. His eyes fell on his blonde student who was staring at the ground.

"I have a surprise for you guys." The gray haired Nin waited for a reaction.

Sasuke looked up from where he was throwing rocks at a tree with an eyebrow raised.

Sakura looked slightly disbelieving remembering the last surprise was to get to clean a pond.

Naruto's head shot up his mind racing back to the big mission they had just completed and had trouble keeping the fear out of his eyes.

"It's not a mission, but could be even more dangerous." Kakashi paused when he noticed the blonde's eyes, "I have nominated you all for the Chunnin exams. You have to fill these out and turn them in if you want to enter." He handed out the papers before speaking again, " you have the rest of the day off." With that he disappeared.

Naruto stared down at the paper in his hand, he had a choice and he didn't have to do it. He just wouldn't do it.

Sasuke's eyes seemed to gleam. This was his chance this would put him one step closer to killing his brother; closer to his revenge.

Sakura glanced back and fourth between the two boys, they both seemed happy. Well if they wanted to do it, then she could get up the courage to do it.

Naruto kept an eye on his pot of water waiting for it to boil as he gathered up the rest of the ingredients for dinner. He had a grin plaster on his face. Sasuke had been in a good mood all day and when Sasuke was in a good mood Naruto was in a good mood.

Naruto turned and looked at the kitchen doorway, "Hey Sasuke dinner should be ready in about an hour."

Sasuke nodded and sat down at the table, "I cant wait for this exam it will put us so much closer to our goal."

The blonde turned and looked at hid brother, "I don't think I am going to take it."

The older boy growled slightly, "What?"

"Well I just don't think I am ready. I am younger and not as strong as everyone else. I think I should train more before anything like this." Naruto tried to explain.

Sasuke looked down at the table the anger had left his face and was replaced with sadness. His voice came out as a whisper, "Have I failed to prepare him?" His voice became louder, "I'm not hungry. I'm going to bed."

"Aniki…" Naruto watched him walk off feeling disappointed in himself. He reached over and turned off the stove, he didn't feel hungry anymore.

He watched his brothers retreating form and bit his bottom lip; did he make the right choice?

Naruto walked up the stairs feeling worse and worse about himself. Half of him wished that Sasuke had beaten him instead of becoming sad.

He pulled open his door slowly and walked in falling onto the bed. Digging his hand under his pillow and pulled out the picture of him with his mom.

"Momma what am I supposed to do? I try not to cry I try to be strong, but I just cant do anything right. I can't help him. I can't do anything." He stared at the picture wishing he could hear his mothers voice again, and feel the warmth of her hug.

He looked up his eyes held a determination. He slipped the photo back under the pillow and stood from the bed before making his way down the hall. He knocked lightly on his brother's door before creaking it open.

"Aniki?" Naruto asked into the darkness.

"Hmm?" A voice called back.

"I…I want to take the exams. I want to take them with you."

"Really? Are you sure?" Sasuke's voice seemed more alert then the previous sleepy voice.

"Yes Aniki." Naruto smiled and took a step into the room, "Do you think maybe I could sleep with you tonight…like old times."

Sasuke stared at his brother for a few seconds before catching how much fear that was on the blonds face. "Okay otouto, get in." He moved the blankets aside.

Naruto smiled and crawled into the bed feeling safe. He remembered when him and Sasuke would sneak into Itachi's bed at night and he would pretend he didn't notice. The blonde drifted off to sleep content and lost in memories.

A/N: Sorry again. I am just so busy. Hope this will hold you over a bit till I get more time. Review and tell me what you think. Lots of Love Boe!