Insanity's Slip

Chapter Twenty Seven

By Boejangles

-/-

A sunny haired boy wandered about in a small garden. He was searching for something in particular, something that was very special to him. Something that liked to eat anything that dared grow in said garden.

"Oh Haku, come out come out where ever you are," a sing song voice called. Blue eyes darted around upon hearing a rustling. With a sudden show of speed, tan hands grabbed hold of a pure white rabbit. "Why where have you been hiding Mister Haku?" the happy boy asked pulling the bunny to his chest.

Naruto had treasured the white rabbit ever since receiving it during the mission in wave. It reminded him of the boy he had met that seemed to know him so well. The blond didn't want to take any chances though, so he kept the bunny here, in the garden, and never brought him inside. Naruto only ever played with the bunny when he knew Sasuke wasn't around- he wasn't sure if he could stand watching anyone else he cared about die.

Holding up a carrot, the boy giggled as the bunny munched on it. He wondered about the original Haku and how he was fairing with his precious person. The blond could only hope the older male was doing better than he was.

"Alright Mister Haku, you take care. Be sure to tend the garden as usual." Naruto grinned from the bottom of his heart before releasing the bunny back into the vast jungle of their back yard garden.

The young Uchiha left the garden with the plans of stopping by and saying hi to Sakura, probably picking her up some flowers, and then finding someone to help him train for the upcoming exam. He had just about made it when he had just about made it to the flower shop when his plans were suddenly interrupted.

"Aha! My youthful rival! Are you prepared for our duel today?" a cheery voice half asked and half proclaimed.

Naruto slowly turned to look at the green blur that was rushing towards him. He wondered if he could think up an excuse to push off the duel yet again, but deep down knew he had made a promise and needed to stick to it. "I guess today is the day to finally have out match."

Bouncing up and down in excitement, Lee seemed like he was about to explode. "Yosh! I have been waiting for this for an awfully long time"!

The blond simply offered a half hearted grin not quite sure why the other male was so excited. However, Naruto did not have time to figure this out, because he was soon being pulled by the green clad boy towards a training area where he assumed the duel would take place.

Letting go of the younger boy's arm, Lee moved to stand across from the blond and bowed in a show of respect before a battle was to commence.

Blue eyes watched the other male carefully. "I have questions before we begin." Naruto paused, waiting 'til he had eye contact before continuing. "Why do you want to fight and Uchiha so badly"?

Lee's face became hard before he answered. "I want to prove that perseverance and hard work can beat a bloodline or a clan any day."

A strange look crossed the blonde's face before he looked down. "So you think that just because someone is part of a clan that don't have to work hard? You think that alone keeps a person from persevering every day just to stay alive?" Naruto's voice started out quiet but escalated into a scream. "Well then why don't I show you what my not hard work can do"! He decided to leave out that he actually didn't posses the sharingan or any other bloodline for that matter.

The green clad boy was stunned by the younger one's declaration and even more stunned when he had to dodge a fist that was aimed at his face. The older boy responded by lashing out with his foot and making contact with the blonde's head. He was rewarded with fire singing his leg and being blasted back about ten feet.

He wasn't quite sure what happened, he kicked the smaller boy who then seemed to explode. It must have been some kind jutsu. Lee quickly wiped at his leg wanting to make sure it wasn't damaged badly.

"Ready to give up?" Naruto asked from his leaning position against a tree. A smirk that was oddly familiar to that of his older brother's adorned his face.

"I must admit your youth is strong, but I shall not give up so easily," the dark haired male declared before running and landing a spinning kick to the males head. Once again, the contact was met with an explosion. Lee fought against the momentum and flipped in the air to land on his feet this time. The Taijutsu specialist attempted to puzzle it out; just how was he supposed to defeat somebody that erupted each time he made contact.

Sitting in the middle of the clearing with his eyes closed, Naruto made a clucking sound with his tongue. "Ready to give up now"?

"I am Rock Lee and I will continue to fight!" with that declaration Lee ran towards the male sending and upper axe cut directed at the other's chin with the intention of throwing him into the air. Instead of flying in the air, the blond simply exploded this time with enough force to send the older male flying through the air. Sliding across the ground was none to friendly to hid back, and when he stopped, the pain in his leg was near unbearable.

Walking up to the fallen male, Naruto stared down. "This match is over. It is not because I was part of a clan that I beat you, in fact, I have no blood line and my clan has been dead for many years. I beat you because I push myself everyday and work as hard as I can to get better. So don't assume that just because of someone's name that they aren't trying just as hard as you to be their best"! After the blond spoke his mind he offered a hand to help the older male up.

Once on his feet, though favoring his left leg, Lee bowed to the blond in shame. "I am sorry Naruto for my assumption. I have lost fair and square and for my weakness I shall do one hundred sit-up followed by one hundred push up followed by…"

"Well good luck with that," Naruto offered to the still babbling male along with a grin before he made his escape from somehow being tricked into what was sounding like a work out of doom.

After his fight with Lee, Naruto made his way to the top of the Hokage monument to think. The young male wasn't sure what he should do. Part of him knew that he needed to let Sasuke win their match, but the other part couldn't forget what his brother had said during the preliminary round. Yet he couldn't conceive actually hurting his older brother. It just wasn't right. Let alone it was a death wish in disguise…but Sasuke also made it seem like not giving it his all would be a death wish as well.

The blond sighed and shoved his head between his knees. He just didn't know what he was going to do. He really wished he had just been paired up against that blood thirsty red-head; that would be someone he would have no problem fighting all out.

Naruto suddenly thought about Sakura and hoped that she was recovering well. He would need to go see her tonight. He had been so distracted by his fight earlier that he forgot to stop by. Standing up, the blond decided that he would spend most of his time doting on Sakura and enjoying his freedom from his brother instead of training. He would simply use what he already knew against his brother and nothing more. No matter what happened he had concluded that in the long run he would lose.

Sasuke grunted from where he was leaning against a boulder. "None of this will help me beat him."

Raising an eyebrow, Kakashi looked up from his book. "You think that Naruto is going to be a difficult fight"? The intrigued the silver haired male who had believed the Uchiha in front of him to have thought so highly of himself.

"Not him!" Sasuke spat out as if the idea was ridiculous. "Gaara. I know that no matter how much I wish it, Naruto will not actually fight me and no matter how smart Shikamaru is he will not be able to defeat Gaara; so that has me up against that crazy sand-nin in the second round and these techniques will not be enough."

Kakashi scrutinized his student from over the edge of his book before pretending to go back to reading. The raven haired male had a point. He knew the blonde's heart and had already surmised that the kid would give up for his brother. That left the very wide possibility that Sasuke would be fighting the same red head that placed his female student in intensive care.

However, the silver haired male was still torn. His mind kept lingering on his discussion with the aged Hokage who asked for this training trip in the first place. When he had asked why he was given the cloaked response that it would be good for the boys to train separately if they are to fight each other. Even when he pushed in on whether or not there was any advancement in the inquiry between the boys' he was brushed off and told not to worry. He wondered if not worrying meant that there wasn't anything going on and it had all been just a big scare.

Darting his eyes back over to look at his annoyed student, Kakashi wondered what he should do. He was sure the Hokage would have told him if something was wrong between the boys.

"Alright Sasuke, I will show you a new technique, but you are only to use it if your or one of your teammate's lives are in danger."

The raven haired male gave a quick nod of understanding before paying complete attention to the explanation his sensei was giving on the technique.

The next couple of weeks passed without incident and Naruto was actually beginning to miss his brother. His bowl of ramen did help suppress those feelings though.

"Yo Naruto!" a voice called out to the boy sitting on a swing.

Swiveling his head around to see who had called out to him, the blond grinned. "Boss"!

Konohamaru smiled as he walked up to the boy flanked by Udon and Moegi. "You want to come play ninja with us"? The question was met with an enthusiastic nod and the slurping down of that last bit of broth from a ramen bowl.

Naruto was truly excited. He was given the opportunity to play with his friends again. He absolutely loved being able to play with the kids before him, it helped him to forget that he was forced to grow up so fast and remember what it was like to be a kid.

Pumping his fist in the air, the young brunette let out a 'yippee' before ordering the other to follow him to the location of their secret mission. Their mission had been one of outstanding bravery that called for them to slay a dragon and save a distressed princess. As expected, the young blond had the time of his life.

They had begun to watch the sun set after a long day of playing when their captain jumped up suddenly. "Now we must go to unc's house in celebration of mission success!" Konohamaru declared. This was met with the nods of approval from his three underlings.

Asuma crossed his arms and waited when he opened his front door to a square rock. His sister had warned him that his nephew would more than likely be stopping by.

The box suddenly exploded in a puff of smoke.

"The one who possess the sex appeal of an adult, Moegi!" the ginger haired girl offered while holding up a piece sign.

The glasses wearing meal jumped out next holding a calculator. "The one who loves dividing numbers, Udon"!

"The one who can always make a bang, Naruto!" the blond spoke while jumping up and using a modified body flicker so instead of disappearing the fire just rose up his body and then dissipated.

The scarf clad male jumped in front of the other three. "The village's number one greatest ninja, Konohamaru"!

"The four of us make…the Konohamaru corps!" they all spoke in unison.

"Well how nice of you to stop by," Asuma offered sarcastically. "Alright, alright come on in and eat before the food gets cold.

The four kids entered the house while Konohamaru commented that he liked the introduction for Naruto much better than the old one and was glad that they had worked on it.

"So, I've been thinking Naruto, and I think I want you to be my right hand man and second in command. If anything ever happened I would want you to look after the rest of the corps," the brunette's voice came out matter of fact.

The blond beamed, but then took on a sad look. "I'd be honored boss, but nothing is going to happen to you I am sure of it"!

"Of course nothing is going to happened to me, silly," Konohamaru snapped back. "I'm just saying you know, if."

The young Uchiha nodded and smiled. He was glad that his friend had decided to walk with him even after Moegi and Udon had to go home. He truly liked the slightly younger boy and was overjoyed to be able to share his company, especially since he didn't get to enjoy it often.

"You know, Boss, I think you are my best friend."

"I think you are my best friend too, Naruto."

"Aww, how touching," interrupting the boys' happy moment. The voice that had spoken was cold and calculating, but the wielder was hidden in the shadow ahead. "Now, now, now, what have we here- two very stupid boys out way past their bed times."

Recognizing the voice, the blond took a fearful step back.

"Hey you meany head who are you calling stupid!" Konohamaru demanded of the unknown voice.

"Boss!" Naruto bite out, "Don't!"

There was a sharp laugh before the figure stepped forward. "I do believe I was calling you and my little brother stupid you snot nosed brat. I mean, imagine my surprise coming home from a long training trip to find my helpless little brother missing. Imagine how worried I was that something had happened only to find him out wondering with a bad influence."

The brunette obviously didn't realize that he was baiting a snake as he shoved his hands into his hips. "I am not a bad influence nor am I or my friend stupid and I am most definitely not a snot nosed brat you evil buttmunch"!

A look a horror crossed the youngest Uchiha's face before he jumped in front of his boss to take a hit that was aimed at the younger boy. The force of the punch sent the blond sprawled onto the ground.

"Naruto!" Konohamaru screamed ready the fight the older boy that dare hit his friend.

"Boss, don't, just go home, please," the slightly older boy begged.

Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest satisfied that he had hit someone even if it wasn't his intended target. "Yes, go home and don't ever come around Naruto again. I forbid you from being friends. This is the second time that you have caused him to miss curfew and I have no idea what else you have been teaching him- so I don't ever want to see you around my brother again, is that understood"?

"He is my friend!" The brunette barked, "and you can't forbid me from doing anything"!

The blond had finally pushed himself into a sitting position. "Aniki, no!" he shouted when his brother began to move again. "Boss, just turn around and go home, I'm begging you, just go home."

Konohamaru stared at Naruto for a couple of second before taking a step back, turning and running away as fast as he could.

"For such a stupid kid, that was pretty smart of him," Sasuke commented before grabbing his younger brother's wrist and yanking him to his feet. "However, I am just getting started with you."

Blond hair obstructed the view of blue eyes since the male's head was hanging down so low, as he was dragged behind his brother. His entire frame was trembling in fear and anticipation. A small part of him wondered if he should attempt screaming for help as loud as he could, considering they weren't yet to their home, someone might hear him. He knew though, that he would never be able to do that. He loved his brother and knew that he was the only one that could help him. Naruto was so caught in his thoughts that it took the slamming of a door for him to realize that they had made it home.

"I warned you that you needed to make an attitude adjustment, but instead of doing that, you break curfew while at the same time directly disobeying me by fraternizing with the boy I told you not to be around. And don't you dare say you are sorry or I swear," he allowed the threat to linger in the air. So, instead of saying anything the younger boy simply swallowed and attempted to stop quaking in fear. "Good, if you keep behaving this won't be as bad."

Konohamaru busted through the front door panting for breath, nearly scaring his mother into dropping her water glass to the floor.

"Baby, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" The tender woman questioned while lowering herself to her son's level.

"Naruto…" he had to pause to take in a deep breath. "Naruto's brother hit him and I think he is in danger!" the small boy was frantically yelling.

"Honey, calm down and tell me exactly what happened." The woman's eyes held concern. She had met her son's friend on a couple of occasions and couldn't imagine a reason someone would hit the boy.

"I was walking Naruto home, when suddenly this guy shows up and starts yelling at us. I yelled back and then Naruto was in front of me and then the guy knocked him to the ground and told me I could never see Naruto again and that I needed to go home. The guy was really, really mean and I think he is going to hurt Naruto"!

"Konohamaru, this isn't another one of your stories is it? This isn't the appropriate thing to make a game out of, you know that right"?

"Yes! I know! I am telling the truth!" The boy's voice was agitated at having to work so hard to be believed.

"I'm serious," the woman warned, "this is no laughing matter, what you are saying is a very serious accusation. So if this is one of your make believe things, I need you to tell me now."

The brunette looked exacerbated. "Mooom, it isn't I promise. I know I make up a lot of things, but I really think Naruto needs our help"!

The woman took a moment to look into the boy's eyes before nodding. "Alright, we will go check on your friend and make sure he is okay." With that she put on her shoes and allowed her son to lead the way to Naruto's house.

A/N: Dun, dun, dun….

So ,what do you think? Likes, dislikes, questions, complaints, comments, critique, requests, undying affection- yeah I'd like any and all of it.

So how many people did I shock by updating so fast? I told you I was hoping to finish this story over winter break (and when I say that I mean the whole story, don't worry I'm not planning on shortening it just to finish it faster), though the lack of comments on the last chapter had me kinda bummed, I guess that is what I get for the long delay between chapters. How many of you had forgotten about the bunny Haku? Don't worry I had too until I was looking through my stuff, so I had to add him in this chapter.

So yeah, comments are loved and feed my drive to update.