Kei-Kei Yuki: Guess what? You guys are getting a double update tonight! I really did try to be as descriptive as I could when it came to this battle, but I was tired and wanted to finally get this chapter out of the way. So, I'm sorry, if failed to live up to some of you guys expectations!

Beta: Ana-DaughterofHades

Reaching My Hand Out to You

Following Sasuke to the Valley of the End, Naruko stood across from her rival; glowering onyx orbs met bright, innocent blues. In that split second of time, both couldn't help but ask themselves, 'How did we come to this?' Despite the curse mark covering half of his body, anybody could see that neither looked happy upon finding themselves in this troublesome situation.

'The darkness in his eyes has taken him over completely.' Staring intensely into those dark onyx orbs, Naruko remembered when she first got to look in Sasuke's eyes.

Swimming inside those heavy irises was an unfathomed amount of pain that made her flinch from just the mere sight. Coming to an understanding, Naruko sprung into action, taking upon herself to make sure Sasuke didn't go down any dangerous paths, but it looked like her help had done nothing.

"Let's go home, teme. Sakura-chan is at the gate crying, waiting for you to return. Whatever issues you have, let's talk about it once we get home." Naruko knew her words would probably fall upon deaf ears, but a part of her did not want to fight Sasuke. Silly, coming from Naruko, who spent most of her life challenging and fighting Sasuke during sparring, but this fight would hold something much more substantial than Naruko's satisfaction of topping Sasuke.

This battle would hold their bond on the line, and depending on the outcome, no one would know whether it would remain strong or if it would snap in the middle. "Besides, if you come back now, I promise to make you delicious onigiri with those stupid tomatoes you love so much," Naruko couldn't stop herself from sprouting out senselessly her voice practically begging Sasuke, but such words held no effect over him.

Since the moment Naruko's foot landed on top of the first lady Senju Hashirama stone head, Sasuke hadn't removed his eyes off her. He was lamenting to himself on why did it have to be Naruko of all people to confront him—cursing at how his heart still ached and fought against his decision when he peered inside those sad blue irises.

"Go back, dobe. Go back to Sakura and Kakashi-sensei. This was my decision, so stay out of it!" Naruko scoffed at those words. Sasuke begged inside his head for her not to take a step forward, but Naruko was always one to beat at the sound of her own drum.

"Sasuke..." Naruko understood the significance of what it meant if she took a step forward, but it was too late to turn around. Stepping her feet off the ground, all the moments they shared came to mind: every argument, spar, mission, and even the rare moments of happiness they shared. Recalling those precious times, Naruko so badly wanted to go back in time, but sadly time does not rewind but only moves forward just as her foot did when it touched down.

"Sorry teme, but you know I can't do that. I can't go back unless I take you with me," growled Naruko and was surprised when she saw guilt flash through those eyes, but it was only for a second before Sasuke masked his emotions with a look of indifference.

"Then it looks like we have no choice but to fight, dobe." Sasuke got into a fighting stance, Naruko matched him. Naruko challenged Sasuke to many taijutsu spars throughout their academy years, so the two couldn't help but fall into routine. Sadly, those happy childhood memories were now behind them as they raced across the landscape to do battle.

"You understand nothing! I lost everything and I can't afford to lose another! A loner like you could never understand my pain!" Sasuke screamed at Naruko, finding his blonde rival too naive to understand the depth of his hatred. Scoffing at the words Sasuke threw at her, Naruko felt as if something had ripped at her heart, fist balling up tightly at her side.

"Yeah, I was born a loner. I had nothing until Iruka-nee found me. She taught me the value of having a family! To have someone to give a damn about you! I know that if something had ever happened to her, I would want the whole world to burn!" Unlike other children, the world did not bless Naruko with the traditional family. Only one person had reached out to her when everyone else threw curses at her for being alive, and that was Iruka.

Despite having no blood ties to the brunette, she was the only family Naruko had in her life, and if anything had ever happened to the chunin, there was no telling how she would've reacted. "So in a way, I do understand what you are getting at, Sasuke, but once you walk this path, one day you'll have to face the consequences for your actions." Naruko tried to speak reason into Sasuke, not wanting to see the person she valued as a rival, teammate, and friend go down a road that would do nothing but bring more suffering into his life.

"I'm fully aware of the consequences, and I'm ready to face them. For both vengeance and power, I must break the bond between you and me," Sasuke solemnly replied to Naruko, dodging the kick she threw his way. Catching the small blonde by her ankle, he threw her aside. Planting her palm on the ground, Naruko rooted herself back to the ground.

"I'm sorry for what happened to your clan. No one deserves to go through that, but Sasuke, you still have people who care about you. Sakura-chan, Kakakashi-sensei, and even me! We care about you, so please, teme, come back home to us!" desperately pleaded Naruko, eyes screaming at how reluctant she was to fight against her rival and friend.

Naruko could understand why Sasuke would want to avenge his clan who he lost so tragically, but couldn't he see this path would only add more to his loss? Did he not care about Sakura, Kakashi-sensei, his home, the village-hell what about her?! How was she supposed to live without him?!

"Damn it, Sasuke; I don't want to fight you! I won't allow you to break the bond we have! Even if I have to break all the bones in your body, I'm bringing you back! So one more time, come back home, Sasuke. Come back to me." Naruko felt herself losing her patience. The gentle facade she had before was rotting into anger, but just one more time, she graced the teme with her kindness.

Staring at that tan outstretched hand that belonged to Naruko, Sasuke briefly wondered how his life would have played out if his brother hadn't massacred his clan. Would he and Naruko still be friends? Would they still be each other's rivals? Every decision made has a parallel opposite, and Sasuke began to wonder just how their life would have played out if fate didn't decide to torment them with loneliness and death.

End of Reaching My Hand Out to You