Chapter Text
~ Act 1 ~
He walked the long corridors of the twisting hideout the clan would use, he'd gone there in the dark of night, the moon shone bright in the sky not marred by clouds or lights, it was his favourite time of night when only the most intense of forces were at play. Upon entering the room at the end of the corridor there stood his father, Fugaku Uchiha, his cousin Obito Uchiha and his uncle Madara Uchiha, the power each exuded felt suffocating leaving him a little dizzy, how people with weak chakra handled their presence he would never understand.
To the left of them in his anbu mask stood what he believed to be Itachi, his older brother and to the right his other cousin Shisui again in his anbu mask, despite feeling the pressure through out the room he stepped in, shoulders back and head held high as he walked in trying his best to exude even half the confidence each man in this room had.
"Good evening Father" , he greeted respectfully alongside then greeting his uncle and cousins in a low voice, he stepped further in and knelt on one knee, head bowed in obedience.
"Raise your head child" , Madara stated, Sasuke did so upon command, after all his uncle was the clan leader his voice alone was enough to stun someone into a genjutsu.
"Do you understand why you have been called here tonight?"
"You have a mission for me?" He knew they had a mission but he was yet to have the details explained to him, all he gathered was it must be seriously important for them to call him in the dead of night in the clan's hideout of all places, a drop of water dripped from the eroded rock in the ceiling causing an earth shattering echo through out the otherwise silent room as Sasuke awaited his orders.
"Yes my son but not just any mission this is of the utmost importance to the Uchiha clan, failure of this could mean absolute devastation to the clan" Sasuke felt his composure leave him as his eyes bulged from his head at the information, what could this possibly mean?! Devastation to the Uchiha? Not possible.
"what will you have me do?" He questions.
"Sasuke are you aware of the current climate we live in right now?" his uncle questions, he shakes his head not quite following where this is going. "Right now the 5th Hokage is in discussion with the elders of the village on what to do with the Uchiha clan, they are debating about stripping the clan of it's right to the police force, to be elected as anbu, they wish to remove us entirely outside the village making us outsiders in it's entirety, Lord 4th spent his all be it very short term as Hokage trying his best to restore the strength of the clan and give us our rights to the village back, however his efforts have been in vain. Ever since his passing things have only increasingly gotten more tense for the Uchiha as the years have passed." His uncle explains, he couldn't help noticing the vein threatening to burst across his uncles forehead, it looked painful.
As Sasuke is about to question where he comes into all of this Obito steps in "Sasuke I'm sure you're confused on where you play your role here, but allow me to simplify and get to the point" Obito glances to Madara with a pointed look "Sasuke, we need you to get close to Uzumaki Naruto" Sasuke's eyes widen for a second time that night.
Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Really him?" Sasuke questions exasperated already at the thought of the task at hand "What exactly do I have to do?"
Obito shrugs "Be-friend him? Make him feel close to you, close enough that he trusts you, the most important thing is we get him here in the compound on the night of the shining moon" Sasuke exasperates again "T-thats only 6 weeks away!" He almost yells "Yes we understand the time frame is tight-" "Tight?! It's near impossible, no one can become good aquaintances in such a time let alone trustworthy friends!"
"See son that is where you are wrong, Naruto is an orphan entirely alone, shunned by the village, trust me if he thinks you are be-friending him he will very quickly attach himself to you." Sasuke still feels skeptical, what was the point of all this? "What's so special about him anyway?" His uncle, father and Obito all look to one another smirking, Sasuke feels like he's missing one big joke at this point, he really wishes they'd stop with the theatrics sometimes.
"The boy is the Jinchuuriki to the nine tailed fox" Sasuke nearly falls on his face at the revelation, the Uchiha clan are known as one of the strongest clans among the hidden leaf village and one of their strengths is their ability to control the nine tailed fox and the Jinchuuriki that hosts them using their sharingan, Sasuke can't believe that they intend to actually put this ability to use.
"Beware though Sasuke, though he may seem a little unorthodox he has spent years honing his powers trained by the late toad sage Jaraiya, he has chakra reserves in bounds many of us can only dream of, some rumors have passed that he has even be-friended the fox within him able to communicate and work as a team with the beast, we want you to while you are be-friending him report back to us with information on the boy, tell us everything you discover even if it seems insignificant, the boy is a knucklehead but he's smarter than people give him credit for and he's much stronger too" Sasuke still can't quite believe he's being given such a mission, this seems too far above his abilities at this point.
"Surely this seems a little out of my league, father, perhaps Itachi or Shisui are better suited"
"No Sasuke it must be you. While Naruto for the most part is ostricised from the village, we can't be raising any suspicions among the villagers or even catch the attention of Lady Fifth, it seems she often keeps a close eye on him, he is only a little younger than you by a couple of months, you've likely attended the academy with him, seeing him around with someone he's likely to be aquainted with will not draw attention, plus we believe this to be your first big mission, show us what you're capable of"
Sasuke nods and salutes "I will do my best and make you proud, I accept the mission"
They all nod and smile proud "Your mission begins tomorrow, he often trains at ground number 3, he likes Ichiraku ramen and he lives in the south east part of town..."
Sasuke nods as he stands and goes to walk out, just as he is about to leave through the same curtain he entered through his father speaks up "And son, need I remind you, do not underestimate him"
Sasuke says nothing as he steps back into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sasuke walks along the river the next morning passing training ground 3 it was barely past first light but there he was, as his father said he would be, Naruto Uzumaki he was throwing punches at a rather beaten up wooden totem, the splinters were flying everywhere in the mayhem and Sasuke was surprised it was still standing judging by the dents throughout the tall pole, he slowed his pace and tried hard not to stare but the power behind his blows were impressive and precise, not realising he had come to a stop suddenly he was snapped out of his thoughts as bright blue eyes looked over and caught his.
He looked away quickly as the blows stopped and continued walking before he could see the confused frown etched onto the blondes face, who has eyes that ridiculously blue anyway? He kept walking hoping his stare wasn't too obvious and hoping Naruto would be too eager to continue training to follow him, not to his surprise he heard the firm blows and the cracking of wood behind him continue as he kept walking to his next destination to wait for the blonde.
Upon entering the small ramen shop he was instantly hit by a wave of pork scented broth and he couldn't help but think it smelt divine, he decided to try their most popular dish the pork ramen with spicy tomato broth as he sat down and relaxed he took in the calming atmosphere of the stand and couldn't believe he had never been here before, then again he rarely ventured this side of town so that would likely explain why.
Time passed as he sat at the stool, as patrons came and went, before he knew it an hour had passed and he was almost ready to resign and accept that he would not be seeing the blonde here today but just as he was about to fish out his money to pay for his food he felt a presence sit two seats down from him, the chakra felt bright and warm and sasuke almost felt like he could bask in it, that's how calming the feeling was, he couldn't believe the sense of peace that washed over him at that moment so strong and powerful almost as strong as his uncle Madara's, he peered over to the source and of course it had to be his chakra, he almost wanted to scowl at how typical this was but he was nothing if not someone with a stoic poker face so he controlled himself.
"Old man my usual please" the voice was raspy but had a high sort of lilt to it, was there anything unpleasant about this boy?
"Look man, I'm not looking for a dual today okay, I just want to eat my ramen in peace, maybe another day y'know" He spoke again but this time Sasuke was sure it was aimed at him as there was no one else around, however what on earth does he mean? Sasuke frowns and goes to open his mouth but before he can Naruto is quicker "I saw you staring at the training grounds and you're staring again here, don't think I haven't dealt with this before I see your brooding type all the time..." Sasuke's frown deepens even more "If you're gonna play dumb with me then fine all I ask is that if you're going to jump me later let me know ahead of time if it'll be just you I should expect or a whole gang yeh?" Okay now Sasuke was really confused.
He seemed almost tired like he'd gone through this a million times like he almost couldn't be bothered and Sasuke almost felt a twinge in his heart, he understood how jinchuuriki's were viewed and from what his father had told him the blonde had been alone from birth, mistreated and mishandled, Sasuke was surprised he didn't have such a dark presence from how hard his life seemed.
"Fine don't answer me then, but just know I won't fight you that's final, I don't fight my own fellow ninja unless it's a sparring match and I definitely don't fight civilians so if you plan on bringing any of them along in your little gang later then don't even bother" Again he just seemed drained and Sasuke realised he was doing a lot of staring and really not a lot of talking and he felt now was the time he should really speak up for himself.
"Did it ever occur to you that I'm staring because I've never seen someone fight like that, whatever did that totem pole do to you huh?" Naruto looked almost taken a back at the teasing tone to Sasuke's comment but he quickly caught himself even though Sasuke caught the twinkle behind his eye, bingo.
"Well I prefer a more active opponent sure, but when a totem pole is looking at you funny you just need to throw a few punches it's way y'know" He shrugged and huffed a tiny laugh as his bowl of ramen was slid across the bar to him, his face lit up in almost complete delight and Sasuke wondered if this was the best part of Naruto's day.
"Well how about you throw some punches my way at some point? I could make a much better sparring partner than a totem pole" Sasuke smirked over at him and Naruto paused as he slurped up his noodles " You actually want to spar with me?" Sasuke shrugs, nodding a little.
"Does that happen a lot then?" Sasuke asks out of curiosity, Naruto raises his eyebrow asking him to elaborate "It's just you seemed a little tired thinking I was gonna bring my mob of guys round to jump you, so does it happen often?" Naruto flinches for a moment, so small to the untrained eye you'd miss it, but Sasuke see's everything, he can Naruto is considering how to answer as he thinks for a moment too long "Oh that..." Naruto scratches the back of head looking away to the left and then back down at his bowl "Yeh well in this area things can get a bit rowdy from time to time, but it's nothing that I can't handle" He shrugs it off quickly and keeps eating, Sasuke decides to drop it for now.
Sasuke observes him a little longer before he decides he should probably take his leave, he takes his bag out and places some cash on the counter for his meal and goes to stand up when Naruto speaks "Erm sorry I didn't get your name" Sasuke looks to him then, he looks almost shy and withdrawn and Sasuke really wonders what this kids life has been like all these years, he gives a half smile "Sasuke Uchiha" He see's realisation flash across Naruto's face "We went to the academy together..." Sasuke nods and gives him a look as if to ask his name in return "Oh right sorry how rude of me, Naruto Uzumaki" Sasuke obviously already knew this but he plays it off as slight curiosity and goes to actually leave.
"Sasuke-" He pauses at the voice "If you're serious about sparring sometime then I'm always at training ground 3 every day at sunrise and sunset." Sasuke nods in acknowledgement and lifts his hand in a wave as he steps out on to the now bustling streets.
He thinks over the encounter and decides to jump up on the roofs of the building's from there he will follow Naruto home, he needs to observe the boys daily routine.
Not long later he sees a head of golden step out into the sun, he turns to wave to the ramen stool owner, thanking him and turns around to walk down the street, hands in pockets just minding his business, Sasuke observes how the crowd disperses a little around him, people whispering to one another or sneering at Naruto, he almost feels taken a back by such hostility, is this what he's been dealing with his whole 18 years of life?
Sasuke almost wanted to put them all in a genjutsu over their treatment of Naruto, even after one conversation he can tell this boy is kind to his own detriment, Sasuke feels angry over such treatment, he doesn't really understand where this protective emotion is coming from, he barely knows him, he shakes his head as if getting himself out of his thoughts and silently follows behind Naruto.
They blonde weaves through streets with a flow and ease of someone who knows it like the back of their hand, he then takes a sharp left down an alley and Sasuke jumps accross the roof to observe from above what is going on. "C'mon I know you're following me, you must know by now your efforts are fruitless" Naruto has stopped and speaks in a tired tone, Sasuke feels confused, he could've sworn he had cloaked his chakra, how could he be so stupid?! He's about to step down from the roof in shame over being caught when a condescending laugh echoes down the alley.
"Just when I think we have you, you go ahead and surprise us" A guy, definitely not a ninja steps out with a posse of about 4 or 5 guys behind him, so this is what Naruto was talking about earlier, Naruto audibly sighs and turns around "Do we really have to keep doing this every week? It's as if you never learn, we play the same song and dance" The guy only chuckles "Naruto c'mon now, a guy as powerful as you, I want that in my blood line many others do too, we know about your little secret-" Sasuke frowns, secret?
Naruto looks embarrassed but frowns in anger "You know and understand nothing, now leave me alone" His voice is final and strong but the guys are walking forward and gathering around him, Naruto doesn't look like he plans on fighting back no stance has been taken he's just stood there observing them all and Sasuke feels frustrated, what is he doing?
The first one runs to take a blow and Naruto easily dodges, they then start coming at him one after another they're yet to land a blow and so is Naruto he is just entirely dodging every attack, Sasukes eyes widen when a knife is drawn and he feels panic surge, the knife is thrown and stabs Naruto in his stomach, he was too busy worried about the guys throwing punches he didn't even pick up on the one drawing his knife, he keels over in pain and with his guard dropped another one lands a blow, Sasuke can't watch, he quickly jumps down in front of them, sharingan activated no chance to fight back on their behalf after all what options did they give Naruto, he puts them all under a genjutsu knocking them out cold.
He turns to Naruto and see's he looks confused, Sasuke's gaze drifts down to the knife still in Naruto's stomach and panics as Naruto goes to reach for it "No don't do that, we need to get you to the hospital!" Naruto quickly shakes his head "No absolutely no hospitals, it won't be neccessary" His voice is strained as he pulls the knife from his stomach he cringes in pain and Sasuke feels a little sick from the noises but he composes himself "Naruto you cannot leave a wound like that unchecked, it could become infected, or you could bleed out" Naruto shakes his head again "As I said that won't be neccessary" Sasuke doesn't quite trust him, why wouldn't he want to see a doctor? Although Sasuke is surprised the blonde doesn't have more bruises, "What are you doing here anyway?" Sasuke freezes a little as he walks over to help Naruto up "I erm... I was walking through town when I saw these guys follow you down the alley they looked sketchy" He shrugs hoping Naruto will buy the excuse.
He raises his eyebrows in surprise and shock, he looked like he wanted to cry "No one has ever cared like that before" somehow his eyes look bluer as they shine with unshed tears and Sasuke feels his heart ache for the boy, but he quickly collects himself. Sasuke sees him shake out of it and stand up fully and smile at him, not with his eyes though just his mouth is smiling his eyes tell a totally different story "Well thanks Sasuke for coming and helping me, but I should get going now" He goes to walk past as Sasuke looks down to the wound- which has gone? Absolutely no sign of it what so ever, the only indication that he had been stabbed was the blood stains surrounding the material of his top, Sasuke feels bewildered, does he know medical ninjutsu himself?
"Do you know medical ninjutsu, is that why you're not worried about going to the hospital?" Sasuke blurts and Naruto freezes but quickly composes himself "Oh yeh something like that, also Lady fifth will punch me worse than any of those other guys had if she found out I let this happen" He shrugs as he reaches behind his head to scratch at his scalp awkwardly, Sasuke was noticing he did this often.
He didn't entirely believe his poor excuses but he again decided to drop it, he has time to find the answers to these things "Well okay, but atleast let me help you back to your place" Sasuke offers and Naruto shifts in un-ease "Oh that's okay you've helped me enough" He scoffs as he looks at Naruto pointedly and eventually the boy relents and gives in "Fine walk me home" he rolls his eyes at Sasuke as he smirks in triumph.
They walk side by side back onto the street, Naruto's hands are deep in his pockets and he's looking up at the blue sky, Sasuke notices how blue his eyes look and he wants to dive into them, and he doesn't understand what is happening! Why is he thinking these things?
"So, what's your secret?" Naruto stumbles over a rock and looks to Sasuke, "Oh you heard that huh? Well they don't know what they're talking about, probably just another dumb rumor" He huffs but refuses to look in Sasukes direction, he's coming to discover that Naruto is a terrible liar, but he decides not to push, he didn't want to spook the guy on their first day of meeting the mission relies on Naruto trusting him, he needs to patient. "Dumb rumor?" He questions "Yeh, seems people don't want to actually get to know me they just believe whatever bizarre rumor is floating round that month" He chuckles darkly but quickly composes himself "Anyway, I've never seen you this side of town and suddenly today I see you twice in one day..." Naruto states and Sasuke doesn't really know how to respond, he could lie entirely but that means coming up with an elaborate story that might bring about questions, but he could half lie... "Oh erm yeh, I have a mission in this area but it pretty top secret and under the radar" Naruto has a look of understanding on his face as a ninja he obviously understands the confidentiality of missions so he doesn't ask anything else on it to Sasuke's relief.
Not 5 minutes later they come across a run down block of flats there's graffiti spray painted on nearly every surface, some pretty derogatory things that Sasuke is sure have to do with the blonde jinchuuriki stood beside him, if his embarrassed blush is anything to go by.
"Well this is me, thanks for today, it was nice meeting you Sasuke I hope we can see eachother again sometime?" Sasuke nods before replying "I'm sure we will, my mission is a long one I'll be seeing you Naruto" and the smile he receives back could blind a man and Sasuke feels like his heart might stop right there, but as quick as it's there it's gone and so is the blue eyed wonder boy, he jumps up to the third floor and disappears through a door that Sasuke assumes is his home.
Sasuke turns and walks back down the street.
~~~~~~
"Whats your report for your first day of the mission?" His father ask him just as he's walking through the door of his office, "Hi father good to see you too, my day was great-" "Your report, please son" Sasuke huffs but offers his report.
"It seems you were right about everything, he is lonely, he said he trains at ground 3 everyday, sunrise and sunset, he eats at ichiraku ramen, he live in the south east part of town in a nasty run down 3rd floor flat and it seems the villagers dislike him and ostricise him but also want his power for themselves too." Sasuke shrugs that last part is the strangest thing to him. "Wait go back what's this about villagers wanting his power to themselves?" Sasuke shrugs again "Your guess is as good as mine, he was cornered by a group of guys, they said something about wanting his power for their bloodlines and how he has some kind of secret-" "Hold on secret? What exactly does that mean?" "again not sure, when I questioned him he said a lot of rumors go around about him and the villagers pick the one they want to listen to that month, although I believe there's a lot more to this judging by his reactions between the guy bringing it up and when I asked him, it seems he does have something he's hiding" His father nods as he listens.
"Okay good work for your first day seems like you made contact which is great and finding out just this much on day one gives you time to get more information on him, did you know the guy and his group who cornered him?" Sasuke shakes his head "No but I remember their faces, I could easily track them down and get any intel from them if I feel it's necessary." "Yes I would suggest seeing what you can dig up from this guy, but don't seek him out, if you spot him out and about just have a little chat with him"
"Oh I wasn't aware he could use medical ninjutsu, that was an interesting development" That caught his fathers attention "Medical ninjutsu? I've never heard of him being able to control chakra like that before..." Sasuke shrugs, "Perhaps he keeps that private?" He questions his father shakes his head "No he trained under Jaraiya the toad sage, he never learned medical ninjutsu, how did you come to discover this?" "When the guy showed up he had a group with him and they attacked Naruto, he dodged every blow until one of them pulled a knife and got him in the stomach, once I intervened and the fight ended, he pulled the knife right out, he outright refused to go to the hospital, something about it not being necessary, and how Lady fifth would punch him harder than the guys who attacked him" "Did you actually see him use medical ninjutsu on himself?" "No I didn't physically see him use it but when I noticed his wound was fully healed and mentioned it he got weird agreed is was medical ninjutsu and that's all really, I don't fully believe him but also can't think of another explanation on how one could heal themselves that quickly" His father sat deep in thought.
"You're right there is no other explanation, unless you're the jinchuuriki of the nine tailed fox, some have said the chakra shared with the fox enables the host to heal themselves when physically harmed perhaps that's what this is" Sasuke had almost forgotten he was a jinchuuriki but that made a lot more sense, interesting he didn't just say such a thing but perhaps he finds it harder to trust others than they originally thought, maybe this would be a bit more of a challenge.
But a challenge only spurred Sasuke on stronger.
~~~~
The next time he was walking past training ground 3 it was 2 days after their first meeting, the sun was setting pulling a orange hue over the grounds, everything was peaceful and calm but Sasuke couldn't see Naruto anywhere, he was beginning to give up thinking he had either missed him or he was too early when bright chakra caught his attention, dragging his line of sight to the willow tree by the small pond, there sat Naruto meditating?
"You can stare, or sit I don't care just stop disturbing me please, you're throwing my concentration off" Sasuke jumps at the voice but relents and sits none the less about 2 feet away from Naruto, the calm he felt in the blondes presence was none he'd ever felt before and this atmosphere was making it nearly impossible to focus on anything else.
All he'd done the last 2 days is think about Naruto, he couldn't help it he had so many questions and not many answers, and he was damned if he was going to get them.
"You've not been around this end of the village the last couple of days, did you complete your mission?" Narutos voice broke him out of his thoughts as he tossed a small stone into the pond, Naruto raised a brow but didn't open his eyes "No mission isn't over yet but I had some duties to fulfill among my clan that took prescedent" Naruto hums in acknowledgement but doesn't move "What's it like?" Sasuke raises a brow this time "What's what like?" He asks back.
Naruto sighs "Y'know having a family a clan what's it like? I never knew my family, my parents died when I was born and for the best part of my life I didn't know who they were, the closest thing I knew to family was Jaraiya, my master" Naruto says everything so matter of fact, despite it obviously affecting him, he's still able to bring through a feeling of enduring.
Sasuke deflates "Oh right yeh, family, well they're tough sometimes, they can get right on my nerves my older brother can be the worst and my cousins drive me insane, they always tease me but they also make me a stronger better person, my aunts and uncles all praise my older brother hes the pride of the Uchiha a natural born genius"
"Do you get jealous of him?" Sasuke thinks for a moment and shrugs "Hmm I guess sometimes I do, he's always being praised as the prodigy child the one who will bring the clan to greatness, but then sometimes I can see and even feel the pressure this puts upon him, sometimes he looks so drained from everything it looks like he's carrying the world on his shoulders, and I suppose sometimes he is. Nevertheless I love him and he takes good care of me, we have a strong bond."
He can see Naruto smiling softly and he so wishes his eyes were open at this moment he bets they'd shine under the setting sunlight.
"Have you ever thought about looking into your past?" Sasuke asks a risky question hoping Naruto will feel calm enough to answer "Hmm I once snuck into the hokages office when I was 5 trying to discover my heritage, understand who my father and mother were but my documents were sealed with a sealing jutsu, all it's ever raised is more questions than answers I got tired of looking, until Master Jaraiya told me of my parents" Naruto shrugs and suddenly opens his eyes turning to Sasuke and what he sees stuns him, there Naruto sat looking at him, but his eyes had turned orange with one black horizontal line in them, they are only highlighted even more so by what looked to be orange eyeliner surrounding them Sasuke can't take his eyes off him.
"Sorry I know it's a little odd to get used to at first but you do get used to it" Naruto blushes and Sasuke can't believe he can get prettier, what the hell is wrong with him?!
"What's happened?"
"Oh this is sage mode, it was passed onto me when my master Jaraiya passed on" Naruto smiles so big again and Sasukes heart skips a beat which he chooses to ignore completely.
"Oh sage mode that's cool I've heard it incredibly difficult to learn, have you mastered it?" Naruto giggles "Well I thinks it's hard to ever truly master anything but yes I believe I have mastered it" Sasuke nods incredibly impressed, who knew the nine tailed fox host that was seen as a nuisance when they were in the academy would go on to be such an incredible shinobi.
"You're really something else Naruto Uzumaki, now spar with me let me see what this sage mode can do" He smirks as he stands up looking down at the blonde, who smirks back in delight and jumps up and over to the grounds quicker than Sasuke could say chidori and he was beginning to regret this duel.
They sparred back and forth for hours, by the time they were both drained the sun was gone and the stars were glistening in the sky.
They lay on he dewy grass and all that could be heard is crickets and their deep breathing, Sasuke feels a true sense of accomplishment something that even when he would spar with his brother or Obito he woudn't get, even when his father would encourage him and give him compliments nothing felt as exhilirating as sparring with Naruto felt.
"What made you train with the sannin Jaraiya?" This felt like a good, safe question not too intrusive but enough to open the conversation, Naruto has his arms behind his head on the grass, his eyes still look so bright under the night sky as he turns to look at Sasuke "Well I mean it kind of felt right, I was looking for a master and bumped into him one day when he returned to the village after having been travelling around writing his books for the early years of my life, turns out he actually was my fathers sensei, according to him, he knew who I was immediately as I resembled my parents so much, so it made sense for him to take on my training he was able to teach me my fathers special jutsu and was able to help in areas that no one else ever had been" He shrugs but has another one of those soft smiles on his face.
"He helped in areas no one else could? Now I know he got you to learn sage jutsu, but what exactly could he have taught you that others couldn't?" He knew he was stepping a thin line but he wanted answers. "He was one of the legendary sannin, there was so much more that he taught me that others couldn't not to mention he also was one of the only ninja's that would teach me, many of them didn't wish to take me on as their student." Sasuke frowns at that, surely it would have benefitted the village if Naruto had good jutsu, this village and it's politics often made little sense to Sasuke, he was beginning to think Naruto needed these elders gone even more than the Uchiha.
"You said for the best part of your life you didn't know who your parents were, do you know who they were now?" Sasuke cringes as he asks the question. Naruto nods slowly "Yes, and I wake up every day knowing that I had parents who cared for and loved me even though they couldn't continue this life with me" Sasuke is impressed how Naruto manages to give information about himself without actually revealing any personal details.
"Anyway I have to get home, I have to report to the Hokage's office in the morning, so I'll be seeing you Sasuke" He gets up, turns and leaves all in the space of 30 seconds and Sasuke has barely sat up.
He watches as Naruto's shadow disappears into the night and he relents and decides to head home himself.
~~~~
"Well hi there little bro, and where have you been that's kept you out this late?" Itachi teases him as Shisui and Obito chuckle behind him, like tweedle dumb and tweedle fucking dee.
"I was out on my mission, if you must know." He says flatly knowing if he gives too much away teasing will definitely ensue.
"So little brother what have you learnt of our target? Anything of interest?" Sasuke rolls his eyes "It's none of your business, big brother, Father is the one I am to report too" Itachi agrees but also smirks "He is except he's not here and left me in charge and said if there was anything to report you should report to me" Shisui and Obito are behind him giggling even more now and driving his eye to twitch. Sasuke sigh's "Fine I'll report to you, it seems Naruto has mastered sage jutsu, he knows who his parents were but refuses to reveal who they were leading me to believe they were once important among the village, he keeps his cards very close to his chest, this is a tougher nut to crack than we originally thought, his treatment from the village throughout his life has probably caused him to be very cautious and very careful on the information he shares, I'm sure Jaraiya also told him to be careful when training him, it's understandable but all the more frustrating it's been nearly a week already."
Itachi nods "Well I think intel you have gathered is great, from what we already know about him even if it's just a little we can fit more of the puzzle together." Sasuke then remembered what Naruto had given away about his parents, "OH he also said that his master knew who he was immedicately when they met because Jaraiya had traine dhis father and according to the toad sage Naruto resembles his parents perfectly, not only that but Jaraiya also passed on his fathers jutsu to Naruto" Itachi raises his eyebrows at that comment "Have you sparred with him?" Sasuke nods.
"Well tell me his specialties what jutsu's did he use?" Sasuke thinks back over their sparring match, they used very little jutsu and mostly just used their fists but he a couple of jutsu's were used what are the chances it'd be a special jutsu.
"We mostly fought with our fists, however it seems he has a specialty in multi-shadow clone jutsu, and I mean he can keep them going, he also used a special ball of chakra style I believe he called it the rasengan? I hadn't seen that before" Itachi's eyes bulge and Sasuke alost feels a little shocked he doesn't think he's ever seen Itachi quite this speechless before "Obito, your sensei what were his special jutsu's?" Obito freezes and looks up "Master Minato? Well he'd use jutsus like the flying rajin, flash of the yellow leaf and all that although it never stopped him from being late-" "Obito focus, anything else?" Obito thinks a little harder and his fingers snap "He also used the rasengan" Everyone in the room freezes and goes silent before Itachi speaks to Obito again "Do you think you could get into the Hokage office and find out if Minato trained under master Jaraiya?" Obito salutes and nods and uses his kamui to disappear.
Sasuke feels shocked "You don't really think-" Itachi shrugs "There's only one way to find out but if he really is the prodigy of the fourth Hokage, then the village elders have even more explaining to do, it's interesting that he didn't tell you" Sasuke shrugs "As I said the guy holds his card close to his chest" Itachi nods in understanding.
"Okay well, good work Sasuke, now rest I'm sure you've got more to do tomorrow" Sasuke takes his leave and heads to bed.
~~~~
He was heading to training ground 3 when he remembered that Naruto stated he needed to report to Hokage tower, he assumed he had some sort of mission, Sasuke made his way through town leisurely to the building hoping he would bump into Naruto there.
What he didn't expect was Naruto to be walking out of the building with the Kasekage, Gaara of the sand, he couldn't help but wonder how they knew eachother, they looked really quite close, Naruto was laughing at something he said and touched his arm all while the red head kasekage was busy blushing, Sasuke felt... weird about that. Just as he was about tot urn and walk away to be anywhere bu there, the sand ninja caught his eye and raised a brow, he then whispered soemthing to Naruto and pointed in Sasuke's direction, well there goes his chance of getting out of this.
"Oh Sasuke, hey!" Naruto's sweet voice cam through and Sasuke felt like he could melt... there was something seriously wrong with his brain recently.
Sasuke waved awkwardly as they both walked over to him "I'm sure you know the Kasekage Gaara of the sand?" Naruto gestured toward his friend smiling "Oh please Naruto there's no need to be so formal, Sasuke and I have met before, he's done missions in the hidden sand" Naruto's smile is huge "Ohhh so that means you guy's would also want a catch up then!"
"Well actually-"
"Ermm I don't-"
Neither of them got to finish their sentences as Naruto ignored them both, walking on and chatting "Oh it's great that we bumped into you then Sasuke and it's so nice to have you visiting us Gaara" He turned to look back at them both when he realised they weren't following alongside him "Well c'mon lets go get some sweet dumpling! I've been craving them all day" Sasuke and Gaara look to one another both wishing the other would leave but Sasuke was going nowhere, if it made Naruto happy he'd put up with the Kasekage for today.
They both catch up to him and fall into step either side of him.
They're seated at a small table toward the back of the sweet restaurant where they can have a little more privacy due to the Kasekage being present among their small group, huh it seemed leading your own village even gave you perks in other villages, one of them being knowing the sunshine blonde sat at the table humming as he waits for his sweets to arrive.
"So Gaara, how do you know Naruto?" Sasuke looks at Gaara as he asks the question.
"Oh well, as you may know I am the jinchuuriki of the one tails and N-" He's quickly cut off by Naruto who is shaking his head like crazy but Gaara just gives him a weird look and continues "-Anyway, Naruto is the jinchuuriki to the nine tailed fox" Sasuke knew this but tried his best to act shocked but also interested he didn't want Naruto to think he'd start treating him like the other villagers, he see's Gaara stumble and pause as he looks at Sasukes shocked look and Naruto's head sits in his hands.
"Sorry did I say something wrong?" Naruto huffs "No I just hadn't told him about that yet" Gaara scoffs and laughs a little "Naruto surely everyone knows at this point" "Well not exactly I've tried my best to keep the mystery up all these years for the most part I suppose it's kind of worked Sasuke didn't know, did you Sasuke?" He realises he was just addressed and looks between them both and shakes his head eagerly, if anything the reaction he got from Naruto was worth pretending fir anything, his eyes were shining and he had that big smile on his face.
"Oh well now he knows, sorry I took that chance from you" Naruto shrugs it off "It's okay Gaara, he was going to find out sooner or later anyway I suppose" Sasuke can't help but feel a little bit pleased that Naruto is opening up to him or he was planning to.
"Anyway, I know him due to having a very specific mission to fulfill a few years back we had to infiltrate a villain organisation made up of rogue ninja's who had been searching for Jinchuuriki's and well we still live to see another day so you can guess how that went, you should totally see how this one fights on the battlefield, its majestic" Gaara's eyes are shining and Naruto's cheeks flush a light shade of pink at the compliment "Oh shut up lord Kasekage you're making me blush" the blonde jokes and Gaara chuckles as he peers at Naruto with nothing but affection in his features Sasuke nearly crushes the cup of green tea he's holding.
"Anyway Sasuke and I sparred yesterday, it was so much fun this guy is ridiculously strong he held his own against my sage mode and aginst multi-shadow clone jutsu" Naruto smirks at Sasuke as he feels his own cheeks heat up now, gosh really? What the hell?
"Oh really then I suppose at some point during my stay we will have to sparr together Uchiha Sasuke" The condescending tone it was said in is only caught by Sasuke and he narrows his eyes at the red head, what is this guy up to?
"Oh yes that sounds great! I can't wait to watch it!" Naruto claps in excitement as their dumplings are placed on the table in front of them, Naruto looks so child like as he stuffs one into his mouth and munches away, Sasuke realises he doesn't even truly understand why he ordered the sweet dumplings when he doesn't even really like sweets, so he offers a couple to Naruto who accepts them happily he then puts the left overs in a takeway box, Naruto frowns "You're not hungry?"
"In all honesty I'm not the biggest fan of sweet dumplings, but my older brother Itachi loves them so I'll take the leftovers to him as a gift" He shrugs and Naruto smiles softly at him, he wants that smile aimed at him always.
"Gaara Lady fifth didn't mention how long you are staying?" Naruto changes the subject and Sasuke nearly chokes on nothing, the guy is staying here?! This couldn't get any worse.
"Well it's kind of unknown at the moment at least 3 days but that could be extended depending on how negotiations go" He shrugs, and it just got worse, Sasuke despairs across the table but Naruto is positively beaming at the news.
"It seems like you guys have a lot of catching up do and I have somewhere to be, so I'll be seeing you guys around." Sasuke says as he gets up, grabs his dumplings for his brother and leaves with a small wave before either of them could say anything.
He walks home deep in thought, what is going on with him?
First it's the constant thoughts of Naruto when he's with him, then it's the thoughts when he's not with him, then it's the desire to pull him close have him with him at all times and the sudden what? Jealousy over some guy that he's pretty sure was only acting that way to make Sasuke feel threatened or something silly, but little does he know, sasuke never feels threatened and if he does, he removes the threat.
Why the Kasekage of all people, anyone would've been better than that jade eyed sand monkey, he's all googly eyes for HIS blonde and Sasuke is pissed off, he takes the long walk back home to try and cool off some before reporting back to his father not that he has much to report on, today feels like a failure.
~~~~
When he gets home everyone is out, much to his relief, he's still pissed that long walk did nothing to calm him down, if anything he started thinking more and more about Naruto and Gaara and how he left Naruto ALONE with that guy, who knows what they could be up to.
He decided that some shuriken training might be just the thing he needs to let his anger out, pretend the target is a certain red head.
So for the next however long he's lobbing shuriken after shuriken at the different targets, he's about to throw number what ever, he lost count about 30 minutes ago, when a hand lands on his shoulder, he spins around with it still in his hand ready to attack when he comes face to face with his brother, who steps back with his hands up "Woah there little bro chill out, sorry to spook you" He's chuckling and only then did Sasuke see Obito and Shisui behind him also laughing "Did you have to brig tweedle dee and tweedle dumb around? Don't they have their own families to terrorize?" Both guy's feign hurt and clutch at their chests "You wound me little cousin" Shisui laughs to himself and Sasuke rolls his eyes "What's got you in such a mood anyway?" Obito questions and Sasuke shakes his head "Just a dumb day" the 3 boys all exchange glances "Did something happen with Naruto? Has he figured you out, cause if he has then that's okay we can figure something else out-" Sasuke shakes his head at Itachi "No it's nothing like that- it's- it's just... nevermind"
He feels so fed up and it's very unlike him to feel like this.
"Hey c'mon talk to us, this is not a report it's totally off the record, is that better?" Sasuke supposed it felt a little better knowing that he could speak freely 'off duty' he shrugs and relents to begin explaining.
"Things with Naruto are going fine, I think I was just starting to get through to him, but then today the stupid dumb Kasekage shows up" He huffs and again the 3 share a look of raised eyebrows.
"You mean Gaara of the sand is here in Konoha?" Sasuke nods "Okay and that has something to do with Naruto and your mission how?"
"Well turns out the 2 Jinchuuriki's are pretty close to eachother" He says in exasperation "I don't know what business he's here under but we might as well as gotten our dicks out and measured them and got Naruto to pick a favourite while we were at it, he was all compliments and flirting and Naruto was all sweet pink cheeked blushes and starry eyed over the guy."
The 3 guys are silent for a time all straight faced taking it in when they all look between one another, again and burst into hysterical laughter, Obito falls over a fucking rock, dumb clutz, Sasuke scowls at them all "Load of help you idiots are" he goes to throw another shuriken but his wrist is grabbed by his brother "Hey bro sorry, we're sorry it's just amusing that you can't see what's happening here" Sasuke shrugs and gives him a look "What on earth are you talking about?" Itachi sighs and encourages him to sit down with them.
"Sasuke, do you think it's possible you have feelings for Naruto?" Sasuke's eyes widen and then he frowns "What no, that dumbest thing I've heard today!" Itachi shrugs "Well it would explain your mood, how can someone who you barely know, get this much of a rile out of you, you're usually so stoic I began to wonder if you even had feelings other than blank face" Itachi jokes and Sasuke pulls a straight face at that comment "Look Sasuke, don't let some dumb guy get in your head-" "Itachi you didn't see them together! They have history, they share a bond of both being jinchuuriki, he's the Kasekage for crying out loud I can't compete with that!"
"You can and you will! Take a couple of days here cool down entirely and then go to him and challenge him to a *friendly* duel, okay show him and Naruto who has the bigger dick without actually causing public indecency" Itachi winks at him thinking his joke was hilarious and Sasuke is moved to yet again roll his eyes.
"Sasuke do they have a dating history?" Shisui asks, he shrugs in repsonse "Then there you go you don't even know if the feleings are mutual between them, you don't even know if they've just been fuck buddies or if they have dated or if they haven't you're making very abrupt assumptions, that's incredibly unlike you" SHisui frowns a little concerned Sasuke does feel very out of character but they're both right he is making assumptions and he can compete with the sand ninja.
"Sasuke, do we need to remove you form this mission? Are you getting too attached, your mission was be-friend him not you fall in love with him" Itachi has concern on his face and Sasuke sputters "Itachi don't be ridiculous I'm not in love with him I barely even know him, it's probably just a dumb crush I'm sure I'll get over in a couple of days, i just need some distance, then I'll be fine."
He had to be fine this mission was hanging in the balance, only he could accomplish this, he had to control himself and his emotions better, he will win over the blonde jinchuuriki and help his clan regain it's strength back with the power of the nine tailed fox and it's host.
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