Open Your Eyes

Hiya minna!! I LOVE reading fanfics… and well, here is my lil try!! This is my first fanfic EVER.. so be easy on me! Hides in fear please?

Warning: YAOI! Sasu x Naru! (C’mon, it’s not a warning… we all know you people DO like to read yaoi fanfics.. mwahahahaha converts them while they are distracted writing flames) OH OH OH! It’s confusing and it’s weird and it’s depressing. Don’t read if you don’t like ; (But give it a try… you might not find it so confusing cough XD) UMmmm there was something else… OH yeah! SPOILERS! Well not really.. well yes kinda… lol.. If you aren’t current with the Manga storyline, and you are SUPER-PICKY about spoilers, please don’t read ahead I warned you -O oooooooh and one more little thing... lol this warning is LONG! XD there is not explicit adult material and I’m new with this rating stuff… but I think P-G13 should do it I think it’s pure fluff (um more like two lines… LOL) what I wrote, so no worries! saves all the citrusy parts for later… LOL OK I’ll shut up now!

Disclaimer: YAY! Hn? …Me? No.

Open Your Eyes

By Saori-Hime

The cold air swept through the small cabin as if trying to push it down, angry that it was in its way. The wind moved the trees from side to side and the trees moaned in silence as they let through their tormentor. The moon shone with a placid radiance that covered the forest in a white velvet carpet, which fell upon the cabin coldly.

It was ok, really. He was used to it by now. He had always received the cold stares, the cold faces, and the cold gestures—all with a smile on his lips. His blue eyes stared at the beautiful moon, and it was almost as if he was entranced. Blue orbs were illuminated in white, making his bronzed skin paler than usual. Much more paler. Maybe it wasn’t a result from the moonlight after all. His gaze didn’t waver, even though he should have blinked by now. He was thinking. He never did like to think. Not that it was something difficult for him to do—like everyone else thought—but because it made his smile flicker on and off. It made his security walls crumble piece by piece until he was left exposed. Raw.

Why was he doing it then? Why wasn’t he pacing around the room, cracking his knuckles, and challenging the whole world with his normal energy? He had tried… earlier in the day, before that person left, and even after the person had long been gone, his spirit churned him on. He had really put his mind into it, tried to be as obnoxious as he could, as loud as he could, as active and lively as his body could be. Like he was before.

He blinked, the stinging of the moonlight on his eyes finally ordering his brain to react.

But the day stretched on and his bouncy spirit opted for a jog, which later turned into a walk until it was reduced to a crawl, and ultimately it failed to remain moving. And here he was, sitting on this small bed, looking up at the night sky. The moonlight penetrating the darkened room made the white sheets covering the bed shimmer in ecstasy, as if they enjoyed being on the spotlight. Naruto’s bare chest moved slowly up and down, almost as if he was trying not to exert his muscles too much, and his tilting face continued to face the moon as his thoughts undermined his defenses.

Why wasn’t that person here yet? Naruto knew it was late, even if there weren’t any clocks around him. The position of the moon told him so, and yet—Sasuke wasn’t back yet. That asshole was still out there, in the forest, doing who knows what. Well he did know what he was doing. Fueling that damned cold-heart of his with revenge and at the same time freezing out any kind of emotions that he still had—as if the cold wind could help him with such a task. His heart was probably so frozen stiff that only a miracle kept the blood from freezing over.

As if on cue, the trees howled outside, shadowing his precious moonlight ever so slightly. He cringed, but his blue orbs soon focused on the white sun once again.

He never did like dark places. And this room was so fucking cold and dark. He was alone too. He hated being alone—why… why did that person continued to stay outside? Why wasn’t he coming? What if the moon left him too, and Sasuke wasn’t back yet?

Naruto cringed again, and stared at the moon with more resolve.

Maybe—if he caught her with his eyes she wouldn’t leave him. She would keep him illuminated, and keep the darkness away. But he wouldn’t keep her captive forever, just until Sasuke returned. Then it would be ok, but that bastard was probably enjoying himself too much to come back. If he could only tell him that he was afraid. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t loose to Sasuke. Never. And anyway, it wasn’t like the bastard would give a damn. He would probably stay outside longer just to see him fret.

Naruto’s eyes softened a little, and he allowed himself to let go of the moon. He reclined on the squeaky bed, relieved that the moon stayed by his side even if he wasn’t holding her.

Sometimes, he allowed himself to think Sasuke would care though. After all, he had cared before. Many other times actually. But that was before the incident. He really should stop indulging himself in the past, he knew he should stop thinking then, and allow himself to close his eyes.

His eyes flickered open again, and he stared at the wall. There was nothing else to stare at… for the room was completely empty except for this bed. Oh.. there was also a chair—but it was on the other side of the light. He couldn’t dare to turn his head and gape at the darkness. Konohamaru would laugh at him if he knew he was afraid of the dark, but then again, even that kid had a family to depend upon, to feel protection from. While he—he had always been alone in his little apartment.

He really shouldn’t think about it, but it was nice, to daydream about what he once had. His features hardened a little as he scolded himself. Fuck no! What I still have, I just need to beat some sense into that cold-hearted bastard and I’ll be back eating ramen inside my apartment. He tried to sit up, but sighed as his body refused to obey his commands. Maybe he had gotten too comfortable; it was his fault for being such an idiot.

“Usuratonkachi...” He could almost hear his cold voice retort, and for some reason, he smiled. It had been a long time since he had last heard him say that. Maybe that’s why he had to scold himself once in awhile, to make up for the lack of putdowns his selfish teammate had caused. It was funny really—how he actually missed him calling him that. But he also missed so many other things.

He missed the boy he once knew as Uchiha Sasuke. The one that scolded him, yelled at him, and encouraged him—in his own way—to get better. He tried so hard to catch up to him in power. Hell if he was gonna let that pretty-boy genius beat him. During all his hard work, however, he always managed to make that bastard look good. Always rescuing him when he was falling from a tree, or down a waterfall, hell, anything really. He hated him for that! Damn him stealing his opportunity to show the village just what an incredible Hokage he will one day become!

…Now that all that had stopped, he finally realized just how much he enjoyed it. Not only the thrill of the adventures, but also the security that he was protected. He didn’t have a family—but nonetheless, he was being protected. Even if he did make a fuss about how much he hated it, the other boy continued to do it.

One of Naruto’s hands gripped the bed sheet slightly, so slightly, he probably didn’t even notice.

That time, when he thought Sasuke had actually died, something snapped in him. A feeling he had never felt before—so immense and overwhelming it even awoke the Nine-tails. It happened again, during the Chuunin second exam, and once again, after meeting with Itachi. No one else had such an effect on him, not even Sakura-chan. Only him.

His eyes softened as he remembered her pale face and the stream of tears that didn’t seem to stop flowing from her red, puffy eyes. She really did care for Sasuke, so much that he could feel it stabbing him, chocking him. Sasuke—that cold-hearted asshole, he was making her cry so damn much, and he didn’t give a damn.

Naruto closed his eyes tight suddenly, as if he didn’t want something to get out.

What had he done wrong? He only wanted to become strong enough to come face to face with him. He only wanted his acknowledgement. So he trained and learnt many things thanks to that Perverted Sennin. He fought, and almost got himself killed against that no-brow sand guy. He sought him out, and here he was for him. All for him. Everything he had done so far—everything he wanted to accomplish was for Sasuke.

Why then, did he look at him with so much hate? Why did he stare at him so sternly, like everyone else in the village used to, when they stopped to glance at him before walking on disgusted. He had become one of them—Another hateful face with goading eyes and murderous intentions.

“Were you trying to kill Naruto?” Naruto clenched his teeth as Kakashi’s words echoed in his mind. Those eyes, those fucking Sharingan eyes. They sent chills up his spine each time he looked at him like that. But he didn’t show it. He just furrowed his eyebrows and frowned. He rarely saw his soft, black eyes anymore. It was always those damned hateful red eyes.

Before—when he still had the energy to complain, to punch him in the face, and quarrel with him till he was satisfied—he was able to get through him. His eyes would fade to black, and he would whisper something irrelevant in his ear, while caressing his cheek with his hand. He would look at him and kiss him until he had forgotten his purpose. Until his body had been infected with his. Until he could feel his heartbeat slow down, and wrap himself around him for comfort, for reassurance, for hope.

That was such a long time ago it seemed, maybe he was hallucinating and it never happened. Fuck no, I know it happened, I just—well I’m just tired.

How long had he been here anyway? Weeks? Months? He had lost track, somehow. He thought he was winning the battle, but it resulted that this battle was far from won. Now Sasuke seemed to take longer and longer to get home—if you could call this home—Training, pushing his limits, crossing the line, dripping more and more blood from his never-closing wound. All for revenge.

Naruto’s eyes were slightly open, and his blue orbs looked out the window in fright, the trees were covering his moonlight. The cold air swung the tall green branches making his moonlight dance around in the darkness of his room, and he watched with urgency. He could almost hear the demon inside him laughing and his breath quickened as his eyes tried to focus on the light.

His demon. It was what kept him tied to Sasuke now. Sasuke knew that Itachi would come looking for him, and he would be waiting, to slaughter the man he once called his brother. His demon just laughed, as if mocking his stupidity. He could almost hear it cackling in the darkest part of his soul, shattering his hope, his hope that Sasuke would let it go, and let them return home to the people that they had abandoned, all for his stupid revenge. Maybe he was the stupid one for believing this—but then again, he did tend to put himself down now that Sasuke had stopped doing it.

“Sasuke...” I said almost in relief as the last strand of moonlight disappeared from my sight. “You took forever this time, you selfish bastard.” His light footsteps descended on the tatami floor slowly as he made his way to the bed. I heard a soft plop and I assumed he had taken his shirt off. Not one word. I suppressed a sigh. I was not going to give up. Not yet. His body came down on the bed, making it grunt in protest. He turned over, so his back was facing mine. It was dark now, but I was ok, since he was here. Why then, was I trembling?

I sat up, maybe it was because I didn’t have my shirt on, and my orange pants were not enough to keep me warm. I wrapped my arms around myself, and quivered a bit. So cold, I gritted my teeth. I wasn’t going to appear weak in front of this bastard, so I got up. I could feel the good ol’ spirit waking up, and I plunged into the darkness towards the bathroom. I was about to cross the frame of the door when he spoke.

“Where are you going?” His voice was so stern, yet his question betrayed him. A smirk crossed my face for a second, “Worried I’ll leave?” That shut him up, much to my surprise. After all, he had just arrived, and leaving right in front of him would be like asking to get thrown back inside. “Can’t I fucking go to the bathroom without feeling like I’m staying against my will!?” I could feel his red eyes on my back, and maybe it was the wind, but I heard the small hiss the skin makes when burned.

I walked inside the bathroom, which didn’t have any windows, and felt a little bit more concealed from the merciless wind. I sat down on the tatami floor and brought my clothed legs closer to my chest. My chin rested on my knees as I peered mindlessly at the wall. I was sure fond of the wall. I could almost dream about walls now. But I didn’t need to—for I hadn’t had a goodnight sleep for a long time now. But who was keeping the record? I wondered if Gaara felt like this. This uneasy feeling building up, which makes you stare at the walls just to make it go away. At least the trembling had stopped. Mou… why had it gotten so cold when Sasuke entered the room? The bastard had probably left the door open for a while on purpose, just to let the chilly wind come in.

Sasuke…

“Open your eyes Naruto,” I heard him whisper faintly, and I pondered the question in my head until it finally clicked. My eyes flew wide open, as I realized I must have closed them for a second. Dammit.

“What is it you want, Sasuke?” I asked tired, but haughtily, “You ruined my staring contest with the wall,” He didn’t say anything and I would have clenched my teeth if I just didn’t feel so damned tired.

“Why?” I heard him whisper.

“Hn?” I said, and mustered enough energy to look up at him. His face was shadowed by his bangs to my disappointment; I really wanted to see his face.

“Why didn’t you leave?” I would have blinked, but I was afraid that if I closed my eyes, it would be too hard to open them again.

“Why didn’t you leave?!” He yelled and I said in a monotonous voice, “Excuse me for burdening you, oh great Uchiha, but I wasn’t gonna leave without you.” Why did his question hurt? Didn’t he know why? Hadn’t he shown him why?!

“No,” Came his reply and I was really confused, “Then what the fuck do you mean, you asshole?!” I tried to yell, but it came out just as loud as my last response. At least I had intoned each word differently unlike last time.

“Why… after I left so many times, why were you still here! Dammit, you dimwit, you could have left. You should have left.” A small smile crossed my lips as my head turned back down to rest on my knees.

“Because I made Sakura-chan the promise that I would bring you back. I don’t back down from my words. That’s my ninja way.” I shivered, why was it so cold again? Why couldn’t I talk louder? I was so tired. Just a little blink. Just one second I would let my eyes close.

“Naruto,” A faint whisper from above, “Open your eyes, you moron.” An insult. “Can’t you do anything, right you idiot.” He knelt down beside me, and that’s when my senses decided to start functioning again. There was something wrapped around me…a blanket. “Sitting on the bathroom floor wasn’t going to help you keep warm, Dobe. I had to get you a blanket, so open your eyes,” His sweet voice… for him, I could try again. I wasn’t going to be defeated. My eyes fluttered open slowly, to meet the wall. For a brief second, I wondered if the wall had imitated Sasuke’s voice, but the slight intake and outtake of air beside me helped me figure out that Sasuke was sitting by my side. My head turned, and I met his warm, liquid black eyes, and a small smile touched my lips.

“About time you figured red wasn’t your color,” I murmured tiredly, sleepily, and I could see a trace of worry igniting from those beautiful black shadows. His face was so close to mine, his eyes were so close to mine. Why then, did I feel so far away?

“Naruto…” I heard him whisper as his lips came in contact with my forehead. He was so warm! Or maybe—maybe I was just too cold. His lips fluttered down the right side of my face, and I sighed, too tired to utter anything else. My eyes threatened to close, and I heard him say it once again, “I’m here now, so keep your eyes open, Naruto. I won’t leave you alone anymore.” My eyes, now mere slights, searched for his, and after I found them, I could see he meant it. I was happy, oh so happy.

“Promise?” I whispered, and for a moment I wondered if he heard me. His hands wrapped around me, and I regretted the fact that I had this blanket around myself. “I promise.” He said in my ear, and I let my head fall against his shoulder, snuggling up close, letting my senses drown in him.

“I won’t let go of you, I promise, but you have to keep your eyes open you idiot.” I felt so secure then, so light, “We’ll go back to the village. I’ll forget about my past—because I have you. For you—I’ll do it for you. I promise.” I had won, I really had, I was happy. “So just don’t close your eyes,” Sasuke, “Naruto, I’m sorry.” Don’t be, because I’m happy. “Please, just keep your eyes open longer.” Don’t cry. “Stay here, stay with me.” I will, I am. “Naruto—Naruto!” It’s ok—just one second, I promise. Just let me sleep one second.

Maybe, when I open my eyes, I’ll realize this was just a dream.

OWARI

DAMMIT NO! LOL how could I write something like this! Bangs head against the wall TT WAH! I hate sad stories! WHY! TT wails WHY!

Sigh OK I blame this on POINTS AT SASUKE that’s what you get for being a mean BASTARD! Throws him Manga vol. 20 and smacks him on the head Sigh… I also blame… POINTS AT CHERYL-CHAN TT reads Breath again And and.. I also blame! POINTS AT THE WEATHER so gloomy! TT

Now.. POINTS AT creator of NARUTO you keep drawing Mr.! And you better make me HAPPY!

Now, don’t you hate authors that leave you hanging, wondering just what the hell just happened? And why is Naruto acting like this? Or why is Sasuke training outside in the woods? And how long have they been there? And just exactly -where- is there? And why did it end like it did? Well. Hate me. That’s why it’s on the Mystery section XP!

Runs off crying I KILLED NARUTO! TRAUMA

Naruto: OI! oi… you overreact too much, Sasuke had a back-up plan! The bastard is a genius after all. He took out Da Secret recipe, and boy, did I wake up or what!

Sasuke: Shut up, Dobe, and I’m not cooking for you again!

Naruto: resumes eating his ramen made by Sasuke with love don’t make me die on you again

Sasuke: sigh

Sakura: WAHHH Sasuke-kun!! YOU are ok! I’m so HAPPY!

Naruto: Oi.. the one who died was me! Sakura-chan! TT

Sasuke: annoyed sigh

-Saori

Written 10-24-03

Revised 04/02/04

Thanks to those who reviewed previously! Love you lots!

Fairy Tale

Disclaimer: :swims in the nonexistent sea of money:

Author’s Notes: Lalalalalala… It was a result of boredom. I SO want to make a mini-Naruto shrine to house my ranting about the series. Now if only I was good at designing graphics…

In case anyone screams, this has implied shoujo ai and shounen ai. (Well, depending on how you see it.) You might be able to miss it, but you can still see it if you look.

SPOILERS for most recent chapters

Summary: She always thought kisses were supposed to be more romantic. Sequel to “Admiration”.

Fairy Tale

Written by Ayako

A fairy tale started with an evil witch taking the kind, beautiful princess away from her family. Skip a few years and the princess would be in a tower waiting for her prince. Now, she wasn’t limited to just a tower. There were many places she could be: a cottage, a castle, or even the woods. But for the sake of simplicity, she was in a tower. It wasn’t that she met a prince sometime ago, told him she would be imprisoned, and gave him instructions. After all, she was taken away before she ever had the chance to meet one. And yet somehow, she knew. She would wait even if it would take a hundred years.

By some demented turn of events, the evil witch gave her an apple for lunch that caused her to sleep. It wasn’t until a hundred years later until she was revived with love’s first kiss. Upon awakening, the princess would cry tears of joy and hug the prince, telling him to never leave her, to stay with her forever. He would agree instantly, embracing her with promises of happily forever after.

When Sakura was a child, she always wanted to be a princess. But because she was always made fun of because of her large forehead, it seemed impossible. Before that, she never thought her forehead was really different from everyone else at the time. Sometimes she was even tempted to measure it to see if it were true.

“It’s only because you’re trying to hide it… You have a cute face, Sakura. You should show it.”

Somehow, she never got around to doing it.

Sakura wasn’t sure if pink hair and green eyes were much of a combination. She never really felt beautiful until Ino had given her confidence in her appearance. Chinese-style dresses and red ribbons-no, blue headbands. She always wanted to have a more princess-like appearance. Princesses usually had golden hair and bright, blue eyes.

A princess wouldn’t forsake her friends for love… She was just too nice. So how was it a princess never seemed to have real friends in stories? Each one either had none in the first place or left them with her prince.

What Sakura learned from fairy tales was that for love, you had to leave many things behind. You had to leave behind what you once had to pursue the other things in life like love.

Sakura remembered a time when everyone declared they would marry their best friend. She was never sure why they wanted to. It didn’t work with the rules of a fairy tale and she knew that every girl wanted to be a princess. Everyone wanted to be someone that was beautiful and loved by all except the wicked ones. A best friend was usually not involved in the equation—if not ever.

How? Just how did it fit?

“Life isn’t a fairytale, Sakura. We aren’t ever going to be princesses.”

The prince was usually a kind, gentle man. In some cases, he was cold and emotionless. If he fell under the second condition, the story would go on with its ups and downs until the princess met her doom. Upon discovering her condition, he would be horrified. His emotions in turmoil, he becomes a broken man, lost to unfamiliar feelings. Helplessly wishing for her to awaken, he hugs her close to him and cry to make up for those years he had forgotten. … And then she would open her eyes.

“I don’t see why you like him…”

Sakura saw Sasuke as a person that could do anything. He was handsome and talented just as Ino was beautiful and well rounded. She wanted to be able to do anything she put her mind to. She was more of a book person; it was a lot easier to absorb over the many days it took to train physically.

A princess didn’t give up. Sakura decided that the accelerated heartbeat meant she was in love with Sasuke. If she thought of it in a different way, she would’ve thought she was having a heart attack. No mistake, she told herself. A princess had long hair and from rumors, he liked that. It was another way to back up the idea of Sasuke being a prince.

Sasuke seemed to warm up a little. He didn’t look as irritated as he used to during their academy days. She never saw him smile, but a confident smirk was good enough. His face seemed to come to life and his eyes seemed to glint at a challenge.

She used to hope that he felt that way simply because of the friendship the three of them shared. Only, out of them, she was probably spoken to the least.

Rivalry seemed to spark the oddest of changes. She always thought love was what gave people happiness.

But wasn’t it her rivalry with Ino that gave her what she needed? What made her feel alive? Every time she did something, it felt like she was being recognized for being Haruno Sakura.

With two stamina-crazed boys, it was hard to get any recognition.

“I never even considered you my rival.”

Ideas of princesses and princes disappeared when Sasuke refused to stop when she pleaded. A spark of hope had appeared the instant he gave her his customary smirk and the words she never thought she’d hear him say. That was all she got out of everything: shorn hair, “Thank you”, and a punch in the stomach.

The only time he ever listened was when the seal had taken over his body.

She didn’t know why she asked Naruto to accomplish what she couldn’t. He was the idiot, the clown… but somehow, he had something that she didn’t, something that drew even the most regal and most silent of princes.

“I’ll protect you with all my strength.”

Lee was definitely not the definition of prince.

He didn’t have the right kind of hair, the right kind of eyes, or the right kind of face. He didn’t have the perfect nose, chin, or maybe even anything. But somehow… she noticed him.

Sakura always planned to wait for Sasuke. She refused any offers and leapt away in disgust if anyone dared to come close. If there was anyone that she’d notice, he’d be tall, dark, and handsome—just like Sasuke, but never coming close.

Like she said, Lee was definitely not the definition of prince.

He was determined to reach for his dreams regardless of the obstacles. His strength was something truly admirable. Never giving up, always trying so hard…

The words of a boy that would never feel the same way she did killed her motivation. And yet, he continued to stand by her side, promising to protect her even though he was the injured one.

“I told you I would protect you… always. Even twenty years from now when you’re married to someone, I’ll remember. I never forget my promises.”

It was simply a brush on the cheek. A warm feeling that disappeared as quickly as it came.

A kiss from a prince was usually romantic. Lee wasn’t her prince, so she never did expected it to be if it came from him, but…

“We aren’t ever going to be princesses. We’re shinobi.”

If a girl couldn’t be a princess, she couldn’t have a prince… so how did it work in this case?

In order to be a princess, you had to be beautiful and kind and leave everything behind that you used to have. Maybe that was why she could never be a princess. She tried, she honestly did, but she felt horrible. A princess had no need for motivation after she got her prince because she already got what she wanted: a happily ever after.

Maybe Princesses were sixteen for a reason. You were either too young to understand or understood it too much. Even after those years of watching, thirteen years old wasn’t enough to understand.

“… There’s a difference between admiration and love, Sakura.”

She remembered how dead Sasuke seemed to look after the exam when he was separated from his rival, his friend.

She remembered how lonely she felt when again her advances were ignored without a friend to laugh with or to cry with.

Maybe that was why she asked Naruto to bring him back. In some strange, fascinating, un-logical way, friends did that sort of thing. She could never see a boy comforting another boy; they probably felt too manly for that sort of thing.

Luckily for her, she was a girl.

Ino wouldn’t call her a wimp if she cried.

“Why are you crying? He’s not worth crying over!”

Lecturing her was a different story.

OWARI

Noises from the Bedroom

Author's Notes: Just me and my 'innocent' ideas, and the most innocent Sakura I've ever heard of! Thoughts will be like this: /blah/ Erm... Since someone asked whether this is a one-shot, here's my answer: Yes it is. Reviews please!

Disclaimer: I do not own the anime series Naruto in any way... as much as I wish it was mine. ;; sighs

Warnings: The beginning of this fic may make a person's mind wander off to the gutter... Hehe.. + snickers

Pairings: Up to your imagination.. evil grin

Noises in the Bedroom
Author: Kuroi Hikari

THUMP! THUMP! Noises were coming from the ceiling where Haruno Sakura was reading her shoujo manga. "Sasuke!" came a muffled voice that followed the thumps. Sakura looked up at the ceiling and started to worry. /What's going on up there?! I hope Sasuke and Naruto aren't trying to kill each other! I should get Kakashi-sensei.. just in case../ She scrambled out of the chair she was sitting in, and ran up the stairs of the house. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were currently spending their weekend at Kakashi's house for some R&R.(1)

THUMP! Sakura paused infront of the door to the room Naruto and Sasuke shared. The door was closed. She pressed her ear to the door and froze. All she heard was heavy breathing. /Ah! They really must be trying to kill each other! What if one of them succeeded?! They're so quiet!/ Her eyes widened as her brain supplied her with a mental image of Sasuke standing over Naruto's dead body.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!!" yelled Sakura as she swung open the door to Kakashi's bedroom. A very surprised Iruka looked up from the spot where he was reading a newspaper, while Kakashi quickly hid his book under a cushion. Sakura had caught a glimpse of the title of the book of what Kakashi was reading. It said 'Babes in Paradise' and had a picture of a woman wearing very skimpy clothing. One of Sakura's eyebrows twitched for a few seconds before she recomposed herself. "Kakashi-sensei! Come quickly! I think Naruto and Sasuke are trying to kill each other!" Sakura led Kakashi and Iruka to the room Sasuke and Naruto shared.

"Owww!! Could you be a little gentler?!" came Naruto's voice through the door.
"Stay still and stop squirming, dobe!" came Sasuke's reply, and a series of grunts and straining sounds followed.

Iruka blushed at this, while Kakashi looked amused. Sakura's mouth hung open in shock. /MASAKA! No way! Nonono.. Sasuke and Naruto would never.. Noooooo!/ Well, at least no she knew those two weren't trying to kill each other..

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! "Saaasukeee! Hit it harder! Hit it harder!" shouted Naruto. THUMP! "AH!" yelped Naruto, while Sasuke let out what sounded like a sigh of relief. Then, everything in the room went silent. Outside, Kakashi, Iruka, and Sakura had their ears pressed to the door, listening tentatively.

"Naruto, you're so noisy." came Sasuke's voice. Then the moaning and straining sounds started again. Sakura and Iruka's faces turned beet red. Kakashi shook his head and smiled. He was about to walk away, when suddenly.. "SHIT!" Sasuke swore. Kakashi froze.

"W-What's the matter, Sasuke?" Naruto sounded worried. There was a long pause. Then...

"I think I'm stuck." Sasuke said in disbelief.

"WHAAAT?!" yelled a frustrated Naruto, and a string of curses came from both Naruto and Sasuke, accompanied by frequent yelps of pain from Naruto. Outside the room, Iruka's eyes widened and stared at Kakashi incredulously. Sakura looked like she was ready to faint. Kakashi looked slightly dazed, but quickly snapped out of it. He knocked on the door.

"Is everything alright in there?" Kakashi asked loudly.

"YES!" yelled a panicked Naruto.

"NO!" Sasuke yelled at the same time, and an argument between the two ensued. Kakashi quickly took a lock pick out of his pocket and picked the lock on the door. He swung the door open and stepped into the room, with Sakura and Iruka right behind him. All three stopped in front of the washroom door that was wide open.

The sight that greeted the three ninjas was a sight they would all remember for the rest of their lives. The washroom was a mess. Shampoo bottles were knocked all over the place. What was most amusing was that Naruto was sitting on the toilet seat with his pants down to his knees. A towel covered his private part. Sasuke was fully dressed, but he was on his knees in front of Naruto. Sakura fainted. Kakashi and Iruka just stared.

"We can explain!" exclaimed Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously. The two of them immediately tried to explain at the same time.

"Naruto wanted to pull a prank on me, but his plan backfired."

"Sasuke was suppose to fall for it!"

"He super glued the toilet seat."

"He was suppose to sit on it!"

"But he slipped and fell."

"That wasn't part of my plan!"

"So now he's glued to the toilet seat."

Kakashi shoulders started to shake with suppressed laughter while Iruka rolled his eyes and sighed. "So what was all the thumping and yelling all about?" Iruka questioned. Again, Naruto and Sasuke tried to answer at the same time.

"While Naruto was stuck to the toilet seat,"

"This HUGE ugly cockroach came out of nowhere! And-"

"He told me to kill it."

"Sasuke used MY shoe to hit it, and he kept missing!"

"Naruto kept shrieking at me to hit the damned cockroach harder, so I did."

"HE was doing all the thumping!"

"The dobe actually screamed when I finally hit it."

"Then, he tried to help me off the toilet seat."

"Naruto, you should have known superglue is really strong."

"It hurts! Iruka-sensei! My skin is glued to the toilet seat! Sasuke was pulling me so hard too!"

"Unfortunately, I got some of the glue on my hands."

"So now his hands are stuck to the sides of the toilet!"

"It's not funny."

By now, both Iruka and Kakashi were both laughing openly with Sasuke and Naruto glaring daggers at them. After finally getting his laughter under control, Kakashi performed the 'ansutaku no jutsu'(2) and freed the two distressed boys. Later, Sakura finally woke up, and the whole incident was explained to her by a still laughing Iruka. Afterwards, Sakura laughed so hard, she vowed she'd never let Naruto live it down. Of course, she spared Sasuke. Out of kindness? Nah...

A/N: (1) That's a sucky way to spend your weekend. sweatdrops (2)Hehe. I made that one up. if you read 'ansutaku' as japlish, you'd get 'unstuck'... REVIEW PLEASE!!

No One Will Ever Call Me Sweet Heart

No One Will Ever Call Me Sweet Heart

A One-Shot Naruto Fanfiction by Aoi Kami Sarah

The rain patted in a staccato rhythm on the pane just to the left of Naruto’s head. A comforter was bunched at his feet and the thin sheet covered only his midsection. Despite the chilly weather, Naruto snored comfortably through the night.

But when he woke, the rain had not lifted. The boy sat up slowly, rubbed his eyes and remembered it was Sunday. “Day off,” he murmured and fell back on his pillow. Unfortunately, he was already awake. His eyes barely open, he looked out at the grey morning. The sound of the rain filled the room. He sighed and pulled the discarded comforter up around his chin. If anyone could have seen the soft frown on his face, the pinch of flesh between his arched brows, they wouldn’t have thought this melancholy baby was Uzumaki Naruto; anyone perhaps but Umino Iruka.

Iruka zipped from awning to awning, artfully avoiding the rain as he made his errands: somen noodles from the fancy pasta store on Vine, some Jordan almonds for Anko from the confectioners, and a quick jaunt to the bodega on Broadway and 6th for some cup ramen for a certain former student of his. Through the gloom of early Sunday morning, Iruka smiled.

At eleven Naruto was roused to the sound of knocking on his door. He knew there was only one person it could possibly be. Wordlessly, Naruto opened the door and turned back to bed.

“Ohayo!” Iruka chimed cheerfully. His smile drooped from the less-than-warm welcome. Not to be deterred, the teacher scuffed his feet on the mat and let himself in. “I brought cup ramen!” When Naruto didn’t come running out of his bedroom, Iruka began to worry. He stuck his head in the doorway. “Naruto, daijoubu?”

“I dunno…” came the muffled reply. His friend sat on the edge of his bed and waited. Iruka was often short tempered with the boy’s rebellious ways, but he could also be endlessly patient when necessary. After a few minutes the covers squirmed and a blond head emerged.

“There you are,” Iruka smiled. “Come on. Let me make you some ramen.” He shook one of the cups for emphasis. Naruto shrugged but did finally slide out of bed.

Iruka busied himself with the teakettle and threw some expired items out of Naruto’s fridge. He washed a few dishes until the water was ready then prepared two of the cups he had brought with him. He set them in front of Naruto and himself and pulled a chair up to the little kitchen table.

“Ne, Iruka-sensei…” Naruto mumbled, watching steam rise through the gap in the paper lid. “How old were you when…?” he began, but lost his nerve.

Iruka straightened up a little in his chair. He reached out and warmed his hands on the little paper cup of Sapporo Ichiban Miso ramen before him. “I was thirteen when I lost my parents.” He chose his words carefully; unsure of what Naruto wanted to hear.

“So you remember them?” Naruto too laced his fingers around his cup, but kept his eyes on the steam emanating from it.

“Yes I do.”

“Do you miss them?”

“Of course.”

“Would you miss them if you had never known them?” he asked quickly but quietly.

Iruka’s heart twisted. The apartment seemed suddenly very quiet. The rain had stopped. “I don’t know,” he replied.

“Doesn’t make much sense, does it?” Naruto added and looked up as if he wanted agreement.

“It’s only human.” The teacher fidgeted a bit. He tried to think of the right thing to say. “Even if you never experienced it, you long for it.”

“Were my parents killed by the Nine Tails, too?” the boy asked softly.

“I don’t know, Naruto,” he admitted.

Naruto sighed and took the cover off his ramen. His eyes fixed on the pale noodles. “I like to think that’s what happened,” he said as he mixed the soup up with his chopsticks. “I don’t wanna think they abandoned me, but sometimes I feel like they did…”

“Naruto…” Iruka whispered, his heart breaking.

“When the kids an’ even their moms and dads look at me like they do… I think I’m not any good for anything. So maybe that’s what my parents thought and so they dumped me.”

“That’s not true!” Iruka gripped the edges of the table and struggled to find just the right words. “No one would do that to you, besides, you were just a baby…”

The boy’s lower lip quivered. “I just wish I knew, Iruka-sensei. It sucks to be alone…” A few tears patted down on the tabletop. Involuntarily, the teacher pushed his chair back and stood up. Naruto continued to look down, unable and perhaps today unwilling to put on a brave face. “It sucks.”

His mentor crouched next to his chair. “Naruto,” Iruka put his hand on his shoulder. “You’re not alone.” The boy sniffled and without hesitation launched himself at Iruka, knocking him on his ass. The teacher wrapped his arms around him and let him cry it out. Slowly, Naruto caught his breath, but still clung to Iruka’s shirt. The clouds grudgingly parted and let some sunlight into the little apartment. “Hey now.” Iruka patted his back reassuringly. “Your ramen’s getting cold.”

Naruto choked out a laugh and nodded. They ate their lunch wordlessly. When he had finished, Iruka cleaned up and invited Naruto to come out with him.

“Uh uh,” Naruto grunted as he scratched his hair. “I gotta train. Wasted almost the whole day already.”

Iruka grinned. “There’s a good boy. You call me if you get bored,” he advised, still choosing his words with ultimate care.

“Arigatou, Iruka-sensei.”

“Any time.”

Well after dark Naruto dragged himself home and fell into bed with his clothes on. His chakra almost completed depleted and his body bearing a number of cuts and bruises from a rigorous session against his own shadow clones, he was asleep in moments.

Just before he dropped off to sleep, Naruto listened to the silence of his apartment. The things he contemplated that morning, which he thought he had gotten over, came back to haunt him.

This place he called home had no soul. There was no one waiting for him when the day was over, no one to wake him when it began. No smell of food waiting for him, no din of conversation or laughter like he had heard coming from other people’s houses. Maybe he should get a cat, he thought.

That was crazy. He’d probably malnourish the thing to death. No. He didn’t need something to take care of. He needed someone to take care of him. But did he need it? He got along all right by himself. He hadn’t burned the place down or even ever locked himself out before. He didn’t need it; he wanted it. He wanted ‘welcome home!’ and ‘how was your day?’ and ‘time to wake up now, Sweet Heart.’

“Sweet heart,” he muttered. “No one will ever call me Sweet Heart.” Not even his own mother whom he had never known. Iruka, and even that jerk Sasuke had known their mothers… Naruto felt the tears come again and curled up into a ball. “Kaasan…” he whispered, just to see what it would sound like. It didn’t help. He pressed the comforter to his eyes and wept like a child, all the while forgetting he was still just that: a child.

And weeping, Uzumaki Naruto fell to dreaming.

The pond was familiar. It reminded Naruto of one in the upscale northwestern area of town, relatively close to the Uchiha Ichizoku. A steady but calm breeze gently pressed small waves that undulated across its surface. He looked up at the sky; cerulean blue with perfect, crisp white clouds ambling from left to right.

Didn’t he have to be at the bridge to meet up with Kakashi-sensei, Sakura and Sasuke soon? Surely yesterday was Sunday and he’d have to be there, but something in the air made the day feel so much like a Saturday.

A lone willow tree dipped its branches into the water and under its dappled shade sat a young woman who stared out at the water. Her face was obscured by a large sun hat but even from a distance and not seeing her expression, Naruto could tell she was happy.

The feeling was contagious. Without even thinking about it, Naruto gravitated towards her.

“Ano… ‘scuse me, Nee-san? Mind if I join ya?”

She turned her head to look up at him. The large hat framed her round, heart-shaped face. Her eyes were a pale green and her hair even paler blonde. It lilted around her like strands of silk thread in the ever-present breeze. Her skin was alabaster and her limbs were delicate. She seemed a living statue, such was her perfection. So when she spoke, Naruto almost fell over with surprise.

“Sure! It’s great to have company on such a nice day!” A bold, confident voice boomed from her slight frame. She patted the ground with one of her thin, china-like hands and smiled. When she did, her eyes turned into the most adorable crescent shapes. Naruto blushed, falling instantly in love and without hesitation sat down beside her. She faced the pond again, the contended smile hanging on her lips. Naruto stared at her, unable to look away. He wanted to memorize her face. Something about her seemed fleeting, as though if he blinked she would blow away.

She must have felt the intensity of his gaze because she looked back to him, but rather than scold him for staring, she grinned, amusedly. “Do I know you?” she asked.

Naruto shuddered. “N-no! I mean I don’t think so…”

“Really? You sure I don’t know your family?”

“I… don’t have one,” he admitted.

For the first time, her features drooped. “I’m so sorry…”

“No! It’s ok! I mean… It was a long time ago… I never knew them.”

She bit her lip. “That’s horrible. There’ve been so many wars, and so much loss and sadness in this village. Sometimes I wish I had never been born into a shinobi clan.”

“You’re a ninja?” Naruto asked tentatively, unable to imagine her giving or receiving any sort of violence.

“No.” She rubbed her thin hands together. “Because my body’s too weak, I can never be a ninja…” When he didn’t respond she looked up. “I’m sorry! Now I’ve made you upset!”

“Uh? Oh no, no! I just don’t know what I would do if I could never be a ninja…”

She smiled again. “Now I know why I think I know you,” she said and pointed into the distance behind Naruto’s shoulder. “You remind me of him.”

Naruto craned his neck and looked for a person, but all he saw was the mountainside about five miles to the south and the four faces etched upon it. “What, the Hokage?” When he turned around he was blushing even redder. “I’m gonna be up there one day, you’ll see!”

“You will?!” she asked, excitedly.

“You bet! Everyone will know me and look up to me!” he stood and shouted.

“Ah! Sugoi!” The young woman used the trunk of the willow to help herself up and got a good look at the 12 year old.

“So, Nee-chan? Which one do I remind you of? Nidaime? Please don’t say Sandaime!”

“No, silly. Isn’t it obvious? Yondaime!”

Naruto’s chest puffed out. “Honto?!”

She laughed. “Even your attitude! You sound a bit like him too.”

“Ne, how do you know so much about him?”

“He’s my fiancée!” she said proudly and beamed at him.

The world seemed to stop. The clouds no longer raced across the sky. The water didn’t glisten. Naruto felt something akin to nausea and fear with a mixture of confusion and sadness sweep over him. “Oh, Nee-chan…”

“He’s so amazing. Have you met him?”

“Uh… no…”

“He only just became Hokage last year but already they have the mountain carved. He’s going to be the best, most famous Hokage, no the most famous kage the world has ever seen! And I don’t have to worry about being a good ninja because I’m going to be the world’s best wife.” She brushed some dirt off of her kimono and walked to the water’s edge. “We’re going to have children too, as soon as possible! I want tens of them!” She crouched and dipped her fingers in the cool water. She patted her face lightly and took a deep breath.

‘Children…’ Naruto thought. Had Yondaime had any children? How long had he been Hokage before he died? He wished he had studied harder when Iruka-sensei taught him History of Konoha. “I was just a baby…” he whispered.

The young woman turned quickly. “What did you say?” she asked.

“Uh, never mind…” Naruto tried to think of something to say to change the subject.

“Do you think…” she started, but the words ran out of breath. The pale green eyes rolled back and her legs gave out.

“Nee-chan!” Naruto shouted and caught her in plenty of time. “Daijoubu, Nee-chan!” Her face was so pale, he felt like he was holding a doll the size of a grown woman. Not having any idea what to do for her, Naruto started to panic. “Nee-chan, please…”

As if she heard him, the green eyes fluttered open. He offered to help her up, but she asked him to let her lay her head in his lap till the spell passed. “It’s all right, I just fainted. I stood up too fast.” She laughed a little. “I get so excited when I think about the future. Do you think I’ll make a good mother?”

“Yeah,” Naruto whispered. “The best.”
“I think so too,” she smiled. “I’m a great cook!”

“You are?”

“Mmhm! You should come over for dinner some night and I’ll show you!” she chimed as she slowly sat up.

“Kozue!” a man’s voice called from the distance. “Doko?” A long coated, spiky haired silhouette was just visible on the horizon.

“Hai! Coming!” the young woman answered. “I have to go. You understand, don’t you?”

Naruto nodded.

“I’ll see you later, then!” Naruto shook his head. The sky was almost dark. The clouds seemed to have piled up on each other in the last few tense moments. His shoulders slumped. Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but just didn’t have the heart to tell her. “I’ll see you right there, ne?” He turned and followed her pointing finger once more just as the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the monument to the first four Hokage.

Naruto’s face brightened. “Mm!” He nodded. “I’ll be the best Hokage the world has ever seen! You’ll see.”

The young woman named Kozue bowed and kissed him on the cheek. “I know you will, Sweet Heart. Ja, mata!” She waved. Clouds flew past. Water rippled and willow leaves swirled in a never-ending breeze.


The sun shone bright and warm through the pane just to the left of Naruto’s head. The comforter and sheet were wrapped tightly around him. Despite the warm weather, Naruto had snored comfortably through the night.

When he woke, he sat up, rubbed his eyes and realized it was Monday. “What happened to Sunday?” he murmured and squinted into the sunlight. Across town, four sets of stone eyes watched over his village. He opened his own eyes wide, grinned, threw off the covers and charged headfirst into the new day.

Anyone who could have seen the curl at the corner of his lips, the sparkle in his cool, blue eyes would have know this boy was Uzumaki Naruto: future Hokage of Konoha.

“You’ll see! I promise!” he shouted to the sky and ran out the door at top speed to beat Sakura and Sasuke to the bridge.

END

102203

thanks to leslina for listening -aks

song of the unknown child

Well, poo.

Miri here. New to Naruto fandom, but still a fanfic vetran coming from a six-month writer's block with some pretty sorry fare. (Apologies in advance) However, Sakura NEEDS to be written as more than just a pink-haired bimbo. This is my apology to her for EVER assuming as such.

This was SUPPOSED to be a drabble. Of course, things never work out the way I want them to. I'm longwinded, and the idea kept changing.

Methinks it's shut-up time. So . . . no real warnings; if you don't like angst, go away. If you don't like the idea of having probably one of your favorite characters be dead by some gruesome, messy way, I bear you no ill will. If you like the idea of an underrated character not sucking too badly, come inside. Standard disclaimer, Kishimoto-sensei won't share, but I sneak them off when he's not looking. Shikamaru is teh excellent. Yondaime is TEH HOT. Enjoy the show.

song of the unknown child
Author: miriya v.

- you must admit the land is now in good hands

Sometimes, a shinobi is born of Kohona that surpasses all expectations -- a child destined to become the next legend, whether it be a tale of horror or triumph. It is natural, even perhaps traditional, for the village to bet quietly among themselves as to who that child would be. Through this, it is rare for many to be surprised by the outcome.

Some bet that the Uchiha boy would go mad -- a prodigy, yes, but Itachi moreso. Any ninja with half a brain understood that to face the missing-nin was suicide, and yet this boy devoted his life to his relentless pursuit of that exact death. They said, quietly amongst themselves in their somber kitchen gatherings, that the house of Uchiha would lie in ruins forever.

Some bet that the roles within the house of Hyuuga would be reversed by the ruthless power of young Neji -- truly, the boy was great among the greatest, and there was nothing but tradition and perhaps a bit of some stubborn sentimentality keeping his branch from domination. Perhaps, they said, it would be for the best.

Some bet, albeit drunk or grudgingly (and Iruka was not entirely blameless for this), that the vessel of the kyuubi would rise to be the best Kohona had ever known. That despite his seeming incompetence, his insistence of becoming Hokage would come to pass. Some trained for that day, because secretly they believed death was better than being directed by someone who was nothing more than a servant of the demon fox. They said the blood of the Yondaime running through his veins would only grant him so much safety amongst them. Their village was stronger, this time around -- to defeat the fox would certainly be easier (though not without their own losses); to defeat the fox while inside the boy easier still. After he grew, none raised a hand to him. No one save his friends ever offered to help him, either.

In the village of the hidden leaf, there is a monument to the fallen.

Mothers tell their young the stories of those shinobi, the heroes who died for the protection and glory of their village. Stories that hold sadness, pride, and sometimes . . . sometimes regret.

They tell the story of clan Hyuuga, whose most exceptional shinobi set aside his resentment and laid trembling hands on the face of his hime with blank eyes full of triumph even in death, proud to have given his life for that which his house had protected for generations. They speak reverently of how the quiet girl had avenged his death and then laid down where he died, just lying there, just staring at the sky. She had not risen for a week, but she had never showed her tears.

They never think to tell the story of the pink-haired girl who sat by silently, holding the Hyuuga's hand when she was allowed, leaving only to return with food and water that she knew would remain untouched until she had convinced the grieving girl to continue living.

They tell the story of the last scion of the Uchiha clan, pulled from the grip of a blood-curse by his comrades only to fall prey to a surprise attack by a missing-nin. There had been no warning, nothing but blood on the cobblestones and the walls of a ramen stand and a dead man with a kunai lodged in his throat. He'd raised the alarms, though, and the anbu had dispatched the intruder within the night. He was given a hero's ceremony, and those who cared enough to go mourned the death of a great clan.

They never think to tell the story of the girl who loved him fiercely and unconditionally, the one who had claimed him from youth first as a crush then as a brother and comrade, who cared for his empty home though there would be none to claim it. (The villagers spoke in hushed tones that a curse had long fallen upon the house of Uchiha, that the house was haunted. And though they did not tell her story, they looked to her as one who spoke with those ghosts, who may have perhaps loved them more than the living.)

Rarely, they tell the story of Uzumaki Naruto, who despite all efforts had been taken by the Akatsuki group for unknown reasons. They don't tell of his escape, and they refuse to speak of the way he returned to them, broken but happy before he was hunted and killed by those who had failed to control him. They don't need to, because they all remember the way his blood had burned into the trees and the ground and never went away, how it forever marks the place where one of their own died. They do not tell this story, because there is no need -- they remember, and they regret. He had died a proud Kohona shinobi, and not the monster they all feared him to be.

They do not tell the story of the girl who risked her life to set him free, knowing her death was inevitable should she be caught. They do not tell of how she had learned to love him after being raised to hate him for reasons she could never understand until she dared to question them. They do not tell of how he died protecting her as she lay unconscious among the leaves, how in death his will had merged with and dominated the kyuubi to shield her. They do not tell this story, because they do not know. All they remember is her return to them, carrying nothing but a cracked hitai-ate and the heavy burden of grief in her doll-green eyes. And they remember the scream -- some say they wake, hearing it again in their darkest nightmares.

She left them some years after the funeral, slipped away into the forest and never returned. The Hokage did not bother to list her as 'missing' -- in the records of the shinobi, Haruno Sakura is dead.

And they do not understand, though perhaps some primal piece of them can sympathize.

In the village of the hidden leaf, there is a legend told.

Quietly, in the tea houses and around the winter-fires, they speak with awe clear in their voices of a kunoichi who lived among them for years. They sometimes wonder how they never really noticed her; how they never realized the wisdom and power of the girl they had raised within their walls. Those who knew her shake their heads -- they understand that she'd never truly needed it. Those who she wanted to acknowledge her had already done so, and she'd loved them dearly, and she'd never asked for more than that.

Sometimes, though, those who remember her, and those who are young enough to believe, say that she still lives, protecting her home from outside their village walls. The young, when brave enough, will speak of her -- they swear, sometimes, that they can see an unfamiliar shadow at the edge of the village, whispering through the grasses. In the morning there are always fresh flowers at the stone, even in the dead of winter. Sometimes, there is fresh blood in the forest, and signs of battle. Kohona village is safe.

No one seeks to follow that ghost anymore, but sometimes there are stories.

Those that remember her smile. They say she, too, can tell stories.

-miri
october 21, 2003

First fic in almost 6 months. Crap-fuggin'-tacular. --;;

But I like Naruto. I feel the need to play with the characters . . . there's so freaking many of them, and they're all so impressive in their own ways. Apologies to all the children I killed -- I loved them, but this was all about Sakura. Who, dammit, rocks when she doesn't have her Sasuke!Lust on.

Comments/Criticism greatly appreciated.

Even in Death

Even in Death
Author: Kaira-chan

Give me a reason to believe that you're gone

Naruto sat in front of Kakashi and Sakura, both of them were looking at him sorrowfully. His eyes were dim, and they didn’t have the same spark that they used too. They still had a spark, but there was something in it that disturbed both of them.

“Naruto... are you okay?” Sakura asked softly. Naruto turned to her.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Naruto asked, sending shivers down both Kakashi’s and Sakura’s backs. The effect was even more unnerving, because Naruto’s face was still splattered with blood, and his hair was matted down in some places.

Both Kakashi and Sakura had managed to get cleaned up, the fight was yesterday after all, but here was Naruto, ripped and bloodied clothes. It looked like he hadn’t even slept, the faint bags under his eyes giving the effect.

“Well, we just thought because of Sasuke -“ Kakashi started, but was cut off by a sharp glare by Naruto.

“There’s nothing wrong with Sasuke.”

I see your shadow so I know they're all wrong

After about an hour of neither Kakashi nor Sakura getting anyother reply from Naruto, they both left him there.

“I hear you Sasuke,” he said, when the sun finally disappeared behind the horizon. “I’m coming for you...”

He jumped off of the rock on which he had been sitting, and made his way down the streets. Scarcely a soul was on the streets, all of them were at a funeral of some sort. He had heard Kakashi say something about it, wanting Naruto to come.

But how could Naruto come, when he could hear Sasuke screaming for him? He walked into his house, and after quite a lot of searching he had found what he was looking for.

He looked out his window, and saw the villagers returning to their houses. He’d just wait until they were gone. It seemed like the funeral was finished.

Moonlight on the soft brown earth

It leads me to where you lay

Finally, when the moon was at it’s zenith, Naruto left his house. He set off upon the dirt roads silently, his footsteps completely silent, a skill that he had picked up in his 3 years as a ninja. After a short period of time, his feet were met with soft, lush, green grass, which looked black in the moonlight.

He felt he could feel every blade of grass under his thinly shod feet. Soon, he came to a rectangle shape of soft, freshly upturned dirt. He took the shovel, and began to dig it up. Quickly, however, he got tired of it, and got onto his hands and knees, and began digging up the dirt with his hands, like a canine.

“Don’t worry Sasuke, I can hear you.”

They took you away from me but now I'm taking you home

Within a short period of time, his shortly cut nails scrapped along a smooth wood. He frantically cleared away the rest of the dirt, that lay upon it.

“Sasuke! I’m coming!” He said, trying futility to open the casket. When he noticed he couldn’t, he drew a shrunken and began to scrap the wood from the polished mahogany casket. He was soon rewarded when the wood collapsed, and he found himself looking into the pale, completely peaceful face of Sasuke.

“Sasuke, I’m taking you home,” he said, lifting the other boy out of the casket. Sasuke didn’t move at all as Naruto jumped out of the hole he had just dug.

“I can’t believe they did that too you,” Naruto grumbled, carrying Sasuke back to his house, as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop, completely silent. “First those rouge ninja’s beat you around, and then those stupid villagers bury you in the ground. You’re so cold! Please, come home. I’ll make you something warm to drink, and wrap you in blankets. You’re going to get sick if you stay like this.”

I will stay forever here with you
My love

Naruto fell asleep beside Sasuke, a blanket wrapped around both of them. He snuggled into Sasuke as he slept.

The next morning, he didn’t move from where he had fallen on Sasuke’s lap. “You’re still cold Sasuke. Are you sick or something? You sure? Well, I’m not going to leave you, just incase, okay?”

The softly spoken words you gave me
Even in death our love goes on

“Remember what you told me the other day?” He asked Sasuke. He was in the kitchen and Sasuke still hadn’t moved from the bed. “That no matter what would happen, you’d love me forever. I didn’t know what to say then, but now I know. I’ll love you forever. Even if I were to die, just remember that I’ll love you forever.” Suddenly Naruto laughed. “You’re so funny.” He smiled at the open door of the bedroom. “Are you hungry? You sure? You have to eat Sasuke. You’re sick, I can tell by how could you seem to be.” He walked into the bedroom and smiled when he saw Sasuke laying in the bed. “I’ll just leave this here, okay? If you get hungry you can eat it, okay?”

He put the soup that he had made on the night table by the bed.

Some say I'm crazy for my love, Oh my love
But no bonds can hold me from your side, Oh my love

Once again, the night fell. Naruto had moved Sasuke to the living room, and together they watched T.V. Naruto had decided it best that Sasuke moved, or else he would get stiff.

“Sasuke,” Naruto sighed, exasperated. “You can’t go train. I don’t want you to over exert yourself. You’ve been through a lot, and you need to rest. Yes, this program is great, isn’t it?” Naruto smiled, and looked at the blank T.V. His and Sasuke’s reflection stared back at him, but that’s not what he saw.

“Sakura saw me in the store today, when I was buying us food,” Naruto said, his expression falling solemn.

“She said that I’m crazy, and that you’re not here anymore. She said that I was crazy. Can you believe that? She’s one to talk. You’re right here. I think that she’s the one whose gong crazy. I don’t know why I ever liked her,” he looked at Sasuke. “Yeah, I’m glad I have you too,” he smiled, and hugged his still lover. Then he kissed his cold lips. “I love you too Sasuke.”

They don't know you can't leave me
They don't hear you singing to me

Naruto’s eyes began to drift shut. “Remember the first time that we found out that we loved eachother?” Naruto asked, looking into Sasuke’s unblinking eyes. “You were singing that song, and I over heard you. I complemented you, and you sung to me for the rest of the night.

“Will you sing that song again to me?” He asked. He closed his eyes, and laid his head on Sasuke’s chest.

“I want to save you from the dark,” Naruto sang softly. “Give onto me your troubles, I’ll endure your suffering...” and then his voice faded away all together, as he drifted into a deep sleep.

I will stay forever here with you
My love
The softly spoken words you gave me
Even in death our love goes on

Sakura knocked on Naruto’s door quietly. Then she opened it. “Naruto?” she called, her voice somewhat fearful.

“Naruto?” She called again, walking from the kitchen then into the living room. What she saw stopped her in her tracks.

There, laying on the couch, was Naruto, sleeping peacefully on Sasuke. Sasuke’s body was still fresh, so the deterioration was minimum, but it still gave her shivers seeing Naruto sleeping ever so peacefully on the now-dead boy.

She had come to apologize for calling Naruto crazy, but now she knew that she hadn’t been wrong in thinking that Naruto was no longer all there. Quickly, she fled from the house. As ran out the house, faintly she heard Naruto speak in his sleep.

“I’ll love you forever, even when I’m gone, I’ll love you forever.”

And she couldn’t stop the tears that fell from her eyes. It was so sad, seeing how one boys death could devastate another so much, but she had to tell someone. Naruto needed help.

And I can't love you, anymore than I do

Naruto and Sasuke were alone in the dark. Naruto no longer had the blood caked on him, and his clothes were clean, and un-torn.

“How much do you love me, Naruto?” Sasuke asked softly, taking the shorter boy into his arms.

Naruto smiled softly, taking in the taller boys scent. “I can’t love you, anymore then I do.”

OWARI

It's a Promise

Standard disclaimers apply.

I dedicate this fic to Nefas, who named it. smashes champagne against pc monitor watches it fizzle Ugh... you mean we can't name fics like we name ships? Damn...

It's a Promise
Author: XD

--

"Again?"

"YEAH!" Naruto screeched. Well, almost. He heaved a righteous right fist into the air and glowered. "He's NEVER on time for anything! How can I ever become Hokage at this rate? I probably won't even complete enough missions for my dinner tonight! ... AH!!" The boy screeched again, this time with a tinge of revelation in his voice. He turned his pleading eyes to his former teacher and pleaded, "Naa, Iruka-sensei! Why don't you buy me ramen tonight at Ichiraku for me being a good boy for a loooong time since my graduation now?"

"What," Iruka bapped the boy aside with his record file, "has ramen got to do with that?" Off at the side lines, Sakura giggled and Sasuke muttered a muffled 'baka' under his breath.

Naruto took to nursing the large lump gradually swelling on his head where the file hit him and made a face. He then swivelled around and crossed his arms in front of his chest, back-facing Iruka. The Chuunin scratched the back of his head sheepishly, walking closer to where Naruto sat in a huff.

It was one of those days at the Konoha Gakure. The sun was fine. The breeze was fair, and the people were loitering about, minding their own businesses. The seventh team, freshly graduated from the academy, were poised at the Konoha red entrance bridge, waiting for something to happen.

And yes, Kakashi was late. Again.

To say that Iruka was surprised would be a fib. As much as the Jounin was feared outside the village due to his notorious reputation and impeccable track record, here inside the village he was feared just as much - just on an entirely different level of 'reputation' and 'track record'. The Academy teacher sighed and ruffled Naruto's hair playfully, earning him a questioning look from his subject of ruffling. He then stood, helping the golden-haired boy to his feet.

"Well, you ninjas," Iruka grinned and jerked a thumb in the direction of the academy, "you'd probably need the patience you get from this sometime in the future, so just keep on bearing up with it!" Taking a brief look at the height of the sun in the skies, the older person shrugged and turned, "I have to run along now. Not /everybody/ in this village enjoys being late, you see. Take care, the three of you!"

"Bye bye, Iruka-sensei!" Sakura politely waved and smiled. Naruto still had a blank look on his face from since he got pulled up from the ground and Sasuke merely afforded the Chuunin a long, hard look. But of course, Iruka knew the better to expect anything more from the morose pre-teen. He smiled to himself.

The roads of the village were as he had remembered. Occasionally he would stop to say a few words to a few parents he met on the street who were concerned about their children's progress in the academy. But otherwise, it was a peaceful journey back to the school he taught in, the only hesitation being the slight pause in step he had afforded himself when he strode past the windows of the very Jounin he would love to throttle right now, if said Jounin was sleeping at home instead of heading down to meet his team. After hesitating for a moment, however, he decided to let the issue drop. If he hadn't, then /he/ would have been late for his submission to the reception, and that just would not do!

It was late morning by the time he settled whatever it was he had needed to at the reception. As he had no lessons in the academy that day, and no further missions, he trudged his way along back home, meaning to finish tidying up his room and getting down to doing some of the housework he had not had time to do. Retracing his footsteps from the journey to the ninja school, he passed by The Window again, and couldn't help but stop to look up at it.

Yes. Kakashi's habitual lateness was legendary. Even /if/ approximately 3 hours had passed since he met up with the languishing Team 7.

From the viewpoint of an ant, Iruka's feet were two gigantic pillars of flesh, one upright and the other tapping impatiently on the soft, sandy ground, like they were trying to come to a decision about something. It took a while, but the feet moved as if to walk away, but came to a firm stop just two steps down the road. They shifted and were once again made to face the slightly opened window. And then in a small puff of smoke and upturned sand, they were gone.

Iruka knew it was probably, and most fundamentally wrong to be doing what he was doing now - spying on a fellow workmate in suspicion of said workmate's working behaviour. He did not want to know what would happen to him if he got found out - although in all retrospect, he had no intention of letting that happen. Slowly slinking nearer to the ajar window, he camouflagued both his aura and being, confident that his skills were enough for his current action. Preparing himself, he slowly edged nearer to the window and stole a quick peek inside.

The room was unexpectedly forlorn-looking. The filmsy sheet of curtain flapped about in the soft breeze creeping through the window, and the insides of the place was surprisingly well-kept. Clean, well-pressed linen decked the bed, which had been neatly made and showed no signs of a late-comer's hasty awakening. Slightly miffed at that - since Kakashi /had/ been late even before Iruka made his way to the academy - the Chuunin now thought himself fully justified in stepping into the room barren of any sign of life.

His senses began to tingle when he took his first step into the room. This was, after all, a Jounin's apartment, and booby-traps were not entirely out of the question. For some reason, though, that did not daunt him. It was the same, nagging impulse that had propelled him to even step into the room in the first place, which spurred him to further his apparently pointless mission.

With both feet in the room, Iruka took a sweeping gaze around him.

/So this is what his room looks like.../ Was Iruka's first thoughts before the utter tidiness of the space began to bowl him over. /... Well, damn, you could have fooled me./ He started walking, reveling in the sound his sandals made against the wooden flooring. It was oddly comforting to hear something in the seeming dead of the room. "Kakashi-san?" He called out impetuously. Although he was confident nobody was in, it was nevertheless not an absolute confirmation. These people weren't called Jounins for nothing.

Of course, he also failed to consider the consequences he had to face if Kakashi was indeed /in/ and found him trespassing in his personal territory. But when Iruka had righteous indignation on hand, especially when it had something to do with Naruto, however slight, there was no telling what kind of consequences he was willing to overlook.

The room remained unresponsive. "Kakashi-san?" The Chuunin raised his voice slightly, taking a slow walk around the room, still on the look-out for traps. There was only one other compartment, better known as the toilet, in the small room, and after checking that out Iruka turned around to survey the room again from just in front of the proper door to the apartment.

It was empty. As empty as any other room devoid of life would be. The photographs placed on the shelf at the front of the bed instantly caught his attention. He hadn't realized he was moving until he stood just in front of the bed, looking down on the photographs.

Iruka knew distinctly that the first one had been taken when Kakashi was still working in a Genin group of three. And it was no secret that the Fourth himself oversaw the team. He hesitated slightly when he looked at the other faces in the same shot, unable to instantly recognise them. But soon, understanding flashed across his face. /These people were.../ He stopped short of completing his own thoughts. Staring a little longer at the old photograph, he noticed that this particular photo-frame looked like it had been through more handling, was moved around more often than the other.

The faces on that old photograph continued to keep his attention. Finally, with a slight frown, he looked away from it, letting his gaze settle on the photograph beside it instead. Almost instantly a warm smile stretched across his countenance. Naruto seemed happy enough in the shot.

After a few more seconds of looking at the group shot of Team 7, Iruka decided that he had disturbed the tranquility of the room enough. Carefully measuring his steps and checking for anything that would hint at his presence when Kakashi returned, he then slid out of the window quietly, vanishing in the same way he had arrived.

--

The route back home was as pleasant as any other day. The Leaf was a quiet and peaceful town now, although it had its own share of ancient problems. But Iruka was feeling anything but pleasant. The glance he had taken of the photographs in Kakashi's home, momentary as it was, brought back many unhappy memories of his own. And as it was with Iruka, it had to do with Naruto - and the other one within. So deep he was in his thoughts, he almost missed the similar blotch of sunshine blond hair across the road he was about to cross, on the bridge.

A look a disbelief overwhelmed him for a moment, before he settled for a quick-transport seal and appeared in a puff of smoke before the three impatient Genins.

"KAKASHI-SEN--!!" Naruto and Sakura paused when the smoke cleared and they had a better view of who it was.

"Iruka-sensei?" The blond boy blinked.

"Naruto," Iruka acknowledged the boy, turning around to look at the other two ninjas as well, "Well... as much as I would like to ask..."

Sasuke waved his hand, "He's not here yet," and answered the unspoken question.

"Ah, that explains a lot," their ex-teacher smiled, absolutely insincere. "Three hours? I really must commend your patience," he nodded, also absolutely insincere. "Tell me he's not always this late."

All three Genins reared at Iruka, and gave him a Look.

"Iruka-sensei, I demand a ramen treat tonight for all the abuse that pervert is putting us through every morning!" Naruto relentlessly renewed his demand, righteous anger blowing smoke through his ears.

"Don't listen to the idiot, sensei," Sasuke butt in when Iruka found himself at a loss for words, ignoring Naruto's screeches of protest in the background, "it's not like Kakashi's never been this late before, anyway."

"That's right, Iruka-sensei," Sakura beamed and agreed. "Were you rushing off somewhere? Don't let us hold you up!"

The amiable Chuunin smiled warmly at the young girl, silently thanking her for her thoughtfulness. "You're right, Sakura. It seems like I might have somewhere to go to rather urgently at the moment. Take care until your sensei arrives! You too, Sasuke. And you, Naruto!" He roughly caught Naruto's head in a single bash. "Behave yourself! Ramen at Ichiraku is only for those who finish their missions successfully before 8 o'clock tonight!" He gave the boy's head one final ruffle before performing a vanishing hand-seal, effectively disappearing from the trio's sight.

It could have been his imagination, but he knew he heard Naruto's hoots of joy just before the wind swept all other traces of sound behind him.

--

Coming to this place had not been on his morning agenda at all, decided Iruka morosely while sweeping a fallen piece of leaf away from his hair. The gentle breeze, coupled with the lovely aurora rays failed to properly highlight the somberness of the location. He stared tentatively at the long, beaten road of washed-out gray tiles, still sturdily paving a curving path upwards the gentle slope, marked on both sides by tree canopies which rustled softly in the wind, occasionally letting a slightly stronger ray of the sun slip through it's protection.

The Chuunin held his arms akimbo and breathed. In the distance, birds began to chirp a happy tune. /No matter when/ Iruka thought wistfully to himself, /the Konoha graveyards never give off the feeling a place of death rightly should./

Aimlessly walking about a bit, he paid silent homage to the multitude of tombstones beyond the trees, on either sides of the road. His ultimate destination, however was the clearing at the end of the stone path. The clearing slowly tapered off into the natural forests surrounding the Leaf, and had bushes bordering it. Three logs stood upright near the entrance of this particular resting place. Iruka side-stepped slowly around the logs and looked into the distance.

Kakashi stood there, his hands in his pockets, just as Iruka had expected him to be.

With his back to Iruka, the Chuunin could not read the silver-haired ninja at all. Not that he would have done better had he been staring at the Jounin in the face, actually. Kakashi was just one of the enigmas of Konoha that mere observation could not tackle. Iruka suspected that the Jounin had been there for longer than it seemed, but politely kept his niggling questions to himself. He did, however, walk closer.

The academy teacher had no doubt that Kakashi knew of his presence, but he did not pry. It just didn't seem appropriate to interrupt someone who could be in the midst of paying his regards.

Perhaps it was the melancholy. Perhaps it was the tranquility. Whatever it was, Iruka nearly jumped out of his skin when his unlikely companion spoke out.

"Every morning," Kakashi intoned, voice thicker than usual, still with his back against Iruka, "without fail. I come. I stand. I remember." He paused. "And I don't know what else I can do."

There was a long silence after that particular sentence, Iruka slowly digested the information just heard. He maintained his silence, hoping it would incite Kakashi to more words. And it did.

"It was just a promise," the Jounin mumbled, bringing his palms up to gaze at them. "People break promises all the time, don't they? Yet here I stand, time and again, trying to live up to that promise, and wondering which part of my promise have I not yet fulfilled... or could have done better-"

"It is enough," Iruka's firm and solemn voice disengaged Kakashi's random ramblings. The story of the Fourth's team was not well known, per se, among the adults, but with a little research and asking around, it was not that well hidden either. "You commemorate their existence, acknowledge their remembrance. Even if you're just standing here, every morning, staring at their memorial..." For a quick moment, Iruka's eyes turned downcast as he fought with his own conflicting feelings about the matter, "... at least. At least there's still someone who carry on life for them. At least they're still living in the heart of someone who remembers." He looked up and smiled, although Kakashi couldn't have seen it with his back against the Chuunin. Nevertheless he continued, "If that's not enough, then nothing in this world will be enough anymore."

Slowly, Kakashi turned around, his hands still in his pocket, his face still masked, and his single Sharingan eye still hidden by his headband from the world. "You're just saying all these so that I can go meet Team 7 on the bridge earlier, aren't you?"

There was silence at first.

Then Iruka burst into laughter. "Can't fool Hatake Kakashi, can I?" He simmered slightly, and although he still had a smile on his face, his tone was serious. "Kakashi-san, the children have been waiting for you for three hours. If you linger around some more, Naruto will eat you up when you eventually do get there."

"Ooh, that's a scary thought," Kakashi thumbed his chin thoughtfully. "If it's Naruto, I have no doubt that it would be an instant death. I bet he even digests bones." Glancing at Iruka, he saw that the Chuunin had a "so-you're-going?" look on his face. He smiled under his mask, but did not move. Instead, he turned around and got back to staring at the memorial tombstone. "But since nobody's going to remember me anyway even if Naruto eats me up, I might as well stay here a little longer."

"Kakashi-san, you must be really unpopular," Iruka's words were like a javelin aimed at his heart. The Jounin laughed, almost nervously.

"Ah! That's the drawback about being powerful and cool, you see. And-" He turned around, hand on his head.

His attempt to explain himself was suddenly cut short by the Chuunin, who smiled back and said, "But don't worry, because even if you think otherwise, I will remember Kakashi-san," his smile pulled into a grin, "if Naruto ever eats him up."

There was no seeming reaction from the older ninja, but as Iruka looked on, he could see that Kakashi's smile reached his single, revealed eye. "That's a relief." The Jounin said simply, then turned to walk away from the clearing.

"It's not a relief," Iruka said to his receding form.

"It's a promise."

The End
16/10/2003

His Heart

His Heart
Author: Curlybear

It was calm and peaceful. The sky was ebony and the stars had once again awoken from their slumber, lighting up the sky with radiant light. In Hidden Leaf one could hear the crickets singing their beautiful songs. However, this was not what kept a certain youth awake.

He was exhausted. But for some reason, his body would not welcome slumber. He was ensnared in a deep pensiveness. Thoughts were swirling through his mind and his heart felt heavy. He vaguely crept out of his bed and approached the mirror that was leaning against the wall. His tears sparkled in the soft moonlight as they fell from his empty, sapphire eyes. He stared at his face. It had been a rough day and he was aching all over from the extensive training he had gone through.

A small group of people had glared at him with hateful eyes. They whispered amongst themselves. It felt like a thousand knives had pierced his fragile heart. For some reason, it hurt so much today. It did not seem like anyone cared… Sakura and Kakashi did not even execute a single movement…

Today, he felt like everything had crumbled. He felt isolated, and a harsh pain swirled within him. He raised a tired hand to wipe away the dancing tears. Loneliness had struck his heart… It felt very familiar. He had experienced this feeling many times before, but not for a long time. Why would this feeling never go away? Why did it always come back?

He could not bear to stay in the cold and lonely house for one second longer. It only strengthened the pain. He gently opened the window and leaped out, landing gracefully on the green grass. He immediately began to run… Nothing really mattered at that very moment, so he increased his speed…

He ran through the dark town. Houses and stores were locked securely and everyone had gone to bed. The bustling night life had ended and the dusty streets were merely deserted. He did not know where to run to; he only knew that he had to… He closed his eyes, letting his heart guide him instead…

After running for quite some time he stopped, feeling a change in his surroundings… The air was clearer here and the ground was soft and comfortable. His heart was racing and he was gasping for air. Opening his eyes, he scanned the area, and smiled weakly. His heart had brought him to a familiar and special place.

It was here he debuted as a genin. He thought of that hard, yet great day, where he learned what it truly meant to be a hero. He turned to observe the unique stone, which was actually a memorial for those who had died bravely to protect the village… It fascinated him, in many ways… Risking your life for somebody else was probably the bravest and noblest act he knew of. It hurt him to think of his friends dying; even Sasuke… He did not want anyone to risk their life for his. He could take care of himself, he added mentally.

Suddenly the comforting wind began to blow. It affectionately caressed his face and he closed his eyes, enjoying the soft breath of Mother Nature. He adored the wind, for it soothed him. Suddenly, he reopened his eyes after realizing that the soft wind was carrying the scent of a man. He was not alone. He turned around, with a hard and searching glare.

'Where is he?'

He remained calm, yet his heart was beating extremely fast…

”Yo, Naruto…” He heard a familiar voice utter. He turned around, slightly startled.

"Kakashi-sensei…!" He cried with surprise. Realizing that he was safe, he lowered his guard. He relaxed his body, his heart. The shock was still evident on his face though.

"I am impressed. You sensed my presence well." The man admitted with a warm smile. Naruto said nothing nor did he return his teachers smile…

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked loudly. A bewildered look graced his features.

"I have come to see my friend…" He muttered softly. Naruto’s cerulean eyes widened.

'Is this the reason why he is always late?'

Kakashi interrupted his thoughts by placing a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"So, what are you doing here?" He asked, tonelessly. Naruto shifted his gaze to the ground, before closing his eyes. He felt anger conquer him.

"It does not matter." He replied, reluctantly.

"Naruto…" Kakashi whispered as he removed his hand from and sighed heavily. Naruto was desperately trying to hold back the tears…

"I know what you are feeling, Naruto." Kakashi uttered. His exposed eye was hard. Naruto shot his head up, meeting Kakashi’s gaze. Narutos face was plastered with confusion.

"How would you know? You don’t care…" Naruto yelled, his voice shattering like glass. Kakashi’s eye widened slightly, for he was shocked by this statement.

'Have I really been too distant?'

”That is not true…” Kakashi paused. He wanted to reach his students bruised heart. Naruto felt it sink.

"You are sad, right?" Kakashi asked, seriously. His gaze remained glued on Naruto’s distant face... Naruto could not continue to endure nor betray his emotions, and he was having difficulty holding back the tears. He would lose the battle soon… Naruto looked away, not wanting to show him this.

A ninja must possess a heart with no emotions.

He clenched his shaking fists with anger. Had he not said that he would walk a different road?

"Sometimes, it is okay to let everything out.” Kakashi whispered. Naruto did not react to his words, even though he felt his heart lighten.

"I apologize for not being aware of your feelings. I am your teacher, and I should have realized." The man said, deeply. Silence filled the air and Kakashi felt like his words had not washed away the hurt in his heart. Kakashi’s and Naruto’s hair danced in the free wind. His silver coils of hair danced, and Naruto’s golden locks swayed.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei…" Naruto said quietly, his voice breaking. He still did not look up. Kakashi understood what he was trying to hide.

"Let it out. Even a ninja has the right to cry; the strongest too…" Kakashi said, boldly. His words held truth and passion. Naruto finally faced his teacher, revealing a pair of tearful eyes, concealing the blueness. They glistened like stars. Naruto surrendered.

Tears streamed down his face vividly. He cried softly, but it was not unheard.

Naruto widened his eyes as Kakashi outstretched his hands and pulled Naruto close to him, letting him lean his tired head on his shoulder. One hand was on his golden hair, the other was resting on his back.

This was unexpected of Kakashi.

Naruto did not reject though and felt at ease. His heart felt like a free feather and most of the pain was shattered. Slumber seemed to be catching up with him though. His eyes were suddenly heavy and gradually, his vision darkened.

He could not make out the words that his teacher said before he slipped into a pleasant dream…
Kakashi was still holding Naruto in his arms. He looked up at the old sky which was painted with a thousand, twinkling stars. The crescent moon rested on its back, illuminating a blue light. The undying wind blew softly through the night. His thoughts were broken by a sleeping Naruto. He heard heavy breathing and a little snore. Kakashi sighed with relief.

'He is totally worn out.'

Kakashi gently hoisted Naruto up on his back up. He felt his sunshiny hair tickle his neck. It was time to take his student home. He approached the memorial, and took one final glance.

"Later, Obito." Kakashi whispered with a bittersweet smile. Then he left quietly.

Walking back, he thought about his students: Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto; they were so special and unique, especially Naruto. He had experienced so much rejection and pain, yet his smile always prevailed. He did not deserve that kind of treatment. He possessed many good qualities, like kindness, bravery and enthusiasm. He could be stubborn and impulsive, but that did not matter. His hyperactive behaviour lifted Kakashi’s spirit, even though it could be quite annoying.

Kakashi was feeling rather tired too.

He approached Naruto’s house and noticed that his window was wide open. The white curtains fluttered like angel wings. Kakashi squinted, registering that there was an entrance. The door was most likely locked. He jumped swiftly in the air and landed perfectly on the window ledge. He crept in carefully; making sure Naruto would not awaken.

Ramen cups and assorted weapons were scattered all over the floor. Naruto had probably trained before he left. Kakashi closed the window behind him and approached the bead. He carefully placed Naruto’s sleeping form on it with heed, gently placing his head on the pillow. Kakashi smiled weakly. He was relieved to see Naruto with a peaceful expression on his face. This filled his heart with joy.

Kakashi pulled the covers over him. He looked very vulnerable. It made him think about how fragile humans were. It made him think about his promise; He would never let anything happen to his comrades.

'I’ll protect you.'

Kakashi closed his eyes.

’Naruto, I am sorry for not always being there. I should have done more. I promise I will…From now on.’

Because… Naruto inspired him to act on his emotions, to listen to his heart, instead of abiding to rules. He reminded him of his virtues, and taught him how to value a smile.

He took one last glance at his student…

‘I promise…’

And his heart smiled.

The three Sannin

Tsunade, Jiraya, Oro in a 3some

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Dragon Ball VS Naruto

Goku (I think) fucking Sakura and Naruto fucking a girl

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - Ninja Love movie (part 1)

Naruto - Ninja Love part 1

A hentai movie parody of Naruto, Nadia and other anime characters.


File Type: Rmvb
Total Size: 182mb
Duration: 32 minutes
Resolution: 720×480
Language: English
Subtitles: No
Uncensored

Instructions: Download both parts and extract the file with Winrar (rarlab.com). I recommend real player alternative to play rmvb files if you need one.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - Handmade Family

Naruto - Handmade Family

Genre: Hentai, M/F (Naruto/Sakura, Naruto/Hanabi), group (Naruto shadows/Sakura). English translated doujin, 39 pages.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - Hana Temari

Naruto - Hana Temari

Genre: Hentai, toys, group. 28 pages in english.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - Feels Like Hot Springs [Naruho-do]

Naruto - Feels Like Hot Springs [Naruho-do]

Genre: Hentai, M/F (Naruto and Tsunade), big boobs. English translated doujin, 38 pages.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - Fake English

Naruto - Fake English


Another doujin “based” on Naruto. Will Naruto ever fuck Sakura? Find out here! 38 pages in english.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - ChichiKage Big Breast Ninja

Naruto - ChichiKage Big Breast Ninja

Genre: Hentai, M/F, big boobs, chars: Naruto and Tsunade. English translated doujin, 45 pages. By Naruho-do.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Naruto - Beriben

Naruto - Beriben


Young Sakura finally gets what she wants so badly: Sasuke’s dick. 30 pages in english.

tO dOWNLOAD Just Click the title

Free Hentai

Naruto - +3

Genre: Hentai, M/F (Shikamaru and Temari). English translated doujin, 42 pages.

Miso Ramen

I needed to get back into my fics, so I wrote this. It can be a one-shot, or have a second part. Depends.

Warnings: besides the usual, this also contains SPOILERS!! Yep. This contains spoilers for... about chapter 180 in the manga. And I'm absolutely sure the anime hasn't gotten that far. Also, there's Yaoi/Shounen ai... lime, but no lemon... and my fave, Sasuke x Naruto! (Also a mentioning of Zabuza x Haku)... that's about it... Oh, and slight angst. No fic is truly complete without it.

Miso Ramen

Author: Nazo

Naruto ran towards the front gate. He was worried by what Sakura had told him. He never realized Sasuke had been carrying Orochimaru's seal for so long. Even though he had assured Sakura that Sasuke was smart enough not to go seeking Orochimaru for power, he wasn't too sure. Sakura hadn't been there when Sasuke had found Itachi and his goon towering over him in the hotel, and Itachi hadn't wanted anything to do with his younger brother. Naruto wasn't stupid. He'd seen the spark flare in Sasuke's eyes when Itachi merely dismissed him. He saw the look in Sasuke's eyes when he had challenged him that morning, too. He didn't want to lose Sasuke, after everything they'd been through together, to some bastard who'd probably use Sasuke for his own means before tossing him aside like a rag doll. He heaved a sigh of relief when he got to the gate and found it both shut and devoid of any sign of life. Sasuke wasn't that stupid. Naruto had to give him more credit.

He turned around to head back when a figure, shrouded in darkness walked up to him.

"What are you doing out so late, Naruto?" The shadow asked, head down. Naruto's eyes widened when he recognised the voice.

"Sasuke!" He exclaimed. His eyes scanned over Sasuke's form and he winced when he recognized a large bag on his back. "No, don't go." He grabbed the teen's arm firmly, evading the question. "I won't let you give up your life for this blood-lust, for this search for infinite power. What happens when you kill Itachi?" Sasuke raised his head and glared at Naruto, trying to subtly dislodge the blonde's grip. "Will you become like Gaara, Sasuke- san?" He asked, purposely saying his name formally. The boy shook his head.

"No."

"I think you will." He went on. "I think you're going to become another monster just like Gaara. You always said your purpose was to become an avenger and kill your brother. What do you do when you've completed your ultimate goal?" Sasuke looked down. He obviously hadn't thought of exactly what he'd do then. "You're no better than Itachi. He took your family away. He murdered your loved ones. Have you even thought about the one's who love you? We're losing you because of this too." The dark- haired genin looked up, the glare back on his face.

"I've lived all my life for this. I know nothing else. Friends will only hold me back. Make me weak." He deadpanned. Naruto snorted.

"You may not remember this, but... when we were fighting Haku and Zabuza a lot happened. I thought you were dead. You had jumped in front of that attack." He took a deep breath and dropped Sasuke's arm, trusting that Sasuke would stay to hear him out. "I thought you were dead." He repeated. "I went berserker and was so close to killing Haku." Sasuke frowned in disbelief. Even after seeing Naruto in battles he couldn't believe the boy was capable of that, especially not when they were younger. Naruto ignored the look. "I was in so much pain. I couldn't think of anything but hurting him back, because of what he said to me. He told me you died to protect me. He said that to protect a precious person, knowing it was a trap, you were still able to save my life. And that pissed me off. I never wanted you to die for me. I wasn't worth it. And... I almost killed him." Sasuke lowered his head in respect.

"Who killed Haku?" He wondered aloud, only knowing that by the time he had awakened everything was over.

"Kakashi." His eyes widened. "But, even though he loved Haku, he didn't try and take revenge on Kakashi. It was only when that Gatou man came and disrespected Haku's death that he became truly strong. He ended up dying... but he died for a cause. You're going out for vengeance. If you die it will be pointless. You don't become stronger for revenge. Over these years I learned that. You grow strong for your loved ones."

"Do you really believe that?" Sasuke wondered.

"Hai." Naruto smiled warmly at Sasuke. "Over the past few years I've had things to fight for. Like Konoha village. Sakura. You. Tsunade-sama. Kakashi and Iruka. I've even fought for Hinata and Rock Lee." He stepped back and sat on the bench that he remembered from many years ago, when he tried to pass off as Sasuke and get a kiss from the girl. Sasuke followed, dropping his bag to the ground beside him, but stayed towering over him.

"When we were fighting against Haku, how come you became so strong?" Naruto rolled his eyes.

"For you." He muttered. "Because you nearly died for me. Hell... you're the reason I went up against that snake of Orochimaru's. And you're half of the reason for me going after Gaara. You become strong for people who are precious to you. Loved ones. That's why I'm trying to stop you now." Sasuke stayed above Naruto unmoving, face shadowed by his bangs and the moonlight at his back.

"Stay with me." Naruto whispered, slightly frustrated at the lack of response on Sasuke's part. "Stay and train with me. I'll teach you everything I know. Summoning. Rasengan. Kage bunshin. I know you hate me, but I don't want to lose my rival, my best friend..." He trailed off, looking down, slightly ashamed. Sasuke thought about this for a second before:

"Miso ramen."

Naruto looked up, confused.

"Nani?" He asked. "What does that mean?"

"That's what you tasted like." Sasuke tilted his head, making his smile apparent to Naruto. "The kiss." Naruto blushed, cursing the moonlight for giving him away. "You remember that?!" Sasuke nodded.

"Am... am I your precious person?" He asked cautiously.

"Of course! Except for the loved one's thing, I am also always trying to become more powerful to earn your approval."

"You do it for me?" Sasuke's eyes widened in surprised. "What about Sakura?" Naruto turned his vulpine face up to Sasuke, narrowing his eyes as if studying the boy in front of him.

"What about Sakura? She's in love with you. You'll break her heart if you go."

"And you?"

Naruto hesitated before answering.

"...Mine too." He whispered, hoping it was quiet enough that Sasuke didn't hear. No such luck. Sasuke leaned forward, resting his hands on Naruto's thighs and brought his face in as close to the blonde's as possible.

"Miso ramen." Sasuke whispered, his lips ghosting across the other boy's before lunging forward, kissing Naruto with as much passion as he could, smirking when Naruto's eyes went as wide as they had for their first kiss, only this time, Sasuke closed his own and pressed forward.

It took Naruto a couple of seconds to get over the shock, before he flung his arms around Sasuke's shoulders, pulling him closer so fast that he lost his footing and fell into the eager boy, pressing their bodies flush against each other. Naruto was thrown off balance by the sudden weight and ended up lying beneath Sasuke's body along the length of the bench. Throughout their clumsiness, however, their lips never separated. Sasuke, who had been holding up his weight with his palms and knees, let his legs give out, thrusting his lower half into Naruto's body. This impulsive move shocked Naruto and he broke the kiss to gasp desperately for air. This slight distraction gave Sasuke the incentive to let his lips do some exploring as he began nibbling and licking along his jaw.

"Sasuke." Naruto hissed out in an impatient whisper. He had been waiting for this for so long. Sasuke stopped and brought his face to eye level with Naruto once more before allowing another smirk.

"You did a great job at pleading me to stay." He replied, earning him an undignified snort.

"Pleading?" Naruto cried out, trying to keep his voice down. Sasuke ground their hips together, causing the blond to arch his back slightly, eyes rolling to the back of his head. "Okay... maybe just a little pleading." He laughed at Naruto's willingness and went back to his ministrations.

There's actually a second part to this but I figured I haven't written anything for a while and I really need to post SOMETHING. Unfortunately this is crap for my first Naruto post... I actually have another few Naruto stories... but they're in the process of being revised to take into account the... er... rest of the series... I had only gotten to about the end of the Haku arc when I wrote them. Anywho... hope it was okay... for a rushed job... and sorry about the spoilers. ONE-SHOT... unless you really really want more. Then I have to edit the next part.

It's a shame it was Sakura who tried to stop Sasuke from leaving. I can't believe she actually said she'd kill for him... well, they made up for that whole Sakura x Sasuke mush with her saying:

"I couldn't do it... I couldn't stop him. The only person... who can probably save Sasuke-kun is you... Naruto. Only you..."

cheers Total character development for Naru-chan!! Whoo hoo!! That plus it's got so much shounen ai potential. I swear Kishimoto-sensei really knows how to satisfy us fangirls.

Oh and disclaimer... I own a Naruto and a Sasuke plushie... that's about as close as it gets.