Summary: "Maybe it's better that I become a child and stay as a child forever." After their failed attempt to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, Naruto became depress because of feeling useless and weak...

Pairings: SASUNARU; isn't it obvious already?

WARNINGS: Shounen Ai; Yaoi (In the future); BoyxBoy; honestly for those who DON'T FUCKING LOVE SasuNaru please SCRAM! Don't tell me that you are curious or anything else so that in the end you'll just CRITICIZE my story! Oh and by the way, I'm not that good in speaking ENGLISH or good in my GRAMMAR so you'll have to excuse me for being so stupid! I'm just human…

"Hey" – normal talking…

'Hey' – inner thoughts

Hey – narrate

Hey – place

~Yumi's Lair~

Yumi: Just doing some editing... For some I couldn't update because my usb (New usb) isn't working which makes me really angry!

Naruto: (Hugs Yumi) Yumi-chan! Hisashi-buri!

Yumi: (Hugs back) It's great to be back! Naru-chan! I miss you!

Sasuke: Hn… (Glares) Let go of him Baka Yumi!

Yumi: Tsk! For 2 years I've been gone and this is how you welcome me Sasuke? (Scowl)

Naruto: Oh come on guys! You've just met after 2 years! can't you guys get along? (Pouts)

Yumi: If your Teme of a boyfriend stops being a jerk, I'll think about it Naru-chan~ (Hugs Naruto tight which made Sasuke more annoyed)

Sasuke: (Grabs Naruto and pulls him away from Yumi) Hn... Being smug even though you haven't update this story for 2 years Baka Yumi? Oh my, I'm shock... (Smirk)

Yumi: (Steps back, guilty)

Sasuke: Hn... cat got your tongue? (Smirks)

Yumi: (Can't say anything)

Naruto: Sasuke, be nice... (Warning tone)

Sasuke: Hn... (Hugs Naruto but didn't say anything)

Disclaimer: I want to own Naruto but sadly I don't… But I worshipped his creator!

Chapter 1: Encounter

Other Dimension

A girl covered in red cloak was standing at the center of her room and was watching something or someone at her glowing mirror.

When the hands of fate turns…

It could no longer be reversed…

As she chanted those words, her mirror slowly turns around and rise from where it was put, after that, the mirror disappeared in front of the girl. It didn't bother her though for a smile was on her face when she left her room.

As the threads of fate appears…

Destiny will bring two people together…

After the girl left her room, her mirror once again appeared and slowly land on the table where it was standing a while ago.

Orochimaru's Hideout

A blast occurred resulting for the ground to shake and made Naruto, Sakura and Captain Yamato stop on their tracks.

Naruto looks up, "What was that?" he asked.

"It's Sai's chakra." Captain Yamato said.

"It's over there." Sakura said and the three shinobi's begun to run again, following Sai's chakra.

'If Sai has found Sasuke, then that means that, we'll be facing him again.'

'What should I do then? As what that snake bastard said, I'm still inferior to Sasuke.'

'Does that mean my strength still isn't enough?'

While running, Naruto's thought were in turmoil, he knows what he has to do and that is to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, but if they fail…

'If we fail this time…'

'Will it be the end then?'

As they turned to the left of the hallway, they saw an exit, and towards the exit was Sai who was looking up, they have stopped running then.

'Will it be the end if we fail this time?'

Naruto was thrown out from his thoughts when he heard Captain Yamato shout Sakura's name.

When he saw Sakura grabs Sai's shirt and heard her shouting, he froze and started shaking a little when he heard a familiar voice saying Sakura's name. His breath had stopped by then and he knew who that person was.

'It's…'

"Sasuke-kun…" Naruto heard Sakura say that person's name with a trembling voice.

That was when Naruto's feet started running towards the exit, he stumbles and fell but he forced himself to stand again and continued to run, when he came out of the exit, his eyes squinted a little because of the light, but he quickly recovers and slowly looks up, his eyes widen when he saw the person he was looking for and chasing over the past 3 years.

"Sasuke" Naruto whispered.

Sasuke was looking at them calmly as if he was not affected from meeting his old teammates.

"Naruto, huh?" he said in no emotion at all. "So you're here, too?"

Captain Yamato then walks out of the dark hallway and slowly makes his way towards his team.

"I assume Kakashi's with you as well?" Sasuke stated, as if knowing who was handling the team.

"Sorry, I'm not Kakashi-san." Captain Yamato said, "I'm here in his place." He looks at Sasuke seriously.

"And the new Team Kakashi is taking you back in Konoha." Captain Yamato said in finality.

"Team Kakashi, huh?" Sasuke said and glanced at Sai.

Sai looks at him calmly and slowly took out his weapon and raised it in front.

Sakura reacts and turns at Sai, "Sai! I knew it, you're-"

Sai ignored Sakura and looks seriously at Sasuke.

"So he's my replacement?" Sasuke asked not bothered with Sai's action, "Another loser joins the team." He said which results for Naruto to turn his gaze from Sai to Sasuke.

"He said something about wanting to protect my bond with Naruto." Sasuke added.

Sakura glanced at Sasuke and then turns her gaze back at Sai.

"Sai, wasn't it your mission to-"

"It's true that my real mission was to assassinate Sasuke-kun." Sai said seriously without breaking his eye contact with Sasuke.

"But I don't care about my orders anymore." He said, "I want to act of my own free will."

"And I think Naruto-kun can help me remember," Naruto glanced at Sai when he heard his name.

"What is was like to feel…" Sai looked down but still points his sword to Sasuke, "I think it was something very important." He then glared at Sasuke.

"I don't know much about you, Sasuke-kun." Sai said, "But there must be a reason why Naruto-kun and Sakura-san came all this way just for you!"

"They're going all out to keep their bonds with you from being severed." Sai reasoned out.

"I still don't understand it myself, but Sasuke-kun you should!" he said seriously.

Sasuke coolly looks at him and closed his eyes, "Yes I do." He said to what Sai said, "That's why I severed them!" he said resulting for Naruto and Sakura to be shock.

"I have a different bond." Sasuke said. "A bond of hatred towards my brother."

"Other bonds merely confuse you and distract you from your greatest desires and the emotions that matter." Sasuke explained.

Then why?

"Then why?" Naruto shouted.

Why didn't you kill me that time?

"Why didn't you-"

Don't you know how much it hurts?

"Why didn't you kill me!" he said.

"Is this your idea of cutting our bond, Sasuke?" he shouted desperately.

"Naruto" Sakura worriedly glanced at Naruto.

You should have killed me!

Naruto feared that any minute now he'll show his weakness towards Sasuke and his team.

"The reason is simple." He heard Sasuke said. He slowly looks at the raven haired boy.

"It's not that I couldn't cut off my bond with you." Sasuke calmly said.

"The idea of doing what he said in order to become more powerful made me sick." Sasuke said.

"What're you talking about?" Naruto shouted.

Can't my voice reach you?

"I don't owe you any explanation." Sasuke said, "All I'll say about back then…" Naruto was waiting for what Sasuke would say.

"That day…" Sasuke was only looking at Naruto and ignoring the others, "I let you live on a whim."

Sasuke's face became annoyed but only for a few seconds. And in a blink of an eye Sasuke was now standing in front of Naruto while his left hand was touching Naruto's shoulder (a/n: you know like he was hugging him?)

The team was surprised to even stop Sasuke. They heard Sasuke and Naruto talking to each other and when they heard Sasuke said that he'll kill Naruto. Sai was the first to react and dash towards Sasuke and Naruto and successfully grab Sasuke's wrist stopping the raven hair to stab Naruto on the back.

"That was the correct way to stop my attack." Sasuke said towards Sai.

The battle then began.

Captain Yamato raised his hand and a block of wood appeared rushing towards Sasuke while Sai and Naruto were holding each of the raven's arms. But before it could reach Sasuke the raven haired attacked Sai and Naruto and stopped Captain Yamato's attack with his Chidori Nagashi.

Sai and Naruto were thrown away from Sasuke and made them unconscious. Captain Yamato was surprised when Sakura began to rush towards Sasuke. But before Sakura could attack, Captain Yamato was already in front of her facing Sasuke.

Captain Yamato's kunai unsuccessfully block Sasuke's sword and passed through him making it pierced trough his left shoulder.

"That was the wrong way to block my attack." Sasuke said.

Captain Yamato was being paralyzed because of the Chidori flowing on Sasuke's sword. Everyone on team Kakashi was now being easily handled by Sasuke. He has really become strong.

Am I really that weak?

Naruto asked himself as he slowly tried to stand up from Sasuke's attack.

The next thing that Naruto noticed was that he was inside Kyuubi's place again. He heard Kyuubi laughing at him slyly.

"This is our chance, Naruto." He heard Kyuubi said.

"Let's show him what were like when we combine our powers together." Kyuubi said.

Naruto only looked at him while Kyuubi laughs.

"What's wrong?"" Kyuubi asked, "Why do you hesitate?"

"You need my power, don't you?"

"Now…"

"Who do you want to kill?" Kyuubi was now in front of Naruto.

"You stay away from me!" Naruto said.

"What are you afraid of?" Kyuubi had sensed what his vessel was feeling right now and he knew that Naruto was having a dilemma right now because of a certain person.

"I don't need your power anymore!" he heard Naruto said.

Kyuubi menacingly laughed at Naruto showing his fangs but Naruto didn't even seem fazed.

"Who was it who was always saying "lend me your power" up until now?" Kyuubi asked. "You know that you can't do anything on your own." He said.

"Remove the seal." Kyuubi said. "And I shall give you all of my power." He said.

Truth be told, Kyuubi was worried about his vessel but he knew that once his vessel has decided on something he becomes a pain in the ass because no one can stop Naruto from doing anything he wants especially his determination to bring back Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto then raise his right hand in front of Kyuubi, "Back off." He heard his vessel said.

Kyuubi was about to reason out his vessel when he was surprised to see someone appeared.

"You are…"

Naruto was surprised to see Sasuke beside him with his left hand raised in front of Kyuubi.

"How come you are here?" Naruto was shocked to even do anything.

"You've done well to become so powerful." Kyuubi said towards Sasuke.

Sasuke was smiling evilly at Kyuubi then glanced at Naruto.

"I can see it now." Sasuke said. "So this is the source of your hidden powers."

"I never would've thought you'd have something like this inside of you." He said at Naruto.

"You're able to see me inside of Naruto because of your accursed lineage and that loathsome Sharingan." Kyuubi said.

"It seems this isn't your first time seeing the Sharingan." Sasuke said not totally intimidate by the Kyuubi.

"Then you must be the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox." Sasuke said.

Naruto was still having a hard time to understand what they were talking about but it seems like Kyuubi had known about Sasuke's clan.

"The power of those eyes, and a chakra that is even sinister than my own." Kyuubi began, "You're just like Uchiha Madara."

Sasuke grasps the nose of Kyuubi and suddenly, Kyuubi's form was destroyed.

"I have no idea who you're talking about." Sasuke said.

"To think that you're able to suppress my power." Kyuubi's voice echoed through the walls of the cage.

Naruto looks at Sasuke while Sasuke was just standing calmly.

"This may be our last meeting." Kyuubi still said even though he no longer was around. "So let me say one last thing." he said.

"Don't kill Naruto…"

Naruto was shocked by what Kyuubi had said he didn't know what to say. Why would Kyuubi say that towards Sasuke?

"You'll live to regret it."

And then everything went black…

Other Dimension

The girl was at the river when she heard someone appeared at her back. She smiled and glanced back to look who was that person.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked.

The person just stayed behind the shadow and didn't say anything. The girl's smile didn't falter though.

"I'll soon go away for my mission…" she said, "Will you be there to see me off?"

That was when the person disappeared making the girl sigh and looks at the night sky.

"Someday…"

"Someday you'll understand why I chose to protect their bond." She whispered and continues to look at the river.

When Captain Yamato sensed that Sasuke's guard was off he started to do some hand signs. A block of wood came out of Captain Yamato's wound and pushed out Sasuke's sword. It made Sasuke retreat away from Captain Yamato's place. Without delay Captain Yamato summoned his wood jutsu to imprison Sasuke. But wood was weak against electricity so Sasuke got out of Captain Yamato's wood technique so easily.

Other Dimension

The girl entered her room again, before she could completely close the door, a blinding red light covers her room. After the light disappeared the girl opens her eyes and saw a red thread floating on top of her table where her mirror was seen a while ago.

The girl slowly walks toward her table and raised her hand to touch the red thread, although the red light was shining brightly a while ago, the thread in her hand was only emitting a small light, it's as if the light will die when you leave it exposed in the area.

"So their bond is slowly fading…" The girl said she then grasps the thread and carefully placed it inside a golden box.

Orochimaru's Hideout

Sasuke calmly stood on the cliff watching Team 7 with his stoic face; he didn't even show any emotion as he watched them struggling after their short fight. Naruto was struggling to keep his self from passing out and tried to stand up the same with Sai, while Sakura could only watch Sasuke and Captain Yamato was calmly trying to examine the situation they are in.

"Sasuke!" Please! Naruto shouted; he looked at Sasuke with a desperate expression, can't my voice reach you at all?

"Why?" Sasuke! Naruto's voice was hoarse from the last attack Sasuke gave him, "Why don't you understand? Orochimaru's going to take over your body soon!" he shouted not bothering if he lost his voice from shouting at Sasuke.

Sasuke merely closed his eyes and calmly said, "If that happens, that's what happens…" he then looks at the shocked faces of Naruto and Sakura while Captain Yamato looked angry and Sai had an impassive expression.

"You still think like a kid, Naruto." Sasuke told Naruto, "My revenge is everything to me. As long as I can obtain it, I don't care what happens to me or anyone else."

"Here's the situation…" Sasuke continued to talk, "Right now, neither I nor Orochimaru's a match for Itachi…"

"If sacrificing my body to Orochimaru is the only way to kill Itachi, I'd give up my life a million times over."

After Sasuke told them what his plan was, Naruto was deeply hurt and was shock to even utter a single word.

Captain Yamato suddenly stood up from where he was sitting a while ago and looks at Sasuke seriously.

"Enough talk," Captain Yamato said, "Naruto and Sakura, I'd hope I wouldn't have to injure him in front of you two but I need to get serious now." He said without looking at the two shinobi's.

"Yamato-Taichou…" Sakura mumbled.

"Get serious?" Naruto asked while still trying to keep himself from passing out, Sai glanced at Naruto as the tension continues to build up.

"He's the same as Orochimaru, a Rogue Nin, who deserted his village and can't be allowed to roam free. We are taking him back to Konoha no matter what." Captain Yamato said seriously.

"Konoha?" Sasuke asked calmly, "I've had it with all of you." He throws his sword on the ground and his hands moved so fast making a hand seal and then raised his left hand to attack Team Kakashi but was stopped by Orochimaru.

Sasuke looks at Orochimaru angrily.

"Stop, Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru said without letting go of Sasuke's hand.

"Orochimaru…" Naruto mumbled shock to see the snake sannin.

"Let go." Sasuke said warning Orochimaru, "I don't see any reason to stop." He added.

"Now, Now," Kabuto appeared out of nowhere, "You're still using such foul language to Orochimaru-sama." He said and looked at the new Team Seven, "You know what Akatsuki is up to, don't you?" he glanced at Sasuke who made a disgust face and went back to look at Naruto and the others.

"That's why we want Konoha to help eliminate them, even if it's just one." Kabuto then looks at Sasuke; "If other Akatsuki members interfere, then you will have more trouble taking your revenge, right?" he slyly smiled at Sasuke.

"That's pathetic." Sasuke said feeling annoyed.

"It's an opportunity to improve your chances, even if by only 1%." Kabuto answered him back.

"Well?" Kabuto asked.

Sasuke then looks at Team Seven and slowly drop his hand, making Orochimaru to release his hold.

"Let's go…" Orochimaru said.

This made Naruto, Sakura and Captain Yamato alert while Sai looks at Sasuke then at Naruto.

Slowly, Sasuke, Orochimaru and Kabuto's body was surrounded by fire making them disappear just like an illusion.

It went unnoticed to the shinobi's in the area of how Sasuke and Naruto look at each other, but nothing was done, Sasuke together with Orochimaru and Kabuto vanished into the air after the fire had completely reached their heads. After the trio disappeared, Naruto bow his head on the ground hiding his hurt expression.

'Again…' Naruto blamed himself inside, 'I couldn't stop him', feeling so lost because of the emotions that were slowly evading his system. He felt so useless.

'I'm weak'

After telling that to himself, he couldn't stop the tears from falling; tears that have been kept for so long; tears that had been sealed so not to lose hope but failing from rescuing Sasuke from Orochimaru for the second time couldn't stop crying for he has once again failed; the chance that was given to him to bring Sasuke back had failed and he blames himself the most.

'I am weak…'

'And because of that…'

'Sasuke doesn't acknowledge me…'

'And once again…'

'I couldn't bring him back…'

'I FAILED'

Naruto silently cries not minding that his teammates are there also, his cry could be heard in the area since no one dared to speak, everyone has their own thoughts right now and only Naruto's cry and the wind could be heard.

"Crying…" Sakura broke the silence, "Crying won't bring Sasuke-kun back, right?" she was also crying but silently, "I'm here also… We'll get stronger together."

Captain Yamato looked at Sakura calmly as she wiped her tears. He was proud that he was their captain as he saw the team he was handling was slowly growing up.

"We have about 6 months left, right?" Sai joined the conversation, he smiled, "And a team of 3 is better than 2." He looked at Naruto then at Sakura, "Besides, I'm pretty strong myself."

Naruto was thankful to have them as his teammates, but his heart and mind had completely fall into despair, but he didn't want them to get worried so he slowly wipe his tears with his sleeves and slowly stopped his cry.

'They are strong.'

'Stronger than I am…'

"Arigato." Naruto said and smiled, although his smile was a forced one, no one had noticed.

'I'm useless.'

Other Dimension

The girl in the red cloak slowly walks on the dark hallway, never minding the presence that was secretly following her, she knew she was being follow but she had other things to do than entertain the person behind her.

She turns to her right and saw two ladies standing on each side of the door.

"Are you really going?" The lady wearing a blue cloak asked.

The girl nods and looks at the lady in yellow cloak, she smiled at that lady and slowly raised her hand and chanted some words as the door slowly opens.

"Take care…" The lady in yellow said and smiled at the girl.

The girl in red smiled and walks toward the door and vanished after the door slowly closed back.

"So she has her very first mission." The lady in blue said.

"Yeah…" the lady in yellow answered, "but, was it wise not to tell her?" she glanced at the lady in blue.

"Tell her what?" The lady in blue asked.

"That every first mission always ends up in failure or if it is a success a consequence always follow." The lady in yellow said as she looks straight of her sight.

"She'll learn…" The lady in blue said, "But this is her we are talking about." She smiled and walks away followed by the lady in yellow.

"She never gives up."

Forest

On their way back to Konoha, Sakura, Sai and Captain Yamato never sensed the change in Naruto. They never sensed that their teammate was slowly falling into his negative emotions.

Sadness…

Regret…

Grief…

Emptiness…

Despair…

Loneliness…

Guilt…

They never sensed that something was wrong with him…

'Sasuke…'

'Please…'

'Sasuke…'

'Please, come back…'

They never heard his inner pleas…

They didn't see the darkness slowly engulfing Naruto…

They didn't know…

That slowly,

… They were losing Naruto…

And the worst part...

The person whom he was calling secretly inside his heart didn't hear him…

Uchiha Sasuke never heard Uzumaki Naruto's pleas…

~Tsuzuku~

~Yumi's Lair~

Yumi: (Glooms at the corner of the room)

Naruto: Y-yumi-chan? (Worried)

Yumi: (Glance at Naruto then looks away)

Naruto: Now look what you did! (Angry)

Sasuke: Hn.

Yumi: (Blaming herself for being a not so good writer and being stupid for not updating for 2 years; sob)

Naruto: Ugh~ (Doesn't know what to do) Teme! (Looks at Sasuke) Do something!

Sasuke: Like what? (Calm)

Naruto: I don't know! Anything! (Panics)

Sasuke: Hn. (Opens wallet) How much does a Usb cost anyway?

Yumi and Naruto: (Looks at Sasuke with a shock expression)

Sasuke: What? (Annoyed)

Naruto: (Laughs)

Yumi: (Twinkling eyes) Arigato! Sasuke-sama! (Tears)

Naruto: Aww... Teme! (Hugs Sasuke)

Sasuke: (Eyebrow twitch) Oi...

Naruto: (Looks at Sasuke innocently) What? (Smiles)

Sasuke: (Blushes) Hn. (Suddenly carries Naruto and walks out of the room)

Naruto: Oi! Teme! (Panics; blushing)

***Naruto's shout was heard all over the place***

Yumi: (Preparing to buy a new Usb) Yes! I can finally post Chapter 20 this Saturday! (Happy)

Next Chapter:

"Conversation" – a talk between Naruto and Kyuubi!