I don't own Naruto or anything in this story besides the fact that I wrote it. All rights belong to Masashi Kisimoto. This is my first fanfic. Review and let me know what you think and if you want more chapters. So this chapter takes place during episode 108 and 109 of the show.

Sasuke Uchiha once lived a life where he found pride in who he was and who he would become. This life was always true and unquestionable. He was the youngest son to Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, born into the Uchiha Clan and raised with exceeding expectations to reflect the genius of his older brother, Itachi Uchiha. Although he felt belittled and dismayed when he was always told to be more like his brother, he was more than willing to prove his own worth.

In a single night his life was thrown into turmoil as his beloved older brother murdered the entire family with the swipe of a dripping crimson blade. Sasuke no longer lived that life derived with dreams; instead he lived out his isolated nightmare.

After his brother's departure Sasuke devoted his life to revenge, becoming arrogant and distant to shield the pain of returning home to an empty house every night. His loneliness matched that of another, but it would take years for him to recognize the connection. Until then he would continue to live with his false ideals as his want for revenge and want of family ties battled one another for top priority.

He let his past reach the present, and found that chaos and pain erupted from the collision. The moment Sasuke let anger control his actions a rift formed between him and the people he saw as family. It was an action that caused him to challenge a friend to a fight, one that neither would ever win. The friends clashed, the girl watched through frightened eyes, and a sensei arrived just in time to stop a deadly outcome. This challenge was the means to an unsightly end as the team spilt apart for the rest of the day. That day soon formed into night and the only emotion left to express for the young Uchiha was anger.

Sasuke sat alone letting the world pass him by as his thoughts remained fixed in time. To complete his revenge he had to kill his own flesh and blood. To cleanse all the murders with another was the only answer.

Sasuke wanted to break away from the others so he could think without outside sources influencing him. He has been alone for a while now as he leaned back against the bark of an aged tree. He was away from the noise and crowds of the Konoha citizens, but most importantly away from his team. The problem was simple. Itachi was still so much stronger than he was. When they last met and fought, he didn't stand a chance.

'You're still too weak, you don't have enough hate and you know something? You never will.'

Itachi was right. What has he been doing? What has it all been for? He was just so sick of the failure. The ninja leaned forward again. He pulled his leg up as he made a fist with his right hand.

But why did everything have to be this way? Was he really that weak? Was this as strong as he could become? Or was he missing something? All these questions swarmed around in his head, but he knew an answer would never come. He felt like he was standing still just watching the world overtake him, but he couldn't move like he was suffocation in his self-created isolation.

Suddenly Sasuke felt someone's presence as wire string swung around him before he had a chance to move. He was forcefully yanked back. Then he looked up seeing that it was his sensei that stopped his movement.

"What's this all about?" Sasuke asked in aggravation, trying to wrench free to no avail. After everything that just occurred he was not in the mood to discuss the matter.

"Sorry, but I knew you wouldn't want to sit still for a lecture, so I figured I had to pin you down," Kakashi answered rather unhappily, different compared to his usual lazy manner.

"Tch," Sasuke keep his gaze up.

Kakashi glimpsed down at Sasuke's curse mark. He didn't want the matter to be blown out of proportion, and he definitely didn't want the Uchiha to sink into his anger any more than he already has. Anger was the poison that shrouded Sasuke's already weakening heart. If he let that toxin seep in any further there was no telling how long he would last before it consumed him completely.

"Let it go. You have to forget about revenge."

"What?" he asked angrily.

"Believe me, in this work I met a lot of guys who feel the way you do. Trust me, those who follow the path of revenge, it never ends well," Kakashi explained calmly. "You'll only tear yourself apart and even if you succeed and you get your revenge, what will you have then? Nothing. Emptiness."

"Shut up! What makes you think you know anything about it? It's easy for you to talk! You have no idea!" Sasuke yelled out.

"Easy, just try to calm down."

"Maybe if I were to kill the most important people in your life, everyone who has ever meant anything! Maybe then I'd listen to you, because maybe then you'd have some idea how I feel!"

"Hm, it's an interesting theory, but I'm afraid you're a little late to put it to the test."

Sasuke turned his head to the side, "Tch."

"Everyone you're talking about has already been killed," the Copy ninja said with a smile. He knew exactly where Sasuke was coming from and didn't want his student to walk past all the memories that would one day mean the world to him. Without the chance to create those memories Sasuke would plummet so fast without a split second to even comprehend what had happened. That is if he wasn't already lost in his unrelenting battle between love and hate that raged in his heart. Kakashi could imagine the storm brewing inside his student's head. The raven looked up a little shocked; Kakashi knew that caught his attention.

"I've been around longer than you have kid. I've seen my share of troubles. You're not the only one who knows what it's like to lose somebody." Anger faded from Sasuke's unwavering stare as comprehension sunk in. He looked down feeling guilty about his previous statement.

Kakashi continued, "So, it looks like neither of us have led a charmed life exactly, have we? Still we're not all that bad off." Sasuke looked up at his sensei then. "At least you and I have been lucky enough to find new comrades to help fill the void." The Uchiha knew who he had meant.

Naruto and Sakura.

"Anyway I do know how you feel," the Jounin said, letting go of the wire string. "With the Chidori, you were granted the gift of awesome power. It's not a power to be used against your comrades, or to seek vengeance. I think, in your heart of hearts, you know what it's for. Okay, end of lecture. You decide if what I'm saying hits the mark or not." Kakashi disappeared, leaving Sasuke alone with his thoughts.

The young teen leaned forward again, looking down. What Kakashi had said, it did make sense. He knew exactly why his sensei taught him the Chidori in the first place. It wasn't right to use it against Naruto in their fight, but what other choice did he have? He learned it to protect the people that were important to him.

Sometimes he couldn't tear his scarred eyes from his tortured past and see the reality that stood in front of him like a broken mirror. He knew that trust and friendship was what made life worth living, but all those ties shattered so many years ago.

It was almost like those damaged eyes were deceiving him, and who's to say that his eyes could see past his mistakes? To want the things that were once precious to him was a concept that held little meaning when he felt like he no longer deserved them.

Back at his apartment before leaving for his mission, Kakashi gazed at his team photo. He hoped what he had said actually reached his troubled student. Only time would tell, as it did with everything else. He just wasn't sure that leaving at a time like this was the best thing for his team.

Sakura looked off her balcony, chin resting against her folded arms. What was happening to Sasuke? Why did he have to challenge Naruto to that fight?

She thought back to the days when they still acted as a team. Even though Naruto and Sasuke would always argue it never changed what they were. There were still times when they got along, times that they shouldn't have to lose. The times when everyone including Sasuke, found reason to smile. In the end they were still a team.

Well, she wasn't going to sit around and do nothing. She had to go find Naruto; she didn't want to keep secrets from him anymore. Even though Sasuke didn't want Naruto involved when it came to everything that occurred in the Forest of Death, it was only fair to let him know. If the team was ever going to be the same again they had to reach the other side of this mountain, but they had to do so together.

Naruto was sitting on top of a building as the sun left the sky a pale orange. His blue orbs found their way towards the ground. This wasn't right. That fight… he knew it was a mistake, so why did he accept?

Competition was normal between him and Sasuke. It was just another method of testing their strengths against each other. Even so, it didn't take long for their rivalry to elevate and do more harm than good.

It was what he wanted though; to be closer to Sasuke's level. Or maybe it was just to be accepted by someone whom he looked up to. Why didn't Sasuke see that? He never saw himself as someone inferior to the Uchiha prodigy.

There were times where Sasuke could be a real jerk, but other times where he deserved the title of friend. That friendship gave him reason to make an effort in a world that did nothing but look down on him with those hateful eyes. He was despised by everyone for causes unknown to him in the past. All this conflict seemed without reason to him. Where did he stand in all of this?

Maybe he just had to let Sasuke cool down before figuring out if everything was okay between them. The young ninja jumped down and started walking home. As he advanced alone down the desolate street, he remembered what had happened when he saw Pervy Sage not too long ago. He didn't need to hear it though. He knew what he did was wrong, so he walked right past the Sannin without a word. Now he saw Sakura waiting for him outside his apartment building. She looked troubled as she stood alone.

"What's wrong Sakura?"

"Look, there's something I need to talk to you about Naruto," the kunoichi said getting to the point. "So, if you still want that date you've always wanted…"

Naruto looked at her a little confused. She was really talking about a date here?

It was well into nightfall and Sasuke hadn't moved a muscle. Naruto and Sakura did mean a lot, but Itachi… revenge meant everything to him. He just didn't know where anything stood anymore.

"What do I do?" he asked aloud. "What do I do?"

He knew no one was around to answer, no one was ever around. He just didn't know the right solution. The Uchiha was confused; it was as simple as that. He felt completely lost. It was all true, he did have friends that made his lonely days seem to vanish, become so nonexistent that he had to question why he felt so alone in the first place.

They must have filled the void long ago, but he just didn't notice. Come to think of it, in the past he put his life on the line for them multiple times. In the Wave Country when he and Naruto were fighting Haku, Naruto was so close to death that Sasuke could sense it in a single, cold, gripping breath. If Naruto were to die, a part of him would disappear too. The moment that Haku had the split intent to kill his blond companion, without a single thought Sasuke had rushed over and saved his friend at the willing cost of his own life.

Back then he said that he didn't have time to think. He simply moved, his body reacting on impulse. But looking back he realized that he saved Naruto because he didn't want him to die. Sasuke just didn't understand back then, but now it was clear. And then the same thing happened during the Sand and Sound Invasion. He was also willing to throw away his life so Naruto could save Sakura and get away as he held off Gaara for as long as possible. Even knowing in his condition at the time, it wouldn't have been for long.

The two rivaling shinobi worked off each other, always trying to outdo the other when it came to learning new techniques or when they were out on missions. In the end it was hard to comprehend why it mattered so much. That was how they became strong, but both for a different cause.

He also knew what Kakashi had meant. Just remembering his team made him recognize his sensei's meaning behind the lecture. Then there is always Itachi.

Give up his revenge. Just let it go.

The concept was just unthinkable, foreign even, after suffering through all the strife brought by the aftermath. Itachi killed everyone. He wouldn't even spare his own parents. Only his brother would continue living. Revenge wasn't even his choice. It was a destiny that was more or less handed to him. There was no way he could just let that go. What Kakashi asked was impossible. He needed revenge; it gave his life meaning. His purpose was encased in that loathing where even a drop of radiance had the hardest time breaking through. It wasn't possible to penetrate that shell no matter how many outside forces threatened the cage that he has been locked in for most of his existence.

He was given a purpose that day, and he could not let Itachi live. Did he really care about what happened afterwards?

No. Not at all.

But he never really cared to question it. Once his revenge was completed, he'd be satisfied. If he was being forced to choose between the two, then which way should he go? Obviously the two didn't synchronize, so where did that leave him? He had to decide what meant more to him, but he couldn't distinguish how. He closed his eyes in frustration; nothing ever came easy to someone who was already blind to reality. Choices never crossed his fixated path before.

As Naruto and Sakura walked to Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto noticed that something was wrong. Sakura wouldn't even look at him.

The pink haired girl knew that it was that curse mark that Orochimaru put on Sasuke during the Chuunin Exams. Kakashi sensei said that he had taken care of it, but she wondered…

When they reached their destination, the two were served almost immediately.

"Here you are," Teuchi said, serving them with a smile.

"Down the hatch!" Naruto said chopsticks in hand. "Come on Sakura, what are you waiting for? Dive on in!" the blond ninja said cheerfully after taking a slurp of noodles. "The barbeque pork ramen here is out of this world!" He noticed that her expression did not change. "Listen; don't even worry about it, all this is on me! You got that old man?" he said turning to Teuchi.

"So you're treating your girl, huh? Looks like you're starting to grow up a little bit, Naruto," he commented.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto yelled back, turning red in the face. "We just came here to hash some stuff out, okay? I mean, it's not like she's my girlfriend or anything, so-" he said glancing again at Sakura, but stopped. "What is it Sakura?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Naruto, I was spacing out a little," she said apologetically. "This looks delicious! Now then let's eat," she managed to sound slightly glad.

"Yeah, and you can tell me all about Sasuke when we're chowing down here, okay?" he said happily, but somehow managed to make Sakura have that distressed look again. Something must really be bothering her. Teuchi sighed, as did Naruto.

"Hey, are you, uh…" he tried again, but trailed off.

Sakura knew that she had to bring the matter up, but she wasn't sure it was the right thing to do. "So, Naruto, I promised Sasuke not to tell you this, but… this is all that Orochimaru's fault…Kakashi sensei said that everything would be fine. I wish I could believe him but, when he was fighting with Gaara and then again today, he had that same look in his eye. I don't know what to do…" Her hand was shaking after she went through her explanation.

Naruto looked away. "Orochimaru, huh? Yeah, I ran into him not too long ago."

"You did? But where?" she asked taken aback.

"When I was off searching for Grandma Tsunade, he went up against Pervy Sage and Grandma Tsunade at the same time. He was incredibly powerful. The guy is bad news."

"This is not good."

"Huh? Come on, everything will be fine!"

"Um…" She and Teuchi looked at Naruto.

"Sasuke would never let a guy like that sink his claws into him." He explained, lifting his bowl to continue eating. "I mean, he's already a total power house. It's not like he needs that kind of help, you know?" He then turned to her after he finished his ramen and put his bowl down. "Don't worry, I guarantee it!" He put his fist over his heart, and she smiled. When Naruto talked like that it made her believe that his statement was true even though she had her doubts. Still, Naruto didn't understand how much Sasuke has already changed due to that one encounter with Orochimaru and he never saw the first time Sasuke used his curse mark.

"Thanks again," Teuchi said as the two left.

"Uh hey, Sakura let me walk you home."

"Oh, no that's alright," she said politely.

"Huh? What do you mean? These streets can be dangerous at night."

"No, they're pretty well lit, I'll be okay," she reassured looking up. Leaves flew by giving the girl a sudden ominous feeling.

Naruto moved to the side a little. "Uh, Sakura?"

"Thank you Naruto, really, but I'd kind of like to be on my own tonight."

"Yeah, sure."

"I'll be fine, okay?" she smiled. He smiled back and waved goodbye as they parted ways.

Naruto walked away from Sakura a little disappointed that he couldn't walk her home like most dates do. However, he did understand that she needed time to think and reassure herself that Sasuke wasn't going to make such a selfish choice.

Thinking again to the fight he and Sasuke just had, still it wasn't the kind of fight that he wanted. He realized it before, the Uchiha only wanted to challenge him because he was angry about something. Maybe if he hadn't used the Rasengan… things could have turned out differently. Then again Sasuke wasn't acting like himself; he was looking for a fight for the wrong reasons. Naruto only considered accepting the challenge because he wanted to prove to his arrogant friend that he was not afraid to fight back, that he was strong too. After all, they had wanted a fight since the preliminaries. But he looked for recognition, not resentment. He didn't even want to prove that he was better; he only wanted to be seen as an equal. Sasuke clearly didn't see their rivalry as such.

His only regret was Sakura's interference; she tried to stop her comrades by running between them. She didn't have to go that far. If it wasn't for Kakashi sensei, they could have killed her. He didn't even want to think about that. His friends were his family, they accepted him. Sasuke accepted him more than anyone else ever could, yet the rift between them was starting to widen. How long before they could no longer feel each other's presence?

The lecture he received from Pervy Sage was given to him through a simple disappointed look, but that was all he really needed. The blond knew that this whole thing was far from over. If nothing was done the problem would only continue to expand. He didn't know that much about Sasuke, but he knew enough to know that they were similar. They weren't just rivals because that was only the surface. Underneath the masks they wore, they were brothers, but to know that made everything difficult. They both had the tendency of only showing their hatred towards each other. He wondered if Sasuke had made the connection yet. All he wanted was to be a team again.

Remembering what Sakura had said about Orochimaru, well it did bother him a little that no one told him about the whole curse mark thing. He never knew this whole time and that concerned him more than anything. He never noticed.

Besides that he knew for sure that Sasuke was strong enough, there was no way that he needed help from someone like that; someone who would just use him. Sakura was just distressing over nothing. Sasuke was just Sasuke and he was not giving himself enough credit to the strength that he already possessed. He just wondered exactly what his friend was seeking, where his mind was during all of this. His mind was probably in a worst condition than he hoped it would be, simply because Sasuke had so much hate in him that it left little room for anything else. He hoped that everything would be back to normal by morning.

When Naruto made it back to his apartment he went inside locking the door behind him. It was late and he was worn-out. Upon entering his room he looked at his team photo and smiled. It was almost a year ago that the photo had been taken, but it seemed like they were a team for so much longer. Yeah, they had their ups and downs, but so did his friends on the other teams. They could make it through this, no problem, everything would be just fine.

Sakura walked in silence, she was on her way home. She truly wanted to believe Naruto, wanted to believe him with all her heart, but deep down she was scared. Kakashi sensei told her soon after the fight that Naruto and Sasuke would be back to their old selves in no time, she sincerely wanted to have faith in his words. However… he said that kind of thing before when it came to Sasuke actually using the curse mark. What he had said turned out to be a lie since Sasuke used his curse mark during his fight against Gaara. Not only that, but it was always the same look in Sasuke's eyes that frightened her, a look that she couldn't distinguish. He had that look when he challenged Naruto.

She just didn't want to lose him. She stopped walking and changed her direction. Even if she had to do it herself, she'd stop him from leaving. She just had to ease her mind and hoped that her perplexed friend wouldn't walk by and try to leave the village. Because then… if he walked away from everything Team 7 was… what would become of him?

When she arrived near the gates, she took a seat on the bench. She knew there was very little she could do to stop Sasuke if he did plan on leaving and that worried the kunoichi more than anything.

She sighed, before she talked to Naruto on their date, he had told her rather coldly to say out of the fight. Probably so she wouldn't get hurt, he was just thinking of her safety. The girl refused to be on the sidelines when it came to all these problems. All three of them were a squad; she couldn't stand the thought of them breaking apart. Her world became dependent on their survival. The question was simply if Sasuke felt the same. She knew how Naruto felt, but she could never read Sasuke.

The pink haired kunoichi leaned back, this is where she and Sasuke had their first one on one talk together and all she did was manage to get him mad at her for saying something negative about family. Back then she didn't understand why he was angered, but now she knew the cause. Even the miniscule memories had an impact. They built the present that led way to the unknown futures that awaited them. The future… its path just seemed so desolate and uncertain now.