I'm back, and this story is re-fucking-vamped. The first, like, two chaps aren't gonna make a lot of sense, so just bear with me while you sit back and enjoy this story in all it's 3D glasses glory.

king & lionheart

If only things had been different.

He hated the rain.

He hated the cold feeling pricking his skin, and trails running down his face like tears.

He hated the purple clouds that suffocated his every motion, his every breath. They loomed over him, concealing everything as though it were a secret.

Sasuke stood up, muscles knotted, protesting even the simplest motion. They were like those of an old man—too much work, not enough rest. His feet dragged through the wet earth, leaving behind a sloppy trail to his destination. It wouldn't matter, though, because the rain quickly washed it away.

Behind him, camp. Charred remains of an old fire lay in the center, circled by rocks and the makeshift beds of ninja. One, a bodacious blonde, sleeping soundly as his snores thrummed over the group. A black-haired male slept nearby, a pile of scrolls and inked brushes next to him. The final one, silver-haired, only feigned sleep. His one good eye was wide open, watching the dark-haired teen walk away. Where he was going, Kakashi didn't know.

He worried for the Uchiha. For weeks he'd been unusually unsettled; jumping at the slightest noise, hands grasping his prized sword with such force his knuckles turned white. He'd grown increasingly pale, and the bags under his eyes became prominent, turning into lurid violet crescents.

Kakashi continued to watch Sasuke, hoping he would return.

.

.

.

The rain came down harder now. It drove into his face, blinding him, but he still continued forward.

He had no idea where he was going, but it had to be far away from them. Sasuke was done. No longer did he want to continue.

It started weeks ago.

Naruto had nagged endlessly about the low amount of food they had, much to the disdain of the rest of Team 7. Fed up, Sasuke forced them into a farmer's market in a nearby village. While Naruto and Sai admired the ripe, colorful fruits and Kakashi wandered over to a bookstand, Sasuke detached himself from the group, coming across a table laden with curious trinkets.

An old woman sat behind it, silvery hair in a thick braid woven with fine gold chains, and her black eyes glittering. She held her hands in her lap, curled around something unknown.

"Hello, Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke was startled. His name wasn't normally known outside of Konoha, much less in a place so far away.

"How do you know who I am?" Sasuke asked, his voice smooth.

She smiled. " I know everything."

Against his wishes, Sasuke's heart began to accelerate. This woman was incredibly unnerving, and the raven steeled himself. He firmly put both hands on her table, his dark eyes looking into her own. "You old hag. Who has given you information about me?"

Again the old woman smiled, her eyes crinkling. "My, my. Really, Sasuke, it is important you show respect to your elders. Now look old Momoe in the eyes, and say that again, politely."

It was disquieting, her calm demeanor, but, hoping to irritate her, Sasuke said nothing. The woman blinked slowly, and, upon opening her eyes, sent a wave of terror through the Uchiha. Sasuke reeled backwards. His head pounded, voices snaking through his ears, around his head. They said only one thing;

Hypocrite.

Hypocrite.

Hypocrite Hypocrite Hypocrite.

Hypocrite Hypocrite HypocriteHypocriteHypocriteHypocriteHypocrite!

He covered his ears, and fell to the ground, looking at the woman in trepidation, as she unfurled her hands to reveal a small stone heart

She smiled.

Now, the voices pestered him, chiming incoherent phrases, singing in voices so delicate, so quiet it was the only time Sasuke felt some sort of peace. He walked into a forest, desperately searching for some way to silence the voices in his head.

He came to a small creek, bubbling in such a lighthearted way, like it was singing. A waterfall, no more than ten feet tall, rushed nearby, falling into a small pool that fed the creek. Sasuke dunked his head in, the water sluicing into the strands of his dark hair, caressing his face. He released a breath he'd been holding since he left camp a while back.

He opened his eyes, taking in the scene of fishes darting in and around rocks and the plants swaying in the current. Sasuke almost appreciated the feeling of the water in his eyes, relieving the irritation they'd been experiencing. About to close them, the raven noticed a pair of green eyes staring back at him. Sasuke took in a sharp breath, swallowing water and causing his heart to once again race.

Then he blacked out.

So, this is basically the original first chapter, with some names changed. The way this is gonna go down has been decided, and should turn out better than the first time around. If you would be so kind, after taking the ten or so minutes to read, won't you review? It would really mean a lot :)