While Naruto was deep in thought on his walk, the sound of training caught his attention. He stealthily moved through the trees to get a closer look. Spotting the Uchiha Crest, he realized it was Sasuke. The news about Sasuke had deeply affected Naruto; although he couldn't fully understand, he could empathize. Despite feeling it was wrong to desire such a connection, Naruto found solace in knowing someone else could relate to him.
"You can come out," Sasuke shouted, his breath heavy. His eyebrows lifted as Naruto walked out. Sasuke never spoke to Naruto by choice; he didn't consider him worthy of his time. Naruto was always joking, never taking anything seriously. He was too happy and fortunate to understand what Sasuke was going through.
"Hello, Sasuke." Naruto spoke, leaving Sasuke somewhat perplexed. He hadn't anticipated this; he had braced himself for Naruto's usual taunts about his 'duckbutt hair' or a challenge to fight. Yet, this time, Naruto was more composed.
"Why are you here?" Sasuke asked seriously.
"I was passing by and heard your training," Naruto replied. Sasuke gazed into the sky.
"In the middle of the night? What would your parents think?" There was a familiar look in Naruto's eyes as he answered.
"I don't have parents; I've been on my own since I was four." Suddenly, it all made sense to Sasuke. Sasuke knew it was odd to feel this way, but he was relieved to finally connect with someone, even if it was Naruto. "You might not want to talk to me, but I also want to get stronger. We don't have to be friends, but I need a sparring partner." Shifting his gaze from the moon, Sasuke looked directly into Naruto's eyes, his intention clear and honest. For the first time in weeks, a small smile crept onto Sasuke's face.
See AlsoRēbørn - A Naruto Fanfiction - [Chapter 10] King of Nothing - Page 3Rēbørn - A Naruto Fanfiction - Chapter 6 - aaliswalkerRēbørn - A Naruto Fanfiction - Chapter 9 - aaliswalkerNaruto: teaching disciples for ten thousand times the Reward Chapter 53"I'd like that."
Sasuke and Naruto shared lunch at the academy. Since that night, Sasuke received many sympathy gifts, including a coupon for a weapon shop. He used it to purchase a training sword for himself and another for Naruto. They both aspired to improve but understood they couldn't just pick up a sword and start swinging.
The moon cast its glow over training ground seven where the two boys faced each other. Their training swords met, pressing against one another as they awaited the kunai they had thrown to land. Sasuke tracked it with his eyes. "3...2...1." The kunai struck the ground with a thud, and the boys leapt apart.
Naruto made the first move, dashing towards Sasuke with a downward slash, which Sasuke parried due to his superior strength. Naruto, leveraging his swifter speed, recovered and spun into a kick aimed at Sasuke's face. Sasuke raised his sword, gripping it firmly to block the kick. Then, he swung his sword down at Naruto, who was prone on the ground. Naruto rolled aside, and Sasuke's sword thudded into the earth.
Perched in the trees, the Hokage stood beside a tall man with white hair, dressed in an ANBU uniform, lacking the traditional mask. This was ANBU Captain Kakashi Hatake, alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the Professor.
Kakashi was the ANBU that found Sasuke unconscious, Kakashi was the ANBU that stopped people from attacking Naruto's apartment before Naruto could even know. Kakashi was the ANBU the saved a little girl who was kidnapped after her parents went to sleep at 9 pm.
Sakura Haruno was abducted from her house with the intention of demanding a ransom, as her parents were business owners. Being civilians, they were largely powerless and unaware of the situation. However, Kakashi managed to save her and return her safely before her woke up. She got back to her house at midnight. It was traumatic to her for many reasons, she was a civilian child and never had to experience anything like that, and they threatened her with many acts of violence to her or her family if they didn't get what they wanted. Her bruises were tended to by Kakashi, her parents didn't have to know or act on it because the kidnappers were dead.
Naruto rose to his feet, anticipating Sasuke's assault. Sasuke launched a flurry of strikes; Naruto deflected many, yet one connected with his shoulder. Naruto countered a blow and drove Sasuke backward. Charging at Sasuke, the clash of wood echoed through the clearing as they exchanged strikes, each one met with a block or a parry. It was a prime example of good offense, better defense.
Sasuke swept at Naruto's legs, but Naruto leaped over and aimed a kick at Sasuke's chest. Sasuke dropped his sword and crossed his arms in an 'X', blocking the attack and sliding back slightly. He then picked up his sword and sheathed it. Naruto did the same with his weapon.
"Taijutsu and Ninjutsu," Naruto declared. Sasuke's smirk widened. While Naruto often bested him in Kenjutsu, Taijutsu and Ninjutsu were Sasuke's domain.
Sasuke lunged at Naruto, aiming a punch at his gut. Naruto evaded, but Sasuke seized his arm as he moved. Pulling Naruto in, Sasuke swept his legs, sending Naruto's back crashing to the ground. As Sasuke aimed a stomp at Naruto's body, Naruto rolled away. Springing up, Naruto swiftly formed hand signs, channeling his chakra.
Naruto vanished in a blur and reappeared above, descending with a punch, but Sasuke sidestepped, watching Naruto's fist hit the earth. Sasuke lunged, grappling with Naruto. A test of strength ensued, but Sasuke proved stronger. As Sasuke's hand came down to strike, Naruto disappeared, leaving Sasuke grasping a log.
"No handseals for his substitution. Impressive." Kakashi thought.
Naruto launched a flying kick at Sasuke from behind. Sasuke swiftly ducked and observed Naruto sail past. As Naruto spun around, he found Sasuke had vanished. A smirk spread across Naruto's face when he felt the cold steel against his neck. "Ah! You win," Naruto declared cheerfully, thoroughly enjoying their sparring sessions. Naruto and Sasuke's heads snapped to the trees, but no one was there.
The next day
As Naruto and Sasuke munched on their lunch, a pink-haired girl plopped down beside them uninvited. "You're Sakura, aren't you?" Naruto quizzed the quiet girl. A nod was her reply. "So, what's up?" he prodded.
"Here to make buddies! You guys look tough, and I wanna be tough too!" she declared, pumping her fist with determination in her face.
"My folks are all about the business life, thinking I can't cut it as a ninja. Watch me prove 'em wrong!" she bellowed, pausing to ponder. "Gotta beef up, so nobody can push me around again," she mused.
Naruto suspected ulterior motives, but he shrugged it off, it was none of his business. He polished off his sandwich and slapped down a card game. "Uno? What's this?" Sakura inquired, as Sasuke's eyebrow raised,
"You'll find out." Naruto smirked evily.
