Together Forever

A/N: This first chapter is more of cute than anything else. Chapter 2 will be about what happened while they grew up, then chapter 3 will show the outcome of these two 'friends'.


~Konoha, September 14th, 1989. Sasuke 7, Naruto 6~


Naruto and Sasuke have always watched each other from a distance. Every now and then they managed a smile or two at each other. Until, of course, the day of the Uchiha massacure. Everyone in class was whispering about it, not even bothering to check on Sasuke.

When Naruto heard this, he stole a glance at his friend. The last Uchiha looked like he was ready to commit suicide the moment he got hold of a sharp object. Thank Kami-sama that he was too young to carry kunai around.

After school, Sasuke walked to the dock, secretly hoping that Naruto would show up. And he did...in the form of tackling Sasuke into the water.

"Naruto!" Sasuke said angrily, even though he thought it was funny.

Said blonde scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Sorry, you just looked like you needed a hug or something. It's no fun seeing you all gloomy like that."

Sasuke rolled his eyes as the corner of his mouth twitched up, while getting out of the water. Naruto followed, laughing. He stripped to his boxers, wanting to get the wet clothing off. The Uchiha slowly followed suit.

They laid side by side in the sun, drying off, in compainable silence. Of course, the loud-mouth blonde broke it. "Ne, Sasuke?"

"What?"

"We're best friends, right?"

Sasuke didn't try to hide the smile. "Right."

A short pause, and then, "Does that mean we can be together forever?"

My best friend. Together forever. "Together forever," Sasuke whispered. "Yeah."

In unspoken mutual consent, they pinky-swore on it. Together forever. Smiling, they lasped back into silence. Naruto was the first to fall asleep, Sasuke soon after.

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~Konoha, September 15th, 1989. Sasuke 7, Naruto 6~

The third Hokage walked by the dock early in the morning, and saw the two boys sleeping in each others arms. Smiling, he walked by to wake them up.

"Sasuke, Naruto." He gently shook them.

Sasuke's eyes fluttered open, while Naruto buried his head deeper into his 'pillow'. He mumbled something that sounded a lot like, "Go 'way, old man." Sasuke shifted to try to get away, but Naruto kept his grip saying something about "Stupid moving pillows. Even my bed's against me." Wait. Moving pillows? His eyes opened, trying to figure out what possesed his pillow to move. Barely awake, and not remembering anything from the day before, Naruto couldn't figure out why his pillow was pale. "Wha? I have orange pillows."

Naruto's head was hit. "Aaahhh! The pillows are at---" *splash* The blonde fell off the dock and into the water. Sasuke snickered while the Sadaime shook his head.

"Naruto, Sasuke. Hurry up and take a shower. School starts in an hour."

"An hour! Why didn't you wake me up sooner, old man!?" Naruto ran off without another word.

Sasuke sighed. "Thanks for waking us up, Hokage-sama." He stood up and ran to his house, grabbing his and Naruto's clothes on the way.

*******************

~September 15th, after school~

Sasuke was on his way home when he heard 'Naruto' and 'monster' in the same sentance. He stopped next to a nearby tree to listen to the conversation.

"I don't see why the Hokage likes that freak so much. It's his fault that the Yodaime died."

"Even Uchiha likes him."

"I think it's just a trick. Naruto made Sasuke think that he's a normal person."

"Or Sasuke has a plan. Get close to the Kyuubi, then attack when it's least suspected."

Sasuke heard enough. Like hell he was going to kill Naruto. And he's an Uchiha. No idiot could play mind games on him. And that idiot is my best friend. But he had to know why they thought his little blonde friend was a monster, and how he killed the Fourth Hokage.

When he got home, he went through a bunch of scrolls. He found out the truth about the Nine-tailed fox: He was not killed, but sealed inside a newborn baby. That baby's name was Naruto. The jutsu used is what killed the Fourth Hokage.

Now it makes sense. Does Naruto even know? Considering that he always said he didn't know why people were mean to him, Sasuke assumed not. And it's not my place to tell him. I shouldn't even know.

Trying to get his mind off this new knowledge about his best friend, Sasuke went to walk around town. There was a stuffed animal in the window of a toy store. It reminded him of Naruto, but had nothing to do with the fact that it was a fox that just happened to have nine tails.

No. It was about the fabled personalities of a fox. Cunning pranksters. Well that, and the whiskers on the stuffed toy looked like the marks on Naruto's cheeks. Without thinking twice, Sasuke went in to buy it, and was secretly estatic that the fox was the first, last, and only one that the store ever carried. It was unique...like Naruto.

Mission: Get Sasuke's mind of off Naruto. Failed.

The next time Sasuke looked up, he was standing in front of a display case full of gems. Rare gems, if the sign above the was true. One in the middle caught his eye, so he took a closer look at it. 'Eye of the Fire Fox'. "Strange name." The littlest Uchiha had given up on trying to figure out what he was doing in a jewlery store.

A man, presumably the store owner, walked up behind him. "Ah, the Eye of the Fire Fox (1). Very rare. It's the only one known in Fire Country."

Sasuke gave another look at the gem. It was oval, red, and had an orange slit in the middle. Like a fox. Like Naruto looks when he gets overly emotional. Obviously, it was very expensive. But Uchiha's were rich, and Sasuke inherited every last bit of it.

"Can I get it on a bracelet?" Sasuke asked, turning back to the owner.

"Of course. Follow me." Zou (2) took out a container that had different styles of bracelets.

It didn't take long for Sasuke to decide. It was a silver band, 3/8" wide most of the way around. After a few inches, it slowly began to get wider and thicker. The middle looked like it was just the right size for the Eye of the Fire Fox. From the picture below, he could get 1 to 3 smaller gems on each side.

"This one." Sasuke pointed to it.

"Would you like any gems on it?"

"Yes."

The owner showed Sasuke to a few more display cases. Hm. Hey! That color reminds me of Naruto's eyes when he's happy. And it's his birthstone, too. As long as I'm using his birthstone, I may as well use mine. "Blue topaz (3), one on each side, closest to the Eye of the Fire Fox. Then a ruby on each side of those." This is going to be expensive.

"Very well." Man, whoever's getting this is one lucky girl. I know the Uchiha's were loaded, but this is insane. I suppose I could give the boy a discount. Loaded or not, this will make a dent. "Anything else?"

Sasuke thought a moment. Together forever. He looked at the width of the bracelet. The best spot would be in the middle, but if he put both kanji on it, they would be too small. "Behind the Eye of the Fire Fox. I want an inscription with the Kanji for 'together'." Naruto will understand.

"Right. It will be ready in tomorrow afternoon. There will be monthy payments until it is paid off." (4)

"Okay! I'll be back with the first payment soon." Sasuke was about to walk out, but stopped. "Could you...um..." a light but noticable blush reached his cheeks. "Please don't tell anybody."

Noticing said blush, the jewler smiled. "No problem." Very lucky girl.

"Thank you!" he left before someone caught him.

Sasuke didn't notice that he was still clutching the fox to his chest until he heard someone whisper, "what store was stupid enought to carry a stuffed nine-tailed fox?"

The raven held it tighter and ran the rest of the way to the Hokage Tower before somebody else degraded the innocent little animal. He not-so-paticently waited to be let in the office, under the stares of the two guards. They were making him nervous...not that he would admit it.

"Sasuke?" Sadaime looked at the Uchiha in confusion. What in the world could he want?

"I need a favor that concerns my money, Hokage-sama." Yes, most of his money is being protected by the Hokage. Sasuke's only seven, he has no direct connection with it.

"Why?"

"I need a monthly payment sent to Zou's Jewelry Shop." The Hokage raised an eyebrow. "I'm getting something made for a friend." And that's more than you need to know.

Knowing that he wasn't going to get anything else out of the boy, he nodded. "Very well. When is the first payment due?"

"I told him I could get it today."

The Hokage stood up. "Follow me."

Sasuke did as he was told. They got the money, then Sarutobi walked with him to Zou's. He trusted Sasuke; it was the very few villagers that he was worried about.

The stuffed nine-tailed fox did not go unnoticed by the Hokage.

Mission: Get Naruto the best gift ever. Complete.

*******************

Naruto wandered his way into a toy shop. More specifically: a stuffed toy shop. Even better: there were sections. Birds, felines, canines, neopets, pokemon, and so on. He made his way to the Pokemon section, just because he could. Not paying attention as he walked down the isle, something caught his eye. A stuffed Mightyena(5).

Hm. Something about that reminds me of Sasuke. An idea struck him, and he got that fox-smile. Best friends give each other presents, right? Brooding gloomy Sasuke getting a stuffed animal. Naruto bought it, then began to wander around again. He ended up at - you guessed it - Zou's Jewelry Shop. Great minds think alike. The boys just don't know that yet.

There was a gem in the 'rare gemstones' display. It was black that, when looked in the right light, had a blue tint to it. "Like Sasuke's hair," Naruto whispered.

Zou had been watching Naruto since he walked in the store. He was one of the few that didn't hate the boy. His curiosity was peaked when he heard 'Sasuke'. Eyes widened in realization. Eye of the Fire Fox + July birthstone + December birthstone = for Naruto. And, thinking back, he remembered the stuffed fox. No wonder he didn't want anyone to know. I suppose Naruto could get a discount as well.

Smiling, the owner walked over. "Night of the New Moon (6)."

"Huh?"

"That gemstone. It's called Night of the New Moon."

"Beautiful. Can I get it on a bracelet?"

"Of course. I have a few styles you can choose from." He took out the same box he showed to Sasuke. He had already had a replacement for the syle the Uchiha chose. Naruto pointed at it without a second thought. Zou smiled. "Would you like gems with that?"

"Uh...yeah." Once again, Zou lead an acadamy student to the display case. It didn't take Naruto long for that, either. He chose crimson-colored gems to be closest to Night of the New Moon. He wanted to get another color, but couldn't decide. Black? No, it was too much like the center gem. Dark blue? No, same problem. White? Boring. Then he saw it. It was somewhere between blue and dark blue. It was dark enough to match, but blue enough so that it didn't look like Night of the New Moon.

"Anything else?"

Together forever. "On the back, can I have the Kanji for 'forever' inscribed?"

"Of course." Zou thought about the other bracelet and smiled again. Together forever. "If you don't mind me asking, where are you going to get the money?"

Naruto gave Zou his mischivious grin. "I've been over-worked and not paid. I'll be back soon."

With that he ran out to find Iruka and Saratobi. He had been doing chores for both, but getting nothing except the ocasional ramen meal in return. After collecting the two men, he dragged them back to Zou's.

"Naruto, what exactly am I paying for?" Iruka asked.

"A gift for a friend." Iruka continued to stare at him, and Naruto sighed. "If I let you see the center piece, will you stop asking questions?"

"Stubbern as ever. Fine, let's see it." He looked at Zou, who smiled as he took the gem out. The teacher stared...and was also reminded of Sasuke's hair.

The Sandaime smiled. He had convinced Sasuke to let him see the center piece of his bracelet. It was obvious that the boys were getting them made for each other, and he doubt that they knew. Therefor, he had no problem paying for the bracelet.

"The bracelet will be ready in two days."

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~September 16th, after school~

Naruto met Sasuke at the dock again. Uchiha was standing up, skipping some rocks he had picked up earlier. "Man, if I thought you looked gloomy two days ago, you look even worse now," Naruto said as he walked up to him.

Sasuke turned around. "Naruto." To obtain the Mangekyo, you must kill your best friend. He shook his head, then threw himself at his best friend.

"Sasuke? What's wrong?" Naruto rubbed soothing circles on his back.

"Itachi. He..." the raven took a deep breath, trying to stop the tears. "He said that I have to grow to hate him and---" the plan to stop the tears failed. A choked sob came out of Sasuke's mouth. "And he said that I have to kill him."

"Kill?"

"But I can't do it. I don't think I ever will be able to." Naruto was the only one that ever heard Sasuke's insecurities. "He's too strong." More sobs.

"I'll help you."

"What?"

"I'll help you beat your brother. I promise. I'll do anything to help you."

"No. You can't help me." Sasuke pulled away and looked down.

"Why not?"

"You'd....you would have to die!" With that, Sasuke ran away before anything else could be said.

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~September 17th~

Sasuke made it a point to avoid Naruto at all costs. This included not chasing away fangirls. He didn't like the look of devestation and betrayal on Naruto's face, but it couldn't be helped. If he stayed away from the blonde, then they wouldn't be best friends. If they weren't best friends, then he wouldn't have to die.

After school, Sasuke walked to Zou's Jewelery Shop. "Is the bracelet ready?" he asked.

"Yes it is. It comes with cleaning solution and a soft rag to keep it shiney. You have a choice between a black, white, grey, bule, red, or orange case."

He thought about it. "Orange."

Sasuke went home to wrap up the stuffed fox and bracelet. Uh-oh. I have to speak to Naruto to give it to him. Unless...Iruka-sensei! He ran to the acadamy, where he knew his teacher was still working. "Iruka-sensei?"

"Yes Sasuke?"

"Can you give this to Naruto tomorrow? But he's not allowed to open it until he gets home."

"Uhh...yeah. Of course."

"Thank you!" Sasuke left before any questions could be asked.

*******************
Naruto walked into Zou's Jewelery Shop 20 minutes after Sasuke left. He was given the same options, but chose a blue case instead.

The closest to wrapping Naruto could do was to put the bracelet and stuffed Mightyena in a paper bag, which he decorated with the Uchiha clan symbol. Well, if he's going to make it a point to stay away from me, I'll just stay away from him. He looked at the clock. Iruka-sensei should be home by now.

Grabbing the bag, Naruto made his way to the chunin's house. "Iruka-sensei!" he yelled as he knocked on the door.

"Yes Naruto?" he asked as he opened the door.

"Well, Sasuke's been avoiding me, so I was wondering if you could give this to him for me?" Naruto held out the bag. "But he's not allowed to open it until he gets home."

Deja vu. "Alright." What are these boys up to?

"Thanks Iruka-sensei!" Naruto skipped back to his apartment.
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~September 18th~

After school, the boys went their seperate ways to their houses. They each knew who the present was from, and were eager to know (even if Sasuke wouldn't admit it) what their best friend got them.

Sasuke saw the note on top, and read that first.
Sasuke-
When I promised I'd do anything to help you, I meant anything. That includes dying. I'm your best friend, and always will be, even if you don't like it.
-Naruto
He went through the rest of the bag. "Mightyena? Is he trying to compare me to a pokemon?" Then he saw the case. The one that looked exactly like the orange one he picked out the other day. Opening it, Sasuke's eyes went wide. "This...." He looked on the back. Forever.

I'll never be able to get away from you, will I, Naruto? Sasuke smiled as he put it on. Even on the smallest setting, it was kind of loose. But he'd grow into it.

*******************

Naruto saw the note, but decided it could wait, and pulled out the other objects. "A nine-tailed fox? Well, if you think about it, it makes sense. That case...it lookes like the one I gave to Sasuke." He opened it. "Man, this must have cost a small fortune." He looked on the back. Together.

The blonde smiled as he put it on, then read the note.
Naruto-
We can't be friends, Naruto. I would have to kill you to beat my brother. This is so that you can remember what we once had, if you like it. You know how you're always trying to draw attention to yourself? Try wearing orange. It's loud and looks good on you.
"Looks like I'm gonna have to buy some orange clothes this weekend."
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A/N: So...yeah, here you go. I know it's kind of strange, but so will the next chapter be. They're more of fillers so that you know why they will do the things they do in chapter 3. If you would please bear with me, it should get better by then.

(1) I totally made that up, but I like the name. In D/s Naruto, by Hestia, there is a gem that Naruto called 'fox demon eye'. At least he does in Chapter 89: The Old Epiloge. It sounds like it's beautiful, but I think I unconsiously got the name for 'Eye of the Fire Fox' from this story. So I thank Hestia, even though my gemstone is almost completely different. I will also admit that it is a very good story; I never read anything that's longer than five chapters unless I really like it.
(2) Zou = statue. I was staring at one at the time.
(3) No, blue topaz is not the October gemstone. October is tourmaline, a pinkish stone. I don't like it. Blue topaz is December, and really does remind me of Naruto's eyes. So, for the sake of the braclet making sense, his birthday (along with the 'defeat' of Kyuubi) is in December. Don't think to much about it, I doubt I'll ever mention his birthday again.
Then again, September is a really pretty blue, sapphire. But my birthday is in December, so I decided to be selfish. Deal with it.

(4) I didn't put how much it is because I have no idea how much it would be, and then I would have to convert it to... yen? All I know is that Eye of the Fire Fox + 4 small (but real) gemstones + silver bracelet = very expensive.

(5) Yes, a pokemon. Here's a pokedex entry. http://www.pokemon.com/Pokedex/flash.asp

(6) Also made up, and an even worse name than 'Eye of the Fire Fox'. Honestly, I don't care what you think about the names of the gems, only what you think about the story. Also, it just happens to come from Sound (Rice) Country, where Hidden Sound Village is. See a pattern yet?