A Charge of Night

Kay, I've had this for months, but I've been reluctant to put it up. There are some things that I think need to be tweaked or altered, but I would love it if you would let me know what you think. Oh, and for the people who read my other stories, don't worry I'm still working on them.


Chapter One: Blurry

“Hokage-sama, May I ask your reason for summoning me?” the black haired youth stooped before the imposing white haired figure. His dark crimson eyes drifted from the floor to gaze curiously at the benevolently wrinkled face of Sarutobi.

“I assume you understand the position that our village is in.” he said seriously, “I have been counted on to make an important decision. This decision will either tear apart a family or destroy a village. I am sure you can appreciate the great weight that places on me.”

“Hokage-sama, I am well aware of our village’s troubles, but you have yet to tell me what this has to do with me.”

“I have decided to appoint the village’s strongest ninja family to oversee the care and containment of our village’s plight.”

The black haired man sat back on his heels, his eyes contemplative. “This is your conclusion, hokage-sama. Are you sure this is wise?”

“I stand by my decision, Uchiha-san.” he said, “I charge you and the generations after you to protect this village at all cost. Are you prepared for the task, Uchiha-san?”

The young Uchiha stared at his hands for a moment. “I pledge to you, Hokage-sama. My clan and I will always keep Konaha safe.”

It often makes me laugh, the futility of it all. All those eyes that see the future and bemoan my ever increasing darkness. The light so poignant once held in my vision now dimming to be replaced with charcoal colored canvases. Days, nights, when the sound is so crystal clear, the air so warm, everything felt and revealed in a ways that would never be noticed with sight. This is my blindness. This is the supposed evil darkness that always envelopes me, yet I welcome it. It is the inevitable change that has made me who I am. After all things happen for a reason, I am a firm believer of this, but I guess deep down in my heart, I also wish I could see.

"Sasuke, honey, wake up, its morning.” warm fingers brushed across his skin. He felt a soft hand snake across his forehead.

"I'm up, mother."

He moved toward his closet, and quickly ran his hands along a short sleeved shirt then slipped it on. He fumbled with his pants but eventually managed to put them on. He slipped on his watch then grabbed his book bag hanging on the door handle. He grabbed his cane that was adjacent to the door, and rushed out.

"Itachi's waiting for you outside.” his mom said. "Have fun at your new school."

His mother still says that as if he's still in middle school, and not a senior in high school. Of course, he was mad at them for uprooting his life and not allowing him to stay in Tokyo. They were just too worried to leave him by himself. He understood that his father has a better position at the hospital here, than at his last home, but he hated always having to adjust to his surroundings.

"Have a nice day, and don't get into trouble." Itachi said as he pulled open the car door.

"Hn," was his only reply as he shuffled slowly into the building, tapping his cane across the cement.

"Good luck at school today, Naruto." There was a lot of noise around him, but for some reason, Sasuke caught this exchange and not the voices around him.

"Thanks Iruka-sensei," said a voice higher pitched yet smooth and breathy. His breathing was almost haggard, unnatural.

"Don't forget your inhaler, Naruto." Said another voice it was louder than Iruka's and held a comical flamboyance to it.

"Yeah, Yeah,"Naruto intoned his voice wheezing slightly,” I’ll be fine. You worry too much, Kakashi."

"Well, hurry up, Naru."Kakashi said," You'll be late."

Sasuke heard sneakers smacking pavement as Naruto bounded up the steps. He could feel him heading right toward him. He tried to move out of the way, but it was too late. He felt a warm body collide with him. His cane slid out his hand as he pushed his hands out in front of him, groping the air and searching for purchase on solid ground. His body hit the ground with a resounding thump. Luckily, he protected his face from damage.

"Oops, gomen, gomen,"he said.

"Why don't you watch where your going, dobe?"Sasuke said picking himself off from the floor.

"Hey, I said I was sorry asshole." he said,” Its not like I did it on purpose or anything."

"Whatever," Sasuke said,” You have eyes for a reason why don't you use them."

"Listen, teme..."

"Naruto leave the new kid alone." Someone said. He was standing to the right of Sasuke.

Sasuke sighed as the morning sun washed all objects in an iridescent white light making his eyes see blurry blobs of color, but little more.

"This has nothing to do with you, Neji,"Naruto muttered angrily.

Negi stood in front of Naruto. "You want to say that again, Uzumaki."he said,"I don't think you want a repeat of what happened last time, do you?"

Naruto pushed past Neji causing him to brush against Sasuke.

"Sorry about him."Neji said as he stepped away from Sasuke,"Don't let him bother you. By the way, I'm Neji."

"Sasuke,"he said.

"Well, what’s your first class?"Neji said.

"Creative Writing,"Sasuke said.

"Oh, then you have Iruka-sensei."Neji said,” Do you want me to walk you to your classes?"

"I think I can manage,"Sasuke said gruffly. Neji seemed to take the hint.

"Well,” he said as he walked away,” I’ll see you, Sasuke."

"Not if I can help it,” he said as he walked away. He found his class with surprisingly little trouble. Konaha High wasn't that big.

"Naruto, hey your back,” someone yelled.

"Hey Kiba,"Naruto said with a slight wheeze.

"So, how do you feel?"Kiba asked.

"I'm fine,"Naruto said,” it was just a cold, but you know how Kakashi is. The littlest cough and he freaks out. He didn't even want me going today."

"I'm glad he's so protective, Naruto," Sasuke could hear a higher pitched voice, but he couldn't discern if it was a man or women.

"Oh, C'mon, Haku,"Naruto groaned,” It annoying having him freak out over the littlest things. Its not like I'm going to drop dead any second."

"You shouldn't say something like that,"Haku reprimanded.

"Sheesh,"Naruto said in a huff,” You sound like Iruka."

"Alright everyone,"Iruka said,” Get into your seats."

Sasuke heard a lot of shuffling and squeaking of chairs.

"You must be Sasuke,"Iruka said,” I’m Iruka, It’s nice to meet you."

"hn,"Sasuke said.

"Why don't you take a seat by Naruto?" Iruka gripped his arm gently and led him to the seat.

"Would you drop it, Haku."Naruto said loudly,” I’m fine." Haku huffed and turned away from him.

"There you are,"Iruka said as Sasuke eased into his seat.

He hated people treating him like he was made of glass. He could have found the seat by himself, but Iruka seemed nice enough, so he decided not to press the issue. The room got annoyingly quiet.

"Here we go,"Sasuke thought as the ooing and ahing started.

"He's so cute,” one girl squealed to the person next her.

"I know,” the girl next to her squealed equally loud.

"Alright, quiet down."Iruka said.

"Hey, you’re that asshole,"Naruto exclaimed.

"Naruto,"Iruka snapped,” apologize to him."

"Sorry, senpai,"he said quickly.

"This is Sasuke Uchiha." Iruka said,” He’s new here, so I want you all to make him feel welcome. Now, back to business, I expect you all to work on the vignettes that are due on Thursday. Naruto, you can fill Sasuke in on the assignment."

Naruto grumbled then turned to Sasuke who had pulled out his laptop.

"The assignment is to write a three page vignette about an incident from your childhood." Naruto blurted,” It can be fiction, if you want. A vignette is..."

"I know what a vignette is dobe,"Sasuke snapped.

"Whatever, teme,"Naruto said turning away from him.

Sasuke rested his fingers on the keys, feeling the raised Braille and waiting for inspiration to come. He tapped the keys in frustration. Naruto's wheezing was annoying him; did he have to breathe so loud? Sasuke heard a clanging sound as Naruto shook up his inhaler and delivered two puffs of air into his mouth.

"Are you alright, Naruto?" Iruka whispered.

"I'm fine, Iruka-sensei,"He emphasized the word sensei.

"Ok, Ok,"he said,” I get it. I'll leave you alone."

Sasuke tried to ignore Naruto and type his paper, but the dobe was just so annoying.

"Would you be quiet?" Sasuke said in Naruto's general direction.

"I wasn't even talking asshole," he said angrily,” Maybe you should shut up."

"Stop being a dickwad, Naruto."

"I wasn't talking to you Sakura, and Sasuke is a big boy, he doesn't need a slut like you to fight his battles for him."

"Oh, that hurt," Sakura said with a pout,” but I suppose coming from a beast like you that would be a compliment."

"Would you both just shut up," Sasuke exclaimed with exasperation.

"You’re the reason we were fighting in the first place, you stuck up prick." Naruto said angrily,” Maybe if you took your head out..."

"Naruto, Sasuke," Iruka said sternly,” I’d like to have a word with both of you in the hall please."

Naruto huffed angrily and marched into the hall. Sasuke fallowed calmly.

"I cannot believe what a disruption you two were being." Iruka rebuffed," Naruto you are not five years old anymore I shouldn't have to take you into the hall. You are almost an adult."

"But Iruka," Naruto whined.

"I don't care who started it.” he exclaimed,” You both were out of line, therefore you're both getting detention."

"But Iruka," Naruto said,” You’re being so unfair. You know how much homework I have to make up."

"Naruto when have I ever been unfair."Iruka said,” having detention will make it easier to finish your homework, don't you agree?"

"I guess so," Naruto said defeated. Sasuke simply stood rigidly, what did he care if he got detention. He pulled out his cell phone.

"You're not allowed to talk on your cell phone at school," Iruka said.

"I have to call Itachi, and tell him to pick me up later,” he said flipping the phone open.

"Oh,"Iruka said,” Well, I suppose that’s alright."

"Itachi, you need to pick me up later."

"Why is that, little brother?"

"Because I have detention."

"I thought I told you not to get in trouble. What is dad going to think?"

"I don't really care; just pick me up at 4:30."

"Ok, Sasuke but don't think that I'm covering for you."

Sasuke clapped the phone shut. Fortunately, by the time they'd reentered the class, the bell had already rung.

"Sasuke-kun," two voices toned happily at the same time,” We’d be happy to help you to your next class."

"I'm sure Naruto would be more than happy to help you to class, Sasuke."

"C'mon Teme,"Naruto said grabbing his stuff before he could say anything and walking out the door. "What class do you have next?” he asked gruffly.

"Listen dobe, I'm perfectly capable of getting to my class myself."

"Don't be an ass, and just tell me what class, teme. Your arguing with me is only going to make me late."

Sasuke sighed; he couldn't fight with the dobe's logic. "I have Orochimaru's class next."

Naruto groaned,” Please don't tell me we have all the same classes."

He gripped Sasuke’s elbow loosely as he rushed down the hall.

“Would you let go of me, dobe?” Sasuke called as the impossibly soft fingers tightened on his elbow. “I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own.”

“Fine whatever,” Naruto exclaimed slipping his fingers off and continuing to hurrying down the hall.

The bell rang as they entered the hall heading to the classroom.

"Great,"Naruto exclaimed,” Now, we're late."

He pushed the door open quickly, and rushed inside.

"So glad you could join us, Naruto. I hope that I don't need to remind you that I expect my students on time." The voice that spoke was harsh, cold, and eerie.

"I was helping the new student, sensei."

"That isn't any excuse, Naruto, get to your seat."

Naruto shuffled silently and sat in the front row.

"You must be Sasuke." there was a jeer in his voice as he said it, and Sasuke couldn't help the glare that forced its way onto his features, “I suppose you can sit by your accomplice."

Sasuke inwardly sighed and made his way over to the dobe whose angry clattering as he removed his books and pencils from his bag made him easier to find.

"Can you give me back my stuff now, dobe?"

"Uh yeah, sorry bout that,” he said nervously as he remembered he still had his bag. He pushed it into Sasuke's hands hurriedly.

"Take out your pencils,” he said calmly,” Now where did we leave off."

"You were about to tell us about fifteenth century China."

"Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking Sakura. The Ming Dynasty of China was founded by Emperor Hongwu. He was trying to create an urban center in China that would be free from outside global trade."

Sasuke tried to pay attention and type as he talked, but again Naruto's raspy breathing was annoying him. He again heard a clanging sound, and two puffs of air. Then, he had to contend with the dobe's furious scribbling. He felt relieved when the last bell sounded, that is, until he realized that he had detention with the annoying dobe.

"Ah Naruto, it's good to see that you haven't disappointed me,” said a voice Sasuke recognized at the one he'd heard in the morning.

"It wasn't my fault Kakashi."Naruto said,” I didn't even do anything and he..."

"Blah blah blah, I don't want to hear it Naruto, the fact is, this is your first day back and you’re already in detention. That means that you have to make dinner tonight, and I don't mean Ramen."

Naruto groused silently to himself, “Isn’t there some kind of rule that says your guardian can't teach you Kakashi."

"Nice try, Naruto, but that doesn't apply here. You must be Sasuke." he blurted as he finally noticed the dark haired boy,” I’m Kakashi, I'm sorry if my ward caused you any trouble."

Sasuke didn't respond as Kakashi led him to a desk. "If you don't mind my asking, how long have you been blind Sasuke?"

"I've had Retina Pigmentosa since I was three." Sasuke drolled in a bored voice.

"Retina Pigmentosa?”

“It’s a rare condition where my eyesight suddenly drops. In certain lights and at night I can’t see anything, and some days I can see as if there is nothing wrong with my eyes.”

“Really, that’s interesting.” Sasuke face became blank and annoyed. Kakashi decided not to ask any more about his eyes. “You moved here from Tokyo, right?"

"Yes,"Sasuke intoned in a clipped voice that seemed to say he was done talking.

"Naruto, don't you have some homework to do?"

Naruto began grumbling again but took out his papers.

Sasuke slid out his laptop and began typing a few sentences for his vignette. All of which, he hated. Half an hour passed largely in silence.

“This is all your fault, teme. If you weren’t such an ass I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“I think you should blame this so called mess on your idiocy, dobe.”

“My name isn’t dobe, you ass. It’s Naruto, Nar-u-to, got it.”

“I don’t care what your name is dobe, just shut up and leave me alone. Your stupidity might be contagious.”

“You’re such a…”

“Naruto, stop slacking off,” Kakashi said with exasperation, “You have a lot of homework to do.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have so much homework if you would let me go to school.”

“Naruto, we’ve been over this. You were too sick to go; besides you wouldn’t be able to pay attention in class anyway. It was better to have you well.”

“Whatever, you just don’t want to admit you were wrong.”

“That’s because I wasn’t wrong. Since your fine today, you can get your homework done. See, detentions do come in handy.”

Sasuke was again assaulted by a session of Naruto’s furious scribbling. An hour rolled around with the two boys not even acknowledging the others presence.

“See that wasn’t so bad. You got most of your homework done, and now you can make me dinner.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Kakashi.”

Naruto destructively shoved all of his things into his book bag, and slung it over his shoulder as he stood.

“Can we go now?”

“Yep,”Kakashi exclaimed cheerily.

Sasuke carefully rearranged all his things into his bag, and stood to leave. Kakashi led him to the door and down the hall to the main entrance of the building. He noticed the blurred shape of his brother, standing next to his convertible.

“I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.” Kakashi said walking over to Itachi, “I’m Kakashi from the math department.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Itachi, Sasuke’s older brother, and you shouldn’t trouble yourself it was no inconvenience.”

He shook Kakashi’s hand briefly then his eyes turned to the lean blond haired youth at his side. His eyes ran over the golden haired youth. Naruto could see the beginnings of dawning comprehension. He stared at the black haired older male warily. He scoffed, turning his face away, and walking passed said male without a second glance.

“Naruto,” Kakashi said catching his arm in a firm grip, “You’re being rude.”

He dragged Naruto in front of Itachi.

“I apologize for my ward dragging your brother into this mess.”

“It’s really no big deal, Kakashi-sensei. In fact, it’s nice to know that Sasuke’s made a friend.”

“We are not friends.” Naruto groused.

“That’s a pity.” Itachi said smirking slightly at Naruto, “We’ve just moved here. Sasuke could use some friends.”

“Stop spewing nonsense, Itachi. Don’t you think if I wished for friends, I would associate in better company?”

“What is that suppose to mean, asshole?”

“Naruto, what did I tell you about using that sort of language?”

“But he…”

“It doesn’t matter what he said. He’s not your guardian, I am.”

“Whatever, can we go now?”

Kakashi stared at Naruto disapprovingly.

“If there is anything you need help with just let me know.”

“Flirting already, Kakashi, wait till I tell Iruka.”

“That’s very kind of you; in fact, my father Masami Uchiha was really hoping to meet new and interesting people here.”

“Really, what does your father do, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“My father recently became chief medical advisor at Shinsei General.”

Naruto regarded Kakashi sourly.

“Maybe we should go and see him tomorrow, Naruto.”

“No,” Naruto said turning away from Itachi, “I don’t want to miss school.”

“Naruto stop being such a baby.”

“I don’t want to visit the hospital,” he said sternly as he stomped off in the direction of the car.

Kakashi began to call after him, but his words died in his mouth. Naruto stood stock still on the middle of the steps; his hand had slid to his forehead. Kakashi watched in horror as he swayed and would have fallen if Itachi had not been there to steady him.

“Naruto,” Kakashi said, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” he said pulling out of Itachi’s grasp, “I’m just tired. Can we go home now?”

“Yeah,” Kakashi said sliding an arm around Naruto’s shoulders, “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“You were too busy flirting with Itachi.” he said as they made their way to the car.

“I wasn’t flirting.” Kakashi said, “So, there’s no reason to tell Iruka about this.”

“Oh, I think he’d be very interested to know what you do the two minutes his back is turned.”

“Naruto, I wasn’t flirting, so you won’t tell Iruka anything.”

“I’ll tell you what, if you make dinner, I won’t say anything.”

Kakashi sighed as he helped Naruto into the car.

“You’re a brat, you know that, right?”

Naruto smirked smugly as Kakashi rounded the car to get into the drivers seat.

“Well, they’re an odd pair.”

“hn,”Sasuke muttered succinctly.

“You know, Naruto’s the reason dad moved out here.”

“What do you mean?” Sasuke asked as he slipped into the car.

“Dad heard about Naruto’s case and wanted to see if he could treat him.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s had an unknown illness ever since he was five. It’s degenerative and recently all medicines have stopped working.”

“He seemed pretty lively to me.”

“Yeah well, dad thought his case was interesting, and he’s anxious to meet Naruto. Judging by what just happened, I don’t think he’ll have much time to wait.”

“What do you mean?”

“He almost collapsed and Kakashi seems overprotective, so he’ll probably take him to the hospital.”

“Hn,” Sasuke muttered again as he rubbed his eyelids.

“That reminds me,” he said, “Dad told me to remind you that your checkup is tomorrow afternoon.”

Sasuke nodded glumly.

Ok, thats chapter one, please feel free to tell me what you think needs to be worked on, but no flames.