The Fate's Finisher.

5

He'd been watching Naruto's training for the last three hours. Marveling at how determined he seemed. He was only in his orange pants the rest of his body bare. Sasuke noticed he was quite toned and had some color. His demon seal was clearly visible and Sasuke couldn't stop being Drawn to it. He watched as Naruto changed stances and attack styles, fighting with his clones or a tree. Lee had long since worn out and gone home to Sakura.

"He trains like this everyday." Gaara appeared suddenly, shocking Sasuke out of his trance cast by the Seal on Naruto's belly. "He is so determined to be great." Gaara sighed. "He has no natural talent to be a shinobi, but that doesn't seem to stop him. Everyday he trains longer and harder than the last. No one, not even Kakashi could keep up with his will. He is different than you or I Sasuke Uchiha, His determination and sheer force of will make him stronger than us eventually." Gaara stood beside sauske and continued to watch Naruto.

"Perhaps that has been my mistake." Sasuke said to no one in particular. "I have thought so much of my abilites that I have believed I could become stronger simply by trying to push to my limit. Naruto is trying to stretch his limit." Sasuke clenched his fist. "How could he surpass those with the natural ability?" This time Gaara answered.

"It was Necessary. For him to grow and become strong willed has made him able to control the demon within him. When we trained together in the first days I begain to realize in my case that the demon I am possesed by controled me for a long time. I was incapable of stopping it. I had no will, no care, no dream. I was nothing. Naruto has his dreams of being accepted. Becoming Hokage, all of those things make his will strong and he can will the Demon within him to help without losing control. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe he's reached his limit for today."

Without warning Gaara jumped from the balcony. He went over to Naruto who welcomed his help and slumped against his lover's shoulder and they walked into the appartment building. Sasuke walked iside, his mind was still on Naruto's body and his movements and how graceful and fluid they were. He was beautiful Sasuke thought to himself. His train of thought didn't continue long as he heard the source of those thoughts laughing and talking about his training.

` "It was good today wasn't it Gaara? Oh Man, I feel tired, but it's good to make your body tired." He chuckled. Gaara stayed quiet, but sat the boy down at the table where 3 bowls of ramen and a sweet cake were. Naruto drooled. "It's looks great Gaara thank you." The sand ninja nodded his thanks. Sasuke walked in and sat at the table across from Naruto and sniffed the air. "Ugh, you need a shower, you smell Naruto." Naruto grinned through a mouthful of noodles. Sasuke cracked a small smile and leaned back resting in his chair. Naruto mashed more noodles into his mouth and then had a glass of cold water.

Sasuke was searching for the best way to ask without sounding like a total loser. He grunted and mashed his hand through his hair. Though Naruto had been completely into his meal it didn't stop him from noticing that his best friend had something on his mind. "What is it Sasuke?" Naruto asked, swallowing his noodles. "I wondered if I could maybe train with you tomorrow?" Naruto was caught off gaurd. "Ummmmm...Sure Sasuke I guess it's alright." His face read of confusion. He didn't know why Sasuke wanted to train with him. Sasuke was so much better than him at everything. After a few thoughts on the Subject Naruto's singular mind returned him to his food.

"After you're done, it is shower and bed Naruto-kun." Gaara said softly and Naruto easily complied. It was strange to watch Naruto take orders from anyone, but he obviously thought much of Gaara and decided that he only had his best intrest at heart. When Gaara finished getting Naruto into the shower he returned to the Kitchen where he began to do the dishes.

"You've been here for four days now Sauske Uchiha, you must make your presence known to the other villagers. Sakura has been eager to speak to you. I suggest that you start there. You cannot hide here forever." Were it not for Gaara's last statement, he would have felt as if he were being kicked out. Gaara was right however, and he knew it. So he took the sand ninja's advice and decided to find Sakura.

The flower shop was the most obvious place to look. Sakura liked to spend most of her time there and Ino being her best friend, it was the place they spent their time chatting away on village gossip and boys or just enjoyed the other's company. He tried to make sure he wasn't seen going into the shop. The last thing he wanted was rumors going around about him and creating trouble for those he came into contact with.

He entered the shop and Ino was busy counting money and looking over a particular arrangement on the counter. "Look around and see what you like, I'll be just a minute." She said and didn't look up. Sasuke looked around and didn't see the pink haired ninja anywhere. "Sasuke?" He looked into the eyes of a dumbfounded Ino. "Hello, Ino." He returned as kindly as he remembered how. "Is Sakura here?" He asked, averting his eyes from her shocked gaze.

"Yeah." Ino managed to reply several seconds later. Still caught in the fact that he'd been gone and that she still hadn't put her crush on him aside. "Sakura!" She called loud. "You have a visitor." Sasuke waited. As the girl emerged from the twin doors that led to the back room. She turned and ran directly into Sasuke's gaze and froze. Her look went from shock to saddness. "I'd heard you were back from Lee-san." Her eyes squinted back tears of anguish. She'd obviously been thinking about this moment a long time. Sasuke scratched the back of his head nervously.

Eventually they walked back to Lee's house and sat in the back yard. "Why did you even come back?" She asked part confused, part hurt. Sasuke laughed hallowly. "Everyone asks me that." The smile that crept across his face wasn't a happy one. "Well?" She Pressed. "Because I chose a path that couldn't give me what I wanted." He replied dully "Which is?" "I don't know anymore." His features turned sad. "Everyone is different now Sasuke." "I know." "What do you want?" "To kill my brother." She turned angry. "You can't drag us down your path. I won't let you, for my sake and Naruto's." His head turned to her. Shock on his face.

"Why?" He said simply. She sighed and stared at her feet. "Because I care for him. Maybe like I once cared for you. Except no romance." He protected me from harm. Saved my life. He is precious to me." Sauske was completely shocked by this admission.

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Flashback
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"I let my gaurd down and was almost done for." The Monster laughed as his blade stuck in Naruto's back. "Too bad you missed your chance at a suprise attack, Naruto-Kun. All because of that hinderance." The beast laughed again. Sakura Stared wide eyed into the face of Naruto. "Hinderance?" "Naruto, I'm Sorry." Sakura cried. Tears streamed down her face. "That's not true at all!" Naruto snapped and flashed her a smile. Sweat beaded on his face. "An Injury like this is nothing."

Later...

"Sakura-Chan, it doesn't matter if you want to be useful to someone. There's no such thing as a life worth throwing away."

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End flashback
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As she finished her story to Sasuke, she could see the amazement in his eyes. "He still blames himself for what happened. I won't let anything hurt him so long as I can help it." She said coldly. "I understand." The boy replied.

A ninja watched over them both his features clearly in rage. "So the Uchiha boy has returned. I shall see to it he never leaves this village alive. No one does what he did and lives."

End chapter 5

A/N Let me know if you like so far, or if I am totally screwing over the fandom.