My Obejective, My Love

Title: My Objective, My Love
Rating: R for now, NC-17 in other chapters
Warnings: Spoilers! Not much, but some. Since the setting is far past where the translated Naruto is. If you don’t follow it online, then you may suffer some spoilage. *cough*
Summary: Sasuke’s revenge is within his reach. The one task that Itachi put to him, before they could fight, is the last thing in his way. To him, an easy task. Would he falter after seeing Naruto?
Pairing: SasuNaru
Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto, but I think Itachi’s sanity is under my bed.
AN: ....I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This is pretty much AU, or TWT (timeline, what timeline), set right before Naruto left to the hidden sand village. Gaara hasn’t been taken (yet) and the Akatsuki are still whole. This just struck me, and I suddenly had most of it mapped out in my mind. Since I hate letting ideas die away, I’m writing it out. (If you follow The Jutsu of Surrender, I’m not giving up on that. Another chapter IS on the way. ^^; I’ve just been ill, and I have slight reservations on how it’s going. Sorry.)


Tossed to the ground again, Sasuke’s fingers curled, scratching grooves into the loose soil. They weren’t even trying. They were playing with him. It made his blood boil with rage; who the hell were they to interfere with his fight with Itachi? Part of the Akatsuki probably, he vaguely remembered hearing about it in the past. One on one he could take care of them all, in a group they were more than a little trouble. As he pulled himself up once more, his teeth ground. Were they Itachi’s friends? Is that why they protected him? It felt unfair. His brother took everything from him, family then friends in his pursuit of revenge. He lost all, Itachi gained more...

Finally he stood, stumbling a little. Their attacks, while mild, almost gentle, were starting to take their toll on him. After all the time he spent with Orochimaru getting stronger, his final objective was right there in front of him and he couldn’t even get close enough to land a blow. Itachi’s emotionless face stared back at him, eyes as equally the shade of blood as Sasuke’s were.

“You bastard... Can’t you face me on your own?!” He growled out, frustration finally bubbling over.

Itachi stepped forward, arms hanging relaxed at his sides. Sasuke couldn’t touch him, and he knew it. “I obviously don’t want to fight you like this.” The others kept near, ready to intercept any attack Sasuke would throw at him.

“Then why are they here?”

“If you’re ready to stop your foolish attacks and listen, brat, then you’ll find out.” He stopped just short of Sasuke’s reach. The younger Uchiha had grown fast, very impressive compared to the last fight they had. Before Itachi would have gotten closer, mocking him with the knowledge that any attack Sasuke would try could be turned aside easily.

The slight sign of respect mullified the rage that had been burning since the others had started attacking. “Fine, I’ll listen.” He crossed his arms over his chest, staring at his older brother defiantly despite the bloody lip and other bruises and cuts he had sustained.

“You’ll have your chance to fight me, if you bring me what I want.”

“And what’s that?”

“The kyuubi vessel.”

Sasuke tensed, “he’s dead. I killed him years ago,” his lip curled into a sneer, “nii-san.”

Itachi twitched at that, eyes narrowing. “Then why has he been training with Jiraiya for the past two years?” He let that information sink in, doubt flickering in Sasuke’s eyes.

“You lie. I have the mangekyou. How is that possible with out his death?” Kill the closest person to him... He had done what was required of him, why would Itachi lie about something like that? To be hurtful, to test if he was ready for the final fight?

“I have no reason to lie to you, and our objective remains the same. Bring me the kyuubi vessel, and you’ll have your fight with no distractions.” After a moment of silence he spoke again, “he returned to the village not long ago.” Now Sasuke knew everything that he needed to know to carry out his task.

Sasuke wanted to ask why he needed Naruto, but it didn’t matter anymore. Any feelings of regret he had as a child were erased by Orochimaru. If that was what it took to finally achieve what he wanted... “I’ll do it.”

“Good, otouto...” Itachi reached out, touching the top of his head. Sasuke had grown taller since he last saw him. It was meant to be a brief contact, and he jumped back as Sasuke grabbed a kunai and slashed out at him. “Hn. Return here when you’re done. You’ll rest, then we’ll fight the next day.” The attack had been close, too close for his own comfort. If Sasuke fought him, there was a good chance he might die this time. Even knowing that, he didn’t care. At least Sasuke was strong enough to take care of himself now.

Sasuke spat out the blood that had been pooling in his mouth from his lip, then re-sheathed the kunai. “Fine.” He eyed his brother coldly then turned to leave.

“Sasuke,” Itachi waited until Sasuke glanced back over his shoulder to continue. “Don’t spend too much time there, or I’ll know you let your emotions get the better of you and we’ll leave this place.”

“What emotions, nii-san?” Sasuke snorted, “they died a long time ago. You’ll have your prize, then I’ll have mine.” With that said he took to the trees, hurrying to the hidden leaf village. It would be tricky, they might not welcome him with open arms. Sasuke smirked to himself. They were forgiving fools, now that he thought of it. Getting close to Naruto might not be that hard after all.


OooooooooooO


Naruto grinned at Sakura, laughing with her at the final success they had achieved together. Tricking Kakashi isn’t easy, but they did it, and it was his plan too. That was the icing on the cake. Something he came up with had been a good plan. Now he wanted nothing more than to find the rest of their friends and brag like there was no tomorrow. Maybe do a little dance.

Besides that, he wanted to see everyone again. Sakura had obviously grown stronger, almost scarily so. She was more like Tsunade than anyone should be. Though thinking back on that, Sakura had been similar to the Hokage since the first time she smacked him. The others probably improved as well, and he couldn’t wait to show off. Maybe spar with Neji for a bit.

“I want to hit up the old ramen shop for lunch. I wonder if he remembers me from way back when...”

Sakura shook her head. “You’ve changed, but not that much.” She smiled widely at him, “but that’s the Naruto I remember, always looking for a bowl of ramen. How long has it been since you had one?”

“Forever.” Two days at least. Horrible long journey with sporadic stops at places that surely had women for Jiraiya, but no ramen for himself. Selfish bastard.

“Then it’s my treat.”

Naruto laughed, “even better.” It was nice being around her again. He was about to open his mouth to comment further but felt a prickly sensation on the back of his neck. Pretending not to notice his eyes casually searched the area. Someone was watching him. Sakura had noticed it too, her body was slightly tensed. A dark blur left a tree then hopped into a nearby one, then dropped to the ground, melting into the shadows under the branches, leaning against the trunk. Naruto was ready for anything, hand close to the pack of weapons at his rear.

“Hn. Still angry about that last fight, dobe?” The figured lifted his head, red eyes meeting blue ones. They almost glowed in the darkness, black fitted clothes accenting the bit of color even more. He was paler than he used to be, but since he’d always been a pasty bastard, it didn’t change much of his appearance.

Sakura took an uncertain step toward Sasuke, eyes watering. “Is that... really you?”

Keeping his distance, Naruto watched Sasuke’s warily. Still angry? Not really. Though it was an eye opening experience. It really did seem that Sasuke would do anything to gain enough power to kill his brother.

Sasuke pushed away from the tree trunk and stepped into the sunlight. “Yeah, it’s me.” He gave her a small smile before Sakura launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Sasuke stiffened then raised a hand to pat her back awkwardly. The girl balled against his chest, frame shaking with each sob. He didn’t really care about her, but he had to keep up appearances. The majority of his attention was on Naruto, who hadn’t relaxed yet. So involved with watching Naruto, he didn’t see Sakura move as she quickly stepped back then punched his shoulder. Sasuke blinked in genuine surprise, some what shocked that she would do such a thing.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Her voice was still choked with emotion, but her eyes were clear and glaring at him. “To show up like nothing has happened.”

Naruto smirked a little at her actions, finally relaxing. If Sasuke had schemes to carry out, he would find them out later. Right now, he wanted to spend time with the best friend he lost.

“I killed Itachi.” He figured that was the best way to explain his reappearance. That’s all he worked toward, then when it was done it would make sense to most people that he would return home. To Sasuke, he had no home, nothing to return to. They didn’t need to know that though.

“What?!” Sakura and Naruto’s jaw dropped at the same time. For Sakura, it was all she needed as proof that Sasuke was here to stay. Naruto was still wary, even if it was slowly fading away.

Sasuke shrugged as if it were nothing. “I killed him. So I came home.”

“The Hokage needs to know right away.” Sakura grabbed Sasuke’s hand and pulled him along the path. “Come on, I bet she and Kakashi will be happy to see you too.” Naruto lingered behind, brows lightly drawn together. Unwanted thoughts made their way through his head. Doubting a friend wasn’t something he would do... but was Sasuke even a friend anymore? For most of the first year with Jiraiya, he had thought of their last fight, and how he had failed his friend. If he had been stronger, faster... had studied more at length the jutsus that Sasuke seemed to have been born knowing. Sasuke had in the end, proven he was a better ninja, just as Naruto proved he was a better friend. Was it really that simple? Life never seemed to be so cut and dry. There had to be more of a reason behind Sasuke returning.


OooooooooooO


Ignoring the protests of Shizune, Sakura pulled Sasuke through the Hokage’s office doors. The blonde sitting behind the desk looked up from the requests she had been looking over, eyes widening slightly at the sight of Sasuke. Naruto followed shortly after, waving a little to the Hokage.

After a moment of stunned silence, Tsunade gestured for Shizune to shut the doors, eyes hardening a little. “What is it that you returned here for, boy? Did Orochimaru send you?”

“I came on my own.”

Sakura frowned, eyes shifting between her teacher and her friend. “He said that he had killed Itachi... That makes sense, right? Besides, Itachi is a wanted man, it’s not like Sasuke committed any crimes.” She bit her lip, glancing back at Naruto. “Well...”

Tsunade bit her lip, fingers drumming along the table. “I hope you’ll understand if I’m a bit hesitant to trust you.”

“Not at all. Why not post a guard?” Sasuke smirked at Naruto, “like the dobe. He should have gotten better since I was away, might be a match for me now. He can stay with me, and make sure I’m not doing anything suspicions.”

Tsunade seemed to ponder this, then nodded her assent. “Naruto, go prepare for that... Sakura...”

“Yeah yeah... If you want to talk to him alone just say so.” Sakura pouted a little then dragged a still surprised Naruto out of the room. “Come on, it’ll be okay now.”

Sasuke waited for them to leave before leveling a cool gaze at the Hokage. She returned it without flinching, trying to divine from his eyes if he could be trusted. “Why now?”

“Like Sakura said, I killed Itachi. There’s no more reason for me to train with Orochimaru. I just want to be where my family was, now that I know I can face their deaths with a clean conscience.” Or will soon, at least. That much wasn’t a lie.

“As you say... You’ll be considered as the same level ninja that Sakura and Naruto are.”

“Team seven sticks together? Fine, I’ll accept that.”

“Good, then you’re dismissed.” Tsunade nodded after Sasuke bowed, not lowering her eyes from his.

Sasuke turned and walked out, shutting the doors behind him. He stuck near the door to listen, making sure his story was accepted. Shizuna’s voice sounded worried, but he couldn’t distinguish actual words from behind the thick wooden doors. Sighing, he cupped his hand to his ear, using one of the jutsu he learned from the sound village. The conversation suddenly cleared as if he were in the same room.

“...of the blue like that?”

“We can’t assume the worst yet, Shizune. Though I won’t relax my guard just yet. He’s probably feeling lost; after achieving such a task, the main goal of his life he might feel at a loss of what to do next. Since this is the one safe and familiar place he knows...”

Sasuke barely smothered a growl. After killing Itachi he wouldn’t feel lost. He would feel free, and happy. Or something near happy. Pushing away from the wall he shoved his hands into his pockets, glaring at his general surroundings. At least they weren’t that suspicious. It made his job a lot easier.

Silently seething at their presumptions, he left the building. Sasuke paused at the entrance, harsh sunlight momentarily blinding him. As his eyes adjusted, he looked around the seemingly same town he had grown up in. Nothing major had changed... odd, he thought it would have. It was possibly the last look he’d have here; after taking Naruto away, and giving him to the Akatsuki, he doubted they would be so forgiving.

“Sasuke!” Sakura ran up to his side, bright smile pasted on her lips. “Do you want to celebrate your return? I can get everyone together pretty quickly.” She had changed, not quite as clingy, and more self assured. He assumed it was a good change, but it didn’t matter much to him.

“Not today. I’m tired.” He noticed the smile dim a little, and he hastily added on “tomorrow?” Not that he wanted to please her, but sitting through a lunch so he would seem more normal to the Hokage was bearable.

“Tomorrow it is.” She wrinkled her nose, “your apartment was sold... If you want you could stay with me.” Sakura blushed but didn’t drop her eyes. “Well in my parent’s living room.”

“I have a place to stay.”

“Where at?” Tilting her head curiously, she let her eyes wander over him. “Naruto hasn’t been back but a few hours, I’m sure his old place is dusty. And full of clutter.”

“The old Uchiha estate isn’t being used, right?”

“Well no... but.. Isn’t there a more pleasant place you’d want to stay?”

Sasuke sighed, swallowing his annoyance. A plan was forming, and he needed the seclusion and amenities at his former home for it to work. “I’m not a baby, I can stay in that house without problems.” Besides, he didn’t have to set foot in that room anyway.

“I didn’t think you were, Sasuke...” Sakura sighed, stepping away. “I’ll go tell everyone you’re back, and we’re having dinner tomorrow. Wait for Naruto here, ne? He should be back soon.”

A small smile made it’s way to his lips. “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” It did the trick; Sakura’s blush deepened, and she looked away shyly. These so-called friends of his were easily manipulated.

“Right... Oh look, there’s Naruto. I should be going.” With that she walked away, a little more spring in her step. Off to tell the world he was here, of course. He didn’t miss his fan club, but given her competitiveness she probably wouldn’t invite too many other females. Probably that blonde... Ino, he thought her name was.

Naruto gave her a small smile then threw his bag over his back, stopping a little in front of Sasuke. “So where are we going?”

“Home.” Sasuke smirked to himself. Home to carry out his plan...