Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Fated Meeting ❯ Reflection ( Chapter 3 )

A Fated Meeting: Chapter 3: Reflection

 

Every day it was the same. Sasuke and Naruto would wake up at 6 am, go train in the woods, eat lunch at Ichiraku's, go to the academy, train some more, go home for dinner, and then train until midnight.

 

Naruto became more cheerful each day, while Sasuke became more silent. They were polar opposites, yet they understood each other the best. Sasuke's care-taker, Hoshi Yume, was the only adult who was kind to Naruto, because he was like a brother to Sasuke. He was very protective over Naruto, like a big brother was over a little brother.

 

One morning in June, they were training. The weird thing was; Sasuke seemed out of it.

 

“Yo, Sasuke. What's up with you?” Naruto threw a kunai at Sasuke, which Sasuke dodged with ease.

 

“Hn” was Sasuke's usual reply.

 

Naruto shrugged and dodged Sasuke's punch. “Anyways, did you see that new girl?? The pink-haired one…uhh…Sakura, I think!”

 

Sasuke blocked a kick from Naruto and he blushed slightly. “Aah” Sasuke answered, jumping back. Both boys were panting slightly.

 

“You're blushing!! Ooooh! Sasuke and Sakura, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g! First comes lo-“ Naruto was cut of by Sasuke's fist.

 

“Shut up, Usuratonkachi.” Sasuke growled.

 

“Bastard!!” Naruto then grinned. “Hehehe…Sasuke's in luuuuv!” Naruto said in a sing-song voice.

 

Sasuke scowled and turned around. “Che. It's almost midnight.” And he disappeared.

 

*****

 

Naruto walked home, a thoughtful expression on his face. For some reason, he couldn't get today's events off his mind. They were of some special importance that he couldn't quite get.

 

`What was with Sasuke-teme today?', he wondered.

 

`Today he had seemed so off, so preoccupied. He fights the same, but…'

 

He dismissed it as the aftermath of falling in love. Sakura-chan! She was the girl who had appeared out of thin air. He knew she existed, but…never appeared so beautiful until now. He blushed. Even he thought she was beautiful. But for some reason, he was jealous of Sasuke, if even the slighted bit. He would have more of a chance to gain the love of the `forehead girl'. Naruto pondered on her nickname.

 

`Why was she called `forehead girl?' Her forehead was as big as everyone else's. Maybe her forehead was more noticeable, prettier, or more ladylike. It was one of those things; I'm just not sure which ones.'

 

As his mind wandered all over the place, pondering on the people, places, and even behaviors present in Kohona, he realized that he wasn't all the way normal. He wasn't that smart nor was he stupid, but he had a knack for figuring people out. Was he a people person? He wasn't sure. He could figure out others, but never himself. Something was separating him from the others, he just knew it.

 

He didn't know what force was stopping him from showing off his knowledge in class where it counted most, but it wasn't good. He could show his strength to Sasuke, or others close to him, but he felt a great shyness for anyone else. He just wanted people to accept him, to notice him. His mind forced him to act a fool in class simply for his own good. He would break down if he didn't. He was just too lonely to stand the pressure. But now he had Sasuke, his best friend, now and forever, he hoped. But he was used to scavenging for attention. He just couldn't stop.

 

Sasuke was now there for him, but he was changing. He wouldn't always be there. Sasuke would grow up, become interested in girls, and get married. Of course, he would fall in love too, but it wouldn't be the same. He was ugly, pure and simple. No one likes the dobe. Sasuke was popular. He could marry anyone he chooses. And if someone would happen to fall in love with little `ol Naruto, her parents wouldn't let her. He was destined to be alone.

 

Naruto wiped a stray tear from his eye. Even his nightmares told him that. He would just have to stay strong, and they would one day leave him. He was still human, still capable of caring for others, even though only a few others cared for him. He would have to cherish these memories and take a lot of pictures. He would need them, to reflect upon, to remember, and to keep happy every day of his life.

 

****

 

Sasuke hurried to school the next morning. He slept so late! He was so enveloped in his rest, so he just could get out of bed. It just felt so warm, so comforting, so…it freed him of every depressing thought and every bad moment. He sighed. He just felt so alert this morning.

 

When he got there, it was already lunchtime.

 

`Oh well, not like it's going to affect my grade. I already have a 300% in the class,' he mused.

`Time to look for Naruto!'

 

Yesterday he had woken up early. Today he felt much better. He felt all the pieces come back together. That silly crush on Sakura has gone away instantly, and he waved farewell to the feeling gleefully. Now he could focus. Even though Naruto teased him for it yesterday, he looked kind of sad. It was probably because he was so occupied with his thoughts. Now he could cheer him up.

 

He could have been on time, but he had spent time to ask Yume-san to make Naruto a lunch. He never seemed to have any, so he decided to be thoughtful this time. Maybe he won't eat as much Raman today. Didn't he know that it wasn't good for him? He noticed Naruto right away, because he always sat under one of the Kassu and Matsu trees.

 

“Naruto!! Hey, look what I brought for you!” He called ecstatically.

 

Naruto stared skeptically at him.

 

`What's with him today? Yesterday he was contemplating over something, now today he's all…normal?'

 

Sasuke ran over to where Naruto was and shoved the wrapped bento in his face.

 

“What is it?” Naruto asked, staring curiosly at the orange wrap covering the bento.

 

“It's taiyaki and onigiri. Eat it! Trust me, it's good.”

 

“Fine.”

 

Naruto snatched the bento away from him, took out the hashi, and started munching away. Sasuke smiled.

 

`I'm glad he likes it. Yume is the best cook.'

A/N: Yes, I had to ask for help on this one because I had writer's block. If you've read “Life's Not Fair”, you know who I asked to write some of the beginning. Thank her dearly! And for personality changes, there are going to be some major ones for Naruto and Sasuke, though they're going in different directions. I still have to plan if Sasuke's going to run to Orichimaru or not later, but maybe not. If so, he's probably going to get brought back. The manga for Naruto is going nowhere right now! Well, summer is in one week, and I have to finish drawing the manga to sell before then. Then I'll post it online. I don't think I can make an original manga off of this story, well I could but only using the story from the first chapter. Now I have to get around to updating “Robotia”, my masterpiece…

 

 

Preview for next chapter: Naruto blushed. “Ano…Sakura-chan ga suki.” Sasuke started laughing. “And you teased me? Were you jealous?” “I-Iie!”

 

Kassu- oak

Matsu- pine

Bento- lunchbox

taiyaki: bread-cake in fish shape with beans inside…blah

onigiri: It might be onogiri but: rice balls. I had some today! YUMMY!!