Whether We Are Chapter 1, a naruto fanfic

Whether We Are

Rating: T

Genre: Angst/Tragedy

Anime: Naruto™

Pairing: SasuNaru

Dedicated to: Uh… Jacob and Alan.

Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi [BoyXBoy, Major Naruto-OOCness, OOCness altogether, Sakura-bashing, Major Angsting.

Summary: [SasuNaru What if Orochimaru had not been able to stop the fight between Sasuke and Gaara. What if, a secret is revealed at this fateful battle? A painful reality is surfaced, and all of Konoha is there to see it.

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto-san. A reason being why it is not mine. The song used in this chapter is 'The Bird and The Worm' by The Used (a great band, someone should applaud them, I can't. My hands are all… un-capable right now).

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Someone once told me there is a fine line between hatred and love. You can easily cross that line, without even trying. So is there a line between fascination and abhorrence too? I never understood anything I was told, I never bothered to understand everything. I only did everything this way, because it thought it might protect me from the cruelty of the world. I didn't expect to be standing here, staring out into the crowd, and seeing that loathsome sight of my rival battling a sand genin. To say the truth, I was scared. Not for myself, but for the raven haired boy down in the stadium. I was scared for him, because I was scared of him losing. Losing his life.

Sasuke Uchiha was knocked back, as a giant wave of sand sent him flying into the air. As the raven haired boy hit a wall, a large grunt was heard. It echoed through the large stadium, before literally hitting Naruto Uzumaki on the head. The boy couldn't bear to watch his friend get beaten so badly, yet he didn't have the courage to go in there and stop the red haired Jinchuuriki. He was scared, so scared that he couldn't move.

Somewhere near to Naruto, the great Copy Cat Kakashi Hatake was watching the battle. He and Sasuke had trained greatly, practicing every technique the two could muster. Every little detail Kakashi had taught every little detail he tried to pound into the Uchiha prodigies head, that every detail had gotten in pretty good. Yet here he was, losing to the unexpected defensive skills of Gaara. In truth, Gaara was kicking Sasuke's butt. What is worse, no one could interrupt.

Shikamaru was tactically analyzing the situation, despite his minds distant chorus of too troublesome. Sasuke was losing to Gaara, something that most hadn't thought of. Right now, with the amount of times Sasuke had been tossed against a wall, he might have a rib or two broken. To add to the dangers, he had done the Chidori more then once, meaning he must be dangerously low on chakra. At this point, Sasuke stood no chance in winning. If only some miracle were to occur, then he might have a slight chance.

A large sound in between a grunt and a scream was echoed through the stadium. Everything seemed to freeze, as the raven haired boy was in a seated position against a wall, his legs stretched. The large hole in the wall behind them signaled that a devastating move had been used on the boy.

Kakashi waited for Sasuke to move, to shout aggressively, or something of such. But no such reply came. No, it can't be. Is Sasuke, dead? Kakashi's thoughts were cut when he heard a quiver from one of the remaining members of Team 7. His head turned to Naruto, who was shaking. "Sa-Sasuke will be okay, right? Why hasn't he let out a breath yet? Kakashi sensei, you trained him really good, right? Right, you must have", Naruto said, consoling himself.

Kakashi didn't have the nerve to tell the blonde boy that his training hadn't been enough. Naruto was worried; it was obvious from the shivering and the shaking.

He wears his heart safety-pinned to his backpack

His backpack is all that he knows

Shot down by strangers whose glances can cripple

The heart and devour the soul

Gaara began his eerie walk towards Sasuke, his sand surrounding him in an eerie dance. A dance signaling the near end of Sasuke. Naruto suddenly felt his insides stir, as his mind ushered him, ushered him to jump in there and save his rival. His mind was shouting at him, screaming for him to move. Yet his body was frozen, fear controlling the boy on its own. There, down in that stadium, was his rival, the only person who supposedly stood up to him. He was standing here, letting some freak from another village defeat his rival.

"Stupid… my body just… moved on its own."

Naruto couldn't take it, how could he let Sasuke fight alone? He was his rival, he was supposed to help Sasuke if worse came to worse. And right now, worse had come to worse. Naruto had to get down there, no matter how dangerous things were. Using all of his energy, all of his thoughts, he grabbed the railing, before adding force to his hand and leaping over the railings. Taking a deep breath, he awaited the crash landing to the ground.

Kakashi stared, horror struck, as Naruto suddenly grabbed the railing and jumped over. It hadn't occurred to him that Naruto was stupid enough to get involved. What if the boy was hurt in this kind of random brawl? What are you thinking? You'll get hurt, and none of us will be able to help you!

To the shock of the entire population of Konoha, the blonde boy landing on all fours, his arms used as legs rather then as a normal human stance. At this moment, Gaara heard an eerie thump, and looked to one side, to see Naruto. "Uzumaki… don't get in my way, I will kill him", he said, coldness eminent in his voice. Naruto stood up, normally, fear still in his blue eyes. "I-I… I-I d-don't", he began, at loss for words.

The two stared at each other, before Naruto caught the ever so slight twitch of Sasuke's hand. H-he's okay now! I can go back and be safe! At that moment, he felt something in his head click. Are you a coward? Naruto recognized the deep, evil voice, and stood there, having a mental conversation with the fox in his mind. Will you put both my name and yours in disgrace? I, the great Kyuubi, the Nine Tailed Demon Fox, have a place to keep in this world. My name alone can strike fear into the heart of millions, don't put me to disgrace! You will fight, and you will do it using my finesse!

Tough chance, fox! I'll handle this using my own ninja skills!

In a simple move, Naruto found suddenly standing in a fighting stance, his fighting stance. "I-I won't let you kill Sasuke… I never would, he's my rival", Naruto said, before running towards Gaara.

All alone he turns to stone

While holding his breath half to death

Terrified of what's inside, to save his life

He crawls like a worm from a bird

(All alone) crawls like a worm from a bird

With much energy, he leapt into the air, before bringing down his left leg with force. Had this been someone else, they would be knocked out or extremely dizzy. But this was Gaara, the Shukaku container. Gaara's Sand Wall stopped this small attack, throwing Naruto back.

It was at this time that Naruto dazzled all of Konoha. Before hitting a wall, exactly as Sasuke had done, Naruto made it so that his legs hit the wall and bounced off. Without warning, the blonde boy preformed a group of seals, before performing the one Forbidden Jutsu he was best known for; the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

With such, he rushed at Gaara again, this time far more confident in himself.

Sasuke's eyes briefly flickered open, only to see Naruto flying towards Sasuke with a few bushin following. Naru-Naruto? Why is he here, haven't I been killed by Gaara yet? He then noticed Gaara too was facing Naruto, the two suddenly clashing. With a large burst of Sand, Naruto's Kage bushin bursted entirely. Naruto landed on his feet, taking deep breaths from such loss of Chakra.

He came to help me, when even I knew how dangerous Gaara is. Why did he do it? His life could be in danger, yet he jumps into battle with little techniques. What could get the blonde idiot to save me? He attempted to move, but he'd lost too much chakra and was weak. Naruto had to handle it alone? Naruto couldn't possibly do this alone! Where were both Kakashi and the other Jounin? They should be here stopping Gaara!

Out of the mind the way pushes him whispering

Must have been out of his mind

Mid-day delusions are pushing this out of his head

Maybe out of his mind

Out of his mind

Naruto felt his muscles tighten, as he clashed over and over with Gaara's sand. He was doing his best; he was trying to stop Gaara. But he knew he couldn't. Gaara had been so independent, Naruto depended on his team. If one of the Jounin didn't do something soon, Naruto might just collapse. What did I tell you, kid? You're too weak to do this on your own. Look how Tanuki container uses his powers without regret. You will use my strength now, your friends life depends on it. You do know that, don't you?

All alone he turns to stone

While holding his breath half to death

Terrified of what's inside to

Save his life, he crawls like a worm (crawls like a worm)

(All alone) crawls like a worm from a bird

(All alone) crawls like a worm

Crawls like a worm from a bird

Kakashi suddenly couldn't believe what he was seeing. Naruto suddenly stood straight, and in seconds, an explosion of red surrounded the boy. It was hard to believe, it was just impossible. Naruto can't be… how can the boy utilize the Kyuubi's chakra? Does this mean he's spoken with it…?

Sasuke closed his eyes, as an explosion of Chakra hit the entire stadium. Wh-what happened in there? Something is wrong with Naruto! Naruto emerged from the explosion, a shadowy red following his every step. His eyes the color of blood, and his fingernails replaced with claws. He was bent over, both hands forward as if he was an animal.

Sasuke suddenly didn't see this thing as Naruto. This just couldn't be Naruto… could it?

Gaara grimaced as all the chakra hit him, full force. He stopped most of it, but bits still cut through his Chakra shield. There, in the wake of this mess, was a whole new Naruto. He is… he is no longer the same. With one thought, the Tanuki container sent a large wave of sand at the blonde haired boy.

In an instance, the once nervous blonde boy fisted his hands, and another wave of that same red chakra exploded, sending the sand flying back. Gaara quickly stopped the sand from hitting himself, but was mesmerized by the boy.

"You're nothing! I have a real monster inside of me!"

Gaara stared once more, as the blonde began a rush to Gaara, a dangerous smirk on the boys face.

All he knows

If he can't relieve it, it grows

And so it goes

He crawls like a worm

Crawls like a worm from a bird

Naruto's speed grew, as instantly, he began to gain more and more chakra. Gaara watched, as in an instant, the blonde seemed to rush to him, and his hand reached forward. Gaara tried using his sand wall, but another burst of chakra seemed to stop it. That moment, he was stabbed with a sharp claw.

Gaara felt everything in him rage, as his sand exploded, sending the blonde flying back and hitting a wall. In an instance, Gaara turned to find the Uchiha being scooped up into the arms of his sensei, and he looked back to Naruto, only to find the boy as soft and innocent as he had been at the starting of the battle.

"Ahem… this battle will be rescheduled. Since none of the two opponents can battle, they will both move onto the next battle. It shall be Gaara and Naruto Uzumaki!"

All alone he turns to stone

While holding his breath half to death

Terrified of what's inside to

Save his life, he crawls like as worm from a bird

All alone he's holding his breath half to death

(Holding his breath half to death)

Terrified to

Save his life

He crawls like a worm (crawls like a worm)

(All alone) crawls like a worm from a bird

Crawls like a worm from a bird!