Vision of Truth II: Shield and Sharingan (Naruto)

Rising Storm

A/N: Welcome back! This is the second installment in my Vision of Truth series following the Naruto anime. This story will pick up where the last one left off and include everything up until Shippuden. There will be a two year time skip (about six months before the start of Shippuden) about a fourth of the way through, and that is where things will get really exciting. I hope you look forward to it.

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"It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white
Have turned to grey
And thoughts invade
Choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day"

- "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns

Chapter 1: Rising Storm

My arm blocked the oncoming fist. I twisted around, punching. I jumped back to get away from my foe, my arms still raised, my body tense and ready. My heart hammered in my chest from the exercise. This reminded me of the countless hours I spent training with my father. This time, however, I fought to improve myself so I could protect others, not because I was forced to fight. This was my choice.

"Enough," Sasuke said, lowering his own arms to his sides. "You said one of your ninja cats wants to improve her fire jutsu? Let's take a look."

I nodded. "Summoning jutsu!"

Sasuke and I had been training together at the end of the day for the nearly two weeks since he had been let out of the hospital. It was back in his hospital room where he first proposed the idea. I had been wondering why he wanted to talk to me when Sakura came to fetch me.

I had entered the room slowly, taking in the scene. Sasuke sat on the bed with his head resting against the wall. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but somehow I sensed he welcomed my presence. "Hi," I said. "How are you feeling?"

"Terrible," he replied.

"Well, I suppose that's to be expected." A moment of silence passed. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"

"No." Sasuke paused. "Yes." His eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly. "Come closer." Perplexed, I moved until I stood next to the bed. He looked me over, and I swore I saw relief in his eyes. "You're not hurt?"

"No, that battle wore me out more than anything." I stopped myself, remember he had been out of it since Itachi attacked him. "But you don't know anything about that yet, do you? Sakura couldn't have told you; even she doesn't know yet."

"You can tell me about that later. That's not what I'm talking about. Itachi didn't do anything to you?"

My eyes widened in understanding. Of course, that was the last thing he remembered, so that was what he was worried about. I had to think back to remember the encounter and formulate an articulate response. I hid a wince when the memories hit me. "Well... he didn't hurt me physically."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What did he do?"

I wrung my hands together and gave him a nervous smile. "He may have locked me in a genjutsu to show me the Uchiha massacre..."

"What? I told you not to look into his eyes!"

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "I know, but it was the only way to get him to show me his real eyes."

Sasuke stared at me in shock. "His real eyes? Why would you-" He groaned. "What is wrong with you?"

I frowned. "Hey, I was only doing it for your sake. I may be curious about him, but I'm not stupid."