Something Precious

Chapter Thirteen

Disclaimer: I took these memories from the anime so I do not own them.

"I'm really glad I got to know you." said the memory Naruto genuinely. Sasuke was silent for a time.

"Naruto, no matter what you say to me now, I won't change. I'm still going to kill each and every person in the Hidden Leaf, including you! I'll get revenge for the Uchiha clan." Sasuke responded harshly. Naruto's smile faded and was replaced by a pained look.

"But. . . is that really the only way Sasuke?" he insisted almost desperately. Despite his confessions and persuasions Sasuke showed no sign of changing his mind.

"Yes. Your only choices now are to kill me and be the hero who saves the entire village. . . or to be killed by me and be known as a loser." Sasuke's tone was almost calm which only seemed to add to his creepy vibe. Naruto however remained oblivious to the Uchiha's clear insanity, at least that was how it appeared.

"Sasuke, I just don't believe that. I'm not going to be a loser, but I won't be the hero who killed you either. Neither one's going to happen!" he insisted with resolve.

The pastel colours were replaced by huge waves as their jutsus canceled eachother out. The water raged far above their heads and it seemed amazing that were able to keep from falling in, even with their chakra. Kakashi finally broke the Naruto clone's hold and caught the boy as he was thrown back by the force of their chakras.

As Sasuke was thrown back, a strange white thing seemed to almost grow out of him. The creature took on a humanoid shape and caught the Uchiha. Both the Uchiha and Uzumaki were left out of breath from the exchange.

"You. . . when did you?" sputtered Sasuke to the white thing, he looked almost upset.

"Oh, I've been tagging along for quite awhile now. Tobi told me to observe you and to make sure you didn't see me. However it seems as if you are in a crisis and need my help." the thing said in a soft voice that was slightly irritating. The observers were left to wonder who exactly this Tobi was, they got the feeling that he would be important.

Kakashi set Naruto on his feet as he fixed him with a concerned - if not a little angry - look. "Naruto, I told you to go back to the village." he scolded.

"It's. . . all clear to me now." Naruto said with a distant tone, completely ignoring his sensei's words.

Kakashi's concern amplified at his statement. "It's all clear? What do you mean by that Naruto?" Naruto didn't get the chance to respond as everyone's attention was drawn to a space beside Sasuke.

The area seemed to swirl in on itself and the air around it was swirling as well. Out of the phenomena came a figure with a long cloak decorated with blood red clouds, and an orange mask that had lines spiraling to a single hole on the right side just were the eye would be. They could have been imaging it, but Sarutobi and Inoichi thought that they saw a red glint from behind the mask.

"What's going on Sasuke? I told you to go home and rest." the man said in a low voice. He noticed Naruto standing a few meters away and turned his attention. "The Nine-Tails huh? It seems that when you two see eachother you just can't resist the urge to fight. I'll arrange the proper time and place for you to fight and capture the Nine-Tails, but for now we retreat." he instructed.

The Hokage and the jounin wondered if maybe this was Tobi, they wanted to ask but they didn't want to interrupt. . . again.

"And I'll stay and fight for you. After all we still need to capture the Nine-Tail's jinchuuriki." offered the white creature and five more replicas of it rose from the water as he spoke.