Sparring

"Sure, no problem. Once you're discharged and back in training, we can find somewhere to spar in a few days." As Naruto watched the dark-haired boy's expression, his smile slowly faded.

"No! We fight now! On the roof!" Sasuke roared, snatching up his kunai and shuriken pouch.

"This is a hospital, bastard, not a dojo. Once you've cooled down, I'll fight you in a few days. Sakura, I'm heading out. Make sure you ask the old lady about learning Medical Ninjutsu." With that, the blond boy turned to leave the ward.

He had barely reached the door when a kunai flew at him. Naruto quickly ducked, then turned to see that Sasuke had thrown it. He was already standing beside the bed, wearing his usual Uchiha Clan shinobi outfit.

"Fine, bastard! You want a fight? Then let's go to the roof!" Naruto shouted, thoroughly infuriated by Sasuke's attitude.

"Naruto, Sasuke-kun, please don't do this!" Sakura pleaded, but the two boys had already left the ward and were heading for the roof.

"Sorry, Sakura, but we need to settle this. Someone has to put him in his place, or his ego's going to shoot through the roof," Naruto said.

"Hmph." Sasuke gave his usual curt response.

Once they reached the roof, Sasuke walked to the far end, then turned, activated his Sharingan, and assumed the Uchiha Clan's traditional intercepting stance.

Naruto thought, What did Pervy Sage say about Uchiha Taijutsu again? Oh, right. They use their Sharingan to predict their opponent's movements and turn their attacks against them. The key is eye contact... Perfect. What I'm best known for is my fighting style-no, wait, my unpredictable fighting style.

With that thought, Naruto took his own fighting stance.

Sasuke charged straight at him with speed far beyond that of an ordinary Genin, aiming a kick at Naruto's ribs.

Naruto blocked it easily, then swept a leg at Sasuke's feet. Sasuke leaped over it and used the momentum to kick at the side of Naruto's face. Naruto ducked, then jumped back to put some distance between them.

Damn it, without looking into his eyes, I can't predict his movements at all. The Sharingan's hypnotic effect interferes with Toad Style Taijutsu too much. And if I use Strong Fist, Sasuke copied moves from Bushy Brows, and Kakashi-sensei taught him too. He knows that style too well. Naruto narrowly dodged another heavy punch, only to be sent flying by a kick, crashing into the sheets hanging behind him.

Using the sheets as cover, Naruto leaped up and brought an Axe Kick down toward the Uchiha boy, but it was only a feint. Seizing an opening, he flipped around in front of Sasuke and hammered three heavy punches into his chest, driving him back hard.

Not wanting to give Sasuke any chance to catch his breath, Naruto immediately pressed his advantage, kicking Sasuke sideways before launching him into the air with another kick.

Sasuke finally recovered from the shock of Naruto breaking through his defense, fury burning inside him. He twisted in midair just in time to see Naruto jump up, intending to kick him back to the ground. Sasuke reacted at once, adjusted his position, and slammed a spinning kick into Naruto's chin. As Naruto crashed heavily to the ground, Sasuke gave a triumphant, vicious grin.

But that grin quickly turned to anger, then shock-the Naruto he had struck vanished in a puff of smoke with a bang. A clone? When did he make a clone? Sasuke thought through gritted teeth, just as a devastating kick landed squarely on his back.

Sasuke coughed up a little blood and staggered to his feet. "When did you make that clone?" the dark-haired shinobi demanded.

"When you kicked me behind the sheets. I knew you could see through whatever ninjutsu I used, so I made a clone while you couldn't see me. Seriously, though, bastard, you're pretty good. I almost had to release my Gravity Seal and Restriction Seal." A faint smile appeared on Naruto's face.

"You dare mock me? I'm an Uchiha! I'm elite! You're just a nobody without a clan, deluding yourself into thinking you can become someone you don't deserve to be!" Sasuke roared, rapidly forming hand seals as crackling lightning gathered in his palm. "Chidori!"

"That's an assassination technique, bastard! Are you actually trying to kill me?" Naruto stared in shock at Sasuke charging straight toward him. "Fine. If you insist on this, then I have no choice."

As he spoke, he began gathering chakra in his palm. "Rasengan!"

The Rasengan formed in his palm, and he was just about to charge when Kakashi and Jiraiya suddenly arrived. Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and hurled him toward the nearby water tower, while Jiraiya simply placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto instantly relaxed, allowing the Rasengan in his palm to slowly dissipate.

"Sasuke, I'm deeply disappointed in you. I didn't teach you that technique so you could use it against your comrades," Kakashi reprimanded him sharply, only to receive a cold snort in response. "Go home now and cool your head," Kakashi ordered. Sasuke turned and left with a dark expression.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei. I shouldn't have let him goad me into fighting him," Naruto said.

"It's all right. I think he's just jealous of how quickly you're improving. I'll talk to him again tomorrow and make sure everything's okay." Kakashi smiled, his eye curving.

"Come on, kid. Let's spar. Looks like you've got a bellyful of anger with nowhere to let it out. You can use me as a target and blow off some steam," Jiraiya said.