Synopsis: Instincts

When Naruto succumbs to the primal instincts of the Kyuubi, Sasuke sees no choice but to go after him. As time goes on and they become more and more isolated from the world they knew, will Sasuke manage to find a way to save Naruto from himself?

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My story diverges slightly from the main canon, which I suppose means that this story is set in an Alternate Universe. Its history starts in a familiar place: Sasuke goes off after Orochimaru, prompting that famous fight with Naruto at the Valley of the End. Soon after, Naruto leaves Konoha to train with Jiraiya. Sakura still becomes a medic nin, and Kakashi… Well, Kakashi still does whatever it is he does in those two years. Seduce Iruka, for all we know.

Sasuke’s time however passes a little differently from what canon dictates. About a year and a half after Orochimaru starts training him, Sasuke runs into his brother while out on a mission and, through a combination of luck and Itachi’s bad health, manages to kill him.

He never finds out Itachi’s secret.

Knowing that there is no way Orochimaru will free him from his promise to give up his body – especially with the time of replacement swiftly approaching – Sasuke goes back to Sound and lets Orochimaru think that he’s finally being allowed into the Uchiha’s bed, only to meet with a very nasty surprise…

His life’s mission over, Sasuke brings Itachi’s eyes and Orochimaru’s head back to Konoha. He is immediately thrown into prison until they figure out what to do with him. He is still branded as a traitor, but has killed two of their most threatening enemies – and brought back proof.

Around this time, Naruto and Jiraiya complete their training and arrive back to Konoha. Once Naruto hears that Sasuke has returned, all hell naturally breaks loose.

Thanks to the shit-storm that Naruto, Jiraiya and Tsunade all unleash upon the Elders of the Village, eventually Sasuke is let out of prison. He is banned however from accepting any missions set outside its walls; Naruto is offered these missions instead, and soon becomes more capable than anyone ever thought he could be.

Despite his successes as a ninja and growing acceptance by the Village, Naruto is starting to have some problems. He often has dreams about chasing and killing, and has begun to wake up in strange places. Tsunade makes some recommendations, but since no one knows exactly what is wrong they keep the knowledge of Naruto’s problems a secret.

It is now that our story begins…