A/N: Just some drabble I'd been thinking about from watching too much doujinshi and reading too many fanfics. This is also dedicated to the abrupt ending of Naruto: Shippuuden. Naruto will forever remain my childhood idol. You did a great job, Kishimoto.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters or the image shown above.

Warning: Yaoi (malexmale), crude language, explicit sexual content, nudity,

Rated: NC-17

Pairing: Sasuke Uchiha & Naruto Uzumaki,

Summary:Everything happened within a second. One moment he's fighting alongside Naruto and the next he's protecting Sakura. Honestly, he didn't mean for everything to turn out the way they did…

Moment's Time

I/II

He hadn't really believed them until he had seen it for himself.

The mere prospect of it had been so outrageous to him that he'd actually laughed it off at first, as weird as that may be for an Uchiha to do, but come on, why would such a thing happen to his obnoxious teammate of all people?

The man had a heart of gold to match the hair atop his head for God's sake, there was absolutely no way that he was suffering from that.

Because, in all honesty, how could one ever hope to be a ninja with such a condition?

And so, with a determined mind but a dread-filled heart, Sasuke had made his way calmly and silently to one specific hospital room.

At first, everything had seemed normal and in the back of Sasuke's head he was still convincing himself that no, this couldn't be happening, Naruto wasn't-

Familiar, big blue eyes didn't meet his gaze like usual when he would walk into the room. No, they remained staring straight ahead at the window by his bedside, looking at the cloudy sky above, almost as if the heavens themselves were crying for the loss.

A loss Sasuke still couldn't really grasp.

"Naruto." He tried.

Silence.

Deafening silence.

"Naruto." He said it a little bit more forceful this time, wondering if Naruto was just spacing out like the idiot always did.

But yet, still nothing.

Walking toward the bed he stopped right by it, now only mere inches away from his teammate's back.

"Naruto."

"Sasuke." But it wasn't the voice he wanted to hear. Turning, Sasuke met the somber gaze of Kakashi, heart plummeting because with that sole pewter eye, he knew it all.

Even so, it wasn't the realization that made Sasuke break.

No, it was the shaky smile Naruto flashed him upon finally, finally facing him and the unsteady, "Sa...suke." that followed soon after.

…

…

…

"Be careful, everyone, these guys are ruthless."

They were running at break-neck speed, whizzing past numerous identical trees, only disrupting the falling leaves that danced upon their path.

Sasuke was at the head of their diamond formation, just as an ANBU Captain should be. Behind him covering the sides were his two ex-genin teammates, the proof of their maturity hiding behind a grinning fox mask (Sasuke smirked, how fitting) and the other a snarling bear. Bringing around the back was, coincidentally his replacement during his five-year-long departure (he liked to say "journey", but Tsunade had vehemently disagreed) wearing his own widely smirking mask.

"Turtle, watch your back!"

Sasuke didn't have to turn around to know Sai was glaring futilely at Naruto because yet again, he had to bite down the urge to tell his dimwit of a teammate that it wasn't a fucking turtle. Now wasn't the appropriate time for their usual banter, not when seven enemy ninja were slowly but surely surrounding them.

"Sas- Captain! Let me lead some of them away. I can-"

"Not now, Fox."

His voice was hard and final, effectively shutting the other man up. He heard Naruto's barely audible grumbling behind him but he chose to ignore the vulgar retorts.

The reasonable side of Sasuke knew that Naruto was right. After all, he had been a captain longer than Sasuke (this being his fifth mission), but the selfish part of the Uchiha didn't want Naruto to take it upon himself to make orders and help his captain as if he was some helpless rookie.

Sasuke tsk'ed in annoyance and picked up his speed, the other behind him doing the same.

"What's the plan, Captain?" Sakura spoke up now, concern lacing through her words as she felt the air become a bit more ominous. The hair on the back of he neck stood at attention, her instincts screaming at her to move now but she hesitated, knowing that it went against authorized formation.

"Capt-"

Sakura didn't get to finish, an unsuspecting body colliding with hers and slamming her against a tree.

"Sakura!"

The strength of the hit added with her velocity had caused her to hit her head and she was momentarily paralyzed as blinding pain coursed through her body. Naruto cursed loudly this time, not missing a beat as he broke formation and headed toward where his teammate lay.

Before he could even get to her his senses were tickling the right half of his body. He somersaulted away from the spot just as a large sword embedded itself into the earth. Coming to a skidding halt Naruto failed to block the chain that shot out from the shadowed forest to wrap around him, effectively bind his arms to his sides and immobilizing his legs.

The chains were pulled and he landed face-first into the ground with a grunt.

"Damn, these Konoha dogs sure are easy." Came an amused voice from above. The owner of the voice landed beside Naruto, the person hidden in the darkness stepping out as well, chains wrapped around his arms while the weapons attached to the end was held in his hands.

A hand suddenly shot forward and grabbed spiky blond locks, pulling the hair along with Naruto's head.

"Caught a blond one, eh, Gunto?" Did you wanna keep this one for later or kill him now?" As he said this, the unknown man pulled out a kunai, positioning it at Naruto's neck.

He nicked the skin with the tip, but didn't progress any further when the atmosphere thickened around them. Turning around slightly, he came face to face with a bloodied raven mask, the slits revealing only slivers of glowing crimson.

"Dogs, huh?"

And with a flick of Sasuke's wrist his katana sliced through the man's neck with relative ease, not even flinching when blood spurted everywhere. The worm liquid seeped into his clothing and he watched as it matted Naruto's hair.

"Bastard." The blond grumbled, wiggling out of his binds once they'd gone lax as a result of Sai's appearance behind Gunto.

"Stay alert." Was all that was ordered from heir Captain before he took to the branches. Behind his mask, Sai frowned.

Naruto was already at Sakura's side, helping her to stand so they could take off again before the rest reached them. He glanced concernedly at her bleeding head but said nothing as she raised her hand to the wound, green chakra lighting her palm.

He nudged her after a few seconds and the trio followed the same path as their captain. It didn't take long to find the young Uchiha, he had been forced to battle with two more enemy ninja and had taken them out quickly.

"We're switching paths. We head west."

It was Sakura's turn to frown now, "Captain, with all due respect, but if we take the west route we'll be trading into unknown territory."

"I agree with Bear. It would be unwise if we tread the borders of Amegakure when they have to respond to the treaty."

Sasuke didn't turn to them, simply choosing to shake some of the blood off his sword before gracing his team with a response.

"It's either that or circling back around again with the threat of their attacks looming over us. If we progress westward they will be hesitant to follow and we can shake them off."

He discreetly glanced at the unusually quiet member on the team, but could not decipher Naruto's take on the matter behind the grinning mask.

Sai seemed swayed by his explanation and voiced no other concerns, but Sakura was not deterred in the slightest.

"Sasuke-"

"Captain." He corrected her, now growing irritated at his team's insubordination. Being with a group that he knew like the back of his hand had its benefits sometimes, but there were times when familiarity crossed his boundaries. Now was a prime example.

"We do as I say. If we waste any more time dawdling the chance of this plan succeeding lowers. Let's move out."

He saw Naruto's head shift slightly and he knew the blond was about to protest.

"Now."

Satisfied with the tense silence he was met with, Sasuke took off once again and his team followed close behind.

"Sakura-chan…" Naruto eventually mumbled as quietly as possible, but to now avail as he noticed Sasuke's head raise only slightly. Knowing that he couldn't really play it off now he put a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

He could tell that both their nerves were on end. After spending years together on the same team they both knew danger when it lurked in the shadows.

"Don't worry so much, Sakura-chan. Everything will be alright. Sasuke-teme knows what he's doing." It was a poor attempt to reassure her because he didn't even know if Sasuke realized what he was doing. All they could really do now is put their faith in him and prayed everything turned out in their favor.

Even though her face was blocked from view, he knew she was offering him a warm smile of appreciation.

Giving her shoulder a squeeze of reassurance he went back over his area. Meanwhile, Sakura's eyes widened as she felt the spot on which Naruto had touched her tingle strangely. After a moment she brushed off the sensation as her senses playing tricks on her.

They traveled roughly five kilometers and even though they had put some distance between them and the enemy, the six remaining ninja were still not letting up in their pursuit.

Naruto felt the familiar stinging coldness of water droplets land against his neck and arms. Closing his eyes only momentarily he let the change in atmosphere envelope him and recollections of his meeting with Nagato fill his mind. He remembered the everlasting rain of Amegakure and the distinct smelle of industrialized machinery. Naruto and hadn't memorized the entire city, but he knew enough to get by, and that's where his doubt in Sasuke lied.

If they didn't tread carefully, death was a very possible factor.

They all felt the chakra signatures behind them begin to fade as the rain grew harsher the deeper they moved inward, until they finally disappeared altogether.

Almost simultaneously they all let themselves relax just slightly, slowing down their pace. They were in the outskirts of Amegakure now and they but waited with bated breath for further instructions from their captain.

"Captain." Sai's voice was loud enough and stern enough for all of them to come to a skidding halt. Sasuke had already sensed the group coming toward them at a rapid rate. They weren't the same people as before. No, this group was ten times more lethal, if the thickening atmosphere was anything to go by.

Sasuke cursed audibly, unsheathing his katana and readying his stance. All of them were at a disadvantage with this unrelenting rain. They were accustomed to fighting in dry climate; none of them were equipped for this kind of environment. Glancing at Sai, Sasuke felt the pressure on his shoulders even more. The ex-ROOT member's ink tactics were basically useless now and he would have to resort to close combat in order to get by.

It seemed as though Naruto knew this too, taking his own stance between both Sakura and Sai. And Sasuke couldn't help but momentarily think how much of a better captain the blond was than himself; ready to fight for both his disadvantaged teammates with little to no though of his own wellbeing.

Sai spared Naruto an admiring glance, a small smile gracing his pale lips hidden behind his mask. He took his position as well, his small tanto poised in front of him and ready to fight till his very last breath; if not for himself than to protect his friends.

Sakura followed soon after, her demeanor becoming the fierce Naruto prided her for.

Everything was eerily still, the only sound coming from the pouring rain and the rustling leaves.

The first attack rained down from above, the rapidly falling drops of rain turning into thickened, sharp ice. Sasuke reacted at the drop of a hat, using his katon melt the ice away. It left him exposed to the second attack, small water bullets approaching him fast and gathering strength from the rain.

He didn't bother to worry though, having already felt the pull of natural chakra that came with Naruto's Senju Mode. The blond spurted out his own masses of air from deep within his lung, mask tilted upward to avoid being destroyed.

Water and air bullets clashed, sending even harsher rain in both directions. The first enemy jumped through, his sword poised with every intention to kill. Sai met him halfway and metal clashed with metal.

Another fell from above and Sakura didn't hesitate to smash her fist in the cloaked man's face, sending him flying away from Sai and crashing through various trees.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

"Raikiri!"

The familiar 'poofing' sounds of Naruto's signature jutsu and the infamous chirping of a thousand birds rung through the forest. Lighting flashed as four more ninja appeared from all four directions.

They were trying to close in on them and it seemed as though Naruto realized it as soon as Sasuke had. His three clones dispersed evenly while Naruto remained where he was, waiting for what appeared to be the leader to take him on directly.

They met with a fist connecting with an open palm, a stray kick meeting a side, and yet another fist managing to get a direct hit on a strong jaw. Naruto pulled back, holding onto his side as he stood a few feet away from the apparent leader.

"I suppose you expect anything less than death after the treaty proposal."

Naruto remained silent, gaze calculating the obviously strong man before him. He wanted to respond but there was really no point. They had been caught and if Amegakure wished to exterminate then they had absolutely no say in the matter. All they could do now was fight back.

His silence seemed to aggravate the man even more, his chakra level spiking momentarily while his posture became rigid.

"Well I assure you that you will be breathing your last breath today!" And with an animalistic yell, he lunged his body toward the blond, hands forming signs that Naruto wasn't quite familiar with.

And then all too suddenly an electric blue streak brushed passed him and the figure stopped just before the man before jumping off again. The leader halted, eyes wide and Naruto watched silently as blood trickled slowly down his chin. And then all too suddenly, the red liquid gushed out of the wound that encircled half his upper-body.

"I had that one!" he whined childishly, stopping his foot toward his Captain precariously looming above.

"Hn, dobe." Sasuke replied with a hint of amusement. All seemed right for just a split second until a blood-curdling scream tore through the air. Both men jerked their heads up but Sasuke was the first to move, all his senses on alert as he whizzed along the branches.

He was vaguely aware that Naruto had not followed behind him, but he was too preoccupied to make in time for Sakura to really pay attention.

Upon arriving a cloaked man was on top of Sakura, kunai in hand and trying to end her, but her grip on his hands were on par with his strength. Although, she was significantly weakened due to a particular cut on her side, she still had a few seconds before the weapon found itself embedded within her.

Sasuke was quick, stabbing his sword through the man and kicking the now still body off of his teammate and helping her stand on shaky legs. His eyes narrowed at her wound, watching as it bled profusely, dripping onto the ground only to be washed away with the rain.

And then the explosion happened.

Everything else seemed to be somewhat of a blur to Sasuke.

He remembered Sakura and he making their way back to where he had left Naruto. They passed numerous bodies that Sasuke had overlooked on his path toward Sakura and when they finally arrived to the scene…

It was the only time Sasuke could ever recall actually feeling frightened.

Sai was hunched over on the ground, numerous wounds littering his body but none of them appeared to be life threatening. Surrounding him were two new carcasses that Sasuke didn't remember doing away with before, and off to the side there was a large crater in the ground. Some of the trees had fallen over and some were barely hanging on. It wasn't until Sai stood up, a body cradled in his arms, did Sasuke realized what had happened.

It was plainly clear to see the small trickle of blood that was leaking from Naruto's ears. It was even more obvious to see the singed front side of the blond's body. His mask had long since been removed.

"They ambushed him…they trapped him and attacked all at once and he took them on but…one of them had explosions covering his body and then….fuck."

Sasuke was silent as he took a shaky step forward.

The only thing that ran through his mind was I fucked up big time.

…

…

…

The doctors, even Tsunade, had said there was nothing they could really do for him. The damage was too extensive. And so Sasuke stayed by his bedside until Naruto was well enough to be discharged.

And he couldn't have felt any worse at that point.

He waited patiently outside in the hallway while Naruto dressed, staring emptily at the greenness of the floor, the color reminding him of the one time Naruto gulped down wasabi in one go and promptly threw up his stomach contents everywhere in the restaurant. Sasuke's lips quirked upwards ever so slightly.

"Are you alright, Sasuke-kun?"

Having been lost in his thoughts Sasuke glanced to the side, momentarily locking eyes with emerald colored ones before resuming his blank staring. Sakura huffed at the silence but her face softened nonetheless, like it always did around her most precious people.

"How's he holding up?" she tried again, knowing she'd be more likely to get a response if it had anything to do with Naruto.

Sasuke remained emotionless, "Fine. What happened to your wound?" the sudden question startled her and she instinctively held an arm up to her side where the gapping wound used to be. Sakura smiled warmly at it, her eyes moving up to meet Sasuke's.

"It fully healed by the time we got back. No scar whatsoever." She clutched the fabric of her lab coat and her grip on the clipboard tightened. "Naruto…he…" she licked her suddenly dry lips, but she didn't have to continue. Sasuke had already pieced it together.

Their attention was suddenly pulled when the door opened and a blond head poked out into the semi-empty corridor.

Large, blue eyes blinked curiously at them before stepping out.

A grin split across Naruto's face as he stood before them, shifting his weight back and forth on the heels of his feet to the tips of his toes.

"Hey!" he chirped at little bit too happily, Sasuk narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Are you ready, Sasuke?" He inclined his head in response, pushing his weight off the wall to stand alongside his teammate.

"Bye, Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled over his shoulder, waving a single hand in the air as a farewell and Sakura could only do the same.

They stepped onto the bustling streets of Konoha, the pleasant smell of roasting meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and frilly perfumes wafting in their noses. Beside him Naruto hummed in appreciated as he inhaled the aroma, his fingers coming up to interlock behind his head as he strolled down the street without a care in the world.

"Naruto! How ya been!?"

"Naruto! Long time no see!"

"Come try our new items, Naruto!"

"We've missed you, Naruto!"

Sasuke swallowed thickly, a familiar guilt rising in his throat as he eyes all the villagers that he'd tried to destroy not even three years ago come forth and acknowledge the war hero beside him. Although, the irony of everything was not lost to him; back in their youth it had been him they'd been ogling and praising over while they spat harsh words toward the "Kyuubi-container".

Even so, Naruto was all smiles and eager waves, taking the meat kebab from one of the vendors who always offered him food upon seeing him.

He bit into the tender sirloin, chewing happily and giving the vendor a two-thumbs up. Sasuke had his head lowered slightly, long bangs covering his view only slightly. He would have remained that way if it weren't for the kebab that was suddenly thrust in his face.

"Tch, get that disgusting thing out of my face, dobe."

"Just taste it, teme!"

Reeling back, Sasuke stared wide-eyed at the louder-than-necessary blonde walking beside him. Naruto rolled his eyes in exasperation, pushing the meat stick against Sasuke's slightly parted lips, slathering grease across the plum skin.

"I already know what you're gonna say, baka! It doesn't take a genius to figure you out!" he was yelling, causing more than a few heads to turn their way.

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, slapping the pathetic excuse of what Naruto liked to call "food" away from his face. Kami-sama, the smell of it was enough to make him gag.

"Stop being so loud, idiot." He made sure to face the other man, knowing that at least Naruto wasn't too slow not to catch some words that he mouthed.

Naruto's face contorted in confusion, "Huh? Someone found your cow? Since when do you have a cow?"

Sasuke almost slapped a hand to his face.

Grabbing Naruto's wrist he jerked him toward the rooftops.

"Sasuke? Where are we going?"

He didn't turn around to acknowledge him until they made it to the less busy part of the village. He clasped an arm around Naruto's forearm and stared into curious azure depths, only holding up a slender figure to tell the blond to give him a minute. He disappeared inside the store, Naruto analyzing his every move silently.

With narrowed eyes he watched Sasuke move about the store, passing by numerous colorful scrolls, state-of-the-art inks and brushes, until finally stopping at an aisle, which contained a variety of what Naruto thought to be sketchbooks.

Since when the fuck does Sasuke draw?

An unexpected pressure on his shoulder didn't leave him room to ponder. He turned, eyes locking with soft pewter ones. Upon noticing the familiar pastel sin and guarded expression, a bright smile stretched across his lips.

"Sai! What are you doing here?"

The man shot him a quick and genuine smile and it made Naruto's heart warm, knowing that the awkward man always had one reserved especially for him. Sai didn't speak though, simply taking out his signature brush and a regular scroll to write something Naruto couldn't quite see.

It only took a few seconds for him to finish and when he was, he held up the neatly-written kanji for Naruto to see.

Squinting, Naruto began to read:

'Hello, Naruto-kun. How are you feeling?'

Blinking as realization danwed on him, Naruto grinned, his eyes meeting Sai's once again.

"I'm feeling fine! But what are you doing here, Sai?" he gestured to the store beside them and glanced around for Sasuke, spotting his familiar midnight-blue spikes by what he assumed was the cashier.

Sai wrote again:

'I came to replenish on supplies. What brings you here?'

Before he could even reply, Ssuke appeared by his side, posture rigid and intimidating as he stared Sai down. Naruto frowned, searching between the two men for an answer as to why there was tangible hostility in the air. Sasuke had his trademark scowl and unforgiving glare, while Sai sported his own fierce stare, his features showing his current displeasure.

With his gaze never leaving Sasuke's, Sai wrote expertly onto the scroll:

'I'll see you later. Goodbye, Naruto. Take care.'

"It's almost as if nothing's enough until you've completely destroyed him."

Naruto looked up then, only catching a sliver of whatever Sai had said. He felt Sasuke tense all over and glanced at his clenched fists worriedly, only now spotting the crisp, new item in his left hand.

And without any more parting words, Sai walked inside the store Sasuke had just been in.

The young Uchiha remained silent, avoiding Naruto's searching gaze. Wordlessly, Sasuke walked back onto the street, Naruto following close behind.

It was only a couple of more blocks until they eventually arrived at the stairwell leading to Naruto's apartment. They were facing each other, the atmosphere uncomfortable more than anything.

Sasuke still refused to meet the other man's gaze while Naruto tried desperately to make him without the use of brute force. In the end, Sasuke did not offer up any words of departure as he took his abrupt leave.

Naruto pouted, watching the young Uchiha's retreating back until he rounded a corner. Grumbling under his breath about indifferent bastards, he began his march up the stairs. He was trudging up the second flight when something suddenly rounded the corner and collided with him.

Without so much as a warning, he fell down the cold, hard steps, every other impact meeting with his head. Halfway down the fall he'd tried to correct himself with a firm hand but only managed to bend it at a very odd angle. Groaning in pain his back connected harshly with a sturdy railing, successfully knocking the air out of him.

"Fuck…" he cursed, barely making out the pair of worried brown eyes gazing down at him from above the stairwell as his vision swam.

…

…

…

Dark shadows flittered along the floorboards, the chill, midnight wind rustling spring leaves and sakura petals. The streaming over-pour of moonlight cast it's essence down below the Uchiha estate, illuminating all the beautiful and traditional attractions that the clan was famous for.

Half-hidden in the darkness and half shed with black-blue light, Sasuke lay wide awake, upon his mat, cotton sheets thrown about his bare physique.

Sleep was denying him and in it's place stood restlessness. Demons of his past roamed in the recesses of his mind, memories of Itachi flickered in his thoughts, and images of cerulean depths, golden locks, and a seemingly everlasting foxy grin flashed along his vision.

Something akin to guilt was gnawing at him, the backs of his eyes burning slightly and his muscles twitching, reminding him of his utter incompetence and his sheer weakness.

Having a sigh Sasuke sat up, a pale arm coming to slide along his face, reveling in the coolness of his skin on his heated flesh.

There was no use in trying to fall asleep when his mind was this busy.

He got up, his movements languid like that of water as he went about fastening on his standard black jounin pants and slipping into an open white shirt.

Stepping out into the cool night air he let himself relax, but only for a moment. He took himself back to a simpler time, a happier time when brute fingers met his forehead with promises of a better tomorrow, and then he straightened himself, slinking into the night with the gentle caresses of the wind accompanying his venture.

Not bothering to use the door when he arrived at his destination, he slipped passed the open window and softly landed beside the unmade bed, noticing the absence of a particular blond-headed dobe. Frowning, he took notice of the clatter in the other room and so, tiptoeing passed randomly strewn items, made his way to where he assumed Naruto to be.

And, with a barely noticeable wince, Sasuke noted that, despite his silent stealth, Naruto wouldn't hear him.

"Haha! I win!"

"You cheated!"

"How would you even know?"

"I'm your clone!"

"Oh…yeah."

"Idiot!"

"Jerk! Wanna call me that again!?"

"Bring it on, Blondie!"

"What'd you say?"

"Huh?"

Sasuke took in the scene calmly, his only reaction being the slight quirking of his lips and an occasional twitch of his slender eyebrow. Two Naruto's were glaring heatedly at each other, flipped coffee table off to the side and poker cards scattered about the floor.

"Rasen- hey!"

Sasuke had promptly thrown a senbon needle right into one of the Naarutos chest. With a pained runt, it toppled over and dispelled. The original Naruto was pouting at him, his hand containing small strays of wind of his interrupted jutsu.

"Sasuke? How'd you know which one was really me?!"

The young Uchiha smirked, staring straight at his teammate so the other could grasp what he was about to say.

"I didn't."

"Teme!"

He caught the empty cup that was thrown his way with relative ease. Taking a seat on the small couch, Sasuke watched disinterestedly as Naruto went about righting all the furniture he'd knocked over in his mini-battle with his clone. Who knew he could be such a dick?

"So, what're you doing here, bastard?"

He didn't attempt to speak, knowing that his words would be lost in translation, and instead pulled the journal he'd purchased earlier out from the crevice within his shirt.

From his position by the stove, Naruto stared as the stoic man scribbled something down on a crisp sheet of blank paper, knowing that despite the other's hastiness, the kanji would be written immaculately.

Sasuke held it up and Naruto shifted closer:

'Mind your own business, dobe.'

"Eeh!? How it not my business when you're in my home!?" Scowling, he couldn't quite contain the childish stop of his foot. Sasuke smirked, a teasing remark tickling the tips of his tongue but his chance was squashed as Naruto blew a raspberry at him and stalked off to the bathroom.

With a slam of the door, Sasuke was left in silence.

Despite Naruto's playful antics, Sasuke hadn't missed the apparent fresh bandages encompassing Naruto's wrist. He frowned.

Standing up once he heard the showerhead running, he began to walk around the small apartment. Dark eyes took in the empty ramen cups that littered the old wooden inner table. Opening the refrigerator door, noticing the single milk carton and half-empty jug of orange juice that were the sole inhabitants in Naruto's fridge.

Moving on ahead into Naruto's bedroom he let his finger run across the dusty countertop of Naruto's nightstand. He stared at the picture frame on top of it, a thin sheen of dust having settled on it from the week Naruto was recovering in the hospital. It was a picture of Team Seven back in it's early stages of development and it stirred something in Sasuke he couldn't quite name as he traced the contours of their adolescent and grimacing faces, Naruto and he in a heated stare down while Sakura stood between them, grinning. Kakashi was ruffling both their heads of hair.

Rubbing the brown particles in between his thumb and finger his nose crinkled in distaste.

And then Sasuke froze, looking down passed the grime between the pads of his finger to the sliver of metal shining between the crack of the slightly open drawer.

With shaky fingers and an even shakier heart, he slipped his hand inside the space, wrapping pale fingers around cool metal and smooth cloth.

The light flicked on but he didn't bother to turn around.

"Ah, sorry, I haven't had time to clean." Naruto's voice reached his ears but h remained unmoving, thumb running across the depth of the scar.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked unsurely, bringing his hand down from drying his hair, leaving the white towel to hand from his head. When Sasuke gave no indication of gracing him with some sort of acknowledgment he stepped forward, grasping Sasuke's shoulder.

He was surprised to find the muscles underneath his palm tense and twitching so he squeezed it.

"Sasuke?"

It was odd not to hear his own voice after all these ears, as if the tunnels leading to his eardrums were clogged up. It reminded Naruto of their fight as teenagers, the last one until a few years later that had led to Sasuke's defection and ultimate betrayal. The young Uchiha had been so determined to kill him, hit after bone breaking hit until he'd been smashed head-first into the rocky ground. The pain had been mind numbing and his slack body slinked into the river.

The water had caressed his battered body and with only a half-conscious mind, he registered the feeling poignant defeat gripping his soul.

Part of his head was under the surface, water flooding his ears and exhaustion beckoning for him to succumb. Everything was muffled; the only sounds were of his vacant thoughts.

Much like now.

Suddenly pulled from his musing as he felt miniscule vibrations resonating within Sasuke he released the other male, taking a cautious step back when he began to visibly shake.

Sasuke turned, revealing the item he held delicately in his hand.

Naruto froze, lips thinning and heart stepping.

There was stretched silence in which neither spoke, both simply staring at the headband in Sasuke grip.

"Why'd you keep this?..." Sasuke whispered and Naruto strained his eyes to catch what he'd said. Once he'd grasped the fundamentals of what was uttered did Naruto finally speak, unsure of his own response.

"I don't know…" he lied through his teeth and even though Naruto couldn't hear his obvious fib, he felt the after taste of it on his tongue. It tasted bitter.

"Bullshit." Sasuke glared at him, taking a step forward.

Naruto flinched and looked away, the journal Sasuke had left on his couch still held tightly between his fingers. Taking a deep breath, Naruto brought it up and opened it with his palm, quickly scrawling something down, right under Sasuke's first entry.

He held it up; eyes alight with determination and a glint of wistfulness:

'Because it was yours.'

Blue eyes searched darkened impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance. The other said nothing and swiftly took the journal and pen from Naruto's hands, dryly noting the man's chicken scratch handwriting:

'It's not mine. I'm not that person anymore.'

As cheesy as it sounded, it got his point across. He did not consider himself the same naïve boy that had honestly believed killing his only friend would achieve to a greater power, and, inevitably, a profound loss. He didn't want Naruto to view him as such either, no matter how much he deserved it. Sai's words were still ringing clearly in his mind.

"It's almost as if nothing's enough until you've completely destroyed him…"

Sasuke bit his lip, eyes narrowing.

That wasn't true. He valued Naruto's friendship above anything else even though he never truly showed it. But the dobe should already know by then…right? How can someone know if feeling were never vocalized and – now with Naruto's condition – never expressed?

His throat constricted; they wouldn't.

He looked back at the scribbling blonde, wandering thoughts coming to a complete halt when the journal was held up:

'Sasuke will always be the same to me.'

Before he could make a grab for the journal, Naruto withdrew it and began to write again:

'My friend.'

This time, Sasuke couldn't move, he stood in his spot, hand tight around the headband, almost in a state of shock. Naruto was looking straight at him, blue eyes that reminded Sasuke so much of a clear summer sky piercing him with an accepting gaze.

A small, hesitant smile found it's way onto Naruto's lips, offering nothing but reassurance. Much like the owner, Sasuke mused. Always giving and asking for nothing in return.

Nobody had asked him to chase the young Uchiha till the ends of the earth for more than three years. No one had told him to protect his village from every plight or every ridiculously powerful force out there.

Would Sakura have even been alive if it hadn't been for Naruto's chakra?

It was easy to form that conclusion: no, she wouldn't have survived that mission.

And the mere thought of it made Sasuke want to puke.

They held each other's gazes for a moment until Sasuke began to feel the slightest trembling of his hands.

Without a word, he exited through the window, headband still firmly clutched in his hand.

…

…

…

"Ehh? Sasuke-kun? What are you doing just standing there?"

He didn't bother to turn around and face Sakura as he stared blankly at the door leading to the recreational room in the Anbu headquarters. She was standing behind him, probably having just returned from a mission.

He remained silent and she seemed to understand, making a gentle grab for his exposed bicep.

"Well, c'mon then."

She pulled him along down the empty hallway until they arrived to a small room at the end that was unceremoniously dubbed as their makeshift kitchen. It was cozy – wide enough for a party of five. Thankfully it was vacant and so she sat down on one of the chairs.

She went about making some tea she knew was the Uchiha's favorite. Once she finished she poured them both a cup and sat across from him, blowing away whispered steam all the while gazing at him steadily. He continued to stare down at the table and she wondered for a brief second what he was thinking about.

They sat in comfortable silence, occasionally sipping at their tea.

"Have you gone to see him?"

It took him awhile to answer.

"I've been away on a mission."

She sighed tiredly, setting her cup down. Her eyes closed briefly and when she opened them, her emerald irises set him with a steely gaze.

"Honestly, Sasuke," she admonished with a shake of her head, "you should really swing by. It's been two weeks! He doesn't say it, but I'm sure he misses you."

She was met with a tense silence. With a roll of her eyes she shifted her legs to cross at the knee, leaning her weight against the table.

Patiently, she waited.

Sasuke lifted his head, eyes on his now-cold tea as he stared at his reflection. Sliding his tongue over dry lips, he finally spoke.

"Perhaps…I will."

Sakura merely stared at him unflinchingly.

"Sasuke."

She moved to grab his resting hand, noticing the coldness of his flesh. He tensed under her tough, but eventually relaxed. A small smile graced her lips, eyes softening at the prospect of his comfortableness around her.

It would be a lie if she said her schoolgirl crush had gone away. It was still there, but it had waned somewhat throughout the years of his defection. But she knew better than to pursue anything with him; he was a lost soul still searching for a reason after the death of his brother.

And she accepted that.

"Go to him."

His lips thinned in displeasure and his eyes shifted almost guiltily to the side. She was about to ask why when there were echoed steps in the hallway and deep voice growing louder by the second.

"-was tellin' Kotu earlier that I got reassigned to Uchiha's team."

"Ah, fuck. Hope you don't turn out like his last team."

"Are you talking about Uzumaki-senpai?"

Sakura felt Sasuke's fingers curl into his palm, forming into knuckle-white fists. Her brows were knotted together, bottom lip worried between her teeth as she stared at him concernedly.

"Yeah…poor guy."

An uncomfortable silence hung over head as they watched the two men pass the kitchen, proceeding down the hallway without even glancing their way. It wasn't until their footsteps were no longer prominent that she spoke.

"Sasuke-"

She didn't get a chance to finish. He was already up and out of his seat and walking out of the room. Her eyes followed his retreating back and she visibly saddened once she could no longer see him.

No matter how hard she strove to be strong, those two never really needed her.

…

…

…

When he entered Naruto's apartment it was empty. Everything was neat and clean and the prospect of Naruto actually making an effort to tidy up unnerved him so he searched a little bit harder and just a tad bit quicker.

By sunset, he eventually found him atop the Fourth Hokage's stone head, legs splayed out and eyes lost in the vastness of the colorful village below. The journal lay innocently to his right and if it hadn't been for the leather cover weighing it down Sasuke was sure it would have been blown away a long time ago. His own dark cloak was rippling with the wind, body still adorning his Anbu uniform underneath.

He sat next to him but Naruto didn't bother to spare him a glance, simply moving to draw his knees to his chest and wrap his arms around his legs. His head rested atop the space between his kneecaps and he finally looked at the young Uchiha.

"Long time no see." He said with a smile, eyes closed.

Sasuke's breath hitched, noticing how the yellow-orange sunlight enveloped Naruto like a blanket and couldn't help but think how the warmness was so much like the man's personality. The brushes of wind were teasing their hair and Naruto's looked like a halo of golden splayed out on top of his head.

He represented everything Sasuke was not.

"Sorry." He apologized softly, eyes downcast.

Wide, blue eyes looked at him with understanding yet again and he swallowed thickly, the familiarized guilt crashing on him in waves and weighing on his shoulders.

They watched the sunset in silence until the last beam of light receded and Konoha was enveloped in a blanket of darkness. Spots of light illuminated the streets from the streetlights and the many food stands that remained open a little bit longer into the night.

There was a sudden hiss down below and Sasuke watched as a gray cat darted from corner to corner and hid behind a garbage bin, the familiar ringing of it's bell reaching his ears while Naruto took notice to the scarlet band around it's neck.

"Stupid cat." Naruto mumbled as he turned to him, blue eyes twinkling with the same memories that were running through Sasuke's mind.

He chuckled and Naruto laughed.

The temperature was dropping by the minute and a sudden gust of cold wind had Naruto shivering, his plain black shirt and orange pants not providing necessary warmth. He picked the journal up and set it on his lap, scooting every so closely to Sasuke.

Sasuke paused in gazing up at the half moon and the twinkling stars to watch him out of the corner of his eye, the smallest of smirks gracing his lips because only Naruto would have enough audacity to saddle up next to the sole remaining member of the Uchiha clan, a man known for his unwavering stoic façade and ice cold demeanor to match Yukigakure no Sato.

He felt the pressure of Naruto's shoulder on his bicep first, followed by the slight warmth of Naruto's body aligning against his. Their knees were bumping and thighs touching and Sasuke didn't give much thought about unbuttoning the neck of his cloak to swiftly wrap it around Naruto's shoulder. Nimble, tan fingers automatically curled into the fabric and pulled it closer.

They sat and basked in each other's presence for what felt like hours and for once in a long while, Sasuke felt relaxed.

Sighing, Sasuke stood and took his cloak with him, making Naruto pout.

"It's getting late." He explained and watched as Naruto brought himself into a crouching position, hand firmly placed on the ground.

"See you later, dad…" Naruto whispered lowly but Sasuke still caught it and he watched as the hand retracted almost reluctantly before the other man stood.

They walked through the empty streets of the village, slight smiles on their faces when they passed the grey cat rummaging through a small patch of trash. It hissed viciously upon noticing the blond and Naruto stuck his tongue out in kind.

"Sometimes," Naruto began and Sasuke strained to hear the abnormally soft voice, "the silence drives me crazy." A hand came up to rub at his ear delicately.

"It reminds me a lot of when I was growing up as a kid." He continued and Sasuke stared straight ahead, a sudden image of a younger and much smaller Naruto appearing in his mind.

"I didn't like going home because it was always so quiet."

Sasuke's hands clenched in his pockets, the image of a little Naruto standing inside a lifeless apartment, going from room to empty room in wonder but otherwise completely alone, playing in his head. Then he thought of how Naruto must feel now that he couldn't even hear small noises to distract him from the solemnity of his home, the quietness a strong reminder of his absolute solitude.

He knew what it felt like to cook for himself and eat alone with only the silence as endless company, he knew how it felt like to wake up from a nightmare with no one to comfort him but the darkness, and he knew how it was to sit there and let the silence eat at you from the inside until there was nothing left.

But Naruto had been experiencing those things since he was able to walk and talk and it made Sasuke think of how shitty it must be to be constantly reminded of such a past.

Not knowing what to say, he stepped a little bit closer, his hand brushing against Naruto's. He saw the tense shoulders of the other man relax slightly and he knew that Naruto understood.

This time, he walked Naruto up the stairs; their steps echoing down the stairwell until they stopped in front the door to the blond's apartment. Hugging the journal to his chest Naruto looked at him, a shy smile on his face. Sasuke quirked an eyebrow, not knowing how to react to this side of Naruto he hadn't witnessed many times before.

"You look like you just came from a mission. Have you had dinner? I bought groceries yesterday so I can whip something up before you leave." There was a light flush dusting across scarred cheeks and Sasuke's heart warmed slightly like it only could with Naruto.

He smirked, lightly prying the journal from Naruto's arms and slipping the pen out of the aluminum coils to write:

'Like I'd eat any concoction you cook. I don't want to die just yet.'

Naruto sputtered, face red as he snatched the journal from his grasp. Sasuke chuckled and shoved passed him, turning the knob and entering the dark apartment without so much as an invitation. He flicked on the switch and went about the kitchen. Naruto was left by the doorway still, mouth slightly agape as he watched the young Uchiha rummage through his drawers for pots and pans that he hardly ever used. Sasuke turned from searching in his fridge, saying something that made his features show his annoyance.

I miss his voice. Despite his thoughts he smiled widely, walking inside and closing the door behind him.

His home wasn't so empty anymore.

A/N: Really enjoyed writing this. Hope you guys enjoy! I don't know when I'll have the second part done.