A brilliant flash of light-

A crack of thunder, loud and proud as a whip-

And the gates of heaven opened.

Sasuke ducked his head. A sliver of gold from the sun still peaked over the edge of the horizon, but wouldn't linger for much longer. He wasn't usually this far away from home. Uchiha had their own training grounds to use, and their own libraries. But Sasuke had begun undercutting the village for odd jobs. He charged half of what the ninja charged for a genin squad to pull weeds or make meals for an elderly relative, and had raked in a fair profit for half a day's work. The more profitable jobs- such as painting a house- wouldn't be worth it unless at least one other person split the labor. Still, the single person jobs paid enough to feed the cats, at least.

The downside was the mile and a half walk home in the blinding rain.

"Hey! Sasuke! Over here!" Naruto's voice sounded out of nowhere. Sasuke followed it out of the rain. He could put up with Naruto for a couple hours if it meant staying dry.

"I know it's not much," Naruto yammered as he closed the door behind Sasuke and thrust a mildewed towel into his hands, "and I wasn't expecting company today- well, ever, really- but that's ok! You're totally welcome to crash here until the rain lets up!" Lightning flashed as Sasuke wiped his face with the cleanest corner of the towel, then cast his gaze around his surroundings.

The residence- if it could be called one- had been lived in for some time. Naruto had rigged a system with dented pots and ninja wire to catch the water from the leaks in the roof. Outdated study posters hung on the wall- with rips and stains telling Sasuke they had been fished from someone's garbage can- and a grimy refrigerator sparked in the corner, waiting for someone to turn their backs on it before it set the whole place alight. Water leaked from the windows- rust clogging their mechanisms and forcing them to stay open. It had once been a stable, maybe even a nice house. But Naruto didn't seem to know the first thing about home maintenance.

"How long have you been here?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto shrugged. "Eh, I don't remember. It doesn't matter. No one wanted to live near me in the last apartment building so the Old Man had me put up here. It's got some perks," he said, with a grin, "It's not so far from the ramen stand and it's only a couple minutes from the school."

Thunder crashed. The lights flickered overhead. "Better make dinner while we have electricty, huh?" Naruto asked, digging in a cabinet. "You hungry, Sasuke?"

He peered over Naruto's shoulders. "Do you eat anything besides ramen?"

"What else do I need?" Naruto asked, selecting a scuffed pot.

"Vegetables. Protein. You know. Real food?"

"It's too expensive," Naruto grumbled as he switched out the pots and placed the rainwater on the stove.

He had Sasuke there. At least his parents had left him a stipend to survive on- a low on, because they had never expected the entire clan to be wiped out. Naruto… Naruto had nothing.

Naruto might be interested in helping him with the D-ranks around the village. But Sasuke dismissed the thought as soon as it formed. Naruto couldn't keep secrets and although Sasuke wasn't technically breaking any rules, he knew the Village would not like sharing potential customers with an Academy student.

"It's not letting up out there," Naruto said, peering out a threadbare curtain. "If you wanna stay tonight you can."

Sasuke hesitated. He'd fed the cats before he had left to run his errands and he could feed them after school tomorrow. They'd whine a bit, but they'd be fine. Naruto's place was shabby, but clean- aside from the mildew- and it might be nice to stay somewhere without the ghosts and memories lingering over his head.

"I have some new blankets," Naruto whispered and Sasuke jumped because somehow Naruto had ended up right behind him, "and a new deck of cards. I can teach you to play poker have you ever played poker before because it's totally fun but I can't play by myself-"

"Alright," he said as another flash lit the interior of the house, "I'll stay the night-"

"-and poker?" Naruto asked, creeping toward a small desk in the corner.

"Fine. and poker." Sasuke sat on the threadbare carpet as the blonde squealed and began rummaging through the drawer.

Since Naruto lived only a few streets down from the Academy, Sasuke woke with plenty of time to complete his morning warm ups. Usually, he rushed through, anxious to get to school, but this morning he could take his time. And what a difference it made. Really leaning into the motions and holding them was more difficult than the katas he did each morning, but for the first time in a long time, his morning warm up felt right.

It still wasn't the same without father to guide him.

Shaking the thought away as he got to his feet, Sasuke crossed to the window and glanced out. Lots of debris from the night before- one of the trees outside had fallen across the street- but the skies were clear and empty as a discarded ramen bowl.

Behind him, Naruto muttered something in his sleep and rolled over on his bed. Sasuke let the curtain fall, and checked the fridge next.

Eggs and milk. A quick glance at the milk told him it was too old to use. A sniff test confirmed it. Gagging, Sasuke dumped it out the window. How long had Naruto been living on his own? He had to have people caring for him as a baby.

Since Naruto had no oil, Sasuke boiled the eggs. "Wake up, you," he said, pulling the covers off Naruto.

He groaned, and sat up. "'S too early," Naruto groused.

"Class begins in an hour. How often do you eat breakfast?"

"I don't. Why? Do you want some?" All sleepiness had vanished from Naruto's face. "I can make you something if you want- uh, we have cereal, I think-"

"Relax, you idiot. I already made eggs."

Naruto stopped at the table. "You made me breakfast," he said in something of a daze.

"Yeah, I made breakfast," Sasuke said, "Now get a shower. You stink."

Something in his chest tightened at the shiny look in Naruto's eyes. It wasn't normal. It wasn't normal for gestures this small to bring someone to tears.

Something was very, very wrong here.

Even with Naruto's chronic inability to focus on anything, they made it to the Academy with fifteen minutes to spare. Sasuke used the time to review his homework, grateful he had taken it with him to run his errands yesterday. Naruto used the time to speed through the questions, cursing and muttering under his breath.

"How do you make any sense of this?" he whined as he flipped the pages.

"You have to read the chapter first."

Naruto levelled a glare at him. "Yeah, I'm not an idiot, Sasuke," he groused, "It took me a week to read it all and I still don't get it!"

"You could have asked me for help yesterday instead of playing poker the whole time."

"I forgot. Besides, it's not like it would have made a difference anyway," Naruto said, throwing his hands up in the air.

Sasuke refrained from reminding Naruto of his poker mastery, and those were also abstract rules. But the rules of poker were also pretty simple, with real consequences following each decision. Chakra theory was far more subjective, and for someone who learned with his hands like Naruto, it was nothing more than gibberish.

It would an interesting challenge, his mind whispered, to find a way to break down something as complex as chakra theory so Naruto could understand it.

Before Sasuke could react to the thought, Iruka-sensei entered the classroom. Naruto slumped in his seat. "I really wanted to finish this time," he moaned as Sasuke passed both their sheets to the end of the table.

"You could have just asked for my answers, you know," Sasuke said before his brain could intercept the thought. He had enough people trying to copy off him.

"Iruka-sensei would know," Naruto said, "he always knows. 'Sides. That won't make him proud of me. He'd be disappointed that I cheated."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Since when had Naruto cared what the teachers thought? Not all teachers, he realized as Naruto kept his eyes on Iruka-sensei, just one.

As Iruka began chalking the day's agenda on the board, the door slid open again. Shino slipped inside.

"Good morning, Shino. Cutting it a bit close today," Iruka-sensei said.

"Won't happen again," Shino said, starting up the stairs to his usual seat. Before Iruka could turn back to his chalkboard, Shino's foot slipped. He went down.

"Shino," Iruka said, flickering to his student's side, "Are you alright?"

"I am fine, sensei," Shino said as Iruka-sensei helped him up. "Why? I only tripped."

A low snicker sounded from somewhere in the back of the classroom- Kiba, Sasuke guessed by the pitch. Iruka-sensei's gaze swept the room, searching for the culprit as Shino's face dipped deeper into his collar and he slid into his seat.

As Iruka-sensei began his review of handseals, Sasuke could see the familiar glaze germinating over Naruto's eyes. Iruka-sensei was aware, but he had twenty other bouncy kids to think about, each with their own questions and concerns, and Naruto said nothing to bring up his lack of understanding. The first and last time he had, the entire classroom had burst into laughter at Naruto's expense. Himself included.

He nudged Naruto. "Try making the signs he's talking about." Sasuke made the sign of the Tiger.

"How's that gonna help?"

"Just try it," Sasuke said. With a grumble, Naruto complied. Sasuke held his signs, and said nothing about Naruto correcting his form based on Sasuke's.

"Good form, Naruto," Iruka-sensei said, and Naruto's blue eyes snapped over to his teacher, wide-eyed as Iruka-sensei met his gaze with a smile. "Everyone, make the sign of the Ox," he said. Naruto looked at his hands, then back at Iruka. His shoulders relaxed, and Naruto sat straighter as his gaze focused on Iruka-sensei's lecture.

Iruka-sensei stopped by a student who hadn't moved. "Shino, please make the sign of the Ox."

With a start, Shino twisted his fingers together into a perfect sign of the Bird. The classroom filled with snickers. Laughs at Shino's expense in the classroom arena did not come often.

"Enough!" Iruka-sensei ordered, his eye raking the classroom as Shino corrected his seal. "Your form is perfect, Shino," Iruka-sensei said, "I can tell you have been practising."

The rest of the review was uneventful, and once it ended, Iruka-sensei herded all the students outside for taijutsu practice. No sign remained of the vicious weather from the night before. Clear blue skies and a sun as bright as Naruto's smile shone down on them. Deep puddles and broken branches littered the floor of the training grounds and one of the windows on the upper floor was taped over with masking tape and a plastic garbage bag.

"I'm so glad it's taijutsu day," Naruto said, basking in the sun next to Sasuke as they watched Kiba and Shikamaru go at it.

"Hm." Sasuke's thoughts were elsewhere. He already had a lot to do between training and caring for the cats and the schoolwork. He didn't get anything out of helping Naruto. And he had to go home and feed the cats sometime today.

But chakra theory was such a complex, if fundamental, topic, and Sasuke couldn't say he had mastered the subject. Going over it with Naruto wouldn't hurt.

"Hey, Naruto," Sasuke said, "Meet me at Ichiraku's after school. My treat."

The utter delight in Naruto's face gave way to suspicion. "What's the catch?"

"Bring your books," Sasuke said. "We're studying."

"At the ramen bar?" Naruto asked, surprising Sasuke. He'd thought for sure Naruto would protest to the idea of studying. But what had he said earlier- it took him a week to get through the chapter? Naruto may have the attention span of a kitten, but he put genuine effort into Iruka-sensei's classes.

"Would you rather not? Because-"

"No, Ichiraku's is fine!" Naruto said. "All the books?"

"Yes. Bring them all," Sasuke said.

"Next match is Shino versus Sasuke," Iruka-sensei said. Sasuke rose to his feet and stepped into the ring as Shino shuffled in across from him.

"Begin," Iruka-sensei said.

And to everyone's surprise, Shino made the first move.

With a sharp cry, Shino launched forward. Sasuke blocked his kick, returned it with one of his own. It missed. Sasuke spun, aiming his heel at Shino's chin. Again, the Aburame dodged. He had stopped taking initiative, Sasuke noted as feinted a sloppy kick. He was reacting, focusing all his attention on anticipating Sasuke's movements and blocking them. His false kick drew Shino in closer, and Sasuke brought his fist around. Shino flinched back, his haphazard block stopping the blow through luck.

A sweep kick targeting Shino's knees, and the Aburame went down. Shino rolled, trying to get back to his feet. Sasuke's thumb met the soft flesh on Shino's neck.

Match.

"Good work, Sasuke," Iruka-sensei said. "Shino, you've improved your form. Keep practicing."

Shino got to his feet. "May I use the bathroom?" he asked.

"Go ahead, Shino," Iruka said. "Next match is Ami and Hinata."

Sasuke watched Shino amble to the bathroom. Something was going on with him. He'd been acting strange all day.

It really wasn't his business, he thought as he leaned back against the log next to Naruto. Shino was a private person. He probably didn't want anyone butting in after him.

"This is gonna be an easy match!" Ami said, lifting her hands. Her voice grated against Sasuke's nerves and revived the memory of her unwanted touch- of dark Aburame justice. A reluctant sigh bled from his throat. He owed Shino for keeping Ami off him.

"Shino?" Sasuke asked, poking his head into the boy's room. "Are you in here?"

This was so stupid. Why was he doing this?

"I am here." Sasuke slipped in. Shino sat underneath the sink, his knees drawn up to his chest. "Is it time to go back inside?"

If only.

"No." Sasuke squatted next to Shino. "You haven't been- well. I wanted to-"

What did he want, exactly?

"-to make sure you were doing ok."

Shino's glasses glinted as they turned up to face him. "I am not. Why? Because my baby sister died last night."

"You have a sister?" Sasuke repeated in surprise, then slapped his face. "I mean-"

"Aburame pregnancies are quite risky, even after the baby is born. There is a one-month period after birth where they may die. If they survive, then we announce the birth. If not…"

"I see." Sasuke hesitated. When his parent's death was still fresh, when all everyone cared to give him were cheap, empty words, he had wanted nothing more than silence. "Do you want to be alone right now?" he asked at last.

"I am never alone," Shino said. "Why? Because of my kikaichuu. But it is nice to have a person express concern."

Settling into a sitting position, Sasuke leaned against the wall, close enough to try and convey- what? Support? Understanding? Camaderie?

"My cats help," Sasuke said, "on bad days. But they aren't the same as people. I guess that's why I've been hanging around Naruto lately. He gets things some of the others don't."

"He is more observant than people realize," Shino said. "He knows pain and loneliness because he is ostracized. Why? I am unsure. But you understand, too- more than many of the others. Thank you. I needed a distraction."

"Naruto and I have a study session at Ichiraku's if you need a distraction tonight," Sasuke said. He had needed one during some of those long nights alone in his parent's house. Shino may not have gone through what he had, but he knew more than most of his classmates. He knew enough.

"I will take you up on that. Why? Because I will need one," Shino said. "Thank you."

"Right after school," Sasuke said. "We will be going over Yin and Yang chakra."

"I will be there."

They sat together in comfortable silence. Faint cheers from the matches outside leaked into the bathroom, echoing around them. When the latest roars died down, Shino spoke again. "Tell me about your cats."

Sasuke ignored the way Shino's arms tightened around his knees into a smaller ball.

"I have four," Sasuke began, "Tora, Hyō, Shū and Neko."

"So Yin chakra is the spiritual stuff you mix with physical stuff to make chakra."

"No, Naruto. Yin chakra is chakra that's already been mixed, it just has more physical energy in it."

"Naruto, think of it like ramen. Why? If the noodle is the Yang and the broth the Yin, cooking them in equal parts gets normal chakra. But if you need Yin chakra, then you add more broth to make a thinner soup."

"Oh!" Naruto's face cleared. "That makes sense. You can't use spiritual energy until you heat it up and get it ready to eat- and even if the technique is mostly Yin energy, it needs at least some noodles to give it form."

"Exactly," Sasuke said, closing his book. "Well put."

The sun hung low in the sky, brushing the earth. Naruto, Shino and Sasuke pored over the review sheet Iruka-sensei had given out.

"But how do you tell it apart when you mix it? When you mold chakra, how do you know what's physical and what's spiritual?"

"That's why we use hand seals," Sasuke said as Naruto started on his third bowl. "They knead the energy."

"But that makes no sense. You don't use hand seals to mix ramen."

Shino put his hand to his chin. Sasuke struggled to dilute the concept.

"It's like a recipe," Sasuke said at last, "you gotta read it before you make the ramen, right?"

"Only if you've never made ramen before," Naruto said.

"Unless you've memorized the recipe," Shino said, "Then you might make mistakes."

"And that's what seals are for," Sasuke said, "They're like the ingredients and amounts. Tiger, for instance, means 'fire' and 'earth'. It's why most of my clan's techniques that use fire end in Tiger."

"So the hand seals are how you mix chakra and visualise the technique," Naruto said.

"A good way to put it," Shino said.

"You think so?" Naruto asked.

"Yes. Why? Because it is accurate."

Naruto tilted his head. "You know, you're alright, Shino," he declared. "I thought you were a weirdo because you never talked to anyone but I guess you were just shy like Sasuke here."

"I was not shy!"

"You have quite a unique view of the world, Naruto," Shino said. "I see why Sasuke is your friend."

"You do?" Naruto asked.

"Is that your way of saying you wouldn't mind another study session?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes," Shino said. "I came for a distraction. But I have enjoyed this far more than i expected to."

"This is your idea of fun?" Naruto exploded, "Lame! You need to come and play poker with Sasuke and me!"

Shino's head snapped over to face Naruto. "Poker, you say?" he murmured, the fading sunlight glinting off his mirrored black glasses, "I would like that. I am quite fond of poker."

"Sweet! You can help me teach Sasuke- he sucks!"

"I do not, you're just bad at explaining the rules!"

"Well it's not my fault you don't listen, duck-face!"

"If the two of you would like, we could play at my house this Saturday at two," Shino said.

Sasuke hesitated. The errands he could do any time and it didn't cost anything to go to someone's house. If he were lucky, if he found an Aburame adult willing to help him, he might learn more about his stolen Clan scrolls. Their families had always gotten along well.

"You want us to come to your house?" Naruto asked.

Shino's shoulders caved. "You do not have to. Why? It was a suggestion-"

"No, no!" Naruto said, and again Sasuke noted the sheen over the blonde's eyes. "I'll be there!"

"Then it is settled," Shino said, and leaned back into his seat.

Naruto slid his empty bowl aside and called Teuchi over, detailing a new order. "I will cover the bill tonight," Shino said.

"I have some money," Sasuke said, "I can-"

"You have done me a service tonight," Shino said.

OK. There was an out he could accept- Shino paying for the meal in exchanged for services rendered. "Thanks," Sasuke said.

Shino nodded at him, then turned his attention to Naruto. The irascible blonde was arguing about broth flavors with Teuchi, waving his arms as he peppered a few non-sequitur comments about Yin chakra into his point. "Have you noticed anything odd about this place?" Shino asked.

"Besides the cuisine?" Sasuke asked.

"No." Shino kept his gaze on Naruto. "The people. They all look at him strangely. Why? I do not know."

"...yeah," Sasuke said, "I've seen it, too. Except Iruka-sensei and Teuchi. Maybe the Lord Hokage."

"This is strange. My insects are picking up disparaging comments, but nothing about the source. It can't be his pranks."

"No," Sasuke agreed as Naruto's wild gesticulation sent a fresh bowl of broth flying over the counter, "It's more like they fear him or something."

"I could ask my father," Shino said, "but he would tell me to investigate for myself. There must be a reason everyone fears the son of the Fourth Hokage."

"Hold on, what makes you say Naruto is the Fourth's son?" Sasuke asked.

"They bear a strong resemblance. You cannot say you haven't noticed it," Shino said. "His birthday, the same day as the attack of the Nine-tails. His birth records are sealed- even my insects can't access the room."

"How do you know?" Sasuke demanded.

"I suspect. Nothing more," Shino said. "Of course, I could be wrong. Naruto may not be the Fourth Hokage's son. But it is a matter worth investigating. Why? Because Naruto is someone I can see myself calling a friend. As are you."

Friends are a distraction.

But Sasuke recognized the honor for what it was. The Aburame were solitary by nature and by necessity. Few others could stand being around them. His friendship with Naruto had been beneficial thus far. A friendship with Shino would be more so.

"I could say the same of you," Sasuke said. "You helped me out of a tight spot."

"Ami got what was coming to her," Shino said. "She needs to learn to take no for an answer."

"Perhaps the three of us can do something about that," Naruto suggested, "I don't like her."

"Why, do you have something in mind?" Sasuke asked.

"Maybe," Naruto said, "Gotta give a bit of time to bake, though."

"Shino."

Naruto and Sasuke jumped. Behind them stood Shibi Aburame.

"I will see you in class tomorrow," Shino said, climbing down from the stool. Shibi's gaze moved to Sasuke, sweeping over Naruto as it went.

"See ya tomorrow, Shino!" Naruto said, waving as the pair diminished into the distance. Sasuke let his eyes wander the street, and noted the influx of cold looks at the blonde's outburst.

Why?

The sun had slipped below the horizon. Night would be here in a matter of moments and he hadn't seen or fed his cats all day.

But there was something he had to do first.

"I'm heading home, Naruto," he said, rising. "I need to feed my cats."

"Oh, great," Naruto said, "the bill! I'm sorry- I don't have enough-"

"Shino took care of it."

"When?" Naruto asked, craning his head as if he could catch another glimpse of their reserved classmate around the corner.

"While you were mopping up the broth you spilled," Sasuke said. "You need to be more aware of your surroundings."

"I am so!" Naruto retorted.

"Right. See you tomorrow, Naruto."

"You jerk! See if I care!"

He hid his smile as he walked away from the ramen stand. But he did not direct his steps toward the Uchiha Clan compound. He had a quick stop to make before he headed home.

The wind had kicked up again as he stood on the doorstep of Iruka-sensei's apartment. Hoping to beat the rain, Sasuke knocked again although Iruka-sensei's brisk gait approached the door.

"Sasuke. Is everything alright?" Iruka-sensei asked, surprise flickering across his face.

"Yes, sensei. Everything is fine," he said as the chuunin stepped aside to let him in. Iruka-sensei's eyes stayed on him, gentle and assessing all in one look.

The small apartment wasn't messy as much as it was disorganized. The dishes piled in the sink under a dripping faucet were clean. Stacks of schoolwork and papers rested on most available surfaces. Sasuke counted at least seven loose pens and brushes.

"Then what can I do for you, Sasuke?"

"It's about Naruto."

Tension crept into Iruka-sensei's shoulders, but he kept his attention on Sasuke. Waiting.

"Have you seen where he lives?" Sasuke asked at last.

"I know roughly where he lives," Iruka-sensei said, taken aback. "But I haven't been there, no."

"It's not fit for a beggar," Sasuke said. "Whoever's paying rent is getting swindled. There's a bunch of leaks in the roof, all the doorknobs are broken, and the windows won't close all the way. He doesn't know how to tell when milk is rotten, either!"

As Sasuke spoke, cold determination filled Iruka-sensei's eyes. "I'll take care of it," he said, crossing his arms.

"That's not all. Have you seen the way the people of the village look at him?"

Iruka-sensei's mouth pressed into a thin line. One drip, two, three from the faucet breaking the silence before Iruka-sensei spoke. "It is hard to miss," he said at last.

"So why doesn't anyone do anything about it?" Sasuke asked. "Naruto's an idiot but he's not a monster!"

A choked laugh squeezed from Iruka-sensei's throat. "Many in the village would say otherwise."

"I know," Sasuke said. "I hear the things they say everyday. And so does Naruto." He straightened, and asked his mother's spirit for strength. "You always tell us to speak up for what's right, to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. That's what the Will of Fire is, right? Why haven't you done anything to stop it?"

Iruka-sensei flinched back under the weight of his words. "Sasuke, it's complicated-"

"There's nothing complicated about it!" Sasuke spat, "It's not Naruto's fault the Fourth died!"

"Of course it isn't," Iruka-sensei returned, "But what do you expect me to do, Sasuke? I can't make them change their minds. They're going to hate him no matter what I say."

"Maybe." Sasuke met Iruka's eyes. "But you could be doing something, and you're not. Smiling at him does him no good if you're coldhearted underneath."

The moon was high overhead by the time he crossed into the Uchiha Compound. Sasuke wrapped his arms around his chest, rubbing his upper arms to warm them up.

Don't forget a jacket, Sasuke, his mother would have said. You'll catch cold.

Sasuke of a few months ago would have protested, would have said it was uncool. Foolish. If one fell sick, they were no good to anyone.

Perhaps it was because he was so deep in thought. Perhaps it was the darkness, or the chill of the wind sapping his attention. Whatever the reason, Sasuke did not register the fallen tree and the shrieking yowls of his cats until he was almost over the threshold of his house. Wet and hungry. No wonder the poor things were angry.

That tree had stood outside Itachi's room for as long as Sasuke could recall. He and Itachi had climbed it as children and his mother had used it to erect a line to dry their laundry on.

Sunlight is so much better for clothes than hot air. They last longer.

Another thing he lost, he thought, staring at the remnants of the tree. Another thing that didn't matter in the long run. After last night's heavy rainfall, large sections of the house would be ruined. Repairs would be expensive, far beyond what he could afford on his stipend-

He'd have to find alternate living arrangements.

Relief at no longer living under the shadows of his parents mixed with fear. Where would he go?

It didn't matter now, he decided as he ducked inside the house, kicking off his shoes despite the wet floor. The planks groaned under his weight as he moved deeper into the house. The library was safe, and so were the books thanks to the closed cabinets storing the books. But the kitchen was decimated. The fallen oak had knocked a dish cabinet off the wall. Shards of broken glass and porcelain shrouded the floor. The tree itself jutted from the kitchen into the hallway leading to the stairwell, blocking his entry into the rest of the house.

At the sound of his entry, the yowling intensified. Tora bounded down out of the kitchen, yowling the loudest of all of them. Once she got his attention, she raced back in, never ceasing her keening.

"Alright, alright I'm here!" he said, collecting the broom from its place in the library, "I'll feed you in a minute!"

Careful to avoid stepping in the mess, Sasuke swept up the broken shards in the kitchen. As he emptied the mess into the garbage can in the kitchen, a rusty, metallic smell pulled at his nose.

Foolish little brother. Why do you fight when you cannot win?

Corpses at his feet, his mother's dark hair veiling her face- his father's eyes inhuman and dull as they stared into nothing-

Something brushed against his leg and broke him free of his thoughts. Neko's sad blue eyes pierced his thoughts, as if she knew his thoughts.

Fumbling, he retrieved the dustpan from the depths of the garbage can where he'd dropped it, tapping it against the side to dislodge the last of the shards.

Out of the corner of his eye, his sight picked out red-stained white and black fur hidden in the foliage of the tree.

The dustpan clattered to the floor as he darted to the fallen tree. Pushing the leaves aside revealed Shuu's dull yellow eyes. With a pained mewl, Shuu licked Sasuke's hand. The tree had fallen on his back legs- maybe his hindquarters? He couldn't tell. Tora lay next to Shuu, and the yowling ceased at last.

No. No. No.

Drawing a kunai, Sasuke began chipping at the wood. Beside him, Hyou lay down on the floor next to him, as he always did.

"Hold on, Shuu," he said, hacking at the wood with all the care and speed he could muster, "It's going to be ok."

Not fast enough. He wasn't fast enough and his hands were already getting tired. There had to be another way to move the tree. Shuu needed a doctor, now.

Think Sasuke, think. He forced his hands to still, and let the kunai fall.

He couldn't burn the tree away. He didn't have the kind of control to keep from hurting Shuu. he was too small and weak

(it always came back to weakness, didn't it?)

to move it.

So what options remained?

He could keep hacking away. But Shuu's eyes were glassy with pain and the sticky red puddle under him meant Shuu didn't have much time left. Whatever he did, he had to do now.

If he were on earth, he could dig a hole under Shuu and slide him out. But he couldn't pull him out from under-

Wait.

He dug through the pouch at his waist, pulling a storage scroll free. He unsealed the contents, careful to keep the heavy fuuma shuriken from falling onto any of the cats. Iruka-sensei had said you could put living things in a seal.

But he had to risk it. He had no other way to move Shuu in time to get him to a doctor.

Oh, let this work, he prayed as he laid Shuu's front paw on top of the seal. With shaky hands, he stroked Shuu's neck, planted a quick kiss on his head, and sent a chakra surge into the seal.

Shuu disappeared in a puff of smoke. With a groan, the tree settled deeper into his house. Running to the counter, Sasuke cleared it off and unsealed the scroll. The cat materialized on the countertop with a low mewl of pain. Sasuke gagged. Turning away, he fought down his nausea.

He's running out of time. Don't waste it being weak.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he sealed Shuu back into the scroll. Placing it deep into his pouch, Sasuke threw his shoes on and ran back into the night.