Dattebayo! Naruto's face was mere inches away from Sasuke's own, and wearing his broadest, brightest and most annoying grin. DATTEBAYO, he said even more loudly.

Sasuke awoke with a jerk, into total darkness. "Stupid Naruto," the young man grumbled. Did he have to be so annoyingly optimistic even in dreams? He opened his eyes. Darkness. Then he remembered.

"Good morning Uchiha Sasuke," a voice said from the darkness somewhere to his right. It was the Kazikage Gaara.

"I can't tell," said Sasuke.

"Nonsense. Someone of your level can always tell the day's time even when…"

"Unable to see," sighed Sasuke. He rubbed his eyes, permanently burned out now. The last, final and most extravagant expenditure of power of the Sharingan, and for what? To save the world from Madara's doomsday plans? No. To save Naruto.

"Stupid Naruto," he grumbled again.

"Annoying, isn't he?" Sasuke could tell that Gaara was smiling as he talked.

"Argh… shut up about him already. He's not so great. My eyes are a lost cause and it's all his fault!" Sasuke lay down again, face turned away from the voice.

"Sulking is not very becoming of you. Your breakfast is on the table."

"How long are you going to keep me locked up?" Sasuke said, still turned away.

"The door was never locked. You didn't even bother to check?"

Startled, Sasuke got up again. "Not locked? What?" I really am slipping.

"Listen to me. As Kazikage I grant you asylum in the Sand Village. You are not to leave the village, but otherwise you are free to move around. I think I told you, but you were not listening."

"I was in agony."

"Yes. You broke three stretchers and kicked my brother unsconscious." Sasuke had been a dangerous patient when delirious. "And the ambulance needs a new roof."

Sasuke couldn't help grinning. He heard a rustle, and guessed that Gaara was handing him a robe to wear. "Mustn't be indecent in front of a Kage, eh?"

"Ha. One more thing. Classes begin tomorrow."

"Classes?" Does he expect me to learn? Sasuke thought. No, worse, he wants me to teach! "I'm blind, my powers are gone. What can I…"

"Will you stop that!" growled Gaara. "Is the Sharingan all that you are? Would I have agreed to grant you asylum if I didn't think you were still good for something! I have no time for useless people."

"Who are you to say I'm useless! Do you know how many jutsu I have learned before the Sharingan burned out, and my chakra flows may be out of whack now but I can still manage a Chidori."

"That's more like it! But I wouldn't attempt a Chidori just yet if I were you."

Sasuke glared with his sightless eyes.

"It would scare the kids for one thing," said Gaara after a while.

"Kids," prompted Sasuke.

"Kids. Just go easy with your powers, explore your limits again slowly. The doctor said a lot of your chakra system's damaged. For your own sake, don't attempt a Chidori without my approval, and the doctor's."

"You said kids. What age are we talking about? How old are they?"

"Chuunin level."

"Are you…"

"I am not patronizing you. You need your feet back on the ground. You need to relearn what you're fighting for."

"Relearn what I'm fighting for." The words sunk in. So long, so much spent pursuing power and vengeance. "Huh. Do you expect me to be another Naruto?"

"Sages forbid!" Gaara gasped.

"Dattebayo," said Sasuke.

"Don't," said Gaara. Then they both laughed.

"I might as well have something to do. But I don't know where the school is."

"Someone will guide you there. Be ready."