Blanket Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If you thought I did, that's sad.

Summary:

Side-stories, omakes, and drabbles that coincide with incidences within Introspection. It will explain certain past events and some current events. It can also be stand alone. (But it just makes more sense when reading Introspection. ;p )

A/M: This 1st story relates to Introspection - Chapter 7: Where are we? Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Story 1: Sasuke's Dream

Sasuke is outside overlooking the cliff. Dressed entirely in white, he looks ethereal. The sun is rising and the rays are a marvelous golden color. As the rays spread across the valley below, lush with trees, Sasuke feels contentment spread throughout his being.

"Oi, bastard!" Sasuke smiles. "Hn. What dobe?"

Naruto steps out dressed in red. He looks at his companion. "You're dreaming again." Glancing at the blond, Sasuke memorizes the way the lines of the red tunic flows from the blond's shoulders. He burns to memory the way Naruto looks in the comfy red lounge pants that hangs off his hips. I'm having that dream again. Sasuke looks away and continues to gaze at the picturesque scene before him. "So what if I am. I like it here."

Naruto puts an arm around the man's waist. He worries at the implications and moves away. Naruto comes up to him again and wraps his hands around Sasuke, pinning his arms. "Shh. You're okay." Sasuke calms and relaxes under Naruto's hold.

Sasuke turns around and looks at his partner. "I can't do this anywhere else except in my dreams."

Naruto looks at him skeptically. He traces Sasuke's cheek. "Are you sure?"

The stoic man contemplates this. "It's better to keep our real life relationship platonic."

Naruto leans his forehead against the other man's and sighs. He lets go of the brunette. "Fine. You're just being a coward." Before he walks away, he looks at Sasuke with a look that can only be described as a mixture of sadness, love, and disappointment. "You'll be missing out."

Sasuke begins after the other man. "Wait."

Naruto does not wait; instead he continues walking away, away from Sasuke. Sasuke chases after him.

Suddenly the scene changes and the world is dark. Sasuke is again alone overlooking the cliff. This time, he is watching the moon. It's a full moon tonight. There are no stars. The moon must be lonely; I'm lonely. There is a feeling of emptiness.

A movement behind him catches his attention. He turns around getting ready for battle. He looks at the oncoming figure and snarls. "Orochimaru."

The man with oily like skin and a cold demeanor smirks. "Sasuke-kun, I've found you. It's time to repay your debts."

Sasuke spits at the man. "Tch. Never."

Orochimaru signals behind him. A groan reaches his ear. Kabuto steps out of the darkness dragging a lump of a man. Sasuke instantly reacts. Bypassing Orochimaru he knocks Kabuto out and grabs the figure and runs. He thinks only of the one he is carrying on his back. He thinks that he'll destroy those that hurt the one he is holding. He thinks of his precious person and what life would be like without him. He grimaces.

Sasuke carries the figure to a nearby lake. Splashing the figures face, he calls. "Naruto."

The prone figure groans. Sasuke shakes the man. "Naruto." Again, the man does not wake up.

Leaning in towards the other, Sasuke checks his breathing. "S….Sasuke."

Sasuke let's out a breath of relief. Naruto sits up slowly. "That damn Kabuto…"

Sasuke turns around and grabs the blond, crushing the other to his chest. "Thank kami."

Naruto is startled. "What the fuck are you doing Sasuke!" He pushes the other man away. Sasuke is hurt. Sasuke remembers this is a dream. He is not one to be deterred, especially in his dream. He grabs the other again, this time holding the other gently. "Don't leave me." He knows that he would never say these words out loud. He understands that all of his actions since the day they became friends again say these words for him.

Naruto closes his eyes and hugs the other man back. "I won't." Sasuke understands the feelings that surround those words. He knows that the other half will never be said. Even in his dream they won't be said. He can't imagine Naruto saying them to him.

Sasuke turns his head around and kisses the other chastely. "I don't care if this is a dream. Just this once, let me have what I desire." He kisses the other man again. Naruto responds. Sasuke revels in the others presence. "Nnnn….Naruto." Sasuke knows he is making things worst for himself. He relishes in the kiss and the pressure of the hands on his back. He will miss this contact when he wakes up. He kisses Naruto again.

A sound disrupts the reverie. Both bolt up. Sasuke sees that Naruto is no longer besides him. He grimaces. "Noooo!" He looks for his weapons. They're not there. He locates the other man and jumps in front of him and pushes the other down as a large shurikan passes overhead. He does not think about the fact that Naruto could have dodged it himself. He does not think about how Naruto could handle himself in battle. He only thinks about the need to protect this person, his friend, his companion, his precious person. "Stay down Naruto. He's out there."

Reality

"…You're okay. We're safe. There are no enemies." Sasuke is bewildered. He looks at the direction of the voice. It's Naruto. He's safe. He's still with me. He's here. It was only a dream. It was a dream. Dreams aren't real. Still looking at the blond and seeing his worried expression he wonders if there is some truth to his dream. He looks around and sees Sakura and Ino. "Where am I? What happened?"