He saw a figure in the distance, like a light at the end of dark tunnel.
"Sasuke?" he whispered "Sasuke, is that you?"
The figure did not turn, but Naruto knew that silhouette. It was him. Mere yards away.
"Sasuke!" He called, but it was as if he were underwater. His voice didn't carry. He began to run, but his feet hardly moved him forward at all, in fact it seemed that Sasuke was floating further down the tunnel.
"No, Sasuke! Come back!" he cried, but he knew the sound couldn't reach the silhouette.
"Sasuke, no! Please, come back! Come back Sasuke…please…"
Naruto bolted upright in bed. Cold sweat poured down his back and hot tears rolled down his face.
"Dammit!" he yelled, sinking his fist into his mattress. "Dammit, Sasuke…"
Hours later Naruto got out of bed. He never fell back asleep after the dream. He never could, and it seemed that it came more and more often now. Seeing Sasuke there within his grasp, yet unable to reach him, to bring him back.
Naruto downed a bowl of ramen and some milk before heading out to meet Sakura, Kakashi, and Sai. Sakura and Sai were already there.
"Took you long enough, idiot." Sakura said. Naruto didn't even offer a rude response.
"Hey, are you ok?" Sakura asked, suddenly a bit concerned. Naruto didn't look well. He had black rings under his eyes and looked sullen, withdrawn.
"Uh-huh." said Naruto
"He appears to not have slept well," Sai supplied "I read in a book once that-"
"Oh shut it, will you Sai?" Sakura said. She peered at Naruto "Are you having trouble sleeping, Naruto, if you want, I could make you some special tea that will-"
"No thanks Sakura. I don't trust any of your special "remedies". Besides it won't help."
"Why not?" Sakura asked angrily, arms crossed over her chest.
"I…I've just been having some bad dreams lately that's all."
"Oh…" Sakura would've pushed for more information, but the look on Naruto's face stopped her. It was so sad, it almost made her want to hug him. Almost. "Ok." she said.
Kakashi appeared a moment later. "Sorry, I'm late guys I-"
"Oh, save it Kakashi," Sakura snapped.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck, seeming embarrassed "Heh, heh…Alright then. Lets head off and get some training done."
Kakashi and Sai took off, but Naruto hung back a second.
"Naruto?" said Sakura.
"Do you…do you think he thinks about us?"
"Who?"
"Sasuke."
"Oh…I don't know Naruto. I…I sure hope so."
Naruto went ahead to catch up with Kakashi and Sai. After a minute Sakura followed, wondering exactly how much Naruto thought about Sasuke.
When Naruto caught up, Sai stared at him.
"What?" demanded Naruto, making a face.
"Nothing." said Sai.
That guy is so weird sometimes, thought Naruto.
By the time they were done with training, the sun was already setting. Naruto stretched and yawned.
"Well, I'm heading off for some ramen." said Naruto.
Sakura rolled her eyes "Of course. See you guys tomorrow."
"Naruto?" said Sai.
"Huh? What?"
"Can I go with you to eat ramen?"
"You wanna go with me…to eat ramen…together?"
"Yes. I read in a book that that is what you call a 'date' and that you go on a date with someone you like."
Naruto blushed "Well, yeah that's sort of a date, but you go on a date with someone you really like."
"What do you mean?"
"Well…just…someone you like more than a friend."
Sai tilted his head to the side and said "Perhaps I may like you as more than a friend. I read in a book that-"
"Those books are for trying to get girls to like you, you know?" Naruto said, blushing even brighter.
"Yes, but I figured it would work for boys as well. Besides I don't feel those things for girls."
Naruto had figured that out already. "Yeah, but…well not all guys…um…like other guys, you know."
Sai almost looked sad "And you don't?"
Naruto started stammering " Well…I…uh…I mean…"
Sai nodded "You just don't like me."
Naruto looked at his feet
"Like 'that' at least." Sai added.
Naruto nodded slightly "It's more like…there's someone in particular." Naruto said, not knowing why he was telling Sai this at all. Maybe he felt like he owed him an explanation.
"Sasuke Uchiha," Sai said as a statement not a question.
Naruto nodded. "I…I mean I like girls, usually. It's just Sasuke. I don't even know why. I just…love him. More than anyone. There's just this bond that we have. One I can't really explain. And he's all I think about now! It's driving me crazy. I need him back. That's all I need…"
Sai nodded.
"I'm sorry, Sai." said Naruto.
Sai smiled at him and walked away.
Naruto ate his ramen alone that night.