Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any characters or themes related to the series!

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Sweet Dreams are made of This

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Sasuke doesn't dream often anymore.

After his family was murdered, he hardly slept, not to mention dream.

He wakes up, day after day, in his cold home. He doesn't have to greet anyone, because they're all gone and they can't answer back. He doesn't have to worry about coming home late after a mission, since everyone who ever cared about him is gone.

He doesn't like to talk anymore, there's no-one left to listen.

The one person, who'd always listened to him, has now made his world silent.

It doesn't bother Sasuke that much. He carries on. He keeps on walking, doing his studies, going on missions, he sleeps and eats.

He smiles. Sometimes. It always feels forced though. Like a gesture that's covered in clay or mud. The intention is there, but sincerity isn't. He doesn't feel the complete happiness he used to. Now it's only hollow and empty and flaccid. The warmth of happiness doesn't completely overtake him now, now it's only there for a moment until it fades faster than it was conjured.

He sleeps. Less than he used to, but more than he wants. His usual nights are dreamless rests, but others are only nightmares. Nightmares of a memory full of deep pain that it crushes his chest and he wakes up with tears staining his pillow. He can't sleep afterwards, and even if he does, Itachi's only standing above him and drives the blade through his heart. But, the pain stays the same.

That was something Sasuke would never understand. Why a deep and lasting physical wound was just as painful when compared to that of heartbreak.

There are other dreams though. Very few.

Dreams of something less painful. Dreams that don't end up with him waking up to his own screams or tears.

It's the dream that Sasuke would never admit to having. It's something he even doesn't admit to himself. But, sometimes, he dreams about Itachi. Not one where Sasuke's killing him or watching him die.

No.

Dreams of the Itachi, the way Sasuke had remembered him as a child. The Itachi who could do no wrong in his brother's eyes. The Itachi who was perfect.

A Dream where Itachi's sitting next to him, at the lakeside. They watch the sunrise together and plan their day. They'll train for an hour but spend the rest of the day fishing. Just sitting by the lake and enjoy the sunshine, with the excuse that they're practicing their fishing skills. Itachi hugs him and tells him he'll protect him forever.

A Dream where Itachi tells him, that he hadn't murdered their clan, that someone else had. That he was only trying to protect Sasuke from a much stronger evil than the young boy could ever imagine. That he'd been lying about what happened that night. That he doesn't hate Sasuke and that he still cared and loved him. Then he hugs his younger brother…

And that's when Sasuke always wakes up. He's back in his dark lonely room again, everyone he had ever cared about has disappeared and his brother still hates him.

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