Chapter 1

An obnoxious wake up

It felt like a dream. His body was numb and his mind was vaguely aware of his surroundings. He opened his eyes only enough to realize that it was that dream again: Naruto was giving him a piggy back ride, while he brought him back to Konoha, never reaching their destination.

The feeling of happiness and nostalgia were always present in this sweet dream. He missed his dobe. He missed the times when he was somewhat happy for being alive. The times he watched Naruto and Sakura yell 'Liar' to Kakashi at the same time; or the times when Sakura would ask him to a date and Naruto would whine, saying that he was much better than him; the times where he and Naruto made the perfect two pair team and would win against all odds.

He missed that so much, the time when he was happy. It was the sole fact that he was so obsessed with revenge that he could say without a doubt: "that was the happiest time of my life."

However he was conscious that when he woke up in that morning, in one small room of Orochimaru's hideout, he would have to repress his tears and regrets. Not that he had ever had cried, he hadn't shed a tear in wears. But at the same time he cried tears that were not visible, tears that were so deep inside of him that scarred his heart a little more every time. And he had no excuse for regretting. If he regretted than every pain he caused to them will be in vain.

His head was just besides Naruto's, his chin was supported by the blonde's shoulder. He was so close that he felt the warmth of his breathing. Sasuke shifted his head a little so he could look at the blonde unruly hair that grazed his cheek. The color was as bright as ever.

He knew this was a dream, even though it felt so realistic. A part of him wanted to believe that this dream was real, because it felt like it, but no matter what, he would always open his eyes to realize that after all, it had all been a dream. Besides there was no way that this could be real.

However there was still something that bothered him.

He shifted his body trying to turn his head back, but he didn't get the right vision angle. He ended up loosening his grip around Naruto's neck, so he could turn his head back upside down.

Sasuke saw Kakashi looking at him wary, as if he was ready to strike at any sign of danger. He didn't know why, but he knew it was him. He knew that he was the danger. Shifting his head, he saw Sakura wearing the same expression, although she looked concerned as well.

He really could have let it pass, but…

Why was there a parade of people behind them? Even if it was a soundless dream, he didn't think he would have such a detailed dream with so many people as far as his somewhat blurry vision allowed him to see.

Was his dream becoming some sort of nightmare?

He hated this thought with passion.

This dreamed was his and he only wanted Naruto in it!

But since the rest of the people didn't disappear he knew his dream was already ruined. He groaned, or at least he would have if this wasn't a dream. He pulled his torso back to its original position, with his cheek on the blonds' shoulder to rest. He felt tired and exhausted; all the numbness he had felt was now replaced with annoying pains, and urges to stretch his limbs. His mind was still fuzzy, but it hurt to think.

Some part of him knew he was awake; however another part of him told him that it was impossible for him to be awake. These contradictory thoughts made his head hurt more, and he just wanted to close his eyes and sleep with thoughts of a happier time when he didn't feel so lonely.

He wanted to dream of all the times Naruto had so cunningly convinced him to go along with something either to see Kakashi's face or any other plans that he had never imagined he would've agreed to. He wanted to dream with the all the times he argued with Naruto because he couldn't be honest about his feelings and say strait to him that he was his best friend. He wanted to dream with all the things he never got the chance to do and say: like telling Naruto sorry and thank you for everything; or saying to Sakura that he would never returned her feelings, without hurting her; or to finally address Kakashi as his sensei correctly for all the times he had denied the respect to the adult that had most cared for him.

For a moment lost in the sweetness of his dreams, the pain went back to numbness, and his senses were again dull. He had almost drifted into one of his dreams when his ears suddenly regained their ability to perceive sound.

"Sasuke? Are you awake?"

To this familiar voice a smirk was drawn instantly in his lips. He felt like playing with the dream.

"I'm dreaming, dobe."

His voice sounded tired and breathless. Somehow he felt tired from saying such simple words. The heavy eyelids were too stubborn to open.

"You're awake!"

"Hun."

It was the soft groan he could manage; it had been barely audible to his ears. He wanted to sleep so badly, that he felt he was seconds from drifting into another dream.

"Oi, Teme don't go to sleep. Come on, talk."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

The voices suddenly faded out, he was so close.

Until his dream collapsed without warning and Sasuke found himself with his back on the hard floor and all his breath gone from his lungs and sore eyes from the sudden intake of the bright midday light.

He knew he had fallen from his god dammed bed. Such an obnoxious way to wake would leave him in a bad mood for the rest of his already hellish day. If Orochimaru even coughed anything regarding Konoha or Naruto he would certainly chop him into bits.

The raven rolled to the side knowing he wouldn't have the strength to get up from the weeks of intense training he had insisted on doing. Not that it matter much, he wouldn't die until he killed… who was he supposed to kill?

He was already on his knees and hands when his senses decided to tune in with the rest of his surroundings. The sounds made his head hurt and feel dizzy.

"NARUTO! What do you think you are doing dropping him like that!?"

"I just wanted to wake him up! He's been sleeping for ages!"

"That gives you no right to do it. Even if he is healed he is still on recovery!"

"Maa, don't start fighting."

"But…"

"SHUT UP!"

The last screamed surprised even him. He didn't know he was capable of such energy. He had suddenly managed to get up and scream, but the very same second next, he felt to dizzy to stand and fell backwards with his vision turning black.

Someone had grabbed him midway in his fall.

"My head hurts."

The pain had come back tenfold. He felt like someone had hit his head countless times until it had cracked like an egg. And maybe there was some truth to that since he felt a bandage around his head when his hand reached it.

His mind was going a thousand an hour. He wasn't supposed to be with them. But then again where was he supposed to be? His memory came fragmented. The bits and pieces refused to be one as well. He didn't know where the dream ended and reality started.

"Where am I?"

"See for yourself Sasuke.", the cheerfulness in the blue eyed ninja was evident.

Forcing his eyes to open and focus, he blinked a couple of times before he realized that he was in fact not dreaming and before him was...

"Konoha."