Author's Note: {As some of you have probably noticed if you've seen my profile, I'm not a big fan of Student/teacher relationships in the Naruto universe. They just don't appeal to me, and I much prefer my senseis to not seem like pedos. However, while texting with my girlfriend and wonderful Beta reader, Atari Atagashi-Chan(check her out, she has plenty of wonderful stories. :3), I got inspired to write a NaruHina fic. However, I couldn't think of much of a plot, and so I was trying to think of another pairing to write about. Then I thought of KakaSasu, which happens to be her favorite pairing, and the plot ideas just started coming to me. So, despite my not liking this pairing all too much, I just had too many ideas and inspirations not to write it. =x

And I know I should probably not start a whole other fanfic while still not finished with the first, but I figured why not, since I already have this one planned out. And perhaps if I have a block, or am not in the mood to write for Obsession, then I can write for this. :3

By the way, Atari helped me with quite a bit of this fic, not just by Betaing, but by also bestowing her KakaSasu knowledge on me, and by giving me ideas, etc. =3 So a big thanks goes out to her. 3 (If you enjoy this fic, why not check her out as a form of thanks? ;3)

Anyways, I hope the readers will enjoy this. And I hope I don't get too OOC, if at all. o.o'' }

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My life back then had been robotic. Eat, sleep, train, avoid social contact-- basically just get through the day, and become stronger at any and every chance I got. Revenge was my only goal, my only future. Everyday life was merely a necessary, boring filler, existing only to serve as the distance of time between that one night of horror and the future night of justice. In my mind, there was nothing beyond that day. My life, my plans, my thoughts, ended abruptly at that point. Beyond that was nothing-- a cycle of static, a world of black that meant that it was time to press stop. That there was no more of the story. That was it. The life and tale of Sasuke Uchiha had ended. There was nothing left.

But that routine had hit a bump when I joined Team 7. It wasn't just the endless annoyances that Naruto and Sakura provided. It wasn't merely the fact that it was now required of me to socialize, to participate in teamwork and have little time to myself.

It was you.

Kakashi Hatake.

Originally, you were just as irritating as the others-- laidback, never on time, incessantly going on about the importance of friendship, and always reading those pornographic books. I respected your strength and ability as a ninja, but besides that, you were just another person to me. Another of my species and profession, hardly more important to me then anyone else. You were a tool to aid in my quest for vengeance, something that I would use while it helped me, but discard as soon as it was no longer of use. As soon as you could no longer help me get stronger.

I never thought that I'd have difficulty doing that. That you, or anyone else for that matter, would cause me to hesitate, to consider abandoning my task to pursue a more normal, happier, life. My resolve was so strong that I thought nothing could break it.

You proved me wrong.

I first noticed the thawing of my determination during the Chuunin exams, though I suppose it started before that. By the time I had realized what was happening, I was too far in to completely stop. Too far gone to turn and go back to how I was before.

After Orochimaru bit me, infected me with his bite, cursed my body with his forbidden jutsu, you were there. The mark would have spread, would have consumed me were it not sealed away. The taste of it I had already gotten had left me hungry for more, like an addict in need of another dose. Yet, I did not want to be controlled. Not by a person, and certainly not by a non-living thing, something that leeched off of me yet had no mind nor will of it's own. I valued my free will; you knew that. You knew that I would rebel against being forced to do anything, regardless of what it was.

And so, you gave me a choice. You allowed me the liberty of deciding if I would let the curse take over, or whether I would suppress it. To follow my path of revenge, pursue my intended destiny, or to forge a new coarse, a road to take that was of my own making. You cracked open the door, giving me a glimpse of an alternate future, opening my eyes to the choices I had.

Is it so unnatural that I fell for you, then? Is it so wrong? Before you instilled a preview of what I could do with my life, there had been nothing. Merely a straight line headed towards a point at which it stopped. The length of the line could change, could shorten or lengthen, and yet did not extend beyond that point. Others' lines could curve and bend into whatever shape they so pleased; once they reached a point they could continue on, swerving and looping towards a whole other goal. My line was static. Lifeless. Stiff. It was you who had poured water, bubbling and steaming with heat, onto it. You, who had softened it so that it had the ability to bend.

You, who it now favored and considered curving towards.

Like during your infamous bell test, I was buried neck deep. But this time, it was like it was in quicksand. I was gradually sinking and if I struggled, it would only make things worse. So, what else could I do?

I just gave in.

...Unfortunately, you didn't submit so easily.