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Warning : Heavy angst. Unbeta'd and may contain Grammar and spelling mistakes. Please forgive me for them.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters.

….

Sasuke stared at the light blue wall in front of him, but her eyes were unseeing, hollow and empty. The tears have dried long ago, leaving him with nothing to release his sorrow. Sitting curled up at a corner of their bedroom Sasuke tried to hide himself from the outer world, from the flood of memories that are trying to drown him, he tried to escape the pain in his heart.

But it was futile, as futile as an attempt to hide under a table during an earthquake. He banged his head on the wall behind him and cursed loudly, "Damn you Naruto! Damn you." taking the half filled bottle of shake he gulped it down in one go and threw it away. The glass bottle shattered in pieces. Sasuke stared it the broken pieces lifelessly, his mind once again flooding with memories from the past.

It was the sports day in his school. A twelve years old Sasuke stared at his classmates interacting with their parents with longing in his eyes. He knew like every other year his parents won't have the time to encourage him. Oh no, they are too busy….too busy applauding his brother's achievements to notice him.

They were sitting on the front row of the gallery, waiting for their respective events. Sasuke was sitting with his friend Neji who was also trying to avoid the parent-child reunion. Attending a boarding school, they barely see their parents, so it's hard for them to see other students smiling and laughing with their parents.

Even Neji's mother visits sometimes but his parents, Sasuke thought bitterly, he barely sees them once or twice a year, his brother visits him whenever he comes home but that's it.

When Itachi, his brother left to attend university in other state his parents thought it would be better for Sasuke to go to a boarding school then staying in the house alone because they have to travel a lot for their business.

"You know…" Neji started, "No matter how much they encourage them, we're going to win most of the events anyway." He said, shooting an arrogant smirk at Sasuke who snorted at his friend's comment.

"Hn." He said, placing his chin on his hands and looking at their classmates again, "…your uncle is here Neji." He said softly.

"For Hinata, not me." Neji said bitterly, "If my father was alive, I'm sure he'd have come to visit me." He murmured lowly.

"Hn."

'At least you have that to comfort you.' Sasuke thought, 'if he was alive…he'd have come.' He sighed loudly.

That was when his eyes landed on the other figure sitting alone on the same row only a few feet away from them. Sasuke looked at the boy curiously, he doesn't seem down like him or Neji, in fact he's smiling as he watched the other students interact.

Sasuke frowned a little. He doesn't know the boy's name, he has seen him a few times in the campus but that's that. He looked at the boy a bit closely, the boy has golden blonde hair, a tanned skin and the deepest blue eyes Sasuke has ever seen, which is very rare in their town, he also have six whisker like scars on both his cheeks. Sasuke frowned a little, the boy looks like a foreigner, an American most likely.

Vaguely Sasuke remembered Sakura talking about an annoying blonde transfer student joining her section a few months ago. So the blonde is in same grade as him but in different section, he thought to himself.

"Sasuke! Neji!" his train of thoughts were interrupted when he heard the loud voice of their gym teacher Might Gai. He turned his head towards his teacher and his eyes widened at the scene in front of him. There were his parents walking towards them with his teacher.

"Neji, go it's time for the long jumps." Gai said as he neared the two boys.

Neji nodded his head and ran off yelling a good luck to Sasuke. But the brunette was too shocked to reply. He could not believe his eyes, his parents are here…for him.

Slowly a smile spread on Sasuke's lips and he ran towards his parents, "Mother! Father!" he greeted excitedly.

Mikoto kneeled down and pulled her son into a hug, ruffling his raven hair lightly, "Oh dear, we're sorry we were unable to visit you until now. Itachi volunteered to do some paper works for your father and almost threw us out of the house, telling us that it's your sports day and you are expecting us." She said as she stood up.

Sasuke felt a little hurt that his parents does not remember he had called them to invite them for his sports day a few days ago but the bitter feeling was quickly overwhelmed by the joy of finally having his parents with him.

"Itachi's in town?" he asked his mother excitedly, "When would he visit?"

"Oh he'll visit soon dear." Mikoto said smiling, "He just came yesterday night."

Sasuke murmured a small 'ok.' and looked at his father who was watching them intently up to now. Fugaku nodded his head towards his youngest son and looked up at his wife, "Let's go now Mikoto." he said turning on his heels.

Sasuke's eyes widened at that, they are leaving? Just like that!

"Wait Father!" he cried out, "Won't you be there for my event?" he asked hopefully. Fugaku grunted, "I don't have time to waste." He said.

Sasuke felt tears gathering at the corner of his eyes at this, "Please mother…" he pleaded softly. Mikoto looked at her husband, Sasuke's voice was so small that she felt a pang of guilt for leaving him like that.

Fugaku sighed loudly, "Fine." He said, "just one event." He turned at Gai, "When is his even Gai-san?" he asked.

"Oh it's just starting now!" he exclaimed, "Go Sasuke my youthful student." He said and then looked at the blonde who was watching them, "You too Naruto!" he called out before excusing himself.

Sasuke smiled at his parents and thanked them before turning around.

"Sasuke." his father voice stopped him dead in his track. "Don't disappoint me. Win and become the best like your brother." He said.

Sasuke nodded slowly and met his father's eyes, "I won't disappoint you father." He said and ran off followed by the blonde boy who was listening to the whole conversation intently.

It was 600 meters race. All the participants were warming up and taking their positions. Sasuke was sure he'll easily win this. After all he's the fastest runner in his school. He smiled a little when his eyes landed on his parents standing among the audience, his mother giving him a thumbs up. He smiled a little at them. He won't disappoint his father.

Sasuke frowned when he felt a pair of eyes watching him. He turned around and his onyx eyes met with deep azure, "What?" he asked, irritated, why is the blonde idiot looking at him like that? The boy suddenly grinned brightly at him, "Nothing." He said rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

"Hn." Sasuke looked away and took his position, 'the boy is really weird', he thought.

"All the best duck-butt!" the boy shouted before taking position. Sasuke looked at the boy with wide eyes, did he just…insulted him? How dare he? Didn't he know who he is? He is Uchiha Sasuke! no one insults him!

Taking a few deep breaths Sasuke tried to calm himself down, he needs to focus. "Hn. Dead last." He said in a mocking tone and smirked when the blonde scowled at him. Turning his head away he focused all his attention on the red flag in front of him. The race is going to start now and he must win this.

"ON YOUR MARKS!"

"GET SET!"

"GO!"

Gai shouted waving the green flag in front of the students and everyone ran off in the blink of an eye.

Sasuke could hear the audience cheering them, some of his classmates crying his names but he payed them no attention, he concentrated on making a gap with the other students. In the first lap he'll make a big gap with his speed, in the second lap he'll slow down a bit and conserve his energy for the third and the final round.

When Sasuke completed the first lap he spared a glance backwards, most of the students have just crossed the half of the lap but there were two runners, who were not that far from catching him. Sasuke frowned a little, the blonde in nearest to him only a few feet away, and then there was Kiba.

Sasuke slowed down a little to conserve some stamina but maintained a fast pace, he cannot take chances, he knows he could beat Kiba, the boy will lose his stamina in this round and would slow down but the blonde doesn't seemed even a little lit exhausted.

At the end of the second lap Sasuke and the blonde were leading with at least a gap of thirty meters from the others. Sasuke cursed under his breath as he felt the blonde approaching him. He increased his speed but the blonde has started running faster too. They are almost together now and there is barely 100 meters left.

The blonde overtook Sasuke and started making a distance between them. Sasuke tried to force his legs to run faster, 'it is not possible' he thought, 'no one has ever managed to beat me in race', but it was of no avail, Sasuke was exhausted and his speed is slowly decreasing.

Sasuke looked at the audiences and his eyes stung with unshed tears when he saw his father shaking his head disappointedly and getting up from the seat to leave.

Sasuke wanted to stop them, to show them he's capable but he knew there was nothing he could do at this moment, Naruto is barely ten feet away now. Something happened then, the blonde suddenly slowed down considerably, the boy who was showing no signs of exhaustion until now started panting harshly.

Before Sasuke could get what was happening he has crossed the finishing line, followed by the blonde, only half a feet away.

Sasuke fell on his knees and panted. He felt some of his friends patting his back and hugging shouting loud congratulations but his mind was not into it. He looked at the blonde sitting beside him and sipping some water and glared. Shoving away the crowd around him he made his way towards the blonde.

Naruto looked up and grinned at him, "Congratulations I guess!" he shouted, "But next time I'll be the winner. Believe it!" he said enthusiastically.

Sasuke could not hold his rage anymore. He grabbed the boy's tee shirt and met his eyes, "Why did you do it?" he asked in a venomous voice. The blonde gave him a confused look that fueled his anger even more, "Don't play dumb. I know you have done intentionally, you could have won easily! Why?"

The blonde said nothing. Sasuke shoved the boy away and glared, "I don't need your pity." He said and walked away, his insides burning with uncontrollable rage, he felt insulted…not waiting for his parents Sasuke left the ground and went to the rest room.

That was the first time Sasuke has met Naruto and from the very first day he hated him, hated everything that was Uzumaki Naruto.

…...

Taking a long drag from his cigarette Sasuke leaned against the wall, the memory is still fresh even after so many years, why wouldn't it be? After all that was the turning point in Sasuke's life.

….

The following years of middle school were something Sasuke has never expected. Naruto and he became rivals. They would turn everything into a competition whether it is a simple football match or quiz competition. They would challenge each other or rather Naruto would challenge Sasuke and he'd accept them without a second thought.

While Naruto was no match for Sasuke in quiz contests or any science exhibitions. He was far better than the raven in literature and language. In field he slower than Sasuke but his stamina would help him to compete with him as almost an equal.

The geek, mysterious Uchiha Sasuke started to come out of his shell around a certain Uzumaki Naruto. Sometimes their arguments would end up in first fight causing both of them to spend hours in detention.

The great Uchiha Sasuke, who has never gotten a single detention in his entire life started to get used to the routine.

They were like day and night. One bright, always smiling, surrounded by people while the other was dark, silent, mysterious.

Sasuke's hatred for the blonde grew even more. He hated him for affecting his flow of life so drastically, hated himself for being unable to stop it. But at an unknown, unacknowledged corner of his heart Sasuke enjoyed the change. Enjoyed the moments he lives as Sasuke and not 'Uchiha' Sasuke.

Naruto was a prankster, he'd pull pranks on everyone even the teachers and Sasuke was not out of the list. In fact he was one of the regular targets.

He would often found his things misplaced, his gym class uniform soaked in water, glue on his regular seat and 'kick me' stickers on the back of his shirt. Thought how Naruto managed to do that without Sasuke noticing he has no idea.

Those were not the worst though. On their 7th grade Naruto had done the worst thing Sasuke could ever think of. He had placed a bucket of orange dye mixed with glue in the crack of Sasuke's door when he was in the bathroom and as soon as Sasuke has opened the door the whole dye has fallen over him, causing his raven hair to turn orange.

Naruto and his friends' laughter still rings in Sasuke's ear. He has immediately taken a shower and tried to get rid of the color but the horrible orange color was persistent. Two full bottles of shampoo has failed to remove it. Sasuke has even tried to bleach it away, but even after that there were a lot of orange highlighting his hair.

…and Sasuke was furious. More angry then he had ever been in his entire life. He was so angry that he was ready to kill the blonde idiot for messing with his beautiful hair but decided to give him a payback instead.

Sasuek was not used to pranking people but he was a genius for nothing. He had come up with a brilliant idea in a day. Oh he'd never forget the joy of the revenge he had got that day.

It was around one a.m. at night when Sasuke went to Naruto's dorm room, which was only a floor down from his, with his friend Kabuto. Kabuto could pick locks easily, so Sasuke has asked for his help. When the door of the blonde's dorm opened without a sound Sasuke has entered the room like a shadow and found the blonde sprawled on the bed, drooling in his sleep.

Pulling the razor out from his pocket Sasuke has silently made his way towards the bed. He knew the blonde was a heavy sleeper from watching his sleep through the classes. Still he wanted to be cautious.

Positioning the razor carefully on Naruto's forehead at the base of his hair, Sasuke has successfully dragged it for almost five to six centimeters in one go, shaving the golden blonde hair in the middle of Naruto's head.

When Naruto has woken up with a scream from the impact Sasuke was already done. He has smirked at the bewailed and confused blonde and given his the small mirror from the desk.

"Payback is a bitch, dobe." With that Sasuke had ran away from the room leaving a gaping Naruto behind.

….

Sasuke chuckled dryly at the memory, once again tears were flowing down from his eyes. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. 'Why is he remembering those things now? Those were his good memories, one of the best times of his life…things were good…unlike now. But why is he remembering them now? Why is he thinking about him?'

Sasuke knows the answer. It was really a simple one, because the only memorable moments in his life are those spent in the company of the blonde, his Naruto.

Sasuke shook his head and slowly stood up. He looked around the room. The white walls are decorated in hundred of pictures, pictures from his childhood, of his parents, of Itachi, of his middle school, high school, university, with his several friends and relatives.

He stared at them and watched with fascination how ironic they looked. It was like his whole life is displayed on the wall, from a toddler to a teen and then adulthood, they were like a memento…showing him the path he has walked on and where it has taken him.

Walking over to them Sasuke slowly removed all the pictures of him and Naruto hanging there. He pulled the photos out from the frame, there were pictures of them fighting in the middle of a pool, feeding each other birthday cakes, standing beside the Christmas tree…pictures of their wedding.

"GAH!" Sasuke screamed. He could not take it anymore. How could Naruto do it? How could he betray him? How could he warm another man's bed and then return to him, look at his eyes and tell him that he loves him?

Sasuke tore the pictures in pieces in blinding rage and threw them away. He does not need them. He does not need those false memories, he does not need those false assurances and lies of a beautiful future anymore. It was all over…he has once again lost his family.

Sasuke fell on the bed in a boneless heap. Nothing…he has nothing to live for anymore, everyone has always lied to him, betrayed him…how foolish of him to believe them…

He clenched his hands, sobs raked through his body, "But I won't break. I won't give you the satisfaction of watching me miserable, Naruto." He murmured in a trembling voice.

"I'll leave. Leave this god dammed place and would go far away. I will start over. I will start my own company. It was me who has managed to make sound co. the best international company, I'll do it again…from today I will just live for myself…just myself…" Sasuke felt his eyes gotten heavy, those words hurt, thinking about leaving his birth place hurt but he has to. He could not do it anymore, this place has only given him pain and betrayal…no more.

….

Naruto lay on the hard cold ground clutching Sasuke's gold ring in his hand tightly, there were dried tear strains on his face. The burnt shin hurt, but Naruto could not feel it. The burning of his heart is so much stronger…

He stared at the sky through the open window. It is a beautiful morning, cloudless, sunny. But for Naruto it was the end of everything, everything he has worked for throughout the years, everything he has cherished till now.

He sighed and took a deep breath. How many times he had dreamt of this day? How many times he has woken up in a cold sweat because to the things he has done? How many times he has thought of just letting go?

He could not even remember…the guilt was always there, the things he has done or rather forced to do have burdened his soul heavily, he wanted to confess, he wanted redemption…but he had Sasuke to take care of. He had Sasuke standing at the end of the dark tunnel, like the shining moon. He had his love beside him.

And after so many years…Naruto has hoped that this day will never come.

He blinked back his tears and slowly stood up. He needs to leave. His clothes were messy and bloody, his face bruised but he did not bother to change, bandage up or take his possessions with him. His wallet and phone was in his pocket already, yesterday he was ready to dash out of the house if he gets any news about Sasuke. He needs nothing more.

Walking towards the front Naruto stopped and looked back….one last time. He stared at the large portrait in the living room. It was a picture of him and Sasuke leaning against each other and smiling. Their smiles are so true, so careless.

Naruto sighed, Itachi had made this portrait as a wedding present for them and they both used to adore it.

'Itachi…' Naruto thought.

Moving his eyes from the portrait he looked around. The bedroom door was still closed. Naruto smiled sadly at that. The room was a perfect mixture of what is or rather was Naruto-Sasuke. It was their home Naruto had brought it at the time of their wedding. They had decorated it with their own two hands, filled it with their love and memories.

"It can't be helped now." Naruto murmured and turned to leave, this was it…this was the pain of losing your family, your everything, but was it worth it? Yes, it was.

….

Naruto walked through the busy streets of Konoha with his head bowed down. He looked at the passing people chatting happily with each other from the corner of his eyes and sighed internally.

It was a normal busy morning. Everything was normal, except for his life. He stopped at a park and watched the children playing. He smiled at them. This scenes brought back his childhood memories, memories before his parents left him.

He walked inside and sat at a corner on a green bench watching the children from afar, some people were looking at him suspiciously probably because of his torn clothes but he paid them no attention, instead focusing his eyes on the children. They are so happy, so content just to be there, life is so beautiful for them.

"I wish I could go back in time…" he whispered to thin air.

Suddenly loud honking sounds and several shouts filled the whole area. Naruto's head snapped at the direction of the road and what he saw made his heart skip a bit, there was a small girl in the middle of the street who has probably ran from the park to take her ball before her mother could stop her, and now her mother is clutching her tightly to her chest, standing in the middle of the street, trying to shield her child from colliding with the car with her own body.

Naruto sighed in relief when he saw that the car driver has managed to push the break at the right time, saving both the mother and child. He stood up and ran towards the scene. Several people were already helping the lady and the child.

Naruto looked at them with a small smile, "If I was so lucky…" he thought. The accident in which he had lost his parents was almost the same. His father was driving the car, his mother was in the passenger seat and he was sitting at the back seat, playing with his video game.

There was also a child, his father had also tried to save the small boy, only to lose control and smash the car in the roadside building that was under construction.

His father has died on the spot due to hitting his head on the steering wheel but his mother, well she was in the hospital for a few days, a rod had went through her chest. Naruto used to sit beside her unconscious form for hours and urge her to wake up but that day never came. She never woke from her blissful slumber, leaving him all alone…that was until he met Sasuke.

Naruto shook his head and started walking again, he could feel tears gathering at the corner of his eyes. This scene has brought several memories back, the memory of his parent's death, the memory of…of hearing the news that Sasuke has gotten severely injured in a bike accident.

Naruto still remembers that day, how could he not? It was that day he has realized he loves Sasuke as more than a friend or a brother, the fear he had felt that day was the same he has felt during her mother's hospital stay, the fear of being alone, the fear of losing a precious person,a part of himself.

He had rushed to the hospital and stayed there for three whole days, not listening to the doctors or nurses. When the doctors have confirmed that the brunette was out of danger after 72 hours, Naruto has collapsed in the hospital corridor, his exhaustion and the feeling of utter relief finally taking its toll on his body.

When he has opened his eyes he has found himself looking at an older version of Sasuke,

"Foolish little brother and his foolish little friends." The man had murmured before leaving him alone on the bed.

….

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Sakura shouted and hurried through the living room, grumbling about salesmen wasting her precious time.

"I don't need your-" yanking the door open she started irritably but stopped when he saw the man standing at her door.

"Naruto?"

The said blonde looked up and smiled at her, "Hey Sakura-chan!" he grinned, but he knew his façade was not convincing her as he saw the frown on her face.

She pulled the man inside and closed the door, "What happened Naruto? Did you and Sasuke fought again? God I swear you two will be the death of me!" she exclaimed pointing at Naruto's torn clothes.

Naruto sighed and slumped on the sofa set. "Nah…nothing serious." He said waving his hands at her.

Sakura's eyes widened when she saw his hands. She grabbed a hold of his right hand and looked at him with wide emerald eyes, "How did this happen Naruto? This is second degree burn…what did you two do?" she asked hysterically.

Naruto frowned. "Just a little kitchen accident…" he mumbled. Sakura looked at him disbelievingly. Naruto may be a clumsy idiot but he is so used to cooking that this sounds almost impossible and besides it wouldn't be a second degree burn if it was just a small kitchen accident.

Naruto sighed, "All right, all right you got me...I was cooking when our argument started and I got distracted." He said, knowing Sakura would believe him.

The pink haired girl nodded her head, "Clumsy irresponsible idiots. Come with me, I'll tend it…oh and yes you can stay for a few days." She said, knowing her friends very well.

"Thank you Sakura-chan!" Naruto smiled at her as he followed his Doctor friend in her bedroom.

…...

Sitting in Sakura's guest room Naruto scrolled through his contact list. Searching for a particular number he has not dialed in last three years but never dared to delete either.

"I have to do this. I have to do this one last thing. For Sasuke and for that man…" he trailed off, "Yes, for him too, I must do this."

His breathing picked up as he saw the number on his phone screen. "I must stay strong…I must…" with shaking hands he pressed the call button and put the phone on his ears.

Naruto held his breath as he heard the phone ringing, and after long agonizing moments, "Hello?"

"Orochimaru-sama."

….

I'm feeling really suicidal right now. :P, So sorry if the angst is a bit heavy. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed it. Please leave reviewes/favs/follows if you liked the chapter. next one will be up soon. Probably next week.

Have a good day/night. Bye! :D