Summary: 'Empty. That's what I feel most of the time. Like there's no emotion inside of me. Some people call it depressed. I call it normal.' SasuNaru. Naruto becomes depressed with Kyuubi whispering false things in his mind. He thinks he's fooled everyone, but there's a certain someone who won't stop until he's found out what has happened to the blonde.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to put this one up. But it's finally here! I don't own Naruto! Also, this one is in Sasuke's point of view.

He was hiding something, I knew that much. Today, I saw him smiling. Not like every other day. No, this smile was real. That is, until he caught me staring at him. But when Sakura had butted in, his fake smile returned. I hated that smile. It meant that he was hiding his true feelings and I couldn't see them. It bothered me to no end that I could no longer read him as well as I did before I left the village. However, I planned on changing that soon.

And that's why I decided to go out and eat with him. He went through our normal topics, but I held no desire to listen to those. So, I took the chance when I saw it and asked him what has been on my mind for a long time. It was not the reaction I had expected, but it worked. He had admitted that something was up without saying anything. Progress! Then he changed the subject, saying that he could've died. "No one would care." I had said cruelly then immediately regretted it. His fake smile flickered and there was an unusual emotion in his normally bright blue eyes. I usually don't lie, but that sentence had slipped out before I could stop it.

And then he was back to his fake smile. God, it reminded me of Sai! Obviously fake but the only one he would give. By the time our conversation was over, I only knew one thing: that I would do whatever it took to bring back his beautiful original smile. I watched his retreating back as he caught up to the Hokage for a second before looking in front of me to the jounin* that had taken Naruto's spot. "You're paying." I simply said before standing up and walking out of Ichiraku's. Kakashi was beside me in a flash. "Well? What'd you find out?" He asked curiously. I sighed.

"Something is up. I don't know what yet, but I'll find out. Did you know he listened to metal?" I asked, looking at him from the corner of my eye. He looked at me confused before shrugging.

"Really? I never would've thought… But that doesn't mean anything."

"No. I guess not." I grumbled. A short silence. "How long has he been acting like this?" I asked. The older man thought for a moment.

"I'm not entirely sure. A few months before he brought you back? Maybe?" He shrugged again.

I pondered over that. 'What was it that had changed you, Naruto?' I asked myself. "Sakura was the first to notice. She pointed out how he looked different. But when he started acting weirder, she refused to acknowledge it. She acted as if she didn't notice." He said before pausing, debating on whether to tell me something or not. "She loves him. More than she loves you." That shocked me. She certainly didn't act like it. Well, then again, neither did I. Kakashi chuckled. "Looks like you have a rival, Sasuke." He joked. It didn't surprise me that he knew. After all, that man seemed to know just about everything about Team 7. A simple 'shut up' was my only reply.

I had left the jounin in the dust to go home when I stopped. The familiar voice of the Kyuubi vessel reached my ears. "No. I won't do it." He said. I crept closer, trying to see who it was he was talking to. I didn't hear anyone answer, but he did. "No. I'm fine as it is. I don't need you making it worse….Help me? My ass!" He spoke angrily. Once he was in view I scanned the area. No one was nearby. I didn't realize I was holding my breath until he spoke again. "I know you're there Sasuke." He said low enough so I could barely hear.

I carefully stepped down from the branch I had been on to land on the balls of my feet softly. He didn't even turn around. "Naruto." I whispered. His entire body tensed. I stepped closer to the blonde.

"Why do you sound worried?" He asked. I paused. Did I really sound worried? True, I was worried about it, but I don't think I sounded concerned. I decided to answer truthfully.

"Because you've been acting differently ever since I came back." He turned around to face me angrily.

"Ever since you came back? No! More like, ever since I dragged you back bloody and broken!" He hissed in my face, red swirling around in his eyes, whiskers slightly more animalistic. I took a step back.

"Same thing!" I growled right back.

"Same thing? It's not the same thing!"

"Same results! Both of them end with me being back in the village!" I said through clenched teeth.

"Che! Whatever teme!" He growled before turning around once more to face the trees.

"Anyways, you've been acting weird ever since you brought me back." I said angrily.

"People change teme. And things tend to be a little more obvious when you haven't seen them for two and a half years." He hissed at me. I winced. So he was still angry about that.

"What happened to you? What changed you?" I asked softly.'

"You did." "Me? How did I come into it?"

"You've been in it, Sasuke. Ever since the beginning." He answered, just as softly. He finally turned around again to look me in the eyes. There was that expression! It sent chills down my spine. His eyes… they looked…..empty. Like he was just an empty shell. I'm not going to lie. It scared me.

"Naruto." I whispered with concern clearly in my voice. I took another few steps closer to him. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and make that painful expression disappear. But an Uchiha wouldn't do that. So I just settled on standing there like a fool waiting for him to do something.

A/N:

*I'm not sure if I spelled it right or not. Sorry if it's incorrect.

Sorry it's just now getting put up. I had to help with my church's VBS and I had a lot of fun doing so. Playing with those kids made my entire week! And of course, I got to hang with my friends! Thanks for all of the favorites/follows. I appreciate that! I made this one longer! Not as long as the last chapter, no, but this one is only ONE chapter! Not two! Yay! Anyways, this one kicked my butt. There was just so much stuff that didn't sound right and I did my best to make it work and add a LOT to make it as long as it is. I hope you all enjoyed it! I'll add the next one up soon. I hope ^^;

AFM