Naruto wipes his palms, suddenly wet with sweat, on his jeans. He overheard a couple of giggling girls in the hallway that 'the new hottie's brother' was in the library during lunch. So here Naruto is. He roamed the rows of books and at last spotted the back of a very familiar head. Walking over quickly before he lost his nerve, he just stands in front of his former best friend, waiting to be noticed. God damn, why is it so hard? He's just a guy! Get a grip! Naruto tells himself.

"For the last time, my brother is not interested."

Naruto laughs nervously. He's not here for Itachi. And he says so.

Sasuke goes on about how he's not interested. Naruto bites his lip. Why won't Sasuke look at him?

"Sasuke." Even just saying his name makes Naruto's insides tingle. Good lord, what's happening to him? But no time to speculate, because Sasuke looks up and Naruto's heart speeds up without his permission. He thinks he may be smiling foolishly.

He's talking, not even aware of what's coming out of his mouth. Something stupid, probably. And Sasuke is just looking at him, nonplussed.

And then he opens his mouth, and Naruto sees his perfectly white teeth, the pink of his tongue and he thinks he may faint. And then-

"Who are you?"

Naruto's eyes grow very, very big.

"Well, it has been a while. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. We use to be friends…" Best friends. Rivals. How could you forget me?

"Well, sorry for bothering you…."

And he can't breathe. If he faints, maybe it'll be worth it if Sasuke gives him CPR. He stumbles away, trying hard not to turn around and do something stupid. Like strangle Sasuke. Or kiss him. And right then, Naruto makes a promise to himself. I'll make you remember me, Uchiha. You were my best friend. We didn't have a choice last time. But we do now. I'm not about to lose you again, not when I've just found you.

*Sasuke's POV*

"For the last time, my brother is not interested," I say without looking up from my book. This has been going on for the past, I don't know, hour so I'm getting pretty good at sense other people's presence. I know they're there before they say anything. I'm trying very hard to enjoy Letters to a Young Poet byRainer Maria Rilkebut I can't concentrate. The reason? Because every minute or so boys and girls alike come along, pestering me about my brother.

Idiot: Like, is he single?

Me: He has a girlfriend. (I'm lying, but whatever)

Idiot: Is he open to cheating?

Me: He's extremely loyal (to himself?)

Idiot: Will you give this to him?

Me: Leave it on the table (so I can throw it out later)

It's lunch time but I'm not hungry.

I'm dreading Valentine's Day.

"Um, no, I'm actually here to talk to you." The voice is male.

"I'm not gay. And I'm not interested." I turn the page, refusing to look up. I just wish this person would go away.

"Sasuke."

"What?" Clearly the guy won't take a hint. So I look up and meet eyes so blue they remind me of summer days and picnics. They're familiar. I saw them this morning as Itachi was ushering me to registration like I was five.

"Hey, it's been a while. I was just wondering how you were…" He goes on for a few more minutes. He's tall, maybe taller than I am. His hair is yellow. Not a fair blonde, but a yellow that's more tangible. His skin is darker than mine, a warm honey brown. He's not bad looking. He looks like he smiles a lot. It's infectious, I think I may start grinning too if I stay around him long enough. And all this time, he's still talking. I've looked at him enough. I know his type.

"Who are you?"

That shuts him up fast.

He blabs some more and then turns around, exiting quickly. I see a flare if determination on those electric blue eyes that remind me of Itachi.

And of course I was just playing. It's Naruto. And he hasn't changed. Which is nice and reassuring on the one hand. But on the other, it's sad. I'm only now realizing how much I've changed. I close my book. I can't concentrate on Rilke's prose when all I can see are those hopeful eyes and hear that low baritone voice.

He's dangerous.

I haven't felt this torn, this longing in a really long time. I know we can't go back to the way things were. Know it as surely as I know Itachi and I will never have a normal relationship. I know because I need Itachi too much. Yes, I do mean it like that. I need his touch, which I know is messed up. He doesn't touch me now. It's sick, I know, but I wish he would. It was just that once. I don't remember much of it, just that Itachi's never treated me so kindly before, or since. His eyes haven't shone with such soft light again. I'd give up my body in an instant, if that's what it took to have my brother as he once was.

But it'll take more than that. Because what Itachi needs won't come from me. Maybe we came here to find it. I think that's why we came here. But I could be wrong. I've been wrong before. Like when I thought Itachi was perfect. Before I learned that even the most perfect appearing people have secrets that probably scar them just as they do the rest of us.

I'm Itachi's younger brother. And that's a heavy burden to bear. To do it, I have to be in perfect control. Always. I can't be around people like Naruto who shine brighter than everyone else and make everything look so easy. Because I'll forget myself, maybe smile. Maybe even fall in love.