Hey so, this is chapter 4 just in case you were lost. I'm always trying to help, you know?

Since Sunday night when Sasuke finally spoke a simple three words to Naruto, Monday went by almost the same as any other day. He was still silent but he didn't stay in the bedroom all day like usual. He actually ate all three meals a day with Naruto at the table. Whenever Naruto tried to help him with something, he would let him. Though Naruto wasn't receiving any words from him, he knew that Sasuke was at least trying to make him feel like all the work he's been doing was appreciated, and that was okay him.

He couldn't remember the last time he talked to his dear team mate, Sakura. Ever since he walked away from her that day in the street, he hasn't seen or heard from her. By now, he was sure the Hokage would allow her to see Sasuke, but she hasn't come around. Not that he knew of.

Little did Naruto know, Sakura stopped by Ino's flower shop this afternoon to pick out a little gift for Sasuke. She was informed that he may or may not be getting a procedure done this Saturday and even though he wouldn't be able to see the well picked out flowers she would get for him, it still made her feel good to be able to finally do something for him.

Sakura felt as if Sasuke was a prisoner since he got back. The restrictions on when she could see him wasn't helping either. It was as if he wasn't really home. She never saw him casually walking in the village with his hands in his pockets like she use too. She didn't have missions with him anymore, but that was to be expected. Just as Naruto wanted, she wished things would just go back to normal. Sasuke would be apart of Team 7 again, they would go on missions, and she would be able to see him whenever she wanted. Everyone would just forget about Sasuke running away, no one would hate him.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?" Ino waved as said girl walked through the entrance. "Here to get flowers for Sasuke?" she smirked. "You know me too well, Ino." she replied agreeably. "Have you seen him lately? The only people I know who's gotten close to him was Naruto and Hinata."

"Hinata?" Sakura questioned.

She was carefully inspecting all the beauteous flowers on display. She had three favorites already. Ino explained to Sakura why Hinata was over.

"I see. So Hinata's spent more time with him that I have since he's been home." there was a bit of bitterness in her voice.

"It's not a big deal. She was only there for Naruto anyway." Ino raised her hand like their was an invisible platter on it. "Besides, once he starts warming up to everyone again you'll be spending a load full of time with him."

"Yeah… maybe. I just wish I could have been the one to take him in. It would have been better for him, you know?" Sakura stopped to gaze at a purple flower.

Ino leaned over the counter. "What do you mean by that?"

"I just mean that Naruto can't take care of Sasuke like I could. All this time he's been over there, he's probably not getting the proper meals. And Naruto doesn't take him out for any kind of exercise. It's like he doesn't even care." she started to walk back up to the counter.

"I'm sure he's doing his best, Sakura." Ino said calmly.

"His best isn't good enough." she looked down, her eyes bleak.

Ino, deciding she didn't want to further this conversation, started pointing out her favorite flowers, and which ones would make a nice arrangement together. Sakura picked out which flowers she wanted and told Ino she'd come to pick them up before Sasuke's next appointment.

Today was Saturday. Saturday as in Sasuke's check up day. Over the past few days, everything has been civil. Naruto made sure that he gave Sasuke his eye drops everyday as promised, and as before, Sasuke continued to warm up to Naruto. He said a couple of words here and there, but he still hadn't advanced to the conversations yet. That was good enough given how he must be feeling inside.

Sasuke wasn't one to talk about trivial things, that was for sure. He also wasn't one to express his feelings. Especially to just anyone. After he killed his brother, he felt like he no longer had a goal. He had gotten as strong as he needed to be, did what he needed to do. Now what? He couldn't fight anymore. He couldn't live on his own. As of right now, he didn't have a purpose. He was no longer an avenger.

Today, He felt just a slight tint of hopefulness. He'd never express his aspiration of course, but even being without a purpose anymore, he wanted his sight back. If it was possible, he wanted it. He couldn't stand this feeling of being incomplete. The pride of the Uchiha clan was the Sharigan and he yearned to claim it once again.

Naruto and Sasuke were in the hospital room, Naruto in the chair, Sasuke on the bed, and Tsunade standing in front of him. Everyone in the room was anxious.

"Are you ready? We're going to do the same test as before." Tsunade said to Sasuke.

He slightly nodded his head.

She took the flashlight from out of her pocket and held Sasuke's chin up.

Naruto's hand gripped onto the chair as he nervously hoped for good results. He closed his eyes. He heard, "Can you see anything?" and then shortly after… "How about this one?" then a click. She turned the flashlight off. Naruto opened his eyes.

"Well?" he said.

"Nothing." a disappointing reply. "We'll have to prepare for the surgery." She sighed.

"Right. What ever it takes."

"Now remember Naruto, Sasuke, that this may not work. Keep in mind that it is a 50/50 chance. Alright?"

Naruto nodded.

"Shizune, please tell the medical team that we'll be starting this surgery immediately."

It's been 3 hours since Sasuke went into surgery. The longer it took, the more worried Naruto was. He was sitting in the waiting room of the hospital since the check up. Sakura had eventually showed up as well. She had a bouquet of flowers with her. She didn't sit next to Naruto, which kind of surprised him but at the same time, it didn't. He figured Sakura was a bit bitter towards him. He was avoiding her after all. They didn't say a word to each other.

Anyone could feel the tension between the two.

Moments Later…

"Sasuke Uchiha?" The nurse called out.

Naruto and Sakura both stood up.

"Only immediate family or guardian."

"I'm his guardian." Naruto held a hand to his chest.

"Okay, right this way." The nurse turned to Sakura, "I'm going to have to ask you to stay here."

Sakura's eyes lost it's twinkle that she had gotten when the nurse first called Sasuke's name. she looked down at the flowers in her hands, drowning in jealousy that Naruto could see her Sasuke and she couldn't. Naruto had to admit to himself, even though they weren't talking or on the best terms at the moment.. He still felt for her. Naruto understood Sakura's feelings better than anyone about Sasuke. The only thing he could do for her at that moment was try and lend a helping hand.

"I can give the flowers to him for you." he said holding a hand out.

Sakura looked from Naruto to the flowers to Naruto again. She wanted to be the one to give them to him. She wanted to try to make Sasuke smile at the thought of her going out of her way. She had hoped that the flowers, or even her face, would be the first thing he saw given the hope that the surgery worked. She had absolute faith that it would work, and she was determined to be the first thing he saw.

But she had to accept the facts that were right now. She couldn't see Sasuke. She didn't know how long she would be able to see him. She still wanted the flowers by his side.

She smiled at Naruto faintly and handed over the bouquet.

Naruto accepted the flowers, returned the smile, and headed to Sasuke's room. Sakura watched him till he couldn't be seen anymore then she slowly started to make her way out, trying to fight the look of disappointment that was taking over her face.

"Are you tired? Hungry? It's kind of late but I could still make you something." Naruto said loudly to Sasuke behind his shoulder. Once they had returned from the hospital, Sasuke sat on the couch to relax and warm up from the winter cold. Naruto went to take a hot shower. During the shower, he thought what Tsunade told him before leaving.

If the surgery worked, it wouldn't go into effect for about a week. If after a week has past and there is no difference, then the surgery didn't work. Sasuke had to keep bandages over his eyes for 2 days before taking them off. If too much sunlight hit his eyes before 2 days, then it could change the fate of the surgery's effect.

Naruto thought to himself that seeing Sasuke with bandages over his eyes made him seem more blind than before. It didn't sit too well with him, but it was only for 2 days.

"I'm going to get some rest." Sasuke said. He made his way to the bedroom, hands on the hall walls as usual.

"You don't need anything?" he said with concern. Sasuke just waved a hand over his shoulder meaning that he was fine.

The next day, Sunday, Naruto was getting ready to go see Neji. He had realized that he had a habit of seeing him on Sunday afternoons unless he was out on a mission. It was a good way for Naruto to release some stress by venting to Neji or just to have a laugh. Sasuke caught on to this habit as well, and wasn't surprised that Naruto had told him he was leaving and that there was food on the table.

Naruto liked Neji's home. It was nicely structured and peaceful.

"So you won't know if it worked for about a week huh?" Neji poured the usual tea into Naruto's favorite orange mug. It surprised both Neji and Naruto that they could even find an orange mug in the house of a Hyuga.

"Yeah. The bandages on his eyes kind of creep me out." Naruto didn't stare at the steam like always. He actually took a sip first, then stared at the steam once he finished.

"Let's hope all is well." Neji sipped his tea. "I'm going on another long mission tomorrow."

Naruto sighed. "Again!?"

Neji nodded.

"Well. Don't die." Naruto punched Neji's arm in a friendly way making Neji spill a bit of his tea.

While Naruto was at Neji's house, Sasuke was home sitting on the bed. His hand roaming over the bandages on his eyes. He wanted to take them off so badly, and if he knew Naruto wouldn't make a fuss about it, he would have. There wasn't much for him to do while Naruto was gone. There was only a bit more to do while Naruto was home. He sighed in the silence. He wondered if it was sunny out or if the sky was filled with clouds.

It wasn't sunny.

He heard the the front door open and closed. He didn't expect Naruto to be back so soon. Sasuke didn't even finish the meal Naruto left on the table, which he always did before he got home. Ever since Naruto brought home his favorite riceballs, he had secretly hoped that every time Naruto left, he would bring home some more.

Naruto always did.

He got up off the bed, walking out of the room to greet Naruto and accept his greatly appreciated riceballs.

He sat on the couch to make it seem like he wasn't too eager. He knew that Naruto would just set them down on the coffee table in front of him. He waited a moment before Naruto sat down next to him. Sasuke sat up a bit, prepared to eat but instead of the usual, "Guess what!" that he always got from Naruto, he felt a hand tug at his.

This was unusual.

Naruto grabbed his hand, making Sasuke stand up. Something felt wrong. Naruto's hand felt smaller and softer than usual. In fact, Sasuke was almost certain this wasn't Naruto's hand.

The person started leading him to the front door when Sasuke pulled away.

"You aren't Naruto." he said to the person standing in front of him.

"You don't need Naruto." the soft feminine voice said.

Sasuke recognized it.. Who was it though?

"You need me."

It was Sakura. It hit him like a ton of bricks. Literally. Before Sasuke knew it, Sakura had knocked him unconscious.

Naruto came home, later than usual.

"Sasuke, I brought you home something to eat." he had a box of riceballs in his hands. The ones that Sasuke had been waiting for, but now… couldn't receive. "I'll leave them on the table."

He didn't get a response from Sasuke.

Nowadays, Sasuke would make some kind of noise or just simple say "okay" to acknowledge Naruto. He assumed that he was asleep. It was kind of late when he thought about it...

Naruto sat the box down on the table where Sasuke always sat, leaving the kitchen light on that was over the stove. He walked over to the couch grabbing the pillow and blanket from underneath the coffee table and made himself comfortable. He and Neji went out for a sparring session before Neji took off for his mission tomorrow. He felt tired and sleepy. Whenever Naruto got home, it wasn't this late and he wasn't so worn out. But tonight he was, and assuming Sasuke was sound asleep in his bedroom, he drifted off into a rest as well.

You guys are getting pretty good at this review thing... Keep it up, okay?

-Dar