Ok, I'm sorry!

I know that it's taken me 3 months to update, and I'm really sorry…. But I've been crazy busy!

Now I'm back to school, a sophomore, yay for me!... Well, not really, my chem. Teacher thinks it's fun to give me 9 pages of homework for the next day and then make me stand in front of the class to explain whatever, though he knows I'm not going to get it right.

To those who wonder, I did start the Twilight thingy, but it lacked originality, the characters weren't well distributed and, lets face it, it wasn't coming out the way I hoped. So I deleted it, I'm sorry for all the people who were reading it. However, if you were reading it and haven't read Stephenie Meyer's version (original), I encourage you to do so, cuz it's the best damn book ever. For those who are interested, Breaking Dawn , the sequel, will be released on August 2, 2008, and, Midnight Sun – Twilight from Edward's POV will be released this year too.

I'm freakishly excited!

Ok, now that that's out of the way, I want to thank all reviewers who still read this story and let me know they like it.

Now, this chapter came to me while I was daydreaming in my English class.

Disclaimer: Does Naruto have Penguins? Do you see dancing cookies running around? Is there a banner saying "GREEN" somewhere? I don't think so... Now take a wild guess about ownership.

xIceBreakingx

xChapter 6: The Old Man.x

&&

"Stupid village is a lot farther away than I expected…" Sasuke muttered under his breath. It's been 8 hours since they left Freaky Town and it was getting dark.

Sakura looked at her surroundings, trying to find something that may hint human presence nearby. She did find prints, but they seemed a few days old.

They kept on walking on the grassy path, not saying a word. The Autumn leaves were falling, that, in contrast with the sunset, made a beautiful scene that would take the breath out of anybody…

"Damn it, its getting dark. It was bad enough that we're up north, but its also a bad season… Stupid Autumn."

Unless, of course, you're Sasuke Uchiha.

"You really are a depressing person, you know." Sakura said in a sigh. They suddenly heard a ruffle in the leaves and both reacted quickly and took out their weapons. The ruffled noise became louder as a nearby shrub shook, and both Shinobi were already in their fighting stance, locating any signs of Chakra anywhere, in case whoever it was wasn't alone.

A lean, hunched figure emerged from the shrubs with a thump, and quickly found its way to the floor. It was a man. A villager, judging by his clothes. He looked old and weak, scrapes of white hair revolted about his face. The man was unconscious, and Sakura rushed to his side.

"Are you nuts!?" Sasuke raged, scanning for any possible ambush. "This could be a trap!"

"He's old. He's suffering! I'm a doctor, I have to help him!" She countered, turning the man on his back, checking his pulse and thorax area carefully, whilst scanning for any device that might set off, after all, Sasuke was right, this could be a trap.

"All's clear." Sasuke announced after a few moments. "What's wrong with him?" He asked, crouching next to Sakura.

"He seems to have collapsed due to lack of oxygen…. But it's not because of the area…. It's in his system…. I need to take a good look before I can assure anything else" She murmured. She administered a medicine from her bag to open his airways, and the man was breathing normally soon enough.

"We've got to keep going." Sasuke stated. Sakura shot her head back at him with and expression of surprise mixed with anger.

"Are you kidding!?" She asked in disbelief. "We've got to help him! I can't just leave him here.!"

What's his problem!

Yeah! It's a poor old man! How can he just lñeave him here and walk away when the man clearly needs a doctor!

Exactly!

I don't care how much I would loooove to melt chocolate on him, this was so out of place!

Can you be any creepier?

Sakura turned back to help the old man, shooting Sasuke a few glares every now and then. The man had no external wounds and his bones seemed to be fine, but fragile. As she was checking him, the man woke up.

"Who are you?" He managed to say, weakly and in a very low voice. He was fatigued and probably sick.

"It's ok, I'm a doctor, You passed out a few moments ago, and I just to make sure that you'll be alright. Do you have somewhere we can take you before it gets dark?" She spoke softly, choosing words and tone carefully, not to scare the man.

"Yes, I have a home…there." And he pointed at a tiny yet not far away cottage. Sakura nodded and tried to fix the man in a position so that she could carry all his weight and they could get to the house and give the man proper attention. She finally managed to position the man, but he was a dead weight and she couldn't do this by herself. By the first step, he tripped and was pulling her onto the ground with him.

Sasuke finally intervened. He put the man's arm across his shoulder the same way Sakura had done so that the whole weight would rely upon himself. Sakura shot him a dubious look.

"Weren't you extremely eager to go?" She asked coldly, still angry because of the way he tried to dismiss the man.

He sighed. "If I return without you, they'll think that I killed you, besides, I can't leave you alone, because I'm sure you'd get yourself into trouble"

Deeeeeeeeeeniaaaaaaaaaall!!!

What the hell?

You are SOOOOOOOO in denial!

Denial? About what?

You like Sakura. Scrach that, You reaaaallly like Sakura, but are too much of a stubborn ass to face it and accept it.

Is it possible for a fragment of my imagination to be drunk?

I'm not drunk, I'm realistic!

Look, I'm not in denial.

No, You're just very selective about the reality you accept.

I'll beat you to the bloody pulp if you keep that up.

So, you say you don't like her?

Exactly.

Then why are you amusing her by staying here?

Because she'll get killed by herself.

Right, because, by no means, you could take her anyways. Nope! Of course not! You can't! It's an impossibility! So you have to give in to what she says…. Right?

Hn.

I rest my case.

Next thing he knew, they had arrived to the cottage. It was fairly decent. Though there was only room for one person.

"Is there anybody we can contact? Family? Friend, perhaps?" Sakura asked in a very soft voice, as if speaking too loudly or roughly would break the old man. They laid him in a bed that rested against a wall and Sakura fetched him a glass of water.

It was a modest house. The bed had a window next to it, so the Sunrise could be seen perfectly every morning. Next to the bed, laid a table. A nightstand, small and antique. There was a table for one in the middle of the room and a few things piled up in the corner.

The man drank his water as before he answered Sakura. "No, miss. As you can see, I live here by myself. My children were taken away by war, and my wife passed away a few years ago…. We had moved over here, to the countryside because she was very sick and she wanted to spend her final days in the fresh air and quietness she loved. After her death, I didn't have the heart to move back into town."

Sakura looked at him with sorrowful eyes. This man had been alone for years. He had shed away from society after he lost everything. Unconsciously, she looked at Sasuke, who leaned against the door. He met her gaze and she turned her head quickly, avoiding his eyes.

Just like him.

"I want to thank you. Both of you. I'm sure you had better things to do with your day than help an old man back home. Blessed be you." He said, with a smile.

Sakura was yanked out of her reverie with the sound of the man coughing.

"Are you ok?" She helped him sit up and straight, straightening his shoulders to allow the flow of air through his lungs.

Sasuke walked out of the door without a word and reached a nearby tree, leaned over and sat down. Not 5 minutes had passed when he was asleep.

"Excuse me, I'm concerned about the reason that made you pass out. Would you mind if a examined you to find the cause?" Sakura asked respectfully. She had always had an innate thing for helping others, but this time, it felt different. She had to save him. Of course, she cared about every single patient, but this was different. Like it was one of her friends' lives on her hands. Weird thing, since she just met the man.

"Oh, please, don't bother with an old man. You have things to do, places to see…. Other patients to take care of. You don't need to waste your time in me."

"Please, it's no bother, besides, I would feel very guilty if I left you here by yourself." Sakura replied, something in her eyes revealed how much she wanted – and needed- to do this.

Why do I feel such an urge to save him? I mean, I care about all my patients… but here… its….i don't know… stronger.."

I think I have a theory…

Tell me.

Outer me, You see this man as Sasuke. He has that same look of loneliness in his eyes. And his ways… You see this man as an older version of Sasuke, and you just can't turn your back on him, the same as you wouldn't be able to turn it on Sasuke.

You might be right….

Have you seen the size of my forehead? What? Do you think it's all show? I have brains, you know…

The medic proceeded with her examination. It took her no more than half an hour. She spoke and listened to the man while she worked. She abruptly came to a stop as she checked his torso.

"Is something the matter, Miss?"

"Please, call me Sakura… and no, I just need to go get some medicinal plant by the river." And with that, she stood up and left promptly.

She walked in the direction of the river, though instead of getting there, she leaned against a tree and let her own weight drag her onto the floor. She supported her elbows with her knees and her had was buried in her hands.

Sasuke was asleep a few feet away and was awoken by the presence of his partner, however, he didn't move an inch. He had heard a noise and wanted to make sure of its nature before acknowledging his presence. As he heard sniffing and sobbing coming from nearby, he confirmed his suspicions and walked over to Sakura, careful not to startle her.

"What's wrong with Old Guy?" He asked indifferently.

"He was exposed to several toxins. The ninjas that passed through here must've set them for their enemies and his body absorbed them. He's dying." She answered and tried to wipe her tears with her shirt. She didn't like the idea of Sasuke seeing her cry again.

"Why are you crying? Shouldn't you, as a doctor and Shinobi, be detached to patients and people?" He asked, real curiosity was in his voice.

"It's just not fair." She said, finally being able to stop crying. "He's all alone. When he dies, his death will have no impact on anyone. It shouldn't be like that. No one will mourn over him. Nobody will visit his grave. No one will remember he was there…"

Sasuke was sitting next to his partner, taking in all that she was saying. Would it be like that with him? When he dies… will somebody mourn over his grave?

"It's not true." He said. "Don't you see that you are mourning over him and he's not dead yet? Maybe you're right, everybody's life will not be affected by this… but yours is. You always under valuate yourself. Ever since we were 12, you never seem to consider yourself enough for anything. So don't say that he didn't affect anybody…." And he stood up and left with another word.

Did he just….?

…Comfort you? What the hell?!

Well, I guess he is right…. Gotta go tell the man…

And then find a place to spend the night. It's already dark

Sakura erased every shred of evidence of her mourn and came back into the cottage to tell the man the situation. He took it surprisingly well.

"Doctor Sakura, I want to thank you for being so kind with me today. I can see that you feel bad for this, but I beg you, do not. I've been alone for a long time, and it's just my turn to go join my family. You are a sweet and lovely girl, and a wonderful, caring person. I thank you and your friend for giving me company in this one of my last days alive…"

The Medic-nin felt the tears threatening to fall from her eyes, and fought them back. Soon they impaired her view and betrayed her calm look, rushing down her face. She dried them with the back of her sleeve.

"Shinobi aren't supposed to show emotion…" She murmured to the man. He just replied with an understanding smile.

"I won't tell anyone…" She cleared her face and left the man to sleep, knowing that he wouldn't wake up again.

Once again, she walked into the night and felt relieved as darkness closed around her. She met Sasuke a few feet away from the house. He looked at her with…. Is that sympathy?

"You alright?" He merely asked. He faced the other way, not looking at Sakura, allowing her to regain composture. Traitor tears that destroyed her façade were quickly effaced from her face by her sleeve, now stained with the little backsttabers.

"I'm fine. Why do you care anyways?" Sakura responded in a rather rude manner. Sasuke sighed and looked up at the clouds, hiding the stars, allowing just the moon itself to shine in all its glory through the clouds.

"Hn." She scoffed at this answer, and couldn't believe her ears as he spoke once more. "That doesn't make you weak." He stated.

"Shinobi aren't supposed to show emotion. That's the rule." Sakura replied coldly. "My attachment to people make me both a bad doctor and a bad Kunoichi."

He ignored her reply and whispered almost inaudibly. "Doesn't make you weak…. It makes you human." That being said, he merely stood up and left, walking in the other direction, leaving behind a dumbfounded Sakura.

&&

"Children! Listen up! We have something special today!" Iruka piqued the children's attention with that. There never was any surprises or special event. Just like in a regular school.

The class soon quieted down as the students tried to guess what was going on.

"Are you going to teach us how to kill someone just using our bare hands?" A red headed boy with freckles and a shirt with the Konoha insignia in black ink over the blue background asked. He was sitting in the back of the class.

"No." Iruka said, his usual smile on his face.

"Are you going to show us a new super powerful oh-my-god-oh-so-great-and-youthful jutsu that will wipe all our adversaries off the face of earth so us children can dominate the whole entire world and force the adults to do our homework?" A brunette girl, with her hair uncombed and one or two scrapes on her legs and arms asked, her green eyes glittering in excitement.

"Uhh…No…" Iruka answered, undoubtly a little concerned for this guess.

"Are you giving us cookies?" A cute blonde boy asked, innocence written all over his face.

"No."

"Then tell us! What's the big surprise?!" The redhead asked, growing impatient, the brunette girl laid back in her chair muttering something about 'what good is it being a ninja if you can't force others to do stuff for you?'

"Well. I'm going to introduce you to my former students! They're officially ranked Jounin and are of the Top class ninjas in all Konoha. They'll stay here a couple of days and teach your classes." He explained. Some groaned in disappointment, others yawned in indifference. However, they al soon shared a thought in common.

Time to raise some hell.

As Ino and Kiba entered the room, dressed up in their own Jounin uniforms, they could read the malevolent look in the children's eyes. Kiba gulped and Ino shuddered as they walked towards the middle of the room, thinking they're ready for anything these kids have got.

"Well, I'll leave you to the care of Ino and Kiba. See you later kids!" And Iruka was out of the class, followed by Ino and Kiba's longing looks. Both Shinobi turned their heads to the class once more and shared a thought.

Oh, Crap.

&&

The medic-nin opened her eyes and immediately raised her hand to shield her eyes from the blazing sun. Her back ached and her head throbbed.

Did I fall asleep?

Nah, You just crossed a vortex that transferred you from last night to this morning.

God, do you ever stop bitching?

Sheesh, take a chill pill! What are you? Sexually stressed?

What the hell!

I mean, seriously! When was the last time you at least made out with someone?

Hmm…

You're really angry?

No… I'm just trying to remember….

Okay….. I'll just leave, now.

Sakura rose from her uncomfortable position and stretched, trying to walk off the pain of the uncomfortable sleep. She threw her head upwards, relieving the neck pain and saw a distinct figure in the leafy tree tops. She approached cautiously from a distance and when she was close enough, realized that it was Sasuke.

He slept soundly and deeply. His head slightly tilted towards his right shoulder. It was the first time Sakura had seen him so… at peace. Whilst asleep, he didn't have the urgent need to beating someone to the bloody pulp, or have to live with the constant pain of losing everyone you loved or hate the only thing you had left.

He must've been really tired, for he would've woken up as soon as he felt her approach. She quickly and gracefully made her way back to the ground, and flinched when she remembered the old man.

Slowly turning her body, she raised her sight and her gaze met the house. She made her way slowly to it, dragging her feet every step of the way. The fact that she knew the result didn't help at all. As she entered the house and found the peaceful body of the man lying in the bed, she felt those little traitors well behind her eyes again, but she fought them back.

Sighing, she walked forward and leaned next to the bed. Sakura reached for a handkerchief and laid it on the man's face. Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the house and once again met Sasuke in the same spot he had been the night before.

"Kicked the bucket, didn't he?" He asked bluntly.

"Yes, he passed away. If you want, go on ahead, I'll give him a proper burial and then catch up with you." She said, avoiding his gaze.

"I already told you, I'll get into serious trouble with the hag if I lose you. Come on, I'll give you a hand with that." He said, a bored tone took over his voice and face.

After the burial was done, Sakura rose from her spot next to the grave and took a deep breath, closing her sad eyes. As she opened them, sympathy glowed in her eyes once again, she turned around to face Sasuke and forced a smile into her lips.

"Ready to go?" She asked.

"Hn." Was the response she got.

"Sasuke…." She whispered. He turned his head and looked at her indifferently. She shook her head, as if dismissing whatever she was about to say.

I promise, you won't die alone.

&&

Well!

I'm sorry for the dramatic and sort of Emo chapter. I don't know why, but I felt that this would bring a closer understanding of how Sasuke must feel, being all alone and stuff.

Again, I'm sorry if it was too Emo, I'll try to make the next one a little more cheerful.

And also, I have to apologize once more for taking a century to update… I hope that you still like it and keep on reading it.