White Grains Ch. 7:

Rain Drops.

The clouds blocked the rays of hope from the ground. The village went on with their day with an aura of aching and tiredness. Rainy days had that effect on people. The days you wish you could just curl under the blankets and do nothing; nothing at all. But Sasuke was getting fed up with it; in fact all he was allowed to do all day was nothing. The bruises on his forearms faded only to be replaced the next detox session, after which he had to squeeze himself in a hug to stop the trembling until he fell asleep. The treatment got better. With the deadline approaching the Hokage made a new medicine, one he could use everyday.

His body felt healthier, breathing became an easy task. One he had trouble with ever since he left Konoha. Mainly the void in him filled up whenever he heard a certain voice. Sometimes that voice soothed him to sleep, even when he forced the owner of that lullaby to stay away from him. From the across the room he would talk him through it. It was a natural gift for him, talking, always was.

Sakura only came back once to deliver the new medicine then left silently. Naruto unravelled the package on the kitchen table and glanced at Sasuke while holding a note. Sasuke returned his blank gaze with interest. Naruto left without a word. Later he came back and explained how they were going to do without Sakura. Tsunade included tiny liquid-filled bottles to be mixed with Sasuke's meals. The medicine was herbal, the last cleansing step. Possibly, the last step for Sasuke in this life before the council concluded what to do with the traitor, but neither of the two spoke of it.

The hot tea felt good in his hands. Sasuke looked out the blurry glass. The rain was soothing to him. The damaged window glass was replaced with a new one. Naruto kept watch on him and never allowed him near it in the first few days after the incident, but now Sasuke stood with the teacup in hand, the warm vapour fogged up the already blurry wet glass. Naruto intently watched him from the sofa, an open book in his lap. A certain memory entertained his mind.

He remembered a certain young dark-haired boy, sitting beside him on a tree branch. Their feet dangled leisurely as they opened cups of instant ramen Naruto had brought along for the occasion. That day Sasuke smiled at him, a very rare emotion that never showed itself again. They ate and looked at the raindrops giving life to the ground, the way people rushed by the training ground in urgency to get home. The two had no one waiting for them at home so they stayed together. They didn't chat or attempt to. Some words were exchanged with hushed voices. Too afraid people will notice and stare at them, like they always do. That was a moment for them. Another thing Naruto remembered from that day was something Sasuke shared with him. Sasuke didn't share any of his interests with anyone so that was a pleasant surprise to him. Sasuke said a simple thing that stuck with Naruto to that moment on the sofa.

"I like the rain." The young Uchiha said. His feet kicked up slightly to swing a bit, not really knowing why he said that to his Blonde friend so suddenly. Shy glances came his way but Naruto just grinned at him in response after a moment of surprised silence.

"Me too." Said Naruto. Sasuke continued to eat and Naruto handed him a bottle of juice.

Naruto closed the book and placed it on the coffee table in front of him. "Hey" Sasuke tilted his head to signal his attention. "How about we take a walk?" Sasuke turned around with an expression of disbelief. "I'll grab an umbrella. Go put on a coat from my closet." Naruto didn't expect instant submission but Sasuke just walked into the bedroom and put the teacup on the dresser. A black umbrella was in his hands when Sasuke walked out with a dark blue coat on, buttoned halfway up, the thick material reached to his thighs and had some white fur on the hoodie on his back. His dark eyes filled with anticipation. Naruto pulled on a brown coat that reached just above his knees. He made sure to perform a genjutsu around Sasuke so that people would not notice them easily. Although the village was filled with expert ninjas, they wouldn't be suspicious with Naruto accompanying him. Besides, the two would be extremely careful since they were breaking one of the rules Tsunade assured they had to follow. Sasuke was not to leave the apartment. Well, Naruto was making an exception. It was a rainy day, with few people walking around. The opportunity might not come again.

Naruto stepped closer and started to button the rest of the blue buttons. Sasuke's warm skin comforted him as his tan fingers brushed against the pale neck. Sasuke's breath graced his forehead. It was comforting in a way that Sasuke did not push him away or insult him. Not jeopardizing this chance to go out.

"Stay near me." Said Naruto, his blue eyes stared directly into dark ones. The words I trust you weren't needed. Sasuke just stared back. No objections were made so they set out. The umbrella unfolded noisily and soon they were walking under its cover. They walked slowly, enjoying the privacy. No one had time to look at others. People rushed and disappeared out of sight. Sasuke pulled out his hand from the warm pocket of his coat. He reached out and let the droplets land on his fingers. Feelings he had put aside came rushing back. He missed the air, the sounds, the ability to walk more that the space that was Naruto's home. Suddenly Naruto stopped him with a hand on his elbow. He pulled him to the left, away from the marketplace that Sasuke swore was not there when he was in the village. As he inspected his surrounding more carefully he realized a lot of things had changed. The buildings were a mixture of old and new. The people he passed were strangers. The street that used to smell like tea and dango now smelled like fresh bread. And Naruto, he had changed the least. The same brilliant smile, and blonde locks. Only his height changed, he was taller and firmly built. The muscles were obvious under his pyjama shirt he wore at home. Sasuke averted his gaze when he started to recognize their path. They stood on the small bridge. The water moved under the stone. Naruto leaned against the edge and looked at their reflection. "I'm half expecting Kakashi-Sensei to show up out of nowhere with a ridiculous excuse." Said Naruto, laughing fondly. Sasuke watched the water. His chest delighted by the fresh cold air.

"It's getting closer." His voice cracked at the middle "The council is finalizing the punishment." Sasuke glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, a droplet of water landed on the tip of his nose and he edged closer to Naruto, under the protection of the umbrella. There was nothing he could say to comfort himself or the blonde. He was also anxious about the decision, they wouldn't nurse him back to health then execute him, right? Or they might want him conscious and alert of what would happen, feel every sting and painful stab as the villagers watched with a mixture of horror and relieve. Naruto would be standing in the crowd, with his teeth biting into his tight fist until blood was drawn.

"I was thinking, yesterday.

I couldn't go to sleep so I started to think of any way to change their mind in case they decided…

Why-why don't you offer to revive your clan Sasuke?" Sasuke looked at him with wide eyes.

"You could marry Sakura-chan, have kids and raise them so that they would defend the village with the other clans. Until now, your family's name is smeared. You fled from the village and joined the Sound. Your brother killed the family… wouldn't it be like starting over?" It was acid in his mouth. To offer Sasuke marriage to someone meant he would see less of him and he wouldn't be able to express his affection towards the stoic Uchiha anymore. He couldn't believe he was saying this, but hearing Sakura offer Sasuke happiness and security made him waver. What of he made Sasuke miserable? What if he kept him from the only way he would be happy?

When he didn't get a reply he turned to his friend.

"No." a simple answer. One word. And it washed away the acid on Naruto's tongue in an instant. The initial shocked look on Sasuke's face dissolved to a one of indifference. Naruto didn't ask why, he liked to think of it as a way for Sasuke to say he liked him back. That he didn't see himself spending the rest of his life with Sakura. As underhanded as it felt to prove that Sasuke would always like to be with him, he felt whole again. That piece he pretended so ready to give away in exchange of the sight of dark eyes and pale form adorned with the official Konoha-ninja uniform almost killed him.

The rain increased tremendously. They walked away from the bridge towards the training grounds. There they leaned against a tree and watched the small ripples on the surface of the lake. They had their chakra training on that surface when they were kids. Sasuke learned to walk on water and Naruto got angry at him for mastering the tactic so easily that he threw himself off the ground and tackled the busy Uchiha until they were both drenched to the bone. The next day Sasuke had a fever and Naruto guiltily showed up at his doorstep with chicken soup and plenty of orange juice.

Sasuke frowned as the rain made it impossible to see beyond the tree-sheltered ground. They were going to stay there for a while. With a sigh Naruto slid down against the tree and sat on the dry ground. Sasuke stayed put. A loud rumbling sounded and pink dusted his pale cheeks. Naruto grinned mischievously "Hungry?" Sasuke looked away. "Oh come one I'm just teasing you. Come, sit down." A slight tug on his hand made him comply. Sasuke sat with his knees drawn against his chest and Naruto's hand on the ground beside him. "Once this rain lets off let's go home. I'm making something good tonight. Or lets eat what you choose how about that?" Sasuke shifted slightly. "What do you want?" Asked Naruto. His reply was a mumble. "What? I didn't catch that." Sasuke frowned at the rain.

"Chicken soup." Naruto grinned from ear to ear. "Well, chicken soup it is!" Sasuke knew Naruto didn't remember the time he made him chicken soup when he was feverish, but Sasuke did. And he loved the soup. He even forgave the blonde for being an idiot and the reason he was sick in the first place.

After some time the rain finally lessened and Naruto got up. He dusted his brown coat and offered his hand to Sasuke. The other just looked at it hesitantly; finally he reached up and closed his hand around the tan palm. Quickly pulling himself up. "Let's go home." Sasuke nodded.

They left, their feet disturbing the small water puddles all over the place. The shuffling and splashing distracted them from the breathing coming from the tree they just walked away from. A lone pale figure sat on a branch, looking intently at their actions and brief conversations. The Hokage had given him the duty of keeping an eye on the Uchiha after some incident he wasn't allowed to know about. Whatever it was, this wouldn't please the Hokage. He disappeared from the tree in a blink of an eye. Naruto was his friend, and from what he understood from books on friendship; friends don't snitch on each other, so he would leave them in peace and report to the Hokage if the situation got out of hand. Until then, he will watch form afar, and wait.