Hola! First off, I'm a bad person. A terrible person. A horrible person. Why? I FORGOT TO THANK MY BETA IN THE LAST CHAPTER! For the first time ever, the last chapter was beta-ed. And I forgot to say thank you. Feel free to yell at me, I totally deserve it. T_T

I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY! I won't let it happen again, okay? I promise! So, without any further ado...

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU YAOIFANGIRL1990! YOU'RE AN AWESOME BETA! I made sure to thank you twice for last time!

Anyways... Remember, this chapter is completely in Sasuke's POV. It's just a few moments in his life while Naru's gone. So it's kinda short, but it was meant to be. I'm not being lazy! Well, maybe just a little...

Disclaimer: YES! I OWN NARUTO! I FINALLY OWN NARUTO! He's mine! ALL MINE! He's NOT Masashi Kishimoto-sensei's anymore! He's finally mine! Hey, why are the guys in the white lab coats staring at me and shaking their heads? Is there something wrong?

ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE BOTTOM, PLEASE READ!

So, ready to take a little peek into Sasuke's head?


Here's a little quote that I think pertains to Sasuke. I don't own it or anything.

"Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within."
James Arthur Baldwin

The sun shone straight through the window, landing directly on my eyes. I turned, but the sun seemed determined to wake me up. It seemed to follow me, once again shining directly into my closed eyes. I've always hated the sun; it never failed to wake me up at the slightest hint of light. Except… Except when I was with Naruto. Speaking of Naruto…

"Naruto, close the damn curtains." I mumbled, too sleepy to open my eyes or do it myself. When he didn't answer, I had no choice but to pry one eye slightly open.

The bed where Naruto always slept was empty. The memories of last night came flooding back, about how I had held Naruto's hand, and how he was on a mission now. Hn, I didn't think he was capable of getting up this early. Makes me wonder what this mission is about, since it must be important if he would sacrifice sleep. The dobe could sleep more than anyone I had ever known.

I got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and headed out the door; my usual routine since living with Naruto. But now before realizing how quiet the house had seemed without his usual too loud, annoying babble. Not that it mattered. I was used to silence. I was used to being alone.

As I shut the door behind me I saw Sakura right in front of me. I sighed mentally; I SO did not want to see her right now. Things had been awkward between us ever since that night. She was doing her best to act like nothing had happened, so I was too. I would rather just forget about the whole thing, but it was a little hard to seeing her every day. Naruto had done the best, and honestly hadn't seemed to sense anything different between his two teammates.

Damn that dobe.

"Where's Naruto?" Sakura asked, causing me to stop spacing out. I've been doing that a lot lately; the dobe must be rubbing off on me.

"He's on a mission." I responded. I walked away, hoping to lose her, but no such luck.

"What? He never told me he was going on a mission! That idiot!" Sakura yelled as she followed me. I really wish she would just leave me alone to brood. "Why did he tell you and not me?" Sakura demanded.

I shrugged, hoping not to have to explain that Naruto was closer to me than her. It seemed kind of petty. But when Sakura kept glaring at me, I knew I'd have to say something.

"I live with him. He sees me more often. It probably just slipped his mind to tell you." This seemed to satisfy Sakura for a moment, as she nodded her head, but all too soon she had another question for me.

"How long is this mission? Where is at? When will he be back?" I resisted the urge to growl at her as she bombarded me with pointless questions. Why won't she just leave me the fuck alone like I asked her to?

"I don't know, I don't know, and I don't know."

"Why not?" Sakura glared at me some more.

"It's a top secret mission. Now will you let me train in peace?" I raised my voice, losing my patience as we neared the training grounds. If she didn't leave me alone now, there would be no way I'd be able to train in peace.

Sakura shot me another glare, but then walked away. Hn, maybe she wasn't in love with me as she claimed to be. Makes me wonder why she wanted to know so much about Naruto.

Damn dobe!

I trained for hours, but the only thing that was on my mind was that damn dobe.


THREE MONTHS LATER

I finished putting the food on my plate and sat down at the table. Stir-fry, my favorite. I put it in my mouth and chewed, just like always. I tasted it, but didn't enjoy it. I think back to the last time I had enjoyed eating anything, and it made me wonder what Naruto had put in the stir-fry he had made that night to make it taste so different. I would never, ever, admit it, not even under the threat of torture, but Naruto's stir-fry had been good.

The clock in the room ticked and tocked, just like always. The moon shone, just like always. I was alone, just like always. Naruto was gone, the house too silent because of it, just like always.

I hated it.


THREE MONTHS LATER

I lay on my futon, wide awake. Ever since Naruto left I haven't been sleeping well. About as well as I did when I was away from the village. I turned over to look at the empty bed next to me. I know he wasn't using it, but the thought of using his bed just seemed wrong to me. As if it meant he was never coming back. I'd gotten used to living here long ago, with or without Naruto. I'd even come to think of this as my home. But still…

What was it that he wanted to tell me? Why couldn't he have told me then? He has seemed slightly nervous that last night before he left. What could make him act like that?

Damn it, when is he coming back?

He better come back, or else I'll kill him myself.

I lay there, remembering what it felt like to listen to the sound of having someone breathing next to you as you slept, and the way it made you relax. I didn't want to sleep, but I knew I needed to. Ever since Naruto left, the nightmares had returned in full force, but even worse than before. Every morning I woke up panting and sweating, thinking that my family had just been killed before my eyes all over again.

I closed my eyes, and finally allowed sleep to take me away.

Away to yet another nightmare.


THREE MONTHS LATER

I moved my hand back and forth continuously, not even paying attention to what I was dusting. Not that the tiny house even needed dusting. I've been cleaning it so much to keep my mind off of Naruto that it was practically spotless. I know for a fact that it has NEVER been this clean before. That damn dobe better thank me when he gets back.

Lost in my thoughts, I flick my right hand just a little too much and almost knock something over. Being the best ninja in Konoha, I catch it before it hits the ground. When I take a look to see what it is I just caught, my breathe catches in my throat.

It's the picture of Cell Number Seven. Kakashi-sensei had given them to all of us, saying that we'd come to treasure them someday.

He had no idea how right he was.

I hold the picture frame close to my chest, as if it was actually Naruto. I wonder where mine is. Oh yeah, on the day that I left Konoha I left it in my house, facedown. It was a symbol that I didn't want anything to do with them anymore, that I was leaving this place for good. I was perfectly fine until that damn dobe dragged me back.

Clutching the picture frame even tighter, I sit down at the closest available space, not even bothering to look where it is.

I wonder where he is right now.

I wonder if he's alright.

I wonder what's taking him so long.

I wonder what rank this mission is.

I wonder what it is he wants to tell me when he gets back.

I wonder when he's coming back.

I wonder what he's doing right now, at this exact moment.

I wonder if he's thinking about me as much as I'm thinking about him.


THREEE MONTHS LATER

I pick up a piece of fruit, an apple, with the intent of seeing if it's acceptable for me to buy. I don't mind going grocery shopping, since I've done it most of my life now, but this was getting ridiculous. The people in the store weren't even trying to hide their whispers, or their glares. I can't blame them, but I really wish they'd come up and tell me to my face what they think of me instead of being cowardly. That way I might be able to kick someone's ass, which I haven't done in awhile. Not since me and Naruto last sparred, at least.

Dammit.

"Why is he still here? I was hoping he'd leave soon, but it's been almost a year."

"He's probably trying to get us to let down our guard so he can kill us all."

"Why the hell did the Hokage let him stay here?"

"Did you hear? I heard he's living with that demon?"

"Yeah, and that he's on a mission. As long as it gets him out of the village, I don't care."

"Don't you think that's weird though? That he's living there when the owner of the house isn't?"

"He's just taking advantage of that monster. The poor thing doesn't know any better."

When the whispers were about me, I didn't care all that much. I just ignored them, and did my best not to let them bother me. I had been asking for it when I decided to stay here and be a part of Konoha again. But hearing all those people talk like that, about Naruto, it made me remember why I left in the first place. Why I hated them. Why I had wanted to kill them.

"SHUT UP!" I yelled, right there in the middle of the store. In my anger, I squish the apple I was holding in my hands, and the juices splatter all over the floor. I didn't give a damn what anyone thought o me anymore. They all hated me anyway, and would no matter what I did, so why bother being polite?

"Don't you dare pretend to know anything! You don't know about me! You don't know about Naruto! You don't know about our relationship! You don't know about the sacrifices that were made for this village! Sacrifices that all of you could lead your fucking pathetic little lives! Sacrifices that maybe shouldn't have been made in the first place. You don't know ANYTHING! You're all ignorant of the truth! So don't pretend you give a damn about anyone other than yourselves, and leave me alone. And if I ever hear you talking about Naruto like that again, I will make sure you regret it."

After my little speech there was absolute silence. You could have heard a pin drop, as they say. Some people looked pissed; some just stared with their jaws hanging open. I didn't stick around to let them respond. I put the apples I had picked out in my cart and walked away. I still had shopping to do.

I wonder why I'm even bothering; why I'm still here. It all seems pointless, suddenly.

But I'll be damned if Naruto isn't getting his ass kicked for abandoning me.


FOUR MONTHS LATER

"Sasuke-kun! You better tell me what you know! Why the hell isn't Naruto back yet?"

"I don't know! Just leave me the fuck alone!" I yell at Sakura as I head home. I walk fast, hoping to lose her, but no such luck. Persistent as ever, dammit.

"You must know something! Why else would he give you a key and not me?" Sakura yelled back as she followed me. She was glaring, trying to look intimidating. Fat chance.

"Look, I don't anything. Missions are confidential. You should know that, as a shinobi. Now stop freaking out just because I told you I was living with him permanently!" I glared back, knowing my glare would do its job. It always did. Well, with one blonde exception.

"But why wouldn't he tell us anything? Something must be wrong!" Sakura slowed down a little, but didn't stop following me. If she doesn't stop soon, I may just forget the fact that she's a girl.

"Sakura, just shut the fuck up and leave me alone, for the 50'000th time! Just accept the fact that Naruto and I are closer than Naruto and you. If he had been able to tell anyone anything about his mission, I know he would have told me and not you. Suck it up and stop following me!"

"No! I know you know something about Naruto! I just know it!"

"I know that Naruto doesn't like you like that anymore, so you can stop chasing after him. I know the only reason you're thinking about him is because you're desperate. You know what; Naruto's too good for you. He deserves someone much better than a bitch who'll take anyone she can get. You'd only drag Naruto down, so stop chasing him!" My voice was cold, like it used to be. Some of these things may have been harsh, but I was pissed! How dare she treat Naruto like a consolation prize! She couldn't have me, so she'd settle for Naruto, huh?

Sakura's eyes filled with angry tears, and she stalked off in a huff. Serves her right.

On second thought, I'll probably have to apologize tomorrow. Naruto wouldn't want his team to be fighting when he gets back, whenever that'll be.

If he gets back.

No. He will come back! The dobe promised me. He always keeps his promises, right?

I unlock the door to Naruto's house, the moon light illuminating my path. I still can't believe Sakura's pissed that Naruto had given me a key and not her. Why does she even care? Ever since Naruto left, he's all she ever talks about. Kind of like how she used to bother me every waking second with her little "crush" on me. At least she's finally moved on, and stopped pestering me. Better she bother the dobe than me.

I keep telling myself that, trying to make myself believe it. Too bad it doesn't work, and I can't get the image of Naruto running to Sakura first, right after he gets back from his mission, out of my head. He did like her, after all. The things I said to Sakura were just in frustration, and weren't actually true, unfortunately (well, I do kind of think Sakura might hold him back if she went after Naruto).

Dammit!

In my anger, I slam the door behind me harder than necessary. Good thing that the house seems pretty sturdy, despite its age and size.

I collapse into my "bed", ready for another night of blood and gore. I'm too tired to even eat dinner, although I know I should. But it I ate it, I know I'll only think of him.

Dammit, it's already too late.

I hate him. I hate him for leaving. He said he'd always be here, but was that a lie? It's been so long; I can't help but have doubts.

I should have known it was too good to be true. Everything good about this world is. Especially someone like him. I curse myself for thinking that things could be different now, that I'd be able to live my life any way I see fit. Maybe even be happy, like he said.

I hate myself almost as much as I hate him. I was weak, and allowed him to get through walls I had so carefully put up.

I really wish I could see him right now, if just to give him a nice, hard punch to the face.

I scowl (well, more than usual), and turn over, trying to get comfortable. As I close my eyes, I can already feel the nightmare coming on, ready to take me away as soon as I succumb to sleep. Just as the first spurt of blood crosses my vision, I hear something.

Knock

A… heartbeat? Am I hearing the last beats of the hearts of my family before they're silenced forever?

Knock

No… That's not a heartbeat… It's more like a… knock?

Knock

Yes, a very light knocking. Is someone at the door? Who would be at the door this late? I open my eyes, slightly thankful despite the late hour to have an excuse to not have to see those things.

Ugh, rain. I hate the rain. It reminds me of that night.

I get up and walk towards the door slowly. Just in case, I grab a kunai that I always keep underneath my pillow. I slip it into the waistband of my sleep pants, for easy access. I open the door and step back quickly, just in case anything comes at me when I open the door.

I almost didn't catch Naruto in my arms as he fell, the blood covering his whole body staining my clothes as well.


Tee hee. I bet you have alot of questions, ne? Some will be answered in the next chapter, some in the chapter after that. It'll be the 395 days they're apart from Naru's POV.

Okay, so as you've probably guessed, this fic isn't going on hiatus-for now. That doesn't mean it won't change in the future. You're reviews and such will help me determine whether I can keep this fic going or not.

Speaking of reviews, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed, and all others who have supported this fic. I'm going through a really tough time in my life right now; I'm doing some things that I'm really not comfortable with and freak me out, but they have to be done. That being said, I hate it. I can't wait until it's done, but that won't be for awhile, and I don't have much free time anymore.

Anyways, I want to give everyone who reviewed a big huge hug! THANK YOU! :D You're reviews are giving me strength to get through this period in my life! If it weren't for you guys, I probably wouldn't be writing this! Writing is a great stress reliever, and it helps keep my mind off of the bad things in my life. So thank you guys, for helping me. It means alot to me. To everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and story alerted this story, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Okay, enough of the mushy gushy. I'll shut up now.