Chapter 8

Sasuke shifted restlessly on the branch, trying to get a more comfortable position. Like that was possible on a branch, but Sasuke was not one to admit defeat. Crouching down, he took a firm grip on the branch, and carefully swung his body over the side, letting his hands slide with him, till he was hanging from underneath. Gathering a small amount of chakra at his feet, he released the branch and swung his sandal clad feet upward. They hit the branch with a small thump and released a tiny puff of white smoke. He hated to admit it, but Gaara's preferred position was definitely comfortable. His black hair was hanging away from his pale face, making him feel oddly exposed, but the light evening breeze was pleasant. Hanging this way, his face was now turned towards the open window, where he could hear the sounds of a murmured conversation.

"-love of your life, ok?"

"Ok."

Sasuke frowned. That sounded like Kakashi. What was he doing at Iruka's? Still frowning, the youngest Uchiha decided it wasn't important at the moment. Teachers visited each other, right? Even if the conversation seemed to be related to…Sasuke swallowed hard and pushed any such thought to the back of his mind. He was only here because of that obstinate voice in the back of his mind. That was the only reason. Watching Naruto's chest rise and fall in the night, Sasuke recalled his inner conversation:

That was completely unnecessary.

He mentioned him. When he knows…

Knows what? You never talked to him about it. Anyway, it's no excuse to rip up a perfectly good tree.

He still knows!

Of course.

Don't patronise me.

Or what? You can't kill me as you do all your other problems you know.

"Why would that be?", said Sasuke, gathering Chidori in his hand.

It was at this point Chouji passed by on the way to the springs, only to hear Sasuke speaking in low menacing tones and the unmistakable crackle of a Chidori being summoned. Unshaken, Chouji peered over the wall of the mansion, expecting to find some hazardous enemy, or another homicidal murderer on whom Sasuke was planning to exact his bloody revenge. All the chubby nin did see, was Sasuke, sitting in a tree holding a crackling Chidori, and Naruto lying sprawled on the ground next to a branch of said tree, with blood leaking from his head. Chouji rolled his eyes and jumped back down from the wall. He was half expecting to find something interesting.

Because I am an undeniable part of you, Sasu-chan

Sasuke hurled the Chidori at the neighbours cat.

You should learn to control that temper.

"Fine! If you are so intelligent, what do you suggest we do with the blonde dobe lying on our drive?", snapped Sasuke, before he realised two things, 1) He had just referred to himself and the voice as "we"

2) He was most vocal with an imaginary voice in his head

,and promptly ignored the voice completely.