Title: "Ask Me Instead"
Author: i gaara
Disclaimer: I do not own NARUTO or any of the characters.

Chapter 9: Empty Walls.

Naruto had imagined Sasuke's bedroom to be like the rest of the manor: orderly and luxurious. Instead he was greeted with an eyesore that resembled his apartment when he entered the room. Jutsu scrolls lay open and scattered about the carpeted floor amongst some books. Despite the clutter, it looked empty and was devoid of decorative pieces or much furniture. There was only a tall lamp and a low bed.

"I obviously can't trust you to be alone," Sasuke began as he threw a pile of blankets next to the bed. "So you will be with me at all times."

"No way! I didn't do anything wrong!" Naruto didn't like the way the arrangements were going anymore. He had accepted that he'd live with Sasuke for a while, but at least he was given his own room. He couldn't allow his every movement to be watched by the Almighty Uchiha Bastard – he needed some space and time alone.

But Naruto knew there was no possible way Sasuke would change his mind; his teammate was just as stubborn as he was. And with the way the situation was beginning to add up against him, Naruto wasn't sure if he'd even believe himself. He was almost certain he wasn't trying to hurt himself, but his mind had never gone blank like it had today.

But Naruto had to give it a shot. Maybe he could talk his way out of the new sleeping arrangement.

"I know it looks bad, but I'm not doing anything stupid! Believe me!" Naruto hoped he didn't sound as desperate as he was beginning to feel.

"How long are you going to keep this up, dobe? You're not the only one grieving," Naruto's stomach churned. The conversation was already shifting to a place he didn't want it to go. "Everyone cared about Iru-"

"I don't want to talk about him."

Sasuke sighed in annoyance, but kept his voice even and calm. If he was finally going to get some answers from Naruto, he needed to keep his composure. "Maybe you should."

When the blonde remained silent, Sasuke took it as a signal to continue, "You think Iruka-sensei would be proud of your behavior? Stop running away."

Naruto knew his teammate was right – he was running and running as hard as he could. He just wanted everything to return to normal. He wanted everyone to stop fussing over him. He wanted the Kyuubi's voice to stop. He wanted this guilt in the pit of his stomach to vanish. But most of all, he wanted Iruka back. He needed him back.

He couldn't stop running. If he did, everything would catch up to him. It already felt like a hammer was pounding in his chest, against his heart. It was cracking into pieces and he couldn't hold it together for much longer.

But how dare Sasuke judge him, of all people.

"You're doing the same thing… "Naruto whispered. "You live in a house with no pictures on your walls. You keep them in a box and call them junk."

Sasuke's face hardened, his forehead wrinkling into displeasure.

The subject of Sasuke's family was unthinkable to Naruto, and he had never really spoken about them before. He was as knowledgeable as everyone else in the village about the matter, which wasn't a lot, but he knew one important fact: Don't bring it up. Yet, if Sasuke was going to launch everything out in the open, so would he.

Naruto almost regretted his words when Sasuke began to make a beeline towards him. He hadn't considered that Sasuke might respond with his fist connecting with his jaw. And even if his mind was prepared to battle it out with the dark-haired teen, his body wasn't. Naruto was simply too exhausted.

However, a mixture of relief and confusion played across Naruto's face when Sasuke continued past Naruto and out of the bedroom. Was Sasuke walking away from a fight – from him? Whatever the reason, he figured it was his best chance to leave the room as well. He required some much needed sleep.

'Where are you going, brat? This is your perfect opportunity to lay with the Uchiha child…' The Kyuubi chuckled.

"Shut up," Naruto mumbled and turned towards the doorway.

However, no sooner than Naruto could take one step forward, Sasuke returned with something in hand. But before the blonde could get a decent look at it, Sasuke lifted it away from view when he reached a wall by the bed. Sasuke then shifted to the side, revealing a slightly torn up photo held up by a tack.

It was Team Kakashi.

Only Sakura and Kakashi-sensei appeared happy when the photo was taken. But despite the irritation on the faces of both boys, Naruto could only associate good memories with it. It was their first photo as an official team. It was also a time when everything was less complicated. Not like now.

But why did Sasuke have that?

"I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully," Sasuke warned before he continued, "I don't hate you".

"Oh, I'm glad," Naruto's words dripped with sarcasm and fatigue.

"You said I was the closest person you have to a friend. Well, I don't want to lose that either".

"You said we weren't friends".

"I wouldn't call this a friendship. Would you?" Sasuke's lips slipped into a small smile, but immediately vanished when Naruto's eyes fell upon them.

Naruto couldn't deny that the two weren't friends by definition. As much as he wanted to use the label, it didn't apply to them. To everyone else in the village, they appeared to be more like rivals than anything else. But Naruto couldn't bring himself to say he hated Sasuke anymore. While he knew they weren't just teammates, he also knew they were something more than that. No matter how complex and aggravating it was.

Maybe Sasuke knew that too.

"I guess not." Naruto replied. He wanted to return the smile, but his face felt heavy. He needed to lay his head down.

Naruto quickly snagged a pillow from atop of the bed and dropped himself onto the pile of blankets Sasuke had laid out. If Sasuke had anything else to say, it would have to wait.

Author Stuff:

So, I disappeared for quite some time. Aside from the whole college and work excuse, I also lost interest in anime for a reeeeally long time. But I recently went to an anime convention in Somerset, NJ for the hell of it, and it got me in the mood again.

Unfortunately when I moved a couple of months ago, I misplaced my notes for the fanfic. I remember the big picture and how I want this to end, but as far as how it's going to get there... well, I need to plan everything out again. Needless to say, this installment was written without much thought. If OOCness peaked its head, I apologize. I just felt like writing something and to say: HEY, I'm alive!

It'll probably be a while before I get anything else out, but reviews can certainly motivate me to get things done quicker!