Hey Everyone!

I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Anyway, the last chapter worried me a bit. I was feeling that Naruto was a bit OCC since he wouldn't usually break his promise. Then I remembered… Five years ago, I had a friend who was a bit Sasuke-ish. She had a strong rightful personality, and then she started a relationship with a druggie Loser. One day out of the blue, he suspected that our other friend was trying to convince her to break up (Which wasn't true by the way). So he called that friend, and insulted her. Then called up my friend (His G.F) and called her a whore who "doesn't deserve shit".

Regularly, my friend would have kicked the ass of any person who would dare insult her. To my surprise, she didn't want to lose him. For the next month, she begged him everyday to apologize to our friend, so she wouldn't have to lose one of them. She didn't even blame him for insulting her person. He never apologized for both, and she stayed with him.

That's it.

That's what love does to people, I guess. It's as if it takes away their honor. Many of us have been through it…

Now! Now! Cheer up!

She did break up with him three years later, and now she is with someone who deserves her.

There is hope!

About this chapter, Sasuke is a bit psychotic. But I think Sasuke is sometimes.

Enjoy.

XXXX

Chapter 10

The raven scanned the scroll carefully with his eyes, studying the new jutsu technique. Suddenly, he heard the door open. The echo of scuttling foot steps alerted him that someone was searching the house for him.

Before he could head towards the sound, the shoji door slid open suddenly.

"Sasuke!"

"Naruto, what are you doing here? School shouldn't have en-"

"Are you going to give up on Sakura's kid?" Naruto asked bluntly.

The raven gulped.

XXXXXX Flashback XXXXXX

Sasuke hissed. It was two in the morning, and he was awake again. It had been two weeks since Naruto walked out on him. He refused to bother himself about that fact however. He was fine living all alone. Actually, he preferred it, or so he thought…

Yet, every night he would wake up at two a.m. He would stay awake for thirty minutes, and then drift back into slumber. He didn't fancy reflecting on the significance of that, but it was unavoidable. No… It is just a habit.

True, it might have been a habit. It might have not been because he missed his family as well. He couldn't, however, deny that it was reminiscent. He couldn't deny that something inside of him ticked.

Every night since they adopted the children, Naruto woke up at two a.m. to check on his babies. He always attempted to be as quiet as possible, but the raven was always roused from his sleep. Sasuke would lie still until Naruto was back in bed. Once the blond fell asleep, the raven would slip from under the sheets. He would take a look at his sleeping children, and go back to sleep in a matter of thirty minutes.

It couldn't be a coincidence that he was awake at two a.m., could it? Right, it might just be out of habit...

He hissed again as he shifted around. The soft warm figure hogging the sheets wasn't there anymore. Yet, it didn't matter. Sasuke wouldn't care, right?

He got up, and headed for a midnight snack. He walked the house's corridor looking for the light switch, while carefully using his sharingan to scan the floor for toys. He had always tripped on them in the dark. Suddenly it hit him. He rubbed his face, as his eyes faded back to their normal color. There weren't any toys on the floor. He would have never thought he would be so hurt not to find them, despite the fact that he taunted and thrashed Naruto whenever he tripped on one.

That night, Sasuke ran to the convince store to buy cup ramen after not finding any in the house. He had never really liked ramen…

Damn it, it's getting under my skin! He hissed once more, and then took a deep breath. That's not like me.

Fuck! Even oranges reminded him of Naruto. And even though they had moved from Naruto's place into Sasuke's house after their relationship got sour, every corner carried a memory. Right then, the raven smirked as he remembered the first week Naruto had the kids. The perplexed blond had a carroty piece of cloth tied around his head as he tried to figure out how to change the diapers of the three crying baby at once. Haru sprayed him; he had been the mischievous once ever since. Sasuke smiled. On second thought, he should have helped him then rather than let him carry the burden all alone.

XXXX

"How much does the carrot cost?" A woman asked as she checked the vegetables closer.

"128 ryos," the shopkeeper answered.

Sasuke stood behind trying to figure out what to buy. He looked up, and noticed the shopkeeper and her friend glaring at him and whispered. In more detail, the friend appeared to be new to Konoha.

"Do you know? This guy used to be Naruto sensei's boyfriend!" The woman whispered to suit the gossiping action rather than to prevent Sasuke from hearing.

"Really?" The out of town-er almost gasped. "Naruto sensei? The blond one?"

The shopkeeper nodded.

"But… The kids love him. He made sure they made friends as soon as we moved here. He is so bright… and this fellow is so…"

"Dark? I know! I know!" The shopkeeper looked up to make sure Sasuke wasn't looking at her. She lowered her voice even further, "My kids used to say that Naruto sensei comes to class covered in bruises. I don't think it's because he was training too hard."

The out-of-towner gasped again. "No way…"

The raven coughed in order to catch their attention. Once their eyes landed on him, he pointed at the carrots. "How much?"

"500 ryos," she snapped at him. If he was going to beat up her kids' favorite teacher, then she was going to make him pay one ryo at a time.

The raven clenched his fists reminding himself to stay composed. "How about the potatoes?"

"I don't have any potatoes."

Naruto had voluntarily tutored her kid everyday for two month so he wouldn't lag behind the other kids.

The Uchiha stared at the potato's right infront of him.

"These? Oh these are reserved," She raised one eyebrow in defiance, positioning her hands over her hips.

"Can I get one kilo?" A young kid ran up to the shop, and pointed at the potatoes.

"Sure sweetie! That would be 50 ryos."

"Hn," The raven gritted his teeth, and walked away. Damn her! Who does she think she is-

Suddenly, he froze. Infront of him, Aio was happily hugging a puppy while Aki and Haru rode over Akamaru's back. Naruto was right behind them, with Kiba's arm around the small of his back-

Kiba's arm!

More often than not, Sasuke would have acted like it was nothing while boiling inside. Yet, this time, his anger was shown in his expression. Why the fuck was Inuzuka touching his Naruto? Yet, he wasn't his Naruto anymore, was he?

For a second there he didn't know what hurt more; another man taking away his family, or the fact that he was the one who had given them away. What hurt most; Seeing Kiba's hand on his baby's body, or seeing Naruto smile the brightest grin he had seen for years.

Anguish led Sasuke to the Yamanaka's flower shop. Call it an act of desperation, but he needed some attentions. And who was more suited then his most loyal admirer, Ino. He walked up to the door, and just before he stepped in, it hit him again; she might ignore him too. He hurt both of her friends after all.

He turned and left.

XXXXXXX

The raven sat with his face buried in his hands wondering what had happened to make him lose his way. Oh God, he was watching his life burn. He loathed himself so much for setting it on fire. May be, May be the guilt would fade away by time. Yet, he doubted that.

Itachi should have finished me off...

He suddenly looked up when he heard the chair next to him move. The son of the white fang sat beside him with an innocent smile shining even through his mask. "I thought we were going to meet at Ichiraku."

"I am not welcomed there anymore," Sasuke mumbled not wanting to get into any details. "You're late."

"Sorry about that. I had to clean out my Icha Icha collection so Iruka would agree to move in." Kakashi explained receiving a bizarre look from Sasuke. The raven was amazed that his ex-sensei was being honest. "You don't look good. Really, you don't look good at all."

"Whatever," Sasuke hissed.

"You are late too, aren't you?"

The raven's eyes widened, "What do you mean?"

"I have lived longer than you. May be even did more mistakes then you did. I lost people I cherished because of those mistakes. I was always late realizing what I have done. It's as if a fog clears as soon as they walk out of the door-"

"I don't get what your insinuating," Sasuke sputtered still refusing to openly admit his guilt. There was something about confessing to someone other than himself that he deemed shameful.

"Really? I was wrong then. May be you don't regret driving your family away after all," He mocked. "Other than the rumors I have heard, I don't know what happened between you two, but for Naruto to give up on someone... You of all people. Just what have you done..." Kakashi mulled over the thought.

The silver haired man tapped his fingers over the wooden bar infront of him as words spat out of his mouth like venom. He had been feeling guilty for not getting their on time. If only he hadn't been late then may be his ex-students wouldn't have suffered as much. He should have seen it coming four years ago when the pattern of abuse had started. The bartender poured him a bit of sake which he drank instantly. "Do you still think bonds only tie you up? Regardless of what you believe; even a prodigy can't live alone."

"They are better off," Sasuke shifted in his seat. "I am the bond that held Naruto back."

Kakashi had made his mind earlier to try and get Sasuke to fix what he had broken. Yet earlier that day, when he discussed the matter with Iruka, the brunette had asked him to encourage the raven to move on, and stay away of Naruto. 'Some things aren't meant to be fixed. Some relationships are meant to stay broken' that was how his lover had put it. Kakashi didn't know if he agreed or not with the statement. If he had time with Obito, he would have changed... So denying Sasuke a second chance felt immoral. On the other hand, pushing the couple into their old pattern seemed foolish. Whatever, it wasn't his call after all. He was just chatting with an old student.

"They ar-" Kakashi froze as he opened his mouth to persuade Sasuke to move on. He glanced at the man who sat next to him, and he realized how lost the raven looked without his Naruto, his sense of right and wrong. "You can't give him a push forward when you are away."

"I think I should just stay away," he mumbled, half hearted about his wish.

"You don't think you can change?"

"Even if I can change, what already happened is written in stone."

"So you are just going to wash your hands clean of this. I hope you don't regret it." Kakashi sighed.

XXXXXXXXXX

The silver haired man knocked on Sasuke's door. It had been more than a week since he had last seen Sasuke. Something was urging him to check on the boy.

He knocked again receiving no answer. Immediately, his shinobi Nature kicked in. He climbed onto the roof, and into one of the open windows.

Once he had broken into the house, he notice clutter everywhere. It was as if the place was raided, yet the expensive furniture didn't seem to be missing. Kakashi gulped sensing Sasuke's chakra.

He stepped onto the torn fabric covering the floor and towards the chakra.

"Sasuke?" Kakashi's eyebrows rose when his eyes landed on the raven. He had red swollen eyes, cuts all over his body, and was knee deep in family pictures. "Are you okay?"

Sasuke fell back holding a picture up. "I don't have any pictures with them." He whispered.

"How long has it been since you last ate?" Kakashi approached Sasuke carefully, aware that he could snap at any time. The boy looked as if he was border-line insane, with dark circles around his eyes and more or less blue chopped lips.

"Not even one photo! The only traces I have in them are b..." He threw the pictures away. "I am not in them! Only the bruises I used to leave on Naruto's body are. It's as if the last four years didn't exist! Only the bruises are left!" Sasuke snapped.

"Sasuke, I know you are under a lot of stress. But you shouldn't starve yourself. Let me prepare you something to eat."

The raven's eyes zapped from one corner in the room to the other erratically. His mind was going over every time he had hurt Naruto. Even the time he killed his brother. It was as if he was a curse that only caused pain.

Kakashi breathed heavily worried by the insane behavior Sasuke was exhibiting. He had always thought the raven was brilliant, except he also knew that Sasuke's actions and judgments sometimes approached one of a psychopath; Sasuke only needed an excuse, and he would devote his life towards a wicked goal.

"What have I done?" Sasuke shouted.

Kakashi sigh deciding to forget about food right then. "I am sure there is at least one photo with you in it. I remember seeing one- I think it was in Naruto's wallet. Do you want me to ask him-"

"No! Don't! Don't!" Sasuke snapped eyes widening.

"Sasuke, sitting here and hurting yourself," He glanced at the cuts on Sasuke's body. "Is not going to fix anything. If it bothers you how you acted in the past, you should make amends."

Sasuke stared at the floor.

Kakashi sighed once again. He remembered the time Sasuke had obsessed about not being strong enough. When the sensei had arrived to the hospital room, Sakura was crying after Sasuke had slapped the plate out of her hand. I should have known then... I should have taught him how to control his demons.

"Kakashi, do you think..." A strained voice spoke.

"Yes?"

"Do you think he would take me back?"

The man shifted, "I don't know. Isn't it worth the try?"

"W-what if he becomes the hokage..." Would I just be his useless partner? The weaker inadequate one, who is not even good enough to be a father? For a second there, Sasuke felt as if he has been hurting Naruto on purpose. May be he didn't want him to out grow him. "Whatever... He won't take me back anyway. He would be an idiot to take me back!"

"Sasuke, partners share success and failures. If he fails, it's not only his fault. If he succ-"

"That's bullshit."

"Fine... I'll tell you one last thing because I've sworn to protect the both you; if you let yourself sink any lower, you will be beyond saving. You will only drown whoever tries to rescue you with you... I won't let that happen to Naruto. So, if you plan to shape up, do it soon. I won't offer my help again." The man frowned.

XXXXXXXX End flashback XXXXXXXXXX

"Naruto..."

"Sasuke, what will it be?"

"I can never be with Sakur-"

"The child and Sakura are two different people." Naruto frowned sensing hesitation from Sasuke.

"I-"

"Before you answer; I don't want you to take responsibility of the child because of me giving you no option. You should do so because you think it's the right thing." He paused.

"Okay. I-"

"But if you don't take responsibility, I will kick your ass so hard you will never be able to sit again. Cause you would be a shittier person than I could have ever imagine. Then when you are on the ground in pain, I will take the kids and leave you. You will never talk to them again, or me. They wouldn't need a father ready to bail out on them anyway." Naruto spoke in one breath, ending it with a gasp of air. "Now, you talk."

The rant had left Sasuke's mouth open. He had expected that action from Naruto, but he didn't expect the man to be so frank about it. The anger in Naruto's voice was making him very nervous.

"Sasuke!"

"I called her this morning..."

Naruto shifted, "You did?"

"Yes."

"What did you say?"

"I will pay for the child's support, and let him have my family name."

"Paying is not being a fath-"

"He will stay with us whenever she is on a mission, the weekend, and one month in the summer. We will reconsider the terms once he enters the academy."

"A boy?"

Sasuke shook his head a bit confused.

"It's a boy?" Naruto smiled his face a little red from being a bit shamed of his over reaction. Maybe Sasuke changed after all...

"It's a boy." Sasuke smiled back. "But Naruto... she said I can't be alone with him until she starts to trust me... so..."

"I will be there!" Naruto tapped his hand over his chest. "So why did you do it?" He asked still smiling.

The raven pursed his lips. So many reason... He didn't want to lose Naruto. He didn't want the past to repeat itself like with his other kids, it was his chance to revive him clan 'blood' wise, and he loved that unborn child. For some reason, he did.

"Humph," he shrugged his shoulders. "I hope he doesn't inherit her pink her. I'd hate to dye a child's hair."

Naruto giggled, "Like I would ever let you do that."

"Pink hair and a big forehead... I am starting to have second thoughts." Sasuke teased, not knowing why the hell Naruto wasn't in his arms still.

"Shut up! He will beautiful," Naruto approached Sasuke tapping him on the head. "I just hope he doesn't get your spiky hair or attitude. They are really impossible to manage."

The blond messed with the other's hair, grinning until his eyes were just slits. Sasuke growled but it didn't seem very genuine.

The raven raised his head up to plant a kiss, but Naruto interrupted him. "Hey Sasuke, what did you to Yama-san band you from the vegetable shop."

The raven raised one eyebrow, "Ban me?"

"Yeah, I convinced her to take your photo down from the banned board."

"Banned board? I never saw a banned board."

"Oh, well..." Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "It sort of was your photo. Did you have a problem with her or something?"

"It wasn't a big deal." The raven tapped his fingers waiting for the kiss.

"Strange, she is such a nice woman." Naruto wondered naively as he planted a kiss on Sasuke's cheek. "Ichiraku-san also acts strange when I bring your name up... I wonder why..."

The raven sighed. He still had a long way before earning back everyone's trust.