Complete 180

Naruto and its characters do not belong to me.


"You don't want to go do you? I can tell by the way you're talking about it."

It still took me by surprise how well Naruto understood me.

Itachi had asked him to go home so he could talk to me alone. As soon as he was done explaining everything to me I ran upstairs and called Naruto.

All I had said was that it was set in stone. I hadn't complained or said anything bad about the trip but he somehow knew I was completely against it.

And I knew that when I told Neji and Kiba they would think it was the greatest thing ever.

"Nope. Not in the slightest. I mean it's only three months. I'd understand if it was permanent… No. Not even then. I don't want to leave. This is my home."

I had never any desire to leave and I doubt I ever will, but not Itachi.

Leaving was all he had ever talked about. This place suffocated him and now he was stuck here with his kid brother.

"You know… If he's worried about you not being able to take care of yourself we could introduce him to Iruka. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you stayed with us. I don't know what changed but he freakin loves you now."

That took me off guard. I had forgotten Naruto wasn't aware of what happens after he goes into a range. Also, that was a very generous offer that I was dying to take advantage of.

I knew it wasn't possible though.

"That's not why he's making me go with him. He thinks getting away from here will be good for me. That if I'm somewhere with no memories of my parents it'll me move on or something. Complete bullshit."

He wanted to forget about Mom and Dad. I didn't and no matter where he took me it wouldn't make it any less painful.

"He's trying to help in his own way Sasuke. Try to see it that way. Besides, it's New York! Doesn't that appeal to you at all? I'd love to go there."

I honestly had no desire to go. And it just wasn't because of this strange reluctance to leave Naruto behind. I didn't wanna leave school or Neji and Kiba. I loved my roots here.

"Really? You could leave everything you care about behind without a second thought?"

I felt guilty for having to leave and it wasn't even my idea or like I had a choice.

I heard Naruto sigh on the other end.

"That's not what you're doing Sasuke. It's not like you're leaving for forever. You'll be back in 3 months. Who knows? You might enjoy yourself."

"Not without y—"

I started to say not without Naruto without thinking.

"Not without anyone to hang out with."

Naruto laughed and I smiled at the sound.

"Well if you ever get too bored you can always call me."

I was glad to have an excuse to do just that. Now that I felt so close to him I wasn't sure how long I could go without talking to him.

We made plans to hang out tomorrow then hung up for bed.

I didn't get much sleep. All I could think about was New York and wishing my brother had a simpler job.


My two week suspension flew by so fast it was like it never happened.

That was all because I spent every day of it with Naruto.

My house. His house. Library. Homework. Doing nothing.

It didn't seem to matter what we did. I was having fun.

I had become such a common presence at Naruto's house that I started to think of it as my second home.

Even Iruka joked about it. Ever night I was over there he would ask if I was staying home or leaving for the night.

And unless Itachi said I couldn't it was always the former.

So my suspension just felt like a really long weekend and waking for school Monday morning felt like a natural thing.

I walked to school with Neji and Kiba as usual and when I stepped onto campus Naruto was there waiting to hug me.

As I pushed him away and ruffled his hair I gave a brief nod to Gaara standing a few feet away.

The only downside about spending so much time with Naruto was that Gaara was present more times than not.

We had come to a silent mutual understanding though. I really didn't have a problem with him it was just the way he looked at me.

I had only seen him with a glare on his face so when I first saw him smile at Naruto I did a double take.

It seemed Naruto was the only one he smiled at and that kind of bugged me.

Anyways as long as we left each alone we were fine.

"Hey Sasuke! Wanna come over for dinner today? Iruka's making lasagna."

I would rather eat there then at home any day so I didn't waste time thinking about it.

"Count me in."

He beamed. Gaara rolled his eyes. Neji and Kiba exchanged a glance.

"Well, I'll see you later Naruto."

We went our separate ways and headed for class.

"Just what is that Naruto kid to you Sasuke?"

I looked at Kiba surprise. His tone was off and I didn't understand the question.

"I don't know what you mean. He's my friend, you know that."

He nodded but he looked worried about something.

"Yea I know. I just don't understand how you're so close with him. You've only known him for like a month and you're spending all your time with him. It's weird."

He sounded accusing and I instantly got defensive.

"What the hell are you saying Kiba? You're mad that I hang out with him?"

He shook his head.

"Kinda yea. We called and asked you to hang out while you were suspended but every time you said you had plans with Naruto."

I couldn't believe this.

"Well it's not like we hung out all that much before I was friends with Naruto."

He looked at me like I was missing something obvious.

"That's the problem Sasuke. You rarely hang out with your friends you've known all your life, but you're more than happy to spend all your time with this kid you barely know. I'm just saying that it's unnatural. Right Neji?"

I rounded on Neji and he nodded his head.

"It is a little weird Sasuke. We're just not sure what to make of it. You've changed."

I clenched my fists and forced myself not to take a swing on one or both of them.

"I've changed. Umm let's see… I saw my fucking parents die in a car crash! Or did you forget about that? I think that gives me the right to change!"

They both looked at me with sympathy.

"We know Sasuke. And ever since then you've been pushing us away. You can talk to us, you know that right?"

I shook my head and started walking ahead of them.

"No I can't. No one understands what I'm going through. I can only talk to Naruto so you'll just have to get used to that fact or stop being my friends. It's your choice."

I didn't wait for them to answer. I headed to class without them. I wanted to be alone. Or with Naruto but since class was about to start that wasn't an option.

My first day back was getting off to an amazing start…


Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! I know I did. Gonna have to hit the gym in the morning!

Anyways managed to wake from my food coma to type up this piece of crap chapter...

It's not what I had thought out in my head but I just couldn't get it to translate into words well so I'm sorry.

Anyways the next chapter should be loads better.

Reviews please. :O)