It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chapter 27

Naruto hardly saw Sasuke over the next three days. Each morning Itachi would join them for breakfast but Sasuke would refuse to leave the room he and Itachi shared. Kakashi would take Naruto to school while Itachi would take Sasuke to the hospital to see their mother. The brothers wouldn't return until it was practically Naruto's bedtime, and even then the other boy wouldn't say anything. On Saturday they even left before he was awake and didn't get back until dinner.

On Sunday Kakashi took him to the memorial stone again after breakfast. Naruto stared down at the names, his hand clutching tightly at Kakashi's. This place made Kakashi sad, and that made him sad too.

"Ne Naruto, today is Fugaku-san's funeral," Kakashi said suddenly.

"What's a funeral?"

"A funeral is a ceremony where families and friends honor the dead."

"Can we go too? Sasuke will be there right and he's been really sad lately."

"Sorry pup, but no. Some of Sasuke-kun's family don't like me much and Mikoto-san is still sick so it would only cause problems."

"Oh."

Naruto stared down at the stone for a moment before he looked back at Kakashi.

"Why?"

Kakashi sighed. I should have expected that one, he thought as memories of Obito surfaced. Without realizing it his face darkened as memories that once made him smile sent sharp pains through him from the betrayal.

"Ne Kashi-nii, it's ok if you don't want to tell me," Naruto said softly, his gaze falling as he kicked the dirt. While he had seen Kakashi glare at things before, the look on his face now was something harsher than Naruto had ever seen.

"It's alright pup," Kakashi said with a sigh, pushing thoughts of Obito out of mind. "It isn't your fault or anything like that. I had a team mate once that was an Uchiha, and things didn't end well. Because of that many of the Uchiha don't like me very much. When you're older I'll tell you the whole story but it isn't very happy."

"Promise?"

"Promise."


Naruto waited another day before he couldn't take it anymore. He had tried to be patient but he missed his best friend and even Kakashi had said too much crying was bad. So when Sasuke still hadn't come down for breakfast on Tuesday Naruto decided it was time to act.

"I'll be right back," he said as he slipped out of his chair.

"Finish your food first Naruto," Kakashi said, but Naruto ignored him.

"I'll finish it when I get back. I have something I have to do first," he said as he dashed upstairs. He heard Kakashi sigh and Itachi ask what had gotten into him but he still didn't stop. Only when he was in front of the door to the spare room did he pause to take a deep breath.

When he pushed the door open he had expected to see Sasuke sleeping getting ready. He did not expect to see the dark haired boy staring blankly at the wall with watery eyes.

"Sasuke, aren't you coming to school today?" Naruto asked softly. His chest was tight as he saw how much his friend was hurting. "Everyone is waiting for you and Iruka-sensei keeps asking about you."

Sasuke didn't even blink at him and just kept staring at the wall.

"Sasuke?" Naruto tried, a little louder this time. "Sasuke!"

This time Sasuke finally turned to look at him but his response wasn't what Naruto was expecting.

"Go away." Sasuke's voice was cold and distant yet Naruto could hear the pain in it.

"No."

Sasuke eyes widened as Naruto folded his arms and planted his feet. Then his eyes narrowed angrily.

"I said go away baka."

"And I said no aho. Now stop being such a big cry baby and come eat breakfast. Then we'll go to school."

"I'm not a cry baby!"

"If you're not a cry baby then stop hiding in your room like a little girl!"

At that Sasuke launched himself at Naruto and the two ended up wrestling on the ground.

"Don't call me a girl!"

"Crybaby!"

"Big head!"

"Wuss!"

"Loser!"

"Brat!"

"Baka!"

"Aho!"

At the last set of insults both boys stopped roughhousing and collapsed on the floor panting. Naruto looked over grinned as he saw Sasuke breathing just as hard as him.

"I totally won that one," Naruto declared, causing Sasuke to snort.

"Yeah right. I pinned you more," Sasuke retorted which only made Naruto's grin grow wider.

"I was on top before we stopped though."

"Only because I was in the middle of throwing you," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes.

"Can't prove it!" Naruto sing-songed and Sasuke grinned mischievously.

"Can too. I'll do it again and show you." That said Sasuke rolled over and jumped at Naruto, who scrambled away laughing.

"No way, no way! You already threw me enough today!"

"Then admit your defeat and take back what you said."

"Never!"


Kakashi and Itachi watched with amused expressions from the hallway as Naruto ran around the room a few times before darting into the hallway. Sasuke was hot on his heels and neither boy noticed the older ninjas.

"Should we stop them?" Itachi asked. He was a little concerned for Kakashi's house if nothing else.

"Nah. I doubt they'll do anything a little putty and fresh paint can't fix. So I hear Shisui-san is out of the hospital finally."

Itachi snorted at the change of topic but nodded.

"He wants us to stay here awhile longer though."

"We cleaned out most of the problem but there could be a few last remnants and with Mikoto-san still in the hospital…"

"I understand his reasons but I wish he would let me help," Itachi admitted with a sigh. "It feels like he doesn't trust me to do the right thing."

"You're needed to watch over Sasuke-kun. And if something happens then he knows you are safe and can take over for him," Kakashi pointed out. "If anything he trusts you more than anyone else. Now let's go shoo the boys outside before they hurt themselves."

As Kakashi said that there was a resounding crash followed by the sound of laughter. Itachi sighed again but followed Kakashi down the stairs.


Sasuke ended up not going to school after all but Naruto didn't mind as he got to stay home with him. The two spent the rest of the morning chasing each other through the forests as the ninken ran alongside them. After lunch they trained with the ANBU babysitting them for the day. Once they were exhausted the ANBU let them stop, leaving them lying on the porch watching the clouds float by.

"Hey Sasuke."

"Hn?"

"Next time you're sad just tell me. It was really lonely without you."

"Baka."

Though the response was grumbled and an insult it made Naruto smile. He knew his friend better than that, so he went back to watching the clouds pass. A bit later Sasuke spoke again.

"Ne Naruto."

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

Kakashi leaned against the door and grinned. The brats had fallen asleep in the late afternoon sun. Sasuke was curled up like a cat and Naruto looked like a drooling starfish. He lifted up his hitai-ate, deciding that this was a memory worth remembering. At the spike in his chakra, Itachi appeared beside him. Seeing what his commander was doing, he smiled and reached into his pouch.

"There are other ways of recording things commander," Itachi teased as he proceeded to take a picture with the small camera.

"This can't be stolen though," Kakashi retorted softy. Itachi grinned and slipped the camera away.

"Should we leave them here?"

"Yeah, they'll be fine. Now come on, we still have to finish that training schedule. No more slacking off for any of us."

"Yes sir."

AN: Ok so I know, I took forever to update and now it's really short too. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. Please forgive me? I've posted this now because it's a break in the story and a major turning point. Also I know a lot of you wanted to see more of Sasuke but the story is about Naruto and Kakashi so sorry. Maybe I'll do a side chapter here and there for them eventually but with school and Nano coming up I figure you guys would rather have the main storyline stuff.

Japanese translation note: Aho is idiot and baka is stupid. Normally they would call each other dobe and teme in the anime/manga but they're both a little young to use teme (which means bastard) and dobe means dead last which again doesn't apply. Fun note about aho and baka, depending on which region in Japan you are in depends on which they use and how seriously it's taken. Ie in Tokyo baka has less force than Aho but go down to Osaka and baka is much more sever an insult.

For all of you who have been so supportive with my school thanks soooo much! And update on it- I got a A on my first class, so now onto the second!

Now on to the numerous reviews (I really love you guys…you remind me why I write). PS if you reviewed on CH. 26 and the Pi day special you'll get two responses

CH. 26 responses

RamenKnight- First off be as illiterate as you want. And thanks for always leaving me a note, even at the odd hours you stay up to

DarkHuntress- I know it sucks for Sasuke and Itachi but I didn't murder the entire clan at least so things should be better.

That Prodigy- well you'll just have to wait and see. Frankly Shisui's lucky to be alive.

Giselle- awwww I love making you blush. You always give me great advice and support and once again thanks for the kick in the butt. Enjoy your Uchihas and yeah Kakashi cracks me up.

Bethlovesall- Thanks on all accounts! Enjoy

Mysteriouseyez- Sorry, they're just not my focus though I will eventually end up giving them a chapter of their own if people keep asking for it. And thanks! I'm really excited for my Master's program and hey I've got classmates that have been out longer so don't give up!

Andysanime- yeah, Naruto is still working through some issues, but he's getting better and Kakashi's getting better too.

Maxride- Thanks so much.

Prescripto- I'm glad you liked it. I must say your reviews are one of the ones I always look forwards to since you offer constructive criticism and clear examples of what you liked/ didn't like. It helps me to become a better writer. And he'll definitely try.

Krakon/Crackalive- Lol, I'm glad you like it. I put it as family because it primarily is but you can't have a story without action and drama. As for Naruto, he's always trying to help people If you're stressing then I'm doing my job. A good writer will tug at your heartstrings as they make you care about characters and their lives. (I made my friend cry over a funeral scene in an original fiction lol)

Kurokaze- glad you liked it and sorry I don't have much Sasuke/Itachi for you. I will probably end up writing a side chapter once I have time/inspiration for it.

Guest- Yep my master's program. And finding time is hard, even with my management and multitasking skills. Biggest issue is actually the drain on my energy. I'm finding time and then feeling so brain dead I can't write. Good luck with the Bachelors!

Kanberry- Thank youuuu! I adore cuteness (hence my acquiring a pet rabbit among other things lol.)

Tez-chan- sorry for such a long wait. I should have a break coming up kinda soon in school if nothing else.

Mellokai- sorry, but we've all had to have those talks in life. At least it wasn't Sasuke dead and Kakashi trying to explain that.

Guest (#2)- Thanks for the compliment. Sadly I don't think I could write a serious story about Kakashi's love life. It would turn into terrible crack that would then dissolve into overwhelming amounts of facepalms and silliness.

Ambersays- Thanks, and sorry again for the late update

Andreas- To your review of honorifics: according to my Japanese friends, if you would use an honorific with a person then you use it always. Naruto is becoming close enough friends with Sasuke that he may start to drop them but Kakashi will not do so since that is not his relationship with Itachi (professional relationship) or Sasuke (adult to child). This also goes when talking of someone not there. If I have a friend that I call with –san then when I talk to my second friend I still use san with that person's name. While I do not doubt I have been inconsistent accidentally (I'm hardly perfect and it's my second language not my first), the base methods behind it are correct, if slightly formal.

Kirallie- thanks as always for a review

Anticsareme- because we don't have cool ninken to do it for us

Kiyomichan- I'll fill you in on a bit since you were inquisitive enough to ask. When the Hokage asked Kakashi to go through looking for spies he specifically told him not to share with anyone. Kakashi's ANBU are currently operating separately of the non-ANBU departments and at this time Inoichi is already working for the regular T&I while Shikaku has just been promoted to Jounin commander but has no place in ANBU itself. They will show up a bit later as the shakedown continues, but you'll have to wait and see for that.

PI day responses

OPNBF- awww arigatou!

SakuraFairy- thankkks

Crackalive- I've told you before flattery will get you nowhere *shakes head* XP

Darkhuntress- well Naruto tried at least lol.

Prescripto- I seriously considered it, but I wrote it later in the day, it had been a long day and I just wanted fluff. Plus Naruto is still a little young for that, so I'll save it for next year or pi day in story

Devil M- Sorry, this one is short too but I figured you guys would like something instead of nothing at all.

LadyMimi- I can't even eat a single piece of pie in 10 minutes lol. I totally see Naruto just downing it in one bit once he's older lol.

MysteriousEyez- thanks…I love cute Naruto

Invisiblegurl- agreed…he's so easy to write too…although plot line is a bit tougher lol.

Maxridelover- I think you'll enjoy this chapter too!

Noxy- Well I was trying for something fun.

Sailor Dove- Glad you liked it and thanks!

Mellokai- Yeah I was chuckling out loud as I wrote that part too

SoraHuuzuke- Oh to be so lucky When I was a kid I got left alone with an entire bag of Hershey's kisses…which, being a kid, I then ate all of and got so sick I don't eat chocolate to this day nearly 20 years later. The smell of Hershey's makes me sick to my stomach too. It's funny now but it totally sucked back then.

Izaranna- Glad to make you smile and here's the next one. Sorry it's so short -.-but enjoy anyway!

Whovian- I'm glad you like the use of Japanese. I love the language myself and have been working hard to become fluent in it. And kids have the most interesting thought processes. Enjoy the update. (PS I just put your two responses into one for simplicity's sake.)