AN: Here's the next chapter for you, my lovelies, as promised. :) Thanks to Guest for your review (since I can't reply by message). :D I am so glad you enjoyed it so much! It's so gratifying to know that the story sucked you in, and was able to make you feel so many emotions! :D Thanks for taking the time to review and tell me.

Enjoy the chapter, sweet ones. There's a little announcement at the end. :D (Haha, I'm sorry I give you guys such creepy nicknames! I mean it affectionately.)

Cloud Cover

Chapter 36: Not All Houses are Homes

"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body."

~Benjamin Franklin

Five days later.

Naruto was sitting up in bed, reading yet another of the books Iruka had brought him when the man himself walked in with a moody-looking Sasuke. Hell, that boy always looked moody. Naruto wasn't entirely sure why he always visited. Of course, he'd been forced to go back and attend school, but he always hung out in Naruto's hospital room straight after. Usually, he'd sit in silence and study. It was odd, but comforting and Naruto had gotten used to having his presence always around. There was a kind of unspoken bond between them after all they'd been through, and Naruto had a feeling that it was something that would never fade.

Iruka grinned as he saw the book in Naruto's hands. "You're onto the second one already, huh?"

Naruto grinned back. "Harry Potter might just be the best book ever written."

Iruka nodded. "It's not exactly deep, but it's an all-around great read and fun adventure. I thought you'd enjoy it."

He pulled up a chair at Naruto's bedside while Sasuke flopped down in his usual spot on the armchair in the corner, pulling out his homework.

"How's Gaara doing?" asked Naruto.

"Really well." replied Iruka. "I don't think he could be any more happy these days. It's still going to take a lot of issue-sorting with those two. Gaara's been through a lot, being brought up by an abusive father, but I think there's a chance of normal development from here-on out." He settled himself in the chair. "In fact, according to Akino, he's starting to speak more."

Naruto grinned. "That's amazing."

"Of course, he misses you, and they'll probably be stopping by again tomorrow."

Naruto hid a smug smile. He was incredibly happy for Gaara, but he couldn't help feeling just a tiny bit jealous of the affection he now showed towards his mother. She had become his world now.

"Actually, Naruto." said Iruka, leaning forward. "There was something I wanted to talk to you about."

Naruto set his book down next to him on the nightstand.

"Sure, I'm all ears."

Iruka smiled gently. "Well, your recovery is going well. After a couple more weeks it's likely they will discharge you from the hospital. Then after that, there's going to be physical therapy, general aftercare and so on. I believe social services has already informed you of a possible plan."

Sasuke looked up from his homework, speaking for the first time since he'd entered the room. "I wasn't aware of this."

Naruto turned to look at Sasuke who was frowning, his pale lips set in a thin line.

"They visited while you were at school." Naruto dropped his gaze to the beige blankets covering him. He had been trying not to think about all that. It was easier living in the moment. Social services had approached him with a plan for staying in a special treatment center until he was fully recovered. Then it was back to the home. He would have to leave, and that feeling sent a numbness through him he didn't want to face.

Iruka shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "There is, however, another alternative. I don't know if you'll like it though, and of course, if you're not interested you can feel free to say. Your honest opinion is what I want to hear."

Naruto looked up. Another alternative?

Iruka scratched the back of his head. "Well, uh, you see, I was thinking that, you know, if you wanted, you could perhaps stay with me."

There was a rustle of paper as Sasuke's homework fell to the floor.

Naruto stared at Iruka in surprise. "Stay with you?"

"Only if you want to." said Iruka, the words coming out in a rush. "Of course I understand if you don't. I'm just your teacher and you don't really know me all that well, and maybe you want to go back to your old familiar surroundings, so you know, it's just a suggestion that I-"

"Yes." said Naruto.

Iruka stopped. "Yes?" he repeated.

Naruto grinned. "Are you kidding? I would freaking love to stay with you."

Iruka was still shocked "Really?"

"Of course! I mean, if you're really okay with having me."

Iruka's grin matched, if not surpassed Naruto's own. "I'd love it."

He hesitated. "I mean, I won't try to be replacing your parents or anything, but I guess, I already see you as a kind of, uh, well you know, son-like kid, so you are welcome in my home for as long as you want to stay there."

Naruto felt tears prick at his eyes. Fuck, he wasn't going to tear up. He musn't tear up. That was such a pathetic move.

"Thanks, Mr. Iruka."

Iruka smiled. "You can drop the mister when we're not in school."

Naruto laughed. "Ok then…Iruka." That felt odd, but he could get used to it.

Iruka stood up. "Well, if that's the case, I'd better get to work on preparations. There'll have to be legal work for fostering and I'll have to arrange your room."

He scratched his head. "I'll uh, see you tomorrow, Naruto, and I'll come back with updates on the legal process first thing after school, ok?"

Naruto nodded, a grin still plastered on his face. "Ok, see you tomorrow."

Iruka left, and Naruto turned to Sasuke who sat silently in the corner.

"Can you believe it, Sasuke? I don't have to go back to the hellhole." He corrected himself. "I mean, the children's home."

Sasuke nodded, his expression indifferent. "That's great."

Naruto quirked a brow at the dispassionate tone. "Well, no need to sound too happy for me."

Sasuke stood up and began putting his homework away. "No," he said, "It really is great, Uzumaki. I'm glad you've found somewhere you want to live."

"Thanks." said Naruto, then he frowned as Sasuke shouldered his backpack, "Where are you going?"

Sasuke looked at him. His coal black eyes seemed somehow darker under his silky brows.

"I remembered I left my essay at home. It's due tomorrow, so I have to go finish it." He waved a brief goodbye as he exited the room. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ok." said Naruto, still frowning. He pouted slightly as he grabbed the book back off his bedside. It's not like it made much difference anyway. Sasuke barely spoke when he was here, but it still felt weird to be passing a night without him. He opened the book to the last page he'd read. Still, Sasuke hadn't needed to leave so abruptly. What was his problem?

Naruto relaxed back as he fingered the pages of his book, a warm glow of contentment filled him. It didn't matter. He, Naruto Uzumaki, had a home.

Sasuke unlocked the door and stepped over the threshold into his hallway. Darkness and silence filled the house, only the shadow of the great mahogany staircase greeted him, looming up into the even darker upper stories of the Uchiha estate.

He turned on the hall light and dropped his keys into the usual green plate on the dresser. Shrugging off his coat, he hung it on the coat rack and made his way through to the kitchen, flicking on lights as he went. Usually, he loved the dark. Tonight it felt oppressive.

Sasuke took a carton of apple juice from the fridge and filled a glass. Seating himself at the breakfast bar he pulled his homework out of his bag and stared at it. That essay excuse had been pretty flimsy.

He rewound Iruka's words in his head.

"I was thinking that, you know, if you wanted, you could perhaps stay with me."

Sasuke's grip on his glass tightened.

Of course, it wasn't like Sasuke wanted Naruto to stay with him. Yeah, he was going to invite him to live here, but only out of consideration because Naruto had nowhere else to go. It's not like he couldn't survive without the blond being around 24/7. He was Sasuke Uchiha. He thrived on being alone.

The white clock on the kitchen wall ticked, a jarring sound in the cold silence.

Yes, Sasuke would be perfectly all right here on his own. He'd lived here for months by himself.

He gulped down his apple juice and placed it on the breakfast bar.

The clock continued to tick, making the room seem somehow even more empty.

Sasuke stared at his empty glass.

…

Damn Iruka for getting there first.

The End...or is it?

Pffft! Of course it's not. Please read the author's note below for details. :)

Oh, poor, stupid, in-denial Sasuke. :(

AN Announcement:

As I said this story was finishing soon. In fact, my lovelies, this is the last chapter! :O However, as many of you so rightly pointed out, there are still sooo many unanswered questions and OF COURSE, where the HELL is the sasunaru!? Well now, of course, I apologize there wasn't really any in here, only the barest, tiniest hints of feeling. I did plan to incorporate some, but with Naruto's traumas and the resulting 'taking-down-of-a-giant-drug-ring' adventure, I felt it just didn't fit in with the story. It would have been too much, too soon for poor Naruto, and there's no way he could have had rooms for healthy feelings while going through all of this. This, as well as the unanswered questions, is why I will be making a sequel. :) Haha, I'm so sorry! I planned for this story to be a short written in two months and it's turning into two separate novels!

Of course, it will feature the Akatsuki, and I already have the ending in mind (hah once again), but I only have a few scenes in my head at this point. I've been planning this for a long while, and to treat you, I'm putting up a teaser chapter for the next fanfiction which will be titled, "Red Storm". Let me know what you think!

I intend for it to be a bit less angsty (though still some, knowing my writing style) and more drama-focused, and it will feature a possessive Sasuke finally realizing his feelings (with a little help from our wonderful plot-driver, Shikamaru) for a clueless and still slightly traumatized Naruto, so expect your usual fiery, problem-ridden, teenage-angst highschool, SasuNaru relationship. Also, a lot more of it will be told from Sasuke's point of view.

Anyway, that's enough waffle from me. Please turn to the next chapter for the new story, and if you wish to continue reading, I recommend you follow or favourite "Red Storm" which I shall put up immediately! :D