~ Friday: To The Afternoon ~

:: Don't Miss The Train ::

Hotheaded.

When triggered properly, there was a slim possibility of stopping him. Someone was either going to die, give in, or in end up passing out. He had a drive like only one other and could do amazing things with it. These two men only went about the how to in their own ways.

Sasuke believed in doing what he assumed he had to do. There was no other way because he could accomplish it the first time around. He had the self esteem that many aspire to achieve. His blaze down the road like his brake system was never in place, had nothing do with his ego. This happened to be due to the need to protect and or retrieve. Instead of flight or fight, it was just fight or fight. He had to get her back and that meant confronting his old roommate.

His grip on the wheel and tensed nature all around, started to disperse when he gave his past some thought.

Would Naruto really do something like this?

Outside he'd say, 'Yes.'

Inside was more like, 'The fuck are you thinking?'

People do change for the worst and he's seen that first hand. Like with his wife, Naruto was a good person at one point… a friend… another brother entirely. One that he got along with more than his real family sometimes. 'He's still a loser.' Sasuke could complain about it all he wanted but that speed gauge needle started to dwindle down from 70 to 65… to 40 and so on. His shoulders relaxed and that glare on his face softened. He drove on out of downtown level two where the furnished, well kept buildings molded into the duct tape held together establishments that were located in downtown level one.

It took him over by memory lane every time he came this way. His old college was on his left and the train tracks were straight ahead. Sure it was a rundown neighborhood with no consideration for others put into it but he liked it better than the posh one his brother went to. At this institute, he would never be bored... and he never was.

Sasuke came to stop when the gates closed him off to protect him from the approaching train blaring its warning horn. One would think that this an illogical construction given a college was right beside it. The track field was the closest at least with the dorms on the other side by the classes.

For such a small place, it held a lot of students that didn't mind that New York ambient.

He was one of them.

Naruto and his brother, were not.

Itachi detested Sasuke's choice and complained the whole drive there and long after he dropped him off. Most of it was about how he didn't think the layout of the school was practical. He worried that Sasuke wouldn't get enough sleep.

He assured Itachi he would because he'd secretly spent many nights camping with his friends under bridges where the train roared the most just for the hell of it. Sasuke never told his older brother about that, but he did tell one other person… just about everything.

He hated to think about the friend he lost. The ongoing transport in front of him must of felt otherwise because he was stuck there and forced to acknowledge the campus where on day one, he made a friend by his own doing.

~ College Days: 8 Years Back (This Is Mostly Sasuke's View Of Events ) ~

:: It Started Off As Pity::

"Will you guys be back for the summer next year?" Sasuke sat with a knee up and back to the wall, cell on video chat in his right resting by that downed leg. Cut at the knee jeans and a crimson sleeveless hoodie were what the college teen decided was appropriate given the weather. "I can rent us out a place."

Suigetsu: "We can try if we make it back. Karin still doesn't know how to pack our crap righ- Babe, we're not taking the tents!"

Karin: "They have mountains there! We're going to stay the night at least once. You know Jugo will love the view. Ask Sasuke if he wants to come down with us!"

He could hear her and see her there in the background behind the top of her boyfriend's head, getting ready for another adventure not by his side. "I'm good," Sasuke said with a well acted yawn and stretch, "I'll be in class for a while. I'm not taking any breaks so I can get out faster."

Suigetsu: "I say fuck college all together."

His friend's voice was mumbled a bit due to said person trying to pack and hold the phone at the same time. "My parents won't fund me for life, Suigetsu. I gotta make my own living."

Suigetsu: "All I hear is excuses. I told you we'll take care of you."

Sasuke, with his hair flaring out the back youthfully, shook his head. Since the door was cracked open slightly to fight the heat, he outed them quietly, "I'm not selling drugs."

Suigetsu: "Hey, hey, hey! No one's sellin- We're pharmacists. Travelling pharmacists… Also, you don't have to prescribe people anything. We've got it handled."

His friends were dealers despite the fancy names. Everything just went downhill after that day of which none of them want to talk about. His friends were corrupted or… given a 'cure' for what they'd seen by some local assholes. He refused and tended to even suppress what his friends did for a living, having a habit of holding onto the old to much. "I don't mooch off people either."

Jugo: "That is a most admirable quality, Sasuke."

Their muscle head, had on a jersey and sun hat, smiling big there in the right corner of the raven's cell. "Look who decided to come back." He chuckled, seriously going to miss them all. "The hypocrite himself."

Jugo: "Hypocrite? I am contributing."

"You're a bodyguard, Jugo. You should have just stayed and joined me and my brother. Karin and Suigetsu can go do whatever."

Suigetsu: "Like you won't get bored without us. Keep dreaming."

"I'm bored now." Sasuke stated slash pleaded underneath his cool exterior. "Do you guys really need to get away so soon?"

Karin: "We'll be back, Sasuke… like every other year. Four times a year! How about that?"

His mood worsened underneath when she came over and hugged around the white haired male's neck so joyously. "What your saying is I won't see you guys at all..."

Suigetsu: "That's not what she mea-"

Sasuke ended the video chat with a harsh press of the end call button, tossing his powered off cell to the side where it bounced on the bed shortly. He hit his head back against the wall in agitation and grumbled. 'A year? Once a fucking year, seriously?!' He banged it again, managing a twinge that time. 'Why the hell should we even keep contact…' He knew he had a point, and that he was being moody too simultaneously.

Two deep breaths did him good to calm his anxiety.

Sooner or later, he'd have accept this debatable semi-abandonment.

'I'll be fine without them.' He dubbed right then that he'd have to get used to the solo life. 'I'm better off on m-'

A soft knock at the door proved otherwise.

He glanced up from his downcast state and said carelessly, "Come in."

Those two words, invited a blond teen sporting an orange hawaiian shirt, into his life.

He looked like he was about to go on vacation with those khaki shorts and flip flops. His tan was set but his single book bag showed he had to be missing a few things.

"What's up?" was all that came from the friendly guy in that minute he took to close the door.

Sasuke's patience was already thin and all but ceased to be when the air was cut off. He didn't say a word and so watched this goof toss that one bag on the bed and then drop down as if he'd been on an hour flight that was rough.

"Man, you've no idea how awesome this is. No more, 'Iruka's House Rules'!" The new guy cheered with a fist bump to the air, turning his head to grin big at his already ticked roommate. "I'm my own man now."

The raven's brow twitched as he waited for the blond to get what he'd done.

Silence became the wall between them that was broken down each time by- "The name's Naruto, by the way. What did you get saddled with?"

'Is he... special?' Sasuke was being unfair and he got that by how innocent the nuisance continued to behave. He had to be blunt. "Open the door."

Naruto snorted and damn near bust a gut, shaking his head. "A-Are you for real? What's your middle name? Close The Door? Last name, Ring The Bell."

"That's not my name, idiot. It's the middle of summer. Open the damn door!"

The tan teen got his fit of laughter while he sat up, killing only himself. "Wait, wait. Nickname, Knock-Knock!"

Sasuke wondered if this guy's father was more than happy to have him out of the house instead. "Are you high?"

"What- Nah. I don't sniff, smoke, or tweak anything." He listed each one with a flick of a digit. "I do like a drink every now and then."

"Uhuh..." He expected lies. "The door, alcoholic."

"I'm not an alcoholic either, Mr. Adrenaline Junkie! I see your posters." Naruto eased off the bed, pointing to the 'Man vs Terrain' themed pictures that were either biking competitions or rock climbing. He cracked open the door and then came back to his bed, dropping down again with his arms crossed like he was tired of the pale one's needlessly rude attitude. "Are you always this inviting?"

"Only when people act like their brain cells never existed."

"Huh, you definitely don't have any friends, do you?"

Sasuke leaned off that wall quick to snap and remind this outspoken guest to mind their own damn business. Those harsh words never left his lips, for the tattooed whiskered teen, was not done.

"Figured." Naruto sighed like it was a true pity. "Guess you're getting your christmas gift early. From this day on, we're best friends." He stood and held out a hand to settle the promise. "Me casa sue- ..soy.. casa!"

"I'm just going to find another room." Sasuke pushed the offer away and got to packing.

"Go ahead." Naruto backed off in his feelings and moseyed on onto his mattress once more, going through his own book bag. "Not like I'm new to going solo."

Sasuke's actions were reduced by fifty percent at that audible remark. He kept on stuffing his clothes into his suitcase anyway, glad the idiot said nothing else. When he turned to grab his other case to pack that one up, he saw the blond's contents that was supposed to get him through the semester.

One orange shirt, a pair of jeans, swirl theme boxers, and socks. Everything else was ramen cups and water bottles. No pencils, notebooks, towels, toothbrush, ect. In disbelief, he questioned the blond one more time. "You're joking? Did you leave the rest of your crap at your beach house or something?"

Naruto paused for a second from opening up a cup while that bottle got warmer under his armpit. "Well no because you can't make a house out of beach obviously."

Sasuke's pupils widened as he slowly sat down on the bed and reconsidered his actions. He could not leave this poor handicapped guy by himself. He would surely die. He must of made it this far by luck or some higher power. Guess he had to be the protector and ensure this fool didn't get himself killed from now on. After all, what are friends for?

Onyx switched up from it's thoughtful gaze down to a sight that made the raven put a fist to his mouth and bounce his left leg.

His new pal was trying to warm up the bottle more by rubbing it between his hands real fast. "This is a mandatory meal for a fresh new start. Here, you can have one for the road." He stopped just to share his small batch of supplies with the raven. "Nice catch."

Oblivious and genuine. Here he was getting all worked up over nothing. He looked over the pork cup of noodles made goodness thoughtfully. "You know there's a lounge with a microwave in it. You can heat it up there… with the water put into this that is."

Naruto appeared moved by the help until the insult came. "Oh really? Are you sure I shouldn't put plastic bottle in the microwave and yen use my mouwth to pour it into the rawmen?" He talked with a lisp and made his eyes go all crazy.

Sasuke gave him that one, chortling and shaking his head. "Let's go before you start telling me you're actually a straight A student somehow."

"Oh dude, I'm not a nerd. I've got street smarts and my stamina is a beast." Naruto boasted on after the raven that got up to show him the way.

"You mean you run?"

"Running is like walking. I bolt, man." Naruto jogged backwards and challenged the raven at the same time, competitiveness a curse. "Race you on the way back?"

"You know what… I don't see why not." Out there in the hall, a little budding rivalry and friendship started to grow.

:: Then You Became Family ::

The bond did eventually spread to the Uchiha household after a couple of months of schooling together and extreme exercise.

Holidays thus, got a lot more exciting.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Naruto shouted cheerfully from behind his sneaking buddy who was just opening the door to the decorated abode.

Mikoto came around the corner with a bowl of cookie mix that only one person would actually enjoy for all her boys were not the most sweet loving men in the world. "Naruto, you made it! Merry Christmas. I thought you said you wouldn't be able to come."

"It was supposed to be a surprise at dinner to spare us all the hearing aids." Sasuke rubbed his left ear that had received the brunt of the shout.

"Don't be a dic- downer, man." He corrected upon the raise of Mrs. Uchiha's brow. "I've been waiting for this ever since the fourth!" Naruto couldn't get his jacket off fast enough, following proper guest etiquette and removing his shoes. "I want to help this time."

"Oh Naruto, you don't have to-"

"I insist!" Naruto scooped up the bowl and balanced it on his head, wobbling a bit. "Watch! I'll make the best sugar cookies you've ever had!"

"But dear those are… chocolate chip." He was already gone off with vigor by the time she got to the point, making her giggle softly.

"Are you sure I wanted another brother?" Sasuke fake groaned and endured an embrace from his mother of which he returned.

"You did because you were tired of Itachi bossing you around. Now you know why he did that. With that said, I expect you two to behave or else." Mikoto threatened with a point to the closet where the get a-long scarf was ready for use once more.

Sasuke could of swore his mother enjoyed that punishment to much because the pictures were somehow adorable to her. "No promises. Where is Itachi?" He looked around the homey place. "Dad?"

"They are out, um…" She motioned her youngest in to whisper, "getting a little surprise."

"What kind of surprise?"

"One you've inspired. Now please go help Naruto finish cooking."

Sasuke sighed for the long process ahead that would no doubt alright. "I was going to anyway before he burnt our house down."

"You know I can hear you, dude?" Naruto poked out around the corner, a mess already from whatever concoction he was making in the kitchen. "Our dorm burned down because of you last month!"

"Your dorm did what?!"

"Nothing, mother. He's talking about a miniature science project that we failed." Sasuke quickly pushed the loud mouth back into the kitchen away from her concerned gaze.

"We? You're the one who can't co- Hey, don't shove me!"

"I wouldn't have to if you just shut the hell up for once!" A ruckus commenced a second later in the kitchen.

And by the rise of the moon, the two roommates were in that scarf. It made for the perfect photo-shoot attempt before the fire place where everyone, including their blond guest, had a matching, ugly, Uchiha fan sweater. Everyone was smiling but Sasuke as usual since he had to be stuck to his friend. If it wasn't the blond, it would of been his actual brother.

Naruto's eyes were a little puffy from crying over his gift of inclusion and school supplies like he was their child too. He had the biggest smile on his face as a result. "Cheese!"

"To early again, idio-" That bright flash followed and dazed the raven in that moment. Though this was the fifth picture to be taken because of them, it made for a good start to a goofy night full of charades and friendly competition.

:: Everything Was Good Until ::

Birthdays were now a lot more eventful too as the year went by.

"I know we just got back from your parents house but my present requires a different route than turning in." Naruto handed the raven a piece of paper in their dorm room, both still dressed for the stormy weather outside. "Happy birthday, my brother."

"What's this?" Sasuke checked out the weird map in intrigue to the layout on it. "A shipping yard? Your drawing skills have improved."

"Thanks. Sai was a big help. Also, correction, it's an 'abandoned' shipping yard on the outskirts of Burgundy. I checked it out a few weeks prior. This is one of the seven shut down sites that's closest to us. Not to mention, it's raining, thundering, and the wind is crazy. You know what the academy calls that?" Naruto put on that confident expression with his hands in his coat.

That's right. Following Sasuke's parent's footsteps, had become a shared dream. "Resistance training."

"Precisely."

The quiz they had to tomorrow would have to deal with their snoring and or complete inattentiveness. These two thrill seekers were off to have a challenge for the ages. A race in complete madness. The course were slipping, falling, and breaking something, was not the fault of the rain, wind, or surface. This was to be a testament of skill, a trial of true bravado, a-

"Match made by the gods!" That's another way to put it. The driver of this burnt orange Humvee, was as hyped as he sounded. With the wind shield wipers going and the rain crashing down relentlessly from the dark pit above, their headlights were the only sign that at least something was on the long wet road. "We should of dragged Shikamaru's ass here to record it."

"We'd have had better luck asking his girlfriend." Sasuke took to looking over the map to get prepared as much as he could, seat belt-less on that passenger side.

"Eh, she's a bit too high strung for me to stand. I've seen her look at you though, man. What do you think?"

"She's not my type."

Naruto managed to keep focus on the road and pick at the raven all at once. "Sasuke, what is your type? I swear if you say you like a girl that's not into you."

"Hn, don't worry about it."

"I need to so we don't end up suffering the main killer of all male friendships!" Naruto spoke as if he'd studied this more than his power-point presentation due tomorrow as well.

"And what is that?" Sasuke shook his head and spared one glance to his worried roommate, assured of the answer to be.

"Lack of communication!" He could feel the birthday guy giving him that quizzical expression again. "What? It is! It ruins a lot of friendships and relationships. Not to mention, it ruined mind."

"Uhuh. Are you sure that's all there is to be concerned about?"

"What else is there?" Naruto turned on the radio to the basic rock station that always occupied their rides. He was more into pop but, this weather demanded something louder that made your blood pressure skyrocket. The volume was kept to a minimum for words to be shared while drums and guitars made riot music in the background. "Hey, am I doing this right?"

Sasuke let it go, seeing as though his roommate didn't think the obvious was that much of an issue. His older self would disagree wholeheartedly and probably force them to stop the car and talk it out. Because such a thing was improbable here, what transpired carried on. He gave the blond's terrible, jerky representation of head banging, a false thumbs up. "Just watch the road."

Naruto flipped the raven off for ordering him needlessly, rocking out in his own way.

Thin white lines proceeded to blur past the windshield where yellow and black was all that could be seen illuminated.

There came a time where those colors ceased to be and all that lies before those headlights now were damp grounds. Thunder struck and shined a sharp light over the scene change that was the rusted shipping yard.

Here two young adults were standing before the beams of the car, kneeling to a sprint position.

The run was simple.

Head straight through the open doors of the factory and out the back. Come around and meet back at the car. No detours. Any obstacles had to be overcome, not avoided. Naruto made sure the route was fair with easy machinery and or conveyor belts to get around.

The blond adjusted his navy strapped headlamp and asked, "You ready to sleep on the left side for a month, Sasuke?"

The skies boomed and the rain decided to pick up the speed, soaking their clothes to the skin and taking away that fluff in their hair. Weighed down and already near freezing, the only fix was to get moving. "I've already told you I don't mind the train. I'm just not switching because you don't clean up your side of the room. So, are you ready to go without ramen for a month?"

He took a deep breath and shook his head defiantly. "You know if it wasn't your birthday, I'd have never agreed to this bullshit bet."

"Afraid already?"

"... Keep trying me." Naruto rolled his soaked shoulders. "Just wait. When you lose, I'm tossing my shoes on the bed as soon as we get back."

"Some brother you are." Sasuke didn't say that often so bluntly. The brother part, that is. He didn't think anything of it other than a natural reaction. "Start the damn challenge already. We gotta get back so I can introduce you to my old group for a bit."

"Ha… alright." Naruto nodded, smiling and coming to a conclusion of his own that it was time. They'd achieved that level of friendship. "I got someone I want you to meet after this too."

"Who?"

"You'll see. Till then, enjoy losing."

"Sure." Sasuke should've taken that strange quiet that engulfed the area for a moment as a seriously ominous sign. The storm picked back up seconds later, leaving only him in curiosity to that.

Naruto was already sounding off on his end, ready to go. "-so on your mark, get set… G-!" Lightning struck before he could even finish or get that back leg forward. It zapped a couple of feet away from them in a millisecond, blinding and scaring the living blazes out of their souls into stumbling back.

Hearts racing and pupils dilated, they shared one look to each other.

The only logical thing to do given how macho they are… was to go back to the car and sit there. Can't be cool when dead and what not. Each took shallow, deep intakes as the droplets fell forth off their bodies and onto the sandy color seats.

"Dude… I am sorry that I almost got us killed."

"Eh, I've been in worse spots. I fell off a bridge trying to beat the train over by the trail."

Naruto chuckled and rested back. "You have a weird ass death wish sometimes."

"Yet you stick around." Sasuke would never openly admit gratitude for that. He leaned up instead and turned on the heat to fight off the cold coming over them.

"Well someones gotta watch your back, especially when we become EP's. You, me, and Itachi, done deal right there. We'll never lose a single person." He reached around back for the celebration essentials that were supposed to be opened after the race but… oh well. "Here, we'll call it a draw."

Sasuke accepted that can of light beer and said, "For now. Come back tomorrow?"

"Yeah!" He popped that beer top and took a swig. "We'll bring my girl along too. I'm pretty sure that lightning was like a hint that we needed a medic."

"If you say so. Is this that chick that dropped you out of nowhere?" Sasuke wasn't looking forward to meeting her given all he'd heard.

"That's besides the point. She knows she still loves me." Naruto shoulder bumped the disagreeing raven. "You'll see what I mean."

~ Friday: The Present ~

:: I Wish I Hadn't::

Sasuke saw more than he wanted to. As the train's end neared its passing, so did their days as friends. Sakura advanced on him that following day. When he asked his roommate to make her leave, he saw how chained by false love this idiot was for her. It never got better either. Instead of brotherly arguments, there were actual fights. Their shared habits became solo acts. Holidays became blond-less because she would want to tag along and he'd not go anywhere without her. She'd push Naruto off and then harass Sasuke the next to hold her. All that nonsense destroyed a foundation of growing bonds that were almost completely solidified in place.

After the dust settled… he was still at fault for giving in. It was out of spite at first and then it grew to an emotion akin to borderline acceptance. He could see why his roommate liked her at some point. Then it blossomed into actual love. He cared and desired to protect her.

There was no one but her at that point anyway. His battle brother had bailed from that childish mess and hit the road, leaving him behind… with her.

The good thing about messes is that it can be cleaned.

Some stains will be permanent despite the heavy artillery brought in to scrub it away or raw it out.

An effort is an effort at the end of the day and can be greatly appreciated.

Sasuke drove over the tracks in deep thought, considering Hinata's notion about change. There was a low success rate on fixing what was broken between him and Naruto, but he could at least sweep up the pieces on his side and acknowledge them. They could rearrange the shards in an attempt to not get back the golden days and more so to just start a knew completely in three words and three statements.

I fucked up. I'm so sorry. Let's move on.

A more mature brotherhood could take form from there on.

Sasuke softly smiled at the thought of Hinata being proud of his decision. He'd kill for a pat on the head right now, willing to give that up for life to have her back. Her current husband for the time being still, would hopefully help him with that.

:: Loving Parents ::

"Do you think they're up? It's still pretty early."

Fugaku pressed the lock button on his car keys. "Sasuke should be gone to work by now. As for his wife, I'd assumed she'd be getting ready for the party."

"That's no fun by yourself." Mikoto followed her husband up her youngest's marble walkway. "I hope they don't always do things separately."

"I wouldn't be surprised." When his son had first told him of the marriage, he had no faith in it because of the cost from the start. It seemed like the stupidest thing to do and boy was his child prone to crazy ideas. He exhaled heavily at all the bad/good memories, knocking on the door that gave way. Through the little gap, he could see a downed chair in the kitchen area whereas everything else seemed to be in order. Caution alert on the inside and calm outwardly, he pulled the door back closed quietly. They were unarmed and far from their prime years. "I suppose they're not home."

"She's probably out shopping." Mikoto played along, walking back at his side to their vehicle in a moderate pace. Her husband blocked her out of view from the windows while she alerted the authorities as fast as she could.

~ Thank you all for the favs, follows, and reviews no matter the context. Voice your concerns, spite, theories, advice, frustration, and ect to your heart's content at your will. Have a lovely day and a hopefully satisfying read. XoXoXo ~