A/N: Apparently all I write is angsty one shots as of late. Ah, well... This has probably been done before, but I was inspired. I try to recommend music with my fics, and part of my inspiration for this was an actual song. So, if you're interested, check out the song "I'm Coming 'Round" by Thirdstory while you read. :)

Thanks in advance, and any comments/suggestions are always helpful!

Somewhere on the coast…

There was something that drew Sasuke to the ocean. It was peaceful- the folding of the waves, never ending. The gusts of wind blowing salt through the air. The gulls that soared swiftly in the sky. He found himself there often, between missions. Never in the same place twice, of course, but the view of the water was beautiful anywhere.

It was nearing the end of summer, and the wind was getting colder. He had to close the window to keep the chill out, but it lingered still.

His eyes drifted across the bare room to a scroll that sat neatly on the nightstand.

They were to be wed in the spring.

"Tch," he spat, turning away. He swirled the tea around in the cup, the flavor long turned bitter and the liquid long cooled.

He stood with a start, and stormed over to it. He could throw it in the fireplace. He could pretend he never got it. He could make it to Konohagakure in two days- he smacked the thing away, and it clattered to the floor, the corner slipping to reveal his scratchy writing. He stared down at it for a stretch of silence too long and with a sigh, leaned down to pick it up. Sasuke plopped helplessly onto the bed and curled his legs underneath him, leaning against the cold wall. He let the paper unfurl in his hand again, falling softly into his lap, and began to read.

Sasuke,

Hinata and I are getting married. It's been years, and she deserves this from me. I deserve this, too. She makes me happy. So happy. She likes ramen (maybe even more than me, if you can believe it), she takes care of me, she trains with me. I'm a better person because of her. I love her.-

Sasuke sucked in a harsh breath, the second time slicing just as deep as the first. He willed the knot in his throat to fade away.

-I know I won't be able to change your mind on this. After everything, I still wish we could see eye-to-eye. I know why you have to stay away and maybe that's what makes this so hard. But I want you there. I want you by my side on the happiest day of my life. It'll be in the spring, April 4th. The cherry blossoms will be in bloom, then. It will be beautiful. And come visit once in awhile, okay? Even Kakashi-sensei is worried about you, and you know how weird he gets about sappy stuff. Anyway… I hope this letter finds you well.

See you in the spring?

Best,

Naruto

Again, just as the first time, Sasuke's hand shook beneath the paper. He fought the urge to activate his chidori and shred it to pieces.

Different this time, though, he felt a twinge in the missing limb. An all-too-familiar pain, as his lip quivered and tears stung his eyes.

"Damnit, usuratonkachi," he hissed, tossing it aside and scrubbing a hand across his face. I want you by my side on the happiest day of my life, he said. She deserves this. I deserve this, too.

And he was right.

And despite just how right he was, it didn't make Sasuke any less…

A knock sounded at the door and he hated the part of him that hoped, just for a split second, before he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and crept toward the door.

"Housekeeping," a small voice said from beyond it.

He opened it a sliver, barely giving room for his hand to slip through, as the young woman placed fresh towels in his hand.

"Thank you," he said, and shut it. In truth, he didn't need them. But it pulled him away from the letter, pulled him out of the growing despair that threatened to engulf him. He placed them carefully folded on the edge of the tub, feeling the letter burn a hole into his back. He was going to have to look at it again. He was going to have to feel the grooves again where Naruto's passion indented into the paper; I want you there.

Sasuke took a deep breath and steeled himself, strolling back into the bedroom with purpose. He wrapped it up again, pulling open his pack, and shoved it into a deep pocket. At least there, it would be out of his sight. He took another deep breath and curled up on the bed, tucking his only hand beneath his cheek. He didn't think of Naruto. He didn't think of him in his ceremonial kimono. He didn't imagine the vows he would say to her in front of the village…

He woke with a gasp a few hours later, blinking away tears. His hand had moved from his face, clutching a fistful of his shirt over his heart- and despite his embarrassment even alone, he didn't quite feel like moving yet. The room was cloaked in a blue hue of moonlight and he was glad that whatever dream he was having disappeared as he came to.

He realized too late, that he'd missed any chance he had to find fresh food anywhere. And just as he thought he might be able to tough it out till morning, there was a low grumble in his stomach that made his cheeks tingle. This is just perfect, he thought, not even taking the time to turn on a lamp as he slipped on his cloak and eyepatch. The small bag of coins would find him something quick at the store down the street.

And so he stepped out into the cool night air, ears trained on his surroundings, eye darting back and forth, as he walked. He could hear the waves crashing still, only fainter. It calmed the irritation burning in his throat just a little, and he was thankful for the distraction. After a short stroll, he found himself standing before the place.

The store was small, the area around it lit only by the fluorescent lights inside. It was a shithole, and it was his only option.

Tch. Figures.

When he pulled open the door, a small old man nodded from behind the counter, puffing on what was left of a cigar. He glanced around carefully, hoping to make a quick decision, but not finding anything he was capable of making in the tiny room he'd rented. The irritation bubbled up again- how could they not have anything good?! -but was promptly replaced with ice as his eye fell over a familiar product.

Instant ramen.

He stared, gutted, reminded of everything he was too scared to say yes to.

Unable to really stop it, his mouth screwed up into a frown and his eye brimmed with tears.

"Damnit," he whispered, his hand reaching once again for his chest where it ached. He snatched the ramen off the shelf and stormed over to the cashier, slamming it onto the counter. As much of a slam as the styrofoam would allow.

The old man looked up at him kindly, and Sasuke wanted to punch something.

"Just this?" he asked, wrinkled eyes turning up in a smile.

"Yes."

He plopped the change into his hand and left in a flash.

The bag felt like lead as he made his way back to the room.

When he'd finally shucked off his cloak and eyepatch and ignited the lamp, he stuck the kettle of water above the flame in the fireplace and waited. He waited for what felt like hours, until it screeched it's boiling point, and he removed it carefully from the heat. He placed it back near the fireplace after he'd poured some into the cup, placing a small plate over the top to let it cook. And then he waited some more. His thoughts raced ahead of him, and he thought he might lose track of how long it'd been since he poured, when Naruto's voice popped into his head. A memory.

Three minutes is what the package says, but I always open it early.

He shrugged as he reached for the plate and removed it. Steam billowed up from the cup as he pulled back the lid, and it smelled like him. He grit his teeth.

What was he doing? Where was the room for sentimentality now? He'd lost the privilege for it when he let Naruto place that old, scratched hitai-ate in his hand instead of his hand.

Breaking his own rule, he snuggled back against the wall behind the bed, and balanced the cup between his legs. With his first mouthful, he grimaced. It was incredibly salty. No wonder he liked it- there was no nutritional value whatsoever. With the second, tears pricked at his eyes. He wondered if his tiny apartment was still filled to the brim with the stuff.

Even if it was, it wouldn't be for long.

With his next bite, he let the tears slide silently down his cheeks. They might've even mixed with the taste of the noodles, though he wouldn't be able to tell. He let himself imagine the weight of Naruto beside him, their shoulders pressed together. A thought that both made his sternum heavy and elated him. He imagined that he'd said the words he was thinking that day- come with me. Abandon this place and come with me. They'd be laughing now, the space would be warmer just because he was there, maybe he'd even steal a kiss…

His eye shot open and the image was shattered.

He was alone again.

But maybe not entirely.

Konohagakure…

He was up late again.

In recent months, it was pretty common, what with the wedding coming up.

Not to mention missions, his studies, training- both for general purposes and for his eventual transition to Hokage -he barely had time to take Hinata out to dinner anymore.

He knew she didn't mind. She was happy to quietly wait for him. She always was.

He smiled in the moonlight and took a sip of what was left of the broth in the ramen he'd suddenly had a hankering for.

For the first time in awhile, he thought of Sasuke- a familiar twinge shooting through his new arm.

He wished he would accept that he was deserving of this too- this life of peace and love and acceptance and acknowledgement. If the village knew what Sasuke sacrificed every day, just how much he was helping them, they'd stop whispering every time Naruto was in public.

I'm just glad that Uchiha brat isn't around anymore. Who would trust someone who abandoned us?

He let it go, because he knew all-too-well that he was abandoned long before the village was. Because he knew what it was to feel their hateful gazes, ignore their snide remarks.

He let it go selfishly, because Sasuke had made his decision.

He was gone, he wasn't returning any time soon, and the most he heard from him were the rare occasions when his hawk would appear at the Hokage tower.

Naruto had accepted that. It had taken years, but he had.

He swiped a tear from his eye and drained the last of the lukewarm broth, smiling sadly.

They were to be wed in the spring.

Maybe he'd see him then.