This is a pretty short chapter. Gomen. I'm kind of having a big writer's block right now. Bear with me, minna. But I promise to update soon, well, soon, soon I guess.

Thank you reviewers! This is a KakaNaru fics, I just don't know whether it is going to be a happy ending or a sad one ne?

WHY NOT 12

Naruto went home, showered, cleaned his armor and tossed the rest of his uniform in to his automatic washing machine. He poured in some detergent and set the timer, before grabbing his keys and heading out of his apartment. It was still early and Tsunade said that their next mission would be one week from that night. His teammates were great people. They were experienced and treated him well. His skills were admired in their assassination mission that evening and the group leader had patted him on the back and acknowledged him, for once not caring if he carried the demon fox in him. They liked him and made sure that he felt at home in the group.

He walked down the silent streets of Konoha, looking around at the changes. It was pretty much still the same, save for the new establishments. He walked around aimlessly, dressed casually in his Jounin uniform, minus the green flak jacket. The night air carried the sweet scent of the cherry blossoms. From a store, he bought himself a chocolate bar and continued his walk, trying to avoid people as much as possible. The whispers were still there, along with the cold eyes. But he did not care anymore.

He just felt emptiness within him. With a shrug to himself, he decided to head for Iruka's house and spend the night there.

He tossed his chocolate bar wrapper in to the nearest wastebasket, and that was when he noticed a pair of eyes looking at him. He turned and found a pair of dark and surprised ones. Then the person was moving towards him, and then they were finally face to face.

"Hey, Sasuke." He greeted, forcing a smile to grace his features. He never forgot what Sasuke had told him years ago. It was what motivated him to leave in the first place. He had thought that the Uchiha heir would be a bit more sensitive, since he too knew the feelings of being alone. But he had been wrong. Sasuke was a real blind bat. He didn't hate him, but he didn't like him either. At least at the moment, that was what he felt. Sasuke was a good guy, but had his issues too. But that did not mean Naruto adored him with a passion. Sasuke wasn't the greatest friend in the whole world either. Hell, Neji could have been more caring than him.

"N-Naruto!" Dark eyes then narrowed. "You're back." Naruto merely nodded. "Since when?"

"Two days ago." Naruto answered.

Sasuke nodded. "So." Naruto felt the urge to just laugh. Sasuke was the never the type to start up conversations. "You a chuunin now?"

"No." Naruto answered and snickered inwardly at the sight of Sasuke's shocked face.

"Then how come you're wearing that uniform?" Sasuke asked. Naruto merely shrugged. "Give me a break! You never took the chuunin exam. I've checked every exam and you were never listed down."

"Who said one needs to be a chuunin to get to the next level?" Naruto asked, shrugging. "I don't think there's a fix rule, ne?" Sasuke stared at him funny for a few seconds. "Anyway, I'm heading for Iruka-sensei's house. It's late and it's been a tiring evening. See you around thought. Say hi to Sakura if you see her."

Sasuke strangely did not come after him, for he was staring at him as he walked away and turned left towards Iruka's house.

*

When Naruto rang the doorbell, Iruka was yawning when he opened the door. A tired smile came to his lips and he let the boy in. "I was just about to go sleep." Naruto grinned and suddenly yawned.

"Sorry. Rough day."

Iruka merely laughed heartily and guided Naruto to the little room that he had purposely arranged for the boy. "There you go."

Naruto suddenly blushed. "Anou – can I sleep with you instead?"

Iruka just smiled. "Why not?"

TBC