Disclaimer: I don't own them or group therapy would be held every Friday night.
Author's notes: This is a brief character study of Sasuke and his rather interesting complexes. Especially concerning our favorite little Kyuubi vessel. One of a few character studies I'll be doing. Comments, flames, reviews are all welcomed. Shonen ai hints, if you squint and tilt your head sideways.
Shadows
Darkness has always been a part of my life. Of any shinobi's life really. I was born and bred to be a ninja, an Uchiha, one of the best. Just like my father, my mother, and my brother. Darkness though, can be the shadows that creep up on you in the dusk to, the absence of attention from anyone because they're all concentrating on someone else. I understand the dislike you hold for me. Since I'm so lucky to hold everyone's attention, everyone's praise. How much you must hate to hear my name.
Sasuke the top student. Sasuke the genius. Sasuke the hope of our village.
Sasuke the perfect one.
How quickly they forget the last Uchiha they heaped those compliments on. I'm sure they're remembering now. Even as I face off against you, Naruto. Even as I let out a little of the truth, you are my best friend, but you're also in my shadow. Just as I am in my brother's, and today one of us will leave the darkness.
With your bright clothing and loud personality no one thought you would become a ninja, much less Hokage. They're to caught up on the superficial. The idiot, dead last moron that failed the genin exam three times. No one looks at the fact that while the rest of us wanted to make sure we'd pass, you tried. You wanted it so bad you were willing to pit your skills against students vastly older and better equipped to deal with the test. That took courage, but you'll never hear that from me. Then you'd know you have my acknowledgement, and then what would happen? Would you move onto the next person? Shikamaru, Chouji, or even Gaara till you were sure everyone knew who you were? Are the rest of the people in this village worth all the effort to make them see you? I see you just fine idiot. I've seen you from the days back in the academy when you were lonely and so was I. You don't know that and that's fine with me.
So as long as I can I'll keep you in my shadow. In the darkness of people's ignorance and prejudice. I'll keep you to myself buried so far in my own darkness you warm me up but never show through. I'll keep you forever that way if I have to. I know you'll hate me in the end but I need you there. As long as you can light up a little of my darkness I know that I'm not completely dead inside.