Disclaimer: Still do not own Naruto

Warnings: Shounen-ai, WAFF, slight angst, some OOCness.

II.

Naruto leaned back in his chair and stretched languidly. "That was a good breakfast! Where'd you learn to cook like that?"

He received a wry look from the darker ninja. "Some of us can't live on ramen, dobe."

"I'm not a dobe, baka." Naruto responded automatically. "I like ramen for breakfast."

Sasuke snorted and began to clear the table. "You like ramen any time of the day or night."

Naruto grinned. "Damn straight."

As Sasuke sighed, muttering, "You're hopeless," a sharp knock sounded on Naruto's front door.

"Eh?" Naruto sat up, bewildered. "No one ever visits me…."

Sasuke frowned slightly at that statement, but made no comment as Naruto rose and answered the door.

"Is it true!"

"He's back?"

"Really!"

"Sasuke-kun?"

Naruto was left blinking in the door way as a whirlwind with blond and pink hair rushed past him.

"So, the bastard's back, is he? I'm surprised Hokage-sama let him in. I wouldn't have." Kiba growled, stalking in after the two girls, and Akamaru yipped an affirmative from next to his owner.

"This is going to be so troublesome," was Shikamaru's comment, accompanied by an eloquent roll of the eyes. Chouji scowled in Sasuke's general direction while crunching loudly on his latest bag of chips, and Neji was watching the ex-runaway with narrowed eyes as they both pushed in after Shikamaru. Hinata said nothing, but slipped in past her cousin to stand beside Kiba in Naruto's now-overcrowded entryway.

"Umm…guys…?" Naruto asked, eyes wide at this sudden influx of people into his apartment. Everyone ignored him in favor of pushing further into the room, surrounding Sasuke, who looked like he had narrowly avoided a glomp by the two over-excited kunoichi. They chattered on, all of the boys speculating on why Sasuke had been allowed to come back, and shooting glares at him. The girls (minus Hinata) were looking torn between cooing over him and smacking him for leaving, and in the middle of it all stood Sasuke, arms crossed over his chest, face impassive.

And suddenly, Naruto was mad at him.

That jerk…he thinks he's so cool, brushing everyone off like this…it's not fair! I've got more people in my apartment now then I've ever had here in my entire life, and it's still all for him! All for Uchiha-fucking-Sasuke!

"HEY!" Naruto shouted as loud as he could. And, being Naruto, that was pretty loud. The whole group, startled, fell silent and turned to see Naruto still in the doorway, fuming. Even Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Your neighbors aren't going to appreciate that, you know." He pointed out calmly.

"Shut up, jerk." Naruto glared.

"Naruto!" Sakura and Ino protested in unison. "Don't be rude!"

"Why shouldn't I be? You're all certainly not being very polite! Barging into MY apartment, without even so much as a 'Good morning, Naruto,' before you're off and hanging on dumbass-Uchiha there!" Naruto growled out, taking the time to glare at the group of Konoha ninja before returning to the source of his frustration, who gazed calmly back, unfazed by his anger.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, and the others at least had the grace to look embarrassed. Hinata, eyes lowered, said quietly. "I'm very sorry, Naruto-kun. Good morning."

"Hm." He didn't stop glaring at Sasuke, but acknowledged the apology. "Good morning, Hinata. It's okay – I know you didn't do it on purpose."

"I apologize as well, Naruto," Neji added. Chouji and Kiba nodded.

"Yes, yes," Ino waved dismissively at him, before turning back to Sasuke. Sakura managed a slightly sheepish smile at her former teammate before doing the same.

Oi, what it takes to get a smile from Sakura-chan…not that I really care anymore. Naruto backed out of his aggressive posture slightly. I got over that crush years ago…I was so empty…and I left for awhile too…and when I got back, I had lost interest. Lost interest in a lot of things, actually.

Shikamaru sighed. "I knew this was going to be troublesome."

Naruto shook his head at the ever-lazy genius, and then narrowed his eyes at Sasuke again, anger returning. It's all his fault! Bastard…first getting all the attention, and then running away, and then coming back and STILL getting all the attention….

"Uchiha," he growled.

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow, ignoring the girls in front of him. "Usuratonkachi."

"That's it!" Naruto dove forward, ignoring the scattering group, and launched his fist at Sasuke's face. Sasuke easily saw it coming, though, and blocked it without even flinching.

"Heh. You really are a dobe, aren't you?"

"Sasuke!" He was pulling back to try again when his arms were caught and pinned. Dammit! I forgot about Sakura and Ino…he fought the hold, but couldn't do much without hurting the girls, something he had no intention of doing.

"Let him go." Sasuke ordered quietly. Everyone stared at him.

"But, Sasuke-kun, he wants to fight you…" Ino trailed off uncertainly. Sakura, her last meeting with the Uchiha teen obviously on her mind, had been quieter than her friend, and remained so now.

"Yeah. And I want to fight him. So let him go." Calm and matter-of-fact.

"O-okay," the girls slowly released the shorter teen, who was still radiating anger in waves.

"Good," was all he said, before launching himself at his friend again.

"Not," Sasuke blocked Naruto again, though with slightly more difficulty this time, "right now."

"What?" Naruto almost pouted, but turned it into a glare at the last second. "Make up your mind, baka!"

"You have guests, dobe."

"They're not MY guests. They're only here for YOU. Ahou." Now he really glared.

Sasuke frowned back at him. "It's not like I asked them to come."

"That's not the point…" Naruto muttered, looking away, not wanting Sasuke to see the hurt in his eyes.

"We'll come back some other time. Or perhaps Sasuke could come out with us for awhile? That way we wouldn't be bothering you, Naruto," suggested Neji smoothly.

"Hmph." Naruto still wouldn't look at them.

"Oh! That's an excellent idea! Come on, Sasuke-kun!" Ino gushed, reaching forward to take his arm.

"I can't."

She paused. And pouted. "Why not, Sasuke-kuuun?"

Because I'm under orders. And I don't want to leave Naruto, Sasuke's mind supplied, wincing at her whiny voice, but he said nothing.

"Stupid Sasuke," muttered Naruto, turning around and rolling his eyes. "You could at least explain." He faced the others. "He's under house arrest for the next two months – so he can't go out until then. Hokage's orders!" He finished quickly, putting his hands up when Sakura and Ino would have protested. "If you've got a problem with it, take it up with Tsunade-obaachan, not with us."

This news led to the general retreat toward the door of the group. The guys were all pleased that Sasuke was suffering some punishment. Sakura looked sad, but generally seemed relieved just to see that Sasuke was back and being his old self, at least towards Naruto. Ino pouted. Hinata just smiled briefly at both Sasuke and Naruto before following Neji and Kiba out the door.

"We'll be back!" called Ino, waving as the rest also left.

"I hope not," muttered Sasuke, too quiet to hear. Or so he thought.

"Why?" Naruto turned as he closed the door, scowling at Sasuke again. "You're so dumb, baka! You get all this attention, all this love, even when you do stupid things like run away, and you don't care at all! I hate it! You're so fucking arrogant!"

"But I don't care what they think!" Sasuke frowned back at him. "There's only one person in this village whose opinion I care about."

"And who would that be?" Naruto demanded, frustrated.

"He's standing right in front of me," Sasuke said quietly, honestly, holding Naruto's gaze.

Naruto's eyes widened. He means…me? But why…why me? Something empty in Naruto's heart seemed to ache a little bit less. But still!

"That doesn't give you the right to treat them like crap! Especially not Sakura, who worried about you, and the guys, who got hurt over you!" Naruto launched himself at Sasuke again, and the dark-haired shinobi didn't try to stop the fight. They fought all over the apartment, taking care not to damage things too much.

He's strong…Sasuke thought, realizing that he was barely holding his own against his friend and rival. At last, exhausted and panting, they stopped; Naruto collapsed flat on the floor, arms and legs spread-eagled, and Sasuke flopped limply onto the couch.

"Better?" he asked the boy on the floor quietly.

Eyes still closed, Naruto realized that his frustration with the other was gone, at least for the moment. He cracked an eye at his friend. "Yeah. Better."

"Good." They were silent for a few moments more, before Naruto levered himself off the floor and flopped down next to Sasuke on the couch. He eyed the other intently, until finally Sasuke turned and glared at him. "What is it, dobe? Did my face rearrange itself or something?"

"No," Naruto grinned, "still girly as ever," Sasuke twitched but let it go, "I was just thinking about how I really popped you a good one there at the end."

Sasuke closed his eyes and grimaced, but couldn't dispute Naruto's claim. He'd have a swollen lip for a few days…but it had definitely helped dissipate Naruto's frustration, and for that Sasuke was willing to fight as often as Naruto wanted. Anything to finish healing the gap between us…I need him…his light…my sunshine….unconsciously, Sasuke let his hand reach out to ruffle Naruto's golden hair.

"Hn. Yeah. But I got you several times before then – dobe."

"Baka!" Naruto sprang up from the couch, a finger pointed challengingly into Sasuke's face. "I won't lose to you! I won't lose to anyone!"

Sasuke only smirked at his loud friend, but inside, he was grinning just as widely. I know you won't…Naruto….


"Oi, Sasuke! Wake up!" The ninja in question just grumbled loudly and rolled over, covering his head with the blanket. Why did Naruto have to be so loud and so…so…so awake in the morning? It wasn't decent!

"G'way," he mumbled.

"Up, up, up!" Naruto zipped around the couch, sing-songing as loudly as possible.

"Argh! Fine, I'm up!" Sasuke sat up, and pulled the blanket off his head. Bright morning sunshine struck him full in the face, and he winced, closing his eyes again.

"Good!" Naruto peered at him from over the back of the couch, to make sure he was fully awake. The blond teen snickered.

"What?" Sasuke tried to summon up one of his famous glares, but only succeeded in looking petulant.

"Eheheh. Your hair's all weird…." Naruto skipped away into the kitchen, still laughing, before Sasuke could get up the energy to reach for him.

"Usuratonkachi..." Running hands through his short hair to settle it back into place, Sasuke rose and stretched. "You'd better not be making ramen for breakfast."

"No, baka! Breakfast is your job. I'm just washing dishes." And so he was.

It had been strange at first, living together like this. However, over the past two months, Sasuke found that he had grown used to it – the sharing of living space and chores, being able to talk at any time of the day or night, being there to welcome Naruto home.

Heh. That had surprised him, how overjoyed Naruto had been at such a little thing. His friend had gone out for a few hours one day about a week after Sasuke returned, and had called out "Tadaima" as soon as he got back in the door. His voice had been…resigned, and later Sasuke realized that Naruto must say that every day to an empty apartment. At the time, however, he had merely replied "Okaeri!" unthinkingly. The pure delight in Naruto's sky-blue eyes had stuck in Sasuke's mind for days afterwards, not to mention the huge hug the shorter teen had given him.

For some reason, getting glomped by Naruto doesn't bother me like getting glomped by the girls does…in fact, I wish he'd do it more often….Sasuke, startled at the direction his thoughts were heading, quickly refocused his attention on breakfast.

But it was hard – hard not to think of Naruto. The other was constantly in his mind; his blue eyes, sun-gold hair, irrepressible personality and the bright, constant light of his spirit that, even without the aid of the Sharingan, Sasuke had no trouble sensing.

I never did – not from the very first day he got up on that desk in front of me. I could never get his…energy, his light out of my head. Even those three years in the darkness with that bastard…I could still remember Naruto, even when everything else had begun to fade. Sasuke shuddered. And that was what really woke me up - when I realized that even my memories of him were fading…and I knew I had to get back to him…that I'd die without him….He barely suppressed another shudder.

"Hey, Sasuke, you okay?" Naruto came to his side by the stove, peering worriedly up into his face. Summoning a small but genuine smile for his friend, Sasuke nodded. Satisfied, Naruto finished drying the last plate and then flopped onto his chair at the table to wait for their breakfast to be done.

He saved me. These past two months, he has saved me. And I really don't know how I'll ever repay him for that… 'Thank you' wouldn't even begin to cover it…. Sasuke shook his head at himself, then got busy serving the food before Naruto could ask him what was on his mind.

"Ne, ne, Sasuke. I'm supposed to take you to see Tsunade-obaachan today, remember?" Naruto said quietly about half-way through their meal.

Sasuke looked up, startled. "Oh, right. Sure." Has it really been that long already? It doesn't fell like two months somehow.

"Heh." Naruto quirked an odd smile at him and finished his food. "Hurry up!" He dashed away into his bedroom to get dressed.

Sasuke frowned thoughtfully and went to do the same.

The teens stood in front of Tsunade's desk as she scrutinized them both. Seeming satisfied with whatever she found, she motioned for Sasuke to come stand in front of her, and released the jutsu that had been holding back most of his chakra. He gasped slightly at the sudden influx of power back into his system, and took a moment to reorient himself before returning to stand beside Naruto.

"Well, that should just about take care of everything then," Tsunade said to them. "Here's the key and address to your new apartment, Sasuke. You have a month to train and re-acquaint yourself with the city and then we'll see what we can do about some testing for you."

Sasuke nodded, feeling slightly overwhelmed. A new apartment…I guess it's to be expected, but still. I was kind of hoping I could stay with Naruto….He glanced over at his friend.

Naruto had a wide grin plastered firmly across his face. It seemed genuine enough, as it had for the past two months, but Sasuke still felt a touch of unease, as if his friend were hiding something from him. That feeling was stronger now than it had been since his first day back….

But the blond shinobi merely stuck his tongue out at Tsunade. "A new apartment, huh? It's probably a lot nicer than mine, too. No fair!"

Sasuke smirked as the Fifth Hokage of Konoha stuck her tongue out back at Naruto. "Brat. You've got more than enough money to get yourself a better place!"

"Eh, I'm just messin' with you, Tsunade-obaachan. I like my place – I've always been there, anyway." His grin faded into a low mumble as Tsunade left the room for a moment. "Not like anyone else'd give me a place anyway…."

The mumble was so low that Sasuke wasn't even sure he heard it, and it was swept out of his mind when Tsunade returned from a back room.

"Ah!" Sasuke didn't try to hide his delight as the Godaime returned his sword.

"Ooo! That's beautiful…" Naruto inched closer as Sasuke carefully drew the blade. "Wow…"

"Yeah," Sasuke nodded, carefully swinging it back and forth, reacquainting himself with his favorite weapon. "One of few things I can say I am truly happy to have gained back in Sound," he said in a low voice to Naruto, "this sword and the skills to use it."

Naruto nodded, eyes following the slender, shining blade. "How good are you?"

Sasuke shrugged. "One of the best in Sound – I was beginning to be able to beat my teacher a lot of the time, and several of the other swordsmen there. How that measures up here I don't know yet. I'm hoping to have the chance to find out."

"I'll be happy to spar with you – I still owe you a couple beatings," Naruto grinned at him, hands folded behind his head.

"Hn. Whatever, dobe." Sasuke smirked and sheathed his sword. In truth, he'd been hoping Naruto would say that. They had argued and fought many times over the past two months; mostly as a release for all the pent-up anger and frustration between them. But it had only been hand-fighting, with neither weapons nor jutsus, and Sasuke was curious to see how that would turn out. They had both gotten a great deal stronger.

I'm going to miss being with him all the time, though, the dark-eyed teen admitted to himself as they left Tsunade's office.

"Ne, Sasuke, let's go get your stuff right now! I'll help you find your new place and move in." Naruto danced happily down the hall ahead of his amused friend, who just shook his head and followed in a more decorous manner.

"Sure." He's probably sick of me, anyway, after being used to living alone. He'll be just fine…Sasuke ignored the voice in the back of his mind that was yelling "Liar!" at him. He did frown at Naruto's back as they made their way down the stairs, though. It's true that he's hiding something. Something isn't right…but Sasuke didn't have any idea what the problem could be.

It took almost no time at all to pack up Sasuke's meager possessions and head out to find the address that Tsunade had given him. Any worries about not being able to choose the place himself vanished immediately as they crossed the threshold.

The apartment was small, already furnished, with most of the space being taken up by an open living area, which had double-doors opening out onto a small balcony. The kitchen and bedroom with connected bathroom were tiny to make up for the open living room, but Sasuke didn't mind.

"Heh, I knew it'd be nicer than mine," Naruto pouted half-heartedly, but then his curiosity overcame him and he poked all over the apartment. Sasuke watched him with amusement as he dumped his few clothes in the bedroom's small dresser. He was going to have to go shopping soon – he hoped the store that made customized shirts was still open, all of his shirts with his clan symbol having worn out long before.

"Well," Naruto came to stand in front of him as he moved back out into the living room, "well, now that you're settled, I guess I'll get going…."

"Yeah," Sasuke said, his stomach tightening. I do not like this. I do not want to be away from him…I'm better now, but still I…swallowing, he straightened, and held out a hand to Naruto.

Looking rather unhappy himself (though he was trying his best to hide it) Naruto awkwardly took Sasuke's proffered hand.

Why does this feel so wrong…Sasuke paused briefly, before using their joined hands to pull Naruto forward and into a tight hug. Naruto was startled, but did not resist. Ah – because this is what is right…to have him here in my arms…Sasuke held off the realization that was beginning to dawn in his mind. Not with Naruto still here….

"Thank you, Naruto," he whispered. "That doesn't even begin to cover what I owe you, but…thank you."

"Heh." Naruto pulled away slowly. "No problem. Just – just as long as you're better now?" he asked anxiously, peering at Sasuke's dark eyes.

"I'm much better, dobe," Sasuke said, but there was no venom behind the insult.

"Good." Seemingly satisfied with what he saw in his friend's eyes, Naruto nodded firmly before heading for the door."I'll see you around then?"

"Sure."

Naruto hesitated briefly, then with a quick shake of his yellow-golden head and a flash of a grin, he was gone.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Sasuke shuffled backwards and let himself fall to lay flat across the couch, one forearm tossed up over his closed eyes. Only then did he let his earlier realization hit him fully.

The reason I want to be with him always…to have him in my arms…the reason I couldn't live without him…because I…I…Sasuke laughed cynically at himself. Can't even admit it in my own head…but it's true just the same. Naruto…my precious, irreplaceable person…even if I won't ever be able to tell you that.

Feeling an unexpected prick of tears, Sasuke curled up on his side, sneering at himself. Still so weak, as always…and of course that thought brought with it the usual vision of Sharingan eyes, staring back at him….

But as he drifted off to sleep, his mind still wrapped in a dark cloud of hate, he did not dream of blood-red eyes. Instead, his dreams were filled with eyes the color of the summer sky and the cloud of hate lifted slowly away.