Notes: I'm sorry, I don't think I can stretch that story any longer without completely messing it up! As compensation, here's a NON-angst drabble! I'm so happy you all are liking these, though. Thank you for your comments!

Have you ever dropped a pebble into a pond? Have you noticed how the water flares up and the ripples roll to the very edges of it? Even the smallest ripple makes a change in the water's surface, right?

So then, if I call myself the pond, would you be called the pebble?

"Oi, usuratonkachi, I'm hungry. Move it."

"Ooh, Sasuke-the-badass, admitting weakness."

"…it's not a weakness, I'm just hungry."

"Sure, the first thing you admit to is hunger, but just wait! You could start sobbing about being tired at any minute!"

"…I'm going to hit you if you keep that up."

"But you're so hungry, how can you even--ack!" Splash! "Aw, man! You bastard!"

"I'm getting food without you."

"Hey, that's not fair! Sasuke! Come back, you asshole!"

Ever since the beginning--since your annoyingly persistent personality fell into me--you've been making ripples within. The biggest ones made me move that one time in the Wave Country. I told you I didn't know why I had jumped in the way, and I still don't.

But, I think I'm beginning to understand, finally.

"Hurry up, dobe."

"Hey! Shut up! It's your fault I'm wet, alright?"

"What does being wet have to do with hurrying?"

"You try being energetic in wet clothes, okay!"

"…you're not going to shut up about this, are you?"

"Hell no! I'm cold and I'm wet! …and now I'm hungry too."

"…you moron"

"Huh? Where are we going now? Dammit, Sasuke! Answer me for once!"

The ripples have moved in me ever since, and infected me with you. One pebble to break through the wall I had created, and now I'm starting to tear it down myself. I'm not supposed to be this way. I'm not supposed to care about anyone or anything except avenging my family and restoring the clan, but…

How is it that we've come this far together?

"We're home!"

"…who the hell are you talking to?"

"The house!"

"…you kow, I always knew you were strange…"

"You never did that?"

"Who's going to answer, dobe?"

"Well…if I were--"

"…you were, what?"

"…nothing."

You're a mystery to me. I want to get to know you more. I want to spend time with you and talk to you and become closer with you… I want to find out how you can infect me with these ripples each time you smile at me.

I wonder if you feel the same…

"Here. The shower's down that way. I'll lend you some clothes."

"Oi, Sasuke?"

"It's getting late, and we have to wake up early for the mission tomorrow, and I'm not going to be late again because of you, so, you're spending the night here."

"…Sasuke?"

"I'll make dinner, just get in the damn shower."

"…about what I said earlier… I just, if I were here when you got back, I'd welcome you home…"

Lets find out together. Now that you've created these ripples, I won't let you deny your responsibility. You and I are going to find out where this path is taking us. Even if we go through hell, even if it takes the rest of our lives, we can do it.

I don't mind spending the rest of my life with you.

"…usuratonkachi."