Remember When Chapter 4, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to the one and only Kishimoto Masashi.

Author's Note: Since I finished my other Naruto fanfiction, I can start focusing on this one. I really don't have much to say about this chapter, it's just here as a setting for the rest of the chapter. You find out about Naruto's amnesia and stuff like that. Um, I'm not sure if in real life you can discharge an amnesiac patient right away or not, but for the sake of the story, it had to be done, so sorry if that's impossible. Other than that, thanks for your reviews! Please enjoy the chapter and leave a review! Thanks, SilverRose88.

Chapter Four

"What the hell are you doing here, Sasuke-bastard?" Naruto yelled, pointing at the raven whose heart had just stopped.

"What-What do you mean 'what am I doing here?'" Sasuke asked after a moment.

"I mean, what are you doing here?" Naruto replied.

"I'm here because we're--" Sasuke began, but Rika cut him off.

"Naruto, uh, what grade are you in, do you know?" she asked.

"I'm in twelfth grade," he replied. "It's just the beginning of the year. …What's wrong? Isn't it September 2004?" He glanced at Rika's sad expression o his nurse's head shaking and finally to Sasuke who looked as though he'd swallowed poison.

"Isn't it?"

"No, honey," his nurse said. "It's two and a half years from then. It's April 13th, 2007."

"2007?" he repeated. "But-But how can-can it be?" Naruto looked really confused and put a hand to his head.

"N-Naruto," Sasuke began.

"You're still here, bastard? What're you doing here?" Naruto asked, the flame back in his eyes.

"Why are you saying that? Don't you know why I'm--umph!"

Rika clamped a hand over Sasuke' mouth and dragged him out of the room, giving Naruto and his nurse an apologetic smile.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sasuke demanded once outside.

"Sasuke, listen, it's hard to know for sure quite yet, but given what Naruto has told us, I think it's safe to assume."

"Assume what?"

"Naruto has amnesia. It was always out there as a possibility when he would awake, but we weren't able to know for certain. But it's obvious now," Rika said.

Sasuke stared at her. "What?"

"Sasuke, I know this will be hard to take in, but just hear me out. The crash obviously affected him mentally and physically, which put him in the coma. However, comatose patients, when they wake up, can have amnesia, which is when they lose their--"

"I know what amnesia is," Sasuke snapped. "Naruto doesn't have amnesia. He-He remembered himself, and-and me…"

"But he remembered the 'Naruto' and 'Sasuke' of two years ago," Rika said and then the reality of it slowly sunk into the Uchiha as he remember everything Naruto had said and how he'd acted upon seeing him.

The Naruto today, his Naruto, his boyfriend, wouldn't have acted that way. He would've been happy to see him. He would've let Sasuke hug and kiss him senseless. But this Naruto seemed to want nothing to do with him.

Sasuke couldn't believe this was happening. After all those days waiting for Naruto to get better, waiting for Naruto to regain consciousness, he never would have even thought of this possibility. A twelfth grade Naruto at the beginning of the year would mean that they were rivals but friends; it was the year when they had finally gotten together. So if he could just make Naruto remembered then--

"I know what you're thinking, Sasuke," Rika interrupted his thoughts. "But I ask you not to go about it."

"And why the hell not?" Sasuke hissed. "My boyfriend is sitting in there with no memory whatsoever of the last two and a half years when we've been together. I'm going to make him remember me."

"Sasuke, think of it form Naruto's position," Rika said. "He's in there confused already because in his mind it's two years ago. If you were to tell him that the two of you are lovers--"

"We're not lovers," Sasuke cut in, blushing.

Rika looked embarrassed. "Oh, sorry," she mumbled before continuing. "Anyway, if you told him that you and he are dating, do you think the Naruto of two years ago would be able to handle that?"

Sasuke stare at her, understanding her point, but hating it nevertheless.

"I know you're been dying for this day, Sasuke. But it's best to just pretend the two of you are friends and not dating. At least for now, okay?"

Sasuke nodded stiffly blank look on his face. He was trying desperately not to break down in front of Rika, but it was too much. The boy he loved, cherished, and desired remembered nothing of their years as a couple, but the years when they couldn't stand each other.

"Wh-What should we tell him then? H-He'll want to know why he got into the hospital," Sasuke asked.

"Well, we can tell him the truth."

"He won't believe the truth. Since in this mind we're 'sorta' friends, telling him the truth wouldn't work. And um, can you not tell him that I was driving? He already hates me, I-I don't want him to kill me before he remembers anything."

Rika assessed the Uchiha before nodded. "Does he own a bike?"

"Yeah, why?"

"We'll say he was riding his bike to a friend's house when a car hit him. Can you get his bike out of his house and--"

"Oh, dammit, I forgot!" Sasuke exclaimed.

"What?" Rika said, looking surprised.

"Naruto and I live together at my apartment. All of his things are there. But in the twelfth grade Naruto would still be living with Iruka, his guardian." Sasuke was panicking. No. No, no. Naruto can't move out of the apartment. I won't let that happen! But-But, what can I do to stop it?

"Okay, Sasuke, you go sort this out with Naruto's guardian. Naruto can't leave the hospital yet anyway, so talk to Iruka and see if you can come up with a plan. We'll tell him the fake car crash story for now. So, go," Rika said.

"Okay. Um, if he asks why I was here, just tell him that we're not complete rivals, and that I was worried, okay?" Sasuke said before swiftly exiting the hospital.

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"And you're sure, Sasuke?" Iruka questioned.

The Uchiha nodded. "I was there, I saw it. But you don't have to worry. He'll obviously remember you." It's me he doesn't remember.

Iruka looked relieved at that but hid it quickly remembering Sasuke's dilemma.

"Iruka…I know you probably want Naruto back here after the accident and since he'll probably still feel unwell, but…I-I really don't want him to move out," Sasuke said lamely, knowing he sounded pathetic. But he couldn't let Naruto leave the apartment. It was too hard to even think about let alone actually doing it.

"Sasuke, I understand what you're saying, but I really do want Naruto back here," Iruka said.

"Aw, come on, Iruka," Kakashi said, speaking for the first time since Sasuke had arrived at their house over twenty minutes ago. "Let Naruto stay with Sasuke."

Sasuke had never really appreciated Kakashi more than he did at that moment.

Iruka turned to Kakashi and said, "What? Why would you say that?"

"Because, for one, Sasuke'll probably kill you if you didn't, and two, it'll probably be the only way they'll ever get back together," Kakashi said. "I know you want him here, but Sasuke's loss is more than yours. We should consider his feelings."

"Since when have you ever considered his feelings?" Iruka asked curiously.

Kakashi smiled. "I've always had Naruto's and Sasuke's feelings at heart."

"Liar. You have some plan formulating in your brain and I won't let you mess with Naruto when he's just awoken from a coma," Iruka scolded. "Anyway, how do you propose, if we did let Naruto stay with Sasuke, we explain to him that he's rooming with his rival?"

"Easy," Kakashi said.

"Easy? Please, indulge me."

"Well, we tell Naruto that his and your house is being fumigated or something. And that for the time being, he'll have to move in with a friend. However, since all of his friends live in dorms, he'll have to room with Sasuke."

The Uchiha stared at Kakashi with a newfound admiration. "That is an excellent idea! It'll definitely work!"

"And where do we tell him I'm staying?" Iruka said.

"Why, with me of course," Kakashi said smiling.

"You live here. You don't have a house or apartment," Iruka said, looking at his boyfriend suspiciously. "Or do you? Have you been keeping something secret from me?"

Kakashi just smiled even more and replied, "Of course not."

"Then, what are you talking about?" Iruka demanded.

"A friend of mine owns a condo a few blocks from here. He's hardly ever around because he travels a lot. He lets me use it whenever I want. We can stay there for awhile," Kakashi explained.

Iruka still continued to look at him suspiciously. "Are you telling the truth?"

"Would I ever lie to you?" Kakashi asked.

Iruka just sighed. "Fine, whatever," he said and then turned to Sasuke who was looking hopeful. "Okay, Sasuke. W-We'll give this a shot. But that means you'll have to give back Naruto's things so that he can pack them--"

"That also won't be necessary," Kakashi interrupted. "We'll just tell him we moved it for him while he was in the hospital."

"Well, Sasuke will still have to rearrange the apartment somehow. Pictures and things will have to go, understand?" Iruka said.

Sasuke nodded vigorously. Pictures were nothing compared to having the real thing. If Naruto was back in the house, he'd gladly put anything and everything away to keep him there.

"That's fine," he said. "I can fix the apartment, no problem."

"Okay, then I guess we'll do this," Iruka said.

Sasuke sighed with relief and gave a small smile while Iruka continued looking uncertain and Kakashi just grinned.

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"But why have I got to stay with Sasuke-bastard?" Naruto whined.

"Because your friends are in dorms and Sasuke's the only one with an apartment," Iruka explained for the fiftieth time that morning.

"Stupid rich bastard," Naruto mumbled.

"What was that?" Iruka said.

"Nothing."

Iruka gave Naruto a stern look. "You should be grateful to Sasuke that he's letting you stay there."

"He's probably just doing it so that later I have to owe him for letting me stay. Stupid bastard," Naruto said. "Why can't I just come with you?"

"Because Kakashi's, um, apartment only has one spare room and no couch," Iruka lied. In fact, the condo he was using with Kakashi was so spacious and cozy that Naruto could have slept in the bathtub and still have been comfortable.

"I can sleep on the floor! Just give me a sleeping bag and I'll be fine, really!" Naruto exclaimed. "Please let me go with you!"

"No, Naruto. This has all been settled, okay? Just deal with Sasuke for awhile and everything will be fine, I swear," Iruka said.

"But Sasuke hates me. He's mean to me and he'll probably kill me in my sleep or something," Naruto complained.

"I highly doubt that," Iruka said with a smile. If only you knew Naruto.

"Yeah, why?"

"Because then I'd kill him," Iruka said.

Naruto snorted. "No way. You're too nice. You couldn't kill anyone," he said. Then he gave Iruka a big teary-eyed face. "Please, Iruka, can you please let me go with you?"

"I've already told you no, now stop complaining. Sasuke said he'd come get you so go wait for him," Iruka said.

"Oh, man!" Naruto exclaimed as he trudged to the front door and opened it right when Sasuke was about to ring the doorbell.

Both boys stared at one another for a moment before Sasuke said, "Ready, Naruto?"

"Yeah, whatever, bastard," Naruto replied, shoving past him.

The Uchiha cringed at being called bastard. Sure, Naruto called him a bastard every once in awhile, but it had gone down a lot after they'd started dating. He knew he was just going to have to get used to it for awhile.

"Do you have what you need?" Sasuke asked the blonde.

"Iruka already moved most of my stuff. The rest I have in here." He motioned to the backpack on his shoulder.

"Okay, good," he replied before the two got into Sasuke's car and drove to the apartment.

xxxx

"And this is my apartment," Sasuke said as he led Naruto inside.

The blonde looked around curiously and then suddenly stopped. "I-I feel like I've been here before…But I haven't, h-have I?"

Sasuke shook his head, trying hard not to blurt out the truth. "No, you haven't."

Naruto sighed with relief. "Okay," he replied.

"I guess this is where I'll be sleeping?" Naruto asked, motioning to the couch.

"Yeah. There's a pillow and a blanket. Your clothes are in that duffel bag over there," Sasuke said. "And, your school stuff is in your backpack. Of course, I don't think you'll be up to that anytime soon."

Naruto laughed and Sasuke felt his heart soar before it clenched tightly in his chest like it had been a moment before.

"Hey, Sasuke?" Naruto asked tentatively and the Uchiha looked up quickly at hearing his name and not 'bastard'. "Why're you being so nice to me?"

Not expecting that question, Sasuke just stared at Naruto for a moment before replying, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, I see, you're just helping because you feel sorry for me," Naruto said angrily.

"No, that's not true," Sasuke said instantly.

"Whatever. You don't have to lie to me," Naruto said. "I mean, we're not exactly friends."

Sasuke's heart clenched in his chest. "Really? I-I've always figured us to be."

Naruto's eyes widened. "W-We're friends?" he asked, looking confused.

"If you want to be," Sasuke replied simply. "I mean, we became 'friends' after 12th grade. But you don't remember--"

"I know, I know! And it's so frustrating!" Naruto exclaimed suddenly before sitting on the couch with a big sigh. "I'm trying really hard to remember. I want to remember, but I-I just can't! I've missed two of the most important years of my life: senior year and college freshman year! I'm so behind I don't know what to do!"

Sasuke stared at the blonde agonizingly; wanting desperately to reach out and comfort him, but knowing it was impossible. Before now he hadn't quite realized just how hard this was for Naruto too. Hearing the blonde say it aloud, he couldn't believe he'd been so stupid.

"Y-You know, Naruto," Sasuke said and when the blonde looked up he continued. "I-I can help you out for whatever you need…You, um, just have to ask."

Again the blonde looked surprised, and the look was starting to annoy Sasuke.

"What?" he snapped. "Quit staring like an idiot."

Naruto laughed, not what Sasuke was expecting, and said, "See? That's more like you! I'm not used to this 'nice-Sasuke.'"

Despite himself, Sasuke smiled. "Yeah, you wouldn't be," he said. "But you will eventually." And I hope eventually you'll remember about us, and everything will be back to normal.

Naruto gave him a look that said he seriously doubted that, but then looked away.

Not wanting the conversation to end so soon, Sasuke took a shot in the dark and asked, "Are you hungry? W-We can go out to eat if you want."

Naruto instantly perked up. "Really? Yeah! Let's go!"

Pleased that his idea had worked (then again, he should have known it would; Naruto and food always went together), Sasuke said, "All right. I'll treat you to some ramen."

"Yes!" Naruto exclaimed happily.

He then turned to Sasuke and said with a grin, "You know, I like this 'nice-Sasuke,'" before heading out the door.

Sasuke followed after slowly a slight smile on his face. I was hoping you would, Naruto.

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Despite the amnesia, having Naruto back was better than I had imagined. The apartment was lively again; Naruto's antics never ceased to amaze me. He was always vibrant, always energetic, and always willing to start a fight. He was exactly the Naruto I remembered: foolish and hyper, but still so kind and happy. I had to be careful around him however, because my feelings were different. I found myself acting too nice on some occasions and had to revert back to my angry-bastard self to make the blonde stop looking at me funny. He always dismissed it; knowing that things had changed even though he couldn't remember.

But even though Naruto was back in my life, alive and well, I couldn't stop from wanting more. I should have been content with him being alive, with him being able to walk, talk, eat, and sleep like a normal person than be stuck in a hospital bed. But I wasn't content. I wasn't happy. I missed being able to tease him, kiss him, hold him. I missed being able to wake up with him next to me or go to bed with him already asleep. I missed him telling me he loved me, and I missed telling him I did too.

The first few days of having Naruto back were hard and depressing. Yet, at the same time it was oddly refreshing. It was as if our relationship was starting anew, a thought which caused me sadness but at the same time hope. It was hope that lingered in my heart during those days. Hope of wanting Naruto to remember, hope of wanting him to love me, hope that everything would return to its normal state. Hope. It was the only thing that kept me going.

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"Okay, listen," Sasuke began as he stared around at the group of people the after classes on the Tuesday after Naruto had woken up. "I know you're all eager to see Naruto--"

"Hell yeah! So stop lecturing us, Uchiha, and let us inside!" Kiba exclaimed.

Sasuke sent the Inuzuka a cold glare. "Shut up," he snapped before continuing. "This is important before you go and start blabbing about everything. I've already told Sakura, but the rest of you don't know. Naruto has amnesia and he woke up thinking it was two and a half years ago. Meaning, he doesn't remember anything that happened during senior year in high school or freshman year of college. So don't mention any of it, okay? Es-Especially, don't mention anything about me and Naruto dating, all right? Iruka says it would be too much for him right now. Got it?"

Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Neji, Gaara, Shino, Hinata and TenTen all nodded in understanding, watching Sasuke with awe.

"Good. Anyway, he's really excited to see you guys, so…yeah," Sasuke finished lamely before letting them into the apartment.

"There you are Sasuke-bastard!" Naruto exclaimed jumping to his feet from the couch. "I thought you said we'd go eat out today."

"Sorry. But your friends wanted to see you," Sasuke replied, motioning to the group huddled behind him watching the blonde closely.

"Hey guys!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly looking at them all. He frowned when only Hinata waved and no one else responded.

"What's gotten into all of you? …Oh, I get it," Naruto said with dawning comprehension. "Guys, I'm fine! See? A few bruises and scratches, but no broken bones and the amnesia's not that bad, really. Quit looking at me like you've seen a ghost."

Sasuke glared at everyone to get the point across and the group visibly relaxed, smiling and laughing nervously.

Sakura took the initiative and said, "Hey, N-Naruto. It's good to have you back."

The blonde grinned and gave his friend a hug. "It's good to be back, Sakura-chan."

The tense atmosphere died away after that as each of the blonde's friends greeted him. Hinata shyly said she was glad he was alright. Kiba almost tackled the blonde to the floor, declaring he knew no coma would keep Naruto down for long. Shikamaru, Neji, Gaara, Choji, and Shino just gave the blonde a welcoming smile and handshake.

"If you guys want anything to drink, there's some coke in the fridge. I've got some work to start, so I'll leave you to talk then," Sasuke said before heading to his room.

However, Naruto grabbed his arm before he could make his escape and asked, "Where're you going?"

"I said I have work to do."

"Aw, come on, Sasuke, stay," Naruto said. "You can study later. Come hang out with us."

Sasuke shook his head. "No, Naruto," he said.

"Please?" he asked.

The blonde was acting so much like his old self that Sasuke couldn't help but cave. Rolling his eyes he then pinned the blonde with a glare and said, "Fine. But for a little while."

Naruto grinned and led the way back to the others who were all seated at the couch or on the dining table chairs. Sasuke sat down next to Sakura on the floor and crossed his arms with annoyance.

"You should be happy that he wants you around," Sakura whispered to him. "Doesn't that mean something to you?"

"Well yeah, but I really do have work to do," Sasuke said.

"Too bad, Sasuke-kun. I think this is more important for you right now," she said. "If he wants you around, he obviously remembers something of his old feelings, don't you think?"

The Uchiha looked up at the girl who gave him a pointed look and he felt his heart lift with hope. Maybe Sakura was right. The Naruto during senior year wouldn't have cared if Sasuke had stayed or left. But the Naruto that was there right now had, so something must have been different.

Feeling a bit better, Sasuke gave Sakura a light smile in gratitude and she smiled back.

"Yo, Sasuke-bastard!" Naruto called from the kitchen.

Nobody but Sakura noticed Sasuke cringe from the insult before he replied, "What?"

"Where do you keep the glasses?" Naruto asked.

The Uchiha sighed and got to his feet. Once in the kitchen, he reached for the cupboard next to the fridge and said, "Glasses are in here. Plates are in the one next to it, and utensils are in the drawer by the sink, okay?"

"Thanks," Naruto replied. "Sorry for asking."

"You don't have to be," Sasuke said, giving the blonde a look. "You just started staying here, remember?"

Naruto nodded and gave the Uchiha grin. "Mind helping with drinks?"

"What? Can't do it on your own?" Sasuke teased.

The blonde glared at him. "I can so! I just thought you'd be nice for once and help."

"Because you can't on your own, huh?"

"Shut up, bastard!"

Sasuke smirked, enjoying the conversation that he'd missed having with the blonde while he'd been comatose.

The two got the drinks ready and returned to join the others, handing glasses out to everyone.

Naruto took a seat on a chair while Sasuke resumed his position on the floor beside Sakura. The blonde grinned around at everyone and said, "So, what's been going on with everyone lately? Anything new or interesting?"

Everyone looked around carefully, trying to think of something they could say that wouldn't remind the blonde too much about the years he couldn't remember. However, Naruto realized what they were doing and gave them all a half-hearted glare of annoyance.

"Guys, don't worry, okay? Just tell me what's been going on! I want to know," he said.

"You know how Kiba's always been hung up over Hinata?" Sakura piped up, and Kiba turned to look at her quickly. "He finally got the nerve to ask her out. They've been dating for a few years now."

Naruto turned to look at his friend with surprise but a grin formed its way on his face. "Finally, man!" he exclaimed and patted Kiba on the back as he and his girlfriend blushed slightly.

"Yeah, and we're still all wondering what she sees in him," Neji said, casting Kiba a small glare.

Everyone laughed except Sasuke, who wasn't paying attention to anyone other than Naruto, and Kiba, who glared at Neji and said offensively, "Hey! What's wrong with me?"

"Still as protective over your cousin as I remember, eh, Neji?" Naruto asked.

The Hyuuga just took a sip of his drink and didn't bother to reply.

"We're also still wondering what TenTen sees in you, Neji," Kiba said getting revenge. "I mean, at least I'm fun to be with. You've just got a stick up your ass. How she manages to put up with your bitchy attitude is a question none of us can answer."

Naruto choked on his drink. "No way! You and TenTen?" he exclaimed, looking between the couple. "And I thought you said you'd never be able to forget me, Neji."

Neji looked up at Naruto quickly, as did Sasuke, and Sakura, all three of them having realized the same thing. "Y-You remember that?" Neji asked.

Naruto looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You remember--" Neji began but Sasuke cut him off.

Heart pounding, the Uchiha stared up at Naruto and asked, "So far you've only remembered the beginning of senior year. But Neji didn't admit to liking you until well into the second half. Y-You remember that?"

The blonde looked even more confused and frustrated as well. "I-I-I don't know. I mean, I don't remember anything else…I can't think of anything else…Bu-But, I-I…"

He trailed off, looking dejected and Sasuke backed off, feeling his heart drop.

"It's okay, Naruto," Sakura said, taking over because Sasuke couldn't face him anymore. "We all understand. D-Don't worry about it now, okay?"

Naruto looked up at her and nodded, then gave a small smile. "Okay," he replied.

"Sorry, everyone," he said to all of them.

"You don't have to apologize, Naruto," Kiba said. "Anyway, let's get out of this remorse mood we put ourselves in. What were we talking about again?"

"Neji and TenTen, remember?" Ino said.

"Yeah!" Naruto exclaimed. "How did that happen?"

"Actually, Naruto," TenTen began, "you were the one who got us together."

"I-I did?" the blonde asked, looking confused again.

She smiled. "It's okay if you don't remember it. But you decided Neji needed to date someone, and apparently, I was a good enough target. You did all in your power to get us together."

"I went on almost thirty dates with her in one week, because you were so persistent," Neji said.

"We went on a few double dates too. Me and Neji and you and Sas--" TenTen shut up quickly when Sasuke looked up at her threateningly.

"Really? I was dating?" Naruto asked quickly. "Who?"

Everyone looked around uncomfortably, darting glances at Sasuke who glared at them with the promise to tear limbs if they divulged the information. Sakura, however, who was used to his glare, only glared back. The Uchiha ignored her request of telling the blonde the truth. He only looked away and took a sip of his drink.

Naruto was still watching everyone, trying to figure out what they seemed to be hiding. "What? What aren't you telling me? Who was I dating?" he asked.

"Not just one person, Naruto," Sakura decided to intervene. "Just a few people you met from classes who were dumb enough to say yes."

"But TenTen almost said a name," he said, frowning. "Who was she talking about?"

The pink-haired girl sighed. "She was going to say me, but I told her not to mention that because--"

"Me and you?" Naruto exclaimed, looking a bit delighted.

The expression made Sasuke cringe. But he knew that the high school Naruto had been obsessed about Sakura for a long time.

Sakura gave him a smile. "Yeah, but we didn't last long. You got your eyes placed on someone else really quickly." Naruto didn't notice how she glanced down at Sasuke nor how the Uchiha glared up at Sakura.

Sasuke then got to his feet and said, "I'm going to let you all talk. I've got some work I really have to start."

Naruto looked over at him, wondering why he suddenly didn't want the Uchiha to go, but watched as he left the room, shutting the door to the bedroom a bit more loudly than usual. He looked around at the rest of the group and asked, "Is he mad about something? He seems mad."

Again, everyone looked uncomfortable, and this time looked at Sakura, since she was the only one other than Naruto that the Uchiha was close to.

The pink-haired girl sighed again. "He's just stressed out about classes, and he's disappointed about something. Don't worry about him either, Naruto. You know Sasuke, always brooding."

"That's for sure," Naruto agreed. Then he frowned and asked, "It isn't anything because of me, is it?"

Everyone looked up at him quickly; was he remembering something? However, the blonde just looked confused, not as though he remembered something important.

When no one answered him, he said, "I mean, he's been acting like this a lot lately. It's…different than how he usually treats me."

"How's he acting?" Sakura asked, curious. Sasuke seemed to be hurting the blonde without even realizing it.

"He hardly says a word to me," Naruto replied. "I mean, we're not exactly close,--" (everyone smirked knowingly at that), "--but, from when I remember, we at least used to fight or have some kind of conversation… N-Now, he just ignores me like I've done something bad."

Sakura knew Sasuke was hurting about the blonde's amnesia and because he still believed everything had been his fault. His need to blame himself heightened when Naruto got amnesia, because now he believed he'd caused that too. However, she was pleased to see that Sasuke's attitude was depressing the blonde; it meant Naruto's feelings for the Uchiha really were somewhere inside.

Sakura smiled at Naruto and said, "Naruto, leave Sasuke-kun to me, okay? He's been a bit off lately because he's had trouble at work." This wasn't a complete lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either.

The blonde nodded. "Okay, I guess."

"I'll go talk to him right now, okay?" she said. "Don't worry about him."

She then excused herself and walked into the other bedroom, not even bothering to knock. She found Sasuke lying on the bed staring at the ceiling with a blank look on his face. He didn't even turn to acknowledge her when she shut the door behind her and sighed.

"I thought you said you had work to do," the pink-haired girl said.

"I lied," he replied.

"Why?"

"Because I just can't stand being in the same room with Naruto," he said. "It hurts too much."

"Do you realize you're hurting him too?" she said.

These words effectively made the Uchiha turn to look at her. Sakura nodded at his disbelieving expression and sat down on the bed beside him.

"After you walked out he asked if you were mad about something and if it had to do with him."

"Don't tell me you--"

"Of course not, Sasuke-kun. I don't exactly have a death wish."

"Hn."

"He remembers how in senior year the two of you fought and acknowledged each other," Sakura said. "You remember how, while you were rivals, you were also sort of friends? You tolerated him more than anyone else, and he was one of the first ones to ever get you to talk."

"I know, Sakura, what are you getting at?" Sasuke asked.

"Naruto's upset because you're not acting like that. You're just ignoring him from what he just told me and that's not right, Sasuke-kun. I know what you're trying to do, but it's only making him feel bad."

The Uchiha looked away. "It's hard, Sakura."

"I know it is."

"But you really don't. He remembers you."

"He remembers you too, Sasuke-kun, and don't you forget that!" Sakura exclaimed angrily. Sasuke could be so stupid sometimes.

"What's so great about remembering the times before we got together?" Sasuke demanded.

"Because he still remembers you!" Sakura said. "He hasn't forgotten you, Sasuke-kun. His feelings for you must definitely be in him somewhere. Him being upset about your attitude proves that, don't you think? Why don't you try and act like a normal human around him?"

"Because it's virtually impossible right now when I know he doesn't love me back, Sakura!" Sasuke yelled.

"Then make it so he will!" she shot back.

The Uchiha sat there glaring at his friend who only glared back just as equally. She was right and he knew it, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew he was being horribly rude. Naruto needed friends more than ever now, and since he was staying with Sasuke, he should have been more accepting, more welcoming to him than he had been.

Sasuke sighed and hung his head. Sakura beamed at him.

"Know your mistake now?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Good. Then come back out, okay? Talk to Naruto instead of sulking like a four year old," Sakura said.

"Fine," the Uchiha said as he followed Sakura back to join the others.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That turned into a hell of a party," Naruto said five hours later as he and Sasuke were cleaning the apartment after everyone else had left.

"Note to self: never let Kiba get drunk," Sasuke said and Naruto laughed.

"True, true," the blonde agreed.

"I was surprised you'd held your liquor so well, dobe," the Uchiha said. "Since you and Inuzuka are so much alike, I would've thought you'd be just as hung over as he was."

"Naw, I drink responsibly," the blonde said. "Unlike you, who hardly drank anything at all."

"I had one can, which is fine for me," Sasuke said defensively. "You should be glad I'm not like Kiba or you'd have to be cleaning the bathroom up all night."

Naruto shuddered. "Then thanks are in order?"

"You've repaid me by helping me clean up," Sasuke said as he put a couch cushion in its proper spot.

"Well, I am sleeping on the couch. It would be a lot more comfy with all of the cushions back in place and stuff," the blonde replied and Sasuke gave a small smile.

However, to the amnesiac blonde, who wasn't as used to the 'nice and smiling Sasuke' stared at him with astonishment.

"What?" the Uchiha snapped.

"You sm-smiled," the blonde stated as though he still couldn't believe it possible.

"Yeah? What of it?" Sasuke said.

"I-I've just never seen you smile before," Naruto said. "It's really nice."

Sasuke stopped and stared at him. Almost this exact same conversation had occurred the first time Naruto had seen him smile. To be precise, it had been exactly the same time around which the amnesiac Naruto had thought it to be when he'd woken up. Pain tugged at Sasuke's heart but he hid it well, looking away.

"I-I'm gonna go to bed," he mumbled, wanting to leave the blonde's presence.

"Fine. Mind if I watch some T.V.?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke shrugged. "Just don't put the volume up too loud."

"Sure," Naruto replied before plopping down on the couch and grabbing the remote control.

Sasuke watched him for a moment before sighing and heading to his room, unaware of blue eyes watching him leave.

In the uncomfortable emptiness of his room, Sasuke laid down on his bed, staring at the ceiling as he had been five hours previous, before Sakura had went and gotten him. Thinking about the conversation he'd just had with the blonde, he felt his heart clench painfully in his chest. Had Naruto been the way he was before the accident, he would have made Sasuke forget about going to sleep and make him stay up and watch random shows. He would have been so annoying and so irresistible that Sasuke would have had no choice but to lay down on the couch beside his boyfriend and endure pointless shows.

But this Naruto wouldn't do that. This Naruto had no reason to ask Sasuke to cuddle up with him for the night. This Naruto wouldn't even fathom the very thought because it just wasn't how it was so supposed to be.

Sasuke knew that living with this Naruto wasn't going to be easy, but he wasn't sure just how much he could suffer before losing it all. He wasn't prepared to live with an amnesiac Naruto; he didn't know what to do. He had to think every thought through, having to be certain not to say anything that would let him know about their years together. But, he wanted Naruto to know. He wanted to at least try and tell him, to see what he would do, or say. He had an inkling to that already, but he just wanted to give it a shot. But, Iruka had been adamant against it. He said that it would just be too much for Naruto right now, and deep inside Sasuke knew he agreed. It still didn't make it any easier.

But it hurt so much because their feelings were so much different now. Being with Naruto was going to take a lot of getting used to. Used to the 'bastard' suffix…used to the reoccurring fights…and, used to the lack of affection.