A/N: Thank you so much for all the support guys. It had inspired me to keep writing this story so thank you to all.

Disclaimer: Last time I checked I did not own Naruto in anyway.

-

-

Despair

It had been six whole weeks already, and during that time all three couples were still happy together. Even Tenten and Neji whom constantly fought and denied actually liking each other though were known to share rare moments. During that time Sakura had come more like herself as she became closer friends with the girls, especially Hinata who know always hung around her and the guys. Not that Sakura minded it was nice to have another girl around. Now it was another Wednesday and Sakura was talking with Hinata whom was in Naruto's arms while Shika and Ino sat next to them embracing.

Sakura had gotten over the whole being alone thing and was used to this by now. Especially after here moment with Sasuke yet that seemed so long ago. Lately he had been acting a lot weirder than usual. He was colder and darker more to speak. Now here they were in music and Sasuke hadn't even shown up.

"So Sakura any plans for today's double spare" Hinata asked, referring to the last two sessions they had off.

"Nope" Sakura laughed. "Don't we usually or go out to the mall anyway?"

"Yeah true" Hinata replied with a smile, over the weeks she had gotten a lot more comfortable and even Neji noticed how her relationship with Naruto was helping her a lot. Though he didn't admit it to anyone but Tenten.

"Course we are going to the mall isn't we, I mean it's like a tradition" Ino declared while Shikamaru rolled his eyes. It was true though, every Wednesday for the last six weeks to the mall. All eight of them, well until two weeks ago when Sasuke had stopped coming. As if reading her mind Naruto looked around and frowned.

"Where the hell is teme?"

"Yeah where is he, his been so dark and gloomy lately" Ino added.

"He was always though" Shikamaru told her. "His always been cold and emotionless"

"Yes but lately his been darker" Hinata argued, standing up on behalf of Naruto and Sakura. Ino noticed the glances Sakura was giving Naruto and knew that this was obviously hurting his two best friends. Yet she couldn't help but ask.

"What's with him?"

"I have no idea" Sakura said and everyone could see the hurt and despair in her voice.

"Yeah I mean his always been a barstard but never this much of one" Naruto added.

As if on queue the door opened and in walked the younger Uchiha, wearing his emotionless stoic face with his dark and empty onyx eyes. He took a seat next to Sakura, which was also in the corner and next to the window, without even a hello. Sakura shot a glance at Naruto and got down from the table and sat next to him.

"Hey teme better late than never I guess" Naruto laughed.

"Hn" Came his only reply, not even bothering to look at him as he kept gazing out the window. His expression remaining the same.

"How are you this morning" Sakura asked kindly while the other three watched.

"Hn"

"That's not very nice, she asked you a question you could at least give an answer" Naruto exclaimed but this time Sasuke didn't even reply.

"Sasuke" Sakura began timidly, hoping that he would at least look at her but he didn't. Ino and the others just sighed and tuned away but both Naruto and Sakura were concerned. They had both known Sasuke a long time and he had never acted this odd and cold before. Yes he had always been emotionless and distant but to Naruto and Sakura no matter how much he appeared to be, he was still different around them. So both knew that something was defiantly wrong.

However their thoughts were interrupted when their teacher strolled in and the lesson began. Today they had to try and form their own song, and luckily in groups of six. Since both Neji and Tenten weren't in this class, it suited them perfectly. Yet while the five mucked around and had fun Sasuke ignored them all, even Sakura and Naruto's attempts to get him to join in. Even Ino, Shikamaru and Hinata noticed that he never smirked or called Naruto dobe when Naruto insulted him ether. Something was defiantly up.

"What do you think is wrong" Ino asked Hinata.

"I have no idea but its obviously bothering Naruto and Sakura" The girl replied.

"Yeah I mean he is their best friend and all"

"Yeah and although they don't say it, I can see their hurt by this"

"Agreed his defiantly hiding something from them"

"Yes and it seems weird him not telling them, I mean they have known him for years"

"It's defiantly weird" Ino agreed. "I kind of feel sorry for those to"

"Same"

"Why does Sasuke have to be such a cold arrogant barstard, can't he see he is hurting his friends" Ino exclaimed while Hinata nodded. "So what should we do" Ino asked.

"Nothing" Shikamaru told her firmly.

"We can't do nothing" Ino hissed.

"It's none of our business; Sakura and Naruto are his friends. They know him so it's up to them to find out what's wrong. Its none of our business and by sticking our noses in where they not wanted will only complicate things and make them worst."

"Shikamaru's right" Hinata said. "We have to stay out of this and leave it up to them, they will figure it out"

"And if they don't" Ino persisted. "I don't like seeing my friends suffer and that's what Sasuke is causing them to do"

"Trust them" Shikamaru told her as Ino nodded. As much as she hated the sound of it, she knew her boyfriend was right. They could only hope that Sasuke would at least open up to one of them.

-

-

The class ended and Sasuke walked out without a word. Ino and Shikamaru exchanged glances.

"Um Hinata do you mind if I talk to Sakura alone" Naruto asked as Hinata smiled.

"Of course not" she replied, leaving with the other to. Naruto turned to a distress Sakura.

"What's going on?"

"I have no idea" Sakura cried, sitting down on a chair. "His acting so weird and dark it's scary"

"Yeah his not teme anymore" Naruto added and Sakura could see that although the two constantly fought this was causing Naruto as much pain as her.

"His acting like……." Sakura trailed off but Naruto finished it for her.

"When his parents passed away"

"Yeah" Sakura agreed in a hushed whisper while forcing back tears.

"Why won't he tell us, I mean for god's sake his our friend" Naruto yelled, slamming his fist down.

"I mean I know his never been one for emotions, even before his parents were killed but at least he would laugh and smile occasionally." Naruto continued. "But ever since his been so cold and distant. I mean he never even talks to us anymore, even now when there is obviously something wrong."

"His hiding something" Sakura told him.

"Yeah I know" Naruto said. "God damm it Sasuke why the hell wont you talk to us. Even after the whole incident he still wouldn't confide in us"

"He should have talked to someone; I mean he acted like it never even happened. Like it was no big deal. He didn't even cry in front of us, that's if he even cried at all. It's like his dried up"

"Like his hearts turned to ice"

"Exactly and lately it's been worst"

"Yeah well after his parent's death he said he was fine, he said he had moved on"

"Come on Naruto you know that's not true. He may have pretended he was but his not. You know as well as I do that he just hid those feelings, he bottled them away and that's why"

"Yeah I know but I don't get why. Why would he never talk to us, why did he bottle them all up?"

"I don't know" Sakura admitted sadly. "I don't know why he never talks about it, even to us. But whatever it is, no matter what he became we were still his friends and the last thing he needs is us abandoning him. We promised we would always be by his side. Remember when he was unconscious on that hospital bed. We promised Naruto" tears slowly trickled down her face as Naruto embraced her.

"I know and I'm not giving up. I mean Sasuke is like a brother to me, and I care for him as one. Though I would never tell him. It's just that I can't cope with how he is behaving and acting lately. What his turning into. His colder than ever and it scares me. At least before he showed some signs of emotion. Some signs of being human even if that was just calling me dobe and looking smug or annoyed. But these days not even that. It's like he doesn't know how to feel emotions anymore. Like his frozen up inside."

"Yeah I know" Sakura said. "His so different, his not acting like our Sasuke. His practically a stranger. And it scares me"

"Something is defiantly up" Naruto exclaimed. "But what?"

"I don't know" Sakura murmured.

"You know what I think?"

"What?" Sakura asked.

"I think we need to talk to Itachi" Naruto replied. "I know him and Sasuke aren't real close or anything but Itachi lives with him so he must no something. I mean he know something. He is his brother, no matter how much he doesn't act like one he is."

"I don't know Naruto, Sasuke and Itachi don't talk. Itachi is practically never home and never shows any sign of giving a damm about him. Hell he acts like Sasuke doesn't exists"

"But he might no something" Naruto told her.

"But if Sasuke found out he might see it as betrayal"

"I know but what else can e do, we need to help him and Itachi may be able to help. I mean what else can we do" Sakura looked up at his determined and pleading gaze and nodded.

"Ok Naruto lets go find him now"

"Good" Naruto said. "Wait where do you think he will be?"

"Where else, he will be with all the seniors. All the cocky bad boys so to speak"

"And where is that" Naruto asked as Sakura smiled.

"The smoker's hole"

The smokers hole so to speak was an area well known in the school to all but the teachers it seemed. It was at the bottom of the school, a little area hidden behind trees, behind an old classroom that was used to store unnecessary things which no longer had no use. It was where the bad kids hung out, those senior boys and girls who always wagged, smoked and went around getting laid. They also thought of themselves as the highest thing there was, and better than anyone else.

"To the smokers hole it is" Naruto declared. Sakura nodded though she wasn't looking forward to going there, where pretty girls were scowled at by the older ones and ogled by the boys. Yet Sasuke needed her more than ever and if Itachi knew something then they needed to find out what it was. Like hell Itachi was going to help his brother.

"Yes lets" Sakura replied, as together they made their way to the forbidden area.

'We will help you Sasuke, I promise. I wont let you become any darker than you already are. You will see, we will help you find the light. We will save you from the darkness and bring you back' Sakura thought and she knew that she would do so or die trying. 'I will never give up; somehow I will find a way. I promise'

'I wont give up Sasuke, I will find what's wrong and ill help fix it. No matter what happens, no matter about our blood. Your still my brother and you were there when I needed, you helped me when I needed it. Now its my turn to help you.' Naruto thought. 'Whether you want me to or not'