Disclaimer: Naruto and everything associated don't belong to me, neither do the lyrics. I'm not claiming ownership of anyone's ideas. I'm just borrowing.

Basics: PG13/T, General/Drama/Romance/Angst, AU, (?) chapters

Warnings: Boy x boy love, boy x girl love, profanity, mild mature themes

Summary: Sasuke always did mean to leave Konoha, and that intention breaks Naruto's heart. But fate pulls a 180, and instead it is Naruto that leaves, and Sasuke is the heartbroken one.

Author's note 1: Again, try it please. Chapter especially for Crick, Tash, and Rachi.

X;

Counting the ways
to where you are.

X;

Deceptions. That's how they were going to get through this. 'Story of my life,' Sasuke thought dispassionately. He had to concede that Iruka was a smart man, startlingly logical and reasonable considering that his adopted son just ran away from home. The school would start calling, Iruka had said, and the authorities would start calling. So, Iruka concluded, we can't hide the fact he's gone. Or they'll think we murdered him, or something equally ridiculous.

"We're going to tell them what happened. We're going to tell the truth. Not all of it, but still the truth. You get back to school, Sasuke, spread the word you haven't seen Naruto; that he's missing. That you think he ran away. Don't tell them about the note. By the end of the week, I'd have gone over the top, that I've called P.I.'s, because I supposedly don't trust the police."

"You don't want them to find him?!" Sasuke had asked incredulously.

"No. I'm sure … I'm sure Naruto will come back. And… I think bringing him back forcefully will do a lot worse to him."

Sasuke had wondered what kind of man Iruka was. Iruka was actually letting Naruto run off to god-knows-where. But upon further thought, upon further analysis of the tiny tremors in the man's voice and the suspicious glassiness of his kind dark eyes, Sasuke realized. What kind of man was Iruka? Iruka was a good one and that was that.

Sasuke was a little concerned about what the hell was going to happen when he went to school alone again- without his best friend. People would wonder. They'd get suspicious; Naruto Uzumaki almost never cut a full day-, which he did yesterday. 'Sick' wasn't even an excuse. The blond had an amazing immune system. All he had ever known was twenty-four hour bugs. And … …

It was always Sasuke-and-Naruto. It might be even Sasuke-and-that-freak to Sasuke's diehard admirers and Naruto-and-that-prick­ to Naruto's band of followers. They were from completely two different worlds, clichéd as it might sound. Clichés proved true, sometimes, and Sasuke could believe that. After all, wasn't it a rich-boy and poor-boy, elite and scum, dark and light friendship? But in terms of loneliness and heartbreak in a young boy's heart, none of the previous adjectives mattered. It was you and your best friend against the world.

Sasuke once thought he couldn't stand Naruto; now he was startled by how much he missed Naruto instead.

Hell, I wouldn't care.

His words weren't leaving him alone. It was the last thing he remembered saying to Naruto before Naruto up and disappeared, and last night, his own cold statement chased itself, around and around in his head. Maybe it was his words that drove Naruto over that line between rationality and passion to prove something. Maybe it even hurt…

Sasuke tried to quit thinking about it. But it ended in him forcing mundane thoughts until he was disgusted with himself to be thinking about the stupid things while his goddamn best friend was missing. Which turned back into thoughts about Naruto, which brought back the guilt, which brought back the words…

Hell, I wouldn't care.

Sasuke imagined hearing those words coming from Naruto's mouth, directed to him. He felt an immediate dullness in his chest, even if his face didn't gauge it. (His face never gauged anything, according to both Naruto and Sakura.) … Oh. The guilt increased. Sasuke shoved the offending emotion into a mental bottle and firmly corked it up. And locked it and chained it and tossed it into a really deep mental abyss.

But as it turned out, school wasn't so bad. The vast majority couldn't care less, his fan girls were no less than thrilled, and it was only a handful that he had to dole out his excellent pretending: I haven't seen him all day. Coldly, like they expected it from the ice prince. Then, a little panic in his voice to verify that he was indeed human, …He's been having off-days recently… could he… And then a subtly distressed face that generally allowed him peace about the matter.

The only one he knew he couldn't ever fool was Sakura, who had been watching him oddly the entire first few days of Naruto's disappearing act.

X;

Sakura Haruno was a pretty, pink-haired girl with lovely sea-green eyes, completely and utterly adored by quirky but loveable junior Rock Lee. She was very clever, and her consistent high scores and total understanding of everything scholastic attested to this fact. However, she was not only book-smart, but she was also often rather shrewd in her guesses about people, if she chose to be.

And she chose to make guesses about Sasuke, when Naruto stopped showing up for school.

Sakura-Sasuke-Naruto was something hard to explain. In junior high, they were an infamously clashing and explosive trio, until a freak occurrence changed the dynamics of their 'friendship' and so their 'friendship' became a real one.

Once upon a time, pre-freak-occurrence, Sakura had deluded herself into believing that she was madly and passionately in love with the handsome Uchiha, who had not bothered to show her a single iota of extra attention. Once upon a time, Naruto had an embarrassing crush on Sakura as well. Naruto on Sakura crush, Sakura on Sasuke crush, that ugly mess of things was long over, but now Sakura was beginning to suspect that at long last, the final side of their would-be triangle would be finally filled in.

Oooh Sasuke Uchiha might quite possibly, most likely, abso-effing-lutely have eyes for only one person, and it sure as hell ain't one of those fan girls.

And then Naruto disappeared. Sasuke's vague replies didn't fool her in the least. Those two couldn't completely fool their closest female friend. Heck, Sakura thought she could even say she was the closest friend that they had besides each other. … So what was going on?

By the night of the second day of Naruto's disappearance, Sakura was convinced something wrong was underlying all of this. Then, the truth became revealed to her as she logged onto her Internet that night, finding an email from a familiar address, an email sent a day ago.

She read. She gasped (and thought she'd have coronary failure). She printed. She'd have to confront Sasuke tomorrow. She knew what was going on now, and she'd demand to be completely filled in about all the details.

X;

Day three (four?) of Naruto's running away. Iruka had called the police, played frantic, and subtly dropped hints that the kid was a runaway, which immediately caused a lack of interest from the police department. Don't worry sir, he'll show up. We'll put some guys on it if we can, but we're very busy. To which Iruka responded by 'suddenly' having the idea of hiring P.I.'s instead, and the police decided it was not their problem anymore as Iruka scatter-brained-ly thanked them for their assistance.

Sasuke was irate. He didn't know only three goddamn days had to pass before he noticed he was declining into a depression about this whole affair. If only he knew where that dobe went! If only he had a goddamn clue about it. Even his no-good cousin-by-a-series-of-marriages-and-divorces guardian Taniguchi, in a random fit of sobriety, noticed Sasuke's new, darker brooding topic and moodiness.

(Sasuke didn't quite realize the fact Naruto's disappearance had effectively removed Itachi from his thoughts.)

But back to Sasuke's growing irritation. To top the whole nuisance-of-an-affair off…

He never realized Naruto was so dearly loved. By anyone other than himself. Oh hell no, Sasuke thought. He did not just think that. He clearly meant- By anyone other than himself and Sakura. Sasuke squished down that tingly you're-in-denial feeling. But back on track to Naruto being so dearly loved- here he clenched his teeth at the thought-

Neji, genius that he was, had already figured Sasuke had something to do with the lack of blond dobe. Neji had already threatened him with bodily harm in that creepily silken voice of his and that pale-eyed stare. Death threats from Neji were never welcome.

Gaara, psycho that he was, had also figured Sasuke had something to do with the lack of blond dobe. Gaara used no words, only a narrowing of those powder blue eyes that hid dark secrets, and with only his gaze threatened to painfully rip the orphan Uchiha into bloody mangled bits. Sasuke sneered back at the deadly gaze and remembered this was one of the reasons why he hated the redhead.

Of course, his dislike of the previous two had nothing at all to do with the fact that Sasuke was pretty damn sure that both of them were in love with his (…his…?) dobe (and with good reason too, he thought, then squashed that thought as well.)

Then there was Hinata and Kiba and Shikamaru. Oh… my… god… Sasuke had never seen the shy Hyuuga girl- Neji's cousin- radiate so much sheer force. Kiba was loud and tactless about the whereabouts of Naruto, making Sasuke wanting to shove something down his throat, and Shikamaru, well, Shikamaru just got on his nerves the way he lazily suggested some things.

How the hell did these people come up with Naruto's-missing-and-by-default-blame-and-skewer-Sasuke theory, but Sasuke did know he was damn near killing someone.

Which was why Sakura was so pissed when Sasuke whirled upon her in a near-murderous rage when all she had done was tap his shoulder and politely say his name.

"Hmph," she huffed. "Guess you don't want to know who emailed me last night." The pink-haired girl glared pointedly at Sasuke, who silently conceded sullen undeclared defeat because you just could not win with Sakura, especially if she knew you cared about her. Really, Sasuke couldn't care less about Sakura's Internet letters, knowing it was probably from the enamored Rock Lee.

"Sakura…" Sasuke began.

"Oh, you don't want to hear? All right then…" Sakura had a wicked idea. It'd teach Sasuke to not blow her off like that anymore.

Sasuke watched her walk off, as she began to loudly read off the neatly printed sheet in her hands.

"From- believeitninja (at) emailservice dot net…"

Sasuke's onyx eyes widened considerably as he uncharacteristically shouted "Sakura!" and bolted after the girl who was walking away from him. She was still reading it when she looked up at his face, and all traces of mischievousness and irritation left as she saw the look he wore. She held the printout so that he could see it was real, but did not let him take it just yet. Sakura smiled sadly up at the taller boy.

"He's not pranking, is he." Sakura stated, and Sasuke knew that keeping up the façade would be impossible, not after the idiot himself wrote to her about the truth. 'Why didn't he write to me?' Sasuke wondered with no small amount of hurt. But his eagerness (that of course did not show) far outweighed his disappointment at the moment, and he patiently waited for Sakura to relinquish the paper.

"Yes, he is," Sasuke said in a careful monotone.

"What did you do?" she accused softly without any real bite. Sasuke had a feeling she knew already. But then the girl continued speaking, this time more to herself, even more quietly that her previous question: "And why didn't I notice something was wrong…"

"I didn't really either," Sasuke offered in a low voice. "Or I did, and didn't really pay attention."

Sakura looked over at him, and he was wearing the same face he had worn at the Umino apartment, though Sakura didn't know it. A multitude of emotions leaked out of his long-worn mask and Sasuke looked more human than he ever had in years, at least in the public eye. He looked less like the untouchable god of attraction than a beautiful, real teenager suffering from pains of the heart.

Sakura reached out and hugged him, a little surprised when he didn't push her away.

X;

To- sakuraxblossoms (at) emailservice dot net
From- believeitninja (at) emailservice dot net

Subject- Hey Saku

Hey Red,

I don't know if you know, but I'm not in Konoha anymore. Maybe the bastard told you. Maybe Konoha's police force is looking for me right now (hah, yeah right.) But I just thought you needed to know. Saku, we haven't always been best of friends, but I really do trust and love you. Hope you know that.

So here it is. I'm an orphan, you know that. I left because I needed to find myself. It sounds lame I know. But those scars on my face- they have a story, it's my story, and I want to discover it. Heh, I never thought I was so poetic. I'm sitting here with someone else's broken down computer and I've missed lunch, but… I feel free. Sort of.

The only thing is… I keep thinking about you guys. About Iruka and Kakashi and you. I'm still mad at Sasuke, but don't tell him that. I'm beginning to forget what me and him had, I guess it's easier to ignore when he's not in my face, and that makes me feel better. But now you can tell him that I understand him about his crazy goals.

So. I'm not running away, I think. I'm running to. So don't worry about me, Red.

Love, Naruto

P.S. Tell Iruka that I'll be back. A little more time out here won't kill me, and I've got someone to help me, too. And tell Kakashi to try not to molest him too much.

X;

It had been a day since Naruto's finger had firmly hit the 'Send' button and now he was sprawled out in the open back of a pickup truck driving on a stretch of highway at 6 o'clock. It was an early May evening, and the mild wind felt good against his face. A brown hoodie covered his torso and bright hair, and he was staring down the length of his jean-covered legs down to the white tips of his black Converse sneakers.

Speeding
Into the horizon…

The rhythm
Rhythm of an engine…

Flying…
Flying in slow motion…

A knapsack was in his lap, containing a good deal of money, spare clothing, and some other essential and useful items he had thought to bring along. He also had one of those cheap disposable cameras that one buys for a couple bucks at the register in the pharmacy. He figured that if the whole searching-for-himself thing failed (he hated that possibility, but he had to be realistic), he'd at least have a couple snapshots of a time when he actually did something with himself.

He reached a strong hand in his jeans pocket; feeling a chain and hanging metal-plate, cool against his fingers. It was a necklace, a simple silver chain and small silver tag, with beautiful and intricate designs swirling spanning over one side. A symbol adorned the back of the plate. There were also two words engraved on the side with designs, a message that he clutched close to his heart.

Beloved Son.

For Naruto Uzumaki, unwanted orphan, those were wondrous words, proof of a life that he did not remember, however brief.

Tsunade, the lady at the orphanage, had not been able to give Naruto much information at all. In fact, the necklace was the only thing she could give him. His records had been conveniently destroyed in a minor fire a couple years ago, and the necklace was all that Naruto had come with. It had been taken from him as a baby in the name of uniform, and the previous orphanage heads had forgot about it.

'Someone had loved you very much,' the slightly intoxicated Tsunade had said, tipping the necklace into Naruto's trembling outstretched palm. 'I recognize the symbol on the back… Iwasaki is a famous jeweler. Looks custom…'

It had only taken the power of the library's computers to find Iwasaki and the city he lived in. It was only 151 miles away from Konoha, and Naruto had been struck by his wild, delirious plan to run away. Naruto figured that maybe the guy would know who he made that necklace for, and maybe, maybe… Naruto scarcely dared to hope after that. Naruto dashed home with address in hand, pulled a book of maps from underneath his bed and ripped out a specific sheet. Looking at it, he decided that yes, he would do it.

Without a second thought past hurried, brief packing and a hastily scrawled note for Iruka, Naruto was out the door. Naruto was spontaneous like that.

It had all begun as a desire to prove something to Sasuke. By now, Naruto didn't know what. A tiny flame of anger still burned against Sasuke, but in the excitement of actually running, Naruto shoved that without too much effort in the corner of his mind. Maybe, after all, Sasuke was right. It was easy to leave Konoha behind.

It was infectious, this course of action, it was dizzying. It made his blood race. Walked out the door, took a bus, then another, and then he walked. He garnered a ride from the owner of a small construction company who was bringing supplies to the same city Naruto needed to get to.

And that was how Naruto Uzumaki ended up in the back of a pickup truck next to all sorts of oddly shaped construction equipment, rattling over potholes and road irregularities. That was why Naruto Uzumaki was staring at the tops of his shoes, trying to avoid the heart-wrenching homesickness, trying to not think about what he wanted to avoid the most- the angry boy he left behind, the Sasuke that he loved.

Sometimes, Naruto was upset with how his thoughts kept swerving around, to, and back to Sasuke. Naruto promptly decided he'd have to try thinking of something else.

X;

Those words!

I'm beginning to forget what me and him had, I guess it's easier to ignore when he's not in my face, and that makes me feel better.

All that worrying for the dobe- and the dobe practically spelled out to Sakura that their friendship meant nothing! The dull pain in his chest just got worse. About a hundred times worse, Sasuke thought. Sasuke had never foreseen the Hn. I don't care sentiment to be thrown back at him. Sasuke hoped that it was just Naruto still mad at him.

He didn't know what he'd do if Naruto really felt like breaking their friendship. 'And we'd never be anything more…' Sasuke didn't even bother suppressing this thought.

Sakura had finally ended her affectionate hug with Sasuke, but she had lost sight of the hint of forlornness that had been on his face just a second before. It had slipped back quietly into the mask, she deduced with a little sorrow. It only made her heart break a little more for Sasuke, the boy who had never learned before that absence made the heart grow fonder.

X;

Author's note 2: Sorry if it sucked. Explanation chapters tend to. But I'm hoping that you liked it.

Looking for more Naru x Sasu goodness? Check out my C2. Archive of complete and well written NaruSasu and SasuNaru. Advertisement, yay.

By next chapter, there'll be some elements that are clear allusions to a book. It's a contemporary classic about another troubled teenage boy running away. Hint, it's set in the fifties. If you can guess what I'm talking about… I'll… I'll… uh. A Naru-Sasu reward drabble, your choice of topic?

Comments would be very much appreciated. The lyrics are from Five for fighting's 100 years, Vanessa Carlton's The Wreckage.