"Is that really the best you have?" the Kazekage asked. "I'm sleep deprived and I'm faster than you."

"Pft. Like that's a problem for you. And we both know that damn sand protects you whether you want it to or not," the blond rebutted.

"Not anymore," the redhead said, yawning. "On both counts. Without Shukaku, I'm the same as any other Sand shinobi."

"You mean… this is with effort?"

Gaara nodded.

"DAMN IT!" Naruto yelled, lunging for the other once more.

"Well, if I had known that was what it took to get a rise out of you…"

They continued sparring until Naruto noticed the sun setting. "We should probably be getting back," he stated.

"What for?" Gaara asked.

"I-It's getting late. I'm hungry and sleepy, and I know you're tired."

The Kazekage narrowed his eyes. "No."

"No?"

"You're worried about an apparition. You give it such power over yourself, and you will never be free of it." He looked at the blonde thoughtfully. "Unless you don't want to be."

Naruto faced the ground. "I... I do." Then he sighed. "Well… mostly."

"Mostly?"

"I guess a part of me does want Sasuke to stick around."

"But for what purpose?"

"I… miss him. Part of me wants to hold on to him at all costs."

"That's twisted, Naruto."

"Coming from you, it must be."

"I think I'll ignore that. It'll be in your best interest." Gaara glared at the other. "You do know how unhealthy that is?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Then you're further along than I thought. Good."

"You're a jerk sometimes, you know?"

"So I've been told," he replied. "Fine. We'll go. But I'm staying by you. I want to make sure you at least try resisting it."

"He won't show if you're around."

"Hmm… If you're alone in the room?"

Naruto thought for a second. "I… I think so…"

"That'll be enough. I suppose you want ramen again?"

"Well, duh."

The redhead rolled his eyes. "Let's go, then."

&&&&&&&&

After they'd eaten and ventured back to Naruto's apartment, Gaara, at the blonde's request, told him what he was lacking in. Which, from the length of the reply, seemed to be everything. It was almost as if he were 12 years old again, with only his incomparable stamina going for him.

"Ok Gaara, that's enough," Naruto told him.

"But I'm not done," the other protested.

"Yeah, but I get the idea. It really would've been simpler for you to just say 'everything,' you know," the blonde said sadly.

"Perhaps," the Kazekage agreed. "But you wouldn't be nearly as angry with that apparition as you are now."

Naruto blinked at the other. "That was your aim all along," he realized.

"Go to bed. You have an illusion to tell off."

The blonde laughed weakly. "I can only promise to try," he said.

&&&&&&&&&

"NARUTO!!"

Sasuke's loud, angry voice brought the blonde to his knees.

"How could you ignore me all day?!?! You said could be happy with just me!!! Were you lying, idiot?!?! You don't ignore me!!! Ever!!! Understand?!?!"

Naruto breathed heavily, gathering the courage for his words. "No," he finally spoke.

The voice was silent for a moment. "What?"

"No. You're not Sasuke."

"Idiot. We've been through this already. How could I /not/ be Sasuke?"

"Because… because the Sasuke I know wouldn't do this to me."

"What about all the other things I would never do to you? Running away from you? Trying to kill you? And you still think I loved you."

"Oh, no you don't. No matter what, that much I am very sure of. Sasuke loved me." He was careful not to say 'you.'

"Really? And how did I show that to you?"

"He didn't. But his eyes did. They told me every time they looked at me how much he loved me. But his revenge was more important than even that."

"A match made him heaven," the voice drawled sarcastically. "Then tell me, how come I only touched you when you were in 'Sexy no Justu' form?"

Naruto began laughing.

"And what, pray tell, is so funny?"

"That proves you aren't him! I'm not listening to your annoying ranting anymore! Sasuke asked forgiveness before he died, I gave it him, he's gone, and now you better be too!"

Outside the room, Gaara let a small smile slip. He stretched and lay down on the couch.

Still in his room, Naruto waited, but there was nothing. The only sounds he could hear were the crickets outside and the redhead in the living room. He began laughing until he couldn't anymore. "I… I did it," he finally said. His first instinct was to go tackle Gaara in happiness, but realized the redhead would probably have his spine crushed before he even saw who it was. Ah, the perks of ninjas as friends.

Instead, he peeked out the door into the living room. He found his guest lying on his back, a bag of sugar cookies on his stomach. And one in his mouth. He approached his friend. "He's gone."

Gaara pulled another from the bag. "Congratulations," he said, holding out the treat. "Want a cookie?"

Naruto made a face, snatched it, and went back to bed.

&&&

A figure dressed in a long black cloak approached the glasses-wearing ninja with great caution. "Kabuto-sama."

"What is it?"

"The nine tails saw through my illusion. Some of the information I was given was inaccurate," the cloaked figure spoke quickly.

"So he believes his sanity is regained?"

"Yes."

Kabuto glared down hard at the woman. "Be thankful. I don't have to kill you since the illusion held long enough for me to complete my plan."

"You are most merciful, Kabuto-sama."

"Leave me now."

"Yes, Kabuto-sama."

The medical ninja waited to hear the door close. "Soon, Orochimaru-sama. I will have vengeance on that nine tails brat for you. I guarantee it."