A/N: Kay, so, I should tell y'all that they didn't become genin till after the chunin exams so, Sasuke already has the mark and Shikamaru is already a chunin. Anyways, yeah, this is the last time I'm going against my review quota, if I don't get any reviews then... I'll just go on hiatus

I knocked on Sasuke's door and tapped my foot as I waited, I tried not to look around, it was always kinds creepy to be out here. I always thought of the whole... killing spree. I tried not to think of Itachi and how he went insane, that always lead to the question of, why was Sasuke spared?

I was jolted from my thoughts as I heard the door open. Sasuke blinked, I guess he wasn't expecting me which, is understandable, I rarely ever came here. I smiled at him and stepped inside, yes, I often invite myself into other peoples homes. He closed the door behind me and I turned towards him.

"Well, we had our last test today, we all passed." Sasuke nodded leaned against the door.

"What did y'all have to do?"

"We went on a scavenger hunt then, we had to fight ourselves." Sasuke nodded. "It wasn't all that hard really. But, at least I'm officially a genin." I smiled at Sasuke and he nodded back. I looked around the room, thinking of another conversation. Daichi was home alone so... I should probably go make dinner for him but, he'll survive a little bit longer. Smirking, I decided I'd make dinner for Sasuke.

"What's with the smirk?" He asked, looking questioningly at me. I stood up and looked at him.

"I'm making you dinner, what do you have foodwise?" He shrugged, rolling my eyes I went to look in his fridge and cabinets. Finding some noodles and sauce, I decided to make spaghetti. Taking them out, I got it all ready and started preparing it. Finding bread I toasted some and covered them with butter. As I stood pouring the noodles in, Sasuke walked over and looked at me.

"Why're you doing this? Why do you even care?" I stared unblinkingly at him, a look of confusion coating my face.

"What do you mean? I'm doing this because I want to, you're my friend, of course I care."

"But why do you care? Nobody else does." I just about slapped him for that, of course other people cared about him.

"Other people care about you! Sure, not everyone but guess what Sasuke, I'm not Itachi, I haven't deserted you yet and I don't plan to." Oops, it had slipped, I didn't mean to bring him up. I took an involuntary step back as I saw the anger flash through Sasuke's eyes. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that." Sasuke just turned around and walking to the table, sat down. Well, he hadn't totally blown up on me at least. Sighing I stirred the noodles. As I finished up the process I picked it up and walked over to the table and set it down. Standing back up I turned to Sasuke and gasped, seeing a weird mark on his neck.

"Sasuke, what is that? How'd you get that mark on your neck?" He turned to me and covered it up with his hand.

"Nothing, it's nothing." I cocked an eyebrow and shook my head.

"It's something, if you don't tell me I'll find out some other way, don't forget I know who your teammates are." He shook his head but I wouldn't give up.

"Spill. Or I'll have to ask Sakura, she's fangirl enough to know something like that."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes!" He glared at me but finally, sighing, he gave in.

"I got it during the chunin exams, from Orochimaru. If I let it take me over then I'll slowly die unless, I go to him." My eyes grew large momentarily and I took in a staggered breath.

"Then, you won't let it take you over... I just said I wouldn't desert you but, you can't desert me either." My eyes begged him to stay while my throat wouldn't allow me to speak another note and my body was frozen in place. He couldn't do this to me, nor would he... I hoped. Sasuke looked at me a moment longer then turned away.

"I'll try." those two small, simple words lifted my hopes enough to let me move and act normal the rest of my visit. I did though, break down as soon as my bedroom door had been securely shut. Leaning against it I cried the tears that had been weighing me down. I fell asleep to these same tears, still laying against the door.