Chapter 4

It was a miracle that Naruto survived the night. Taking care of a mentally five-year-old Sasuke was more taxing than he would have ever thought. The Uchiha boy didn't sleep a wink and therefore, neither did Naruto. Whether it was out of fear from what he'd seen earlier that day or just sheer boredom, Naruto couldn't tell.

Sasuke sat still long enough to eat Ramen and then it all went downhill from there. Next he wanted to play 'Ninjas and Pirates'. He forced Naruto to be the pirate of course and even went as far as proclaiming himself the greatest ninja of all time. He tore apart Naruto's dresser to find costumes and before even five minutes had passed the room was a mess.

Naruto was even more thrilled when Sasuke asked for a bedtime story. He recounted the best children's story he could remember, tucked Sasuke into bed, and then sprinted down the hall to his own room to get away. He'd been in bed for barely three minutes when he heard footsteps inching down the hall. Seconds later Sasuke flew into the room with a chakra assisted jump and landed on the end of the bed hard enough to send Naruto flying through the air. "Wake up, wake up, wake up!" He cried.

He snatched one of Naruto's pillows and began pelting the blonde boy with it. Naruto's eyebrows twitched in annoyance. "Why you little..!" He shouted as he jumped to his feet.

Sasuke dropped the pillow and took off down the hall shouting, "Catch me if you can!"

Naruto chased the boy for hours, their game of pursuit eventually spilling into the darkened streets of Konoha. By morning Naruto was exhausted, but at least he had succeeded in capturing Sasuke. Without a second thought, he dragged him to Kakashi's doorstep.

It wasn't even 7:00 yet when he rang the doorbell. Kakashi's drowsy face appeared in the doorway after a few minutes. "What took you so long?" Naruto grumbled. "I rang the stupid bell nearly 4 minutes ago!"

"Gomen," Kakashi mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eye. "I got tangled in my blankets when I fell out of bed. I was stuck for a few minutes."

"Sure, sure, whatever." Naruto growled. He shoved Sasuke forward. "It's your turn. I'm going to get some sleep and then I'm going to train. Goodbye."

With that, Naruto left. A stunned Kakashi and a pouting Sasuke were left standing in the doorway to Kakashi's house. "What's gotten into him?" Kakashi thought aloud. He scratched his head, shrugged, and then led Sasuke into the house. "Are you hungry, Sasuke-chan?"

Sasuke shook his head and continued to pout. Kakashi could tell that he still wanted to play with Naruto. "Don't get too upset over Naruto," He told Sasuke. "Let him have some time to himself and you can play with him tomorrow. How would you like it if I found you a new playmate for today?"

"I want Naruto-kun." Sasuke grumbled. He crossed his arms and sat on the floor. He refused to look at Kakashi. "I don't want a new playmate."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "But she's one of Naruto's best friends, you see. I'm sure she could take you to see Naruto." He pulled Sasuke to his feet. "How does that sound?"

"Ok, fine." Sasuke pouted. "But only if I get to see Naruto-kun."

Kakashi nodded, promising that indeed, he would get to see Naruto. Then he led Sasuke to the living room and let him play with Pakkun while he made the boy something for breakfast. Sasuke tickled the ninja-dog's belly for a few moments and decided to toss a pillow across the room for him to fetch. Pakkun seemed to enjoy this so Sasuke kept it up. Playing with dogs was fun!

Sasuke was preparing to toss the now-drool-covered pillow across the room one more time when something bright and orange caught his eye. The object seemed to be a book, the same book that Kakashi had been reading the day before when he'd startled Naruto and Sasuke. Soon Sasuke began to wonder what made that book so interesting that a grown-up would carry it around with him all day. He wanted to find out.

With a smirk he tossed the pillow across the room for Pakkun, and while the dog was occupied, stuffed the little book into his pocket. He did so just in time. He'd barely concealed the bulge in his pants pocket under his shirt when Kakashi returned with a bowl of steaming white rice topped with peaches.

Sasuke ate the dish quickly and commanded that Kakashi take him to his new playmate, now! Kakashi tried not to laugh, but hearing Sasuke complain like the five-year-old that he mentally was proved too much for him. He let out a snicker and quickly concealed it with a cough. "Well, come on then," He said. He motioned to Pakkun that he wanted him to stay with them and keep an extra eye on the boy. "I'm sure Sakura will be happy to see you."

More than happy probably. Kakashi hadn't yet explained to the girl that Sasuke was back or that he was mentally five. This would certainly be an interesting reunion. Kakashi snickered again.

Soon they arrived at Sakura's house. When they knocked on the door her mother answered. "Oh, Sakura?" She called up the stairs as soon as she saw who it was. "Your sensei and a friend are her to visit you!"

Sakura's footsteps were heard running down the stairs and seconds later the pink-haired kunoichi was skidding to a halt in the doorway. Her eyes instantly fell on Sasuke. Before any of them could blink she cried out his name and tackled him to the ground in a huge hug. Kakashi chuckled and lifted her off the now petrified Uchiha. "Easy does it there, Sakura-chan." He warned. "Sasuke is…not himself."

Sakura finally took a moment to look Sasuke over. He still lay on the ground, shaking violently in fear. "S-Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked shakily. "A-are you all right?"

"Who are you?" Sasuke cried, inching backwards. "Who are you and why did you attack me?"

"Sasuke? You don't remember me?" Sakura was crushed. Kakashi saw a tear sparkling in the corner of her eye and placed a hand on her shoulder. He gave it a gentle squeeze and then went to pull Sasuke to his feet. He held the boy by the collar of his shirt and ushered the rest of the group inside.

Sakura's mother hurried into the kitchen and began to make tea. Sakura immediately collapsed on the couch. Kakashi took a seat opposite her and forced Sasuke to sit beside him. "Sakura-chan," He began. "There was a bit of a problem when Orochimaru tried to take Sasuke's body from him. You see—."

"Oh, no!" Sakura shrieked. "Sasuke, oh, Sasuke, what did they do to you?"

She almost started forward again, but Kakashi stopped her. "Easy does it, let me explain." He laughed. "Apparently Orochimaru's jutsu backfired. We're not sure what happened to him and Kabuto, but Sasuke…well, Sasuke is now five again—mentally anyhow."

"He's what?!" Sakura cried. She looked at Sasuke again, hoping to find something in his eyes to prove Kakashi wrong. All she found was two large and frightened black eyes staring back at her. His eyes had never looked so innocent. Sakura collapsed back into the couch pillows. "Oh, Sasuke, no!"

"Now Sakura, I know you'll need time to absorb all of this," Kakashi continued. "But I have a favor to ask of you."

"A favor?" Sakura asked, unsure if she wanted to know. "What kind of favor?"

"I'm afraid I have to ask you to watch him for a little while. Naruto watched him yesterday, and the entire night. He hasn't slept at all yet so there's the possibility that he won't be awake too much longer. Besides, Naruto will come over later to help you out."

"I-I can do that." Sakura mumbled. Pakkun jumped into her lap to make it known that he would stay to help and earned a soft pat on the head. "It won't be a problem."

Kakashi nodded and stood to leave. "Oh, by the way, he's already had his breakfast, so you don't need to worry about that." Sakura bobbed her head in acknowledgement and turned to Sasuke when Kakashi walked out the door. The black-haired boy still cowered on the couch in absolute fear of her.

"Hello, Sasuke." She cooed, going to crouch before him. "I'm sorry that I scared you before. Is there anything I can get you to make up for it? Some ice cream perhaps? Would you like that?"

Sasuke nodded and then asked in a frightened voice. "Can I have a cookie too?"

Sakura smiled brightly and rushed into the kitchen. Pakkun followed her halfway and sat in the door to the living room to keep an eye on Sasuke. Sasuke finally straightened in his seat and looked around the room. His eyes fell on a small bookshelf in the corner and he was suddenly reminded of what resided in his pocket. He pulled the small, orange volume into his hands. Without a single bit of hesitation he opened to the first page and began to read.

It was a clear day. The sun shone brightly and not a cloud littered the flawless blue sky. Toyomori Aiko, basked in the beauty of the day. She lay sunbathing in a field of crimson flowers, the scent of them clinging to her skin like perfume. She began to drift off to sleep when a voice carried to her on the wind, calling out her name.

"Aiko," it called. "Aiko, my love! Are you there?"

Aiko sat abruptly. The voice sounded so familiar. It reminded her of the voice of her one true love, Ito Souta, but she knew he'd been dead for years. She sighed and lay back in the sun once again, dismissing the voice as a phantom; a mere memory conjured by her unconscious mind.

"Aiko!" The voice called again. It was closer this time.

Aiko could ignore it no longer. She—

"Where did you get that, Sasuke-chan?" Pakkun asked as he leapt onto the couch beside Sasuke.