Heya! This is an a lot sooner update then last time, nee? Neee? Eh. I was thinking so XD I'm happy I'm able to update quicker! Turns out our season is on hiatus (that dreaded word) because our coach is pregnant. XD; Hee.

On another note, 127 reviews! ON alone! WHOO! 61 on Yay! Sankyuu to everyone who's offered their comments!

Dedications: To aaaall my reviewers! Because, you guys rox teh sox!

Warnings: Same as always. Boi's bonking! Rah hah hah. I ownz j00. SasuNaruSasu and future ItaNaru!

Disclaimer: Me -points to self- own nothing. Except my pennies. My precious pennies…-cough- and they own everything else. Yes.

Bunraku: A large scale Japanese puppet theatre. The puppets are operated by many people, and about 2/3 life size. The puppeteers are on stage and not hidden during the show

Bunraku

I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end

And I forget
Just what it takes
And yet I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
Its hard to find
Oh well, whatever, never mind…

Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana

" 'ey, Sasu-ke…" The soft voice penetrated the quiet, a long yawn tacked onto the end of the tired greeting. "Whatchu up ta?" His speech was slurred, and he rubbed his eyes, starring blearily at the dark form in front of him.

Indeed, what was he doing?

Sasuke was in his kitchen, drinking coffee, and staring at a picture frame with a small box in front of it.

That's what he was doing.

But why was most probably the real question at hand here.

Green eyes shifted from the silent boy sitting hunched over the table, to the picture frame, and back again. It almost seemed as if Shin was nervous or something, eyes flitting back and forth like they were. What did he have to be nervous about?

Instead of twitching and flinching like he tended to do in situations that bothered him, he gathered his focus on the other teens face, noticing the faint lines of bags. "How long exactly have you been up anyways!" It was obvious he had been for more then a couple hours! His eyes were hollow, and his head was dipping forward so that the tips of his hair were almost in his coffee.

Instead of answering the demanding question, Sasuke continued to stared with distraction at the photo, drawing the only other set of eyes in the room to the same spot.

The frame held one of those cheesy strips of pictures, the kind taken in photo booths, that cost 2 dollars at most malls. It was black and white, and somehow, the small momentum screamed 'priceless'.

There were 3 kids in it, 2 of which Shin himself recognized and 1 who he knew without ever seeing. In the first frame, Sasuke was sitting in the middle of the team of three, a frown that wasn't really a frown tugging his lips upwards. The girl -Sakura, he reminded himself vaguely- was leaning in, cheek pushed up to the black-haired boys.

Sasuke, but a Sasuke who looked nicer, and lighter, but cold all the same. Shin yearned to see a picture where there was not something lurking behind those eyes.

He drew himself out of his inner musings so he could look at the same photo. There was another lighter-haired boy who had his chin settled on Sasuke's head, arms slung around the two below him. His eyes were squinted shut, and he had the widest grin on his face, one that looked excruciatingly happy without being too fake. He was smiling the widest out of the group.

Something clicked in Shin's mind. His doll. Naruto. Sasuke's Naruto.

His eyes wandered down to the second frame, and he was startled to see Sasuke grinning widely, an amused looking Sakura, and a blushing Naruto. How the hell did Sasuke smile like that! This was the picture he'd previously wanted to see! Though…There was something different lurking behind his eyes now. Something…

Worse?

"If you're wondering why I'm smiling," Shin cringed, being reminded there was another occupant in the room. Sasuke's voice was flat, and it bit at the back of his mind. "We were in a jutsu. The Sasuke there," Now he was speaking with a wry tone, replacing the emotionless one that had previously taken over his vocal cords. "is Naruto. I can't smile like that. 'Sakura' is me. Naruto was Sakura, who was obviously uncomfortable with being a boy for the few moments it took to snap the shot." Sasuke's voice had taken over a mere whisper, though it was strong in it's own right.

Shin nodded to the explanation, although he was sure the other teen couldn't see him. He, himself, needed to acknowledge he'd heard a voice in the otherwise silent kitchen. Instead, his eyes continued their downward trek down the lane of memories.

The third shot would have been a normal picture, except Kakashi (he remembered the name instantly) had joined and the small booth looked like it was in chaos. Even the male beside him looked disgruntled, in the picture, at the sudden intrusion, and he had to smother a laugh before it fell off his lips. Naruto was half-out of the picture, and Sakura was arguing with the older man over Sasuke's head. He didn't want to ruin the quiet but somber mood, but that single shot held a light air to it that made him want to giggle.

He smiled, but continued his little journey, and his breath hitched when it came to the final shot.

Sakura (or so he guessed) had somehow managed to shape her fingers to resemble a heart over the lens, so it looked like this particular shot had a heart-frame (although made of flesh) around it.

Another thing Sakura had managed to do was cut herself out of the picture.

Naruto had his lips pressed to a blushing Sasuke's left cheek, and the fox-boy himself had an identical blush decorating his own face. Sasuke was looking at the boy with a sidelong glance, and Shin couldn't breathe because this was the picture he had wanted, the one where he could barely see that shadow in Sasuke's eyes.

Sakura was not important. Sakura was just a pair of disembodied lips hovering over the boys right cheek.

He swallowed, dryly, and it was too loud for him to be comfortable.

Instead, again, he let his eyes drop. He was rewarded, because they landed on the small, wrapped, box.

It was a small affair, just a small box wrapped with orange sun paper, with a small blue ribbon to decorate it. It was too small to be anything big, unless it was a ring or something off the sorts.

'Big things come in small packages.' Shin reminded himself sardonically.

He eyed Sasuke's white-knuckled hands gripping the now empty cup, noting that small spider web cracks were appearing in the smooth, black surface.

Unbidden, a question bubbled up and burst forth. "Who's birthday?" Obviously, it was such an event. What would a present in the middle of the month mean? Somehow, Shin doubted it was an anniversary of some kind.

He regretted asking this, disturbing the unnatural and utter silence that had settled over them. The cup cracked, and Sasuke was speaking in a tight voice, "Go to sleep. It's 3:30 in the morning."

He nodded dumbly, although he was nowhere near asleep. As any brave man would do in this situation, he turned tail and fled up the stairs. As soon as the door was closed behind his back, he realized something.

He was still hungry.

OoOoOoOoOo…..

He padded down the stairs unenthusiastically, eyes half-lidded with the sleep he'd been jarred from so rudely. People were already up outside, and they were being loud about it too! He made a face at the mat at the bottom of the stairs, before jumping from the third step, stumbling and ending up with aching feet.

Already it was turning out to be a nasty day.

He walked into the kitchen, expecting to find Sasuke there, and was surprised to find the teens previous dwelling spot abandoned, though the tell-tale signs of a shattered cup and pushed out chair remained. The picture and present were gone, as well as the teen.

Sitting down, he snorted. Figures the boy would ditch him at 7:30am. He was supposed to meet Neji in a couple of hours! 9 o'clock, every single day. Sasuke waited for that hour to strike! He'd be damned if he was late.

Despairingly, he rubbed his temples, and let his head land with a 'thump' against the cool surface of the marble table, closing his eyes. Sasuke was too much stress. Too Much!

Wearily, he set out to making breakfast for two, highly doubting that there would be two to eat the meal.

OoOoOoOo…..

It was 9:30! Where the hell was Sasuke? Wasn't he supposed to be watched 24/7! He was late! He'd been ready hours ago, and where the hell was Sasuke! "Where the hell is that emotionally retarded, stupid excuse for an-"

"You better not be talking about me, ahou." (1) Shin whirled around to meet an entertained ANBU leader, and he flew at him, arm swinging.

"You bastard! I'm late and it's all because of-" Again, he was cut off be a low chuckle, and his fist hit an expertly placed palm, much to his annoyance. "I was supposed to be there a half an hour ago, you bastard!" He stuck his tongue out at the sniggering teen, crossing his arms with a huff. "I'm late." Now, he was speaking calmly, something Sasuke found infinitely entertaining, for some odd reason.

Sasuke spoke in the same tone of voice, though in a way that made the green-eyed teen feel like he was a child getting punished, "Today is the festival to celebrate the banishment of the Kyuubi." He smirked at the confused expression on Shin's face, and something told him 'adorable'. "The Kyuubi was a giant fox demon that destroyed Konoha and killed many of our shinobi 16 years ago. The 4th sealed the monster. Everyone's thankful." He was musing, because no matter where he looked, he couldn't find where the Kyuubi had been sealed. "We're glad the monster was finally put away."

"Yeah." He glanced at Shin, surprised because of the soft voice he used. Why would Shin seem…sad, almost? He hadn't…Well, he probably didn't remember what happened, so why would he care? The fox had done terrible damage to Konoha! Why was he wondering anyways…?

"Anyways, since the festival is going on, we get a day off thanks to Tsunade-sama's generosity. Since we have enough ANBU, we can all patrol the edges of the village an hour each. I finished my hour." He slipped his shoes off, stepping near the silent boy, "And I'm taking you for the rest of the day."

"Wait…" Sasuke tilted his head to the side, before slipping past the prone male. "I have to spend the whole freakin' day with you! Mister I-have-a-stick-up-my-arse!" There was a groan that followed the supposed insult, and Sasuke snorted.

"Yeah. The whole day. Boo on you." Moments later gasping laughter was heard, and he turned around to see Shin doubled over, a wide grin on his face and nails digging into his side.

"You did not just say 'Boo on you'! You, the untouchable Uchiha! Ha!" Shin tried to straighten up, but only started laughing again at the startled and miffed look on the object of his laughter. "Man, I hear Teeny-Boppers say that kind of stuff!" Shin eventually straightened up, but not without the occasional snort or snicker.

"Anyways," He continued, crossing his arms and glaring at the amused boy. "Since this is a festival, we're wearing Yukata's. Since I highly doubt you have one of your own, you can borrow mine." Sasuke's face changed from irritated to wistful to irritated in a matter of seconds, "My mother made sure we all had black Yukata's with a blue, red, or green trim on each. They all have Uchiha symbols, so you're going to have to suffer with being branded as one of mine for a day." The sharingan-holder smirked at the choice of words he used, solely because he knew it would piss the other off.

He was right, too. "I'll never be anything of yours you bastard!" Shin was fuming, arms crossed and glaring at the teen before him. He held back any laughter he might have, but nodded up the stairs. "Be glad I'm letting you borrow my Yukata. Now get upstairs. I'll be there in a minute."

OoOoOoOoOoO…..

Sasuke stared.

He stared, and he stared, and he tried not to laugh so hard that he would bust a gut.

Shin stood before him, a bright scarlet to contrast the green trim on the traditional outfit. The usual ankle-length garment reached a couple of inches above, and while the sleeves usually held about mid-forearm, they were reaching his elbows.

He couldn't help it. He started sniggering. "You look like an idiot." He scratched at this side, sore from trying to hold in all the giggles that were threatening to burst out. Uchiha's did not giggle.

Shin crossed his arms, wincing when even he could hear the material stretching around his back. "At least we know now I'm taller then you!" He grinned smugly at the other boy as soon as the shaking stopped, it being clear that Sasuke didn't believe this.

"The damn things probably just short! I could still be growing…Or something." He threw a disgruntled look at the short black yukata, and uncrossed his arms, before crossing them again. He wasn't accepting the fact that this 15 year-old idiot could be taller.

"How old are you, Sasuke?" Suddenly, Shin was in his face, and he took a step back. The retard was invading his personal space!

"17." He answered without thinking, even though he'd been keeping personal information secret since Shin had infiltrated his house. It seemed like a simple question, but…

"You're done growing, Sasuke." The grin before him was wide, green eyes squinted into half-moons. He looked like a trickster fox.

"I hate you." And they went over this over and over and over again, and it never changed.

"But I love you!"

He shook his head. Predictable. "It's almost 11:00. Just…put on some nice clothes or something." Sasuke turned, leaving a grinning teen in his wake.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo…..

"Where did you get that?" Dark eyes took in the view of the other resident of the house dressed in a pure black yukata, save the emerald green trim and obi. He had normal geta on, and he was grinning at Sasuke.

"Why ya wanna know?" He was still grinning. Idiot.

"Because this is my house, and you have the Uchiha fan on the back, and my…my own yukata's are too short for you." Why should he give an explanation to this…this idiot? He hadn't even wanted to admit that Shin was taller then himself, and here he was saying his yukata was too small!

Shin rolled his eyes, and threw his arms up in fake exasperation, his sleeves sliding down towards his shoulders. "Fine. I'll tell you."

'Finally.' He resisted the urge to think 'idiot'.

"Didja know that you have a lot of rooms in your house? Anyways, I was walking, because I was bored, and waiting for your pansy ass," Pansy ass? This pansy ass could kill him! "to hurry up, and I walked into this room! It was pretty weird, because it looked really…not used. But there were a bunch of clothes in the closet, a weird vest, and a hell of a lot of weapons!" Shin shrugged, and grinned at him.

"There was even a black cloak with clouds on it. It was cool."

Black cloak with clouds? "Where is this!" Panic seeped into his voice, eyes gaining an edge that only distraught feelings can bring. He barely heard Shin's directions as he ran to where he loathed to go.

He skidded in his desperation, grabbed the door frame and wrenched the door open. He stared, gaped at the material laying on the floor beside the open closet. The red clouds mocked him, sneered that this idiot had let an Akatsuki member into the house.

He stumbled on his way to the floor, crashed on his knees only to realize that his hands were on the damned clothe, and jerked away as if he was burned, because how the hell was this here?

He did not whimper, of course. He just cursed his mind for spinning out of control like it had., like it was.

"I guess this is a bad time to mention somebody that looks like you has come in the past few months?" A weak voice called behind him, and his hands started shaking at these words.

How could he? How could he let the bane of his existence creep in, steal his shadows and happiness? How could he let him come right under his nose? He was strong enough! He could beat Itachi now! How…?

He could feel the sharingan coming, and he tried to stop it, he really did. He shook from the strain of trying to do so.. He couldn't though, not with the knowledge of what had slipped in and out without him knowing.

Then two arms slipped around his back, rested in his stomach, and a cheek was pressed to the back of his neck. "Common, Sasuke! Don't freak out on me now, please?" A pleading voice, soft and interrupting, entered his thoughts. He vaguely remembered a similar situation, something exactly like this.

Was this worse then last time?

He stood up, his eyes settling into coal black again, though his fists were clenching and unclenching again and again. It was what remained of his earlier rage, and thankfully, the only thing that remained.

"It's 12:30. I'll be back in 3 hours, and we'll go out to celebrate." Parting words, and Sasuke was gone.

OoOoOoOoOoO…..

There! Done, chapter 8. Albeit shorter then the last one, it's a hell of a lot shorter a wait, huh? XD So there! You guys told me to write fast, so I did!

(Don't remind me the last time it updated was in January T.T)

On another note, my birthday's tomorrow! Whee! XD February 28th. I was gonna post it then…But I doubt you people would rather have it then. X3

So there. I'll start the next chapter!

Notes:

(1) Ahou is another form of idiot (I think )

Yukata's…Eh, I only had pictures to go on XD Forgive me!

I'm done basketball season X3

…I will leave without a review plea, for once!

….

Did you really believe me? XD Please read, review, and leave constructive criticism and/or flames!

…Or else the review button will eat my brains.