I was noticing the huge amount of sakura blossoms that were blooming near the academy.

"Shut up Naruto and just eat it!"

This tree has always helped me turn all the problems I face into nothing but small things.

"No! It's disgusting! I'm not eating it! Do you want me to die!"

But today, it's different…

"I want you to live that is why I am making you eat it!"

Because he is here with me, today I don't have to worry about being alone and thinking about it alone I have him with me.

"Likely story if you like it so much why don't you eat it!"

It's all because of him I don't need that tree anymore.

Sasuke growled as he pinned him down the spoon of soup in his other hand while Naruto tried to fend him off though he had one leg propped up and one arm in a cast the other immoveable due to the arrow wound, "Open up!"

Naruto turned away then suddenly gasped in pain causing Sasuke to instantly revoke his hand in caution of causing him pain. Tears hinted the corner of his eyes causing a wave of guilt to wash over him as Naruto lifted his bandaged hand to his left shoulder. He reeled in pain while Sasuke asked suddenly putting the food down, "Naruto! Are you okay!"

He grinned still gripping his arm tightly turned away from him slightly so he couldn't see his shoulder the tears remaining at the rims refusing to fall, he spoke in a constricted voice, "Yeah, I'm fine no big deal. I can handle it."

He reached out carefully to lay him back down, "I'm sorry."

He grunted turning back his eyes half lidded so he could only see the white causing him to reach out to his shoulders and shake him a little his voice quivering, "Naruto?"

There was no response as he lifted his hand feeing a warm liquid, looking he saw blood, Naruto's blood. Turning his eyes widened to the size of saucers as he looked to see the blood flowing from his shoulder, how long had the stitches been torn? How long had be been bleeding? He yelled suddenly seeing Naruto beginning to seizure, "Naruto!"

Holding him down gently so he wouldn't hurt him any further, turning he saw a cloth and quickly wrapped it thickly and put it across his mouth so he wouldn't bite his tongue off. Screaming suddenly he called, "Doctor! Help!"

He repeated his screams suddenly as the door bursts open running in groups of white coated people. They took his place quickly as Sasuke was pushed back towards the couch to which he fell on his body sprawled as he stared at the trembling body on the bed. Everyone held him down as the Doctor continued to ask the cause and short answers replied that didn't make sense.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning he saw Sakura looking at him concerned with Rock Lee besides her, those two had actually gotten married, he was surprised at first but then again he was thankful. Sakura wore her Doctor's coat over her shoulder whispering, "Sasuke."

He hated that voice, that sad voice while Rock Lee spoke holding his wife's shoulder kindly, "Sakura had to tend to Naruto now since he is his most recent doctor. I'll fill you in on some things outside, let's go."

Sasuke looked back whispering threateningly, "I am not leaving Naruto."

Sakura took a moment slipping on her coat and running into the crowd. Lee whispered to him seriously, "You are only going to get in the way, lets go outside and we'll be called if anything happens."

Turning back he decided he was right, walking out he realized he had grown just as tall as he had. Turning away he sat right in front of the room on the floor causing Lee to stop and turn from the direction of the waiting room. He called seriously, "Sasuke, come on."

He growled looking up, "I'm already out here just be grateful."

Lee walked over squatting in front of him. He looked at the door, "I know you and Naruto care about each other greatly but you must allow them to work please trust in them."

Sasuke lifted his head to him then growled turning away. Lee sighed itching the back of his head smiling brightly rivaling Gai's smile greatly, he whispered, "Do you remember the day we found out Naruto left?"

He stopped jumping suddenly, "What does that have to do with anything?"

He turned away, "You were worried, you thought that maybe he had gone to get back at you or kill himself, you even though he was going with Gaara or some kind of next evil mastermind."

Squinting his eyes accusingly he asked, "What's your point?"

Smiling he spoke, "You were mad at him for leaving and when he came back you were even more angry at him because you saw he had changed, you didn't want him to change. You love him Sasuke."

Suddenly blushing he backed away looking away with a cough crossing his arms, "You're crazy he's an annoying little twerp, we're just friends and hardly that! We're both guys!"

Lee started laughing then suddenly jumped slamming him against the wall, "You attempt to convince yourself! Do not waste your youth dabbling! You fight for it! You admitted did you not when you left that he was your best friend! You were not there to see Naruto when he returns from those days that look on his face! You have no seen Naruto shed tears! Much had happened! When he left it was not for revenge did you know he did it so he could come back and if you tried to leave again maybe he thought he could stop you, he was willing to die for you and everyday he still does! He loves you whether you notice it or not. Perhaps he himself is in denial."

Sasuke froze then pushed him away averting his eyes. Pounding his hand into the wall he walked away slowly his hands in his pockets. He walked towards the guest while Lee smiled turning to look into the glass window showing the room. Sakura seemed weary yet she turned to him and smiled. He smiled in return to her his hands in his pockets, "Yes its youth Sasuke…where you find love."

Sasuke sat in the room with casual people sitting around, the sick feeling of death and worst case scenario sprouting around the corners. Everyone so intent on their own problems instead of others, in a weird way he felt relieved.

Shutting his eyes he leaned back remembering he hadn't gotten a goods night sleep for 3 nights since that was when he found out Naruto was hurt. Furrowing his eyebrows to wipe out the sick thoughts to Naruto crying and the looks he had gotten the day that Sasuke had left him in such a frail condition, he hated leaving him like that. He hated himself for such a long time.

Swallowing hard he turned his head away pressing his hand between his eyes remembering the day Naruto had left.

Flashback

The morning mildew blew in a gentle breeze through the window, he was sleeping, he was tired and me retuning from Orochimaru's grasp so soon ago he had not at all gained the trust of the others. The only person that had vouched for him was Naruto; Sakura alone was next to Naruto holding onto him as if he had become her older brother.

He remembered it well sitting there shackles and chains on him Naruto standing in front of him Sakura stealing small glances while still holding on to him in a way in insecurity. Tsunade gave looks of disgust as did the others those looks Naruto had received his whole life.

Turning he saw Naruto looking at him with that smile, that same smile. That smile that it was okay and he was such an idiot. After everything he did he still helped him after all those injuries he caused to him and everyone else almost he was still getting that smile.

Naruto was risking his life his whole reputation for him and he didn't care. In any case Tsunade allowed it yet Naruto had to do something. That gave him the worst sinking feeling as he heard her say that he would have to do the community services for his damn bad judgment he was still smiling though and yet Sasuke was only left to ANBU supervision for a couple months.

Sakura smiled to him for the first time after and stood to talk to him. It was awkward as he watched out of the corner of his eyes while they took the chains away Naruto collect all the information and the looks and the causal hits on the head for his stupidity. Kakashi had set his hand on Naruto's head and said a few words with Iruka then walked towards him just when Sakura finished, "Naruto had trained had with Jiraiya and left me while you were gone I got stronger and he did too, he hasn't stopped training at all he said that its because he blames himself…he never blamed me or you for not telling about the curse mark or anything."

Dropping her head she gripped her arm and turned seeing Naruto call to her and with Lee next to him. She had told him while he listened with one ear that Naruto was taking care of her and looking out for her and also Lee and her had been hanging out since Naruto asked him to look after her when he couldn't, he had become protective. Sasuke snorted at the thought then turned to see Kakashi looking at him. He had trained also yes and he had gotten stronger yet then he looked and saw Kakashi smack him across the face. He fell to the ground attention becoming drawn.

Naruto ran over quickly bending down next to him in the same kid like naïve way, "Stop it Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi stared at him while Iruka stood his ground, "Naruto you cannot just allow such decisions to go unnoticed, now come here."

Sasuke pulled away from him quickly causing him to flinch yet he stood looking at Kakashi whose eyes softened staring at Naruto. He bent down a little his hand on Naruto's shoulder a smile on his face, the smile he once gained yet lost soon enough. Sasuke whispered, "I don't need your help."

Kakashi whispered something to him he didn't catch and then walked away giving one last glance to Sasuke. Naruto turned, "But you're getting it…I managed to save your house…they were going to tear it down…but I did everything I could."

He looked at him then grunted walking away the ANBU officers following suit. Naruto shifted his eyes seeing everyone look at him and then turn away. He took a moment then nodded seeing Jiraiya walk towards him, "Are you sure this is the right decision Naruto?"

"Yes."

Setting a hand on his head he shrugged, "I'm not sure about this."

"Come on sensei he deserves a second chance."

"Let's just hope he doesn't blow it."

Sasuke had remembered standing outside and seeing that but not understanding it but then he returned to lying in his bed. He turned his head and just then he saw the color orange. He rubbed his eyes seeing Naruto standing there looking at him and raised his hand in a gentle wave the same wide smile on his face yet then he blinked pulling himself up and looking around out the window asking himself where the dobe went.

He shrugged it off thinking he was imagining things laying back down. The next thing he knew though as he went back to see Tsunade under her calling him she was screaming and people were running in and out of her office the ANBU officers stations at his home were gone and everyone was rustling around she seemed to be on caffeine. She swallowed turning to him, "Uchiha!"

Arching an eyebrow he walked forward asking, "What's going on?"

"Naruto is missing!"

He froze his chest heaving heavily asking, "What do you mean he's missing he was just here yesterday!"

She opened a map pressing her hand to her head shaking a little showing treaded mascara. Shaking she whispered, "Jiraiya said when he went to his home everything was gone and there was a note where he said he was leaving and…"

Before she could finish she broke down into tears. He ran towards her his hand slamming against the table, "What do you mean! He can't just leave!"

"He just left! Didn't you hear me! We don't know what happened! Kakashi and Iruka are off looking, Gaara has sent in note that he had seen no traces and he said he would be looking also!"

Gripping her head he whispered, "You think he went with Orochimaru?"

"He's dead so I am guessing something else something evil."

"Naruto wouldn't do that!"

"We could have said the same about you a couple years back couldn't we!"

There was a silence when suddenly into the room skidded an out of breath Lee, Neji, Sakura, and Hinata they all spoke bending down to get a deep breath, "We couldn't find him!"

Tsunade looked to the crystal ball seeing it smudged with smoke. Lifting it she set it down, "it wasn't working before it was hazed now I hope…"

Sasuke loomed over her shoulder worry striking him as all his suspicions were quickly shot down. He looked in and saw Naruto standing there long traces of dirt flying near him like waves. His back was to them as he turned casually as if he could see them yet then suddenly he saw Kiba and Shikamaru standing there watching them.

Sasuke skidded forward whispering, "Naruto wouldn't hurt them what is he doing?"

Sakura pressed her hands together Lee holding her tightly in security. Tsunade looked and saw Naruto's hands glow. He spun in circles his hands running against the first causing a cyclone and then as it disappeared he was gone.

Hinata voiced softly, "he didn't hurt them! What is Naruto doing then if he doesn't want them to be hurt?"

Sakura whispered nearly collapsing, "He's going to train."

Tsunade jumped, "He's trained to nearly the death if he does anymore he'll die!"

Lee turned, "He is trying to fight for something."

Sasuke defended, "he had nothing to fight for."

There was a suddenly group of glares directed towards him and Kakashi and Iruka stepped forward, "he came to us, we found him before he disappeared he spoke to us with a clone and told us that he was going to be fine…I wouldn't worry Naruto is no longer a doubtless idiot do remember that."

Iruka grunted, "When I get my hands on him."

Sasuke looked to them seeing the glares disappearing. Furrowing his eyebrows he whispered, "So what happens now?"

"Naruto finished everything that I was going to assign you to do as punishment…you're lucky."

He flinched turning away and leaving no one caring to stop him.

End Flashback

Sasuke suddenly jumped looking around seeing had had fallen asleep. Looking around he wiped his eyes seeing it had gotten dark outside. Jumping he realized that Lee was laying on the couch near him sleeping.

Sakura had her head against the coffee machine pressing for a cup while Iruka and Kakashi stood outside speaking with Tsunade, it was dark still he suspected what they were speaking of and stood. He turned seeing a group of people leaving; he was guessing they had visited him while he was sleeping.

Rubbing his temples he stood seeing Sakura jumped half of the coffee spilling out of the two cups, "Sasuke you're awake!"

He nodded seeing her walk and sit next to Lee's sleeping form. She set a cup down and turned to her husband, "Lee."

He opened his eyes yawning and pulling himself up while she handed him the cup. He smiled thanking her seeing she was sleepy he supported her with an arm. Sakura whispered, "You are wondering about Naruto?"

He nodded sitting back down while she glanced to Tsunade, "It seems that his wounds are healing now but his body is in strain it wasn't your fault you see the fox inside of Naruto, its ripping him apart from the inside out, something is happening. He's sleeping and some portions of his body has healed but the internal bleeding keeps coming off and on, at this rate I doubt he'll be able to stand none the less move his body due to this rupture."

He glared at her suddenly causing Lee to explain, "But don't forget the same thing had happened to me where I was near death, I am not too worried. I am thinking he'll be fine."

Sasuke turned to him and glared also remembering how Kakashi had told him what happened to him, "But a demon inside you is not doing this to you now is it."

There was once again a silence while Kakashi walked in, "You're awake good, I suggest you go home now, Naruto hasn't woken up yet."

He glared to his sensei their relationship had been tethered and hadn't seemed to return to normal as he spoke seriously, "I'll be fine, I can stay here."

Iruka sighed, "Sasuke you have other duties your cell is not going to wait."

"My cell will be fine I gave Ruin command while I am gone and for Naruto's cell I heard that Gaara has been kind enough to lend us a cell for help."

There was a moment of silence when Tsunade spoke seriously, "You lose the attitude and start taking care of yourself before you plan on caring for Naruto, if you plan on staying I'll give you paperwork to do."

A sly curve of the lip threatened him but he nodded seriously turning and heading to the window of Naruto's room seeing the sign that wouldn't allow him in. His eyes widened as he saw that he now required breath support and the wires attached to his chest and his arm made him think insecurely yet he kept it to himself.

This reminded him of that time he sent Naruto to the hospital. Now as he thought of it had been thinking of that more than any other thought today.