Part Three – Wind

I woke up, forgetting for a single moment what had happened. I wasn't in my own bed. Why was the air here so cold? Then I remembered – I was in Konoha, and Sasuke had returned to take my love away from me.

I raised my head blearily, trying to determine where I was. I had no memory of finding somewhere to stay the previous night, and yet here I was, in a bed of cool white linen. I was also warm, dry, and dressed in someone else's bedclothes, as I discovered when I lifted up the sheet.

I looked around, and saw my clothes on a chair at the foot of the bed. My urn of sand was also propped against it. The room was empty except for me. I was alone, as usual.

I swung my legs round and climbed out of the bed. The floor was wooden, and felt smooth under my feet. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something orange and black, and turned to look at it. It was Naruto's jacket, hanging on the door of a small wardrobe. I wondered briefly why it was there before going over to the wardrobe. I pulled it open – and realized where I was. It was full of Naruto's clothes, weapons, and training gear. I was in his house, in his room… I had slept in his bed…

A knock at the door caused me to spin round, heart beating faster. After a moment it opened, and Kakashi stood facing me.

"Ah, thought I heard movement," said the famous copy ninja. "Well, Naruto left me here to tell you he's with Sasuke, at the hospital."

My heart lurched. He was with Sasuke. Of course.

"How…" I began. "How did I get here?"

"He found you." Kakashi's mask moved as he spoke. "You were unconscious, so he carried you back here."

"And…" I looked down at the clothes I was wearing, almost unwilling to ask. "Who…"

"That was him, too." Smiled Kakashi, as he pulled a book from his pocket and began to read it. "I couldn't… this eye remembers everything in detail…" With that, he chuckled and withdrew into another room.

I quickly changed into my own clothes, and left Naruto's borrowed pyjamas folded up on the bed. He had dressed me? How embarrassing…

I decided to go to the hospital, thank Naruto, and leave Konoha for good. Now Sasuke was here… I had no chance. I had to get out, before seeing them together drove me mad.

The storm of the night before seemed to have abated, though there was a strong wind blowing through the trees. Large puddles soaked my boots as I splashed through them. I looked up, to the famous Konoha monument – the faces of it's Hokages carved into the rock. Tsunade stared down over her village proudly.

As I looked, my eyes were drawn to a flash of light on the top of the rocks. A few seconds later, and I saw it again. Drawn to the mysterious light, I began to walk towards it. After a while I realized I would never see the source unless I was much closer, and began to run. The distance was deceptive. Eventually I stopped, gathered as much sand as I could around me, and floated up to the edge of the monument. The easy transport was one of the few benefits of carrying the sand round with me all day long.

From my new vantage point I saw a few blurred colours in the direction of the flashes of light. I looked closer. Blue and orange. It was Sasuke and Naruto.

I began to creep towards them, forgetting any sense of morals or dignity. My jealousy towards Naruto drove me onwards. I crouched beneath a jutting outcrop of stone and watched them, close enough to see the expressions on their faces. The wind was wild and powerful now. It whipped their words away from their mouths and flung them away, in the wrong direction for me to heat them. I could not get around them without being seen. I resolved to watch.

Naruto was shouting something, and Sasuke looked troubled. He was wrapped in bandages and carrying a crutch, but seemed strong enough to move easily. For a second I thought they were fighting, but then I saw the look of worry and pity on Naruto's face and knew it was more. As I watched, Sasuke made a quiet reply to Naruto's yells, and Naruto fell silent. After a slow moment Sasuke's face seemed to cave inwards. I drew a sharp inward breath as I realized he was crying. The great, aloof child ninja of the Uchiha never showed this much emotion. It was unheard of; it was rare for him to even smile.

Naruto stepped forward over the short distance between them and embraced him. Sasuke wept on his shoulder as Naruto tried to sooth him. After a short time they both sank down to the ground together, still locked in each others' arms. I had seen enough. I got up and ran.

I had been foolish to ever dream of love. A kage's duty is to his people. I had no time for selfish matters. Gaara of the Sand is always alone.

Heheh. So, how'd you like it?

The next chapter will be up shortly, and is from Naruto's perspective.