Another one. I need to write while I remember my ideas. However, I think I'm moving way too fast...

Chapter 4: A Word.

Sasuke was lying in bed. After the eventful visits during the afternoon. The young Uchiha had much to contemplate. He used the remaining of the quiet time he had to think. Not brood. Not that there was much difference. Mostly the raven thought about Sakura's words.

"Naruto needs social interaction and fresh air and so do you…"

No matter how hard Sasuke tried. He couldn't get those words to leave him alone. He understood that Naruto needed those things. What Sasuke didn't understand was, why he, of all people needed those things. Sakura knew full well about his ambition. She knew. And he knew she knew. Surely his former teammate understood that he needed to forsake those things. Surely she remembered that they were on two different paths? He also noted that Sakura hadn't made any advances on him like usual.

There wasn't the usual squeal, "Hi Sasuke-kun!" or the random hug from nowhere.

'Maybe she finally got the picture?' thought Sasuke.

Sasuke yawned and turned on his side. He was now slightly sleepy. After a few minutes sleep won the battle.

Sasuke was walking along a forest path. His hand was gripping a smaller hand. When Sasuke turned to look at who it was, he was disturbed to find that it was Itachi's hand. His older brother looked to be about 8 years old.

"What? What's going on?" the older raven asked, fear creeping into his voice.

"Foolish little brother…" replied Itachi but his voice lacked venom. If anything the child seemed amused and a little sad.

The scenery suddenly changed and Sasuke found himself falling into a dark void.

"Sasuke…" said a voice.

Sasuke knew that voice. It was Naruto's.

"Sasuke…how could you do this?" it asked sorrowfully.

"Naruto. I had to! Dobe don't you understand!?" Uchiha replied.

"How could you betray us!" Naruto's voice roared, "How could you! How could you!" the voice kept repeating.

Sasuke screamed, "Shut up!"

Sasuke tried to run from the voice but it was no use. Then Kakashi appeared in the darkness. Naruto's voice fell quiet.

"Those who break the rules are scum. But those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum…" Kakashi said, "You broke the rules and abandoned your friends…you are the most wretched trash I have ever taught."

"I had to!" Sasuke shouted.

Naruto's cries jolted Sasuke awake. The youth bolted upright and panted. His forehead sweating. Sasuke wiped his forehead and looked over at Naruto.

"I guess I owe you for waking me…" Sasuke sighed. However, that thought was replaced immediately as soon as he noticed the odor coming from the baby.

"On second thought…I would rather hear you and Kakashi insult me." He muttered.

Naruto kept crying. Sasuke got up and picked up the ex-genin. He headed toward the bathroom and filled the tub with water after undressing him and throwing away his diaper. As always, Sasuke was quiet as a grave. His expression showing what appeared to be disinterest. In the beginning everything seemed to go as usual. But Naruto decided to try and lighten the mood. The infant was bored and being held and stared at wasn't enough anymore. He had toys but he just wanted Sasuke to smile at him and play with him. He had enough of playing on his own.

"Naruto!" growled Sasuke, which made the blond giggle.

Naruto giggled and kept splashing him. Sasuke cursed and went to get a towel to dry the dobe and finish this off. Naruto used this as an opportunity to try and crawl out of the bathtub. But it didn't go too well and he slipped and hit his head against the floor. A mighty cry came out of his mouth. Sasuke stopped what he was doing raced toward the bathroom.

"Naruto!" Sasuke half yelled and half growled.

Sasuke examined Naruto's head carefully as he scooped him up in his arms. The kyuubi was already healing Naruto though the Uchiha was at a loss as to what to do. 'I shouldn't have left him alone…baby or not it's still Naruto. What should I do?' Sasuke tried to think about what to do to make Naruto stop crying. The answer came from his encounter with Kakashi the first night he brought Naruto home.

"…He needs affection. Not just getting his butt wiped every few hours…"

Sasuke paled. 'No. There is no way-'

"Waaahhh wahhhh!" Naruto's cries effectively cut off Sasuke from his thoughts.

'Damn you Kakashi…' thought Sasuke as he sighed in defeat.

"Shh…Naruto…" Sasuke whispered. His voice broke. This was the most embarrassing thing he had ever done. For crying out load Naruto was his teammate! The Uchiha began to awkwardly rock the infant. To his relief Naruto began to quiet down. The bump in his head began to go away. Sasuke rocked until Naruto started to giggle and babble.

"You are…so much trouble Usuratonkachi," Sasuke murmured faintly. His mouth twitched up on its own accord. Naruto responded by pulling Sasuke's side bangs. At this Sasuke glared slightly. He went on to dry Naruto and place him on the crib. The blond was dozing off.

"That was a nice job Sasuke,"

Sasuke froze and turned around. Kakashi was leaning casually against the wall. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at his former sensei.

"You better not speak a word Kakashi," Uchiha seethed.

Kakashi nodded, "I won't," he said, "I see you finally decided to follow my advice."

"Only when I need to," stated Sasuke stubbornly, "Beyond that nothing more."

"Oh boy," Kakashi chuckled silently, "That's going to be hard considering Naruto's personality." He murmured.

"Why are you here Kakashi," snapped Sasuke.

"I'm here to tell you that you can train again. Jiraiya and I spoke with Lady Tsunade and we think you need to at least practice taijutsu in order to defend yourself or Naruto if something were to happen in the future. You're probably rusty from being a stay at home 'Dad'. We know you have the Uchiha style already but it will help to train and practice others as well. And no, before you get any ideas, you are not free. "

"Who will train me," asked Sasuke ignoring Kakashi's remark about the Dad thing. He was clearly annoyed though.

"Maito Gai," stated the Jounin, "good luck Sasuke,"

Kakashi disappeared before Sasuke could demand why such an idiot was chosen for him. Sasuke cursed and went to bed.