Chapter 7: A Pretense

Sasuke's eyes opened slowly. He looked down at the baby in his arms and remembered yesterday's events. He carefully untangled himself from the infant and sat in bed. Sasuke heard Naruto whimper from the loss of contact but otherwise he kept on sleeping. The sound brought to memory the look in the dobe's eyes. For some odd reason, the Uchiha did not like the idea of Naruto being afraid of him. To Sasuke, it was confusing and bothersome to feel things like this.

Sasuke's main priority, consciously, was still to kill Itachi. Sasuke thought he would find some closure after defeating his brother. He thought it was his duty to avenge the clan. The only way he could, was to gain power and foster his hate. Just like his brother had told him all those years ago. But how could he with these feelings?

The Irony was, that despite the fact his brother slaughtered their clan, Itachi's opinion still mattered to the young teen. It never occurred to Sasuke to distrust his brother and find another way. Even now, the concept still eluded him.

Sasuke looked at the window outside, it was early morning. The sun was rising and the birds were starting to chirp. The raven got up from bed and headed to the kitchen. He took out baby food and waited for Naruto to wake up. He made himself tea and settled in his living room couch.

After a few moments later Naruto began to cry. Sasuke sighed and put his cup down. The raven picked up Naruto and felt the wet diaper. He changed the infant and then headed to the kitchen with him. He put some baby food on a small plate and set it on the table then Naruto on the high chair.

A few weeks ago Kakashi had brought him a package of mashed food for Naruto. The Jounin said that Naruto needed to eat something more or less solid. Not only the bottle. Sasuke had dismissed this since that meant he had to spoon feed him. Feeding Naruto the bottle was easy and quick. 'And less messy. But…if I don't take care of the idiot properly I'll get chewed by Tsunade and Sakura.'

Sasuke held the spoon in front of Naruto's mouth. The blond stared at it confused. Naruto looked up at Sasuke, his blue eyes meeting the onyx ones.

"Gah ehehhe," Naruto babbled cutely.

Sasuke found it very hard not to smile. Even if it was the ghost of a smile. The Uchiha's face wasn't used to smiling. Smirking and scowling, yes, but never smiling.

'What is wrong with me all of the sudden?! I have to regain control of myself and remember my objective' Sasuke scolded himself.

Sasuke was beginning to form an emotional connection to Naruto. Not that he didn't already have it, after all Naruto used to be his teammate and rival. But this was a little different. The raven still felt resentment but the feelings were being replaced gradually.

Unbeknownst to Sasuke, each day that passed a tiny bit of the icicles in his heart melted.

Sasuke was dazed. Naruto took the opportunity to be naughty and smacked the spoon out of his hand. This took Sasuke out of the confusion.

"Oi Stop that Naruto," Sasuke scolded, frowning. He picked up the spoon and washed it and returned quickly. Naruto only giggled.

Sasuke took another spoon full of the mashed food. He tried several times to feed him, but Naruto thought this was a game. The Uchiha became irritated quickly.

"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke hissed.

Naruto's bottom lip poked out. His big cerulean eyes became watery. Sasuke's eyes widened slightly as he realized what he did. The same feelings from yesterday came back. Naruto began to wail. Sasuke felt himself panic but his face remained mostly unchanged. The raven quickly searched for the answer.

"Love and affection"

The words popped into his head almost immediately. That didn't mean that he liked it. But he could pretend. All he had to do was pretend. 'Just focus on Naruto and what is needed.' He thought.

"Hey…Naruto," Sasuke said. The next words killed a little bit of Sasuke's pride, "I..I'm sorry…" but the apology wasn't enough. Sasuke forced himself to scoop the blond in his arms. The Uchiha awkwardly patted his head.

Naruto looked up at him with scared eyes and Sasuke felt his stomach drop.

"Dobe, I didn't mean to scare you," he found himself saying before he thought it. He was disturbed to find that he did in fact mean those words.

'Pretend…pretend I'm just pretending.' Sasuke said to himself repeatedly.

Naruto calmed down a bit after that and gave the raven a big Uzumaki smile. Sasuke could only grimace.

Shizune entered the Hokage's office, holding a few scrolls in her hands. "Tsunade-sama I brought the documents you requested, and Gaara of the Desert is here to speak with you"

Tsunade turned around. The chair made a slight squeak as she did so. The blond Senju nodded. Yesterday, After Kakashi left, Tsunade told Shizune to swipe the documents pertaining to the Uchiha Clan Massacre. She wanted an inside look at Sasuke's psychological reports and the event itself.

"Thank you Shizune. Bring Gaara in,"

Shizune nodded and bowed before exiting the room. She came back a few moments later with Gaare behind her. The red head looked at the Hokage impassively.

"I take it," said Tsunade, "that you are concerned about Naruto's welfare up to this point correct?" the super strong female entwined her hands and put her chin on top.

Gaara simply nodded. He was one of the first people-aside from Kakashi, Sakura and Tsunade-to see Naruto after the retrieval mission. The young man said his thanks to the blond even in his current condition.

"Well," Tsunade sighed, "the brat's growing normally. I have not found any cause for this phenomena as of yet. Even Jiraiya. We are all stomped for the moment. Uchiha Sasuke is still Uchiha Sasuke" at this Tsunade grimaced.

"Has Sasuke Uchiha been any trouble?" asked Gaara.

"Hm, aside from the attitude and his obsession with his brother things are fine," answered Tsunade, "but he lashed out in blind anger yesterday and left Naruto in the care of his former comrades. The kid has serious issues." Tsunade rubbed her temple.

Things were silently for a while before Gaara spoke. "May I see Naruto Uzumaki?"

"You can," Tsunade said, waving a hand dismissively, "not sure if the Uchiha-brat will allow you to get too close. But you can."

The Hokage looked at the window outside. Wondering how Naruto was.

Sasuke finally got Naruto to eat. It took a while, since Naruto was a very energetic baby. Currently, he was cleaning up the blond's face. His focus on the task at hand.

"It looks like no matter how old you are you're still a messy eater..dobe.." muttered Sasuke as he finished.

The Uchiha was about to put the cloth in the trash but a knock interrupted his actions. He cautiously walked toward his door. He turned the handle and pulled the door ajar. He was surprised to see Gaara of the Desert. The Uchiha's eyes narrowed into slits. The recent memories of the Chunin Exams came to the surface as well as the invasion.

"Gaara of the Desert," he said coldly, not trusting the redhead.

Gaara nodded. He studied Sasuke for a few minutes before speaking calmly. "The Hokage has allowed my visit. I am here to see Naruto Uzumaki."

"Why would she do that?" questioned Sasuke.

"I have changed. I do not mean any harm Uchiha-san," replied Gaara, "besides…I could ask the same thing of you. Why would the Hokage choose to allow you such freedom…"

Sasuke grit his teeth. The bastard was right. "…fine come in," muttered the raven.

Gaara stepped inside the apartment. He could feel Sasuke's eyes digging holes in the back of his neck. He walked over to Naruto who was still sitting on his high chair, Sasuke close behind. Naruto looked up at Gaara and squealed raising his hands up as if asking to be held. Sasuke didn't fail to notice this. It annoyed him.

"May I hold him?" asked Gaara quietly, in awe at the innocence staring at him.

Sasuke nodded. "Only for one minute."

Gaara carefully picked up the baby as if he were made of porcelain. The redhead was afraid to hurt the boy or scare him. Naruto giggled and hugged Gaara around the neck affectionately. Sasuke felt a sudden need to protect Naruto from the person holding him. The only explanation Sasuke came up with was that Gaara used to be a killer. In the back of the Uchiha's mind, he knew there was another reason. But Sasuke did not let the reason surface.

'Bah!" Naruto squealed as he pulled away and clapped his hands.

Sasuke was about to demand that Gaara hand Naruto over, but Gaara interrupted him before he even opened his mouth. "He is very important to you is he not?" he asked quietly.

Sasuke suppressed the urge to gape like a fish at Gaara's observation. He also felt the need to say no. No of course, Naruto was not important.

"Naruto is a means to an end," Sasuke said frigidly making sure to not look at Naruto, "as soon as my punishment is over I am leaving him with someone else."

"You say that," Gaara mused, "but is there truth to it I wonder...can you leave him again…?"

"What are you talking about…" Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he grit his teeth. The boy did not want to acknowledge Gaara's words.

Gaara didn't reply. Instead he handed Naruto over to Sasuke. Naruto snuggled up to his guardian sucking his thumb. Sasuke couldn't ignore the rush of satisfaction and gladness at Naruto's actions. But, he frowned at them.

"Sasuke Uchiha…" Gaara said calmly, "You know what I am speaking of."

The sand shinobi walked toward the door swiftly. He put his hand on the handle. "One more thing Sasuke Uchiha…" Gaara informed, "do not let your hatred blind you. That is one of the many lessons Naruto has imparted to me during our battle in the forest. You can choose another path…"

With that, the sand ninja left the apartment, leaving Sasuke standing like a statue. His face contorted in a glare.