HEY GUYS, READ THIS

Okay first of all, I'd like to say that I'm really sorry about how long it took to update this. I had a lot of studying to do for exams, but as of last Friday I AM FREE! Can you guys believe summers finally here? It doesn't even feel like summer. After that, the last few days have been really rushed as my family and I are preparing for a trip. First vacation in like seven years, yayayay!

Lol and that's the second thing I wanted to mention. Due to my trip this story may not be updated for about five or six weeks now. So I'm sorry to anyone I keep waiting, but hey, look at it this way, I'll have lots of time to write while I'm on the plane and sitting out in the sun heheh. I just wont be able to post it yet.

Just wanted to let you guys no, that no I am not done with writing these one shots,. I still have lots of ideas and I'd like to thank all of my followers and reviewers. I'll try to get another one of these out there before I leave, but I don't really think it will happen so just bare with me.

This one isn't really my favorite. I found it kinda hard to write and I don't really like it very much but I thought I should put something out there for you guys. Later I might do another one that follows the same story line, but we'll see.

Let me Know what you guys think.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Masashi Kishimoto except for my own original story lines and ideas

Enjoy, Read, and Review


Sasuke's Heart:

#4. Broken Walls and Strengthened Promises

By. Twilaliars798

It's difficult to look at someone and not immediately judge them by the way they look, speak, or act. The way they look at you when you talk to them; when you walk by. The way they speak to you when you say hello for the first time. The way they turn their backs when someone strange comes into the picture.

It's not difficult to assume that the girl across the street wearing that expensive new brand name three hundred dollar dress is a rich spoiled brat. It's not time consuming to assume that the cute boy across the street, with all the beautiful girlfriends is a rotten player. And it's not difficult to guess that the arrogant, top of the class jerk has no life.

In reality, that girl you despise so heartily has to work two jobs so that her family can eat. The dress had been a gift from her high class boss on her sixteenth birthday. The boy across the street lost his soul mate in an accident three months ago. And the nerd jerk; he throws himself into his work every day because before his father died two years ago he had promised him he would become someone important. Someone who didn't have to slave in the hot sun for hours every day, picking up other people's trash.

But nobody knows that. Nobody knows what's really going on in another's life. Nobody cares what's truly going on behind all that they see in front of them. Only those who have suffered experiences that have changed them forever can truly look behind what they see. Can appreciate all they have. Can look at a person and understand what they're going through. However, even they have a problem.

They think that no one can ever suffer more than themselves. They are going through the worst kind of pain, while someone next door is suffering the most, or someone in the next town, or city, or across the ocean.

This was a lesson Kakashi had been forced to learn long ago. When he'd lost everyone he'd ever held close to his heart in the matter of a few years. When he'd through no one could possibly be hurting more than himself. That wasn't a notion that lasted too long. He threw himself into his work. Threw himself into his erotic novels. And threw himself into anything that drowned out his pain. Anything that would honor his late team, sensei, and father. It was his own fault, and he just had to deal with it.

He would do anything to distract himself. Anything to keep himself busy…until he packed up at the end of the day, and headed to the memorial stone where he would sit for hours. Talk to his friends, his family, his team. Tell them about the day he had, his new team, his teacher's son, his problems, how much he missed them, how sorry he was, how wrong he'd been. The tears had stopped coming long ago, but that didn't take the guilt away with them.

Because of his experiences, he started to learn about the suffering of others. Began to see behind the walls that each person put up. Began to understand what was behind the curtain. And come to love his young, raven haired student with all his heart.

It wasn't that he didn't like the other two as much. He loved them both with everything he had. But he had a special kind of love reserved for the small boy. A special bond that he didn't even understand to the fullest. All he knew was that every time that the boy trained, every time he looked at them all and declared that he was an avenger, every time he would "humph", mope, or growl, his heart would clench for a moment and he'd wish he would stop. Sit down with them. Slow down for a minute. Talk to them. Stop hiding behind the wall he'd put up. Stop throwing himself into his training. Stop pretending and be a child for a while.

Sasuke hid well. He was good at what he did, but Kakashi was better. Others couldn't see what the boy was hiding. It's like they didn't even remember that he had watched his role model kill his family over and over again at only seven years old. They only wanted to bet on him becoming the next prodigy. Make money on the skill he picked up training so that his pain wouldn't consume him. So that he could take all his anger, and push it towards his brother. Trying to become enough to finally please his nii-san. The only ones satisfaction he thirsted for while he'd already pleased so many.

Now Kakashi ducked as Sasuke executed a perfect side strike at his head, followed by a chorus of punches and kicks at the joints.

Behind them he could hear Naruto and Sakura sparing- or arguing about something trivial again.

"Good Sasuke, but watch that forward strike. Tomorrow we'll work more on your speed." He told the boy, grabbing his ankle when he aimed to kick his chest again. He could feel the immense power behind the blow but the kid didn't seem as focused as usual today.

"Switch with Sakura now. I need to work with her taijutsu." Sasuke nodded slowing down his breathing, but his eyes were off. He didn't seem to truly be with them. Either he hadn't gotten enough sleep last night, or something was really bothering him.

Unlike usual, he'd gotten to the training area after both Sakura and Naruto today. A whole twenty minutes later than usual. Both kids had been shocked. He was usually already wide awake, looking perfect and ready to fight by then….but not today. He'd gotten there with dark circles under his eyes, hair slightly wilder than usual as if he'd been rolling around, and with slow heavy steps. Whatever was keeping him up didn't seem like it was something that he was used to.

Sakura had gasped, running over to him and asking him what was wrong. When he'd noticed the two of them, they both physically saw him shake it off. He shook his hair, straightened his back, and let that awful blank look take over his face again. His wall.

"What?" He'd scoffed. "I'm fine."

Both of them shrugged him off with worry in their eyes.

Now Kakashi called across the field as Sasuke headed towards his teammates.

"Sakura Switch!"

She stopped trying to pound Naruto and quickly turned back.

As Sakura passed Sasuke when she made her way across the field, she looked up at his face, a little shocked to see him staring down at his feet with a blank expression, instead of glaring up at her like he usually would.

Naruto, as knuckle-headed as usual didn't think twice about how Sasuke had come in looking like crap this morning. He had a big grin on his face as he punched his fist in the air shouting "Yeah, Sasuke! I'm gonna beat your ass so hard today you won't even see what hit you. "

By this point, Sasuke had reached his side of the clearing. "Humph. We'll see dobe." The signature smirk lit up his face as he slid into a battle stance.

"Let's go"

Kakashi watched the two from across the field as he had Sakura practice her kicks against the trees surrounding them. He wouldn't say anything but he was worried about the last Uchiha. He had never seen him like this before-it just wasn't normal.

As he lifted his head and smirked at Naruto, slipping into a battle stance, Kakashi could see the effort it took him. Others wouldn't see the moment's hesitation in his step. Hell it had taken quite a while before he was even finally able to read the boy. Everything was smooth as he slid into a sparring position. He had an angry gleam in his eye. Something powerful, something feral. It was the most emotion Kakashi had seen on his face all day; and he had no idea what to think of it.

"Sensei? Sensei!" In his daze Kakashi hadn't realized that Sakura had been standing in front of him for the last minute calling his name. Not the smartest move for a ninja. Behind him, the tree that she'd been fighting had been knocked down to the ground. She must have used chakra to do that. Sakura had potential; she just had to stop using all her energy to focus on her little crush on Sasuke. The girl was beautiful, but the boy had made it clear that he wasn't interested time and time again. He was just too focused on his training, and that wasn't really the type of attention he needed right now anyway.

"Sensei!" She finally full out yelled at him. He caught her fist in the air as she threw a blow at his head.

"Sorry Sakura." He said turning to look at the fallen tree behind him. "Wow. See what you can do when you're not so busy fighting with Naruto or following Sasuke around. "

"Actually Sensei," She said sitting on the ground and crossing her legs as she stared out at her teammates. "That's what I wanted to ask you. Is Sasuke okay? He just- something seems different today. Something seemed different since we got back from that mission last week. Is-is he maybe still sick or something? He's not about to have another attack is he?"

I sighed as I looked down at her. I could see that both she and Naruto had noticed him acting a bit off lately. Naruto had chosen to ignore it, hoping it would just go away and he could find a way to cheer him up but Sakura was different.

After his asthma attack last week he had been quite embarrassed all the way back to Konaha. About his panic and the way he'd reacted, about having the mild problem in general, and about the hugs he'd submitted to afterwards. No one saw him differently but having everyone see him like that had made him blush scarlet every time he met a pair of their eyes. That was a big thing for an Uchiha. Sasuke always glared at everyone and anything he wanted to head on.

After the embarrassment wore off he'd calmed down a bit. Mostly going back to his usual self, but he was a bit different. A bit slower than usual, a bit quieter than usual, and a bit more secluded than usual. Kakashi wasn't surprised the others hadn't realized what was going on, even after what he'd told them last week, but he was also surprised that Sasuke had gotten down to this level.

"Sakura, don't you remember what happened when Sasuke realized what day it was last week? Do you remember what I told you the next morning?"

She looked up at me with a blank expression for a moment. She seemed a bit confused.

"You said that Sasuke had been upset to realize what day it was…..it was…it was a week before the anniversary of the Uchiha clan massacre!" She gasped in realization. Her eyes becoming shiny with unshed tears.

"Oh God poor Sasuke. Is that what this is about?"

Kakashi nodded slowly. "I don't know for sure of course, but yes I think so. Sakura don't say anything to him. He doesn't want pity. Trust me I know how he's feeling right now and your pity will only make it worst. We just have to make it known that we are here for him even if it's not in obvious ways."

"He looks like death right now. He obviously hasn't been sleeping but Sensei it's been five years. I wouldn't think that it would still affect him like this."

Kakashi shrugged. "You never know what a person's really going through Sakura."

She looked back out at her team mates. She could see the anger in Sasuke's strikes. He and Naruto seemed to be immersed in quite a fight; each blow hitting stronger than the last.

"Umm…sensei?"

She asked but he had already lost focus in their fight all over again. Kakashi was worried. He knew Sasuke was angry. Knew that he was upset and tired right now but the workout he was giving Naruto at the moment was worthy of a jounin. It was like from the moment he'd left to go fight Naruto to the moment he was standing in front of him at the ready, he had built up all the energy and anger left in his body and it was now all blowing up along the field. This wouldn't end well.

Despite the power behind his strikes, Sasuke still didn't seem focused. He was letting the anger take over and determine his every move; always a dangerous situation for a ninja to put themselves in. He was unfocused, hardly any thought in his mind, other than what his goal was. At this current time, it seemed to be beating Naruto into a pulp. However, Naruto being Naruto was doing quite well. He was probably used to fighting when the emotions took over. That's just what made Naruto, Naruto. He was holding his own against Sasuke despite what everyone thought about him not being strong or smart enough. Kakashi sighed in relief as he saw Sasuke confidently throw a massive fireball at Naruto but clenching his teeth in realizing that he had only hit his shadow clones. It took a moment for Kakashi to find the real Naruto hiding in a tree behind Sasuke.

He turned back to Sakura Knowing that they'd both be fine for now.

"Okay Sakura, lets spar."

She stood slowly, her eyes not leaving the boys quick moving forms.

"They're really going at each other sensei. Are you sure we shouldn't stop them?"

"Yea they're fine for now. Sasuke's not thinking strait enough to actually do anything fatal to Naruto and Naruto wouldn't hurt Sasuke. If it gets any worst I'll stop them but you need to be training too."

Both Sakura and Kakashi turned to each other, Sakura taking on a defensive position, Kakashi longingly patting the pocket where he kept his make out paradise for a moment before he said "Begin."

Meanwhile Naruto's eyes widened at the fireball Sasuke had just thrown at his clones. What the devil was he doing? This was supposed to be a training spar, not a full out battle.
When Sasuke saw that the fireball had hit nothing but shadow clones, Naruto saw Sasuke freeze in his tracks for a moment before he himself had jumped out of the tree he'd been hiding behind.
Immediately, he went on attacking Naruto with every move he had in his book.

"Sasuke what the hell are you doing!" Naruto shouted at him as he stuck a blow to his chest that had him lying on the ground. He quickly got back up to the angry smirk on Sasuke's face. What had happened? Sasuke had been exhausted since he'd arrived at the training area twenty minutes later than usual. He'd been kind of out of it all week. Always quiet, speaking only when spoken to, and training a little ways away from the group at all times. Where'd this energy come from? It was like…like he was actually trying to kill him.

"Sasuke what are you doing! I know you know what sparring is and this isn't sparing. This is….this is…"

That's when it happened. Kakashi and Sakura both stopped and turned as they heard the sound of a thousand birds echo through the arena.

Naruto froze, shocked for a moment. He couldn't possibly be…

"Chidori!" The sound of Sasuke's voice broke his thoughts. It only took Naruto a moment to regain his composure.

He saw everything as if it was moving in high speed, Sasuke running at him, his arm ablaze, Kakashi running towards them both from across the field, and Sakura frozen in her spot as she shouted "Sasuke!"

Naruto ran. He ran, strait at Sasuke at a speed Kakashi didn't even know he had. The lightning blade aimed straight at his shoulder before at the very last moment….he ducked. He ducked so that the chakra just missed the top of his head and gave Sasuke a blow to the stomach that had him flying back. Back into the trees and branches behind them. You could hear the sounds of small branches cracking as he was pushed through them before the load slam of his body against the truck of a massive tree about five meters in and the sound of all one thousand birds coming to an end.

Everyone froze in their position for a minute. Naruto wide eyed and breathing hard, Kakashi shocked still for a moment and Sakura with unshed tears in her eyes before they heard the sound of Sasuke's loud groan.

He sat frozen at the base of the tree, his eyes wide, his heart racing, and his mind and body frozen.

The sound broke Naruto out of his shocked silence and the sound of his

"Sasuke!" awoke both the others so they were able to follow him into the trees, running to catch up in time to see Naruto bending down in front of the boy who'd just tried to kill him.

"Sasuke? Sasuke are you okay?"

Sasuke's mind registered that Naruto was speaking to him. His mouth was gaping open trying to say something but all's that came out was another small moan.

"Sasuke?"

His eyes seemed blurry and unfocused but he was finally able to look up at them all; looking at each face in turn. They were all staring, surprised expressions glued to their faces.

What had he just done?

Looking back to Naruto, his heart beat sped up. He'd just tried to kill Naruto. He'd had lightning blade at Naruto's chest. He'd just tried to kill his best friend. He'd just almost fatally injured his eternal rival and best friend.

"Na-Naruto." He whispered weekly. His body and mind were both throbbing with exhaustion and the pain of crashing through all those trees.

"Naruto. I-I…"

All of them watched his lips move but Naruto had to move even closer to him to actually understand what he was saying.

Kakashi knew that Sasuke was weak and injured but he didn't expect Naruto to trust him enough to be that close to him right after what he'd done. What had he just done? The Sasuke he knew would never do anything like that. But then again, the Sasuke he knew was capable of anything and was usual driven by hate to a degree where all of Konaha thought he could even beat Orochimaru instead of being a thirteen year old still in training.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I-I don't know what came over me….I just, I-I-I."

At this point his voice had gotten stronger, enough so that the rest of the team could now hear him stammer the words out like a broken record. That's when Kakashi finally exploded.

"You're Sorry!" He yelled pushing Naruto out of the way to get right in the boys face.

"You're sorry!?" He grabbed Sasuke by the collar of his shirt, pulling him up so he was still with his back against the tree but his feet were off the ground. Supported only by the grip Kakashi had on his shirt.

"Foolish boy! Would you still be sorry if your teammate was lying on the ground, bleeding all over the training field right now? Would you still be sorry if he was dead! What the hell was that Sasuke? I told you when I taught you that jutsu that it is to protect you and your friends, not used against them! And that was not sparring! I told you guys to spar, not full out battle to the death. If Naruto hadn't been smart enough on getting out of the way of all those near fatal attacks you made…if you had actually been thinking strait do you know what could have happened!? Do you know what could have happened?! What the hell is wrong with you brat?"

"Sensei." He heard the sound of Sakura's sweat voice behind him and took a deep breath before looking back at them with fire in his eyes. Both Naruto and Sakura couldn't help but take a step back.

Sasuke's chest was heaving with his heavy panting

"I-I-I" he stammered weakly but Kakashi dropped him before he could finish. He landed with a hard thump at the base of the tree gritting his teeth before slowly trying to get back up.

"Kuso!" Kakashi whispered. Great, now while he'd been trying to talk to Sasuke, he'd managed to scare them all. He didn't want any of them to be scared of him; he wanted them to trust him. To feel safe with him- Sasuke above all. But in reality, what Sasuke had just done deserved a lot more than the yelling he'd just gotten.

Kakashi's eyes softened a little when he saw the frightened glances of his students as they stepped back and he shook his head, trying to clear his head for a moment.

He watched Sasuke trying to take a few steps before he actually registered the sight. Naruto had already gone to help him stand up straight as it seemed he was having difficulty doing so without the support of the tree. Sasuke in turn had his teeth clenched together, his eyes squinted.

Kakashi walked over in time to catch and ease him to the ground when Naruto let go.

He didn't say a word as he pulled Sasuke's shirt over his head before running his fingers over his exposed back and ribs. It seemed that Sasuke hadn't been eating very much in the last week.

He put even pressure along the bones hoping there weren't any breaks but quickly lost hope when Sasuke hissed in pain as Kakashi got to his lower ribs. He pushed down a bit harder when he did that, trying to locate the source of pain. It seemed the kid had sustained two broken ribs, a very bruised back, chakra burns on his hands, and from the way he'd been walking, a sprained ankle.

"Fine then, just hang on." He said as turned back to where he'd been training Sakura. He'd need a first aid kit.

Meanwhile, Sasuke's heart was dropping lower and lower at his teacher's cold demeanor. He deserved it, but he couldn't help it when he saw his sensei's usually kind eyes looking down at him like that. God he must hate me, he though in fear.

He knew he deserved it. He knew he deserved worst at what he'd just done and that's what made it so bad. How could he have done that? A shinobi never lets his emotions take over and he had felt such serge of hate, of anger that he didn't even realize when it had passed over him.

Now that it had passed, all the exhaustion, pain, and hunger of the last week was hitting him full force. He just wanted to sleep.

"N-Naruto." He said quietly to the boy still sitting in front of him.

"I really am sorry. I had no intention of hurting you. It-it was like something possessed me to do that and-and I lost control. You-you know I'd never do that." The Uchiha whispered, swallowing up his pride.

Naruto looked over at Sakura for a minute, then back at where he could see their sensei heading back to them with his blue backpack in hand. Despite what they may have thought, he remembered exactly what Kakashi had told him last week. He chose to not say anything about it so as not to hurt him further but Naruto knew what this was about. He had seen the look in Sasuke's eyes when he'd gotten there today, seen the change in him while they were fighting, and saw the thoughts running in his head about a thousand mile's a minute. Had Kakashi forgot about all that?

"Don't worry Sasuke." He said with a big goofy grin on his face. "Next time just warn me before you go all I'm going to kill you on me."

Sasuke sighed, the usually contagious grin not having any affect on him now. He just nodded as Kakashi knelt down beside him again, pulling out some gauze.

He wrapped Sasuke's ribs tightly as the genin winced and clutched onto the grass when he got to the worst of it. Then he took out some kind of cream, rubbing it gently along the palm of one of his hands and the thumb and forefinger of the other. Instantly he felt the effect as it soothed his burning skin. He then quickly wrapped those up with some bandages and moved on to wrapping his ankle.

No one said a word as this was done and no sounds were heard other then cloth against skin, crickets and birds in the air, the breathing of team seven, and Sasuke's occasional gasp or whimper of pain.

Kakashi was done quickly but could easily see how uncomfortable Sasuke felt, not daring to look up at his face. Kakashi's anger had died down slightly at the little boy's whimpers but he didn't spare him a second glance as he turned to Naruto.

"Are you all right? He didn't hurt you?" He asked him gently and Sasuke let the sound pull at his heart strings as he closed his eyes a moment. Kakashi hated him. He was mad at what he did sure, but he hated him.

"No sensei I'm fine "He said as the man took Naruto's hands into his own to look for chakra burns. If anything that's where he'd be injured the most as he really hadn't had too much rough impact and he seemed to be functioning alright.

There were only a few burns at the palm of his hands but Kakashi put the cream on them anyway as the others chose to watch silently.

When he was done he turned back to putting everything back in his bag without saying a word. Awkwardness filled them each in turn as they just stood there.

In his mind, Sasuke saw his father walking in the door as he came back from work.

Both Itachi and Sasuke who'd been playing in Sasuke's room came running to the door.

"Father, father!" They both cried as they tripped over each other to welcome him home.

They both ran in for a hug but Itachi got there first jumping into his father's arms.

Fugaku laughed wrapping his arms around his eldest son. "Itachi!" Before he looked down at Sasuke indifferently. "Hello Sasuke."

"How was your day today father?" Sasuke asked as the big man took off his shoes; however it went unheard as he was already in conversation with Itachi.

"What did you do today Itachi? Helped your mother out, I hope?" Sasuke heard him ask as he put his father's shoes to the side and trailed after them silently.

"For a little while but then I was too busy helping Sasuke out with his training. He wanted to work on his kunai and shurikan throwing. You should see him now dad. It took a while but he can hit almost every target now."

"Yea, yea dad! You want to see? Itachi taught me a new trick so that all the blades will meet the red circle point" Sasuke said catching up to them. He got excited again to the talk about his training.

"Sasuke slow down." Fugaku said when he came skidding to a halt beside him. "It's called a target and I've told you that many times. Until you get it perfect you keep practicing. Then you come call me to see." The man said gruffly before turning back to his eldest son riding his arm.

"Already going around teaching your brother." He said smiling fondly. "That's my boy."

Sasuke's body shook. He didn't know where the memory came from but wasn't surprised. Flash backs came to him a lot every year this week. However he felt a flood of emotion at hearing his father's voice, seeing him walk away from him then turning to see Kakashi turning back towards the arena.

He stood on shaky legs, both anger and sadness overwhelming him. "If we're done today, I think I'll go." He said turning to the opposite direction. Kakashi stopped in his spot for a moment. Sasuke wished he would turn around so he could see his eyes for just a moment. So that he could try to decipher what he was thinking but when he spoke, but Sasuke didn't need to.

His voice was hard and cold, as if it froze with each step he took.

"You're all dismissed. Sasuke you should go get some sleep, I think you need it."

It wasn't concern in his tone but pure frustration. He never wanted to hear Kakashi talk to him that way. He wanted him to turn around and hug him right now. He didn't know what came over him but he wanted him to turn around, tell him it was okay and that he forgave him. Now he was glad Kakashi was facing the other way or he would have seen his eyes shine with tears he wouldn't shed.

Kakashi waited a moment before continuing forward, across the field and onto the street. Sakura and Naruto stared after him in shock.

What was he doing? What had gotten into their teacher for him to act that way? Sure what Sasuke had done to Naruto was bad, but Kakashi was never that cold towards someone, never yelled like that, and would absolutely never walk away from a comrade in pain. And they both knew Sasuke was in pain. They could hear him grunting as he struggled to walk back to his house.

Wait, that's right! He was still trying to walk back to his house!

At the realization Naruto and Sakura forgot about their teacher as they turned to catch up with him. Naruto quickly reached him, taking Sasuke's arm and putting it around his own shoulder for support. Sakura made a mental note to check his house for some pain killers when they dropped him off. He wasn't hurt too badly but both Naruto and Sakura couldn't believe their sensei would just let him try to walk home or just stay in the arena with his ankle hurting the way it was.

Had he completely forgotten what he'd told both Naruto and Sakura last week? Had he forgotten his promise to Sasuke?

As Naruto walked Sasuke slowly out of the forest, Sakura beside them, none of them missed the tears in his eyes as he lost himself in though once again. It was the second time they'd seen him even come close to crying but there was no way he was going to let himself break down now.

It was a slow walk with Sasuke hardly paying attention to what was in front of them. He didn't say a word and definitely seemed to be avoiding their gazes. As soon as they got there he let go of Naruto to pull the key out of his pocket, but they saw him wince at the movement. Wow something was definitely bothering him if he was submitting to their help.

Sakura unlocked the door for him and they walked in, setting him on the couch. He stared down at his lap, his hair covering his face as he sat there silently.

"Sasuke do you have a medicine cabinet? Where do you keep all your medicine? Is there something I can give you?"

He looked up at them, eyes still shiny. "Kitchen cupboard over the sink." He muttered and Sakura was off.

His cheeks were flushed when he looked back up at Naruto.

"I really am sorry." He muttered. "I just-I just heard so-my brother's voice. Everything he said to me that night, and –and "the strain in his voice as he tried to speak without tears falling had Naruto amazed. The proud Uchiha reduced to tears?

"Really Sasuke, I told you it's okay. I know you're going through something right now, just don't worry about it. You know what, if you want to make it up to me in some way then you can treat me to some ramen when you feel better….and if you want to talk Sasuke…you can talk to me." He added the last part there onto the end, a little uncomfortably.

Sasuke gave a chuckle –the most normal thing Naruto had seen him do all day- and shook his head. "Dobe."

At that Naruto's face lit up and Sakura ran back in holding a small bottle and a glass of water.

"Here Sasuke." She said "There really isn't much but I found some Tylenol for the pain. Its non drowsy if you feel like taking it."

He nodded holding his hand out to for the too pills she shook into his palm then took the water, gulping them down. Hopefully they would take effect soon because his ankle and ribs were starting to become unbearable. How could crashing through a few trees cause his back to hurt so much?

"Arrigatou." He muttered.

The two stood there as he pulled his legs up onto the couch laying his throbbing head against the cushions and they sensed the exhaustion taking over him. The pills may have been non drowsy but they could see how tired he was from when he gotten there that morning.

"Alright Sasuke." Sakura said "Are you going to be alright here alone? I promised my mom I'd be back by five."

He nodded, scoffing quietly for a minute. "It's my house Sakura, I'm sure I'll be fine. Go, it's already five thirty. Naruto you too."

Sakura bit her lip, and her she turned to the door followed by Naruto. This was good. If he was kicking them out of his house with no shame, he was becoming the old Sasuke again.

"Okay then we'll see you later Sasuke"

"Later teme"

As soon as the door closed behind them Sasuke sighed in relief. They we're gone. The exhaustion that had filled him just moments before completely left his body and he opened his eyes, wide awake.

"Itachi you bakayarou!" He shouted to the empty house and the dam broke letting the tears he'd been holding back all day flow down his cheeks.

"Why'd you have to let me live? I'm going to kill you."

.

..

...

...

...

Kakashi punched the wall of the ally he was walking through, the bricks pulling some threads from his gloves.

"Kuso, Kuso, Kuso!" He whispered to himself over and over again. He couldn't believe the nerve Sasuke had to try and use the chidori on Naruto. How the hell could he do that? He was upset at what the kid had done. Disappointed in his behavior, but more ashamed of what he'd done. He'd let his anger at him take over, been so cold to the kid, almost bashed his head into a tree, and left him standing there in the clearing with his injures. Yeah, he'd treated his wounds, but he hadn't been gentle, and he hadn't said a word to the kid as he did.

Then he'd just left him there. Left him there on the grounds. Forgotten everything he'd previously said to him not even a week ago.

He knew Naruto or Sakura had probably helped him back to his house but he felt an immense guilt in his heart at how he'd left him. He knew Sasuke was scared right now, hurt, upset. The boy never showed any emotion and the fact that he had been all day was enough to let anyone see this. Sure he deserved punishment for what he'd done but Kakashi knew that now wasn't the time for it.

Not on the day his clan had been killed.

...

...

...

..

.

Sasuke sat there, letting the tears soak through the couch's cushions. He wouldn't sleep cause then the nightmares and memories would take over, and he wouldn't move, then the pain of his injuries would take over.

As much as he hated to admit it, he wanted Kakashi. He never admitted he wanted anyone, never admitted he was lonely, or scared, or upset, but right now, he wanted Kakashi; the person he knew would never come.

He wanted him to show up and tell him it was okay and tell him that he'd be there for him like he'd promised.

He didn't want to talk to Naruto or Sakura, it just wasn't right. He couldn't believe the dobe had actually offered to talk to him today; he'd had to laugh at the look on his face when he'd said it. He was so obviously uncomfortable and that just made the situation worst.

God he really did have no one. Usually that didn't bother him, but today, all week, the memories locked up tight at the back of his mind, only meant to fuel his anger at his brother were haunting him to no end. He just wanted Kakashi to hold him like he had last week.

In his mind, he could see Kakashi's cold glare. His rough fist holding him against the tree then probing his aching ribs and back. He could hear his voice, like icy shards, yelling at him.

"Foolish boy!" before the image changed.

The silvery, gravity defying hair went limp and dark, the cold, dark eyes became red and black, and the shortish muscular figure became taller, leaner.

"Foolish brother, if you want to kill me, then blame me, hate me. And live on in shame. Run and run. Cling desperately to life. Then, one day, come before me with the same eyes I bare now!"

The same words he'd heard today before the anger engulfed him. The same words that have been haunting him night after night. Why couldn't he have been stronger? Why couldn't he have done more? Why couldn't he have stopped Itachi from killing them? Killing them all? Why did Itachi have to let him live? Why couldn't he have left someone with him? Mother had nothing to do with this. Why couldn't he have left her? If he'd left her, maybe it would have been more bearable. Or maybe not…what difference would it make? His brother would still be gone, a traitor. Someone he'd have to kill for revenge.

Something would happen to her sooner or later and he'd just be alone again.

Maybe it was good that Kakashi didn't want to see him anymore. Maybe it was good that he hated him. At least if he hated him, Sasuke wouldn't have to watch him grow old and die before him. Leave him alone like everyone else. Maybe if his team hated him, he wouldn't last long enough to see them die either. He would have no back up on their missions and he would just get himself killed. Why couldn't he have just died on that bridge when that Haku boy had him? Why did he have to suffer?

No one could understand. All they wanted was to see how strong he was. Prove that he was stronger than that guy, or the next guy was stronger than him. What the hell did they care whether he lived or died? At least when he died it would be alone right? With no one to cry over him, or have nightmares about his dead bloody body. No one to have flashbacks of him laughing and smiling with them, no one to set roses on his grave, and no one to miss him.

No one would have to cry like he did. No one would have to hide their emotions every day. No one would have to suffer. What if he just died right now? Who the hell would care? Why was he living again anyway?

"Foolish brother, if you want to kill me, blame me, hate me. And live on in shame. Run and run. Cling desperately to life, then one day, come before me with the same eyes I bare now."

The words rang over and over in his head as his body shook with the sobs he produced.

He had attacked his teammate today; his best-no only-real friend. He had attacked him and almost killed him. He deserved to die. He almost killed an innocent kid, his own teammate.

Why couldn't Itachi have just killed him?

"Foolish brother, if you want to kill me, blame me, hate me. And live on in shame. Run and run. Cling desperately to life, then one day, come before me with the same eyes I bare now."

But Sasuke couldn't hate him. He hated him for leaving him all alone. Hated him for pretending all those years. Wanted to kill him, but didn't hate him. He harbored all his anger towards him but couldn't bring himself to hate him and that's why he couldn't kill him. Not yet. He wasn't strong enough yet. He just wasn't fricken strong enough yet!

The sobs were getting painful now and that's when he lost it. He lost it right there.

"Ahhhhhhgh!" He screamed out all his anger.

"Kutabare Itachi! Moka-moka su-su! Buk-Korosu."

He was pretty sure the whole world could hear him but right now he couldn't care less. Let them arrest him for all he cared.

"I'm going to fucking kill you! I hate you! I'm going to kill you!"

The pain and despair was completely overwhelming him. All the agony of the past week. The past year. Every year, five years. It overwhelmed him so much so that he didn't even hear the sound of his front door opening and closing until he heard a load gasp.

"Sasuke!" and the warm strong arms around him.

The familiar smell engulfed him and he turned his head, sobbing into the man's rough jounin jacket.

"Sensei!" sob "Please!" sob "I don't want to die!" sobbing "Don't hate me, please don't hate me!"

Kakashi's heart stuttered a moment.

"No Sasuke I don't hate you, shhh, you're okay." He whispered into the boy's ear soothingly running his hand through his unruly hair.

"Shhh Sasuke." Kakashi couldn't believe what he was seeing.

He'd been almost home, just unlocking his door actually before quickly realized what he'd done today, quickly realized he had to go see the boy right away; but never thought he would come to the house to see this. This was phenomenal. This was amazing. And this was heart breaking.

When he'd first heard the sobbing and load swearing-things Kakashi didn't think would be very appropriate to repeat but very colorful none the less-outside the boy's door he had thought he was being attacked or something, rushed into the house without a second thought, but didn't expect this.

"Kakashi please. I'm sorry! Don't be mad!"

"No Sasuke shhh, I'm not mad. I was disappointed with what you did, but I'm not mad anymore. Shh it's okay. Don't cry!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

The sobs shook his body so much that an outsider would probably assume he was having a seizure. God, he didn't know that what he'd done to the boy today would affect him this much. Never thought he would do this. And hated himself for breaking his promise to him. He had said he would be there for him. Said it would be okay and he would be there for him no matter what, but then hurt him in the worst way possible. Abandoning him when he needed him most, even if he didn't even know it himself. And now he was sitting here. Sitting in his lap, crying against his chest, and apologizing.

"No Sasuke, shh I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left you there today. I knew what today was. I knew you were hurting and I still left you there. Treated you like you were nothing. I'm sorry."

He had the boy's attention now. He had pulled back from his chest when Kakashi had started apologizing and was now staring up directly at his face, tears and snot running down his sweet features.

The features of a thirteen year old boy. And this look, this expression of grieving was something that should never be on a thirteen year old boy's face. That awful, agonizingly dead look in his eyes that held all the fear and pain of the last five years. All the confusion, and guilt, and loneliness.

"I'm sorry. I said I would be there for you and then I fricken hit you against a tree, yelled at you, and left you in the field with a broken ankle and-and. I'm sorry Sasuke, yes I was mad, and yes what you did was wrong but I should have never done that to you. I didn't even ask you what had happened. I just assumed and I'm sorry. So sorry."

Sasuke once more buried his face against his sensei's chest, his sobs a little less violent now.

"I-I-I kept hearing his voice in my head. Today, before I was, before Naruto and me- before- It, it's been driving me crazy all week. Every time someone does anything the flashbacks come, and I hear his voice again. I don't want to see their faces anymore. Sensei it hurts, make it go away, please make it go away, please"

That hurt. That had Kakashi's eyes shiny and itchy in a way they hadn't been in a long time. He knew exactly what Sasuke was talking about. Understood him more then he could ever know.

He was hurting. Sasuke was hurting so much. He was hurting and he couldn't do anything about it but be there for him. Hold him close, talk to him in a way no one had ever spoken to him.

No one had ever been there when Kakashi had heard the voices in his head. Seen his best friend's face in front of him, felt his sensei's warm strong arms around him. No one had been there when he woke from the nightmares every night. The nightmares where he was staring at his father's body, dripping in a pool of blood. Where they all talked to him; told him how much they hated him, how it was his fault. He wasn't going to let his student go through the same. Not anymore. He wasn't going to let him suffer alone.

"Sensei it's my fault. It's my fault they're dead. Why couldn't I protect them? Why couldn't I do anything? I have to become stronger sensei please, make me stronger. I don't want to do it like Itachi but I want to be stronger!"

"Sasuke? Sasuke look at me." He said moving back a little so that he could take Sasuke's chin and tilt his face up to him. He looked him strait in the eyes, using his thumbs to wipe some of the tears from his cheeks.

"None of this is your fault. None! I don't want to hear you say that again. None of this has anything to do with you. You were a victim in this-you did nothing. Okay?"

Sasuke tried to pull away, shaking his head but Kakashi's hold was firm. His sobs had stopped but his tears still streaked loudly down his cheeks.

"But sensei it is my fault. I wasn't strong enough to protect them." He whispered.

"Sasuke you were seven years old, no one expected you to do anything!" Kakashi said a bit bewildered. What was the kid thinking?

"Sasuke you're immensely strong. You have to ignore what the village says about you. Ignore what people expect and just do what you think is right. You still have a long way to go and you have lots of time to get even stronger but right now you are already stronger than anyone I know. You show me that every day; both with your fighting skills and your attitude. It takes real strength to hold up that wall every day. To be happy, communicate with others, remain sane, take care of yourself, want to learn more and keep living. You do that every day, I see it. Sometimes it's good to just slow down a bit, let someone else take care of you for a while Sasuke. You are not week and this is not your fault."

Kakashi could tell that each word he said got through to the boy. He was hanging onto his every word and so he had to make them good ones. This kid depended on him, trusted him even after what he'd done to him today and that meant something. Carefully he let go of Sasuke's face letting his fingers wipe away some of the rivers on his cheeks. That wasn't necessary as they just kept coming and Sasuke leaned forward to wrap his arms around Kakashi, burying his face in the crook of his neck.

He could feel his genin's soft, hitched breath puffing against his skin; felt the wet, sticky skin rub uncomfortably against his own. It took him a minute to realize that Sasuke was saying something to him. Whispering.

"Sensei I don't want to see their faces anymore. I don't want to hear their voices. How do I make it stop? Please make it stop hurting."

He rubbed his back gently, pressing his face against Sasuke's hair.

"I wish I could Sasuke, I wish I could. I can't make them go away, but I can tell you that I can help loosen their hold on you. I can be here for you. I won't abandon you again like I did today. Even if I get mad at you, yell at you, I will always be here. I can also tell you that it will take time, but I promise they will go away. It will never really stop hurting but it will become bearable I promise." Kakashi whispered back to him confidently as he saw the images of the White Fang, Obito, Rin, and the fourth all smiling down at him.

He knew that this was what he was supposed to do. Helping Sasuke, being there for him, as well as all his other students was what he was called for.

"H-how do you know?" Sasuke asked voice shaking.

He closed his one visible eyes still buried against Sasuke's raven mop.

"Because I know what it's like Sasuke. I know what you're going through. Maybe not to the same degree but I know what you're going through. It doesn't feel like very long ago I lost my family too. My father when I was much younger then you, and then my team when I was around your age. After that all I had left was my sensei, but it wasn't even two years later that he sacrificed himself for the village during the war. I was left alone."

Sasuke's tears finally came to an end as Kakashi spoke. His teacher had lost everything too?

"I'm sorry." He whispered softly after a while. "What-what did you do?"

"The same thing that you do." He said gently. "I blamed myself. Trained, got stronger, as well as a few other distractions. But you know none of that really did anything but distract me. At the end of the day I would still go home and everything would just hurt twice as bad again. It did help to some degree but what really helped came a little later. What really helped was just listening to what others were trying to tell me. Listening to Gai, Asuma, and the third. To Anko and even Pakun. Just hanging around with them. It helped me realize a few things and they really did help me. They were the first people I started talking to unless I was on a mission. The first people I let see the real me. After that I guess were the first people I've actually let myself care about this much in a long, long time. They are you guys. They're team seven and I don't want them to have the same fate that my team had."

Not a sound was heard in the house after that. Nothing but the sound of the ticking clock and heavy breathing of the boy wrapped up in the man's arms. Kakashi's body shook slightly though he didn't know if it was due to his telling of his story or Sasuke's slight tremors; it didn't matter.

"Wow umm…I'm sorry Kakashi sensei. " Sasuke whispered tightening his arms around his neck like a child. Kakashi couldn't help but smile at the youthful gesture.

Youthful? He was starting to sound like Gai now, great. He again started running his hand up and down Sasuke's back soothingly. Neither of them said anything for a long time. Until again, Kakashi felt a few tears drop against his neck. Only a few drops-not anything like it had previously been.

"Sensei?" Sasuke broke the silence.

"Yes Sasuke?"

"Don't leave me. Please don't leave me like they did. Don't leave me alone."

Kakashi sighed. "I'll always be here Sasuke, whenever you need me. But one day when I'm not you're still not alone. You have your team. You have Naruto, and Sakura, and you know what? Even then, I'll be with you, even if it's not in the obvious way, I'm here."

"Promise?" He asked

"I promise."

After that they lapsed into silence again. Neither knew for how long, but it didn't matter.

It couldn't have been long because he soon felt Sasuke's body shake in a half-hearted chuckle.

"When Naruto and Sakura brought me home today, Sakura left to get me some water and Naruto, I could stop apologizing to him. After a minute he actually said that if I wanted of talk, he was there. He turned bright red when he said it to."

Kakashi couldn't help but let out his own snigger at the image of the bright blond boy saying that.

"Aw see, that's what I mean. Naruto always means well. He may not always do the obvious thing but he's always trying to bring a smile to everyone's face. You know I think he's known all day; he just doesn't want to say anything to make you feel worst. If you look he's actually been trying to cheer you up all week. And Sakura's sweat too, she's been worried since we got back last week"

Sasuke finally looked up from Kakashi's neck, looking up at him so Kakashi could see the swollen red eyes.

"I know. I know they mean well, but I just can't deal with it right now. I'm not the type to just bounce back from something I guess you could say. It may not seem like it but this happens every year. The nightmares start, their voices, the memories. I just can't stand there and listen to everyone joking around and trying to talk to me. I don't want their pity."

"I know. I know what you mean." Kakashi smiled down at him. "And you deserve the right not to have to. Just know that they too care about you Sasuke."

He nodded silently before grimacing slightly. "Thank you sensei."

"That's what I'm here for." Was all he responded smiling slightly. "Anytime."

This time when Kakashi pulled him into a hug, he didn't hug him back, instead pulling back slightly with a small moan,

"What's wrong? Are you alright?" Kakashi asked concerned.

Sasuke's eyes lowered.

"Tell me Sasuke."

"M-My ribs and back really hurt. Sakura gave me some Tylenol before she left but I don't think it's really helping." He said. His voice hinted to that of a moan. Low and strained but not just from crying.

"Oh that's right. I'm so sorry. Of course Tylenol isn't really strong enough to do much for you right now. Those bones must be killing you, hang on.'

Kakashi said rushing to get up. He felt even worst now. Poor kid his stomach must be burning with pain right now. He'd know grown men to be screaming with the pain of broken ribs. Unlike a broken arm, there really wasn't much you could do for them other than wrapping them up and pain killers. Unfortunately he hadn't given Sasuke any in his cold demeanor today.

He grabbed the small bag he'd dropped by the side of the couch and opened it to grab a small purple bottle from it. Then he zipped it back up and sat down beside Sasuke who clutched a pillow against his chest as if in his place.

"Here, Sasuke. These are much stronger. They're pretty much like the pain killers you get at the hospital put in tablet form for long missions. It won't take all the pain away but they should take a little more than the edge off. If they took all the pain away it may be dangerous to take when you're on the road, you know not being able to be completely aware of the injuries and such"

Sasuke let Kakashi put two of the tiny pink balls onto the palm of his hand. He knew he wouldn't even need any water for these. They we're like the tiny candy nerds that came with those lunch packs you could buy.

"Arrigatou sensei." He said taking them without complaint.

"No problem Sasuke. It should stop hurting soon." He said brushing the sweaty locks from the kids forehead.

"You know its six forty. I usually go to the memorial stone at this time for a bit. Talk to my team and dad for a bit if you want to join me." Kakashi asked hesitantly.

" You don't have to if you don't want to."

Any other day Kakashi knew that Sasuke understood that better than anyone. He did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted but he wanted to ask today, just in case.

There was only a few moments hesitation before his answer.

"Umm…sure…that sounds nice."

Great now he was stammering like Hinata.

"Come on then. Walking around a bit might make those pills work faster."

Sasuke stood, whimpering slightly and keeping all the weight off his left foot. Kakashi wrapped his arm around him, and then took Sasuke's own arm to put it around his shoulder. The height difference made it a bit awkward but it made both feel more comfortable.

The walk was quiet with no attention paid to them. Sasuke was comfortable with his teacher. He wished that he would be able to stay with him like this all the time.

He could feel the pain lessoning with each step he took and hoped that it would get better soon. He wouldn't be able to train like this.

"Hi guys." He soon heard Kakashi murmur and looked up confused for a moment.

Wow, they'd already made it and he hadn't even noticed.

Kakashi watched Sasuke as he let go of him and took a few shaky steps towards the large rock. Watched as he gently ran his fingers over a few names of Uchiha's that Kakashi doubted he'd actually known.

Watched as his swollen eyes once again filled with tears and he turned back to face his teacher.

"Sensei would it be okay if I…" he didn't finish his sentence, instead looking over his shoulder down the hill where a cemetery rested. Or he supposed he should say people's bodies rested in the cemetery.

"Of course Sasuke, take all the time you need. I'll be right here when you're ready." He told him gently then observed as the kid limped down the hill, and walked around aimlessly for a minute before sitting down at a stone grave covered in blooming flowers.

"Huh." He said sitting down in front of the stone crossing his legs.

"So Sasuke comes here often does he Obito? I never expected that, but who else would have laid those roses there."

A light wind picked up around him and he caught the sound of Sasuke's voice quietly talking below. The sound of his slight crying.

"If I had to guess, I would say that's his mother he's talking to." He said looking up at the stone. His heart stuttered a moment.

"I guess you saw what a mess I made with your cousin today. I'm sorry. I never expected him to be so…I don't know. You know about my temper. I knew he was hiding, hurting, but I didn't know he was hurting so bad. I think I did get through to him though. Am I doing the right thing with him Obito?"

When the wind gently tousled his hair he sighed, looking back down at his lap.

"I know I broke through his wall today…or actually I guess he broke it himself when he thought he was alone but, I helped. I know he'll already have it back up by the time we leave but I just don't know what to do. How do I teach him sensei? He's still a kid; I want him to be a kid, if anything just a little bit longer. Or maybe he stopped being a kid that night didn't he? That was stolen from him that night."

Kakashi turned to look back down at Sasuke's small figure. He could see his shoulders shaking and knew he was crying.

"It's not fair. Why is life so unfair? He's just a boy. Obito, Sensei, I love him. I love him like my own son and I will be there for him. I can't take it anymore. Watching him hurt himself, push himself. I finally got him to open up to me tonight and I want it to stay that way. I want him to know I'm here, whenever he needs me. I won't let him fall under Konaha's scrutiny like I did when my dad died. Nobody understands that the kid's not there for their entertainment, he's actually suffering. He's hurting."

"He's hurting and all they can do is bet on if he'll make it past the chunin exams or not. Betting on if he'll come out on top as rookie of the year. You remember when I was hurting? When I wanted to die?...I can't believe that I ever thought that. I guess no one is really ever suffering more than the next person are they? Everyone has their own pain to deal with weather it's a broken figure or a lost family member, but I don't want this kid to lose to that pain like I almost did. I promise Obito, Sensei, I'll do a good job with him; I'll take care of him as if he was my own, even if he doesn't see it. I won't hurt him like his brother did. Like his family did."

With that Kakashi fell silent. He could see Sasuke was coming back up to him but he wasn't quite ready to leave yet. He closed his eyes, sitting quietly in the wind, now blowing strongly around him.

He was completely shocked when he felt a light weight fall onto his lap and lean back against his chest.

The great Sasuke Uchiha was sitting on his legs, his head back against his chest and his arms wrapped around his own waist. Kakashi reached over, tenderly wiping his thumbs across Sasuke's now wet cheeks before wrapping an arm around his middle.

Both closed their eyes, scared for the future, upset about the past, and enjoying the present. Sasuke didn't want this to ever end. He was in his teachers arms, he wasn't alone, and this teacher understood exactly what he was going through. Maybe he didn't suffer through the exact same thing as he did, but he understood.

It was sad that it was pain that had to bring them together. That had to bring them to this understanding, but that was just how human nature worked. There was nothing he could do about it.

There was definitely going to be more pain to come but right now they both just wanted to forget about it and enjoy each other's comfort.

"I guess I'm going to have to take Naruto out for some ramen tomorrow." Sasuke said quietly, almost deliriously with a chuckle. "Will you come Sensei?

He didn't really understand what that meant but chuckled quietly to himself.

"Sure Sasuke."

"Good." He heard him say with a sigh. Then a moment later…

"Sensei will you stay with me tonight?" Sasuke asked as he felt his eyelids droop in exhaustion.

"Of course Sasuke. I'm here."

And at that, Sasuke let his eyes close.

"I-I love you otousan."

Kakashi's mouth dropped open in shock at the whisper he had barley heard as the boy clutched onto his jacket. His lips opened and closed for a minute as the air left him.

Then as he watched the boys breathing begin to even out, a small unseen smile formed on his masked lips.

"I love you too son." Were the last words Sasuke heard as he fell into the first comfortable, dreamless sleep he'd had in what felt like years. Warm arms wrapped around him and no fear or nightmares to make his heart race

"I love you too son."

I promise Obito, Sensei. I promise Sasuke.


So there it is guys, probably the last update for six weeks!

Hope you enjoyed, leave your thoughts and vote on my pole please.

Btw love the ideas I'm getting from some of you. Have anymore let me know.

Thanks for reading and remember to review, review, review.

`Twilaliars798

PS. Does anyone no if I change my user name does everything change? Like will you guys still be following me and be able to find me