A/N: I wanted to upload this much earlier but past few days have been very hectic and tiring. Really sorry about the long wait- I really am :(

To cfox: There will definitely be some KibaHina in here ;) Thanks for the review :)

Standard disclaimers apply. Unbeta-ed.

Chapter 12: Two Souls

Hinata woke up with a dull headache. She was confused at first, noticing the unfamiliar bed spread and wall. When she remembered about yesterday, tears started to pool in her ligh-coloured eyes.

Blinking back her tears furiously, Hinata saw another door which she assumed would let her into a bathroom or some sort. She was right; so she took a warm shower quickly, grimacing at how she was sporting red eyes and heavy black bags underneath them.

Adding a light touch of soft pink lip gloss in her lips, Hinata gingerly opened up the door that lead her into a corridor of various rooms. She heard sound of people speaking and softly padded to the said voices; hoping that Naruto was there.

The two males in the house were watching a football match, mugs of steaming coffee on the table in front of them. The two obviously were fans of different teams because while one was cheering loudly, the other one was wailing childishly.

"G-Good morning…" the soft stutter froze the two males and Naruto instantly grinned widely seeing the famous actress reverting back into her-shy-self like years before when she first came into acting scene. Although she was born here, Hinata grew up mostly in the States where her family had migrated years and years ago. He was actively modelling when he met her; but they met at her first theatre play, which he had gone to watch when he started to get involved in the university theatre club.

It was a mesmerizing performance. He couldn't quite believe the dark-haired heiress was a very shy lady in person. In years, she opened up like a blossoming sakura.

"Morning, Hinata-chan! Would you like a cup of coffee?" Naruto lifted up his mug.

"O-Okay…" She said shyly, eyes fixed on his friend.

Naruto nudged Kiba's ribs hard when he noticed the brunette was drooling over the beautiful actress. Couldn't Kiba be more subtle?! "Sorry!" the man apologized sheepishly.

"Hinata-chan, this is Inuzuka Kiba. His dad owns this house and the farm back there. Kiba, Hyuuga Hinata; a friend whom I considered a sister," he emphasized the last word as the two shook hands; Hinata having a shy smile and Kiba grinned from ear to ear.

"Nice meeting you…" Naruto explained that Kiba was a good childhood friend of his. Hinata knew of his real background so she was happy to meet someone who knew Naruto's past. They then decided to have their breakfast in the sunny kitchen.

When Naruto and Kiba noticed how Hinata kept on playing with her food rather than eating it properly, the two shared a look and decided it was time to cheer the girl up. So they told her tales about their childhood that made her laughed up in tears.

Kiba thought it was the most entrancing sight he'd ever seen.

The Hyuuga Empire heiress helped both males washing up and cleaning the tables. They then settled themselves in the living room, planning what to prepare for lunch when Kiba remembered that Sasuke said that they would come for lunch today. Naruto suggested they should invited Iruka-sensei and Moegi-chan so he called them, telling them what time to come. The other two agreed; Kiba liked having more people for good time and Hinata was eager to meet Naruto's friends.

"You came from such a very nice place, Naruto-kun," Hinata smiled, traces of shyness disappearing.

Naruto grinned widely. "I'll take you around tomorrow if you want." Hinata agreed.

"Ne, Hinata-chan… If you don't mind, what brought you here?" Naruto thought it was the time for the girl to speak up and stop running away. Hinata's head bowed, debating with herself whether to tell Naruto or not.

She felt guilty, interrupting Naruto's vacation like this. She also knew if they (her father and the media) knew that she was here, Naruto could get into much trouble. So maybe the least she could do was explaining to him why she's here, after all. She'd hate herself if Naruto would be hurt because of her.

"I-I… I ran away from my father…"

Blue eyes narrowed at this. "What did he do this time?!" he hissed, not caring if he spoke rudely of the lady's father.

Hinata shook herself, feeling the tears were back into her pearly lavender-white eyes.

"He's forcing you to inherit the business again?"

"That and… something else…" the soft voice got softer and softer each syllable. A tear dropped onto the fair hands, clutched in her laps. "Father… He… arranged my marriage…

To a guy who Hanabi's been wanting to marry…" When that was said, Naruto's face contorted in such anger that his face was red. Kiba couldn't believe his ears; he thought most celebrities didn't have this kind of problems.

Only that, Hinata was an heiress first before a celebrity.

"And now Hanabi hates me more!" Hinata suddeny sobbed into her hands, shoulder shaking as she burst into tears. The two males weren't quite sure what to do; Naruto cursing and cursing over and over again, getting louder each time; till the end he was pacing back and forth, venting his anger out.

"Does Neji know about this?" Hinata shook her head when the sobbing ceased a bit.

"He will personally go and kill your father if I haven't done that myself, you know that, Hinata?" Naruto growled. "That son of a bitch! How dare he even suggested it?!"

Hinata tried calming herself down, not really noticing that Kiba had come to sit next to her to soothingly rub her back. He was panicking because he was the only one who was out of the loop. In a way, he felt like a stranger, but he couldn't let the girl brawled her eyes out.

So Kiba did exactly what his mother would do to him when he was younger; because that seemed to have worked on him in the past.

"F-Father wants the merging of our companies and that seemed to be the best solution to him… I've told him that Hanabi will be a better candidate, seeing at how she adored him but Father will not listen to me at all! He s-said it's time I learn to take my responsibilities…" Her sobbing started again.

"What about this guy? Have you met him yet and talk about this?" Hinata shook her head.

"I-I didn't wait anymore after Hanabi came into my room, crying and yelling she hates me, taking away everything she has ever wanted; from Father's attention to the guy she loves. Oh, N-Naruto-kun! I feel so terrible!! I'm a bad sister, am I not?!" Her should started shaking again as she buried her face once more into her hands.

Naruto cursed again, Kiba glared at the hot-tempered man, eyes clearing warning him from doing so. Naruto ignored it.

Hinata had been trying to make peace with her sister; that was why she felt so miserable. Since they were smaller, the older one had been trained to be the heiress. Hanabi's presence was like a spare should anything bad happened to Hinata.

So 3 years ago, after a while knowing and befriending the sweet girl, Naruto was shocked when she tried to commit suicide. Fortunately Neji found her when he was visiting his uncle. He, and later Naruto became so protected of Hinata that everybody else called them the Hawks; watching over the girl should any predators mean harm to her.

"I'll call Neji," Naruto said finally, taking out his cellphone from the backpocket of his jeans.

"Please! No!!" Hinata suddenly yelled. "N-Neji-niisan doesn't know I'm here yet and he'll go ballistic on Father if he knows this! Please, Naruto-kun! I-I don't know where else to go… J-Just give me some time to think over this. At least I'll have no interruption h-here…"

Naruto was reluctant to do that, but he finally agreed. "Is there anyone else who knows you're here?" Hinata shook her head. "None at all?" Naruto asked again, just to make sure. The girl shook her head again, with a soft 'No'.

The blond took a big breath. Okay; that sounded promising. At least no media would just pop out around here; his mind trailed to a particular fair skinned man.

Kiba kept on rubbing Hinata's back softly, murmuring 'It's okay now' and 'Don't cry anymore'. It helped a bit when the girl ceased to just sobbing and panting softly; long fingers wiping the fallen tears. Naruto was thinking hard on what he should do in the coming week.

Or weeks for that matter.

000

All worries were gone from Hinata's face by the time Sae arrived with Sasuke. The adorable boy had unknowingly wormed his way into her heart and warmingly charmed her into riding the horses.

Uchiha's charm, huh? Even Hinata can't resist that!

Naruto chuckled knowingly when Kiba volunteered to join the two, with an excuse to watch over them and made sure everything was okay. So it left only Naruto and Sasuke in the kitchen, preparing lunches for at least 8 people, just in case Kiba's sister arrived earlier than expected.

"Is she okay?" Sasuke asked when the three had gone. The man noticed how the girl's voice quivered and was a little bit hoarse like she's been brawling and crying when he and Sae arrived.

"I hope so. Hinata's under a great pressure at the moment. I'm not sure how to help her."

"Is she doing well?"

"Not so much at the moment. But I hope she will have a peacefull time to think about her problems here," Naruto sighed. "You just can't believe what parents would do. Sometimes I wonder if some parents think of their children as properties!" Naruto proceed to tell Sasuke about what had happened in Hinata's family. He knew the raven-haired wouldn't dream on telling anyone else about what he told him. Also, he used to share everything with Sasuke and the other man seemed to have good suggestions for the solutions.

This time however, the Uchiha offered none, other than telling Naruto that Hinata had to be firm with her decision and she has to come up with something that would make her sister trusted her again. It might go the opposite way her father wanted, but it was her life; her decision. As much as he was a father to her, he couldn't decide what's best for her; he could only suggest, not forcing.

"I'll never do that to Sae." Sasuke added after another bout of complaint from Naruto.

"I know you won't, Sasuke; and I'm not implaying anything like that."

"I know. Don't have to go all defensive on me."

"Sorry…" Naruto said. "Maybe I'm still angry at that old man who couldn't even respect his daughter's wish… I wish I could do something to help her though."

"You can't help every people you met, dunce. That's one thing about you- you have to help anyone who came across you."

"Well, sorry if I like helping people! What's wrong with it anyway?" Naruto pouted; remembering how the Uchiha kept his secrets away from him.

"Nothing's wrong with helping people of course. It's just that I hope you realize that you don't have a superpower to help every one who's in need. Sometimes it's out of your limits. And when that happens, you can only pray and hope for the best."

"Yeah, but at least I have to try first, right? Only then I can hope for the best because I've tried the hardest."

Sasuke had a small tug upwards on his lips, shaking his head to Naruto's logic and motto. Still as stubborn as a pig!

They did their work in silence after that. Until Naruto spoke again that is.

"Sasuke… Promise me you won't get mad at my upcoming question…" Naruto stopped his chopping and turned to the man next to him. His tanned hands boldly rested on top of a paler one. Sasuke stopped what he was doing, not wanting to say yes because he knew if Naruto said that, he would be angry afterwards.

But how could anyone say no to that pleading voice?

The blond took a big breath, knowing Sasuke would be mad anyway. "Why didn't you tell me about your living arrangement? Why did you keep from me the reason why you sold your place and rent Kiba's house? And why couldn't you tell me that you would probably have to move because of Kiba's ranch planning?" He gripped tightly the somewhat cold hand.

"Kiba told you about that?" Sasuke's voice was void of any emotion. It was so calm that Naruto was terrified of it.

"Don't blame Kiba on this. I forced him to tell me. Are we no longer best friend, Sasuke?"

You are more than that, Naruto. But I'm afraid… afraid that you'll leave me like before again. Who's going to pick up the pieces this time?

"Sasuke…"

"Can we not talk about this now?" Sasuke's voice was clipped. Usually, Naruto knows when to shut his mouth when the other used that tone, but this time he refused his own rule.

"Sasuke, please, let me in… For the past 3 weeks, I don't think I've even make any progress to earn your trust. No matter what I've done, you've only shut yourself more and more!" he whispered, pleading in his voice.

Don't do this… My resolve will crumble…

"Then maybe it's time to learn that I'm no longer the same Sasuke you once knew."

Naruto suddenly turned the man to face him and hugged him tightly. "Don't say that!" he whispered fiercely into the dark-haired's ears, sending shivers up Sasuke's spine. "Don't ever say that! We once shared everything and I want to share everything with you now; just like the old time!"

Sasuke froze, arms limping at his sides as he closed his eyes, almost in defeat. When he found his voice again, it was controlled and even Naruto could detect it. "We can't turn back the clock Naruto… It's ticking forward, not backward," he whispered, but firmly.

Naruto's shoulder shook slightly at that. His head was buried at the junction of Sasuke's neck and collarbone. He pressed his face more as he tightened his arm around the man's torso. The paler man froze for a minute before he let the muscle loose when he felt something wet at the top of his shoulder blade.

"Then help me… Help me to ease these burdens on your shoulders… You've carried them far too long, Sasuke. Don't you understand by now that I care? I care so much and I lo-"

"Don't!" Sasuke shook his head, trying to wriggle his way out but the other man only tightened his hold as Sasuke struggled more. "Sasuke, I-"

"Don't say it, Naruto! I don't think I want to hear it now. I don't think I can."

"Why? Sasuke let me in, please. You don't have to do this alone anymore. Let it go because now I'm here…"

I'm here to catch you… I'm not going to let you fall again… I'll fall with you if you need me too!

"We live in different worlds now, Naruto…" Sasuke inhaled the scent that's all Naruto. Still the same old scent he remembered, with added touch of maturity and hint of spice. "As much as we want it to be like old time, it's not…"

"Then let's create another future for us! I'm only too happy to have Sae in my life… I've started to look at him as my own too!" Sasuke felt the wetness again.

Stop crying… You'll make me weak on my knees…

"You are a bastard, you know!" Naruto whispered more when the other didn't say anything. "You taught me the concept of friends when we were younger, you made me bowed down to the principle you held to back then, and now you are turning away from your own words!" Naruto sobbed, remembering the time Sasuke forced him to accept his logic of friendship when they were 5.

"We can create a future together now, Sasuke… I know we can!" the man continued fiercely when there was still no answer. Finally, he calmed himself down, realizing that Sasuke not hugging him back, or making any attempt to reply to him.

"You don't have to answer it now… I'll be here for another week." He finally said, almost in a defeated tone. Just how far and how long would this man push him away?

"Just… Just know this, Sasuke; I can't live like this anymore. I've lost 10 years without you and I can't bear to live the rest of my life without you in it." The blond tightened his arms once again. He knew he was practically crushing the other man but he couldn't help himself. Naruto took a big breath. Can he do this? He asked himself over and over. It seemed like an eternity, but in a fact it was only seconds.

I don't want to… I'd die if I do this, but if this is what you want… I'll do anything for you…

"But… But if you still insist that I have no part in your life now… I'll back off. And if…" Naruto gulped at this, swallowing the lumps in his throat that was threatening him into tears again. "If you want me to go and never come back… I'll do that too… for your sake…" The last part was said in a whisper so soft that Sasuke almost didn't hear it.

Naruto let go then, excusing himself to the bathroom; but he stopped in the middle, looking at Sasuke over his shoulder; the man was stiff as a stick in the kitchen. "Sasuke… you said back then that I have to forgive myself… But I can't forgive myself when you won't let me in…" He bit his lips. "I'll never, can't ever forgive myself because I've failed in earning your trust…" With that he was gone.

When Naruto came back into the kitchen, an almost fake grin adorned his tanned face; even Kiba couldn't detect it this time. The brunette however, could sense the tense pregnant air among the two friends; Sasuke almost snapped at everything it even started to scare Sae and Naruto's attitude that pretended as though nothing was happening.

Oh, Kiba could read some subtle signs. 10 years with the Uchiha could do that to you.

Iruka came a while later, when Hinata was helping Sae setting up the table. The two clicked instantly. Sae was more opened to her knowing that she wouldn't take Naruto-san away from him. She had a soft spot on him already; with those shiny black eyes and cheerful disposition, who could resist?

The ex-teacher smiled softly, bowing to the soft-spoken actress politely. She was thrilled to meet the Naruto's father-figure. What surprised her more, the custard pudding that he brought looked like the most delicious dessert she's ever had.

Sae, Kiba and Naruto were drooling already.

Moegi came not long after that, hugging the two males who were almost like big brothers to her after Konohamaru and Udon left. She then bowed to Sasuke and ruffled Sae's black hair fondly after hugging him and pinching his cheeks till they turned red. She squeled however when Naruto introduced her to Hinata and quickly stealing the lady away from the men; after thrusting the tub of chocolate chip ice-cream into Naruto's hands that is.

Kiba sulked that Hinata was taken away; Sae and Naruto cheered at the tub of ice-cream. Iruka smiled gently at the scene unfolding in front of him.

Sasuke looked away guiltily; knowing how much Sae was starting to adore and love Naruto back, just as how the man had shown his undevided attention towards his son.

-Flasback-

"Otousan…" Sae dropped by his room one night when Naruto was staying at Iruka's place. The child opted to do his home works in his room, seeing at the tiredness traces on his Father's face that night.

"Yes?" Sasuke opened his eyes and sat up on the bed.

"Have you gone to sleep yet?" the child whispered, not wanting to interrupt his father if he was resting.

"No… Come in, Sae." One invitation it took for the child to run gingerly to his father's warm embrace.

"Have you finished your home works yet?" Sasuke asked as he kissed atop the black head.

"Yes… Otousan?" Sae whispered, not letting go of his hugging. "Hmm??" Sasuke felt a bit weird, but he entertained his son, arching one black elegant brow.

"I love you, Otousan…" Sae hugged harder. "I'm not going to make you sad, anymore!" he vowed fiercely. Sasuke was taken aback at the sudden confession. He smiled and said, "I love you too, my son… What brought all this about?" he asked softly.

Sae shook his head and hugged tighter. After debating with himself, he finally admitted, "Naruto-san said that you will be sad if I'm sad… and I'm always sad when someone talks about Okaasan… I don't want to make you sad anymore, Otousan… So I'm not going to be sad anymore if someone talks about her… I want to make you happy!"

Again, the older Uchiha was taken aback. Naruto talked to Sae about that? When?

Sae then moved away, touching the fair-skin face in front of him softly, tracing from forehead, to the eyes, to the nose, cheeks, lips and chin. His Otousan was so strong; even the blindness never made him stumbled. Sae looked up to that and he admired him so much because of that.

"I'm going to be just like you…" he whispered.

Sasuke couldn't help snapping away from his trance at that and chuckled lightly. "Do not be like me, Uchiha Sae… Be a person who is stronger mentally, emotionally and physically than me… Be a beautiful person inside out. Be a better you; and be proud at that. I'd be proud if you grow up just as beautiful as how you are right now…" Sasuke then kissed his son's baby-skin forehead.

Sae couldn't help to hug his Father again, and then bid him goodnight; after another declaration of his affection towards his Father that is.

Thank you, Naruto…

-End flashback-

Just as last night, he was at the crossroad again. Only this time he thought he had made the decision. But now, Naruto's confession –or more like unvoiced confession- this morning made him torn again. Pale fingers roughly and furiously rubbing the tension headache his head was giving him.

I don't have the answer…

000

Inuzuka Hana, Kiba's older sister with the same brunette hair did arrive earlier than expected. Sae yelled in excitement hearing the big hairy white dog barking from the front yard. He ran to open the door and was brought onto the floor by the said dog. Naruto laughed loudly seeing the horror look on Hinata when he saw the size of Akamaru and what the beast was doing to the small child. He laughed even harder to see Hinata's more horrified expression when the big dog jumped on Kiba and sent them both onto the floor.

When the entire introduction was done, they had a good time having lunch at the dining table.

That night, when Naruto decided he should accompany Hinata again, to discuss with her of 'something important', Kiba knew that his suspicion earlier was correct. And since Hana was back, she'd use the master bedroom, while Naruto bunked in Kiba's room, taking the sleeping bag from his CRV. Sae looked a bit disappointed, but followed his father, Iruka and Moegi nonetheless.

"Okay, spill it! What makes you camp here tonight?" Kiba had no intention at all to let the blond sleep before telling him the truth.

"Just forget it, Kiba," Naruto said tiredly, settling himself into the sleeping bag.

"Nu-uh! Don't you dare sleep on me now! Spill it, Naruto! Payback time! Last night you forced me to tell you something that I shouldn't have, and now you owe me one!"

"Just go to sleep, Inuzuka. I'm tired!"

"I'm gonna bug you till you tell me, Blondie….!" The brunetted even had the nerve to sing song! "Come on, Naruto… Come on!!" he then made an imitation of Dory from Finding Nemo.

"Will you just shut up!!" he almost yelled after getting annoyed at his friend's insistent –and annoying sing-song voice.

"I will. If only you tell me what the fuck is going on between you and Sasuke. Do you think I didn't notice the weird aura you both gave out? Maybe not to everyone else, but you can't fool this guy!" he puffed up his chest.

Naruto gave an exasperated sigh. Arguing with Kiba was like arguing with Sasuke- only with more yelling and louder screaming. If this kept on going, they both could not have even a wink of sleep tonight.

"I almost confessed to him okay?! I almost said I love him but he stopped me and said we're both in different worlds. He doesn't want me- is that what you want to hear? He does-fucking-NOT want me in his life anymore!" The blond was panting at the end. Kiba was just stunned at the visible hurt and pain in the blue orbs. All his life knowing Naruto, never once had he seen this kind of hurt in those azure eyes.

"Did he exactly tell you that?" Kiba asked when he found his voice again.

"No… I told him I'll give him till the end of next week to think about it. If he still feels the same; that we're both living in 'different worlds' as he said it, I'm not coming back- I'll even get off his back and out of his life!" Naruto sulked. He then quickly lay down and closed his eyes, wanting sleep to claim him.

Kiba did the same, feeling bad for Naruto. From one point, he could understand Naruto's pain but at the same time, he could sense Sasuke's fears. The latter had so many challenges in recent years; it almost broke him, especially when his pillar of strength was gone. From that, the Uchiha learned to only depend on himself.

Letting someone in to share his burden could threaten him away from the only thing that he has now- his control over the situation. But Kiba also felt angry at the Uchiha. The man had so much pride and so big of an ego that he didn't even want to admit his fears to Naruto- the only one who would do everything for him.

Maybe his decision to not to interrupt the two wasn't the brightest idea after all. Maybe he could have a little chat with a certain Uchiha…

"Hey, Naruto…" No reply.

"You really love him, don't you?" Kiba asked despite the lack of response.

Only what felt like 10 minutes later that he found that his guess was wrong. Naruto hasn't gone to sleep yet. "Yeah... I do…" Upon hearing the quivering answer, Kiba knew Naruto was crying silently.

"So much that it's fucking hurt!" the blond whispered afterwards.

That's it! The Uchiha's gonna hear one long lecture tomorrow!

000

Kiba waited till Naruto was out with Hinata, taking her around the town. He even suggested Naruto to bring her down to Bridgetown, since the town was larger and have more tourist attractions. Then, the brunette took the old truck of his dad's and drove to the Uchiha's place.

His guess about Sasuke was alone at home was right when Sasuke answered the door, signalling him to come in.

"Anything important you want to discuss?" Sasuke asked, handing Kiba a bottle of orange juice.

"Yup. About you and Naruto, actually," Kiba cut the chase and went straight to the point. He saw Sasuke stiffened visibly for a moment before forcing himself back on the calm and collected mask he's perfected.

"There's no me and Naruto. What do you want to talk about actually? If you don't have anything important, I have matters that I need to attend to."

Kiba growled, popping the bottle top open. "You're such an arrogant bastard, Uchiha!"

"I recalled of having been called worse."

"Oh, cut the crap! You can be a bastard to just anyone, especially me, but don't with Naruto, alright?!" When Sasuke's dull grey eyes narrowed, Kiba continued, "Sure he's been gone for 10 years! But what do you think his coming back here for? A vacation?! Fuck, he could go to anywhere else in the world if he wants a break; but he chose to come back!"

Sasuke didn't say anything. Hell, even Kiba couldn't gauge any expression from him. There was only one person who could do that, and now Sasuke was pushing him away. This made Kiba angrier.

"He chose to come back here because here is where you are! Don't you understand, Sasuke? Naruto lov-"

"Shut up, Inuzuka!" Kiba was startled when Sasuke yelled and cut him. Sasuke looked away, but his fists were clenching the sofa's arm tightly- so tight that the already pale knuckles whitened more. Kiba looked at the man carefully, assessing something. A few minutes later, he thought he found what was really going on in the other's mind.

"You are afraid." Kiba said then. It was more of a statement rather than a question. "Uchiha Sasuke… you are afraid to hear the four-letter word coming from him because if he breaks his promise again, you'll break beyond repair…" The realization came to him like molten steel, hot, but strong and convincing. He saw Sasuke's jaw clenched tightly and he knew he was right.

Kiba then chuckled. Darkly. Sasuke's jaw just clenched more, to the point the brunette thought that it could snapped.

"If I thought that you love him as much as he loves you, now I know I'm completely wrong," Kiba's voice was low; but it was dangerously low, even for Sasuke. "You don't even love him half as much as he does!"

He then growled. "And you know what's more ironic, Sasuke? You love yourself so much that you are being so selfish! You've said that your son was your first priority but the truth is you have no intention of putting Sae first! It's your own self that you tried to protect more.

Much much more than Sae's… You make me sick, Uchiha!" He grabbed the front of Sasuke's shirt and fisted it up, forcing the blind man to stand up.

"You're even worse than your big brother!" Kiba spat. Sasuke was so angry at the accusation, and even angrier to hear him being compared to Itachi that punched Kiba- right on the jaw.

The latter staggered backwards, releasing his fists automatically that made Sasuke fell backward onto the chair too. Kiba picked himself up and strode towards the door. He turned to see the pale man becoming impossibly paler and snickered at him, "Don't get mad at me, Uchiha, because I'm right. Be mad at your selfish-self!"

Kiba left.

And for the first time in many many years since his mother's death, Sasuke let tears fell down his cheeks freely. He was no better than his aniki after all, huh?

He cried till there were no more tears left. All the pent up frustrations, fears and sadness in all these years were poured out that morning.

Sadly, there was no one he could cry with.

000

When Sae came home that late afternoon, that was where he saw his father; slumping on his chair with blood-shot red eyes and tear stains on his face. The man was so much into his world that he didn't even respond to Sae's calling. When the boy touched his father, cold sweaty arms alarmed him. Sae touched his father's forehead but it was burning.

Swallowing his panic, Sae felt like crying. He wanted to run to get Naruto but he wasn't sure if the man was at Kiba's place; especially since he has a guest now.

"Otousan…" Sae gave it a try, blinking back his tears. His Otousan had always comforted him and now it's his turn to return the gesture, but he hasn't got a clue what to do.

"Naruto…" his father's hoarse whisper almost wasn't heard, but because Sae was concentrating much on his father's expression, he could see the words forming on his now dried lips.

"I-I'll get him!" Sae quickly said. "I'll get him, Otousan! Please, please wait till I come back!" Sasuke ran out, not knowing where to head first. He was already tired from the soccer he had with his friends after school, but he couldn't just abandon his old man!

Running as quickly as he could, Sae head to a place which he thought would help him find Naruto-san.

"Iruka-sensei!" he screamed at the top of his lungs when he reached the familiar place. Iruka who had just came back from work walked out when he heard Sae- panicking with some tears in his eyes.

"Sae?! What happened to you?" the teacher ushered the child inside, noticing how he was sobbing and shaking from the running that he did.

"P-Please, sensei! Please save Otousan!" Sae finally cracked under pressure and cried, sobbing into his teacher's arms.

"What happened to Sasuke, Sae? Tell me!" he said urgently.

"I-I don't know! He was l-like that when I c-came h-home!" the child cried more, remembering how unnaturally pale his Otousan's face was. "He d-din't hear me when I-I called h-him… But he s-said Naruto-ssan's name… Please sensei! Please get N-Naruto-san to O-Otousan," Sae coughed and the tears came out faster.

Iruka wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he picked the boy up into his arms and letting the boy cried while he went to his phone, dialling Naruto's cellphone. The blond picked it up and after hearing Iruka, he said he'd be on his way straight to Sasuke's. He asked if Sae could stay with Iruka till he found out what was going on.

TBC…
Did anyone see that coming?