Whether We Are Chapter 4, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto-san. The song used in this is 'With Me Tonight' by The Used.

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"Hn… good morning dobe."

Naruto briefly opened his eyes, to find someone standing at the front door. I can't see them… but I know that voice. It hit him like a stone, as he closed his eyes again, pretending to be asleep. "I know you're awake, dobe, don't pretend to be asleep", the voice snorted. Naruto sighed and sat up. I still don't have much of an excuse; I'll have to leave; even if my injuries are bad.

Using all of his strength, Naruto stood up, and began a walk to the exit. "What the fuck? Stop running away, dobe", the voice shouted! Running away? I was running away… I never run away. Naruto stopped, staring at the person before him. "What do you want, Sasuke", he asked? Nothing was going Naruto's way. The only positive thing was Gaara's unusual kindness after the two had battled.

"I… I want to know what's going on. Why are you avoiding Sakura and I", Sasuke's monotone voice asked? It was etched with a worry only Naruto had noticed. It kind of surprised Naruto, namely because Sasuke was normally such a pain in the ass, today the same ice prince was worried, that too about a dobe. "Answer me, dammit", Sasuke shouted! Before Naruto knew it, he was feeling a pain in his back, and nearly fell onto his front.

A pair of strong arms had wrapped around him, holding him up.

The way I broke your heart very literally

This ghost haunts me more then it should be

I'm not gonna walk away or turn my head in shame

I never thought it could kill me

Sasuke couldn't believe Naruto wasn't talking to him. He couldn't believe he, Sasuke Uchiha, had walked all he way to the hospital after his battle with Temari, to see his rival. After Naruto and Gaara had faced off, Naruto had fainted from severe injuries. The blonde would be in bad condition for the next week or so. Sasuke knew that he and Naruto were going to face off in the finals, yet he just couldn't bring himself to hate those innocent blue eyes.

I can't imagine being his enemy. He's always been there for everyone, even if it is during more incredulous times. Yet, here I am, being put in a position where we'll be fighting each other. I'll have to destroy Naruto, and he'll have to destroy me. If I want to gain the power to destroy Itachi, I need to do this. I'll have to beat Naruto, because Naruto beat Gaara.

Sasuke had wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, knowing fully that Naruto shouldn't be able to stand up properly. Naruto had tried to run away again. The blonde boy was doing his most to avoid Sasuke, it just wasn't right. "Tell me why you don't want me to be near you? Why are you staying so distant from me", Sasuke asked, in an almost pleading voice? The smaller of the two cringed, before shoving the taller one away and running to the door. In seconds, Naruto was gone.

A clean slate, one more day further away

I want you, you don't want me

My mistake for wasting yours and mine

I want you, but will you stay

With me today?

Sasuke stood there, before he looked at the ground. What did I do wrong? Why is Naruto avoiding me like this? Why won't he talk to me? Doesn't he realize how much his silence is tormenting me?

After a brief silence, he turned to exit the room, only to hear a muffled sound. He turned to see Gaara, and briefly seemed afraid. "Naruto… Naruto feels hurt", Gaara said, sounding normal (if it was possible), "He… he doesn't know how to explain, in words you… you and the pink thing understand". Sasuke blinked, before shaking his head. "He has to find out soon, because we're all suffering from his… change", Sasuke said, his hands fisting.

"It has only begun… the monster will change him more."

Before Sasuke could question him further, Gaara had stood up and walked out of the room. Monster? Change him more?

Just let me make some time to take it back a little

The way you smile shines the heavens above me (heavens above me)

Never going to let you go, I want you all the time

I gotta prove you can trust me

Naruto stopped midway towards his house, before falling onto his knees and clutching his stomach. I shouldn't have left without getting proper medical care… why did I run away? Sasuke came all the way just to see me… I didn't even bother asking why. I'm such an idiot. He felt himself let loose, as tears sprouted down his cheeks. He was so weak, so useless. He couldn't even face Sasuke anymore. I should have let Gaara win… what good am I?

He closed his eyes, almost wishing some sort of random person came and stabbed him with a kunai till he died. Maybe then he'd be able to get away with all the fleeting emotions he's encountering nowadays. If only they'd just disappear, then he could go back to being himself. What is the real me? Is the real me like Gaara… or is the real me the face I used to wear? What am I? I have no answer to that question; I need to find an answer to what I really am. This whole ordeal is mixing up my personality. I need to think this over, before the exam begins.

Using all of his energy, he stood up, despite the pain in his stomach. He proceeded to start walking back home, but his mind still told him it was wrong to avoid Sasuke. What else can I do? I can't tell him that I'm the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, and that I'm considering running from this village to learn more jutsu? Whoa! That's just going too far, I am not considering running from our village to learn jutsu! Right?

He froze, before falling once more, and this time not bothering to stand up. Do I even want to be here anymore?

A clean slate, one more day away

I want you, you don't want me

My mistake for wasting yours and mine

I want you, but will you stay

With me today?

Sasuke was shocked to hear Naruto hadn't returned to the infirmary. He's really badly injured; not going back can really hurt him! The exam finals are in a few days, if he isn't healed it won't be a fair fight! He'll still be hurt... I can't see him hurt. I don't know why I keep doing this… I just keep feeling like seeing him act so weird makes me incomplete. He activated his Sharingan, as if thinking it might help him find Naruto. It didn't do much good, namely because Naruto was nowhere around.

After running around random streets and such, he found it was useless to just search. He might have gone to his home! No, I doubt that. He knows that I'd look for him there first. Iruka's house? No, he knows that's the second place I'd look. He might be somewhere, anywhere. I have to find him before he does something stupid! He started running, blindly, but running. Much to his shock, he bumped into someone who was sitting on the ground with their head down.

After nearly falling, Sasuke recognized the orange jacket and that blonde hair. "Where the hell were you? Why aren't you at the infirmary", Sasuke shouted! He waited for an answer, but figured the blonde was too tired or guilty, probably the latter. "Sandaime-sama, Kakashi-sensei, and Sakura were looking everywhere for you! I only found out a while ago and went looking! You're injuries are bad, you need proper rest", Sasuke shouted, before kneeling down and gripping the limp shoulders. Naruto hadn't responded.

Sasuke's heart almost stopped. No… No! H-he can't be d-dead… I-I re-refuse to accept that… N-Naruto… y-you're dead…?

To his relief, Naruto had a steady heartbeat. He's just asleep, he fell asleep in that kind of position. I'll have to take him to the infirmary. He can't go home like this.

I need you, you don't need me

When you are low, I am not okay

I want you, but will you stay

With me today?

Naruto found himself in someone's arms, being carried somewhere. They were strong, warm arms. Naruto hadn't thought he'd ever die and find himself in someone's arms. Maybe these are God's arms? I always did wonder what God was like. He didn't bother opening his eyes; he was just too weak to do that. Besides, he was content in this persons arms. It might be an angel! I can just imagine being in an angel's arms, it would be so nice. The right side of his lip tried twitching up, mainly out of habit.

It feels so good to smile. I haven't done that in so long. I feel so dead… I was so dull after that time I rescued Sasuke. Ugh, I felt like something was missing. I suddenly feel like its normal again… like I can smile and crack jokes at Sakura, and Sasuke would grunt, while Sakura-chan would hit me on the head. I wish it could be like that… I'm probably dead, seeing as how an angel is carrying me to heaven more likely. But what if Jinchuuriki can't go to heaven? Then I'll be in hell, and this might be the devil himself!

Naruto shivered, before finding himself unconsciously pulling the person closer. No… while I'm in this angel's arms… I will smile. I'll show them that Naruto Uzumaki is the greatest Ninja in the entire world! Naruto Uzumaki protected Sasuke Uchiha… and for that, he will smile. Because Naruto Uzumaki protected his rival… his friend…

Sasuke blinked when he found Naruto shivering a bit. He must be dreaming of something. Should I wake him up? He was walking with Naruto in his arms, something Sasuke never thought he'd be doing. Much to his surprise, Naruto molded perfectly into his arms. Despite how much ramen the boy ate, Naruto was really light. Sasuke briefly wanted to snuggle closer, but he scolded himself. He was an avenger, and avengers did not cuddle with their rivals. After all, once Sasuke killed Itachi, he would proceed to kill the snake from the second exams.

With what little self control he had, Sasuke began to walk again, before he felt Naruto pull him closer. Sasuke was shocked, to say the least. Naruto was in his subconscious mind, he didn't know Sasuke was carrying him. Without so much as thinking twice, Sasuke held the blonde closer, so close, he could feel the boy's heartbeat, and he could feel the boys hand on his chest. Everything seemed too silent, so peaceful. What is this… what is going on with me?

He looked down at the tanned, whiskered face, to see a smile playing on those soft pink lips. He hasn't smiled since he defeated Gaara. He looks so much, happier this way. Frowning never suited him… It never did. Why did he stop smiling? Why was he frowning? Why is he avoiding me? All of these questions, none of them existed till he helped me at the Exam. I want answers; I'm worried that something is happening to him. I could never forgive myself if he were to suddenly be like me… I know he was an orphan, but he's always smiling. He's a part of the sunlight… and the sun always smiles.

A clean slate, one more day further away, yeah

I want you, you don't want me

My mistake for wasting yours and mine

I want you, but will you stay

With me today?