The weather was really warm, but then again it is summer. I should be thankful it's not scorching hot out like it has been the past week. Even with the constant bright sunlight I still couldn't seem to obtain color to my pale complexion.

"Naruto, do you ever know how to shut the hell up?"

"Aw come one teme, I'm not that bad!"

"Shut up, idiot."

"Don't tell me what to do!"

I sighed, rubbing my temples as Naruto and I left a sushi bar. How we became best friends I'll never know. I do appreciate his loyalty to me and how honest he is about everything, but he just talks so loud. And the one time he doesn't bail on hanging out with me he decides to drive me insane.

"Are you listening to me Sasuke?"

I sighed. "Obviously not if I haven't answered you. Now I have this stupid headache."

"Well why don't I make it up to you then," he said grinning. This can't be good.

"How could you possibly help? You've done enough."

"Oh just trust me for once and come on!"

Not like I had a choice. The idiot decided to grab me by my arm to wherever he wanted me to go.

We passed many shops I'm sure could've helped with my headache, but for some reason Naruto kept pushing through the crowd until we reached a store secluded from the others. It looked the same as all the others, so why did we come here? I guess I'd find out soon since Naruto was pushing me through the door.

As we entered, I noticed it was just a regular drug store. They had all types of medications for different occurrences, and even had other personal needs just as condoms and cosmetics. I searched for pills for my headache while Naruto went up to the counter and pulled a string attached to a paper lantern hanging above him. I stared awhile, and then my eyes widened as a girl came around from the back with Naruto grinning ear to ear at her appearance.

I had to admit, she was very pretty. She had shining black hair that reached mid-back and bright purple eyes. She glossy peach lips curled into a smile at the sight of Naruto. He hugged her, spinning her around, but the odd thing was as she opened her mouth to laugh no sound came out.

I frowned as Naruto put her down and began making hand motions towards her. The smile never left her face as she made a few back to him, and vice versa. Soon, he finally pointed to me so she could acknowledge my presence. She waved happily, and I nodded as Naruto motioned me over.

"Sasuke, I'd like you to might this lovely girl here, Rimi," he said while making hand motions to her. "Rimi, this is Sasuke."

She nodded to him and reached her hand out to me warmly. I hesitated a bit, but slowly shook her hand, not wanting to hurt her feelings. She seemed like a nice girl, and if Naruto knew her hopefully she'd be and okay person.

She looked down at the bottle of pills in my hand and started motioning to me. I raised an eyebrow, looking at Naruto but he just shook his head and said, "pay attention." She pointed to the pills, and then put up two fingers.

"Two pills?" I asked. She nodded and put both her hands together in a prayer motion and put then to her ear, tilted her head, and closed her eyes. "Before I go to bed?" she nodded again, but I was confused.

"Why before I go to bed?" I asked. She frowned a little, something that didn't sit right with me, and looked to Naruto. He made motions to her, and she motioned back in understanding.

"She said the pills make you really drowsy, and if you want something else to relieve the pain now without drowsiness that she can find something for you," he explained as Rimi disappeared behind the counter. When he came back, she handed me a new set of pills with a smile, and put up one finger, then made a circle with her hand.

"I understood the one part…" I mumbled a bit embarrassed.

Naruto chuckled at my silent plea. "She said take one at any time of the day."

I sighed to myself, and began to grab money out of my pocket to pay when a soft hand stopped me. I looked up to see Rimi gazing at me and she shook her head while letting go of my hand. She pointed to me, then Naruto, then finally herself while smiling.

"Any friend of his is a friend of yours?" I was relieved to know I was right when she clapped her hands together and I smirked at the motion. Looked like she was proud of me for understanding.

I turned to leave, putting my hand in the air as a goodbye, while I assumed Naruto was telling her the same thing. He caught up to me shortly as we headed back to my place together.

"So what's her story," I asked glancing at him.

He rolled his eyes, something I didn't expect. "Of course you don't remember her. I think you were still an ass at the time."

"Oh cut the crap and explain."

"We went to middle school together remember?" he said shaking his head at my surprised reaction. "She left after I think fifth grade."

"Why? What happened? And why didn't she speak? Is she mute?" Wow, I was asking a lot of questions.

"She deaf," he responded sadly, making me regret asking. "One of her cousins accidently bumped into her and she fell down the staircase. The trauma to her head left her deaf, and she left school so she could learn sign language and go to a different school for her needs."

"How do you know sign language?"

He grinned. "We still kept in touch. I would go to classes with her in my free time so we could still chat. I like texting her and all, but her presence is also comforting."

"She seemed to understand a bit of what I was saying."

He shrugged. "She reads lips pretty well, but some words she has trouble picking out."

"She seems like a nice girl," I admitted. "Despite her situation. Does she still receive education?"

"Yeah, she goes to medical school, which is why she works in pharmaceuticals right now. She never uses her deafness as a crutch. She doesn't have a lot of friends since not a lot of people want to take the time to sign. So, me being the awesome person I am became closer with her and I try to be there when she needs me or if she needs company."

"Which is why you bail on me," I said bluntly, putting the pieces together. It makes sense and I'm not offended. I think it's really nice for him to do that for Rimi, but he could've just told me.

"Don't take it too personally, teme. She needs me a lot more than you do."

"And why is that?" I asked as I opened the door to my house as we finally arrived.

He kicked his shoes off and sat on the couch. "She's more lonely than she let's show."

I paused in taking my own shoes off and stared at him. His eyes were glued to the television, but his voice was dead serious when he spoke of the girl. I honestly still don't remember her in middle school, but as Naruto stated I was a bit of an ass back then since I took my parent's divorce pretty hard.

Now I can't get mad at him every time he bails.