Author's Note: Thank you for sticking with this story as I update and try new things. College life gets slightly hectic from time to time and I will do my best to update at every available opportunity. The next chapter will be out soon! Review and let me know how you feel about this story and what you would like to see, whether it is a twist to the story or a change regarding the way I write.

I hope you enjoy this. See you with the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters therein- they all belong to Masashi Kishimoto. However, this story is entirely my own.

3rd POV

Sasuke has always loved starry nights. Growing up, he and Itachi used to go out into the forest and tell stories about the things they had seen and heard around the village. They would lay in a clearing looking at the sky sometimes, laughing about the crazy way people acted. Often, they would make up stories all on their own to entertain each other.

But Sasuke's favorite spot has always been the dock at the lake. He remembers the tireless hours spent there learning his fireball jutsu. He remembers how proud his brother was to see his flames encompass a large chunk of the lake.

'I wonder if I'll ever get to see that emotion on Aniki's face again..'

Restless and knowing this would be another sleepless night, the raven sauntered out of the Uchiha compound, he headed toward the body of glistening water that he hoped would quell his thoughts. The wind was gentle, blowing his hair in several different directions. Sasuke sprung into the air, using a branch overhead as a springboard as he made his way across the forest towards his destination.

He stopped abruptly on the branch of a Sakura tree. Ironic how these trees were his favorites, but he couldn't stand the kunoichi who shared the same name; always seeking to support him much like this tree is doing now. Sasuke scanned the lake, relieved that no couples were out tonight, for he quite preferred to be alone to brood.

Surprised to see the blonde dobe laying on the bank and seemingly staring at the stars, he contemplated joining him. The only thing holding him back was Naruto's fucking mouth.

The blonde wasn't an idiot. He had been able to tell that something was going on with Sasuke and had tried on multiple occasions to approach the subject. But Sasuke had shot him down every time. Not only was the information highly classified for only anbu, Lady Tsunade and himself to know, but at the time Naruto tried to pry into it, Sasuke had just recently been told and the emotionally unstable teen ripped Naruto a new one for not minding his own business.

He still felt guilty for the shocked and hurt look on the boy's face. Naruto was the only shinobi Sasuke even considered a friend, and he had constantly shunned the younger ninja over the years.

Sasuke's thoughts drifted towards the blonde.

Naruto had grown considerably quieter as he grew older. No longer is he the child bubbling with joy and mischief. Now his smiles are rare and there is a sharp edge to his personality that wasn't there the last time Sasuke had been looking.. that was years ago when Orochimaru's followers of the hidden sound village had tried to coax Sasuke to join them and get stronger to defeat Itachi.

While Sasuke had stayed in the village hidden in the leaves, he had committed every waking hour to training to become a stronger ninja- even competing with Naruto because of his desire to be the best. He had cherished their bond but would never admit it out loud...

Eventually Sasuke lost sight of everything except for his drive to become a great shinobi who could defeat Itachi. The young Uchiha had blocked everyone and everything else out and has since barely spoken with anyone aside from Kakashi.

Sasuke winced at the memories of what went through his mind back when he was determined to kill his big brother. It still left his heart aching to think about how close he had been to never knowing. How one detail could've been overlooked and he would have hated his brother until his dying breath. It sent painful shivers down his spine to think about.

Looking back over to the blonde, now curled up on his side who seemed to be sleeping, Sasuke decided to head over and drape his discarded jacket over the sleeping boy's form, so he wouldn't catch a cold.

"T'ch, that idiot. Always looking for trouble. We have a long mission coming up and he can't afford to get sick," Sasuke mumbled under his breath.

A split second before he made a move to approach Naruto, the raven watched as Ino ran up to the sleeping form and straddled the boy, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him awake.

Sasuke was confused and moved closer to that part of the lake trying to be silent and hoping he could hear their conversation. He focused his chakra and began to concentrate on them.

Naruto POV

"Naruto! You damn idiot, why didn't you tell me? Wake up already!"

Groggy and slightly annoyed, my eyes flutter open to see my annoying kunoichi friend sitting on my lap and freaking out.

She grabs my face and leans in close, "Why the fuck didn't you tell me, you ass? I shouldn't have had to hear it from Temari that you and Gaara are serious! She came barging into my house an hour ago, waking up my parents and threatened me, telling me not to fool around with you anymore! What the hell is going on, Naruto?"

My ears on the verge of bleeding after that rather loud rant, it takes a minute for my mind to catch up to speed. When it does I'm shouting too.

"w- WHAT THE HELL?"

I'm definitely not serious with Gaara," I start to explain, "We were just talking about his inability to understand intimate relationships before and was curious as to why you, Kiba and I indulged in physical intimacy here and there. When I tried to explain it to him he asked for a demonstration.. and then Kankuro walked in."

I watched her mouth open and close a few times. Since she didn't seem to have a comment for that, I moved her so that I could stand up and stretch. "We aren't dating. I just wasn't opposed to getting a fuck out of a willing friend.. its not like the guy I want has any interest in me. Why the hell should I wait around to be miserable when he doesn't give a shit about me? Huh? If someone I'm in love with is so damn blind that they can't see me when I'm right there, if I clearly don't have a chance in hell, then why in this world would I pass up the opportunity to just feel something good for once!? Tell me, huh!?"

I got so caught up in my emotions I forgot about keeping my feelings a secret from the world. I hadn't meant to be so intense but the words started pouring out of me and I couldn't find the power to hold them in. I was yelling in Ino's stunned face by the time I was finished. The river of words that had been building inside of me for awhile now dying to break free of the mental dam I spent so long creating.

I gasped at the realization that I had confessed to yet another of my friends but I couldn't even tell Sasuke. My shoulders started shaking before the first tear even rolled down my face and I sunk to the ground feeling ashamed.

'I am weak for crying in front of my friends. I am weak for not being able to stop Sasuke from turning into someone untouchable. I am weak for not telling Sasuke how I feel. I am so weak..'

3rd POV

Sasuke watched, mesmerized as his former best friend crumpled to the ground and team 10's only female shinobi cradled the dobe to her chest.

Once again he felt guilty. It should have been Sasuke comforting him. Hadn't Naruto run around for all those years claiming their 'best friend' status? If he had paid more attention to the blonde, he could have been helpful in this situation..

And though he doesn't know it, he's right.

To be continued...