Okay, so this one kinda made me cry a little bit. First off MERRY CHRISTMAS, I wrote this Christmas Eve, and I'm posting it 2 AM Christmas Morning...technically the day after Christmas, but WHO CARES. I love this story and you people so much I had to post this chapter.

I kinda cringe because I'm giving you guys another shorterish chapter, but I had to get to the ten chapters mark before I took a little holiday break from writing.

So, notes about this chapter...it made me really sad, but I'm quickly developing the solid story for the rest of the chapters, and I think I've struck inspiration once again. So cheers to that!

Do you guys read the AN? Or do you just skip to the chapter?
Hm.

Here's the shoutouts to the reviews as of when this was posted:
Huge thanks to, karolalpha, done-and-done, SayomiHayashi, Cervello, Narutopokefan, and TheBrideofChuckyIam
Thanks for taking a couple of seconds to make me feel good about my lil fanfiction story ^.^

WARNINGS: Angst, slight fluffy yaoi content
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto Uzumaki, the brand Naruto, or anything associated or anything to DO with Naruto. But I wish I did.

Genieten!

Uchiha Sasuke rested his head on his hand, tapping his pencil on his desk boredly. He had no interest in Physics and he didn't plan to develop any later on in life either. The only thing his mind was on, was that blue eyed, blonde hair pain the in neck.

Sasuke hadn't seen him all day, he had thought they had the same class together, but maybe he was wrong. But then again, Uchiha's are never wrong.

That means Naruto was still avoiding him.

Sasuke usually didn't like people, but with Naruto…it felt like a string of needles stabbing him everytime the blonde turned and walked the other way when he sees him, or leaves the college before Sasuke can try to talk to him.

Was it something he had done? Had he offended, or hurt Naruto in anyway?

Not that he could think of.

As far as Sasuke was concerned, Naruto's behavior was a complete mystery.

But he was going to find out the answer.

Sasuke moved quickly as the professor dismissed, calculating quickly in his mind.

This would've been Naruto's last class…it was probable that Naruto had already gone back to Iruka's…Sasuke waited carefully as the professor conversed with a different student. Moving stealthily, Sasuke slipped behind his desk, grabbing the role paper. Scanning it quickly, Sasuke nearly scoffed when he noticed Naruto's name crossed out, with a small 'transferred classes' scribble beside it.

"Uchiha! What do you think you're doing?" the professor shouted at him, noticing his student going through his papers.

Sasuke uttered nothing but a 'Hn' before moving past him and leaving the classroom. If Naruto transferred to another class…the only one he could possibly switch to is one on this day…and he knew that Naruto had been at his regular classes today, so that meant he was probably still in his class.

Rifling through his memory, Sasuke decided the easiest thing would be to go by the classroom doors and see if Naruto was in any of them.

Setting off, Sasuke's rational mind chided him for being overly obsessed with the dobe. Sasuke pushed that aside, what he felt for Naruto was obviously not rational, why should he listen to that part of his mind?

Sasuke did kind of feel stupid, going through halls casually peering into windows to see if there was a class going on, searching for the blonde. Feeling more than a little bit like a stalker, Sasuke's only justification is that Naruto had shut him out, and this was the only way to make sure he was okay.

And by the looks of Naruto, he wasn't. Naruto was worse than he was while he was staying with Sasuke, he had withdrawn completely into his own mind, his body looked like it would break if someone bumped into him, his beautiful eyes had dark circles from his lack of sleep…probably due to nightmares.

Sasuke hated it that he couldn't do anything for him, but Naruto was pushing him out. And so this was what he was forced to do. A little part of him hated Naruto for acting the way he was, but Sasuke never really paid much attention to that.

Finally spotting the only class still going on, Sasuke stepped to the side of the door, he didn't Naruto to go running, so his best bet was to stay out of sight.

Sure enough, the door opened merely moments after Sasuke moved, and the students quickly poured out, talking back and forth with each other.

And there was Naruto, trying to force himself out of the main crowd of people, his eyes obviously looking for the quickest exit. Sasuke studied him.

He was wearing a long sleeved shirt and a thick hoodie, his hair was as spiky as ever, but the circles under his eyes seemed worse.

Suddenly, Naruto tripped, sprawling on the floor, his bag flying open spilling its contents. Sasuke went to move forwards, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Whirling around to see who dared to touch him, Sasuke almost groaned out loud in annoyance as his eyes met Shikamaru's smirking expression.

"What do you want, Nara," Sasuke snapped, turning his eyes back to Naruto, who was up on his knees, muttering to himself as he picked up his items, the students milling busily around him. Shikamaru always annoyed him, and the fact that the lazy man had stopped him from going to Naruto only made him more on edge towards him.

"Stalking Naruto, are we?"

Sasuke didn't respond.

"Well, I guess you have too since Naruto's sorta avoiding you."

Sasuke shot him a sharp glance, but still said nothing. Shikamaru sighed.

"You know, before I ticked off Naruto, he did talk to me. But I guess you don't want to know what that is…"

"I'm not playing your games, Nara," Sasuke snapped, "If you have something to say, then say it."

"From what I gather, he's really depressed." Shikamaru started slowly, "I tried talking to him…but when I mentioned you, he got pissed and hasn't talked to me since."

Sasuke turned to look at him, his obsidian eyes read of curiosity. Shikamaru nodded slowly.

"Of course I can see he's been ignoring you, and as you can guess I find it really weird. So I said something to him about it, and he…"

"Spit it out, Shikamaru."

"He thinks he's protecting you."

Sasuke turned, his full attention on Shikamaru, shock lining his face. His head felt like a whirlwind, Naruto was protecting…him?

"Protecting me? From what?" Shikamaru gave him a hard stare.

"From him. He thinks that he's bad for you or something…I told him it was bull-"

Sasuke wasn't listening anymore, Shikamaru's voice faded into the background as a million thoughts and questions rushed into Sasuke's mind. What the hell did that mean? Protect him from Naruto? He turned back to where Naruto had been only seconds before, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Sasuke didn't have any idea what Naruto was up to, or meant, but he sure as hell was going to find out.

Xx

Walking up to the apartment door, Sasuke was careful to bring the bag he was carrying closer to his body. The cold wind was really picking up and the last thing he wanted was for some of it to fly away. Finally reaching Iruka's apartment, Sasuke steeled himself and knocked heavily on the door.

(INSIDE)

Naruto sat shivering on the couch, flipping the channels. Pulling his thin shirt closer to his arms, Naruto couldn't help but make a loud "brr" sound. Iruka's apartment was freezing, and it was only going to get worse. He didn't know how Iruka could stand it!

Then came the knock on the door.

Turning towards the door, Naruto thought for a moment.

It couldn't be Iruka, he had just left for work about an hour ago…what if it was one of his old friends trying to see him? What would he say to them?

Decidedly, Naruto turned back to the TV, ignoring the knock. It was two seconds later that another knocked sounded throughout the tiny apartment.

Scowling in annoyance, Naruto pulled himself off the couch and walked over to the door, pressing his eye against the small hole at the top of the door, Naruto almost screamed when he saw Sasuke standing there.

Turning quickly away from the door, Naruto pressed his back up against it as if he were afraid Sasuke would bust down the door to get to him. Breathing heavily Naruto thought quickly.

What the hell did the teme not get about this? Have I not been clear enough? What could he possibly want? Another knock.

"Go away, Sasuke!" Naruto yelled through the door, hoping that-and the biting cold-would be enough to shake Sasuke's will, but of course not. He was an Uchiha after all.

"Open the door, Naruto."

"Go away I don't want to see you!"

Silence for a few moments.

"I have something for you."

Naruto's interest was perked…and since he was sure that the person knocking wasn't an attacker, Naruto slowly turned towards the door again, twisting the deadbolt, his mind screaming no, but his body seemed to move on its own.

Finally pulling the door open to reveal his head and torso, Naruto scowled at Sasuke, who was now obviously holding a bag.

"Yes…?" Naruto started, forcing his voice to sound as emotionless as the other boys usually did. Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Its freezing, aren't you going to invite me in?" Sasuke asked in a dry voice.

"…No."

Sasuke gave an exasperated sigh, Naruto's stubbornness was more annoying than any he had encountered before. Staring at Naruto fiercely he crossed his arms.

"We're going to talk about this Naruto," Sasuke said in a low voice. "One way or the other." Naruto looked down at his bare feet.

"I don't want to talk about it, Sasuke," Naruto responded firmly, "I just want to be left alone."

"Well I don't care what you want."

"Obviously."

Sasuke studied Naruto in silence, the once muscular, vibrant, and active man was now very thin, and shivered violently as the wind from outside reached him. Sasuke went to take a step toward him, but Naruto instantly moved back and the door closed a bit, he didn't want to chase Naruto off, this was the most communication he had with the boy for a week and a half.

"Naruto, I-"

"There he is!"

Naruto looked up in surprise, that was definitely not Sasuke's voice that just shouted it, mainly because it was a woman's voice.

Sasuke turned as well, surprised when he saw a well dressed woman hurriedly rushing towards him, a crew of men behind her. What was in her hand…was that a microphone? An alarm instantly went off in Sasuke's head, even before he saw one of the men lift a camera to his shoulder.

Sasuke turned quickly to warn Naruto but it was too late, the news crew had already reached the door. The woman took a deep breath before turning to the camera.

"I'm Kotone Morioka, reporting for Channel 8 News. I'm standing outside the apartment where the victim of a vicious crime is hiding away from the world, sir, would you like to say anything to the cameras and our viewers?"

Naruto looked at the woman in surprise as the microphone was pushed toward his face, blinded as lights started going off in his eyes as several journalists started snapping pictures of him.

"I-I.."

Suddenly the microphone was knocked away from Naruto's mouth, and Sasuke quickly stepped in front of him, blocking the view of the camera.

"You should leave," Sasuke hissed. The woman looked back at the camera making a signal to keep rolling.

"Kotone Morioka, and who are you?"

Sasuke said nothing but gave her his best glare, staring down all the photographers.
Someone of course shouted out-

"Its Sasuke Uchiha!" The cameras went off faster than before.

", would you like to say anything to the cameras about this affair?" Kotone pushed the microphone in his face. Swiftly knocking it away again, Sasuke's eyes nearly flashed red.

"Actually, I do have something to say: I suggest that you and this whole press crew get the hell of this property and stop harassing Naruto Uzumaki. If you don't leave this place, now I'll have you all fired and your employers sued for everything they have."

The whole mass of people suddenly stopped, looking back and forth with each other, they slowly lowered their cameras, before turning begrudgingly to leave.

Sasuke smirked in satisfaction, turning back to Naruto, Sasuke opened his mouth to say something before he noticed that the door was closed.

Almost knocking again, Sasuke gave a small scowl, before turning and walking off, Naruto was obviously upset, but Sasuke wasn't giving up.

Xx

The Uchiha manor was cold, being so large and only one person living there made it that way. But Sasuke didn't mind he sat in front of the fire, with a blanket over him, dreaming about the past…He thought about his parents before they died, and how they had such brief years of happiness…he thought of Itachi before he left on his "business ventures" leaving Sasuke to get a proper education so he could join him…and he thought of Naruto, the bouncy little blonde that wormed his way into Sasuke heart, and for some reason was trying to get away from it as quickly as he could.

Suddenly depressed, Sasuke frowned, getting up from the couch he threw the blanket down, making his way through the other rooms in the house.

The whole mansion was dark, and it was rather creepy, but Sasuke didn't really notice or care. Stopping by the 'theater' room, with the large screen, Sasuke walked inside absent mindly recalling the night Naruto had come home all beat up, after "falling" in front of a car, or whatever lousy excuse he had made up.

They had come in here to watch movies…grinning slightly, Sasuke picked up the remote, flicking the TV on. Changing channels, bored, Sasuke stopped noticing the woman from Naruto's apartment was up on the screen. Intrigued, Sasuke leaned back against the wall to watch.

"…We tried to catch up with the victim in this case, previously unnamed but now known to be a young man called Uzumaki Naruto, a college student at the respected Graydale University, our cameras tried to catch up with Uzumaki at this apartment, to get a comment, but he had nothing to say…"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as a clip of Naruto looking surprised and confused flashed on the screen, before disappearing. Vultures.
"…no word yet about the ranging possibility of the survival of the mystery attacker. Police authorities haven't officially released a statement concerning whether or not the rumor is true, the attacker is still out there; but our contacts in the police department have disclosed that there is definitely no body as of yet, and no sign of his death. What will the police do if in fact it's confirmed that the man is still out there? Our cameras and reporters caught up with local sherrif…"

Sasuke turned the TV off, stunned. Still out there? There was even a slight chance that monster is still out there? Did Naruto know?

Naruto!

Rushing out of the room, Sasuke ran back to his front door, snatching his car keys he grabbed his shoes at the door, throwing a jacket on he swung open and rushed out the door. Stepping quickly, Sasuke didn't even notice the cold, as he made it to his car.

He barely had closed the car door before it was on and pulling down his driveway, and out onto the road.

Going clear twenty over the speed limit, Sasuke rifled through his brain, he had hit that man, and he fell down into the drain…how did he survive that? Trying to remember more clearly, all Sasuke could remember was the flurry of emotion as he beat the man, he had thought that the man would of course be dead but…

If Naruto knew that the monster was still alive, still lurking out there wanting revenge…Sasuke shook his head, pushing off such thoughts, he knew that he had to be with Naruto, he had to get there before Naruto did something drastic or stupid. He had a tendency to do both.

Weaving in and out of traffic, Sasuke pressed heavily on his gas pedal, almost missing the turn into the apartment complex.

Screeching into a parking place, Sasuke quickly slammed his car into the park gear, turning the key to turn the car off, he nearly leaped out of the vehicle forgetting to lock it behind him in his haste.

Leaping over the locked gate, Sasuke ran through the small sheltered sidewalks until he reached Iruka's door. Stopping for a moment to catch his breath, the thought that it was about 11:00 PM, Sasuke pounded on the door, the thought flying out of his conscience as the thought of Naruto lying dead filled his mind.

Waiting impatiently for two seconds, Sasuke pounded on the door again. He was bringing Naruto-and Iruka, back to his mansion, and he wouldn't take any disagreement for either of them.

Finally the door swung open, revealing a very tired and very sad looking Iruka. Surprised slightly at the sight of Sasuke, he moved slightly, silently giving permission for Sasuke to come inside.

That was the first alarm that went off in Sasuke's head, Naruto had made it clear he didn't want to see him, and Iruka was just letting him in? Didn't that seem a bit odd? Looking very suspicious, Sasuke slowly stepped into the small apartment.

Iruka closed the door, moving around Sasuke to sit down on his couch, giving a long sigh, Iruka sat down, his shoulders hunched. Pulling a drink off the table, Iruka took a sip of his liquor. Alarm number two, Iruka never drank alcohol.

"I suppose you want to talk to Naruto?" Iruka finally said in a soft voice.

"Is everything okay, Iruka?" Sasuke stepped forward trying to get the man's attention. "I saw on the news-"

"Yeah, so did we," Iruka interrupted him. Finally turning to make eye contact with Sasuke he looked thoughtful. "I never did understand why Naruto didn't want to see you. I mean you saved him, right? Doesn't make much sense."

Alarm number three, Iruka was referring to Naruto with words such as 'did', as if Naruto were gone.

"You're stalling aren't you?"

"…not anymore," Iruka gulped the rest of his glass down before turning to Sasuke decidedly. "Naruto's not here."

"If he's not here, then where is he?" Sasuke fought to keep control of his tone, to stop himself from leaping across the couch and shaking Iruka by his collar.

"He saw the news, when it was first broken, a couple of hours ago. He's not well, Sasuke. He's mentally…he's broken, shattered."

Sasuke stared at Iruka, waiting for him to continue, a slight pressure started building inside him.

"I made arrangements for him to take a red eye flight, he's going to stay with my relatives in the U.S, until this whole thing blows over he couldn't stay here…wouldn't stay here. He's at the airport right now."

Sasuke's eyes grew wide, turning without another word he ran out the door, slamming it behind him.

Xx

Konoha Airport wasn't very busy, it was mid-November, so most people weren't going anywhere particular. Not to mention that Naruto was going on a late night flight to the U.S, most people weren't going there either.

Naruto sat in one of the terminal benches, his head bent, looking at the ground in-between his legs, his usually spikey hair flat on his head, as he waited for his plane flight to be called.

'Flight 123 to the U.S.A, now boarding.'

Sighing Naruto stood up, grabbing his suitcase. Finally! Taking a deep breath, Naruto set out towards the line, checking for his ticket in his backpocket, Naruto moved forward, gazing about the near empty terminal.

Just a few minutes and he would be on a plane, heading away from everything he had known all his life. Away from all his friends, all his makeshift family…away from that monster. As soon as Naruto heard on the news that it was "strongly suspected" the man who attacked him had survived and was on the loose, Naruto knew he couldn't stay here.

Iruka had, reluctantly told him about his sister living in New York, and quickly set up a red eye for Naruto to leave on, contacting his sister to inform her of the situation, he had packed Naruto off to the U.S.A, for who knows how long.

Naruto trudged on in the slow line, as the sleepy passengers moved to board the plane. Naruto was almost there, when strong fingers enclosed around his arm, pulling him from the line. Gasping in surprise , Naruto wrenched his arm free, turning, ready to run, when he heard a familiar deep voice.

"Naruto…"

Turning slowly, Naruto came face to face with a breathless Sasuke, clutching a hastily purchased ticket, to get him this far in the airport, Naruto assumed. Looking up at the man's face, Naruto searched for the reason…sure Sasuke was, or had been, his closest friend, but going through all this trouble?

"Why are you here, Sasuke?" Naruto asked in a firm voice.

"I'm here to stop you!" Sasuke took a step closer to his blonde, reaching for Naruto's arm, but Naruto quickly pulled away from his grasp.
"You can't just leave me, Naruto," Sasuke said slowly at first. "You ignore me, you push me away, and now you're leaving the country?"

"I have too," Naruto said softly. "I need to get away from here."

Sasuke took a few moments, to search through Naruto's expressions, finally finding a crack of remorse, through the tanned emotionless mask. Sasuke's voice caught in his throat, as he finally decided to unload onto the blonde.

"Naruto, listen to me. These past weeks have been hell. I can't stand it, when you're not near me. You're the one thing that's been keeping me going, and I can't just sit here and watch as you bend and break before my own eyes. I don't want to live another day without seeing you-"

"Stop! Sasuke, no," Naruto stepped away from him, his eyes shining, but his mouth was set, resolved. "I have to leave." Naruto turned to walk away.

"Why?" Sasuke called after him, stopping Naruto in his tracks.

"Why?" Naruto said almost unbelieving the question. "Why? That…that man is still out there! I can't live like this, I can't live in fear of whats behind the corner, what's hiding in that shadow? Why are those people s-staring at me, why…why me?" Naruto's voice cracked as the burdens that had weighed on his heart started to slowly unfurl. "That's why."

"I can protect you. You and Iruka," Sasuke said firmly, closing the distance between them, staring down into Naruto's glassy eyes. "I can keep you safe, no matter what he or anyone else tries to do." Naruto's tears finally started spilling over as he heard Sasuke's words.

"See?" Naruto almost screamed, making everyone in the terminal glance over at the pair. "This! This is why I have to leave."

"Naruto, I don't-"

"You! You can't…you can't protect me! I'm broken. I'm worthless, Sasuke. Worthless! I'm scared, I can't…I can't live normally. I don't feel anything anymore, but fear. I'm so scared that I can't turn any lights off in a room I'm in, then, then I'm so scared that he's out there, watching me I want to turn the lights off and hide in the darkness. There can't be…there isn't any protection, I can't be fixed. And you…you make me feel, like…I can't explain it, but I care too much for you.

"You spend your time, your…your attention to me! I'm not…you can't! You can't save me, no one can, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you can move on with your life. Last time you 'protected' me, you almost died, Sasuke. Because of me, you almost died, but you still hang around! I tried..I'm trying to save you. Save you from me, because you tried, and you…you got hurt.

"Anyone, and everyone I care about gets hurt, Sasuke. In one way or another, I bring about pain, and I can't…I can't let you get hurt again, because of me. Its my fault, it's…it's all my fault, and I'd rather die, than watch you break like I did, because I dragged you under with me.

"You…you're a Uchiha." Naruto gave him a misty, ironic smile, "and I'm…I'm a little orphan kid, looking alone for something I'm not sure I can ever find." Finally finished with what he wanted to say, Naruto shuddered, his knees buckling as Sasuke stood there, shocked and disbelieving at the words that just tumbled out of Naruto's heart and mouth.

"So…before any of that happens, I'm going to leave. You saved me once, Sasuke," Naruto said softly, pleading with his watery cerulean eyes, "Let me, save you."

Turning to leave, Naruto finally let his pent up tears spill over his eyelids, sliding down his cheeks.

"Naruto!"

Naruto froze, the voice ringing in his ears, Naruto turned slightly to gaze at Sasuke.

The sight was shocking to say the least, the most vulnerable Naruto had ever seen the Uchiha, was suddenly presented, the mask was all gone, sorrow written all over his face, Sasuke's obsidian eyes pierced through his heart.

"Don't leave," Sasuke said in a husky voice. "I love you."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his mouth dropping.

Taking advantage of Naruto's silence, Sasuke quickly closed the distance between the two.

Moving his hands around Naruto's head, Sasuke pulled Naruto quickly into a heated kiss, pressing the soft pink lips against his own, Sasuke felt like he was pouring every drop of his soul, his love, into the other.

Naruto returned the kiss, closing his eyes and losing himself completely within the sudden contact of love. Careful holding Sasuke, Naruto felt nothing he had felt before as, he could feel his heart ache and melt with Sasuke's touch.

But the feeling was cut short, as Sasuke slowly pulled away from the love of his life, still holding Naruto's face gently within his pale hands, Sasuke gazed lovingly down as Naruto slowly opened his brilliant blue eyes.

"Sasuke…" Naruto swallowed, his eyes like an endless pit of sorrow.

Sasuke breathed heavily softly fingering Naruto's face, his eyes half lidded as he watched Naruto carefully.

Naruto opened his mouth to say something…anything, but nothing came out for a few moments.

Finally, as tears forced their way to the surface of his eyes, Naruto lightly brushed Sasuke's hand.

"I…" Naruto's voice broke, choked with a sob as he careful pulled himself free from Sasuke's hold, "I can't, I can't-" turning abruptly Naruto started to walk quickly away from the raven headed boy through the doorway leading to his plane, Naruto looked back once to look at Sasuke.

Sasuke didn't look too surprised, he stood, a lonely sight. His hands heavily at his side, as he gazed sorrowfully back at Naruto.

Biting his lip, Naruto grasped the edge of the door, literally forcing himself to continue walking; Naruto went on, silent tears streaming down his face.

Knowing deep in his heart that he had failed, he had broken Sasuke Uchiha.

I was like literally about to burst into tears as I wrote this. I think I'm like coming down with some emotional flu, I was screaming at Naruto to love Sasuke last chapter, and nearly bursting into tears over this one.

But, I hope it really did kinda sucker punch you in the face.
As was intended ;)

But foh realz, I hope you enjoyed it...
Look for the next chapter in the next upcoming week, hopefully!