This chapter introduces two new characters: Kurenai and Suigetsu. They don't have major roles here but they are important. They both have something to do with Sai *wink*
Anyway, here is another chapter, I hope you'll like it!

chapter 10 - Sunshine of Mine

.o.O.O.o.

Tsunade loved to cook. She didn't always do it, Shizune did, but she loved occupying herself with cooking from time to time. Right now she was in the middle of blending flour, sugar, butter and eggs together. Those were going to be pancakes for her dear kids. Kids that weren't kids anymore, really. She smiled, remembering each and every moment with her kids. There were many hard times and she had had to soothe pained and broken hearts more than once, wipe tears from a child's eye and plant a messy head with loving kisses. But there were also good times, filled with laughter and sparkling eyes, the sound of little feet rushing and unxepected embraces from tiny arms. She wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.

"Tsunade-sama," Shizune came in, eyeing Tsunade with sceptic eyes. "Are you... baking?"

"As a matter of fact I am." Tsunade replied smugly. Shizune let it go. She knew Tsunade was stubborn, nearly as stubborn as Naruto sometimes, and if she decided she wanted to cook, there was no changing her mind. But her attempts at cooking were rather disastrous so far. She didn't say a word, though. As much as she loved the children and cared for them, Shizune still cherished her life.

"So, what is it?" Tsuande asked, removing a strand of hair behind her ear. Shizune pulled a chair and took a seat. "Is it about Naruto?" Tsunade was worried about him. Ever since that incident at the mall with the Uchiha brat, Naruto has become somewhat withdrawn. He asked to transfer to a different school and she understood him. She herself thought it would be for the best. And yet... Naruto was withdrawn.

Shizune shook her head. "Actually," she said, frowning, "it's about Gaara." Tsunade turned to her sharply. "Gaara?" she asked, truly alarmed. "What happened?" Shizune was quick to assure her it was nothing serious. "It's just that, this morning, someone called, asking to speak with Gaara," she explained. Tsunade visibly relaxed. "And?" she asked. Shizune blinked. "Gaara-kun never gets phone calls unless they're from us," she reminded her but Tsunade's glare was hard and she quickly continued. "The guy sounded very... I don't know how to put it. He sounded kind of... desperate." Tsunade said nothing. It was true that Gaara has never recieved phone calls from anyone who wasn't living in this household, beside who did he have that would call him? He never made friends, not even tried to. But Tsunade always hoped that maybe he had formed some bonds with other teenagers his age, without her knowing. But who was so desperate to speak to him? "Did he identify himself?" she asked. "Yes. He said his name was Hyuuga Neji."

"Hyuuga? Hyuuga Hiashi's son?"

"I don't think so. Hiashi has only two daughters."

"So, what was that all about?"

"He asked to speak with Gaara," Shizune told her. "I told him Gaara was at school (and reminded him that he should be there too) and he nearly started crying right there and then!" Really, it was still shocking and so unexpected. "He was really desperate, said he had to talk to Gaara and then scolded me for being so calm about it all!" Shizune laughed a little. "I wasn't calm, I'm telling you. But I told him to calm down and tell me what was wrong and he..." she trailed off, her eyes far away and contemplating.

"What? He what?" Tsunade demanded, quite afraid by then. What happened? What was wrong? Did Gaara do something? Did he get into another fight? But he hasn't for so long!

"He said he was in love with Gaara."

The spoon she was holding fell from Tsunade's hand and hit the floor with a loud metalic 'clank'. Now there was some flour on the floor, mixed with eggs and butter. Tsunade bent down to pick it up. "In love with Gaare?" she repeated quietly. Shizune nodded. "He said something... he said 'Gaara should stop being such a coward and face me' something like that. He asked me to tell him that."

Tsunade went back to her pancakes. Shizune watched her in silence, wondering what she'll do next. Tsunade cared for each one of her children as if she was the one who gave birth to them. And Gaara, like Naruto, was special.

"These are going to be awesome pancakes," Tsunade finally declared and Shizune watched as a smile began to form on her Boss's lips. Although, she wasn't quite sure about those pancakes. Tsunade suddenly laughed out joyfully and it seemed that it gave her motivation and she sprang to action. She stirred, blended, prepared a pan and soon the pancakes were ready. They smelled rather good, Shizune admitted. "And now," Tsunade turned to her and there was that look of determination in her eyes that Shizune had had the pleasure (or misfortune, depends on the situation) to see. "Hyuuga Neji is going to be my special guest for next week's event."

"Are you sure Tsunade-sama?" Tsunade smirked. "Yes." Oh yes. (Mon, Oct. 3)

~O~O~O~O~

"My name is Suigetsu. Hozuki Suigetsu." Sasuke examined the boy in front of him. He had bright eyes and bright lilac hair, almost white. He was the same height as Sasuke and wore simple but expensive clothes that seemed nearly colorless. But the thing that caight Sasuke's attention more than anything else was the guy's teeth; they were sharp and pointed, each one of them with no exception. The guy, Suigetsu, smiled and it made him look like a shark. Sasuke smirked, he liked his teeth. "Sasuke, Uchiha Sasuke." he introduced himself. If that guy was to be his partner, he better know Sasuke's name.

"And I'm Bond, James Bond." Sakura interjected and then laughed at their expressions. "That's how you two sounded!" she said. Sasuke ignored her and turned back to Suigetsu. "Are you any good?" he asked and recieved a sharp-toothed grin from Suigetsu. "I'm the best," Suigetsu declared. All Sasuke said was 'hn'.

Suigetsu was indeed very good. Sasuke wouldn't say he was the best, but he was better than most people. He had a huge sword, which he dragged into the room, and seemed too large and heavy for a guy like Suigetsu. Sasuke hadn't commented on it, though. He'd seen a lot of opponents who had surprised him by choosing weird weapons. Suigetsu's sword wasn't really strange, just too large for him.

And Sasuke thought it was a good thing that he had kept his mouth shut because, suddenly, Suigetsu hoisted the huge sword to his left shoulder as if it were nothing but a wooden stick and gave Sasuke a cocky smirk, which Sasuke glared to. Sasuke's attention, by then, was fully focused on the pale-haired boy and his too-large sword.

Their battle began with Suigetsu's first attack. He lifted his sword and launched himself at Sasuke, aiming for his chest. Alarmed, Sasuke blocked the attack with his own sword, Sword of Kusanagi, and launched an attack of his own.

Suigetsu's movements were fluid and he was very agile. He moved as if he had no weight at all, flowing around like water and attacking from different angles. His movementss weren't like Sasuke's graceful but deadly cat-like movements but more like the flow of water; sometimes slow and gentle and other times wild and raging like waterfalls. It caused Sasuke such a thrill that his own movements became more serious and intense.

But hard as he tried, and he did, Suigetsu couldn't beat Sasuke. For every attack of his, Sasuke had a counter-attack, and it seemed like Sasuke knew every move he was going to make, as if he could see not one but ten steps ahead of Suigetsu. And the way he moved! So elegant and graceful yet deadly. All of his movements were swift and acurrate, fast and yet forceful. He was like a warrior; powerful but restrained.

"You gave us a good fight Sasuke," Suigetsu bowed respectfully to the one who has just defeated him. He was being honest. "It's been a long time since Kubikiribocho and I have enjoyed a fight so much." He smiled at his large sword his toothy smile.

"I ebjoyed it too," Sasuke said truthfully. Sakura came in a few seconds later with glasses of cold water. They accepted them glady. Suigetsu seemed more than relieved after drinking the water and freshening up. He put down his Kubikiribocho and took off his sicky shirt. Sasuke did the same and soon they were sitting peacefully on the floor, watching the green yard out the doors that Sakura had kindly slid open for them sometime earlier.

It was cloudy outside and grey, a weather fit for autumn. The ground was covered with golden-brown leaves, soft autumn breeze swirling them playfully.

"Man I hate autumn," Suigetsu said and crinkled his nose in distaste. "It makes me uneasy." Sasuke said nothing, He wasn't one to talk much and besides, he had no idea what say. Thankfully, it seemed like Suigetsu wasn't expecting a reply. "Summer's great! Going to the beach and flirting with all those girls in bikini..." he trailed off and then laughed. "Wait, don't tell me," he told Sasuke, "you hate summer, don't you?" Sasuke's reply was a traditional 'hn'. Suigetsu laughed more. "Man I knew it! You're so gloomy Uchiha. Add some sunshine to your life, won't you?"

Sunshine. Sasuke didn't want to think of sunshine or sun. He tried to avoid those kind of thoughts all day! He probably should've known that they were inevitable. After all, someone was bound to mention the weather sometime. Jeez, he hated thinking too much, but unfortunately he was a person who always thought too much.

"Do you guys have popsicles around here?"

The question was so unexpected that Sasuke had to blink and look at Suigetsu's face to be sure that he heard right. "Popsicles?" he repeated. Suigetsu grinned. "Yeah, popsicles. There's no better weather to eat popsicles than this one!" he declared. Sasuke couldn't see the logic in it all, because really, why would anyone want to eat a popsicle in such a cold weather? But he refrained from saying anything. Sometimes it was better to keep your thoughts to yourself. "I don't think so," he said dryly. "Oh well," Suigetsu shrugged, not too bothered. "I'll just have to make some myself when I get to my room."

Suigetsu was a transfer student from Kirigakure, along with twenty other students. They were given rooms in Leaf's dormitories and were to live there for a period of six months. Suigetsu was chosen to be Sasuke's partner.

"Why don't you join us today Suigetsu?" once again Sakura popped behind them. She smiled at Suigetsu who looked from her to Sasuke and smiled too. "Why, thank you Haruno-san, I'd love to!" he replied. Sasuke rolled his eyes but said nothing. He didn't really care who went out with them, he didn't even really want to go out with the guys but Sakura was persistent and very persuasive and in the end Sasuke had decided that resisting just wasn't worth the energy wasted on it.

Suigetsu watched Sasuke and smirked to himself. Sasuke was a very fun person.

~O~O~O~O~

Sasuke found Sai in his usual position; seated on a stool in front of a large canvas. The canvas itself was blank and Sai sat there just staring outside the window, a pencil in his hand. Sometimes Sasuke thought Sai's mind was as blank as his canvas but then he would pick up a pencil and start painting and prove to everyone that his mind was far from blank.

The problem was, Sai's expressions were always, always, blank. It was as if his face didn't know any other expression and it made it so much harder to understand Sai. It was enough that he was different from others in more things than one. When he was a baby, barely a year, his parents went to see a doctor about their son's lack of response to his surrounding. At first they had thought he was deaf but after some examinations and tests it was proved that he was perfectly healthy. The doctors then said he was autistic and that was why he wasn't responding to people. "Autists are disconnected from the world and people. They live in a world of their own and react only to certain things that they find interesting enough." That's what Sai's parents were told.

Sasuke, however, suspected that it was all Sai's way to escape high expectations for him. And it was really a clever isea. With you being an autist, no one would ever expect you to do things you don't want to, or force you to make difficult decisions. Because really, who would ever do that to an autistic person? But then again, Sasuke didn't think that someone could pull the act for so long (seventeen years were too long for it to be an act). Anyone would go crazy sooner or later.

"Sai," Sasuke called the boy but received no reactiong from his cousin. He had expected much and tried again. Sai's family was forced to learn patience thanks to him, it was one of the ups in the whole autist issue. "Sai," he said again and slowly Sai turned to look at him. His black eyes were blank as was his whole expression but Sasuke knew better.

"Sasuke," came Sai's montone greeting. He put down the pencil. Sasuke thought it was an improvement, really. Sai wasn't stupid, on the contrary; he was extremely smart and like all Uchihas he was considered a genius. He could solve the most difficult math problems in a matter of minutes, sometimes even seconds, and he had Eidetic Memory, or in other words- photographic memory. He could quote entire pages from History book word by word without even struggling! But that was it. Sai was a genius but his social skills were close to nonexistent.

"Sai, It's time to go." Sasuke said softly. Sai said nothing and simply picked up his pencil again and began drawing random lines on the blank canvas. Sasuke was sure it would become another great work of art but they really needed to go. Sasuke gently put his hand on Sai's shoulder, receiving a startled reaction from the boy. "We have to go Sai," he repeated patiently. "It's time for you session with Kurenai." Sai seemed to finally accept his words and he got off his stool. Sasuke offered him his jacket and surveyed the room one last time before they left. Sai's room was as tidy as always. The soft baby-blue painted walls gave off the serene atmosphere Sai needed so much and on them were hung some of Sai's works; framed and cherished.

"Today is Itachi's turn," Sai told him when they left the house. Sasuke was well aware of them. Itachi and Sasuke took turns in taking Sai to Kurenai and this week was indeed Itachi's turn. But Sasuke had nothing else to do after finishing all his homeworks and Itachi wanted so much to spend some time with Deidara, so Sasuke agreed to take Sai.

"I know," he replied, "But he had something to do with Deidara. I don't mind."

"Yes you do." Sai didn't look at him.

"Why do you think so?" Sasuke asked, curious. Sai had the uncanny ability to know exactly what people were feeling. Unfortunately he rarely shared it with other people.

Sai shrugged and Sasuke was reminded of the first time Sai had ever shrugged. It was a long time ago and it was so strange and funny in a way. Sai had simply mimicked Sasuke's gestures back then and it seemed he liked that particular gesture.

"I really don't mind," Sasuke insisted but he knew he wasn't being entirely truthful. And he knew Sai knew that.

A car was waiting for them near the gates and they got in. After a fifteen minute drive they reached Kurenai's house. She lived in a white-picket-fence house in a neighborhood on the south end of Konoha.

Yuhi Kurenai greeted them with a warm smile and ushered them to get inside. Once inside her cozy house Sasuke took off his jacket and settles on the sofa. There was nothing much for him to do here except to wait for the session to be over. Usually, Kurenai and Sai would sit at the dining table and Sasuke would listen and wait patiently. Sometimes he would look at some magazines or read a book that Kurenai would give him. She usually gave him good ones, not that he was a person who read much, though.

"I want Sasuke to sit here Yuhi-san," Sai's voice made Sasuke jerk his head from the magazine he was reading. He was sure he shared the same look of confusion as Kurena's.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"Of course, Sai, I see no problem why not actually," Kurenai said.

And so Sasuke found himself watching close up while Sai answered some questions on a paper like: 'why is a handshake important?' Or, 'match the feeling with the expression' (above a series of faces showing different expressions and the names of the feelings below them), and 'write down the names of three people that make you happy' and beside it there was a smiling face. Sai had some diffuculties , of course. He found it hard to explain why a handshake was important and stared blankly at the paper. He Knew some expression (like happy and sad) and could match them easily with the right feelings but there were more expression he hadn't recognized, like 'disgusted', 'discouraged', 'smirking' or 'conniving'.

Through it all Kurenai helped him. She asked him guiding questions that would help him reach the answer on his own and encouraged him patiently and kindly. Sasuke was amazed by two things: first, that he had no idea how difficult it was for Sai to answer such rather simple questions, that for Sai it was no laughing matter. And second, that Kurenai was such a good person. She had such a kind heart and so much patience! Sasuke tried to imagine himself in her place and just couldn't. In every scene he ended up giving up or having a fatal breakdown. Some questions were so silly it nearly drove him insane to watch Sai struggle with them so much. But he kept quiet and often tried to help.

It was half an hour later when Sai put down the pen he was holding and turned blank eyes at Kurenai and Sasuke. "I want Sasuke to do this too," he said and somehow the tone of his voice left no room for argument. It was one of those times in which Sai became extremely serious and the tone of his voice became strong and authorative. It was also one of those times in which Sasuke knew he couldn't refuse.

"That's a good idea," Kurenai said softly and handed Sasuke a sheet of paper with the same questions as Sai's. "Go on Sasuke-kun," she urged him and Sasuke fought back the sigh that threatend to escape his mouth. The things he agreed to do for his family...

'Who are you?' Sasuke wrote down his name.
'Match the feeling with the expression' Sasuke drew lines from each face to the right word.
'Write down names of three people that make you happy' At this, Sasuke hesitated. Kurenai noticed that he stopped writing and looked at him, questioning him with her eyes.

Sasuke Thought about the question. Who made him feel happy? Like, really happy? Maybe his parents... but they were dead so could he write their names? Well there was Itachi and while Sasuke admitted the his brother made him somewhat happy and loved he didn't think he should write his name. Or maybe he should? Sasuke shrugged and wrote down Itachi's name. Two more to go. So who else made him happy? There were his friends, Neji and Sakura, but while Sakura was ok and Neji was somewhat annoying, both didn't make him too happy. Sure, he liked them to some extent and enjoyed their company more than others in his age, otherwise he wouldn't have befriended them, but they didn't make him feel extremely happy.

"Yuhi-san," Sai voice once again broke Sasuke's train of thoughts. "Sasuke thinks too much," Sai said and cocked his head to look at Sasuke. Sasuke thoguht it amusing. Him, thinking too much? as if hearing his thoughts Sai nodded his head. "Yes. Sasuke thinks too much. You have many people that make you happy," he said and caused both Kurenai and Sasuke raise eyebrows in surprise. "Like who exactly?" Sasuke demanded. To that Sai merely shrugged and said: "I don't know."

Kurenai watched it all in silence. Sai was a very smart kid despite what most people thought. She believed, no, she knew he was smarter than most people. Everyone thought Sai had no social skills at all and had no idea how to interact with other people. Kurenai didn't say this was wrong, Sai did have some difficulties with socializing with people, but she believed it was not for the reason everyone thought. Sai was not stupid, nor was he anti-social. Kurenai believed that the boy wanted to make friends, to open up. But his mind was so full of knowledge of the world and the people in it that it alienates him. He reads people so accurately-he read her once like an open book!- that it just served to strengthen her theory. And now Kurenai could see that Sai had planned something. Sai was always thinking of something. She knew there was not a moment when his mind wasn't occupied with one thought or another. She realized just then that Sai nust have wanted Sasuke to answer the questions for some reason. And as she examined Sasuke it all suddenly became somewhat clearer. She smiled.

"Sasuke-kun," she said softly, drawing said boy's attention. Sasuke turned to looked at her.

"It's ok," she said. "Sometimes that person comes later in our lives, and other times we just don't realize that that person is already right beside us. It might take some time, but you'll find them eventually."

~O~O~O~O~

Neji stared at his phone. A number he didn't recognized was shown on the screen. Should he answer it? Without thinking much he did.

"Hello?" he said. The voice that naswered him belonged to a woman and by the way she spoke Neji knew she was not a person to mess with people, or to be messed with.

"Hyuuga Neji?" the woman demanded.

"Yes, speaking," he answered.

"Good." The woman paused for a moment. "My name is Senju Tsunade." Neji nearly made a flip back to that. Senju Tsunade? The great Senju Tsunade? Head of KMC? What did she want with him? Was it maybe about Gaara? Was she going to tell him to stop calling Gaara? He could bet his most precious belonging on that.

"Senju-sama," he said, not hiding his surprise. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Neji heard her snort in what sounded like amusement.

"I hardly think me calling you would cause you such pleasure Hyuuga," she said and Neji almost sniggered. Almost. "I am sure you think you know why I'm calling you," she continued and suddenly Neji could feel his heart skipping a beat. So he was right... "I don't-" he started but she cut him off. "Oh don't be a sissy Hyuuga," she told him, once again highly amused. Neji, for the life of him, couldn't see what was so amusing. He scoffed and, as if she could see him, the woman laughed. "You have nothing to worry about Hyuuga," she said after relaxing somewhat. "I merely want to invite you to my son's birthday party."

"Gaara's?" Neji asked and then realized how eager he sounded. He blushed when Tsunade laughed once again. "No, Naruto's. But I'll be sure to invite you to Gaara's birthday too," she said and her tone told him that she knew more than he would like.

So, Naurot's birthday was coming up... suddenly Neji smirked.

"Of course Senju-sama," he told her. "When would that be?"

"October 10, next monday at six," She gave him the address and added "arrive half an hour earlier. It's going to be a surprise party."

"I will," he said and was about to hang up when she stopped him. "Do not bring your Uchiha friend with you Hyuuga. Am I clear?" Neji was surprised, and somewhat anxious. This woman was definitely not a person he wanted to mess with.

"I won't," he promised. Tsunade bid him good bye and the conversation was over.

Not to bring Sasuke? Did she dislike him that much? Or could it be Gaara's request? It could be, after all Gaara despised Sasuke.

Whatever, he thought. He himself was going to have a good time. A very good time.

.o.O.O.o.

A/N: I don't know much about autism and its syptoms (?). However I do know some things and some of them I've put into this chapter. It's not academic knowledge but it will do. I have this friend who's obsessed with Asperger Syndrome which is an autism spectrum disorder and she works with kids who have autism. Anyhow, Sai has autism, but it's not severe. He's just too smart, and his brain is so full of information that it makes his way of thinking entirely different from the rest of the world's. I love Sai :)

- HairoM