SPECIAL NOTE:

Hmm I have been reading that it is very possible that Sakura will be paired with Naruto. This is sad. I love the SasuSaku and personally I think it has more background and deepness as a relationship. Anyway we just have to wait till the manga is over but I had the bad feeling of a NaruSaku coming.

Well at least I hope to see Sasuke with some girl at his side anyway. I dont't want to see him alone at the end. I hope that the idea of reviving his clan will help. But then I think in the few girls we had in Naruto. Who could be? Hinata, Ino, Tenten or Temari? Well Tenten seems to go with Neji and Temari with Shikamaru. And between Ino and Hinata... or maybe that other girl that is in his team. Karin I think is her name. Hmm. Or maybe an unknown and new girl who will appear only in the end after years and years. I don't like this idea either just because I think that after all the story he had, he needs to be with someone who at least now the plot about it.

I hope he won't be killed either. After all that they had done to recover him it will be damn ironic, don't you think? And I don't know. I think he could do different from Orochimaru who never returned to Konoha. Besides the Uchihas can't dissapear I guess.

But if a NaruSaku is coming well I have to hurry up, he, he.

Chapter 11

Collecting

Naruto entered to the kitchen yawning and still sleepy. He rubbed her heavy eyes while he was thinking in the breakfast. What could he eat today?

And he was still thinking in it until he noticed something weird in the scene in front of him. He suddenly ended with his eyes wide open like his mouth that almost fell to the floor. He was stunned and amazed beyond belief staring speechless at the incredible scene developing in front of his mere face.

Sasuke was there making breakfast like an expert.

And the smell of the food he was cooking was good. Very good indeed.

The poor and paralyzed blond shinobi put his right hand in his chest, over the place where his heart was pounding hard and wild obeying the extreme surprise that was muting his owner and clutched his pajama breathing quickly and unevenly and gasping for air. Was he still dreaming? Did he enter to another dimension while he was coming to the kitchen? Was that boy really Sasuke Uchiha?

The supposed Sasuke Uchiha turned at him after hearing the heavy breathing and intent of talking of Naruto and just watched him with his natural coldness and indifference. He came to the table slowly and put two dishes on it. The other things were there prepared. Bread. Orange juice. He sat down ignoring that his friend was dying from heart and asthma attacks and took the fork and started to eat with his look fixed at the table.

Naruto finally controlled himself and he was fully awake by now by the way. He stayed stunned in his spot on the door looking surprised and confused at the dark-bluish boy. After verifying the facts and their reality, he came to the table still shaking from the impact and sat in front of Sasuke glazing confusedly at him. He looked all in the table and his food. It looked damn good. He just smiled moved and grateful and took his fork saying "Itadakimasu" happily and hungry and ignoring the pain in his chest and started to eat too.

It was the first time in all the month since Sasuke had returned thanks to Temari, that he had done something on his own and he seemed attracted to share time and space with someone. Something that anyone had put on his list of daily activities. And that made Naruto to smile wider and share the moment even in the eternal quietness of his best friend.

When Naruto finished his breakfast he just sighed content and satisfied. He stretched his body in the chair and looked at Sasuke who was still and distant with his face barely bowed and dark gaze lost.

"I didn't know you cook so good Sasuke! It was delicious! Thank you!"

Sasuke didn't react and Naruto just smiled sadly and moved. Why did he do that? Why did he make breakfast to him? His blue eyes wandered on the table and his friend's arms. He could see the slight scars there against his pale skin. He narrowed his blue eyes thinking and feeling sad and frustrated again. But he couldn't let that to spoil this incredible moment he had had with Sasuke. So he left behind his preoccupation and just smiled warmly at him.

"I have to go to a mission now with Neji and Kiba. I don't know how long it will take so I will tell the others to come to visit you. You're going to be fine, right?"

Naruto was just trying to chat. He knew that Sasuke would not answer. And he knew that he couldn't leave him alone again in his apartment so that was why he would ask Shino and Lee to keep an eye on him. It was the first time that he would go away since his last returning and was very worried in letting him by himself.

Smiling Naruto got up ready to take a shower. He had to leave soon to reunite with Neji and Lee at the Hokage's office. He was going to pick up everything from the table when Sasuke got up slowly and did it on his own. Still, the blue eyed boy decided to help him before taking his shower and getting prepared to his mission. He went near to his quiet friend who was washing all with slow and distant moves.

"How have you been feeling Sasuke?"

The Uchiha stopped suddenly at hearing his friend and turned to him his stoic look. He didn't seem sulking or annoyed. He was just cold and indifferent like almost all days. Naruto was glazing kindly and worried at him, trying to be casual. Sasuke just nodded one slight time and resumed to his job at washing dishes.

"It's good to know that. Tsunade's treatment is functioning then!"

He saw that Sasuke looked at the clock verifying the time and took out from his clothes a bottle with the pills that the Hokage had given him. After Temari had brought him a month ago, Tsunade had spent a lot of time doing tests on the Uchiha trying to have real proof of the guessing from the Sand Shinobi. Sasuke was hospitalized one week and the Hokage had said finally that Temari had been right in her guesses.

Even when there wasn't entirely physical proof that Sasuke indeed could hallucinate sometimes, there was some physical damage in his brain and they couldn't exactly knew how deep and extensive was. It was skillfully hidden. Still, other tests made by Tsunade had found some real damage at his spiritual, emotional and mental level. Even in his chakra. It was the same as the physical damage, very hidden and difficult to study. So the blond Hokage had ended knowing that Sasuke in fact could hallucinate and it was related to his emotional and physical state in some profound and strange bond. She didn't exactly know what things could provoke the hallucinations to appear and that's why she intended to keep watching Sasuke.

Because of the bond between his physical and emotional damage it was easier to give him and controlled him with a treatment and medicine. So she had prescribed him some pills made by herself with the help of the father of Shikamaru and they seemed to be working fine. She knew that Sasuke had been attacked very badly by some weird and unknown Jutsu and that he was aware of his surrounding and reality, but at how much, she couldn't exactly tell. His health seemed to be fine in the other aspect less his slowing pace and movements, his little weakness and his muteness. But she feared that like the hallucinations, other symptoms could appear later.

Sometimes Sasuke acted and looked exactly as all of them remembered him minus his voice. Other times were difficult to handle him.

Naruto knew that already.

While he was taking his shower he couldn't help to remember that day. It was the second day of Sasuke's hospitalization and Naruto had been there with him all morning. He could still remember the force his friend had showed even being so weak.

Naruto POV

I was reading a magazine when I saw by the corner of my eye that Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at everything around him with narrowed onyx gaze. He slowly sat down in the bed and suddenly got up without taking notice of me and went to the door with a monotone pace and lost face.

I got up quickly and went to him putting myself between the door and him, stopping him with my hands holding his arms. He was still weak and pale from his wandering alone for 3 months and I was deadly worried from him. He just looked strangely at me with sulking expression and somehow angered at my behavior.

I had known him since we were kids. I know how to recognize when he's angry at something. And in that moment, he was angry at me. And he was because I had stopped his fleeing.

"Stop Sasuke! You're not allowed to run away again! What the hell you think you're doing?!"

I spat at him angry and concerned too. Confused. He had just returned and now it seemed that he wanted to go again. He stared at me with his body tense and stiff. But I was stronger than him and I had to put him in bed again at all costs. When I tried to push him to the bed he used all the strength he seemed to have even in his sick condition and refused my advance. I tried it again and he then surprisingly punched me straight in the face forcing me to step back with my eyes watering. I was forced to let him go and he took that as an opportunity to try to open the door. But I was quicker and I was boiling in desperation and anger and I took him by the shoulders turning him around and I made him to step back trying to moderate my strength. He had hit me badly but I knew that I was stronger than him anyway in his condition and I didn't want to hurt him seriously for this.

We stayed one in front of the other. He was breathing unevenly and he seemed affected by the intent he had made. I just looked concerned at him feeling frustrated at not knowing his reason to run away again. I thought he would give up but I was mistaken. He wasn't looking at me, just plenty focused at the closed door. And then he charged again at me using all our training but with less speed and force he used to have. I confronted him trying to avoid his punch and hits and trying to find how to stop him. But he didn't give me a chance to get near him to control him even being weaker and slower than me and continued trying to take me out of his way. When his eyes turned red I was aware he was using his sharingan and that could only mean he was serious about this. He was still skillful and talented but his sickness had weakened him. I didn't want to take this useless fight so far. I knew he wasn't in all his senses. I could see it in his strange look, distant and empty. He wasn't even paying all his attention at me.

"Stop it Sasuke! It's useless!! I won't let you go so just stop now!"

A spark of anger filled his red eyes. I could almost see my former friend in front of me. He punched me twice because of my careless movements (I was more worried for him than for me) and he hit me very hard. I saw him gasping and trembling after using all the strength he had. But he didn't surrender at his exhaustion and keep trying to hit me and knock me down to flee from the room.

I grow impatient and angry. If he didn't care about himself well I did. I started to fight trying to make him to lose his balance and control. I didn't want to hurt him. When he suddenly was ready to punch me (and I wasn't prepared to stop him) he stopped abruptly with a confused red gaze. I knew that something was going on when I saw Sasuke's crimson eyes going from a point to another quickly like if he was following something invisible with his eyes. He turned around suddenly looking at one corner of the room losing his attention on me and stayed just glaring at the empty space gasping for air and shaking. I looked in the direction he was watching but I couldn't see anything. And then I remembered Temari's explanation.

"Sasuke calm down... come, you need to rest... Tsunade will come to help you..."

I tried to get near him and took him by his arm to guide him to the bed. But before I could reach him he jerked his body to me like if someone before me had touched him. And I saw deep sadness in his onyx eyes. He wasn't using his sharingan anymore. I sighed feeling relieved and tried to take his arm again but he with distant expression dismissed brusquely my attempt and tried again to kick me down. I was surprised at his movements and I received another series of punches directly at my face and torso. He then got to the door for the second time and he opened it but I took him by the collar forcing him to step back stumbling and while I was trying to control him I got tangled at our movements and his weak force fighting mine and we ended falling against the floor. I didn't want to hurt him and I almost fell on top of him without care. I watched him trying to see in the fall had hurt him feeling so worried and desperate.

He still was trying to win over me.

I tried to control him while he was still trying to push me away and stand up. He was glaring and staring angry at me but I didn't care. I was responsible for him if he wasn't capable of taking care of himself now.

"Stop it Sasuke! I won't let you go! Just calm down!"

He tried to punch me intensely but I was trying over and over to control him. I waited and waited till he lost the little strength he had left and surrendered lying limp and pale on the floor. He was trying to breathe normally but I could hear his effort feeling very concerned at it. His dark eyes were distant and lost again and they looked feverish.

When I knew that he couldn't try anything anymore I let him go and I found myself breathing hard like him from all the fight. I was kneeling at his side, looking preoccupied. After some minutes Sasuke try to sit down but he couldn't do it so I helped him and just left him breathing unevenly and slightly shaking. I supported him with my left arm across his shivering back.

"Are you ok Sasuke? I'm sorry... but I needed to stop you... I don't want you to go again... please trust in me and just stay... alright? You're still weak from your wandering…"

Sasuke didn't react at my words and just stayed sit with his body stiff and gazing distant at a point that I could never see. When I tried to get up to call Shizune he reached for my left arm and took it weakly by the wrist. I, surprised and wide eyed, turned to him confused. He was staring at the empty space still but he had grabbed me. That made my confusion to be left behind and preoccupied I half smiled sadly and moved.

"You don't want me to go?"

He didn't show any other reaction. I knew he had fever. I could see it. But right now I didn't want to leave him alone even knowing he couldn't get up on his own and therefore try to escape. He let go of me eventually and I was left at his side just hearing him gasping for air. Sasuke finally was able to control his breathing and tired put his head against my left shoulder looking for support.

"Everything will be fine Sasuke, you'll see... calm down..."

I just looked deep worried and hurt at seeing him like that. He closed his eyes exhausted. I waited till he was slept and carefully took him to the bed and lied him down. I couldn't help to feel proud of myself.

This time I had stopped him.

It was the first time I had done it. And I smiled sadly at my triumph.

Naruto POV

I left him sleeping and went to find Tsunade. Shizune healed my wounds caused by him. When the Hokage heard about my telling she decided to speed up her investigation on Sasuke and ordered to keep him tied to the bed and under treatment to control him. She had worried very badly after hearing that he tried to hurt me to run away.

So yes, they were times when it was difficult to handle him. Times like this weren't so common and less now that Sasuke had his pills. There were times when he was almost the Sasuke Uchiha I had met and there were times when he didn't want anyone near him and was angry. And there were the times when he was catatonic and he didn't get up from bed and didn't do anything and just stayed lying in bed all day with his gaze trapped in some place far away from me and from all. Those times were the ones that I couldn't stand. Just seeing him like that made me to lose my patience and get frustrated and angry and sad. I could handle him if he lost his mind. I could handle him if he was almost the friend I had before. I could handle him if he was sulking and wanting to be left alone. But I couldn't handle in the same way when I saw him like a dead without moving and without life in his eyes. That crushed my heart. I couldn't face my friend in that moments but I had to try it anyway. I was grateful that almost all the time he was like the talented boy I had admired and felt envy at when I was a child. It was almost like if I had my friend with me again.

The pills had worked fine till now and I was so relieved for that too. They kept him focused and without a lot of hallucinations. Tsunade couldn't give him anything more because there wasn't anything more that could heal the damage he had suffered. Not till this day anyway. But not even her, so experimented in medicine, could heal what was damaged in him. It was like a progressive sort of illness. She just wanted it to be under control and to not sick him anymore.

We know that Sasuke didn't want to hallucinate. He didn't like it, whatever the hallucinations were. That was why he always took them when it was the right time and tried to never forget one dose. Whatever he heard o saw, it seemed to hurt him deeply or angered him. At first he forgot to take them in two occasions and he had been acting restless and tense. Those days were difficult. Remembering Temari's explanation I had bought him books and I had found that he enjoyed and focused in painting. He didn't paint something understandable anyway; he just mixed the colors in different combinations. Months ago when he returned the first time after Miyu's birth we had left him just alone even if he was just staring at the empty space. But now I didn't want that for him and I encouraged him to do activities that required some routine like Temari had said. That helped him too a lot with the pills when the hallucinations where there.

Because even with the pills and the activities we know that he heard and saw things or beings that weren't there, that weren't real. Tsunade had told us that he lived in a real world mixed with an imaginary world born from his delusional attacked mind. He could be with us in a normal room but it was possible that he perceived that room mixed with sounds and images that weren't there and maybe they weren't even real. I could see it when Sasuke used to turn slowly his gaze in a special way around him or focused in the empty space in front of him, sometimes furrowing his brow and others lowering his look sadly still following shadows that didn't exist. I know how hard he tried to not listen or put attention on the hallucinations living with him minute after minute. But thanks to the pills and painting and reading, Tsunade was pretty sure that Sasuke was capable of having an almost normal life even with his own and necessary effort trying to ignore them. With the pills the hallucinations were weaker and fewer around his real world.

We discovered that reading was difficult to him. He could spend all day trying to read at least 3 pages. That's why I bought him books with images and not only letters. Writing was other thing he never tried doing. I had bought him paper and pencils and pens but he never touched them. He didn't want to communicate in any way and I let him for now. I wanted to force him to write and communicate what he was feeling and thinking but knowing everything that had happened I chose to follow Tsunade's advice and just let him at his pace.

Other thing was that he got lost easily in the village. One day Chouji took him to lunch and he lost him in the middle of one street. It was easy to return to the restaurant and Chouji thought that he would return soon. But he got worried when Sasuke never returned and went looking desperate for him. He found Sasuke standing still in one street without a clue of where he was or how to return to the restaurant.

Chouji heard from some people that had watched Sasuke going around that he seemed pretty confused. Some days later I tried to prove this and with the help of Shikamaru I did almost the same as Chouji had done. I left him behind without being notorious and Shikamaru watched him. The people had been right. Sasuke had lost somehow his sense of orientation or maybe the hallucinations messed with his surrounding so bad that he couldn't know what way to follow or how to orientate himself. Perhaps that was why he didn't return sooner to Konoha the last time.

I sighed thinking in all this again. But I had to run to the Hokage's office and before leaving home I went to check him up in his room. All my house was clean and organized thanks to him by the way. Doing it had helped him too. All my friends lost the bet and I got rich for some days. Smiling sadly I opened the door slightly and looked inside. Sasuke was sleeping lying in bed peacefully. I sighed relieved and sad. One side effect of the pills was that they put him to sleep a couple of hours after taking them. I closed the door carefully and went to the principal door without forgetting to look at the empty table with a moved and hopeful smile.

Sakura POV

"So that's all."

I nodded at Tsunade-Sensei thoughtful and sad. She just looked warmly at me. I had never told anyone before all he had said to me that night when I had told him I was pregnant.

When I screamed at him in the hospital's hall I had said some part of it. But not the complete story. Tsunade-Sensei had called me two days ago to ask me to come and see her and talk about Sasuke-Kun. At first I wasn't so thrilled at the idea and my calm world protested at this and I avoided her invitation. But I knew that if she was asking this of me so directly and serious, it was for a good reason. A reason that involved him. And feeling so damn worried and depressed deep inside, I couldn't say no. I had heard rumors of his return again thanks to Temari and all about his hallucinations. I heard that his state was worse than any could guess or imagine.

I had asked in person to Hinata and Naruto and they told me all. Like I had said to my blond friend, I still worried and cared deeply for Sasuke-Kun. That nothing could erase it from me. But I didn't do anything to come to see him or ask more than the basics about him. I know that if I let myself to be carried in it I would lose my will power to follow my own path and decision. And I couldn't take the risk. My love for him was still filling my chest and my heart and went out of me through my skin. I breathed it. So I couldn't let myself to be weak even when I was dying being away from him and hearing all that was happening to the father of my child. My soul was tormented in suffering and pain but I kept in control and focused in my life away from him.

I told everything to Tsunade-Sensei. I couldn't talk about some things with my own mother. It was strange but I couldn't tell her all. But with Tsunade-Sensei I talked about everything. Maybe I could felt ashamed with mom if I discussed with her details from my two encounters with him. But with the Hokage was different and the uncomfortable feeling was gone after some minutes of sharing. She even dared to ask me how was our first time of sex together and if he had been good and kind to me and if he hadn't hurt me. Ashamed and with red cheeks I spoke to her about everything feeling relief to have someone to tell the memories I held so strong and deep in me.

And to have someone to tell the cruel and mean things that had broken my heart and spirit that night. Words spoken from his lips. Those lips that kissed and caressed me with passion and sweetness. Those lips that I wanted to feel again but I would not let them to torment me.

I cried with fury and hurt remembering him saying all that. And I felt again the anger and resentment against him, boiling in my heart and soul, destroying my hope. And I felt again the sadness and the pain they caused forever in me. He had called my daughter a bastard and me a whore.

But I dismissed all the old feelings and thoughts trying to be strong and move on and focusing in the interest of Tsunade-Sensei in it. She told me after hearing and supporting me warmly and sadly that she only wanted to know if Sasuke-Kun was sick when he had been with me the first and the second time. Putting our two heads to wonder on it, I, with cold mind, got to the conclusion with Tsunade's help. Sasuke-Kun hadn't been sick those two times when he and I had sex. Whatever that had happened to him had occurred after all that. I was three and a half when I slept with him the second time and when he returned in that state was three months and a half later. When I was seven months and gave birth to my little girl. In those three months and a half something had happened to him and had left him in such condition.

Tsunade said thanks to me and I just nodded still thinking and remembering old times. He still has the power over me to put me in deep melancholy every time I hear his name or say his name. When I was at the door after saying goodbye to Tsunade-Sensei she looked concerned and serious at me calling softly my name.

"Are you sure that what you're doing it's what you want?"

I stared thoughtfully and distant at her first. Then I looked serious and shaken at her.

"Why do you ask? Do you think I should forget and forgive and try again?"

"It's not that. It's not what everyone could think. Some people would tell you to go on and do your best to stop loving him. Others would tell you to just love him anyway. But the important matter here is what you think. What you feel. I don't want you to suffer all your life. But if after some time you are still trapped with doubts you would never be free or live in calm. The happiness is a matter different to everyone. What could make you happy to others could not do the same. That's all. I want you to be happy."

She half smiled warmly at me. I nodded thinking in this and remembering the talk I had had just with her I knew once again that I had done right. My decision was correct. Even after all. Even against my love fighting with my resignation and hate. Am I stubborn? Am I correct in not wanting anything from him anymore? I didn't exactly know. I only know that he had hurt me so much and so deep that night. And that I didn't have anymore hope or faith. I couldn't believe in him anymore. That was the answer to everything.

"I'm sure Tsunade-Sensei. All this time had served me to find calm and happiness on my own. I won't deny that it has been hard and difficult and that I still love him in some way but I'm sure about it. I want to rebuild my life without him. At least now I don't lose against my feelings when I heard or discuss about him anymore. I still cry and feel crushed but I don't let this love to control me. I'm trying. And I think I will succeed."

I half smiled feeling secure in my trembling heart. The Hokage nodded and paused before asking again.

"Do you hate him too?"

I lost my smile and thought before answering.

"Sometimes. Sometimes there's something meddling with my love and I feel it is anger turning to hate. I don't want to see him. I don't want him near me or Miyu. I won't let him to see her. He didn't want her in the first place. He refused her and he refused me. So, could you tell me if I hate him?"

She looked my serious and suffering face sadly for long minutes. I sighed tired and pained.

"If you're positive that you're doing the best for you and Miyu then so be it. Keep going and find happiness Sakura. You deserve it. I won't ask you anything more about him."

She smiled widely at me worried. I nodded smiling weakly too. I thanked her for her time and words and left the office with the promise of continuing my training with her soon.

Hinata POV

Sasuke did something weird today.

Ino and I took him to a walk that afternoon. Naruto-Kun had been busy all week with missions and we thought that taking him out of the house could make him some good. We decided to do it when the two of us were free from our duties and we accompanied him. After walking with him by the side of the river and talking between us without excluding him we got hungry and decided to eat. Sasuke was calm and cold like almost all days, distant and indifferent. He followed us closely and we were always checking that he was behind us. We couldn't force him to be at our side knowing that he never used to be like that. When we were walking on a street chatting about Shikamaru and Temari we suddenly didn't hear his footsteps behind us. We turned around feeling trepidation and concern looking for him and we were amazed and relieved to see him staring still at a window. He even had put his two palms against the crystal and bowed slightly his stiff body looking with attention at it.

Ino and I hurried getting near him quickly. She started to lecture him jokingly for scaring her like that but I was staring at what he was staring trying to understand his behavior.

The window belonged to a gift's shop. But it wasn't any kind of gift's shop. It was a gift's shop dedicated to babies and children.

Soon I knew Ino had gotten it too when I didn't listen her voice anymore. At the corner of my eye I saw her staring too confused. I looked then at Sasuke who was stoic and paralyzed. And I dared to ask him what it was screaming at my face.

"Hmm… Do you want to enter Sasuke?"

Ino jerked her neck (I don't know how she didn't get hurt) looking at me like if I was demented and I just smiled weakly and ashamed. Maybe I had understood wrong. But Sasuke thought it for seconds and without noticing us left his spot and went to the door. To our surprise and confusion we saw him opening the door and entering at the shop looking everything with calm eyes. Ino and I followed him feeling curious and worried and stayed behind him, without wanting to bother him while he walked from spot to spot slow and calm and looked all the things there with empty and dark eyes. Neither Ino nor I said something fearing we would spoil the moment. The owner was looking surprised at him without moving or talking like us.

Sasuke finally stopped and took a small and pretty doll dressed in white and pink that looked like a princess. He held it in his right hand gazing longingly at it. I crossed looks with Ino and she nodded. The two of us went to him and Ino asked him softly the question.

"Sasuke, do you want to buy it?"

We waited for an answer in one of his reactions. At first he didn't put attention to our presence but later he turned at Ino and put the doll in her hands just staring indifferent and tired at her.

"It's a beautiful doll! You have good taste."

Ino just smiled widely and sincerely and went to pay the doll. I stayed with him behind. I could see how he was looking at all still longingly and almost sadly. Or did I confuse his sadness with tiredness?

We left the gift's shop but Sasuke still walked looking back to the shop and the surroundings with an intensity we didn't see a lot in him these days. Ino and I didn't say anything in the way. We kept glancing at him confused and preoccupied. We ate ramen in the favorite stand of Naruto-Kun but didn't say anything about the doll. We discussed trivial things but kept wondering about Sasuke's behavior.

When we got to department of Naruto-Kun, Ino gave him the plastic bag with the doll inside and he just took it and went to his room leaving the two of us alone in the living room. We had to wait to Naruto-Kun to get home and even when we knew that Sasuke was inside his room with the closed door we couldn't talk and discuss about what had happened. The both of us were wondering what it could mean. And we hoped to mean what we wanted it to be.

Ino POV

I took him out again with Shikamaru and Chouji when we had to buy food and drinks and all the things you usually need to buy just because Naruto had forgotten to do the shopping. We took the opportunity to buy the necessary for the lunch we would have with Sakura tomorrow even when we didn't talk about it in front of him. Shikamaru was always looking at Sasuke like if he was some sort of experiment and I lectured him about it. He only said lazily that it was the problem when you are a genius. I laughed at his face and we continued walking while Chouji stayed side by side with Sasuke eating his chips.

We were just walking on the street until I saw the shop the other day Hinata and I had visited with Sasuke and I looked at Shikamaru gesturing him to look at it. Hinata and I had told about it trying to understand what could it mean and all of us speculate on it without a straight answer. Shikamaru had said that he just needed to see it with his own eyes to give his point of view about it.

We were interrupted when Chouji called us and he pointed out at Sasuke very surprised. I saw the same scene that I had shared with Hinata before. And like before, he entered the shop and chose another toy (this time it was a small and white bunny with a pink ribbon in her neck) surprising even me. I had testified this before and I found a new light in it watching it with Shikamaru and Chouji at my side. I pay for the toy (with Sasuke's money of course) and we left the shop, I, carrying the plastic bag with the bunny inside. After Shikamaru, Chouji and I took Sasuke to home, Naruto was already there with a lot of food on the table (ramen and more ramen and more ramen, tons of ramen, I couldn't help to feel sympathy at Sasuke) and I gave our quiet friend the bag again. He (again) took it and went to his room. Naruto just told him that the dinner would be ready in some minutes.

We discussed in low voice about the incident. This was the second time he did it. Could this mean that he thought in Miyu? That he cared about her? Maybe even loved her? Shikamaru's answer was positive to the first question. But he said that we had to be completely sure about it before saying anything or doing anything. Naruto nodded thoughtful and hopeful like I and Hinata had done the first time we had seen Sasuke holding that doll by his own.

Naruto POV

Sasuke kept buying toys and dolls whenever any of us took him out. There were times when he just walked looking calmly for the right street and the right shop ignoring that our destination was other or was far from it and we had to let him be and followed his path to accompany him. I saw the scene that Ino and Hinata had seen and other of our friends some times. Even Kakashi-Sensei after hearing about it, went one fine day with me and Sasuke shopping just to testify the strange fact. That day Sasuke bought a small and yellow teddy bear with an orange dress by the way.

I had wondered what Sasuke did to the toys and dolls. The second time that it happened when Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji left, Sasuke and I had dinner and then I waited to him to fall sleep. Then I entered quietly at his room and looked for the doll and the bunny in the darkness. I almost gave up until I find a big box inside the closet where his clothes were hung up. I felt curiosity looking at the metal box and I remember that Kakashi-Sensei had bought it for him when Sasuke lived alone months ago. I opened it carefully and looked inside holding a small lamp in my right hand.

There were the doll and the bunny. So he kept them there. I started to wonder why he put them there. I was still wondering if Sasuke bought them thinking in Miyu. I sighed confused and sad and close the metal box and left his room after I glanced a last time at his sleeping figure. Thanks to the pills it seemed that he was able to sleep at nights too. I left the room closing quietly the door still thinking in this strange and unexpected matter.

He had collected 20 toys the day I finally asked Tsunade what she thought about it. Miyu would have 9 months tomorrow and she crawled and even was trying to stand up and walk and made noises trying to talk. All of us were thrilled when we visited her and Sakura-Chan and had organized a special dinner to celebrate it. Well to be honest, for all of us, even Sakura, it was a celebration wanted after all the trainings and missions and jobs we had. We took the opportunity to relax and have fun whatever it was. Sakura-Chan was so grateful to Miyu for bringing that chance of joy. I think my niece was the only strong reason enough to Sakura-Chan to forget a little all that was happening with Sasuke. The little girl was the only reason in which she focused and was truly happy. When Miyu was with her Sakura-Chan always smiled widely and the sadness was almost gone from the deep of her emerald eyes.

So I asked Tsunade about Sasuke's strange collection. Kakashi-Sensei had told her and his companions, Gai, Kurenai and Anko about it too. All of my friends and me thought that Sasuke indeed cared about Miyu in his own maybe twisted way. Shikamaru, the one who was the brain of the group, had said it since the second time Sasuke bought a toy.

"I want to be sure if he's really interested in Miyu… before…"

"Saying something to Sakura?"

I nodded at the Hokage serious and concerned. I didn't want to hurt her. Not with false pretense and useless hope.

"I think it is very possible that he has an interest in his daughter. Those actions prove it. But why and how deep is that interest, I don't know."

"Shikamaru told us the same."

Tsunade smiled knowingly at this. She then was serious again.

"Sasuke… hurt her very deeply Naruto. He said that Miyu wasn't his and that he didn't want anything with her. I think that it is what pains Sakura more. Sakura is a mother now and she has the determination of not letting him see her or know her. He didn't want to be her father."

"I know."

"But the fact that he is indeed his father couldn't be changed. And maybe if it is a slight chance that he cares a little about her it could be a good sign in him. You could ask Sakura about it. Tell her that Sasuke wants to see Miyu. It's her choice at the end. You will be helping the both in any way. You're helping Sasuke if he really is interested in his daughter and you're helping Sakura to know this in the best way. But if she says no you had accomplished your friendship just talking with her about it and passing Sasuke's intentions."

I nodded trying to find comfort in her words but I couldn't. I felt bad at any result anyway.

Naruto POV

When I told Sakura-Chan about it I had expected her answer anyway. But like Tsunade had said I had to pass the message from Sasuke to her. Even if it wasn't a direct message.

I talked with her in the special dinner. All of our friends were there, even Sakura's mom. I had left Sasuke in the care of Kakashi and Gai-Sensei that night.

Sakura-Chan heard my explanation about the things that Sasuke was doing and the strange way he had started to show interest in Miyu. Hinata was by my side. My friend stared at the empty space thoughtful and somehow confused but I could see the immense pain and suffering the notice had caused in her and I felt guilty and bad. She was in silence for long minutes thinking hard and the resignation I saw in her green eyes, the sadness and surrendering at the lost of her faith give me the answer before she used her voice.

"I'm sorry Naruto. I won't do it. I won't let him see Miyu. I swore it to myself when he abandoned her. I could forget and forgive probably that he forsaken me. But his own daughter… that I cannot. And honestly I don't believe in his interest. I don't believe it… He said she wasn't his. He said…"

I took her hands in mine and Hinata put a hand in her shoulder looking concerned and sadly at her. I nodded knowing previously that this was going to be her answer. Her eyes filled with unshed tears and I saw the pain and anger in her lost expression. I didn't insist and smiled understanding.

"It's ok Sakura-Chan. It's ok. I just wanted you to know. I think you should know everything related with your daughter."

"Yeah you're right. Thank you for telling me."

"It's nothing. We are friends forever, remember?"

She nodded blinking away her tears and smiled kindly with a persistent nostalgia in her face. Hinata held her one time strongly and she thanked her sincerely moved. Before putting the matter behind us and just enjoying the party Sakura-Chan asked us if Sasuke was fine. We said yes and she just nodded and said "good". And we didn't say any other word about it in all night.

Naruto POV

This matter of Sasuke and his interest in Miyu was put aside when weeks later other symptom appeared. Sasuke started to have strong headaches that put him in bed. The first time I noticed that something was wrong with him was a morning when he didn't get up from bed but he wasn't catatonic as other times. He was fully aware of everything and his eyes were glassy and feverish. He kept them almost closed but even when he wasn't able to show pain, I could see in his look that he wasn't feeling good. I felt desperate when I couldn't get him up and he blinked several times with his body stiff. It wasn't a tantrum. I found that the light hurt his eyes and made him feel worst because he covered his head with the pillow. With the noise was the same. He seemed more sensitive at the sounds than normally.

I knew he was suffering and he couldn't show it and much less tell what was wrong. I called Tsunade and Shizune at the hospital asking them to come to see him. I didn't dare to move him from his bed.

When Shizune arrived alone, because Tsunade was busy with her Hokage's duties, she immediately tested him and told me that Tsunade was coming when she had ended with his obligations. I nodded just worried at my friend. I felt frustrated and very preoccupied. Shizune was a hell of medical ninja and she knew soon what was wrong with Sasuke after the examination she did on him.

Like I had thought this was another symptom from his sickness. She just said that it was more than a simple headache but that some people used to have it and it was a common problem in some people in general. The only strange thing was that Sasuke never had suffered from it and now it was probably that it was caused by the Jutsu that had attacked and damaged him.

She prescribed him another bottle of pills that didn't mess up with the others and told me how to give them to him. She warned me that Sasuke needed them at soon as the headache had appeared to make a quicker and major effect. I nodded feeling sad and depressed at my friend's health and Shizune just smiled sadly and sweetly. Later that day Tsunade came after hearing Shizune's report and stayed with me talking about this new symptom and trying to cheer me up. I had thought that with his hallucinations controlled he was going to be fine and better. But now this had appeared and I was a little shaken in my confidence and hope.

His headaches caused him to faint when he didn't take the pills on time. When they reached a point so unbearable and painful Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and fainted. This happened 3 times before he could adjust to his new medication. Luckily he had fainted every time in home and in his own room. Until now he was still trying to adjust to the dose and that had kept him away from buying toys to his collection. I didn't want him to go out until Tsunade could say that it was ok.

He spent weeks in home painting and reading when he wasn't feeling ill. I knew he wanted to go outside for the way he looked at the window but I knew he understood why he couldn't do it yet because he didn't try it. When Miyu was 10 months old Hinata gave me something to try to cheer him up and go back to his interest at his little girl. Shino and Kiba were there with her visiting us and I saw her extending her hand to me with something square in it. I took it confused and curious and when I saw what it was I was amazed. She just smiled kindly and softly at me.

I had a picture of Miyu in my hand. The little girl was smiling happily dressed in pink and looking straight at the camera with her black and sweet eyes. I asked Hinata how she had gotten it. She was sitting in her little bed.

"Sakura's mom gave it to me. To give it to Sasuke. She said that if he's interested in her we could know it better if he had it with him."

In that same moment Sasuke entered the kitchen slowly and distant and the four of us turned our necks at him gulping and feeling like if he had caught us doing something wrong. Kiba called him to come and he obeyed cold and indifferent. I, hesitant, put the picture in his hands and the four watched him directly and hopeful for his reaction. He didn't do anything and just looked at the little girl with indifference. Then he just left the photograph in the table, took a bottle of water and went to his room again leaving us speechless, confused and sad.

Were we seeing things where there wasn't anything to see? Was Sakura-Chan right about saying he didn't care about his daughter? Why he bought all that toys?

We discussed it frustrated for minutes. When they finally were going I told Hinata to take the photograph to Sakura-Chan but Shino stopped me.

"Leave it here just in case."

He simply said serious as always. I, hopeful still, nodded. With the pass of the days I forgot about the photograph until one night I got up at midnight wanting a glass of water and yawning drink it. Then I went to my room again but I saw light in Sasuke's door. I got closer carefully and quietly and peeped inside opening it barely. I saw my friend sitting at one side of the bed with the lamp lighten up staring at something in his hands. He had his pajama on like me and his hair was a little messy. I focused my sight to the little light in the room and noticed that he has staring longingly at the photograph of Miyu.

Then I remembered that I couldn't find it later and I even thought that I had put it by accident in the garbage. I smiled sadly and glad when I saw him just looking at the picture of the little girl who I was godfather with some intensity and sadness in his black and tired eyes. He stopped looking at it and hided it in one book he always had on the table next to his bed. Then he lied down and went to sleep again after turning off the lamp.

I closed the door and went to my own room feeling somehow happy for the scene I had witnessed. I knew that Sasuke cared about his daughter in his own and maybe incomprehensible way.

The next morning it was the first day that he seemed strong enough to go outside and I let him go with Lee and Neji. When he returned later he had bought another stuffed toy (this time it was a pink and small and funny lamb) and he kept collecting them whenever he wasn't sick or weak and could go the shop with me or any of us.

I caught him looking at the photograph other times when he thought nobody was watching him. We couldn't understand him and he confused us with his erratic behavior but I was pretty sure about his interest in Miyu.

I told this to my friends and Sensei and the Hokage just because it had moved me. But I didn't dare to say anything to Sakura-Chan. It was just that I was happy that Sasuke cared about Miyu enough to react in that way but I didn't want to hurt her again. Besides, Sasuke hadn't done anything else to try to see or be near his baby girl.

But I couldn't help to wonder how he would react if Miyu was in front of him one fine day.