Bringing Back Chapter 15: Drowning, a naruto fanfic

Chapter 15

Drowning

"Why you didn't tell me anything Kakashi-Sensei?"

The man only sighed before answering Naruto's question. He could see the hurt and feel of betrayal in his light and bright blue eyes. They were at the former room of Sasuke in Naruto's house.

"Because the Council asked Tsunade-Sama and me to be quiet about it. They didn't want rumors out there worrying uselessly the people. And everything happened very soon. I'm sorry Naruto. Please forgive me."

He had talked sincerely and the young blond felt it. He nodded still sad and thoughtful.

"I was going to tell you anyway. When all of you see Sasuke again you would notice it anyway."

"Neji and Hinata didn't see it."

"The special seal was still working its way through Sasuke's mind and body. It was fairly visible then. But believe me, now it's very clear and tattooed in his forehead."

Kakashi kept putting Sasuke's belongings and clothes in boxes. The only thing that Sasuke had brought with him from his friend's house was the picture of Miyu and Kakashi had found it interesting and touching. Naruto was supposedly to help Kakashi but he hadn't done anything visibly affected by the last news about his best friend. First, Sasuke had left him in the middle of the night and didn't return home and it seemed he had decided to move with Kakashi. Then Neji and Hinata had told him and the rest of his friends what they had witnessed the last afternoon regarding Sasuke. Kakashi could comprehend Naruto's blue and preoccupied mood.

"He's fine Naruto. He's getting stronger and with his treatments he's doing well. The sealing ceremony just provoked high fever and deep weakness all night long but today at morning Sasuke was fine. He has always been a strong person."

"Why? Why he didn't return? Is he… mad at me?"

Kakashi stopped packing his former and sick student's things and turned to Naruto seeing sadly and touched the incredible and sincere hurt in his not so common serious face. Naruto had his eyes fixed inside the box he had been trying to fill with Sasuke's belongings. They were extremely sad and guilty.

"I can give you the answer I think it is. But I can't guarantee it as Sasuke's answer. But I think he left your house and company because he didn't want to hurt you anymore. I think he sees and believes he hurt you deeply with the kidnapping of Miyu. I think Sasuke tried to apart you and avoid you thinking he was only causing you trouble. And he knows you are Sakura's best friend too. He probably thought that you needed him away in support of her."

Naruto had gazed at him questionably and thinking hard in his words. He seemed to realize something and just narrowed his bright eyes nostalgic.

"That's my guess but you know Sasuke. We can't be sure about anything he thinks or feels truly. I know he's not angry at you. Not even after what you did with his collection by the way."

Naruto's face went red in remorse and guiltiness at the last sentence. Anko had told Kakashi about it after talking with Naruto yesterday in person and passing Kakashi's message as he had asked her to do it. Naruto told her about the incident between the two of them and he was desperate and going crazy worrying with guilt and ambivalent anger when he had discovered that Sasuke was missing again.

"I felt bad about that. Really. But I was so angry at him. And I wanted a reaction from him. And to tell you the truth… I didn't believe it will hurt him."

"I don't know if it actually hurt him. You're the only one who could tell it because you were with him when it happened. But in my belief… I think that what you did with his collection hurt him in some way or woke him up."

"I can't tell it… I don't know."

Naruto honestly said frustrated with his gaze lost in those moments. Kakashi rested a hand in his right shoulder concerned at him.

"You're still mad at him for taking away Miyu and hurting Sakura. But you're worried for your friend too. I can recommend you to stay away some time to think and clear the confusion you feel. If you go and see him and try to talk to him you would probably feel torn between your ambivalent feelings towards Sasuke. Your friendship could be more damaged. Give you time to settle your own thoughts."

Naruto nodded grateful at his former master and restarted his actions putting his best friend's things in the boxes. They didn't say anything while they were packing until they had finished and the both were looking at the closed boxes.

"Where are you two going to live?"

Naruto asked calmer and sad but trying to be his usual self.

"Well I don't have to move from my room at the quarters. I was able to get the next room at the right to be occupied by Sasuke. In fact I think the Council would feel more at ease knowing he's surrounded by Jounins and Anbus. Well, I have to go now Naruto. Gai, Lee and I would come at afternoon to pick up the boxes."

"Alright. You know where I put the other key."

Kakashi nodded casting a last and kind smile to the young shinobi and then waved goodbye at him and went to the main door followed by a silent and distant Naruto. They just crossed looks before the sensei went out and Kakashi was glad to see his former student smiling softly.

When the door was closed behind him Kakashi let out a profound sigh and stood there simply thinking.

Sasuke doesn't understand completely how much Naruto cares about him. Sometimes I think he doesn't understand even me or his other friends. That's the problem when you isolate yourself for so much time.

He started to walk when he almost tripped over Hinata who was coming to visit Naruto. He didn't know he was so immerse in his thoughts. And he could understand the shy girl who was as lost in thought as he was.

"Oh hello Hinata."

He said after he caught her when the both stumbled on the other. She greeted him with a slight reverence and smiled sweet with a soft red in her cheeks full of embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Kakashi-Sensei!"

"I'm sorry too. I guess the two of us were a little distracted."

He scratched his head chuckling lightly. She nodded less awkwardly and looked at the man with soft concern.

"Did you come to see Naruto-Kun?"

"You could say so. But I came to help him packing Sasuke's things."

"Oh… I see."

He could saw visibly how she had worried more after hearing him. Kakashi narrowed his eyes turning at the door left behind him melancholically.

"Hinata please try to cheer Naruto up. He's a little depressed right now."

"I know. He's been like that since Sasuke left his house. I think he blames himself and feels useless and unworthy for not being able to help his best friend and protect Sakura and Miyu at the same time. For Naruto-Kun you and Sakura and Sasuke are like his family. He never had one. He grew up especially with all of you. He must felt like he's losing his family and he can't do anything about it."

I listened surprised and touched at her simple and caring and very accurate words. She was facing the door with sadness and concern but there was always the inevitable and truly sweetness in her very clear eyes.

When you are someone who observe more than act you learn to watch and know the people without words.

"I see. Naruto must feel the luckiest man in having you at his side."

She turned her gaze at me quickly and I grinned sincerely seeing her face going red and she stuttering and smiling nervously.

"Why… why you say that Kakashi-Sensei?"

She was able to say at last.

"Because it's true. And I can go now knowing you're with him. See you later Hinata. Say hello to your father for me."

The half masked man waved cheerfully goodbye and then went away. The pretty and shy girl looked him till he reached the stairs and then extended her hand worriedly trying to open the door knowing that the one behind it was the person she loved the most.

Hinata POV

Naruto-Kun and I decided to eat in his house. He wasn't in a very good mood to go out. I cooked and I knew how hard he tried to be happy and funny with me there. For me it was still so strange to be there with him without anyone else. Before I could surely faint knowing I was alone with the boy I had loved since little and it took me a lot of time and self-confidence to be with him in moments like this without going mute or nervous.

Well, more mute and nervous anyway.

He told me what Kakashi-Sensei had said to him in his visit. I just listened worried and loving feeling guilty sometimes for falling in my own observation and just get lost in every detail of his face. I always ended enchanted in my watching when it was Naruto-Kun.

"I'm so sorry Hina-San."

He said smiling softly and sadly looking straight at me with guilt in his voice. He always called me like that when we decided to date and then be girlfriend and boyfriend and we were alone. He had told me that he couldn't do it in public because of my status as the heiress of the Hyuga Clan and he didn't want to show disrespect with nicknames even when we were in love and that's why he had decided to treat me normally in front of other people, especially after he heard rumors going on about the disapproval of our relationship in the high levels of my clan. But when we were together he started to call me Hina-San. He said that he didn't chose "Chan" because he still felt awkward dating someone as important and worthy as me. I think he feels minimized because he didn't belong to a famous, big and antique clan even being the son of the Fourth Hokage. Even with the dream and sure probability of one day be the Hokage himself.

"Why are you sorry Naruto-Kun?"

"For talking about my problems. For be in this mood… I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't burden you with all this mess."

I shocked my head smiling and looking at him concerned and contemplative.

"You don't have to. You're talking about your family, right? One part of being together… being a couple… I think is this… to share and support the other… in bad and good times… I'm happy because I'm being counted for you."

I smiled wide and sincerely lowering my shy gaze a little. He surprised me extending his right hand and letting his fingers running through my hair with delicacy. He smiled honestly grateful, marveled and loving at me. My face got redder when his hand caressed my right cheek.

"Oh God, how pretty you are! Sometimes I forgot it. I must be a fool."

He chuckled and laughed cheerfully and I was just trapped in his blue eyes and his sincere and open laugh and the little and deep sadness still clinging from his eyes.

"You're so pretty in every way I can think! Geez I was such a clumsy and stupid. Thank you Hina-San."

I just nodded with my face slightly red and looking dazzled and adoringly at him. I smiled calming myself and remembering that he was my boyfriend already and I shouldn't feel so nervous around him anymore. He then gave me a little and sweet kiss on the lips and then hugged me tightly and protecting me.

"I don't know… how someone can hurt the one who cares deeply about you… who even loves you so much… that's why I won't do it ever Hina-San… I promise you."

"Naruto-Kun…"

I knew he was talking about Sasuke and Sakura and I felt sad remembering them. They deserved to be together, like a family, loving each other. Because you know, even after all I had always the hunch that Sasuke had chosen Sakura to be with him not for a shallow reason. I didn't think he was like that. I still think it. But I hadn't said anything because it was only a hunch and I didn't want to bring back painful hope to anyone.

"Let's go, Hina-San. I want to go out and walk."

He left go of me and stood up taking my hand cheerful and optimistic like always. I just smiled happily seeing him like that and I still blushed a little when I let him guide me outside his apartment.

The morning after the sealing ceremony Kakashi took Sasuke to the place where he had tested Team 7 the first time under his command years ago. He had been thinking over and over while he was taking care of him in that long night in some way to help Sasuke to win again the Council's trust and freedom and compensate for his past acts against Konoha like Tsunade had said. Sasuke had lost his right to see or be near again Miyu even legally by himself. He had a restriction order to do it due to the kidnapping thanks to Sakura's father who wasn't still able to see her or Miyu but worried about their well being. Sakura was angry and sad and Naruto had followed his advice and had put distance for some time between him and the Uchiha. Kakashi really thought that Sasuke believed Naruto was mad and disappointed of him. That's why he had decided to move from his apartment and stop seeing him. And of course, all the other young ninjas were confused and angry at his behavior. And for the last, he had lost part of his liberty and himself with the seal imposed in him and limiting his own heritage and bloodline. It was almost like if the seal had taken a part of his own body and soul. He was a caged bird like Neji had called himself years ago.

So, Sasuke was alone now. And he only had Kakashi. And Kakashi knew it.

That's why after pondering about a lot Kakashi got to the conclusion of helping Sasuke to regain the only thing that had mattered to him since the death of his clan and family. That's why he had talked with Tsunade about it to have her consent and opinion. After all, the two were his legal defenses against everything.

Kakashi's POV

"What do you think?"

Tsunade didn't answer immediately. She put a wet cloth in Sasuke's forehead while she was watching him shivering and slightly sweating breathing harshly.

"You know he won't be the same shinobi he was before."

"I know. In his current state and with the seal he won't. But at least he can be an excellent ninja and do great. He had trained all his life and I knew he didn't only choose the life of the shinobi for revenge and seek of power. He's good at it. He liked it."

"You are aware of the dangerousness of turning him a reliable and strong ninja again. His hallucinations. That's something you would have to think about. Until now they hadn't hurt anyone or him but if you give him again the hope of returning as a shinobi you would give him the weapons he could use without knowing if he loses control over himself. His pills helps him, that's true, but the other part of his treatment depends in his will and self confidence, faith and control over himself. It's a two way street. And the end could turn bad. And besides there's the seal's working. I'm sure if it is for training or doing missions he'll be able to use his regular power and abilities. If he has to use them to protect or save someone. But we don't know how much the seal can decide over him or help him to choose. And how strong it could be to stop him if there's the need to do it."

"I know. But I want to believe in him. I want to try and help him in the only way I know I can. And besides, Sasuke is strong and I know he would find a way to handle with his fictional world. Sasuke has a strong will and he showed it when he had Orochimaru's seal and he was able to control it. We'll find the way. I will find the way."

Tsunade stared at him for long minutes seriously and Kakashi just smiled sincere. She finally sighed deeply tired and gazing again at the dark haired boy sleeping.

"Alright. I'll support you in this. You have my permission and consent."

"You won't regret it. Thank you, Hokage-Sama. In this way he could start to compensate his past deeds and have a new life and welcoming in the village."

"In all these months there have been different opinions and reactions at his presence and staying in Konoha. It's natural. Some people are afraid, others are mad, others are offended and others forgive and move on. The welcoming to Sasuke hadn't been quite open and warm and he had faced rejection and despise. Good thing is that he isn't the social type or he's to immerse in his half unreal reality or he had friends before. That's true. And more with what he did to Sakura and Miyu his reputation grew darker and more negative among the people of the village. I really hope you can accomplish what you're saying. I want to believe." She stood up turning around to face Kakashi. "He will be fine by tomorrow morning. It's just a high fever originated from the sealing. But if he gets worst you can call me or Shizune."

"Thank you."

"No problem. After all I am his legal representative. Be careful, please. Don't get the things to get worst."

"I won't. I promise."

When other people hear about what Kakashi was attempting to do they weren't as open minded like the blond Hokage or supporting. Gai, Anko and Kurenai had said almost the same as Tsunade and they thought it was better for Sasuke's sake to have a calm and peaceful life away from fights and missions. His friends were worried and somehow hesitated about it. Naruto had brightened when he had heard about it but it was the only one who really was optimistic and supported till the end his friend. Sakura, by the other hand, had reacted similar to her friends and she had preoccupied trying not to show it in front of her former master and saying that Sasuke's life it wasn't of her interest. But Kakashi knew how she had worried and suffered after hearing of the sealing ordered by the Council over Sasuke. He could see she had cried and was pained still by the fate the boy she still loved so much had forged with his own actions.

Sasuke had agreed to train under his orders again. At least he followed Kakashi without showing any sign of the otherwise. The sensei didn't exactly know why he had accepted it so easily and his mind wondered about it curiously. Did Sasuke want to still be an active ninja? Did he accept it because he didn't have anything else to do? Did he miss his life as a shinobi? Did he want to compensate his acts against his homeland? Kakashi pondered and pondered over and over. Perhaps the answer laid in the four main questions he has asked himself. But nevertheless Kakashi was glad to have acceptance from his part in this plan.

The first thing Kakashi tried to test and prove was how damaged was Sasuke in his training and abilities. He tested him all the morning sparring with him and had discovered that the basics were well and ready in his former student and that the seal let him to use his regular power and abilities just like Tsunade had guessed but it was plenty obvious how it limited Sasuke in the using if you knew the Uchiha from before. He had worried about it thinking that maybe Sasuke had forgotten things learned years ago since he was in the Academy or perhaps the seal would be a hard obstacle in his attempting of training and helping Sasuke. Strangely and marveling was the fact that Sasuke could perform his ninjutsus even without voicing them out loud. He had seen the dark haired boy mouthing the names of the jutsus belonging to the Uchiha Clan and others jutsus and they had worked fine considering the circumstances of Sasuke's health and the ruling presence of the seal. He wondered if there was other person capable of doing something as amazing like that in the world and left him wondering about Sasuke's muteness. Maybe the source of his silence was helping him to do the ninjutsus even without voicing them.

In the Taijutsu Sasuke was less effective, quick and powerful than before. This part it was affected in him and it was notorious to the people who knew the Uchiha previously. His always permanent and slow pace, movements and rhythm were still there even when he was better and healthier than other occasions when he had been suffering from his sickness. His Taijutsu was tainted because of it and Kakashi found him in a Genin level and probably in a Chunin level if he put major effort in its training. His Ninjutsu was in a Chunin level and probably in a Jounin level if he trained hard. So Kakashi was glad and relieved to see that Sasuke was a capable ninja still and he hadn't forgotten a lot.

But when he tested his learning in Genjutsu he found bigger problems than the ones he encountered with his Taijutsu.

When Sasuke was tested in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu Kakashi had watched that he got tired more easily than any other perfectly healthy person but still it was fine in his own level and he could defend and attack and do missions, not very dangerous missions, but he could do some. Then the Genjutsu came and Sasuke couldn't perform any of it easily or more precisely good. In fact when Kakashi had told him that they were going to train with Genjutsu's techniques he had seen clearly the rejection and wary look in the black eyes' boy. The irony of all was that the Uchiha Clan had exceptional techniques about it and they were famous, powerful and dangerous for it. They could master Genjutsu excellently. And Sasuke being capable of using Mangekyou Sharingan was even above of the general users of his own dead people.

In fact Sasuke was never really interested in using Genjutsu at least in his younger years. He relied in Taijutsu and Ninjutsu doing it greatly. Anyway Kakashi tested him in this third part of the training of a ninja and found him in a scarcely Genin level. He knew that even training hard and deep Sasuke would not easily get better at it. This time Sasuke was less prepared and able to perform any kind of Genjutsu and much less he was unprotected and unprepared against a Genjutsu attack. Kakashi thought after seeing him trying hopelessly that the Uchiha probably and certainly couldn't perform his former ability of using Genjutsu easily and wonderfully because his own hallucinations got in the way. It seemed that using any kind of Genjutsu affected his control over them and tainted his treatment with the pills. He lost soon his calm behavior showed before at the testing of Taijutsu and Ninjutsu and Kakashi observed concerned and curious how he got stressed, frustrated and tired and how the hallucinations grew in his traumatized mind making him to lose concentration and confidence. So he decided to let the Genjutsu out of question at least for now.

He forced Sasuke to take breaks and rest knowing and remembering Tsunade's advice. Sasuke was unable to show physical pain or it was so minimal his chance to do it that it was dangerous to put him under training without knowing how he was feeling or if he had hurt himself sparring with his partner. He had to watch him seriously and be aware of details if he wanted to have Sasuke in a good shape and healthy.

So the training went on even when Kakashi had moments when he had to focus Sasuke after seeing him losing against his own ill mind. That was the biggest obstacle and problem for his good performing. Sasuke now was unable of being the excellent ninja he was before and probably he would not be like that again the rest of his life. But Kakashi was sure he could help him to be at least a good and reliable shinobi from Konoha and he was having problems dealing with the loss of concentration and confidence Sasuke suffered when his hallucinations started to intensify even with the pills of his treatment. He had to find why Sasuke lost his control in the treatment while he was training and fighting and how to battle against it letting the Uchiha to do a good performance. So the sensei really hoped against all odds to be able to help his former and best student without caring what could take to accomplish it.

But he shouldn't have forgotten Tsunade's opinion about it.

The fifth day of their training something happened that put in question Kakashi's plan in giving him the chance to return to his shinobi life. Something that put in danger Sasuke's own resolve in training and the little trust all the people who knew him had put in this idea.

That day Tsunade's words from that night were mysteriously and weirdly foreshadowing in Kakashi's mind clear and loud. Sharp and true as a bad omen clinging over his head.

Kakashi POV

That morning something terrible and awful happened when I was training Sasuke. I hadn't thought it possible, and I think it's weird that I hadn't considered it. I could have expected something like this if I was training someone mentally unstable. But I didn't think it could affect me. Did I think he had me clear in his half real world?

I cannot remember well what happened and that says how I ended after the incident. I only remember I was sparring with him and we had a pretty good fight between the both of us, he was using Taijutsu and some Ninjutsu the best he could in his state. I had gotten used to see him sometimes lost in empty space staring or apparently hearing things I couldn't hear. When the training grew longer it was visible how exhausted Sasuke was and how that affected his own control in the hallucinations. So I had found a major problem there.

The pills and his own will helped him greatly and in the best way they could when he was living a normal life. He still saw or heard things around him and his reality was mixed with fiction probably created from memories or inner and deeper thoughts and feelings inside his heart. But he could lead an almost normal life. But when the normal life was changed by training and possibly doing missions the things were different and they turned dangerous especially to Sasuke. It seemed that the stress and concentration originated and needed by the fighting broke with that delicate balance Sasuke found in normal life. I still was wondering and studying all this questioning myself the reason behind this change. Why Sasuke lost it easier and quicker when he was training instead if he was just living normally? Why he lost concentration and confidence in his actions and decisions? Was the seal working properly or had provoked this problem without knowing it? Or it was only Sasuke the one with the answer?

I had gotten so deep and focused in my observation and pondering that I was distracted only for a few seconds. And that little amount of time was enough.

I had seen Sasuke became restless and distracted too and losing against his unreal world. He was somehow desperate and I was surprised to see that sincere and pained desperation pictured in his red sharingan eyes. I saw suffering in the soft line of his furrowed brow and his hesitating movements and attacks. I saw anger directed at him mostly. And I didn't stop him when my intuition told me to do it. I know I should have stop him when I saw him lost in control and concentration and unable of continuing the training in that moment but my curiosity at seeing where this was going and where it was taking him won over me.

And I paid the price.

Severely.

Sasuke lost it completely and attacked me fiercely and with all his might. His Taijutsu was so unexpected by a distracted and surprised me that the intense and straight force used by him in the kicks and punches throw me out of my balance and control and made me flew some meters until my beaten and hurt body was stopped by a tree which I must say I broke in two just with the impact of crashing at it. I felt asphyxiated and shocked and gasped desperately for air and I could feel the blood running from a deep and painful gash on my head and for other parts of my broken skin. I even felt my left arm broken and my right ankle twisted.

I didn't lose consciousness just because I'm not a famous Jounin for nothing.

After that my sight was blurred and I couldn't move any part of my limp body lying in the grass. I felt nauseous and a temblor run through me making me to moan in pain and suffering. I remember I heard him approaching me quickly and I felt his presence at my right side. Then I heard other footsteps coming our way and my head went spinning fast and hurtful and I finally closed my black eye feeling myself falling in the calm and warm grasp of the unconsciousness. The last I heard was Gai's voice asking me to open my eye and other's Jounin voices directing at Sasuke but I couldn't comprehend what they said.

I woke up late in the night in a room of the hospital. Anko was there with me and she was seriously concerned for my behalf. But when I opened my eye and said her name with a crooked smile she sighed chuckling in relief. I asked her what had happened and how long I had been out.

"Sasuke attacked you badly and intentionally with all the force he could gather in his present state. You have been unconscious for 10 hours. We were very worried. Tsunade-Sama said that she was preoccupied for the injury in your head but you'll be fine in some days."

I nodded and watched her serious and hesitating face. I knew why she was looking at me like that.

"You said Sasuke attacked me intentionally. How do you know?"

"You didn't see it?" I denied her with a shock from my head. "Gai and Kurenai were near you when they saw clearly that Sasuke attacked you directly as if he was targeting you as an enemy. They tried to warn you and then came to help you but it was too late."

"He was targeting me as an enemy?"

She nodded concerned and somehow nervously. I just thought in her words longingly.

"Was he seeing me as an enemy? With hatred or any other feeling?"

Anko stared at me questionably like if I was saying weird and alarming things but just nodded before answering me.

"Gai and Kurenai said that he was staring at you with some dread and hesitation. Yeah, those were the words they both used."

"Where's Sasuke now? I'm the one who cares of him now and if I'm here then"

"He's with Gai. Kurenai had to go home with her son. But she stayed with them some hours at afternoon. I've been here since you arrived."

I smiled grateful at her and I took her hand thinking in the entire incident. Anko seemed surprised at my gesture but just clutched my hand studying my pondering face.

"You know Kakashi… Sasuke seemed pretty affected when you got hurt. Even in his lack of proper expression we saw real shock in him. And the things didn't go well either when other Jounin told him to leave you like if he had planned the whole thing. They were pretty harsh and untrusting. The Council is groveling in pride at seeing they were right. Sasuke Uchiha can't be a normal civilian or shinobi of Konoha anymore. That's the rumor gossiped around the people who know about it."

My gaze darkened at her words. I remember Tsunade telling me to not get the situation worst for Sasuke. I sighed knowing I had promised it and I had failed miserably at it.

"It wasn't entirely his fault. I was distracted and that's something that you cannot allow if you're a shinobi and sensei. And I'm pretty sure it was an accident and Sasuke didn't mean it."

Anko nodded thoughtfully but when I noticed that she wanted to say something but she doubted it I asked her to tell me what she was thinking. She paused before answering.

"Maybe you should have listened to all of us when we told you that it was better for him to stay away from the ninja life. We don't want him in any more trouble Kakashi and besides… we don't want to see you hurt in your attempt in helping him."

I noticed that she looked away when she said the last but I knew she was honest and worried. That's why I smiled kindly and meditating looking affectingly at her.

"I know what all of you even the young ones think that it would do him better to stay as simple civilian. He has great limitations and obstacles now. But believe me when I know that I'm right in helping him to do this. This was an accident and it could happen to anyone in training or mission. It just looks worse because it involves Sasuke Uchiha and his actual situation. That's all. Thank you for worrying for me."

She nodded sighing hopelessly at my stubbornness and just smiled cheerful without saying other word. She knew me and knew that there was nothing that could change my mind about it. I knew I was right. I was going to be proven when I was out of the hospital and watched Sasuke again.

Kakashi POV

Of course my accident while training with the demented Uchiha raised opinions and rumors. I only felt ashamed when I had to confront and talk with Tsunade knowing she had supported me in this and the result was for the worst. Still she said yes to me in my petition in continuing with the training with Sasuke. When I asked her why she said yes again to me even after what had happened she sighed tiredly and concerned and told me that "We both know the reason. You just have to see it by yourself".

I noticed that Anko, Gai and Kurenai started to see it too. But for persons outside our group it was still a madness and loss of time of my part. They said I wasted uselessly my effort and hours trying to fix something that is was not fixable and unstable. For them Sasuke was just someone scarred mentally and emotionally without repair like if he was some sort of TV. That got me mad and sad at the same time. Naruto had visited me death worried for me and asking about his best friend. I told him that it was an accident and that Sasuke was fine in the care of my three friends. But he still was unable to face him and just nodded glad and sad. His friends visited me too and they were in the same line of thinking that Anko and the others except Hinata who would support Naruto probably till the end of time. I know they were worried as my Anbu friend and thought that it was better for Sasuke to have a calm life.

I just want to notice that wanting him to be an active shinobi didn't mean that I didn't want that for him too.

Sakura visited me too with Miyu preoccupied and happy at seeing me well. She didn't dare or let herself to ask about Sasuke openly so I just said again that it was an accident and that he was fine even when I hadn't seen him yet. And she said something that let me thinking hard and deeply. "It has to be an accident. Sasuke-Kun would never hurt you without a reason". Then she just smiled sad and lost in inner feelings and memories and waved goodbye at me.

I was able to leave the hospital three days after and I went to Gai's house to pick up Sasuke and say thanks for his help. I found quite strange that Sasuke hadn't come to visit me while I was hospitalized. I didn't have other visit from Anko, Kurenai or Gai because they were busy with their own agenda. So when I saw Gai at the door looking at me relieved and glad (come on we're friends even in spite of the rivalry he proclaims against me) I started to understand Tsunade's words of support at me. I started to see what I have to see by myself.

Kakashi POV

"I asked Lee to take him to a walk and I'm glad he agreed. The three days he had spent here had been quite rough and concerning."

"Why is that?"

"Your former student had been pretty reclusive and had been isolating himself since the incident. And I'm not talking about his usual and common antisocial behavior. No. He didn't leave the room I gave him to spend here in my house and he hadn't eaten or slept. He barely drank something. He had avoided us clearly. We couldn't force him to do something he doesn't want to do like eat. At least not till all this could harm him severely. Tsunade-Sama told us to wait for you and that you would know what to do."

"I see. What has he been doing then?"

"Just stay in the room staring at nothing. He didn't get up from bed if one of us came to see him and force him with the visit to get up, take a shower and get dress. But he then resumed his lying in bed fully clothed and cleaned staring at nothing. He hadn't painted anything like when he was with Uzumaki or tried to read. It was almost a catatonic state but with more consciousness I must say. He's absent, distant, tired. It is like if he was just following the flow of living without really living."

"Or wanting to live."

Gai stared thoughtful and serious at me. I sipped at my cup of hot coffee and finally saw what Tsunade had seen already and why I knew I had to train Sasuke. I said thanks to Gai who had to go to the Hokage's office and asked him where Lee had taken Sasuke. Later I left his house and put my feet in direction at the place where I had to go thinking deeply and clearly about everything. Were Tsunade and me the only ones who could see why Sasuke needed to train and be a ninja again?

Soon I reached the spot described by Gai and saw that it was the dock at the river that I knew Sasuke visited brooding when he was in the Academy after his family and clan had died by the hands of his brother Itachi. Gai had told me that when he had taken him after my accident they had passed by it on their way to Gai's home and Sasuke had showed some emotion and interest in the place. So he had asked Lee to take him there today for fresh air.

I watched Lee lying with his closed eyes on the grass by the side of the calm river with its smooth surface. The sunset was near. Sasuke was sitting in the dock itself with his legs swinging back and forth over the tranquil water slowly like he did when he was a little kid. I don't know why the scene bothered me. His face was indifferent and cold and his obsidian orbs held a sense of exhaustion and sadness. He was exhausted. But I knew it wasn't entirely physical. I approached carefully Lee and when he sensed me he turned around smiling happily to see me better and out of hospital. I was going to ask him about Sasuke after smiling grateful for his good wishes when he was the first one to turn at the spot when the both of us knew Sasuke was. He was the first one who noticed that Sasuke was standing still at the edge of the dock staring at the deep and mirror like water. But I was the one who reacted first and hurt yet by the incident didn't care about it and appeared behind Sasuke just in time to grab him by his waist with my right arm that it wasn't broken. I felt Lee followed me closely and was late just by seconds.

I had reached him in time after seeing him being pulled by the water and staring to fall in it completely. I grabbed him by the waist with my good arm and kept still like him a couple of minutes without feeling him fighting me. I forced him to step back until we were at the middle of the dock and Lee was serious, confused and worried looking at us.

"What were you thinking Sasuke? Sometimes if you stare deeply at water it's like being in the top of a high building in the mere edge. Deep water and highs have the force to pull our mind but we can't resist the urge to fall if we are feeling confused about something."

By the surprised and touched face of Lee that I picked up by the corner of my eye I knew he understood the words behind my speech. I let go Sasuke from my grasp and he slowly turned around facing me. He was cold and daring me with his onyx pools for eyes and I knew he would not accept what I had said as true being him. He tried to rest importance to it and started to walk to the road leaving us there with slow but decisive pace.

Kakashi POV

After that other incident I take Sasuke with me first at eat something and then to our rooms at the quarters. I told him that tomorrow we'll resumed our training and practice like we had been doing it till my unfortunate accident and I explained him that I knew I was partly at fault for it for my distraction and that I knew that it had been accidental his attack directed at me. He didn't show any reaction that it could mean a contradiction to my plans and I took it as an agreement from his part.

The next morning very early we both were in the same spot as days before and I noticed that even when Sasuke hadn't disagreed with me in keeping him training and practicing his powers, force and abilities he was pretty damn affected by the incident in which I had ended hurt and parched. He couldn't concentrate and forgot about the basics. He couldn't focus himself in what I was ordering him to do. His distractions grew bigger and more dangerous and his hallucinations took the best of him when they unable him to act. He kept seeing around him with quick and alarmed eyes and his ears pricked up listening them. I saw moved and worried how he always searched me with desperation and seriousness in his total environment like trying to remember where I was. He analyzed me carefully and confusedly before deciding if I was there.

And then I knew sadly that he didn't know exactly if I was a part of his hallucinations or not. And I knew that was why the treatment didn't work properly in training. In normal life Sasuke didn't have to use any of his gifts as a ninja and he didn't have the chance to hurt or kill someone and it didn't matter a lot if he was seeing or hearing things because he was focused enough to know what was real. But in training it was different and he lost his concentration and confidence knowing he could harm or bring death. Knowing that he lost control over the hallucinations and the pills weren't enough and everything turned worst.

I tried over and over to help him to concentrate and confide in himself and let the pills do their work with his own control. But it was useless. Sasuke only did it worst and the consequence was his loss of patience, desperation and frustration that led him to a moment similar that I had witnessed in his failed attempt of crying in the park. He knelt tired and confused and angry and curling his fists with rage and impotence he hit the ground violently. The sound of the rocks crashing by the impact of his knuckles were the only noise in the silent atmosphere for long seconds and I saw the pulverized ground flying and the two small holes Sasuke had done with his mere force. He was trembling without the chance of showing the pain cursing his bloodied and curled tightly fists and he was panting and had his look locked in the broken ground and the red drops of his blood staining it. His face was just tired and frustrated now. By the soft gleam of his dark gaze I knew he was hurting physically from his injured hands.

I observed him concerned and moved. Sasuke was calm just for minutes till I saw that he was going to take another blow at the ground with all his weak force and I stopped him encircling his shaking figure with my right arm restraining his arms and his attempt. He tried to fight me without success. He had spent almost all of his force in the first punch and was exhausted from the incessant trying I had submitted him before. I heard worried his harsh breathing.

"Do you need help Kakashi?"

I looked up from my kneeling position and saw Gai there. Tsunade was a little away under a tree watching us. I was amazed I hadn't seen her observing Sasuke and me before. I guessed she and Gai had come to see me training and dealing with him and probably they were preoccupied at my present state. My eternal rival was staring seriously at us. I half smiled softly denying his help.

"Thank you Gai. But I'm ok. I can handle it."

He just nodded still not convinced but respected my wishes and returned to his spot besides the honey eyed and silent Hokage watching interested, sad and wondering the scene. Sasuke attracted my attention again when he started to get restless again and with his last source of force tried to free himself from my grasp. I knew he was trying to hit something without caring his well being just in spite of his anger and frustration. I restrained him with my only arm until he felt relaxed and limp in my grip and he rested his head against my right shoulder with a cold and indifferent stare. When he was totally calm I let go of him and stood up saying to him to try it again since the beginning.

But he didn't move or look up at me. He just was there kneeling with his bloodied fists and lost. I saw he was cursing me and sending me right to hell when he saw me by the corner of his eyes with contained fury. But above of all I saw defeat in his stoic pale face. I knew he couldn't go on training being hurt like that but I only wanted to force him to stand up and I wanted to see him trying again. Just that. Then I would tell him that the training for today was over and I would take him with Shizune to heal his injuries.

"Stand up Sasuke. Start all over again. It's an order."

He didn't move and fixed his black eyes on the splattered ground. I repeated the same line two times more. Before going mad for his reaction I noticed that in fact he wasn't really angry at me. He was pretending to disguise the intense and true feeling of defeat and frustration he was feeling in fact. Just seeing truly at his eyes I knew it.

"Are you giving up like everyone says you and I should do?"

He didn't react and when I tried to lock my half look with his dark one I saw that he didn't want to see me straight in the face. I watched the guilt softly showing in the line of his furrowed brow where the red Hyuuga seal was tattooed in a spiral with ties. I sighed concerned. That was where his confidence was shaking. In my hurt self by his hand.

"Sasuke I don't want you to give up just because we met an unfortunate accident. We'll work together to stop it from happening again to me or to anyone else. I promise." I knelt in front of him feeling still the pain in my hurt ankle but I ignored it. "I know that control is very important to you in all the aspects and to make decisions and I know you don't like to hurt or kill someone if it's not necessary. You used to be like that."

I paused staring worriedly at him. Sasuke was listening to me in his distant and stoic façade.

"I know everyone thinks is useless and pointless. But I believe you can do it. I'll train you again even if I had to do it since the basics and if I'm not the right person to help you then I would find someone who could do it. I'm not giving up on you Sasuke."

I said simply sincerely and firmly looking at his former student with daring in his uncovered eye. I knew that Sasuke needed this now when everything seemed so dark and lost to him, even if Sasuke himself couldn't accept it or didn't want to. He was before an excellent shinobi and he was the best student of his own generation. He was an Uchiha. He only had this right now. And I weren't going to let him lose it too. That was what Tsunade had asked me to see. That's was what I saw yesterday at the dock by the river. Sasuke didn't have anything else right now. His life didn't have a clear goal and he had proven it to me the three days he had spent at Gai's house. That was his life. Just living for live, just existing. And that's why I knew I had had to look for him and Lee and I had known what he was thinking standing still in the edge of the dock. That was the tiredness always present in his night's eyes.

I extended my right hand to him insisting in standing up and do it again till he could find the balance and control he desperately needed. Sasuke looked at it with contempt and coldness until he took it with his two injured hands and I got up followed for him slowly. When our gazes crossed I saw a glimpse of the fiery old determination he had before he had gotten sick. He narrowed his indifferent but bold eyes. I smiled widely and then I took a look at his bloodied hands. He didn't even wince when I touched the deep cuts but I saw a far away painful spark in his glare.

"Well for now you can't do anything in this state so we'll continue tomorrow. Let's go to attend your injuries, alright?"

Tsunade POV

After two months Sasuke got better at training that I started to send him with Kakashi in minor missions without a lot of potential danger. Little by little the Uchiha had made an extreme and meaningful effort trying to improve himself under Kakashi's orders. Gai offered himself to train Sasuke in improving his Taijutsu and Kakashi had accepted grateful for it. Anko sparred with the dark haired boy too when she had time and with the help of all of them and the constant and demanding effort of Sasuke who didn't give up again even feeling frustrated, angry or desperate he managed to got in a trustful level. He wasn't at the level probably as his other's classmates and friends right now but he was capable and reliable as a Genin. In fact he wasn't literally a Chunin or a Jounin. Kurenai had wanted to help him too as a friendly offering to Kakashi but he told her that he was going to wait to accept her help because Sasuke wasn't ready to use and defend against Genjutsu. Even when Kurenai was a complete Jounin she was a specialist in Genjutsu and Kakashi wanted her help when he thought Sasuke could handle it.

So Kakashi left Konoha with Sasuke in some missions I knew he could handle and they returned to the village always with a completed and well done task. When I sent Kakashi in missions more dangerous and complicated Sasuke was left in the care of Gai or Anko or the both of them if they were free in that moment. In normal life Sasuke had retrieved to his old life in Naruto's apartment and still kept training himself in the best way he could do it. Gai tried to encourage him to write and we discovered why Sasuke didn't try it before. We discovered that Sasuke couldn't write properly and in an understandable way. The letters and sentences he wrote where just babbling without a sense. His writing skill was misshaped and even when it seemed that he was writing correctly and knowing what to write when he ended and tried to read what he had written he just like us couldn't understand anything. That got he very frustrated and he desisted in trying very tired and with a headache when he had tried to write over and over probably the idea he had in his mind. I told him that he only needed patience and a lot of stressful practice.

The only concerning thing we discovered again in him was his attempts of avoiding Sakura and Miyu. Whenever he was near them and he spotted them together or one at the time he turned his path and left quickly. All of us thought that it was possibly that he remembered what he had caused when he had kidnapped his daughter months ago. He probably was shameful to face Sakura or ask her again in some way to let him see and share time with Miyu. We didn't exactly knew why he had retrieved to that behavior of avoid them and runaway from the two but we didn't insist in any way to force him to show us his motives. He was still stressed by the training. But some of us had caught him glancing longingly and contemplative at any of them when he watched mother and daughter from a far. And there was sadness and resignation that touched and confused us like they had done it since the beginning of all of this.

Miyu soon was 1 year and 4 months old. Even when Sasuke was doing well in his missions and trainings and the Council was glad of having him compensating his past deeds with Konoha a lot of people still thought he was a latent danger like a bomb that could explode any day without reason. They thought he was mentally unstable enough to worry over his acts without resting. The accident of Kakashi had grown the expectation and fear of him doing something terrible and the rumor of Sakura and Miyu being in constant danger because of their connection to him was loud. His friends were glad he was succeeding in his ninja life but they still hesitated and concerned about him knowing like all the others Sasuke's state. They wanted to protect Sakura and Miyu from him but he didn't do a thing to go near the mother of his child and his own daughter or even his friends. That saddened me. He was focusing so much in his work to notice how isolated he was even when he had me, Shizune and the sensei. We knew he needed people from his age and who knew him probably better than almost all of us or who weren't sometimes so busy that he ended lonely locked in his room for days and nights.

I wonder if he let the loneliness to swallow him again just because he wanted so much to improve himself in missions or if he was trying to improve so much to avoid feeling lonely and stay away from his friends and his little girl and the pink haired lady who gave birth to his child. Sadly enough I don't have the answer yet.

Naruto POV

I met Sasuke just one time when he was in Ichiraku with Anko for dinner. I was accompanied by Shikamaru and Ino and they congratulated him for his returning as a ninja from Konoha. He and Anko were almost finishing when we arrived so we have a little time to share with them.

I felt strange and uncomfortable remembering the way we had parted months ago. That's why I was so quiet and didn't quite meet his dark and collected gaze. I still don't know if I hurt him taking away his collection of toys for Miyu and I felt guilty and ashamed even when I didn't quite regret it. I had wanted to know what he felt for his daughter.

And sadly I still don't know it.

My anger had risen again after seeing his rejection showed at Sakura-Chan and Miyu. My anger was originated from confusion at his decisions. While Ino talked with Anko cheerfully and Shikamaru just looked bored like he always looked anyway, I took a couple of minutes to watch Sasuke without him noticing. He had his black gaze turned just for courtesy at the two woman talking and laughing (I saw in his stoic face his indifference at it) and I took the chance to study him after days without being face to face with him.

The Hyuuga Seal inked in red shone in the mere center of his forehead in a perfect spiral from which thin and delicate ties were stretched and tattooed in the rest of the surface of his forehead. All the seal was in fact beautifully designed and the crimson color made a perfect contrast against the black in his eyes and hair and the bluish light in it and his pale skin. I noticed that Sasuke didn't wear his forehead protector with the emblem of Konoha. In fact he didn't wear it since his first returning but at least now that he was sent in missions he wore it clinging from his waistband instead. I couldn't help to smile sadly and softly seeing the scratch I had done to it in that fight between the both of us long time ago.

I wondered why he didn't use it in his forehead like he always used to do. Some straight and dark bangs falling from his combed hair covered the red seal but just barely. Being lost in thought I didn't see that he was staring at me serious and calm. He knew I was looking at the red seal painted in his face. I felt ashamed for being caught but I controlled myself and just let a crooked and small smile up in my face resuming my eating. His look softened at me but he then stood up and went to the bathroom and I followed him with my gaze and with my mouth full of delicious and hot ramen.

"The Council forbade him to wear the Konoha's protector in his forehead, right?"

I turned surprised at Shikamaru who was drinking slowly his cup of hot tea. Anko nodded seriously.

"Yeah. They want the seal to be seen by everyone to give a sense of security and protection to them against the potential danger he could be."

"That's nonsense. Sasuke would never do something against us or this village anymore. If I remember correctly he decided it a long time ago when he chose to help Konoha against Akatsuki and that weirdo of Kabuto mixed with that filthy snake. Even if he was angry at Konoha he helped out. Sasuke could be a jerk with Sakura and Miyu but that's another matter."

Ino said mad while I was still eating just listening at them. Shikamaru looked interested at the young Anbu.

"That's true. How did Kakashi-Sensei help him with his hallucinations in training and missions?"

"He taught him how to sense and detect chakra in a special way to distinguish between reality and unreality. That's all. Real things had a living pulse and energy. His hallucinations come from his head and he unconsciously can give them the power over him but they will always be different from the real things. Some sort of that. Still it's difficult to Sasuke to perform this sensing and detecting perfectly and quickly. He has to practice a lot and had a perfect concentration to master it but it had worked till now. It's not big deal. Some clan and shinobi have abilities similar to that one."

There was silence in the table and I finished my bowl of ramen still quiet and thoughtful. I know the three were wondering why I was so silent and serious. That wasn't my way of being. But they didn't say anything about it and respected my feelings at the moment. Sasuke returned and he and Anko decided to leave after she finished her cup of iced tea. She was saying goodbye and other things to Ino and Shikamaru but I was facing my old and best friend in deep silence. At first he wasn't paying attention at me and was looking ahead at the street. But then he sensed my stare and fixed his onyx orbs in my blue ones just serenely and stoic. He didn't seem angered at my observation. He averted his eyes first turning his look at one side and I thought I saw a little spark of shame in them. Guilt.

And I smiled softly and nostalgic to myself knowing that I felt the same too. Yeah, I was confused and angry at him still for hurting and rejecting Sakura and Miyu but I had been worried for him. I am always worried for him as for all the people I knew and I care deeply about or even love with all my heart. When my two friends and the Anbu ended their goodbyes and chats there was a pause and I know they were looking at us. Calmly I fixed my serious stare on him still feeling angry enough for his erratic behavior.

"I'll see you around Sasuke. Take care, please."

He saw me by the corner of his dark look and narrowed his eyes slightly. Then Anko waved goodbye and she left followed by him without turning to face me again. I just sighed sad knowing he wasn't angry at me like Kakashi-Sensei had told me. In fact his last glare at me was more like a question than a show of angriness of any kind. It was like if he was asking me why I had said that to him.

That fool.

I smiled cheerful again and followed Ino and Shikamaru just hearing them picking on each other like usual.

Sakura POV

"Come on Sakura please; just sit down for a minutes and have a cup of tea. Please."

My mother begged kindly at me while I was looking around the kitchen like if I hadn't been there for years. I felt weird and melancholic being there in my former house, my dear home since I was a little girl till I had left that terrible night with my daughter in arms fearing for the unexpected future.

"Alright mom. I'll stay just for a couple of minutes."

She smiled warmly and happy at me sighing giggling and with resignation. I sat down still feeling the ghost of my old home embracing me. So many memories. So much happiness. So much sadness too. I found quite special how long had been since I had renounced to live here anymore. Mother put a cup of hot tea in front of me and sat down beside me with her own. Miyu was in her special chair staring at everything with wonder and delight and making funny noises from time to time. She repeated words that she already knew from some objects and furniture in the room quietly and clearly. Her big and black eyes seemed so interested and serene.

"Why do you ask me to come? You always go to my place."

"Well you were nearer this time from the house. And don't worry; your father won't come yet. It's early. I have a surprise for Miyu and I'm wondering if you brought what you promised me Sakura."

I nodded smiling and took my purse searching for the envelope. Then I gave it to her and I drank from my cup of tea seeing happily how mom opened it and took the photos of Miyu's birthday and started to see them one by one with a open, sincere and loving smile and eyes full of happiness.

"Oh Sakura! They're wonderful!"

"Yeah I know. You can keep them. I have another copy from all."

She just nodded laughing at some photos and I took her entertainment to stand up and walk and watch the kitchen again with renewed interest and nostalgia. I went to the window over the sink and smile sad and thoughtful at the beautiful color of the afternoon outside. My distant and lost in reverie gaze was caught by something strange I hadn't seen in our backyard.

"When did you plant sunflowers in our backyard mom?"

"I hadn't. You know I suck at gardening sweetie."

"Hmm… that's weird."

I didn't say anymore seeing her in complete concentration and delight of watching the photos. I stared strangely and curiously at the pretty sunflowers planted under the old and big tree that was near my former room's window. Father had always wanted to keep that tree and mother and I adored it too. The only thing was that the tree was an easy way to get to the house through my window. The sunflowers were dancing slightly and slowly with the wind like the leaves and branches from the tall and strong tree.

"Look Miyu this is one of our albums now and your mother never used it and it's pretty, isn't it? I took it for you honey."

I turned around to see mother showing a new album to my little girl and I left the thing about the sunflowers out of my mind. I sat down beside mom smiling while she opened the pink album and started to put the photos there carefully and adoringly one by one in the order she thought it was the best. I had bought that album so long time ago for me. We both laughed cheerfully and honestly while we were seeing each one and we made comments about it. Miyu just stared absorbed at us and the colored pictures in silence with her strange understanding filling her dark eyes.

"Your friends got pretty handsome and cute Sakura! Look at Neji-Kun. I'd gladly kill for having my hair like him!"

I just laughed funny with her words. When she flipped another page both of our laughs died seeing an old photo there between the two next pages. It was a photo where Naruto, Sasuke-Kun and I were while we were Team 7 years ago and Kakashi-Sensei had insisted in taking it. We were at the bridge where he used to date us and left us there waiting for an eternity for him to appear. Naruto was in the middle smiling cheerful and enthusiastic embracing us or at least trying to do it with Sasuke-Kun. I was holding my blond friend back smiling content and warmly at the photo making a signal of peace with my left hand. And Sasuke-Kun was just glaring at the camera like always with his hands in his pockets trying to free himself from Naruto's grasp. He wasn't smiling and was just brooding tense with a severe expression in his face.

My heart ached and skipped a beat.

"Dada! Dada! Dada's there!"

My mom and I turned quickly surprised and pulled out of our watching by my little girl's voice. She was smiling sweetly and pointing with her little hands at Sasuke-Kun at the old photo. A photo I didn't remember I had. A photo I had put there when he had gone from Konoha following Orochimaru.

My heart was crushed seeing her sincerely remembering him.

Mother just smiled sad and supporting at me and I smiled back just for showing her that I wasn't affected at all. But I was lying. Was my love still so damn strong that even a damn old picture could break another piece of my already shattered heart?

"Yes Miyu. He's your dad."

Mother said simply smiling at my daughter kindly and Miyu giggled clapping her hands.

I felt tears in my eyes. She remembered him fondly.

Mother decided to continue with her doing like if nothing had happened and I silently thank her for that. Soon we were again laughing seeing the rest of the photographs until she finally put them all in the pages of Miyu's album. But I had my mind thinking in the moment we had shared together with that photo. I looked at my pretty girl still wondering how she had learned to say "dada". She recognized mother, all of my friends, the sensei, the Hokage and Shizune and other persons she usually saw. Even my father because mother had showed him to her in another picture and taught her the word. But no one of us taught her to call "dada" Sasuke-Kun. He couldn't speak or didn't want to so it wasn't probably he the one who had taught it. Or did he? And if he was then why he didn't speak at all at any of us?

"Sakura I want to give you something for Miyu. It's a special birthday's present. I'm sorry for the date but I didn't have it with me when she turned 1 year."

I had been so immerse in my thoughts that I hadn't seen her stood up and took a box from a cabinet. She put it in the table in front of me. It was small and made of precious black wood that looked pretty expensive and antique. I took it marveling at the design and opened it carefully surprised seeing what was inside. My jade eyes peered curiously and amazed at a beautiful necklace made of silver and with a red and golden stone hanging from it. The design of the stone was similar to an eye and I couldn't figure out why it reminded me of something.

"Mom this is beautiful! It's expensive! You didn't have to buy something like this!"

I said ashamed and scandalized at the magnificent ornament. She shocked her head without locking her pretty eyes with mine and seeing her granddaughter with contempt.

"It's a family's heirloom. An antiquity. Please Sakura, keep it and made Miyu wear it. It's for her. It's the way in what I'm saying that I'm sorry for not having both of you here with me. I know you won't return home. I understand it. So please take it for me."

She was pleading sincerely with her eyes on me and I couldn't say no at looking at her so decisive in it and distressful about it. I nodded sighing still ashamed but I smiled moved and happily. She hugged me tenderly for a moment and then went and picked up a silent and observant Miyu from her baby chair. I took my purse and Miyu's bag and stood up.

"You have to go now. Your father will be here soon."

She said sadly kissing Miyu's forehead lovingly. I nodded sad too and I put the necklace around Miyu's little neck noticing that if fit perfectly her in her youth and size. I took her in my arms and kissed mother in the cheek giving her a last hug grateful and nostalgic.

"I'll see you later then mom. Thanks for everything."

"Don't worry sweetie. It's a pleasure!"

She laughed sincerely and while she was saying goodbye at my little girl she asked something that remembered me the old photo we had found without expecting it.

"Sakura, do you want to talk more about him?"

I saw her surprised and affected but soon I disguised it shocking my head with a soft and little smile and calm face. She was staring worriedly at me. I had talked before with her when I had found about Sasuke's sealing and the opinion and orders of the Council. I had talked with her about the attack he had inflicted accidentally in Kakashi-Sensei and how hard he tried to be an active and trustful shinobi again for Konoha. I had felt in a turmoil of emotions and feelings and I had been worried and depressed knowing of everything going on in his life. My thoughts focused in him and his well being. I had showed to others that I didn't have any interest left in me for him but I was lying and pretending.

I'm always lying and pretending about it.

I had cried and saddened but I forced myself to get over it like always when something related to Sasuke-Kun affected me so bad. I was angry and scared of him for taking Miyu away from me without me knowing, yes, I was still mad and fearful. But I never wished him to have it so hard when he seemed to want to rebuild his life here in his homeland. I just wanted to be away from him and not feel hurt again or more than I already was. I wanted to protect our daughter. I wanted a new and hopeful life.

But I wanted him by my side and his love and a life with him in my deeper heart of hearts and my silent soul. That was the truth I would keep denying and I would try to change knowing that I would never have it and that there were so many obstacles to achieve it. And the principal one was that he wasn't interested in sharing any of it with me. And he had kidnapped Miyu and now he didn't care if I had forbidden him to see her or be with her so I guessed he didn't want to share it with her either.

His renewed and actual rejection and avoiding to her hurt me over and over and confused me so much tearing my hope of him being his father. I didn't understand what had happened then when he had held her and carried her and care for her in the hospital that day. What was his goal in doing that if now he didn't care a bit about it? I was sure that if he really wanted to still be near her he had protested at me for my prohibition and had done everything in his hands to ask my forgiveness for the kidnapping. But he hadn't done anything.

And I was crushed and destroyed like always. But I had gotten used to recover quickly from this encounters and torments provoked by him sadly and unfortunately. It hadn't to be this way. But it was.

Mother accompanied me part of the way and when she saw the backyard and the sunflowers under the tree I saw her curiously peering at them with some sadness and realization that I couldn't comprehend. She suddenly just shrugged smiling turning to me without fixing her eyes with mine.

"You're right. That's weird!"

She kissed Miyu in her forehead and went back home waving goodbye to both of us while my little girl waved it too smiling and I looked melancholic at the pretty sunflowers dancing with the soft sunset's breeze.