Sasuke arrived at the door of the apartment, where Kakashi stood beside him. He stared at the door, contemplating whether to flee the village once again. He was not looking forward to this. Kakashi's stare bore a hole in the side of his head and only served to further aggravate the Uchiha.

"What?" Sasuke snapped.

"Are you going to open the door?" Kakashi answered.

Sasuke was suddenly aware of the key being grasped tightly in his hand. He looked at it as if he had no idea how it got there. He forced himself to loosen his grip. He hadn't been listening when Shikamaru gave them both a briefing on their living arrangements. Ordinarily, he was extremely meticulous when it came to missions, even more so in his personal life, but his mind was brimming with thoughts. Being in control of his emotions was very important to the Uchiha, but in light of the recent chain of events he felt himself becoming distant and distracted.

He would have been living with Kakashi. A 19-year-old Kakashi. A Kakashi who knew nothing of the 4th Great Ninja War or the Uchiha massacre. A Kakashi who didn't know the truth about Obito. If Kakashi had any questions, living with him would make them difficult to avoid.

Sasuke snapped back to the present once again an and unlock the the door.

The door opened to an open-plan kitchen with two large windows opposite the entrance and a sparse living area with a sofa, kotatsu, and a couple of cabinets. To the right, a narrow corridor led to two bedrooms and a bathroom. The apartment wasn't large, but it was livable.

He strode over to the other side of the room to draw the curtains and swept through the place to search for any possible breaches in security. No one in the village was privy to the knowledge of Kakashi's condition or his whereabouts, but Sasuke knew that, in a shinobi village, one could never be too cautious.

"Take whichever room you want," Sasuke said to Kakashi as he returned to the main living area.

As if acting on orders, Kakashi nodded and vanished into one of the rooms, closing the door behind him.

Sasuke noted that this Kakashi might be even less sociable than he himself was. Kakashi-sensei would've quipped an obnoxious joke about them living together and plopped himself down on the couch while reading his precious Icha-Icha. He wouldn't admit that he kind of missed the one-sided banter.

He walked over to the kettle and started brewing some tea. On the bright side, he thought, if it stayed this way, he could avoid the questions for as long as possible.

Barely two hours later, a knock sounded at the door, and Sasuke was instantly aware of who it was.

Damned dobe couldn't even stay away for one night. He contemplated ignoring it, but the knocking became more insistent.

"Sasuke! Open the door ! I know you're in there and, Kaka-"

"Are you an idiot?" Sasuke hissed as he opened the door and pulled Naruto inside."The whole village is going to know that kakashi's here!"

Naruto entered and raised a sheepish hand to the back of his neck.

"Sorry…" he said guiltily.

Sasuke just sighed and walked over to the kitchen to brew some more tea.

"What do you want?" he asked angrily. Naruto being there was a recipe for disaster.

"I was thinking, ya'know," the blond started, kicking off his shoes.

"Don't hurt yourself," the Uchiha shot back.

"Bastard! I have some clothes and supplies and stuff for you and Kakashi. I was thinking since you two have been traveling for like two days that you guys would probably want a real meal. I know I would! And I know you like tomatoes or whatever, but I wasn't sure if Kakashi would like the same thing as Sensei, so it took me a while to figure out what…"

"Get to the point, usuratonkachi."sasuke muttered.

"I picked up some stuff from Ichiraku's," Naruto grinned widely as he pulled a bag of ramen out of seemingly nowhere.

Sasuke had been too distracted to even think of food or clothes or the basic necessities to actually live in the apartment. He felt slightly guilty for snapping at Naruto's thoughtfulness. He found himself extremely grateful. He really had missed the blond.

"I see. Thank you, Naruto," he said softly.

The blonde smiled a small, genuine smile, caught slightly off guard by the praise from the otherwise cold Uchiha.

"Where's Sen-Kakashi? This is difficult to not say 'Sensei' to 'Sensei'." Naruto muttered under his breath.

Sasuke motioned toward the still-shut door of Kakashi's room.

"Dobe, why is that so hard? It's like decades ago. Kakashi isn't our sensei anymore."

"Obviously, you said that...you even didn't say 'sensei', not even in our genin days...but for me, he is always my sensei." Naruto said.

"But he is different." As soon as those words left Uchiha's mouth, Naruto's face became sad, and Sasuke regretted saying them. So, he said, "Hey, dobe, doesn't your ramen get cold or do you like eating ramen cold?"

Mentioned of Ramen, brought Naruto's face lit up."You are the one who got me late, Teme. Anyways, I asked where is Kakashi?"

"I've already told you, Dobe." Once again, he gave direction to Kakashi's room.

"Great," Naruto knocked on the door, "Here's some stuff for you, Kakashi!"

Kakashi opened the door, no longer wearing his hitai-ate or shoes.Sasuke was surprised to find that they were the same height. Kakashi had always been slightly taller than both Sasuke and Naruto.

"Here are your clothes and stuff. I also got you a pork miso ramen with extra eggplant. You still like eggplant, right?"Naruto said.

Kakashi looked slightly uneasy, but let out an Uchiha-like grunt of agreement.

"Alright! Let's eat. I'm starving." Naruto said in joy.

The three shinobi sat down to eat their ramen, Naruto rambled all the while.

"…And then Sakura-chan just punched him right in the face! It was perfect," He said with a hearty laugh.

"So Kakashi, what's it like living with the teme?" Naruto asked between sips of water.

"It's only been about two hours," Kakashi replied, his voice devoid of any inflection.

"Well, he can be a dick at times. Most of the time, actually, but don't take it personally. That's just the way he is, you know." Naruto said with a teasing sigh.

"Idiot," Sasuke said, shaking his head.

Kakashi let out a tiny, barely audible chuckle, much to Naruto's delight.

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you! Anyway, how has the journey been, Sasuke? Have you met any new people?" Naruto asked.

"Learning from people, working alongside them. It's what I needed." Sasuke replied after taking a bite of his meal.

"Does that mean you're coming back?" Naruto asked, with a glint of hope evident in his eyes.

"I don't know yet, Naruto." said Sasuke.

The direction of the conversation had inadvertently caused a new, uncomfortable atmosphere in the room. Sasuke wasn't ready to think about it, even after a whole year with that very question in the back of his mind.

"So you really were away from the village for that long?" Kakashi inquired, surprising both Naruto and Sasuke. The silver-haired jonin hadn't spoken unless he was spoken to directly, but Sasuke had noticed how the man had been silently and intently observing their dynamic.

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance. They both weren't sure about how much information to give.

"Yes," Sasuke said carefully. "What I told you wasn't a lie. I was away for a long time, and some of the details are classified."

"But it wasn't a mission," Kakashi said rather than asking, seeming to piece together a theory with the little information he had learned about Sasuke's time away from Konoha.

"No, it wasn't a mission." As Sasuke answered.

"I see." Kakashi said, after a moment

The implications of the statement created a sharp tension in the room.

"Thank you for the food, Naruto," Kakashi said, breaking the silence and easing some of the uneasiness.

"Uh, right! No problem. I should probably get going, anyway. I've got to report to Baa-chan first thing tomorrow," Naruto replied as he strode towards the door.

"Good night, Kakashi. Sasuke." And with that, he was gone.

So the idiot has grown up a little, Sasuke thought, staring at the place where Naruto had just left. Even so, it was unlike Naruto to avoid uncomfortable situations like this. Sasuke had known that the blond shared a special, almost familial bond with their Sensei and it was apparent in the way this ordeal was affecting him.

Kakashi started gathering their dishes and taking them to the sink, Sasuke rising to do the same.

"He's… something," Kakashi said as they began washing up, obviously wanting to leave their previous conversation behind.

"Yeah," Sasuke replied with a barely noticeable smile.

"Was it him? The one who beat some sense into you?" asked Kakashi.

"The very same one," Sasuke replied.

"He looks so much like…" Kakashi stopped himself from finishing the sentence. "I'm going to get some rest. Good night… Sasuke-san," he said instead.

"Just Sasuke is fine. Good night, Kakashi."

Sasuke said

Kakashi tried to sleep; he really did. But his brain was overloaded with new information.

Naruto's appearance was the last thing he needed. The relationship between Sasuke and Naruto reminded him too much of his rivalry with Obito. Flashes of a hauntingly familiar shade of blue appeared every time he closed his eyes.

All the warmth he felt while observing Team 7 throughout the day had twisted into a hot guilt unfolding in his gut.

His heart ached for all the things he once had. He felt that, by being part of this new team, he was betraying those he had lost. It was as if his older self had replaced them.

He sat up in bed. He needed to see them. He needed to apologize. He needed to go to the one place he knew would bring him some solace.

He shook off the blankets and grabbed the shoes and black cloak he had worn earlier that day. With a rustle of leaves, he stole into the unforgiving night.

The air was bitter and thick with mist.

Kakashi ran his thumb over the names engraved on the memorial stone. Since Obito and Rin's deaths, he had found himself coming here more and more often, spending longer periods of time and even more so after Minato's death. He prioritized these daily visits over anything and everything else, arriving late to appointments and meetings. It was as close as he could get to seeing his dear ones again. Now, seeing their names still engraved in the stone only fueled his guilt. How could he have lived so long when their lives were stolen so early from them? He didn't deserve it. He stood in somber silence for a while before speaking.

"Sensei, Kushina... I should not have been worthy to teach your son. 'Friend-killer Kakashi'. How disappointing it must be.Obito, Rin I can't help but feel like I let you down. I don't know if the old me has been coming here to visit. I hope he has. I'd never forgive myself if…".

The snapping of a twig in the bushes immediately caught Kakashi's attention.

He adopted a defensive pose, only to relax when Sasuke emerged from the shadows.

Kakashi turned his back on the Uchiha, facing the stone once again.

"He comes here every day," Sasuke said after a while.

"Why did you follow me? Didn't you have any other work besides following me"? Kakashi growled, not looking back.

"Well, I'm the one who's supposed to be keeping you in check. Sneaking off in the middle of the night like this... It's not exactly reassuring," Sasuke replied.

"Where else would I go? Everyone I've ever loved is here, buried in the dirt." Kakashi spat venomously.

"Kakashi, you haven't betrayed them. You moved on. You still love them and they live on in your heart. The living must continue to live," Sasuke said softly.

"And what do you know about loss, Uchiha? How about I killed everyone you ever loved. Not a single person you love will live, and you'll be alone. And then you'll feel what I felt." Kakashi turned around to face Sasuke.

Sasuke really,really wants to laugh at this moment.The sense of deja vu that Sasuke gets is overwhelming. Fate must have cursed him somehow, or has a sick sense of humor. The very same words he also told his sensei; he also wanted the same answer as his sensei had said, but he knew he couldn't tell about the Uchiha massacre yet, so he said, "More than I'd like to."

"Then you should understand! All of this, it won't last. I should never have allowed myself to," Kakashi paused as he tried to calm the quivering voice.

"When I get close to people, they die sasuke ," Kakashi said eventually.

"Kakashi," Sasuke startled.

"I can't do this right now. I'm going back," and with that, Kakashi was gone.

Sasuke stood for a moment and analyzed the whole situation. He woke up to the sound of a window being opened. He had been a light sleeper ever since the massacre. He couldn't have let the man go off on his own with that seal still plastered on his neck. Anything could have happened. So he threw on his cloak and followed him to the memorial.

Now he stands at the stone, cursing himself for that decision. It wasn't his intention to get involved, but it is his responsibility.

He had never seen the man express so much emotion before, not even after learning about Obito during the war.

The similarities between them were all too clear now. Kakashi's defensiveness and tendency to make himself an outsider… Sasuke knew it all too well. It reminded him of all those years ago when Kakashi had tried to get him to give up on his revenge. Except now, their roles were reversed and Sasuke was the one trying to get through to Kakashi.

If Kakashi were as stubborn as Sasuke, he doubts he could get through to the man.And if he was going to react this badly to Team 7, how could he handle the truth about the massacre, let alone Obito?

Kakashi came in through the window, acting as the perfect example of stealth. Only Naruto could notice the slight shift in the air and its subtle scent on the light evening breeze. Naruto welcomed the cool air against his skin and continued to tear open a packet of instant ramen.

"miss me that much, Sensei?" The blonde asked with a smirk.

Instead of the usual lame jokes, Kakashi was silent, his expression blank. Naruto turned fully to face him. A shiver ran down his spine as he looked at his sensei. He was fully covered in blood.

"kaka-sensei"Naruto exclaimed.

"I'm leaving Naruto. I came here to say goodbye."

"Wait, what? Are you out of your mind, Sensei? You need to go to the hospital. What are you doing-

The room shifted suddenly and Naruto looked around frantically, noticing that he was no longer in his apartment. Rocky, uneven surfaces and flowing waters stood before him, bathed in crimson light. The sky burned with the color of blood.

The all-too-familiar stone figure of Madara Uchiha stood behind Kakashi, without any second blade piercing Kakashi's chest.

"No, it's not him"Naruto asked shockingly.

"Why not him? You knew this would happen!"

A snarky voice comment behind Naruto.

Naruto turned around to see the person and became even more shocked.. "sasuke what are u..no this can't be why are you too"..

"This is the end, Naruto. You are not a hero. You are the reason your parents died, you didn't even save your master. Now you have also failed your sensei. Tch, but don't be sad now; you're also going to meet them."

With this sasuke's Chidori attack aimed at Naruto's chest.

Snap

Blue eyes shot open, the ringing in his ears fading as the last remnants of the nightmare escaped him. He brought shaky hands to his face as he desperately tried to calm his breathing.

It was not uncommon for him to wake up in this manner, trembling and drenched in sweat. As a war veteran, he was no stranger to trauma. He had spent countless nights being jolted awake by memories of fallen comrades' final breaths and the pale eyes of an unforgiving goddess.

This time was different.

Since Sasuke and Kakashi returned to the village, he has been plagued by new worries.

Between his concerns about Kakashi and his paranoia about Sasuke abandoning him, his mind seemed to merge all these emotions into one distorted horror.

Relax, try to breathe in and out - Kurama said

I can't this is kurama why this dream.is this some sign yeh maybe - Naruto's rambling was cut by kurama.

Don't be an idiot. This isn't the first time you've had those stupid dreams.

But Kurama…Kakashi-sensei in a problem. I'm worried, ya know, and I saw Sakura-chan's face; she's also worried. Something big is going to happen, Kurama. I just can't… Why does this always have to happen to me? Whenever I think my life is good, something bad happens. If something were to happen to Kakashi-sensei, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

Kit I know you're worried, but this has nothing to do with you. In this all day, you just worry about that your sensei and Uchiha brat. That's why it's going to your conscience that's why those dreams happen. You have to relax. I know that your sensei brat will gonna be fine.

I just can't sit here Kurama. Do you have any idea about this? I don't even understand what exactly happened to Sensei? - Naruto said.

Well, I didn't know much about this seal. But it must be someone Uzumaki's work. This type of seal. I know this little from Kushina's memory when she said that fūinjutsu can do anything as you want if you create a seal with effectiveness. If you really want an answer, you have to search through Kushina's things.

Thanks, Kurama. You're the best, Naruto said happily.

Whatever, now let me get some sleep - Kurama huffed in annoyance

"Good night, Kurama. But I guess I don't want to sleep."

With that, Naruto opened the door and was about to go search for his mother's things.

But he felt a familiar chakra. His chakra felt like he was in stress. So he followed the chakra and stopped after listing these.

"what are you doing here dobe"sasuke called walking towards him.

"Uh, I couldn't sleep. Haven't really been able to lately. Nightmares and all that," Naruto said, stepping forward warily.

"You seem on edge; are you sure you're alright?" Sasuke asked with a teasing glint in his eye.

"Ha! Listen to yourself! When did you get soft?" Naruto chuckled in an attempt to mask his uneasiness.

"Whatever, idiot," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes.

"What are you doing here, Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"Kakashi decided to take a midnight trip to the memorial. I followed him. Let's just say he wasn't happy about it." Sasuke sighed.

"Shit. Where is he now?"

"I assume he went back to the apartment."

"So why are you still here?"

"Thinking"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Things"

"What things?"

"The more questions you ask, the less I want to give you actual answers." Sasuke said in frustration

"Do you always have to be such a bastard?" Naruto said in annoyance.

The two glared at each other until Naruto finally let himself fall back onto the grass in defeat. Giving in, Sasuke let himself slide down against the back of a large tree.

"Sooner or later he'll start to notice how many things have changed in the village, and I'm not sure he'll be able to handle it. I tried to reason with him earlier, but he just wouldn't listen." Sasuke admitted.

"What exactly happened?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke told the whole situation. The blonde sighed heavily.

"Well, right now he's trying not to let anyone in. Sensei told me once that he used to be afraid of getting close to anyone since my parents died. You'll probably have to find some common ground with him before you can really get him to listen to you. Ease into it, ya know?" Naruto said, staring up at the starry night.

"When did you get so wise?" Sasuke teased.

"Just something I picked up after years spent chasing some stubborn guy who seriously didn't want to listen," he smirked.

"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke turned his head to hide the small smile creeping its way onto his face.

"Do you think he'll be ok?" Naruto asked in a barely audible whisper.

"I can't say." Sasuke answered.

"What was your nightmare about?" Sasuke asked then.

Naruto went rigid. He felt Sasuke's eyes on him. Analyzing.

"Naruto?"

Naruto turned to face the other man. "It was about you," he said softly. "It was like that first time in the Valley of the End. You had my heart in your hand," Naruto breathed. "But then, I woke up. I woke up and I realized that we're pass that. I can't control what my mind does while I'm asleep but now I'm awake. And you're here. And I know that you would never do that again." He lifted his bandaged arm until it hovered over his face.

"All I have to do is look at this arm to remind myself of that. We've come a long way since then, haven't we?" He lowered his arm and met Sasuke's gaze.

Sasuke remained silent as they stared at each other. "I'm sorry," he said finally, before looking back up to the night sky.

"I already forgave you, teme," Naruto elbowed him playfully.

Sasuke smiled. A warm and genuine smile. It wasn't long before they both had drifted into a peaceful sleep, side by side, in the middle of the third training ground, at 3 am.