Life Starts Now (Revised) NaruSasuNaru

Panic (From Ashes to New)

"All I want is someone to save me, 'cause I am fading and I can't escape."

Sasuke felt suffocated. No matter where he went there was someone that wanted to know more about what had happened. No matter how many times he said "no comment," they wouldn't leave him alone. He found himself running his finger along his wrists, an old habit of his from when he used to cut every time he felt overwhelmed. He was pretty sure that Naruto didn't notice, he had no reason to look for any of the signs.

"You're doing it again," Suigetsu frowned as he watched his friend's thumb slowly move across his wrist. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. They were alone in Sasuke's room, sitting on his bed. They had started off studying, but it was clear that Sasuke wasn't able to concentrate.

"I'm fine," Sasuke mumbled, forcing himself to stop.

Suigetsu sighed as he leaned back, "No, you're not fine." He knew the signs of Sasuke's mental turmoil. Over the years he'd come to know the other man like the back of his hand. "Talk to me," he knew it wasn't good to push, but it had gotten to the point that he couldn't let it go.

"I," Sasuke started, trying to find the words to describe how he felt. He ran his hand down his face, wishing he could clear his mind. "It's just been overwhelming. I thought I could deal with it and just block it out, but I can't," he admitted.

Suigetsu wished he could do more for his friend, but he wasn't equipped to "Have you talked to anyone?"

"You mean have I made an appointment with my therapist?" Sasuke ask bluntly. They both knew that he was well overdue for an appointment. "No, I haven't," he sighed, resting his head in his hands.

"Maybe you should," Suigetsu cautiously suggested. He knew Sasuke's views when it came to therapy. He didn't like talking about his feelings and one of his past therapists had tried putting him on medication, which only ended up making him feel numb inside. "You know, that last one Kakashi found you wasn't that bad. He didn't try to put you on any medication."

Sasuke bit his lip, "That doesn't mean he won't try to."

"And if he does you can say no and find someone else. You're an adult, you can make your own choices and refuse medication if you don't want it. I'm just saying that you should talk to someone," he told him, not sure what else he could do for his friend.

"I talk to you," Sasuke shrugged.

"I'm not a professional Sasuke. I can listen but I can't help you the way they can," Suigetsu shook his head, knowing that the other man was just trying to avoid the real issue.

Sasuke laid on the bed and silently looked up at the ceiling. "I'll think about it," he promised.

"Does Naruto know?" he asked. They both knew he was talking about the cutting.

Sasuke shook his head, "No. I never told him about that. I don't need him being overly cautious like you." He tried to brush it off as if it were no big deal but they both knew that it was something he should know.

"Sasuke," Suigetsu said disapprovingly. Their conversation was cut short when the door opened and Naruto walked in.

"Hey guys," he smiled as he put his things down on the floor. "What's up?" his smile dropped as he saw the look on Sasuke's face. Sasuke looked exhausted, both physically and emotionally. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm going to head out, I'll see you later," Suigetsu told Sasuke. It was obvious he was leaving because he wanted Sasuke to talk to Naruto. "Good to see you, Naruto," he said before walking out of the room.

"What was that about?" Naruto asked once the door closed. "Is everything okay?"

Sasuke was silent for a moment, once again running his thumb across his wrist. He looked down at his arm and let out a sigh. "I think you should sit down," he said quietly as he sat back up.