Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 28

I tossed and turned all night, somehow already too accustomed to Sasuke's presence to ignore the lack of it. By the time I was able to force myself to stay asleep, the birds started singing loudly outside, signaling that the sun was rising.

Before long, I also heard the sound of someone arguing outside the house, which shook me awake. I sat up in a panic and looked around, my messy hair swirling around my shoulders. I recognized Naruto's voice outside and struggled out of the blankets to see what was going on.

After wrapping one of Tsume's robes around my body to mask the fact that I was only wearing a large t-shirt, I dared a peek into the front yard. To my complete and utter surprise, there stood Sasuke, not dressed down at all to blend in, clearly holding himself back from tearing Naruto's head off.

His dark eyes locked onto mine when I rushed out to greet them and his eyebrows raised in relief, an expression I wasn't used to seeing on his usually brooding features.

I felt my cheeks warm slightly in embarrassment as I approached both him and the seething blonde, "What's going on?"

Naruto turned to see me and pointed accusingly at the Uchiha, "He thinks we kidnapped you!"

I let out a small laugh, turning to Sasuke, who looked annoyed, "Is this true?"

He settled into his usual glare as he clenched his jaw, "You were supposed to return before dark yesterday."

Walking over to stand in front of him, I offered a reassuring grin, "Were you worried about me, Sasuke? I'm sorry."

His glare darkened as I teased him, "Now that I've found you, let's return."

He reached to grab one of my wrists, but I pulled it away, putting my hands up defensively, "Wait, I can't come back yet. My mother's missing."

The prince looked confused by my statement, "So? If I remember correctly, she's not the most supportive of both you and Ino."

I gave him a stern look, "She's still my mother, Sasuke."

He paused in deep thought for a moment before letting out a sigh, "I will stay then."

Naruto finally spoke up, "Oh hell, no! We don't need you around here judging everyone and making snide comments. Go back to your little castle so we can get back to work."

I noticed Hinata and Kiba watching in silence near the entrance to the Inuzuka house and wondered briefly where Kiba's and Naruto's families were, but was quickly distracted from the thought as Sasuke and Naruto seemed to be inching closer and closer to one another. I feared if they got within a foot of each other, they'd start fighting and Naruto doesn't know about the Uchiha secret so he has no idea just how badly he'd lose.

I moved in between the two of them, a hand on each of their chests to hold them apart, "I'm sure we could use the extra pair of eyes, Naruto. Besides, it's not your choice if he helps or not."

Naruto looked shocked that I hadn't taken his side and immediately started pouting like a reprimanded toddler, arms crossed and all, "Fine, but I don't want to hear you complaining when he starts getting annoying."

I shook my head at him, a small amused smile on my lips. He could be so childish sometimes. The blonde strode past Kiba and Hinata back into the house and they followed, leaving the prince and I alone.

Once they were all out of earshot, I faced him once more, "I can't believe you came all this way. You don't have to stay if you're uncomfortable, you know. I can handle this alone."

His glare hardened further, but he shocked me by gently caressing my face with one hand. After a moment, he opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly noticed my attire and moved his hand from my face down to peek under the robe I was wearing.