Eclipse

Part 2

Come morning, Sasuke's eyes feel dry as sandpaper. He rubs them, sniffling and praying that he isn't getting sick. He can't afford to get sick.

Naruto comes over again. This time, he has a box with a picture of a crib on it. "I come bearing gifts," he says, pushing past Sasuke and letting himself in. "Where do you want this thing?"

"My room..." Sasuke says, "but Sarada is sleeping."

"You sound off," Naruto accuses. "Are you getting sick?"

"I hope not."

Naruto shrugs it off for now, moving into the living room. "We can set it up here and roll it into your room later. Now, I've never built one of these things before, so it might take me a while." He kneels on the floor, opening the box and reading through the instruction manual.

Sasuke kneels next to him. "You don't have to keep doing things for me.

"I want to," Naruto says simply.

"You're not busy?"

"No," Naruto responds. "These days, the village is very peaceful. That means my job is easier than it was for my predecessors."

"Fine, Hokage."

Naruto lets out a sharp sigh. "I don't like when you call me that."

"It's your title," Sasuke reminds him. "You should be proud to be called Hokage."

"But you're my best friend and I want you to call me by my name," Naruto says. "Please?"

"Fine, Naruto," Sasuke says pointedly. He takes off the scarf and lets his hair hang free. Naruto smiles, reaching a hand forward and touching the feathery, black strands of hair. "No more duck butt?"

"Guess not," Sasuke responds, smiling in return. "I decided to grow it out. And you cut yours shorter? It looks good."

"So does yours," Naruto says. "Shit, you've changed... but you still got that pretty boy thing going on, Sasuke-chan."

"I told you not to call me that," Sasuke reminds him tartly.

Naruto simply chuckles. "Go shower and make yourself something to eat," he adds. "I'll listen for any cries. Don't worry, I'm good with babies. They love me."

Sasuke hesitates. He's never left Sarada alone with anyone before. He's been taking care of her since he was left alone with her. He hasn't been able to trust anyone else with her. Sarada is all Sasuke has. She's his blood. This time, he won't ruin that. This time, she won't grow to hate him.

"Go," Naruto pushes.

But he can trust Naruto. He knows he can. So, with a sigh, Sasuke relents. "Fine," he murmurs, turning away.

He moves down the hall, into his bedroom before grabbing a change of clothing. He watches Sarada for a moment. She's fast asleep, breathing peacefully. In the bathroom, he turns on the shower taps before undressing and stepping inside. He washes and rinses himself briskly before stepping out and turning off the taps. He grabs a towel, drying off and putting on a t-shirt and a pair of quarter-length cotton pants.

He wipes the condensation off of the mirror, staring at himself. He looks tired. His body is scarred from years of torment. There are dark marks below his eyes, showing just how drained he really is. He sighs at himself, though he has no reason to worry about it. He has no one he needs to impress. Not anymore.