Something To Live For ❦ NaruSasu

Eight

A week went by, and Naruto felt as if no real progress with Sasuke had been made since. Sasuke was still acting the same.

Naruto wondered if he was still was suicidal, but he figured that was the case – Sasuke was still distant, and Naruto noticed he often spaced out as if he was lost in his own dark world.

But Sasuke was actually thinking about a lot of things. For starters, who was Gaara? Why hadn't Naruto mentioned him? And also what was Naruto's reason for sticking around? It couldn't possibly just be out of the goodness of his heart.

And Sasuke didn't know how to feel. He did not know how to go about things anymore.

Sasuke just wanted to be left alone so leaving this stupid world could be easier, but Naruto refused to leave him alone. Naruto stuck around and it drove Sasuke insane to no end, but part of him… part of him felt a tiny ounce of happiness that Naruto actually cared enough to put up with him daily. Even Itachi couldn't do that.

Part of Sasuke really wanted to believe that Naruto was some sort of ridiculous guardian angel sent to protect him and change his mind, but of course Sasuke knew it wasn't the case. Naruto couldn't be doing this for no reason.

Sasuke decided he needed a break from the blond to think about things. He left, but left a note saying he'd be back soon so Naruto and Itachi and perhaps Kakashi didn't worry too much.

He found himself knocking on his grandfather's door and was greeted by his uncle. Obito smiled cheerfully as he let Sasuke inside.

"Hey, Sasuke, what brings you here?" He asked, shutting the door and leading Sasuke into the kitchen for some tea. "How have you been feeling?"

Obito knew how he was feeling, but didn't let Sasuke know that; Obito and Kakashi and Itachi all stayed in touch.

"Okay, I guess," Sasuke replied, shrugging, sighing out tiredly. Obito gave a slight nod, pouring Sasuke a cup of tea. "And I'm here because I needed a break away from home. Mind if I stay a day or two or something?"

"I understand," Obito said, smiling sadly. "And no, we don't mind. Oh, and your grandfather is in the other room there." He made a gesture with his hand and Sasuke nodded.

"I suppose I should go say hello," he murmured, getting up and walking towards the door to the other room.

"You two fucking cheat," Sasuke heard his grandfather say from the other side of the door before the young Uchiha walked in, watching as Madara threw his playing cards onto the table angrily, pointing an accusing finger at the others. "Especially you, Hashirama. No one can be this good without cheating, but I know your rat of a brother is a damn cheat too."

"I'm not a rat, nor a cheat," the white haired man said, glaring at Madara.

"And I'm not cheating either, Madara," the other man – Hashirama – said, smiling. "I'm just that good. Don't be such a sore loser now or I might have to teach you a lesson." And then he winked.

"Elder brother…!"

"Hashirama, you little–"

Sasuke cleared his throat then, not wanting to hear any more. He caught the attention of the three other men in the room, who were now all looking at him. "Hey, Granddad," he said, waving slightly. "I'm staying here for a little while to get away from home."

"Hello, Sasuke. Long time no see."

"Well, anyways, I'll let you get back to your… game… or whatever the hell you were doing when I came in…"

"Wait a moment," Madara said, crossing his arms and turning towards Sasuke a little. "Now what's this about you having to go to the hospital for a drug overdose over a month ago now?"