Why Care? | Naruto Semi-SI Fanfic |

Chapter 3 | Undesired Nightmares |

___ - _ - ___ ([Uchiha Touma, Age 6] 1st Person POV) ___ - _ - ___

I stared blandly up at the front of the classroom as Iruka droned on about mathematics. Beside me, Sasuke was listening intently, writing down notes as if it would be the end of him if he didn't. My eyes lazily shifted away from the front, and I let out a massive yawn.

I glanced up to where pineapple head sat, he was fast asleep, so was Naruto.

Shrugging to myself, I lay down my head and drift into a shallow sleep.

I felt bone weary, two hours of sleep for the last week does that to you. Oh, I rested my body, yes, but that didn't keep the bags from forming under my eyes, or the slightly muddled state of my brain. Recently, Iruka and my mother had been shooting me worried looks, causing me to tense up. If they asked me what was wrong, I wouldn't know what to say. At this rate they'd send me to a Yamanaka to get a psyche evaluation, which was not good.

I jerked up as the bell rang for lunch, causing Sasuke to snap his attention to me.

"Are you ok Touma-nii?" he asked quietly, a slight tone of worry in his voice. He had gotten more mellow over the year, and when I had asked why he simply stated that his Nii-san had basically been ignoring him because of 'clan duties'. It was the first sign I got that said that the buildup to the massacre had begun, I had a year and a bit until the fated day. Mostly, it was that fact that had been keeping me up, making my nightmares more vivid.

I glanced over at my younger cousin (four months younger) tiredly, scanning him over with my active Sharingan, contemplating telling him a blatant lie, then decided against it. We had grown closer over the years, as I had taken on his training during any of my available time, more then Itachi ever bothered doing. Though, I didn't hold it against the older boy, the Clan and Village both had been working him to the bone, ignoring his own need for rest.

If I ever see him, I'd warn him that I was beginning to act more like a brother then he was. I'd warn him that he was losing his otouto, and I would be doing it out of kindness, because I sympathize with his plight.

Between my lack of sleep, training with Sasuke and myself, school... well, I had barely a few moments with my dear imouto.

Letting out with a deep sigh, I ran a hand down my face, "No, Sasuke-kun, I'm not."

He shifted, "what's wrong?"

I peered at him through my fingers, smiling slightly, "sadly... nothing you can fix. I haven't been getting much sleep."

He nodded in understanding, casting me one glance before standing up and walking out, not willing to push the subject further. I was glad, he had his own problems to deal with.

I sat there for a few moments longer, contemplating missing lunch and just trying to even get a wink of sleep, but Iruka-sensei took that idea away.

"Touma-kun, can I talk to you for a second?" I jerked once more, head turning in his direction. I hadn't noticed him there... the sleepless nights were definitely taking their toll.

Sighing once more, I got up, and walked forward, feet almost dragging with the mere effort of it. Stopping in front of his desk, I cast my eyes to the ground, not bothering to take the effort to lift my head up. My whole body felt like led, I probably looked like a wreak, slumped over with exhaustion.