What We Never Said

Chapter 2: Facing Fears

"Do you want me to walk you home after you're done?" Naruto asked as we stepped outside after I finished getting ready. He could sense how uneasy I was that I was going to be facing Sasuke on my own in a few short minutes.

I wanted to say yes. But I wasn't sure how long I was going to be there.

Tsunade would spend hours at the prison watching him.

She wouldn't stay the night observing him, she figured the guards would tell her if something would change.

I could sense the uneasiness Sasuke gave her. She didn't trust him and wasn't too excited that he took up so much of her time.

I just stared at the gates for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. "I'll text you when I think I'm about to head out," I answered simply. Nervously brushing my hair behind my ears.

That wasn't a lie- but I wasn't too sure how long I would be there.

I knew I was going to be more willing to stay with Sasuke than Tsunade was; but also at the same time, I wanted to be in and out as fast as I could.

I did know that I was going to need someone to walk with me when I left this building. My emotions were already all over the place. And seeing him was going to bring out the deep emotions that I wasn't even allowing myself to feel.

We stood outside the doors- I found myself admiring how strong these doors appeared to be. They were tall and dark. They vaguely reminded me of the same architecture of the village gates- just a lot sturdier. These were designed more to keep things in rather than let them in.

It took a few minutes for them to open. The guards on the other side had locks on one side- and the guards on this side had locks on this side to fumble with.

It gave me a few moments to try and collect myself.

Once the gates opened, I turned to face Naruto. Tears were starting to rim my eyes as I realized that I was about to face my true nightmare.

His arms instantly wrapped me in them- promising me silently that everything was going to be okay. That we were going to get through this- and one day we will become squad 7 again.

My heart was breaking as I realized that I needed to go inside.

Naruto pressed a kiss on my forehead; not in a romantic way. In a way, he promised me that he will be there. He's always been there for me. He always wanted me to confide in him, and remind me that he will be here when I needed him.

I was starting to think that maybe he would understand if I told him the truth about Sasuke and me. Maybe he wouldn't be mad. But I wasn't ready to find this out.

"I'll be back as soon as you text me." He promised as I started to head towards the inside of the gate. "And if he needs another ass-kicking- just let me know."

I laughed softly as the doors started to close on Naruto as he stood there until he couldn't see me anymore. He was such a loyal friend. And I knew how true his words were.

'If it took kicking Sasuke's ass again to get him to stay- he would do it in a heartbeat.'

I turned towards the hall leading to Sasuke's cell.

In a way- this building reminded me of the hospital. The walls were bland, nothing eye-catching. It took a lot for someone to end up here- I suddenly realized. The building seemed pretty empty. I looked at the room number that was on Sasuke's paperwork- 506.

'Oh great. Stairs.' I thought simply to myself as I breathed out a sigh, turning to the double doors that lead me up the stairs, thinking that they probably put him all the way up there so he would have more ground to cover if he managed to escape.