Chapter Three

“Didn’t like Ramen?” Sakura questioned. “But...I don’t get it, he was always eating it, his house was littered with Ramen cups, he practically lived off Ramen!” 1

The doctor nodded, he hummed processing everything he had heard in the day. What did Sasuke mean by no one knew Naruto the way he did? It was a given fact, that because they were lovers Naruto would share deeper secret with Sasuke…but a completely new personality? 2

“Thank you Sakura-chan,” The doctor nodded in her direction. 3

She lowered her head in recognition, “Is…is Sasuke-kun getting better?” 4

“It’s hard to say...” truthfully that was all the doctor could say. “One moment he’s completely mute, the next second he is able to come out with these amazing ‘speeches’.” 5

Sakura nodded her head, “Thank you, doctor” She rose from her seat, bowed and headed towards the door. “Any change in Sasuke-kun and please inform me immediately.” 6

The doctor nodded in compliance, and the door to his office slid closed. He gathered his notes he had taken during their conversation and filed them away. 7

“H...h...h...Haruno” he mumbled, finding her folder. The door clicked open again. “Ah, Tsunade-sama, please take a seat,” He motioned to the blonde woman who had just entered to his office. 8

“You said you wanted to see me?” She asked. 9

“Yes, about Sasuke,” the doctor confirmed. 10

Tsunade eyebrows rose, “What about him?” 11

“For the first time in a year, he has begun actually talking to me,” the doctor started. 12

“Oh! Well that’s good,” Tsunade cut in, “I don’t see why you called me down here for that.” 13

“Well...it’s not just that Sasuke is also....” The doctor trialed off. 14

“Sasuke is what?” Tsunade pressed, 15

“He...he’s killing himself slowly, it seems to be he’s receding further into himself, refusing meals, and he’s claiming Naruto had a separate personality, things are getting worse.” 16

“Let me see him.” Tsunade commanded. "I want to see Sasuke."

X 17

“Sasuke-kun?” A timid nurse called, knocking on his door, “you have a visitor, should I send her in?” 18

Tsunade pushed pass the nurse and opened the door. “Sasuke!” 19

Sasuke rolled his head to the side, looking up at his visitor. 20

Blink, blink 21

Scowl 22

“You’re not welcome here, Tsunade.” Sasuke growled. Like that ever stopped Tsunade, losing thousands of yen never stopped her, why would the threat of one little teenage brat? 23

“Sasuke! It’s been a year and a half already, and I understand losing Naruto is hard! I have gone through that pain before, you need to learn to deal with this.” 24

“Tsunade,” Sasuke glared. “People who you lost…how you lost them is not the same as him.” 25

Tsunade huffed, crossing her hands over her chest. “You don’t think I miss Naruto?” She asked frustrated, her hand slinking to where her jewel used to lay dormant. 26

No Response. 27

"Sasuke..." She whispered. "We all miss Naruto." 28

"Get out." He growled. 29

Tsunade left Sasuke in recollecting silence, she looked back at him, sympathy flooding her gaze. "If only I could heal you...." 30

31