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Sasuke was still ever silent and stoic. He still gave his usual snarky comments and hateful stares. But Naruto knew Sasuke and there was a fundamental difference he noted.He was clingy to team 7. And overly protective of him.Like, whenever they were together( which was almost all the time now) he took it upon himself to glare at the civilians that dared to insult him. Or how he took the time to teach Sakura how to fight properly and suggested she study medical ninjutsu and genjutsu (which she was grateful for). Or how he scolded Kakashi once for his lousy teaching methods.“What is with you Sasuke?” Naruto asked him two days before the chunin exams started.They were on their way to deliver some papers to the Hokage. A simple mission. Much of their recent missions were painfully simple. Which Naruto hated and loved at the same time. It was just him and Sasuke, since Sakura was busy with her parents doing something important.“Hn, don’t know what you’re talking about dobe,” Sasuke shrugged“Oh please,” Naruto scoffed, “I may be a bit slow but I’m not stupid Sasuke, you know?”Sasuke sighed, “You’re just imagining it,”“How am I imagining it?” Naruto rolled his eyes, “you barely leave me alone anymore for starters. You take the time to hang out with Sakura and I which you never use to do and…you glare at anyone who looks at me funny,”Sasuke for his part, seemed to go a bit rigid for a second. He didn’t know he was being that obvious. He hadn’t told Naruto that he met his friend Dana, or that he knew everything was almost scripted. He figured he could keep everything as normal as possible. It also helped him to compartmentalize the issue. To pretend it didn’t matter to him as much.He hadn’t noticed he was being….not normal. But he supposed it was the Uchiha in him. Naruto and to some extent Sakura were pretty much the only things he cared about at this point.Now that he thought it, he did recall one incident that was abnormal. They were in the training grounds. Sasuke was sparring with Naruto while Sakura practiced he Shuriken Jutsu. Kakashi watched them while he read his stupid book.Sasuke had felt charitable that day.“Sakura, spar with me,” Sasuke had said, and it wasn’t a suggestion.“Sasuke?” Sakura said confused.“How will you get stronger if you don’t spar?” Sasuke rolled his eyes, “You’ll end up holding us back,”Sakura gasped, eyes going wide. She looked hurt but also content? Sasuke never talked to her unless needed.“Hey don’t be a jerk, you bastard!” Naruto had said, fists clenching.To Sasuke’s surprise, Sakura shook his head and smiled, “No he’s right Naruto. I’m sure Sasuke is just worried right?”Sasuke shook the memory away.He had no reason to go the way his Manga counterpart went. It was pointless since he would be playing by the book. Following the script. He knew the truth and so did Naruto. That was all that mattered.Naruto didn’t know it but Sasuke, although calm and collected, was barely holding together. Because, Sasuke knew if something happened to Naruto he would truly lose it and really consider the Tsuki no Me plan.Naruto was keeping Sasuke from madness.“Hn, stupid Naruto,” Sasuke growled, “just let it be, let’s hurry up before I burn someone’s face off,”Sasuke trotted ahead glaring at some civilians along the way.“Hey! We’re not done with this bastard!” Naruto shouted as he sprinted after.