Author's Note: This is an AU story. Most of this fic will revolve around Naruto and Sasuke and their relationship. Naruto is seventeen, Sasuke is eighteen.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto as much as I may wish to. So don't sue me; I don't have any rights! I'm simply writing this for my own pleasure!

Summary: Naruto a senior in high school must do a report on a mental patient, Sasuke. But how do you write about someone who hasn't spoken a word in years…and how did Naruto end up caring about him?

The Sound of Silence

Chapter One: Extra Credit

"Naruto pay attention already!" Naruto Uzumaki snapped to attention and fixed his blue eyes on his irate teacher. He brushed an errant blonde strand of hair out of his eyes. "Do you even want to pass this class! If you don't than you're not going to graduate!"

Naruto was in danger of failing. It wasn't because he was slacking off or even that he was skipping classes. His grandfather, his only living relative and who he currently resided with, was terminally ill.

Not wanting his grandfather to suffer alone and fearing that staying away for too long would result in his grandfather's passing, Naruto quickly used up all his sick days to stay with his ailing relative.

Because Naruto spent so much time with his grandfather he missed tons of lessons and was barely able to complete all of the work he missed. And even if he did make up tests and such, he usually didn't do well.

If he failed one more class than he was going to have to repeat the school year, and wouldn't graduate. And Naruto wanted to, because than he would be free from school and could spend all of his time by his grandfather's side.

Psychology was a class that Naruto had always enjoyed, but it was also the class he was closest to failing. His current grade was a 60, and the end of the term was fast approaching. If he didn't do something, and soon, than he was going to fail the class. This was why Naruto had stayed after, so that he could plead for extra credit, or anything to ensure he wouldn't flunk.

"I do care, Miss. That's why I asked you if I could do anything, even an extra project, for points."

Naruto sweated under his teacher's intense stare. She sighed and walked over to her desk and rifled through some papers. A short while later she picked up a sheet of paper and smiled triumphantly. Naruto tried not to let his hope show.

"Due to extenuating circumstances on your part, Naruto, I'll give you the chance for those points. In Mercer Medical Facilities there's a teenager maybe a year older than you in the psych ward who hasn't spoken a word in nearly three years. I want you to observe him for a month and write an essay on the patient, including his past."

Naruto smiled, relieved. It faded, however, when what his teacher said pierced through his jubilation. "How can I find out about his past if he hasn't spoken in three years? Are there medical records?"

She smiled. "That's for you to find out, Naruto. A good portion of this project involves detective work. You're dismissed, Naruto."

His hope shattered and his spirits flagging, Naruto left.

&((&&(()(&

Sakura Haruno, one of Naruto's closest friends and crush, waited outside the classroom and ran after her friend when he walked right by her. Naruto turned when he heard his name, and managed to smile, though it was half-hearted.

"What is she having you do? Or is she going to let you fail?"

"Extra credit. I have to observe some person who hasn't said anything in three years and find out about his past. Which is impossible! At this rate I'm going to stay back!"

"Naruto…" Sakura whispered sympathetically. She had been Naruto's friend since the second grade, and had helped Naruto through some of the toughest moments of his life. She had been with Naruto when he had heard that his parents had died in a car crash. And she was doing her best to help Naruto cope with the inevitable death of his grandfather.

"It's okay, Sakura. I'll manage somehow. I'm going to go and see my grandfather."

)(U&

Everyday for the last two months Naruto sat next to his grandfather and stared down at his suffering face and wished he could take away his pain. It hurt Naruto to know that he was dying and he couldn't save him, couldn't even take away his pain.

His grandfather was dying from lung cancer. It had seemed that he would live, that the treatment was working. But eventually the horrible truth made itself known, and his grandfather's tenuous health deteriorated and he ended up in the hospital, leaving Naruto to watch.

Naruto held his grandfather's wrinkled hand and smiled tremulously. At his grandfather's encouraging nod, Naruto started to talk about his day.

#$Y$&&#($#

Later that night Naruto lay in bed and tried to ignore the eerie silence that enveloped the house. He thought about the extra credit and what he had to do. He would get all the information he needed, no matter what. He was going to graduate from school! He would!

End of chapter

A/N: Okay, so that was depressing. I know that Naruto was out of character and such, but this IS an AU!

This story is going to revolve mostly around Sasuke and Naruto, so don't be detoured by Naruto's grandfather's illness.

If you liked this than please review! All feedback is welcome!