The Kiss

-I already used that excuse. Oh, and that trick, too. It won't work again… What about the…? …Nuh, won't work for a second time.

- Hmm, the Sakura-chan excuse? Yes, that's it. This one never fails.

-…But even that will get old some time…or won't come handy at all times. Like that time we were alone.

Damn it…

-I need to find more ways to avoid him. Yes, I definately do.

-By the way…I am late! Believe it!

...

His soles got deeper into the mud, as he made his way hustily to his team's gathering point, running breathlessly on the wet roads of Konoha. The clouds had got even bigger than before, and it seemed as there was some lightning at some area, somewhere away, though there was no sound. Which meant that it wasnt as near as the kitsune initially had thought.

The blond teen coughed heavily, rubbing his arms softly as he kept running. He felt as if he had caught a cold, and the sad part was that this time, he couldn't blame Kakashi for being late. Yes, cause Naruto this time was THAT late. He could imagine Kakashi arriving before him and making a sharp remark on how the knucklehead ninja wasn't there to mock him for his delay this time.

Finally, he started making out some thin figures from afar, standing under the big trees to seek protection from the light rain. It seemed like it was team 7. He grinned non chalantly, putting up his cheerful facade, but secretly getting ready to be scolded.

''Yooo, I am here, believe it!''

''It was about time, dobe.'' The usual sharp tongued raven teen sighed in boredom, as he rolled his eyes to the blonde.

''You shut up, teme!The milk I drank this morning had gone off last night, and I didn't see. And then I had to do my urgent needs which did take some good time…hehehe.''Naruto said, laughing sneakily , as he rubbed the back of his head lazily.

''Wait, why am I even explaining myself to you?''the blonde spat out, anger coloring his cheeks, to counter the demeaning eye rolling Sasuke had done at his words.

''Oi, Naruto, you're late and the usual brat both. Due to your delay, we won't go to the mission today. You should be glad though cause it was a minor one.'' Kakashi said, rubbing something in his pockets.

''Damn, sensei, I wasn't that late now!'' Naruto yelled, earning a frustrated glare from the whole of the impatient team.

''Naruto, cut it! Because of you, my hair got wet and my shoes got spoiled with mud!'' Sakura said, shaking her head in anger.

''But Sakura-chan, it's not my fault it's raining!'' Naruto said, looking at her kind of intimidated.

Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes…

''Ooooww! Sakura-chan, that hurts!'' Naruto sput out as soon as he got what he was expecting. Sakura had punched him on the head, once more.

''It is your fault though that we missed this mission. I got all this dirty for nothing! You bakaaaa!'' Sakura yelled, causing Kakashi to sigh and Naruto to cover his head in case of another powerful hit.

''Kids,kids, let's calm down now. As I said, you should be thankful it wasn't an important mission. And just a tip, you should do bicker somewhere warm, unless you want to catch a cold and repeat this on the next mission. I am off.'' Kakashi said , as he started walking away, carelessly.

''That wasn't even my point, Kakashi-sensei!'' Sakura exclaimed as she watched her teacher retrieting indifferently towards Ichikaru's.

''Sakura-chan, want to go for ramen? My treat, since I made you mad!'' Naruto said, grinning widely.

''Naruto you baka, you always make me mad! Anyways, that's a no. I am going to my house right now to change and clean myself.'' Sakura said carelessly, as she flicked her slightly wet hair and turned her back to a dissapointed Naruto.

''Sasuke-kun, what are you going to do?'' she asked, giving Sasuke her love sick glance.

''I will go home.'' Sasuke said raising his shoulders, not returning the glance.

Sakura stepped closer to Sasuke, as her fingers played nervously with her skirt.

''Uhm, may I walk you there, then?'' she asked, blushing softly, as she turned her gaze to the wet muddy ground.

''No,… thanks, Sakura.'' Sasuke did kindly, yet his tone was the usual indifferent it had been everytime she tried to approach him.

Her gaze immediately took on a depressed, disappointed blur.

''Oh, it's fine.'' Sakura laughed it off, returning her eyes on Sasuke. ''Another time, maybe.''

Sasuke didn't even bother to look at her, as he passed a hand through his hair and sighed silently.

''Sakura-chan, I can walk you home if you want!'' Naruto spat out suddenly, making Sasuke cringe at the loudness and Sakura stun in surprise.

''You baka, can't you yell any louder? And no, thanks, I can walk myself home alone just fine. I am off, now. See you later, Sasuke-kun. Bye, Naruto.'' She said, as she flicked her hair, disgusted with the mud and started walking away, towards her house.

''See you later, Sakura-chan!'' Naruto yelled, as he watched her going away disappointed.

He didn't really care if Sakura would accept him anymore or not. He had come to terms with the idea of her not liking him the same way he once liked her, more or less. He wasnt completely over her, though. He knew that. But he also knew it was nowhere near as strong as it used to be, some months ago.

And to be honest about it, he actually could even forget about her completely or ignore her at his best days. Or to be even more exact, he had come to realise, that his feelings weren't really an infatuation or romantic love, but more of affection, of the friendly –family like type. Or at least, that's what they had turned into. He couldn't tell anymore. There were other kind of feelings confusing his head and annoying his heart lately. And they all were about a certain rival…

That was also the reason why he had tried to get Sakura to let him go with her till her house, so he had a good excuse to avoid the raven without it coming off as strange. It seemed as his old infatuation came useful in some cases, such as this.

''Dobe, have you fallen asleep on your feet, again?'' Sasuke mocked, as he walked closer to Naruto.

''Shut up, teme, what do you know?'' Naruto showed his teeth, his face flashing a bright red. He was aware of that. What he wasnt aware of though, was whether that was just his anger or his…blushing whenever the raven was around him.

''More than you ever will, dead last.'' Sasuke countered, his voice cripping with irony as he walked slowly past Naruto, staring at the distance in tiredom, as he found shelter from the rain under the probing roof of a nearby house.

''Dead last? What is that supposed to mean, teme?'' Naruto spat, his voice getting louder, this time with irritation.

I can't believe I came late today cause I spent last night thinking about this mean jerk! I hate you, Sasuke!...Then, why do I feel so strange in me, when I think of you or when you are close. Why can't I calm down inside me, why do I feel so upset out of you?..I don't get myself at all, anymore…

''You heard me, dobe. Or do you want me to repeat so that your tiny brain will finally get it? If there's even a chance for this, that is.'' Sasuke said, smirking amused, as he heard Naruto's angry stomping steps on the mud, as he made his way towards the raven.

'' Saaasukeee…you make so maaad!'' Naruto yelled as he readened his fist threatincly for his teammate.

Just a second before the punch was to connect to the raven's back of head, Sasuke was behind Naruto in a flash, so close that his chest was almost connected to the blonde's back.

Even if Naruto couldn't see his friend, he could feel him close to his body. The heat emanating from the raven's was too familiar to ignore. It was the same heat that made him shiver whenever they came close or in contact while spatting, it was the same heat that made his own mind and heart go crazy and unable to work properly, it was the same heat that had him staring like lost and unfocused on the void in front of him, with his every sense taking in nothing but Sasuke's every movement or action.

Sasuke leaned slightly onto Naruto's shoulder without touching him, but still very close to his back.

''What is it, Naruto? '' the raven whispered softly into the blonde's ear, the husky voice sending shivers down Naruto's spine, making it even more difficult for him to stop standing there like frozen.

''Are the effects of that rotten milk still going on or…'' the same voice continued, in the usual rhythm. This did the trick. As soon as Naruto heard that last word, he felt his heart going off his chest, he felt as if was losing his mind in the fear of Sasuke being able to tell why he was acting so strangely.

In one instant, Naruto had turned around, ready to punch the raven, though, Sasuke was fast enough to dodge the sudden attack, by grabbing Naruto's fist in his hand tightly and using his other hand to push the blond against the wall.

Naruto's cerulean eyes shined with nervousness, as he stared right back into the glaring block orbs of his friend.

He tried to push Sasuke off. He wanted to bad to run away, to run to his house and lock himself inside and bang his head on the wall, till his sanity came back and he could stop feeling that way about Sasuke, till it all came back the way it used to be.

But Sasuke was pushing on the blond's chest very firmly, applying the right pressure to the right parts, so that he had Naruto unable to move, the blonde's back being connected flatly and surely with the cold wall.

''Let me go, temeeee!'' Naruto spout out. He could feel the violent but almost unseen trembling of his body, and he was thankful that it wasn't obvious to Sasuke. It wasn't from the cold, the rain, the humidity, or the cold he had caught. It was from the proximity, even if all the physical contact the two shared was strictly limited to Sasuke's hands on Naruto's chest and arm.

''Not before you tell me something.'' Sasuke returned in a low voice, looking into Naruto's light blue pools seriously.

'' Huh? What?'' Naruto flashed an angry red, as he realised his efforts to push Sasuke off were pointless.

''I have noticed you have been avoiding me lately.'' Sasuke's grip got slightly softer.

''Why?'' his voice had the slightest hint of anger as he asked, but Naruto couldn't help but think it was his imagination since it was gone as soon as he had noticed it.

''What are you talking about, teme? Has the rain got in your head?'' Naruto said, glaring at Sasuke, cursing gods and religions inside him because Sasuke had noticed his strange behavior. And now he felt even more akward than before, like that was possible.

''You know very well what I am talking about, Naruto. Why?'' Sasuke repeated behind gritted teeth, as he was losing his patience slowly.

''I am not avoiding you, damn it! Now let me go!'' Naruto said as he pushed Sasuke away putting all his strength, but as soon as his back had said bye to the wall, it soon felt again to its bones the familiar cold touch, as he was pushed back against it.

''No! You will reply first and then I will let you go, dobe.'' Sasuke yelled, trying to intimidate Naruto with the absolute tone of his voice.

The raven leaned even closer, putting more strength into keeping Naruto still. His face was so close to Naruto's, that the blond could practically feel his breath onto his skin. This time, the shivers that little sensation created, made his trembling so violent, that Sasuke noticed.

He cocked an eye brow at his teammate. Sure, it rained , but still ,it wasn't that cold to cause someone to tremble like that, especially if they were as thick skinned and tanned as the blond.

Naruto's eyes were pinned onto Sasuke's onyx spheres. Sasuke's gaze alone was enough to make him again unable to move. The heat between the two bodies was growing stronger, the embarassment bigger, and the tension in the air had become unbearable to Naruto by now.

Why…why can't I …can't I…control myself…anymore?

Naruto felt his eyes watering, yet he tried his hardest to keep those tears from falling away. Liking Sasuke in that way was one thing, but this being so easy to read was another. And in his embarassment, his mind didn't work properly, taking Sasuke's every expression or word as a confirmation that the raven had seen behind his facade…

…Which threatened to fall off anytime now, along with the tears that were nesting in the corners of his eyes.

And Sasuke had noticed. He almost let his grip loosen for an instant, as he didn't expect what he saw, but he regained his composure just as fast.

''What's wrong?'' the raven whispered, his voice sounding kind of lost to Naruto's ears.

The blonde gave him an uneasy look. Why couldn't he just drop it and let him go?

''Teme, you have to let me go…And don't stand so close damnit!'' Naruto spat out, shaking his head in denial.

''If you answer, I will. So, what's keeping you , Naruto-chan? '' Sasuke said mockingly, as he leaned his face even closer to the blond, to the point that their noses were just an inch away.

''Sasuke, let go!'' Naruto said, trying to hide his maddening blush as his captivated orbs kept staring into the onyx ones, trying to keep up his tough facade, but gradually failing.

''Answer.'' Sasuke's monotone voice was heard once more, as the raven was staring back at the cerulean orbs, as if he was feeling unfased from the proximity. Instead, he took a further step forward, thus coming even closer to Naruto, if possible.

At that point, Naruto felt his last glimpse of self control leaving him, and all he could think, feel, or process was how close Sasuke was to him. And that he itched…he was so close to him, that he itched…

And he did it. Just like that. Without even having the time to think or to react or to consider or to be afraid. His body had acted before he could control it. And he had leaned forward till their lips touched.

The softest, lightest, purest touch ever. But still a connection, a bold move,…a kiss.

A peck on the lips. That was his answer, uncosciously. But Naruto had already pulled away and Sasuke's grip had long ago loosened.H is hands had dropped on his sides like lost, as if he had been striken by the lightning that was heard the instant Naruto kissed him.

He kept staring at Naruto wide eyed, contemplating if he had just imagined what had just happened. Naruto felt too akward to talk, too stunned with his own self, too small for words.

All he could do was look back into Sasuke's eyes, expecting the storm to burst anytime soon.

''…did you just?''Sasuke's voice was fickle, kind of weakened, and it gave out disbelief.

Great. But what did I expect? Baka Naruto! Baka baka baka! You ruined everything! Oh Kami-sama, make me vanish right now!

''No!'' Naruto's mouth was faster than him.

Sasuke gave him now a sober but angry look.

''Dobe, I am not crazy, I know what I saw. Or what I felt…whatever.'' Sasuke whispered, his voice colored with anger and incoprehension.

Naruto felt himself blushing' it was one of those rare times that Sasuke lost his words, and he found it somewhat comforting at the moment, not really understanding why.

''I mean…yes…I mean…I…You?..''if Naruto had felt slightly relieved before, now he felt ten times worse than his worst times. Losing his own words while trying to explain the unexplainable wasn't of the best kind of luck he could have at the moment.

''Dobe…Explain!'' Sasuke ordered, losing his patience, as he took two steps back, looking at Naruto as if he didn't know him.

''Damn it! Fine, I will! Just…wait, it's not easy, I think…I think…''

''What?'' Sasuke interrupted, too impatient and embarassed to let him finish.

''I…I like you!'' Naruto said, blushing all over his round face, as he put a hand on his cheek, trying to calm himself down.

''I told you not to come close, teme. You can hate me now if you want or tell me to get lost, but that's why, that is why I was avoiding you. Here's my answer, hope you are happy now, you idiot!...You can hate me now…'' Naruto said in a defeated mood, as he looked away, trying to hold back his tears. Even though he didn't seem half as weak as he felt, he still didn't want to break down in front of Sasuke. This would just do things worse and give Sasuke another reason in the list to mock him for. The kiss was just enough for one day or for the rest of his life, if he could hope.

Naruto turned his feeble gaze back to Sasuke, to watch his reactions. Sasuke's stare became gradually from lost to angered and disgusted.

..I knew he'd react like that. Silly me, I hoped for just too damn much.

''What kind of lame joke is this? What are you planning? Just grow up already and go home before you catch a cold.'' Sasuke said coldly, his body stiff as in a defensive stance.

Naruto this time felt anger coloring his cheeks and not blush.

''This isn't a joke, Sasuke! I wouldn't joke about something like that! How damn low do you really think of me, teme?'' Naruto shouted angry, shaking his fists at Sasuke.

Sasuke's gaze suddenly returned to its usual cold and unreadable expression.

''Too much. Prove it.'' Sasuke said as if he was provoking him but not really expecting him to accept.

''You offend me and you ask me to prove it in the same time? Teme, you're something else!'' Naruto spoutted.

''I am not the one playing randomly sick jokes to my teammates.'' Sasuke replied, his voice being calm. It seemed controlled though, even so.

''I told you it's not a joke, teme!'' Naruto said, feeling secretly hurt that Sasuke found it so hard to believe. Yet he had no other choice now than dealing with the consequences of his actions. He couldnt avoid him forever, especially not after this.

''And I think it's obvious that I don't believe you, dobe.'' Sasuke said, the anger in his voice returning briefly before it went away again.

''Fine, then. Have it your way!...What do you want me to do?'' Naruto thought, still not believing he had just told Sasuke the truth about his feelings without running away or hyperventilating.

''Kiss me.'' The reply was short and to the point. So much, it actually made Naruto step back in surprise and his cerulean pools to widen in shock.

''What?'' he asked, his voice faded and unsure.

''You heard me. Kiss me, again. If that's not a joke, then I don't see what's so damn hard about it.'' Sasuke said, staring stably at Naruto.

''If you're sure about it then fine…I did it before, so why not again?'' Naruto said, shaking his shoulders as if this wasn't a big deal.

''Of course, I am sure, dobe. I am the one who asked you to do it.''Sasuke said in a serious tone, sighing as he watched Naruto stepping closer.

Sasuke crossed his hands on his chest, looking at Naruto expectantly, but something about his stance was showing that he was certain Naruto would fail to keep up.

Naruto just nodded, trying to give confidence to himself, as he covered softly the small distance separating them. He felt kind of taken aback by Sasuke's defensive stance, the way his body was standing stiff, with his arms crossed on his chest. It reminded anything but a kissing scene. And Naruto wasn't sure if this was a good idea. Especially with the intense trembling of his body as he got breath close to the raven, readening himself for the act.

He looked into Sasuke's eyes as for reassurance, but the raven was looking coldly at him, not letting out any kind of emotion but this of incredulity.

Naruto took a deep breath and closed his eyes, leaning onto his teammate, till his chest connected with Sasuke's crossed arms, as if keeping him from passing the limit. Non the less, the kitsune connected his lips to Sasuke's once more, making this peck last one second more than the first.

When he pulled away and opened his eyes to look at Sasuke, the raven had still the same blank, mocking expression he had before.

Naruto waited patiently for an answer.

''This wasn't what I meant.'' Sasuke said flatly, staring at Naruto provokingly.

''But …I kissed you, didn't I?'' Naruto asked, looking like lost at his teammate.

''…With tongue. Dobe.'' The raven said, seriously.

Naruto's eyes widened in shock.

''You…you want me to use tongue?'' Naruto asked, dumb founded, like a kid that was learning for the first time how babies are made.

''Why would I ask something you did before for proof, you baka? Yes, that's what I mean. Now, if you can't do it, just admit you were joking.'' Sasuke said, his hands still on his chest, crossed and defensive.

''I wasn't joking, damn it! I would never do that!'' Naruto said, feeling his shivering becoming moreintense at the thought of kissing Sasuke like that alone.

''Then do it. Or go away.'' Sasuke said, as if this was a piece of cake.

''I will…okay? Just, give me some time and I will.'' Naruto said, taking deep silent breaths as he tried to calm down.

''Hn.''

After a prolonged silence, Naruto stood his gaze again, with fake confidence, as he walked back closer to Sasuke. A million thoughts, like a crazy swarm of bees, had invaded his hurting mind: What if he gets disgusted when I do this and pulls away suddenly and never talks to me again? What if he runs away when he sees I am really up to do this? He doesn't seem like he expects me to attempt this, he doesn't even believe me. So complicated.

He stood his ground stably and looked into Sasuke's eyes. Closing his after some seconds, he leaned forward and pressed his lips again onto Sasuke's. The raven didn't pull away…yet.

He took another deep breath and hold it in for some seconds, before finally letting his tongue slide shyly out of his mouth and touching Sasuke's lips, asking for entrance.

To his surprise, after some seconds, Sasuke opened his mouth to give him access and Naruto felt his heart getting wings for an instant.

This is the last test. If I can't get through, he will think I was lying. And If I do it, he will run away. Oh god. What to do?

Realising that everytime he used his mind, it wasn't of much help, if not the opposite, he shut any thoughts down and he just let his instict guide him.

And soon enough, his tongue was inside Sasuke's mouth, moving around shyly and unexpertidly to play with Sasuke's own, explore his perfect teeth, his soft gums, to taste his saliva, taste him, taste Sasuke. It was his first kiss so he wasn't sure if he was doing it the right way, but he didn't care, he didn't have that luxury right now. It was already enough of his will to use in order to not break the kiss and run away.

Thinking of running away…Sasuke hadn't run away by then, instead he stood still, as if observing or even taking in Naruto's kiss. He wasn't replying, but he wasn't running away either. Which was good…partly.

Naruto pulled away and let his breath out, relieved that this was over but also flashed from the heat that his body was in due to that kiss.

He noticed that Sasuke's eyes were closed the moment he had opened his own, but some seconds later, he was again looking into the familiar onyx orbs.

His expression or the feeling in them though, he could not read. And this was worse than any other kind of reaction. Not the way he felt so flustered and heated up right now.

You cold bastard.

''Do you believe me now?'' Naruto asked, taking in short and fast breaths, trying to ease himself down from the excitement.

''You like me?'' Sasuke asked, in surprise.

''Yes. That's what I have been trying to tell you, teme.'' Naruto sighed, blushing at the admittance.

''Okay.'' Sasuke said, letting out a light sigh.

Naruto looked at him, feeling his heart ready to break from the nervousness.

''Is that all you have to say? Don't you hate me or want to mock me?'' or feel the same way about me?

''Actually, I don't know how to feel about this.'' The raven said raising his shoulders in confusion.

Ouch.

''I understand. It's ok. You can as well forget it ever happened! I promise, I don't…won't mind!'' Naruto said, grinning in embarassment, as he rubbed his head hustily.

'' Naruto,…I think it'd be best if we avoided each other for some time.'' Sasuke said lastly, looking pensively at his teammate.

I won't mind …but I'll hurt.

I hurt.

''Oh, uhm, okay, teme, sure thing! I have been doing this a lot lately, it won't be something new for me. I mean, it's just fine. Don't worry, I mean I will be fine!''

''I don't.'' Sasuke said softly in a low but firm voice, as he turned around and started walking slowly away under the rain.

Naruto couldn't help but watch as the person that had captured his heart was throwing it just as carelessly into the mud.

The rain had now become stronger, and it was falling all over him, soaking him worse than before.

Sasuke had faded into the distance, leaving him behind with the ghost of their kiss memory haunting his confused mind.

Then he leaned his head downwards, as his depressed gaze fell to the dirty ground.

And he sighed.

Tbc :D

Ok, so this is my new SasuNaru yaoi story, but it may have other pairings as well, such as NaruSaku or SasuSaku, depends on my mood. I might even have a triangle, if I see it fit.

But don't worry the main and final pairing will be SasuNaru. I don't know if I will keep on writing more chapters. Tell me what you think and if this is worth it, I may give this a try.

Thank you. :D

And I am out…!