I don't even know what this is… Not really. I wrote it when I was feeling particularly sad… Let's see how it turns out.

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I watched you as you worked, so diligently, doing your best to become the best--did you not see you already were?

Did you not know that geniuses often get horrible grades in school, simply because they can't be bothered to do any of the work? For the longest time I thought you were just an idiot; the worst of any shinobi to have ever graduated. That is… until I saw you in battle. That first time when I really saw you fight, against Kiba--I was shocked. Even Kiba's sense of smell, a trait of his clan, couldn't tell you were not indeed Akamaru. You pulled some stuff that even I could not have possibly done, which shocked me. It was then that I truly realized you were an equal to me… that, too, shocked me. As a result, because I was confused and angry that you'd gotten so good--or had you always been this powerful?--I was even colder than before to you.

Then I saw the way you cheered on everyone--Hinata, Lee, helping Sakura not to lose… You didn't care if they cared about in the least bit. In your mind, they were your friend in some way--you liked them, you wanted them to succeed. So you cheered. You even cheered me on…

I think it was then I realized you thought of me as a friend, however much we fought, yelled, called each other names. Because you cheered me on, and I knew I had done next to nothing to deserve it. And yet to wanted me to win--even if it was because it was against a Sound nin, still… you cheered me, when you could have chosen to ignore me.

I watched you as you fought Neji--watched as, again, you showed yourself as a master battle in every way. But what truly caught my attention was the way that you hated how he treated everyone. You pointed out that although he believed everyone and everything was destined, he himself was fighting destiny to change it. I watched as you defeated him, and again and again, defeated those who had never been defeated.

You change people, Naruto. You change them for the better.

Countless times have I watched you, watched the way you fought, the way you seemed so dense and yet--Never have I met someone so intelligent in his own right. You understand the heart, Naruto--you understand people. You know how the mind works, but you trust your heart with everything. Do you just how smart that makes you? Very few have that ability--I'm one of them. And even had I realized everything you had, I doubt I would have done anything; said anything--wanted to change anything. I would have thought, They've chosen this way, so let them be. But you didn't--you're the opposite of me.

I'm the dark moon, surrounded by darkness. You are the sun, giving light to everything--everyone.

And now, I watched you as you see me on the other side of the river--just… watching you. A grin lights up your face, and you stand, waving your arm enthusiastically as you yell, "HEY SASUKE-TEME! YOU'RE LATE!" The teme is no longer an insult--now, it's simply a nickname.

"Baka. I wasn't late. You just weren't paying attention." I say softly, allowing myself to smile softly at him as I leap across the river. I am greeted with a hug that bowls me over, sending me into the cold river. "Dobe--that's cold!" I say angrily, knowing he hears the affection as I call him dobe. It's an affectionate nickname now, and he knows it. Before I have a chance to climb from the river you join me, hugging me simply.

"I'll always be here to warm you when you're cold, Sasuke." You whisper as I slowly hug you in return. "Because I love you." I smiled lovingly as I repeat those last three words to him.

I've always watched you, and you've always watched me. Rivals, comrades, brothers, and then--lovers.

I've always watched you… And I always will.