Name: I Can't
Author: flawlessbeauti me
Rated: PG
Word Count: 594
Disclaimer: I do not own the mentioned characters.
Warnings: N/A
A/N: Prompt 73
A pillow hurled across the room, followed quickly by a picture frame. "Why can't we tell them, hmm? What the hell is stopping you from letting them know?" There was no answer, and he sighed. "Fuck you then. I'll be on the couch." He was halfway out the door before he heard the softly spoken words. "I'm sorry, but I can't."
"Why can't you say it?" Silence met his question. "So you're going to ignore me now? Ignore the problem?" A sigh answered. "There is no problem." The bed creaked as he moved away from the answer and pulled the cold sheet over him. "Now who's ignoring the problem?" His answer was only slightly muffled by the white sheet. "There is no problem."
"You don't have to do this." He turned slightly, pausing as the words reached his ears. "Why don't I?" There was silence, the only sound a gentle wind rushing along the dirt path. "There are people who will be upset if you do." He snorted and turned away again. "Then say it. You know damn well what will make me stay." There was a heavy sigh, one that he had heard too much. "I can't." A soft snort echoed the words. "You say you wish to save me, yes you can't say the words that will? All you have to do is say it and I'll stay. Say it if you really want to save me. Say it if it's worth saving me."
"I can't."
"Why can't you say it? Why?"
There was no answer. He began walking. "Then there is nothing for me here."
"Just let him go. You know that's what will be best and I'm sure he's let you go." Her brown eyes clashed together with his blue, one in defiance and one in something akin to pity. He shook his head at her words, a wry grin playing across his face. "No, he wouldn't do that. He just wouldn't." She sighed. "Naruto let him go." He stood and turned away. "I can't." The rest of her words fell on deaf ears as he left, not once looking back.
Black eyes stared into nothing as he groaned aloud. Why did his subconscious betray him every night? Why couldn't he just get over him already? "Why can't I let him go damnit?" He growled in frustration, missing the crunch of leaves that normally would have alerted him to a presence. "The same reason I can't."
Sasuke jumped, cursing himself for carelessness as Naruto stood there quite calmly, arms crossed across his chest. "I've decided that it really sucks having to fight against you." Sasuke raised an eyebrow as Naruto continued. "I'm fairly certain you won't return with me, so what exactly am I supposed to do to fight alongside you?" Sasuke cocked his head. "You're serious aren't you?" At Narutos nod he continued. "Why?" Naruto chuckled at the simple question. "I love you, stupid dobe."
As Sasuke contemplated how the roles had been reversed, Naruto walked closer until they stood toe to toe. "Well?" Sasuke smirked. "You've grown up dobe." At Narutos silence he scowled and turned, walking away before pausing. "You know they'll probably hate me." He could almost see Narutos smirk. "It's about time you joined the club anyway." Sasuke turned as he finished speaking and smirked. "You're coming back with me, aren't you?" Naruto grinned devilishly and walked towards him. "Of course. You need somebody to protect you from Sakura and her rage." His smile never faltered as they entered the Leaf Village, side by side.
