Chapter 1 - The Final Goodbye
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Sasuke woke up. The room was, oddly, very quiet. He let his hand feel around beside him for Naruto. But he found nothing but a fist full of air. He sat up and peered around the blond's room. But nothing was there. It was early and it was unusual for Naruto to be up so early.
Sasuke shrugged it off. He got up and stripped down to nothing. He then changed into his usual outfit. Black shirt. Black shorts. Etcetera. Today seemed like a good day to go for a walk for the Uchiha. So he would go for his walk.
It was sunny out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. There was a slight breeze out, and it kept the air cool instead of muggy. Sasuke smiled to himself, then frowned. He would like to have shared this day with Naruto. Though, if he had, it would have somehow led them to the bedroom, or somewhere secluded and Sasuke would have his way with the blond.
Sasuke made his way by where Kakashi trained Naruto and him throughout the week. He stopped walking, though. Strange noises were coming from the small building.
"No! Stop that! Not there!" Sasuke raised an eyebrow to the familiar voice. It was Naruto's.
"Stop fidgeting! It's good practice!" this voice belong to Kakashi. Sasuke started to frown.
"God damn it, Sensei! You're always so slow!" Sasuke clenched his fists.
"You told me you like it better that way! So hold still until I finish!" Sasuke felt his left temple begin to pulse and his left eye began to twitch.
"Sensei!!" a helpless cry came from Naruto. Sasuke gave in and stormed into the building. Naruto and Kakashi looked at the fuming Sasuke.
"WHAT THE HELL..are...you..." Sasuke stopped talking. The raven-haired Uchiha was staring at an interesting sight. Kakashi was blocking Naruto's view from something, and this was driving the blond nuts from wanting to see what it was.
Sasuke blinked then turned around and left the building. Naruto jumped when Sasuke slammed the doors shut. Then Sasuke re-entered the building casually with his natural "look" on his face and took a seat at the other side of the building on a bench, feel humiliated.
"Sasuke?!" Naruto walked over to the raven-haired Uchiha and kneeled down in front of him, "Are you feeling alright?" Sasuke looked into the confused blond's eyes. A smile appeared on his face. Kakashi just continued watching from the distance, amused and intrigued.
"I'm fine," Sasuke raised his left hand and touched the side of Naruto's face with the palm of his hand. Kakashi smiled and quietly made his way out of the building, closing the doors behind him.
"Oh, all right then," Naruto smiled and grabbed Sasuke's hand, holding it in his. Sasuke smiled once more and grabbed the collar of the blond's sweater and kissed him deeply. The blond smiled blissfully and kissed him back.
Kakashi let out a deep sigh. Seeing Naruto and Sasuke together like that made the copy-cat jounin lonely. As he walked down the street he looked up at the sky. Beautiful. "He would enjoy this," Kakashi said to himself. A small smile appeared on his face as he thought about Iruka.
Kakashi decided that he would stop by Iruka's today. Celebrating the nice day was a must. Yeah. It sure was. The older jounin stopped walking when he noticed his male companion sitting on a bench staring at the ground. Kakashi made his way over to him somewhat quickly.
Iruka's head perked up as he heard Kakashi's footsteps edge closer to him. He gave a small smile to the copy-cat jounin, "Hello, Kakashi."
"Good morning," Kakashi responded. Iruka moved over a bit to make room for Kakashi. He took his seat next to Iruka slowly, "It's nice out today, isn't it?"
Iruka nodded, "Yeah. It is. One of the nicest we've had for a while,"He closed his eyes and let his head lean back. Kakashi watched him carefully, studying his features, "You know, Kakashi, the younger students in the academy ask about you now a lot. They ask some interesting questions too."
"Like?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Hmm... What's under the face mask?" Iruka lifted his head and opened his eyes.
"Do you want to know?"
Iruka's eyes wanted to grow wide in shock, but he fought it, "Not if you don't want to tell me."
Kakashi smiled, "I'll show you."
Naruto closed his eyes and arched his back, "Sasuke!! We're in a public building!" he cried out as he felt Sasuke's body grind against his on the floor.
Sasuke only smiled devilishly, "Doesn't it give you a rush?" the raven-haired Uchiha said, laughing slightly. Naruto gripped onto Sasuke's back. Sasuke winced slightly, "And by your reactions, I'm guessing you like it!"
"Ah! Sasuke!" Naruto quickly pushed Sasuke off, "I'm not ready for the world to know yet. Not just yet. I just... I can't. Not everyone," Naruto looked away.
Sasuke say up, "If we told one person, would it help you in any way?"
"Someone already knows."
Sasuke's eyes grew wide, "Who?!"
"Neji."
"As in Hyuga Neji? The prick?"
"STOP THAT! He really isn't that bad. He's just misguided. But me and him were talking, and it slipped out. I'm sorry, I should have told you," Naruto's voice grew weary.
Sasuke smiled, "It's alright. It's kind of a relief someone knows. But, I thought you didn't want anyone to know?" Naruto grew incredibly silent. Sasuke was right. But there was no way Naruto would tell Sasuke the real reason on why Neji knew. Not yet, anyway.
"We were talking and it slipped," Naruto gave Sasuke a faint smile. Sasuke just smiled back and decided to let it go, "will you do me a favor, Sasuke?"
Sasuke blinked, "Sure, anything."
"Will you come with me to visit Sakura's grave? I'd like to say goodbye to her properly," sadness overwhelmed the blond's face.
Sasuke grew somewhat sad as well, "All right. I will," Sasuke hugged Naruto gently. He could feel the blond's sadness, and he didn't like it. Today was nice, so Sasuke decided he would do his best to keep his lover happy, "When would you like to go, Naruto?"
"Later in the afternoon."
"All right."
Iruka blinked and stared at Kakashi wide-eyed, "Is that why you wear the mask?" Kakashi only nodded in response. He looked away from Iruka, "No. Don't look away. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone's got secrets they don't want the world to know. Everyone does. But they aren't all bad. And your 'secret' is not bad," Kakashi looked at a now smiling Iruka.
Kakashi gave a small smile back, revealing his fangs that he inherited from his family, "Thank you, Iruka."
"There's no need to thank me, Kakashi," Iruka sat back again and closed his eyes. Kakashi just stared at Iruka, studying him again. The younger male felt like he was being watched intensely and opened his eyes. Kakashi quickly looked away, "You alright. Kakashi?" Iruka sat up right again.
"Fine, just fine."
"You're a bad liar, Kakashi."
"I'm fine."
"What's on your mind?"
"Nothing."
"Lying again."
"I'm not."
"You can tell me."
"No. I can't."
"Yes. Yes you can."
"No."
"Yes," Kakashi frowned and turned to face Iruka again. Only this time, kakashi brought his face in close to Iruka's.
"You really want to know?"
Iruka fought the urge to blush, "I do," Kakashi grinned.
"All right. If you must know," Kakashi sat back, "I was thinking about how Sasuke and Naruto were very close. No, ARE very close, "Iruka took in a much needed deep breath and exhaled. Kakashi was such a tease.
"You think?" Iruka raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I think they're intimate with each other," Iruka grew wide-eyed and his jaw dropped, 'Sasuke and Naruto? That's crazy!! Those two hate each other, don't they? I mean, they have been hanging around each other a lot lately and they haven't done a lot of fighting, like they used to that is. And ever since Itachi just disappeared, the two have grown much closer.'
"I guess I've noticed how close they've gotten with each other as well. I just never rally thought of that. You might be right, "Iruka blinked.
"Hmm..." Kakashi closed his eyes and thought for a few moments, "We could always spy on them."
Iruka laughed, "They'd catch on too quickly. Besides, if they are in a relationship, shouldn't we just butt out?" Kakashi looked at Iruka, "It's their business, not ours."
"True," Kakashi agreed, "Speaking of relationships. There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Iruka watched Kakashi carefully. Kakashi noticed and grinned. Kakashi leaned over and kissed Iruka. The younger male's eyes grew wide with shock. Kakashi pulled away, "I guess I didn't really need to say anything?" he laughed somewhat.
Later that Day
Naruto got down on his knees and somewhat bowed to Sakura's grave. Sasuke stood a few feet behind him, staring off in to nowhere. The blond's heart was racing again. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to think. Now how to act.
"Hey, Sakura-chan. I came by to say hi. And, well, to apologize," small tears began to fall from Naruto's face, "I never said goodbye properly, did I?" I... I hid from everyone, the whole world. I just.." Naruto closed his eyes, "I'm so sorry." Sasuke looked at Naruto, starting to feel sad himself. He walked up beside Naruto and knelt down beside him, wrapping his arms around the blond's waist.
"You alright?" Sasuke asked quietly. Naruto gave no response to him. He only turned into Sasuke, wrapping his arms around him and hugging him tightly. The raven-haired Uchiha let out a silent sigh and held Naruto in close to him, "You know, she wouldn't want you so sad. She'd want you to be happy and move on. Sakura could be mean, but she was never heartless. I'm sure she understands why it took you so long to see her. She was the bright one, " Naruto seemed to relax somewhat. "Sakura was never one to stay caught up in the past. She moved forward. To be honest, I thought you would have, too. But, I guess I didn't help. But, Naruto trust me when I say this. There's no need to be sorry to her. She understands," Sasuke felt Naruto's head lift. Naruto stared at Sasuke, bewildered and teary-eyed.
"Sasuke, that was... One of the nicest," the blond sniffled, "Things you've ever said to me. I... Thank you," Sasuke just nodded, "I love you, Sasuke."
The raven-haired Uchiha smiled, "I love you too, Naruto," Sasuke stoop up, taking Naruto's hand and helped him stand as well. Naruto said his final goodbyes to Sakura and walked off, hand-in-hand with Sasuke's.
"I'm going to miss her," Naruto said with a solemn, yet happy, smile.
Sasuke smiled as well, "Surprisingly, so am I," Naruto looked at his lover. No hint of him lying was anywhere. This made the blond smile more.
"I'm glad,' Naruto kept a firm grip on Sasuke's hand. Sasuke took notice, only making him, 'Naruto... Are you really all right with this? I mean, you told Neji.. And didn't tell me about it right away. I guess everyone has secrets. I'm just lad to be with you.. Right now, you're all I need, and you're all I've got. I love you, Uzumaki Naruto.'
"Sasuke? You listening?"
Sasuke looked at the blond, "Hmm?" they stopped walking now, just outside of the graveyard.
"What's on your mind? I've never seen you go out of it like that before," Sasuke could hear the concern in his lover's voice.
"You," was his only response.
"Me?"
"Yeah. You. And how much your blabbering annoys me," Sasuke let go of Naruto's hand and began walking without him, "Coming?... My little dobe," Sasuke mused as he walked.
Naruto frowned and followed him, "You're so cruel, Sasuke!" the blond fussed. Sasuke grinned and stopped walking again. Naruto stopped immediately. The raven-haired Uchiha approached the blond and slipped an arm around Naruto's waist.
"Am I? Really?" Sasuke said. He took his other hand and ran it down the side of Naruto' face.
"Y-Yeah," Naruto gulped. The blond knew Sasuke was doing this on purpose, there was no doubt in his mind that said other wise. Sasuke leaned in and kissed Naruto softly on the lips. Naruto immediately kissed him back, 'Just don't leave me again, Sasuke. I can't bare to see you go one more time. Not again, no way.'
Sasuke felt Naruto start to tense and he pulled away, "Naruto? Are you alright? Be honest." Naruto stared Sasuke straight in the eyes, giving him his answer. It didn't take Sasuke long to catch on. He hugged Naruto tightly, "I'm here for good this time. I promise."
Naruto nuzzled his face in to Sasuke's shoulder, "You promise?" he hugged him back tightly as well.
"I promise."
Naruto wasn't sure if should be comforted or worried. There was no telling what would happen from here on out. But one thing was sure, Naruto was willing to risk it all, "All right," Naruto pulled away from Sasuke and took his hand, continuing to walk, 'Goodbye, Sakura.'