Chapter 2-Memory

After Sasuke advised for Jugo to stay by Karin and watch her progress, he retreated to his room where he stripped his cloak and lay down on the blanket that served as his bed. He didn't like being on the run and was kind of grateful for Tobi to allow him to use the place as quarters. Of course, it wasn't the original hideout of the Akatsuki. They had relocated so as to not be found again by the leaf ninjas.

They were close to Konoha now and Sasuke was anxious more than ever to go there. He knew he would have to. He had to see Naruto, at least one last time. Even if it meant for him being captured and tortured, even killed. He had to see the blond ninja whose heart he broke years ago. He decided that he would go at night, when everyone else was asleep.

"Sasuke?" Suigetsu's voice sounded sleepy as the Uchiha turned around to find him looking at him oddly from his blanket.

Sasuke ignored him, buttoning up his cloak.

"Where are you—?"

"I'm going on a secret mission." Sasuke said impatiently, not wanting to wake the others.

"Oh?" Suigetsu asked, suddenly alert.

Sasuke glared at him in the darkness as he elaborated, "alone."

Suigetsu's smile faded as he said, "Oh, okay."

Sasuke then escaped the awkward moment by fleeing out of the room and out the window. He didn't look back at the hideout because he was almost certain he wouldn't be going back tonight. This was just between him and Naruto. No one else. He didn't want to risk any of his teammate's lives for the blond idiot and he needed someone he could trust. If he could help it, he didn't want to run into Naruto right away. That would just cause too much chaos. He would rather run into Kakashi whom he could trust, at least he hoped, not to arrest him right away and listen to his predicament. But then again, the chances of anyone listening were minimal. Still, Sasuke had to try something. Karin's life was in danger and however annoying she was, she was useful in a battle. And that's really what mattered to Sasuke. Naruto had been both annoying and useless…until very recently. Sasuke had no idea that Naruto would go so far to get where he had gotten. He was certain Naruto was still training to get up to Sasuke's level of training. Sasuke couldn't help but grin smugly at the thought that he was still more powerful than Naruto.

As he ran past the silent trees, he couldn't help but feel even more upset about what he had done. He was going to Konoha. He could turn back now and not have to face the bubbling guilt that had been creeping up slowly ever since he decided it his mission to destroy Konoha. But he couldn't run away from it. It was his destiny almost to face off with the blond ninja, his friend, his rival, and his old companion.

Sasuke remembered one day in particular, one day that he wished he could relive over and over.

"Sasuke, what's up? You look very…pale—not that you don't always look—"

"Shut up, Naruto!" Sasuke said through gritted teeth. This was much harder for him to admit than he wanted it to be. "I'm trying to figure out what to say."

"Huh?" Naruto (as usual) was confused.

Sasuke sighed and thought briefly on the best option. He could just come out and say it, but then what would Naruto think? He had to choose an alternative. If he acted now…

He crept closer to Naruto slowly, trying to box him in. Naruto, a little afraid of whether he was going to be attacked, backed up against the wall. They were in a deserted hallway after the rest of the academy had let out. No one else was around, for Sasuke's benefit. He looked at Naruto carefully and with a shaky hand, cupped the blond's tan fist and relaxed his hand in his.

"Sasu—"

Then, it happened. The Uchiha had landed a perfectly smooth and voluptuous kiss on the blond's mouth. Naruto struggled a little, but Sasuke pressed onward, taking advantage of his stance. The blond had nowhere to go. He was trapped and he was all Sasuke's. Sasuke brought his other hand up so that he was entangling it in the blond's hair. He ran his lips to Naruto's neck and then he felt a force push him to the ground.

Somewhat stunned, he glanced up and saw the blond pressed against the wall, covering his hands up with his mouth.

"Naruto…" Sasuke couldn't help but say.

"What the hell are you doing, bastard?" Naruto yelled.

Sasuke was too shocked to speak. Had he really just kissed Naruto on the mouth? Why had he done that without confessing his feelings for him first? He had completely done it backwards. There was only one solution.

Sasuke ran out of the building and to his quiet spot where no one would go to bother him. Of course, in minutes, he was trailed by the blond who he had just moments before expressed his physical feelings for.

Without turning, Sasuke said, "Go away."

"No," Naruto said stubbornly, "I won't leave until you explain what just happened, Sasuke."

"Nothing happened." Sasuke lied.

"That's not what I noticed." Sasuke saw Naruto sit next to him in his peripheral vision, but made no eye contact with him.

There was silence for a moment as neither spoke. Then, Naruto asked in a very quiet tone, "Why did you kiss me?"

Sasuke let out a groan as if the blond annoyed him as he said simply, "It was nothing, okay. I don't…I'm not sure why I did that."

"Sasuke, you know there's a reason for everything."

Sasuke scoffed, not believing in the philosophy.

"Was it because…you like me?" Naruto guessed.

Sasuke could tell he was blushing as he breathed quietly, trying to take control over the situation. No, he wanted to say. No, I despise you and I never want to see you again. That's what he wanted to say, but he had to be honest. If he hurt Naruto, he would never forgive himself.

Still not answering, Sasuke stared out at the scene before him. A blue river stretched out before him, fresh and clear. He wished he could just jump in to save himself the inevitable humiliation that was to come once everyone found out that he actually liked another boy, let alone, Naruto. That would only provoke more rumors and Sasuke hated rumors.

Then, he felt a hand on his shoulder and hesitating, he looked over at the blond. He was smiling. This was something Sasuke hadn't expected. Sasuke stared at him in confusion, showing it on his face as irritation.

"Why didn't you tell me, Sasuke?" Naruto asked him.

Tell you what? That I'm actually gay? Well, gee, I dunno, Naruto, maybe it's because it's not something I would normally tell you!

"You shouldn't be ashamed of it. I mean, to me, you're still Uchiha Sasuke, my team mate and best friend."

Sasuke couldn't help but glare. Damn you, Naruto for being so cute and sincere at the same time! Sasuke had a hard time replying. Naruto was right. He shouldn't be ashamed of how he felt; though he was surprised Naruto was taking it so lightly when before he was completely freaked out. Maybe I came off too strong…

"Are you mad at me now?" Naruto asked when Sasuke glared at him.

Yes. Sasuke thought. He was mad because Naruto was supposed to run away from him after he tried to kiss him, not defend him. Stupid moron…

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked, a note of agitation in his voice.

This was it, Sasuke thought. He's going to burst.

Then, the oddest thing happened. Naruto leaned toward Sasuke and gently grazed his lips with his own. Sasuke regarded him suspiciously. What was he playing at? Naruto broke the kiss and then looked as if he were trying to solve a math problem, snaking his eyebrows up and down and finally looked at Sasuke again, content.

Sasuke arched an eyebrow at him and Naruto explained, "I wanted to try initiating it. It was better that time I think."

Better? Sasuke's mouth fell open slightly.

Naruto put his mouth right next to his ear as he said, "I think I may like you too."

Sasuke was speechless. He hadn't even said that he did like him in that way, yet Naruto admitted that he liked him. Sasuke must have guessed Naruto didn't think he was going to say anything and he was damn right, so he tried it again. This time, Sasuke wasn't as shocked and neither was Naruto. They were equally pleased and so Sasuke brought the blond down on top of him. He couldn't help it. He needed his ray of sunshine, his little fox. He wanted to stay with him forever.

A light rain started and Sasuke kept going. He didn't want to stop. He had to get to Konoha tonight. He had to see Naruto. He had made a billion mistakes since that day he left Naruto for his own selfish reasons. He admitted his feelings for the blond a week before Itachi came looking for Naruto. Only a week. A week was never long enough. Their relationship was strained, mainly because Sasuke was concentrating so much on his brother, who, now dead, turned out to manipulate him in the way that older siblings should never ever manipulate their younger ones. Killing the entire clan wasn't exactly a plus in Sasuke's mind.

The rain started pouring now and Sasuke cursed to himself and at whoever designed Akatsuki's cloaks for not having hoods. Not that he cared about his appearance, but he was tired of running. He just wanted to go somewhere and stay. It wasn't as easy though since he technically was a missing-nin. Stupid brother, stupid Orochimaru, and stupid Uchiha Madara. If it weren't for you three, I may have stayed in Konoha and could have been with Naruto.

It was too late though. Three years have passed since he had returned to Konoha. He wanted to see Naruto. He wanted to apologize for everything: for leaving, for abandoning him, for ignoring him when he passed him by in the forest that one time when searching for his brother, for not going back when he came so far to get him. As he weighed his sorrows, he caught a glimpse of a building up ahead through the many trees. Leaping across branches, Sasuke made his way forward toward the building. Surely it was part of the leaf village. At least that's what Sasuke was hoping. He knew that he was reasonably close. I just hope I'm not too late.