Love Sick
Chapter 2
Naruto POV:
The sun was still high in the sky when I had awoken. Sasuke had fallen asleep next to me. He looked a little flushed but some of the color had returned to his skin. I gently rolled over and placed my hand to his forehead. Still a little warm. I noted, but not nearly as bad as yesterday.
I brushed the few strands of hair that had fallen in his face and for the first time...I actually admired his appearance. Sasuke had some of the smoothest skin I had ever felt, and it was so pale, like a porcelain doll. And he had hair of black silk that always seemed to frame his face so nicely.
It rivaled that of his pale complexion and his lashes were so long and thick. Not a single strand was out of place. It was no wonder he had every girl in the village chasing after him. Everything about him just seemed so...perfect. Oh, who am I kidding? Sasuke was gorgeous, even to my eyes.
A guy like me could never stand in comparison to someone like him. I was so rugged, and he was so refined. We were total opposites. My gaze saddened as it drifted further down his face and rested on his slightly parted lips. Subconsciously, my fingers began to lightly caress over his smooth texture.
Inevitably, my mind wandered back in time. To the time we first kissed. It was an accident, but for some reason...it never bothered me. I pretended to be disgusted by it because that was the face he made, but really it didn't even phase me. It happened again on one of our missions. We were falling off a waterfall and when I went to grab him...I guess I got too close.
I wonder why that keeps happening to us. Never to anyone else. It's always...just us.
Before I even realized what, I was doing I had found myself only inches away from the boy's face. If I had leaned in any further...well, who knows. Maybe there would have been a third time.
I sighed as I silently cursed myself for even thinking such a thing, but for some reason I couldn't stop my fingers from caressing the boy's cheek. I looked off to gaze out the window just for a second to clear my head, but by the time my gaze had returned Sasuke's eyes had fluttered open.
My entire face felt like it was about to explode. I retracted my hand so fast that I actually fell off of the bed and landed on the hardwood floor with a loud thud. "Gahh!" I screamed as I hit the floorboards, rubbing my head afterwards. "Damn, that was so stupid." I mumbled to myself in embarrassment.
What's he gonna think I just tried to do?
Sasuke POV:
I could still feel him. The touch of his fingers gliding across my skin in an elegant dance as he caressed the side of my face and grazed over my unsuspecting lips. At first, I wasn't sure and then I opened my eyes and saw him. He was propped up on his elbow, resting on his side and gazing off into the distance. His right hand ever so gently tickling my flesh and running through my hair.
I didn't have time to react. By the time his azure gaze had returned they had come into contact with my wide-eyed stygian. A faint tint of rose to my cheeks and a shudder to my breath as I had been withholding it. The blonde quickly retracted his hand, leaving me breathless and stumbled out of the bed with a crash.
He cried out in slight pain and then cursed himself for being stupid. I awkwardly crawled over curiously to see the bumbling fox rubbing his head. "Um, Naruto…what were-" I bashfully asked, but before I could finish he started ranting.
"Nothing! I-uh-was just checking to see if you still had a fever. And...you're still a little warm so...Are you thirsty? I'm gonna go and get you a glass of water. Be back in a sec!" And with that, he darted out of the room. "Naruto, wait!" I tried to cry out after him, but he was already gone. The sudden burst of energy faded as quickly as it came, leaving me completely exhausted.
Naruto POV:
Stupid. Stupid. That was so stupid. I'm such an idiot. What was I thinking?!
I continued to curse myself as I let the water run and overflow the cup. It's clear rivers trickling down the transparent glass. I sighed as I tilted my head back and ran both of my hands down my face.
Did I really want to kiss Sasuke…?
A few minutes later after I had had time to clear my head, I returned to the boy with the glass of water. He leaned over the bed and sipped it slowly, his gaze occasionally flickering in my direction as if unsure of what to make of our awkward situation.
"I'm sorry." I apologized softly, avoiding his onyx gaze and hanging my head in utter defeat. "Really. I didn't mean to...you know...get so close. I was just...mmm…" My voice trailed off as it grew weary with discontent.
Dammit.
"Naruto." The raven called, his voice stern like iron though I could still hear a hint of fatigue.
My gaze wandered slowly back at the stygian-haired boy and nervously waited for him to curse me or throw me out, but to my surprise...he did neither.
"It's fine. It's not...that big a deal. I get it." He said, bearing the faintest of smiles. A smile that I couldn't help but return as my I breathed a sigh of relief.
Sasuke POV:
How could I yell when I had not the energy nor the means to when he looked at me like that? With those big smoldering azure eyes and that puppy-like expression. All Naruto had done up until this point was take care of me.
There were a million other things Naruto could be doing. Training, flirting with Sakura, or even just being in the confines of his own home. He didn't have to be here. He was here because...he simply wanted to be, and I didn't know why.
I watched as the blonde seemed to relax as he smiled and sighed in relief. A minute later, he walked over to the nightstand and started to gather the empty bowl and silverware. He placed them neatly on the tray and picked them up.
"I'm gonna go clean all this up. I...kind of made a mess in your kitchen." He chuckled nervously.
Idiot.
"I'll be back to check on you in a little bit. You should get some more rest. You're still looking a little paler than usual." He noted and with that left the room, leaving an ever-growing smile on my face as he rounded the corner and out of sight.
I guess he's not so bad. He might be annoying sometimes, but he's always there for me, whether I want him there or not. That's just the type of friend that he is.
And with those last thoughts I drifted into a deep sleep.
xXxXx
I rested for well over half the day. By the time I woke up again, the sun had just barely started to set, casting a faint shadow across my room. All was quiet. Silent to all, but the blistering wind outside.
I wonder if Naruto's still here.
With great struggle I managed to sit up, having to rest for a moment to catch my breath and wait for the faint headedness to pass. Once it did, I threw the covers off and swung my feet over the bed, bracing myself. Slowly, I trudged one foot in front of the other and began walking alongside the wall, fighting every dizzy spell that came my way.
Eventually, I made it to the living room where a curious fox lounged about on my sofa reading own of my novels. I had to say the sight of Naruto reading a book caught me by surprise. Reading just wasn't something I associated him with. He actually seemed like he was really into it as his eyes moved back and forth and he occasionally turned the page.
He rested on his side, propped by his forearm where he held the book. The boy seemed to have changed as well for he was now wearing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of loose fitting orange shorts.
He must have gone home while I was sleeping.
A moment passed for before he sensed my presence, but soon enough the preoccupied blonde ever so slightly looked up from his book and noticed me. "I wasn't aware you could read." I playfully mocked as I rested my head along the last bit of remaining wall and studied the boy.
"I'm not a total idiot, you know? I do read every once and awhile." The fox bantered back. "And besides...I didn't want to do anything to wake you." He added bashfully, his gaze shying away.
I see.
I only grunted and smiled wearily at the boy as I fought off another dizzy spell. "Are you hungry?" He asked. "There's still some soup left. I could warm you up some...if you'd like."
"Un." I answered tiredly as I watched the blonde close his book and smile. He placed it on the coffee table and then strolled into the kitchen where he found a clean bowl and spoon and then rummaged through the fridge. The boy pulled out a medium sized pot and set it gently on the stove.
Once he removed the lid he opened a drawer a grabbed a ladle, scooping the contents of the pot into the smaller bowl. A few minutes later, he had warmed it up in the microwave and crushed up a few crackers to sprinkle on top.
I don't know why I was so fascinated just by watching him do something as simple as heating up some soup. Maybe because watching the boy move around so freely in my apartment bewildered me or the fact that he put so much care and effort into such a simple task.
"Where do you want it?" He asked, shattering my allusions and bringing me back to reality. "Out here's fine." I answered and watched as he carried the bowl over to the coffee table and placed it down, setting the spoon beside it. He looked back over at me curiously and waited.
It wasn't that far of a distance, but from my point of view it seemed to be grower ever further as I stared at it. There were no walls to uphold and guide me. It was an open area. Wearily, I pushed off the wall and slowly took a step forward. Just one foot in front of the other.
Naruto flinched a couple of times as if he were about to rush to my aid, but I managed. It wasn't until I reached him did my body give way and collapse into his chest as he caught me. I felt so weak in his arms. His body still felt so cool against my heated flesh.
Accidentally, I ever so slightly looked up and caught his gaze, falling victim to his vast sea. Such a vibrant shade of blue. No sky nor sea could even compare to the riches that laid within. They were so enchanting...mesmerizing even. I felt as if the longer I stared into his eyes the more lost I became.
I didn't realize it, but while in his embrace my cheeks had completely flushed into a bright rouge and my breathing had slowed. It wasn't until he knitted his eyebrows and placed his hand over my forehead did the spell shatter. "Maybe it's still too early for you to be up and moving around. It feels like your fever still hasn't passed." He cooed softly.
"No, I'm fine. I just...fell." I assured as I gently pushed away from his firm grasp. He looked at me in disbelief but didn't argue. "Okay." He sighed, as he released his hold on me and guided me down gently to the sofa. The boy then sat on the far end of the couch where he was lain previously and bent over the side to grab something.
Just as I was about to take my first bite, a light blanket was draped over my shoulders. Curiously, I studied it and noticed that it wasn't one of mine. Naruto must have brought it over here when he left. It was cozy, and it smelled just like him. I don't know why that made me smile but...it did.
It wasn't long before the soup was gone, and my stomach was full. I gazed out the window and noted the sun had nearly gone down for the night. Even though I slept all day, I was still a little tired. I judged the distance between the sofa and my room and sighed in annoyance.
So far, I cursed.
I looked back at Naruto who was back to reading his book. He gazed over at the clock on the wall every once and while to judge when he should tuck in for the night. Since he had brought over a blanket and a pillow that he was leaning on I assumed he planned on staying the night again.
He doesn't want to leave my side, even as often as I yell at him. He'd still rather be here...with me.
Naruto POV:
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a rather flustered raven as he looked back and forth between me and his bedroom. I was about to offer to help him when he did something so unexpected it nearly caused me jump out of my own skin.
Without warning, the stygian-haired boy shifted his body and gently rested his head on my lap. My entire body tensed as my hands hovered above him in a questioning manor, unsure what to do. "A-Ano...?" I uttered nervously.
"I'm tired." He said.
"I...can take you to your room if you want?" I offered.
"This is fine." Was all he answered but gracing the corner of his mouth I could see the beginnings of what looked like a smile.
Awkwardly, I began to slowly drop my left arm which held my book and eventually, my right. With nowhere for it to go I just gently rested it over the boy's chest and after a few minutes I seemed to find myself relaxing.
Sasuke POV:
I don't know why I just wanted to be so close to him. As of late, all he seemed to do was put me at ease. The closer I was, the better I felt. His cool flesh seeped through his clothing and rivaled that of my own overheated warmth. Within in the first moment I found myself closing my eyes and falling into a soothing relaxation.
Several minutes had passed and Naruto still hadn't argued against it, which made me happy. He went about reading his novel and left his hand to rest on my upper torso. Occasionally, he would remove it to turn a page, but then casually return it upon my chest.
Every once and awhile he would catch himself lightly beginning to run his fingers in small circles around my chest and up to my collar bone. His hand shying away nervously as his fingers met bare skin.
Annoyance seemed to wash over whenever he would stop, leaving me with a strange sense of longing I had never known. It was as if my body grew to crave his soft touches. It mourned each and every time his hand would leave me to turn a page. It just felt so good...so relaxing. As awkward as if may have been, I didn't mind.
But after several pages, I fell into a deep trance. Lost within the depths of my own mind as I surrendered to the graze of his fingertips. I flashed back to the other day when I had first collapsed and found myself in the cool embrace of a worried fox. Even after I had shunned the boy away, he still returned to my aid.
I'll never forget the look of concern on his face when he peered around the bathroom door nor his sweet raspy voice as he removed the strands of hair that stuck to my lips.
"It's okay...I got you. I got you." He whispered.
And then he swept me off my feet and carried me to my bed. He washed my face and tucked me in for the night, being sure to place a cool damp towel over my forehead. But just before I closed my eyes his voice still rang true.
"Get better Sasuke."
He hadn't left my side since. When I had awoke the following morning, Naruto had surprised me yet again with a home cooked meal. And when I had not the strength to even sit up...Naruto was there to help me. He was the pillar I needed to lean on and support me.
I'm sure he would have even fed me if I truly needed it.
I faintly tilted my head to gaze upon the blonde above me, studying the features of his face and memorizing every detail, no matter how small. His complexion was fairly tan and scarred in several places. Three short lines engraved his cheeks on each side, resembling that of whiskers. A trait I was sure came from the nine-tails.
And his hair rivaled that of the sun. It was a beautiful golden hue that spiked all around like rays of sunlight. Few strands hung just barely over his eyelids, giving somewhat of an edginess. What drew me in the most was the color of his eyes. How could I have never noticed just how blue they really were?
They were hypnotizing. Reeling me in like the undercurrent of the sea. It was hard to look away. Seeing him this way made me question why Sakura never wanted to give the boy a chance. Naruto by any means was not ugly. In fact, even to my standpoint he was attractive, and he was kind. He always put others before himself.
Every girl in the village should be pestering him and asking him out on dates every day, the same why they do me. Only I could care less about any of them. Naruto would probably really like it. I just wanted to be left alone...even though Naruto would never let me.
I kind of wanted to ask him why he was really here and why out of all people would he rather spend his entire day taking care of me. I know he was my friend but still…
Somehow, he just made me feel so unworthy and undeserving of his kindness.
A moment later, I gathered the courage I needed to finally speak.
"Say...Dobe." I said.
"Hm?" The fox hummed without taking his eyes off his book nor retraining his fingers from caressing the base of my neck.
"Why...do you want to take care of me so bad?" I asked, a slight blush to my cheeks as my gaze recoiled from his before they latched onto me.
His fingers abruptly stopped and shied away from my flesh and his eye widened as he withheld his breath out of shock. Silence washed over the room as the intensity ever grew. He closed his book and set it down on the arm of the sofa and turned his gaze towards me.
"W-What do you mean?" He wavered.
"I mean, " I started to say as I gently rose up and shifted my body to face the shaken boy. "Why...are you doing all of this for me? You could leave at any time and yet...you stay. Why do you choose to stay?"
The boy stared at me for a minute and then took a deep breath and tilted his gaze away. "Can I...tell you a secret?" He asked timidly.
A secret?
"Sure." I answered.
"You promise not to tell anyone?"
"U-Un." I nervously assured.
The timid fox studied me a little while longer before he spoke again.
"I...don't really...like...Sakura-chan." He stated.
"You don't?" I questioned slightly intrigued.
"No...not really. She's always mean to me and calls me stupid. All she ever does is put me down and hurt my feelings. It doesn't matter how many times I save her or come to her rescue with whatever she needs. She doesn't care. Not even a little bit. People like to use my kindness and hold it against me to get what they want. And when I give it to them I don't even get so much as a 'thank you.'
Sakura's no different from everyone else. She'll never see me as anything more than a dumb fox. You're the only person she really seems to care about, even if it is solely based off your good looks. She just doesn't see me the way that...well, you do." He finished heavily with a weary heart.
Hearing Naruto speak so vulnerably actually broke my heart. He was always so cheery and obnoxious. He confided within me as if I was the only person in whole world that truly understood him, but sadly that wasn't the case.
The truth of the matter was that I did all of those things too. I was always insulting him and calling him names, but I had never once thought of him as a 'dumb fox'. In fact, I made it a point not to ever compare him to his inner demon. Even without him ever saying it, I knew it hurt him when people treated him like some sort of monster because what was inside him.
Looking at him now in such a vulnerable state, tore my insides apart. How could he confide within me like this when I was seemingly no different than everyone else?
"You're not a dumb fox, Naruto." I stated, drawing his attention back to me. "And I...call you all that stuff too. So, I don't understand. Why then?" I admitted, casting my gaze down in shame.
His eyes flickered as he stared at me, then a moment later he ever so gently ran his fingers across the side of my face and rested his palm against my pale cheek. In bewilderment, my gaze returned to face the azure-eyed blonde.
"It's...different with you." He cooed, putting a slight blush of pink across my cheeks. "When you say that stuff, I get the feeling you don't really mean it, so it doesn't really bother me. It's not like that with her or...anybody else really. You're not just my friend Sasuke…" The blonde clarified.
His close proximity sent shivers down my spine and fluttered my stomach. My breath seemed to shudder as he continued to draw ever nearer, deepening his fingers within the silky strands of my raven hair.
"You're my best friend." He carried on. "That's why...I need you to get better. I don't care if you always yell at me. It actually makes me think you might even…"
I withheld my breath as his lips came within a mere centimeter away from mine. The last of his words hovering just barely over my parted entrance.
"Feel the same way about me sometimes." He finished, his lips only grazing my own before he sighed and pulled back slightly to rest his forehead to mine. "Your fever's coming back. Maybe...I should take you back to your room, so you can sleep it off."
And with that the gentle fox released me from his grasp and pulled away entirely, leaving me empty and completely unsatisfied.
xXxXx
To be continued…
Kind of long I know. Hope you enjoyed. Please review and let me know what you guys think so far. Next chapter coming right up!
