Only Fools
Drabble III
Steve-no-Berry
661 Words
Sasuke/Naruto
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The heat of summer was building as it often did in those as few days, promising to be brutal before it broke and gave way to autumn. Sweating underneath the sun, Naruto shaded his eyes with his hand and scanned the crowd for a head of dark hair. He couldn't spot Sasuke though, and he leaned back into the shade of the mission report building with a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. It wasn't like Sasuke to be late.
"Maa, Naruto," a familiar voice chirped into his ear suddenly, and the blond started. "Going to lunch with Sasuke again?"
Kakashi smiled pleasantly at the glare Naruto gave him, looking cool in his mask despite the obscene temperature. "Yes," Naruto replied once his irritation subsided; he could feel the sweat trickling down the sides of his face and he wiped it away stubbornly. "Are you here to see Iruka-sensei?"
The jounin's smile grew underneath his mask. "Of course," he answered, and brandished a decrepit scroll in front of Naruto's face. It looked as though it had been recently wiped free of dust. "And I brought a peace offering as well, so he can't kick me out again."
Naruto laughed good-naturedly at his former teacher, and they stood together in a companionable silence, watching the surge and flow of the noon crowd.
"Iruka told me about Sasuke, about him being in love," the silver haired man began, and Naruto frowned a bit, even though he should have expected it. Iruka and Kakashi were, after all, lovers, and they both cared for Naruto. "I was wondering what he's told you."
"Nothing," Naruto growled. "It's absolutely ridiculous. He's in love, but he refuses to tell the person that he does. Proud, stuck-up bastard."
Kakashi smiled wanly. "He has always been a very private person."
"That's no excuse!" Naruto gestured wildly as he spoke. "If you're in love, you're supposed to do something about it!"
"I think he is," Kakashi said slowly. "I think, Naruto, that you aren't giving Sasuke any of the credit he deserves. He's always been a little shy, and I think he's afraid of being rejected. Sasuke has been in love for a very long time, and I'm guessing he'd rather have the other person figure it out so he didn't have to admit anything that would damage the relationship he already has."
Naruto blinked at Kakashi's theory. It made a lot of sense; Sasuke always put his feelings into actions rather than words. Still, the blond had a hard time wrapping his mind around Sasuke's hesitant approach. If Naruto had been in love for a "very long time", he never would have been able to contain his emotions.
"Are you really in that much of a hurry to get rid of him?" Kakashi continued. "I thought you were getting along really well these days. No ground has been leveled since last spring."
Naruto looked curiously at the older man. "What do you mean, get rid of him?" he asked.
"Maa, isn't it obvious?" the jounin rubbed his masked face. "Sasuke's probation ends in less than a week, doesn't it? And when it does, he'll probably move out, especially if his feelings end up being reciprocated. Good for Sasuke, but…"
Naruto felt his stomach drop to his toes. But-
"Ah, just forget it, Naruto," Kakashi shrugged, and ruffled Naruto's hair, an odd gesture considering Naruto had grown taller than the jounin. "I'm sure that it will turn out just fine."
But Sasuke arrived five minutes after Naruto and Kakashi exchanged goodbyes, late. The dark-haired shinobi touched his arm gently. "You look pale," he said monotonously, though there was a hint of worry in his eyes.
"It's nothing," Naruto replied, and he brushed Sasuke's fingers off. He plastered on his fake, sunny smile and Sasuke frowned; he knew Naruto too well, and he saw directly through his act. "It's just so hot, yeah?"
-but what will you do when he's gone, Naruto?
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Disclaimer: Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi
Author's Notes: Sorry for the lateness! This is un-beta-ed, because Katie's busy, but I thought you'd want it anyway. OMG, is that background information and plot development I smell? Stay tuned!