Wow, I'm such a liar. It's been exactly a month since the date I stated would have an update. I'm sorry! D"x

Anyway, about the story- I see that some of you are confused, which makes me happy because that was my intention. Haha xD. Don't worry, I have most things (I hope) mapped out to a point. So things will slowly be revealed and make sense. It's not really complicated, I'm not that smart. lol.

x-X-x

Chapter 4: Black and Blue

Sasuke took Naruto's last position, head down, bangs covered.

Naruto looked at him with tears in his eyes.

It hurt Sasuke just as bad as the first time this happened, only this time he expected it. He was hurt and mad at the same time that the only one keeping them apart was Naruto.

"Why?" Sasuke murmured.

Naruto stiffened, eyes watery and hard.

Slowly, Sasuke lifted his face slightly, glaring through his lashes at Naruto. When he spoke again his voice was poisonous and bitter. "Because you can't get over a dead girlfriend?"

Naruto's face turned from sorrow to gloom while silent tears trailed down his marked cheeks. "Sasuke…" he whispered, turning his back to him. "You need to leave now." and with that Naruto left down the hall to his bedroom, leaving a distraught Sasuke.

Sasuke clenched his teeth. Hard. He just ruined everything. He fought the immeasurable urge to go after Naruto and kiss him to death, but ultimately forced himself, stiffly towards the front door.

Sasuke sat in his car for what felt like hours, not even remembering that he had left Naruto's place and was in front of his own complex.

He felt a collage of feelings. First off, he was not going to admit that he was scared. It felt like he really pushed Naruto…

What if I just ruined everything?

He walked through the lobby of the incredibly wealthy apartment building. As usual he didn't look or speak to anybody, just walked straight to the elevator. He pushed open his door and all but dragged himself, before plopping on his long sectional-couch with a heavy sigh.

"Naruto's an idiot…" he mumbled, dully.

"Owe, god damn it!" Karin cursed as she held on to the door handle to the Coffee house. "Not another pair." she murmured as she stepped out of the way so the couple leaving the house can get by. She slipped off her now broken heels and walked into the house barefoot.

Naruto immediately noticed Karin walk in holding her shoes and barefoot. He was sitting at Sasuke's favorite table on his lunch break. "Ya know we can't serve ya if you don't have any shoes." he grinned.

"Shut up, I have a pair of converse in my purse." she barked, sitting down at his table and pulling out the extra pair of footwear.

"Why do you insist on changing into high heels after work?" He asked, eyes wide and inquiring, as if it's the most interesting thing of the week.

Karin paused and blushed. "Because…" she slumped, embarrassed.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Ahhh!" he chirped. "A guy huh? Do I know em?"

"No!" Karin half shouted, realizing she was in a public setting. "Just… feel like being a girl, ya know."

"No, I don't know." he deadpanned.

"Whatever."

There was a silence between them while Karin put her shoes on and Naruto played on his phone.

"So…" Karin began. "What's going on with you and Sasuke? Did you two have a lovers spat?"

"We're not lovers." Naruto stated, like he was answering a math problem.

"True, but you were." she gave a sly smile.

There was a pause and then something clicked in Naruto's head.

"Wait, how do you know we had… an argument?" he asked, surprised.

Karin pulled out her wallet. "I need coffee, can I ask you for that, or no since you're on break?"

"Karin."

"What? I mean you're right here." she said turning to look toward the counter.

"NO! Karin, how do you know about me and Sasuke?"

"He called me." she spoke calmly, straightening her glasses.

Naruto's eyes went wide. Sasuke called Karin to talk about him? That's weird. Sasuke only had his cousin and his friend's phone numbers so he had contacts to find Naruto.

"So, what did he say?" Naruto sounded hesitant.

"Well, he wasn't asking me out, if that's what you're worried about." she joked.

"Hardly."

"I take offense."

They stared at each other rather comically until finally, Karin says; "He sounded groggy on the phone and kind of out of it, like he was sick. Basically he called and made it out that he was wondering how I was, but then poorly slid you into the conversation. Seriously, what's up with that? Sasuke's usually a lot smoother then that, not to mention direct. I mean, why call me and not you? You must of really hurt his feelings.

Naruto frowned. "Did he tell you to say that? Or are you just trying to make me feel bad."

"Yeah, no. He's upset for sure, Naru." she looked toward the counter again and then back at him. "Now, you let that sink in since it took me a little bit to get over and then go and give your man a big kiss and say I'm sorry!" she ginned evilly as she made her way over to order herself a drink.

"Karin!" Naruto yelled. He was ignored.

Hmm, Sasuke's upset and apparently enough to not call me and ask how I'm doing? "Sasuke's a big baby and a jerk." Naruto murmured to himself just above a whisper. "He's the one who said things he shouldn't have.

After shaking Sasuke out of his thoughts. Easy and weird conversation between Naruto and Karin went on during his last shift, even though he told her to leave several times.

Around six thirty, Naruto shoves his apron in his bag and starts to leave, stopping mid step when he notices Karin isn't following him.

"Aren't you coming, Karin?" he asked. She was putting her phone away as she turned around to face him.

"Nah, I'm meeting a friend at that pizza place up the road."

Naruto smirked. "Oooh, a date huh?"

She blushed. "Shut. Up. God, its like you're twelve or something!"

Naruto snickered. He gave her a wave after they both existed the shop and went their separate directions.

Naruto wasn't gonna lie, he couldn't help but think about Sasuke even more then he was today after what Karin told him. Even though he tried not too, Naruto felt bad about Sasuke being upset, but at the same time pissed off about it. Shouldn't Sasuke apologize to him? Instead of making it out like Naruto kicked him like a dog.

Ah, he always gets like this. That asshole isn't as cold as he likes to think he is.

Just as Naruto turned the corner, just a few feet from his bus stop, his phone vibrates.

Sasuke didn't know why he kept it, he promised he never would do it again. But last night had been kind of a low point. Everything he hated came at him like a whirlwind of drama. When did he become so dramatic?

… Oh yeah, when he fell in love.

Sasuke hated it when Naruto was upset, specially upset with him. He hated it when Naruto would keep things from him. He hated it when Naruto pushed him away… like he used to do.

Selfish.

Yup, that's what Sasuke is, selfish. He wants Naruto all to himself, not even wanting to leave any left of Naruto for Naruto.

He fucked up. He shouldn't have tried to kiss him, but he can't help it anymore. It's becoming impossible to hold back now. He'd been doing it for so long, trying to stay in the 'friend zone' that Naruto forced him into, simply because that's what Naruto desperately wanted. But what about what Sasuke wanted? He realizes that Naruto not wanting him anymore is for a stupid pointless reason.

A dead girl. Sasuke always become agitated and frustrated whenever something got in the way of what he wanted and the thing that's getting in his way is a dead girlfriend.

It's getting to the point where he started to hate Naruto for making Sasuke love him so much. If that makes any sense.

And so... that's why Sasuke is currently drinking the last bits of a bottle of vodka he kept hidden in his closet for god knows what reason. He promised him… he promised Naruto that he would never drink again. Not after the craziness that went down with Sasuke trying to hide his darkness and bury his pain. Such a cliché-by the book tactic. When did Sasuke become a cliché? Oh yeah, when he fell in love.

Stumbling clumsily down his hallway to try and find more booze, because one bottle of cheap vodka wasn't enough to make him sick. And that's what Sasuke did whenever his heart was crushing him, its what he always did. Drink until he was sick and then drink some more. Until he ends up in the hospital with a disappointed and worried Naruto by his side

His Naru…

Tears welled up in his eyes as that ever so old fear crept into his mind again, that Naruto will truly never love him again, or never did. That he will never be able to hold him or kiss him. The one that saved his life and was always there for him, will never be his.

Sasuke made it to the kitchen and was desperately opening cupboards and throwing things out of drawers trying to find another bottle of something alcoholic that his past self may or may not have hid somewhere. That bottle in his room was the only one he can distinctly remember hiding. Talk about a relapse.

He had been sober for over a year. And now after fumbling around and trashing his kitchen for imaginary liquor, he was wondering if he had anything in the bathroom.

God, what is wrong with me?

He downed the vodka so fast in his bedroom he almost threw up right then, but forced it down to get his much desired haze of oblivion, that was now starting to really get him drunk as it peaked in his system.

The room was spinning and thoughts turned into shadows and shadows turned blue.

Blue eyes…

Sasuke's head rolled from one shoulder to the other and he loosely eyed his cell phone on the kitchen counter a few feet from where he was sitting on the floor with his back to the cabinets. This doesn't feel good at all. This nothingness of the mind that Sasuke used to cling too, no longer tempted his addiction. He was sad, depressed even and the only thing that can make him feel good is his best friend.

Sasuke crawled over on the floor, he felt sick and dizzy and barely knew what he was doing. He reached up and grabbed the phone, he clicked the button, the bright light of his background picture made his eyes feel like they were on fire. The picture was of Naruto and him two years ago. They had their arms around each others shoulders. Sasuke was smirking at the camera and Naruto had his big stupid grin plastered on his face.

Sasuke held back a broken breath as a dry sob escaped from him. He slid the phone and texted Naruto's number.

Naruto dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone. A text from Sasuke.

"Hm. Now he's not shy to talk to me." Naruto murmured to himself.

Naruto slid the phone to unlock it and read the whole text.

"Naru ii justr wan to com oveer."

What?

Naruto read the text three more times and checked the contact name five times. Is this really Sasuke, or did somebody steal his phone? He brushed over the contact icon and hit call.

Naruto leaned against the brick wall of a shop next to the bus stop while he waited for Sasuke to pick up.

Ring, ring, ring, ring…

"Come on, Sas. You just texted me!" He hissed.

Naruto removed the phone from his ear to end the failed attempt at a call, when he heard a groan come through the tiny speaker.

"Sasuke?"

"Hmm, hey." He sounded hoarse and slurred.

"You… you okay?"

"Igg… I don' fell gud." Naruto was starting to get this twist in the pit of his stomach.

Oh, no.

The twist in Naruto's stomach began to twist so tightly it ripped apart. With his heart racing and trying to not go off on Sasuke, feeling more concerned then anything else he spoke as clear and slow as possible.

"Sasuke?… ha, have. You. Been. Drinking?" he kept his voice calm and steady.

There was a long pause which made him grab his shirt as if to try to keep his heart from beating out of his chest.

"…I'm sorry." He heard Sasuke say in a drunken slurred sob.

Immediately Naruto hung up the phone put it in his bag and took off running, away from his stop at a desperate speed. Sasuke's apartment complex was a few blocks away from where he was now, near the nicer part of downtown. He ran as fast as he could.

When Naruto finally got to Sasuke's front door breathing heavy. He wasn't surprised the door was unlocked. He ran straight a head into the living room, frantically looking around until his eyes landed on the trashed kitchen through the archway.

When he walked in, Naruto noticed two things, aside from the obvious mess of a kitchen. He saw the empty bottle of vodka next to the sink and Sasuke laying in a drunken stupor.

...Fuck.

Naruto went over to Sasuke and slowly helped him up so he can sit up against the counter.

"Sasuke, what the fuck?" Naruto's voice was shaky.

Sasuke reached for his face but clumsily missed as he seemingly lost function of his arm. Naruto went to put his arms under Sasuke's armpits to help lift him up, when he noticed the tear stains on his face.

"Lets get you into bed." Naruto grunted as he helped Sasuke slowly walk out of the kitchen. Sasuke was of no help. "I would take you to the hospital to make sure you didn't fuck up your kidneys again, but I'm too pissed at you."

"I love you…" Sasuke slurred.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

"You gonna make love to me?"

"No, Sasuke." He dulled. "I'm takin' you to bed so you can sleep this off. I can't yell at ya when you wouldn't be able to understand."

"I think we should." Sasuke slurred.

"That's nice, Sas." He patronized.

"…I love you." Sasuke sobbed.

Naruto winced at the pain eminent on his face. "Yeah… you said that." he replied, looking down dejectedly as he entered the bedroom.

Naruto pretty much tossed Sasuke onto the bed, whom let out a groan in response. Naruto began untying his boots. When he pulled them off with the socks, he went for Sasuke's pants.

"Hehehe." Sasuke giggled. "You're gonna take advantage of me, huh?" He seemed giddy at the idea.

"No. Just shut up already." Naruto snapped. Sasuke's face turned into a pout, like a kicked puppy and Naruto felt a little bad.

After Naruto got Sasuke down to nothing but boxers, he pulled the blankets over him and settled him for sleep. After fighting Sasuke's insistence on slipping the boxers off as well.

Naruto went to turn the lamp off, but Sasuke grabbed his wrist and held it tightly. "Sleep with me." he slurred, his eyes barely open.

He knew that wasn't a good idea, but he was absolutely not leaving Sasuke alone now. Nope.

After a pause he crawled over Sasuke's legs and snuggled into the pillows next to Sasuke. He was pretty sure Sasuke fell asleep shortly after, so he turned his face away from him and let the tears he'd been holding back stream down onto the pillow.

When Sasuke awoke around nine thirty in the morning, it was too a murderous headache. The light from his window made his eyes feel like they were shrinking down in size and about to fall out of his head.

Yup, hung over.

He sat up slowly, holding his face in his hand. It had been a long time since Sasuke felt the ever shameful sting of a hangover, not to mention the sting of a vague memory of calling Naruto in a drunken mess and then being hung up on. He couldn't decide which one hurt worse at the moment.

Just as Sasuke's head cleared a little and his eyes adjusted he realized he was… in his boxers? That's odd, he doesn't even remember going to bed. One thing he was absolutely for sure of is Naruto can never find out about his drinking last night.

"Hm."

Sasuke froze. Oh, no…, no, no, no. Fuck! NO.

"Mornin', Sas."

Sasuke slowly turned to look at the most beautiful creature in Sasuke's world laying casually to the left of him. Bathed in the morning light, his blue eyes, bright and sleepy in that adorable way and his blond spiky hair was almost blinding.

Oh, yeah…

That's why I can't have you…

Because you're perfect.

"H-hi." was all Sasuke could say. He was so fucking scared now. This shouldn't even be happening, couldn't be happening. Fuck. Naruto hung up on him, he didn't come over?! God, his brain was still a mess. He was still a mess.

Naruto lifted himself and rested his head on his hand, looking right into Sasuke's eyes. Sasuke looked away, he knows he's in trouble and he can't chance those beautiful blue eyes filling up with hate towards him. But, wait they… weren't?

"Three times now."

Sasuke turned his head toward him again and lifted a brow in confusion. "Huh?"

"That's the third time you scared me with your alcoholism." Naruto's tone was low.

"I'm not an alcoholic."

"Coulda' fooled me."

"Naru-"

"How long has this been happening behind my back, Sas?" Naruto's face turned concerned.

"I… No. Last night was the only night, Naruto. I promise."

"Heard that before." Naruto looked to the side.

Sasuke was about to open his mouth to argue, but then he saw Naruto's pained expression.

Naruto closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened them again. "You… promised me that this was done. Forever. As in, never again, Sas. So what the hell?"

"Look, I just," Sasuke turned more towards Naruto. "I really… I was hurt, okay? And I did something stupid-"

"Wow, Sasuke Uchiha admits he did something stupid?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Stop being an idiot and let me explain-"

"I'm being the idiot?!" Naruto snapped. Sasuke winced, getting frustrated now.

Naruto began to hurry off the bed and rush towards the bedroom door.

"Naru." Sasuke crawled to the end of the bed, ignoring the pain in his head and gut, trying to grab for Naruto, but missing. "Please, don't go. I-"

Before he could finish what he was saying, Naruto ran back into the room with the empty bottle of vodka in hand.

Sasuke's lips parted, his eyes horrified as if he was drowning.

So fucking ashamed.

Naruto held the evidence of last night to further confirm that Naruto had indeed come over and seen what he's been reduced too. Again.

"THIS, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, holding the bottle outward, tears in his eyes. "You doing this again is to punish me for not letting you kiss me or fuck me whenever you want, isn't it?"

"No!" Sasuke gasped, a dry sob inching its way in his throat.

"You think that scaring the FUCK out of me, is gonna make it any easier. You fucking PROMISED me that you wouldn't drink again, asshole!" On the last word, Naruto threw the empty bottle, it exploded against the wall.

Sasuke winced.

"You almost died, Sasuke. Twice. Is that… is that so easily forgotten?" Tears were streaming down now, his voice shaking with emotion. As if he couldn't face Sasuke anymore, he turned his back to him, running his hands through his hair roughly with frustration and anger.

Sasuke couldn't take it anymore. He got up off of the bed and wrapped his arms firmly around Naruto, burring his face in his neck. He felt Naruto stiffen instantly.

"I was stupid." Sasuke spoke low and despairing. "There's no excuse for it and nobody's fault, but my own. But, you make me so weak, Naruto. So weak that I had a moment of absolute desperation to escape my feelings for you. Like that night in late January."

He felt Naruto sigh. "Let me go, Sasuke." Naruto's voice was just above a whisper.

"No. You're going to shut up now and just let me hold you. You've had your rant."

Naruto turned around in his hold and looked at him, eyes hooded and red from the tears. Sasuke saw it, he saw what he needed to hear in those eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Naruto." he said, firmly. "I was depressed, Naruto. Okay? I was upset because you can't talk to me about you anymore. Maybe if you talked about-"

Just like that Sasuke was pushed back onto the bed. Sasuke bounced back off to respond, but Naruto was walking out of the bedroom.

"Naruto?" Sasuke walked after him down the hall. "Naruto. No, please. Naruto!" He shouted. Sasuke grabbed for his hand. Naruto stopped and ripped his arm away.

"I can't talk anymore. Maybe take a trip to the liquor store and get your fix, Sas." Naruto's tone was so dead and emotionless, like he just shut down.

Sasuke began to panic. Is this it? Is he ending his promise? Is he ending their friendship?

Naruto was just a few inches from the front door when Sasuke grabbed him by the arms and pulled him away from the door.

"Please, Naruto don't leave, please." The panic in Sasuke's voice would have made a less desperate Sasuke cringe. He could not allow Naruto to leave, not when he's this upset. Not like yesterday.

"Sasuke, let me go." Still lifeless.

Sasuke dropped to his bare knees, still sporting nothing but dark blue briefs.

Please, Naruto, don't fucking leave… Please Naru!" his voice was beginning to increase in volume as Naruto began to fight his hold.

"Sas…"

"Naruto, I'M SORRY!" He put his face against Naruto's stomach and embraced him tightly. "I'm so sorry, you know it wont happen again. I need you here with me, please!"

Sasuke was about to say more, when warm shaky hands gently touched the sides of his head.

Naruto dropped down to his knees like Sasuke and pulled him into a desperate embrace. "I'm not goin' anywhere, Sasuke."

Sasuke felt his soul warm up with sweet relief that almost made him pass out. He wrapped his arms around Naruto more firmly, afraid that he would disappear like vapor at any second. Sasuke couldn't help but feel frightened of the unknown. He hates feeling insecure, but with Naruto it's a pretty common thing to feel.

"Do... do you hate me?" Sasuke mumbled in a calmer tone into Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto lightly pushed Sasuke off him, but kept his hands on his arms. "What?! No! Why would you think that, Sasuke? I can't hate you," That made something in Sasuke's chest spark. "You just scare me."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "I scare you?"

"Er, yeah."

"Hn. How funny." he smirked.

"What?! How?!"

"Stop shouting," He winced. "You've screamed enough this morning. I'm still hung over, moron."

Naruto looked off to the side. "Serves you right." he mumbled.

Sasuke got up off of his knees onto bare feet, holding Naruto's hand. Naruto turned his head slightly and briefly glanced at Sasuke's boxers before looking up at Sasuke. Suddenly, Naruto was pulled up and led to the couch. He didn't fight it when Sasuke lay down and pulled Naruto down next to him and wrapped his arms around him. Sasuke sighed. "I know… I deserve it." he murmured into Naruto's neck.

Naruto turned over so he was facing Sasuke. He played with Sasuke's fingers. "Are you gonna get dressed?" Naruto asked, voice low.

"No."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better now." Sasuke closed his eyes, just letting himself feel Naruto next to him, so close. He opened his eyes to look at Naruto when he cupped Sasuke's cheek.

"I'm still mad at you. You really freaked me out, Sas. You can't do-"

"Never again."

Naruto frowned, still concerned.

Sasuke looked directly into his eyes. "As long as you stay with me, Naruto. I'll continue to care what happens to me and I wont drink or take place in any other such activities."

Naruto didn't say anything, but he felt relief nonetheless.

"I… think this little scare made me realize some things."

"Like what?"

Sasuke put Naruto's fingers to his lips… and Naruto let him. As he watched Sasuke kiss his fingers slowly, he was, once again surrounded with this soft, warm and immensely powerful feeling of love that made him think that there wasn't another living soul beyond this person laying here with him. Like if Sasuke was to disappear, he'd slowly fall apart into nothingness. Only this man gave him this feeling. No. the only person that ever made him feel this way. Not even Sakura made him feel like this…

Sakura…

Just like that, he was reminded of the decision he made before the accident. The decision that changed his life forever.

"You okay?" asked Sasuke. He was holding Naruto's hand now.

Naruto shook his thoughts away. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Sasuke frowned. "Lying."

Naruto shrugged.

"That's one of the things, I've realized." he stated.

Naruto raised a brow.

"I've realized that I can't hold back anymore and I can't wait anymore."

Naruto turned his head to look at something in the corner of the room. "Sas, I-"

Sasuke lightly pinched his chin and moved his head to look at him. "I love you, Naruto. You know that and I know you love me, right?"

Naruto knew he couldn't lie to him, even though he lied to him before and told him he didn't want to be with him, when in fact that's all he fucking wants.

Selfish…

Naruto paused after a breath, but nodded slowly.

"Eventually you will say those words to me again. This time I will help you get over this tragedy that wont let you go, Naruto." He rested his forehead to Naruto's. His voice low and husky "I promise. I'm not going to let you push me away and hide in the dark anymore. It's over. You Don't deserve it, you did nothing wrong."

Naruto took a breath to protest when a finger to his lips silenced him.

"Enough." Sasuke said. "No more talking for now. Just lay here and continue forgiving me." His lips turned up to a smirk.

Naruto frowned in mock irritation. "Jerk."

And for the next few hours they lay together. Cuddled in the warmth that was a passed love that Sasuke silently hoped would soon be a renewed love. Forgetting their pains and their darkness, just being with each other for the moment in albeit a temporary happiness. However, it was a happiness that Sasuke could only ever find in Naruto. And he selfishly hoped to all the powers of the universe that Naruto will feel the same way too.

To be continued...

x-X-x

I'm really happy that people are liking this fic… I still think this isn't very good compared to others. So I'm still shocked that this got viewed at all.

But… you please me. Update sooner or later! xD

Please review, it keeps the motivation levels high!