Summary: Sasuke and Naruto have strange ways of showing each other they care. My own personal random word challenge. 50 words, 1 word for each chapter. One chapter may or may not relate to another. SasuNaruSasu
Warnings: Yaoi, of course. You'll get lemon warnings as they come. Maybe a few spoilers here and there.
Disclaimer: Trust me, if I owned Naruto, I wouldn't have to write fanfiction. Also, I do not own Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars.
a/n: Hello everyone! I had a moment of peace and quiet amidst the storm and decided to post this. Actually, this has been sitting on my computer for about six months. I had originally planned this as a songfic but never got around to posting it. And then came this random word that matched up well enough. Plus I haven't had much time to write and at least wanted to give you all something for being so nice and patient with me. Speaking of that, I've gotta say HUGE THANK YOUS to all of you for all the well wishes and stuff. I wish I had the time to tell each of you personally but there's no way I have enough time. Also, any of you that have posted new chapters of your stories in the last few weeks have been keeping me sane while sitting in the hospital, so thank you. One of these days I'll get around to reviewing those chapters.
Anyways, here's a quick update on everything. Mom's surgeries went well and the first few days she was recovering well. But then she got a bad infection and had to be put back in ICU. For a day or two it was touch and go, and she scared us to death, but she made it through. Now she's recovering and even started rehab this week which she now calls her daily torture session. The doctors say if she keeps doing well she might be able to come home next week sometime. She'll still have to do months of rehab, but at least she'll be able to rest properly (because we all know you never get rest in a hospital) and we won't even discuss the crappy food. So at least that's good news. My job though is another story altogether...I hardly get a chance to take a break anymore. Then by the time I get home I'm too tired to even try to write anything. Although my Hiding Behind Masks fans will be happy to know that I've been writing the next chapter. It's nowhere near ready to upload yet, but it's at least being written. That's progress right?
Sorry for the long author's note. I tend to hate those myself. But I thought I'd share the good news. Hope you enjoy this Sasuke-centric chapter. Oh, by the way, this one is unrelated to some of the other chapters. Well, kinda...
The Dobe and Teme Chronicles
Chapter 5 – Anniversary
It was a beautiful day. That time right between summer and fall when the air was warm, but not too hot. When the leaves all over the forest were gaining new hues of reds and golds. Sasuke admired the beauty around him as he slowly strolled around the village. It had been a long time coming, but he was finally at peace.
It was his 2 year anniversary of being back in the village. That's right, Sasuke came home to Konoha. He had killed Orochimaru and then killed his brother. Then he had done the unforgivable and joined Akatsuki. But once he knew what they were doing with the nine-tailed fox, all he could see was Naruto. Not a demon, not an enemy, just the boy who had once been his best friend. And despite his desire for revenge, he couldn't bring himself to sit back and allow the organization to kill him.
So at the last minute, he switched sides. And, of course, dealt with his punishment after Akatsuki was defeated.
Then, of course, they had to fight each other as soon as he got his privileges back. It was only right that they beat each other to a pulp after all the time apart. However, Naruto proved to have more stamina and surprised him with a technique he'd never seen before. As usual, the blonde lived up to his title as the most unpredictable knuckleheaded ninja. And, for once, Sasuke conceded without one word of complaint.
-----
We'll do it all
Everything
On our own
-----
He passed the academy where everything began. He stood against a tree for a moment and watched the young ninjas-in-training, reminded of when he was first assigned to Team 7. Back then, he resisted the idea of ever working with anyone. All he wanted to do was gain power as quickly as possible so he could get his revenge. In his eyes, Sakura was a poor excuse for a kunoichi and Naruto was an idiot with a lot of stamina, but no skills. Kakashi was the only one worthy of his time, but even he annoyed him with his tardiness and seeming disinterest.
Now, though, he found himself wondering how the team would have fared had he stayed. He returned, only to be surprised to find out that the team had become a powerful force together without him. Sakura, under the sannin's tutelage, was a powerhouse and one of the best medic-nin in Konoha. Naruto, he knew, had trained like crazy in order to keep up with him and bring him back. It showed in his fighting style. The blonde was powerful and everyone began to see that he had a head for battle strategy. Different from the Nara, but very effective.
Truthfully, Naruto wasn't the idiot. He was the one who should've taken on that designation.
-----
We don't need
Anything
Or anyone
-----
He looked up and saw Naruto's old apartment building. It was abandoned now, all boarded up, and waiting to be demolished. Even that dilapidated place held memories.
For the longest time, Sasuke felt like Naruto didn't understand him. So what if he was an orphan that never knew his parents. He couldn't understand what it was like to lose everyone and everything important to him. He couldn't know how it felt to suddenly not have anyone.
From the time he lost his family, he had learned to live on his own. He hadn't wanted help, hadn't needed it. He thought he didn't need anyone. He had only one goal that mattered and he wanted to take care of it alone. He had thought he was better off alone. It was how he had lived...how he'd survived.
But that changed upon his return to Konoha. On the first anniversary of his return to Konoha, he was bombarded by the former Team 7. They brought ramen and spent the day at his house reminiscing and just relaxing. That was the day the group first became the one thing he never thought he'd have again. Family. Kakashi from that moment on became his father figure, Sakura took on the role of his younger sister, and Naruto...
Yeah, Naruto...
He wasn't really sure how to describe him.
-----
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
-----
Now here he was, his second anniversary back home, alone. Not for long though. This time he only had one person he wanted to spend it with. No arguments, no fighting, just hanging out with his...well, with Naruto. He wasn't exactly sure what to call him anymore. He couldn't really say that Naruto was his best friend...he was so much more than that now.
He walked slowly through the busy streets with his hands in his pockets. His destination was the old familiar Training Ground 7, where they passed the bell test and truly became genin. It was where they had agreed to meet.
-----
I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel
-----
He saw Naruto sitting against the stump he had once been tied to and chuckled. That picture definitely brought back memories.
"So dobe, want me to tie you up again like old times?"
"Very funny teme. Even if you did, I know how to get out of it now. So nyah!" Naruto stuck out his tongue.
Sasuke's raised his brow and a thought rose unbidden that threatened to make him blush. The words spilled out before his brain caught up. "Careful where you stick that tongue dobe. I might go and find a better use for it."
Blue eyes glared up at him. "Teme!"
Sasuke smirked and held out his hand. Naruto looked at him, confused for a moment, before tentatively taking hold. The pale ninja pulled up the tanned one and pulled him along into a run.
"Wait a minute teme, where are we going?"
"Right...about...here." Sasuke stopped in a field full of wild grass and wild flowers. He sighed and gracefully lowered himself on his back in the grass and looked up at the sky dotted with puffy clouds. The sky mirrored the shade of Naruto's eyes.
Naruto took up the same position, with his hands behind his head, and looked up as well. He chuckled. "I never knew you to be like Shikamaru."
"Shut up dobe." He retorted in an annoyed tone, even if he didn't mean it.
-----
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough
-----
He turned his head slightly toward Naruto. The other male was oblivious and so he took the time to examine the blond. His once unruly hair had tamed a bit over time. He had lost the baby fat in his face and his features now reminded him of a very famous former Hokage. How people couldn't have seen that the two were related was beyond him. His eyes roamed further down the body that only showed hints of orange instead of being inundated with it. The black t-shirt was tight enough to easily see how toned Naruto had become over the last few years.
When was it that Naruto had breached the carefully constructed walls he'd built around his heart? He always kept his emotions tightly in check, kept everyone from getting too close to him. But somehow, the blond defied all the rules. And for some reason, he had let him.
When was it exactly that the loud, brash, annoying blonde had become...everything?
Sasuke took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. Naruto made him feel. Deep down he feared what he felt, and yet he craved it. He doubted he'd ever be able to say the words very often. They were just words that didn't prove anything. Itachi had ruined that bit of naivety for him.
Naruto heard the sigh and turned his head, his azure eyes - full of uncertainty - meeting onyx ones. Sasuke frowned slightly. He didn't like that look on Naruto.
"Ne, Sasuke?"
"Hn?" He watched as Naruto fidgeted slightly before that well known determination kicked in enough for him to continue.
"Do you ever regret coming back?" Sasuke didn't even pause.
"No...not at all."
He couldn't imagine not being here with him. In fact, he couldn't imagine how he ever stayed away. Even in Sound he'd never stopped thinking of him, despite everything he told him to the contrary.
-----
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
-----
"I'm glad. I...you...mean a lot to me." Naruto said nervously. But then he smiled. It was the one reserved just for him. Not that mischievous grin. Not the over-sized fake smile. It was a true smile, one that went all the way to his eyes. It made him, dare he say, beautiful.
Sasuke couldn't help but smile back...something he rarely did. It was a smile reserved only for Naruto.
Being here with him, he could forget himself, forget his betrayal, his past, his mistakes...
-----
Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
-----
"So, what do you see?" Naruto interrupted his thoughts. Sasuke was about to ask what he meant when he saw the blond was looking up at the sky again. So he did the same. The first cloud he saw was...
"A kunai." Naruto laughed.
"You're always thinking of fighting aren't you?" Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Che...whatever...I am a ninja, you know. Besides, it's not like you see anything better."
Naruto pointed up and to the side a bit. "That looks like a turtle."
"What? That does not!"
"Yes it does!"
"No it doesn't dobe!"
"It does too teme!" Naruto growled and rolled on top of Sasuke, who retaliated by throwing him off and then straddling him. "Get off me!"
Sasuke didn't move. Instead he gave him a mischievous smirk before his fingers landed against the slim sides and started moving fast.
-----
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see
-----
Naruto squirmed and giggled, then started laughing loudly while he tried to wiggle away from the tickling fingers. "Stooooppit temeeeee!
"Nope." Sasuke deeper chuckles mixed with Naruto's laughter. This was Sasuke's freedom and he had finally learned to revel in it. Around Naruto, he could be his true self. If anyone saw Sasuke right now, they would be shocked to see the person they considered a broody mysterious teen smiling and laughing.
Finally, when Naruto was out of breath and forced to beg for mercy, Sasuke rolled off of him until he was, again, on his back. A fist punched him in the shoulder.
"Jerk."
Sasuke smirked. He knew the blond didn't mean it. He never meant it, even when he was pissed off. His smirk slowly died and his eyes turned sad as memories of their earlier days assaulted him. He still wondered how Naruto could find it in his heart to forgive him for leaving, for almost killing him.
He would never be able to do enough to make up for the things he'd done.
Naruto saw the change and he reached out a finger and slowly slid it down the pale arm.
"Why?" Sasuke asked. Naruto, it seemed, knew what he was asking even without saying the words.
"Because I know you." Sasuke averted his eyes, only to slide his eyes back to the blue orbs again when he felt a hand slide into his own. "And I understood. I didn't like it, but I understood it. You couldn't find peace and I just had to wait until you finally could find it."
-----
I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
-----
Sasuke stared intently. Naruto didn't blink.
Peace...
Naruto didn't know. Gaining all the power he had...even killing his brother didn't bring him peace.
Only one thing - one person - could accomplish such a thing.
"I did find it. But not where you thought I would." He saw a look of confusion flicker through the blue eyes.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke didn't answer with words. He continued to gaze at the clouds as he shifted his hand just enough for his fingers to intertwine with the tanned ones before he squeezed the hand slightly.
Nothing else needed to be said.
-----
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?