Naruto belongs to Kishimoto.
Worth- Part 7
When Sasuke woke up, it was evening, the light coming through the blinds warmer than before. Naruto was facing away from him, his arms curled against his chest, and his blonde hair tangled and spread across the mattress.
Sasuke sat up, and barely held in a groan. He ached all over- his limbs heavy with the dull pain of overexertion, and his ass hurting from another kind of overexertion entirely. That blow to his dignity was softened somewhat when he turned his attention to Naruto. The tanned stretch of the other man's back was interrupted with raw red scratches, scored by Sasuke's nails.
The air was pleasantly cool and still, and Sasuke found himself almost /comfortable/ listening to the unfamiliar sound of someone else's steady breathing as they slept.
It didn't take Naruto long to wake. He shifted and sighed- a long resigned sort of exhalation. One hand ventured to his back, and Sasuke watched him trace the marks there, puzzled, questing fingers.
Are you not going to let them heal
Sasuke was surprised at how husky his own voice was. Naruto seemed to digest the question for a while, before letting his hand drop back down.
He rolled over, stretching catlike, so that shafts of sunlight striped his lithe body. Sasuke let himself watch without any kind of self-recrimination, because Naruto was beautiful. It was unexpected that beauty; unexpected and bittersweet.
Are you hungry
Naruto sat and swung his legs over the side of his bed, rubbing his hair roughly with lean fingers. Sasuke leaned back on his elbows and watched.
I certainly am.
Naruto answered himself, before casting a look back at Sasuke. His blue eyes were oddly serious, his mouth curved in a sad sort of smile.
Coffee would be nice.
Sasuke managed, rubbing a hand across his face. It was strange to meet Naruto's eyes, and remember how they had looked, burning and hooded with lust. And even before that- red and pulsing with hate.
Naruto yawned so widely that Sasuke could hear his jaw crack.
I can get you that.
He mumbled, getting to his feet and grabbing a pair of boxers from the floor. He was so endearingly sleepy, stumbling over his own discarded trousers, and kicking a few crumpled scrolls away as he shuffled through the lounge. Sasuke took a deep breath and then stood, wincing slightly.
He hurt, all over, and he felt weaker, and more emotionally drained than he had ever felt before, more even than when he had woken up from the nightmare of killing Naruto- and found it was true.
Sasuke felt however, that something had been resolved. Not the stupid, complicated issues of betrayal, and duty- but instead the old, tired problem they had always had. The rivalry that they had been tied to for so long seemed less like a painful burden, lighter, and calmer.
He could smell coffee, and dared himself to smile, to get up, and to hope.
-
Sakura watched Sasuke as he sat before the council. Naruto wasn't there, and his absence both worried her, and excited her. He could have passed on the verdict of the hearing because he couldn't bear to see Sasuke again, but Sakura got a strange feeling that it wasn't true. Something about the vaguely satisfied warmth in Sasuke's expression as he sat down. Something about the way his eyes fliickered briefly to the window.
Uchiha Sasuke.
The council members never really aged. They had probably been born old, Sakura thought, smiling at her frivolity. She felt a funny lighthearted cheer about the whole thing really. Because council or no council, she discovered that she /had/ forgiven Sasuke, and it was liberating.
We have come to a decision regarding your actions. Although the nature of your crime was great, evidence has confirmed that you were. . .
She tuned the drone of voices out, and watched Sasuke instead. He seemed, on the surface, to be sombre, paying close attention to ever word. But Sakura knew that pose of his well enough- his hands clasped, his gaze bland- to know that behind his serious front he was in another place entirely.
... . Because of this the decision has been made to approve your reinstatement as a Konoha ninja.
Just like that. Sasuke was forgiven, in a strictly legal sense perhaps, by the home town he had betrayed. Sakura knew however, that Sasuke was barely interested in Konoha's acceptance. He was waiting for confirmation to fall from someone else's lips.
As the scrolls were signed, and Tsunade drew the hearing to a close, Sakura saw Sasuke glance outside again, at a energetic group of six year olds thundering down the street, lead by an equally energetic teacher, trailing a scroll behind him like a banner.
As she approached Sasuke, he spoke, quietly, barely audible over the bustle of the council leaving.
I asked him if he was coming.
Sakura gripped her dress, hope freezing her to the spot. Sasuke sounded, almost affectionate.
And he said, only if I needed him too.
He turned, serious eyes and straight dark hair, and Sakura extended a hand.
How about some tea? As a celebration
She didn't say whether it was for being reinstated as a ninja, or for speaking with Naruto, but Sasuke knew what she really meant- she saw him almost smile.
-
It was crowded at the tea stand, and Sasuke and Sakura were forced to sit shoulder to hip, knees brushing. Where before it would have made Sakura blush with childish excitement, instead her excitment was more muted- a blush low in her stomach instead of across her face. It was no longer disheartening that Sasuke had that sort of effect on her.
You- talked to Naruto
Sasuke nodded, pouring himself and Sakura the tea, he pushed it towards her with a nod, and for the briefest moment their fingertips brushed.
I did.
He took a tiny sip, to test the temperature, then swept his hair back and took a larger sip. Sakura watched his throat working for quite a while before she noticed the marks. Red raw blotches, all the way down his neck, disappearing beyond the neck of his t-shirt.
At first she thoughtoh god, they fought' but the marks were - strangely shaped- not like the grip of a strangle hold, or the jolt of a jab to the neck. They looked far too like bite marks- a whole chain of them, vivid against his pale skin.
Oh, so he /talked/ to Naruto.
Did you sort things out
Sakura was surprised at how bitter she felt. Surely she had seen this coming? Her role in Sasuke and Naruto's relationship was as a middle ground, helping them to get to where they needed to be- to have each other. She had fullfilled her purpose.
Probably not.
Sasuke glanced at her, and raised a hand to his neck, brushing the bitemarks carefully, his dark eyes almost amused.
It wasn't exactly. . . fulfilling.
It felt to Sakura that he was leaving something unsaid; that his wry little smile had another meaning behind it.
What do you mean
She mumbled, annoyed. When had Naruto and Sasuke become so damned /similar? It seemed, that in becoming miserable, Naruto's humour had become a little darker- and Sasuke had miraculously developed a sense of humour of his own, that was achingly like Naruto's.
Sasuke stared fixedly at his tea for a second,completely lost in thought. Sakura wondered if he was remembering sex with Naruto; and felt a burn of jealousy.
I mean
His voice was measured and serious, his eyes thoughtfully fixed to the rim of the cup before him.
I wish you had been there too.
In the bustle of the tea-stand, Sakura found a sudden, impenetrable silence. A cold, confused little corner, where the warmth of the paper lamps couldn't reach.
Sasuke glanced at her, then sighed; such an infuriatingly /tolerant/ smile. Sakura couldn't move at all- as he leaned over, hooking his hand over the back edge of her seat, and removing her cup from her shaking hands - placing it carefully on the counter.
He waited for a moment, face close, and eyes still dark and amused. His eyes had been so cold before- and now, Sakura stuttered to herself, now they were warm. When had that happened?
When she thought about it, his eyes had been warm ever since that day in the courtyard, when he had told her he had never liked it when she cried.
He kissed her with another tolerant sort of sigh, curling one arm carefully around her back and brushing his tonge ever so gently across her lower lip. It was the kind of silly, romantic kiss she had dreamed of as a teenager; and Sakura appreciated the irony.
Of course, after the dream-kisses, she and Sasuke had gone on a dream-date through the village and he had let her wind a possesive arm around his waist. She doubted such a sickening display would ever be neccessary in reality.
He tasted of tea, which made sense, with his cup still steaming on the counter like that. He didn't taste of mfresh mint, or sunshine, or sugar clouds, like she had always imagined- and it was much nicer feeling his breath on her cheek as he exhaled slowly through his nose.
When he pulled back he pressed a finger down he cheek and gave her a slight smile.
Sakura thought about what it meant. She had once told Naruto that they didn't have a friendship- only a threesome. It had been a shot in the dark really, a desperate argument that had surfaced as she grappled for a way to explain how group seven /worked/. She had never imagined that it would be so accurate.
Suppose so.
She said, unable to lift the little frown from her features.
What about Naruto
Sasuke tilted head from side to side, as if he was weighing the situation up.
I guess
He said eventually, taking a sip of his tea.
We will just have to wait and see.
-
Naruto watched his class scatter, some headed to play some violent version of hide and seek, some off home for an early dinner, and others away to train; like dedicated little ninjas. He smiled to himself, and shoved his hands into his pockets.
Sasuke had left his flat a little under twenty four hours before, but he was still unsettled, as if the other man were still there. Naruto wasn't sure if it was a good kind of unsettled, or a bad kind- but he knew one thing for certain.
He wasn't /angry/ anymore.
And with that revelation still settling around him, he was just about ready to go home; clean up his flat, wash the sheets and deal with his problems later. But Kakashi was waiting for him; perched casually on the school wall, one of those bloody books dangled languidly from long fingers.
He said, dryly, slipping from the wall with feline grace.
I'm a little late.
Naruto felt like scowling. No sensei, he grumbled to himself, You're irritatingly on time.
I thought we should talk.
Kakashi offered, after they had walked for nearly five minutes. Naruto shurgged.
Sasuke was reinstated.
He added, some time after. Naruto was tempted to shrug again.
That's good.
He was surprised by how pleased he actually was. Somehow, the idea of Sasuke being around again- to fight with and shag senseless every now and then- was a rather attractive one. They probably would never be able to coexist in blissful domesticity, but on some level, Naruto imagined the relationship would work; if they took their time.
It was an about turn so swift, it might have knocked the breath from some people, but Naruto was a fickle, shifting person. It felt surprisingly natural making Sasuke coffee in the evening, having a brief argument about soup versus cereal for breakfast, and then watching him slope off down the road, dark head bowed
Kakashi smiled, tilting his head and stopping in the middle of the street. He rummaged around in his pockets for a while, with very little urgency. Kakashi rarely did anything with any urgency.
Here you go.
He stretched out his hand towards Naruto, who blinked at the sudden glare of sunset on polished metal. Kakashi held a Konoha headband- Sasuke's headband, still battered and scratched. Naruto remembered waking up and finding it, cast away, after Sasuke had run from his betrayal.
He took it and sighed, weighing the metal plate carefully in his hand. It was hard for him to remember the anger, after hearing how Sasuke had felt; after understanding the wordless message behind frenzied kisses, and desperate, gentle fingers.
Mm, I'm to give this back him then, yeah
Kakashi nodded then shoved one hand in his pocket, reopening his book in the other.
If you want to.
He shrugged, and turned to go, so casually unconcerned. Naruto had to stifle a smiled. Nowadays he could read through Kakashi's nochalance. He knew that behind that lazy front the older man was really on a hair trigger- waiting for his response.
Naruto said, brightly.
Why not
Had it been Tsunade, she probably would have reacted to his cheerful little statement with an explosive sort of screech, and a frenzied, on the spot interrogation. However, if there was one thing Naruto had learnt, it was that /nothing/ surprised Kakashi. He just raised a hand in parting, and strolled off, his attention already no doubt captured by the X-rated tales of Jungo, and his formidable string of ladies.
-
Naruto, supposedly was headed home. He was taking the longer, roundabout route, however, because he felt strangely /comfortable/ wandering the evening streets of Konoha. He had Sasuke's headband tucked neatly in the pocket of his vest; a friendly weight against his hip. He supposed that if he ran into Sasuke, he would be quite pleased to see him. Sakura too- he felt a pang of guilt, about how he had treated her recently.
Naruto knew himself that he wasn't particularily good at organising his feelings. He always knew what he wanted, but he never knew in what order they ranked at all. At that moment he rather wanted a bowl of ramen, and he knew that he wanted Sasuke, and that he wanted Sakura.
He placed the ramen first, due to immediate need, but Sasuke and Sakura fell in that urgent middle ground- where either would be lovely, and both would be convenient if nothing else.
More than convenient. He nearly groaned out loud at the thought. Sasuke /and/ Sakura. He felt vaguely that if he did any more with Sasuke he would have a burning need to share it with Sakura somehow- and he doubted she would appreciate /hearing/ about it in great detail.
Naruto shook his head, and strolled on, allowing himself to- just for a moment/imagine/.
And he was still imagining when he turned a corner and was faced with Sakura /and/ Sasuke, walking slowly towards him. Their heads were ducked, as if they were talking about something fascinating, and, as Naruto watched, Saske smirked and flicked a finger at Sakura's fringe, dark eyes affectionate.
It was just a little too like the start of his imaginings, infact- and Naruto found himself almost wordless. His desire for ramen swiftly and graciously relinquished first place to another kind of desire entirely.
Sakura looked delighted to see him, and Sasuke's expression, almost unreadable, might have been warm.
He waited for them, before giving Sasuke an awkward sort of nod for a greeting, and tugging gently on Sakura's hair.
How about we go for some ramen
Sakura suggested, tentatively, standing almost as a bridge between the two men. Naruto pretended to think about it, humming and hah-ing, He grinned.
Sasuke looked visibly relieved.
As long as HE pays
Naruto added, with a playful jap in the centre of Sasuke's chest. Sakura looked at him as if he hed gone completely mad, green eyes wider than he thought was possible.
Naruto winked at her and turned, striding off in the direction of Ichiraku ramen, a spring in his step. Distinctly, behind him he heard Sasuke sigh wearily, and then say,
Whatever. I'll pay.
For some reason, the other man's tone made him grin even wider.
-
Naruto thought he had every right to take advantage of Sasuke's generous offer, so he ordered an extra/extra/ large bowl of miso; a portion size which had been invented for him specially.
Some things never change.
Sasuke commented, dryly, taking a stool on Naruto's left. Sakura was seated on his right- and Naruto wondered if it was an intentional arrangement. Had he been lured by the sweet promise of ramen, only to be interrogated? Perhaps they wanted to have their wicked way with him!
He sniggered, snapping open his chopsticks. It wasn't as if he was going to complain or anything.
He dug into his bowl with gusto, watching Sasuke and Sakura aternately from the corner of his eye. Sasuke looked fairly calm, but the occasional glance towards Sakura betrayed him as nervous. Sakura was just downright shaken, frowning at her noodles and stirring them vacantly.
The way Sasuke cast his eyes over Sakura was almost protective, and Naruto sniggered, spurting miso soup over his chin. Sakura just sighed and handed him a napkin, but Sasuke looked puzzled.
What is so funny
Naruto slurped up the last of his noodles and wiped his face. He was really tempted just- to /show/ Sasuke what he had been thinking about.
Well I was just wondering.
Sakura looked up from her barely touched bowl, sweeping her hair back in that way that made Naruto really want to kiss her.
Would guys like to have sex with me? Y'know, at the same time
There was a long, gravid, pause. Then Sakura said Just as Sasuke said
The following pause was even longer. Naruto looked at his empty bowl, and at Sakura's wide shocked eyes. Then turned to look at Sasuke, who looked completely torn, as everything in his life hung on whatever Naruto or Sakura said next.
I was just thinking about it, y'know? I guess it's your decision though.
Naruto smiled- then rummaged in his pocket.
Oh yeah. I forgot.
He laid the headband on the counter and pushed it towards Sasuke.
Gotta give you this, right
Sasuke looked at the headband, then at Naruto, then back at the headband. His expression was almost comedic in its bewilderment. Very carefully he picked it up, and tilted it between his hands. It took him a little while to tie it, on, because his fingers were shaking a little, and fumbling over the knot.
Suits you.
Naruto said with a wink, and Sasuke leaned forward and kissed him, shifting his head so sharply that Naruto felt the clink of the two headbands knocking together. It was a gentler sort of kiss than their frantic efforts of the day before.When Sasuke pulled back Naruto smiled at him and slid from his chair, turning and offering Sakura his hand.
You coming
Sakura's mouth moved, but no sound came out. She blinked, and Naruto squeezed her hand gently, sliding his thumb along her wrist. Behind him Sasuke finished paying and gave her a serious look over Naruto's shoulder.
We can just go to his flat and have some coffee.
Sasuke's statement might have been more soothing had Naruto not been leering up at her while he said it. Sakura wondered if it was a good idea. But then she had been wondering whether things were a good idea all her life, and she was rather tired of it.
A-all right.
As soon Sakura got down from her chair she was immediately tucked under Naruto's arm, and a reassuring little kiss was pressed to her brow. Sasuke stood and watched, with his hands shoved in his pockets and a little smile on his lips.
On the way home, Sakura walked in the shelter of Naruto's arm, and Sasuke walked on his other side, close enough that their arms brushed with every step.
-
It took Sakura three cups of coffee and an hours worth of meaningless conversation to relax. She leaned in against Naruto, and soon her attempts at directing the conversation to safe topics trailed off.
You really- want to don't you
She asked, just generally. Naruto responded by sliding his hand down her side and kissing her, Sasuke simply nodded.
Not just once as well
Naruto murmured, leering at Sasuke.
Sakura suprised both men with a sudden burst of laughter. She shifted closer to Naruto and pressed her nose softly against his arm.
Lots and lots, tonight
Naruto knew what she was asking, despite her subtle, lighthearted manner. He smiled and winked discreetly at Sasuke.
And tomorrow, and next wednesday. And on my birthday.Don't forget my brithday.
Sasuke interjected, droll. Naruto shot him a mock glare.
Stop interrupting, you
Sakura waited for them to stop teasing each other, watching with her chin reasing against Naruto's side. She waited for Naruto to stop poking Sasuke's shin, and then for him to stop trying to grope the other man.
She said finally, once she was certain that she would get their full attention.
If you plan on lots and lots, then you had better stop messing around, hadn't you.
It certainly got their attention.
AN: Thanks for all the reviews. This is the last full chapter, but there is an epilogue to go. I hope you have all enjoyed reading this!