Chapter 7: Let's Forgive and Forget
Naruto's P.O.V.
When I came downstairs Suigetsu was sprawled all over the couch. I got the forgotten blanket and laid it over his body.
"He worked so hard to help clean my house yesterday. I think I'll make him breakfast."
Just as I went into the kitchen to start cooking the doorbell rang.
"I wonder who could be here this early?"
Sasuke's P.O.V.
When I rang the doorbell it was about nine o'clock in the morning. Naruto had answered the door with a bright smile, which caused me to smile too.
"I already knew he was two inches smaller than me, but now that he's a girl he's about four inches shorter."
I tried to fight a blush when I saw he was wearing the long white t-shirt, with my family's fan on it, I gave him.
"Ha-ha Score 1 for Sasuke."
His hair was twisted in a long braid and his eyes sparkled in the morning sun.
"Sasuke? You're early."
"Yeah well I figured I'd get a head start."
"Well come in. You hungry? I was just getting ready to make breakfast."
"Sure."
He turned to walk back into the kitchen. I closed and locked the door before I propped my sword against the wall.
"Looks like they cleaned up yesterday."
I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard snoring coming from the couch. I crept over to a sleeping Suigetsu.
"He looks so content. Time for a wakeup call."
I leaned in closer to his ear and whispered…
"Suigetsu…"
"Huh?"
His eyes were drooped as he turned to look at me. I smiled and said…
"Boo."
He jumped up and landed face first on the floor after her screamed like a girl.
"Play nice boys." Naruto called from the kitchen.
"SASUKE? WHAT THE HELL?"
"Naruto's fixing breakfast and I didn't want you to miss it. Besides… you'll be leaving soon."
"Hn. Over possessive prick." He snorted.
"By the way… tell Sai and Jūgo not to interfere today" I growled.
"Oh, why is that?"
"I have a lot to make up for." I said as I hung my head low.
"Until I have made things right with him… My Uchiha Pride will have to be buried."
"Yes. You do."
"BREAKFAST IS READY!"
Both of us got up to go into the kitchen, but right before we entered Suigetsu stopped me.
"Remember Sasuke… This is your last chance. Like you said… Anyone who hurts Naruto… WILL BE EMLIMITANTED… Make it count."
While we were eating I zoned out. I could barely hear some of the stories Suigetsu was telling Naruto. After we finished, I washed the dishes while Naruto walked Suigetsu to the door. I heard Naruto talking to him as he gave him one of the flowers he picked the other day. When I finished, I plopped down on the couch and waited for him to walk back into the living room.
"So Sasuke, what's on today's agenda?"
"There are some things I have to say to you… but not here."
"Where than?"
"Just get dressed you'll see."
"Fine, but I have to go to the grocery store first."
He walked upstairs to do his morning routine. He came down dressed in a black short-sleeve shirt, with both sleeves hanging off his shoulders, hugging his body nicely. Pale orange shorts that stopped at his wrists, knee high Shinobi sandals with his hair in a tight ponytail and two fox clips to keep his one bang out of his face. His black Shinobi headband was tied loosely around his neck.
"Ready?" He asked me.
"Yeah."
We walked to the grocery store. Along the way we met Kiba, Hinata, Shino, and Shikamaru. By the time we were able to be alone again, it was two o'clock. I led him to the park and into a pile of flowers where we settled in silence.
"Naruto."
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"What?" He said with confusion in his voice.
"I'm sorry."
"No, no, no I heard you. It's just… I'm confused. Why are you apologizing? If it's about yesterday…"
"Naruto… They told me… Everything."
"… … … Everything…?"
I nodded.
Naruto's P.O.V.
My eyes widen in shock.
"How could they tell him? I didn't want him to know. And yet… I can't help, but smile."
"So then… you know, huh?"
"Yeah."
I took a deep breath before standing.
"Naruto~"
"Follow me."
I soon heard his footsteps shuffling behind me as he followed me deeper into the woods. We stopped in the middle of a shady clearing surrounded by trees… away from everyone. He stopped at the end of the clearing while I continued walking until I reached the middle. When I turned to face him, my heart broke when I saw his sad expression.
"Sasuke… I'm sorry. You weren't supposed to know."
"But why? Why didn't you want to tell me Naruto?"
"… … I didn't want to burden you…"
"Huh?"
"I just counted my blessings that you were back. I wanted us to go back to the way we were before you left. I figured by hiding the truth from you… I could save what little bit of peace you worked so hard to obtain with me. I'm sorry. I guess I should've~"
I felt his long pale fingers wrap around my wrist to pull me into a heartfelt bone crushing hug.
"Naruto. This whole time… I worked day in and day out to make sure that you were ok. To make sure that we're ok. I was so happy when you forgave m, but even after that… I could sense something was wrong but I couldn't figure it out until they had to spell it out for me."
He paused for a moment. I heard him sniffle a little before a tear drop fall on my shoulder. My arms, which were currently at my sides, snaked between us to grip the front of his shirt so I could bury my face in his chest. He shivered when the metal of my headband touched his bare chest. While he cried… so did I. It wasn't until later, that Sasuke decided to speak.
"But the thing that hurt the most was not knowing that I held the most important item in my hands. You gave it to me and I was too stupid to realize it. Please forgive me."
I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. Both our faces were stained with tears. I tugged on his shirt to pull his face close to mine. As I stood on my toes, my eyes fluttered closed and our mouths were centimeters apart. He connected our lips together. Each second was like heaven to me.
"His lips are so soft and warm against mine. Kissing him feels so right."
He pulled away to put our foreheads together.
"There is nothing to forgive. All that matters is that you're back and that you're with me. Please stay with me… please?"
He just smiled and kissed mu forehead before whispering…
"Always."
…
…
…
We stayed like this for a few minutes before we walked hand-in-hand, fingers interlocked to get some ice cream. We went to the park where he pushed me on the swings and played hide-n-go-seek.
"It felt as though we were best friends who were seven years old playing with each other. When sunset came around I dragged Sasuke to the tree, planted on the top of the hill overlooking the plank and river. Sasuke sat with his back against the tree while I sat in his lap, nesting against his chest. He wrapped his arms protectively around me as we watched the sun set for the first time together since we were twelve years old."
Sasuke's P.O.V.
The only sounds were the river, the leaves rustling in the night breeze, and my Dobe's light breathing.
"He looks so cute."
I threw one of his arms around my neck and lifted him, bridal-style, in my arms.
"His body is so small and frail."
While I was walking, Naruto started to yawn.
"Where *yawn* are we going?"
"To your house Naruto."
"*YAWN* Hey Sasuke?"
"Huh?"
"Aren't you bothered by my new appearance?"
"Nope. I don't care if you were a snail… I'd still love you Naruto."
I pulled his shoes off and climbed into the bed next to him and pulled the cover over us.
"I *yawn* love you too, Sasuke."
I kissed his eye lids as he snuggled close to me.
"Good night Naruto."