The quiet drifting snow had turned into a pretty strong storm.

"Sasuke!" Naruto cried as he ran to catch up with his dark haired love. Sasuke stopped and turned around. "Sasuke, don't go! Please don't leave me! Please. . . ." he pleaded, falling to his knees, warm tears staining his face.

"I'm sorry, I have no choice," said Sasuke, crying for the first time since that dreaded day Itachi killed their clan, "I have to do it. I have to kill my brother. There's no other way."

"Yes there is, let me-"

"No!" Sasuke barked. "I-I can't lose you too. You're the only one I have left to love. I-I-I don't know how I could live with myself knowing I was the reason you died. I just don't."

"But think about how I would feel if I lost you. I've had nobody since day one. I don't want to lose the only person I've e-e-e-ever l-l-l-l-lovedddd." Naruto cried through chattering teeth. His lips were turning blue and he was shaking violently. And for good reason, he had run out of the house with nothing but his Joe Boxer pants on. He risked freezing just to get the one he loved to stay. Sasuke picked him up and brought him back to the warmth and safety of the house. He laid Naruto down on his bed. He got Naruto under the covers and rubbed his body vigorously. Finally, Naruto's skin regained its color. Naruto was completely drained of energy and had fallen asleep and Sasuke sat in the bedroom doorway, worried about the health of the young blond. What the hell was he thinking? he thought, That wasn't the smartest thing he's done before. That's just his problem, he doesn't think. . . . . . Naruto tossed in his bed. Sasuke turned his attention to the sleeping ninja and noticed that he was breathing heavily. Sasuke jumped to his feet and rushed to his lover's bedside. Naruto was sweating and his face was flushed. "Oh, my God. Look what you've done now Dobe," Sasuke whispered mostly to himself. He placed a hand on Naruto's forehead for a moment and hastily pulled away. He was burning up and Sasuke knew he had to get the fever down ASAP! He ran to the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth and then dashed to the kitchen and seized the largest bowl he could find. Then he filled the bowl with ice water. When he got back to the bedroom, Sasuke set the water-filled bowl on the night stand and soaked the washcloth in it, then placed it on Naruto's forehead. Naruto recoiled to the touch of the cold washcloth but quickly got used to it and relaxed with a small groan.

"It's ok. You're going to pull through. You've got me, right?" Sasuke didn't know if Naruto was awake or not but it made him feel better to talk to him anyway. Once the cloth started to feel warm, Sasuke dipped it in the water again and replaced it on Naruto's hot face. Naruto stirred, opening his eyes and seeing a very blurry Sasuke.

"Sasuke?" His voice was hoarse and feeble. It pained Sasuke so to see the love of his life like this. But he but on a brave face for him and smiled and nodded.

"Yes. You're going to be ok. Here. . ." Sasuke climbed into bed and leaned Naruto against him. He reached over and pulled out a melting ice cube. "Suck on this. It'll feel good. Promise." Naruto opened his mouth and Sasuke popped it in. The best cooling sensation filled Naruto's mouth and went down his throat.

"Sasuke. . . . I.. I'm sorry" Naruto finally managed to say.

"Sorry? For what?"

"It... it's my fault you're here taking care of me. I...I shouldn't have gone after you like that. I guess I was being selfish. I know how much killing your brother means to you and because of me, you've probably lost him." Sasuke just looked at him stunned. It was his fault that Naruto was like this. Just then, Sasuke felt Naruto hiccuping hard. He was fighting a strong cry, snapping Sasuke out of his trance. He looked down at Naruto's face. He was lightly biting his lower lip and his eyes where shut tight to prevent tears from forming, which wasn't working. Tear's were streaming down his face. Sasuke just felt horrendous; he knew it was all his fault and now he felt that Naruto was fighting back the sobs because he was trying to be strong like him. But the truth was, he wasn't strong at all, he had kept everybody away from him for fear of getting hurt again. Sasuke cradled Naruto in his lap and rested his forehead on Naruto's and looked into his never-ending blue eyes full of tears. Naruto noticed that Sasuke's cold eyes had softened greatly.

"It's ok, you don't have to be brave, you can cry." he cooed. Naruto looked away from Sasuke's gaze.

"No I can't," he started, his voice unsteady, "if I do, then I won't be as strong as you. You always keep your cool and never get emotional, not like me. I'm just a loser." Sasuke pulled his head away.

"Hey, I'm the only one who can call you a loser and that's because I know you're not one. And you're wrong, I'm not strong. I'm afraid to show my feelings, ever since I was little. I wanted to show my brother, and especially my father that I could be as strong as them so I never cried, and after Itachi. . . well I never let anybody in to make sure I would never get hurt again. So it's ok, you can cry." Naruto didn't have to be told twice and started bawling. Remembering why Naruto was crying, Sasuke felt a wave of guilt. He pulled him close to his chest.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, it's all my fault and you don't have to be scared either, I'm here and as long as that is in effect, you will never get hurt. I promise." Naruto's sobs echoed through the empty house as the wind howled outside as the storm raged on.