(Chapter 3)

Closed off from love

I didn't need the pain

Once or twice was enough

And it was all in vain

Something happened for the very

First time with you

And everyone's looking around

Thinking I'm going crazy

I don't care what they say I'lm in love with you

My heart's crippled by the vain I kept closing

I keep bleeding love.

Keep bleeding love

You cut me open

And it's draining all of me…"

-Leona Lewis

A soft pitter patter alerted Naruto to the coming storm. Caught off guard, and without an umbrella, he hurried to reach his and Sasuke's apartment. Though it was nearby, he still was soaked. He had a feeling it would rain, but unfortunately he had ignored his instincts, which were usually right. It was with slippery hands that he unlocked the door to their apartment. It didn't escape his notice that Sasuke wasn't back yet.

"Where are you? Working away I'm sure."

Though he'd meant it honestly, a knot was beginning to form in his stomach. Sasuke had been coming home late, very late, each day, and would be gone before Naruto woke up in the morning. And every day Naruto would fix a meal for two-a meal that usually ended in him having dinner alone. There was just something in the worried stares Sakura had been given him lately and the odd conversations that he'd been having with friends from Sasuke's office. They left him with many questions. Questions that he wanted to ask Sasuke, who didn't seem to want to give him the chance to talk. And that made the knot of nerves grow even tighter.

He quickly fixed pasta….for two. Hoping that Sasuke would come through that door at any second. He needed to see those dark eyes directed at him. Desired for the strong touch that those big hands could offer. He ached for Sasuke. Not just physically, though he would welcome it, but mentally as well. A part of him was screaming for just a little time would Sasuke.

He dipped the now cooked noodles into separate bowls.

"I think I'll take wine tonight."

He didn't really like to drink any kind of alcohol. Naruto liked to be aware of the state he was in, and only when he was feeling really down in the dumps did he reach for that suddenly nice looking bottle. His anxiety and Sasuke's growing absence was putting him in such a mood.

Naruto closed his eyes. He imagined Sasuke was present. He would reach those long fingers and drag them lazily through his hair. Sasuke would breathe deeply into Naruto's shoulder and sigh, kissing his jugular softly. He would mutter "I missed you," and then hustle Naruto off to the bedroom. The fantasy was enough to arouse Naruto.

Just when he was readying himself to take a sip straight from the bottle of vintage wine, the door flung open. Startled he knocked the bottle over. It's red contents flowing out to stain the white carpet.

But he didn't make a move because at that moment all he could focus on was Sasuke. His Sasuke, who was standing in the doorway, breathing heavily, with raindrops rolling off him.

Naruto lurched forward.

"Oh Sasuke, look at you! The rain got me too, but wow…you got worse!"

He made a move to take Sasuke's briefcase, but a pale hand stopped him.

"Naruto, we need to talk."

It was a solemn statement that made Naruto shutter. Eyes wide his movements instantly. Every movie he'd ever seen and every relationship he'd ever knew never, not once, constituted "we need to talk" as a good thing. That was why his breath momentarily stopped, and he scrambled for something to say.

"How about we talk over dinner?"

Naruto moved to set the silverware. Still ignoring the red liquid that had seeped into their carpet.

"I'm trying out this new recipe for pasta. I added a little more green peppers and some spices to the sauce. I think you'll like it though."

"Naruto…"

He continued to set the table. Busily, trying to ignore Sasuke and the puddle that was slowly creating around him.

"Well, I've had an alright day. It's been busy at the bakery. You wouldn't believe how many people are ordering chocolate strawberries. It's not even Valentine's Day yet!"

Something was screaming at him to keep talking. Keep the conversation going because otherwise the handsome man he loved, Sasuke Uchiha, couldn't say whatever horrible thing it was that was on his mind.

"Listen Naruto…"

Naruto's heart beat faster. He knew it was something bad. He looked at Sasuke who had yet to move from his wet spot, and continued his rambling.

"Come on, sit down, and eat. You must be hungry with all the stress you've under at work-"

"NARUTO!"

He dropped the fork he'd been holding. Never had he heard Sasuke speak so fiercely to him. It wasn't that he doubted that Sasuke could be so harsh. It's just he never dreamed that tone would be directed at him.

"What are we doing Naruto? Really what are we doing?"

He jumped at the now frustrated and desperate voice Sasuke was using. He had moved from his standstill to pace around their kitchen. Never once looking at Naruto.

"This is a game we're playing. A sick game. This isn't working, and I know you know it's not either. We can't pretend we're in a perfect relationship. We can't fake love. Naruto, I started this game, but this was bound to happen sooner or later."

It was his turn to be rooted to the spot. Don't say it. Don't say it Sasuke.

Said lover was still pacing, a trail of water following him.

"I don't know any other way to say this, Naruto. I'm a lawyer, but even I can't find out what's right to say. With all the cases I've, won, I can't find a damn right thing to say to you. I don't deserve you, and I don't want your forgiveness, but even so…even so, Naruto, I-I don't…love you."

His brain skipped over Sasuke's last three words. Words that he couldn't possibly mean. Things that couldn't be true if he couldn't even look into his eyes to say them. Neither spoke. Both facing opposite directions, consumed with their own thoughts. It was as if Sasuke was waiting for some kind of response. Hesistantly he walked towards Naruto to touch his shoulder lightly. He had to know. Know that Naruto understood what he'd said.

"Naruto…?"

Vaguely aware that he had started to cry, Naruto spun around.

"Is it because I didn't finish school? I can…I can go back. Make better grades and get a degree. Would you like that? I could even major in law. I'm not as smart as you or Gaara…"

Sasuke flinched at his name. Even looking in those misty baby blues, he couldn't erase the image of dangerous aqua eyes and pale lips kissing him sensually.

"Or is it my cooking? I can make different things. Just tell whatever it is and I'll do it! I swear to you I'll do it."

Sasuke jerked his arm out of Naruto's desperate grip. He wasn't prepared for this. He didn't know how break ups worked, but he expected Naruto to take the news a little better. Mentally, he slapped himself for the selfish thought. Naruto wasn't cold and calculating like him. Of course he would be upset. He couldn't take the tears of the rosy lips. He prepared himself to say the worst.

"Naruto, I'm in love with someone else. There's nothing you can do."

Compared to other men his age, Naruto might've been a little small, but he was all muscle. And with every inch of that muscle he threw himself at Sasuke, knocking over a bowl of hot pasta in the process.

Sasuke didn't move at the death grip Naruto had on the collar of his shirt. He didn't shutter as Naruto looked at him, eyes wild with hurt and anger.

"When I was lonely, were you off kissing someone else? Keeping them company? What did I do? What did I do that made you want someone else?!"

The accusation caused something deep within Sasuke to squirm with guilt. He didn't like it. He didn't like complicated situations, especially when the the situations were 100% his fault. His cold parents had never taught him any other way than to be analytical. To observe life, and take what you want, and disregard what you didn't.

And so with the iciest look he could manage, he threw Naruto's arms off him, and walked out. Without his clothes and other items, he left.

"You can't leave. I'll bring you back Sasuke. I'll make you come back. Please, please come back."

Without any emotions at all and ignoring Naruto's faint whimpers, he slammed the door behind.

----

Gaara smirked at the mess of a man in front of him. The minute Sasuke had walked through the door his lower regions had twitched in response. Not because of Sasuke. Though the sight of him soaked through and frazzled staring up at his with lust-filled eyes was indeed very appealing. It was the cause of such a state that truly aroused Gaara.

"You told him I assume?"

Sasuke nodded, and wiped a hand through his slicked back hair. He could hardly believe he had gone through with it. It was a little sickening how he had treated Naruto as if he was just an everyday client of his. Even so, the important thing was that he'd done it.

"Did he cry? He loves-loved-you so much."

Gaara pressed his dry form against Sasuke, and began to slowly move against him.

"Yes…He didn't take it well."

Sasuke moaned as Gaara quickened the pace of his dry humping.

"I bet he whimpered for you to stay."

Gaara had never been so hard. He pictured Naruto bent down, on the brink of insanity. Confused and lost without his former boyfriend. Those eyes must have been at their bluest.

He moved harder against the wet body beneath him. Picturing Naruto brought him to the brink. Gaara moaned in ectasy.

Tomorrow…he would be paying Naruto a little visit. He chuckled darkly to himself.

The future was looking more and more promising.

Woo…that took a lot out of me. Yeah, don't you just want to hug Naruto?

I know some of you having been asking about my other story Unspoken Terror. I just uploaded the third chapter. I promise you'll like it!

Anyway thanks for all the reviews! Please continue to send them in. I love each one I get.

-Izzy