A/N: Well this is it. A short chapter to round out the story. I apologize if everyone seems a bit ooc in this story. Especially in these last few chapters. The initial excitement I had at the beginning faded a lot when I picked it back up. I didn't want the story to suffer too much, and I really hope it didn't. Thank you to everyone reading this. ^.^ I adore this pairing. Also, it picks up right where the last chapter left off unlike the previous ones. Enjoy.
Chapter Naruto
Sasuke stares, all anger, all feeling draining from him. He's left with a nice numb sensation as he continues to simply stare. Eventually Naruto starts squirming under the scrutiny; refusing to meet the eyes boring into him. The silence stretches on for countless minutes before time starts again.
"Sorry that was-"
"Did you mean-"They say at the same time.
"You go ahead," Naruto offers, scratching the back of his neck.
"Did you mean that; all of it?" His eyes remain intense, taking in all of Naruto for the answers he needs.
"Of course, I really do think you're a bastard sometimes." His laugh is humorless, avoiding. Well no more of that, Sasuke decides.
"No. the…You love me? Since when?"
"Since we were like fourteen I guess. Before all he gang stuff and the drugs. I've done my best not to show it I guess, especially since you said you were interested in someone."
"What the Fuck Naruto?!" He shouts this without thinking, knowing it would be misunderstood.
"I'm sorry, I am. I've ruined our friendship haven't I?" He's already looking for his things to leave when Sasuke moves to stop him.
"No, no… Just…Do you know how damn worried I have been about how you'd react if I made a move?! And you go saying you love me so easily. Idiot!" Sasuke growls, stomping to his bedroom. He's not entirely sure why he's mad but he feels completely justified for it."
"What? Wait…What?"
"You heard me." Sasuke punctuates the sentence by slamming the door closed. He sits on the bed, head in hands trying to absorb the last few minutes. Damn! That isn't how this was supposed to go! I can't believe- The weak tapping at his door breaks through the mental berating.
"Hey, Not really how I wanted to do it, but we still on for dinner? Call it a date."
Silence.
"Come on, please. I know you're listening. Just say yes already."
"Fine."
Half an hour later the two find themselves at their usual spot on hangover days. It's a nice little Japanese place, one they've been to a hundred times. Naruto of course ordered a huge bowl of ramen while Sasuke opted for a sushi plate. The only difference between tonight and any other night was the silence. It seemed neither really knew how to act now and years of friendship had been thrown out the window for all the awkwardness of a first date.
"Right. Well this is going terribly. If you expect this to go anywhere the next date better be more entertaining than this Naruto," Sasuke says with a smirk.
"Next? So I get another," He asks, genuinely surprised.
"Of course, idiot. Eat your fishcake or I'm stealing it."
"Over my dead body!"
The familiar air washes over them and the night becomes a lot easier. They are so consumed in their own little world they don't see the other blonde/brunette pair watching from the corner of the restaurant. Nor Guy handing cash over to Kakashi at the bar. Or Sakura and Kiba coming in, chattering away and soaked from a sudden downpour. Definitely not Tobi until he comes by with their check and a 'told you so' for Sasuke. No, for now they are in a bubble of what finally could be.
