For Better or Worse

Part 7

Reading guide

Italic - thoughts

"Normal speech"

'Quoted speech, words etc.

here is an extra long chapter. take it as a consolation for the long wait. and so, have a long read! hope you like it!


Crap, crap, crap, crap, was all Sasuke could come up with. His brother was home.

Sasuke took deep breaths to calm his pounding heart. How was he going to face his brother? Dammit. Even though Itachi had practically done the same thing about a year ago, Sasuke felt that it was worse on his part. Well he wasn't sure which one of their 'situations' was worse.

He didn't even want to think about it. Right now though, he needed to go and talk to his brother. He tried to get up but he was met with resistance. What the? Oh. He had forgotten that Neji had covered him up with his body along with a bed sheet.

"Sasuke…" Sasuke snapped out of his daze when Neji called out to him.

"Huh?" he answered stupidly. Had Neji asked him something?

"I said, are you okay to face your brother?"

"No" Sasuke didn't even want to lie.

"Will he be mad?"

"Stop asking stupid questions, I don't know how he is going to react. Besides, he has no right." Sasuke mumbled the last part.

"What? I didn't hear the last part."

"It doesn't matter."

"But I want to know." Neji Persisted.

"Why?" Sasuke snapped at Neji.

"Because your reluctance to say it makes me want to know"

"Sigh, it's nothing really." Sasuke hedged.

Neji realised that Sasuke wasn't going to crack anytime soon, if he did that is. So he tried a different tactic. He ground his naked body against Sasuke's naked one.

Sasuke moaned. But he quickly remembered that his brother was back. So he pressed his hands onto Neji's chest to push him off; Neji didn't even budge a muscle. Dammit, the strong bastard. Sasuke was strong, but in his current position, he didn't stand a chance against Neji.

If I were on top then I could pin him down. Sasuke flushed at the thought of being on top of Neji, pinning him down. Okay so his mind was still in the gutter from the sex they had just had, sue him.

"Sigh, Neji get off me."

"No" was a firm answer from Neji.

"Why?"

"Not until you tell me what you had said."

"Fine you want to know? Then fine, it's just that something like this had happened before." Sasuke began, then at Neji's look, he quickly corrected.

"Not me."

"Okay" Neji responded innocently as if he hadn't been wearing a murderous expression just a minute ago.

Sasuke recalled how it had happened.


They had been at one of many of the Uchiha's parties. That time, Sasuke had still been attending boarding school in England. However, he had come back for the holidays. Anyway, Itachi had been expected to do a welcome speech. But when the time came, he had been nowhere to be found; Sasuke and Itachi's assistant had looked everywhere. Itachi's phone had been switched off. After, asking one of Itachi's bodyguard's, whom Sasuke wished he had asked before running about blindly, they were told that Itachi had gone upstairs.

Sasuke had guessed which room his brother would likely be in, hiding away from the party crowd; the venue had been in one of the Uchiha's hotels.

Sasuke had dialled the number of the phone in the room, but it had been ignored. Sasuke had tried again, getting more and more annoyed as he listened to the tone that signalled that the phone had connected but was just being ignored.

Just when he had been about to hang up, his brother had answered. Dear god! Sasuke wished he had hanged up sooner…

"What?" Itachi had answered the phone.

"I can't believe you! Where the hell are you? Everyone is waiting for a speech and you just disappear just like that?" Sasuke had yelled. He had been so annoyed that he hadn't realised his brother's rugged breathing on the other end.

"I ca-ant… now. Figure something out. You're the… hah… the next presi... uh dent." Said Itachi, his voice cut out here and there by his moans and whoever was with him.

Sasuke had felt heat crawl up his neck to his face.

"Um, brother, should I even ask what you are doing? Never mind I don't want know! But you owe me big time." Sasuke had quickly hanged up the phone as if it had caught on fire.

Sasuke had been fine, well as fine as anyone could be after hearing your own brother have sex. That is, as long as he didn't have a name to attach to whoever had been with his brother. But alas, nothing ever went as he wished because, a few days later, when Itachi had begun shutting everyone else out, Sasuke had tried to talk to him. That is when he had been given the name of the stranger; Uzumaki Naruto.


"So you see. It's one of the things I don't ever want to relive" Sasuke finished.

"I see." Was all Neji could manage; he wanted to laugh, but he knew it wouldn't end well with Sasuke.

"But, Sasuke, we had already finished." Neji tried to point out the silver lining.

"That doesn't matter, as long as he knows what we were doing. And you were still inside you idiot." At the latter statement, Sasuke flushed.

Neji smirked. But he decided to give Sasuke a break.

"Do you want me to come with you? No never mind, it might just make your brother madder that you brought a guy home."
"No, he doesn't mind" I hope.

There was a knock on the door followed by a female voice.

"Young master, the master is calling for you. Both."

Sasuke groaned guessing what his brother's intentions were for the 'meeting'.


Itachi paced from one end of his office to another. He was furious. No. He wasn't furious nor was he pleased with Sasuke. So then, what was he feeling? Dammit he didn't know what he was feeling. But one thing was for sure, he was not happy with the situation.

Calming himself down, Itachi went and sat down in his home office chair. Maybe he was overreacting. Really, he didn't think he had a problem with Sasuke sleeping with anyone or bringing someone to their home. It was just, well, Sasuke was his little brother, and it was his job to look after him.

Sigh. Guess Sasuke was growing up. But that didn't make it any less infuriating. What if the guy was just playing with his little brother? And what if Sasuke gets serious and the guy doesn't? And what if the guy gets serious and Sasuke doesn't? Dammit either way, he didn't want his brother to be hurt or be an asshole. Maybe he should end things between them before one of them or both got serious. With that set in mind, Itachi sat back in his chair and waited for his little brother to come to the office.


Sasuke hesitated at his brother's office door. He wanted to turn around and run. However, he knew that he would only be delaying the inevitable. So he reached for the door handle and walked in with Neji behind him.

Facing his brother wasn't much of a problem to him. Not really. What was making him want to bolt was the fact that his brother's lack of 'like' for the Hyuugas was common knowledge. Itachi didn't like it already that Sasuke was friends with Hyuuga Neji. However sleeping with said Hyuuga was… well… Sasuke didn't know what that qualified as, to his brother.


When Sasuke and Neji stepped into the office, Itachi stood up from the chair hastily.

"Sasuke, what's the meaning of this? What is he doing here?" At the timid look on Sasuke's face and the guilt on Neji's, Itachi didn't have to call in a scientists, mathematician, or whoever, to do the math. Damn it! His little brother was sleeping with the Hyuuga.

Not wanting to lose his cool in front of the Hyuuga, Itachi quickly schooled his face into an expressionless mask. He sat back down.

Calmly, as opposed to how he felt inside, Itachi demanded.

"Explain. How long has this been going on?" the question wasn't exactly directed at Sasuke alone. But Sasuke figured he had to be the one answering; he didn't want to put Neji more on the spotlight.

"U...mm, that's complicated." He stammered.

"It's complicated or you don't want to explain?"

"That's not it, brother. It's just, we haven't quite figured out what this is yet."

"What do you mean?"

"Um... the thing is, well… you see… we didn't …umm. What I'm trying to say is… that. What am I trying to say?" Sasuke said stupidly. Dammit, he didn't want to put Neji on the spotlight, but come on, Neji could help him out a little! Sasuke felt so uncool. In front of Neji no less.

His brother wasn't helping the case at all; treating him like a little kid. And what was Sasuke supposed to say?

'You see brother, Neji kissed me, I found out he has a fiancée, when he said he has fallen for me I run away. He followed me home, and before I knew it he was inside me taking my virginity. Oh, when you found us? That was the second time he was inside me. So we pretty much haven't had the time to talk.' Sasuke didn't think that would go down so well. He understood that Itachi was just being a good big brother. But he had to let go sometime. Right?

Sasuke took a deep breath and tried to explain properly.

"What I was trying to say is…" well he still had no clue how to explain this. Fortunately for him, Neji came to the rescue.

"What Sasuke is trying to say is that we just got together, and we haven't had the time to talk about it."

"So you mean this is a onetime thing? Because as far as I have heard, you have a fiancée" Itachi asked nonchalantly. Oh, but he was furious.

"I don't love her, I don't even want her" Neji was getting angry now. What was Itachi's problem? Was it his business who his little brother slept with?

"The fact still remains. You are engaged" Itachi spat the word like it put a sour taste in his mouth. To Neji, the word made his gut flip; he was afraid Sasuke would realise the seriousness of it.

To Sasuke, though, the word just made him want Neji more. He wanted Neji for himself.

"Itachi. Enough! I know he has a fiancée. But I still want him. I don't know what we have going yet, but I want to give it a chance and see where we go from here okay. I know you are just looking out for me and it makes me happy. But I'm growing up. And it would make me happier to know that you would support me." The last part was whispered, but both Neji and Itachi heard it clearly. Sasuke kept his head down, waiting for Itachi's response.

"Do you feel the same?" Itachi finally asked. But the question was meant for Neji alone.

"Yes. If you are afraid that I will hurt your brother, I can promise you that I will never hurt him intentionally. But I can't promise that I won't hurt him, considering…" Neji let the words hang.

"Good enough. But if you ever, ever, hurt him I will destroy you Hyuuga." The threat was said with a neutral face that Neji didn't know if Itachi was serious or not. But from what he had heard about the older Uchiha, he didn't want to find out if Itachi would stay true to his threat. No. Thank. You.


And so with that their affair began.

Sure their relationship had begun a bit rocky. That's only because their personalities and mostly their prides had crashed; Sasuke never trusted anyone other than his brother due to his family circumstances, and Neji detested everything around him; he only believed that good or bad things happened to people because it's their destiny. Both had a wall built around themselves. So when they had first met, everything hadn't been as 'pleasure to meet you' as it is usually among first time meetings.

Despite all that, they had grown close. Well, at least to Sasuke things had seemed that way.

Sasuke had begun feeling vulnerable and craved Neji's protection; not just any type of protection, because if he needed any protection, his brother would be there for him. This craving made him want to cling to Neji as if he were his life line. Sasuke began dreading the end of school because it meant that they would be separated overnight. That gap of separation was becoming too much each and every passing day to Sasuke. When morning came, he couldn't wait to get to school.

Sasuke had never thought that he could live with anyone else other than his brother and the house keepers who had been there from the start, anyway. But he now understood why some couples would ask each other to live together. It's only so that they could spend as much time together as possible; simply put, eliminating the overnight gap.

By the end of the senior year, Sasuke had reached a breaking point.


On the night of the senior prom, just after making love in the student council's room, Sasuke had, for the first time declared his love for Neji. Neji had always been the one saying it to Sasuke.

Sasuke remembered the night like it was happening all over again.

It had been half way since the prom had begun, when Neji had walked out of the hall with the excuse that he was going to the men's room. His date, also his fiancée had gone to the drinks table. Sasuke had recognised the moment and had walked out of the hall as well, with the excuse of going to the men's room. His date was Ino.

Even though their mentioned destinations had been the men's room, their actual destination was the student's council room.

Sasuke opened the door and found Neji sitting on the sofa in the room. Sasuke went and leaned on the table facing Neji. There was an awkwardness between them for many reasons. One being that they had both agreed to bring girls to the dance; well on Neji's part, he hadn't really had a choice in the matter; the girl had flown from China to Japan just for this, well under Neji's uncle's invitation that is.

The other reason was that it was the end of their high school life. Meaning each had to go their separate ways and pursue their chosen futures. Neji would go and do whatever his uncle wanted him to do in politics and of course marry his fiancée. And what about Sasuke? Well Sasuke would go and be home tutored on running the family business. Basically, reality was right on the door step of their romance.

Nonetheless, all that didn't mean that they couldn't still be together, right? If you pay no attention to the fact that Neji would be getting married.

It hurt. And Sasuke knew that this was his snapping point; he couldn't take it anymore.

Sasuke crossed his arms against his chest. He was afraid that he would cling to Neji if he didn't lock his arms in place. This was their ending and Sasuke didn't want to make things difficult for the both of them.


Neji studied Sasuke from the sofa. When Sasuke had walked in, he had thought that Sasuke would come and sit next to him on the sofa like he always did when they were alone. But instead, Sasuke had gone and leaned on the table in a defensive pose. And his eyes were looking anywhere but at Neji. What was wrong? Wasn't Sasuke happy to get away from the girls to be with Neji? Or was he not happy about seeing Neji's fiancée?

Neji didn't think that was so because they had talked about her, and Sasuke had said that he understood.

Even so, that doesn't mean that he wouldn't get mad when i am with her. But there is nothing i can do about that. I don't have a choice. Neji thought dejectedly.

Besides that, they both had known from the start that with the way things were, nothing would come out of the two of them being together. It would mean giving up everything on Neji's part.

Neji forced himself to stop thinking about the future; he needed to focus on the now. And the now was making sure that Sasuke lost the defensive posture and be himself again with Neji. It didn't sit well with him seeing so much conflict on Sasuke's face.

"Sasuke..." he called out. But the response he got for his troubles was 'hn' and a bow of the head, which shielded Sasuke's face.

"Sigh. Sasuke..." Neji tried again, but there was no difference in the response. Knowing how stubborn Sasuke was, Neji made the move; he got up from the chair and went and stood right in front of Sasuke. He waited to see if Sasuke would look up or complain about personal space. When he didn't, Neji placed himself between Sasuke's spread legs and pressed his growing erection against Sasuke's body. Sasuke looked up at the action with a gasp.

Neji brought his hands to where Sasuke's were and gently pulled them apart; giving Sasuke every opportunity to resist. And when there was no resistance, he brought them up to his cheeks and let go trusting Sasuke to leave them there. Sasuke did. Growing in confidence, Neji brought his right hand up to Sasuke's chin and tilted Sasuke's head towards him. With the other hand, he clasped the back of Sasuke's neck. Sasuke's eyes were still avoiding his. But the rosy shade on his cheeks gave Neji a boost in certainty. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Sasuke's frowning one. Sasuke stayed passive to the kiss.

Nonetheless, Neji was determined to get a reaction form Sasuke; he run his tongue around Sasuke's closed lips. Then he brought his tongue between Sasuke's lips; coaxing him to open up. When Sasuke didn't open up, Neji bit his bottom lip causing him to gasp and that gave Neji an opportunity to insert his tongue into Sasuke's mouth and deepened the kiss.

Sasuke was always stubborn when it came to giving himself up to Neji. So when he did, it was always gratifying to Neji; it made him feel good knowing that Sasuke would willingly let Neji take control. It was even more gratifying to make Sasuke quiver from his touch. And that was exactly what he had in mind.


Sasuke's knees had felt weak. He'd thanked the heavens that Neji was pressing him against the table. Desire had welled up fast just from the feel of Neji's fingers on his chin. The heat from Neji's body was too much, even through their clothes. Sasuke knew Neji was worried, but with the conflicting emotions he was feeling, he was afraid to look Neji in the eyes, because Neji had become so good at reading Sasuke's feelings. Sasuke didn't want to scare Neji with his unwanted sentiments.

When Neji's soft lips had pressed against his, Sasuke had begun loosing track of his thoughts. He had kept his lips shut though, even when Neji's tongue had begged for entrance.

No I can't let this go any further! Sasuke screamed desperately in his mind. Even so, his body had already betrayed him. The bite from Neji on his lips had been his undoing.

When Neji had deepened the kiss, Sasuke couldn't help himself. His arms wound around Neji's neck; urging him to go deeper. His hips arched into Neji's and he moaned at the feel of Neji's erection against his. Sasuke tried to grind his hips against Neji's. But Neji only pressed into him further, stopping his movements. When Sasuke was about to complain, at that, Neji's hands grabbed his hips and began grinding their hard-ons. All the while his tongue searched deeper for the rich taste of Sasuke's mouth. Their tongues battled for dominance relentlessly.

They both began grabbing each other's clothes in a frenzy; desperate to feel each other's heat after only a few hours of separation. None wanting to admit that it was the chemistry between them that was making them crazy blamed the teenage hormones. The tuxedos they were wearing proved to be a little difficult to take off in a hurry. However, none gave up. Their hips and lips stayed connected. Moans filled the room.


They were so absorbed in each other that they didn't even notice the door open and close.


Neji reached for Sasuke's jacket, and managed to undo the buttons without ripping them. Before relief of victory could set in, he was met with a waistcoat. He groaned and just lifted it over Sasuke's head. He wasn't about to start undoing all the buttons. No, thank you. If it hadn't already been established, he was in a hurry.

Now the shirt, never mind that, what he needed was below the shirt. So he decided to focus on the trousers.

"Why so many clothes?" The question was almost growled out.

"Speak for yourself." Sasuke responded, equally irritated with the clothes.

Indeed, Neji had also worn the full set to Sasuke's grief. Sasuke had managed to take off only the blazer off of Neji. With both of them trying to undress each other, not much progress was being made. So Sasuke gave up and just let Neji take care of it.

Neji pulled Sasuke's trousers down along with the boxers. Sasuke helped by kicking off his shoes. And Neji removed the trousers off of Sasuke. He quickly reached for his own belt and zipper; undoing them simultaneously to free his aching, leaking member. Dear god, Sasuke's touch always made him desperate for more. He couldn't wait to be inside Sasuke.

Neji reached behind Sasuke, and lifted him onto the table. Sasuke clung to Neji tightly; not wanting to separate for even a second. He was losing it and he could feel it. Sasuke wanted to scream Neji's name again and again until it got through to Neji how much Sasuke needed him; how much he loved him even with the knowledge that Neji did not return his feeling enough to fight for their relationship.

What? I love Neji? Well, hell. Sasuke had never admitted that to himself before. The thought had been there every time he thought of Neji. Nevertheless, he'd never actually put the thought into perspective. When had he fallen? Maybe it had been when they had first met? Or was it when Neji had first kissed him? Or was it when they had had sex? Sasuke couldn't bring himself to care when he had fallen for Neji. All he knew was that he had fallen. Hard.

"Sasuke, what's wrong?" Neji's question snapped Sasuke out of his muddled thoughts.

"Huh?" Sasuke blinked at Neji's questioning gaze confusedly. Then the question sank in.

"Um, nothing." he responded quickly to put Neji at ease.

Neji raised a disbelieving eyebrow. But then he just let it go. If Sasuke wanted to talk about something, they could talk afterwards.


Sasuke mentally slapped himself for getting distracted that Neji had noticed; maybe he shouldn't let this continue. But he had reached a point of no return; both physically and mentally. Meaning, he couldn't control himself even if he wanted to; his body, his mind along with his heart and everything else were long gone; he had given it all to Neji without he himself knowing it. Too bad Neji won't choose him in the end. And that hurt like someone was squeezing his heart with an impossibly, heavy tool.

Sasuke felt the tale tell of tears gather in his eyes. He quickly shut them to prevent Neji from seeing the tears. God he was pathetic. Falling for someone he knew wouldn't choose him from the start. Of all the people! It had to be this bastard?

"Sasuke, what's wrong?" Neji repeated his earlier question. This time though with more worry in his voice. It made Sasuke give up fighting himself. As the tears flowed, he let the emotions flow along with them. He didn't even try to hide his teary face from Neji. If this was their last time, there was no point in hiding what he truly felt for Neji. At least Neji would remember how much Sasuke had loved him even after he goes off to marry Tenten.

"Nothing is wrong. I'm just happy to be with you alone again." Sasuke lied. Just because he'd decided not to hide his feelings from Neji, it didn't mean that he wanted to ruin the moment.

The look Neji gave him said; he didn't believe a word of what Sasuke had said.

Sasuke leaned up and pressed his lips against Neji's. He poured everything he felt into that single gentle kiss. When he looked up, the worry in Neji's eyes had disappeared.

That was good; Sasuke didn't want to have Neji's worried face as his last memory of him.

"Make me yours Neji, make me yours completely tonight." Sasuke was well aware of the oversentimental things he was saying. But he couldn't help it; he didn't want to help it.

"Sasuke…" Neji moaned Sasuke's name in answer. He captured Sasuke's lips in a deep kiss.

"Neji… now… I can't… I can't take it anymore…inside me now. Touch me Neji…"

"I can't… take it anymore either. But Sasuke, I have to prepare you first. I don't want to hurt you" Neji almost pleaded with Sasuke.

"Hurry… hurry. Hurry Neji"

Neji didn't have to be asked twice. He reached between them and grabbed his hard-on and pressed it to Sasuke's. He wrapped his hand around their members and began pumping, squeezing and smearing their mixed pre-cum all over their shafts. With his other hand, he traced his fingers on Sasuke's lips. Sasuke readily took them in his mouth. Sucking them as Neji moved them in a motion that insinuated what he would be doing to Sasuke's opening. Deeming the fingers wet enough, Neji pulled them out of Sasuke's mouth with a pop. Sasuke groaned at the loss.

Nonetheless, knowing that what was to come was a lot better than sucking on the fingers, he spread his legs wider; he laid himself out on the table for Neji. Neji groaned at the sight. He had to pull away from Sasuke to take deep calming breaths. When he was sure he wouldn't blow yet, Neji pressed one of his wet fingers onto Sasuke's hole. Slowly, he pushed the finger in, feeling the muscles contract then relax as Sasuke got used to his finger. He pulled out then added another finger. Sasuke flinched. But before the pain could settle in completely, Neji's other hand began working on his throbbing member. he moved his hand up and down Sasuke's leaking member and his fingers moved in and out of Sasuke heat Simultaneously that Sasuke didn't know which one to cling on to; the fingers inside him or the hand working his cock.

"Umm…Neji… stop… ahh"

Neji carried on. And soon, he added a third finger which went unnoticed by Sasuke who was fighting not to come too soon.

Sasuke cried out when Neji's fingers touched his special spot. His hips lifted off the table as he shot his cum into Neji's hand. Sasuke rested his hips back onto the table as he regained some of his breath. He leaned onto his elbows and watched Neji who had removed the cum coated hand from Sasuke's still hard shaft onto his own hard-on. Neji coated his hard-on with Sasuke's cum. Neji moaned, and his hand began moving faster on his member.

The sight was too much; too erotic that Sasuke began panting again; ready for more.

"Neji… inside me… now!" the demand lost its desired effect due to the heavy breathing. However it was enough to snap Neji out of his pleasure induced daze. He pressed his hard-on on the little pink opening. He moved his member around the tight hole; watching as it throbbed to be penetrated.

"Neji!" Sasuke snapped as he leaned up and circled his arms around Neji's shoulders. He pushed himself on Neji's shaft. They both gasped as the head made it past the ring of muscles around Sasuke's hole. Sasuke threw his head back. His still wet eyes flowed with anew tears. Neji laid him back down and leaned down to kiss him. All the while, murmuring soothing words to Sasuke and coaxing him to relax.

"Shh, it's okay, Sasuke. Do you want me to stop?" Sasuke just shook his head as a 'no'

"Relax for me, Sasuke. Come on, open up for me."

Sasuke began relaxing from Neji's gentle soothing voice. Neji's voice was deep like it always became when he was aroused; it made Sasuke's body shiver in response.

Neji pushed all the way in until he felt his balls rest between Sasuke's ass cheeks. The heat surrounding him was heaven; he could die here happily. Okay, so maybe not die as in literally. But he wanted to freeze this moment, the moment when he and Sasuke were one.

"Beautiful… your beautiful my Sasuke. So perfect." Neji said with such emotion that Sasuke couldn't stop the waterworks. Really, how can a guy be so affectionate, yet cruel?

God! What was Neji doing? Was he trying to destroy Sasuke completely before they separated?

"Neji. Move." Sasuke demanded. He didn't want to feel anything else other than pleasure right then; he didn't want to feel the pain in his heart.

Neji pulled all the way out until only the flushed head of his member remained inside Sasuke. Then he pushed all the way back into Sasuke's heat none too gently. But Sasuke didn't mind the roughness; it distracted him from his other feelings.

"I'm sorry Sasuke, I can't be gentle, it's too much…" Neji grunted as he pushed in and out of Sasuke.

"don't be gentle, give me everything… ahh" with each thrust, Neji managed to nail the bundle of nerves in Sasuke, leaving Sasuke panting heavily and thrashing from side to side trying to reach the peak.

"Neji… more!"

"Neji… Neji…" he chanted Neji's name as if not saying it, he would lose his mind. Soon, Sasuke couldn't follow up on what was coming from his mouth.

"Neji… I love you… I love you Neji. I love you." The declaration was timed with each and every one of Neji's thrusts. Sasuke felt Neji's body tense above him, and then wet heat coated his walls. His climax hit him hard that he was sure he had blacked out for a minute there. His muscles clamped tightly around Neji's pulsing member.

Neji slumped on top of him, knowing that Sasuke could take his weight.


Neji leaned up on his elbows and kissed Sasuke sloppily. Then he pulled out of Sasuke which made them both gasp at the sensation. Getting off of Sasuke, Neji pulled him along with him. Then he passed Sasuke his clothes. Neji dressed up quickly and before Sasuke finished putting on his waistcoat, he pulled him to the sofa and sat him on his lap. He held Sasuke to his chest tightly as though he would slip away if he were to hold him gently.

Neji smiled upon remembering what Sasuke had cried out in the heat of the passion. For the first time since they had started going out, Sasuke had never once altered the words, even when Neji would say them to get a reaction out of him, Sasuke would only change the subject as if Neji hadn't just said 'I love you' to him. Neji wondered if he could get Sasuke to say the words when they weren't making love; to hear Sasuke say those words again and again-

"Choose me" Sasuke's whispered words were too loud for Neji. The bubble of his happy musings burst. Neji didn't have to ask what Sasuke meant. Just because he hadn't said anything didn't mean he hadn't thought about the choice he had to eventually make; he had hoped that he would have to make that choice at a later date; definitely not now. Not when they were still having a great moment. Well, so it had seemed. Apparently it hadn't been so to Sasuke.

"You love me Neji, I love you, then choose me" it was not said as a request nor was it put up for discussions. The statement was a plead. The plead was too much for Neji; it twisted his heart to hear the pain laced voice.

"Sasuke, I…" he began even though he had no clue on how to complete the sentence. He took a deep breath and looked Sasuke in the eyes when he said,

"Sasuke, you know I love you. I love you so much that it hurts."

Sasuke pulled away from Neji as if he had been burnt. He couldn't take the words. No. no. no. no. no. no. no! How cruel could Neji be? How far would he push Sasuke? How could he say the words so easily?

"I love you so much that I would do anything for you." Sasuke knew there was a 'but' coming at the end of that statement and he didn't want to hear it damn it! He had just confessed to the guy! The guy who so proudly claims to love Sasuke!

And what does Sasuke get for his troubles?

A rejection?

The humiliation!

This couldn't be happening!

Yeah this couldn't be happening.

Sasuke masked his pain with anger. And before Neji could carry on Sasuke said,

"It's either me or… or…" dear god Sasuke couldn't even bear to say the name. But he didn't have to say the name because Neji knew who he meant.

"Sasuke, how can you ask that of me?"

"How can I ask that of you? You've got to be kidding me! Let me ask you this. Have I ever asked anything of you? I tried to pretend not to notice how I felt, I tried to ignore reality. Ignore that you have a freaking fiancée! And not even once, have I ever asked anything of you. Is it so bad that I want you for myself? Tell me, is it?" There was no response. Sasuke run his hand through his hair and he faced away from Neji. With a bitter laugh he said,

"Oh, look at me, I am getting a head of myself. Of course I can't have you. You have already decided who you are going to be with. I was such a fool to have fallen for you. Hyuuga"

Neji flinched at the cold words.

"Sasuke, that's not it"

"What's not it?" Sasuke whirled around to face Neji.

"What's not it?" he repeated the question. "Is it that you have not chosen her or me? Or… ha! Let me see you are going to tell me that you haven't got a choice. Is that what you want to tell me?"

"Sasuke, listen to me-" Neji tried to say something. But Sasuke wouldn't let him voice the rejection.

"You know what, Hyuuga, I have had enough of this. So let me make this easier for you." Neji felt his heart sink. No way! Was Sasuke breaking up with him? But he couldn't blame Sasuke for doing this. If their roles were reversed, Neji would have done the same. So he braced himself for Sasuke's next words.

Sasuke took a deep breath. This was too much; anything would be better than this. But he couldn't live with being second choice, or someone's dirty little secret. It was better that he end this now.

"Get out." There was silence.

"Sasuke"

"Get. Out. Now"

"Sasuke, I"

"What part of get out don't you understand?" the words were spat with such venom. Even the look in Sasuke's eyes complemented the spite in the words.

Neji realised that talking to Sasuke then would accomplish nothing. So he got up from the sofa and left the room. He needed to give Sasuke some time alone. Then they could talk. This couldn't be the end. Right?

TBC