Chapter 8: To Live and to Love
Sasuke's pov
After buying a few things in town they headed off again, by walking. Now that Sasuke thought about it, there wasn't really any need for them to hurry back to the Leaf Village. He hadn't been on speaking terms with Naruto since he left and what little encounter they did have couldn't be considered talking. Naruto was currently walking ahead of him and now that he truly looked at him, he was defiantly stronger and wiser but, there was something about him. Like he carried a great burden or like there was a veil of sadness that was never there before. No that was wrong, it had been there all along but he was too focused on his own self pity to see it before, and no one else bothered to look. Frowning slightly he thought back to earlier, what had possessed him to get so close to Naruto? To almost…no it wasn't him; it was Naruto who closed the distance between them. It was no use though, to matter how hard he tried to deny it, he knew that he had feelings for Naruto, the golden haired blue eyed beauty that was in front of him.
"Sasuke?"
Naruto's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He blinked and looked at the object of his affection. Naruto was looking at him with a piercing look but not in a threatening way. Suddenly that sunny smile was on his face again, "Hey, when we get back, let's get some ramen. I swear there's no better tasting ramen then the stuff at Ichiraku's."
Sasuke couldn't help but let a smile come to his face, a true soft smile that was only reserve for Naruto "Sure...I'll even treat you."
Naruto gave him a soft smile as well "Ok, sounds like a plan."Chuckling softly Sasuke picked up his pace so that he was now walking beside Naruto, and for awhile they simply enjoyed walking beside each other, the warn breeze and the green nature around them. It wasn't before long the path they were on lead them through some woods, it was peaceful.
How could he have been so blind to everything? Naruto had done so much for him; he had helped with the sorrow and loneness that he'd felt after the loss of his family. Sure at first he had been annoyed with the blond but he had slowly eased the ache in side. He was such an idiot to tell Naruto that he didn't understand what it was like to have a family and then lose it. It must have been a lot harder on Naruto to see everyone around him with a loving family that cared while he had no one. What makes it worse was no one would take him in because he hosted the nine-tailed fox, and all the while he was clueless as to why the people around him saw him as a monster.
Naruto's Pov
Naruto knew that Sasuke had a lot on his mind for when he wasn't staring at him he had a far off look in his eyes, like now. He stopped walking as he sensed Sasuke suddenly moving behind him and was surprise when a pair of arms enveloped him from behind in a gentle embrace. Sasuke's head lowered to rest on Naruto's shoulder "I'm sorry, Naruto. I'm sorry for being such an idiot. If I hadn't been so wrapped up in my own self pity and my stupid goal of avenging my family by killing Itachi, then maybe....and I wanted to thank you, for everything you've done, for not giving up on me despite all I've done to you. I don't understand why you continue to do so for some bond."
Naruto smiled and closed his eyes, listening to the confession and enjoying the feel of Sasuke being close to him and having his arms around him. "You're the dobe, Sasuke." He felt Sasuke lift his head up at his words "I would risk traveling to hell and back for you. Not because of a promise I made to Sakura but because I want to. Life is worthwhile with friends, family and people you care about. Besides, out of all the people I know only you would be so reckless as to make me travel to the fiery depths of hell to retrieve, and no matter what it would be worth it. You're very important to me Sasuke, I feel we're really close and have a lot of common. We understand each other even if we don't want to see it. You can say anything you want in protest but I'm going to remain stubborn and believe what I know to be true about you."
Turning in the embrace he faced Sasuke, who looked back a bit surprised. Smiling he tilted his head and said, "If you ever leave my side again Sasuke, I swear I'll kick your ass so hard you won't be able to move, let alone leave."
He watched as a smile came to Sasuke's face. Then Sasuke nodded "Right, I'll remember that."
Naruto smirk "Good, besides I'll need all my friends by my side when I become Hokage."
He watched as Sasuke nodded "Then I'll be right by your side the whole way." Naruto couldn't have been happier when Sasuke said that. Sure he had the support of many people in the Leaf village but he knew that most people still despised him because he housed the nine-tailed fox within him. He understood that not everyone was going to be happy when he became the next Hokage.
They stood like that for awhile, Naruto in the arms of Sasuke, gazing into each other eyes. Day and night their eyes were opposites, one representing the morning sky and the other the night sky. Two parts of the same whole, opposite and yet still the same. A sudden movement found each of them closer to the other, lips touching in a soft kiss. Who closed the space first? They didn't know, nor did they care. All that they cared about at the moment was the other, and the feeling of lips pressed against one another. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but a shy kiss, chased one so full of love that it was sweet, sweeter than honey or sugar. Sure they had "kiss" before but they were young and didn't really understand what was happening, at that time kissing was something gross that adults did.
Wow finally got it done. I wanted it longer but since I haven't posted a chapter in awhile I figure you guys will be fine with it. I was inspire but listening to music (and the fact I have the flu so I have a lot of time on my hands while lying in bed) And the night and day bit was inspire by Kyo Kara Maoh! When Conrad and Rodigus(Sp?) kinda bless the souls of Yuri and Ken about being everyone's sun and moon. Its just touching.
