-Naruto-
I wake to the sound of my cell phone vibrating on the desk.
Watery sunlight glitters in my eyes and I sit up slowly, wiping the sleep from beneath tangled lashes.
You sleep quietly beside me, and I watch you for only a moment, exhaling slowly.
Your voice echoes dimly in my mind.
I turn away, flicking my phone open and to my ear.
"Naruto?"
The familiarity of the voice soothes me.
"Hey, Sakura."
"Oh, Naruto... I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Naruto..."
I lean back against the bed post, letting the cotton covers fall easily from my shoulders.
"Sakura, everything is fine. Why do you need to be sorry?"
"Naruto, don't be stupid. You know, I know, who doesn't know? What Tsunade did to you was horrible. I can't even believe..."
"Sakura. It's fine."
"No, it's not!"
There is a brief silence.
I listen quietly as her breathing steadies.
"Sorry..."
"It's fine."
"Naruto, sometimes I wish you wouldn't say that..."
I don't say anything.
My gaze wanders blindly, fingers toying absently with untamed bangs.
"Sometimes I wish you wouldn't try so hard to be strong..."
"I should probably go now, Sakura."
She's quiet for a few moments.
"Okay. Naruto..."
"Hm?"
"I love you. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I love you too. Bye, Sakura."
I flip the phone closed, laying it gently down on the nightstand again.
I feel bad for cutting the conversation so short.
"Hm. So are you and Sakura going out then?"
Your voice surprises me.
I turn and you're sitting up, watching me quietly.
"Yes, we are."
Your face remains calm.
Indifferent.
"And do you really love her?"
I turn away from you, glaring at the wall.
"What does it matter to you?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all..."
Your voice trails.
And then, suddenly, you're on top of me.
I feel your lips crash firmly into mine, stealing the breath from my throat.
Your hand smoothes slowly down my cheek and I shiver at the light touch, brow furrowing as you deepen the kiss gently.
I can't think.
You're everywhere.
Everything.
I cannot remember which way is up,
which way is down,
which is you and which is me.
You're so warm, so endlessly warm...
It's intoxicating.
And I'm drowning in that warmth,
that taste,
that touch...
Your hands smooth down my chest, slipping under my shirt to trail soft fingertips over exposed skin.
I'm trembling.
And you just keep kissing me, keep touching me, keep drowning me...
I cannot remember
anything
but your face.
And maybe, everything is good.
Everything is alright.
Everything is...
You break the kiss finally.
My breathing is heavy, uneven and strange to my warmed lips.
"S-Sasuke..."
"You use the term 'love' so lightly."
I meet your gaze slowly, confused.
"Wha..."
"You don't love Sakura. You just lied to her, didn't you? You just cheated. Right after you said you loved her too."
And suddenly everything comes crashing back to me.
Your lips brush against my ear as you speak.
Your breath is hot, soft.
"You cheated. You kissed someone else. You kissed another guy, even. And worst of all..."
Your words cut harshly at my heart.
I feel myself quivering.
"You kissed me."
The tears stream silently down my flushed cheeks.
You crawl off of me, returning to your side of the bed.
"I'm going back to sleep."
Your voice is emotionless.
And, as you lay in silence, the sobs free themselves from my throat.
And I cry.
Helplessly,
stupidly,
hopelessly.
Until there are no more tears left.
-TO BE CONTINUED-
