I squinted my eyes trying to block the incandescent rays pouring down from the sun, yet nothing changed much. I tried to stand up by I couldn't. I was paralyzed for some unknown reason, that image was branded in my mind and kept recurring my every thought not allowing me to think straight. I put my hand above my eyes in my second attempt to shade my view, and just then noticed the sweat on my face, cold sweat that was.

The tall figure kneeled down positioning his hand on my shoulder in a comforting way. I was relieved to see a familiar face smiling down on me. It was Kakashi-sensei. Not sure what he was doing here, but he was, and I was pleased to know it was just him: after what I had seen, I think I could expect Satan himself to be waiting for me and not be surprised.

-Kakashi… I…

-Don't worry Naruto.

Kakashi stood up easily, something I wish I could've done, and then extended out an arm for me. I reached for it and Kakashi helped me up to my feet. I quickly brushed my shorts with my also dusty hands and then looked around. There was nobody else, only Kakashi and me.

-I already knew about this. Not like I was spying on them or anything, just that I happened to know about their relationship and thought something like this would have to happen.

-Wait… What? Since when do you know this?

-Some days ago.

-No, more importantly. How do you know about this?

-I think you should have a little talk with the girls later. For now, let's go to the river shall we.

-Yeah sure.

I tried to think of something, no, anything that wouldn't somehow be interrupted by that oh-so-lovely image, nevertheless the harder I tried to easier it would be for the image to pop up in front of me. I should just try to forget about it for now… but then again, did I want to forget that image? I was a very nice view after all.

-One more thing Naruto.

-Yeah?

-Let's not say anything to Sasuke about this shall we? You knowing is more than enough already.

-Huh? Why not?

-Just trust me on this one.

-Fine.

Me and Kakashi then set off for the river. You could hear the river from the site, it wasn't very long away: it was a matter of seconds for us to arrive at the brook. The river came from way up hill but the part we were at was practically horizontal. The water was surprisingly clean, clear as a neatly-polished window and refreshing as the summer breeze at the beach. The stream was slow, and made this part of the river almost static as if it wasn't connected to the rest of the river. There was a wide gap in the tree canopy leaving space for the sun to shine brightly all over he water making it sparkle as it moved. I left Kakashi behind and dived bomb-style at the water. The soles of my feet touched the bottom and I opened my eyes; smooth pebbles adorned the river bed which was quite pleasing to the feet. There were some small fish circling around, probably looking for small insects to feed on them.

I raised my head form out of the water and brushed off the hair now covering of my eyes. I took a closer look around. The river went on for miles on both it's directions, and it's steepness and other characteristics didn't vary much until further up. The trees and grass around here was taller and greener than elsewhere; not even in the middle of the forest would plants grow to such an extent of green and flowers on such a gamma of colors. Kakashi was sitting on top of one of those green trees. He has the usual clothes on him instead of his swimming gear and he was reading that perverted book of his.

- Hey Kakashi, you ain't getting in?

- Nah. Sorry Naruto, gotta keep a eye on you guys so I can't go in with you.

I searched around for Sasuke. He had come to the river after all, so he should be somewhere near.

- Hey, any chance you know where Sasuke is?

- Last time I saw him he was just about where you are right now.

I turned around and moved my head in every direction looking for him, yet I couldn't find him.

- Hey, I'm going to go look for him okay?

- Yeah sure, just make sure not to get lost.

I made my way to the river wall and got out in one quick movement. I started walking deeper into the forest to see if Sasuke-kun would be wandering off into his mind again in a clearing somewhere. The forest started getting thicker and thicker and those bright trees started to fade into nothingness to let through more of those boring dull trees of dark green. The soil was getting drier and covered with dead leaves and twigs.

-Sasuke?

I called out. No answer.

-Sasuke!?

I tried again. Still no answer. Where could he be?

Just then I heard a twig snap in the distance. I was sure it hadn't been me, so it had to be Sasuke. I waited to see if there was another sound. Silence. I made my way trying to follow that faint sound walking using my ears to guide me.

-Sasuke?

Nothing again. Maybe it had just been mine imagination, or maybe that twig had cracked under my foot and I hadn't even realized. No, I'm certain I heard it far away.

-Sasuke?

Another twig snapped. This time it was nearer. I dashed as fast as I could to where I heard the sound coming from. Not far I noticed a small branch broken in half. There was a trail of water following it, small droplets one after the other. I ran following that trail until I saw Sasuke. It looked as if he was just walking aimlessly.

-Hey Sasuke!

I received no answer. That was his usual reply, but this time it felt different. It was as if something was missing, as if he has hiding something from me.

-Something wrong?

He turned his face to me. I could read an emotion, but couldn't really tell what it was. It seemed as a mixture of boredom and sadness, a dull melancholy of some sort lingering inside him. Still, he buried his feelings deep down trying to hide them with that fake emotionless face of his.

-What's the matter Sasuke?

I caught up to him and ran a little further up, jumping in front of him stopping him in his ways demanding an answer to my questions. I looked straight at him, yet he just looked away into nothingness with a deep face seeming full of thoughts. I stood my ground, not moving an inch.

Sasuke took a few steps forward, yet I wouldn't budge, I needed to know what was the matter with him. He turned to look at me, impassive in some way, yet his look alone aroused interest in me causing me to blush. He seemed to devise a plan at the mere sight of my redness, and in a split-second fashion he took my face gently with his hands and plunged his lips against mine.

I had been longing for it since our last kiss. At first it was lovely, so sweet and tender, but as soon as that anxiety rushing through my veins ceased to exist, the true nature of this kiss was brought to my reasoning. The kiss, seemed distant, it was very different from all those other kisses we had in the past. It was as if he didn't really want it, as if he was doing it like you would do your chores. His lips felt cold, all the warmness was gone from them, and their taste finally became dull as any other peace of flesh. That kiss; there was no magic to it, there was no love. I didn't hesitate to wonder what was going on and broke off the kiss pushing Sasuke a few feet away from me.

-What's wrong Naruto?

-What are you talking about? What's what I'm supposed to ask you!

-What do you mean?

-That kiss, it didn't feel right.

-I fail to see your point.

-Sasuke. Do you love me?

He stared at me for a few seconds just to reply:

-Yes I do.

I launched myself at him and kissed him the proper way, yet his lips were stained with that dull monotony from before. I tried as hard as I could to savor even the smallest bit of passion, but my requests were let down plummeting into darkness.

What could be wrong? Could it be that the magic between us was lost? Could it be, that I didn't love him no more? I kissed him harder as I placed my hands on his lower back and pushed him tighter to me. Nothing still, there was nothing to find there. I was sure I still loved him, but then that only left a feasible solution: he didn't love me any more. I took my hands off him and stepped back. I looked at Sasuke with disbelief, it was impossible for him not to love me anymore: after all, he was the one who loved me the first and he was the one to bring out all of this emotions in me.

-Sasuke. Do you really love me!?

-I just told you.

-Swear it to me!

-…

-Sasuke!