Disclaimer: Can't own what I can't pay for

So, this doesn't seem as long as the previous chapter. I can't remember I'm really not keeping count of these things. I don't really have anything more to say than I hope you like it and ONWARDS!

***********************************DO IT*************************************

"So basically you're afraid of what you might do to him?" Kiba questioned as he jumped down from his spot on a tree branch.

They once again found themselves on a boring and uneventful patrol. Much unlike his usual self Sasuke suddenly began to speak his worries to the others about Naruto. The situation was slightly amusing to them. Never had they ever expected Sasuke of all people to have these problems. During their years of friendship Sasuke had not once sought advice about anything in his life. It was always them who had news to announce or worries to share. Like Kiba a few months back, announced that he had finally worked up the courage to wed Hinata, his lover of 15 years. Yet here was Sasuke, trapped in a predicament he had no control of and forced to seek the opinions of his closest companions.

"You do know that this is only going to get worse?" Kiba stated.

Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course he knew this. He was a demon after all. Even he fell prey to that.

"The way I see it, you don't have much time left."

"Stating the obvious."

They went on in silence for a while. Each too captured by their own thoughts. It was Shikamaru who spoke first, "The solution is simple."

Impossible. If the solution was simple the Uchiha himself would have thought of it. He wouldn't have had so many sleepless nights and strange dreams if it was simple. He was curious.

"Oh?" Sasuke stopped walking to fully grasp the simplicity of it all.

Shikamaru smirked his response, "Just kiss him and get it over with."

Both Kiba and Neji burst out laughing.

"Do you think this is a joke?" Sasuke stormed ahead frustrated and convinced that he needed new friends.

"I'm serious."

"Of course you are."

"Honestly, what is stopping you from just kissing him? I for one think it gets worse because you're going against what your body really wants."

Sasuke suddenly felt livid, "what is stopping me? How about the fact that I ruined his life? If I didn't go see him that day he would still be in his own house, in his own village. How about the fact that he's human and I'm a demon? How about the fact that I'm afraid to scare him away because if I did kiss him…"

He never finished the sentence but the message was understood. He had just realized it. He'd been denying it since the first day he saved the blond haired human that night in the forest. There was always an unexplainable attraction towards the boy, he knew that much but he had refused to acknowledge it. He couldn't refuse anymore. He knew it, he felt it. It was a feeling as present as the sun on his face.

"You love him." Neji stated as if cued.

He wanted to deny it as he did before. He wanted to brush the comment off like dust on his shoulder. Why couldn't he?

He felt a heavy hand drop on his shoulder; he didn't have to look up to know that it was Kiba, "welcome to the club."

The others walked off, leaving him to battle with his thoughts for a few minutes longer. The blond human had been the one to get to him. Of all the persons in the world.

"How ironic".

***********************************DO IT*************************************

Naruto was bored. He hated being bored. Try as he might he couldn't find anything in the house that could entertain him for more than 5 minutes. So far he had busied himself with his usual half of the house chores and when that was over he made lunch while complaining about the possibility of never finding ramen in the village. By the end of that he was hoping that it would soon be time for Sasuke to return home. Unfortunately he hadn't even occupied himself for more than 3 hours. Sasuke wouldn't be back until sun down, so he chose to rest in the garden.

"It's so boring without him here", with only himself in the house, Naruto had adapted the habit of speaking his thoughts aloud sometimes. Less lonely.

He sighed and dropped back into the soft grass. Since he'd been living in the new village he'd spent most of his days with Sasuke. It felt like he hadn't been alone in ages. Thinking back, he had no idea how he ever survived being alone so much before. He didn't want to go back to that.

"A while", he suddenly remembered Sasuke's comment when he first got here. It still bothered him every now and then but he was constantly conscious of the fact that he had no idea how long he would be allowed to sponge off the wolf demon. He had been ecstatic when Sasuke agreed to the makeover. Not only did it mean he could be more comfortable living in the house but it also meant that Sasuke's "a while" might not be that short term, he hoped at least.

Aside from with Sasuke he had no idea what he would do or where he would go. He had made other friends now yes but none close enough that he would want to impose on them. Well maybe Kiba but at times he could get very strange. He wondered how Hinata controlled him on her own. The last time he saw those two, Kiba was begging for forgiveness after he forgot to meet the girl's father at his dojo that afternoon. When she finally forgave him, he leaped into her arms and showered her with kisses. Naruto smiled to himself. Recently he'd been imagining himself being showered with kisses from a certain someone. An image that might not come to light. Ever since that night after the party, Sasuke had been very distant. He no longer looked him in the eyes when he spoke, nor did he tease him like he grew accustomed to doing. Even when they slept together Sasuke managed to keep his distance and he was always up hours before Naruto was. Had their relationship taken a step back when he was just hoping that it was starting to move forward?

"Stupid Sasuke."

It frustrated him that he felt this way and yet couldn't voice his thoughts to the person he wanted to. He had no clue of how to even bring the topic up. 'Hey Sasuke, I think I might be in love with you' just did not do it. Even if he did say it, what next? Worst case scenario was that Sasuke completely rejected him. Then what? He sure as hell wouldn't want to be living here anymore. There's no way he could face him after that. So he'd defiantly be out of a home. What if he did accept? Could humans and demons even be together? He was pretty sure that was a no. Only Kiba, Shikamaru and Neji even knew that he was human and only a handful of villagers even knew of his existence. Sasuke preferred it this way. What were to happen if he somehow got found out? Well he knew what would happen to him but what were the consequences for Sasuke?

This was too much to think about, it was giving him a headache. Maybe things were better the way they were heading now.

He sighed again and rolled unto his side. He just wanted Sasuke, why'd it have to be so hard?

***********************DO IT************************************************ *

It was later than he had expected to return but he was finally back. The sun had gone down a few minutes ago and night was already creeping in. He had told Naruto that he'd be back before dark so he hoped the little brat hadn't been up worrying about it. As he approached the house he immediately noticed that it was dark inside. No light? Had Naruto gone to bed early? Extremely early?

The demon quickened his pace as he made his way to the house, very uneasy about the lack of lights. He flung open the front door and was very displeased to find that Naruto had left it unlocked. He had told the blond constantly to keep the door locked when he was out but he could chastise him about that later. First he had to find him. He stood still, listening for any sounds that would indicate the boy's presence in the house but there was none.

"Damn it Naruto", Sasuke cursed as he began his rampage through the house.

He violently flung doors open hoping each time to see that idiot grin across the cute dobe's face, with those bright eyes staring back at him but for every door he unlocked disappointment followed and panic slowly crept up behind it. After searching the entire house and finding no sign of the human Sasuke could do nothing to cease the barrage of bad thoughts that attacked his head but he tried to stay focused. He needed to take action not stand back like a weakling.

'Shit. Ok think. Where haven't I checked? Could he be anywhere else on the compound? Could someone have taken him? What could they have done to him?'

A million questions flew through his head before one detail jumped out at him.

'The garden.'

He raced outside and to the back of the house. He stormed into the garden area eyes frantically surveying the wildlife. It was then that he saw a flash of yellow from the corner of his eye. He turned towards what he hoped, prayed, was Naruto and dashed over. As he got closer he found his prayers had been answered. For there, lying on the grass almost completely hidden by a rose bush was a sleeping Naruto.

Pure relief washed over Sasuke. He couldn't remember being this worked up in his life before. It almost surprised him at how worried he was about the blond and how completely powerless he was to such a feeling. The thought of something happening to Naruto made his world crumble. How could he have gone back to his previous life? How could he wake up in the mornings and find himself alone in bed? How could he go on living? He truly cared deeply for him. This human boy. There was so much wrong about this. How could it possibly even work out? But he really didn't care. All he knew was that the day this boy stopped breathing was the day his heart would stop.

He chuckled to himself. Never in a million years did he think this would happen. He looked down at the sleeping blond who was so oblivious to the internal battle he was having with himself and to the amount of concern he has just subjected the demon to. As he thought more about that fact the more he found himself being slightly peeved by the situation. The blond had not a care in the world not knowing or probably not even caring that the Uchiha Sasuke was in love with him.

"This little brat."

He gave Naruto a small push with his feet. Said boy jerked slightly but otherwise remained unfazed by the attack.

This annoyed Sasuke even more, so he gave him a stronger push, "Dobe wake up."

Upon hearing his nick name Naruto mumbled something incoherent before eventually opening his eyes lazily. He sat up, yawned and stretched before noticing the fuming male standing over him.

"Uh, hi Sasuke. When did you get home?"

Sasuke took a deep breath in before responding, "You left the front door unlocked…again."

Naruto grew pale, "S-sorry. I don't know why I keep forgetting."

Sasuke sighed and rolled his eyes. He really had no reason to be angry at Naruto. It wasn't a crime to take a nap in the garden. Besides he was still too relieved to find him unharmed and safe. Seeing Naruto still sitting on the ground he outstretched a hand for the boy to take. Naruto gingerly stretched his hand to Sasuke's, still afraid that the raven was angry with him about the unlocked door. He was surprised, however, to be pulled straight into the chest of the demon and even more surprised when the other's arms embraced him for a hug. Naruto could feel blood rushing to his cheeks again.

They stood there in silence, neither of them wanting to let go. It was then that Sasuke heard Shikamaru's words replay in his head, 'just kiss him'. The words repeated over and over again. There was no doubt that he wanted to but was it right? Would Naruto oppose?

He took a small step back, just enough for him to see the blushing red face before him. Naruto's parted lips were so tempting. He drew closer. Wanting desperately to press his lips together with those delicious ones in front of him. He could hear his heart pounding and if he listened closer he could even hear Naruto's but for a brief moment the thought of rejection flashed into his mind. If he did this there would be no going back. Whether Naruto wanted him or not he wouldn't be able to let the boy go and the last thing he wanted was for Naruto's life to get worse for him.

So he chose to stop and he chose to let go. He noticed the sad smile that Naruto had given but didn't put much thought into it.

"Let's go back inside. You should be hungry by now."

Naruto nodded in agreement. They made their way back towards the house, both disappointed and both wishing for more than what they had.

*************************************DO IT***********************************

Le fin. Now doesn't that just suck and here we were hoping for a kiss. I don't know about you but I'm thoroughly disappointed too. If I were you I'd complain to the author….wait never mind.

You know the drill. Thoughts? Opinions? Let's hear em.