This chapter is unbeta'ed. I'm afraid you have to deal with my mistakes and grammar errors. Sorry for being late. I was going to update a week ago but well, you have it now. I hope you will like this chapter as much as the other ones or even more.
Chapter Ten: Serenity
Sasuke reached out and caressed the blond's tanned cheek. He was slightly feverish and his cheeks were dusted pink from the heat. Sasuke had gently placed him in his own bed and had covered his slim body with his dark blue blanket. He shifted slightly in his spot near the blond , his head resting on his palm and his fingers playing with the stray strands of hair fallen on the blond's face. Naruto purred in his slumber and Sasuke couldn't help but to smile.
'Was he always this beautiful?'
He thought to himself, his gazed traveling all over the blond's face and stopping at his slightly parted pink lips.
'Were they always this tempting?'
He ran his fingers through the soft golden strands of hair. Naruto shivered in his sleep.
'Was it always this soft?'
'Then have I been blind all this time?'
He pulled the blond closer into his arms and held him tightly against his chest, inhaling his scent deep into his lungs.
'So warm.'
'So peaceful.'
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he nudged his chin on the mop of blond hair. He fit completely into his arms. Perhaps this was where he was supposed to be from beginning. This was how they were supposed to be from beginning.
Two hours had passed since Naruto had collapsed due to the lack of sleep and Sasuke had spent these two hours staring at his innocent and stupid looking sleeping face. Naruto mumbled something and began munching a food that only existed in his dreamland.
It was strange how so many feelings had overwhelmed the raven's heart in this small amount of time. Feelings he had never felt in his whole life yet amazingly he was able to distinguish them from each other.
He could feel peace and serenity just by having the other man in his arms. His mind was blank from any disturbing thoughts from their surrounding world. Like his worries and problems never existed to begin with.
Weird.
Just a few weeks ago his eyebrows were always furrowed, his teeth were most of the time gritted and his hands were clenched, his mind and heart filled with the matter of keeping his place as the first husband, erasing any possible rivalry and gaining ultimate power in the harem.
Now they all sounded like foolish ideas to him.
Who cared if someone else was the first?
Who cared if he wasn't going to be the number one anymore?
What had he gained all these years?
Had he ever felt this much at peace? This much like himself? This much free?
He could laugh at his yesterday self.
Yes, indeed. He had been blind.
He placed Naruto's face between his palms and gazed at it for the hundredth time.
Strange
He couldn't get enough of it.
Was this… love?
But how could he tell?
He had never felt love in his whole life. It's true that his brother always held a special place in his heart but the feelings he had for him were simply strong brotherly feelings.
He had never wanted to melt his brother into his own body and become one with him. He had never wanted to hold him tightly in his arms and claw at any daring creature who had dared to reach out a hand toward his precious one.
Then now that he was feeling them all together…
was this feeling what people called love?
Heh.
Who cared?
He didn't give a damn shit what people would call this feeling.
It was too precious…too dear.
Let them call it whatever they want. If this wasn't love then Sasuke didn't want to feel THEIR so called LOVE.
He no longer cared about what people would say or think.
He was no longer going to do what he was expected to do and what he was supposed to do.
It was over. It had reached the end exactly two hours ago.
Now he was going to treasure this feeling.
And he was going to do anything to protect this small body in his arms , To keep it to himself.
Call it Love, Hatred. He didn't care.
A loud growl scaped the blond man's stomach. Naruto 's eyelashes fluttered and his lids parted to reveal a pair of sleepy blue orbs, his small mouth stretching in a big yawn, even showing the bottom of his throat.
Sasuke chuckled. How cute. Just like a kitten. He just needed to stick his tongue out a little and the view would be perfect. Apparently the kitten was hungry. He so wanted to nuzzle into this kitten's soft fur.
Screw Uchiha dignity.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Naruto didn't want to wake up.
He was feeling so warm and comfy.
Only once he had felt like this. Long time ago when his father was still alive. When he was loved by someone more than anything else in the world and he would be held against a strong chest protectively, safe from all the rest of the world.
Even his favorite ramen couldn't force him to wake up.
He could die happily like this.
He felt a gentle touch on his cheek and couldn't help but to purr in his sleep. So soft. So gentle.
'More.'
'Touch me more.'
He could feel the gentle hand running through his blond strands of hair.
His body shivered in delight, yearning for more.
But his stomach growled, rebelliously declaring that it was not going tolerate his ignorance anymore.
Naruto grumbled and tried to open his eyes. Damn, he didn't want to wake up and they felt so heavy.
"Hm, finally, sleeping beauty is awake."
Naruto 's body froze and his lazy brain immediately began processing the voice.
Deep.
Velvet.
Sarcastic.
Sasuke?
Hehehe..so funny! That's impossible! Why would he hear Sasuke's voice just an inch away from his own ear? Hehehe.
Wait a minute.
He just felt a hot breath on his cheek. So…nice. So…
WAIT A MINUTE DAMN IT.
.
.
.
.
Naruto opened his eyes and found himself staring right into a pair of mid-night colored depthless pools.
Wow his brain was right for once. Maybe he could listen to the poor thing once in a while.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
He shrieked girlishly and jumped off the King-sized bedroom, pointing a shaking accusing finger at the smirking raven still in the bed.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" He yelled.
Sasuke chuckled. "This is my room dobe, remember?"
Naruto blinked.
Realization hit him as he lifted his head and found himself surrounded by painted forests and fields.
"Oh, you're right. This is your room." His eyes continued to travel around the room while his mouth slightly parted in awe. "Damn, I really did a good job, didn't I?"
Sasuke chuckled again. He had to make himself used to chuckling at least a few times a day.
Naruto turned to Sasuke and grinned sheepishly, his eyes sparkling with light and happiness.
Sasuke's heart skip a beat as he felt himself drowning in those beautiful eyes. Slowly his body rose off the bed and his legs walked him toward the blond. Like he was being controlled by some strong unknown power and the strange part was he didn't want to fight that power but instead he wanted to place himself in it's hands, to be taken whenever the power would decide for him and right now… he was being taken toward a certain Blue-eyed man.
Naruto's heart suddenly began jumping up and down in his chest. Sasuke was slowly stalking toward him, his whole body moving in a slow motion and his eyes staring intensely into his. Naruto swallowed and stepped back as the raven continued his advance toward him until their chests were only an inch apart.
His heart was pounding so loud that he was sure Sasuke could hear it. Naruto couldn't even move under the intense look of those onyx eyes. Sasuke's eyes had never been….this full. They had always been gazing at no where special with an empty look but now so many different emotions were swirling in them that even Naruto was left completely frozen and speechless. He who was known to read people's souls and hearts just by looking at their eyes. He swallowed hard. Why was Sasuke looking at him like this? Was he angry at the paintings? No, anger was not among those swirling emotions.
"Sasuke?" Naruto's voice came out weak and stammered.
His whole body shivered as a cold pale hand covered his right cheek and gently caressed the tanned skin.
The cold hand was so warm, gentle…loving.
Naruto closed his eyes and allowed himself to be drown in the nice pleasant feeling.
'Sasuke?'
Sasuke leaned closer to the blond. His heart was pounding so loud that he was afraid the blond could hear it.
The moment his cold hand came into contact with the tanned warm skin, a pleasant shiver shot through his whole body.
So soft, lovely…heavenly.
Naruto's eyes drifted close and Sasuke's heart became even wilder.
'No, dobe. Don't close your eyes.'
'Don't tempt me.'
'It's too hard. Too foreign. Too strong.'
'This feeling.'
He leaned closer. Just a little more. Just a little more and he could feel those pinkish plump lips one more time.
"NARUTO ARE YOU HERE? WHERE IS SASUKE-KUN?" Sakura slammed the door open and barged inside the room with a very irritated face. " He is not in his bed! Where- goodness Sasuke-kun!" Sakura spotted Sasuke in the middle of room and her mood immediately brightened.
"Can I help you my lady?" Sasuke growled, his eyes glaring daggers at Sakura.
"Sasuke-kun, you're talking again?" Sakura squealed with glee and threw herself at the raven, completely missing his very frustrated behavior and annoyed look..
Sakura's unexpected entry had startled Naruto and he had almost jumped out of his skin.
He had opened his eyes to find Sasuke a meter away from himself glaring at their wife. How the hell he had moved so fast?
He placed a hand on his pounding heart to calm it, completely deaf to the conversation going on between the other two.
'What was that?'
'What just happened?'
'What the hell is wrong with me?'
His eyes darted around the room, like he could find the answer to his own behaviour somewhere hidden in the paintings.
"I knew you will understand that all I care for is your health." Sakura said, giving a seductive look to her husband.
It took all Sasuke's will power to stop the disgusted look from spreading on his face.
"Yes, Yes. Of course. Don't you have duties?" Sasuke growled, his eyes wondering toward the blond at the other side of the room.
Damn it.
He was very frustrated though no one could tell by his outside look.
He didn't know if he had to be pissed at the princess or throw himself at her feet and thank her. If she hadn't showed up, he would…
'This is bad.'
'I'm losing my control.'
" Don't be mean honey." Sakura's voice echoed somewhere in the distance.
'What was I doing? I have never felt like this. What happened to that damn self-control of mine?'
Worry took over his heart as Naruto remained silent, a hand on his chest and his eyes wide with shock.
'What is he thinking about? Did I scare him? Oh god, what if he begin to avoid me now? No…No… calm down… take it easy. He won't do that…he won't…what if he is freaked out? Damn it! Damn it! I shouldn't have lost my control."
"Are you listening? Let's throw you a birthday party. It's not late . Now that you are up and- "
'I have to act wisely . I can't scare him like this. Damn it! If only we weren't official husbands, things would be much easier!"
Naruto took a deep breath and glanced at Sasuke from the corner of his eyes. He yelped in surprise when their gazes collided and immediately turned around, blood rushing to his cheeks.
'Damn it.'
'Why am I acting like this?'
'He just touched me. I'm sure he was going to say something about his gift and I ruined it by acting like an idiot.'
'Damn it.'
'Why did I close my eyes? Am I losing my mind? No..No.. I 'm lacking sleep! That's it!
My eyes automatically closed because I need sleep! I have to tell him…before he freaks out!'
He lifted his head and realized Sasuke was still looking at him with worry in his eyes while Sakura had her head resting on his shoulder, having a dreamy look on her eyes and talking about the party she was going to throw for him.
He tried to smile. "Um, I think I really need to sleep. Sorry for before Sasuke. My eyes are closing on me. I can hardly stand." He bumped his head with his own hand and grinned sheepishly.
Sasuke's eyes slightly widened. "You're right Naruto. I'm sorry."
"No, No! It's fine. I'll go sleep."
Sasuke nodded.
"Yeah, you have too. I just realized your eyes are red, hey wait a minute!" Sakura gaped, realizing the change in the room.
"What the hell is this?"
Naruto tensed. "Um, remember I asked to switch room with him? Well, I painted these for him…as birthday gift."
Sakura gazed at the green trees with their entangled branches , the blue sky and the field replacing the window. "I didn't know you can paint like this." She looked at Naruto with surprise.
Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Thanks. Sai helped me to improve a little."
Sakura finished looking around the room. "Moo, Naruto you had to tell me. Sasuke-kun doesn't like something like this."
Naruto's eyes widened and his mouth fell open. Sasuke immedaitely stiffened and
A scowl covered his face.
He just knew she was going to spit something stupid.
"This makes the room too crowded for him. It will give him a headache!"
Naruto's face paled and Sasuke felt his own heart sinking to the bottom of his stomach by seeing the other man's reaction. He clenched his hands in fury. How dare she!
Sakura continued, oblivious to her beloved Sasuke's dark aura and Naruto's obvious discomfort.
"But it's ok. I'm sure he understands your message. I will tell the servants to repaint the room so- "
"That's not going to happen." Sasuke hissed, cold dripping from every word.
Sakura started and look at him with confusion. "Excuse me darling?"
"I said that's not going to happen because I love the room this way." Sasuke gritted his teeth, spotting a trembling tear at the corner of a blue eye. "It's the best birthday gift I have ever been given."
Sakura gaped at him in surprise and a little hurt. Best birthday gift? Better than all the expensive clothes and gifts she had given him?
But Sasuke wasn't looking at her. He was drowned in the beautiful smile Naruto had gifted him with right then. He gave a small smile back to the blond.
"Um….ok. Whatever you want dear. I have to go now and… give orders for your birthday party. Then as we agreed we will have it tomorrow night. I… I will see you guys later." Sakura stammered, her eyes darting between the two man. "By the way I'm very happy that you two are getting along."
She smiled at the two of them and rised on her toe to give Sasuke a peck on the cheek.
Sasuke 's lips turned into a tight line as the kiss was placed on his cheek.
Smiling , she turned around and walked toward Naruto, encircling the man's arm with her own. "I know it's hard. That's why I'm grateful that you two are trying…for me." She smiled and kissed Naruto's cheek.
'Don't touch him.'
Sasuke's breath hitched as suddenly he had a horrible urge of killing someone. He
opened and closed his fists, trying hard to control the new rises and falls in his temper.
'This is bad.'
'I'm getting out of control.'
Sasuke turned on his heels and glued his eyes at where a window used to be.
"I'll see you later boys." Sakura chirped and walked out of the door.
Silence took over the room before Sasuke heard shuffles from where Naruto was. "Um…then I guess I will go to my room. Sorry for the trouble Teme." Naruto said, his hands fidgeting with the Kimono he was wearing.
"Hm." Sasuke didn't turn around.
Naruto's head drooped by the other 's reaction and he slowly stalked toward the door before pausing again.
"Sasuke …do you…" His voice was uncertain and unconfidant
'Oh god…. Don't ask me….don't ask me why I did that…' Sasuke prayed in his heart.
"Do you really like the room?"
Sasuke released his breath in relief and slowly turned his face to him and smiled.
"Yes, Dobe. I love it. Really."
Naruto's eyes brightened and he gave Sasuke another one of those beautiful smiles before sticking a tongue at him playfully and closing the door.
Sasuke clasped a hand over his mouth.
'This is bad.'
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"You know Naruto I have to admit, things have been very lively since you arrived in this Harem." Sai sipped from his drink, his eyes on the maids and servants that were running around to prepare the Harem for first husband's grand birthday party.
"You think?" Naruto flashed him a toothy grin. He had been asleep all day long and it was evening when he had finally opened his eyes since Sai was just too persistent to leave. They were seated around a table in Naruto's room and Naruto was very happy to be with them like this. He had missed this.
Haku smiled and Sai nodded. "Yeah, think about. You managed to get into a fight with Sasuke the moment you saw him and then you too continued your little arguments until the whole Harem could hear your voices and then you got yourself poisoned and Sasuke went flying down the window, taking Orochimaru with himself and then he fell into a coma and then"
"Ok, ok, that's enough. I'm not sure anymore if this is a compliment." Naruto waved his hands, his face flushed.
"Well, it is. Managing to do all this stuff, considering the fact that you are a dickles- "
"I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH MORON" Naruto yelled and smacked Sai in head, making him choke on his drink.
"But really, we need to apologize to Sasuke-kun." Haku said while tapping Sai 's backing a calm manner.
"Hm? Why?" Naruto asked with confusion and shoved a big piece of cake into his mouth.
Haku and Sai glanced at each other. "Well, when you were poisoned…everyone suspected Sasuke to be the culprit." Haku finished, his eyes full of regret though Sai's face was blank.
This time Naruto choke and both Sai and Haku had to smack his back several times to open his way of breathing.
"I even punched him." Sai added in a very normal tune. Naruto coughed harder. "I have to admit, it felt good." Sai smirked.
"Sai do you mind? He is choking you know." Haku glared at the raven man.
"GU…GUYS…" Naruto coughed again. "What's this about?" He turned to Sai "You punched him?"
Haku sighed. "It's as exactly as it sounds. Well, you collapsed right after your big fight with Sasuke so we thought it must be his doing. Every one thought the same."
Sai nodded in agreement.
Naruto stared at them speechless but Haku realized that his eyes were flashing with different emotions, mostly regret and fear.
"Well, it happens a lot. This kind of thing. Husbands get hurt or poisoned by each other almost in every Harem." Sai smiled like he was stating a very normal fact. Apparently these were his comforting words.
"Not in every Harem." Haku raised his eyebrow, Though he knew Sai was right.
"It happens a lot. You can't deny that. Only killing first husband has death penalty so-"
"This is all my fault." Naruto suddenly said, his eyes hidden behind his blond bangs. Haku looked down at his hands that had turned white from clenching the glass.
"It's not your fault. You weren't even conscious." Haku caressed his hand in a comforting manner.
"But I… But I.." Naruto shook his head and clutched it with his fingers.
"You what?" Haku asked with worry.
"Sasuke is coming." Sai said warningly. Naruto jumped out of his seat so fast that the whole table rattled, a glass loosed balance and the orange liquid pouring out of it stained the tablecloth.
"Sasuke-kun." Haku smiled and raised from his seat in respect. Sai did the same and Naruto was the only one who didn't react or turn around , his whole body tensed.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at their now friendly behaviors but other wise ignored them.
"Naruto." He said in his normal deep tune.
"WHAT?" Naruto jumped again.
"Listen…" Sasuke ran a finger through his hair.
"Do you want to…"
"OH I GOT TO GO! I JUST REMEMBERED SOMEHTING! SORRY!" Naruto flashed a big grin and before they could blink, a cloud of dust was the only evidence of him ever being there, leaving them alone in his own room.
"What the hell?" Sasuke scowled.
"He is cute isn't he?" Sai smiled.
Sasuke gave him a death glare and turned around to leave before Haku's hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Sasuke-kun, please allow us to apologize. I'm sure you understand that we are sorry for our previous behavour and we did that because- "
Sasuke slapped his hand away. "I don't care."
Haku smiled. He knew that this was Sasuke's way of saying they were forgiven, there was no grudge in his eyes. Well you could also say he really didn't care.
"Hm, I guess I have to apologize too. Sorry for the punch." Sai smiled at him, his eyes closed.
Sasuke shuddered from seeing the fake usual smile. "No problem. You were punished for it weren't you?" he said and began walking away.
"Oh, you're right." Sai snapped his eyes open. "Come to think of it that was too much punishment for one punch."
Sasuke stopped and turned his head a little, his eyebrow rised in question.
Haku sighed. He knew what was coming.
"Can I give you another one?" Sai asked eagerly, a creepy light in his eyes.
"No, you can't you idiot!" Sasuke growled from between his gritted teeth and walked away in quick steps.
Haku gave Sai a look.
"What?" Sai said in confusion. "I'm trying to be friendly."
Haku sighed again and grabbed his arm. "Yeah. Yeah. Come. We have to prepare too."
Sai allowed himself to be dragged out of the room by the smaller male. "He is too broody and arrogant." He mused.
"I think he is cute." Haku smiled, remembering the other man's almost childish behaviour. He had known Sasuke for a long time but it was now that he was really getting to know him. That he wasn't as cold and heartless as he pretended to be. "He is simply trying to keep people out of his guarded walls. He is trying to hide his real emotions."
This time Sai gave him a look. "You call that cute?"
Haku just smiled back.
They were quiet until Sai decided to comment again.
"Naruto is cuter."
"Whatever."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
'Oh, god I can't face him. I was avoiding this subject when he was still in that lifeless condition. It's not like I could exactly bring it up when he was that depressed . But…now …how am I going to face him?' Naruto thought, chewing his own lips while leaning against a wall in the corridor.
Yes, he had indeed avoided that subject.
He could remember everything perfectly. He always remembered the worst moments of his life perfectly. Like they wanted to remind him that they were always there whether he wanted it or not.
He sighed in defeat.
The moment the poison had gone down his throat, the moment his whole body had began to burn, he hadn't hestitate to accuse Sasuke in his heart. His whole being had concluded that no one else but Sasuke could be responsible. He had simply forgot everything good that had ever happened between the two.
He had came to think of Sasuke as his best friend.
He had came to see parts in that man that no one else was able to see.
That he was kind though he pretended to be cruel.
That he cared though he pretended that he did not.
That his real self was much different that what he had come to be.
Forced to be.
Naruto ran a finger through his hair, his eyes gazing at the stone-made floor.
He had forgotten all this in a blink of an eye.
"Damn it." He cursed and shifted slightly. The wall was cold and he shivered, but continued to lean on it. He deserved to be shivering from cold.
'Papa…don't leave me Papa!' The child wailed and placed his small hands on either sides of his father's face. He could feel the warmth of life leaving his father's body as his eyes became heavier, the light in them disappearing slowly. The man lifted a hand to caress the child's tear-wet cheek.
' Naruto… Don't…live your life…in fear…or distrust…be fr..eee,' The man's body trembled again and after inhaling a deep breath, remained motionless.
"I'm sorry father." Naruto dropped his head.
"I have failed you." He murmured with sadness, his eyes still on the floor but not really seeing it.
"How…. Could you? I thought…. You're… my friend."
His own voice rang through his mind as it had happened again and again during all the days that Sasuke had been motionless , his chest hardly moving with shallow breaths.
A lump formed in his throat and he tried to swallow it.
He had suffered during that time more than he could ever remember. He had suffered from the fear of not being able to talk to his friend ever again. The same friend that he had thought of as a traitor. The same friend that had almost died to protect him.
And now that by some miracle he had that chance again, he was running away from it.
'shit. I'm so stupid.' He rubbed his watering eyes with frustration.
"Naruto?" Naruto yelped, startled by hearing the familiar voice from right behind himself. He whirled around and laughed nervously.
"Sasuke … you scared me."
Sasuke glared at him.
Air left the blond man's lungs as he registered the very angry look.
'Oh god. Have I done something again?'
"What time is it?" Sasuke said, his arms crossed and his head tilted slightly.
Now Naruto was confused. "T-Time? Um…" He looked at the huge wooden clock standing at the end of corridor. "6 o'clock?"
Sasuke glared at the confused foxy face of the blond.
"What?" Naruto was now even more confused.
"Haven't your forgot something?" Sasuke glared.
He had very different feelings in his heart. Part of him was praying that the blond had really forgot and that was all to it but the other part was roaring to kill him for giving Sasuke such a horrible time with a very stupid reason, thinking that he was being refused and avoided. He had been so frustrated these passed hours, thinking that Naruto seriously didn't want to see him that he had almost ripped out his own hair, almost, cause instead he poured his anger on the poor Purple Kimono that had been delivered to him some time ago. Damn, it had felt good.
"Our evening Tea, Moron!" He just couldn't hold it in anymore.
Naruto gaped at him. "Evening tea?" He repeated, a dumb look on his face.
Sasuke glared. "Yes, duh! "
"But that was when the window- "Naruto clasped a hand over his mouth. Shit, he didn't want to remind the raven about the incident. . Sasuke's expression had immediately changed into a look of hurt and disappoint.
"Sasuke- I"
"So you don't want to come if the window is not there?" Sasuke asked, his eyes hidden behind his bangs, unabling Naruto to see them.
Naruto froze.
What?
Was he missing something?
He had thought that Sasuke would be bothered. That now that the window was no longer there, Naruto 's present would just pour salt on his wounds.
But Like always, his mouth worked sooner than his brain could stop it. " You mean you expected me to come?"
Sasuke visibly tensed. "You're right. My mistake." He turned on his heels to walk away.
Naruto's eyes widened as he realized his own mistake. He hadn't mean it like THAT!
"No, wait." He reached out a hand toward the raven and grabbed his arm.
"I didn't mean it like that! I thought…you may not want me to come."
Sasuke slowly turned around to face him. He stared at Naruto's face for a moment before sighing and pulling his arm out of his hold.
"Idiot. Of course I want you to come. Why would you think that? Let's go. Tea is ready." He grumbled and began stalking toward their chamber.
Naruto didn't move and simply stared after him until Sasuke turned around and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Hm, dobe?"
Naruto took a deep breath and ran after him, a huge smile on his face. "Don't call me that teme."
Sasuke turned around again and Naruto couldn't see his expression but he could swear that he had heard a chuckle.
'Sasuke has already forgiven me.' He thought, his heart pounding with happiness and a warm pleasant feeling taking over his whole body.
'But I still have to apologize.' He clenched his hands with determination and nodded his head.
'And explain.'
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
"AHHH…This is so refreshing…." Naruto sipped from his green tea and relaxed in his chair.
"Hm." Was Sasuke's only reply as he sipped his own tea, his eyes looking at nowhere special.
"You know… there is this weird Tea called Hanayome. It's very delicious and it's kinda spicy."
Sasuke coughed. "Hanayome? What's with the name?"
"Well, I don't know. Apparently in Flower country they serve it in wedding night." Naruto shrugged.
"Whatever."
Naruto lifted his head to see Sasuke had closed his eyes, his head resting on the back of the chair. Part of his face was hidden in the room's shadow. Now that the window was gone and Naruto had painted almost every inch of wall he could find, the room was much darker than before and one small lamp on the corner was the only source of light.
Naruto played with the cup of tea in his hand, He was so beautiful…so breathtaking, just leaning on his chair with his eyes closed. His raven eye lashes casting shadows on his flawless porcelain skin. Everything about him was perfect. Every curve…every line.
'No wonder Sakura is crazy about him.' Naruto mused and released a sigh.
"What?" Sasuke snapped one eye open to gaze at him.
"Hah…nothing. I was just thinking you're really beautiful." Naruto said absent mindedly before going into a frozen state, registering the words he had just stated.
Sasuke's eyes widened at the words.
He stared at the blond as a heavy blush took over his cute face."No…NO…That's…I mean…I didn't mean that you're beau…no, I meant…" Naruto stammered, his big blue pleading eyes trying hard to send the message to the surprised raven.
Sasuke's lips curled up into a little smile.
'So you think I'm beautiful?' Sasuke thought to himself.
'Funny how I was thinking the same about you .'
"Hm, whatever dobe." He said to calm the frustrated blond.
Naruto released a sigh of relief and dropped his head on the table.
They sat there in silence and listened to the sounds coming from around the Harem. Naruto gazed at where once a window was. He could here voices from behind of it, coming from the garden.
A guard was shouting madly at someone. He couldn't hear the words properly. He only heard something close to flying dishes. What the hell they were fighting about?
A few moments later a dog began barking loudly and more curses were heard.
Naruto sighed. He wanted to go out. He so wanted to go out and see what all this ruckus was about. There was a time when he was responsible for most of them in one particular Harem. Hah, felt like ten years ago.
He turned his gaze to Sasuke again and realized the raven had been observing him. Sasuke immediately turned his head away and began looking intensely at the door knob.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at the action. Was something wrong with the door knob? Then why Sasuke was glaring at it like he wanted to turn it into ash?
"Um." He decided that begining another conversation was a good way to lift the mood. Slowly he was drifting into depression and the sounds coming from the garden weren't helping at all.
"Um, It's dark in here, don't you think so?"
"Hm."
"How about lighting a candle?" Naruto asked , his eyes looking innocently at Sasuke.
"Ca-candle? Why a candle?" Sasuke looked surprise, his onyx eyes looking at Naruto with obvious shock.
"What's wrong with a candle?" Naruto was confused. "You can turn on a lamp too if you want." He shrugged.
Sasuke's expression turned to normal and he cleared his throat, stalking toward a drawer to bring out a candle. He placed it in the middle of table and slowly lightened it with a match. Then he sat back on his chair and looked across the table to Naruto.
Naruto smiled at him from behind the candle. His blue eyes sparkling with the candle 's light." Isn't it better?"
Suddenly Sasuke jumped out of his seat and throw the candle to the other side of the room with one motion of his hand.
"WHAT THE HELL TEME!" Naruto yelped in surprise and almost fell out of his chair since he was formerly swinging it, scared by the other's crazy action. but when Sasuke looked at him, his pale face was very normal. The normal Proud and dignified one that is.
Sasuke cleared his throat again.
"The light is fine."
Naruto stared at him, wondering if his friend was alright or he had finally lost his mind.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
"You know Sasuke…A lamp please? Anything! I'm kind of being freaked out by all this shadows and FOR GOD'S SAKE LIGHT SOMEHTING! WE'RE LITERALLY SITTING IN PURE DARKNESS." Naruto yelled at top of his lungs as for a moment a closet behind Sasuke looked like some kind of monster opening his mouth.
A tick was heard and the room was lightened. He saw Sasuke standing at the other side of the room, chuckling.
"Don't laugh Teme!" Naruto huffed and muttered something about loony darkness lovers.
Sasuke laughed in silence. Naruto was just too cute.
"Happy? Now how about you finally tell me what is it that you have been trying to say in this passed hour." Sasuke raised an eyebrow while laying down on his bed, his head resting on the palm of his hand and his eyes looking at the blond who had curled up in his chair like a kitten, hugging his knees to his chest.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wh-what? How did-you?" Naruto stuttered.
"Oh, Please." Sasuke scuffed. "You have been opening and closing your mouth like some kind of stupid gold fish , stuttering nonsense or eating your sentences all this time. I know you enough Dobe. What is it? I think you should soon get to bed so spit it."
Naruto glared at him. "I'm not a chicken."
"You need sleep." Sasuke glared back." Now spit it. I have been patient enough.
Naruto huffed and turned his gaze away from the smirking raven.
Sasuke had began growling again when Naruto shifted nervously and opened his mouth for the tenth time. Thankfully this time something did come out of it and Sasuke was simply shocked by hearing it.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Naruto muttered, his head dropping on his knees and his eyes saddening.
Sasuke tensed and pulled himself into sitting position. "Why are you apologizing?" He glared.
Naruto flinched by the dark look and didn't say anything.
Sasuke strode toward him in fast steps and stood hovering over the blond, his scowl deepening.
"I said. Why. Are you. Apologizing?" He growled.
Naruto gulped. No he had to continue. He had to.
' Oh, god please make him forgive me.'
"Because I doubted you. Because I thought you have poisoned me."
Sasuke gaped at him, his eyes widening slightly before softening into deep kind onyx ones.
"Dobe." Sasuke sighed. "Don't scare me." He walked back to the bed and dropped himself on it.
Naruto was confused. This wasn't the reaction he was expecting.
"What did you think I was apologizing for?"
Sasuke shook his head. "I don't know." Then he raised his head again and gazed at blond.
"Come here." He patted the place beside himself on the mattress.
Naruto obeyed quietly, sat beside him on the bed looked back at him.
'Why aren't you angry?' He thought with relief and fear.
Was something worse than anger waiting for him?
" I was hoping that you wouldn't apologize cause …then I would have to apologize too and.. I'm not good at that." Sasuke mumbled with irritation.
When Naruto didn't say anything but remained staring at him confused, he sighed and ran a finger through his raven hair.
"Look, I didn't exactly treat you like a best friend, did I now? so…How about we forget the whole thing, hah? I mean…when you apologize I'm reminded of"
"Ok." Naruto interrupted , a smile on his face.
Sasuke looked at him.
"But I had to apologize." Naruto looked back with his determined clear blue eyes.
Sasuke smiled at his friend. He had never been mad at the blond. He had been hurt. Terribly and deeply. The words had haunted him for quite a while, asleep or awake but the one he had been angry at had never been Naruto.
It was himself.
So there was nothing to forgive.
Naruto felt that incredible pleasant feeling again when Sasuke smiled again. A true smile.
He was forgiven.
He sighed in relief. That wasn't so hard, was it now?
"Thanks teme." He said not breaking the eye contact.
Sasuke smirked.
"I thank you too dobe."
Naruto grinned and then sprawled himself on the bed, moaning in pleasure from relaxing and sinking into the soft material. Sasuke gazed down at him.
"Ah, It's so comfortable here. I think Your bed is better than mine."
Sasuke chuckled. "The beds are the same dobe."
"Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"My parents died when I was young." Naruto said in a calm and relaxed tune.
Sasuke froze. He didn't turn his face to look at Naruto. He knew what was happening. He closed his eyes and listened to the voice.
"You know that I'm Kushina-Hime's son, don't you? My mother was a great woman. She was the greatest worrier of her own time and every battle she leaded always brought victory for out kingdom. She was really loved by everyone. I never saw anyone insulting her or even giving her a cold shoulder. People always looked at her with awe and admiration. She was always smiling." Naruto shifted a little and ran a finger through his blond hairs.
"I loved her so much." He continued. "I specially loved to play with her long red hair, entangling it around my finger or tie it in different funny weird shapes." He chuckled.
Silence filled the room as Naruto became quiet. Some time passed before he began talking again, sharing parts of his life with Sasuke that he had never shared with anyone else.
And Sasuke knew very well what kind of courage stating every sentence was what feelings was hidden in each word coming out of his friend's mouth.
He swallowed hard and prepared himself for whatever story Naruto was going to tell him. He had a feeling it was a very sad and tragedic one.
"My mother loved my father more than anyone else in the world. My father was truly a beautiful man. His blond hair rivaling the rays of sun and his blue eyes softer and warmer than any other blue in this world." He tilted his face to look at Sasuke. "He was really too beautiful to be human."
Sasuke turned his head slightly to look at him from the corner of his eyes. "Then I guess you have taken after him dobe."
Naruto smiled and his eyes softened. He had never thought that telling all this to Sasuke would be this easy. Much easier than what he had thought it to be. Words were flowing out of his mouth like they had been waiting for a chance like this since forever.
"He was very kind and smart. He was always by my mother's side. She would never go anywhere without him, whether it was battle field or a neighbor country. People would fall in love with him with just one glance so" Naruto grinned. "Mother was kind of possessive."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Like Sakura?"
"No" Naruto furrowed his eyebrows. "Not like her. I could tell father loved her possessive words and actions. Now that I think about it they were cute. She would pout and sulk in a corner, saying stuff like she is not loved." Naruto giggled and Sasuke smiled.
"She never forbid father from anything. They even ran away from Harem once."
Sasuke eyes widened.
"Ran away? But running from Harem has death penalty." He said with surprise and shock.
"Hm, I know but Dad wasn't alone you know. Mom was the one who had taken him out so it wasn't exactly running away from Harem but they were still breaking the rules, going out without guards and such." Naruto smirked.
Sasuke smiled and turned around to lay beside the blond, resting his head on his hand, his favorite pose.
"Tsunade almost killed them. But you know they still did it from time to time and Tsuande knew but didn't say anything. Hehe…my parents were the greatest rebels of all times."
Sasuke chuckled at the blond's cute expression. Obviously he was drown in his most precious memories.
"My mother had a second official husband."
Sasuke tensed.
"He was very beautiful too. His long red hair was separated in nine branches and his eyes were always a burning red. He was as perfect as father in every aspect." Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"I hated him. I hate him more than anything else in the world."
Sasuke gulped.
"I don't know what the hell was his problem. My father was the first husband when he joined the Harem. Mother didn't want another official husband, she already had a hard time attending to her other ones since the only one she really wanted was dad but still she never neglected her duty with the other ones. And father knew this so he never complained either. But HE was a different matter." Naruto took a deep breath.
"Kyuubi. At first he was fine. He got along with father and they became friends quickly but after a few months….every thing changed."
Naruto's face darkened. "Mother had to leave the castle for a battle and for the first time she didn't take her husbands with her , You know that husbands always accompany their wife during long periods of war but she refused to take her own with her. Specially Dad. It was a great battle and she was worried that something might happen to them during all the chase and ambush so she left alone.
That's when Kyuubi began showing his true self. I could tell father was avoiding him. I saw him once pulling my father from his wrists and pinning him on a wall."
Cold took over Sasuke's whole body. Could it be…
"I think he was jealous of dad's position. He was a power hungry man and he had a lot of evil plans. I was a child back then but even I could tell. I was born before his arrival so dad was officially the second power of the castle. Though he was too kind to ever use it. He could throw Kyuubi out in a second but he let him stay. He tolerated his violence and cruelty but at the end….Kyuubi poisoned him and killed him."
Sasuke clenched his fists. Now Naruto's nightmares were making perfect sense. So he was confusing him with that man?
He felt something burning his entire chest. To think he made Naruto think of him like that…
He shook his head to push away the negative thoughts.
"Mother came back in all glory from her war just to find her husband dead, drown in his own blood. It only took her a week to lose her mind. She decided to suicide."
Sasuke gasped.
"The funny thing is kyuubi had done the same two days after my father's death. There was no evidence of him being responsible but he killed himself. His body was found in the chamber my father's coffin was placed. When mother came back he was dead too."
"If he killed himself, Then why he killed your dad to begin with?" Sasuke asked, a very disturbing thought in his mind. Something was missing. Something that Naruto had missed since he had been only a child at the time.
"I don't know." Naruto shrugged. "I think he was crazy
"Did he ever hurt you?" Sasuke shook his head and furrowed his eyebrows.
"No." Naruto's eyes looked far and distant. "He actually saved my life once when I fell from the stairs. His hand broke in the process." Naruto stretched his body and sat beside Sasuke. "Sometimes I liked him and sometimes I didn't. He was very weird. He was insane." He turned his head to Sasuke. "Literally."
Sasuke didn't say anything. They just sat there in silence.
Voices and sounds coming from the garden had died long time ago. It was only a matter of time before Sakura would come back to the chamber. They had never spent such a long time only each other's company.
"I said all this to apologize." Naruto said suddenly. Sasuke didn't look at him.
"I was haunted by my childhood dreams all my life so… I tried to pretend they haven't effect me but that was a lie. I lived most of my life in fear pf entering another Harem."
He looked at Sasuke. "You are nothing like him. Nothing at all. You have to understand that it was all because of my deep rooted fears. Nothing else."
Sasuke looked back at him. His eyes observing the blond's intensely for the truth. Naruto was looking back with his blue eyes filled with strength, determination and…passion.
"I believe you dobe." He said in one short sentence, putting his feelings into it whole heartedly.
Naruto smiled. "Thanks teme. I- "
"SASUKE-KUN?" Saskura yelled and slammed the door open.
"FOR GOD'S SAKE WOMAN KNOCK!" Sasuke yelled though he was prepared for her arrival.
Sakura smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Eh! Naruto you're here again? Good , I was looking for you. Moo… why is it that recently when ever I come searching for one of you guys . I find you in the other's room?"
She marched toward the bed and dropped herself between them. Sasuke flinched but Narutp giggled
" Cause we're getting along?"
Sakura scoffed, "Yeah, yeah. Too much if you ask me."
Sasuke snorted.
"Sasuke rub my shoulders please."
Sasuke began massaging her shoulders.
Naruto looked at him with confusion. What was with the expression? He looked about ready to bite someone.
"NARUTO!"
"What?" Naruto started.
"Listen, when I'm talking to you. Why are you so air head? Put your arms around me I'm cold." Sakura commanded.
Sasuke growled.
"He-here?" Naruto stuttered uncomfortable. "This is Sasuke'room."
"Hm, Doesn't matter. Do it." Sakura closed her eyes and relaxed in the arms of her blond husband while the raven one continued to massage her shoulders.
"Ouch. Gently Sasuke." She giggled. "Not so strong."
The growl that scaped Sasuke's throat scared Naruto. It sounded like some kind of wounded animal.
"Guys, everything is going perfect. Tomorrow's party will be great." Sakura chirped happily and began going through all the arrangements in details. Naruto's eyes became heavier and heavier as she continued to talk with out a stop but Sasuke seemed immune. Maybe because he wasn't listening. He looked like he was in his own thoughts.
"Ne, Sakura." Naruto opened a sleepy eye.
"Hm?"
"Who else is invited? I mean aside from Harem's people?"
"Hah? No one else. What do you expect?"
Naruto gaped. "I thought Tsunade or- "
Sakura giggled. "You're so stupid Naruto. Of course not. Birthday or not, no one is allowed to look at my beautiful husbands." She caressed Naruto's round cheek.
Sasuke huffed.
"Tsunade had seen me before, you know." Naruto pouted.
"Not anymore." Sakura glared and turned her back to him.
"Um, I'm getting sleepy. I need to go change to my night gowns. " She slowly rose and stalked toward the door.
She grabbed the door and turned to them again before closing it. "Oh yeah. I wanted to tell you that I expect to see you tomorrow night in your new Kimonos."
Sasuke froze and Naruto's face was taken over by a shade of blue.
"I'm sure you will be beautiful in them. " She batted her eyelashes, her fingers clasped together in a dreamy pose and slipped out of the room, humming a birthday song.
"Mine is PINK!" Naruto clutched his head and sinked in to the bed, shoving his head into mattress while kicking the air. Sasuke could make out the sentence 'it's pink' Being said by the blond over and over again though his voice was muffled.
"I…ripped my own." Sasuke muttered in a low tune.
Naruto raised his head. "Hah?"
"It was an accident." Sasuke shifted nervously. "I…ripped it."
Naruto stared at him.
"We're in trouble." Sasuke sighed.
Tbc
I refuse to write more! 27 page! I'm breaking record. Actually I wanted to write the party scene too but then it would hit 50 and well I would also finally reach the end of this tunnel I'm currently walking in. Oh, look! I can see the light!!!
Review before I go in to it!
Seriously I was ill while writing parts of this so I'm really looking forward to your reviews. Tell me your opinion about story's pace. Am I taking things too slow, too fast?
I'm waiting.
Love you all