Let Me Love You

Warnings: A SasuNaru Yaoi fanfiction. Self edited. OOC-ness and M-rated.

Disclaimer: Naruto's not mine and will never be. Loving hubby Itachi as always.

CHAPTER 10

If one will be given a choice between physical or emotional torture, most people who have suffered a broken heart might pick the physical suffering rather than going over again the anguish when you lose someone you love. Naruto is exactly feeling the same. After that little confrontation with Sasuke which turned out to be a disaster for the blonde, the tanned guy welcome the idea of getting into some thug fight just to escape the pain he's feeling. He has no recollection how he got home and managed to wake up the next day. His biggest fear has happened. How can he still face the raven? He guessed that Sasuke act the way he did simply because his pride was hurt. He was supposed to be disgusted with the idea of knowing that Naruto loves him but due to the blonde's tactic of avoiding the raven, the pale guy must get some reaction from Naruto. His friend, his only friend betrayed him and it's what hurts the most, probably. Naruto can only assume because he is not going to talk to Sasuke anymore. He will act like nothing happened. It's both for their sake. If the news leak that he has hots for the raven, he will be ridiculed. Sasuke on the other hand will be reminded of the pain of his father's doing and he might shut himself for good. Naruto can't have that. It will ruin the pale guy and the blonde can bear all the sufferings if it will ensure Sasuke's welfare.

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They were having their lunch break and Naruto was not too keen with the idea of stuffing his stomach full, aside from the fact that their cafeteria doesn't offer ramen and Sasuke was just a few tables away from him. He decided to get back on his room when he saw that Kiba was also done with his lunch.

"Hey Naruto. How are you? What did that bastard say? Did he do anything?" The brunette was walking alongside of the blonde down the corridors. When he didn't elicit any reaction, he nudged the side of the tan guy. "Hey! Are you listening?"

"Huh?" Blinking a few times, Naruto assumed that his friend was talking to him. "What did you say Kiba? Sorry, I wasn't paying any attention." After depositing his tray, he faced the brunette while leaning on the wall.

"I was asking you what happened yesterday." Kiba was patiently waiting for his reply, Naruto knows. Will he lie? Will he cover up Sasuke? Will he pretend nothing happened at all?

His gaze was directed nowhere, his mind out of focus and it wasn't until a hand was waving frantically on his face that he was snapped out of his momentary daze.

"Sorry Kiba. What happened huh. Uh, nothing I guess." He avoided his friend's gaze and started walking off, the brunette lagging behind.

"What nothing! Man, you're not a good liar. I know there's something else. Come on, spill it out."

They reached the room where everyone was doing their own business. Half of the class were still out. Naruto slid on his seat near the windows and in his great disappointment, his friends encircled him. Are they all done eating? He looked over at Choji and saw that the guy has brought some of his food with him. He groaned. Now he's cornered.

"What you guys? Are you some kind of kids waiting for a fairy tale story?" He earned a bored sigh, a piercing gaze, an inclined of a head and a munching sound.

"Blondie, everyone here are just concern. You haven't told me what happened between you and that Uchiha yesterday." Kiba settled himself nearest him.

Naruto moved closer and whispered in his ear. "They are not aware of my feelings for Sasuke. Why would they bother about this? Or did you whistle me out?"

"Of course not! But they aren't dumb. They know something's going on and what happened yesterday was enough to prove their theory. Naruto, you need to tell them. We are your friends and it's only a mark of friendship that you should be honest with us. But if you don't want to, I'm not forcing you." Kiba hushed back.

"...I—"

"Naruto." It was Neji who spoke this time. The tanned guy looked at the light-colored eye man. "We are not trying to coerce you nor does are friendship will change if you choose not to talk, but let me remind you that we are always here." The long-haired brunette gently squeezed the blonde's shoulders.

"I don't have any dramatic words but you can count on me pulverizing Uchiha once he hurt you." Shikamaru spoke from the sideline. He raised his head enough for them to hear him before he seemingly doze off again.

Shino merely nodded. Choji on the other hand smiled tenderly at Naruto.

Warmth spread on the blonde's body. Hearing those words, knowing that his friends are with him through such predicament were enough to give him strength. He laughed and laughed until his tears broke in his eyes. Everyone stay still yet they understand Naruto's reaction. Kiba draped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer.

"Thank you guys. This is the time I should say my piece right? You've guess it. It involves Sasuke and my... feelings for him." He looked at each eyes. "I do love him, not only as a friend." He stopped to accommodate reactions but he was shock to see that no one's expression changed even a bit. There were no gasps or surprised look and that puzzled him. He turned to Kiba, an accusing look in his face. The brunette merely shook his head.

"Naruto, we've guessed that there's something like that going on. Actually it was Shika here who first noticed it. Things happened one after another and you're too easy-to-read. Kiba was the last to figure it out and he was the one who's always with you the most. Imagine that." Choji said with a teasing glance over to the dog lover.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault that I can't read how a guy acts in front of the guy he loves!"

"Lower your voice!" Naruto hissed beside him. So it's like this. His friends have known it all along and it was their sensitivity and their respect for him that they didn't confirm from the blond. They were all waiting for Naruto to say it in his own sweet time.

"Arebn't you guys sweet. If I am not in love with Sasuke I guess I would have fallen with one of you." The blonde grinned.

"Cut that out blondie!" The idea of Naruto with one of their friends freak him out. He just can't imagine it. "Don't you have more to say though?"

"Ah. There's more to it, right Kiba. The best part." He said scornfully. All of their attention is now focused on the story teller. Choji, Neji and Shino moved their chairs closer. Shikamaru was now attentively listening though he didn't move from his position.

"Here it goes. My mind was not yet made up whether I would like to confess or not. I was buying time. You know Sasuke's history and his deal with homosexuals and I am uncertain. I know even if he treats me as his friend it doesn't guarantee that he'll just accept my love like it's nothing. He's bound to hate me, despise me and cut all of his connections with me. I was afraid just by thinking about that. Being a friend seems to be the best option. To stay how we are and not ask for more. But you see, it wasn't that easy. If you're always beside the person you love, you can't help but blurt out your feelings but before I reach that point I heard it clear from Sasuke's lips..." He sighed. "Sasuke said that I'll be a non-existent being if he learns that I'm a gay. I guess that equates to a broken heart." A bitter smile graced his lips.

No one made a sound. They all stare at the blond. Their hearts went out for him.

"Yesterday he told me that he heard our conversation Kiba. At the back of the school." He looked knowingly at the brunette. Kiba's eyes widened before he explained.

"I found Naruto by himself alone so I confronted him. I asked him his plan now that he knows what Sasuke's action is if he learns of Naruto's sexuality."

"What we didn't know is, Sasuke was also around that place, listening to us." Naruto continued. "So now he knows that his guy friend do love him. That's the reason why he wanted to talk to me."

"So how was it?" Kiba asked.

"It was not as good as he had planned I guess cause I kinda break out." He shrugged his shoulders.

"He is unreasonable beyond anything." Neji was shaking his head.

"We can't blame the Uchiha, Neji. His reason is deep rooted. I was hoping that he at least can be open-minded and accept you, even not the love you're offering but just you Naruto. You're his friend after all."

"I don't know Shikamaru. Do you think that's enough reason? Do you think he can make an exception? I'm planning on settling the score between us. I will confess properly and he can decide then and there."

"Are you sure?" Kiba anxiously inquired.

"I'm not confident but I'm sure I want to do this. With that I can move forward." He said with a small smile. "I am so lucky to have you guys with me and thankful that you didn't find my sexuality an issue."

"Nah. Not a big deal Naruto."

"Yes. You're still our friend no matter who and what you like."

"We love you."

"I agree."

"Group hug guys?"

The small group of young men was filled with laughter. One by one their classmates started filling out the room and so he and his friends went back to their own seats. He saw Sasuke from the corner of his eyes threw him a glance. He quickly looked far. Before the day ends his life will change.

"Hey, do you happen to hear that there'll be some transfer students in our class?" Kiba opened a new topic.

"Hm? Never heard of that. Where did you hear it?" The blonde asked. He wasn't interested with the gossip.

"I was called in the Principal's office this morning—"

"Got in some trouble again." The blonde teased.

"—and I.. No! I didn't! I was summoned because I, well forgot to give my report to Kurenai-sensei. Anyway, they were talking about it. Heard it's a guy and a girl. Relatives and both will be on our class."

"That so? Maybe this time, you'll get yourself a girl right Kiba?"

"Shut up. I already have someone I like." He mumbled.

Naruto bolted up. "Eh?! I didn't hear anything about that! Who's the poor girl?"

Smack.

"Ow! You don't have to hit that hard you dog breath!"

"Serves you right." Kiba was scowling.

"I'm just joking! You have to tell me who she is. Ah, finally, you feel this wonderful sensation of being in love, my dear friend."

"Geez. Stop that. Don't worry, if she becomes my girl, I'll introduce you."

"You better." The blond grinned at his best friend.

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"Sasuke, can I talk to you for a while?"

The raven didn't bother to look up. He knows the voice too well. He took his time before facing the blonde.

"I was hoping to finish where we left off yesterday dobe." His dark orbs boring into the azure eyes.

"Come with me." Naruto lead the way. His feet were tracing the familiar steps towards the back of the school.

"You really like it here." Sasuke commented when he figured out where they were headed. The blonde chose the spot he and Kiba had taken and he settled himself on the grass. The dark-haired guy set down beside him.

"Would you like to go first Naruto? I know you have lots of things to say and explain. Don't worry, I will not speak unless you're done or if you want to ask me something." He was not facing the blonde. It was better this way. He doesn't want to see the pain once he decided to say how he feels about his friend's feelings for him.

"Sasuke I would like to set things straight and be honest with you. I owe you that since we're friends. You know now that I love you which makes me a homo, a kind of person you hate the most. I didn't plan nor did I ever think that I'll fall for you. We were friends to begin with and through time I fell for you, hard. I was afraid when I first learned of this because I know your stand about gays and I know that I'm betraying you. I tried to suppress this love. It's not right, it's not acceptable and definitely one that won't be answered. But I can't. I tried so hard Sasuke. But each day, it grows stronger. I know that I'm only agonizing myself yet I didn't stop because I can't and maybe I don't want to. To have a fair fight, that's what I really wanted. I want you to realize that your grudge is stupid. I've told you over and over, it's not because of the relationship that your family was ruined it was because your father acted upon what he wants. Yes call me arrogant but he did it the wrong way. Sasuke please, think about it. Hating homosexuals and relationship between them is just senseless. There are so many gay couples that are living happily, not giving a damn about what the society will say. You know why? Because they are not doing anything wrong! They're not hurting anyone! They're only in love and they chose to act on it to find happiness. And that's what I am doing now. I wanted to confess to you directly like this and wait for your answer."

Naruto looked at the raven and when the pale guy felt his gaze, he stared back. All that was reflected on the blue eyes were love, love and more love. His gaze was tender yet it almost seems broken. It's only a matter of time before he cry.

The Uchiha shook his head. "You don't understand how I feel Naruto. This is beyond just hating homos. My father's actions tore apart my family. He succumbs to his desires rather than live a dignified life. He's a great man. Everybody respects and look up to him, even I. But he chose to throw that life for some fucking disgusting relationship. He was screwing guys left and right. I saw them with my very own eyes when I was young. That drive my mother away and why Itachi's doing the same thing. You know how that affected me? People talk behind our backs. Their smiles were fake, their respect was a sham, and their kindness was just for a show. Behind us they're laughing and scorning our family. Father doesn't give a damn. But I, Naruto, know that it will scar me for life. It's the reason why I am like this. I want to get away from all of that and live a life not associated with fathers. If they found out that I befriend a gay, what do you think will happen to me? Would you like me to go over all of that humiliation again? If you still treat me as a friend, start separating yourself from me. Forget your feelings for me. Don't wait for me to avoid you. I don't want to hurt you more than this."

"Sasuke, I am not asking you to love me back. I know that's quite impossible but please try to accept me and my feelings. This is who I am. I'm a homo. Just... just let me love you. That's all I'm asking. Don't tell me to throw off my love for you because I can't. I don't want to."

"Dobe. I am not repeating myself. There's nothing you can do to make me change my mind. I don't need you being gay and I definitely don't need your love. If you can forget about those two things then we can continue being friends."

"Teme, even if you say that, it's not as if there's a switch to turn my feelings off nor can I just turn to be hetero again. You're too cruel. You're playing with my feelings. You can't dictate what I should feel and what I should not. Won't you treat me all the same? Does it all changes just because I love you? I am still the Naruto you used to know. Just let me be. Let me love you until I forget that I love you."

The raven abruptly stood. He looked down at his friend, long and hard. "If you can't go with my terms, then we go our separate ways from this day forward. I'm going. Goodbye Naruto." He left the blonde alone and walked away.

The blonde knows that it may come to this but even if he prepared himself nothing beats the pain of facing the said situation and living with it. He managed not to cry. His tears might have been all dried up yet his heart hurts so much like it was torn to a million pieces, like it was crushed by Sasuke's hand. Did he ask too much of him? He only wants his understanding. He failed his love but he's glad to have him known of what he truly feels. Now he doesn't have to sneak behind him. He doesn't have to suppress his feelings. All he has to do is bear the fact that it will always be an unrequited love and the reality that Sasuke erase off Naruto from his life.

A/N: *sigh* I am asking for patience. I know some of you are tired of reading the same things over and over but this is the last of it. *Well, maybe.* Please do tell me what you think through your reviews. Thank you everyone! ^^