A/N: Thank you to everyone who has Reviewed/Favorited/Followed/Read this story.

Thank you to all the people who gave the story a chance despite a more feminized Naruto and a crappy summary (I changed it :( Still sucks though ).

I was a little worried that people might be put off by Naruto taking the initiative. Glad that's not the case. It made more sense to me with how low Sasuke's confidence is right now. Besides, it seemed like an interesting take.

Also, my free time is coming to an end and I am not sure how soon the next update will be. I will try to update soon. But I can't give any promises. However, I can tell you that I will never abandon this story or any of my stories for that matter. I ask you to be a little patient.

Alice May : I bet you didn't expect you to get your wish this soon :)

Shadeofblue: Always a pleasure to read your reviews.

Rei: Sorry about not using that scene yet. It will come up, I swear. I just need to weave it into the story. ^-^; Sorry.

I appreciate each and every review I get and try to reply to each individually. In case I missed anyone, I apologize.

So, here's the much anticipated Sasuke's POV chapter. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Warning: Alpha/Beta/Omega trope, Possible mpreg, Slight Feminization, horizontal lines, Low self esteem, bad memories.

Sasuke froze when he felt Naruto's arms around his neck. His heart was beating painfully in his chest when he felt his mate's soft lips against his skin. Naruto was so close to him. Willingly. The sweet scent that was truly Naruto's pervaded his senses, making his throat dry up.

He was intensely aware of every inch of the Omega's skin pressing against the right side of his body. He didn't move, not even when his mate brought one hand up to the side of his face and kissed him again.

It seemed like eons had passed with them just sitting there in the dirt, with the beautiful Omega finally, finally so close to him.

"I love it."

His heart skipped a beat when he felt a breath of air tickle the side of his face. The words making him feel as strongly as the speaker's proximity.

It was just a plant. He had done it in hopes of seeing his mate smile. Hopes which had nearly been crushed when he saw tear stained eyes instead. Sasuke was confused if the gift was liked or not. He couldn't believe Naruto had hugged him. Had kissed him even!

Naruto removed his arms from around Sasuke and moved back, looking at his face. Sasuke, feeling unbelievably self conscious, looked away. He was very happy that his mate had liked the gift. He nodded, "I'm glad. Thank you." Sasuke got up when Naruto caught him by his arm.

"Why are you thanking me?"

In truth it was a fair question. But Sasuke didn't really have an answer. It just seemed like the right things to say. Now though, he had to rethink his reply. It might have seemed like he was thanking him for the kiss. He fumbled for a reply, extremely thankful when Naruto got tired of the wait and spoke instead.

"You're hurt. Let me tend to it."

It wasn't that bad. They were just thorns. He had even gotten all of them out before coming home. "It's fine. I'm ok."

"Please." Sasuke took one look at the big blue eyes and caved instantly. Swallowing down a big lump of nervousness, he nodded. It would at most take ten minutes. He could get through that.

He sat as still as a statue as his haori was removed. He could feel the cloth sticking to his skin due to the blood. The blonde stared at the tiny hole like incisions on his chest with a horrified expression.

"How did you even get them?"

He shifted in embarrassed. Naruto probably thought he had gone through a big obstacle. He was embarrassed of the truth. "I fell on some thorns."

Naruto, after washing off the mud on his skin, dabbed it with some liquid. "Don't worry. I actually know what I'm doing. I was an assistant to a doctor when I was younger."

Sasuke was now sure that Naruto didn't remember him from before. It was interesting how an act that changed one person's life hardly casts a shadow in another's. The Omega had probably saved plenty of people. After all, it was such a long time ago.

"I know. You've treated me before."

"I have?"

Seeing his mate trying to recall, he helped him out. "It was long ago. Twelve years."

"Oh."

It was clear that the blonde still couldn't remember. It didn't matter.

His mate then moved behind him. He winced at the expected reaction on seeing the grotesque site.

"Are these whip marks?"

He nodded.

"How did you get them?"

He had gotten them for killing his clan. The punishment had been severe considering his age. But then, so had the crime. He was still surprised they hadn't decided to kill outright kill him. He still had nightmares of that day, when he had been so scared and alone, completely convinced that he would be put to death. But what had frightened him the most was the thought of what lay beyond – The thought of coming under the accusing eyes of his ancestors.

His mother had been a kind woman. He was scared to know what she must think of him now.

He was mostly sure that his mate knew of his past. Everyone did. He was amazed that someone could be so nice to him even after knowing what he did. His sensei and his mate were too. They had given him a chance to prove that he wasn't just a monster.

But Naruto had been kind to him from the very beginning. Sasuke was starting to fall for him all over again.

"It was punishment for something I did."

He hoped his mate didn't question him further on that. He didn't want to recount the horrors of his actions to the gentle Omega.

Sasuke's couldn't focus on anything but his mate's slender fingers dancing on the scars on his back. They were cool and felt so tender. Sweat beaded up on his forehead.

Naruto got up and Sasuke released a discreet breath of relief on having gone through the examination without making a fool of himself. But then his mate sat next to him, even closer than before and his nervousness came back with a vengeance.

The blonde started cleaning the gashes on his arms. He had forgotten about those. He stayed silent, mesmerized by the slender fingers, which just a few minutes ago had been tracing the old remnants of his sin, tending to his arm. They were willowy and delicate. Everything about the beautiful Omega was so graceful.

So caught up in his mate's actions, he nearly jumped when the blonde's voice snapped him out of his stupor.

"Please don't do something like this again."

Sasuke winced. He had had a small seed of apprehension that the gift might come across badly. That it might be unwelcome. Afterall, Naruto had Neji in mind and he probably wouldn't like his attentions. Moreover he had even caused further trouble to his mate, forcing him to take care of him when it should be the other way around.

"I'm sorry – "

"I loved your gift. But please don't put yourself in harms' way for my sake."

His heart squeezed painfully when he felt Naruto's hold on his hand tighten.

So gentle.

Sasuke was growing increasingly doubtful of surviving his mate's care, especially when Naruto started tending to the scratches on his face. He could feel each fingertip as it danced on his skin. They were careful, he could tell, not to hurt him.

He could feel the Omega's breath fanning across the side of his face and neck.

Nervously, he started pulling threads from the bandages on his hands. The Omega was too close. His first hug, not so long ago, came back to his mind.

He started fidgeting harder.

There was a cool sensation on his cheek, when Naruto started cleaning it. Sasuke lamented. It had been the same cheek that Naruto had kissed.

He waited, deathly still, for Naruto to be done with him so he could start breathing again.

Naruto shifted where he was kneeling. Sasuke's heart galloped a mile a minute when the blonde's stomach pressed against him. He thought that the blonde would hear his heart beating madly.

Sasuke kept his eyes focused on the bandages around his palms. His eyes widened when Naruto turned his face to reach his other cheek, the soft fingers pressed against his jaw. The smooth expanse of his mate's throat was right in front of him.

Sasuke stopped breathing entirely, hearing nothing but the frantic drumming of his heart. He scrunched his eyes closed, feeling his face and neck burn. Sasuke opened his eyes only when he was sure that it was safe and looked at his hands. The red tinted bandages were in shreds like his composure was.

He turned his hands over so Naruto wouldn't see them.

The next day he woke up bright and early after a night of wonderful dreams.

It was only an hour before daybreak. So, he took his time with his bath, the cool water feeling nice on his heated skin.

After that, he went outside, breathing in the fresh scented air. He stretched his arms, stopping only when he felt his skin tug on the wrappings. He wondered how long he was supposed to keep them.

He didn't think there would be any harm in taking off the ones covering his palms. They were almost non-existent by now at any rate.

Now, without Naruto's intensely distracting closeness, he could think back and appreciate the time he had somehow gotten with his mate. He pressed his palm against the cheek he had been kissed.

Wow.

He grinned.

He was still grinning when he started picking the flowers. They were so tiny that he had to take care not to ruin them with his big clumsy fingers. Initially he had hesitated, knowing that Naruto very much preferred potted plants over cut flowers.

But he wanted to thank him. And since these were essentially weeds he simply hoped that the Omega wouldn't mind too much.

The memory of the kiss burned his skin.

He arranged the pretty flowers as best as he could, wrapping a thin length of bandage around the bunch to keep them together. Then he went inside just in time to see Naruto go inside for his bath.

He put the flowers on the bundle of clothes that Naruto had set and went back outside as he always did while his mate got ready.

His cheek still tingled.

Sasuke kicked a pebble around to pass his time, while his mind was still occupied with thoughts of last night. He resisted the urge to touch the skin on his cheek, knowing that his mate would be out any minute.

That patch of skin on his cheek had felt so different since last night after Naruto had kissed him there. So much so that he actually wondered if it even looked different. Do all kisses feel like that?

He sensed rather than saw his mate come out. Sasuke couldn't meet his eyes, given the thoughts running through his mind.

They took their usual route to the library.

Sasuke took a few discreet glances at his mate, nervous of how he was supposed to behave now.

He didn't know what he had expected when he had gotten Naruto the flowers that morning, but he felt a strange sense of disappointment.

They seemed to reach the library sooner than usual that day. Sasuke stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Nartuo to go inside. He was still staring at the mud at his feet, wondering why he was feeling disappointed.

"Sasuke."

He blinked, not having noticed that Naruto had come back.

"Hn?"

His mind froze when the Omega placed one palm on his chest, rose to the tip of his toes and kissed him. Again.

"Thank you."

Naruto pulled back, with a delightful rosy tint on his cheeks and rushed back inside the library.

Sasuke wasn't sure how long he stood there staring open mouthed at the entrance. He was processing what had just happened.

He still wasn't sure when he finally started walking again.

He noticed that didn't feel disappointed anymore though.

Sasuke nearly jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, shoving the man back sharply with his elbow and freezing when he saw the old man raise an eyebrow at him.

Sasuke stared back horrified and bowed, "I'm sorry"

The man fortunately didn't seem to take offence, "You were in a staring match with the wall." He looked amused, "Been looking at it for fifteen minutes now." Sasuke felt even more embarrassed, "I apologize. I'll get back to work right away."

The man looked at him for so long that Sasuke started to worry and pray that he doesn't lose the job.

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off?" Sasuke wasn't sure that was a good sign. "I'm sorry. I just got distracted a little. I'll get back to work right away. I make up for the lost –"

The man held up a hand, "Son. You've been working non-stop. Take a break." Sasuke opened his mouth to apologize again, thinking that the man was angry at him. The man stopped him with a smile, "Go. You've earned it." He hesitated. The man was still smiling. "Go on. Visit that mate of yours."

That was how Sasuke found himself ambling down the dirt path. He wasn't even sure where he was going. He would have loved to visit Naruto, but also didn't want to disturb him. And was also unsure how to react after what happened that morning.

He had given his mate the flowers to make him smile. It had just been a small token.

He hadn't been looking for a kiss...

Sasuke smiled.

…though he wouldn't complain.

He wandered his way into the training grounds, looking around listlessly. Someone jumped behind him from a tree and he swung around ready to strike. Sasuke rubbed the back of his head sheepishly when he saw that it was just Kakashi, his favorite book in hand.

That was the second time he had been caught off guard that day.

"Well, what are you doing here?"

"I have the day off."

Kakashi looked surprised. He could understand. He didn't usually get days off. Kakashi smiled suddenly, "Great then. Let's go for lunch."

Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't mind eating with his Sensei per se; he just hated being a bother. Add to that, he was sure that the other man was taking him to his home. Which meant his Sensei's mate would be there.

He wasn't really used to talking with Omegas and so was always afraid of overstepping his bounds when talking with his Sensei's mate. He always got nervous around him.

"It's fine Sensei. I'm not that hungry. I'll just wait –" But Kakashi was already grabbing the back of his collar and dragging him toward his home.

Sasuke sighed and gave up.

A little while later, Sasuke was sitting at the small table, eyes fully focused on his plate, watching as a tanned hand filled the plate with food. He muttered a faint thank you and waited for his sensei to start eating. When no one seemed to move, he looked up, feeling caught in the spotlight when he saw both of them looking at him.

"Go on boy." Kakashi nodded his head at Sasuke's plate. "Eat."

He picked up the chopsticks and started eating slowly. Soon Kakashi and Iruka joined him and started a light conversation which mostly left him to his own thoughts.

Suddenly there seemed to be a lull in the conversation and he looked up. The getting caught feeling from before came back when he saw Iruka looking at him expectantly.

He blinked and looked at his Sensei for help. But it was Iruka who after understanding his confusion repeated the question.

"I asked you when you were planning to introduce your mate to us."

"Erm. –" Now feeling even more awkward, Sasuke stumbled and fumbled for something to say. He hadn't really thought that they would want to meet Naruto. That would mean he would have to tell Naruto to meet them. Wouldn't that be too presumptuous of him? Especially given that Naruto wouldn't stay with him too long.

Kakashi spoke up suddenly, addressing his mate. "Soon Iruka. Sasuke told me that he was bringing him later this week."

Sasuke turned shocked eyes at his Sensei who only smiled back at him. The man then patted him hard on his shoulder and started eating again.

"That's wonderful" Iruka beamed, looking very pleased, "We can have dinner together." He turned toward Kakashi, "You have a lot of things to buy." Kakashi's smile fell off his face before he groaned. Iruka got annoyed at that and started scolding him, "Don't be so lazy. You're also going to help me prepare the food."

Kakashi groaned louder.

Sasuke sighed and went back to his own meal.

Iruka then served the dessert – A cake that he had made on his own. Sasuke got excited. He didn't really like sweets. But this one wasn't too sweet. It was just right and Sasuke loved it. It tasted just as good as the last time he had eaten it. He had the chance to eat it only a handful of times over the years. And he had enjoyed it every time.

Soon he had gobbled it up.

Iruka put another piece on his plate and went inside the kitchen after glaring at Kakashi when he asked him for his share.

Just when he was about to dig into the treat he noticed his Sensei staring at his plate with soulful eyes. He felt sorry for him.

"Sensei, would you like some?"

Kakashi's expression changed instantly and he lunged for the cake, yelping when the back of a spoon met the back of his hand with a hard and painful sounding smack.

Kakashi clutched his wounded hand to his chest and stared at Iruka accusingly." So mean. I had only one."

Sasuke could see Iruka's eyebrow twitch. "Don't lie. I know you stole at least five."

Iruka then turned toward him and put another piece on his plate,"Here." He smiled. " He then gave the white haired man a warning look and went back inside. Kakashi followed his mate inside, pleading with him and complaining about being mistreated.

Sasuke smiled at their antics. His Sensei, while being such a skilled fighter was completely helpless against his mate. Then again, one needs a lot of patience to put up his Sensei's laziness.

He looked at the sweet on his plate and stopped before eating it. He was sure it was the best dessert in the whole village. He was also sure that Naruto would love it. He glanced at the kitchen to see Iruka brandishing the wooden spoon dangerously and Kakashi rubbing the back of his head.

Sasuke wrapped the pieces in a napkin and slipped it inside his pocket.

Iruka came back with Kakashi in tow, still rubbing his head and grumbling. Sasuke got up and bowed to the Omega, "It was delicious Sensei. Thank you for having me."

The first time he had met Iruka was when he was young and still had been under Kakashi's tutelage. He had been even more nervous back then than he got now. He didn't seem like the other Omegas that he had come across, as few as they were.

He was fierce, not letting even his Sensei get away with whatever he wanted. While there were even many Alpha's who were afraid of Kakashi and his skill, Iruka didn't seem to care and spoke his mind. Sasuke not knowing what to call him, he had started calling him Sensei too.

Iruka had laughed a few times, but then had let it go.

"I'm glad you liked it Sasuke." He then handed him a box. He took it, surprised when he found more pieces of cake inside. Sasuke looked down at Iruka with wide eyes.

The Omega smiled and ushered him to the door, ignoring Kakashi's demands for Sasuke to share the goods with him. Sasuke thanked Iruka again and started walking away.

When he had taken a few steps, he heard Iruka speak, "Give that to your mate." Sasuke turned around to hear the rest."You can eat the ones in your pocket."

Sasuke bushed, completely mortified. Iruka laughed mirthfully and went inside.

He walked around some more, read the book a little and then went to the library. Sasuke notice his mate looking at the box curiously, but he held back, waiting till they reached home.

When gave Naruto the box, it was almost with a flourish. He watched, happy as a delighted look overcame his mate's pretty features.

He was right. Naruto loved the dish. "Where did you get them? They're really good." His mate asked with a merry twinkle in his blue eyes. Sasuke was very happy that Naruto liked the treat, also happy to have an opening to talk about his Sensei and his mate.

"My Sensei's mate made them."

"Oh?"

Sasuke, feeling an inexplicable urge to keep talking, did just that, "I had half a day off. So my Sensei invited me for lunch."

"Oh."

He thought Naruto looked a little less happy all of a sudden. "What's wrong? Don't you like them?"

"No No" Naruto shook his head hard smiling, "I love them. They're really good." He smiled back, "Yes. I love them too."

Naruto smiled and held the box out to him.

They shared the treat together.

Sasuke ran in the hall, slipping and falling down. Staring horrified when he realized that it was a pool of blood. He saw bodies, people that he knew, people that loved him, his family lying lifeless in the floor, their vacant eyes staring at him accusingly.

He made his way to a door. He didn't want to go inside, didn't want to see. But he opened it anyway when he heard a scream in his mother's voice.

He saw a version of himself walking away from a prone form lying on the ground. He saw a boy, with a face that he had seen so many times in the mirror, now warped with anger. Eyes red with the Sharingan. Black markings running all over his skin. The boy smirked at him and walked away.

He snapped into movement, running toward the form – His mother, taking her last breath. In the last moments of her life.

He called out to her. But she didn't seem to notice him. It was as if he didn't even exist. He tried to shake her but his fingers seemed to slip through her. He watched as she seemed to dissolve into thin air.

He cried, desperately scratching at the wooden floor. He gasped and turned around when he saw the door open. He didn't think he had closed it. He gasped when he saw his mother walk inside. She looked as beautiful as he remembered, in a beautiful kimono. But she was pale. So very pale. There was a grotesque gash on her throat. Blood was pouring from it.

He ran to her, stopping when she glared at him with such hate in her eyes that it felt like a slap.

"How could you Sasuke? You killed your own."

"I'm sorry."

"You are not my son."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He choked.

She fell down. Blood gushed from her mouth. He clutched at her, holding her close and pressing his face against her as he apologized over and over, begging her for forgiveness.

He her held her as her life left her again. As the blood stopped. As the fires burned. As she grew cold.

All along he said the same thing over and over.

"I'm sorry."

The next morning was a pain to face. The images in his nightmare still lay fresh in his mind. He sat up, groggy, and blinked at the bright face of his mate.

"Good morning Sasuke."

He tried to smile back. He didn't think he succeeded.

Breakfast was silent though Naruto kept smiling at him gently. He felt heavy. With pain. With sorrow. With loss. But mostly with guilt. He should have died too. Or atleast after the trial when they found him guilty.

Instead they just punished him and let him go.

He couldn't look at Naruto, scared that he might see what he saw in his nightmares. That he would know him for what he really is. A monster.

The walk to the library was silent too.

They were earlier than usual. The library was empty, no one was around. It would have been a beautiful morning on any other day.

He looked up when he felt a cool touch on his hand. His mate's lovely visage had an unrecognizable expression on it. He remembered his mother's beautiful face when she had looked at him in the nightmare.

The weight of what he was and what he had done came crashing on him. He had always remembered it. Always. But after getting a chance to be with Naruto, that had been pushed to the back of his mind.

He shouldn't have forgotten. He was hurting Naruto's chance at happiness by forcing him to be with him. He remembered the Omega's first words to him as a mate. How wrecked his face had looked. How scared he had been.

He choked.

"I'm sorry."

He didn't expect gentle arms to wrap around him. Startled, he looked down to see his mate's golden head resting against his chest. He didn't know how long they stood like that. All he knew was that he was grateful for every second of it.

When Naruto pulled back, it was with a gentle smile on his lips and a look of such understanding in his eyes that Sasuke felt his heart skip a beat.

The blonde placed a hand on his neck and tugged him down. Sasuke obliged, freezing when he felt soft lips press against his cheek.

Review/Favorite/Follow if you like.