Don't own Naruto. No copyright. No nothin!

_____Mature Themes!!!!______ This is yaoi, NaruSasu, and can get a little *adult*. If you are offended by any male/male pairings, do not read further. If you are offended by lewd, explicit, or adult themes, do not read further. You have been warned. :D

AN: Are you getting horny? Yes!? Well then you're out of luck! There is no lemon in this chapter either! Lol Sorry, but I'm feeling in a sappy mood. So I'm going to ooze sap into the story. Thanks much and enjoy.

*Oh, and NaruSasu does not suggest an uke/seme relationship. It might turn out that way, it might not. It might even be a NaruSasuNaru or whatever denotes both ways…

Chapter 11: Memories and Comfort

Naruto's breathing was slow now. Drool was threatening the pillow below the blond head. The pillow seemed not to take notice, reaching up into the face. He looked completely relaxed, Sasuke thought. Not a care in the world. It would be nice to be so happy all the time. If only it was easy to forget the terrible truth of this world.

He had been lucky that Naruto was dumb. Most people would have been startled at the friendliness Sasuke displayed that evening. No one had guessed that Sasuke's weakness was food. He made sure that everyone heard him when he chastised Naruto for focusing so much on food. In truth, Sasuke loved eating too and always felt a lot happier afterwards. Needless to say, he thought it was a stupid indulgence. But he did it anyway. After all, he was only a boy.

Looking down at the sleeping face of his friend, Sasuke sat perfectly still, regulating his own breathing. He wasn't tired anymore. The effects of the BBQ had worn off and he was starting to regret his rash decisions that night. He had agreed to go to dinner with Naruto. He had almost let Naruto kiss him again at the restaurant. He had agreed to follow Naruto to the bed that they both were to sleep on…together. He had revealed what few had ever seen: his body. But that was because of the food. He wasn't himself for all of that.

Naruto choked on his spit and went immediately back to spread eagle. He face was pointing towards the window and Sasuke. Such a bed hog, Sasuke thought with a receding doom and gloom look. He just sat there, thinking. He thought of their kiss, their "fight", and Naruto's offer of hospitality. He couldn't decide if he should play along or kill the boy below him. While he contemplated these things, a frown formed on the whiskered face. Sasuke watched as the frown began to curl into fear and despair. The bare chest was heaving now, breath billowing out of the gritted teeth.

Sasuke wondered what stupid nightmare Naruto was having. He didn't think Naruto was a coward, but he did think that the blond wasn't too bright either. Sasuke couldn't decide if he should wake up the frightened boy or just let it play out. He decided to wait to decide. Naruto's fit only grew to terror as the minutes past. His fists clenched the sheets into impossibly tight clumps. Sasuke decided to act.

"Naruto," Sasuke said, hoping to wake the boy. No reaction.

"Naruto. Dobe," Sasuke said a little louder. "You're just having a nightmare dobe."

"I know," Naruto responded in a light sort of way.

"So you're awake?" Sasuke asked. He wasn't convinced. Naruto just slightly lessened his grip on the sheets. Sasuke was silently glad that he was not lying where he was supposed to be. His face would probably look similar to the sheets by now.

"Naruto? It's not real. It's just a nightmare," Sasuke repeated. Naruto was really annoying sometimes, he thought.

He saw the now totally exposed chest and saw the moonlight glisten off the sweat. Naruto was really having a bad dream.

"Naruto. It's ok. Calm down," Sasuke said. He didn't like being ignored.

"Can you hear me Naruto? It's Sasuke. There's nothing wrong." Sasuke spoke a little louder than normal. Suddenly, Naruto stopped wrestling with the sheets and became still. His face was less tormented and slowly relaxed. To Sasuke's surprise, a smile replaced the frown. A smile that grew and grew until it was a big grin. Such a stupid grin, Sasuke thought.

"Sasuke…" repeated Naruto. Now it was Sasuke's turn to frown. What was this, a soap opera?

"Naruto! Wake the fuck up, dobe!" Sasuke yelled.

"Whaaa!?" Naruto spluttered, scared into jumping off the bed. "Who the—"

"Naruto. You were having a dream. You were really loud and I'd appreciate it if you could shut up," Sasuke explained in that angry patience.

"Don't you know how to wake someone up without screaming in their ear, teme!? What the fuck is your problem? You could shake me gently or something. Wow…" Naruto tried to get his bearings and crawled back into bed. Sasuke had his arms crossed now. "And don't act like a child."

Sasuke immediately uncrossed his arms in indignation. Him a child! Hmph!

"Just go to sleep, dobe. And that was the last warning," Sasuke said slowly, partially in threat. Naruto was already asleep. A small chuckle left Sasuke's throat much to his surprise. It was sort of funny, he thought.

"Naruto," Sasuke tested. "Are you asleep?"

"Yes. Don't wake me up please, Sasuke." Naruto responded faintly into his pillow. In his haste, Naruto's hair now covered his eyes. Sasuke sat there for awhile, relaxing into thought. It was frustrating that Naruto's hair was in the way. What a messy look.

Sasuke didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late. His hand was already setting the blond hair so it didn't cover Naruto's face. He only stopped his hand the moment it left the soft hair. His hand hovered over the still-sweaty face. The heat from the nightmare still emanated and Sasuke thought it was a nice warmth. He couldn't help but lay a hand on the forehead of the sleeping boy, cooling the hot forehead with his cold hand. He must still be in a good mood, Sasuke reflected.

He rested his hand there until Naruto's breathing slowed once again. He didn't remove it then either. He looked for awhile at the blond, thinking. He was starting to get tired now. He adjusted himself so that he was lying down again. His hand never left Naruto's face. He just looked into the closed eyes and let his hand fall, trailing down Naruto's cheek. He didn't know why he felt like doing this, but he kinda didn't care.

He was getting sleepy now and his eyes felt heavy. He didn't want to sleep yet. It was coming, he knew it. He let out a sigh and sunk into slumber. His hand dropped onto Naruto's chest.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I woke up to an unseasonably warm morning. I didn't like the sun being so freakin hot. I looked out the window and was surprised to find a sleeping Sasuke next to me. The sheets had invariably been pushed to the bottom of the bed so we were both sprawled out in our skivvies. I gazed at Sasuke's body. It was slender, but muscular too. I had seen it before, but not this close. I got closer to see what I might have missed before. I noticed a little spot on his side. I bent in even closer.

It was a little freckle. It was small but definitely there. I thought it was fitting to have the only blemish on his skin to be hidden. A blush rushed furiously to my face when I saw that the eyes were open. I rocketed back so fast that I was lying on my back, precariously leaning over the edge of the bed.

"I can see you," Sasuke said in his off-hand sort of way.

"Well duh!"

"All of you," Sasuke clarified. I realized that I was bent back on my knees and he would be able to see up my boxer legs. Reacting, I sprung up. For the second time, I overcompensated, straining my abs. I flopped right onto the smirking Uchiha. I laid there in a daze.

"As much as I enjoy this, Naruto, I think the neighbors might get the wrong impression." Sasuke said after several minutes. Our stomachs parted and I sat back up. The blush had only intensified when we touched like that.

"Yeah. Sorry. I was…" I meekly tried to explain. I didn't even know what I was doing, so how was I to tell him?

"It's ok. After all, I did save you from yourself last night," Sasuke obviously thought he was bringing up something even more embarrassing, but failed. I didn't know what the hell he was talking about.

"All you did last night, teme, is flash me. If you call that 'saving' then I wonder what you consider danger."

"You don't remember?" Sasuke looked amused.

"Obviously not," I retorted.

"Well, it's no big deal," he said in a way that made it clear that it was a big deal. "You just cried out for me in your sleep. You were calling my name over and over and it woke me up. I tried to wake you so that you would shut up, but you just kept calling for me. I did the only thing I could: I kissed you," Sasuke ended.

"WHAT!? No way. You're totally lying, teme!" But I had to consider the possibility…

"No," Sasuke started ambiguously. "I had no choice or I would have been kept from sleeping. So I simply did what I had to. You're a better kisser when you're asleep, by the way."

"I don't believe you. Why would you lie about that? Maybe you wished you did. I think I would remember a kiss, Sasuke." I said.

"Did you not have a nightmare last night?" Sasuke challenged. I thought about it. I could only vaguely remember a giant black bird. It could have been a scary dream, I didn't know. I tried to see if any memory of waking up was there…but nothing was. I could just believe Sasuke, but I'm convinced that I would have woken up if he kissed me.

"I might have. It's hard to say. So it doesn't prove anything. I think you're just trying to mess with me," I defied.

"I am not trying to mess with you, Naruto. You had a nightmare and I helped you out of it." Sasuke said.

"Aha! So you simply helped me out of a nightmare. You probably punched me or something, knowing you."

"I did not," Sasuke responded.

"Wow…I'm done talking to someone who enjoys being vague and indirect. I don't believe you. It's simply not possible that I would sleep through a kiss, ok? Wanna shower first?" I asked.

"I shower at night. That's why my hair sticks up in the back, because of how I sleep." Sasuke explained.

"Whatever. I'll only be a minute." I eyed Sasuke. Should I leave him alone in my apartment? Why did he have to stay? What if I came out and he had left? I hope he stays to at least say goodbye, I thought.

"Hn."

I grabbed a towel and trekked on over to the bathroom. I dropped my boxers on the floor and turned on the water. I waited for it to warm up, checking myself out in the mirror as I waited. I poked at my stomach. It wasn't fat yet, I thought. To anyone else, they would have seen a strong body with defined muscles and tan skin; lean and well-built.

The water was pleasantly hot. I was going to make this quick. It was already noon. I didn't mean to sleep in so late. I had wasted enough time already. I quickly thought of that time when I tried to clean my ass. I spent a little time doing the same. I wasn't as thorough, but my entrance was clean. Now that I had noticed it, I couldn't let it be so dirty.

"Almost done?" Sasuke called from past the door. I started. I had half expected Sasuke to leave already. I found that a smile greeted this surprise.

"Yeah, just sec." I shouted back. I hurried a towel all over my body. I made sure that the towel was firmly around my waist before venturing out. The cool air of the room beyond struck me and to my chagrin, my nipples showed it. I blushed, but turned immediately towards my dresser so I could get into clothes as soon as possible. Things didn't usually turn out good when I was practically naked.

"Do I get a return favor?" Sasuke asked devilishly.

"I thought your 'favor' was a return for seeing me naked twice already!" I exclaimed.

"No use counting accidental stuff."

"Well you're out of luck. I am not going to expose myself to you, teme."

"Too bad," Sasuke said.

"What the hell, Sasuke? Why are you all friendly and frankly…sexual?" I half stammered.

"Am I?" Sasuke responded with that infamous smirk that showed me that he really was enjoying this.

"You know, that whole nightmare story that you made up… It doesn't add up. Why didn't you just fuck me right there? I'm sure that'd keep me quiet." I posited. This seemed to take Sasuke off guard. I usually didn't get very many good comebacks, and this might be one of the few.

"Who says I didn't?" Sasuke finally said.

"Ohhh really? Then you wouldn't mind doing me again? You've already done it once, why not again? I'm ready when you are," sarcasm lacing my voice.

"Is that a request?" Sasuke asked. He sounded as if he was serious.

"I don't get you, teme. You joke now more than ever and yet when I do, you think I'm being serious. I'm worried about you, Sasuke," I said, hoping to sound as parental as possible. The effect was obvious.

"I told you that it's not your job to worry about me. I'm simply asking whether you were being serious or not. I am not joking now more than usual anyway," Sasuke said slowly, as if picking his words from the defensive tree.

"Whatever. Just be straight with me if you're actually asking me to do…something." I didn't like how that sounded, but I couldn't reel those words back in now.

"Fine with me," Sasuke said. Despite this little tension, I didn't feel any ill will towards Sasuke. It was a miracle that he even stayed when he could have left. It's even more incredible that he's making 'jokes' about sex.

"Did you want…I guess it's lunch?" I asked in a friendly way.

"I'm hungry," Sasuke stated. I had started getting used to the stupid way in which he answers questions. I took this to mean yes. I was hungry too.

"We could go out or I could make something," I said.

"You can cook?" Sasuke eyed me cautiously.

"Sure. I mean…it's a limited menu, but I'm not terrible," I said, feeling self-conscious.

"Let's eat out," Sasuke decided. I'm glad that it was really a yes and that he noticed that I was nervous about cooking. Well he might have just been afraid to eat my food, but I was fine with that. I enjoyed the little victories. I was going on another date with Sasuke. Wait…no. It was just lunch. I get stupid without food.

We headed to Ichiraku Ramen for some classic breakfast. I suggested Ichiraku to Sasuke and he simply nodded. I secretly hoped that he would treat again. The thought made me feel like I was being taken out on a date. In fact, Sasuke and I seemed to be a couple more and more. I did not like this revelation. I didn't even know if I liked him like that and he certainly didn't like me like that…

"Oi, dobe. You passed it. Never thought I'd see you thinking like that," Sasuke said.

"Hn," I grunted, taking a page from Sasuke's book.

"Two ramens please" Sasuke ordered. When we got out ramen, I immediately started scarfing down all the food that I could. I had to do something to distract myself from the growing impression that Sasuke and I were beginning to be more than friends.

"What were you thinking about?" Sasuke asked, waiting for a short pause between my slurps.

"Nothing," I said evasively.

"Nothing is nothing if it makes you miss ramen," Sasuke pointed out. "What's up?"

"Like you care," I said a little maliciously. I didn't feel like confronting Sasuke on something that I had not come to articulate yet.

"Just tell me and skip the drama," Sasuke said, growing impatient. Why did he care so much? This only made things worse. Couples showed concern like this.

"I can only guess what your problem is, dobe. If you don't tell me then I guess I'll have to assume it's because you think we're going out or something stupid like that." Sasuke said casually.

"It's not stupid! Look at us! We're going to meals together, sleeping in the same bed, and you're showing concern for something that's bothering me! AND! On top of that we've seen each other naked." I added that last part very quietly for fear of being overheard. Now I was sensitive to how many people could hear and misinterpret what I said.

Any surprise Sasuke had at being right on the money was masked by his steely determination to quash this notion.

"We are not a couple. You know that I don't like you that way, Naruto. I'm sorry if you want that, but it's not going to happen. I didn't even think you were very serious about your feelings. If it'll help we don't have to hang out anymore." Sasuke said with painful seriousness.

"I don't know what my feelings are." I said quietly.

"I can't deal with them until you have. I thought that we'd become friends. I like having a friend, but I see that it cannot be. I was actually beginning to like you and I guess now we have to stop. I'm sorry." And with that, Sasuke left; leaving me stunned. He thought that we were friends? I thought he was simply tolerating me. I can't believe I blew it! If only he had told me that he liked me. Fuck…

"That'll be $12.60." This is a great day, I thought bitterly.

I saw Sasuke on missions and sometimes walking the streets, but we never said anything to each other. I felt so guilty that I had ruined something that I missed so much. I had never had a friend like Sasuke. And to think, he liked me too. Those kisses were silly and immature. Now I saw that I really just wanted to be with Sasuke. I didn't need love or touch; I just needed a friend. I needed Sasuke.

My feelings became clear to me in the interim of our relationship. I truly cared for Sasuke. It wasn't what I'd call a normal friendship, but I didn't care what was normal or not. I knew that Sasuke was capable of friendship and I was determined to get it back. Every time I caught his eye, he'd turn away instantly, leaving me feeling alone. Kiba noticed that I was a little down and treated me to some ramen, but even he started to stop trying to bring me out of my funk. I didn't want to be so resistant to his help, but I couldn't help it.

Even Sakura noticed the rift between Sasuke and me. She asked why we weren't fighting anymore, worried that we had become friends or even worse! I told her that we hated each other so much that we didn't even need to talk to each other. She seemed pleased with this and promptly went over to Sasuke to probably try to get into his pants. I bet she hadn't even seen in his pants, I thought sourly. I tried not to think of Sasuke's body, but it was hard…or more like I was hard.

It was a mission to stop a group of thieves from terrorizing a band of royalty. I was hoping for a fight because I had been building up some pressure for some time. It would be nice to fight some stupid bandits. They were easy and always helped relieve some stress. On the way to the meeting point with the royals, we remained silent, but Kakashi kept motioning for us to move around. I didn't get why he always played games with us.

We finally got to the meeting place. The group of dignitaries and ambassadors were impressively dressed. Not helpful if you're trying to remain inconspicuous, I thought. I guess they had us to protect them so they didn't feel like hiding. These missions can be surprising sometimes, but I didn't feel like this one was going to be anything special.

"Hey, blond boy, help us move these boxes," commanded a tall man in crimson. I complied unwillingly. We were not here to move boxes for you, sir. The box was surprisingly heavy and it took a few heaves to get it into my arms standing up. It was at least half my weight and started tipping me forward.

"Watch it, boy!" warned the same man. Suddenly a warm hand rested on mine. Sasuke took the weight that I could not. Our hands were matched and I simply stared at Sasuke. He didn't seem to notice that we were touching. I started blushing when he looked at me. I realized that we were supposed to move the boxes and I was rooted to my spot.

"Let's go," Sasuke said quietly.

"Sasuke…" I said in unsatisfying way.

"Let's just get this done," Sasuke said. It had been 3 months since we had talked directly and just as long since we had touched. It had felt like 3 years or even a lifetime. I could not have guessed that I had wanted to touch him so much. This simple utilitarian touching meant more to me than any mission. The touch filled my senses with the memory of Sasuke. Suddenly, a particular memory popped into my head.

I was in the middle of an infinite grass prairie. The green was overwhelming. A black bird about the size of a man came barreling down towards me. I didn't wait to see if it was friendly. I started running. It seemed futile since there was nowhere to go but I kept running. I couldn't wait to see what the bird wanted. I had the feeling that the bird did want something.

Getting tired, I slowed down. The bird surely could fly faster than I could run, so I stopped, catching my breath. My chest heaved in an effort to reclaim calm. The bird was right behind me, simply standing there. It was as if I have not really run at all, but it was hard to tell in an endless sea of grass. I faced the bird, hoping to conjure up some courage to face the enemy.

The bird's beak opened and only a whisper came out. It was too quiet to hear over my pounding heart. Did it say my name? It ruffled its feathers and I took a step back. "You're just having a nightmare, dobe" it said in a voice that sounded familiar but underwater. It was either a trick or I really was in a dream. I couldn't trust that it wasn't some Genjutsu. "Naruto" was all I heard screamed from the bird's mouth before I bolted upright in my bed.

Sasuke was sitting there next to me and looked either concerned or frustrated. I had flung myself over the bed and was trying to scramble up. It was all a confusing mess but I finally got back in bed and sunk into it. Sasuke said something but I don't remember what it was. Then a cool hand pressed against my forehead. It was so gentle and so nice that I pressed into it. It was the harbinger of sleep, so comforting a touch.

As memories often do, this only took several seconds to recollect. I was still staring at Sasuke and he was staring back. We had miraculously finished all the boxes and I didn't know how. Had I helped?

Sasuke turned to return to his spot on the flank. I followed suit, filing in behind Sakura. The rest of the mission went according to plan. The robbers came like they always do. There was one ninja among them and of course turned out to be much tougher than we had previously thought. I came through in the end, in a surprising way. Kakashi simply said, "The number one ninja in surprises".

Back home, I recounted the memory. I was sure that it had been Sasuke who touched my forehead. Who else could it be? It was nice of him to do that… I think we've been apart for long enough. I had to go tell him. I walked with an air of determination towards Sasuke's house. I knew exactly what I was going to say and what to expect from him. He would become my friend whether he liked it or not.

I can't help but make some small interpretations for you lol. At the beginning, Sasuke rationalizes his friendliness to Naruto by blaming the food. But he agreed to go eat with him before they ate, obviously. I thought that I should point that out so you can get a feel for Sasuke's inner war.

I'd also like to confess that I, too, have put parts of myself in both of the main characters. The sleeping events are allegories to my own life so I guess I'm just like every other author haha