..Chapter Eleven..

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Coal black orbs stared out the small oval window to look down at the scenery as they prepared to land. Everything seemed to small from even this height. He reached up and touched his fingers to his lips as he sighed in resignation. He was trying to forget. To forget those lips on his, those nails in his back, the way he arched and stared him in the eyes. He was trying to ignore how much he missed that touch. He was trying very hard to ignore the warmth running up his thigh as said object of his thoughts brushed his leg against his own.

His eyes closed as he attempted to get his breathing under control and stop his heart from ramming against his chest like a battering ram.

When they'd woken up this morning Naruto hadn't said a word to him. He just... pulled away from his body and got dressed. He hadn't said a word to him when they packed up or even when Sakura told them it was time to go. He hadn't spoken a sentence when they left the hotel or got in the car. He hadn't even looked at him when they got on the plane. And he sure as hell hadn't uttered a phrase since they began to land.

This is what he'd been worried about. He knew the moment they started this whole thing, no, the morning Naruto had told him how he really felt if they went down this route... sober... their friendship would start to fall apart.

Naruto wanted more. He wanted more. He just didn't know if he could give him more. But why not? The only person he'd slept with in the past few weeks was the blond. It was just like his brother said. Had Naruto noticed at all? He was practically with him all the time now. He had to notice.

Could he commit?

Yes, he could.

The question was would Naruto believe him?

ooo

The only vocals in the long limo drive from the air port to the set were that of Ino and Sakura. Both girls chatted on aimlessly while Sakura tried to keep Ino's grubby hands off Naruto. The blond was ...irritating to say the least. But, she wasn't nearly as bad as he had planned on. He did find it annoyingly distracting to keep having to glare at her whenever she tried to scoot in closer to Uzumaki. He wasn't a possessive man by any means, but he just didn't want her touching Naruto. It was bad enough she managed to sit next to him. He'd almost ordered her to find another seat in the large interior. Then he had to remind himself of just who he was.

Sasuke Uchiha did not bark out words like a dog in heat.

He wanted to touch him. He wanted to take his hand in his own. Not just because of Yamanaka but because he genuinely wished to be close to him. How was he suppose to convince him of how he felt when he wouldn't even look at him?

The car slowly pulled to a stop, signaling they'd reached their destination. A moment later the driver was pulling around and opening the door for them all. Sakura and Ino stepped out first. When Naruto moved to exit as well he grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

The blond turned to stare at him for the first time in over eight fucking hours.

His eyes narrowed. "We need to talk."

"I'd rather not." He was trying to move again, but Sasuke's hand held firmly. He narrowed his own gaze. "Let me go."

"We can't keep going on like this, Naruto."

"Like what?" His voice edged on sarcasm.

He frowned and then turned his lips to a flat line as he came in close to his face. "Like we're not lovers. Like you hate my fucking guts. If you keep up like this..." He trailed on.

"You don't have to do it, you know." He looked away. "We can just cut this thing at the noose and be done with it. I'll fend her off some other way."

His voice was deep and ordering as he took Naruto's other arm in his free hand so he could force him to face him. "It's not about her anymore, damnit. It's about us. It's about the sex and..." He fought for words, angry and lust running through his veins. "I can't keep going on like this." His voice raised a level, almost near hysterics.

"Like what?" Cold blues looked almost worried.

He met that gaze. "I can't keep playing this game with you. My heart can't take it anymore Naruto. It's just..." He felt his breath catch and his insides cut into pieces as he bore himself mercilessly. "I've felt this way about you since we became friends. I didn't realize it until months after you were gone. I've never felt this way about a man before. It's something new and I..." He swallowed. "I afraid I'm falling for you."

Sasuke could see the surprise in his eyes. He tried to read those eyes. He tried to read his features. He tried desperately to search for some kind of sign that Naruto wanted what he did. That he believed him.

Naruto pulled out of his hold and backed up in the seat. He ran hand through his short strands. "This isn't funny, Sasuke." His voice was deadly.

His eyes widened in shock. This wasn't going how he wanted it to. At all. "Naruto... I'm not.."

He laughed, bitterly. "I've seen you play some petty games with girls over the years. I admit, they were never convincing as this one. But, I know when I'm being played. I just never thought you'd do it to me. Love?" He shook his head. "Sasuke Uchiha will never fall in love. Remember when you told me that?"

He felt something crush and break inside him. How could he turn this around on him by recalling something so... so far in his past? Of course he'd always thought that. It was during a time when women were tools and toys. Before he'd ever met Sakura and realized that in this world there are a handful of lovely intelligent women who refuse to be manipulated. Even by him.

"I'm not playing a game with you. I'm serious." His voice came out a little more lighter than he wanted it.

"No, you are. And you're doing it to me. That's why it hurts." He turned to exit the car, but paused a moment, as if needing to say something more...

"I won't cut it off if that's what you're wanting to know." He said tightly to the blond. "I told you I'd do it and I don't back out of such things."

Naruto paused a moment longer before giving a brief nod and exiting the car.

All Sasuke could do was sit there and helplessly look at his hands. He watched them shake. He watched as his heart sat teetering in his lap. If one had such an imagination one would see the bloodied mess like a metaphor come to life. He felt something prick at his eyes and shut them tightly, refusing to cry. He hadn't cried since he was a child and wouldn't start now.

"Sasuke?"

He looked up and saw Sakura leaning into the car. He looked away immediately and tried to make tone sound even. "I'll be out in a moment." But she was right there beside him, shutting the door to the outside. He felt her soft hands on his arm as he gently rubbed.

"Sasuke..." Her voice was soft. "It's ok."

He looked over at her then, eyes rippling with unsure and unchecked emotions. He could tell by the look on her face she'd hear every word. He looked back down at his hands at he felt his face puff with grief. "Did anyone..."

"No," she shook her head. "I was the only one to stay behind." She reached up and gently pushed aside a few of his short black strands so she could see his face. She reached over and grabbed is chin. It was slow and tender as she forced his eyes on her, to meet her gaze. "You can cry." She smiled faintly. "I'll be here."

He felt the first tear fall and tried to hold in a chocked sob as his delicate lips parted. He shut his eyes tightly. It had been all he needed to hear. Someone's voice telling him he could cry and it was perfectly alright to do so.

He felt her reach for him, pulling his body against hers. He didn't know what to do at first. It'd been a long time since anyone besides his mother had held him while he cried. He shakingly wrapped his arms about her waist and pulled her tightly to him as he let it all out.

"I'm sorry," he breathed against her shoulder.

"For what?" She rubbed gentle circles on his back.

"I'm ruining your clothes."

She smiled. "It's alright. You can replace them."

He wanted to smile. He wanted to laugh. But it still hurt so much. He reached up, tangling his hands in her hands at the base of her neck as he buried himself further into her form. "You're a good friend."

"So are you."

He found himself slowly pulling back and taking the offered tissue from her hand. He didn't know where she got it, but, assumed a mother like her should have it handy. He began to wipe his face with it and sighed. "How did this happen?"

"Sex?"

He frowned at her attempt at teasing. "No. How does someone manage to think that... a confession of love is.. false? Was I not earnest enough? I've never had this kind of problem with a woman before."

"Well," Sakura stated, "That's half your problem."

He arched a brow. "How so?"

She laughed at him. "One, Naruto isn't a woman. He isn't going to react the same way. Two, you're his best friend... and you have a reputation for being... well, you know. I don't need to spell it out. And three.."

"There's a third one?"

She nodded. "Yes, there is. Three... men don't always like it when women throw themselves shamelessly at them. Now, I realize that... this whole relationship isn't about gender. You're both men and it's only natural things are going to work differently."

He frowned. "What do you propose I do?"

She smiled. "You're so silly, Sasuke. And so use to playing the pursuer. Why do you think you got bored with all those women so easily? Hm? Think about it for a second."

And he did. He thought about it. He wasn't a stupid man. He was a creature of the world. He knew how things worked. Why had he gotten bored with all those women? It hadn't been because they were bad in bed, despite what he told Naruto.

She sighed. "Ok, obviously this is a bit hard for even you to process. So, I'll spell it out for you."

He blinked at her.

"Men like the chase. The enjoy pursuing the object of their want and affection." She smirked. "This is basic playboy 101 and you didn't know that?"

He grunted. Of course he did. It just didn't occur to him to do so with Uzumaki. The man was a creature of honesty and up front truths. He preferred to know things from an open line of communication. He conveyed this. "Naruto isn't like that. He hates being manipulated. It's why I tried being honest with him."

She rolled her eyes at him. "And look how well that worked out. Listen, he's not going to believe you as it now stands. Right now the only image he has of you in his mind is the picture of the playboy."

"How is playing... 'chase' going to change his mind about that? Won't that make it worse?" His head was starting to hurt.

"Not... necessarily..." She looked to be thinking for a while.

He sighed and sat back in the seat. This was.. just as bad as him pretending to be Naruto's boyfriend. Hell, it might even be worse! "I don't want to play games anymore Sakura." His voice was weak as he stared forward.

She sighed as well and rested her hand over his. She met his eyes as he gazed at her. "I know you don't want to. I'm not asking you to. I just need you to be... coy."

"Coy?"

She nodded. "Be your normal reserved self. Just be a little more... withdrawn. Not in a bad way. Give him just enough to want more without really giving anymore."

He just stared at her.

She grumbled slightly. "Instead of kissing him just brush his lips. Instead of holding his hand all time walk with him and let your fingers brush his own. Instead of just eating in front of him... make love to your food."

This time he stared at her, not in shock, but in admiration. "Sakura.."

"Yes, Sasuke?"

"You do realize, of course, you could of had me a long time ago with such handy skills."

She laughed at him as she opened the door and let her gaze languidly trail over his body, almost causing him to shudder at the effect her eyes had on him. "Oh," she said huskily, "Mr. Uchiha," she went on deadly breathless like a lover's voice in the middle of the night, "you have no idea."