I know, I know. This chapter has taken waaaaayy too long. But have no fear this chapter and the next one will bring this story to an end.

*Kiss me again.* *Kiss me again.* *Kiss me again.*

Sasuke's words echoed in Naruto's ears, bouncing off the sides of his head, shocking him into silence. And he wanted to. God, he wanted to, but he couldn't seem to make himself move. "S-sasuke. . ."

Sasuke's face fell as Naruto appeared to take no action. "Naruto, I. . ."

Whatever Sasuke had been about to say was lost when a loud crash broke the silence of their hearts smashing against their respective rib cages. Simultaneously, they whipped around to stare at the still-paralyzed former apprentice. He was releasing chakra in giant waves trying desperately to release himself from the bindings of the poison Naruto had infected him with. So far he wasn't having any success, but the paralysis wouldn't last forever, hence the reason Naruto had to consider his priorities when choosing between finishing Nuzio as soon as he was infected and saving Sasuke's life. A no-brainer really.

Sasuke. . . "We've got to finish him now," Naruto said calmly.

"Hai," Sasuke answered.

"I got this one." Naruto moved forward, extracting a large knife from Nuzio's own belt before grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against a nearby rock and spoke in a soft threatening tone of voice that was only heard by him captive. "I could forgive you for hurting me, but no one survives threatening my Sasuke." With that he cleanly took his head off.

The two moved around each other quickly, easily, efficiently, preparing the body to be reduced to ash to keep the secrets of the forbidden jutsus that Nuzio had known -well- secret. Sasuke flippantly used a fire-style jutsu to ignite the body. They stood silently and watched the body burn.

"We have a long way to go if we want to get back and report to the grass kage today," Naruto murmured.

"We're going straight back there?" Sasuke asked. Briefly, he worried that his impulsive words would dissolve their working relationship.

"Mmm. Well we should probably retrieve the camping gear I stowed earlier this morning and no offense but I don't think you're up for the trip all the way back to the Hidden Grass Village today."

"I'm fine," Sasuke protested.

Naruto turned to look Sasuke in the eyes for the first time. "Sasuke," he murmured, "you almost died twice today. Humor me. It will probably take us the rest of the day to find where I stowed our equipment."

"Fine. We'll get the gear and camp for the night," Sasuke huffed indignantly.

Naruto couldn't help it, he chuckled lightly. "Don't be so childish teme." He punched him lightly. Sasuke frowned. Was Naruto going to act like nothing happened? Naruto didn't like the frown on Sasuke's beautiful face and decided to erase it in the first way that popped into his mind. Sasuke eye's widen and then slid contently closed as he felt warm lips cover his own.

Naruto pulled away and stroked Sasuke's cheek until he opened his eyes. "This is okay, right? You wanted this, didn't you?"

"Naruto. . . Yes. Yes, I want this. All of this." Sasuke leaned in for another kiss. His arms wrapped around Naruto's waist while one of Naruto's hands continued to cup Sasuke's cheek and the other buried itself in his hair.

When they pulled back after what felt like eons, Naruto rested his head lightly against his new boyfriend's forehead. "Jeez, Sasuke, you almost died on me twice today. I can't take another day like this."

"God, I know, Naruto. I know."