Hi everyone:-) Here's another chapter...I know you're all dying to get to the end and figure out if I ever let these two be, but we're almost there so rest assured! XD

I know I've done this in previous chapter's, but this time I really mean it--Thank you everyone who's stuck through this far!! It really means a lot to me that you're willing to put up with my annoying (I'm sure) writting tactics that consist of the never-dying cliffhangers and questions. I'm glad you all have been willing to read this much. So once again, thank you!!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to keep saying it this far? Oh well...I own no Naruto characters.

Chapter Twenty

Sasuke's POV—One Week Later

"You can let go of my wrist you know. Geese." I growled as Naruto pulled me into town. He was back to his usual sunny, happy self now. He laughed and replied, "If I did that, you might try to run away." "I'm not stupid. I'd be killed instantly. C'mon, use your brain." "True, true. But what's the use in letting you go when we're here?" He grinned and made me sit down on one of the stools at the ramen shop. I groaned. "Nooo…" "Aw c'mon, you know you like it." he teased, his grin still there. He let go of my arm and ordered for us. I sighed and put my chin in my hand. "Did we have to come here?" "Yup!" "I'd have thought you'd outgrown your appetite for ramen by now." "Nope, you were wrong." "So I see." I sighed, straightening as the food came.

"Hey Naruto, what's up?!" called a voice from behind us. I frowned. Didn't I know that voice? Naruto slurped up some more ramen before smiling and turning around. "Hey Konohamaru! Nothing much, what about you? I haven't seen you in a while." Konohamaru grinned and bounced up into a seat beside Naruto. "Nothin' really. What are you doing back so early, I thought you were on a mission with Sakura?" Naruto smiled. "I was. I completed it quicker than I thought I would." "So where's Sakura?" "She was hurt during the mission. But she'll be okay. The doctors said it was a cracked rib and slight concussion. She should be out a little later in the week." Konohamaru nodded with a slight smile. "That's good then." He turned and ordered a bowl of ramen as well, then turned back to Naruto.

"Well I'm glad your mission was successful. What was it anyway?" he asked, and then dug into the ramen when it came. Naruto shrugged and said, "Ah, nothin' real important. How are you guys doing? Been on any missions yourselves lately?" "Not really." "Don't worry, you will." Naruto grinned, ruffling his hair. Konohamaru ducked but was too late and made a face. Naruto laughed and let him go. "Well I gotta go. See ya later Konohamaru." "Yeah, bye Naruto." The boy grinned, going back to his ramen.

Naruto looked at me. "Ready?" "I suppose." I shrugged, getting up and walking off with the blonde. We left town and walked out towards the old training grounds we used to use. I looked around but said nothing. We walked to the three logs and leaned against them, silent. Then Naruto gave a quiet laugh. I glanced at him. He was looking up at the sky, a small smile on his lips. I raised a brow.

"Remember that day after Kakashi's bell test? When I was tied to this thing? Now when I think back on it, it's a pretty funny picture." He smiled a little wider and side-glanced over at me. I shrugged and looked towards the trees. Naruto was silent a second before saying, "And during the bell test, when Kakashi tricked me, I ended up upside down in the tree by my foot. That was so wrong. But it was a stupid move." I snorted. He side-glanced at me again. "Hey there's that time Kakashi fooled you too. His crazy Headhunter Jutsu. Sakura passed out at the sight. Remember?" I snorted again then looked at him. He smiled and I asked suddenly, "What are you trying to do?" He looked at me innocently. "What do you mean?" I gave him a look and he burst into another grin. "Just trying to make you smile—or laugh. I know you want to." I grunted and looked away from him. "What gives you that idea?" "It's in your eyes." "What?" "Your eyes. You're laughing inside. I can tell by your eyes." I turned back to him and fixed him with a cold stare. He just smiled and said, "Your eyes are still laughing, no matter how much you try to make them cold." I rolled my eyes this time and looked at the sky. "Whatever." "Alright, ignore me. But we both know I'm right." "Hn."

He was silent a while before laughing a little and saying, "Remember how we used to spar all the time, trying to win against each other? And Sakura would watch sometimes, always telling us to be careful?" He smiled a little and looked down at his feet. I watched him out of the corner of my eye. His eyes lit up and he laughed again. "Then that time I got you to eat ramen with me and Sakura? And then when you wouldn't eat it I dumped it on your head? You got so mad at me you shoved mine in my face too. And when Sakura tried to break it up we both dumped it on her. And then she got made so you and I had to run for it." I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. We'd had to split up so she wouldn't catch us. Then we'd reached my apartment at the same time and ran in so fast we'd barely managed to shut the door before Sakura was pounding on it. When she finally got tired of it she told us we were paying for her new shirt and stomped off. We'd looked at each other and had burst out laughing. It had been funny I had to admit.

"Or what about that time Doppel got so angry at me for ignoring her as I fixed my ramen that she chased me around the whole apartment? And all you did was sit on the couch and laugh at me!" That did it. The image of Doppel chasing the dobe around angrily all through the house, him jumping over the couch and falling into the floor then crawling away as Doppel had jumped over the couch as well, it made me laugh. The idiot had screamed and jumped up, running around the couch in circles with the fox chasing him. I had been laughing then and I was laughing now. It was just too good.

I stopped as suddenly as I could. I had to remind myself, I hated this idiot. I hated this village. I had broken all ties with it and with everyone in it three years ago. I couldn't afford to be going back on that now. I couldn't be bonding with Naruto now. I couldn't get close to him and I couldn't enjoy this. For all I knew the Hokage could kill me tomorrow. What would be the use of it? It was best if I regained myself and stayed true to what I had been telling Naruto all along—I didn't care anymore about them. I had to regain that. If he thought he'd broken me it would end chaotically. I couldn't let him think that.

I stopped laughing and swallowed, clearing my throat. I frowned then put an expressionless face on and looked back at the sky. Naruto blew out a breath and said after a moment, "It's alright to laugh Sasuke. You're not doing any harm by simply laughing." I didn't look at him. He hesitated then fell silent. I glanced at him. He was looking the other way, at the sky. I sighed silently. I couldn't help it. This was the way it had to be.

((Hides behind Iruka-Sensei and Kakashi-Sensei)) Meep! You all really dislike me don't you? I know, I just won't let these poor little guys have a break and get along happily for once, will I? XD It's not my fault I have a sadistic nature! ;-; Lol, anyway, I promise the next chapter will be more...what's the word?...well there'll be more interaction with our two favorite guys! X.x I shall not give away any more than that! XP The next chapter will be posted soon. Reveiws are loved!

-- Miah-Chan