~ Twenty-five: Can You Show Me Love? ~

Naruto woke the day after his suicide attempt to find Sasuke sleeping beside him with tear-tracks down his cheeks, and an intolerable guilt seized him.

Sasuke had been worried about him…Sasuke had cried for him.

The tent-flap opened, and Naruto looked in that direction to find a very irate Karin glaring at him. He flinched.

"Do you know how much pain that little stunt of yours caused Sasuke?" the woman hissed as she deftly checked the wounds beneath Naruto's bandaged wrists. "He was hysterical when he thought you were dead! Are you really so selfish as to think none of us will miss you if you die?"

"I…" Naruto trailed off, guiltily looking away. "I thought it would be better for everyone if I was gone." Karin's face softened, and she gently embraced the blonde man in a motherly fashion.

"He loves you, Naruto. Don't ever, ever doubt that. Live…for him."

Sasuke woke to find Naruto awake and watching his face thoughtfully. A little disoriented for a moment, Sasuke was surprised when he realised he had his arms wrapped around the blonde and Naruto's arms were around his waist tightly, but didn't move away. Instead, he drew the blonde closer still and buried his face in Naruto's shoulder.

"Don't do that ever again," he mumbled, stray tears leaking from beneath his closed eyelids. Naruto nestled closer, eyes closing as he relaxed against his friend of almost twenty years.

"I won't," he murmured in return, then lifted his face. "Sasuke?"

"Hm?"

"Can you…show me what love is?"

Sasuke stared at the shorter man in shock for a moment, then leant forward and tenderly pressed their lips together.

"Yes," he whispered.

Outside, Karin, Juugo and Kimimaro exchanged silent high-fives and went about their business.

Naruto – and Sasuke – would be alright.

Alright, I know next to nothing about Karin, Juugo and Kimimaro, but I thought I'd just add that little bit in there to round it off. This was the final chapter, people! :)

Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing and supporting this story, and to anyone else - please review!

~Ashuri