I handed in the papers and turned back to Naruto, who was zoning out, staring at his fingernails blankly. I waited, sitting next to him and leaning against his arm. He still had flashbacks, though the pain, he said, was like a distant dream. He tells me Kyuubi has gone back to sleep for awhile, and his nightmares were getting less and less frequent.

I could feel his glazed senses gathering and he sighed, muttering, "I...sorry. I was doing it again, wasn't I?" I nodded slowly, brushing a hand over his.

"Dobe," he smiled, and leaned on me too, lookin up through his bangs at me, his clear blue eyes filled with that indescribable look of love. I smiled back, leaning in to his his forehead. His neck got red, and I whispered devilishly, "Nice to know I can still make you blush."

He flushed now, and bumped my shoulder, rolling his eyes at me. It'd been almost six months since I got back, and after everything had died down, the days were much the same as they had been before. Of course, major differences were happening.

For instance, Juura now ran the cafeteria and a shop in town. Her store in Tokyo and Stone's music place were being looked after by thier friends, and they'd sold that huge flat for something smaller. Bigger buildings were being built in town, and it was starting to look more like a proper city than a town. Of course, we were still on the isolated lot of forested land the college owned, not to mention the giant array of sports fields.

Also, Gaara's brother and sister had moved into town, and were always bugging him to come see them; though I'm pretty sure they wouldn't know what to do if he ever did. The redhead was getting along just ifne with Neji, and rumor had it they were thinking of going for matching Biology degrees. Everyone was choosing they're majors after the preliminary two years, and Shikamaru had finally taken up his calling in Psychology.

I personally think he finally discovered that it would entail much of what he did on a daily basis. Laze around and think about life. Kiba was going for Animal Science, and Sakura was going into a Lawyer's Masters.

Hinata was going to join Hana in her law degree, and had recently found she had a true talent for martial arts.

Sakura and Hana couldn't have been prouder.

The end of our second year was winding to a close, and summer would provide a much-welcome reprieve. Kakashi and Iruka had moved in together, and Naruto and I were headed back to my house to relax as of tomorrow. We'd already packed, and boxes lined our dorm room, and as we sat in our ending homeroom, talking quietly as the teachers drank sodas and talked at the front of the room.

Chisa and Akamaru were set for life with the two oddly matched men who were moving into one of the on-campus cottages for easy-access and to be close to everyone. Noir and Stone were living next to Juura in a flat in the new complex downtown. The old district was being refurbished, if you can believe it.

As for Tsunade, Jiraiya and the Twins, the older two were still running the school, and Jiraiya had finally won over the busty woman's affections, and offered to take her with him over the summer to wherever he was bound. She'd said yes.

Kamurou and Kao are managing the shop Juura owns, and had two very pretty girlfriends from around here, dating very regularly. Apparently they're twins too.

Sighing, I rested my head on my arms and shut my eyes, snuggling against the blonde's jacket, breathing in his soft scent of sunshine and oranges. Konohamaru was doing well, and planned to go into a teaching degree. I'd decided on an arts degree for writing, and I think Naruto was leaning towards a teaching or doctors degree.

Anko and Ibiki had somehow and very oddly discovered love, and were due to be married in a year.

Pondering this, I looked up at my dobe, and smiled a secret smile. I couldn't even put my love into words, and everyday it felt like it got stronger and stronger, threatening to spill over my heart and out my mouth. They say there are stages to love. Like, Love, Life, Death, Eternity.

I'm just barely past like, if time has anything to do with it, and I have so much more to give him. To show him.

Maybe oneday. But we had our whole lives to be together, and I closed my eyes again, content.

The bell rang, and everyone shouted excitedly, heading for the door. Naruto and I got up slowly, taking eachother's hand and leaving the room. It wasn't goodbye to the college by any means, as we'd be coming back for our masters in the following spring. But we were different. A year ago we'd been friends only, and the year before we hadn't known each other.

An arm wrapped around my shoulder, and Sakura laughed, jerking both of us into a hug, and Hana stood close with Hinata, beaming at us.

"So, lovebirds! What's up?" the pinkette grinned at us, and they walked with us as we went back to start loading the car.

Naruto started talking about our plans for the summer-we had none, really-and Sakura's eyes lit with mischief. She glanced at Hana and said, "Told you."

"Hn. So ask, then," the brunette prompted, her sarashi tight under her open jacket. Her hair was in a long ponytail down to her butt, and she smirked, waiting. Sakura flushed up her neck and hmpfhed at her, turning back to us.

"Roadtrip. We've already gotten everyone else to come, and Tsunade said we could come over with her and Jiraiya!" She squealed, and her eyes shone, "America!"

I frowned, and thought of my nice house waiting for some serious chill time. But I would go if Naruto-

"No thanks," the blonde murmured, and locked his fingers in mine, smiling apologetically and shrugging at Sakura's bafflement.

"Naruto?" I looked at him, brows raised, and he grinned, eyes clear.

"I just want some down time. We could go to America anytime, and I just..." I nodded, smiling.

"Alright."

"Oh. Well, I guess that's...fine?" Sakura said slowly, and sighed, "Okay then. Have fun. I hope you guys have a blast!" she grinned and slapped me on the back, "Have fun, Sasukeeee."

I felt my ears get hot, and glared at her darkly.

She just laughed and waved as they left to get ready.

"Are you sure, dobe?" I said as we opened our door and went in, sitting on the bare bed one more time. He nodded, taking my hand.

"I just want to rest for a good, long while. We have a long time, and who knows? We might get to go to America or somewhere else before we have to start our majors next year. A year's a long time," he added, echoing my earlier thoughts. I nodded, looking at him. I was so lucky to have him. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Being there when he woke up. Being there when he went to sleep beside me.

Being able to hold him and laugh with him and kiss him. Holding his hand and listening to him singing in the shower on his best days. Watching him stun the ramen chef by running them out of miso soup. Everything that we'd ever done and more. I loved him for everything he was and wasn't. And I loved him for loving me.

They say that love comes in stages.

Like is when you think about the person constantly, wondering what they're like and how to get closer. I enjoy watching him sleep and think and smile and sigh. I wish I knew what he was thinking when he gets sad so I could help him faster.

The only other one I know is love, and I think that's when caring and thinking about the other person is so natural it's like a physical drug. You get so used to it they're like a part of you, and without them you can't function. You don't even pause when you talk to them, and bare yourself without hesitation. You give yourself completely to them.

I don't know what Life or Death are yet, but I do know one thing, I think as I lean against the wall, staring at my blonde, who I couldn't live without.

I can't wait for Eternity.