Momento : Conversation

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Somebody else owned Naruto,  I'm buying something else….like a nice piece of tissue paper.

Author's Notes: Very short chapter, that's because I enjoy separating the chapters into events. XD I felt that if I instantly added the next few "more significant" events, the chapter would drag. I promise a longer chapter next time though. I planned this story to be at least seven chappie. O.O;; I hope I can finish it before the end of vacation.  

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Heavy footsteps echoed through out the forest, stomping furiously heading for Naruto's. voice.

It was Sasuke.

Sasuke Uchiha, ran as fast as he could to the unconscious Naruto, quickly going down on his knees, picking up Naruto, slapping him to ensure he was okay.

"Naruto! Open your eyes! Open your eyes, dammit!"

Sasuke was bathed in cold sweat, every time that he would call Naruto's name louder…the other wouldn't respond. He placed his arm behind Naruto, this time shaking him, harder and harder.

Sasuke slapped his forehead in frustration; he had scrutinized Naruto's bare foot and found two sharp punctures found near the ankle.

"A snake bite?" Sasuke glanced at Naruto. "You're really stupid, you know that? Now I'll have to carry you to the hospital. Damn you."

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Sasuke's POV

I don't know if anyone else has gone through it, I don't know if anyone has felt this way. But what I am feeling right now…is unexplainable.

I have no idea why I even bothered to do this. But—right now…I was carrying Naruto on my back. The idiot got himself bitten by a snake, which is extremely stupid.

I…always called him stupid, and I always thought that I hated him…but in the end I couldn't hate him.

I could never hate Naruto.

Every ounce of my strength seemed to concentrate on my back, every single thought on my mind was about Naruto.

Everything was about him.

"Unnhh…..Sasuke?"

My heart stopped. Did I….just hear Naruto?

"N-Naruto….you're awake?" It was impossible but—It didn't matter, hearing Naruto's  voice made me give out a sigh of relief.

In this deep forest, I was glad.

"You're carrying me…" I felt him trying to let go of my grasp, but I see that he was too weak to even do that, his resistance was short-lived.

"You shouldn't be moving at all, the poison may circulate in your system faster."

"P-poison?!"  Naruto keep silent for a moment…he probably recalled what had happened about the snake.

"Sasuke, why are you helping me?"

"You shouldn't ask stupid questions like that, not at a time like this. Because…I don't know myself."

He chuckled in amusement, his laughter was an oasis I could rapture myself in, knowing that he was okay, talking and laughing.

Everything felt…Okay.

"You said that before, Sasuke. Do you remember?"

"Wind Country…?"

"Yep, you said that…"

I thought about it for awhile, I did remember that. But I never thought that he would. In fact, I always thought it was an embarrassment for him.

To be protected by someone you hated.

"I never got to say…thank you. Sasuke, I was stupid back then.I…could probably….never be as good as you."

I couldn't see his face at all, but I knew. I knew how he felt.

"Moron, didn't you say that…you were going to be a ninja, YOUR way? Stop comparing

yourself to me."

"Sakura-chan likes you, everyone likes you."

"And you think nobody likes YOU?"

He leaned in, holding tighter unto me, resting his face on my back. Naruto's body was shaking and I felt him suppressing the tears.

Where it came from, I will never know.  But I said it.

"I like you."

I was damn sure he was shocked. He was quiet and immobile, and I realized that I was the only one moving, walking through the forest.

"That's nice…to know…"

I smiled.

"Sasuke, I'm a bit tired…So….I'm going to close my eyes for a bit. Your back…is warm, kinda makes me sleepy."

That smile was quickly replaced by a frown. What he just said, made me worry.

"Naruto, keep on talking. I'll listen."

But he didn't talk again. The warm load I had on my back…Naruto, became cold and frigid.

Oh God.

"Hey, Naruto! Say anything, anything is fine! I'll listen to anything you have to say!"

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Uchiha's heart pumped blood through his whole body faster than ever. More than he could ever imagine.  

His mind could never think of anything else. Anything else but—Naruto Uzumaki.

His feet carried him and Naruto at an incredible speed…that was until he reached the main street.

Sasuke's body, beaten by the whole day of training and running through the deadly forest of Konoha, could not take anymore.

He realized his breathing declining and going slower.

But he never forgot Naruto. Even as he fell down on his knees, he still carried Naruto on his back.

"Just….a little more…."

Sasuke tried to force himself up, only to be in vain.

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A shadowed figure quietly walked in the streets of Konoha, raising his arms over his head, vigorously stretching his whole body even so late in the night.

He stopped on the spot, seeing two people lying down the concrete pavement.

"Ara? Isn't that—Naruto and Sasuke?"

To Be Continued. . .

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Author's Notes:  Like I said, this was a short chapter. I'm really sorry, but at least I gave a bit more of Sasunaru….XP The next [possibly] three chapters will cover the really important stuff. And…[sigh] the ending. ;