Chapter 5: Finally!

Ah yes the reminiscing. No one had ever heard Shikamaru speak so much at one time, his quota for the week was used up. Naruto had enjoyed it immensely and the looks on Sakura's and Ino's faces were priceless. Although Naruto had paid for it afterwards, Sakura had started the Naruto fan club and Ino had been made vice-president. Naruto thought this was because the Sasuke fan club was in a slump, their views on the boy hadn't changed but neither had the boy himself. He was still cold, distant, and took every chance to insult anyone.

Yes, being the jerk Sasuke was, was indeed, a hard job. One that Sasuke took pride in, being the cold somewhat sadistic jerk made people fear his withering death glare and even him sharingan of doom. Somehow, Naruto could see past that, past the cold looks and calculating stares, past the seemingly boring personality and constant training. That's why he considered Naruto one of his only friends. He saw Sasuke not as the cold bastard but as a friend he could trust and confide in.

Early on in their close relationship Naruto had told Sasuke of his fears in life, of never being able to become what he truly wanted to be. How he felt about the entire village of Konoha hating him. Of his young crush on Sakura, how he felt about Iruka-sensei. How he looked up to Kakashi-sensei for teaching him so much. How people always saw him as the weak orphaned boy who was a demon, therefore everyone should hate him. Confided in Sasuke that he wished he could escape it, how sometimes late at night he wished it would all end, that maybe if he left, was gone forever everyone would be so much happier.

Sasuke held him as he sobbed, told him of his own problems and they comforted each other in their own special way. They knew from that point on nothing would be stronger than their friendship and it was true to this very day.

Back in the present Sakura was rambling on and on to Naruto about how Ino and her fallowed him there. Sakura's green eyes glittered with unabashed adoration and affection while looking at Naruto as did Ino's. Looking at Naruto, Sasuke could see why. Over the years, as said before, Naruto had matured. He was no longer the fumbling, lanky, non-graceful boy he was at the tender age of 14. He was older, 17 years of age and well expirenced in fighting as well as knowledge to the history of the shinobi. He was intelligent and strong, something Sasuke held in high regard.

Naruto's appearance had changed as well, he was tall, standing just below Sasuke's 6 foot frame and he had several piercing's in each ear and was rumored to have some tattoo's in several undisclosed places. His hair was still in it's ever present spiky style, although quite a few long pieces hung down in front of his eyes, which had changed too. As Naruto had gotten older, he had learned to accept the Kyuubi side of him and in turn a red rim had appeared around his pupil, making his eyes almost incandescent in an evening glow.

Naruto's body was built. He had wiry muscles beneath soft tanned skin, long legs and a six-pack. He was every girls dream, spiky blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes and sun kissed skin that was tantalizingly perfect. He was Sasuke's dream too, and he had only realized it now.

"Sakura, me and Sasuke are talking about some private matters, could you please leave?" ssasuke looked over at Naruto, surprised at the politly worded, yet harsh response coming from his mouth before looking over at Sakura. She had taken it harshly as well, the sparkle of her green eyes dimmed before pasting on a smile and nodding quickly before grabbing Ino's arm and dragging her away. "Jaaaa Naruto! Sasuke!" Sakura was gone. That was good at least. Now they could get on with their lunch and trying to talk Naruto into giving up his little secret. It was funny; in the years of their friendship Naruto had told Sasuke everything. So why wasn't he telling him this?

It was quite peculiar, but Sasuke knew Naruto would tell him when he was ready. Maybe he has finaly decided to leave Konoha for good! …that was good. Inner Sasuke was trying to calm Sasuke down by telling him that probably wasn't Naruto's secret. "Naruto, what's this big secret, that even Sakura and Ino can't hear?"

"Well... alright. As long as you promise not to try and kill me... ok?" Naruto replied. Sasuke looked at him funnily, it must be really serious if Naruto was using this kind of precaution in telling him his little secret. "Ok? You really don't have to worry Naruto, I'm sure it can't be that bad." - Oh, that's what you think Sasuke-kun... - Naruto's conscious thought, but enough was enough and he was just going to spit it out. At least he was in public, nothing really bad could happen.

"Alright Sasuke. Here goes, I like you. I really really like you. Actually it's kind of funny 'cause I think I might love you. But I know you could never love me back and that you really just like me as a friend and I can't do anything about that and I know your probably just gonna walk out of here and think "My gosh, Naruto is such a dobe!" but at least now you know how I really feel. But I can understand if you never want to speak to me again or whatnot and it's alright if you reject me 'cause I could probably find another city that wouldn't mind having a demon in their midst. And it's ok if --- " Naruto was rambling and Sasuke was too stunned to stop him.

Gathering his wits, Sasuke held up a hand and looked at Naruto with a questioning look that Naruto just nodded in response too. Yes what Naruto was saying was the truth. Well this certainly was a surprise. Albeit a pleasant surprise. "Naruto that will not be necessary. I told you earlier I had no interest in girls, and although I also have no interest in guys, you are an exception… I've liked you for a while now Naruto. You just haven't been paying attention." Naruto looked up at him in shock, and he looked back quite squarely, and reluctantly enough, let the corners of his mouth twitch up in the makings of a very-Sasuke smile. Or as far as a smile got with him anyway.

TBC

AN: wow another chapter. I haven't updated this story in so long. I don't know if the writing style is different or better but I wrote my other chapters a longgg while ago. And as I read back I was like "Uhg I wrote that!?!" so anyway. I've been working on a Akira/Hikaru Hikaru no Go fic. And I was working on another SasuNaru but I lost it . . Anyways. Reviews make the authoress happy! Thank you all so much for encouraging me to continue with this! Happy reading!