Dark Abyss: Thank you for all the great reviews! Honestly, I feel all warm and giddy whenever I read them. I really, really appreciate it. I do seem to be updating this story more than any of my others. Kinda sad, ne? I mean, if I'm this slow for this story, imagine how slow I am for the others?

I've been trying to focus on other things, but I don't like leaving my fans hanging. I feel guilty all the time.

So, I won't say much more. I was quite happy that the ideas for this chapter came to me quickly and now I have something to write next time I am quite excited about. I know exactly what is going on and what will go on, so I know how it will end. No. This chapter is not the end. Don't worry. I'll make sure the finish is a great one.

(I was reading my own stuff and realized that when I started, I kinda didn't know what I was doing. Thank you for all the people who didn't care and took it for what it was. Remember, it's the story that matters, not all the little mistakes right? You guys rock! And I will take it more seriously not to mess up)

Thanks to all my fans for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. cries


Watching Your Back


Chapter 9 – Reality

...Naruto's POV...

"Iruka-sensai? Kakashi-sensai!" I yelled. "What are you doing here!"

Before me, I saw my two teachers. I had no idea what to think.

All I received was what looked like a smug look from Kakashi (almost impossible to see through his mask). Iruka looked rather calm, but he also seemed a little embarrassed. Still, it was besides the point. When did they ever go into the forest? And together for that matter!

Sasuke was the first to react.

"Why are you two here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Kakashi said. And even though it was hard to see because of the mask, I could even feel our sensai was smirking.

"You two shouldn't be out alone at a time like this," Iruka-sensai said shaking his head.

I rolled my eyes and smiled a bit. "We aren't kids you know."

"No. No." Kakashi said defensively. "We're not worried about Sasuke, but Naruto, who knows what could happen to you."

I squinted my eyes and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. I heard Sasuke chuckle, but I just glared at him the same. It didn't seem to effect him however. He just smiled and winked. I cleared my throat hoping that someone would speak soon as I did not want my warming face to be the center of attention for much longer.

"Well, I do hope we weren't interrupting anything." Kakashi said with a chuckle.

"No!" I blurted out quite loudly. my voice had squeaked rather high.

Kakashi and Iruka-sensai hummed to themselves and then looked at each other. I glanced over at Sasuke who was appearing to be irritated for impatient about something. He was tapping his foot against the solid ground, over and over. Did he have somewhere to go? Not in the current weather, I would think. Though it did seem to be clearing up.

"So..." I heard Iruka-sensai say quite clearly. "...we were wondering if you two would like to go somewhere."

"Where?" Sasuke asked in an uninterested tone.

Iruka smiled. "Well, maybe we can go somewhere to eat. We can go and get some ra-"

"RAMEN!"

Everyone stared at me. It was like they had never heard me have an outburst before. I had yelled pretty loud I guess. Birds were probably flying from the trees. But come on. It was ramen! I smiled, somehow forgetting that had just happened between Sasuke and I.

I saw Sasuke shake his head and turn to Iruka-sensai.

"I'm sure Naruto would like nothing better."

My eyes met Sasuke's and I grinned. I knew he was trying to hide it, but it wasn't hard to see the smile in his eyes.

...Sasuke's POV...

I chuckled lightly to myself while watching Naruto in front of me with Iruka at his side. He was skipping for a reason who knows what, but I guess that what he does when he is happy. Well , you can expect almost anything from Naruto. His child-like personality, though annoying, was something I was drawn to. Hard to believe, I know. But, he was so...cute.

I groaned. I was sure that Kakashi knew that I saw his eyes watching me. I was sure that he also found it amusing, but I just wanted to know why they had found us in the first place and why they were taking us out. It couldn't just be a nice gesture. No. That isn't really seem like the Kakashi way. He always had something else up his sleeve.

Ignoring the glances from the sensai beside me, I turned my attention back on Naruto and smiled. It was getting very dark, but he still seemed to glow in the midst of the shadows. He was so beautiful.

His clothes still hadn't dried and were clinging to his tiny frame. Rain was running down his face...down that smooth, tanned skin...

I suddenly felt my cheeks heat up. I would have to try and keep the rest of my thoughts to a minimum. Now was not the best time to think about such things.

When we finally got out of the forest, we went over to the ramen bar. Of course, Naruto was extremely excited, he was practically jumping up and down. At one point, he came over to me and pulled me over to sit beside him. I smiled. At least the ramen had not caused him to forget about me.

We did eat a lot. Actually, I believe it was Naruto that finished what everyone else couldn't eat. I expected no less of course.

I didn't speak much myself. Iruka and Naruto seemed to be most in conversation. Kakashi and I just listened. Not that I had any problem with it. I rather had a pleasant time watching and listening to Naruto.

Very soon I noticed Naruto shiver once in a while, it was getting rather cold. Even I rubbed at my arms for extra warmth.

"So, see you two tomorrow at the festival?" I heard.

I assumed it was time to go. The sky was pitch black and there were barely any village people around now. I got up from my seat , as did Naruto and we said our good-bye to Iruka and Kakashi. I decided that since our time had been cut short earlier and I was sure there was more for us to talk about, I invited Naruto to my home. When I asked him, he turned his head shyly and agreed.

On the way, the wind started to pick up. I noticed Naruto wrap his arms around himself and heard the slight sound of teeth chattering. His clothes were still slightly wet, so it made sense he was so cold. But as soon as we reached my place I would give him something else to wear. Of course...he didn't have to wear anything at all...

I shook my head and placed an arm around Naruto. I held him closely to my side as we walked down the street. He looked up and smiled at me.

"Thanks, Sasuke," he said cheerfully.

I smiled back. "No problem."

It felt so comforting to have Naruto so close to me. I really felt...happy.

When we finally reached my home, I brought out my keys, unlocked the door and turned the door handle, leading Naruto inside.

...Third POV...

Sasuke closed the door behind him and took off his shoes. Naruto had already taken his off and was currently walking through the den where he sat down on the couch. The room was fairly plain. It was just as he remembered from the last time he had been over. Nothing too expensive or showy. Just a nice place where people could live. The fact there was no clutter made it very relaxing.

"Hey," Sasuke said walking into the den. "Let's get you a change of clothing, okay?"

Naruto nodded and jumped up, following Sasuke to his room. When they entered the room, Sasuke had to stop. He was overcome with the smell of Sasuke, the very atmosphere of him; if it were possible. And inside that room, Naruto felt so calm.

"A-hem."

Naruto snapped back to his senses when he felt dry clothes pushed into his hands. Naruto looked down and saw that they were pajamas.

"So, I guess that means that I'm staying tonight?"

"I guess so," Sasuke smirked.

Naruto couldn't help but notice the glisten in Sasuke's dark, alluring eyes. He blushed and turned away, going to the very corner of the room and he started to peel off his wet clothes. The top of his suit fell loosely on his hips, revealing his most bare and smooth back. Sasuke bit his lip as he watched, unsure of what to do. Naruto felt very nervous as he could feel Sasuke's stare from behind. But he continued to try and remove his clothing, though, he wasn't having an easy time. And the more Sasuke watched him, the harder it was to get his clothes to come off.

"You know..." Naruto heard a deep voice behind him.

He suddenly gasped and his back arched as he felt a finger run down along his spine, then slowly trace his shoulder blades.

"...If you're nervous," Sasuke continued. "Then you ca go and change in the washroom."

Naruto's knees started to weaken as he felt one of Sasuke's arms snake around his waist and place a hand on his stomach. Sasuke rested his head on Naruto's shoulder. He then chuckled in his seductive tone and blew hot air into Naruto's ear.

Naruto's eyes widened and he laughed nervously. "You-you know? Th-that's not a ba-bad idea."

Naruto suddenly reached down for the clothes he had dropped on the floor and he walked around Sasuke to the washroom, his whole face as red as an apple. Sasuke smiled and went out of the room to the kitchen where he started to boil a kettle of water.

In a few minutes, when Naruto finally came out, he went into the den and sat down on the couch again. Just a bit later, Sasuke came in with a tray and saw Naruto fiddling with his thumbs.

"Care for some tea?" Sasuke asked holding out the tray.

Naruto looked up and smiled while taking a cup. "Sure. Thanks."

Sasuke then sat down beside Naruto. The clothes he had given Naruto were his own, but they were a little big for Naruto. Still, Naruto looked adorable lost in the baggy material.

Naruto had been rather quiet since he sat down. Because of this, Sasuke had to express his concern.

"Naruto? Is something wrong?" he asked. "Did I do something to upset you?"

Naruto smiled and shook his head. Sasuke then took a sip of his tea just as Naruto was about to speak.

"What are we going to tell everyone?"

Sasuke nearly choked on his tea. "Tell everyone? I had a hard enough time confessing to you, Naruto!"

Naruto's face suddenly darkened. "So you want to keep it a secret? You don't want everyone to know that it is me?"

"No! No! Of course it's not that!" Sasuke said holding Naruto's hand. "It's just that...I don't know how they will react. That's all."

Naruto sighed. " I don't see why people have to be so narrow-minded..."

Sasuke leaned over so that his eyes met Naruto's.

"Tell you what," he said. "Everyone is getting together for that festival tomorrow, right? So, when we go there, you and I can hold hands and act how we want to and if anyone says anything, we'll tell them the truth."

Naruto stared into Sasuke's eyes. "You mean it?"

Sasuke smiled. "Of course."

Naruto then latched himself onto Sasuke and held on tight. He buried his face into Sasuke's warm chest and grinned widely.

"Thank you!"

Sasuke rubbed the back of Naruto's neck and placed his arms around Naruto, giving him a strong, reassuring hug before the two finished their tea.

After Sasuke had put the cups in the sink, thinking he would clean any of the dishes later, he went back to the den where he found Naruto, lying on the couch, his hands cushioning his head and he chest slowly rising up and down. He was asleep.

Sasuke smiled, went over to the couch, gathered Naruto in his arms and carried him to his bedroom. He placed Naruto gently onto the mattress of his bed and then went to change. When he came back, he saw that Naruto had managed to subconsciously pull come of the covers over himself. Sasuke walked over to the bed and lay down facing Naruto. He then wrapped his arm firmly over Naruto's chest and pulled himself closer.

Sasuke raised his head and softly kissed Naruto's forehead and he smiled.

"Sweet dreams, Naruto."


Yay!

Another chapter finished! And boy, am I tired! Well, it's time to start on another chapter. Hope this one comes up sooner than the rest.

Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! I love you all!

Ja ne!