HE LOVES ME NOT...
One fine day, as fine as anyone can imagine. Clear, azure sky, a slight wind that cools down and refreshes spirit, doves flying overhead and under the melodious rhapsody of the leaves of a big old tree, a boy with sun- kissed hair clad in an orange jumpsuit could be seen sitting underneath, concentrating on a single flower in his hands. Or to be more precise, taking its petal off one by one. Whispering: "Should I?" "No I shouldn't." "But I've got nothing to lose..." "No, it'll be dumb." "I should at least try..." this line has gone for a while until he had pulled the last petal and finished with a, "I should give it a shot although it would be humiliating, stupid, and dumb."
Naruto was quiet for some time, eyes wide with the outcome. He took a very deep breath until his face turned red and let it all out in a one big puff. "Oookay, I'll give it a shot." He smiled at the secret thought and laid down the grass, a grin on his cute face.
"Oooi! Naruto!"
Naruto sat up and glanced at where the voice came from. It was Sakura.
"Hey, Sakura-chan! Over here."
Sakura came into view and from the looks of it was very tired, she was breathing unevenly like she had been running for a while.
"What's wrong Sakura-chan? You look worked out. Is something wrong?" Naruto asked anxiously. /Certainly Sasuke hasn't done something stupid again like last time?/
His worry must have shown on his face for Sakura replied, "No it's not Sasuke. But we were supposed to meet Kakashi-sensei at the bridge remember? He asked me to look for you. Good thing I had met Konohamaru earlier or I would never have thought looking for you here." She said, her breathing evening out.
"K'so! Sorry I forgot Sakura-chan." Naruto apologized but his face didn't show the sincerity in them. His blue eyes impassive and his smile cool. Sakura paid little attention.
"You should be! Sasuke and I had arrived on time and have to wait for you and Kakashi-sensei to show up. As usual he is late. But you! How could you do this to Sasuke? You know it isn't good for his health to stay outside for so long. He hasn't recovered fully from his injuries. It's very inconsiderate of you!" Sakura nagged her temper coming in full volume.
"Well, if it's that important, what are we still doing here? Let's go then." Naruto said simply and led the way out of the forest.
"I'm not yet done with you Naruto!" Sakura shouted and continued her nagging along the way. Naruto just made sure to be at least a few feet away from Sakura or he'll go deaf with the pink haired girl's shrill voice.
Once outside the forest, they head towards the bridge where they usually meet. Kakasi-sensei was indeed already there, reading his fave book 'Icha Icha Paradise' while Sasuke was leaning on the bridge's rail.
Naruto felt his heartbeat pump faster at the sight of the stoic but definitely handsome boy. "Hey 'ya, Kakashi-sensei! Sasuke-kun! Sorry I'm late, I kinda' forgot about the time." He greeted the two sheepishly, both arms at the back of his head.
"Who wouldn't?!? I found him spending his time resting in the forest than helping us out here. What are you doing there anyway?" Sakura asked curiously.
"N-nothing!" Naruto replied too fast to be considered as nothing.
Sasuke raised one eyebrow, "Hn, dobe. It's like you to always daydream."
"Oi, I don't do it that often! And who you callin' dobe?!?" Naruto bite back and put a fighting stance. Deep inside, his heart was giddy with pleasure that Sasuke gave time to notice his habits than ignore him like he did to the other people. /I guess he's recovering./
Kakashi has already hid his book and was looking curiously at Naruto. Saying nothing about the boy's peculiar behavior, he moved on to the matter at hand. "The Hokage has decided to held a celebration to commemorate the defeat of Orochimaru. Missions would take on hold and all gennin, chunnin, jounin, sennin, and Anbu would dedicate their time to safeguard the town's safety."
"No Missions?!?" Naruto and Sasuke had shouted out simultaneously.
"You heard me. Of course trainings would go on as usual. I know you can't live without them and after what happened you need to train harder more than ever." Unusual silence fell on Team 7 but Kakashi continued. "This celebration would give the citizens a time to relax and recuperate after the traumatic experience. Anyway, be as that, all are required to attend the celebration in formal attire—"
"Gah, f-formal attire? What's wrong with the clothes were wearing?"
"Nothing Naruto-kun. It just means a dress for the girls and tuxedo for the boys—"
"Oooh, I actually get to wear a formal dress for a change! I'm already looking forward to this party," Sakura quipped while Naruto remained confused.
"It's a tailless, usually dark-colored dress coat for men, dobe. Even you should have heard of it, but of course being you, I guess your attention span works less than others."
"Temme!" Naruto was again on his feet, one hand starched out to reach for his kunai. Sasuke mirrored his actions.
Kakashi ignored his students' quarrel, quarrel because this happens too often to be taken seriously by now, not after Naruto risked his own life to bring the Uchiha boy back. He continued his speech. "And by the way, Tsunade-san insisted that all attendees should arrive with a date." That sure shut the two up.
"A-a d-date?" Naruto squeaked while Sasuke growled. Sakura squealed in delight, this is her chance to ask Sasuke out. Kakashi, on the other hand, grinned under his mask. Ha, this he got to see! He cast a furtive glance on Naruto's direction. A mysterious glint on his eyes.
"Why can't we just attend on our own? And in our own everyday wear? What was Tsunade-baba thinking?!?" Naruto grumbled.
"It will keep the people's mind occupied and for a while and forget about Orochimaru and have fun. That's about it. Let's go training then." He about faced and walked towards their training ground. Leaving two troubled boys and one starry eyed girl.
==
That night. Two figures could be seen coming out of the forest. One was walking sluggishly while the other supported. It was Sasuke and Naruto.
"This is all your fault you know. I told you to not overdo yourself, but no when did you ever listen to me? Now look at you. Sakura-chan would have my head if she sees you like this," Naruto said gritting his teeth at the boy's weight.
"Hn."
As usual after every training session with Kakashi-sensei, the two boys set out on their own and fought to practice their skills. Naruto was being reluctant to do so because of Sasuke's condition but the Uchiha taunted him and like before he took the bait and the fight was on.
It was well after dusk that they had noticed the time. Both were extremely tired especially Sasuke. After the last round Sasuke couldn't even lift himself up without help. Though he was worried Naruto couldn't help but be thankful because the injury gave him an excuse to be close to Sasuke without being questioned.
"Oi, you shouldn't treat your future wife like that you know!"
"And what made you think I'd even marry that girl?"
"Yeah, right. Only everyone in Kono ha thinks that your match is made in heaven. The prettiest and smartest girl in Kono ha and Kono ha's genius student together are what these people think as the perfect match."
Sasuke was silent for a while. "What about you, what do you think? Didn't you like Sakura?"
"I thought I did. But it wore off after a while. I guess I am not that in love with her as I believe I was." Naruto answered. /And besides, I have found someone I care for more than anything./
"You're telling that you wouldn't care even if Sakura and I did end up together?" Sasuke asked, his eyes on the road.
/Ch. I don't care whoever Sakura ends up with but I would definitely fight anyone who'll rival me with your love!/ Naruto thought, his heart clenching tightly with the idea.
Yes, as impossibly ridiculous and definitely immoral that maybe, Uzumaki Naruto has fallen deeply, madly, irrevocably in love with the one Uchiha Sasuke. He can't even trace when it started. He just woke up one day warming up whenever Sasuke was close by and before he knew it, he was in deep shit in love.
Naruto was deep in his own thoughts that it startled him when Sasuke pushed him away.
"Owwow. What 'ya did that for baka!" Naruto asked annoyed, his rear stinging with the impact.
"What did you say?"
"Huh? I said why'd you pushed me, BAKA!"
"Hn. I mean before that. You said... you said something. Are you—no that would be ridiculous."
Naruto was confused. He had never seen Sasuke as troubled as this. Even then, the Uchiha boy usually keeps it to himself. What's Sasuke talking about? Masaka, he couldn't have said that last thought out loud could he? /Oooh, k'so!/
Sasuke let out a hallow laugh. "For a while there I thought I heard you say you love me. But that would make you gay and you're not. I must be hearing things, fatigue can sometimes do that to yourself..."
Naruto couldn't believe what's he's hearing. Sasuke had definitely heard his so called declaration and yet he was trying to find an exit out of it? He couldn't believe that like the others, Sasuke, his rival and best friend would dismiss his feelings that easily. That sure angered him.
"You have a problem with that?"
"W-what?"
"Yeah, I'm gay. Does it bother you?"
"Damn, Naruto—"
"And yeah, you heard right. I am in love with you." This was not how he planned to confess his feelings to Sasuke but this chance would be good as any. "For a long time now I—"
"STOP! K'so, I don't need to hear this Naruto."
"Why not? This concerns you, too. I didn't choose to fall in love with you it just happened. So stop acting like your ready to puke at the idea."
"SHUT UP! Just shut up. You're just tired, you can't be serious about, about this things. Let's just head home, let a good night's sleep clear our minds and tomorrow we'll laugh at this joke of yours." Sasuke suggested.
"Dammit! Don't take my feelings for granted, baka yarou!"
"Whatever, dobe. See you tomorrow." And just that, Sasuke started to head home.
/Damn you, Sasuke./ Naruto thought but seeing how Sasuke limped away ebbed some of his anger. The boy is injured, stressed and tired he don't need this now. Naruto decided to deal about his feelings later. His main concern is Sasuke. With that thought in mind, Naruto hurried to Sasuke and supported the figure's weight. He ignored the sound tensing of Sasuke's body against him. But realized... /Maybe Sasuke do give a damn about my feelings.../
Sethdrix: ei, monsky! What do you think? E-mail me about it k? At long last my PC has been repaired! It's such a bummer having no comp at home. To the readers out there don't be shy and review! REVIEW! REVIEW! Share me your thoughts so I could improve my writing. This is my first try for a Naruto fic. It had been on my mind since I've seen the anime and the first story I did after my PC's comeback. Thankie! Thankie!
