Disclaimer: Naruto and company is property of Kishimoto-sama.

Mahami-sama, Sitta-chan, Koshika-san and of course 'braid-man' belongs to me.

Pairing: SasuNaru

Warning: Shounen-ai moments Probably some spelling errors, please don't pay attention to them. A great deal of OOC-ness.

Wow, it's like the end now, everyone. I feel kind of sad because of it. I want to thank all of you for your support, and criticism. It's a lot of people whom I want to thank and I'm pretty nervous of mentioning them, because I might have forgotten someone during all this time. I'll do that in the end.

Well, let's say this for the last time shall we?

Here is the last instalment of Go with the flow (coming right from yours truly; Tsuki no Kitsune) chapter

twelve…

Go with the flow

A kiss…

A gasp…

"What are you doing?"

Vibrating lips against his. "Shut up."

Sasuke forgot about everything.

A whiff of hot breath on his face and firm hands on his body made him forget all about it. All about his wish to pay braid-man a visit and get back some of his deprived pride and he even forgot all about what odds he might have working against him.

He was captivated, he was stuck… and his half-closed eyes were glazed over.

Lips were locked on his. Hesitant and quivering, unsure of what to do next. When a little frictions of movement could be registered on his own tranquil lips, he jolted back to reality. Naruto's lips had moved… it meant they hadn't gotten there on accident, they were planted there! Naruto had kissed him, sweat and short. Soft lips… so soft. When Naruto's lips departed, Sasuke let his tongue grace over his own moist ones.

He'd even made his lips wet!

"I've been told that I haven't got any patience", Naruto's voice seemed to purr, Sasuke shivered. With small steps backwards, Naruto led the distracted body of Sasuke to follow his lead. Eventually Sasuke could feel a thud against his chest as a result of when Naruto's body bumped into the wall. The grip around his waist became firmer.

Just recently, he had boiled with anger, or should we call it distress? He had been ready to harm whatever closest… though, as always, something eased him and put the right gearwheels in action. And that something was once again Naruto. He gazed down the boy in front of him, not sure that this was the reality in which he seemed to roam.

Sasuke's body stiffened slightly when the tip of Naruto's nose brushed against his own in a fleeting movement. He hadn't realized his eyes had drifted close and as he opened them gradually, almost blinded by the brightness radiating from his captor's skin, he found Naruto's eyes focused on his neckline… observing his body with a strange look in his eyes and a small tug at his lips.

"Is this hint enough for you…?" Naruto hummed and caressed Sasuke's backside gently, slow strokes that almost drove Sasuke mad. He couldn't believe this!

Sasuke was well aware that he hadn't spoken a "clever" word ever since Naruto had seized him. That he had neither confirmed nor denied Naruto's sudden approach. As much as he had forgotten his anger and resentment towards some particular individuals, he also forgot how to operate. Not only did his instincts abandon him, but his wits as well. And every inch Naruto made, every friction he created and every touch he planted on Sasuke's scorching body made him absolutely baffled.

Naruto brought the hand placed on Sasuke's chest up to the back of his head and rubbed his thumb amongst the silky dark hair. While he leaned his head back against the wall he studied, with a small smile on his lips, the black haired closely. Sasuke wasn't one to not notice, and he felt how his cheeks began to burn.

"Naruto…", he whispered, unsure if his voice would manage to utter the name without breaking.

The blonde brought him even closer, forcing them both to collide with their knees… but neither really cared, for what caught both of their attentions was how their groins made brief contact. May it be a boy-thing, this groin-to-groin stuff… but it is a highly sensitive district and even though they have, during the past few days, accidentally managed to touch each other right there it felt weird every time. Sasuke, for one, was not used to it happening not by accident.

Sasuke gasped and looked away. Is this happening? And his cheeks coloured a pretty tint of pink.

"Listen…" Naruto spoke softly and gazed over Sasuke's face, probably having some sick pleasure that he made Sasuke blush. "Don't you dare think that Sitta-chan made me perverted, 'cause he didn't…" Naruto caressed Sasuke's jaw. "I think I was born with an inch of that just as much as you were born with an ounce of resentment."

Sasuke had a hard time concentrating now. The voice he'd grown to love spoke so tenderly and the body he had begun craving to touch was embracing him, stroking his skin… is he serious?

"These past days…", Naruto began and shifted his leg so his knee didn't press against Sasuke's. The black haired however realized with strange pleasure that he was standing in-between Naruto's legs now. They had been close before… so many times. Ever since they arrived they had ended up in each others arms, hugging (… cuddling is another phrase). But it was different this time. Sasuke had been the one with strange feelings, keeping them hidden to not change things for them. Now Naruto was in charge… acting strangely… Sasuke bit his lip.

"These days have been rough", Naruto continued casually and smiled a little. "Mostly for you… but you are as stupid as ever."

Sasuke's head shot up, he had never backed away from an insult and wasn't about to start now… even if the one insulting him was a warm, soft and fantastic Naruto.

I'm turning into mush! "What?" a growl escaped his lips, albeit a bit husky from his glazed-over state.

Snickering, Naruto grinned widely. "You are so easy to tease, but also blind and deaf… I actually think I was going nuts before. I wanted… so much to just… and you… damn, this is so strange…"

Sasuke watched how Naruto's smile vanished, and before he even had the time to fully grasp the situation, a quick mumble of "oh shut up" had left the blonde's mouth once again. The lips that had previously grazed over his own planted themselves, with a wet noise, on his lips again. His eyes squeezed shut as he tried memorizing the exciting taste. It was only lips to lips, nose next to his own and firm, strong arms around his body, but it made him almost shake with extraordinary sensations.

Naruto was kissing him, is it even legal to be so warm?

Millimetres from his lips Naruto whispered; "Let's stay like this, ne?" He kissed him again, harder and almost sorrowfully. Sasuke watched the face of his captor and how he scrunched up his face. "Let's do the explanations later… let's stay…" Arms around Sasuke's lower back and neck tightened with the words. "I just wanna…"

And you have no idea how much I want…

It was weird, it was warm, it was agonizing to see his worried face but it was wonderful all the same. Sasuke, actually, smiled into the kiss as he deepened it and let his body take control. His motionless arms worked their way upwards to cup Naruto's hot face in-between his palms, caressing the soft skin. He'd never believed it if someone had told him, but now he understood the meaning of kissing. The taste, the warmth… the closeness… the intimacy! If he wasn't occupied with ravishing a boy's lips at the moment, he would be panting…

Am I panting…? Oh… I'm panting.

Worn gasps between lip-locks and thrilled pants when suddenly tongues connects in a shocking moment. Sasuke struggled for breath when a moist muscle entered his mouth without a single warning. At first it felt strange, even to the extent of bizarre, but as soon as Naruto's tongue grazed over his own unsure one it made his knees wobble. It was… erotic. Ecstasy overwhelmed his embraced body when Naruto began sucking, licking and drawing out all kinds of flavour from his pleasured, confused, mouth and tongue.

He's experienced?

"Nar- Naruto…ah…" he murmured when the tongue dodged his very, easily swayed mouth to lick his jaw momentarily, leaving a wet trail, only to come crashing in again. He could clearly feel how Naruto struggled to cover most of his mouth, ravish and suck on his tongue and at the same time rub body against flesh to create a blazing friction. One of Sasuke's hands travelled downwards, touching Naruto's chest and fighting the evil zipper of doom, a.k.a. his jacket. When the battle was won he forgot instantly why he had fought, because Naruto had gone from wild to utterly passionate. Sloppy kisses and heated touches, Sasuke's head was spinning.

Whipping them both around, Naruto pushed the whole length of his body against Sasuke's, efficiently trapping him against the wall. While never leaving Sasuke's vigorous and pliant mouth, he roamed his body with trembling hands… eager to touch every fibre. Calloused hands strayed beneath clothing and finally placed themselves roughly on slender hipbones and pushed into them. Naruto rubbed himself against Sasuke's body, drawing an ecstasy-filled gasp from his friend, as he threw his head back in bliss. This was so different from braid-man's ministrations… this didn't hurt… Naruto was rough, but tender at the same time… oh, those lips…

Naruto hid his face in Sasuke's neck and breathed out. "Sa… Sasuke…", he tried talking. "Is it weird… wanting to do this?" He grazed his lips against Sasuke's throat as he grind against the flushed body. "Am I hurting you?"

Sasuke bend his face down so he could smell the blonde's hair in the nape of his neck, efficiently capturing the euphorically essence, and he inhaled deeply. "Oh shut up…"

A chuckle vibrated against his chest. "Stop me if I do something you don't want to do… ne? Or wait…" he sighed and caressed Sasuke's lower back. "Don't, by the way… just… want this, okay? Please want this…"

Although he couldn't see his blue eyes, he could hear the pleading sound in his voice. "Naruto…"

The surrealism was overwhelming. He didn't want to let go… the fact that it was really happening stunned him. He was afraid that if he spoke more he would ruin it, and Naruto would disappear back into his subconscious.

"I've had these strange feelings… for while now. And they're driving me mad", Naruto murmured as he licked his way back to capture Sasuke's mouth once again in a searing kiss, deeper than ever before. Sasuke could only follow his lead and enjoy the ride, trying to focus on what he was saying. "Sitta-can was never much of a help though, when I asked him for advice; he only suggested I'd thump whatever I could get my hands on… but… I… it wouldn't work."

Sasuke couldn't help but to let a small snicker leave his lips, efficiently bringing a kiss to a halt. "You actually tried?" he mocked.

That earned him a kick in the shin. "Can you honestly say that…", he said seriously and pried open Sasuke's lips, giving him a chaste kiss. Sasuke relished the sweet taste with closed eyes and fingers nervously fiddling with Naruto's jacket, twisting the fabric in his hands. He couldn't help but touch him, now when he was given the chance. "… that you haven't felt something?"

He never got the chance to answer the question though, as the blonde attacked him again, he himself wrapped his arms around Naruto's shoulders and grasped onto his shoulder blades hard. He was in a euphoric state of mind; he couldn't make out truth from sham. Braid-man had weakened him, made him questioning everything that was him and he had begun to think he was loosing his mind… but now, he was even more bewildered. Sure, these past days had consisted of nothing else than repeating embraces, warmth and confusions around Naruto but he had begun to wish for Naruto's feelings to be as affectionately as his own. He had never guessed that all this time… the blonde on his mind… had had an inner battle himself.

Sasuke pulled away slightly. "Nothing normal anyway… nothing I have ever felt before. You can't honestly say that this is normal?"

Naruto advanced a little, pressing into him again. "Who cares?" He gave Sasuke a thoughtful look. "I've never been normal."

Suddenly a new voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "And you'll never be if you continue on like this."

Sasuke quickly glanced over Naruto's shoulder, cursing his damned luck. The apprehensiveness that oozed from Naruto at that time almost suffocated him. The blonde refused to turn around, all stiff and motionless in his embrace, clutching harder and harder on Sasuke's waist. Sasuke, himself, ignored the pain.

"Sakura…", Sasuke said with a voice that didn't sound like anyone really in the wish for small-talk, and he knew perfectly well that Sakura knew that little, but oh so important, detail.

Apparently, Sasuke had been too occupied with more pleasant activities than to realize that the girl had walked in on them, in the garden. She was now standing, after taking some small steps closer, way too close for Sasuke's personal liking. Maybe it was the reason that he wanted to continue on his little affair with Naruto that made her presence irk him, or maybe it was because for as long as Sakura stood there, Naruto wasn't going to go easy on his hold. But, as of yet, none of them made an effort to release one another…

"What are you doing?" she asked darkly and put a hand on her hip, weighting on one of her feet.

Before Sasuke had been given the chance to grumble "fuck off", Naruto had muttered with a voice Sasuke really couldn't remember he had heard before, it was much… gloomier; "You know very well… what we're doing, I mean." He was still facing Sasuke as his weak voice spilled.

Sasuke quirked a brow towards Sakura, but didn't say a word as she continued.

"I never thought you would dare, Naruto!"

Was it pure venom in her voice, or was it mixed with jealousy?

"Neither did I…", Naruto whispered.

Sasuke looked down at the mop of golden hair. "What are you talking about?"

Naruto eventually glanced upwards, nervousness written all over his face. "I… sort of…"

"He's been secretly looking at you, Sasuke! Not normally either, I can tell you that", she spat and couldn't help but pointing at Naruto. "He told me he likes you!"

Sasuke wasn't very surprised, despite the fact that they both were acting quite strange, and when he didn't react, Sakura grew impatient. He already knew Naruto liked him now, more than a friend and that strange kind of rivalry care. The moist kisses, the extremely warm and protective embraces and the words which sounded so much like the phrases he himself wanted to put together and eventually voice out loud, had convinced him. And a strange jolting shook his body every time he thought about it.

"Show some consideration. Sasuke-kun was recently abused by that man!" she roared and stormed forward. "And to top it all off, you take advantage of him when he's the most vulnerable."

Naruto whipped around. "Sasuke's not vulnerable! He can take more than you'll ever can, so don't think he'll brake-"

"Is this the reason why you both have been acting strange towards each other for the past few days?" Sasuke interrupted, an oncoming headache approaching, though he made sure not to let go of Naruto's jacket.

It became quiet instantly and both the blonde and the pink haired looked away. Sasuke grew impatient and to finish off the headache, he was beginning to feel irritated. "Well?" he snarled and pulled on Naruto's sleeve.

The blonde squirmed a little before sighing. "Sort of."

"And I had all the rights to be angry!" Sakura's shrilled voice told.

"No you didn't!" Naruto screamed before shamefully redirecting his gaze when Sakura's eyes bore into him. Sasuke knew Naruto had a hard time standing up against Sakura… but she was only hurt, he knew that as well. Oh, why do I know that… that's so not any of my business!

"Of course I had, just because I didn't want to go out with you before doesn't mean you can use Sasuke to make me jealous. That's childish!"

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about!"

Sasuke was no fool so he wouldn't jump to conclusions, but the insane suggestion Sakura was pointing out did make his heart jump. What if… no he wouldn't!

"Stop, Sakura!" Naruto yelled and fisted his hands. "I would never do that." He turned towards Sasuke and gave him a worried look. "I would never!"

Sakura bit her lip, as if she was feeling nervous, before shrugging indifferently. "Maybe you didn't, but it doesn't explain why you so suddenly began liking-"

"Shut it!"

Sasuke sighed. He didn't want to interrupt because, although it seemed to hurt Naruto, he needed some answers. Like a confirmation that all this hadn't been some sick joke… he was fed up by tricks and untruths. But he knew, very well, that he was being a bastard for not explaining the situation to Sakura.

Suddenly he heard an angry yell. Apparently he had wandered off into his own mind, not realizing that the heated discussion had taken such an ugly turn.

"You are taking him from me!" Sakura cried.

"You never had him in the first place!"

"Yes I did!"

Naruto shook his head. "Whatever gave you that impression!"

She didn't answer; instead she looked straight into Sasuke's eyes, confirming something he already knew about Naruto. "He's a boy!" she screamed and if Sasuke hadn't fooled himself, tears had begun to water up in her eyes.

Naruto moved forward, forcing Sasuke to let go of his sleeve, and lowered his voice. "I'm aware that I am, Sakura."

She sniffled. "You have corrupted him, change him back!"

"I don't think I have changed him at all", he whispered.

She broke down completely. "You must have!"

"Sakura-chan, I'm sorry", Naruto began and lowered his head. "I'm sorry that I like him as much as I do, and I'm sorry that has caused you pain. But, if I'm going to lie to myself forever I might as well take the nearest girl around and marry her, closing the bag and all my happiness. It sound corny, I'm well aware of that but I can't live just watching, not knowing… you know that!"

Sasuke thrust his hand in his pockets and relaxed a little. He was flattered in some weird way that they were fighting over him. It must have been Naruto's presence to the whole scenario that caused the strange feeling, because girls' had swooned and chased him for years and all he ever felt was annoyance. He gazed at Naruto's back, forcing a happy smile from his face. They had hurt Sakura, they didn't need to rub it in her face… after all, she is their team-mate.

"I had to take my chances with him. If he rejected… then I would know that I had to move on. Don't you understand, Sakura?"

She sighed loudly and scratched her upper arm nervously. "When did you turn homosexual anyway?"

"I don't think I am."

Sasuke's eyes widened.

He didn't know yet if he was attracted to the same sex as himself… He hadn't really thought of it before now. Maybe he was homosexual; girls didn't do it for him so maybe he had to take his pleasure elsewhere. But then a strange thought popped up; naked, old men and hairy chests.

Argh… that confirmed it.

"I'm not either", Sasuke grunted and walked up to them. Sakura gave him this unbelieving look, which turned into hope in a matter of seconds. "Don't get me wrong, it doesn't change this", he mumbled quickly and crushed her hopes.

He gazed over to Naruto standing by his side, that familiar orange blob with an incredible sweat aftertaste. It still felt weird though, to say it out loud, so he took his time- still unsure if he should verify the feelings he so clearly possessed for Naruto; the towns troublemaker and, in Sasuke's eyes, the soon unavailable bachelor. A strange itch, pulsating in his hand. One finger, soon to come more, reached out, grabbing once again the sleeve he against his wishes had released. Naruto turned his face towards him, his blue eyes wide. Sasuke wasn't sure, but maybe he sent out some sort of message because Naruto turned towards Sakura again, this time smiling broadly.

"Neither of us is gay…"

… we're just weird. Sasuke finished off in his mind and snickered quietly.

It was unmistakably visible that Sakura was confused by the blunt statement, "Well what are you then?", and maybe a bit relieved.

Naruto thought for a second and smiled. "Personally I think we're-"

"Sasuke! Naruto!" a sudden yell echoed in the garden, sufficiently interrupting Naruto in his speech. "Ah, and Sakura… here you three are."

Out from a shrubbery stepped a rosy-cheeked Sitta-chan, carrying three big cardboard boxes. He had tied his long hair in a string and for once clad in shorts and a shirt way to big for him, as it exposed one of his shoulders- not that Sitta-chan took any notice of it or cared for that matter. Sasuke shook his head clear of all invading thoughts… Sitta-chan looked like… a boy?

"Don't look so surprised! I got a gender too", he said with fake-hurt and managing the well known pouting with top scores. "Here you go; I thought it was only fare to give them to you." As he gave them one package each, he wiped his forehead with his forearm. "Damn it, they were heavy."

As children to presents and adults to pay-checks, everything else was immediately forgotten.

"What is it?" Sakura and Naruto managed to mouth at the exact same time.

"The kimonos you wore. I hope you'll take care of them… it's my way of thanking you for your company these past days, even though things didn't really work out as it was planned. I'll have you know that I really didn't know anything more that you did… Mahami-sama never told me you were here on a 'mission', if that's what you call it."

"Rather like a test", Sasuke corrected while touching the black kimono he had wore the first time, that time. Suddenly he felt compelled to apologize to Kakashi-sensei for at least trying to protect him… sometimes bad things happen, and you shouldn't be narrow-minded.

"Maa… sound the same to me", he laughed and scratched his arm. "Well, why are you standing here for…? Kakashi-san is still sitting inside. Don't tell me you're having a threesome!"

"Sitta-chan!"

With rosy cheeks as pink as her dress she shrieked loudly "Pervert!"

"Baka…", Sasuke sighed while rolling his eyes at his team-mates.

"I'll take that as a no", he said and smiled hugely. He crossed his arms over his fit chest. "Anyways… I reckon you are in a bad mood, since I heard yelling both inside the house and outside. Care to enlighten me?"

It became deadly silent at once.

Sasuke had never enjoyed explanations, especially when they're about him, and people in his reach. This time, it was way too personal to just explain it. Sure, Sitta-chan had been around for a while now and was one of the most intrigued persons regarding Sasuke's personal life. He'd been the one pushing him to keep thinking about Naruto, but to tell the cross-dresser straight out that they had, quietly, got a clear understanding concerning their bizarre relationship was out of the question! Or…

Sasuke looked away, embarrassed by Sitta-chan's knowing gaze.

He already knows…

Crossing his arms irritated over his chest he grunted. "You've been listening haven't you?"

With a teasing gasp he waved his hand in front of his face in mock embarrassment. "Of course not, Sasuke-kun, why would I ever do such an unmorally thing?"

Naruto snorted. "Because you have zero moral in your body."

Sitta-chan laughed, nudging Sakura's side with his elbow. "Moral makes life boring, ne?" she rolled her eyes and moved away. "Well whatever, I suggest you take your love quarrels someplace else for the time being. Things are about to change around here…"

And changed it did.

Sasuke found himself in a state of sheer confusion. In the past few hours his whole world had turned upside down, literally. Not only had he, somewhat, without really putting it in words confessed his messed up feelings but he had also felt and heard them being answered in the most positive way. The black haired though was still too proud to accept that he had been the one confessed to but, as he told himself; who cares about the details anyway?

What really irked him though, was that ever since that wonderful, irresistible and totally in longing session, nothing had been said, encouraged or even contemplated. Sakura had gone her own way into the house, disappearing for some time until they once again was told to gather. In the meantime; Naruto had, not before shooting him a small smile, wandered off as well. Sitta-chan had given Sasuke a pitying look before tossing an arm around his shoulders, leading him through the garden and inside the relatively silent abode again.

However, Sasuke followed suit only because he didn't know what to do with himself. He hadn't been able to figure out why everyone had left, without even finishing their… bickering. It was odd… it was out of the ordinary. And it was at that minute Sasuke realized something. Something very significant.

For once everything was out in the open. There was no such thing as a well written script. The play had finally ended… save for a complete and utterly happy ending.

The thing Sasuke had fought for, for so long had ultimately been brought to a closure… and Sasuke felt a mixture of loneliness and joy. He didn't know anymore what was going to happen, he had no idea. He didn't know if Sakura was going to accept them, if Kakashi-sensei would forgive him, if Konoha would shun him or if Naruto would return to him. He couldn't even understand why on earth Naruto had left like that… had he been hungry or something! The biggest understatement of the day was to say that Sasuke felt secure. He had wandered the corridors for some time, after Sitta-chan had left him for more important matters, not really sure if he should try talking to Kakashi again. Eventually he had come knocking on the same door he had burst through, angry and disappointed.

With shame written all over his face he walked in, expecting to come face to face with his sensei. He was met though by a relatively empty room and a scabby clad woman holding a rag. Sooner than he had had the chance to open his mouth he had been pushed out of the room, accused of dirtying the room all over again with his muddy shoes. That led him to believe, for a short while, that everyone had left him behind.

He had groaned and continued to walk.

Something told him that Sitta-chan's statement was the horrible truth. People was running all over the place, carrying boxes or cleaning utensils. Sometimes he took the opportunity to sneak a peak in one or two rooms, and found them all to be empty and sparkling clean. Rugs, garments and all kinds of decorations had been removed as if the house was being closed for eternity. And something told him that he wasn't far from the truth.

What irritated him the most was that when he asked a passing someone for directions they would always sniff at him and kindly ask him to remove himself. And when he once again bundled up his pride and asked if they had seen a tall man with one eye they would sympathetically bid him to make himself useful instead of chasing after someone he, apparently, wasn't able to find. What was that for kind of way of recruiting cleaning-help anyway?

And since he wasn't able to locate anyone who'd seen his companions he promptly resigned on getting help from others. So he took his parcel of clothes with him and continued on walking.

If he had gotten a yen for every wrong turn he had taken, in his quest of finding Kakashi-sensei, he would have been a wealthy young man by the time he eventually gave up. The thought of him not putting his soul into the search never cross his mind, of course not. He had sat down on a porch outside one of the rooms he had slept in during their stay and he kept wondering where everyone had disappeared to.

It was here he now sat, grumbling like an old man over petty things. He had really believed that his euphoric state would have lingered with him longer and not abandoned him as it obviously had. He scratched his neck, pulling one knee up, throwing a tired arm across it and dangling the other leg over the porch edge. It was a rock down there, which he wanted to kick… really badly but, what good would it do if nobody saw his frustration?

Yes, he was very frustrated. Naruto had walked away! After just declaring that he liked him… why would he do that? Sasuke sighed.

He went a go after it anyway, bending down and picking up the stone. While analyzing it for a while, rubbing his thumb over the rough surfaces and edges, he realized that the stone reminded him of none other than himself. Uneven and imperfect in so many angles, while from some shrewd perspective it looks like this jagged stone is a diamond in the rough. For some this stone might mean more than it really does, while the truth tells that it isn't worth more than the stone lying next to it. It's dirty, hard and insignificant as the rest.

And it's as lonesome as the rest of them, since; one stone doesn't build a mountain… it only decorates the area.

He drew back his arm, rolling the stone back and forth his fingers before clenching it in his grip…

Some stones are lucky though…

and he threw it away as far as he could.

because some stones find other stones…

"OUCH! What the hell!"

to decorate with.

"Naruto?"

Sasuke tensed and straightened his back to get a better look at the greenery, sounds like curses and cursing coming from that way.

"Sasuke?" a very well-known voice said as the boy of his daydream came forth, plucking some leaves from his untamed golden hair. "A rock hit me on the head! And if I'm not wrong, which I never am, I'll say it couldn't have come crashing down my head by itself. Did you see someone?"

Sasuke relaxed and fixed a bored look on his face. "Someone?"

"Yah…", Naruto said as he scanned the area suspiciously. "Like someone with rocks in his pockets… or something!"

Sasuke snorted and leaned back on his hands. "Yes, he ran that way…"

Naruto turned towards Sasuke and smiled sheepishly. "Thanks… I'll kill him later." Slow paces brought Naruto closer to Sasuke, where he was still situated on the porch with legs dangling over the edge. He watched the amusingly jumpy companion as he stood an inch before his knees. If Sasuke had wanted, he could easily wrap his legs around Naruto's lower waist… or regions. But it felt improper.

"So, uhm…" Naruto began, gazing into Sasuke's black orbs. "I met Kakashi-sensei back there; he said to gather at the front in thirty minutes."

"Hn", Sasuke answered darkly with a plain nod, taking a personal note to talk to their sensei privately later.

"Ano…ano sa… Sakura is ignoring me for the time being so she's not as bad now."

"That's good to know."

Naruto laughed. "Yeah, it is… that means she'll come around. Maybe realize fuzzy eyebrow's feelings and buy him razor or something!" His laughter died down when Sasuke sat up straight, proving that they suddenly were closer than it first insinuated. Due to the height of the porch Sasuke was forced to look a bit upwards to lock with Naruto's eyes, but it didn't seem to bother him so much as he got a pretty good look of him anyway.

"So… you're probably wondering why I… uhm… left?"

"Not really", he lied.

"Sure you do."

"No." Was that a smirk showing on his face?

"That's not convincing at all." Naruto frowned and crossed his arms. "Don't be a bastard."

"Don't be an idiot."

"Argh! I'm not!" he yelled. "I'm not fooled by your smirk! I've seen it too many times to not know what it means."

Sasuke's eyes travelled downwards, suddenly noticing what stone Naruto had in his hand. "What does it mean then?"

"It means that you thought about it too much, probably a touch of paranoia."

"Hn."

"Overanalyzed it as well, your eyes tells me that you did."

"Shouldn't I have?" Sasuke sighed and looked away, trying hard not to show that he felt crestfallen.

Naruto chuckled. "No! Or, yeah… it flatters me… somewhat, n-no… hah…don't look at me like that", he smiled. "I was only joking."

Sasuke snorted and snatched the rock from Naruto's hand, not sparing it another look before throwing it away.

"You're mad?"

"No."

"You wanna know where I went?"

"No."

"Do you wanna know why went?"

"No."

Naruto's eyes sparkled swiftly. "I kissed you and left without a word after we got caught. Don't you want to know anything?"

Sasuke looked up. "I'm not the begging type."

Naruto rested his hands on Sasuke's knees and leaned down a bit so they were at eyelevel. Sasuke fought himself to not pull the blonde in. "Sasuke, I didn't leave as much for my own sake as for yours. I gave you a big hint, a huge offer really… I thought it was best if I let you think about it for a while. I didn't want to push you awa-"

"You have no idea how much I've though about it, about you these past days…" he said grimly and challenged Naruto's confident look.

"Really?"

Sasuke didn't answer; instead he locked Naruto's eyes with his most fierce ones.

"Same goes for me. But all that time, I felt really bad", Naruto sighed. "I was never sure that it wasn't just me going crazy."

Why can't he say what's on his mind, or… why can't I?

"Anyway… you're being unusually sentimental", Sasuke commented.

Naruto grinned. "No, I'm not! You're imagining things, bugger."

Sasuke ignored the statement and breathed in some air, smelling Naruto. "So, where did you say you went?"

Naruto smiled and traced Sasuke's up-close face with his sky-blue eyes for a short second. "To prepare something."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Prepare something?"

Naruto pulled back, letting go of Sasuke's knees. "Wouldn't you wanna know", he teased and stuck out his tongue. Turning around swiftly, waltzing steps away from Sasuke and finally twirling, he giggled lightly. Sasuke hopped down from the porch, rolling his eyes.

"What are you doing, idiot, twirling like that?"

Naruto took some quick steps further away and folded his hands behind his back, smiling. "What are you doing, following this twirling idiot?" he gave him a questioning look, as if expecting an answer… but Sasuke grew mute.

He really didn't have an answer to that, not yet anyway. Maybe he felt compelled to do it, maybe he felt a need to do it… maybe it was his nature. He didn't believe in destiny, as one dark haired youth back home did. But he began to think that a red thread was tied between himself and… that blue-eyed moron, linking them together.

Although something inside of him was screaming at him to grab hold of his friend, kiss him raw… and just utter those short words, he was scared. Establishing something had never been as hard before in his life. He had done it millions of times already in his mind, so what was so different now? Was it because he was still afraid that Naruto had played a trick on him? That the blonde did it out of pity… or was it because, Sasuke was too self-absorbed to take the first step? It wasn't the first step actually, it was the second. After a kiss. He knew Naruto knew, he knew he himself knew about Naruto… but they were just playing around each other.

And it drove him mad.

"Come on, we should get back. They're probably waiting."

"Wait", he demanded and grabbed Naruto's arm, turning him around. "You said you prepared something?"

Always beating around the bush, aren't you?

"You're looking at it", he scratched the back of his head. "Or, I should say… him. You're looking at him."

Sasuke's eyes widened.

"For being called a genius, you're awfully dense… you know that? Do I have to point it out for you?"

"Usuratonkachi!" Sasuke growled, seemingly embarrassed. "It's you who are being mysterious."

Stop it, just say it!

Naruto rolled his eyes. "You can't be serious! I kissed you… do I really have to explain it to you as well? It's humiliating!"

Sasuke wasn't a person that hoped on good things to happen, too often. But now, his heart was racing. He recalled these past days' events; from braid-man to Naruto's warm embraces and he realized that braid-man could wither and die in a basement for all he cared, for as long as he had Naruto's undivided devotion everything would work out fine. Everything would be as bright as Naruto himself. As long as Sasuke could see him, nothing would hurt him.

He heard a faint sigh… it was far away, something about going back and discussing later. Black eyes darted upwards and he could suddenly see Naruto walking away. Sasuke panicked.

"I like you…"

Was that him? Was that weak whisper really his voice? Sasuke cleared his throat.

"I like you!"

He was screaming now, even though Naruto wasn't that far away. "I think… t-that I like you a lot… even too much."

It was as if time stood still, not very unique, but true. Even his surroundings blurred.

"And I like you." Naruto turned around. "I really shouldn't, you being my rival and all… I have to beat you someday. But I do like you."

Sasuke fought down an anxious blush at Naruto's serious tone, it was as if the blonde wasn't nervous at all. His breath almost got caught in his throat. "Sakura asked what we were… what are we?"

Naruto walked closer, a genuinely serene look on his face. "As I was going to say before Sitta-chan came; personally I think we are weird. I don't look twice at anyone except for you… apparently. It scared the shit out of me! I couldn't understand it."

Sasuke stepped forward, realizing only when he could feel Naruto's breath on his face that he had entered Naruto's, what most people would call; personal space. He surveyed his face slowly. Far back into his mind he was told that he should get a move on, get over and done with it. Kiss him. But the tension was too great.

"I'm not supposed to like you…"

Naruto cocked his head slowly. "How can anyone not like me… me, who am so likable?"

He ignored the rather funny remark. "Remember when we saw each other dressed for the first time in kimonos?"

"Sasuke, who is being sentimental now?" he asked and advanced even further, without touching.

"I thought I would have a heart-attack. And the time we hugged… touched, talked like it was for the first time really talking. It took me some time, but I finally realized that you've always been there."

"You're embarrassing me."

"I don't care… I'm probably making a fool of myself anyway. Naruto, the little I know about these kinds of things tells me that I have fallen in love with you. I refuse to get corny and sappy about it-"

"I wouldn't want that."

"I just want to, I don't know…"

And suddenly it was sealed. Right there, with Sasuke leaning slightly down and grabbing hold of Naruto's shoulders. His lips tingled when they cascaded upon warm and moist ones. Naruto angled his face so his black haired rival would get better access and so he deepened the kiss.

His heart made a skip or two, perhaps. All he really understood was that he was kissing and Naruto was more than willing to oblige, wrapping his arms around his neck. The wonderful taste was once again in his mouth, entering when Naruto licked his way in. He let his quivering hands trail down Naruto's body, finally enveloping him tightly as if never letting go.

The kiss intensified, tongues caressing. Moans from some hidden place in the back of their throats were ripping through the air as they kept touching and fondling each other on numerous places. Sasuke's harnessed thirst was at long last allowed to run riot, and he took advantage of it.

Suddenly, an unsuspected thought popped into his mind when he was revelling in the sweet sensation of Naruto's nibbling on his bottom lip. He remembered Kakashi-sensei's words… those words that had riled him up and made him promise bodily harm onto that sensei. He almost chuckled, but it was physically impossible with Naruto's ministrations.

"Just go with the flow…"

He trailed kisses down Naruto's face and neck, nibbling on his jaw-line. He smiled victoriously and nuzzled his neck, squeezing his body.

"Let's go with the flow, ne?"

He had no clue as to what I was talking about, of course. Me being my bastardly me, I didn't tell him either. I just gave him a hard hug and pulled him with me.

I can't really explain my actions or my feelings, not to him or to myself. And all I could do when we met up with the others was to never let go of Naruto's hand. I knew perfectly well that he was annoyed and rather embarrassed, since Kakashi-sensei kept looking at us. I couldn't help feeling triumphant though. I wasn't a failure this time and I didn't plan on being one in the future.

Even though I keep telling myself that that isn't the case, it never really pays off, because I know I'm being corny and overly love-struck. I even told Naruto, as we we're heading back home, that I would do whatever lies in my power to put that jerk in prison… just as long as he doesn't leave me. Of course Naruto had muttered something about me being a bastard for treating him like a girl, and ran off to bug Kakashi-sensei instead. I don't really know how to be in a relationship, and I don't really think it's so much different from what I already have with him. We just do things automatically differently … with more closeness. This is going to take awhile to adjust to.

The walk home proved to be very interesting as the days progressed. Sakura, who at first didn't even dare to meet my eyes, eventually came around. Now, now… I wouldn't really say that she has come to feel comfortable around us yet, but I think she's accepting it. Naruto kept his promise to me, to not bug her and just leave her alone. He would pout and prod me with his finger but eventually smile and call me a caring bugger before walking ahead.

He's weird.

And Kakashi-sensei is weird too. Not that I didn't know that before, but he actually asked for my forgiveness, again. I told him that I was willing to testify against braid-man and the cloth-clad man just ruffled my hair, saying something about me being unusually well-mannered. What the hell did that mean? So I hit him.

Actually, since I never got the chance to explain my rage before, I caught up with him a day later and told him exactly what was on my mind. I really didn't want him to feel bad about not stopping braid-man in time… and as I told him; bad stuff happens but as long as I'm alive and he tried, it's alright.

Sitta-chan then; well he put the house in good order, together with the rest of the employees and residents. I don't really know if he sold it or if he just left it, but he told us when we were leaving that he was leaving it in the past… together with Mahami-sama. He had seemed really happy, smiling and laughing. Naruto had pulled us in a group-hug and Sitta-chan left us with a little memory of himself and an insurance that he was, indeed, going to be alright. I left him with a bump in the head. Always the pervert.

It felt weird though, leaving him there. We were heading home and he didn't have one anymore. Naruto assured me by taking my hand when we walked out of the village.

I'm still new to this; I'm still unsure how to act and what to say… how to explain to everyone in Konoha what had happened. However, just going with the flow might prove the easiest way. If not? Then tough luck.

It's over, finito. I really hope no one was overly disappointed of the ending and how I didn't take their relationship to the "next level". But do you really think it would have been appropriate?

It took me some friggin long time to finish this last segment. Computer dying on me, summer and friends in need of attention (all the time). That's life I guess. But I bit down hard and made myself write this. So, to amend my lateness and the fact that this was the end, I made it longer. 5 pages longer.

I want to send off some special thanks to;

Marcus

Kalariona

Evvy

moonshine and mustard seed

me ( you anonyms stalker :P )

creaturesmint

feathergurl

NaruSasu-Angels1723

Jade Mouse

kawaii kitsune-kun

tracy-kins

Lady Of Genesis

Midnight-Sunset

Mister Pineapple

Pale Rider

Jess

Many of you have stuck with me from the very beginning. Both with lovely words and criticism. I have always looked forward to your reviews. Some are one-reviewers but you made an impression in me that will not be washed away. Gaah, I love all my reviewers and I wish I could name all of you!

And, I hate goodbyes so I'll just say; until next time, ja ne minna! Please be on the lookout!

Yours truly

/ Tsuki no Kitsune