Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

A/N: I'm sorry! I'm really sorry for the lack of updates…I was so busy that I actually forgot about this story…I've rushed this chapter because I tried to write it in an hour! I'm sorry readers if this chapter isn't well-written…I'll update faster next time!

Autumn Leaves

Chapter 4: The Rustle of the Leaves

Konoha's forests darkened with the giant trees in this time of day as Sasuke walked along the trail. Each footstep causing a crisp, crunching noise beneath his feet. The weather was cool, and the winds blew away the warm sweat on Sasuke's face. It seemed that nature was on Sasuke's side today.

The forest was quite silent besides that particular noise. But as Sasuke walked further, the winds blew a little more harder, but nothing to get worried about. Besides…Sasuke had other, more important things in his mind.

'The rustle of the leaves…can she hear it too I wonder?'

Naruto paced around in his apartment, not knowing what to do. His mouth kept muttering the same words over and over again.

'Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn…'

He eventually stopped when his eye caught a symbolic object in the far corner. He slowly walked towards it, mesmerized, his head flooding with memories. It was as if he was in a deep trance.

Naruto picked up the dusty photo frame. He never did clean his apartment often…

It was of Sakura.

The winds were now blowing harder and harder as Sasuke desperately tried to stay on the trail. Some of the branches and the broken twigs of the nearby trees hit Sasuke swiftly and painfully. The small particles that blew with the wind sneaked into his eyes, causing an irritating nuisance.

'The day started out so well…' Sasuke sarcastically thought.

As if Sasuke thought it couldn't get any better, he heard the crackling of thunderstorms. Suddenly, drops of rain fell on Sasuke's body.

'Damn'

Sasuke bolted off to a nearby tree and started jumping from branch to branch as he frantically looked for shelter.

Eventually, he found a small cave, and quickly ran inside it, relieved yet exhausted. He slowly let his bags down in a corner and gathered twigs and branches in the middle of the cave. Muttering some words and doing seals, a small breath of fire escaped from Sasuke's lips and onto the dead twigs. Sasuke sat down and looked at the fire, as memories flooded into his exhausted brain.

It was raining that day too.

I saw you standing outside of your house holding a pink umbrella. You looked like you were waiting for someone that would never come. I thought that it would be good to mind my own business so I pretended I never saw you and walked away towards the other direction.

But something in my heart worried me. Your expression—it was unreadable—yet familiar…it wouldn't leave me alone. Curiosity finally got the better of me.

"What are you doing?"

I saw your startled reaction to my cold voice.

"S-Sasuke-kun…"

You were hesitant to answer. You also shivered.

"You're cold."

I stated the obvious, to see how you would answer.

"…"

When no reply came from you, I asked again.

"What are you doing out here, Sakura?"

This time, my voice was more exasperated, or more like irritated.

"I-I…I g-got locked out of m-my h-house…"

You grasped harder onto your umbrella, a habit I often see you do when you were nervous or scared. Were you nervous because of me, Sakura? Or were you scared?

"Idiot."

I muttered the insult under my breath. I didn't usually say that to call her an idiot, since she's more of a genius, but more to what she did.

I really don't know why I said what I said next. It's stupid, how you can really surprise yourself, but it nearly shocked me.

"Come on."

The moments of realizing what I said and waiting for her answer, was hell. Part of me was cursing at myself at how stupid I am to say it and another part of me was hoping desperately that she would say yes.

"…"

She looked at me with questioning eyes. Before she could answer, she sneezed. I finally noticed that she was only wearing her short sleeved cheongsam outfit.

I took off my black jacket and put it around her, muttering another "idiot."

I then grabbed her cold tiny hands and started walking towards my apartment.

"S-Sasuke-kun…?"

"You can't stay out here, Sakura. You're going to get sick."

I grabbed your tiny hand in mine and headed towards my apartment.

Sasuke brushed the wet strands of hair out of his eyes. He stared intently at the fire as more memories flooded his mind. A piece of fire cackled as he threw a nearby rock into the dancing flames. Sasuke was still a little chilled.

He had this strange urge to feel the fire. Sure, he had used countless jutsu that included the element fire, but he was sort of curious to touch it. He raised his hand without hesitation, and brushed at the top quickly.

The fire was cold.

I saw you stop shivering as you entered my apartment. Was it because you were used to me, or were you never scared of me in the first place? It amazes me how much you've changed, Sakura. I didn't want to admit it…but you've become so much stronger.

"S-Sasuke-kun?"

Shit. You caught me staring at you again.

I go over to my cabinet to grab a towel for you as you stare at my apartment room. Sure, it's small, but I've rather live here than the Uchiha Estate.

"Here."

"Arigato."

Your voice is small and shaky, as if you were a little kid.

I notice as you wipe yourself with the towel, that your clothes are wet. I guess I'll have to let you borrow my clothes…

You stare at me as I go into my closet and get you a fresh set of clothes. They are the navy blue shirt with the Uchiha clan symbol on the back and the fresh white shorts. I hand them to you and you accept them gratefully.

"The bathroom's right there."

I emotionlessly point to the right and see you quickly get up and scurry to the bathroom. You are still nervous, I feel it. But you have seemed to calm down a little.

Meanwhile I sit on the edge of my bed, contemplating on the actions that I just did. I offered you to come to my house, and let you wear my clothes. I get a headache, for I am not the kind of people who take actions before thinking things through. Unlike that baka Naruto.

I get out of my wet clothes and change into the new dry ones. They are my training black suit with the Uchiha symbol on the back. I then get a towel and dry my hair furiously.

I snap my head towards your direction as you slowly open the bathroom door. You're desperately clutching to the waist of my pants to keep them from falling down, which for some reason causes me to smirk. You do need to eat more.

You look at me with your questioning eyes. For some strange reason, they give me a warm comforting feeling. Perhaps it's because it shows how innocent you are, you have not seen the evil side of the humans, you have never felt the cruel emotional and mental pain that humans inflict…and I want to save the innocence in you. Perhaps that is why I kept trying to deny myself that I had any feelings towards you, Sakura…but these days, it seems that I can't hold them back.

Achoo

You sneezed again and I snap out of it. I go towards my futon and pull the cover back.

"You sleep here."

I pointed at the futon.

"B-But where will you sleep Sasuke-kun?"

It's kind of funny that every time you talk to me now there is a tone of worry in your voice. Do you care about me that much, Sakura?

"The floor."

You keep fidgeting your hands. It's dead silent, except for the pitter patter of the rain outside and the rustle of the leaves.

"But you can get sick." You say, your nervousness disappearing.

"I don't care."

You put your worry face back on. I could tell as your eyebrows strain and you start biting your lips.

"M-Maybe…you can sleep with me…?"

You start fidgeting again.

"Please?" You whisper pleadingly. You worry for me that much? That you wouldn't want me to sleep on the cold floor even for one night?

I see your anxious yet beautiful face. You grew…yet you still maintain the cute childish appearance.

I can never seem to resist submitting to you now.

"Fine."

The fire went out again. Sasuke went to the corner where the stacked firewood laid. He effortlessly grabbed a couple of them. He went back to the middle of the cave and stacked them on top of each other to rebuild the fire.

Sasuke sat again in front of the fire, the dancing flames reflected upon his onyx eyes. He slowly lifts his head and stares out at the exit of the cave. The rain was still pounding on the ground and the winds howled ferociously.

But only one thought was on his mind. The gleaming face of a friend who countlessly worried about him…who was there when everyone else wasn't…who stuck by him until the end…but most importantly…who taught him how to love.

You lay under the blanket as I lay on top of it to comply with the rules. Because the futon is so small, we are so close to each other…and for that, I am contented. I'm facing you as I watch you sleep. For some reason…I feel warmer when you are at my side. I fight better when you are there…because you and Naruto give me a reason to fight. I must protect the ones I love…so that I wouldn't lose them again. I guess I feel better knowing that no harm has come to you, and I'm sure that the dobe will feel the same way.

Maybe it's because you've had everything that we've wanted during our childhood…but instead of being jealous…I'm more afraid. That something might come and take it all away. Maybe that's why I feel better when you are next to me, so I can protect you and watch that no harm would come to you.

I see you stirring slightly. I shut my eyes so that I would look like I'm sleeping.

I suddenly froze as I feel your hand on my cheek. You hand is small, yet it is warm. You think that I am sleeping, so I resume closing my eyes. You face towards me, so that we are both looking at each other. You remind me of my mother as you gently stroke my cheeks and brush the strands of hair out of my eyes.

I sense you opening your mouth to speak. Your breath getting faster, preparing to talk.

"Sasuke-kun."

You whisper as your soft hand still remains on my cheek. You caress it gently…it felt so good. Your voice is no louder than a child's whisper.

"A-Aishiteru."

Sasuke's hand rose up slowly so that he touched his cheek. He felt his rough gloved hand touching his cheek. But through the leather material of his ANBU gloves, he felt his hand as a single tear drop rolled out of his eye.

It was warm.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed!