Author's note: It never ceases to amaze me when people look at a pairing, get ten chapters through, and then decide to become homophobic. Then, they don't even have the courage to post their email. -Shakes head.- As Whoopi Goldberg said, if you have issues with gays, don't date one! I don't care if you don't like yaoi, but if you don't like it, don't read it. It's that simple.

For the rest of you, I hope you enjoy! I'll probably only get in about two more updates before I leave for the land of the rising sun, so please...don't kill me. Lol. There will be chaps waiting when I get back.

Doozo.

"You ok up there, Sasuke?"

My life is over.

"Hello? Saaaasukeee. Are you listening to me?"

I think I see Elvis...

"Sasuke!"

"What?" he finally replied, looking down at the blonde beside him. Naruto was looking up at Sasuke with a vaguely amused expression, his hands on Sasuke's newly adjusted stirrup.

"Don't space out on me like that, not when you're on a horse. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Stop asking." I want down. I want down. I want down. I want down.

"I'm asking because you're too tense. You need to relax!" He ran a hand absentmindedly along Sioux's neck. "Even a baby could handle Sioux on the worst day of its short life. You'll be fine, I promise."

Sasuke put a new clip of ice daggers into his eyes and took aim at Naruto's mildly concerned face.

"Are you going to keep coddling me, or are we going to ride?"

Naruto heaved a tremendous sigh, shaking his head. "Alright, Sir Pissy. As m'lord wishes."

FIRE! BLAMBLAMBLAMBLAMBLAM!

Instead of dropping dead on the spot, Naruto turned to head towards Leo, who was currently pretending to be tied as he stood outside the barn. He tossed the reins over Leo's neck, and then, placing his left leg in the left stirrup, he swung up onto his horse.

"Ready?" he asked, picking up the reins. When Sasuke simply stared at him, Naruto nodded towards an open arena. "We're heading over there first. C'mon."

Sasuke watched as Naruto gave his horse a little kick to get him moving. Frowning, he copied.

What? We're moving? Sioux complied, following Leo into the adjacent arena. Once in the center, Naruto brought Leo to a stop and waited for Sasuke to do the same.

Sasuke's grip on the reins was nearly white-knuckled. I can't believe I'm doing this... This horse is going to throw me off and squash me like a bug.

"Ok," Naruto announced when Sasuke finally came to a stop behind him. "When you stop, you should say, 'Whoa,' or 'Ho.' It doesn't matter which, they sound the same."

With a mild frown on his face, Sasuke followed Naruto's directions as the blonde ran him through how to turn, stop, and back up. He seemed to be getting the hang of it, but his brain wouldn't quit offering him lovely visuals of what this horse could do to him if she wanted to. Eventually, Naruto decided that Sasuke had learned enough.

"That'll do. Let's get this show on the road!" Grinning, Naruto kicked his horse and led them both out of the arena and onto the dirt road winding through the farm. He led them to a stop in front of the barn, where Shikamaru was waiting. The other boy looked down at them from his perusal of the sky, leaning against the side of the barn.

"Oi, Shikamaru, go into my truck and get our lunches, will you?" He fished his keys out of his pocket and leaned down, handing them to the mildly surprised boy.

"You're actually going to allow me to touch your car? I thought it was sacred."

"Special occasion. Don't get used to it." He grinned. "And I'll even let you lock it up and keep my keys until we get back."

"Such an honor," Shikamaru replied dryly as he went to retrieve the lunches. "I should commemorate this day with a plaque."

Sasuke stared at Naruto. Lunches? "How long are we going to stay out?"

"I don't plan to come back until dinnertime." He grinned. "I told you that I planned to ride you all day long, didn't I?"

I'm going to be on this horse all day?

"You're also going to be really sore tomorrow, but don't worry about that." He winked saucily at the Uchiha. "I know something that'll help."

Sasuke didn't respond, a light blush on his cheeks. That sounded a lot more suggestive than it had any right to. His frown grew. Why does everything that comes out of his mouth sound sexy? Does he try to do that?

Standing here. Just standing here.

"I still don't know why you dragged me out here in the first place," Sasuke grumbled. Sioux heaved a big sigh beneath him.

"Because I was dying to spend time with the kids, whom I haven't seen in months, and I thought you might enjoy going for a ride with me." He tipped his head to the side, giving Sasuke a small smile. "Was I wrong?"

Stiiiiiiill standing here.

Sasuke looked away. "So you...really were looking forward to this."

"Of course! Why wouldn't I look forward to spending time with my best friend?" Naruto looked away. "I dunno. Maybe I expected too much..."

His best friend... Looking up, Sasuke gave Naruto his first genuine, though small, smile since they'd arrived.

"I'm just...not used to horses." Hah! That's an understatement. "I'm sure I'll enjoy the ride."

Naruto gave him a dubious look. "Are you sure? We can still call it off."

WE CAN? "I'm sure." He turned his smile into a smirk. "In all the time I've known you, you have yet to make an experience anything but interesting. I'll have a good time even if it's against my will."

While Sasuke questioned his sanity, Naruto's face broke into a bright smile. Sasuke's heart skipped a beat.

It was the very smile that had started everything, the one that had forever changed the way he'd looked at Naruto.

A light blush returning to his cheeks, Sasuke couldn't help but stare at him. He ignored the fact that he probably looked thunderstruck, far more concerned with the way his heart had started pounding.

Naruto...

"Yeah, that's true," Naruto replied, seemingly unaware of how he was affecting his companion. "I was a little worried that you were predisposed to have a miserable time. Once you're in one of those moods, it's pretty damn hard to pull you out of it."

His grin grew. "Nice to know that you're being open-minded!" Chuckling, he flashed Sasuke a challenging look and gave him a thumbs-up. "I'll make sure you have fun no matter what!"

After a moment, Sasuke gave Naruto another genuine smile. "I'll hold you to that."

Sasuke then took the opportunity to look away and scan the property, his heart still pounding furiously. Why would one little smile from him affect me this strongly? He lowered his eyes. Are my feelings for him really that strong?

Whyyyyyyyy are we still staaaaaaanding here?

Sioux began to shift beneath Sasuke, pawing restlessly at the ground. The horse's movement snapped Sasuke's attention back to what was really going on—he'd been given an out...and he'd chosen to go on the ride.

That's it. I'm getting a CAT scan when we get back. His brows furrowing anxiously, he stopped the horse when she attempted to start walking. I cannot believe I'm going through with this...

But I wanna gooo...At least let me move! Better idea: let me go back to the barn.

Sioux continued to shift from side to side, stopping only when Sasuke specifically told her to. She lightly tossed her head, an action that worried Sasuke.

Am I making her mad? Please tell me I'm not making her mad.

Shikamaru chose that moment to reappear, lunches in hand. Walking over to Naruto, he slipped the bags into the blonde's saddle bags.

"There. And before you ask, your truck's fine." He glanced over at Sasuke, taking in the Uchiha's mostly concealed look of anxiety. "Have a good time."

Sasuke glanced over at him, catching an odd note in Shikamaru's voice. His eyes narrowed.

"Oh, we will," Naruto replied. "See you around sunset."

Turning his horse, Naruto led the way down a trail hidden among the trees across from the barn. Sasuke reluctantly followed, his eyes on that oddly knowing smile on Shikamaru's face.

"Naruto will take care of you," the Nara boy casually tossed to him. He turned to head into the barn. "Have a good time, Uchiha."

Frowning, Sasuke turned his attention to the trail ahead.

That boy knows something... His frown grew. He can't possibly suspect me. I haven't given anything away.

...Have I?

"Aaaaah, it's so nice to be back in the saddle again," Naruto commented to himself as they made their way through the thickening forest. "I'll bet you missed me, didn't you, Leo ol' boy?"

Sasuke sat in silence behind him, cautiously steering Sioux through some of the tighter areas on the trail.

I'm going to die. I'm going to fall off the horse and die. I'm going to fall off the horse, get trampled and die.

Naruto glanced back at him. "You can talk to Sioux, you know. Horses like it when you talk to them."

Sasuke simply blinked at him. Talk to her? I don't even talk to people, and he wants me to talk to a horse?

As if sensing his thoughts, Naruto chuckled. "It's not that hard, Sasuke. Just say the first thing that comes to you."

Don't kill me. "...Nothing's coming to mind, Naruto."

The blonde rolled his eyes. "Talk to me, then. The ride will be a lot more fun if it isn't done in silence."

Sasuke shifted uncomfortably. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Hmmm."

Plodding along, plodding along. Leaf.

Sasuke lifted his eyebrows. "You can't think of anything? That's a first."

Driiiiifting to the left. Teehee.

Naruto stuck his tongue out at him. "It's because you put me on the spot, moron." He watched the Uchiha for a moment. "Hey, make sure you don't drift off the trail. Pay attention."

Sasuke corrected the horse's direction, frowning at Naruto. "How long have you been riding?"

"Since I was little, really. I used to live next door to the Naras, so they taught me how to ride. I spent most of my time with the horses."

"Why didn't you ever mention it?"

"Why would I?" Naruto shrugged. "Most people wouldn't have cared."

Driiiiiifting to the left again. Heehee, he's not paying attention! I win!

Eventually straightening Sioux again, Sasuke gave Naruto a thoughtful look. He keeps a lot more secrets than you'd expect from such a motormouth. How much do I really know about you, Naruto?

Naruto caught the odd look Sasuke was giving him. "What?"

The brunette shook his head and looked away. "Nothing."

"...It's not like I'm deliberately hiding these things from you, Sasuke." When the boy in question looked over, Naruto shrugged lightly. "They just don't come up."

"Like your Horticulture class?" The words slipped out of Sasuke's mouth before he even realized he was thinking them. Naruto gave him a blank stare.

"What?"

Well, in for a penny, in for a buck. "Don't you think it's strange that even Kiba doesn't know you're taking that class?" He pinned Naruto with an intense gaze. "When I mentioned it, he even said that you weren't taking it."

Blinking, Naruto gave Sasuke a confused glance. "...It's an independent study, Sasuke. Technically, it's not a class."

Sasuke frowned. "You're doing an independent study outside your major?"

"I have a lot of interests, Sasuke," the blonde replied enigmatically, looking away. "This one's no different."

Before Sasuke could question Naruto further, a rabbit darted across the trail. Sioux simply ignored it, but Leo nearly leapt out of his skin. The horse darted sideways, throwing Naruto to the side.

"Gah!"

What? What's going on?

Heart leaping into his throat, Sasuke opened his mouth and vainly tried to cry out as Naruto clung to the side of his saddle, fighting to stay on his horse.

NARUTO!

His fear of horses forgotten, Sasuke kicked the bewildered Sioux into action and tried to catch up with the madly skittering Leo. Oh god...Oh god, no. If he gets hurt...!

Just when Sasuke was certain that Naruto would be thrown, Leo stopped dead. Grunting, the blonde pulled himself back into the saddle.

"Dammit, Leo! What was that for?" Naruto grouched. "You dumb skunk."

Sasuke stopped beside Naruto, his chest heaving. He's ok... Relieved, he sagged in the saddle.

I've never been so scared in my life... He ran a lightly shaking hand through his hair. If he'd gotten hurt, I don't know what I would've done.

Hey, Leo. Do you practice being stupid? Sioux lowered her head and flicked her tail at a few flies that'd chosen to perch on her butt. I'm bored already...

Naruto picked the reins back up, glancing over at his companion. "You ok?"

Lowering his hand, Sasuke gave him a sour look. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"Oh, I'm fine. If I'd fallen off Sir Spook here, I'd probably just have jarred my arm or something." He grinned. "I'm really durable."

He's just going to blow this off? Sasuke scowled. "You make this sound like no big deal!"

Naruto gave him an odd look. "It wasn't that big a deal. I'm fine." After a moment, he scratched the side of his head. "I'm sorry if I worried you."

Instinctively, Sasuke opened his mouth to deny it, but he closed his mouth without saying a word. I think I lost a few years off my life when that horse took off. He lowered his eyes.

A long moment of silence passed. Taking a deep breath, Naruto kicked Leo into action and headed back towards the trail.

"Let's get going, then. I want to get to the river by lunchtime."

Sasuke followed after a moment's thought. He frowned.

I think I'm getting in over my head.

About an hour later, the two riders found themselves exiting the woods into a sudden stretch of fields. Naruto tossed Sasuke a grin.

"Hey, want to go faster?"

Sasuke blinked at him. Faster?

"I'll add one rule to make things interesting: you're not allowed to grab the horn." Naruto's grin widened at the confused look Sasuke gave him. "Let's go!"

Before Sasuke could question him, Naruto made some kissing noises at the horses, and they took off.

Yay! We're moving!

I'M GOING TO DIE!

Terror screamed through Sasuke as he clung to Sioux for dear life. In his panic, he dropped the reins, which only served to terrify him further. Even though the reins didn't fall far, a knot resting against the horse's neck, Sasuke chose instead to grip his saddle.

I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead. He squeezed his eyes shut.

"Sasuke! Just pick up your reins, doofus!"

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke opened his eyes and snatched at the reins. The moment they were in his hands, he tugged backwards, slowing the horse.

Urging Sioux to stop, Sasuke gasped for air.

I'm not going to cry. I'm not.

Naruto came to a stop beside him, looking at him curiously. "Are you ok, Sasuke?"

NO!

Sasuke let his bangs cover his face, unable to stop his body from shaking. His throat worked. I'm NOT going to cry. I'm alive. I'm ok.

"You lose, you know." Naruto waited as Sasuke slowly looked up at him. "You grabbed the horn of your saddle."

When Sasuke glanced down, he realized that he had a white-knuckled grip on the protrusion. Slowly, he pried his fingers free.

Naruto waited for Sasuke to get himself partially back under control, then smirked.

"Care to try again?"

"NO."

The blonde chuckled. "Ok, ok. I just thought I'd liven things up a bit."

I'll kill you. I swear it.

Thankfully, Naruto didn't encourage the horses to take off again as they crossed the fields. They passed under the cover of trees again, giving Sasuke the opportunity to relax.

Thank god I didn't wet myself. I'd NEVER live that down. He blinked. I didn't, did I?

He glanced down. Nope. Good.

After another hour or so of riding in relative silence (not counting Naruto's one-sided conversation with Leo), Sasuke picked up on the sound of rushing water. A large, clear-watered river burst into view, wide banks and a few aimlessly wandering ducks decorating it.

Pulling up to the riverside, Naruto reined in Leo and brought him to a stop.

"Lunchtime!" he cheered, dismounting. He watched as Sasuke slowly, painfully did the same, then handed him Leo's reins. "Hold them for a sec, would you?"

Sasuke took the reins uncertainly, unsure if he was ok with not only standing between two horses, but also being the only thing restraining them. He watched somewhat anxiously as the blonde reached into Sasuke's saddlebags, pulling out three ropes and two metal rings.

"What are you doing?"

"Making a picket line." After clipping a lead rope each to Leo and Sioux's halters and handing them to Sasuke, he walked up to a nearby tree. He tied one end of the third rope to the tree, threaded the two rings onto it, and then tied the other end of the rope to another tree.

"There." He took the lead ropes from Sasuke, walking the two horses up to the line and tying them to the metal rings. "All done! Let's eat!"

Sasuke gladly skittered away from the horses. "What did you pack for lunch?"

"Sandwiches, Twinkies, more sandwiches, junk food, soda..." Naruto murmured absentmindedly as he pulled the brown bags he'd prepared that morning out of his saddlebags.

Sasuke snorted, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "You sound like you prepared a feast."

"How often have you seen me eat?" He smirked at Sasuke, turning to walk to a clearing on the riverbank a short way away from the horses. "Trust me, I could easily eat all of this myself, but I've decided to be nice to you and feed you."

Lifting an eyebrow, Sasuke followed Naruto and came to a stop beside him. "You've been feeding me since I got here. Do you honestly take pleasure out of it?"

Naruto glanced up at him as he set the bags down. "It amuses me. Besides, you seem to like my cooking."

"It hasn't killed me yet," Sasuke replied, a half smile curling his lips.

Narrowing his eyes, Naruto straightened and placed his hands on his hips. "You know, would it kill you to just give me a compliment for once?"

"Yes. I think it might." Now that he was away from the horses, Sasuke found that his sense of humor had decided to show up for work. "How would you explain it to my fan club if I dropped dead?"

"I wouldn't. I'd make them a couple plushies and send them on their way."

Sasuke snorted. "First you work with plants, and now you make dolls?"

"What are you implying?" Naruto narrowed his eyes at Sasuke in mock anger.

"I'm wondering if there's something you should be telling me."

Letting out a huff of exasperation, Naruto lifted one hand from his hip, ran it through his hair, and flicked it limply at Sasuke.

"Don't start with me, girlfriend!" Naruto pursed his lips. "I have more testosterone in my stilettos than you have in your whole body!"

That did it. Unable to help himself, Sasuke burst out in laughter. An effeminate Naruto? I'd pay to have this on tape.

"Don't you laugh at me! I'll bitch-slap your sorry ass!" Naruto gave him the "z" snap, bobbing his head. "Mm-hmm, yes Ah will!"

Sasuke slowly recovered, fighting to keep a grin off his face. "Sorry, ma'am. I'll remember not to question your masculinity again."

"You'd better!" Naruto began to fan himself, tipping his chin up. "I am totally PMS-ing right now."

Sasuke gave up, laughing again. "You're eerily good at that, Naruto. Are you sure you don't have something to tell me?"

Abruptly, Naruto dropped the act and strode up to the Uchiha, looming over him with a dangerous smile.

"Well, now that you mention it..."

Startled at the sudden proximity, Sasuke took an involuntary step back. Naruto advanced, moving his face closer to the brunette's.

"I do find you to be irresistibly sexy."

"W-what?" Blushing, Sasuke took another step back. "Dammit, Naruto, stop teasing m—ah!"

The riverbank apparently decided that it'd had enough, giving out underneath Sasuke's feet. His balance gone, he started to fall backwards into the river.

"Sasuke!" Reacting quickly, Naruto reached out and snagged the other boy's arm, pulling him forward. They both overcompensated for Sasuke's sudden reversal in direction, resulting in the brunette crashing into the blonde and sending both down to the ground in a heap.

"Oof!"

The wind was knocked out of Sasuke as he roughly landed on top of the muscular blonde. Fighting to get his breath back, he vaguely realized that Naruto's arms had gone around him as they fell, and he was currently sprawled upon him in a very...compromising way.

Why is it that I can never tell if this is the luckiest or worst day of my life with him?

Though Sasuke managed to get his breath back quickly, he didn't move from his position. His hands resting by his head on the blonde's chest, he waited as Naruto's ribcage rose and fell. A light blush crossed his cheeks.

I know it's bold, but I'm not moving until he tells me to. Sasuke's eyes lowered to half mast. God, he feels good...

"...Sasuke?"

Damn.

Lifting his head, Sasuke looked down into Naruto's eyes. His breath caught; there was something lurking in those blue depths that made his heart start pounding in his chest.

"What?" he eventually replied.

Naruto slowly lifted a hand away from Sasuke's waist, brushing the Uchiha's hair back from his face and cupping his cheek. The blonde's expression was unreadable.

"Are you ok?" he asked quietly. Sasuke nodded slowly, abruptly realizing just how close their faces were...that if he leaned forward just a little bit...

He took a shallow breath, dropping his eyes to Naruto's lips. "I'm fine," he replied huskily. The arm about his waist tightened involuntarily. Swallowing, Sasuke lifted his gaze to meet Naruto's.

"What about you? You took the brunt of the fall."

The blonde smirked gently. "I told you, I'm durable." His blue eyes dropped to Sasuke's mouth, making the Uchiha's breath hitch. Naruto's gaze intensified and his fingers slid further back into Sasuke's raven hair.

"Sasuke..." He trailed off.

Sasuke leaned forward slightly, only a breath separating them. "...What?"

His eyelids lowering, Naruto began to lift his head...

GRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOWWWLLLL.

Both of them froze as Naruto's stomach made its displeasure known. Blinking, Naruto gave Sasuke an embarrassed smile.

"I guess we should eat." Naruto sat up, forcing a very unhappy Sasuke to get off him.

DAMN. IT. ALL! Clenching his fists, Sasuke watched with fire in his eyes as Naruto moved over to the bags he'd prepared and began removing food, his back to the frustrated Uchiha. Sasuke had to fight to keep from grabbing a fistful of Naruto's shirt, spinning him around, and demanding that the blonde kiss the living daylights out of him.

I was SO CLOSE! Grinding his teeth, Sasuke looked away. God DAMN it!

"Hey, aren't you going to eat?" Naruto turned to look at him, an unwrapped sandwich and a can of soda in his hands. "I didn't make all of this for nothing, you know."

After a long moment, Sasuke stood and walked over, sitting down across from the blonde. He grudgingly took a sandwich from the bag. Every inch of him was begging to pick things up where they left off, but one look at Naruto convinced him that the moment was gone. The blonde was apparently single-mindedly devoted to decimating the food he'd brought.

Sighing, Sasuke bit into the sandwich.

...Am I ever going to get a chance to be with him?

"And if I were gay, we would swim in romance...but I'm not gay, so get your hands out of my pants!" -Stephen Lynch