Chapter 7 ---- Naruto's House

Naruto took Sasuke home. He led him upstairs to his room. It was fairly clean and organized. There was only one bed and it was neatly made.

"Your room looks neater than I expected," Sasuke said.

"Thanks. Now you know I'm actually very organized. Hehe," Naruto grinned.

Sasuke looked around and noticed that there was a picture of Naruto and Sakura when they were little. Sasuke picked up the picture frame and looked at it closely. Sakura's eyes were beady and her face was lively. Sasuke saw Naruto's reflection on the picture frame and turned around.

"That's me and Sakura," Naruto said.

"I know," Sasuke answered.

"I've always liked her since I was in middle school," Naruto said and sighed.

Sasuke looked at Naruto and said, "Why do you like her?"

"Why? You wouldn't?" Naruto asked back.

"..," Sasuke did not say anything.

"I'm going to get the sleeping bag. I'll be back," Naruto told Sasuke and went out of the room.

Sasuke went to the window and saw Sakura's window only about three meters away. The curtain was shut and it was swaying gracefully in the air. Sasuke was thinking about her face when she was looking into his face. He blushed. He kept staring at the curtain.

Suddenly, Naruto poked Sasuke's head from the side and pushed him over.

"What, you're looking at Sakura's window! You've fallen for her, haven't you?" Naruto said comically.

Right at that moment, the curtain opened and Sakura looked out the window.

"Naruto. Sasuke-kun," she said surprised.

"He was looking at----" Naruto was pushed out of Sakura's sight by Sasuke.

"How's Naruto's room?" Sakura asked.

"Uh, it actually looks good..," Sasuke answered shyly as he continued to pin Naruto down on the floor.

"Good to hear," Sakura smiled and went on, "Feel better, Sasuke-kun! I have to do my homework now but I'll keep the window open." Sakura went out of his sight.

Sasuke freed Naruto and headed for the bed.

"What was that for!" Naruto asked as he brushed the dust off himself.

"..," Sasuke kept silent as he sat on the bed.

"Oh, you can sleep on my bed, since you're injured," Naruto said as he put his hands behind his head. "So…by the way, do you really like Sakura?" he asked Sasuke.

Sasuke looked up at Naruto only with his eyes.

"I've noticed that you like her," Naruto said.

Sasuke looked to the side.

"Like the way you lose your words easily when she talks to you," Naruto went on.

"I do," Sasuke finally opened his mouth.

"You do?" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke's eyes widened and he immediately muffled Naruto as he checked Sakura's window.

"Hey!" Naruto got himself out of Sasuke's arms.

Sasuke sat down and sighed.

"I don't really mind it, though," Naruto said.

Sasuke looked at Naruto with doubtful eyes.

"I've always wanted her to have someone that cares about her like you," Naruto said as he started strolling around the room.

"Don't you care about her?" Sasuke said.

"I do. I always have. But as much as I do, I cannot become more than a friend and I don't want to. I just want to make sure that nothing bad happens to her," Naruto smiled with one corner of his lips.

"I've realized that I have feelings for Sakura. She taught me to be honest…I've always suppressed my emotions and desires. But Sakura is the complete opposite. I thought valuing my own desire was just waste of my energy…but she's given me something to look forward to everyday and---" Sasuke was interrupted by Naruto.

"Wow…I've never heard you talk like that before, Sasuke. You sound like someone else..," Naruto said amazedly.

"I wonder if I have enough love in me," Sasuke said as he rested his elbows on his knees.

"What are you talking about?"

"I've always hated being pointed out about being Uchiha Itachi's brother," Sasuke looked at Naruto.

"But you're not Itachi. You're you. You care about Sakura," Naruto sat down on the floor. "Just be yourself. Don't let people's opinion, get through you. Don't let thoughts keep your from doing what you want to do. You said Sakura taught you to be honest. So be honest with your own feelings!" Naruto said to Sasuke.

Sasuke was silent for a moment and said, "Naruto…You…"

"Hehe!" Naruto laughed. "You have my full support!"

Sasuke smiled looking determined.