A/N: I thought my oneshot was definitely better written but what would I know. Reviews! I love those people; they deserve cookies or a tart of some sort. Anyway, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy. And I also hope that I am doing the fanfic world justice.
REVIEWS:
KC Evans: I'm ecstatic you like it so far! As far as Sakura's feelings being in there….well they should be, it fits I think. It isn't like she is a minor character, she has her own personality and I think she needed that mention. There is more in this chapter too. Also Sakura factors into the story line. So I am glad you like the fact she wasn't skipped over. I have definitely created a complicated relationship between Naruto and Sasuke, but that is mostly because I believe that it is that complicated. Ohh, so you can't wait for the confession and plan? Well the confession is up coming. I hope you like it and don't hate me to much.
KuraResa: Happy New Year to you too! Couldn't wait to see what happens next….well here it is so now you will know!
LAST TIME….
"Naruto," Sasuke's voice began to soften, "Are you busy tomorrow night?"
"No. Why?" cerulean eyes stared bemusedly.
"Can you meet me at Ichiraku's at around six o'clock?"
"Sure." Naruto responded just a softly. A knowing look on his face.
Naruto disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Looks like it is now or never." Sasuke whispered.
CHAPTER TWO
Never in her life did Sakura think that she would actually go to Sasuke's place to talk to him about something that didn't pertain to missions, training or her asking him out on a date. But here she was. She was about to tell the Uchiha of her feelings for the last time and how she is letting them go. And although her heart was heavy with grief from the confrontation she was about to embark on, she couldn't help but feel a little bit happy. She was setting herself free….finally.
As Sakura approached the door and what she was going to say swirled in her head creating a cacophony of thoughts. All she could do was wing it, despite the fact that it was in her nature to plan ahead. It seems that matters of the heart can not be over thought for they not only eat away at your soul, but they also generate doubt.
She at long last reached the Uchiha's door, still as clueless as she was when she began the journey.
"I guess it's now or never." She whispered as she tentatively raised her hand to knock at the door.
Uchiha Sasuke was pacing around his apartment in a frenzy of emotion. This was amazing in itself. Uchiha's don't pace. They also don't do so in a frenzy of emotion. Luckily he was confined to his house and no one would be witness to such miraculous and unbelievable events. He was thinking about Naruto. But recently that has been all that he has been thinking about. At the moment, though, he wasn't thinking of a sweating Naruto writhing beneath him moaning in ecstasy. This time he was thinking about his upcoming 'date' with his blonde bombshell. In eight hours Sasuke would be sitting with the boy as he ate his fill of ramen. In eight hours Sasuke would be confessing his love for said boy. And most of all, in eight hours he may loose the boy forever. This was a big gamble on the part of the Uchiha. Could he really handle loosing Naruto? For the sake of love? Apparently so. I guess it is a matter of what is worse: seeing the one you love with someone else or loosing that someone because you were too gutless to tell them how you feel. At the end of the day they were both bad. It is a lucky thing that Uchiha's weren't gutless; otherwise Sasuke may have had a problem.
The raven haired boy was brought out of his pacing and subsequent brooding by a knock. He made his way to his front door to look through the peephole, praying the whole time that it wasn't one of his obsessed fangirls. It was Sakura. It seems like it has been a habit of late for her to interrupt people's thoughts with knocking at their doors. Sasuke opened the door to the girl.
"Ohayou Sasuke-kun!"
"Ohayou Sakura. Why are you here?" he asked dryly.
She smirked, "Right to the point I see Sasuke-kun."
"Hn." He mumbled while moving aside, telling the girl silently that she could enter, "So….Why are you here?"
"I wanted to talk to you about some things."
"Go on then."
"Can we sit?" She asked nervously.
Sasuke motioned towards the couch. She sat with her head down, proceeding to fiddle with her fingers in a very Hinata like fashion.
"Sakura, would you like something to drink?"
She briefly looked up responded with a shy "Hai," and looked down once again. Hoping this would buy her some time to construct her thoughts into, well….proper sentences. After about five minutes of panic Sasuke returned with two cups of tea. Sakura couldn't help but giggle slightly at seeing the tea before her, especially after recalling her previous conversation with Naruto and his dreaded mission involving tea.
"What's so funny?"
"Naruto. He just got back from a mission involving tea. He was very...un-amused." She snickered.
Sasuke stared at the girl briefly then said "Are you going to tell me why you are here or not?" he inquired with a tone of mild annoyance.
"I don't know where to begin."
"Just start." He stated curtly.
"I love you Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke could only stare blankly at the girl as she confessed to him yet again. After regaining himself he said angrily, "If you came here just to say that then you might as well leave because I have heard it all before and I'm…."
She began to interrupt him, "Don't say anything. Just listen to me….please."
"Fine."
"I love you Sasuke-kun and I have for most of my life. I always hoped that you would see this and would admit to me that you felt the same and that we would live happily ever after. Like a fairy tale."
"Sakura." He whispered.
"I know it isn't going to happen. I finally realized it. I finally saw the answer in your face, your eyes. I was blind to it for so long. I think I already knew that you would never love me but it was all that I'd ever known so I held onto those feelings for all they were worth. I didn't notice them change. I didn't think they would. I should have become aware of it sooner. Although I love you I must move on. It is never going to happen. I have admitted it to myself," she took a deep breath as the tears began to stream from her eyes, "I'm sorry….for everything."
Sasuke was shocked to say the least and, in his shock, he did a very un-Sasuke-like thing. He bundle her up into his arms and provided comfort to the girl who had finally let him go. She whimpered as he held her. He began to whisper into her ear ever so softly, "You don't have to apologize. I am just grateful that you can move on now. I never wanted to hurt you. I do love you, just not in that kind of way."
Sakura slowly moved away and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hands, "Arigatou Sasuke-kun."
For the second time that day Sasuke did something that you wouldn't expect him to do in a million years. He placed a feather soft kiss upon her forehead.
"What made you realize?"
"Naruto."
"Naruto?"
"I finally saw the look of pure love in your eyes. I only ever saw it when you were looking at him. You smile whenever someone mentions his name, although you try to hide it. You two have a bond, a bond that I could never compete with. I lost before the war even began." She smiled softly.
"I see," he whispered, "How do you feel about it?" he asked shyly.
"I'm hoping for the best because you have definitely got your work cut out for you." She giggled.
"If Naruto wasn't a pain in the arse then it wouldn't be him now would it." He smirked.
"When are you planning on telling him?"
"I was going to tonight."
"If things don't go well then you can come and talk to me….anytime. I mean it. I want you two to get together, because if I can't have you then I want Naruto to. I especially don't want to see you with Ino-pig." She smiled.
"Me either." He shuddered at the thought.
"Sasuke-kun, if you need my help all you have to do is ask."
"Arigatou Sakura. I think I have it under control for the moment." He offered the girl a faint semblance of a smile.
Noticing the time Sakura got up, "I better go. I have a date with Lee-kun tonight."
"Really? Good luck." Sasuke ushered her out of his apartment.
"You too Sasuke-kun."
With that she left. Both of them feeling like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
Naruto was panicking. He was going on a 'date' with Sasuke. He knew what was going to happen tonight. He was going to break the heart of his best friend and he didn't want to. Not only was he panicking about all this but he was also panicking about what to wear. That's right! What to wear. Naruto knew that tonight was special to the Uchiha and he wanted to treat it as such but he also didn't want to alert the other to the fact that he knew of his ulterior motives. Life was such a bitch right now for Uzumaki Naruto and it was going to get so much better….
"Greetings gaki. Wardrobe problems I see. You're such a woman."
Ha ha ha and you're such a comedian Kyuubi-CHAN! Have you every considered taking your act around Konoha? I'm sure the village would love to hear your sense of humor.
"You hurt me with your words kit." He smirked "But I would love to show Konoha my funny side, all you would have to do is give me control of your body and I could…."
Not bloody likely. You would ruin my reputation. I doubt that the village would appreciate meeting you for a second time anyway. In fact I would prefer it if I didn't have to listen to you every time you had something to say.
"That's a lie. You looove talking to me. I'm one of your best friends, even if you don't like to admit it." the taunting evident in his tone, " I am here when nobody else is. Plus I listen to your drivel and offer you advice."
ADVICE! HA! Your advice is as about as helpful as a hole in the head! It is completely unrealistic and UTTERLY UNDOABLE!
"Holes in the head are quite helpful. If I recall, the human anatomy has several. You know, for breathing, eating etc." he smirked, "Also, I demand an example of where my advice cannot be applied."
I am going to go with killing the butcher for giving me the fatty part whenever I buy meat or that I should garrote the little old lady down the hall for stealing my newspaper every weekend. Oh and how could I forget your suggestion of bedding all the people that you consider worthy of "fucking the great Kyuubi no Youkai"; you are quite the man-whore Kyuubi.
"Those are all viable options you insolent little human! Do you dare question my methods?" he snarled.
I just happen to think that killing isn't the answer for EVERYTHING! And I also don't believe that I should fuck whoever YOU fancy. Are all demons as randy as you? You sure as hell don't shut up about it. Is sex really that good that you can't keep quiet about it?
"I am so sorry." He responded sarcastically, "I forgot that you were a precious little virgin. It has been 20 years since your birth. You should have mated by now! Remember, that is also 20 years of abstinence for me! You know…. if you listened to even half of what I had to say on the matter you would be completely irresistible to both female and male alike, you could make anyone go weak to the knees, in more ways than one." The Fox sniggered.
I think you just may be more perverted then Ero-sannin and Kakashi-sensei combined. That is quite an achievement.
"Most likely. I am surprised that you aren't. You would think that the influence of all of us would have affected you, apparently not. Maybe after tonight you will understand."
I am not going to fuck Sasuke! Damn Fox!
"We will see." The Fox smirked within his lair.
How about giving me some advice on something that is, I do know, USEFUL!
"Like what." He grumbled.
Like helping me decide on what I should wear.
"I am not your fashion consultant."
Help me you overgrown hairball!
"I will do no such thing. I am one of the most powerful demons in the world. I will not fall to the whim of a 20 year old boy."
Don't make me use 'it'.
"You wouldn't dare."
Come on foxy, tempt me.
"Your threat means nothing to me." He huffed.
Okay then. You asked for it.
Naruto took a deep breath and began to sing at the top of his lungs with his minds voice possible one of the most annoying songs in history….
This is the song that never ends; yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...
After an hour of torturous singing on the part of Naruto (who would have thought he could be so persistent?). A voice within Naruto, oozing imminent death, began to bellow throughout the blondes head.
"FINE FINE FINE! YOU WIN, I WILL HELP YOU JUST STOP WITH THE SINGING."
Naruto started to laugh uproariously, "Baka Fox!" he stuttered out into his empty apartment, amongst his chuckles.
So….what should I wear?
Sasuke sat at 'his' seat at Ichiraku's while he waited impatiently for Naruto to grace him with his presence. It was almost six o'clock. The blonde would be there any minute. Sasuke was panicking, not that you could tell through his stoic mask that he wore, but he was. Anyone that REALLY knew him would see the way that the ebony orbs of the raven haired boy would dart around as if they were trying to stay alert to an unsuspecting attack. However, the real giveaway was the way that he fiddled with his cup of sake that he was nursing till Naruto got there, hoping it would calm his nerves somewhat. Sasuke glanced over himself for, what seemed like the fiftieth time that evening, hoping that he didn't overdress himself. He decided to simply wear a pair of casual looking plain black pants and a button down deep blue long sleeved shirt that had some of the top buttons undone. He thought he looked hot, and from the appreciative looks he was receiving on the walk there, others thought the same. Yet, he didn't want Naruto to suspect anything so, being an Uchiha, he had a little white lie to tell the boy if he questioned his choice of clothing. He noticed that the clock on the back wall of the ramen cart said that it was a quarter past. Naruto was late and that wasn't helping Sasuke's panic attack. Thoughts swirled through his head. What if he isn't coming? Did he get another last minute mission? Did the baka hurt himself? You know the type. Luckily his inner turmoil was cut short as he heard rapidly approaching footsteps.
Sasuke was floored as soon as he met the eyes of the boy that he had adored for so long. Naruto was god-like at this very moment, at least in Sasuke's opinion, which is all that really mattered. Sasuke scanned the boy in front of him and he was almost certain that he was drooling. Naruto stood before him dressed in similar black pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Wet blonde locks hanging down across his face, no longer supported by the hitai-ate that usually sat on his forehead. Naruto's hands were placed on slightly bent knees as he learned forward trying to steady his breathing after his sprint to Ichiraku's. He was panting slightly and so was Sasuke, but for a completely different reason. It is definitely a good thing that Sasuke had a lot of self-control otherwise the fox boy may have found himself lying on his back as a sex-driven Sasuke sat on him and pillaged his mouth with his own. Yep, it's a good thing that Sasuke had self restraint (it's just a shame for all those reading this in anticipation for some Sasuke/Naruto action).
"Sorry for being late. Training. Plus I opted to go home and shower. I think I made the right choice ne?" the blonde grinned through his panting.
"Indeed." Sasuke tried to hide his blush with his bangs.
"Have you ordered yet?"
"I have been waiting for you."
"Ah, okay, well I am here now so let's eat!" he said excitedly.
Sasuke sat back and watched happily as Naruto proceeded to slurp down his fifth bowl of ramen. In fact he was so caught up in his staring that he didn't notice when Naruto had stopped eating and was looking directly at him with questioning blue eyes.
"Why aren't you eating Sasuke?" the boy asked tilting his head in an uber-kawaii fashion.
"I am dobe." He snapped, knowing that he had been caught gawking and then proceeded to hide his rising blush at the cuteness that Naruto was displaying unknowingly.
"Well if voyeurism is the new way to ingest food then I have been left out of the loop. Last I knew you had to put food in you mouth, chew then swallow, if you wanted to get any nourishment." Naruto looked slyly at the Uchiha.
"You actually know some big words there usuratonkachi. Did they finally let you go to a big boy's school?" he smirked.
"It's a miracle." Naruto raised his hand to the heavens, "The otherwise stoic Uchiha Sasuke actually pulled a joke."
Sasuke didn't respond he simply went back to eating his forgotten bowl of ramen, hoping that the rising heat would hide his third blush for the evening. The Uchiha was definitely losing his touch; his masked has slipped too many times for his liking. Naruto went back to his own ramen without another word on the subject, much to the relief of the Uchiha.
They sat at Ichiraku's for at least another hour an a half chatting, drinking and eating. There was a feeling that the evening was drawing to a close especially when they both got up and started walking away from the stand. Their walking: a mixture of comfortable and awkward silence. It was broken when Naruto chose to speak.
"So….what now teme?" he asked almost shyly.
"You'll see." Sasuke smiled as he grabbed Naruto, the two of them disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
Being shocked just wouldn't do justice to describe how Naruto was feeling right now. When the smoke of the teleportation jutsu dissipated, what lay before him was possibly the most exquisite site that he had ever seen and that was making the whole affair even harder for the blonde to handle.
Before him was a small clearing in the forest that Naruto had never noticed. It was hauntingly picturesque. The trees seemed to hide the beauty of the place away from all. Guardians to an almost holy space. It was like only those who held a key could enter the glade. A stunning lake of pure blue was off to the side, reflecting the rays of moonlight that streamed down from the sky. The rocks around the lake seemed to glow.
Naruto moved closer to the water, while doing so he disturbed some of the long reeds lining the edge. As if on cue a least a hundred fireflies flew into the air illuminating the clearing with an incandescent light.
"This place is beautiful Sasuke." Naruto said dazed.
Sasuke whispered his response, "Not as beautiful as you."
Naruto felt weightless. The magnificence of the glade captivated him completely. He was drowning in the light of the moon, which was at its fullest. It was heartbreaking. Sasuke had taken him to witness such a splendor, a place that was obviously special to him. It would be in this place that he would shatter the heart of one his most precious people, if not the most precious. Naruto couldn't face the boy. Not yet. He didn't want to be here but he also didn't want to leave. It was as if he was connected to this spot. He felt the burning sting behind his eyes, the feeling of tears that were desperately trying to make their way to the surface. This was not the time to cry. He had to wait patiently for the Uchiha to admit the depth of his feelings so that Naruto could ultimately destroy him. He would have to play along. See what was in store. That was all he knew to do. At least the demon that resided in him decided to leave the boy in peace for once. Naruto didn't think he could handle the Fox and his commentary at the moment. This had to up there with one of the best and worst days of his life.
In Sasuke's eyes all he could see was the ethereal beauty that was Naruto at this moment. He was afraid to shut his eyes in case this was all an illusion that would be washed away by such a simple act as blinking. Naruto seemed to radiate in the light of the moon. His hair shone with a golden hue that he didn't even think existed. A halo upon his head made of golden locks. It was purely Naruto. Even though all he could see was the blonde's back it was if an angel stood in front of him, an angel without wings. The white shirt that Naruto wore only added to the effect with the way that it was also gleaming. When the boy finally turned around Sasuke felt his heart stop as his looked into the cerulean eyes that stared back at him. The whisker marks that marred his face were even more visible than normal, giving an animalistic quality to the boy. As if he had Fallen. Sasuke wanted to touch the being before him. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to taste him. He didn't want him to disappear. He wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted to drown in those azure eyes. But most of all he wanted to breathe. Because breathing was something that he had currently forgotten how to do. A serene smile broke through the Uchiha's stoic mask, finding a place on his pallid face.
The ebony haired boy began to walk towards the water, and Naruto, while unbuttoning his shirt. Naruto gave the boy a confused look as he drew nearer. Walking past the blonde, he placed his shirt on a nearby rock, and then turned around.
"Would you like to go for a swim?" Sasuke beckoned him with the waving of his hand.
Naruto stared at the half-naked boy; he agreed knowing that it was most likely a bad idea. He proceeded to undo his shirt like the Uchiha had done seconds before and placed it on the same rock. By this time Sasuke had already taking of his pants and waded himself into the water in all his naked glory. Warning bells went off once again in Naruto's brain but he pushed them away, looking at the situation as the same as any of the various times that the two of them visited an onsen.
Sasuke watched in awe as Naruto removed his clothes much like he had done. Seeing the blonde about to take of his pants, he noticed the trepidation and looked away, pretending to see something off in the distance. In that split second Naruto had entered the water with him, much to his delight.
Naruto was shocked when he entered the water, "T-t-the water….its perfect. Like a hot spring or something. This place is amazing Sasuke."
"I'm glad I could share this place with you Naruto."
Naruto blushed.
Time seemed to escape the two as they relaxed in the near perfect waters of the lake. They had relaxed in a comfortable silence, leaving each other to contemplate and absorb the gorgeous surroundings. After roughly an hour or so of this the water was having its affect on their bodies as their skin started to prune.
"I think we should get out now Naruto. I'm getting all….pruney." Sasuke blushed at saying something so, so, childish.
"Yeah." Naruto responded while scratching the back on his head, nervous grin in place.
Sasuke began to remove himself from the lake with slow, almost sensual strides, Naruto not far behind. The pair put their pants back on and Naruto flopped, unceremoniously, to the ground. He was greeted with soft fertile ground. The grass tickled his bare back as he shifted into a comfortable position. Naruto began to stare up to the heavens, eyes open amazed at the sheer amount of stars that littered the night sky. He was broken out of his revelry after hearing the Uchiha sit beside him following Naruto's gaze. The rush of a lukewarm breeze traveled across their bare torsos, both shivering slightly at the touch of the wind. The air filled with the sweet smell of wildflowers.
Without disconnecting his gaze from the stars Naruto started to speak, "Why did you bring me here Sasuke." A tone of melancholy in his voice.
"I wanted to talk to you….in private." Sasuke slowly moved his lithe body into a sitting position, legs crossed, chin resting on intertwined fingers, averting looking into the impossible blue eyes of the other.
"About?" Naruto inquired without moving, dreading this moment for the entire evening.
"Naruto," he whispered "I've been drowning so long. Drowning in feelings that I could not eradicate despite how damaging they are. Feelings for you. Feelings that exceed friendship."
"Sasuke." The blonde said breathily, as if trying to get the other to stop.
"I denied them for so long. I didn't want to believe that I harbored such feelings for my best friend. I tried to talk myself out of them, saying it was because we were friends that I felt this way." He took a slight break to regain his composure "When I was in the Sound, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I couldn't stop thinking about our fight at the Valley of the End. I was weighted down with guilt and shame."
"I began to think about you so much. What you were doing. How you were progressing as a shinobi. Whether you ever thought about me. Whether we would ever see each other again. Soon I was only living by thinking about you, like my life existed simply because I could imagine yours. That was when I realized that I loved you, loved you more then you love a friend. I wanted to break free of my prison so I could be close to you. So instead of living through you, I could live with you."
"When you rescued me I thought it was all a dream. That maybe that man had finally overtaken me. That I had lost not only myself but you….forever. But when I woke up I was in Konoha with you by my side. Since I was in the hospital I knew it couldn't have been a dream, that I was still myself. And in that moment when you looked into my eyes as I awoke I knew that all the feelings that I had tried to talk myself out of were true. I could no longer deny them. I was home but I never felt as lost as I did in that moment."
"I decided to just forget them. I convinced myself that I could be happy with you by my side even if it was only as a friend. That I could be happy with your happiness, as long as I got to see you smile. So I kept my feelings locked up and I have been doing it for years. Living a lie and deceiving you. I think I was falling because of it. I wouldn't show you my depression for fear that you would find out my secret. That you would pity me. I didn't want any of that so I continued on with my stoic mask as protection."
Sasuke sighed, chocking back tears "I love you Naruto. I can no longer deny it."
Naruto shyly asked "What made you confess?"
"Kakashi-sensei can be surprisingly perceptive. He came to my house one day when I was suffering one of my worst days. He told me that I had to tell you before it were too late. He said that I should trust you. That you wouldn't throw me away disgusted, because that was my biggest fear. That my confession would destroy our friendship and I didn't want to risk it. It ended up being a matter of what was worse: seeing you with someone else having not said anything or losing you because I was too gutless." Sasuke seemed to fumbling through his words, the tears approaching.
"I couldn't take it any longer Naruto. So….I brought you here to tell you my feelings and to see whether you could return them."
An eerie silence sounded throughout the clearing as Naruto pondered what to say to the Uchiha. He loved him. It wasn't like it was love. He would have to break the boys heart and quite possibly his own. It was now or never.
Naruto slothfully moved to his feet putting his shirt back on, leaving it unbuttoned. Turning around, blue eyes met ebony. "I can't Sasuke. I like girls."
Naruto could have sworn he heard the breaking of the others heart. A heart he once believed to be made of ice, shattering into a million pieces, falling like snow. The blonde couldn't take the sound. So he ran. Ran away from Sasuke. Ran away without giving him a proper explanation. Ran away before he could tell him he still wanted to be friends, that he wasn't disgusted. Ran away before he could tell Sasuke that he loved him, just not in the way that he wanted.
Sasuke watched Naruto's retreating back. He finally let the tears that he was holding back fall. It had been so long since he had cried. Since his clan's decimation. It was a foreign feeling. He wept and fell to the soft forest floor. He no longer saw the beauty of his haven. All he saw was pain. More tears.
Sasuke felt broken. He fell asleep. His only comfort: the breeze that ghosted over his half-naked form.
A/N: I would completely understand if you all hated me now, in fact I hate me right now. This was NOT was I was going to right but that's what my brain tuned out. I like it. I hope you guys do to. Please don't hate me for all the angst.
NEXT CHAPTER: maniacal laughter The plan! Sasuke's not one to give up now is he.
R&R PLEASE!
