Hello, my darlings!

I can't believe it's time to update again! It's been pretty busy at work, and I've been completely wiped in the afternoons, but this story is all outlined and finished, there should be two more chapters to go (might break that second one into an extra one but will determine after I'm finished) I can't believe it's coming to an end. I've never been so proactive in updating and keeping up with a story! But I've been having so much fun writing this story. Anyhow, I'm sure you can't wait to read what happens next; off you go.

Rating: M

Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto


No Strings Attached

Chapter 6: Long Distance

"I was trying to find the right time; I just got the letter yesterday"

"But you didn't apply yesterday, did you?"

"A little before I asked you out" Naruto stood frustrated.

"Seriously, and not once did you think you should be like: Hey, I might get accepted into a fellowship program that will require me to move 3 hours away"

"I didn't want to upset you"

"Well, I'm upset"

"Naruto, this doesn't mean our relationship has to end, we would just need to work out long-distance" Sasuke said as he rubbed his face walking towards Naruto, but Naruto stepped back. Very quickly losing rational control over the situation.

"No" Sasuke stopped, "No?"

Naruto kept shaking his head at Sasuke

"No what Naruto? no you don't want to talk about this now, no you don't want to do long-distance, no you don't want me to go, no what?"

But just as Sasuke had thought all Naruto could feel was the pain of being with Gaara all over again. His unavailability towards Naruto. Late-night calls, that became less and less each passing month. Leaving Naruto to think about all the things he was missing, about what it was that made it so easy for Gaara to leave him behind.

"I can't do long distance, I won't" Naruto was visibly shaking, he didn't want to lose Sasuke, here was the whole 'too good to be true' prophesy coming to fruition. He wanted to be able to say, yes, he wanted to try and make it work. But he didn't know if he could survive this time if things didn't work out.

"I'm sorry" He sobbed "I'm happy for you, I know this is a great opportunity, I know you've worked very hard, I wish we didn't have to be fighting over it"

Sasuke walked up to Naruto and slowly pulled the crying blonde towards him "Hey, I know you're scared, I know this isn't ideal, but it really is a great opportunity. But listen to me I'm not choosing it over you, I really want to be able to have both, Naruto please"

"I don't know if I can do this" Naruto whispered.

"Please don't give up now, we haven't even tried"

Naruto hugged Sasuke "I'm sorry" Sasuke hugged Naruto back, running his hand through Naruto's back in soothing motions.

"I'm sorry I hadn't told you"

"You suck, this sucks" Naruto muttered against Sasuke's chest between sobs.

"Naruto look at me" Naruto lifted his face hesitantly

"You once told me I hadn't found the right person for me, that that's why I was with you…but I ended with you because you are the right person for me. There isn't anyone else out there for me, I want to do this with you by my side"

"How am I supposed to say no when you talk to me like that" Naruto muttered as Sasuke wiped away the tears with his thumb. Sitting on the couch and pulling Naruto on top of him.

Sasuke took a deep breath, Naruto had barely just calmed down, but if he waited on the next news, he was afraid it would look like he was hiding more from Naruto.

"There is something else" Sasuke said into Naruto's blonde hair "There can't be more" Naruto groaned.

"Hinata was also offered a fellowship at Suna General" Naruto sat up on Sasuke's lap, his eyes piercing into Sasuke's "I'm sorry?"

"She just happened to be accepted as well, listen to me nothing has ever happened, and nothing will ever happen between me and Hinata"

"She wants you, it's her I don't trust, especially while I'm not there"

"Where are you getting all of these ideas from?" Naruto might or might not be exchanging texts with Sakura…

"It's intuition"

"I'm going to tell Sakura to mind her own business" Sasuke muttered as he leaned down to place a soft kiss on Naruto's lips.


Two weeks later Naruto was still struggling with the fact that Sasuke would have to move. He was trying his hardest to leave the negative mentality behind. He knew they couldn't really make things work if he didn't put in the work. He was a couple's therapist for god's sake; however, he knew perfectly well that number one you didn't study psychology to fix yourself and number two a therapist always needed their own therapist because they were shit at seeing their own shortcomings.

So here he was trying his hardest to put a smile on his face as Sasuke and him scrolled through possible apartments on his computer.

"This one looks really nice" He said as the pointing at a particular apartment on the screen.

"Do you actually like it?" Sasuke pulled Naruto on to his lap "I want you to like it, to be comfortable in it, I'm hoping you'll spend the weekends with me" Naruto smiled at Sasuke. "I'll like whichever one you pick as long as you're in it"

In a month and a half Sasuke would move to Suna to complete a two-year fellowship. Naruto would have to be the one traveling to Suna since Sasuke's schedule might make it virtually impossible for him to make the trip to Konoha.

They would message every day, even if it was only to say good morning and goodnight and they would FaceTime every chance they got. That was their agreement, however Naruto knew messages and phone calls weren't the same as physically being there for each-other and getting used to not having each-other around would be though.

But this was really good for Sasuke who had already invested so much on his education. He was literally out there saving lives, who was Naruto to be upset about that?

"You're amazing, you know that everything you've accomplished" Naruto said looking into Sasuke's eyes. How someone, as broken as him, had managed to end up with someone as put together as Sasuke was a mystery to him.

"I know what you're thinking, Naruto. If only you could see yourself through my eyes" Naruto could only blush a the comment, not sure if he actually believed the raven.


Two more weeks and Sasuke found himself packing up his apartment. An apartment he'd barely slept in since he was now technically staying at Naruto's. He himself found this new arrangement upsetting. He didn't mind moving, but he did mind moving away from Naruto.

Leaving a very fragile Naruto behind, near Kakashi, and who knows when Gaara would make another appearance. Naruto hadn't even turned to look at someone else since he and Sasuke started dating. He knew from Naruto's previous sort of twisted commitment to Gaara that if Naruto was something he was loyal to, really, he was loyal to a fault.

Sasuke really observed quite frustrated as Naruto tried to piece his heart back together so he could give it to Sasuke. He didn't know if bringing up the topic would make things worse for Naruto or if it would help. But he sure knew leaving now would only complicate things further. It felt wrong to leave.

"Sasuke?" Sasuke turned to see the blonde walking through front door, carrying multiple bags with him. He hadn't been expecting him, Naruto was happy he'd actually managed to surprise the raven.

"Hey, did I miss a message or a call?" Sasuke asked and Naruto smiled he'd been waiting a while to turn the tables on Sasuke.

"No Sasuke darling, this," he said motioning to himself and then to the bags he was carrying "is what you call a surprise"

Sasuke laughed walking up to Naruto and pulling the man towards him

"Now, how long have you been waiting to say that, mmm?"

Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke "what matters is that I got to say it"

He placed the bags on the table and took out a small personal cake.

"What are we celebrating?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto smiled "You"

He took out a couple of sparklers and a lighter, "finding out about your fellowship should have been something to celebrate"

Sasuke's heart did a little flip flop. How was he supposed to leave?

Naruto laughed as Sasuke grew annoyed trying to blow out the sparklers, only so they would light back up.

Sasuke picked them off the cake and threw them on the sink, throwing Naruto over his shoulder who was now on the verge of tears from how badly he'd been laughing, and taking him to the bedroom.

"Hey that's perfectly good cake you're leaving behind"

Sasuke turned to grab the cake "fine, the cake can also come to the bedroom with us"


Two more weeks and they found themselves making the trip to Suna to move Sasuke into his new apartment. Filling the car with boxes and making the drive there made everything feel extremely real. Naruto's anxiety kept rising the closer they got to Sasuke finalizing his move.

"Hey, where are you right now?" Sasuke asked as he looked away from the road to look at Naruto's thoughtful face. Naruto offered him a smile as he interlaced his fingers with Sasuke's squeezing a little.

"Just nervous is all"

"I'm very happy you get to come with" Naruto nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

Soon enough they were parking by Sasuke's apartment complex, they grabbed a couple of boxes and headed to the elevator. They reached Sasuke's floor and placed the boxes on the ground as Sasuke pulled the keys from his pockets.

"This is going to be absolutely exhausting" Naruto groaned, as this was barely their first trip and he already felt like his hands were falling off. At least the apartment was fully furnished so they wouldn't have to move any furniture in.

Two doors down a door opened and Naruto choked on his own saliva as he spotted Hinata walking out with a bunch of deconstructed boxes, clad in shorts and a sports bra. Naruto's coughing caught Hinata's attention, and she turned, her eyes not falling on Naruto but on Sasuke.

"Oh my god! Are we neighbors?!" She visibly jumped in excitement and Naruto was seconds away from ripping Sasuke's lease and moving him elsewhere. Sasuke closed his eyes, not believing that of all the apartments they had scrolled through he ended up not only on the same complex as Hinata but on the same damn floor two doors apart.

Hinata had walked over, and was about to give Sasuke a hug, but Naruto stepped forward and in front of Sasuke "Hi! Hinata right? Don't think we'd had the pleasure of meeting in person"

Hinata stopped, a little upset she didn't' get to make contact with Sasuke, and scanned Naruto up and down. She knew who he was but playing dumb was much more fun. She shook Naruto's hand. "Yes, that would be me, and you are?" Naruto smiled sweetly at her "I'm Naruto, Sasuke's boyfriend"

"Oh, are you two moving together?" She asked, jealous. But Naruto shook his head. "Just here to help him with his move"

This made Hinata smirk "I'll make sure to keep an eye on him for you" Naruto gritted his teeth.

"I don't need anyone to keep an eye on me" Sasuke interjected as he grabbed hold of Naruto's hand "Hinata, we have a lot to move and unpack"

She smiled at Sasuke "Of course, we'll catch up later" Over my dead body, Naruto thought, Sasuke squeezed his hand and pulled him into the apartment and closed the doors, leaving the boxes outside.

He looked over at Naruto who was trying to keep a neutral expression "I didn't know she was moving here as well"

"I know" Naruto mumbled back "Doesn't make it any less infuriating" She got to be two doors down and Naruto would be three hours away.

Sasuke didn't know how to reassure Naruto, he could take him, drown him in pleasure, but that would only be fleeting. The moment Naruto found himself alone back home, the mere memory of what Sasuke had done to him would only help him so much.

"You should bring the boxes from outside in; I'll go grab a couple more from the car" Sasuke missed his chance to stop Naruto.

Naruto headed out and spotted Hinata once again throwing her deconstructed boxes out by the dumpster. He took a deep breath and walked over to her.

"Really quite a coincidence you two ended up in the same complex" Naruto told her as she stopped and turned towards him.

"Might have asked around to see where he was staying" Naruto felt a surge of hot anger, and she'd still dared pretend it was a surprise.

"Bold thing to say to his boyfriend" Naruto stated trying to keep his temper in check.

"Long-distance can be hard" She replied cooly, clearly implying that she was willing to wait for their relationship to fall apart to step in "And we will be spending plenty of time on those on-call rooms" She finished up as she walked past Naruto, who snapped and grabbed hold of her wrist, preventing her from walking away.

"Sasuke would never cheat on me"

"You sound like you're saying that to convince yourself more than to convince me" She laughed, as she freed her wrist From Naruto's hold and walked towards the elevator.

Naruto walked over to the car and leaned on it, taking a couple of deep breaths. He needed to trust Sasuke. Hinata could have ill intentions, but Sasuke would never, he would never.

Naruto made his way back to the apartment and technically jumped Sasuke, who did not put much of a fight. At the end, he looked at the disheveled blonde next to him

"What happened?

"Hinata happened, seriously Sasuke, I'm not trying to be unreasonable, but I don't want you near her if you can help it"

"Impossible for me to look at someone other than you" he told Naruto, as he climbed on top of him. Naruto was still pouting. So, Sasuke set about kissing every inch of Naruto.


The couple had made the trip to Suna in two cars this time around, since Naruto would be returning to Konoha at the end of the weekend, but Sasuke would be staying.

They were both eating at a restaurant near the apartment when Naruto had started messing with Sasuke.

I'm horny.

He messaged the raven that was sitting right across from him, who looked at his phone and his eyes instantly snapped over to Naruto's. He raised an eyebrow at the blonde who was smiling coyly at him.

What would you like me to do about that? Sasuke replied

Take me back to the apartment.

And do what?

I was thinking you could tie me up this time around Naruto texted as he bit his lower lip looking at Sasuke.

Sasuke decided Naruto would be dessert as he paid for their meal in a hurry and dragged a giggling blonde out of the restaurant.

Once they were inside the elevator, Sasuke pushed Naruto to the back of the elevator, his lips instantly ravaging Naruto who was groaning softly at him.

"You're so bad" Sasuke muttered as he nipped his way down the blonde's neck, his hands sliding under Naruto's shirt barely lifting it, teasing the blonde.

"You could have said no" Naruto moaned back, "As if" Sasuke replied, biting Naruto's bottom lip softly. A ding announced they had reached their floor and Sasuke groaned as he forced himself to pull away from the blonde.

A slight cough reached his ears and Naruto smirked from ear to ear as he saw Hinata had been waiting for the elevator.

He was flushed, his lips red from the abuse, and new bite marks littered his neck. Naruto hoped she'd gotten a good fucking look.

"You're not going to the mixer?" Hinata asked as he averted her gaze annoyed. Sasuke was unfazed by her presence; he intertwined his fingers with Naruto's.

"It's not mandatory is it, I have better things to do" he said as he dragged Naruto out of the elevator and left Hinata standing there.


As Naruto had expected, getting in his car Sunday evening, and driving back was one of the hardest things he'd done in a while. He hadn't cried, at least not in front of Sasuke, he wanted Sasuke to be excited for his first day on Monday. So, he'd held in the tears until after he'd driven away. He'd made it an hour in before he'd started sobbing.

He knew it wasn't the end, but it was definitely the beginning of a new dynamic. One he wasn't sure he could keep up with. But he figured torturing himself wouldn't get him anywhere, so he cried as much as he needed to, and then he pulled himself together. Walking through his apartment and already noticing the lack of Sasuke's belongings.

Naruto picked up the incoming call from Sasuke "Hey love, you home now?"

"Yes, I just got back" Naruto replied, hoping his voice wouldn't give away that'd he'd been crying half the way back.

"How was the drive?"

"You know how that drive is" Naruto said into the phone, Drive between Suna and Konoha was mostly dessert, truly a painful drive to make really.

"I'll make it up to you," Sasuke said into the phone. The bell to Naruto's apartment rang "Hold on someone's at the door"

"I literally just left" Sasuke muttered, and Naruto felt a little guilty at the fact that Sasuke's jealousy made him feel better.

Naruto opened the door and saw Sakura standing there, holding a Fry's bag and a couple of movies. Naruto felt thankful he'd snagged Sakura's phone off Sasuke's and started communicating with her.

"It's Sakura," Naruto said into the phone as he moved aside so she could come in.

"Is that Sasuke?" She asked, Naruto nodded and she took the phone from him.

"You need to go to sleep because who knows when they are going to let you sleep, I'll take care of Naruto right now"

"Thanks, Sakura" Sasuke muttered into the phone, really thankful Naruto wouldn't have to be alone, and that it would be Sakura and not any of his questionable friends who got to keep him company.

She handed the phone back to Naruto "Get some rest" he said into the phone.

"Love you," Sasuke said into the phone before they ended their call. He turned to see the empty space next to him on the bed, and really wondered if he himself would be able to do this.

Sakura took one look at Naruto and pulled him into a hug "I'm so sorry, I know that drive back couldn't have been easy, I brought anything I could think about, wine, chocolate, ice cream, movies"

Naruto pulled Sakura in for a hug "Thank you"


My heart breaks for both of them, how could I bring them together then do something this awful T.T

Oh, I forgot to mention, finally got that invite for AO3 I'm on there under One_of_a_Kind_99 underscore since I couldn't do the other type. Currently working on getting the caught up with this story. The editing over there is so different!

Until next time my lovelies,

Chio~