Okay longer chapter but serious things are happening! Enjoy! ^^

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Sasuke's POV:

We slept through most of the day together. Although she was seeming to be better, I still had her take a medicine pill that we acquired from an old companion. It helped with infection and fighting it off...I just hoped it helped with all kinds.

My eyes were on a her like a hawk. I was careless and she got sick. Never again.

It took her half of the day to recover more and reassure me she was fine.

I forgot about everything having Naruko around like this. We weren't doing missions and no one was looking for us or trying to kill us. No responsibilities, no rules, no problems to deal with.

It was just her and I. I want stay this way with her.

I didn't even want to go see Madara. I'll disband my team. We can do this together.

We went swimming a lot but she would start splashing the water and tease me. She would try to run away and I would just catch her from behind.

We sat out watching the sun rise and set and we'd name star constellations (or I would name them and she would say how she admired how much I knew). We kissed a lot. I mean a lot. But I'm not complaining. I really like kissing her. It feels right.

I would wake to her beside me or she would let me rest in her lap.

It was like we met for the first time but we've known each other forever.

My choice will be so easy now, as long as she is with me.

"No I'm serious. That same ostrich started talking. I thought I was going crazy."

My head was on her lap. Her fingers combed through my hair. It felt so nice. "You get yourself into the craziest things."

The air dropped between us and she smiled sadly. Did I say something?

"Sasuke, I-"

Juugo came running through the trees.

"Incoming ninja!"

"What?" I hissed.

Karin and Suigetsu must have sent Juugo to warn us so they must be fine.

I stood up, yanking at Naruko's wrist.

"We have to hide."

She got up as well.

"What if they're from the Hidden Leaf?"

"We still have to hide."

I searched around and spotted the waterfall. Between the breaks of the water I saw an alcove.

Perfect.

I dragged Naruko behind the water just in time. We were both dripping wet and I knew she could fend for herself but I still shielded her with my body.

"Hm. I could've sworn I heard voices over here."

Kakashi!

He has a good sense of smell. The waterfall doused us so it should have diluted our scents. That's good.

"But Naruko never goes out alone. Do you think the Hokage gave her a separate mission without telling us?"

He sounded like the man that came with Naruko last time we met.

I heard Kakashi sigh.

"We can't assume anything yet. But this isn't the first time Naruko has run off without explanation."

"Right."

"Come on. I sent Pakkun to the Village. We'll hear from the Hokage soon, and hopefully Naruko as well."

"Yeah. I just hope she is safe."

They left.

We still weren't in the clear.

"Hey-"

I covered her mouth with my hand.

"They could still be in the area," I whispered.

We should wait a while.

Except I know she's impatient.

Just as I thought that, she pushed my hand away.

"That was Kakashi-Sensei and Captain Yamato! We could've left with them!"

"Naruko!"

"What?!"

"You're being too loud. You came here for me right? Don't let them find us. Stay just like this with me."

I pulled her closer to me and held her against me until I could tell that we were probably in the clear.

I'm not going back. I can't.

I glanced up and down at her and her face was red.

"Let's go."

I walked out ahead.

"Sasuke. Why couldn't we leave with them? We could go home!"

"I'm not going back to them."

"But we all want-"

I whipped around.

"There's no 'we' is there Naruko? It's just you. You have been waiting three years. You want me back. You have been the only one looking for me, right?"

She was at a loss for words.

She shook her head and her pigtails wobbled around.

"No we all did. Your comrades-"

"My comrades? My comrades. When did Shikamaru every do anything for me because he wanted to? Or Kiba? Or, hell, Hino, for that matter? They all did it for you. To help you, to look good for you because you begged, right?"

Damn my feelings. I've never admitted my jealousy. When we were younger, Naruko always got the boys' attention, especially mine. I was happy we were on the same team so other guys would stop stealing glances at her. She was oblivious to all of it and she still is. Kiba and Hino were especially bad over everyone else. Kiba would bring that puppy to school and let her play with it, and they would run around together. Hino would faint every time Naruko got close to him or would blush like crazy and Naruko would hang around until she could figure out why. I've kept my silent possessiveness over her quiet for all these years. Until now.

"Sasuke..."

I could hear the anger and sorrow in her voice.

"I don't know why you're acting like you really have feelings for me. This is all a part of your Hokage hero dream right? Save the Uchiha kid and restore the village's glory."

"That's not true and you know it!"

I did. I'm just lashing out, seeing which ticks work the most.

"What if I was the one that left you behind at the village for three years? Wouldn't you care? Wouldn't you be worried?"

"I'd trust you," I spit out. "You don't have any faith in me."

"Yes I do. You may be right, I may be the only person that does. Sasuke, when I lost you to Orochimaru, I thought I lost you forever. I want you to be with me."

That was it for me. That sounded like what Sakura said before I left, except I feel worse about it when Naruko says it than when Sakura did. My chest hurt.

"I've made my decision."

Naruko lifted her head.

"You have?"

"Yeah. I won't destroy the Hidden Leaf with one condition."

"Yes?"

I looked her dead in the eyes.

"You'll be with me."