A/N: This chapter is one I am very happy about. It's a rollercoeater of stuff, but… I'm happy with it, because the story is finally reaching the point I've been eager to work on.
Don't forget that this follows canon, only it's MY explanation of how things happened. Still, I'm working my way towards my own ending, and more than ever, my thoughts are shaped about this story.
So, while this chapter might be sort of surprising, I ask my faithful reader to PLEASE TRUST ME. If you've been loving this fic so far regardless of the drama and pain, then you'll definitely want to see this coming to an end :)
Betaed by the wonderful SNlalalandNHreality, who's been doing a marvellous job at proof reading this fic. A HUGE thank you with lots of love coming your way.
Also, I listened to 'Attack' by 30 Seconds to Mars quite a lot while writing this. I think it sort of defines this chapter well.
From Which We'll Rise
Part XIII: Unity Divides
It was very late into the night when a knock on the door of Gaara's quarters woke the Kazekage from a light sleep. His underling came with the announcement that Uchiha Sasuke had arrived. Gaara had asked him if he was alone, and the man had confirmed.
Well, that was unfortunate, Gaara had thought, feeling his chest tight with disappointment. He hadn't expected a visit so soon regardless of the circumstances, but if Sasuke was there, it was because he truly and genuinely needed it, and Gaara would do everything in his power to do whatever he could to help him.
Based on Naruto's way of thinking, he really should've expected things to have come down to this in the end, but he had hoped for something different for both his and Sasuke's sakes.
Gaara ordered for Sasuke to be brought to his quarters. The guard asked him if he wanted to send for someone to prepare a room, but Gaara refused, to which the man simply nodded, pressing his lips together before bowing down and leaving.
Gaara made sure to leave the door ajar for Sasuke and waited for him while standing in the middle of the room.
Sasuke simply tapped on the door before pushing at it slowly, revealing himself.
"Can I come in?" he asked, in a smooth and polite voice that was also very bland.
"That's an unnecessary question," Gaara merely replied. "Come in, and close the door behind you."
As Sasuke entered the room and did as he was told, Gaara took in his appearance. He looked more or less the same as he had a few weeks previously; the same kind of traveling clothes, the same satchel, and the same hairdo. He looked a bit dusty from walking the desert, but that wasn't unusual. However, in spite of that cold and stoic beauty seeming to never fade, he looked considerably more tired than he ever recalled seeing him.
Gaara didn't care if he was in his brown pyjamas and looked less dignified than usual – he knew the Uchiha wasn't one to care for such things – so he took a few steps towards him, sharp eyes following his every movement. Standing before him, Gaara could only reach out a hand automatically and place it on the curve of Sasuke's neck. The other man didn't flinch, didn't even blink, his eyes staring into his. They were unsurprised, and yet, they seemed to convey many things that Gaara understood he didn't feel like voicing.
The pain Sasuke must be going through wasn't something he could even begin to comprehend, and it made him feel useless.
Gaara didn't know what to say. He wanted to manifest his feelings, to speak his mind, but he doubted Sasuke wanted to hear it. He wanted to offer soothing words, but he knew they would be meaningless. After all, even if he did understand the situation, what did he possibly know about how Sasuke was feeling right now? There was no way he could ever reach Sasuke that way, he knew.
He felt suddenly angry as he looked at Sasuke while biting on his lower lip. "He's an idiot," he said resentfully, barely louder than a whisper. To his surprise, Sasuke's lips formed a very small, very empty smile.
"So am I," he said softly. "You can't be angry at him without being angry at me, too, Kazekage-sama."
The honourable name almost made Gaara flinch. He knew that Sasuke was right. He understood that Naruto and Sasuke were too different, yet too similar; both proud, stubborn and goal driven. Both selfless and selfish at the same time. Both starving for each other but always giving priority to things that lived outside of their relationship.
Gaara could understand, and yet he couldn't. If they hadn't been shinobi, maybe they'd be the sort of people who'd leave everything behind for the sake of love. But as shinobi, both their lives couldn't possibly revolve around it. Could they have lived a shinobi life of their choosing and still cling to that love, together? Certainly. That was what Gaara had hoped, and prayed for. But nothing was ever that simple when it came to them.
Gaara could see it clearly in Sasuke's eyes. They had consumed each other to the core, and now they were apart and there was nothing left but a hunger that would last forever.
It was just sad, and Gaara ached for them. It didn't have to be like this, but who was he to say anything else, when he had encouraged them in the first place? He knew nothing.
There were so many things he wanted to ask Sasuke, so many things he wanted the other man to tell him, but he couldn't find the will to ask. He knew he had no right to. So he simply swallowed hard and gently caressed Sasuke's neck with his thumb, hoping that it would offer something, and that it wasn't too much in Sasuke's eyes.
"Do you want to take a shower?" Gaara asked carefully. "Or do you wish to sleep? You look exhausted."
"Sleep sounds good right now," Sasuke said evenly, with a small sigh. He grabbed for Gaara's wrist as he removed the hand on his neck. He it gave a light, reassuring squeeze. "Although, I don't think it would be very proper for me to sleep in your quarters."
"It would seem even less proper for you to sleep in my bed," Gaara said, with all seriousness, but not at all worried. He knew that whatever happened inside the Hokage building didn't reach exterior ears. "But you'll have to manage, Uchiha. I'm not letting you sleep alone tonight."
He was relieved to see Sasuke's smile prevailing, small and empty as it may be. "Thank you."
Without asking for permission, Gaara reached out to take Sasuke's satchel from him and place it over an armchair nearby. When he made his way back to Sasuke, as soon as he stood facing him once more, he was grabbed by the collar of his pyjamas and next thing he knew, warm and slightly chapped lips were pressed to his. He was strongly overcome with shock as his heart started beating crazy fast. The kiss was but a gentle press of lips, and yet, Gaara would be lying if he said he hadn't wished for something like that.
However, this was far from being what he had envisioned, because Sasuke's kiss was completely devoid of the things he had longed for, and this alone prevented him from trying to take more and kept his body in check quite efficiently.
Putting a hand over Sasuke's chest, he pulled away, looking up at the slightly taller man with a small frown and an evaluating glare.
"What are you trying to do?" he asked, both curious and slightly upset at the soft way Sasuke was watching his reaction. "Are you testing me? Did you think I'd take advantage of you just because you're vulnerable right now?"
"No," Sasuke said easily, still with that vacant smile. "I was actually testing myself. I was the one trying to take advantage of you. But I didn't feel a thing."
The words were unintentionally cruel, but nothing Gaara didn't know already. He could tell it in his heart that there were things Sasuke now knew that Gaara himself was still naïve about, and still, the purity in Sasuke's heart was still the same. Sasuke still believed that his heart was stronger and harder to crack than it really was.
Gaara knew better than to be foolish.
"I don't want anything from you that you wouldn't want to give to me wholeheartedly," Gaara said firmly, tugging Sasuke's hand away from his collar. "So, if we are done with this pitiful behaviour, let's get you out of your clothes and…"
"I wonder if it's easier," Sasuke proceeded, his eyes still very much fixed on Gaara's. "To love someone and not have that love reciprocated than to have it returned, only to be forced to live apart from that person."
Gaara looked up at him, his frown deepening. "What do you want me to say, Sasuke?" he asked, aware that he sounded harsh but knowing that there would be no other way to be heard and respected by that man. "You can't possibly know how I feel, just like I can only guess what you're going through right now. But life is the way it is, and the choices we make are ours to take responsibility for. You and Naruto are idiots, and for that, you both will suffer, but this is no news to you, is it?"
This time, it was Gaara who gripped at Sasuke's cloak with both hands. "Whatever pain you're feeling right now, I wish I could take it off your shoulders, but I know it's not up to me to do it. We can't always have what we want. Even if things never go our way, all we have left is to raise our heads and keep moving forward. Fight for what you want, because if you're honest about it, if it's meant to be, then it will be yours, someday. But don't make a fool out yourself. And don't make a fool out of me."
Sasuke blinked a few times at him, seeming a bit surprised for a while, but then simply nodded. "I'm sorry, Gaara," he said, softly. "I didn't mean to offend you."
Gaara would've sighed if that was something he usually did. As it was, he merely shook his head from side to side. In silence, he helped Sasuke remove his dusty clothes. The other man allowed him without barely moving, his eyes fixed on him, but not really seeing him.
If the situation had been any different, Gaara might've felt like being adventurous, but even though his heart was a bit uncoordinated, he understood his place and his body behaved in accordance. Sasuke wasn't in a good place right now, and Gaara's feelings couldn't reach him. Maybe they never would. But as long as Sasuke acknowledged them (as he did) and respected them, it was alright. This was nothing Gaara hadn't anticipated, and never in his right mind would he ever covet for something he had zero chances of winning. He was no fool.
But he would offer Sasuke whatever he needed right now, just like he'd do with Naruto if it had been the case. So he gently rid Sasuke of his clothes and allowed him to lay in his bed and sleep under his covers wearing only his boxers. He fell asleep almost instantly, as if somehow Gaara's presence had demanded his exhaustion to give in.
As Gaara lay beside him, watching his face while propped up on his elbow, he wondered if having Sasuke in his bed was really just a good deed he felt he should offer or a subconscious whim of his own.
Whenever he remembered the things he had witnessed between Sasuke and Naruto, longing filled him. Longing for them. For that. Things that, even with Sasuke so close, would always be distant to him.
And yet, Naruto had turned away from something most people would kill to have. But Gaara couldn't blame him because he understood Naruto's heart, just as he understood Sasuke's goals and feelings. It wasn't just Naruto's fault.
Reaching out a hand to brush away Sasuke's fringe from his forehead, he pressed his lips together. He tried not to think about how handsome Sasuke was, even in his sleep. Like a cold porcelain doll, his features were defined and breath-taking. No-one could see that, on his shoulders, the weight of the future seemed unbearable to him. Gaara felt for him. If there was something, anything he could do to make it better, he would. But that didn't mean he would ever want Sasuke to lie to himself, or to him. He valued their relationship far too much.
Sasuke slept all night without moving a single muscle, his breathing slow and barely audible. Gaara couldn't help but watch over him.
000
Naruto used to think that sex was some kind of overwhelming thing, a huge deal, especially when it came to a couple's first time. Emotions, urges, fears, desires – everything mixed up in a turmoil of passion that needed to be satiated, like the quelling of an unbearable thirst.
That's how it had been between him and Sasuke; not just their first time together, but all the following times as well, had felt like something was about to combust between them. It was as if something amazing happened to the world when their bodies joined and everything shook and moved with every breath they took.
Naruto hadn't once expected sex with other people to feel the same way it had felt with Sasuke. He was very aware that what they had was something very particular that couldn't be replicated; it wasn't like he needed to physically experience it to know it.
Still, when the moment presented itself and Hinata eagerly made her intentions clear to him once more, everything seemed absurdly simple. No confusing feelings, no painful urges, and no uncontrolled desperation; just simple arousal.
It was so simple. Too simple, even. Sex wasn't a big deal after all. It was supposed to be relieving, and feel good, and it did. But that was all there was to it.
Sex with Hinata was easy. Her body was curvy, slightly plump and soft, her breasts full and firm. Her entrance was always ready to receive him, and she submissively allowed him to do basically what he wanted until he teased her into taking some action herself, because he was that sort of restless person. He liked being challenged, and she was far from being one. She wouldn't struggle for dominance, wouldn't curse at him, wouldn't scratch him or bite at him viciously, wouldn't cause violent and overwhelming feelings to run through his veins, unlike a certain dark-haired man.
He didn't even have to prep her for penetration most of the times, even if he did sometimes pleasure her, so as to not simply fuck her and be done with it. Hinata was so easy to please. So easy it could be considered boring. Or maybe his standards had changed. The bar had been set high with Sasuke, in every single way. Sasuke would insult him, tease him, make demands and complain when he had to, and he would take as much as he'd give.
And he'd give his everything, always.
Naruto tried not to think about the fact that he missed that hard, powerful body against his, inside of him, those vile cursing words and those times when Sasuke would possess him entirely regardless of their position. Whether they'd be fucking hard or slow, Sasuke would capture his attention completely, captivate him and make sure Naruto remembered exactly whom he belonged to. And Naruto did. He always would.
He missed those overwhelming emotions, that connection, how their feelings mingled together so strongly they didn't know which belonged to whom.
He knew that sex with a lover should be like that. Good sex. Passionate sex. Mutual intensity. Sex that made you want to do it over and over again because you just can't get enough of the other person. With him, Naruto had felt that way, every single time.
With Sasuke, it had been painful, tiresome, bothersome, and sometimes even rough. But it had been more than good. It had been perfect.
Naruto missed it the most when he was doing it with Hinata. He knew he wasn't supposed to think about it in such times, but he couldn't help but to. It gave him drive. It helped him endure the knowledge of the things he had let go of. It allowed him to be who Hinata needed him to be.
It made him feel miserable, too, but he denied it to himself when the feeling punched his chest.
He loved Hinata, of course he did. It was just that Hinata wasn't Sasuke, and neither could she ever be a replacement for him. Maybe life would be a lot easier if she could, but some people were irreplaceable, and Sasuke had always been the one and only person in his life no-one could replace. Not even a crowd of people would be able to, or a whole country, maybe not even the whole world.
But as long as his relationship with Hinata was simple, that would be enough. She loved him unconditionally. Simple was easier, less troublesome. He knew Sasuke was out there, thinking of him, too, living his own life, maybe fucking his own lovers already. He didn't like to think about it, but he couldn't help it. The thought alone made him feel angry, frustrated and jealous, even if he knew it wasn't in his right. After all, he was fucking his girlfriend on a daily basis, wasn't he? It shouldn't matter if Sasuke chose to fuck other people as well.
But it did, and it killed Naruto thinking about who the person, or people might be, if there were any. It took his sleep away from him every night.
But life moved on. It was hard, but he and Sasuke would manage, each in their own way, Naruto was sure. Soon, things would be better.
It just sucked that he had to miss Sasuke every single day.
000
"You've been overworking yourself lately, Naruto," Kakashi said from behind his Hokage desk while leaning back on his chair. He patted a considerable pile of papers sitting on the desk. "This is rather remarkable, but if I'm not mistaken, you've had about two days off since you returned from your journey with Sasuke… five months ago."
Standing on the other side of the desk, Naruto rubbed at the back of his head with an annoyed huff. "I was away for so long, I had to make up for it," Naruto explained, as if saying this was giving Kakashi an unnecessary explanation.
"You consulted me before leaving," Kakashi corrected. "I gave you my permission to go, so it's not like you have to 'make up' for anything."
"I want to be involved with Konoha!" Naruto insisted, with a huff. "I want be out there, helping out with everything I can, being on missions, getting to know my people…"
"You do know that you're not yet qualified to become Hokage, right?" Kakashi interrupted harshly, with a frown. "There's more to being Hokage than field work, Naruto."
"Yeah, I can tell," Naruto mumbled, throwing him a glance while crossing his arms over his chest. "You barely do any field work; you're just sitting behind that desk all day."
In spite of himself, Kakashi didn't let this upset him. He had noticed that Naruto had changed since his journey with Sasuke, his feverish desire to work hard having become almost an obsession. He had drowned himself in work, taking up every mission he possibly could, getting involved in everything, and training hard. While there was an odd arrogance about his abilities as a shinobi, Naruto now had, somewhat, understood that it would be good for him, as a person, to go through an ordinary progress in the shinobi rankings. Naruto was far beyond Jounin or even ANBU level, but without a doubt, as Hokage, he could never understand his underlings' struggles in their ranks unless he lived those things first hand. Naruto would be taking up the first exams soon, and Kakashi knew his former student was making progress.
But his notions of what being Hokage meant seemed a bit off in Kakashi's opinion. Not that, by any means, he thought that there was a certain course of action a Hokage needed to take, or a way they should behave, but he certainly thought that Naruto definitely felt like he should take far too much upon his shoulders. Being Hokage behind a desk was already taxing enough without the field work, not to mention the daily meetings and constantly leaving the office to personally check out the development of more serious issues throughout the village. Naruto had no notion of these things, which was why he thought of the position in a far too idealistic light.
Kakashi often wondered how much of this new behaviour was because of Sasuke. What had happened between them during their journey was a mystery Naruto never disclosed (neither did Sasuke), but truth was, the boy had certainly been acting strange since then, far too serious, and undoubtedly far too goal-driven. It was almost as if he felt like it was his obligation to work as hard as he could to become Hokage as soon as possible. It was somewhat afflicting, and Kakashi didn't have a good feeling about it.
Heaving a sigh, the older man rubbed his chin. "You can't exhaust yourself if you want to progress faster," he said, trying to sound kinder and less impatient. "I'm the Hokage now, and you will become my successor only upon my death, so that might take a while." Naruto groaned, and Kakashi allowed himself to relax a little. "Or, well, if the time comes when I feel like I want to retire and pass on the position to you. But that's not going to happen because you simply will it to, Naruto. It's my call, not yours. So settle down, worry about your career progress, and don't kill yourself. Enjoy life a little and stop thinking about so many useless things at the same time."
At this, Naruto's shoulders tensed and he looked to the side, avoiding Kakashi's eye. "'Enjoy life', you say?" he muttered, his eyes darkening strangely. "That's not… I can't… my goals are all I have. I can't just…"
"You're going to take a few days off," Kakashi said firmly. Naruto's head snapped back up and he opened his mouth to protest, but the Hokage didn't let him. "By the start of next week, you're going to take seven days off to rest, spend some time with your beautiful girlfriend, sort out your priorities, and then, when your head is cleared, you'll focus on studying and training for the upcoming exams so you can climb up a rank."
Naruto pursed his lips together, visibly frustrated and anxious. It reminded Kakashi of those days when Naruto had been so bent on becoming strong as fast as possible so he could save Sasuke and be at his level. Kakashi never thought that he'd see that expression again - that kind of anguish disguised as determination - and it was disconcerting.
"Can I leave the village, then?" Naruto asked unexpectedly.
Kakashi eyed him silently for a while. "As long as you are back to report to work in time, I will give my permission."
"Thanks."
"Try to understand, Naruto," Kakashi said, choosing his words carefully since he felt that Naruto was a bit on edge. "Everyone is worried about you. Even Tsunade-sama says you're overdoing it. Just put our minds at ease for a while, alright?"
At this, Naruto looked at the floor, his expression changing to one of slight guilt. "Yeah," he mumbled, almost inaudibly. "Sorry. Can I go now? I've got stuff to do."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, but he nodded his consent. Naruto merely offered a clumsy bow (a courtesy he tried to maintain now that he was older and more mature) before turning around and making his way towards the door.
"You cut your hair short again," Kakashi couldn't help but point out, suddenly noticing that Naruto's hair was different. After returning from the journey with Sasuke, his hair had been an unruly mess similar to how he had kept it as a teenager, only slightly longer so that it covered his ears. In a way, Kakashi had found that it had made Naruto resemble Minato quite a lot. Naruto had seemed to enjoy the hairdo, as well, since he had kept it like that for several months. But now, he had suddenly changed it.
"Yeah," Naruto said, looking over his shoulder with an indifferent shrug. "Having my hair longer made sense to me, but Hinata likes it better cut short, so…"
Ah, Kakashi, thought, with a thoughtful pout as Naruto left the room without another word, closing the door behind him. So there was a reason behind everything, it seemed.
He couldn't really shake off the feeling of certainty that there had been an odd bitterness in Naruto's tone at the confession.
000
'Sasuke,
Where are you right now? Are you somewhat close to the village? I have a few days off, so I was thinking we could meet up somewhere and hang out if you want.
Sincerely,
Naruto.'
Sasuke stared unblinkingly at the small folded piece of paper one of Naruto's toads had brought him. It was clear the message had been carefully thought out, probably re-written many times so as to not sound… well, desperate.
They hadn't exactly communicated since they had parted ways five months ago. Sasuke knew Kakashi informed Naruto occasionally of his doings, just like Kakashi randomly informed him of Naruto's shenanigans since he wrote to his former teacher quite often - a requirement because of his absence from the village, considering his so-called status of 'shinobi of Konoha'.
It wasn't as though Sasuke didn't want to write Naruto or anything of the sort; he just thought that it was unnecessary, and maybe a little too soon. No, definitely too soon if Naruto had decided to write a formal note adding 'sincerely' instead of being himself and expressing his feelings freely.
What a pathetic letter.
Couldn't you have just openly said you wanted to see me, dumbass?
With a sigh, Sasuke rubbed at his face with his hand. What was he supposed to do? What was he supposed to say? Was he even supposed to reply to that?
He knew that being in Naruto's presence wasn't safe yet. Maybe it never would be, but he was just managing to readjust himself and his heart was definitely taking too long to heal.
He wanted to see Naruto, of course he did, but he was sure it wasn't a good idea.
Still, he knew they couldn't run from each other forever, otherwise the day would come when neither would be brave enough to be in each other's presence anymore, and if there was one thing that Sasuke definitely wasn't willing to give up, it was Naruto's friendship. Regardless of their relationship or their feelings, regardless of the distance, he didn't want to lose Naruto.
He didn't want the day to come when Naruto would be so used to being without him he wouldn't have the desire to see him.
"You're waiting for a reply?" Sasuke asked the small orange frog sitting patiently on the leafy ground and looking up at him. The frog merely nodded, and Sasuke stifled a groan of annoyance.
He straightened his back more against the tree trunk carefully. He had his legs crossed indian-style, and on his lap, a chubby baby wrapped only in black fabric diapers slept on her back, her tiny fists clenched over her chest. As if feeling him move, the baby shifted slightly but didn't rouse. It was an unnaturally hot day and not even the shadow provided by the tree under which they were relieved them of the heat. But then again, the area surrounding that poor village he had come to love so dearly had always been blessed with mainly good weather.
Sasuke looked down at the baby girl, and he couldn't help a small, lopsided smile. Naruto would love to see her right now and see how much she had grown. Mika was, without a doubt, a healthy baby and already very bright and usually in a good-mood. He put the note down, over one of his knees, and brushed a knuckle over her round, soft cheek. He was glad that Misato had so much trust in him so as to let him take her baby wherever he wanted.
He really couldn't say that he liked kids. Well, he didn't dislike them either, he just didn't like it when they were whiny and annoying. But he did have a very special spot for Mika, and for all the children in the village whom he had promised would all know how to read and write soon enough.
Mika's brown reddish hair was a soft mess, and fondly, he rubbed a thin strand of it between his fingers.
Yes, Naruto would love to see her.
"Juugo," Sasuke called out, making sure he didn't yell so as to not wake the baby up. Not too far from him and Mika, Karin and Juugo were gathering medicinal leaves. Since his return, the villagers had come to him whenever there was a health issue. Sasuke had his small knowledge on the subject and had assisted in Mika's birth, so right now he was definitely more qualified than the sick elderly woman who claimed to be the village's healer. The information he had gathered during his journeys had made him knowledgeable of all sorts of medicines that could be brewed with nature's ingredients (not to mention that he had chakra to help him detect bodily abnormalities if he wanted).
Back then when he and Naruto had come across the village, Sasuke hadn't wanted to get involved in such affairs (and Naruto had been the one to tend to the sick and elderly in his own way, anyway), but now, he felt like he wanted to give everything he had for that place because… well, it was where he had felt like 'home' the most. So he helped with absolutely everything he could, and if offering medical help made these people feel safe and happy, then he'd do it.
As he had promised himself, he had reunited with Taka back at their small place, but when Suigetsu had been summoned by Orochimaru, Sasuke had decided to pay a visit to the village, and Karin and Juugo had wanted to tag along. Sasuke hadn't complained since keeping himself busy and having company made him think less about useless things.
Both Karin (who was carrying a straw basket) and Juugo approached him upon his calling. "You got a message?" Juugo asked, perceptively noticing the shinobi frog and the small note on Sasuke's knee.
"Naruto wants to visit," Sasuke informed blandly. "I need one of you to hold Mika while I reply to this."
Juugo immediately crouched down and took the baby from Sasuke's lap with surprising gentleness for a man his size. Karin was still standing, absentmindedly separating the leaves in her basket while occasionally sneaking weird glances at Sasuke. He tried to ignore her as he rummaged through his satchel for a piece of scroll and a pencil. He knew what she was thinking. Taka had been more than a little surprised when Sasuke had returned without Naruto, simply telling them that they had gone their separate ways and that it was over between them.
But they weren't stupid (or, well, Juugo and Karin weren't), and it had been obvious to them that, in spite of Sasuke's explanations, his feelings were still the same, and surely, Naruto's were, too. Still, they hadn't pried, even though Karin sometimes tried to get him to talk.
'Naruto,' Sasuke wrote.
'I'm at the village we spent two weeks at, remember? It'd be nice if you could see how Mika has grown, so maybe spending time here wouldn't be so bad. Just tell me when you'll start your vacation and I'll come pick you up at Konoha. Karin and Juugo are with me.
Best regards (a loser farewell like yours),
Sasuke'
"We're going to pick him up?" Karin asked, as Sasuke rolled the small note and gave it to the frog, who immediately vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Yeah," Sasuke said, looking up at her, and finding a weird expression on her face mixed with worry. "Is there a problem?"
"No," Karin said, with a shrug, looking away. "You do what you think is best for you, Sasuke."
What's best for me, huh?
Sasuke wasn't sure of what was best for him. Seeing Naruto, not seeing Naruto… all of these things were both essential and detrimental to him, so in the end, it was all a matter of choice. He knew that certain things weren't a good idea, but at the same time, he had stopped understanding what was ever a good idea when it involved him and Naruto.
"I have you and Juugo with me," Sasuke chose to say, evenly. "I trust you two to keep things in check."
Both Karin and Juugo looked at him with identical expressions of understanding about what Sasuke had meant. Both nodded their silent promise, even if hesitantly so. Sasuke understood their uncertainty, and he couldn't blame them.
Not even he could possibly know what would happen once he and Naruto met again.
000
Naruto felt better than he had in weeks. No, in months. Sure, drowning in work had, without a doubt, been an excuse to keep his mind away from certain things, but he liked it like that, and he wasn't as tired as people thought he was. He really just wanted to make sure he was truly and wholeheartedly living the life he had chosen instead of a life with Sasuke. He had lost Sasuke as a lover so he could fulfill his dream of perfecting Konoha and becoming Hokage so he could actually change the system, and then the world. He needed to work hard to make it happen a fast as possible, and he did so constantly fighting the feelings of sadness and misery that followed him every day.
These were things he couldn't tell a soul, but it was his way of coping with the constant feeling of loss and the void inside of him – a void that constantly called for Sasuke to come and fill it up. He knew he'd get used to this emptiness, someday, and yet, he couldn't really find the will to pray for the day to come when he'd be able to live this life as if his past with Sasuke had been nothing. A part of him wanted to move on, but another part refused to let go, and he had no idea which one he should cling to. So, he coped the only way he knew how, and couldn't really care if people understood it or not. It was his own secret that he wouldn't tell a soul.
Nevertheless, he had to admit that he was maybe a little too excited to see Sasuke again. Nervous, yes. Scared, also a bit. But immensely happy? Completely. He hadn't been in this much of a good-mood since… well, he couldn't remember.
And Sasuke was coming to pick him up, surely, so they could spend as much time together as possible.
They… they really wanted to see each other, didn't they? Naruto was sure that his longing would be overwhelming. He longed for Sasuke when he ate, when touched someone, when he had sex with Hinata, when he worked, when he sparred with a friend, when he slept with or without company. Seeing Sasuke again would without a doubt ignite all these things he'd been starving for since they parted. It was dangerous, no doubt about it, but he'd take the chance. They were no longer lovers, so seeing Sasuke and being in his presence would have to be enough. He just wanted to see him; seeing Sasuke would ease his heart and give him strength, reassure him that this life was going to be worth it.
After fastening the clasps of his brand new backpack, he put his hands on his hips and took a look around his room. Everything seemed to be in order. With a small smile, he took a stroll around his apartment to make sure he had left everything properly cleaned and organized. Sasuke should be arriving soon, later that same day, or sometime during tomorrow morning. Either way, Naruto wanted to be ready to go as soon as his best friend got there. Still, he had a few errands to run for Tsunade at the hospital, since his last working day of the week wasn't over yet.
Quickly, he put on his sandals and grabbed for his house keys. As he opened the door of his apartment, though, he jumped backwards by unexpectedly seeing a surprised and furiously blushing Hinata standing outside.
"Hinata!" he said, bringing a hand to his chest, where his heart was beating fast thanks to the fright. "What are you doing standing there without knocking? Did you just get here?"
His girlfriend looked up at him with her pretty lips parted, looking both horribly insecure, and he knew at once that something was wrong. She was clutching a white folded piece of paper in her shaky hands, pressing it to her chest. Worriedly, he reached out to put both his hands on her shoulders.
"What's wrong?" he asked urgently. That look on her face was one he had never seen, and he didn't like it. "Did something happen?"
She bit on her lower lip hard, her eyes watering unexpectedly. She blushed even more, if it was possible, and looked away.
"I… I know you're going on vacation," she stuttered, hiccupping a bit. "And I'm really sorry that I'm ruining it, but…"
She pushed the sheet of paper towards him, and he was forced to let her go in order to grab hold of it, feeling confused.
"I'm really sorry!" she said, crossing her arms over her chest as if to hug herself and closing her eyes. "P-please look at it. I'm sorry!"
Naruto didn't understand why she looked so sad, so scared all of a sudden.
"Hinata, are you scared of me?" he inquired softly. "What did I do to make you…"
"I'm not scared of you!" she interrupted, with another hiccup, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes that shone like beautiful pearls. "I'm scared of how you'll react, and I…" She hugged herself tighter. "Please, just read what's in the paper."
Throwing her one last concerned look, he nodded slowly and unfolded the paper. Quickly, he scanned its contents.
He could swear his heart stopped. With a small gasp, the paper fell from his hands and onto the ground, and all he could do was look at Hinata with wide, shocked eyes.
000
Sasuke had been hit by a sudden feeling of foreboding. Karin and Juugo, who ran fast towards Konoha beside him, could tell that something was upsetting him, but neither asked what was wrong. Still, inside of him, somehow, he knew he was about to face something unpleasant. He could feel Naruto's conflicting feelings, his anxiousness and his fear.
Sasuke had the impending urge to give up and go back. After all, what he didn't know couldn't possibly harm him, but in spite of himself, he was worried about the things he felt coming from Naruto and he couldn't simply ignore him if he was needed.
It was almost nightfall when he arrived at Konoha's gates. Karin and Juugo didn't need to be told to wait outside, and they didn't call for Sasuke when he stormed inside the village without saying a word.
Where are you, Naruto?
He was sure his presence had been noticed by his friend, so he tried to summon him, letting his chakra, his energy flow through him and towards Naruto, calling out to him. He could feel Naruto's own restless energy, chaotic and unsure, and at once, Sasuke understood that the other man was conflicted on whether he wanted to see him or to keep him away.
No way you're getting away from me…
Eventually, Naruto summoned him back, and through their chakra connection Sasuke found him at the overhang over the Hokage mountain, way above the faces of all the Hokage that had ruled Konoha.
Naruto was very straight, his hands on the red railing, and even though he had his back to Sasuke, it was clear that he was looking down at the village.
He tensed slightly as Sasuke's presence stood behind him, but didn't move. Sasuke needed a moment to catch his breath, not because his search had tired him, but because being in Naruto's presence suddenly left him breathless. He didn't understand what it was – they had spent years without seeing each other in the past, and now, five months later since their parting, it had seemed like forever.
As soon as his eyes took in Naruto's form, he immediately noticed that his friend had cut his hair short again, and Sasuke hated it with a passion. Still, this didn't stop him from feeling like he wanted to reach out and offer his friend some form of comfort to ease the chaos within his soul, but he knew he couldn't. From Naruto's heavy energy, Sasuke was already regretting coming.
"What happened?" Sasuke demanded, not wasting time with cordialities since he could tell that the issue was serious.
"Hinata's pregnant," Naruto replied flatly, still with his back turned, not wasting time with walking around the subject either. "About seventeen weeks long, it seems."
The bluntness came to Sasuke as a punch to the gut.
Pregnant? The Hyuuga woman was pregnant? And… of about three months, already?
He fucked her…
Sasuke tried to shake that stupid, completely useless thought away, but he felt suddenly disgusted. What was he expecting, anyway? Naruto was still dating her, of course they'd have to have sex at some point. Couples were supposed to do stuff like that. Naruto had lost his virginity to him, but once that had been out of the way, of course he'd be able to do it with her.
Still, if Hinata was pregnant…
Sasuke swallowed hard, feeling nauseous. He had known that this could happen, that giving Naruto away to a woman could yield this result. He had been the one to tell Naruto that he should have kids, build a family and work hard to make his dreams come true.
"I always wore a condom, I really don't know how this happened," Naruto proceeded, with a heavy sigh, his voice thick. "I… I don't know how I feel about this. I didn't think that something like this would happen, not so soon, not without it being planned..."
"You do realize you have to marry her, don't you?" Sasuke cut, the pain he felt inside his chest manifesting as cold, vicious anger. Still, his voice was sharp, firm. "She's the Hyuuga heiress, she's not supposed to be defiled before marriage."
Naruto flinched, his shoulders tensing. He looked over his shoulder, and Sasuke had a hard time meeting the sky blue in Naruto's eyes again. "Marry her?"
Sasuke felt like his lungs had ceased functioning. This wasn't supposed to feel like this.
You're killing me...
"You're not going to ask her to abort, are you?" Sasuke snapped, knowing he sounded sarcastic but not caring. He shouldn't be surprised, but he was so pissed off right now and he didn't even know why. "Because that would be cruel, unless she wants to."
"Of course she doesn't," Naruto muttered. "She's so happy. She was so scared I'd leave her over something like this, that I'd reject her… you should've seen the terrified look on her face."
Sasuke pressed his lips together, glaring at Naruto and inhaling sharply through his nose. He almost felt sorry for Hinata, but he felt even sorrier for himself right now. He never thought he'd hate this situation so much.
"It's your responsibility," Sasuke said coolly. "It's not her fault. If you love her, you will protect her integrity and marry her before it becomes a scandal and her family comes for your neck."
Finally, Naruto turned around, dejectedly, slowly facing him with fists clenched at his sides. The street lamps that illuminated the place cast shadows over his face, making him look much older, and Sasuke wished that he hadn't, because the anguish and frustration he saw in those brilliant blue eyes tore at him.
"Sasuke…" Naruto whispered, taking a few steps towards him, whose feet remained firmly planted on the ground solely because of his own pride. "I don't know how I feel about this. Wasn't I supposed to feel happy? Why don't I feel happy or excited, then? It's so weird… the feeling is so weird."
Sasuke didn't reply. Naruto licked at his lips.
"I wanted to see you so badly," the blond said, regretfully, extending a hand to run a knuckle over Sasuke's jaw, the action simple but full of meaning. "And now you're angry at me."
"It's not my right to be angry," Sasuke contradicted, staring sharply into Naruto's eyes, allowing the contact but remaining immobile. "Just like you feel confused, so do I. You can't expect me to be jumping with joy, even if this was supposed to happen sooner or later."
"I… I want to go with you, Sasuke," Naruto said, with genuine resentment and eagerness. His hand cupped Sasuke's cheek now, the other one - the right one, Sasuke noticed,, once more wrapped up in neat white bandages - clutching the fabric of Sasuke's black shirt above his heart. "I want to be with you. I was so happy that I was going to see you again, and now you're here and you'll vanish again, and I…"
"You can't come with me; you need to be there for your girlfriend," Sasuke said, touching Naruto's naked hand that was now caressing his cheek and grabbing it, a small indulgence he regretted the moment their skins touched. "Use your time off to get your shit together and arrange for everything. Do the right thing and ask her to marry you, Naruto. It's what you have to do. It's the weight of your choices, and you need to take responsibility for your actions. This was supposed to happen, anyway. It just happened sooner than we both expected."
Naruto's lips parted as if he was going to say something, but no sound came out. He simply stared into Sasuke's eyes, looking apologetic, filled with longing and a sadness Sasuke wasn't at all ready to deal with. Their bodies had somehow drawn closer together without either noticing, and there was even a moment when Sasuke realized he could feel Naruto's breath on his lips.
He didn't know what was stronger; the tension between them or the hesitation. They were no longer in that sort of relationship, and crossing the line was forbidden. It would be very easy, though, for them to just break the distance separating them, and for a fleeting moment, Sasuke considered it because they were both wanting the same thing with an almost feverish desperation. He could feel Naruto's energy thumping along with his, like a steady heartbeat that pumped in tune with his own - hot, hungry and alluring. But this moment of weakness coming from him only added more heat to his already burning anger.
"I knew I shouldn't have come," Sasuke hissed, shoving Naruto's hand away from his face and taking a step back that looked more confident that it really was. Naruto looked positively dejected as he was forced to let go of his shirt, swallowing hard. Sasuke tried not to let that miserable look affect him. "I only came because I was worried about you. But you'll be fine. You're going to be a father, Naruto. You're going to have a family, like you always wanted. This is a good thing. You'll be fine."
He knew his reassurance sounded fake and forced, but he couldn't help it. It was all he could do to not either punch Naruto's face or kidnap him and take him as far away from Konoha and Hinata as he could.
But he knew Naruto wanted a family. This was the reason why he hadn't stayed with Sasuke. Naruto wanted this; this would make him happy. Right now, Naruto was overwhelmed and scared and feeling lost and vulnerable, confused, but he would come to his senses soon and realize that everything would be alright, and that this was what he wanted – what would make him happy. Or at least, give him a bit of the happiness he was seeking.
This alone, gave Sasuke strength and clarity. His resolution had to be stronger than Naruto's right now. That was all he knew.
It wasn't about them at all.
"I'll see you around, Naruto," Sasuke said, with an elegant nod of his head towards his friend. "I'll keep in touch."
He wasted no time in turning his back to the other man and making his way down to Konoha, more than ready to leave as quickly as possible. He couldn't stand being there another second longer.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke."
It wasn't as if he hadn't heard Naruto's pathetic words. It was just that Sasuke didn't want to acknowledge them.
Do something instead of just saying you're fucking sorry.
He knew it. It was still too soon for them, and things were happening way too fast.
Sasuke needed to stay away from Naruto, otherwise, his friend would have an even harder time getting his shit together. And he needed a cool head now more than ever.
He had to stay away, for Naruto's sake, and for his own sanity for as long as took for them both to heal properly and manage without each other.
000
The journey back to the small village was made in silence. When Sasuke had left Konoha by himself and Karin had asked him what was wrong and why wasn't Naruto with him, Sasuke had simply said that 'his girlfriend is pregnant'. Thankfully, that was enough of an answer to explain his sour mood, since his two companions didn't feel the need to pry anymore.
They set camp for the night a couple of hours away from Konoha since it was already pitch dark in the woods and it became hard for Juugo and Karin to keep up with him and his superior sight..
Karin and Juugo put up their convenient tent (a luxury Sasuke himself didn't care for when he travelled by himself), made dinner, and started a fire. Sasuke had helped with getting wood for the night and then just sat down on the ground with his back against the trunk of a tree with one knee pulled to his chest. He had refused to eat, and the other two didn't pressure him to. They understood that he needed his space.
Sasuke didn't know what he was feeling. but he wished he wasn't. He was angry, yes, but not exactly at Naruto. It was just…
He was jealous. Jealous that the Hyuuga girl had been fucked by Naruto, that she had him the same way Sasuke once had; jealous that she had been able to give him something he couldn't. Jealous that Naruto was growing, moving on without him. Even if under no circumstances did Sasuke want the same kind of boring married life with kids, it was painful. He had known such things were bound to happen, he knew he'd be witness to them, but he hadn't considered that when they did happen he'd feel so empty and so devoid of hope.
It was as if, even if Naruto had a girlfriend, as long as things remained the same as always, reality would always be something distant.
It felt like, with Hinata pregnant, he had truly lost Naruto forever. Not lost him exactly, just...
He couldn't explain it if he tried. Sasuke had felt like he'd never be able to be with other people since Naruto, like he'd never be able to have sex with anyone else, to touch or be touched by anyone other than Naruto. Not that he had tried, anyway, apart from that mindless kiss with Gaara that had been more of a childish whim than anything else.
He had hoped that the same had happened to his friend; that Naruto still wouldn't want to fuck Hinata, and that, just maybe, he'd realize for himself where he belonged and to whom he belonged to.
But perhaps – no, surely – Sasuke was a bigger idealist than he had thought. He was the foolish one, a hopeless dreamer, not Naruto.
Because, no matter how much Naruto thought of him, no matter how much longing his eyes transmitted, no matter the tension between them, no matter how much he hurt or how strongly their feelings for each other were...
Naruto whined and acted pitifully, but he managed. He kept moving, he went with the flow, he embraced the future and was easily dragged by it. Be it a mechanical life, led automatically by the course of the wind or not, he was moving. And now he was going to become a father, get married, and build a family.
Sasuke thought that he was admirable. It made him feel angry, frustrated and it hurt, but it was still admirable. He had no doubt in his mind that, somehow, Naruto would definitely pull this life off.
'I'm the one who's stupid' he thought bitterly, biting on his lower lip, viciously. 'I, who thinks my feelings for him stop me from going through life as I'm supposed to. Why do I even bother clinging to him? It's useless. It wasn't like this before. I was capable of doing my own thing without him, it shouldn't make a difference now.'
He clenched his fist over his thigh and grit his teeth. He was so fucking frustrated, even knowing that he had no reason to be - that he himself had also signed up for it. But he couldn't help it - he just wanted to scream and tear at things - maybe at his own body. His very skin didn't feel like it belonged to him.
In another life, had he been alone, he would've probably been lashing out at trees. But his self-control was better now, so he remained unmoving with his own chaotic thoughts. After all, Naruto wasn't there to push at his limits anymore.
Damn you...
Something tickled Sasuke's face and he jerked slightly, noticing that Karin was kneeling on the ground beside him, her cold fingers touching his face. Her eyes were filled with concern and pity - not for him, but for his situation. Sasuke couldn't believe that he had been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't even felt her approach. But it wasn't just her, because when he looked to the opposite side, he noticed that Juugo himself was sitting on his heels next to him, his expression placid and inscrutable.
This was getting way out of line, Sasuke thought, feeling angry at himself now. He was a powerful Shinobi, one of the strongest out there. Once, he'd had the power of gods. He had trained himself hard so that the lack of his arm didn't make him inferior. He had meditated, controlled his anger, came to terms with himself and his existence, sharpened his senses, and he had expanded his mind. He was strong. Not as strong as he wanted to be, yet, but he was strong. Why was this happening to him now? Because of Naruto?
Did this stupid situation between them only served to make him weak and distracted?
No, that couldn't happen. Not for Naruto, not for anyone.
"Sasuke," Karin said gently, touching his cheek more firmly so he was facing her again. "I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but please, we're worried about you. Don't just close yourself off like this. Let us help you. Talk to us. Let us do something for you, anything."
A strong hand landed on his shoulder - Juugo's - as if to give emphasis to Karin's words. Sasuke stared at her, blinking a couple of times, his mind blank.
He wanted to ask her if she had the power to change the world to magically make everything right, somehow. But he kept his mouth firmly closed, his eyes watching her. They fell from hers and down her body in an unintentional cold evaluation. What was it about a woman's body? Was it the breasts? Was it the fragility compared to a man's body? Was it the fact that women were easier to penetrate? What enticed Naruto about Hinata's body that made it so easy for him to want to fuck her? What went through his mind?
Was it that good? Good enough to make him forget how it had been between him and Sasuke? Good enough to make him want to go back for more, to be able to?
Sasuke didn't want to think about these things, but he was so upset - so wounded, really - that he could only seethe within his own mind.
Just like pressing his lips to Gaara's five months ago had been a childish impulse, so was the impulse of his body to lean forward and kiss Karin. She gasped softly against him, clearly not expecting it, but as his mouth became more insistent, she easily gave in, just like he had expected her to.
Like with Gaara, he felt nothing of the things simply being close to Naruto created in him. Still, he needed to understand. So, he brought a hand to Karin's neck and kept kissing her. She was good at it as far as Sasuke could tell and responded with earnest, dragging herself closer on her knees and clutching at his shirt with her eager hands.
Sasuke couldn't think. His heart started beating faster - he had no idea what he was doing, and indeed, doing something like this was easy. He felt nothing.
He was highly conscious of lips being carefully pressed to the back of his neck - Juugo's - as Karin's tongue hungrily teased his, searching for a more enthusiastic feedback from him. The large man exhaled gently against the hairs at the back of his head, causing small chills to travel down Sasuke's spine.
Automatically, Sasuke straightened his back as a strong arm held him across the chest in a rather awkward hug, feeling Juugo bury his nose behind his ear and now inhaling carefully.
That was rather nice. Juugo was a lot bigger than him, but while he felt the embrace to be comforting, it didn't make him feel subjugated at all because the man's cautiousness showed a respectable devotion.
In desperate curiosity, Sasuke boldly brought his hand to one of Karin's firms breasts over her sweater, but the contact didn't stir anything special in him even though she moaned sensuously against his lips. It was just flesh, round and squishy under the thick layer of her bra, nothing spectacular. However, his body was reacting, probably fueled by the sudden heavy emotional and sexual tension coming from his two companions, for him. Sasuke didn't even have a mind to be surprised by all of this. It was surprisingly easy to let go and not think about anything at all.
In fact, not thinking seemed to be a wonderful idea. Something like this had never crossed his mind, least of all with these two. It was obvious to him that he was wanted, deeply and selflessly loved. He had known it all along. It wasn't the same as Naruto, it wasn't what he wanted, or what he needed, but maybe he needed it now, just so he could fucking understand why the human mind and body were such frivolous, easily manipulative things. And they were.
How disgusting...
He was no different from Naruto, after all. There was no deep mystery in sex, no philosophical or astrological paradigm between him and Naruto that made them different from other human beings. Their feelings had nothing to do with something like this.
Love was just love, and apparently, the body could be easily detached from the heart. Now he understood. Sex and love could both happen separately. It didn't feel the same way when both acted together, but it could happen. People could get involved without feelings in the middle because it was just that easy. Just say 'yes' to someone, light the fire and everyone's good to go.
How pitiful. Why, exactly, was he doing something like this? This meant nothing to him. Why was he even bothering? Why had he started something like this on his own accord, even though he knew his friends would give in?
He had no answer for this. Blame it all on his anger. Maybe it was just curiosity, maybe it was him looking for a different way to relieve his feelings, to drown his sadness. Maybe he was just feeling terribly lonely. Maybe he needed to feel needed, or maybe he was just feeling vengeful and wanted to pay Naruto back for fucking someone else.
He was a terrible person. He'd regret this, he knew. Then again, probably not. Either way, right now, he couldn't care less if he tried.
He didn't care about anything at all. Wasn't he allowed to crumble, just once? Wasn't he allowed to let someone else pick him up for a change?
Thinking and feeling brought nothing but bad things nowadays, anyway.
Panting, he broke the kiss with Karin and turned his face towards Juugo, who raised his head. Their lips clashed wetly, a bit messily at first, but Juugo wasn't as excitable as Karin, so they found an easy routine quickly enough. It was nice, soothing. It made him feel hot and a little on edge, but again, nothing otherworldly. Juugo held him tight while pressing his chest to Sasuke's side, his large hand holding on to his waist in a possessive grasp.
While he and Juugo kissed, Karin came closer still to press small, loving kisses on his jaw. Her hands on his shoulders were gentle and eager, but cautious. In fact, both her and Juugo seemed content to just be there for him, to give whatever it was that he wanted, however he wanted it. It was clear, to him, that they were scared to cross the line. They wanted him, but by no means would they try to own him and have of him something that didn't belong to them.
Sasuke didn't know if this made him feel relieved, even more frustrated, or furious at himself. He loved them both in his own way. In his life, they meant something. He wasn't scared of them, or of what could unfold from then on; he understood them and knew they understood him, too. But that didn't mean he wanted to take advantage of them if this was going to hurt them.
It was Juugo who broke the kiss, looking down at him with kind, but oddly intense honey-coloured eyes that managed to say what he wouldn't voice. Karin stilled, also looking at him. They seemed to be expecting him to say something. Sasuke swallowed hard, unsure of what to do or say but knowing they were waiting for his final decision.
"This doesn't mean anything," he said, in a whisper, as honestly as he possibly could. "I don't… I don't want to be in this sort of relationship. I can't give you anything of what you might possibly..."
"We know, Sasuke," Juugo interrupted, with a small nod. "We're here for you. Even if it's just this once, we're here for whatever you need."
"We won't tell a soul," Karin muttered breathlessly, making Sasuke look back at her. "You know that. It's your call. We know how you feel, and nothing will change. We don't expect anything from you. We know you. We know how you feel."
"I know that," Sasuke said. And he did. He truly did. And he couldn't be more grateful that he wasn't alone just then.
It didn't matter anyway, what he did or what he didn't. The things Naruto made him feel, good and bad, wouldn't disappear no matter what. His feelings would forever be unchanged, but this was his own life now, his own decision not driven by his feelings for Naruto. He needed to be free, to settle within himself that he could live for himself, by himself without Naruto in his mind. Hadn't he done so before?
This was him telling himself that he could move along, too. Even if he knew that he wasn't like Naruto and that he'd never take a steady lover or settle down, right now he just needed to prove this one thing to himself.
I can move on without you...
He pressed another brief kiss to Juugo's lips and clutched one of Karin's hands with his. They both understood the message and exchanged a silent look between them.
Without saying another word, together, they led Sasuke towards the tent, knowing fully well that, willing as he was, this fragility of his was nothing but a momentary indulgence that offered no steady future. Sasuke was broken, but in his own way, he'd glue all the pieces back together by himself, and once more rise from the ashes. If they could help him for once, then that'd be enough for them.
The future, Sasuke thought, was only just beginning.
TBC...
TRUST MEEEEE! Okay? Okay.
I know this sort of came as a shock to a few of you (or not) especially Juugo's side, but I love Juugo and Sasuke's dynamics, and in my mind, it had to be done this way. This isn't just about Sasuke and Naruto, least of all at this point. This is about following canon material while manipulating it to my own SNS whims and filling in the blanks left by Kishi. Also, this is me manipulating the story so I can end it the way I want to. AND BOY, am I looking forward to it.
Surely, you know what's coming, with this, right? Yeah.
I hope you liked the chapter, and I hope you're hyped for the next one, because I sure as hell am. This story is on fire, baby, and I'm really excited working for it.
Once more, thank you all for the constant love and support! Forgive me for not having replied to reviews yet, but I will during the following week since I'll start my vacation tomorrow! So, please let me know what you think of this fic, ask whatever questions you have, and take as much advantage of my time as you can ;)
See ya next time!
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