So, I was told that my scene separators were long and annoying when people listen to my story. I never knew people did that and I'm thankful to the person that brought it to my attention. Starting with today, I will use a shorter separator. I hope this change doesn't bother anyone.

I do not own Naruto, nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 27:

Sasuke saw the call from Shukaku and hesitated. He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk to him. Then again, he had to be calling for a reason. He hit the answer button. "Hello?" There was no response. Thinking Shukaku didn't hear him, he tried again. "Hello? Shukaku?" Still nothing. He waited a few more seconds when he came to the conclusion that he'd been butt dialed. Moving a finger to end the call, a voice finally came from Shukaku's end.

"Naruto probably loves Sasuke," Shukaku said. Sasuke froze. He hadn't expected to hear that.

"Yeah, and this bitch is interfering with that!" It was Kurama's voice. It sounded distant. The sound of a doorbell ringing could be heard faintly in the background. "Dammit!" Sasuke could tell that Kurama was now pounding on the door. "Open up!"

Sasuke was about to hang up when he heard what Shukaku said next. "She may not be here. I mean would you stay home after tricking one of your friends into thinking she slept with her crush?" The words hit Sasuke like a bucket of ice. He forced himself to listen to the rest. It became clear that Shukaku and Kurama had gone to confront one of Sakura's friends about her sleeping with Naruto. But from what Shukaku said, Sakura and Naruto had been tricked into believing that they had sex when they hadn't. He followed the rest of the conversation picking up on small sounds that hinted to what was going on that Sasuke couldn't see. It was obvious that Kurama had hit someone. He heard whoever Kurama had hit and realized just who it was, Yumi. There was some more yelling before the voices lowered. The last thing Sasuke heard was Shukaku saying that you can't control people that way before the boy hung up.

'He knew,' Sasuke thought. 'He called me on purpose.' The question was why. Shukaku clearly wanted Sasuke to hear something. Then it hit him. Naruto hadn't slept with Sakura. Sasuke got to his feet. He needed to talk to Naruto. Grabbing his phone and his bag, he left his office, ignoring his employees and leaving the building.

-0-

Just as Naruto was beginning to get comfortable, he heard the door of the game room open. He turned to see Sasuke walk into the room. He smiled. "We built a fort."

"It looks nice," Sasuke said.

"Daddy!" Kohaku cheered after hearing Sasuke's voice. He and Matatabi crawled out of the fort. "Look what we build? Naru helped!"

Sasuke smiled and reached down to pat Kohaku on the head. "It looks amazing," he praised. "You did a good job."

Kohaku smiled. "Naru is the best."

"He truly is," Sasuke said. "I actually need to talk to Naruto. Are you two going to be ok alone?"

"Yes!" Kohaku said. "We play House!" Matatabi nodded. She was always shy around Sasuke.

"Good," Sasuke said. He grabbed Naruto's hand and began pulling hm towards the door. "Have fun." He closed the door behind him and pulled Naruto towards the stairs.

"Sasuke-sama," Naruto said. "I can walk on my own."

"Right," Sasuke said, releasing Naruto's hand. "Let's go." He continued forward. Naruto was afraid of whatever Sasuke had to say. It was unusual for Sasuke to talk to Naruto alone. He wondered if Sasuke was going to kick him out of the house or worse, send him back to Sound. They entered Sasuke's office. Sasuke took a seat at his desk. "Have a seat."

Naruto sat down, swallowing hard. "If… if this is about the fort, I…"

Sasuke held up a hand. "It has nothing to do with the fort. I do however have something I want to ask you." Naruto nodded, waiting for the question of doom to escape Sasuke's mouth. "How long have you known that you and Sakura didn't sleep together?" That hadn't been the question Naruto thought was coming.

"Eh?" Naruto asked, surprised.

"Shukaku called me while he and Kurama went to see Yumi," Sasuke said. Naruto flinched. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to push this on your plate when it is already so full," Naruto said. "I know that you are busy with work and Itachi's…"

Sasuke slammed a fist against his desk. "That doesn't matter!" He stood up. "We are family Naruto! Of course I'd want to know about this!" Naruto's eyes widened at that. Sasuke saw Naruto's expression and sighed. He sat back down. "I want you to clear things up for me. Is it true that Yumi tricked you and Sakura?"

"It's true," Naruto said. "Fu overheard Sek-kun talking to Yumi when he went to confront her about how Sakura came to them crying. She instantly came to tell us what she heard. It was that day that Sakura and I met up at the cafe a few blocks away from Kakashi's office."

"And Kakashi?" Sasuke asked. "Does he know?"

Naruto shook his head. "No. I only told Shukaku and Kurama today about it. I was going to tell all three of you, but then Lieutenant Yamato came."

"I see." Sasuke sighed. "Naruto, do you trust me?"

"With my life."

"I'm glad. But I have to wonder why you didn't just tell me, tell us sooner."

"What would you have done? Would you have gone with Kurama and Shukaku? Would you kill Yumi? Not everything can be solved with violence."

"I know. There isn't really anything I could have done unless I wanted to hurt Yumi in some way. But still, I want to know these things. As I said, we are family, Naruto. I want you to be able to tell me anything. You must know that I will always be here for you."

Naruto swallowed. He knew what an confession was when he heard one. He just hoped Sasuke meant it. Naruto brought a hand to his mouth as his eyes widened as he realized why he felt this way. He felt stupid for not seeing it sooner. Shukaku and Kurama had hinted at it several times. Hell, even Kakashi saw it. Whenever he told Kakashi about something that had happened in his past, he'd tell Naruto that he should talk to Sasuke about it. Sakura probably saw it too. That explained why she seemed to hate Sasuke so much.

He wasn't sure how to ask Sasuke if what he meant was what he thought he meant. And if he did, what then? How did Naruto feel? He knew he cared for Sasuke. He also knew that it was different than how he felt about Shukaku, Kurama, and even Kohaku. However, he was never able to explain it let alone give it a name. His mind went to Temari and how that relationship went. It had failed because he didn't feel that way about Temari. To him, Temari was just a friend like Gaara. But Sasuke, he was more. He was always more.

"Naruto?" Sasuke asked, interrupting Naruto's thoughts. "Look, I just wanted to let you know that I care. I'm not as cold hearted as some would say."

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"Yes?"

The words froze on the tip of his tongue. Naruto sighed before standing up. He'd always been told that he was not a man of words but a man of action. He walked over to Sasuke's side of the desk, grabbed Sasuke's tie, and kissed him. Sasuke let out a surprised gasp as Naruto moved his lips against his. Realizing what Naruto was doing, Sasuke's arms wrapped around the blond and pulled him closer and he deepened the kiss.

'This is right,' Naruto thought. When air became a necessity, they pulled away from each other. "Sasuke."

"I know." Sasuke leaned forwards and kissed Naruto again. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to stand much longer, Naruto climbed onto Sasuke's lap. His arms moved around Sasuke's neck and he moved as close as he could to the older man. He had never felt this way before, but something was telling him that this was right. He decided to go with the flow, relinquishing control to Sasuke. They pulled back again and stared into each other's eyes.

Naruto suddenly blushed, looking away. "W-we should probably go check on Kohaku and Matatabi." Sasuke nodded. Neither made an attempt to move. Naruto looked around before his eyes fell back upon Sasuke's. "Um… Sasuke?"

"Hn?"

"What… what does this mean?"

"It means we love each other, Dobe."

"Teme!" Naruto put a hand to his mouth.

Sasuke smiled. "Don't be afraid to speak your mind. It is only right since we are equals in this relationship."

"Relationship?"

Sasuke frowned. "I'd hoped you'd understand what I want. Naruto, I want us to be together."

"Like boyfriend and… boyfriend?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes, like boyfriends. If you don't like that title, you can call us lovers or anything else. I just want you to be mine."

"If I am yours, does that make you mine?"

Sasuke smirked. "Of course."

Naruto nodded. "Ok." He leaned down and pecked Sasuke on the cheek. He knew better than to kiss the raven's lips for they'd be stuck here for far longer than they should. "We really should go check on Kohaku and Matatabi." Sasuke nodded. He left his arms fall away from Naruto's waist. Naruto stood up, patting down his clothes. He didn't know how they had gotten messed up. Sasuke also stood up and straightened his clothes. The two left Sasuke's office and headed down the stairs, hand in hand. Just as they reached the bottom step, the front door opened. Shukaku and Kurama walked into the house, also holding hands. The two newly formed couples smiled at each other.

"Since when?" Naruto asked.

"Since now," Shukaku said. "You?"

"The same," Naruto said.

Sasuke and Kurama looked at each other before Kurama grinned and Sasuke smirked. Kurama turned towards Shukaku while Sasuke pulled Naruto towards him. The two leaned down and kissed their lovers. A cheer echoed through the hall as Kurama and Sasuke pulled back. Four pairs of eyes turned to see Kohaku and Matatabi staring at them.

"See?" Kohaku said. "I told you!"

Matatabi looked at Kurama than at Shukaku. "Shu-nii?"

"Y-yes?" Shukaku stuttered.

"You happy?" Matatabi asked.

Shukaku smiled. "Yes."

Matatabi nodded. "Ok." She then stepped forward and hugged Kurama's leg. Kurama chuckled before lifting Matatabi up. She held the girl in her arms as Shukaku wrapped an arm around them. The three turned and headed right for the kitchen since it was dinner time.

"Naru?" Kohaku asked.

"Yes, Kohaku?" Naruto asked back.

"Does this mean you're my mommy?" Kohaku asked. Sasuke couldn't help but laugh as Naruto blushed. Not knowing what to say, Naruto just nodded. "Yay!" He grabbed Naruto's hand and started pulling him towards the kitchen. "You can come to school with me tomorrow and we can have pancakes and… and we can play together always!" Naruto looked back at Sasuke and smiled.

-0-

Later that night, Naruto sat in Sasuke's bedroom. Sasuke had gone out after they ate. When he came back, he'd ask Naruto to wait in his room while he took a shower. Naruto looked around the room, fear in his eyes. He wasn't afraid of what might happen next. He just didn't know where to look. A bag was on the floor. It was what Sasuke had returned with. Out of curiosity, Naruto made his way towards the bag. When the door opened, Naruto jumped.

Sasuke walked in with a towel in his hand, using it to dry his hair. Naruto smiled and stood up. He grabbed the towel and started to help Sasuke. When Naruto was done, he stepped back to see a smirk on Sasuke's face. "You're always good to me."

Naruto blushed. "It.. it's nothing."

"No," Sasuke said. He grabbed Naruto's hand and maneuvered them so that Naruto was sitting on the bed and Sasuke was standing in front of him. "Over the years, you have taken care of Kohaku and have look after this family in ways I never could."

"You're a good father, Sasuke-sama," Naruto said, taking what Sasuke was saying the wrong way.

Sasuke shook his head. "That's not what I meant. And please, just call me Sasuke. We are dating now."

Again, Naruto blushed. "R-right."

Sasuke turned his back on Naruto, leaned down, and picked up the bag. He then walked to his dresser and placed the bag down on it. "You know, it may seem a bit fast, but I have loved you for a long time. Probably back when I shouldn't have."

"Eh?" Naruto asked confused.

"I'm an old man, Naruto. I'm nearly thirty-one-years-old, eleven years older than you."

"You're not old."

"I am. Naruto, you were only fourteen when we first met. I'm a pedofile."

Naruto shook his head. "They say that sixteen is the first roadblook towards adulthood. I may have only been fourteen, but I grew up in Sound. In there, being fourteen was like being eighteen. And so what if I was fourteen then? I'm nineteen now. Sasuke, I'm an adult and I know what I want, have known for awhile."

"Then it is ok for me to love you?"

"Yes."

"Then is it alright to ask you to marry me?"

"Of course!" Naruto suddenly paused. "Wait, what?"

Sasuke smirked as he walked over to Naruto and got down on one knee. "Dobe, Naruto, I want you to marry me."

Naruto looked into Sasuke's eyes and saw the love in them. He sighed. "I can't."

"You can't?" Sasuke looked surprised. "Is it too early? I'll wait. I'll…"

"It's not that. Sasuke it's… I'm not sure if I can say it."

"Naruto, it's ok. You can tell me anything." He stood up and moved to sit next to Naruto.

"I'm not as nice as everyone makes me out to be," Naruto began. Sasuke wanted to say something, but he knew that Naruto needed to get something off of his chest. "In all honesty, I'm selfish. I want what I want and I tend to get it. Back when I was in sound, I made two wishes. The first was to get out of there and the second was to be loved. And that's when Kohaku came followed by you taking both of us here. I became Kohaku's caretaker not just because I was needed but because I want to. I wanted and still want to take care of Kohaku. Eventually, I used that as an excuse to get something else I wanted, you. I wanted you to notice me, to love me. When Kurama awoke, I feared she'd take you and Kohaku away. So, I made her want me because I wanted her to. I wanted her to accept me into her family so I could remain in yours." Naruto took a deep breath.

"Sakura showed up at the zoo just when I was wondering if maybe I shouldn't be so selfish. But she fell in love with me, simply because I needed her to. I wanted a friend, so here she was, just not that way I expected. She made me want a better education, so school was brought up. You allowed me to go, even going as far as getting a tutor so I wouldn't be too far behind. Sakura wasn't enough and I asked for a male friend. I got Gaara. Having one made me want another and Shukaku came along. We may have been enemies at first, but after I made a wish to end our fights, rain allowed me to take him and Matatabi home. It made his father beat him and force them out so I could have them close to me. Because I knew that you would give me anything I asked for, I brought them here knowing you'd never turn me down." Sasuke wanted to tell him that none of that was his fault, but he stayed silent.

"When the dreams of what happened in Sound started up again, I made yet another wish for me to confront my fears. He ended up at my school along with Kabuto, another person linked to my fears. I got my wish when they were captured by your people. I wanted them dead Sasuke. And now they are. Can't you see? I'm not a good person." He held up a hand to prevent Sasuke from interrupting him. "Yumi… what she did… if you noticed, I looked and acted like I didn't care. I didn't. It gave me the proof I desired, the proof that Shukaku and Kurama loved me. And above all, it gave me you. I once told Kakashi that the thing I wanted most was a place to call home; a place where I was wanted and loved. A love that wasn't the normal feelings between friends, but a romance like no other. And Sasuke, that's you. You have given me all of this." He moved his arms as if to show off everything around him. "But I need something else. I need to ask you if you can accept this selfish part of me while said part selfishly wants you to."

A silence came between them. Naruto wasn't sure if Sasuke was just thinking or if Sasuke simply had nothing to say. Finally, Sasuke opened his mouth. "Humans are selfish creatures. We want far more than we give. But a truly selfish person will not admit their selfishness. You may think that wanting all of that makes you selfish, but you are forgetting something. I wanted Kohaku back and I took you along because I knew you cared for him and could take care of him when I couldn't. Kurama wanted you as part of her family, because she saw you for who you are. Sakura loves you because you are Naruto. Gaara and Shukaku, they are your friends not just because you act nice, but because you give them what they need just as they give you what you need. And I… I love you Naruto. If it is selfish to want to be loved, then call me selfish as well. Nobody is perfect, but that's ok. I accept all of your faults and hope that you can accept mine. So I will ask you one more time. Naruto, will you marry me?"

THE END