Sorry for the very very very long wait.
http :// irc- galleria. net/ view .php? nick Revy & imageid 58893148
(I drew myself some fanart! remove the spaces.)
http :// irc- galleria. net / view.php? nickRevy& imagei d58899 388
(and pretended to be our fav avenger. sry. XD)
Songs listened:
Mushishi - Sore Feet Song
Tackey & Tsubasa - One Day, One Dream
BoA - Every Hear
Ayumi Hamasaki - Dearest
Ayumi Hamasaki - No More Words
Akeboshi - Wind
Akeboshi - Yellow Moon
Kino's Journey - The Beautiful World
(ohmygod what cheesy songs. but I need something fluffy. (lots of songs from Inuyasha, the first anime I ever watched. Oh, the nostalgia!)
By the way, people, prepare. This fic is going to end. Just this chapter and perhaps and epilogue. It hurts me to end this but anyway. :F
Just a warning that this chapter is gonna be a little boring, need to explain some stuff and all.. and perhaps confusing, since it's gonna have some time jumps and stuff like that. Bear with me, there's gonna be an epilogue. (if I ever manage to write one.)
Barely few months had passed since Naruto took in his black stray cat. Months filled with worried therapists - what good actors they are -, fat policemen with grey eyes and bored voices, bloody nightmares and warm hugs that took all those nightmares away. Few who saw Sasuke during those monts and after them, apart from Naruto of course, could see a very slight chance in him, for the better, that is. He still didn't talk much, flinched whenever someone came too close, had nightmares almost every night. But still, there was something about him that made others and especially Naruto, think that perhaps his old spirit had finally started to come back alive. None of them knew how he had been before all those things happened, but all of them had still heard stories of the pride of an Uchiha. And that's what they had started to see in Sasuke. It was just a small glint in Sasuke's dark eyes, a hint of a soul that had been proud and distant before the fall. That gave hope to Naruto. It could be possible, it really could be. Even if the past had caused eternal scars in Sasuke's mind, he could be like he was once was.
So Naruto took him outside more than to just to the police station and the therapist. They only went to walk to a nearby park, where Sasuke had hard time to control himself, whenever a big dog ran by suddenly, or people came to talk them. It seemed that everyone knew Naruto and Sasuke felt a spark of annoyance at the way his sunshine smiled to other people, talked to other people... but would immediately turn his attention to the shorter boy when he grabbed the blond's sleeve. After those moments, Naruto always muttered something that sounded awfully lot like "cute" and patted his head. They did those little walks quite often and Sasuke could relax, even though not much. It would take more time for him to stop flinching and to stop inching so close to Naruto every time some other person approached. But just the way he was and had been, afraid of everything and anything. It was solely thanks to 'that Uzumaki kid', as Kakashi put it, that he was growing to be a little more brave.
Oh, and then there were times when they went to the grocery store together. It was strange, there was always so much people - much more than in that park - and flickering lights and the faint scent of something delicious in the air. Sasuke blinked and rubbed his eyes, fearing that the light would hurt them again. So he kept his hood up those times and rather watched his toes... or Naruto. Even though Sasuke never said it - he rarely said anything, not feeling like talking -, it was almost too easy to see that he enjoyed every single journey with little mr. sunshine, you could see it from the way his black eyes glimmered or the slight flush on his pale cheeks.
One day, he and his guardian for that day, Kakashi, decided to greet Naruto with food when he came home. Something that wasn't ramen, Kakashi had listened Iruka's nagging for too long anyway that the blond didn't eat healthy food at all. But, an unexpected problem occurred..
"Oi."
"...?" Sasuke raised his eyes to glance at his companion, black eyes barely visible behind the curtain of his bluish-black hair. Kakashi turned around, scratching his silver hair.
"There are not enough ingrediets to make this stuff. We need to buy some." The older man sighed. Then an idea popped into his head. Sasuke blinked, cocking his head.
"I know! You go buy these things! You do know the way to the store, since you have gone with Naruto before, don't you?" Kakashi actually had the decency to look thrilled. Sasuke, on the other hand, was terrified. He shook his head quickly. He didn't want to do that! Not by himself, alone with strangers and food and.. and... Sasuke went even paler. There had been other things too, like.. knives. That thought made him grab his wrist nervously, hiding the already hidden scars away from the sight. Kakashi saw it, and understood. The older man smiled, real worry evident in his mis-matched eyes.
"I know, kiddo, I know, but... don't you think that little mr. sunshine would be very happy when he comes home if there's food for him ready? After long and hard day at school.." Kakashi leaned down, to Sasuke's eyelevel. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, but he obviously was meaning no harm. Sasuke bit his lip and stepped backwards, a childish confusion in his black eyes. Would Naruto be happy? Would he give him that funny, delighted grin again? Sasuke liked his grin, it made him feel all... funny, like butterflies in his stomach, especially when directed at him. Then he only remembered warm breath against his face and shiny, happy blue eyes right in front of him and felt his cheeks burn. Kakashi chuckled next to him. It was always interesting to see the boy's reactions.
"You're blushing, how cute." The man grinned.
"... I'm not." Sasuke muttered, and watched his sock-covered toes. Kakashi chuckled again.
"Yeah, yeah... anyway, so you're going? Good. Here's the money and the list. Put these in this bag. You know what to do, right?" The silver-haired man's tone had changed into a much gentler one this time. Sasuke dared to raise his gaze to meet the other's. Kakashi smiled. Sasuke coughed, embarrassed. He grabbed the wallet and the list and pushed them into the bag. He quickly left, slight flush still on his pale face. Kakashi grinned and shook his head in amusement. Poor kid.
On the street, Sasuke was standing. A breeze of winter was touching his face, but still not cold enough for him to be shivering all over. He pulled his hood further up and started to walk. He kept his other hand in the pocket, while the other clutched the bag. His heart was pounding and he was stealing glances around him. Not many people were walking around, but still too many for Sasuke. He feared them, inched away, but kept walking. If someone saw him, they hardly stole another glance, a lean-figured teenager was a common sight. Sasuke was glad it wasn't a long walk to the store. He carefully opened the door and stepped in. He blinked at the list. Let's see...he turned around and licked his lips. Oh, there.. he gulped, glancing nervously around. Then he slid between the shelves, grabbing a few things.
At first he didn't notice three girls lurking around the corner, whispering and giggling. Two brunettes and one blonde, all dressed up in a school uniform - what school, Sasuke didn't know -, they were all pretty to turn heads, just not.. pretty enough to turn Sasuke's head. Unfortunately for them. When Sasuke noticed them finally, he froze, hand halfway taking a jar out of the shelf. He blinked at the girls. Why were those girls blushing so hard? Had he done something weird? Were they laughing at him? Sasuke quickly put the jar in his basket and walked down to another shelf, trying not to look like he wanted to run away. Oh, hell. They were following him. Sasuke's eyes were downcast, as he clutched tightly his basket.
"A-ano..." A high, nervous voice said behind him. Sasuke turned slowly, eyes wide, lips slightly parted. The girl that had spoken, was much shorter than him, with long, curly brown hair and big, blue eyes that she shyly set on Sasuke. The boy shivered. What did she want with him? Oh gosh he wished Naruto that was here. Why...
"I just... just.." The girl stuttered and the raven-haired boy was back in reality again. The girl stepped forward, while Sasuke backed away, his face white. He wanted to run away, really.
"You're so pretty canIhaveyournumber!?!" Scary. The girl suddenly bursted, last words of her sentence getting so mumbled up Sasuke had no idea what she had said. She almost bowed in front of him, her long-nailed hands clutching a very shiny blue phone. Sasuke blinked. What, what? The poor boy shook his head. Why was the girl still there, was she so blind so that she couldn't see how he was terrified? No, no, don't touch me. Sasuke almost yelled when the girl inched closer to hug him. He couldn't understand. His gaze turning to the shelves, away from the girl. He gulped, unconsciously grabbing his wrist, feeling the scars beneath the sleeve. He shook his head again, bowed to the girl and turned to walk away. He was barely able to control himself so that he wouldn't run. When he came to buy those things, he packed them quickly to his bag, not looking at the girl at the counter - was it TenTen or something, her name - who smiled anyway. She had always been there when he and Naruto had come. Sasuke didn't smile back and just left.
Back at the apartment, Sasuke finally let go of his bag. His hands were still shaking. Kakashi didn't ruffle his hair like Naruto would have done, just grinned.
"Good boy. Did anything happen?" The older man asked, noticing how the boy looked a little freaked out. But he shook his head, not looking at Kakashi.
"That's good. Naruto would blame me if something happened. Now... what shall we... oh yes, I think this is what he would like, he eats almost anything anyway." Kakashi muttered, searching for plates and the other stuff needed. Sasuke sat down to watch, after he had put the ingrediets on the table.
After an hour, both of them had managed to make some sort of lunch that included... something eatable, they hoped. But at least it smelled great. Kakashi hadn't let Sasuke do too much and had kept him away, especially when he had needed to use a knife. The ex-patient had stared at the shiny blade for a while, weird glint in his dark eyes, before he had grabbed his wrists and lowered his gaze. Now they were waiting for Naruto to come back. Sasuke was staring out of the window, trying not to look like he was waiting eagerly and failing miserably. But he was. Kakashi noticed him, grinning his twisted grin. His grin widened, revealing his white teeth when he heard footsteps and the door opening.
"Hellooooooo!" Naruto bursted into the kitchen, looking livelier than ever. His blond hair was all over his face, but not hiding his blindingly bright blue eyes or the ever-happy grin.
"I'm here! Oh, what's that smell..." Naruto blinked, as he turned to watch the two.
"Did ya make something for me?" Kakashi wiggled his eyebrows.
"Oh yes we did. And guess who brought the things needed..." Naruto cocked his head. Then he blinked. He glanced at Sasuke, then back at Kakashi.
"Did you... Kakashi-sensei, you didn't make him go to store on his own -!"
"Relax, kiddo. He came back in one piece and... did it solely for you, isn't that right, Sasuke-kun?" The black-haired boy fiddled his sleeve and nodded. He looked at Naruto and a hint of a shy smile was seen for a second, before his cheeks went completely red and he had to lower his eyes.
Now, if Naruto had been a girl - and a fangirl at least - he would have practically squealed at the sight. But little mr. sunshine was little mr. sunshine and his reaction was exactly what it was expected to be. His blue eyes went wide and then he grinned.
"Thank you, Sasuke. I'm proud of ya." He said and came closer only to sneak his arms around the slender boy and squeeze him tightly. Naruto pressed a kiss gainst Sasuke's raven hair. The ex-patient blinked and didn't dare to look up, his cheeks still burning.
"Sooo... you swing that way." Naruto's eyes narrowed. Kakashi was grinning innocently from the other side of the table.
"I don't swing anyway, sensei, I was just -!"
"Okay, okay, kiddo, don't sweat it. I'm just teasing you." Kakashi laughed.
"No need to get that angry. Or was there some truth in my words, huh?" Naruto opened his mouth for a snappy comeback, but closed it quickly. Sasuke turned his head so he could watch the blond boy, or the part of him that he could see in their position. Then the boy blinked. And slapped his hand against his mouth to hid his growing smile. Naruto was actually blushing. He hid his face in Sasuke's hair and muttered.
"Don't. Do. That..."
Someone laughed. It was a short laugh, a little rough, but deep. Sasuke hid his face behind his hands. His shoulders were trembling. Kakashi stared at him, before he started to laugh too.
"Now you're both laughing at me, not fair!" Naruto whined, pouting. But only then he realized what he had just said.
"Sasuke?" The raven-haired boy stopped laughing immediately, eyes widening.
"I..."
"You laughed!" Sasuke blushed, suddenly so embarrassed. He hadn't laughed for so long.
"Y-yeah.." Naruto pulled him away from the chair and straight against his chest. He was mumbling something bordering along the lines of 'cuuuuute cuuuuute cuuuuuuuute'. Like a girl. Huh. Sasuke flinched.
"N-Naruto.. let go of me.." He tried, but his attempt was futile.
"Sorry, sorry..." The blond said and backed away, but only very little, to let the shorter boy breathe, his arms still remaining around him. Sasuke didn't mind it, as he noticed to his horror. Kakashi had remained surprisingly quiet, but now he started chuckling.
"Well, I'll leave you two in peace now. Have fun." He rose, waved his hand and disappeared. Naruto glowered. What a perv. The two boys remained quiet.
"You're... really affectionate, aren't you?" Sasuke whispered quietly, staring somewhere away from those blue eyes. The blond coughed and straightened. He was embarrassed, it was easy to see.
"Well... you see... I ..." He was waving his arms around and earned an amused look from Sasuke.
"You are." The raven said again and hid his face behind his hands. Naruto's puppy-eyed look was too much and Sasuke was barely able to stop himself from smiling.
"I... kind of.." He lowered his gaze and stopped midway, licking his lips.
"You what?" Sasuke was getting so horribly sure that his sunshine was smiling, very widely. He felt a hand touch his cheek but didn't dare to look up.
"...nothing." The tanned hand on his cheek moved to ruffle his hair.
"'kay." Little mr. sunshine sounded so awfully happy, like he always did. Now Sasuke looked up, some sort of an childish innocence in his black eyes. Naruto's blue eyes were so mesmerizing and Sasuke smiled carefully, without even realizing it.
"Now that's my boy. Smiiiiiile." Naruto laughed. His laugh was always so happy, it rang in the shorter boy's ears like some irritatingly perky summer song.
What's he doing to me?
He wondered. I thought I could never get out of that living nightmare, but..
He wasn't sure what he was doing when he stepped closer to Naruto, tip-toed to reach his level... and to place his lips on the other's, for just a second. Big, fat and ugly butterflies in his stomach and Sasuke stepped back, suddenly so red again. He opened his eyes - when did he even close them? - to see Naruto staring down at him, mouth hanging open. Close your mouth, you look like an idiot. Sasuke stared back and realized what he just did.
"I-I...err.." He started, but was cut off by Naruto's finger on his lips. The blond dared to kiss his forehead, like he hadn't been just as embarrassed as Sasuke a moment ago.
"Shh. Good boy." The blond muttered, grinning down at the shorter boy.
"I really do like you." He said, patting his head and turning away to walk from the kitchen. But he was whistling, like he was very pleased with himself. Sasuke sighed and raised his fingers to his lip, feeling like a girl in a cheesy girl's manga. He had to sit down. Naruto shouldn't have said that, said a small voice from his mind. But someone here started it.. and liked it, am I right? Another voice continued and Sasuke sighed again, blushinmg. Damn you conscience, damn you. Why on earth he had managed to break down his barriers, his shelters - so that no one would hurt him again - that he had built during his years at the hospital and why Naruto did it so easily? Sasuke didn't understand at all. Why it had felt so natural to touch the other, why he felt all funny whenever Naruto did something, if only laughed with him? What was it, this weird... feeling that he couldn't name. It was familiar... why couldn't he understand? It irritated him and made him miserable. The he closed his eyes, laid his head down, face hidden by his arms.
He heard them.
"Mommy loves Sasuke-chan, oh yes she does!"
"Good job, Sasuke. You are truly your father's son."
"Otoouto-kun, you do know that I love you. No matter what, I love my little brother."
Fingers ruffling his hair and him smiling sadly. He was a little kid again, no, in a way he still was, his mind was. It was ironical, like that...life. He may have a body of a teenager, but hid mind remained like that, little Sasuke's thoughts and dreams and how all of them had been crushed so cruelly by Itachi's betrayal.
God... this was hard. Naruto... even if Sasuke had let him so close, he still kind of feared him, for him. All of this made poor Sasuke so confused. Sometimes.. he just wanted him to be here. He had always known what to do. While one part of Sasuke hated his brother, other part of him missed him. Perhaps he could not ever forgive him for what he did, but still...the last Uchiha admitted to himself that he loved his big brother, like a little brother should love a sibling.
But... did he love someone else now? In a different way, but still love. Did he...Naruto...he saw the blond grin and flash a peace sign. His presence always made everything tolerable. Was he the one that Sasuke...
"Sasuke!" He woke up, blinking. Oh. What had he dreamed of. Love? Itachi? And...
"W-what?" Naruto backed away from him, frowning.
"Did you have a bad dream?" He touched Sasuke's forehead and stared at him. The raven-haired shook his head.
"'kay then. Did you dream of me?" Naruto asked nonchalantly, stroking ex-patient's hair. Sasuke's only answer was a light blush, even while he tried not to do that. The blond had hit the right spot, without even knowing it.
"Ooohh, so you did." Naruto poked his cheek and laughed.
"Look at you now, you're blushing again!"
"I'm...I.." Sasuke mumbled and turned to look at his lap.
"I'm not blushing." What an obvious lie!
"Sure you aren't." Naruto laughed again. He had such a nice laugh.
"My little funny guy." The blond poked the shorter boy's cheek and smiled. Sasuke inched away, fiddling the strings of his hood. Naruto coughed.
"Anyway, Sasuke... I got a call from Tsunade and she wanted to see me for something important. Do you want to come with me or stay here?" He didn't have to say it aloud. Do you want to return there? Honestly, Sasuke wasn't sure. The raven remained quiet and shrugged.
"Thought so. I could call Gaara here, the chat with the baba shouldn't take long.. oh, Gaara's my best friend, you've met.. but you don't remember, you were..." Naruto stopped and looked at Sasuke carefully. The boy gulped, vaguely remembering the time when he had accidentally escaped from his room. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
He snapped out of his daze and quickly shook his head.
"I...I don't want to go there." He mumbled.
"Sure thing. I'll call Gaara, baba's gonna scold me anyway so no big deal if I'm late." The blond whined and sighed, while choosing Gaara's number. The redhead answered quickly. It was quite and interesting conversation. Sasuke watched Naruto, cocking his head like a bird.
"Look, I need your help...I'm leaving to visit Tsunade-baachan and Sasuke's gonna stay here. Could you come and look after... what?!.. What the hell is on your mind, dude, that's just weird... no, no, I don't. I mean that, you idiot! You say you understand, huh?" Naruto's voice had lowered down and his blue eyes had darkenes.
"So you'll come? Yeah...I know.. that's why I love you, you fucking asshole." Naruto growled, but his eyes had gained their twinkle again. He shut the phone and turned to glance at Sasuke.
"'kay, wait right here, Gaara's gonna come in any minute. Don't do anything rash, 'kay?" The blond patted Sasuke's cheek, smiled and left. Sasuke started to fidget with the hem of shirt, suddenly very nervous. But he hadn't been ready to go back...there. So, he sat down on the couch and waited.
Tick... tick... tick...
He watched lazily how the clock on Naruto's wall moved forward, Slowly, slowly..
Tick... tick... tick...
He was starting to choke in the silence. Five minutes had passed, only five... but still. Four years of silence had been enough. He didn't want it anumore. Where was that... Gaara anyway? Knock, knock, knock. Sharp knock on Naruto's front foor woke him from his thoughts. He turned to stare at the door. There was no another knock. Sasuke stood up and walked to open it. The redhead behind it raised an invisible eyebrow at the skinny little being in front of him. He was sure that Sasuke didn't remember him.
"Sasuke." Gaara said quietly, not blinking at all. Sasuke stared, but let him in, quickly moving to sit on the couch. Gaara followed after a moment.
"Did you wait long?" He asked in his monotonous voice. Sasuke bit his lip and raised five fingers, shrugging. Gaara nodded and sat too, on the other side of the couch. Silence fell again. Fiddle your fingers, dum di dum...bored enough? It was kinda sad that both of them were so quiet, but at least there was someone keeping him company. Gaara moved and his chains clanked against each other. Sasuke opened the TV, hoping some noise in the silence.
After a moment the two of them had moved closer, Gaara speaking something and Sasuke nodding here and there. If Naruto trusted Gaara enough to bring him here, then Sasuke would trust him too. The redhead even smiled at one point, shattering his threatening image in Sasuke's eyes.
"So... have you been here long? Naruto has been keeping things secret from us, I mean, me and his other friends..." Sasuke shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, without thinking.
"...f-few months." Gaara snorted but nodded anyway.
"I see, that long. But anyway, I'm glad.." The redhead was actually human, there was feeling in his voice and his turquoise eyes weren't so scary. He could be anything scary, sadistic and threatening and possessive but he admired his best friend and was glad that at least someone had changed Naruto even more towards the better. The blond had seemed to be even more happier and livelier than before. He had been kinda lost before, drifting here and there, but now there was an anchor. Sasuke raised an eyebrow in question.
"That he has you. Someone to take care of, you know."
"W-why?" Sasuke whispered, confused. But the only answer he got, was the warm glint in Gaara's usually cold eyes. Silence fell again, but it was more comfortable now, even though there was still a lot of space between the new... friends, dare to say. After a while, Naruto came in.
"Tadaima." Gaara stood up, eyes narrowing.
"And the loverboy returns.." The blond wiggled his eyebrows.
"So what?" Two suggestive smirks and one big hug later, it was just the two of them again, on the couch, which was gradually beginning to be their favourite time-spending place.
"What Tsunade-san wanted to speak with you?" Sasuke asked, flinched when Naruto suddenly laid down, his head on Sasuke's lap and his too long legs sticking out from the other side of the couch.
"Do you mind?" Sasuke blinked down at those blue eyes and noticed with a flush that no, he didn't. He shook his head and that earned him a grin.
"Thought so. Oh yeah, it was about the future. What will we do." Naruto said, staring at the ceiling.
"She asked me if I wanted to continue this, and not put you in some health care center.. or worst, some hospital again. I said yes." Sasuke blinked, staring at the blond boy. Naruto was like he didn't even see him.
"She said it will be hard. I need to get money on my own, to pay for you medicine and food for two. I already work, but maybe I need to get another job, since you can't work, that's for sure...but if you want to, then I might know one place. We'll gonna make this work, I have already taken care of you for many months, can't stop now, you know..." The blond grinned, eyes finally meeting Sasuke's. The smaller boy's lower lip was trembling, his eyes were starting to water. Naruto raised a hand to wipe his eyes.
"Stop it, you silly. Don't act so surprised. Like a fragile little thing like you could survive without me.." He was only half-joking.
"Baba agreed with everything, surprisingly. Her business is good so she will help us... but I said we're gonna survive on our own. Now aren't we? Sasuke.. you silly, don't cry." Naruto sat up, pulling the shorter boy closer, pressing forehead against forehead.
"My friends already adore you, even those stupid girls... they want to meet you again. There are things you can't do, things I can't do, but this is one thing that's possible. So... you want to continue this? Living with me?" Sasuke sobbed, his slender hands touching Naruto's hair, his face and finally grabbing his shirt and sniffling against it.
"Idiot." He punched Naruto's shoulder carefully.
"Isn't it obvious? I don't want... to b-b-be separat -" He whispered, sniffling.
"Sshh." Naruto cut him off and shook his head. The blond hugged him and closed his eyes.
"I understand perfectly.. well, I'm being selfish by not wanting to leave you. But if it's okay with you then...I'm not complaining. You do know what you mean to me, don't you?" Sasuke nodded, still sniffling.
"Baka. How could I not know?" He whispered. Naruto kissed his hair and pressing forehead against forehead again, Sasuke too closed his eyes.
Was this what it was like? The feeling that he had forgotten and found again...
The answer was right here, in front of his eyes. Naruto's hands buried in his dark locks, his breathing slow and steady. And his heart, how his heart was beating. Words would never be enough to express how they felt, but that was okay. They didn't need words. All they needed was warm breathing against skin and a strand of black or blond hair tickling other's face. The answer was in the looks that they gave each other, in the grin that lit up the whole room.
end.
--
First: sorry that Kakashi was such a pedophile, Sasuke was such a girl and Naruto was such a cheesy romantic, but don't we love them anyway. So, epilogue is on the way. Someday.
Now I'm just gonna run away before somebody comes and kills me for being so slow.