Chapter Four: Never Too Late

Naruto sat with his back to the tree trunk, staring at Sasuke. Slowly, Sasuke opened his eyes. He blinked twice. Then he sat bolt upright with a look of pure shock on his face. He turned to face Naruto, slowly, unbelievingly. His normally intelligent mind was in a bewildered state, trying to process what the blonde boy had said.

"Naruto." he whispered. The blonde in question nodded at Sasuke. Then he spoke.

"I still haven't gotten your answer. Will you come back home or will I commit suicide?" Naruto asked, his voice calm and even. Sasuke stared at him. Blinked. Continued to stare at him. He opened his mouth and said the first thing to come into his head.

"Naruto…I'm so sorry."

"It's too late for sorry. It's too late." Naruto said. Trying to believe that. Knowing that it couldn't ever be too late for apologising with Sasuke.

Silence.

Sasuke tried to calm his raging thoughts, tried to breathe like he normally did. It wasn't working. And then, like a bolt from the blue, it hit him. That he didn't leave Konoha just for revenge. He was just trying to get away from Naruto. Naruto, the only person there who had even tried to understand him. Naruto, the only person he thought of as his equal in not just combat, but in all aspects. Naruto...the only person who could make his heartbeat race...Naruto...the only person who had made him smile...

He had left because he had thought that he was too close to falling in love, and now he realised that it was too late. Too late. The irony made his lips twitch. Then he inhaled, knowing that what he was about to do would change their lives forever. And save Naruto's.

"I will come back with you. Not just to stop you from killing yourself...Kami knows what that could do to people... But because I love you too. And as twisted as our relationship is undoubtedly going to be, I want to be...with you." Sasuke said slowly, as though not believing that he was saying what he was saying. Naruto looked at him. The pain in his eyes was still there, but lighened somehow. There was hope there...

"What about Itachi?" Naruto asked. He had to know. If Sasuke was going to leave again in the future, he had to know.

"What you said before…about not being able to kill me? I think…I think I might not be able to kill Itachi. I could defeat him. Hell, maybe I could wound him. But…he's my brother…after everything, he's still my brother." Sasuke said. Naruto nodded. He stood up. Held out a hand to Sasuke.

Sasuke took his hand.

Neither of them let go as they started leaping through the trees.

Neither of them spoke for the weeks it took to get back to Konoha.

But as they jumped in time with each other the three years of torment and anguish and hurt melted away. They weren't the bitter enemies they once were. They were best friends and rivals. They were everything to each other.

The pain was gone.

The hate was gone.

It wasn't too late for them.

Somehow, they both came to the conclusion that it wouldn't ever be too late for them.

So when they reached Konha's gates and stared into the village, their thoughts were the same.

Never too late.

A/N: Just the epilogue to go!!! HAPPY ENDING!!! I think Naruto killing himself would make people cry. But, if you would prefer that ending, contact me and I'll send you an alternate last two chapters. ONCE AGAIN, VIRTUAL COOKIES FOR ALL!!!