"Foolish Hearts"
'Chapter Twenty-Two'
Sasuke took Naruto's hand then, giving it a quick shake.
That's...what he was supposed to do, right?
Sasuke's black eyes still had their unsure hue, his lips tugged into a curious frown as the blonde continued to stare at him like there was something else he should be doing.
...he felt strange.
Sasuke stood on the porch, a little confused where his things were.
...did he only own these clothes?
Shikamaru didn't give him anything.
Maybe his things were here? Had he been living here long?
Sasuke tucked his hands in his pockets; like he had seen Shikamaru do, clearly child-like in his ability to mimic. "It's pretty." The Uchiha said softly, referring to the garden around the home.
Naruto nodded slowly as he looked over his shoulder to the garden. He gazed at the flowers for a brief moment, before looking back at Sasuke.
He seemed unsure of what to do.
Poor kid.
"Did...did you want to see it?" He asked almost unsure.
Sasuke looked towards the flowers then to Naruto. "Mm, if that's what the Hokage-sama wants?"
That sounded stupid…
Sasuke kept his frown, looking back to the garden a flush on his porcelain cheeks -- looking everything like a child and not the demon of a man he had once been.
...Sasuke was truly gone.
Naruto felt his chest constrict…
Hokage-sama…
But he murmured it without the purr to his voice...
He was being formal with him.
Sighing, Naruto gave him a small smile. "Just Naruto."
Sasuke nodded slightly, "Naruto." He experimented with the name, letting it roll off his tongue and yet the flush didn't leave.
...the leader of the whole village was smiling at him; telling him to call him by his first name.
Sasuke hoped they hadn't known each other long. He really didn't know who he was and he was feeling a little bad about it.
The fox turned from Sasuke and started towards the garden, "C'mon." He kept his light smile up, as he walked, barefoot towards the back gate. Reaching down to the latch at his knees he lifted it up and swung the door open. "You can spend as much time back here as you'd like." He started his voice still soft. "There's a koi pond in the far corner, so watch your step..." He warned waving off to the opposite end of the garden.
Sasuke followed the Hokage-sama, walking down the path looking here and there and trying to imprint it to his empty mind. "Did you plant all this?" Sasuke asked with a light tone, his black eyes clearly wondering as he surveyed the property.
So much color…
It was so bright, everything smelled so good.
Naruto paused slightly as he stood a few feet from the circle, his hands moved down to his shorts, resting easily in his pockets. "Not all of it..." He answered quietly, his eyes glancing towards the circle briefly.
Sasuke seemed captivated by the flowers and the garden.
...just a child.
"Not all of it?" Sasuke was hanging on Naruto's words, the second voice to enter his mind -- the second he would train to memory.
...he knew no one else.
He walked towards the circle, almost drawn to it, his body moving on it's own as he reached to touch the petals of the forget me nots; moving towards the center of the circle -- his hand touching the rough leaves of the cypress.
...why...did this feel familiar?
Sasuke turned to the kitsune, his black eyes weighing confusion. "I like this place." He stated simply, telling it like it is -- nodding to himself as if to confirm his thought.
Naruto grinned softly down at the man. He watched the lithe, long fingers move off the bright blue pedals as he moved further into the circle.
The child was exploring, testing his new surroundings.
"You can come out here whenever you feel like..." Naruto reassured. His heart was beating heavily in his chest, the pain making breathing a bit difficult, but he smiled despite it all.
It was almost crueler to stare at the shell of his former lover.
To see the hands, arms and lips that had loved him roughly, passionately and gently...now reduced to childish curiosity, to mere innocence.
Moving forwards, the fox moved to crouch next to Sasuke, his forearms resting on his knees. "...You-You're going to be living with me...so it's okay to come out here, alright?"
Sasuke turned his bright black eyes up to the kitsune's, looking at the man, taking in his feigned smile.
Hm…
"Why're you sad?" Sasuke tilted his head, loose raven locks favoring one side, his tone so quiet -- completely sincere.
Sasuke could see through Naruto's smile…
...the real Sasuke was still there; deep down somewhere, telling him that Naruto was faking.
...it felt familiar almost; yet at the same time completely foreign.
It was weird.
"Sad?" Naruto blinked and sat back slightly.
How?
How had he seen through the smile?
He let out a sigh and stood up, "I'll tell you later...still sad to talk about."
Sad?
Sasuke didn't like seeing Naruto sad.
"You don't have to tell me." The Uchiha said bravely despite his childish curiosity. He slowly got up from the patch of earth, following the Hokage-sama up the porch and into the home.
...their home.
Right?
Sasuke peered down the halls, confused to where his room was.
He frowned; he really wished he would start remembering things soon. What was wrong with him? "Where's...my room?" Sasuke said the same flush on his cheeks as he stood there awkwardly.
Naruto paused in the hall way and looked over his shoulder towards Sasuke. "Oh...Um.." He looked back towards the rooms. "I have to go set it up..." He blushed slightly.
Set up..?
Didn't he live here?
Maybe he didn't..?
Sasuke stood at the beginning of the hall, just staring at the space, watching as Naruto disappeared into one of the rooms. Sasuke couldn't help it -- he found himself walked down the empty space, towards the end of the hall, moving to the door on the left.
He pushed it open...
Just standing in the doorway, noticing the bed and the scattered sheets, the clothes on the floor and the chair next to the night table.
...the window was open.
Oh!
Sasuke walked towards the window, completely ignoring the fact he was invading the Hokage-sama's personal space, walking to the window and opening it further. He could see the garden from here. Sasuke smiled then, inhaling the fresh scent of spring, his palms on the window sill as he looked out towards the expanse of greenery.
He liked the garden...
But…he wasn't so sure why he enjoyed it so much.
Naruto easily moved about the room, pulling out clean sheets and re-making the bed. He pushed the window open, letting fresh air into the room. He had a small view of the garden, but it didn't compare to the one he had from his own room. Quickly finishing, he stepped out of the room but the hall way was empty, "Sasuke?" He called out; he looked towards the living room, but heard nothing.
His door was open...
He had been sure that he had closed it...
Sliding the door open a bit more, he caught sight of the Uchiha and almost called out to him, but paused, the man's eyes were bright, almost excited as he gazed at the garden. He leaned against the wall, his arms gently holding himself.
So innocent and childlike…
He smiled gently to himself, trying to keep the sadness from his eyes.
...at least...
…at least, Sasuke, this new Sasuke was happy…
Clueless, but happy.
Sasuke hadn't noticed Naruto right away; but when he did his eyes quickly averted to his feet and he turned stiffly from the window. "Sorry Hokage-sama.." Sasuke murmured softly, "…the view was so nice from here." He kept his eyes on his feet -- a child ready to be scolded.
Naruto felt nervous as Sasuke backed away, as if he were in trouble. "You're fine." He reassured as he stepped forwards He reached out and set a hand on the man's shoulder and turned him towards the window. "It is a nice view..." He added. "Do you think you did something wrong?" He asked gently, his blue eyes trying to catch the dark eyes.
Sasuke allowed himself to be turned back to the window, Naruto's large warm hand on his shoulder and his body close to his.
He liked Naruto...
He didn't want him upset with him.
"This is you're room." Sasuke said simply, "I should have asked before I came in here." He looked out towards the garden, absently biting his lower lip, "Shikamaru told me to respect you and your things."
Naruto let out a laugh at Shikamaru's words through Sasuke. He couldn't help it, Shikamaru telling someone to be respectful. "God, that's funny." he chuckled and rested his elbows against the window sill. "Shikamaru's the laziest man I know," Naruto smiled gently. "Don't worry, I'm laid back, you don't have to be so formal with me. Just be yourself."
Be myself?
Who...is myself?
Sasuke frowned, trying to think but nothing came to him.
...his mind was a blank slate.
Sasuke tilted his head to the garden before he pulled away from it, moving away from Naruto unsure what this pain in his heart was.
...he didn't like it.
"Where's my room?" He asked suddenly, turning his bright black eyes on the fox.
Naruto raised an eyebrow as the man -boy- moved away from the window..
Was...did he say something wrong?
"Its...its just down the hall.." he murmured standing back up, he started towards Sasuke, and gently set his hand on the small of his back and guided him out of the room. "It's right here."
Sasuke let himself be guided, not minding the Hokage-sama's hand on his back, allowing himself to be guided to the room on the opposite side of the hall, just opposite of Naruto's. Sasuke pushed the door open, the bed was perfectly made; there was a dresser and a night table just like Naruto's room.
There wasn't a chair here though…
What was that chair doing in Naruto's room? It had looked out of place; but maybe he shouldn't ask.
Sasuke walked towards the window, looking out and having to crane his neck to see the garden. He didn't like that -- he liked Naruto's view better, he could see the flowers and the pond from there. Sasuke turned from the window, moving to sit on the bed.
...it felt stiff.
Almost un-used.
Sasuke turned his eyes up to the kitsune, "Has this been my room long?"
Naruto shook his head, "No.." He answered truthfully. He leaned against the door frame, "...Don't worry." The fox didn't know what to do or say. The whole situation was just so weird. Sasuke had the mind of a child; he didn't know how to take care of child! "...It'll be alright." He licked his lips nervously. "Umm..." He looked back over to man, "…Do…you need anything?"
"No." Sasuke remained on the bed, just watching Naruto with his keen childish gaze. He tilted his head curiously, "Isn't it too early to go to bed?" Sasuke kicked his shoes off on the floor -- he hadn't taken them off at the door, he should've but he had forgot.
...he hoped Naruto didn't mind.
"Want to do something?" He asked simply enough.
Naruto tilted his head slightly.
Do something?
"...What did you want to do?" He asked quietly.
"What do we normally do?" Sasuke asked, still perched on the bed, absently kicking his feet as he sat there…feeling just a little awkward.
Naruto felt a blush rise on his cheeks…
He couldn't tell Sasuke the truth now!
He shifted uncomfortably against the door frame and swallowed…
...Now what?
Everything was awkward now.
He felt his chest twinge at Sasuke's question though…
He rubbed at his heart and let out a small sigh. "..You know, it's been a long day." He mumbled, "...We," He paused as he carefully pushed off the door frame, "We need to get new clothes for you…"
"New clothes?" Sasuke had caught the play of emotion in Naruto's eyes and was unsure what to make of it. "What's wrong with these ones?" For all he knew they were clean; they smelled new -- he had tugged up the fabric and inhaled it with his nose, exposing his white stomach.
Naruto adverted his eyes, the blush darkening. "Well," How to explain that you're former lover, who wasn't dead, was wearing his clothes without making it sound weird..? "...those are the only ones you have.."
Blushing?
Sasuke found himself drawn to Naruto, confused by the dark cheeks.
He lifted his hands, placing them on Naruto's scarred cheeks, his deft fingers tracing the whisker-like grooves. "Why're you all red?"
The fox blinked owlishly as Sasuke's hands caught his cheeks. He hadn't notice the man move. "Ahh.. Just...warm." It was a difficult thing to stay still and not lean into the fingers; warm and calloused tips, but holding a gentle touch.
Sasuke's touch...
God…
His chest clench again, and he tried not to gasp at the feel.
But it was cool.
The window was open.
Naruto wasn't making sense.
Sasuke frowned, his bright black eyes remaining on the kit's face, his fingers still gently holding Naruto close to him. "Naruto?" He questioned, clearly not believing his statement and yet the childish Uchiha had yet to pull away.
...there was no hidden intentions, just an innocent curiosity.
The fox's eyes moved away from the childish orbs. His fingers were shaking ever so slightly as he reached up to gently pull the man's hands from his face. "...I think it's time for bed." He murmured quietly. He looked away as he slowly slid out from Sasuke's grip. "..If- if you need anything, I'm...just down the hall." He pointed to his room, but he knew Sasuke knew where it was. He had to force himself to let go of Sasuke's wrists, had to keep himself from caressing the smooth skin. His breathing was becoming erratic, and he could feel the rest of him start to break.
He needed to lie down, "..good night.."
Sasuke watched as the blonde left, his brows furrowed as he still felt the warmth from the blonde's hands on his wrists.
...why were Naruto's palms sweaty?
Was he sick?
He had to be...
It was the middle of the day and he had said goodnight.
Did he do something wrong..?
Sasuke bowed his head; he was already screwing up wasn't he?
He drew his knees up against his chest, resting his chin on them as he closed his eyes, just inhaling the sweet smell of spring as it wafted in through the window.
--
A/N:
Another chapter down! Hope you guys are still sticking with it so far. Please leave another review and we'll get another chapter out as soon as we can. Thanks!