A/N: Hello everyone! I have come back to finish this story! I have re-read it and sort of edited it, though it hurt a little to do so, and I have finally decided how I'm going to end it. So expect the rest of the story to be really long.

Lyn: So, the day of reckoning is now upon us…

Sasuke: What are you babbling about now?

Lyn: I'm here!

Naruto: We can see that.

Lyn: I know! I've come back! And to UPDATE no less! It's the end of the world.

Sasuke: As long as you complete the story, it doesn't matter.

Lyn: Heartless as always I see. Wouldn't it be funny if the world ended right when I was about to submit the last chapter?

Naruto: You can't use the end of the world as a reason to procrastinate Lyn.

Lyn: Okay, okay. Fine, let's start now.

Sasuke: Not that I want to give you any type of reason to procrastinate, but aren't you going to read some reviews?

Lyn: Nope. Many of the reviews that I would have replied to are like a year old and I am unsure if those people are even here anymore. So, it's like I'm starting all over again! Well, enough chit-chat. ON WITH THE STORY!

Chapter 6: Reasons

At Sakura's house

Sakura stood there looking in the mirror for a long time. Do I really love Sasuke? She shook her head to push away those thoughts. Of course she did! Who wouldn't? He's smart, hot, mysterious, and strong. Is that all? What else more did you need to fall in love?

She took a quick glance at the rose that lay on her bed and shook her head again. She loved Sasuke. End of story. And she was going to prove it today at the ramen bar. She would leave Sasuke alone if he was already in love with someone else. She would step down and back up. She'd even go out of her way to cheer on whoever the little whore was.

Sakura clenched her fists tightly. No, I can't think that way. Only people in like would insult someone they don't know and who may not even exist. I love Sasuke. If he fell in love with someone else then it was with good reasons!

Sakura nodded her head, took one more glance at the rose, and headed out the door to meet Sasuke.

At the ramen bar

Sakura was already there when Sasuke finally came into the ramen bar. Sasuke wasn't surprised; of course she would try to be there early. If she hadn't been here already he would have just left.

He'd rather be out sparring with Naruto or at least coming to the ramen bar with him instead. But neither was happening so he'd just have to deal with it. He took a seat next to Sakura and ordered a small bowl of miso ramen.

"Ah! Hello Sasuke! I'm so glad you came!" He watched Sakura twiddle her thumbs out of the corner of his eye. Acting like Hinata wasn't going to fool anyone here. Modest was not something Sakura could ever be.

"Hn. I have other things that I need to be doing Sakura so let's just get this over with." He saw her slouch forward a bit before sitting straight back up. "Of course, Sasuke." He watched as she turned towards him and he cocked his head to the side to show that he was listening.

"I've been thinking a lot lately… about us." He made sure to roll his eyes when she looked towards them to let her know that he didn't care. She paused for a minute, looked down at her hands, and then looked back with maybe a little less determination than before. "I-I meant what I said near the bridge. I have one question I want to ask you and depending on how you answer I may have a deal for you."

"I'm listening Sakura." He said as his ramen arrived. Sasuke turned to it and took a bite.

"Are you in love with someone Sasuke?"

Sakura watched as Sasuke stopped himself from getting another bite of ramen and then turned his body completely towards her. He'll say no. He isn't in love with anyone. He never looks at anyone that way. He never hangs around anyone else expect for the team and maybe Iruka sometimes. She held her breath as Sasuke lifted his eyes to stare directly into hers.

"Yes, I am in love with someone." She let out her breath and her shoulders relaxed. Immediately they tensed up again. Why did that make her feel relieved? Is it because she now has an answer as to why he's never looked her away? Or was it something else entirely? Sakura didn't know the answer, but she did know her next question.

"How do you know that you love them?" It was a plausible question. Sasuke had answered the first question with no hesitance and complete confidence, but Sakura had always done that too when she would say she was in love with Sasuke and now even she had some slight doubts about her feelings.

"You said you only had one question." Sakura nodded her head. "I know. I wasn't expecting you to say yes. Now that you have I need to know how you know that it's love and not just something else." Sasuke closed his eyes for a second, but instead of opening his eyes and glaring at her he kept them closed and started speaking with a softer voice. A voice that she'd never heard him use before.

"This person has always been very important to me. I haven't always liked that fact nor have I always accepted it. But I do know that this person is everything to me. I can't explain how I know that it's love. I just do. There isn't a single drop of doubt in my mind that I love them. But I can't put into words a way to explain it. The only thing I can tell you is that they make me happy, and I want to make them happy in return."

Sakura looked away from Sasuke. She couldn't handle the look he was wearing. It was gentle and vulnerable. It was a look she had never seen Sasuke wear and while she felt that she should be basking in this moment of getting to see a side of Sasuke she'd never seen before the truth was – she didn't. It felt as if a bit of the mystery and invincibility that she'd always pictured with Sasuke, even when he left, had just been stripped away from him. That in turn made him a little less appealing to her. But why? Why did she feel this way? She felt like the answer was rising to the top and that any minute now it would break open and be free. She was a little scared to find out what it was, but she needed to know.

"…need to know." She whispered. She looked back at Sasuke to see his eyebrow raised in a silent question and all the vulnerability and gentleness was gone, maybe just a little of the appeal came back.

"I need to know." She put up her hand before Sasuke could say anything. Not that he looked like he would. "As I said, I've been thinking a lot lately and some things have come into light while others have stayed in the dark. I am… unsure of my feelings for you now. I care about you deeply, I think, but I need to dispel these doubts or… I need for my doubts to become real." She stared deep into Sauske's eyes to show that she was being serious. "So here is the deal Sasuke. I want one kiss, only one; right on the lips. After that I will stop chasing you. Have we got a deal?"

Sasuke sat there in silence for a long while before finally asking, "That's it? One kiss and you'll never bother me with dates or your ridiculous claims of love again?"

She nodded her head, and more for her than for him added, "I'm not leaving you alone because you're giving me the kiss. I'm leaving you alone because I believe you when you say you're in love, and-" 'If you fall in love with someone else then I will gladly step down.' "-and the kiss is just for a closure for my feelings, but consider it the sealing of the deal." She felt butterflies swarm into her belly as Sasuke nodded his head.

Sakura closed her eyes tightly as she leaned in for her kiss. There was a voice raving around madly in her mind and she wished it was saying excited things about how she was finally going to get a kiss from Sasuke, but that's not what it was saying. Even as her lips made the first soft impact on his lips the voice just kept repeating over and over:

Please feel something! Please feel anything! Please don't let me feel nothing at all! Please…

He felt dirty. Everything about this kiss was wrong and deep down his heart was aching. This was another betrayal to Naruto. Even if Naruto wasn't his and maybe even if he never was, this was wrong and it was a wrong towards Naruto and Sasuke's own heart.

But Sasuke was trying to be rational. He didn't care for Konoha, and honestly he didn't care for anyone here; except Naruto. For some reason Naruto wanted to stay here even though all of these people treated him as if he was some type of animal that should be locked away forever. Sakura was no different in that aspect and that made this simple act all the more disgusting.

If he could just whisk Naruto away from here and never turn back then he would, but he couldn't take Naruto from the place where he wanted to be even if that place didn't want him to be there. So instead he would make this place want him, or at least respect and accept him. It may take a long time but Sasuke was going to do it. And if he had to start one by one, just like with Sakura, making petty little sacrifices like this, then he would do it.

Strategically this was a good move. Sakura was a part of the team. If he could get her to back away from him, treat Naruto kindly, and also at least accept their future relationship, if there was one, then it would spread to other people that she knew. And for some reason she knew a lot of people and was respected by a lot of people.

Emotionally this was a bad move. God, just a simple touch of the lips made him feel like he was rolling around in manure and suffocating his heart. Even though it lasted only a few seconds it felt like eternity to Sasuke. Thank goodness Naruto wasn't here because he didn't know what he'd do if he saw Naruto with that betrayed expression again after they had finally-

Sasuke's whole body went rigid and he honestly thought for a second that his heart would just drop right out of him. Of course Naruto would walk in. Did he see the kiss? Did he care?

"Old man I'll have some…" Naruto paused and turned his gaze towards the table. What kind of look is he wearing right now? What would those eyes tell Sasuke if they would only look his way? "On second thought, I'll just have some water." Naruto turned his eyes toward the owner who had his eyes opened wide and a look of pain. Sasuke wasn't sure if that pain was because his best customer wasn't interested in ramen or if this man actually cared even the slightest bit more than just Naruto's money.

A few seconds later Naruto's eyes finally reached his. And Sasuke knew how the owner felt because the moment those blue eyes turned to him his eyes also grew slightly wide and he felt the scorching blaze of emotion he had once felt back long ago rise up.

There it was again; the look of betrayal from such honest eyes staring straight through him to his soul. Sasuke's heart did drop this time.

"Naruto! Who said you could interrupt mine and Sasuke's date?" Sasuke's muscle tightened even more. This was not a date. This was a catastrophe. Sakura was ruining everything, no, he was ruining everything. Why had he agreed to kiss that stupid she-beast? Why couldn't he just knock Naruto out and take him away instead?

"I did, get over it. If you're really pissed; go make out with your boyfriend in an ally where YOU belong."

Oh God. "You saw that?" It was meant to be a statement, but it ended up sounding like a question even in his ears. Naruto saw the kiss. Of course he did. That was just Sasuke's luck, or lack thereof.

"Yeah, I did." Sasuke's ears perked up at the cold resentment in Naruto's voice. He might have once thought that it was because he was jealous that Sasuke was kissed by his crush, but after the little scene back on the bridge Sasuke thought it might be more directed at him being jealous at Sakura or even angry at Sasuke for allowing the kiss to happen, or both.

Either way, this could be a sign that there really was true hope for a real relationship with Naruto. He just couldn't mess anything up anymore. "Sasuke, we should go out!"

Sasuke's response was swift, "No." Dammit, why did Sakura always have to make things worse? Every time she opened her mouth something that would ruin everything would pop out. He turned his attention back to Naruto and just barely held back a flinch. Those blue eyes were now seething with detest and disgust and it was all directed straight at him. "So, you aren't even going out with her and you're swapping spit. Never saw you as the lustful type."

"That's not how it is." That was the first thing that came to mind to say. If he could just clear up this misunderstanding or at least show Naruto that there was a misunderstanding then maybe everything would go for the better. He needed to calm Naruto's sudden detest. Sasuke thought a little guilt trip would work. Everyone was a little lustful from time to time. Naruto should be able to sympathize with that and realize that it wasn't fair to get doubly angry about that one fact. "Besides, you're telling me you've never done something just for lust, Dobe?"

"No, in fact, I haven't. I don't lust for things." Well, that was a shocking answer and one that Sasuke wasn't expecting. But it was what Naruto said next and the way his voice went from anger to a more saddened tone that made Sasuke want to hit himself for being so stupid. "Lust fades away… and I don't need anymore things that fade away."

Sasuke really wanted to hit himself. After spewing all that stuff about how everyone has hated on Naruto, he couldn't realize that it might have had major affects to Naruto's self-esteem and sex drive? Of course he wouldn't have lust for anyone in Konoha. Everyone was always abusing him in some way. His guilt trip tactic had backfired. All that guilt was shoved onto Sasuke's shoulders as Naruto started to get up when his water finally reached the table.

"Ch, I'm not surprised that you would only get water, you cheapskate." Sasuke turned to glare at her and was just about to rip a new one for her when Naruto beat him to the punch.

"Well, I spend my money on more important things, unlike you. How many times have you bought dye for your hair to keep it pink? Or how much work have you done to make that forehead look smaller than it used to?" Sasuke wasn't going to lie. Even though it looked like this whole day was going straight in the crapper, Naruto being sarcastic and making rude comments to Sakura was kind of hot. He knew he wasn't the only one staring at Naruto; he was just staring for a different reason.

"What's gotten into you, Naruto? Is that any way to speak to someone you have a crush on!" Oh God. Naruto smirks too. Sasuke didn't think this could get much better.

"Sakura, I don't like you."

That's a good start.

"I never will."

He loved the finality in that statement.

"I never did."

Good to hear, Sasuke can sleep well tonight.

"And if you'd really like to know-"

He, the Sasuke Uchiha, would in fact like to know.

"-I'm GAY!"

There is a God and he loves Sasuke Uchiha. Or there is a devil and he's totally keeping up his end of the bargain. It didn't really matter to Sasuke. Either way, someone loved him or something about him because he just heard the greatest news ever. Well, second greatest. Now all Naruto had to do was shout out, 'And I'm gay for Sasuke!' Right this second, everything would be right with the world.

"I knew there was something off about you, you were always gay!" Strike that; if there's a God, he hates Sasuke and if there's a devil he does NOT keep his word.

"No, just after I met you I changed my sexuality. Meeting you made me disgusted at anything with boobs. Not that you really have boobs in the first place, though."

You know what? Sasuke was okay with other worldly powers hating him. All he needed was Naruto.

"Why are you being so mean Naruto? It's so cruel to make a girl cry!"

Sasuke felt a small tingle go throughout his body as Naruto's eyes glazed over in rage.

"Oh shut up! I'm just giving you what you've been asking for. You've had this coming."

It happened so fast. One second Sasuke was wondering why his body was tingling, the next he was hearing what sounded like an elephant stomping over to Naruto, and then Sakura was slapping Naruto.

"You're so stupid Naruto! No wonder no one likes you!"

Naruto put a hand to his face and then glared at Sakura. Sasuke felt the tingle again. Maybe it was just the sheer force of red hot anger that seemed to be seething out of Naruto that made him tingle. Sasuke watched as Naruto pulled his hand back and slapped Sakura so hard he was sure she'd never be able to look straight again with the way her face whipped to the side.

"No, you stupid bitch, I'm not stupid. And it's not a wonder why no one likes me; it's a wonder why people like you."

With that Naruto stomped off leaving everyone speechless. Well, for a few seconds anyways. The chatter rose slowly at first and then it almost became a riot. Half the people were scared and trembling as they talked about how Naruto need to be locked up. The other half was seething in anger and spewing nonsense about avenging Sakura. No one here knew the first thing about being an avenger.

Sasuke looked over to Sakura in time to see a nasty smile twisting her lips. She wasn't in need of avenging. If anything she seemed happy that she'd been slapped. Her eyes connected with his and she latched on to his arm.

"What an idiot Naruto is! You know I don't know why he stays here. He should just leave if no one likes him. Yeah, if no one likes Naruto then he should be forced to leave. And no one likes Naruto!"

Sasuke wrenched his arm free and gave Sakura a disgusted look which made her step back.

"Sasuke?"

He was sick of hearing all of this garbage. He was so sick of listening to Sakura's mad ramblings. He was so angry that he didn't do anything for Naruto. He needed to find him. Sasuke walked to the opening of the ramen bar and looked over his shoulder. He stared Sakura straight in the eye for a few seconds before turning away and saying loud enough for only her to hear, "I like Naruto."

With that he walked out into the open air…

And right in front of none other than Kakashi.

Sakura wanted to cry. She desperately wanted to cry. In fact, she should cry. It would make Naruto look even worse. But why did she want to cry? Oh, for so many reasons even she was unsure which one was the root of the problem. Right now she felt all jumbled up inside and there was only one thing that she felt certain about; she was going to place all of the blame on Naruto. So she did, and she started by crying her eyes out in front of all the people there and she started rambling about how scared she was for her safety, and how could Naruto do such a thing, and did anyone else feel that dangerous burst of chakra?

Everyone just ate it all up. She knew word would spread fast and that everyone here would exaggerate the truth. So she accepted everyone's tear-filled comforts and raging promises to do something about Naruto. She should feel better now. So why didn't she?

Sakura got up and made a tearful exit outside a few minutes later. She started slowly walking down the streets as she tried to sort out her mixed emotions.

This was all Naruto's fault. He just had to get in the way; he had to be the wall that she had to tear down. He should have just stayed out of the way while Sakura… while she what? What did he get in the way of? What was she doing before Naruto showed up? Oh, right, she met with Sasuke, confessed her confusion to him, made that deal with him, finally got to kiss him, and-

Sakura made her thoughts stop. She gripped the edge of her shirt tightly and tried to breathe more calmly. That's right! Naruto didn't interrupt anything. He had perfect timing because Sakura didn't want to think about that kiss. No, she just couldn't stand to contemplate it and then Naruto walked in and it was perfect. He became a good distraction. Everything she was feeling she could shove onto Naruto because she didn't want to admit to herself the truth.

The truth was…it was…that kiss…Sasuke…it meant-

No! No she didn't want to think about it! Sakura was hurting and it wasn't Naruto's fault. She could admit that truth. It wasn't his fault.

But she was still going to blame him.

That information that she just learned from the others was going to come in handy. She was going to destroy Naruto. Everything that he knows and loves will vanish just like everything Sakura had come to know and understand had vanished.

With a new goal in mind to counteract that which Sakura does not want to admit, she went off on her way to meet up with Iruka. She knew how deeply Naruto cared for him and she also knew that he would be easily fooled.

She was thinking only of the way she'd lie to Iruka and the way she could mess things up. Yes, she was only thinking of that and not that kiss, not that truth that wanted to burst forth. She didn't want to think about that. Sakura knew at the beginning when she was talking to Sasuke that there was something ready to pour out of her mind that would answer all her questions. The truth would finally become known to her.

She didn't want to know anymore. She just wanted to get back at Naruto because surely he deserves all the blame for this.

Surely that is so because who else would take responsibility for all of Sakura's problems?

"Yo."

Sasuke really didn't have time to waste talking to Kakashi. He needed to find Naruto.

"Kakashi… was there something you needed?"

Kakashi stared at Sasuke for a minute before turning to the side. "Yes, I need to talk to you and Sakura about Naruto."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. What could Kakashi have to say about Naruto?

"But let's continue this somewhere private." Kakashi looked back at Sasuke. "This isn't exactly information that other people should know."

Sasuke nodded his head and followed Kakashi. They walked for a few minutes before stopping near a closed book store and a rundown bar.

"Well, here should be fine. No one will disturb us in this part of the village." Kakashi turned to Sasuke, but said nothing. If he thought that silence was going to interest him then he'd have to remind Kakashi that it took more than that to catch his attention.

"You've probably noticed that Naruto has been acting oddly. I've come to tell you that it's because the demon inside of him is slowly taking over."

Well that certainly caught his attention.

A/N: There you go. After all this time, here is chapter six. I was initially going to write a shit ton more, so much that the next chapter would have been the last, but let's face it; if I'd tried that you'd never see an update from me. Also, if you're wondering who the title of the chapter refers to… the hell if I know. I couldn't think of a title so you can come up with some reasons of your own for why it's called that.

Lyn: And now we wait.

Naruto: Wait for what?

Lyn: Wait to see what happens. The future of this story and all others are dependent on the feedback that this chapter gets.

Sasuke: What kind are you looking for?

Lyn: Oh I'm not looking for any kind. Even if this story gets no feedback at all, that'll be answer in and of itself.

Naruto: Then what are you hoping for?

Lyn: Honestly, I don't know. I'm not writing for myself, I'm writing for the readers. I guess maybe I'm hoping they're still there.

Sasuke: I guess we'll find out. Ja ne.

-To be continued…-