Standard Disclaimer applies.

SasuNaru, Yaoi, OOC and unbeta-read

To all reviewers, thank you very much. Your reviews always give me courage to continue posting. Sorry for the late update.

Chapter 12: Living in the past

The beam of sunlight that filtered through the window above the bed woke Naruto up. Yawning, he stretched his body getting rid of the kinks before he scooted to Sasuke's side of the bed for some morning cuddle only to find that he was alone.

The intense heaviness of his heart told him what the day means to his mate and where he was. As much as he wanted to go to the Nakano shrine and comfort him he didn't. Although the place was not off limits to him, he never went there, much less even thought of doing so. To him the place was something sacred and his presence- the presence of an Uchiha by mere marriage would desecrate it. Besides even though his company was not unwelcome he knew Sasuke wanted to be alone and brood. And Naruto would let him for just this day.

He could feel the gloominess emanating not only from the house but from the whole estate as everything within moaned for the atrocity they had witnessed years ago. The whole negative atmosphere dampened his mood making his blue eyes darken. Not wanting to be suffocated, he decided to leave the place immediately after he had taken a shower. He would take his breakfast at Iruka-sensei's place knowing that the teacher and Kakashi wouldn't mind his sudden visit.

-SasuNaru is love-

The silence within the secret meeting place of the Uchiha clan contrasted the emotional turbulence of its only visitor since the Uchiha bloodbath. Sasuke didn't fight the onslaught of bittersweet memories or the images of the death of his clan. The pain evoked by these memories couldn't b washed away by the memory of how Itachi died by his hands. In fact remembering that intensified the pain.

-SasuNaru is love-

By the end of the day Sasuke came out from the room and found out it was raining hard. Shrugging, he walked towards the main door of the shrine. He stopped when he saw someone standing outside, an umbrella shielding him from the rain.

Naruto, who had been waiting for Sasuke for quite awhile now, turned around when he felt his presence. The smile that Naruto sent to Sasuke made the latter think that the sun was no longer hidden by dark clouds.

"Sasuke" Naruto called out then started running to his mate.

"Dobe," Sasuke muttered as the blonde stood in front of him. His dobe pouted before he explained, "It's raining and since you are not bringing an umbrella, I decided to come here."

"Thanks." And Naruto knew the dark-haired ninja was thanking not only for the umbrella .He leaned up on his toes to kiss both of Sasuke's puffy eyes before adding, "Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei invited us for dinner and I agreed. I hope you don't mind." Naruto then ended it with a pout and a puppy eyes that a small smile tugged at the corner of Sasuke's lips.

"I don't."

He reached for the umbrella Naruto used instead of the extra the latter brought for him. Then, he slung his arm around his dobe and together they walked away from his past only to be revisited again next year.

TBC

It was very short, ne?