Standard Disclaimer applies.

SasuNaru, Yaoi, OOC and unbeta-ed

Author's Notes: To be honest, the number of reviews scares me because it shows that a lot of people are reading this and the need to meet everybody's expectation is getting stronger but rest assured that the reason why I am writing this has not changed. Anyway, I am glad that you guys are enjoying this. To one of my anonymous reviewer, Suri: I'll correct the mistake I committed ASAP. Thank you for pointing that out.

Chapter 13: Because you are important to me

My greatest secret desire is for you to be mine alone…

In a candle-lit room that reeked with the scent of sex and sweat, comfortable silence was broken by soft pants as the occupants steadied their breathing after attaining a mind-blowing orgasm.

A very satiated Sasuke who was still intimately connected with Naruto lazily doodled on the latter's back as he savored the moment with his lover who knew would be leaving soon. It was moments like this that he wished things were like what they were 2 years ago.

Few months ago, his only competition for the blonde's affection and attention was ramen and spending time with the blonde in anyway and anytime they wanted posed no problem. He had the blonde all by himself whether they were doing training or resting. But all of that had changed when Naruto became Rokudaime.

When he became the hokage, Sasuke's competition for his time, attention and love was Konoha and he found it very hard to win over the village. The only time his blonde automatically accommodate him in his hectic schedule was when he came back after missions that would take him away from the village 3 days and above, like right now.

When Naruto straddled him, he nibbled the inside of his mouth to stop himself from asking the blonde to stay longer. He wanted to reach out and pull him back when he moved away from the bed but he knew it was futile so he just watched as his wife put on his clothes.

He knew on those shoulders that bear his marks were the welfare of the village; dreams and aspirations of each villager; the trust and demands of his subordinates and his responsibilities as a hokage. Naruto's heart and body did not belong to either of them, he knew that but sometimes his possessive personality and the part that wanted to be pampered needed to be the center of the blonde's everything. He wanted to burn the hokage robe that Naruto just carefully donned and proudly wore. He just wanted Naruto to be his… always his, only his.

Naruto gave Sasuke a blinding smile then arched an eyebrow when he noticed the latter's scowl. He went to the bed and hovered above the dark-haired ninja.

"Sasuke bastard, you look like something precious was taken away from you."

"Yeah, you!" he growled. It didn't matter if he sounded so jealous because in reality he was. He just couldn't stop this wretched emotion.

The blonde gave him an apologetic look, "Sasuke-"

"Go now, Naruto. You are needed by the village," he said, jealousy now dripping from his voice.

"Sasuke, when I became Rokudaime I didn't give my soul, couldn't give it even if I wanted to because you already owned it," having said that with conviction, he gave his husband a gentle kiss before he disappeared to attend to his duty.

Sasuke remained frozen until his dobe's words finally registered in his mind and when they did, happiness fluttered in his heart like thousands of butterfly. Grinning, he grabbed and hugged the blonde's pillow, inhaling his scent. With Naruto's words echoing softly in his mind, he soon fell asleep with a smile on his face.

- SasuNaru is love -

Sasuke looked over the village he had sworn to protect since he returned from Orochimaru, his hands itching to destroy the village. Everyday he found his hatred towards Konoha increasing. For him, the village was a threat to his relationship with Naruto and his instincts told him to eliminate all threats to protect what was precious to him.

What would happen if he gave in to his urge? How would Naruto react when he learned that it was his husband who was destroying the village? Would he fight him? Sasuke didn't have to ponder the answer to that last question. He was utterly convinced that Naruto would fight him and would even go as far as killing him and that made Sasuke hate Konoha more. He realized that he couldn't win against Konoha in any way. Dammit.

"Sasuke, what are you thinking?" he heard Naruto asked childishly as the latter joined him in the Hokage mountain.

"I just realized that I couldn't win against this village no matter what I do," he replied with his voice carrying a pain of betrayal. How could his village take away the only person that mattered to him?

Naruto frowned. He knew Sasuke was insecure and at first, he thought it was cute. Who knew that the all mighty Uchiha could get so insecure? But such insecurity happened so frequently that the novelty of the idea was gone within a month but he endured it all until now.

"Would you get over that insecurity already? I am already tired of trying to assure you almost every week!"

Sasuke didn't miss the exasperation in the blonde's voice and that angered him. He glared at that beautiful face and snapped, "It's your being Hokage that made me like this. If you care to think about things that has nothing to do with this damned village, you'd realize that it's your position that is ruining things between us!"

Anger flared in his blue eyes making them too dark for comfort. Unable to stop himself, he punched Sasuke and never even bothered helping him to stand up when he landed on the ground.

"And I'm surprise that in your reflection of this marriage, you never even thought that it was half of my fault as it is yours. Have you forgotten that it was you who spend your time so much with the mission, leaving me all alone? It seemed to me that your work had become your wife, Sasuke!" There was jealousy in his voice now. Jealousy and pain.

"Because you were never there when I needed you!"

"And I supposed you were there when I needed you too?"

Two pairs of angry eyes clashed with one another for a full minute before Sasuke turned away. "You'd never understand what I'm feeling, Naruto."

That statement irritated the blonde more. "Never?" he echoed darkly. There were a lot of things he had bottled within him, things he thought were inappropriate to be brought up between him and Sasuke but this time, he couldn't stop himself.

"Then tell me what I was feeling when all you could think about was Itachi this, Itachi that, revenge, the need to be stronger and power?" he demanded, his voice getting louder. Sasuke just stared at him, surprised to hear Naruto's confession.

"What was I feeling then when I realized that you were too blinded to even see that I cared for you more than as your rival; as your teammate or as your friend? Or when you went to Orochimaru? Or when youfought against Itachi and all I could do was watch in fear knowing that my feelings, no matter how strong they are, couldn't reach the world that traitor created for you? Or when you spend too much with your ANBU team? Or when you spend so much of your time with missions?"

Sasuke continued staring at his spouse. All of Naruto's words were registered in his mind but he couldn't stop thinking that he was so beautiful in his angry confession. He wanted to reach out and he did but Naruto didn't want the touch.

"All these times, did I ask for any assurance? Did I need assurance that I was not a nobody in your eyes? That I was your rival, your teammate, your friend and your wife?"

"No, you didn't."

"Because I don't need them, Sasuke. I just watched you walked away never running after you except when you left for Orochimaru or leaving the place where you left me because I know that you would return to me because my stupidity told me that I am your home." With that said, Naruto left.

Sasuke stared at the ground where his spouse once stood, feeling ashamed of himself and proud of Naruto. Naruto's last sentences showed his maturity and compared to the blonde, the Uchiha found himself so immature. Also, for many years, his blonde had suffered insecurity yet he was still confident while he, on the other hand, was suffering that feeling for few months and couldn't even endure it. How pathetic of him. He had to give it to Naruto. He was strong… stronger than Sasuke could ever be and the dark-haired ninja found himself falling in love deeper if that was possible.

He decided to apologize to Naruto so he went to the hokage's office where he knew the blonde was. When he walked into the office, Naruto straightened immediately, shove a paper across the table and indicated for him to read it. Sasuke glancedat the paper and his eyes widened as few words glared at him. He felt his heart beating faster and louder, he could feel the veins in his head pulsating and he suddenly felt light-headed.

What had he done?

He looked at Naruto wondering if it was joke but all he saw in those blue pools was fierce determination. It was obvious that Naruto finally made his decision.

"Clearly say it Sasuke if you want me to resign. The moment you do, I will immediately send this to the council. I'd throw, give or surrender anything even my life and dream just to make you stay with me because dammit, bastard, no matter how I think about it, I couldn't be me without you."

He looked at his love then back at the paper. The ball was in his hands now. Could he allow Naruto to do this without regretting it at the end? Without hating himself for being so selfish and immature? Could he do it?

He stole a glance from Naruto once more and he observed that he was as firm as before and he was looking at him, not with hatred but with compassion, understanding and love. And then it hit Sasuke. All this time he had been wanting assurances when the perfect assurance was right in front of him – Naruto's love. Naruto loved him so much that he wouldn't mind giving up the thing he wanted the most since he was still a child.

Sasuke, when I became Rokudaime I didn't give my soul, couldn't give it even if I wanted to because you already owned it.

He finally understand what those words mean and damned him for being so blind with insecurity that he couldn't see the glaring truth.

Naruto heard the paper being torn into two before he felt himself pulled against a familiar hard chest and surrounded by warm arms.

"You can be the hokage as long as you want, Naruto because it's okay now. I finally understand your words," Sasuke whispered.

Naruto leaned against him, "For a genius, it took you long enough, bastard!"

"You bring the best and worst in me, dobe."

The blonde sighed and settled his head against his partner's left shoulder. "I'm sorry for the right hook and for the outburst," he said, his breath fanning against Sasuke's neck and he planted a soft skin against the creamy skin.

Sasuke's hold tightened, "I'm sorry for outburst too and for being immature." He slightly turned his head to deliver a kiss on Naruto's right temple.

"I'm sorry for making you feel insecure because of the job." Another brush of lips against his neck.

"I'm sorry for making you feel that way too for god knows how long." Another peck on the temple.

They fell silent for a few seconds before Naruto chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

Naruto slightly leaned back and replied "I just find our situation amusing."

The ANBU Captain was about to comment that he didn't see it that way when he felt a slim pointer finger placed against his lips and he found being swallowed up by blue pools dancing in mirth.

"Just kiss me, bastard."

And Sasuke did.

TBC

I think this is the time that I should bid goodbye to some of you guys because from here on, the story covers (the dreaded?) male pregnancy. I could have continued this fic as it is - just the two of them but the adventurous side of me wanted to try MPREG. - smiles - But despite MPREG, the fic still focuses more on their interaction as a married couple. Anyway, thank you and goodbye. It had been fun.