Kyaa The 50th chapter. This is the longest fanfiction I have written so far. Knowing that I have a very short span of interest and attention, I'm very surprised that I still hadn't dump this fic. But what's there to be surprise. I manage to come this far because in your own way, you guys gave me the strength to continue. Your warm reviews always give me inspiration. So with flaming youthful passion, let us walk down this SasuNaru road we have chosen together. Thank you very much.

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Chapter 50: Gentle, sweet love

During moments when she was just sitting on the teacher's desk while her students were doing their seatwork, her eyes would wander to look outside because beyond the stone walls curling around Konoha and beyond the lush forest was her loved one risking his life and all she could do was to wait for his return.

She didn't have to look at the calendar to know that Yuuzuki was coming home that day. She could simply tell judging by the excitement and dread which were increasing every day -excitement because she would see him again and dread because she kept on thinking that they would be ambushed on their way home.

She finally understood what her father felt every time her silver-haired daddy was away from home. She finally understood why waiting was sorrow too.

Come home, Yuuzuki.

-SasuNaru is love-

Yuuzuki's heart felt light while pain and exhaustion vanished the moment he stepped inside the village. He stifled the urge to skip the debriefing and just go to the academy to see her.

I'm home, Yukina.

-SasuNaru is love-

Just few meters away from their usual meeting place, Yukina paused to make sure she was presentable in Yuuzuki's eyes before she continued walking.

The place they chose as their rendezvous was an inconspicuous area within the premise of Konoha's fauna center. Although their relationship wasn't something to be ashamed of or to be hidden, both of them didn't want anyone, especially Yuuzuki's fan club to make a big fuss about it or make their relationship a public affair.

She stood in front of her boyfriend who was sleeping against a tree. But instead of waking him up, she watched him, admiring how the wind gently tousled his damp hair. She guessed he had taken a shower before he come her.

She let out a surprised gasp as a hand held her wrist. She almost forgot to breathe when her eyes met piercing blue ones.

"It's rude to stare," Yuuzuki stated half-seriously.

"It's bad for a ninja to be vulnerable," she countered with a smile of her own.

Yuuzuki arched an eyebrow, "are you a threat?"

Yukina let herself be dragged to kneel in front of the lad. "Do you want me to?" she whispered quietly.

"Yeah, I want you to," was his reply, eyeing that voluptuous red-rose lips.

Yukina grinned before her lips met Yuuzuki halfway. She shivered at the mere contact. It was too much yet not enough. She gripped his shoulders to steady herself as she felt her legs getting weaker. She was definitely turning into goo.

He pulled her while pressing closer. He missed her. He missed this contact. He missed her sweetness, the same sweetness that made his every fiber tremble in a way the adrenaline caused by battle couldn't.

They pulled away breathless and dazed. Yukina leaned her head against his chest while Yuuzuki's left arm wrapped her.

"Now that we have that out from our system..." he looked down at her, "how was the two-month mission?" he asked jokingly. Between both of them, Yukina looked more exhausted.

His girlfriend lightly slapped his chest and he flinched, a reaction that didn't go unnoticed by the girl.

"Dealing with hyper-active or restless kids is more or equal to ANBU missions." Then she touched his chest and the playfulness in her voice disappeared, "You're injured?" It was more of a statement than an inquiry.

"Just a hideous bruise and a pretty bad wound but no need to worry by tomorrow they'll be gone without a trace."

"But what if it would become a problem later on?" Sometimes, Yukina's worrying reminded him of his uncle Iruka too much.

Yuuzuki leaned against the tree, "If that happens, Mi-chan will do her thing."

"Ah～. I forgot that you're the brother of the rising medic-nin apprentice."

The lad chuckled, "Is there anything you want to do today?"

"Just give me a moment or two to rest and then we can start planning."

He nodded and let her shift to a more comfortable position.

In her exhaustion, she had fallen asleep and Yuuzuki didn't wake her up. Every now and then in his time observing her, he'd doze off. But even then his senses were in alert for anything that was a threat to his love. To protect her meant protecting his heart and his future.

-SasuNaru is love-

Yukina mumbled incoherently as the incessant shaking of her shoulder disturbed the only peaceful sleep she had since two months ago. She forced her heavy eyes open.

"Sorry to wake you up but it's already thirty minutes past nine."

That information jarred her to full awakening. "What?" she almost screeched. "What about dinner?"

"We could stop by somewhere but after that I have to take you home. I'm sure uncle Iruka is worried sick about you."

"I'm sorry about today. You should have woken me up."

"But you were sleeping deeply that I would feel like I'm an ass if I wake you up. Besides, I like watching you." He then smirked as Yukina blushed cutely. He stood up and offered his hand which she took it immediately.

-SasuNaru is love-

It was almost around ten-thirty when the young couple reached Yukina's house. By then Iruka and Kakashi were sitting outside obviously on the look out for her.

"Yukina! Where in heavens were you?" a relieved Iruka cried out.

"Sorry for making you worried. I was just with friends and didn't notice the time until sometime past ten. Then Yuuzuki and I bumped into each other and he volunteered to walk me home."

It was only then did the two notice that there was another presence.

"Hello," Yuuzuki greeted pleasantly.

"Yuu-kun, we didn't know you're there," Iruka added sheepishly.

Kakashi nodded while his eye took the shape of an inverted U as he smiled cheerfully. "Sorry for causing you trouble," he added.

"Don't mind about it," was the lad's reply. "I'm leaving now. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Iruka and Yukina bid in chorus.

"Yuu, can you accompany me somewhere?"

He could have refused but Kakashi was looking at him in a way that made refusal an insult so he nodded. And the two disappeared leaving the impression that they went somewhere far. But contrary to what Kakashi's family was thinking, they were just at the apartment building's rooftop.

Kakashi leaned against the railway while eyeing the lad who was trying not to fret. "You and my daughter are bumping into each other a lot," he commented casually.

"Konoha became a smaller place," was Yuuzuki's automatic reply. Once the words registered in his mind, he mentally kicked himself. He knew the man in front of him was considered as one of Konoha's geniuses and one of the most perspective men too and yet here he was automatically trying to convince Kakashi that there was nothing going on between him and their daughter.

Kakashi looked more amused than insulted at the blatant lie. "Or you're dating," he supplied. He smiled when the boy hang his head to hide his blushing face but no words of denial or confirmation came from him but his flushed face was enough. He tapped his left cheek and asked, "How long have you been dating?"

"Four months," he replied quietly.

The jounin arched an eyebrow, impressed that they were able to hide such relationship from the public for that long.

"Yuuzuki?"

"Yes?"

"Iruka and I don't mind who Yukina is dating as long as the guy won't do anything that would merit our killing him."

The young Uchiha knew Kakashi was serious and was giving a warning.

"I'll take care of her," he said just to reassure the other man. He may not look like it but he knew the older man wanted to hear it.

"I trust you but that doesn't mean she can come home past ten thirty."

"I'm sorry about that."

Kakashi nodded, "I want her to be home by ten and she come home later than that, I want you to send a word."

"Clear."

Now that things were settled between them, Kakashi was back to his cheerful and pervert self. He whipped out his favorite book and said as if he was offering his favor, "I'll teach you the basic of pleasure first."

"P-p-pervert," Yuuzuki said as his face became as red as tomato.

"This is preparation not perversion. This will be useful in the future. As Yukina's father-"

"S-shut up!" How he wished he could take those orange books and burn them. A lot of people would be happy if he did so.

Kakashi chuckled as he watched the lad growing redder and redder, totally amused.

-SasuNaru is love-

"Ne," Naruto started in a conspiratorial voice during their breakfast when Yuuzuki had left earlier to train with his team. "Don't you think Yuu is happy in an unusual way?"

"Perhaps he overloaded himself with sweets as usual?" Miki suggested quickly.

Naruto shook his head, "it's different from his saccharine-induced happiness. It's more like... ah..." he trailed off trying to find the right term. The aura the boy was emanating was way too familiar. As if he-

"…is in love," Akemi stated helpfully.

Naruto's chopstick cluttered to the floor. That was the word he was looking for to describe Yuuzuki's aura and that goofy smile that seemed to appear more too often.

Sasuke looked taken aback when big blue and watery eyes gazed at him. A pouting Naruto said, "Sasuke, our Yuuzuki is now grown up and all."

Kisho giggled.

Before Sasuke could say anything, the tearful Naruto was replaced by a mischievous one.

"Any idea who is she?" Naruto continued.

The three siblings shook their head at the same time. Four pair of eyes looked at Sasuke.

"No idea," he replied. He only heard of rumors in the ANBU circuit about Yuuzuki dating someone. But since there was no confirmation from Yuuzuki and the boy looked more interested in his profession, the rumors died.

And Naruto's mischievous grin grew wider as he suggested, "Let's stalk him for an hour or so. I'm sure they'll go out today."

Silence was the only reaction he got from his family.

"It's a good way to improve and test one's stealth," he added convincingly.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, "don't cover it up with that."

"Love to but I promised to meet Makoto," Kisho said.

"Team training," Miki said and even if she wanted to she couldn't skip the training because her sensei, Mao would punish her more than such act deserved.

"Mission," Akemi said.

Disappointed, their blond father pouted, "You guys aren't cooperating."

Sasuke flicked his right ear, "Dobe, you're acting like a jealous mother."

"Of course not," he denied fiercely. "How about it, Sasuke?"

"Not interested."

Naruto remembered something from their childhood. He chuckled before he put on a worried look as he voiced out his worries.

"Is she beautiful?"

Sasuke knew where this was heading. He won't fall for such trap. Anyway, he knew the girl was beautiful. It was innate for every Uchiha to have fine taste for beauty.

"Would she be an ordinary girl?"

No, probably not. Uchihas were and never would be attracted to anything common or ordinary.

"Is she a lesser ninja?" Naruto took a sideway glance at his spouse and could feel his resolve crumbling at such question. "From what clan she belongs."

Yes, Sasuke was curious with her identity.

"Is she suited for him?"

Sasuke wanted to know that too.

"Is she an opportunist?"

Hmm... That was his greatest fear- for his children to be used by some social climber or gold-digger.

"Is she deserving of the title as the wife of the heir of the Uchiha clan and inevitably the clan's right hand?"

It was too early to think of Yuuzuki and marriage but what if...

"Or-"

"I got your point, dobe."

Naruto grinned and flashed a v sign to their kids who shook their heads in amusement. "Don't tell Yuu," he warned.

-SasuNaru is love-

That was how Naruto, who dumped his work on his clone, and Sasuke ended up following their eldest. Naruto didn't feel any remorse and seemed to be in an all-out mode while the same thing couldn't be said to the ANBU captain who seemed to look guilty every minute.

They watched as the young Uchiha entered the fauna center. There was only one person they knew who was working at that place.

"He's dating the Yamanaka girl!" Sasuke asked.

"If that's the case then it's bad," Naruto stated truthfully. They could imagine Ino being happy about it. She'd gloat over it and she'd rub it on Sakura's face. Then their not-so-friendly rivalry would start once again.

"Did I make you wait?" they heard a very familiar melodious voice asked.

They peeked through the leaves of the tree they were hiding. Unfortunately, Yuuzuki had moved so the two were out of their line of sight. Sasuke and Naruto knew they had to move to their left but they had to do it slowly as not to rustle the leaves. After long torturous moments of moving slowly, they finally got in position. Of all people, they hadn't expected it to be Yukina. Not because the girl was ordinary but because they weren't so acquainted with each other. In every gathering they had, the two teens barely talked with each other much less glanced at each other's direction.

Naruto was about to screech when Sasuke clamped his mouth with his hand.

"Usuratonkachi! You're gonna give us away," he hissed. "Now that we know, let's pull out."

The blonde peeled his hand, "I want to know where they're going."

"Didn't you hear? They're going to watch movies."

"Oh," the blonde said eloquently

And just to make sure that his dobe wouldn't follow the young couple anymore, Sasuke grabbed his hand as they left the place.

-SasuNaru is love-

"Does it disturb you?" Sasuke asked the silent Naruto as they walked the streets. He had expected Naruto to blabber on their compatibility or something instead of staying quiet.

"No, of course not," the blonde said, "it's just that I was reminded that," accusing eyes were then focused on him instantly, "it's been eons since you ask me on a date."

Sasuke smirked, "so you're thinking about it too. Then shall we go on a date now?"

"Now?" Naruto echoed. He quickly recalled his to-do list for the day to check for any tasks aside from reading reports and desk work.

Sasuke trained his alluring black eyes on him and said, "Is it bad?"

"No, I'm free," he said because he could trust his clone to do the deskwork.

They were about to leave when a chuunin appeared beside them.

"Naruto-sama, a red-cord letter came from Snow country," the chuunin informed him.

Naruto stifled the urge to sigh. Red cord meant the letter content was something very serious and needed immediate attention.

He nodded, dismissing the chuunin. "Sorry but I have to go," he said, trying not to sound so disappointed, "let's move our date sometime this week, I promise."

Sasuke nodded and grabbed his wrist, "you forgot to seal your promise with a kiss." He immediately gave a surprised Naruto a soft but quick kiss.

-SasuNaru is love-

When night enveloped Konoha and everything had fallen in silence and lethargy, Sasuke would sit on the rooftop, always finding relaxation and solace. He leaned back on his elbows and stretched his legs in front of him. But instead of thinking of nothing, he thought about Yuuzuki. He didn't mind that his son's girl was no other than Yukina it just came as a bit of surprise considering that those two were less than an acquaintance.

He sighed, feeling the tug in his heart every time he remembered that his son was now dating. It was almost like yesterday when the boy had gotten sick for the first or when he had hold him in his arms, presenting him proudly to his parents. Naruto was right. Yuuzuki was now grown up and all and… he sighed.

Later on, Naruto joined him. And somewhere from a distant an owl started hooting while the cicadas started their least appreciated summer concert.

Sasuke took the offered cup of his favorite ice cream, its coldness contrasting the humidity of the night and the hotness of his skin. Beside him, Naruto started licking his popsicles.

If there was something Naruto hated about summer, it was eating ice cream. With the way it quickly melted, it deprived him of savoring its taste and yet here he was eating or to be exact licking his share.

He took a sideway glance on his spouse who was staring at the infinite darkness. Perhaps the latter had seen something that made him forgot about his spoonful of ice cream that was halfway to his mouth until a drop fell on his yukata. Without thinking much, the dark-haired man dipped his head to lick the offending drop.

Another thing Naruto hated about summer was those times when summer heat messed his mind and made him think that all of Sasuke's gestures were acts of seduction. He watched as Sasuke's tongue darted out before retreating. He wondered what it would be like to feel that flexible muscle leaving burning trails on his skin or moving inside again. That thought alone made his skin tingle and he groaned. He took the paper cup and wooden spoon from those nimble and calloused hands and placed them somewhere, to be forgotten.

"I can't help it," Naruto said, as if it would explain everything before latching his lips on Sasuke's.

Sasuke let his mouth to be plundered and his tongue to be dominated by Naruto's. His yukata slipped, showing his right shoulder and Naruto voraciously attacked the exposed skin, grazing it his teeth.

Unable to maintain their position especially when his strength was being sapped by the blonde's fleeting caress, the dark-haired man laid down taking his wife with him.

"Dobe, now you've got to agree that yukata and kimono are the best for this kind of stuff," he said with the last word being gasped as the blonde took his left nipple into his mouth.

He quivered as Naruto's hands moved lower and he was reminded with crystal clear blue sky and sweltering sun. He felt like summer had enveloped him in its deepest folds, showing him its darkest secrets and mysteries.

The reason why summer was his favorite was because it was the time of the year when Naruto was most eager in indulging in pleasure. He would even go as far as saying summer was Naruto's mating season.

All his thoughts sublimate and his brain shut down as pleasure crashed against him in one humongous wave.

Naruto was pleased with himself as he saw Sasuke's reaction. He ran his pre-cum and saliva covered hands against the area between Sasuke's scrotum and anus, applying pressure eliciting wonderful sounds from the man beneath him.

Sasuke's vision blurred into rainbow colors as his length was engulfed by Naruto's hot mouth. Everything about him was focused on the movements of the blonde's teasing fingers and his skillful mouth that he could no longer hear the owls or the cicadas and the moans that spilled from his mouth were faint. He didn't even know that he had climaxed until he found his soul slowly floating back to his flushed body.

But Naruto was not yet done with him. He wanted to hear more of those sinful sounds that came from his spouse so he dipped his head and this time it was his tongue that was applying pressure for external stimulation on his perineum making the dark-haired man gasped while his fingers plunged into his blond hair, gripping them. The blonde could see Sasuke's manhood coming to life and twitching. The urge to have that in him grew so strong it had become harder for him to ignore.

In a flurry of pale limbs and cloth, Naruto found himself against the roof and his yukata parted exposing him. He buried his hands into Sasuke's dark locks as Sasuke started nibbling his collarbone before giving it one rough licked.

"I don't think I could go easy on you tonight," Sasuke whispered huskily, his eyes glazed with desire before he plunged into Naruto who gasped both in pain and surprise while he arched his back exposing his neck. Sasuke left as many hickeys as he could on that exposed column while he let Naruto adjust to his fullness.

Despite his warning, his thrusts were slow but deep and hard. There was no reason to hurry towards the pinnacle of their passion. Although the goal was their completion, they weren't after it. They just wanted to feel each other in the most intimate way while savoring the sensation of having each other's body pressed against their own while moving to their rhythm.

Naruto opened his eyes to stare at the clear evening sky. It was just like a big black crystal dome spangled with glinting diamonds. It was beautiful and perfect just like the way Sasuke was moving inside him.

"Sasuke, the stars…" he breathed, "they are beautiful." They looked so closer and bigger. He unwrapped his left arm from Sasuke's shoulders and lifted it towards the sky, wanting to grasp them.

"Ne, look at the stars," Naruto said.

"I am," Sasuke replied. He could see the heavenly bodies because they were being reflected in the dark blue pools of love and desire. He wanted to bring his wife there. Badly.

"Fly me to the moon," Naruto started singing between pauses whenever Sasuke drove inside, "and let me play among the stars..."

The dark-haired man couldn't help but let out a throaty chuckle. Now that his wife was singing while he was writhing in wanton, it was inevitable for that song to remind him of tonight.

Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words hold my hand
In other words darling kiss me

When they reached their apex, everything burst into glittering dusts and all Naruto could think was how breathtakingly the stars were behind his eyes while Sasuke could only hear the blonde's singing voice echoing in his head.

Fill my life with song
And let me sing forevermore
You are all I hope for
All I worship and adore
In other words please be true
In other words I love you

TBC

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Considering that this is the 50th chapter, I decided to insert SasuNaru lemon and with one of my all-time favorite songs thrown in. hehehehe