Standard Disclaimer applies.

I know I told few readers that I'll end in chapter but obviously, I couldn't. I really wanted this story to have 80 chapters but I can't cram all subplots in 80 chapters so you have to excuse me.

Chapter 81: Confession

"It's rude to stare," Sai stated, his eyes piercing the guilty blonde. He and Naruto were waiting for the examinees to complete their missions within the designated time and according to the hour glass, they still have thirty minutes.

"If you're Blue, which would you choose- Pink or Orange?" Naruto finally asked.

He tapped his chin as if to contemplate such question before answering, "Pink." He noticed the brief flash of pain on blue eyes but didn't think about it. "Definitely Pink because Pink and Blue result into a wonderful new color while Blue and Orange make an unnamed color. Well, Blue and Orange is okay but Blue is better off with Pink."

"I see," Naruto murmured. Perhaps... Sai was right.

Sai's eyes glinted in mischief as he lazily regarded his friend for a full thirty seconds. "Now, if you're Orange, which would you choose: Blue, Red or Black?"

It took a full minute for the younger man to realize that Sai had finally understood the meaning behind his question. "S-s-sai! I didn't mean it that way," he lied, stuttering.

"Really now," was the melodious retort.

"You asshole! You better believe it or I'll beat you black and blue."

Sai's infuriating grin widened. "Black and blue," he repeated, letting the words roll off from his tongue slowly. "Nasty combination."

With a growl, a blushing Naruto swung his right foot but the Root leader dodged it smoothly. And Sai being the human representation of tease among others decided to say something more. "Orange makes everything bright so I'd definitely choose Orange... only when I'm Black." Chuckling, he ducked to avoid a flying canteen coming to his direction.

-SasuNaru is love-

Sasuke was a bomb waiting to explode as he waited for Naruto's return. Much to his irritation, time was dragging torturously. Trying to forget time, he trained and played with his grandchildren albeit half-heartedly. But not once did he think of ways to convince the blonde to stay because doing that would mean acceptance that Naruto was calling it quits. That was what he could not accept. Ever. So he waited impatiently but at least he waited.

After what was like an eternity and more, he received a word from a junior ANBU member that Rokudaime had arrived and was heading to the Hokage sleeping quarters.

Finally, Sasuke said mentally.

-SasuNaru is love-

"Welcome home, my dear wife," Sasuke greeted blandly while leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. He noted how Sai and Naruto, especially the latter, were surprised by his appearance.

"Sa-Sasuke!" Naruto stuttered. What was he doing here?

The Uchiha leader spared the other dark-haired man comfortably sitting on a window sill a polite look before stating, "I need to talk with my wife."

Naruto gulped. The way Sasuke was referring to him and the way he was looking calm... it could mean one thing: he was furious. Deadly furious. But why?

Sai nodded. He walked to his blonde friend and slung an arm over his shoulders causing the Uchiha leader to frown darkly. "But you know, Orange and Blue complements each other perfectly," he murmured. Actually, he wanted to whisper it to his ear but he could feel dark eyes drilling into his head. He patted the blonde's back before leaving. Both men were oblivious that he locked the door on his way out and dismissed the two ANBU bodyguards by inviting them for a drink.

Naruto tried to gauge Sasuke's next move but the man was too unreadable. He instinctively took a step back when Sasuke crossed the gap between then in a blink of an eye.

"What is this?" Sasuke demanded in a very dangerously calm voice while holding the document very close to Naruto's face. Blue eyes crossed as they glanced at the white sheet.

Naruto peered at the side and answered matter-of-factly, "Divoce paper. Can't read the characters now?" He knew he angered the man more judging with the way how he clenched the document but he couldn't stop. He just wanted to push Sasuke's buttons for the last time.

"I know what it is. What I want to know is why your name and signature is printed?" the other man snarled. He could feel blood and chakra pounding in his eyes, ready to transform his black orbs into bloody ones.

"Oh," the blonde replied eloquently. "Well then, why don't you write your name and signature also so everything would be fair, hmm?" And he took out a pen and hand it over to his soon-to-be ex-husband.

Sasuke growled, plucked the pen and threw it away, not giving a damn that it was the blonde's favorite pen. He shook the paper and hissed, "Reasons. I want reasons not your fucking pen."

"Incompatibility?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke bristled. "Incompatibility?" he repeated like a madman torn between laughing and crying. "You and I are at our worst every time we're together but we function best that way so don't give me that bullshit."

"I don't love you anymore," he answered next and he could see Sasuke's face turning red. He even noticed the killing urge that fleeted past obsidian eyes. Well, he wouldn't mind dying by the man's hands anyway. It would be a fitting end to their suddenly awry relationship.

"Say it while looking at me then and I want you to mean it," he ordered. His body was tensed. He knew it was a lie yet his heart still clenched painfully. After few seconds, he smirked. "You can't because you still do. Now, I want to know the reason. It must be reasonable. If it is, I'd sign this paper… Hell, I'd sign any papers you want me to sign."

Naruto cast his gaze on the carpeted floor while answering so softly that Sasuke had a hard time hearing it. "I tried to. Really, I tried. I thought I could live with it but I couldn't." He then looked up to gaze at the person he loved with tearful eyes, "So it's either I have all of you or nothing."

Sasuke had a blank look on his face. He didn't understand Naruto's statement. Why would he say that when he still had him all to himself. Sasuke had sworn himself to the blonde over and over again.

"That's not a reason, dobe." He was confused and angry at the same time and those two never make a good combination.

Naruto cringed. Why was Sasuke a bastard through and through? Why did he want him to say the reason out loud? Wasn't it enough that he cheated on him? He glared at the man and growled, "Because you're cheating on me, asshole! And with Sakura no less!" It hurt but it felt good in saying that. It was like he had gotten rid of the obstacle lodged in his throat for what was like, years..

Sasuke looked dumbstruck. "What?"

The blonde smirked haughtily, "What? You thought I wouldn't find it out? Well guess what, bastard? I did and I won't stay with you acting like I'm a martyr and forever clueless." His words were rushed and frantic and he would continue rambling on and on if not the Sasuke's fist that had snapped his head to the side. But instead of fighting back, Naruto remained immobile. This was the last time Sasuke would punch him… the last time that he'd let the bastard punch him. Then the next thing he knew, he was pulled for a bruising kiss that meant to punish and leave him breathless.

"Is that it, Naruto?" Sasuke hissed. "You think I'm cheating?" Everything finally made sense. Naruto's mood swings… his flagging erection… his sarcasm and aloofness.

The blonde slapped the hand fisting his shirt. "Sign the fucking paper now or isn't that reasonable enough for you?"

"What made you think I'm cheating?"

How long was Sasuke going to keep his façade of being an honest husband? "You had the scent of her perfume; you used your training to see her; you came home late… do you want me to continue?" he demanded while wiping his wet cheeks.

"Do you think I'd be doing that if I wanted to cheat? Do you think I'd see her anywhere instead of some discrete places? I'm excellent in stealth, Naruto. I can do better than that if I am cheating on you!"

"You would?" Naruto asked.

"I would except that I'm not cheating on you. Never planned to."

"Then why?" Blue eyes looked at him in confusion.

Sasuke reached forward to cup Naruto's face. "Naruto…" he took a deep breath, "I'm going blind."

The blonde stared at him owlishly before laughing and hugging him. "You're going blind? You're going blind! You're going blind?!" And he continued laughing out of relief and hugging him tight.

"Dobe, I don't think my condition is something to be laugh at," Sasuke whispered as Naruto's laughter turned to chuckles.

The blonde shook his head. "No, it does. I mean I thought you are cheating because everything seemed to lead that way."

"You lack faith in me," Sasuke stated with hurt in his eyes making his wife cringe.

"No, it's I who lack faith in myself. I'm insecure. Always been." He smiled at his spouse. "I'm so sorry. Really, really sorry." He stood in his toes and kiss Sasuke sweetly, repentantly and softly. The document was now on the floor, forgotten and stepped on. "Sasuke," he breathed. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Long pale fingers threaded through golden strands as Sasuke murmured ever so softly, "As if I can't." And everything faded as he took Naruto's lips for a searing kiss that caught flame as each second pass by. Their short breaths mingled and their moans blended into a perfect soulful melody.

Pale hands descended along his sides before one hand perched on his hips while the other moved forward and cupped his straining erection eliciting a dark moan from him.

"I thought you have an erectile dysfunction," Sasuke said as he rubbed the clothed erection, loving how Naruto panted and tried to talk.

"Sh-shut up," Naruto finally managed to say albeit between gritted teeth. He pressed himself and manipulated his husband into sitting the edge of his bed. "You didn't believe me, anyway."

"Of course. If you have one, that would pose a problem for me, dobe," he answered between nibbles of that swollen lower lip. He hissed as Naruto undid his zipper and took his erection into his mouth without any reservation. His eyes fluttered close.

Naruto smirked, knowing how much he was making Sasuke suffer with teasing pleasure. He pushed Sasuke's legs to spread wider not that the dark-haired man needed anymore pushing. He pulled Naruto's head closer and while pushing deeper… deeper into that moist and hot cavern.

Sasuke moaned, knowing he was close. The spring coiling in his abdomen was ready to snap back… ready to pounce except that the pleasurable heat surrounding him slid away. He opened his eyes to find Naruto licking the sides of his mouth while taking his pants and boxers hurriedly before straddling him.

Their foreheads pressed against each other as the blonde sheathed the Uchiha leader securely.

"Eager, eh?" Sasuke commented between pants.

"Hell, yes," Naruto murmured. He started moving up and down, riding Sasuke desperately. He missed Sasuke who he thought he had lost forever.

The dark-haired man smiled before he too moved to maintain the rhythm his wife created. He gripped Naruto's hips tight, pulling him hard before helping him move up. The pace was maddening and everything was fierce, frantic and hot. It didn't take long for them to climax and the two landed on the bed, the blonde covering Sasuke's body.

When they regained their logic and reasons, Naruto pushed himself to his elbows and looked at Sasuke's face. He looked at the black eyes that always stirred a lot of emotions within him. To think that these exotic black jewels would become dull someday seemed to scare him. A lot. He lowered his mouth and kissed both eyes.

Sasuke entwined their hands together. "It's not like it was your fault. This is the curse of the bloodline limit. I know I'm going to be blind but I didn't know it will be this early."

"Isn't Sakura doing something? This is the reason why you're meeting her, right?"

"Is there any other reason?" he retorted. "According to her findings, even though I don't have the Mangekyou Sharingan, I'd been using my Sharingan too much and my captivity years ago which caused my chakra overload had hastened my blindness. Sure, it was corrected through an operation but the damage had been done."

"And?" Naruto asked as guilt course through him. It was him who caused Sasuke's blindness because he was the one who assigned the mission to him and his team. And also, he was late in saving his husband.

"She's slowing down the process. She's easing the pressure from my eyes especially before and after my missions. That's the only thing she can do. But if it weren't for her, I would have been blind by now."

And the blonde felt guiltier. He had doubted Sakura who was helping his husband. "I'm so sorry for everything," he whispered. "If I didn't send you to that mission… If I?-"

"Don't you understand, Naruto? Going blind is a part of being an Uchiha. No one could escape this curse."

"If you say so, then I'd take care of you. I'll resign from work."

"I don't want you to do that. I can still see. I can still function although my vision is deteriorating, I can still do it."

"But I'll do so when I see it fit. I want to take care of you. You'll never be a burden. I want to look after you… not because I have to but because I choose too." Achingly, he pressed his lips against warm ones.

I'll be your eyes. I want to be your eyes.

"Does your team know?"

"Not yet. I don't want anyone to know before you do."

"Can I accompany you in your next check-up?"

Sasuke just 'hn'ed but the blonde took it as an affirmative response.

Let me be your eyes. I'll let you see even in the darkness.

-SasuNaru is love-

As agreed, Naruto accompanied Sasuke in his next check-up which pleased Sakura. And much to the confusion of the medic-nin, the blonde gave her a bouquet of flowers then explained that it was out of gratitude for looking after his bastard.

Sasuke rolled his eyes because he knew better. The bouquet was more of out of apology rather than what his wife was claiming but he didn't say anything because he didn't want Naruto to have his daylights punch out of him no matter how tempting that was.

-SasuNaru is love-

"What?" Miki choke out as she and her two older brothers gathered at the family den in the Uchiha manor house. "What do you mean you're going blind earlier than expected?"

"Things were still complicated even after the operation I have," Sasuke asked.

"How can you be so calm about this?" Miki demanded, unable to accept that their otousan was in this condition.

"Because I'm aware of it since I was a child. This is the curse of all the Uchiha members. I wish I could spare you but I can't do anything. But Sakura said that with Kyuubi's genes, your probability of going blind was lessened."

"I don't care. It's just that…" It was just that, she couldn't accept that their otousan was going to be blind one day. It was a pitiful end for a ninja such as him.

"The bloodline could be sealed so if you want or if you want your children to be spared, you could. Your otousan and I would understand," Naruto said.

"No," Akemi answered automatically. "I won't. I might be wrong but this bloodline is the mark of being an Uchiha so it doesn't matter if I'm going to be blind soon as long as I don't throw away my identity."

"I agree with Akemi," Yuuzuki said. "I won't seal my bloodline just because of the curse. But I can't say the same thing for my children. It is something for them to decide whether to accept or throw it away."

Miki nodded. "I sealed Amaterasu's sharingan for her survival but as for me… I told you already, otousan, I'll be an Uchiha forever even if the price is my eyesight."

"You…" Naruto trailed off as determined looks focus on him.

"I'm sure if Kisho is here, he would say the same thing. We aren't cowards. We won't run away."

"Can't I change your minds?" Naruto asked.

The three smirked. "We have your stubbornness, chichiue," Akemi reminded.

Naruto sighed while Sasuke was torn between being proud and being sorry for them.

"You really are our kids," Sasuke muttered helplessly.

"Why? Have you doubted that for a second, Otousan?" Yuuzuki asked mildly.

-SasuNaru is love-

After his meeting with his children, Sasuke seek his team out or to be more exact, Naruto invited his team to meet their leader.

"W-what?" Hiko asked in disbelief.

"You aren't joking, right?" Yanagi said.

"No," Sasuke said. "But I can still function as your captain without putting your life in danger."

"It's not about that, captain," Ken stated. "It's just that we never know until now. This is so sudden but we still trust you."

"Good because I don't want your pity."

"As if you'll have one from us," Yanagi retorted. It was obvious anyway that their captain didn't need it. If there was one thing the man needed it was understanding on why he kept them in the dark until now.

"I forgot that you're not capable," their captain bantered.

Hiko chuckled. "We're still going to rock, right? We'd still at the top for the next years."

Ken nodded, "Of course. We will, right captain?"

And Sasuke smirked please that they still trusted him to let him continue being their captain and to let them know if he couldn't do it anymore. They had a nice teamwork and he never regretted that these three shinobis were assigned under him.

-SasuNaru is love-

Naruto finally knew the reason why Sasuke always came home late at night. The latter would stroll around the village but not just any stroll. He had his sharingan activated committing the streets and all visual information to his memory at the same time training his sense of smelling and hearing. Sometimes, he'd blindfold himself just to check if he remembered things right.

When Naruto learned of this he didn't know whether to be impressed for the man's preparedness or to be guilty for speculating Sasuke's betrayal. But he had accompanied Sasuke since his confession. He'd silently walk beside or share a conversation with him. Sometimes, he'd take the other's hand while Sasuke was blindfolded and he would lead him anywhere while coaching and teaching him.

In a way, Sasuke's inevitable blindness made them closer and strengthened their bonds. Sasuke was glad that he was no longer alone in his new training; that Naruto was there to lessen his frustration, to encourage him and to make him laugh. It made this whole thing less difficult and less frightening.

The two collapsed on one particular bench after an hour of strolling.

"I hope that you remembered that part of town because I don't want to go back there again," Naruto said although he would if Sasuke would say so. He'd do anything for the man… for his love.

"I'm no idiot, dobe," Sasuke retorted as he slipped his blindfold from his eyes. He looked at Naruto, his sharingan activated.

"You're freaking me with your eyes, bastard," Naruto murmured. The look was too intense but he was achingly aware that Sasuke was committing his face into his memory. He leaned into a hand softly caressing his cheek while fighting back the tears that threatened to flow. He didn't want Sasuke to suffer.

"Sasuke?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you take my eyes?"

The man snatched his hand away from a tanned cheek as if burnt. "Don't say such ridiculous thing, Naruto. I'd rather be blind than have your eyes. I won't take it. Such sacrifice is too much."

"No, it isn't," Naruto argued. "Nothing is too much for you. Besides, I'm yours so anything I have is yours."

"And I want you to protect my properties. Please don't do that."

"Why won't you?"

"Because I couldn't accept such thing. Please, Naruto. Don't do it and don't bring this topic again. Promise me," Sasuke ordered harshly. "Give me your word."

Looking at Sasuke's pleading eyes, he nodded and gave his word.

They sat there looking at the star-sprinkled inky sky as they rested. Naruto looked at Sasuke. The latter had bared his secret and the blonde decided that he should too and he thought now was the perfect opportunity. He tugged the hand entwined with his and a second later he had Sasuke's attention… all of it.

He gulped, took a deep breath and decided to confess in a less shocking way. "Sasuke, I… I'm getting weaker."

The words were gentle and it meant that Naruto was losing his strength but Sasuke saw past through the niceties and read what was hidden beneath the dark pools of blue.

Sasuke, I… I'm dying.

That was what was Sasuke read and for the second time within a week, his world and time stop moving. Naruto was dying. And somewhere at a very distance place in his mind, he heard a deafening thunder and downpour followed.

Naruto was dying… his sun was setting and would never rise again.

TBC

This will be my last update for this week. Work starts tomorrow. And the captivity Sasuke was talking about refers to Chapter 57 to 59, in case you've forgotten.