…Once upon a Modern Tale…

Pairing: Naruto x Sasuke

Warning: Shounen ai,

Inspired by: Robin Hood, Love among the Walnuts, and always by my wacko imagination

Summary: AU (NaruSasu) Once upon a time, there lived an extremely handsome and exceedingly rich young man. But, he didn't care for any of it, and so he locked himself up in his large manor, never coming out. Then, one day, he met the most amazing person; a beautiful boy with cerulean blue eyes. This is where our Modern Tale begins, with a Modern Robin Hood, and a Modern love story.

Please forgive my bad usages of Japanese terms; I don't speak the language so I have almost no idea how to use them.

Disclaimer: Naruto and anything related does not belong to me. Don't sue.


Epilogue


It has been a year since Sasuke and Naruto's "happily-ever-after". They're still together, of course and are still deeply in love.

Naruto, with his wild grin and laughing eyes, began an acting career and became quite famous throughout the lands. He never let a shooting get in the way of seeing his teme though, no matter how much money was offered.

Sasuke, on the other hand, dove into his family's business, making it more successful than ever. He never once missed a date with his dobe though, no matter how busy he was.

Iruka-sensei, after Naruto had begged and begged, quit two of his three jobs and is now working part time as an elementary school teacher. He loves his jobs and he treats every student as his own children. He still isn't sure of Kakashi-san's feelings towards him, but feels something deep for the silver-haired man.

Kakashi, on the other hand, has been hired back by Sasuke not as his butler (Oh dear Lord, never that again!) but as a member of his advisory council. Sasuke has found that the silver-haired man could actually give pretty sound advice. Kakashi is falling in love with Iruka, but he isn't sure the other man knows. He plans on asking Iruka out on a date...just as soon as he gets his nerves under control.

Now, Sasuke and Naruto have finally saved up enough money to buy a new house. They've been living with Iruka for the past year now. They had to practically drag Iruka out the door and to their new house, because as Naruto put it, "I have to be there to protect Iruka-sensei from all the perverts who want to take a shot at him!" while glaring at Kakashi the whole time.

"Hey Sasuke! Don't throw that out!" Came a strangled cry from the kitchen, "I want to keep it!"

Said raven-haired boy raised an eyebrow and kept walking. "It's useless."

"No it isn't!" Naruto burst into the room, his clothes coated with a thin layer of dust. He took the orange jumpsuit - a souvenir from his days in jail - from Sasuke and cuddled it into his chest.

Sasuke scowled lighted and crossed his arms. "It's from jail. Why would you want to keep something like that?"

"That's exactly why I want to keep it! You don't know how many hours I spent rotting away in that jail cell! I was dying, Sasuke! This uniform was the only thing that kept me happy and sane!" Naruto offered a big, blue-eyed puppy dog look, "Can I keep it? Please?"

Sasuke took one look at the blonde and broke out laughing; small and quiet because, even after a year since they first met, he still hadn't completely gotten used to laughter.

Naruto grinned, feeling quite satisfied with himself. He put the jumpsuit into a cardboard box and gave a great big sigh. He couldn't believe that he was leaving this house behind - the house in which he spent his teenager years, the house where Iruka-sensei raised him and the house in which he made a vow to his father...

Naruto gasped, "Oh..." His voice drifted off into a quiet whisper meant only for his ears.

"Do you need these Naruto?" Sasuke held up the fox-patterned curtains. "Naruto?" He laid the cloth down and ventured into the other rooms.

"Naruto?" He heard noises coming from upstairs and he called out, "Dobe? Are you okay?"

The stairs creaked as he wet up. The house was strangely quiet and empty without the sweet smell of Iruka-sensei's cooking. Sasuke noticed a door was slightly ajar and so he pushed it open.

He saw Naruto standing in the middle of the small room. Everything in the room was a shade of orange, with spots of red and yellow scattered around. This was obviously Naruto's room.

"Naruto?" The raven called out cautiously. "What's wrong?"

The blonde turned with a book clutched in his hands. Sasuke frowned, whatever this was it seemed to be causing his dobe pain.

"What is it?" Sasuke asked softly.

Naruto smiled sadly, "it's my father's book." Sasuke wanted to ask what it was about but he refrained from doing so. "It's this book that...well..." Naruto struggled for words.

Sasuke shook his head. "What should we do with it?"

"I...don't know."

"I just know I won't feel too comfortable with it around, you know?"

"Garbage can?"

"I don't want to throw it away though." Naruto was shaking his head and the raven-haired boy wrapped his arms around the blonde, holding him tight.

"I understand."

"What should we do with it, Sasuke? I really don't know."

"Is it really that important?" He half expected that Naruto wouldn't answer; the topic seemed very sensitive.

There was a pause and then, "Yeah, it is. Without it I wouldn't have met you!"

Sasuke gave a small smile, "Well then, something this valuable we shouldn't throw away."

It was Naruto who broke out in laughter this time. Sasuke hugged him tighter to his chest, and buried his face in the crook of Naruto's shoulder.

"Ne...Sasuke..." Naruto looked down with concern at the raven-haired boy.

"It's a scary thought, that if it hadn't been for that book, we wouldn't have ever met." the other said quietly.

"Yeah." They stood there for a while in a strong embrace.

Naruto was the first to pull away and to walk towards the door. He had the book in his hand. He was almost at the top of the stairs when he realized something. "Sasuke..." He called out, "did you know that we've never said 'I love you'? Not even once yet?"

The raven-haired boy looked surprised. It was true though, that they had never said those three words to each other. It was just that the feeling and bond between them was so strong and clear that neither had felt those words were ever missing.

"I didn't know."

"Well, I do."

"Hn? Do what?" Sasuke felt a small smirk coming on, as his heart raced faster.

"Love you, of course. I love you." Naruto glanced back with a grin.

Sasuke walked over to the blonde and kissed Naruto on the lips - long and sweet. "I love you too."


A few months later, a mail package arrived at the doorstep of the National Museum of Tokyo. In the package contained an old book, on the cover there stood a handsome blonde man with a lop-sided grin and in the book there was a note written in neat writing.

There was no return address on the package and no one knew where the book came from or who sent it. The manager of the museum put the book on display. On its name plate were the words written on the note:

"Love needs no money; only each other."


It's finally done, finished and over with! I'm sorry for not updating for so long, especially with the epilogue. Well I hope you've liked this story!

A big thank-you to everyone who reviewed and gave me your opinions! You've really helped shape this story into what it is.

Also, thanks to my beta Kagerou-chan! She stuck by me all the way.

I'll try my best in the future, everyone!

Horologii