I hope this is fast enough of an update ;)

To cfox: Thanks for the review :) Actually about Itachi, not quite yet the time but you'll know more about him in future chapter. Let's concentrate on SasuNaru at the moment, shall we? ;)

Standard disclaimers apply. Unbeta-ed.

Chapter 11: Let Me In

Naruto spent the next two nights at Iruka's place. Not that Sasuke cared much, the black haired tried to convince himself. Naruto seemed genuine in wanting the town accepting him back and wanting Sasuke to trust him again. That made the pale man felt a nagging guilt at the back of his mind.

Maybe he had been too hard on Naruto?

Truthfully however, he wasn't quite sure how to let Naruto get back into his life again. If he was single, yeah, maybe it would be easier. But now, in everything, he had to think about Sae first. Sae is my first priority after all, Sasuke thought.

There's also an issue about Naruto himself. There's a slight doubt in his mind that the actor was still single. Come on, he's known worldwide. And with a face like that, which had adorned different glossy magazines and watched by thousands of people on runaway fashion shows, who wouldn't want Naruto?

Comparing himself and those other people made Sasuke felt inferior. He had nothing. Nothing at all. On top of that, he's blind.

Oh, and did he mention that he has a son? Who in their right mind would want that kind of a burden?

Besides, he wasn't sure at how Naruto felt. Whether the blond just wanted their friendship back, or did he want more than that? Was the incident the other night made it clear that Naruto wanted more than just friendship? But then, he didn't actually outright told Sasuke that he was jealous, did he?

Sasuke was confused. And he hated being confused. Especially now when he couldn't judge Naruto through his eyes. Things were out of his hands, out of his control. Sasuke grimaced; what they had in the past, remained in the past isn't it? Besides, it was probably laced by lust and hormones of two young teenagers who were just experiencing another phase of life.

Could they even claim that it was love?

Do I even know how to love?

000

"So? Have you told him yet?" Iruka asked when they had dinner that night.

"Huh?"

"Coming clean. You were afraid to tell him back then, right?"

Naruto looked away sheepishly. "Not yet…"

"Naruto…" Iruka's voice was one of a warning. "How can he trust you if you don't tell him the complete truth?"

"I'm just… I'm not sure how to bring it up…"

Iruka seemed to be thinking at this. "Well… just tell him the truth. Wait till his mood is okay I guess. Oh, and make sure Sae is not around."

Naruto seemed to be in a complete comtemplation at that. "Okay…" he agreed at last.

They invited the Uchihas and Kiba for dinner the next night. But the father and son didn't stay long as Sae had a school the next day.

"Sasuke seemed more… open these days," Iruka commented as he washed the plates.

"He did?"

"Yeah… I guess you wouldn't really notice it, but the last time I saw Sasuke like that was 10 years ago, before you left."

Naruto snorted. "You can't be serious, sensei!"

"Know, what, blondie? Iruka's right. I have to agree with him. Not even Sae's birth had him open up like this, y'know?" Kiba sent the now cleaned dried glasses back into the cupboard.

The blond stopped wiping the dishes dry. "Is that… a good thing or bad then?"

Kiba shrugged, but Iruka smiled softly. "I think it's a good thing. Sae seems to notice Sasuke's changes too. I noticed how he talks more when you are around, Naruto."

"He's a charming little kid," Naruto grinned at that, unknowingly longing for a child of his own.

Kiba and Iruka looked at each other; Naruto not noticing the look they they each had on their face. Would Sasuke really let Naruto in? It was quite obvious in those blue eyes what he wanted.

But did Sasuke want it too?

That was something that the two needed to work it out. The two other occupants in the kitchen were not sure whether they were willing to interfere or not. Interfering in Sasuke and Naruto's relationship might get things worse.

Those two had the oddest relationship in the first place and not everyone else, except the two said people would be able to sort it out.

So they opted out, only willing to watch from the field side.

000

Days after that, Sasuke asked Naruto to accompany –actually, it was more like driving him- to Bridgetown to return the cd he borrowed a month before. Naruto helped the man into the small library.

"Is that the one I saw you were listening to last week?"

"No. That one was lent by Emi-san, the piano teacher." Naruto unconsciously growled at the mention of the bit. You mean the flirty piano teacher, Naruto seethed innerly.

"Was that a growl I heard, idiot?" Naruto froze and changed his expression to one of innocence. "Growl? What growl?" Sasuke laughed goodnaturely. "Idiot," he muttered softly, and Naruto's reply was the undignified stuck-out tongue. Not that Sasuke could see, so there was no reply from the paler man.

As much as Sasuke wanted a new cd, the library had none. So they returned home with an empty hand. Naruto noted at the sullen face of his friend, but said nothing at it. Instead, he suggested for them to have a cuppa in a nearby café.

"What's the sudden need for a coffee?" Sasuke said after they placed their order.

"You seemed a bit down."

Sasuke shrugged. Their coffee came and they sipped it slowly, enjoying each other's company. "We have to go back before Sae finishes school."

"Don't worry about it, Sasuke. I already asked Iruka-sensei to bring Sae home with him should we be late. We can pick him up on our way home."

Tanned hands cupped the coffee and brought it to his pink lips, sipping and savouring the sweetness and bitterness of the black liquid. This was one of the things he enjoyed nowadays, with his friends or seniors.

And now, with Sasuke too.

"Also… I have a confession to make…" Naruto started. Hearing the nervous note, Sasuke coxed gently, "Go on."

"You remember when I told you about how I was busy that I had no time to write to you?" When the latter nodded, he continued, blue eyes avoiding the dull grey opposite him. "That was not… a complete truth… I could have written to you. There were chances here and there because I was only doing high school. But at the same time, Jiraiya-sensei tried to get me into modelling; only… the result wasn't all 'flowers and butterflies'."

It was a silly idiom that they both had come up when they were 12, but both agreed that when one talk about flowers and butterflies, it means all things go well, no glitches, no nothing. It was silly, but to both who were only 12, it was something akin to intelligence.

"It was only when I had my first good pay that I wrote to you again. In a way… you can say I was a coward- someone who was afraid to be ridiculed because of my foolish actions and pride to go to the city alone. I was scared that you would tell me 'I told you so'. And by the time I had a decent pay, I guess I should have tried to come and visit you. Only then, my schedule has started to get busy…

I should have tried harder…" There was a disappointment in his voice.

"I see…" came a reply after a while. Only then did Naruto dare to look at the aristocratic feature. There was nothing that showed resentment and that puzzled him.

"You're not mad?"

"Should I?"

"I-I thought you would…"

Sasuke almost smiled at that. "Let the past be the past, Naruto. We're grown men now, not 15 years old anymore. Besides, a lot of things happened in 10 years. There might be things about you that I don't know, and there might be things about me that ou don't know."

"Oh…" The blond was dumbstruck. The man opposite him had really grown into a beautiful person- inside out. His heart unconsciously swelled at that.

"After all, I have a confession to make too; now that you mentioned it."

"You do?"

Sasuke nodded. "Remember the night before you left?" The blond had a healthy flush on his face and neck. Oh, he remembered it alright. But it was obvious that Sasuke was referring to a different thing when he continued. "You didn't want me to come and search for you if you sent no news. And you made it pretty clear too." Right. He recalled that, Naruto's flush darkened; embarrassed that he was remembering other things.

"I went and looked for you 3 weeks after you left."

The blond was stunned. "But…" he whispered. "I've already left…"

"I didn't know that. The only other person who knew that I went to look for you was Iruka-sensei but I made him swore not to tell anyone, especially you that I went to Perth. You'd go ballistic on me."

"Iruka-sensei didn't tell me that…" Blue eyes noted the look of question on Sasuke's face, so he explained, "When I was here a few months back, sensei told me a bit about you- just the general surface like you married the girl who came after a year I left here, why you moved and about Itachi's disappearance. He said he himself knows that much so that was only what he could offer me."

There was a relief expression on Sasuke's face that Naruto almost missed it. It was so subtle, brief and quickly replaced by the man's impassive expression that Naruto thought it was maybe only an imagination. But he mentally shrugged it off.

"Did those information answered your questions?"

"Not all, but I guess I can't complaint, huh?"

"You'll probably get your all your answers. In time."

"Yeah… that's what I figured." Naruto finished his coffee and asked if Sasuke wanted anything to eat. The latter decline, so Naruto waited for him to finish up his drink.

"Sasuke…" It was answered by a "Hmm?"

"What was the reason you… you know… can't see?"

The latter looked like he didn't care. "Don't know."

"Didn't you go to see a doctor?" Naruto asked, concerned.

"No."

"But why?"

"Naruto, one who is not married yet doesn't know how much it costs to raise a child. I was a single parent, only a few days shy from 18 when Sae was born. And it didn't get easier as he grows older. It's not saying that I'm blaming Sae but his health, his education and welfare come first before mine. At that time, a little glitch in my health means nothing…"

"What if there's an offer for you to go and have a check on your eyes?" Naruto asked carefully. In a way he knew it was still too early to ask Sasuke, but the further he delayed the more paranoid he'd get.

Sasuke shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I don't care if I can't see a thing anymore. I'm used to this." Naruto tried as hard as he could but with those dull grey colours, he could never see the emotions behind the Uchiha.

"Sasuke… I have a proposition for you," he stopped, trying to come up with better words. When he couldn't, he just continued what was on his mind, "I know you will think this as part of my guilt to atone everything, but I do feel oblige about our forgotten promise." Naruto took a big breath when the Uchiha didn't ask him further.

"I want you to come to Perth with me."

The fingers that were slowly tracing the rim of the cup stopped. Beads of sweat made their way out of Naruto's skin.

"No."

Naruto gaped. "But-"

"What had passed has passed Naruto. The promise back then no longer is a promise anymore. You don't have to feel obliged, I'm not holding up to it."

"I can't. Look at us; look at how different we are now because of my mistakes. Sasuke, please. Please, at least think about it…"

The plea changed the expression on Sasuke's face. He slightly scowled. "I thought we've been through this, Uzumaki. I told you, you can't just barge into my life and hoped to make changes. It doesn't work that way anymore. My life is no longer mine alone. I have Sae to think about. He's my first priority."

"I've considered Sae. He will go to the best school in Perth, Sasuke. And you-"

"You're thinking about this with an assumption that I'll let you pay for everything? Like hell I'd let you do that!"

"Sasuke-" Naruto had started to explain but the tone that Sasuke was using when he cut Naruto warned him to shut his mouth.

"Naruto. I think the root problem here is you. You still have this guilt within you about the promise; about what has happened to me and guilt that you leave nothing to the people you left behind. And I think you still have the thinking that I hate you and hold a grudge against you. I've told you before and I'm going to tell one last time: I do NOT hate you, you hear me?"

Naruto froze. Sure, the man could no longer see, but his sense was sharper than anyone else whom he knew; saved for Shikamaru and Jiraiya.

"Have you finished your coffee? We should go now, I think."

The journey back was in a heavy silence. His brain was tad active despite the lack of communication between the two. It was still a bit hard to accept what Sasuke had just said. It was so true that Naruto was afraid to even look into the other's eyes; in case the man could see his soul.

So when the other man called his name, Naruto was startled. "I'm sorry for getting all heated up like that; but I think, the real problem is you haven't forgiven yourself. The guilt, the obligation that you felt all stemmed from that.

I have long forgiven you, Naruto, but have you forgiven yourself? Maybe once you have, you can accept that I will not go with you; that my life now is here."

But yours is not. There's no 'us' in the Uchiha household; only Sasuke and Sae.

Naruto almost choked in tears. Was that a way Sasuke wanted to tell him that they no longer had a chance? He blinked back the tears that made his vision made a sudden blur.

If Sae or Iruka noticed the thick atmosphere present when the arrived, both were very good at pretending like everything was normal.

000

Things toned down the following days. It was like they hit a barrier hard, stumbled and both tried to slowly tend to their wounds. Both didn't have any more lashout after that but they were being too civil for the first few days even Sae was thinking something was going on.

Then, Sasuke made a joke and everything moved back in normal phase.

"Otousan?" It was Friday night and Naruto had just told them about his funny experiences during his career as a model. Sae had this sparkle in his eyes, wishing that he could travel the world too.

"Hmm?"

"Can we go to Uncle Kiba's place tomorrow?"

"You want to ride the horse?"

"Yes. And I want to play with Akamaru too!"

"Sure."

"Thank you, Otousan."

And so they head to Kiba's place early in the morning. Kiba expected to see them when Naruto sent him a message the night before.

"Kiba-jiji!!" Sae hopped out of the CRV and ran towards Kiba at the door. He jumped onto and hugged the older brunette.

"I told you not to call me that, brat!" Kiba pretended to growl and then suddenly tickled the small dark haired child, making him gasped in laughter and pleaded Kiba to stop. They all made way to the back where it opened to the farm. There was another path leading to the stable. The Inuzuka only has 4 horses, but Kiba planned to buy more for the ranch.

"'Old man', huh?" Naruto laughed when the small Uchiha happily trotted on a small sized mare. She was the most tame of all four and Kiba knew the mare would go easy on the child, so Sae had always ride the mare to the point she recognized him the instant he came into the stable.

"Stay with them a bit longer, and he'll call you that too, mate," Kiba snickered back.

"Hah! We'll see!"

"Like how I watch your ass being kicked at pool?" Kiba smirked arrogantly, rubbing it in Naruto's face, especially now that the 'sifu' was here.

"You lost?" Sasuke was amused.

"Shut up, Dog-breath!" Naruto scowled, face reddening. Kiba laughed at that.

"Two-nil. He's still sore about that, I see!"

"Yeah, even I can sense it. Pity I can't see, huh? Or we'll both kick the dobe's ass once more," Sasuke grinned.

"Oi, oi! Since when have you two teamed up against me?!"

"We made a good partner a while back, Naruto. You just have to prove your worthiness before we'll let you join us!" Naruto pouted and sulked at this.

Sae only waved his hand cheerfully.

10 minutes after that –after couldn't stand to sulk for so long and do nothing- Naruto joined the kid on the field, riding a black stallion. With the blond's assurance to look after Sae, Kiba and Sasuke retreated into the room that opened up into the backyard. That's where the pool table was located and the kitchen was next to the room, separated by a wooden top.

"You want a drink?"

"Something cold would be fine. No alcohol though, Sae's around. And don't give one to Naruto too; he'd be driving us back."

"Okay."

They were cooking lunch when Naruto's mobile phone suddenly rang. In almost 3 weeks he was there, Sasuke had never heard the phone ringing up till now. It just showed how much Naruto wanted this to work and had kept his words about no interference around. The phone call must be an emergency then.

Naruto picked the phone up from the kitchen counter top before excusing himself to answer the phone.

"Hello?"

There was a sniff and then a much panicked voice on the other side, "N-Naruto-kkun??!"

"Speaking. Who's this?"

"It's H-Hinata here…" there was a soft sob after that. "C-Can you give me the direction t-to where you're s-staying, Naruto-kun?" the girl sounded so scared it tore Naruto's heart.

"Can you tell me exactly where you are?"

"J-Just arrived from Sydney… I'm in a r-rented car. I t-think I've come i-into South W-Western Highway now… C-Can you tell m-me how to g-get to you?" The voice sounded more and more fragile.

What the hell was Hinata doing here? Naruto paced around, trying to get the best solution. "Do you have anyone with you?"

"N-No…"

"Okay, calm down. Just drive on the highway. Don't divert from the main road. I'll come and find you now, so eventually we'll bump into each other. Is the colour of your car is white?"

"Yes…."

"I'm driving a CRV and I'll call you every 15 minutes just to check where you are, okay? So keep your phone on at all time and look for any signs to say where you are at."

"O-Okay…"

"Good. I'll see you soon, Hinata." Naruto cut the line. Okay.

When he strode back into the kitchen, the rest were aware the grim face he had. "What's wrong?" Kiba asked, spatula still in hand.

"Uh… Hinata's coming, but she's not exactly sure how to get here. I think I'll have to go out and pick her along the way."

"Naruto-san…" Sae looked a bit guilty to say it out loud so he gingerly ran to Naruto's side, put his hands at the sides of Naruto's ears and whispered, "Rule number 6- You're not allowed to bring woman back home…" Naruto barked out laughter at this. Sae looked offended- a bit if not much.

Realizing his mistakes, Naruto tried to stop laughing, but the traces were still there. He settled for a low chuckle and then grinned widely. "Thank you for reminding me, Sae-kun. I'm sure I can find her accommodation elsewhere, so don't you worry, ne?" He winked, which made the small boy smiled.

"A girlfriend, huh, Blondie?" Kiba snorted. So much for I-don't-have-a-girlfriend-because-I'm-still-in-love-with-a-certain-dark-haired-person attitude!

"Hinata's not my girlfriend, Dog-breath! It's Hyuuga Hinata here we're talking about."

"T-That Hinata?!" It was Naruto's turn to snort when Kiba sputtered like that.

"Yeah… Something's off, I think. She said she arrived by plane this morning and rents a car to get here. I'll go and find her, and then probably leave the car in Bunburry or something and then I'll bring her here. If you don't mind at that, Kiba," Naruto added the last sentence as an afterthought. "Maybe we can have extra meal?" he suggested.

"You go and pick her up. We'll settle it here," Sasuke said for the first time since Kiba was still speechless.

"Thanks, guys." With that, the blond man went out.

Kiba noticed at the upset vibes Sae seemed to be having. He made it a mental note to ask the little kid soon.

They decided to leave the rental car in Bunbury in the end. She could come with Naruto when he went back in a week's time or he could drive her into the city if needed. The small town wasn't that far away anyway.

Naruto wanted to ask Hinata what was going on, but the girl looked so tired, scared and fragile that he put it off at the moment. It didn't help too that she was crying half of the journey back to Greenbushes; only darkened the dark rings under her eyes. Then she fell asleep, the tiredness got better of her.

When they arrived at Kiba's place, it was late afternoon, around 5. He woke Hinata up and led her into the house, bringing along a small suitcase. The Uchihas and Kiba were in the living room, with Kiba and Sae laughing and watching Pirates of The Caribbean and Sasuke looked like he was asleep on the single sofa.

"We've prepared a room for her. It's my sister's room. Come, I'll show you," Kiba instantly stood up and led the way looking at the tired-looking lass. Both males let the Hyuuga heiress slept her day through. Naruto then joined Kiba and Sae, bringing a plate of lunch with him.

"Is she okay, Naruto-san?" Sae asked when Naruto came in.

"Yeah, I think so. She's just tired."

"Okay…"

"Why is Sasuke asleep?" Naruto took the seat next to Kiba and joined the duo watching the dvd.

"Otousan just came back from teaching."

"Oh!" Shit! Naruto forgot that Sasuke postponed his lesson to the afternoon session because Sae wanted to ride the horse!

"Don't worry, Blondie! Iruka was free, so he volunteered. It wasn't like he's not used to it- used to be his job before you took over." Kiba supplied, looking at Naruto's guilty face. Naruto made a mental note to thank Iruka personally.

Dinner time came and Hinata was still asleep. The trio prepared dinner, with Sae helping setting the table up. When he saw Naruto came in to place a bowl of salad, Sae looked at Naruto longingly.

The blond noticed this. "Something's wrong, Sae-kun?" The little child shook his head vigorously, as if hiding something. Naruto kneeled to his eye level and pat the small shoulder softly. "C'mon… you can tell me, little guy."

"A-Are you going to marry that lady…?"

"Hinata-chan, you mean?" When Sae heard the suffix, his black orbs filled with salty tears. Naruto started to panic. "She's my friend, Sae-kun. A good friend. But no, I'm not going to marry her."

"Is she your best friend, then?"

Naruto almost smiled at this. He shook his head slowly. "I've always have one best friend. And I told you this. Sasuke's my best friend. So no more crying, okay?" The boy's face lit up a bit, starting to sniff the snort back in and wiping the tears roughly with the sleeves of his shirt.

"That's a good man!" he winked. Naruto pat the boy's head softly and stood up.

"Naruto-san!" Sae called when the man turned to go to the kitchen. "Yes?"

"I like it when you are here… Otousan looks like he's happier. You make me happy too…" The boy confessed shyly. Naruto's grin got wider. "Good! Because I'm not going to let you go so easily too!" That made Sae grinned too; the initial worries gone.

The four males ate dinner, were done with it, including dessert and yet, Hinata was still sleeping. They gave her a bit more time; Sasuke was sipping his tea, Kiba and Naruto had a cup of mug of coffee each and Sae happily sipping his sweet hot chocolate.

"She looked really fragile," Kiba commented.

"Yeah… I have my bet on what's going on, but I'll ask her when she's ready to talk about it." Naruto looked solemn, he had a feeling that Hinata's running away from something. "I'm sorry Kiba-"

"Hey, it's okay, Naruto. I don't mind at all. 'Sides, Sasuke's only have two rooms in his house and I'll doubt he'd even let Hinata stays there," Kiba laughed, earning him a glare from Sasuke.

"Was that a pathetic attempt of a joke or are you just mocking me, Inuzuka?"

"H-Hey, hey! Stop it, guys… Kiba's right. I can't ask for that kind of favour from you, Sasuke; I've caused you trouble enough." Somehow, Sasuke scowled at Naruto but the latter ignored him. "And I can't let Hinata alone in here with this jerk, too," the blond added, which earned him a glare from Kiba and a stern, "Language, Naruto…" from Sasuke.

The blond ignored both again, treating the situation like they had never talked or glared. "So, to solve the problem, I'll stay here too." He said firmly.

Sae blinked, fighting the sleepiness that threatening to close his eyes any moment. So, he's going home alone with Otousan tonight?

"Okay," Sasuke said at last, agreeing with the plan.

"Yeah," Kiba nodded. "And you guys should come here tomorrow for lunch too. Sis will come later in the afternoon with Akamaru."

"Akamaru's coming home?!" Sae's ears perked up, sleepiness was dispelled.

"Yeah!"

"Yay!!!" the small hands were up in the air, cheering merrily that the big dog would finally be back. After the horse ride, Sae went looking for Akamaru and when he learned that the white dog wasn't there, Sae settled in with watching Pirates of the Caribbean with his Kiba-jiji; trying to chase away the fact that he missed the dog.

"Your sister's coming?"

"Yup. Turned out mom called her, asking her to check out on me. So, she's taking a couple of days off from work to help me out," Kiba shrugged, a bit pissed that his parents still have doubts on his sense of responsibility. Naruto laughed.

"We should go now," Sasuke picked up his cup to sent it to the sink. Sae nodded and did the same.

"Leave it Sasuke, Sae. I'll settle it," Kiba interrupted.

"I'll send you home," Naruto stood at this, but Sasuke shook his head. "No need, Naruto. We'll be fine. It's barely 9 o'clock."

"No way! It's dark out there. I'm taking you home," Sasuke heard the man fished his car keys on the kitchen counter top.

"We'll be fine, Naruto. I want to have a nightwalk with Sae tonight. Besides, you don't want to leave this bachelor here with an unmarried lady, do you?" Sasuke smirked.

"Hey! What do you think I am, huh?"

"A perverted opportunist?" Sasuke offered innocently, yet arrogant aura surrounded him.

"Why you-" "Kiba!" Naruto held the furious man away from Sasuke. "C'mon, Sasuke! Cut that out!" he pleaded.

Sasuke smirked and held a hand out, "Come on, Sae. Let's go home." The now-a-bit-sleepy Sae took his father's hand, blinking back the sleepiness.

"Sasuke, the little guy's sleepy. Let me send you home…" Naruto tried again after scolding Kiba for acting childishly in front of Sae and acted like he's not used to Sasuke's arrogant tease.

"We'll be alright, Naruto…" the other man just waved his hand and let the front door closed with a soft click.

"That bastard… stubborn as a pig!" Naruto mumbled afterwards. Kiba snickered at this. "Like you are not, huh Blondie?"

"Shut up, Dog-breath!"

"Stop worrying about the Uchiha, Naruto. He's very much a grown man now. He'll hate you if you keep on fussing over him like that."

Naruto let out a distress sigh. "I asked him to come to the city with me the other day. He flat out refused and got angry at me…" Naruto confessed.

Kiba's eyes widen a fraction. "Bold move, Uzumaki. But you should have expected that…"

"Was I wrong, Kiba?"

"Of what? Wanting to support him and Sae? You know very well how Uchiha is with his pride. You know him better than I do."

"Yeah… But can't he see that I care?!"

Kiba chuckled. "Oh, he can see that. A bit too clearly too. But he has big ego too- that you have to agree. Besides… he won't leave here till he settles everything out." The second that information was out, Kiba cursed himself loudly for his big mouth.

"What do you mean? And don't lie to me, Inuzuka. As much as I wasn't here for the last 10 years, I can still detect it if you're lying to me!"

"Fuck! He's gonna kill- no worse! He's gonna castrate me if he knows I told you about it," Kiba places a hand over his mouth, not wanting to speak anymore. The irate blond strode towards the brunette.

"You better tell me before I force it out of you, Dog-breath!"

"I'm more scared of an angry Uchiha than an angry you!"

"Oh, yeah? Wanna see about that?!" They wrestled on the sofa and on the floor. Kiba finally giving in, not wanting to wake the Hyuuga heiress who was still sleeping in the nearest room to the living room.

"Fine! I'll tell you! But if he found out, you'll take the blame; I'm not responsible anymore!"

"Whatever! Just tell me already!" Both were panting hard, healthy flushes across their face and they tried to cool of the sweat that was sticking the shirt on their bodies.

"I said I'm gonna open a ranch here, right?" Naruto nodded. "We have another piece of land here, only not on this property. It's the land behind the current Uchiha residence." Naruto narrowed his eyes, not really sure where this was going.

"When Sasuke was forced to sell his old house… it was because of…" Kiba shook his head, trying to find better explanations. "You see, Itachi came back after disappearing for a while, demanding Sasuke to sell their house… he was in some big debts and because both shared equal rights on the house and farm, Sasuke in the end agreed to sell them, even though he was with a family at that time… I think he wasn't left with much choice… And he still holds a grudge with Itachi too, I think…"

"But… But Iruka-sensei said a different thing…" Naruto was confused. "He said Sasuke moved because it was too much to pay for their living expenses."

Kiba shook his head sadly. "I guess that's what he told other people. I myself have only learned about this recently when I proposed the ranch to Dad. When Sasuke was left with no roof above his head, Dad offered to give him a house. Sasuke was still under us at that time anyway. But you know how Uchiha with their pride; he refused Dad's offer. So at last they agreed on a deal: Sasuke would pay monthly rent for the house that he's living in right now.

That piece of land, including the house is where I was planning to build the ranch; a project that I'm planning with Gekkou Hayate, because he has the best breed of horses around. After all, they need income too, so it's a win-win situation. The only thing now is… I don't know how happy Uchiha is with a ranch behind his house. He likes peacefulness and no hastle around…"

"D-Does Sasuke know about this?" His heart ached for the man… the one that he cared so much. Why didn't you tell me this, you bastard?! Am I that of a stranger to you?!

Kiba nodded. "We are… sort of planning to build a small house somewhere around here… He's still negotiating the price with Dad."

Naruto raked a hand into the golden locks. He bit his lips. Damn Sasuke and all his secrets! "You'll probably get your all your answers. In time." That's what Sasuke has said a few days ago. Everything had worked out okay after that big row that made them tense in days. They had even started to work out better than before.

Until this piece of information that is.

What else did you keep from me, Teme?!

000

Sae almost stumbled when he stepped into the dark house. "Carefull, young man… Go straight to your bed. I'll lock the doors." Sae nodded absently and floated dreamily to his room. The walk freshened his eyes, but now just the thought of fluffy pillows and soft bed made him drool.

In the middle of walking, he stopped though, as if forgetting something. Then, when he remembered it, he scratched his head, feeling silly. "It's kind of silent, isn't it Otousan?" Sae whispered, making Sasuke startled.

"Aa…" He continued to lock the door then. "It's okay… We'll get use to this again…" Despite his calm reassurance, his heart thumped painfully. How Sasuke longed to accept Naruto's generous offer. However, his pride prevented him so.

Besides, since when had an Uchiha has to depend on somebody else? In any case, Uchiha was the provider; not one to be supported with!

Sae walked a few more steps but as he reached his room, he turned to see his father making his way cautiously into his own room. "Otousan?" Sae called, despite sleep lulling him away.

"Yes, Sae?"

"I really like Naruto-san… I don't want him to go…"

Sasuke was startled, not knowing how to answer that. So he settled with nodding back to Sae. The young guy seemed to be satisfied with his father's reaction and went into his room quietly. Only when he heard the soft click did Sasuke walked slowly -and heavily- into his room, onto his bed.

He closed his eyes, partly due to tiredness, partly in agony.

If somebody would see a man called Uchiha Sasuke right now, they would see a very beautiful and handsome fair-skinned man, lying on the bed with the moonlight illuminating his translucent skin.

Nobody would ever think that within his mind and heart, he was having a huge conflicting battle; his heart was pleading but his mind was defending.

Uchiha Sasuke was at a crossroad and he was afraid –though grudgingly and painfully admitting that himself- to make a choice.

TBC
Next: Emotional roller-coaster and turmoil. One might be pushing too hard; the other might be too afraid. Oh, and Kiba's daring interruption… which could make or break the relationship.