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The song used in this chapter is 'Dearest' by Ayumi Hamasaki [English lyrics.
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◦◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦˚¤ Eight ¤˚◦◦˚˚˚˚◦◦◦
Sasuke's eyes widened as Naruto fell to his knees, clutching his head. H-he's in pain! Sasuke quickly kneeled down and shaking the boy gently. Naruto let out a strangled scream, and Sasuke wrapped his arms around the boy, bringing him close to his own chest. A muffled scream came from Naruto's throat, and Sasuke's grip only tightened. Sasuke could feel hot tears wetting his shirt, yet he didn't move. He only seemed to hold the boy more, and more. After a few minutes, any noises Naruto had made stopped, and the boy was silent.
Sasuke looked down at him, and found Naruto was between asleep and awake. He's having a hard day… that headache is doing him no good. I can't let him stay here. I'll take him to… to my house. He'll be safe there, and I can keep a proper eye on him. With that thought, he lifted the boy in his arms, and jumped out the window again, not caring that his fist was bleeding, or that people were staring at him.
It would be nice if we could put away and throw out
Everything except what really mattered, but
Reality is just cruel.--
Sasuke wasn't expecting visitors, but he had a duty to keep Naruto within his sight. He had already put the sleeping boy in his own bedroom, making sure that he'd bring an extra futon into the room. No matter what anyone else would say, he'd keep Naruto there. Naruto was sick, and Naruto couldn't look after himself alone. He almost exploded that moment… If that isn't proof, I don't know what is. He'd gone to his other room to find something for Naruto to wear in the morning. He mainly had Uchiha crested shirts. Naruto couldn't wear that blood stained black shirt, or those shorts. Sasuke would have to go to Naruto's house to get something.
I can't leave him here, alone. He'll have to wear one of my clan's clothes. Those obi's should do fine… one of them is the color blue. Sasuke quickly grabbed one of his obi's, and walked back to the bed Naruto was laying on, placing it there. He has no idea how much Sakura and I are worried… even if Sakura's being more of an idiot about it. How can he not realize that I stayed behind for him?
In such times,
I see you laughing,
Whenever I close my eyes
--
Naruto's eyes flickered open to some sort of creamy colored ceiling. The room's window was open, and the sun was shining down on him. He could tell this bed was more comfortable then his own bed. The last thing he remembered was some sort of scorching pain in his head, and then he fell down screaming. After that, everything seemed to stop, and go blank. Now, he was lying in someone else's bed, staring at their ceiling. Using his arms, he sat up and found himself staring into the face of Sasuke Uchiha.
He instantly showed a bit of emotion, fear. It was gone as quick as it came, for he knew those emotions would give away his instant shock at being in Sasuke's home. Sasuke kept looked at him, his obsidian orbs etched in deep thought. Finally, Sasuke opened his mouth, speaking first. "You were acting up with that fever. I'm keeping you here till you're better", he spoke. Wh-what? I can't stay here! He'll interrogate me to death! Besides, I need to train, more and more! "Before, we spoke so much, people thought we were both crazy. Now, you and I aren't even on speaking terms? Why the fuck are you avoiding me", Sasuke asked? He was angry, so angry that Naruto wasn't telling him anything.
Until the day I reach eternal sleep
That smiling face will
Have to stay with me without fail
--
Naruto still hadn't responded to Sasuke. It was frustrating the raven haired boy, but he couldn't give up. He didn't want to… for some reason. Since when had Naruto started mattering so much…? "I-I know… I know I almost went with Orochimaru. But I stopped… right? Now… now I want to know why you've changed so much", Sasuke said, his bangs falling over his face. Why can't you see that I'm willing to die for you? Why can't you see how much I'm willing to do, if you'll tell me what's wrong? Why, Naruto? Why are you making things so complicated between us?
Naruto closed his eyes, as his right fist seemed to clench itself. Sasuke's eyes widened when he noticed a single tear dripping down the boy's cheek. He gently brought his face close to the boy's cheek, and placed his lips against the tear. He could taste the salt, yet he didn't find it tasted bad at all. He didn't know why he'd done it, yet he didn't care. It felt so right… oh so right to comfort Naruto.
People are all so sad, so
They go and forget, but—
Forget that which I love
Forget that which gives me love; I will do what I can
--
Naruto's heart thumped loudly, as he felt a pair of lips on his cheek. He opened his eyes, to find the raven haired Uchiha kissing his cheek. Sasuke seemed to stay that way, before pulling back. "You know… every tear you shed… is worth more then a million ryo... I'd rather you don't waste them", Sasuke spoke. Naruto couldn't explain what had just happened. He couldn't explain why he felt warmth enter him, when Sasuke had spoken those words, as if he really meant them. He's being so nice… does he really care for me?
Back then, when we met,
It was awkward.
We went the long way, didn't we?
We got hurt, didn't we?
Sasuke didn't know why he said what he'd said. He just felt it fit the moment… that he really meant it. Naruto seemed surprised, his blue eyes shining like they did before the Chuunin exams. We've been so distant since the Chuunin exams… we've changed so much. I want Naruto to come back… as the Naruto we all loved like an illness. What do I have to do in order to bring him back? Sasuke knew he felt like crying. He didn't even want to stop himself this time. His hands clenched the bed sheets, turning into fists and tightening around them. I didn't cry when I got the cursed seal… I haven't cried since Itachi fucking massacred my clan. Now… now I'm crying because you won't be you anymore. Why… why are you punishing me, Naruto? Why?
And he felt a hand brush the tears from his face.
Until the day I reach eternal sleep
That smiling face will
Have to stay with me without fail
--
Sasuke opened his eyes, to find Naruto's tanned hand on his cheek, brushing the stray tears away. He couldn't take his eyes off the boy, and he couldn't stop the small smile from entering his face. I-I only want Naruto back… only Naruto. Nothing more… nothing less. He felt the hand retreat, and then he felt something tug him. He lay down on the bed, a small amount of warmth somewhere beside him. After a few moments, he raised his hand to see if the boy beside him was awake. His breathing was really soft, and slow. He's fallen asleep again. He sat up, staring down at the tanned male. Naruto…
Back then, when we met,
It was all awkward.
We went the long way, didn't we?
We got there in the end.