Please come back

Naruto was walking down the streets of Konoha in a care-free way. Whistling, he crossed his arms behind his head and tried not to think much about his farewell with Sasuke. His heart felt thick and heavy whenever he thought about him leaving… again. What does that guy have with leaving this village? After all those years… Have my efforts of keeping him close been pointless? Naruto shakes his head no I told myself I wouldn't think about-

Sasuke?

Was he Sasuke? He had just seen someone with black hair wearing the same clothes as his best friend. Naruto raised an eyebrow and decided to follow the guy just to find out it was indeed the last Uchiha. The blond, filled with curiosity, followed his friend. The path seemed familiar and he soon discovered Sasuke was walking to Hinata's house. A stab of jealousy made him clench his fists, wasn't he supposed to be the last person to talk to Sasuke before his leaving? What was he doing there? A love confession maybe? Naruto thought because of his desperation.

"Please take care of him"

Take care of him? Who's him? Hiding, the future Hokage kept eavesdropping. He sighed when he heard Hinata's quavering, some things never change, do they? However, his heart almost jumped out of his chest when he reckoned who they were talking about.

"Of the dobe"

Of Naruto? Why would Sasuke ask something like that of Hinata? After listening to their conversation, he finally knew the answer to that question, though it was just a theory.

Sasuke loved him.

Didn't he? He was in love with him but for some reason, the uchiha had decided to leave him once again. He hadn't asked about Naruto's opinion, he hadn't even told him how he felt towards the Uzumaki. He just selfishly took his decision and acted on his own accord. Why? Why is he doing that again? Is the same story over and over and over again. He left the village long ago and now that Naruto had finally managed to get him back, he's leaving. Why does he keep separating himself from Naruto? Why does he keep running away from him?

"Why would you go this far for me?!"

"Because you are my friend"

Friend? Do you really only consider him a friend, Naruto? Would you really go that far for a friend? Would you chase after your friend for almost five years? Would you feel that need of having your friend so close to you? Would you over-train yourself to become stronger just to save your… friend? Naruto had never thought about that, about his feelings towards Sasuke. Itachi had told him that if he really loved him like a brother, like he did, he would help him no matter what… But Naruto knew his love for Sasuke wasn't the same as Itachi's; it felt different. It was a different type of love… Not an obsession like Sakura's, not a friend's, not a brother's but a relationship's love.

Now Naruto realised he wanted to be together with Sasuke. He wanted to stay by his side, never leave him, always be with him, and chase after him again if it was necessary. Naruto just wanted to give Sasuke the love he deserved and the love he wasn't able to give him because of his denseness and obliviousness.

But it was too late.

By the time Naruto realised his true feelings, Sasuke had already left. He haphazardly stood up from his hideout and he was about to run towards Sasuke, tell him that he also loved him, that he wanted to have a serious relationship with him, a more-than-friends relationship, he wanted to officially date the Uchiha… but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Naruto quickly turned around and his eyes were met with two pearly ones. At that moment, Naruto knew. Sasuke wasn't being selfish, but the complete opposite. He was leaving the village so that Naruto could rearrange his life to become Hokage and have a "normal" family. After all, when have the village had a male Hokage and… his husband? It's true that there are always first times, but the elders wouldn't let that happen due to traditions. The only way Naruto could achieve his dreams, was with Sasuke's departure. Sighing, Naruto nodded and Hinata understood she could leave his shoulder. He gave her a half-hearted smile and tilted his head by noticing Hinata's slight blush on her cheeks.

If only Sasuke had told him or if only Naruto had realised sooner… They could've given it a try. But it was too late, Sasuke has made up his mind, and Naruto, feeling like falling into a black abyss, decided to comply.

Few years later, Naruto woke up in the middle of the night, cold sweat falling down his back. Astonishment hitting him, he stood up from bed and absent-mindedly walked towards his balcony. His two deep blue eyes stared at the white full moon. A groan escaping his lips, he hid his face between his crossed arms that were laying on the bars.

Had Sasuke wanted Naruto to chase after him?

"Na…Naruto-kun?" a feminine voice asked as he felt a warm tender hand on his shoulder "Is e-everything okay?"

"Hmn… Yeah. Sorry Hinata, I just… had a nightmare" He answered and smiled at her "I'm okay, you don't have to worry" His wife curved her lips as well and shyly took his hand. Naruto hesitantly intertwined his fingers with hers and began walking back to their bedroom. It was supposed to be their honey moon, but to be perfectly honest; the Uzumaki wasn't in the mood. He laid down on their bed next to Hinata. He hugged her and minutes later, because of her steady breathing, he knew she was asleep again. He hadn't had any thoughts about Sasuke since that day and he had tried his best to fall in love with Hinata, so why did he have to remember him during his wedding night? Naruto was now left in stupor, not knowing what to think anymore. He untranquilly bit his lower lip as a question ran through his head.

What if I had chased after him back then?

Could they have been together?

Well… We will never know.