PLEASE excuse the fact that this chapter is totally mushy/angsty/emo. (In the beginning) I was feeling down when I wrote this, so it made it easy.
Was it possible to actually, (because I know some people claim,) drop dead on the spot, without anything physical affecting you?
I might have. My brain felt like it was totally possible, but the fact that Sasuke was keeping me upright in his tight hug prevented that.
Sasuke's arms loosened and dropped to his sides, and I stumbled to keep my balance. I had been depending on his arms.
He abruptly turned around but didn't move. He probably didn't want to look me in the face. I knew exactly what he would say next.
"There. It's wrong. I know. You hate me. I know." He ground out. "I'm sick. I'm a freak. I know."
Here Sasuke was. He told me he was in love with me, and I was him. He was saying all these horrible things about himself, and I hadn't said anything yet. I wasn't sure what to name the emotion. I was in shock that he actually, (Despite my theories from earlier,) DID feel that way about me. But I was also happy, thinking everything would work out. I was also slightly hysterical, knowing I might cry. I was beginning to be such a wuss. But at least it wasn't because I was sad.
Nothing came to mind to say that was good enough. So instead, I stepped closer to him and fixed my arms around his waist, pushing against his back.
I must have surprised him, because he grabbed my hands, spun back around, and in doing so pulled my arms off him. "Naruto?" He asked.
I stayed quiet.
"You don't hate me? You aren't going to laugh?"
Oh screw it. "Hate you?" I felt my eyes water. "I love you." I put as much emphasis on love as possible.
We stood still for a long time, awkwardly. He still had a hold on my hands. After what seemed more like a life time then thirty seconds, he said, "Really?"
"I thought I was being too obvious." I said, emphasis on I. My voice was cracking.
Another few seconds passed, and I couldn't take us just standing there. I nearly knocked him over, wrapping my arms around him and pushing my head underneath his chin. Shaking all the while. "Yes, Teme! I love you!"
Maybe I DID knock him over. Then I realized he had just dropped, sliding to sitting and taking me with him. He shifted me more into his lap and pulled me closer. A mutual understanding and realization instantly for between us. He believed me. "Why didn't you tell me that?" He whispered against my hair, which he was resting his head on.
"Wh-Why do you think I d-didn't?" I choked out. "If I to-told you, and you hated me, I ca-cu-couldn't live like that!" I felt tears slide down my cheeks and pressed my head more into his neck.
"But I'm always so horrible to you. How could you love a jerk?" He rubbed circle patterns on my back, obviously feeling the tears.
"I d-don't love you because you're a jr-jerk." I whispered, unable to cry. "I love you because…" I sniffed in between pauses. "Because you're calm, smart…You always protect me. I admire you because you're strong…I've seen the side of you that I love! I want to help you, Sasuke! You're the only equal to…ever understand me! I feel like I understand you!"
"Sh…" He kissed the top of my head. "You do understand me. I don't care if you're annoying. I've never felt so responsible for taking care of anyone in my life. You're kind and brave. You persevere in everything. I just love you, for a million reasons more I can't explain."
I swallowed, feeling better.
I felt the relief of knowing that this was okay. This was right. Everything I had thought was a problem had lead me to one of the best things that had ever happened. From the staring, to the considering, the admiring, the loving, and then being loved back. They say the broken road always leads to good things.
"I wanted to tell you," He said suddenly. "A while ago. When you told me about the Kyubbi, and about the people…doing those things to you…I knew what I could do to end it. But I knew about my feelings, and I knew if I told you, it would be too awkward and you wouldn't consider it…" He rambled on.
Finally I interrupted. "Tell me what?"
"I thought that, if you stayed with me, no one would ever know where you were. You'd never be hurt. I live alone, in the Uchiha district where no one but me ever goes. You'd be safe if you stayed with me." He answered.
Safety. Not having to live in fear my whole life sounded amazing. "Can I?" I asked.
"Yeah. I don't want those people to ever hurt you again."
I blushed and grinned. "I told Iruka I thought you were gorgeous." It was random, but I had to say it. "You are."
He smirked, I knew he did even though I couldn't see it. "Iruka knows?" He inquired. "So does Kakashi. He's been helping me." He admitted. "I told him I thought you were irresistibly adorable."
"Iruka's been helping me, too." I looked up at him, and we stared at each other.
"Those bastards," We said at the same time.
"I'm sure they knew all along!" I whined. "How could he not tell me!?"
"How could he not tell me?" He said as well, more emphasis on me.
I sighed. Maybe he thought it better if we found out. We never continued that conversation. "Sasuke? Does this mean we're together? I'll always be with you? My whole life?"
His expression changed. His eyes lowered and his smile faded. "I don't know. It's not that I won't stop loving you," he added quickly, seeing my surprise. "My purpose in life will always be…Get up."
"Get up?" What the hell? His expression changed all at once again, now he was a complete blank. He stood up, pulling me up by the arm.
"Wipe your face and act natural." He remained blank. I did as I was told. He stepped more to the side of me.
Now I understood why. This would be a problem.
Sakura and Kakashi came back, and I realized Sasuke had sensed them coming just in time. Sakura looked tired, but otherwise fine. Kakashi didn't have any expression in his visible eye.
"So, who won guys?" Sakura asked on getting close enough.
We both looked at each other. I was about to say him since he had grabbed my arms and made me stop, but he immediately answered, "It was a tie. We were both victorious."
His careful wording made me get it. I didn't bother hiding my smile.
She blinked, surprised. She didn't say anything about that.
"Sasuke, Naruto. I need to talk to you two before you go. Sakura, you can head home." Kakashi said suddenly.
"Oh right, sure." She answered, then grinned at Sasuke. "I'll see you tomorrow, Sasuke!"
He didn't answer, just looked expectantly at Kakashi. He waited until Sakura was completely out of sight before speaking. "How have things been lately, for you too?"
I wanted to say, cut the crap. We know you know. "Things have been good, Sensei." I answered. Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"No problems? You've been quiet. Both of you."
I tensed and then relaxed. Sasuke grabbed my hand and held it. "No problems," He smirked, and Kakashi blinked in surprise.
"I see." He smiled. "Well, you're free to go."
He disappeared. "Damn it, Kakashi. Just you wait until tomorrow." Sasuke muttered.
"You were saying?" I asked, ignoring the fact he was gone involuntarily.
"Saying what?" He didn't sound like he had forgotten.
"Never mind." I guess. He obviously didn't want to talk about it.
"Hey, Naruto." I looked sidelong at him. "I love you as a person and as a ninja. But as a ninja, I'm still and always will be your rival." He smirked.
I smirked back. "Hell yeah, I knew that!" I did. That was the way I wanted it.
I knew now my depression wouldn't come back. Not for a very, very long time, if not forever.
The last statement is very untrue, Naruto :( Nobody say happy ending, because this definitely isn't the end :