Chapter 8: Alone at last

Disclaimer: I don't own, other ppl do and not me! It sucks that I don't...Whaaa!

This is thoughts

THIS IS YELLING!

I remember when dad used to take me out to the harbor. The smell of sea weed and water constantly made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Dad would unfailingly make me wear a blue life preserver. Even though I complained, I complied and wore it. It was a small price to pay to go out on those beautiful currents. Dad always told me to stay near the middle of the boat when casting off in case it rocked. Which it did, I almost fell over board once. Dad used to always show me how to set up the fishing net, and I'd watch as it was cast out. Dad loved his fishing boat. He always told me how he once got lost on the ocean when he was young, but he made it through the night to return to my mother on shore. Mom always was nervous over boats, made her queasy and sick. However, seeing the love for the water in both our eyes, she would suck it up and indulge, if not a little whiny at most. He saw it, out there on the waves. His father was behind the wheel, his wife in his arms as she cast nervous glances everywhere. He giggled when he saw his father bend over and kiss his wife on the ear and whisper words of comfort to her. Eventually, she would relax and enjoy the ride. Everything was going fine. The world was perfect, here on his little boat. Until...

He was drowning...

He felt water invade his throat and begging to be let out. Naruto opened his mouth but was unable to breath. He felt like a weight was pushing down on his chest.

'You have to give him CPR!' someone yelled.

'CP-What?' another voiced asked.

'CPR! It's what humans do to revive each other or to give them oxygen! It looks like a kiss only you're saving his life!' that someone yelled again. The feeling in his throat became more powerful; the weight on his chest seemed to intensify. Something was covering his mouth and forcing air down his throat. He felt water rushing up from somewhere. More water invaded his throat; he opened his mouth and felt it running down his cheeks. He coughed and felt the weight from his chest vanish.

'He's alive...Thank god...'

Naruto opened his eyes and felt cool air hitting his face. He felt wet and tired, the expression a drowned rat taking a whole other meaning. He breathed deep and saw stars in the sky. A pale hand came up and touched his cheek. He looked over and saw a person holding him. He blinked and cleared his vision. Sasuke smiled and gently fingered his wet cheek.

"Are you all right?" the raven asked, lidded his eyes, continuing to stroke the blond's cheek. Naruto blushed and began to sit up; his sore stomach protested, and he immediately laid back down.

"I...I'm sore, I know that but...Otherwise, besides from emotional scarring I think I'm all right," Naruto sat up with the help of Sasuke and rubbed his sore stomach. The raven smiled and sighed.

"Good. Well, not about the emotional scarring but...At least you didn't drown I mean..." Sasuke finished off, looking away and scratching his cheek. Naruto looked at him with confusion.

"W-Why?" the blond asked. Sasuke looked at him.

"Why what?"

"Why did you do that? I don't even know you! You could have just walked away and saved yourself the trouble!" The blond protested. Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"So I should have stood there or walked away and let him have his way with you? I'm a cold person; I'll admit that much, but that cold? I'm no coward when it comes to making your mind up about the heart! What that guy was doing...It was wrong! Taking advantage of someone is only plain wrong! So just shut up and say thank you and...Just...Just be thankful! Otherwise, you would be fish food by now in the harbor!" Sasuke hissed, grabbing the blond's upper arm and pulling him to his feet. Naruto scowled and tore his arm away, he stumbled and landed against the wall behind him. Sasuke moved forward and carefully steadied him.

"Look, I'll admit it too! I did ask for help, and I'm sorry! Nevertheless, for a while, I was desperate! Don't think of it as some kind of fate thing because I don't believe in it, and I didn't wish for it either!" Naruto said, crossing his arms.

Well...The last part was actually not true...

Sasuke rolled his eyes and looked the blond right into his clear, blue eyes.

"Idiot, fate happens. Wished are miracles. Whatever the wish, you should never regret that you made a good wish. I mean...Its possible to believe in miracles...Isn't it?" Sasuke asked shrugging.

After all...Going from rat to human isn't exactly natural puberty you know!

Naruto looked at him strangely. He blinked and looked at the ground.

"Well...I guess that's true. Nevertheless, hey, let's go somewhere else...I'm tired and wet, and I can't see you all that properly in the dark either..." Naruto suddenly held out his hand, "By the way...I'm Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki, to whom am I speaking?" he asked, smiling, if not weakly. Sasuke gave a concerned smile. He looked at the hand and blanked out for a moment.

It's one of those human greeting things. They, for some-odd reasons they shake hands. How...If not weird...Ridiculous...

Sasuke lifted his opposite hand and took the blond's. Naruto's skin was freezing. Sasuke frowned.

"We have to get you home; you're freezing, and those ass holes might come back." Naruto wobbled, and Sasuke wrapped an arm around his waist.

"By the way, my name is Sasuke, Sasuke Uchiha." The raven gently pulled the blond up to the steps to the bridge; they crossed it into the living district.

"That's a weird name . . . Is it French or . . . Something . . . ?" Naruto tried, walking sloppily next to the raven.

Idiot, that was a stupid thing to say! Of course, it's not French! Nevertheless, god, looking at this guy is making me nervous. Where did he just pop out from?

Naruto cast a shy glance at the raven; Sasuke noticed and smiled. Naruto blushed and looked down at the ground.

If I had to put my finger on it, I would almost ask . . . Did my wish come true?

Sasuke faked getting directions to Naruto's house and helped him up to the stairs to the apartment. He already knew where the blond lived, but didn't want to scare him. After all, the blond would get the idea that he was a stalker. Not that he wasn't already when he was a rat. He never really came through the front door before, he had always snuck in by the window by climbing the fire escape. As soon as they went through the front door, the smell of mildew and wet dog invaded his senses. He grimaced and went up the staircase to Naruto's floor. The blond pointed to a door at the far end of the hall way, number twenty-six. Sasuke reached it, and Naruto unlocked it with the hidden key tapped to the inside of the mail slot. Sasuke commented the cleverness, successfully making the blond blush. He nudged open the door with his hip and proceeded inside. Naruto's apartment smelt slightly cleaner, looked it too. Sasuke looked around at the familiar sink and bed. A small electric fan had been added near his bed side, and the bathroom door was unclosed. A pair of curtains had been hung and the window left ajar, making them flow gently with the breeze. Sasuke looked at the fridge and stared at the magnets he had seen before. The same frog timer sitting on top of the stove almost made him laugh. He walked the blond over to the bed and sat him down. Sasuke breathed through his nose and almost drooled.

Naruto's (sniff) apartment still smells (sniff) like noodles and chicken. (Sniff) It also smells like Naruto...Peaches?

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and looked up at Sasuke. He stopped and stared at the raven. Now that he had enough light, he could make him out and what he saw was...

OMG! This guy is good looking! Why didn't I notice it earlier? Probably, because I was in danger! Dang! My place probably looks like a dump to him!

Sasuke waved a hand in front of the blond's face. Naruto snapped out of it and laughed.

"Sorry, I didn't pay much attention when we first met. Where are you from exactly and...Well, this is going to be a strange question but...Why did you help me?" Sasuke sighed and sat down on Naruto's bed.

"Look, I'm from...Around. Mostly, by the restaurants and stuff. Does it really matter why I helped?"

"Yes it does! It's weird for a stranger to help someone out in those situations!" The blond said, standing up and walking over to his dresser. He pulled out a pair of pajama bottoms and a shirt.

"Look, my name like I said is Sasuke Uchiha, I'm your age, by the way, we sound and act. I live with some family but most of the time I'm a loner." Sasuke looked out Naruto's window. The blond stared at him and quickly changed in his bathroom. He came back out and sat on the bed. Sasuke was still staring out the window when he sat down.

How can I make this work? I want to tell Naruto how I feel! It was so much easier to see him when I was a rat! How can I possibly get him to trust me?

Naruto saw the look of confusion on the other boy's face, he felt slightly guilty. He tapped the other's shoulder, getting the raven to look at him; he smiled.

"Look I'm sorry. It's just, when you live on your own in this city...You tend to trust only yourself. Nevertheless, I am...I'm grateful you saved me from Leo...And from drowning so I'll tell ya what...I'll give you anything you want in return, okay?" The blond asked, scratching at a hole in one of his sleeves. Sasuke stared at him, and his eyes went wide.

Jackpot!

Sasuke smiled and moved a little closer. Naruto tilted his head and blushed when a pale hand came up and touched his cheek. Naruto felt a tingle run down his spine, just from the contact.

"Well...How about this. I want two things, one tiny, one sort of small. Good enough?" he asked. Naruto fidgeted and nodded.

He is so cute! I want to glomp him! He smells so good! Great...I really sound like a stalker. Oh who cares! This is a chance of a life time!

"Let me take you on a date tomorrow after work," Sasuke said, smiling as Naruto's face got redder and redder from all the stroking.

"A date? Y-y-you mean as like...A couple?" the blond stuttered. Sasuke nodded and gave the blond a breath-taking smile.

"Yeah, you're cute, and I...Really like you. Do you mind?" Naruto dead panned.

"Cute! You don't call another boy cute! I'm not a girl and...Yes; I'll go with you..." Naruto blushed, itching his neck. Sasuke smiled and leaned forward, slowly; he kissed the end of the blond's nose.

"Great," he said, "and also, that Leo guy is still out there, I don't want a repeat of what happen on the bridge." Naruto shivered and nodded, touching the end of his nose, he smiled. He stood up and walked toward his fridge.

"So, are you hungry?" he asked, opening it and looking inside. Sasuke's nose was suddenly filled with different smells.

Eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, meat...Soup? Mm mm...

Naruto pulled out a bowl and popped it into the microwave on the counter. Sasuke sat up and watched the blond carefully. He followed every movement, mouth slightly watering. The microwave beeped and Naruto took out the bowl; he set it on the counter and grabbed some utensils from the drawer.

"I hope you like ramen its...All I have prepared at the moment..." the blond mumbled, handing the bowl to him with a pair of chop sticks. Sasuke stared at him for a moment and accepted the bowl. He looked weirdly at the chop sticks and held one in each hand.

"Umm...What are these?" he asked, holding up the two wooden sticks. Naruto stared at him, about five minutes later; he broke out in uncontrollable laughter. Sasuke stared at him before poking him in the forehead with one of the sticks.

"I mean it! What the hell are these?" Naruto waved his hand away and stopped laughing, going to giggles now.

"There called chop sticks? Are you insane? You said you were from around but...If you don't know what chop sticks are or what they do, then you're out of luck in this world pal!" Sasuke stared annoyingly at him and looked at the bowl of ramen.

I could just eat it with my fingers...

Naruto took the sticks from him and positioned his fingers with them. He dipped them into the bowl and picked up a line of noodles. He dropped the noodles and gave the sticks to Sasuke.

"Now, do what I did. And eat the line of noodles okay?" Sasuke nodded stubbornly and shifted the sticks in his fingers. He reached into the bowl and picked the line up, a bit shakily, before opening his mouth and putting the noodles in. His eyes widened, and he closed them in happiness.

This is great! I've never tasted something so good, hot and steamy! Well...Hopefully Naruto will fill into those qualities later...

Naruto smiled at the happy look on the brunettes face. He watched as Sasuke slurped up all the noodles. Naruto jumped off the bed and went to his cupboard.
"I almost forgot!" he shouted, opening a box and reaching inside. Sasuke stopped slurping and watched what the blond was doing. Naruto came back over and held something out to him.
"You'll need crackers to go with that!" The blond said happily, smiling down at the raven. Sasuke's eyes widened, and he dropped his chop sticks. He looked up at the blond in amazement and awe.

XXflashbackXX

Naruto sighed and set the jar down on to the cobble stoned street, slowly he un screwed the jar and let out the poor thing. Sasuke didn't want to move; he was being cautious. Naruto smiled and reached into his pocket. He took out some crackers he had and put them on the stone street in front of the jar. Sasuke couldn't ignore his instincts and ran to the food. He munched on it and devoured the first piece. He looked back up at Naruto, blue eyes watching him. The boy was smiling softly, something a kind to sadness on his face. Sasuke grabbed the other cracker and started running down the street with it in his mouth. He stopped and turned around, Naruto, was still on his knees, watching the small creature go. He was bathed in the light from the street lamps above, his shadow reflecting off the alley wall. He was wearing a black, service, vest and white under shirt, a red bow across his neck. He still had his apron on and just watched as Sasuke went. The rat noticed the boy's hair resembled honey, his favorite sticky sweet. His eyes when he was up close were blue like the canal water. Creamy skin clothed a well-rounded face and soft cheeks, complete with a pair of full slightly pink lips. Sasuke stared and completely forgot about the cracker in his possession.

He is so...Pretty...Like a piece of candy with a shiny wrapper...

Naruto smiled and picked himself off the ground. He picked up the jar and tossed it into a near by trash bin, Sasuke watched as the boy waved a good-bye and headed down the street.

"Take care and stay out of the kitchen! I can't be there to save your rat ass all the time!" he yelled, breaking into a sprint. He didn't mind if Sasuke couldn't understand him, but he did anyway. When you spend your life stealing from humans, you tend to pick up the language very easily. Sasuke watched him leave, a strange, strong, urge to follow the boy was making its way up to his tail. He in hailed the other cracker and twitched his tail a little, picking crumbs off his face and whiskers.

He saved my life...A gave me crackers! The ugly man said that the boy's name was Naruto...I like him, he is a different kind of human. I'll stick around the restaurant for a while and see if I can't see the human again...Maybe he'll give me more food! And I like him...a lot.

Sasuke stood and put the bowl on the night stand. Naruto blinked and watched as the crackers he had were gently taken out of his hand. Sasuke held the tiny pieces to his face. He set them down and looked at Naruto, his expression unreadable. Naruto started to fidget and look at the floor.

"Umm...Sorry...I didn't mean to...Do crackers offend you or something?" he asked, laughing nervously. Sasuke took his chin and made him look up. He looked into a pair of black pearl eyes, his own sky blue ones reflecting off them.

Naruto...Ever since that day...I've loved you and followed you around. First, I was grateful, but now...I can't stop thinking about you, you have something no one else has. You're special, you're everything a person could want, and I don't care how long it takes...If I have to wait years hereafter I'll do it! I'll make you mine! I'll keep you safe! I'll love you until the last breath I have leaves my shuddering body! I'll make you happy; I'll make you laugh...I'll do anything...Anything...

Before Sasuke could stop himself, he was leaning forward. Naruto watched as the raven drew closer, so close, that he felt a pair of lips on his own. His eyes widened, and his cheeks turned cherry red. Sasuke closed his eyes and savored the taste that was the blond. Naruto relaxed and felt the lips move against his own, coaxing him. Before Naruto could help it, he closed his eyes and brought his arms up, wrapping them around the raven's neck. Sasuke felt a jolt go through his body, and eagerness exploded in his insides. He gently but possessively wrapped his arms around the thin blond's waist and pulled him closer, their stomachs touching. Naruto moaned and tilted his head, getting a better angle. Sasuke ran one hand down the blond's back, the other over a smooth hip. Naruto snaked his hand in to raven hair, stroking and massaging the scalp. Sasuke gently began backing up, careful not to trip them as he did. He turned, and Naruto landed on his back onto the bed. They broke for air, and Sasuke marveled at how the moon light lit up the blond's features. He reached over to the near by lamp and flicked it off. Naruto's cheeks were a deep crimson; he shifted, causing the blankets under him to move. Sasuke gently ran a hand through blond hair.

"Naruto...I..." he whispered, leaning back down. Naruto blushed and gripped the sheets beneath him.

"Sasuke..." he breathed, watching as the sex god above him leaned down and captured his lips in another mind-blowing kiss...

TBC

Well, I'm getting a lot of fan art. I like to see how other people see my characters. I get some really good artists. If you do have a picture, be sure and send it to me, I would really like to see it!

R&R