Disclaimer: At this point in time, Naruto still doesn't belong to me. All characters and concepts of Naruto belong to their rightful owner whose name I'm not even going to try spelling
Warnings: Swearing, Angst, slightly graphic interactions between Sasuke and Naruto. In other words, Shounen ai/Yaoi
A/N: Co incidently, I was going back over the chapters of this story, and realised that in the first chapter warnings, it says that there will be Gaara x Naruto and Genma x Neji. I'm officially cancelling that for two reasons. Number one, i can't even remember what the original idea was for this story. It's taken on a life of it's own, ya know? And the second reason is because Sasuke and Naruto is the main pairing for this story. I hope i don't disappoint too many of you with this, but i honestly can't see a way i can integrate those pairings into the storyline now. I have a destination now. Rejoice!!!!
Chapter 19: No Way Back Now
Naruto stretched contentedly within the warm confines of his blankets. It was still very early, and still way too early for even him to be awake, but excitement was tying his stomach in knots. He had a good feeling about the coming day. He'd ride Sora for the first time, and see if she really was as great as he thought she was. Sasuke would be there with him, the trust he had placed in Naruto's judgment warmed him to the very depths of his soul.
The rosy pre-morning light was started to chase the darkness in his room away, and Naruto studied the remaining shadows in lazy contemplation. It was in the quiet of early morning when Naruto felt the most alive, when the approaching beauty of dawn was enough to lift his spirits from their murky depths for awhile.
His father had been an early riser too, he remembered without the usual crushing pain he felt when thinking about his father. There was the occasional moment when he was able to think about his father without sinking into depression once more, and it was always easiest when the first hints of gold and pink touched the horizon.
Naruto shook himself out of his thoughts as he threw the covers back and swung his legs out of bed. There was no point in trying to get back to sleep now that he was awake.
After considering what he would be doing for the day, Naruto pulled on a pair of fawn colored riding pants and his worn pair of knee length riding boots. As he pulled on a long-sleeved blue shirt and a plain black jacket with the Uchiha crest embroidered on the chest, he couldn't help the smile that graced his face.
Sasuke was picking him up in a couple of hours. He'd get to see his beautiful face once more, and be able to listen to the smooth timbre of his deep voice. And he would be able to watch those artists hands on the wheel, and get to feel the warmth of his touch and his lips...
Naruto let himself out of his room and walked as quietly as he could down the hallway. He paused and frowned in confusion when he saw light shining from beneath Ten-ten's door, but continued on, not wanting to disturb her.
The sitting room and kitchen were still ghostly quiet, and Naruto briefly wondered how Genma was doing, and if he was okay. He'd make it a point to give him a call that evening to make sure he was all right, Naruto told himself.
The cold air hit him like a punch to the gut when he left the warmth of the living quarters. But the sound of hungry horses soon made him forget the temperature. They were eager to see him, and he was constantly stopping to stroke warm noses and sleek necks on his way to the section of the stables that was unoccupied by horses.
He stood at the door of the first one thoughtfully, looking around. Stables didn't feel right when they were empty. They needed living, breathing creatures in them, to make them feel more like a home. Naruto always found himself humbled when confronted with that feeling. The depth and breadth of his love for horses sometimes astounded him. They were not only his last link to his deceased father, but they were the comfort he needed against the cold, the security he needed to keep his personal demons at bay. They didn't care if he was damaged and ruined beyond repair by grief and self-loathing. They made him feel whole and pure once more.
And he had a gut feeling that Sora needed him as much as he needed her. She was the one, his gut was telling him. She's the one who will make this stall a home.
With that thought in his head, Naruto set about preparing the stable for it's new owner.
- - -
When Sasuke pulled up in his car, there was no one about. But Sasuke had assured him that Kakashi was aware of the circumstances the night before, so he wasn't worried about making anyone angry. And at least he wouldn't have to explain to anyone where he was going to be; that was Kakashi's job now.
Naruto opened the door and slid into the soft leather of the passenger seat.
"Hi."
"Morning," Sasuke smiled at him. "I hope you're ready for today. We've got a long day ahead of us."
"I think I am," Naruto assured him hurriedly.
Naruto understood why Sasuke hadn't kissed him hello. The chance of someone seeing them was too great, but it didn't matter to him. Sasuke had smiled at him, and that was enough to make tendrils of warmth curl skittishly within his stomach. Naruto was sure that Sasuke's smile could warm even the coldest of hearts.
As it was, his was buzzing pleasantly within him as Sasuke turned the car around and sped off down the dirt road, plumes of dust following in their wake. The radio was playing some song that he didn't recognize, but it was only providing background noise anyway and the engine was purring pleasantly.
Naruto slipped easily into the secure companionship that existed between, and soon found himself forgetting anything but Sasuke and the bright vision of a future where he was happy. Sasuke did that to him. He made him feel like everything was going to work out, like endless possibilities were stretched out before him just waiting for him to pick up the reins and make a choice.
What he felt whenever he even thought about the youngest Uchiha was almost like a sharp pain, except it didn't bring hurt. The emotions he stirred within Naruto were so poignant and profound that it was hard to draw the line between the two. It was getting so strong that Naruto began to wonder how he could ever live when Sasuke had to leave and go back to his own life. A life that was completely separate to the one that he was sharing with Naruto in the present.
But he wasn't thinking about the future, Naruto told himself sternly. For once he wasn't going to worry about the future, and he wasn't going to agonize about what had gone wrong in the past. He was living the present, and he was going to live it to the best of his ability. He was going to give everything he had to Sasuke, and he was going to give him every little thing that he wanted, because that was the only way he knew how to love someone, and he knew beyond a doubt that he loved Sasuke. There was no going backwards anymore. Only forwards.
- - -
Mr Kato was waiting for them in the stable yard when they pulled up. Sasuke switched the engine off and turned to him.
"Be careful out there. You don't know what she can be like, so just take it easy okay?"
Naruto smiled at him as he unbuckled his seat belt.
"It's okay, Sasuke. I've ridden strange horses before. I'll be fine," he replied, reaching out and shyly brushing his fingers over the back of Sasuke's hand before reaching for the door handle.
Sasuke caught his hand and held him still.
"All the same, I'd like to make sure that you will always be able to ride new horses, so make sure that nothing happens. I trust you. And I trust you not to do anything stupid that will put you in harms way."
Naruto met Sasuke's serious eyes and nodded wordlessly, surprised and humbled all at once at this display of concern about his welfare. He felt his cheeks flush warmly, and silently cursed his ability to blush at any honest display of emotion.
"I won't let you down, Sasuke. You have my word, " he promised solemly.
Sasuke nodded and caressed the inside of his wrist minutely before releasing him and following at he climbed out of the car.
"Besides, I can't imagine what horrors Kakashi and Iruka-san would unleash on me if I let anything happen to you," Sasuke muttered.
Naruto bit his lip to hide his smile and ducked his head, knowing what he said to be true. Even he wasn't sure what they were capable of.
Sasuke strode confidently up to Kato with Naruto following and trying to get his glowing emotions under control. He kept his head lowered, studying the worn toes of his riding boots as he listened to the conversation.
"Mr Kato," Sasuke nodded as he shook the man's hand. "I trust everything is ready for my assistant here."
"Of course, Uchiha-Sama. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to one of our indoor arena's where one of the stable hands of warming the mare up."
Sasuke fell in step behind the man, and Naruto followed along closely.
"Why an indoor arena?"
Naruto could hear the frown in Sasuke's voice and mentally applauded his growing abilities to read Sasuke.
"Sora spooks easily, and gets restless when there's a lot of activity going on around her. I thought it might be better for your boy if he rode him inside." Mr Kato paused and then continued delicately. "If you'll pardon me for saying so, that is one of the reasons why I suggested to you yesterday that she might not be suitable for..."
"My boy," Sasukes tone said exactly what he thought of that particular term, "has a lot of experience working with troublesome horses. It won't be a problem."
Naruto was frowning at being addressed as a boy (he was nineteen after all) but let it go at Sasuke vote of confidence in his abilities. While he was often praised for his horse skills by others, it somehow meant so much more when it came from Sasuke. After all, Sasuke was no beginner with horses either. He rode like a champion, with abilities up there with the Olympian Equestrian riders. Naruto had no doubts that he could hold his own against the top riders int he country.
"Well, I see that you won't be swayed on the matter. This way, if you please," the man sighed and led them into an enormous building located behind the rows and rows of buildings that housed the horses.
Sasuke dropped back beside him momentarily.
"I really don't like that man," he muttered in annoyance, squeezing Naruto's forearm briefly before catching up with the stocky man in front of them. Naruto smiled and followed his lead once more.
Sora stood in the center of the massive riding ring tossing her head impatiently as Kaede tightened her girth and checked over her tack. The mare had obvious been lunged as sweat darkened her forelegs.
Kaede stood with the mare in the center of the large, saw dusted ring. The whole building was well lit and ventilated, despite it's size, and on each of the long sides of the building, a set of stairs led up the rows of seats where one could sit and watch horses being worked.
"This is our showing arena," Kato announced proudly. "We hold our yearling sales here, and competitions of various sorts annually."
Sasuke nodded, clearly irritated with the man's boastfulness.
"Perhaps we could move out of the way so we can let them get started," he suggested with strained politeness. "Why don't you tell me more about the sales you hold here?"
The man nodded enthusiastically and Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto as they headed towards a set of stairs.
Naruto grinned as he headed over to Kaede. She smiled back at him.
"He can be a bit much, can't he?" she greeted him as she handed over the reins.
"He's not so bad," Naruto smiled. He didn't like to talk badly about anyone. In his experience, it usually came back to bite you when you least expected it.
"Well, you don't have to work with him now, do you?" Kaede smiled once more as he accepted the helmet she offered to him.
"Hey there, my lady," he smiled as he stepped up to greet Sora. "Are you ready to get to know me?"
Sora sniffed at him hands and then his trousers and snorted sharply. Naruto chuckled and patted her neck, remembering to keep clear of her head.
"Anything I should know?" he asked Kaede as he adjusted his stirrups. She seemed thrown by the question, and Naruto waited for her answer patiently.
"Uh...well. She's really sensitive around the mouth so just...use very little hands and a lot of body movement. She'll test you to start with, but once she knows you're not a beginner then she'll settle down and do what you want as long as you treat her right," Kaede rushed, glancing up at Kato and seeing his disapproving frown.
"Don't worry about him," Naruto murmured to her. "What else should I know?"
"She doesn't like to be surprised. So just...ease her into things okay? Don't do anything sudden or drastically different from what you were doing before. She'll react badly if you do."
Naruto nodded as he carefully lifted the reins around her head, noting the pinned back ears and the stamping of her feet when he did so.
"Okay," he patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Thank you, Kaede. I trust that you'll be staying nearby in case she throws me off."
"O-of course. I mean, that is if you'd like me to."
"I would appreciate it."
"Okay then. I'll just be over by the door then."" She pointed and turned to go. "Good luck.'
Naruto shut everything else out then, focusing solely on the large bay mare before him. He could only just see over her shoulders. She was solidly built, and was probably immensely strong to boot, but that wasn't anything he couldn't handle.
"We don't need luck, do we Sora? We're fine just the way we are." he murmured to her as he fit his boot in the stirrup and gathered the reins, preparing the mount.
"Besides, the way I see it, if we rely too heavily on luck and chance, then we'll end up lost and confused won't we?"
He continued to talk to her, knowing she was listening to the sound of his voice by the flickering of her delicate ears. He pushed himself up and eased himself into the saddle. She was shorter than Taira only by a little, and every time he found himself on the back of such large horses, he always marveled at how little everything else seemed.
He shifted, finding his comfortable position and gathering up the reins. He smoothed down a portion of her mane.
"Neither of us need that, do we? We need to keep our feet on the ground so we don't lose track of ourselves. If you'll let me, I think I can help you do that."
He stood up once in the stirrups before sitting back down, finding his balance and assessing her reactions. She stood rock steady, bobbing her head slightly, wanting to go but not feeling stressed anymore.
Nodding slightly to himself, he urged her forward gently, noting how she responded readily to the slightest pressure of his heels. He guided her towards the outer arena, content just to walk for the time being and assessing things like the smoothness of her gait, her propulsion and energy.
"I understand that someone has mistreated you in someway in the past, but I can help you get past that. We can help each other if we're patient."
He nodded to Kaede as they passed her, noticing how anxious she looked. He didn't let her anxiety affect him though. When he was riding, he needed to keep a calm and steady head about his shoulders. Horses picked up on emotion very easily, and reacted accordingly. Sora seemed like the kind of horse who reacted strongly to that kind of thing so it was doubly important that he kept his wits about him. While he could control his own actions and emotions, he couldn't control the actions of those around him which meant that he needed to be alert and aware of any and all changes around himself and Sora.
Sora was impatient to get going, bobbing her head impatiently and swishing her tail. She was already well warmed up, so he consented to her wished and gathered up the reins, mindful of Kaede's words about her sensitive mouth, readying to trot.
He'd barely given the signal when she sprung forward into a fast paced trot. Patiently, Naruto slowed her back down to a walk and after a few paces tried again. This time she started forward when he had asked and at the pace he asked, understanding his intentions perfectly.
Satisfied, he settled her into an active trot, liking the smoothness of the gait immediately. It felt like her feet were barely touching the ground, like they were floating.
Satisfied with her trot, he set about putting her through a series of complicated circles and half circles, serpentines and figures of eight. She completed them all easily, hardly even raising a sweat.
It was too easy for her, so he repeated it all again at a canter before putting her through a basic dressage test. She was a lovely horse to ride. Because of the sensitivity of her mouth, most of the signals and instructions he gave her were conveyed through body movement. Slight shifts in weight, and the direction he pointed his shoulders and hips told her which way to go and what she should be doing when. By moving the position of his heels and adjusting his position in the saddle, he controlled her gait. He used very little hands and rein, only using very slight pressure when he wanted to slow her to a halt and he didn't hang off them or saw at her mouth.
Once the dressage test was completed, he slowed her back to a walk to give her a little breather and patted her neck, feeling very excited at the thought of taking this wonderful mare home and teaching her all that he could.
She seemed to have calmed down a lot and worked off much of her former energy and was walking sedately beneath him.
Naruto slowed her in front of Kaede and came to a halt.
The girl was beaming up at him.
"You look wonderful together," she informed them. "See what I mean? She really is a lovely horse. You're a wonderful rider."
Naruto flushed, flattered and wiped his sweaty forehead on his arm.
"Thank you." he replied, oddly touched by her sincere praise. "I'd like to set up some trotting poles and jumps if that's okay. I'd like to see how well she can handle them."
Kaede bit her lip, looking worried once more.
"She'll be okay with the jumps. I mean, she gets over them well enough, but she lacks..."
"Finesse?" Naruto suggested.
"Yeah. That. She gets frustrated easily. And she hates trotting poles."
Naruto nodded. "If it's all the same, I'd like to give it a go anyway. Just to see where she stands."
Kaede hesitated a moment longer before nodding.
"I'll let it up. You go do what you need to."
"Thanks Kaede."
Naruto nudged Sora and they were off once more. He walked her around the perimeter of the arena and watched with one eye as Kaede started dragging poles and jumps onto the area and began to measure the paces between each.
Naruto collected himself once more, and Sora, sensing something was happening perked up and tensed in anticipation. Naruto urged her forward into a trot, patting her neck soothingly as he did so.
"Easy girl. One step at a time," he said quietly to her.
Sitting back in the saddle her urged her into a canter. She obeyed immediately, settling into a smooth, ground eating canter that had them eating up ground effortlessly. Even then, he knew that it was nowhere near her fastest. He took her once around the outside of the arena, feeling how tense and locked up she was.
He relaxed his body even further, giving her a freer reign and letting her dictate the pace. Sensing this, she settled into a smoother lope within minutes, relaxing and loosening even further. It was a much more relaxed canter this time around, and he knew that it must look better than the collected canter before.
He took her around the arena twice more as Kaede finished setting up the jumps and the trotting poles. Then, slowing her to a trot then a walk, he let her get her breath back once more, sizing up his options and making a plan.
On the inside of the large arena, Kaede had set up a small line of jumps in a row on one side. in a neat row beside the jumps a series of poles lay evenly spaced. The aim of the poles was to control rhythm and balance which were two of the most important things when jumping. The horse is supposed to trot over the poles without changing his gait or his rhythm. The same principle applied to jumping fences. Once a pace is set, it shouldn't change because there's a jump in the way.
If Sora had a problem with the poles then it was no wonder she didn't like the jumps. The solution to the problem was simple really. All he needed to do was put a set of poles in the arena when working with her and make her keep going over them as he practiced dressage. That way she would be able to do it without changing anything or getting upset. It only required patience and practice and he had plenty of time for both.
Once Kaede had left the arena, Naruto set Sora trotting around the outside arena once more. After two laps he changed her direction and headed straight for the middle of the poles. Sora's head immediately went up, her ears went back and she slowed right down. He applied his heels gently yet insistently to her sides and she snorted, going forwards over the first with a great hopping leap. She continued over all of them in the same fashion- Naruto was sure they looked ridiculous but he paid that no mind. The moment they had completed the poles (but not until she had tried to shy sideways several times to try and escape) she broke into a furious canter.
He slowed her within a few paces, and pulled her back to a walk.
She was tossing her head angrily now and jogging. Naruto relaxed in the saddle and stroked her neck soothingly. She relaxed a bit but kept up her fast walking pace.
"I'm sorry girl. How about we try that again a little slower, hey?" he murmured to her softly. He kept talking quietly to her as the walked the arena once more. Once they reached the poles again though, he pulled her to a halt and looked at the considering.
After a moments thought, he jumped down from Sora and grasped the reins behind her chin. Coaxing gently he led her forward and let her go at her own pace as he stepped over them himself. She followed him slowly, and infinitely more calmly. He repeated the process several times before remounting her and repeating it at a walk. She still didn't like it but she went over them without getting herself too worked up.
Seeing she had had enough of that for the day, he decided to take her over the jumps. She completed the four jumps sloppily as Kaede had predicted. She sped up before she launched herself over each jump, using speed instead of power and control to clear the jump. Whoever had taught her to jump had gotten it dead wrong. Naruto ended the session there, with a ten minute cool down session before he dismounted.
He loosened the girth, feeling unexpectedly tired but pleasantly so. She had worked up a good sweat as well, he noted as he gave her one last pat before he handed her reins over to Kaede.
"Well, what did you think?" She asked as she took them.
Naruto nodded at her and gave her a quick smile.
"I can't promise anything, but I think she's the one I need," he whispered to her as Sasuke and Mr Kota approached.
Sora's ears went back as they arrived, and she stamped impatiently. Kaede led her a few steps away to calm her down.
"I'd like a minute to speak with my trainer if you please," Sasuke told Kota, who nodded and went over to Kaede.
"Well?" Naruto asked expectantly in lowered tones.
"She's got no jumping experience," Sasuke frowned.
"But she's got excellent dressage training. She's got pureblood lines with some famous grand-sires and dams in there." Naruto pointed out. "With the right training and the right rider, she can definitely be what we need."
"You're that sure?"
Naruto nodded, and said nothing else, watching as Sasuke thought it over, looking over at where she stood.
"And you think you can get her up to standard within the time frame we're talking about?"
"It'll be pushing it, but yeah, I think I can. It'll take a lot of work, but I can do it," Naruto assured him quickly.
"I don't want you working yourself to death just because you think this is what I want. I stand by what I told you before. If you don't think you can do it, just say so. I'm not going to hold it against you," Sasuke said, looking down at him. "You really think she's the one then? You seem very sure."
"That's because I am Sasuke. I can do this. I want to do this."
Sasuke nodded slowly. "Okay then. I'll make the arrangements. You go and get cleaned up. We're going to go somewhere for lunch."
Naruto nodded and couldn't help the smile that broke out on his face.
"You won't regret this Sasuke. I promise."
Sasuke nodded and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Go. I've got to make a deal with this toad of a man. I'll meet you at the car."
-----
Naruto tried his best to contain his excitement as he entered the living quarters, but he was positive that the smile on his face gave him away. Somehow he had managed to avoid nearly everyone in the stable yard on his way in. It had reached that quiet time of the early afternoon when all the horses were out in the fields or being exercised, and everyone was immersed in the early afternoon peace as they worked.
Shikamaru and Sakura were sitting on the hay bales mending broken bits of equipment, like halters and bridles, stirrups and chest plates.
Kiba was busy working one of the younger horses in one of the indoor arenas with Raidou supervising and calling out the odd instruction. Ten ten was no where to be seen, and Kakashi was seated in the small, out of the way office going over the accounts and re-ordering stock.
Naruto slipped into the cool darkness of the sitting room and made his way quietly to his room. He opened to door and closed it behind him before jumping in surprise when he saw Tenten sitting on his couch and looking pensively out the window. It was a bit disconcerting to see her in his room without his position, but he pushed his unease aside and stepped forward.
"Tenten?" he asked tentatively. "Is everything okay?"
She jumped and looked at him, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh Naruto. I'm sorry, I didn't want to come in uninvited but..." she trailed off obviously upset about something. Naruto moved to sit on his bed, so he could see her face properly.
"Is something wrong?" he asked her carefully. "You seem upset."
She shifted forwards on the couch until she was sitting on the very edge and stared at her clasped hands, not saying anything. Naruto moved to the foot of the bed so he was closer to her.
"Ten-ten?" he ventured again. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll do whatever I can to help you, I swear..."
"I saw you," she blurted, cutting him off.
"Sorry?" Naruto frowned, confused.
"I saw you and Sasuke last night. In Ani's stable."
Naruto froze, feeling the blood drain out of his face as he stared at her in shock. But even the shock wasn't as strong as the sudden, heart stabbing fear he felt. Tenten was beside him in an instant taking her hands in his.
"Naruto, say something. You're as white as a sheet!"
"I...I uh..." Naruto swallowed convulsively and looked down at their hands. "You did, huh?"
"Yeah. But you don't need to worry. I'm not angry of whatever. I just...I just want to talk about it okay?"
Naruto nodded numbly, still refusing to meet her eyes. Never could he feel ashamed about Sasuke but humiliated and embarrassed at having been caught were feelings that he couldn't help.
"I guess the main thing I want to know is if he's forcing you to do anything you don't want to," Ten ten said slowly.
"No!" Naruto told her vehemently, finally looking into her eyes and feeling desperate for her to understand. "No, he would never do that to me. It's...it's all consensual."
Tenten still looked doubtful though, and worried at her lower lip with her teeth. "Are you sure, Naruto? Are you positive that he hasn't made you think that you want this, when you really don't?"
Naruto looked at her confused now. "Yes, I'm sure. He's never forced me in anyway."
Tenten nodded, obviously deciding to keep her doubts to herself.
"How did it happen Naruto? I thought you were terrified of him. I don't understand how you go from that to...whatever it is you have now."
"I don't either. It's just..." Naruto looked away. "I don't know how it happened. He's just...I think I love him, Ten ten and I just couldn't stop myself, you know? I've never felt this way about anyone before and I don't think..."
"You don't think what?" She prompted gently.
"I don't think I would be able to keep away from him, even if I wanted to."
"Does he treat you well?"
"Better than anyone ever has," Naruto smiled, ducking his head as he relished the thought. "He's so good to me. I have the first clue about how to repay him."
Ten ten sighed and sat back, releasing his hands and slipping an arm around his shoulders.
"As long as you're happy, I'm not going to interfere," she said eventually.
"You don't..." Naruto swallowed. "You don't have to be okay with this. I mean, I'm not going to force you to remain my friend if you don't feel comfortable with the thought of me being...you know. It wouldn't be fair."
He jumped in surprise when she whacked him lightly over the head.
"Idiot," she said, affectionately. "Why would that bother me? I've been watching Kakashi try to seduce Iruka and succeed for the past year and a half. It doesn't bother me at all."
"That's true," Naruto agreed with a strained laugh before he sobered once more, something else occurring to him. He looked at her, trying to gauge her emotions and what her reaction would be. But before he could say anything, she said up straighter as if something had just occurred to her. She turned to him once more.
"What are you going to tell Sakura?" she asked quietly, sadly.
Naruto bit his lips and lowered his head once more.
"I wasn't going to tell anyone anything. I know that not all of them would react well if they knew. And Sakura..."
"Sakura is going to be very upset," Ten ten finished for him.
"I think that's a bit of an understatement," Naruto half-whispered, knowing she could hear him. The very thought of hurting one of his best friends made him ache in ways he never thought possible.
"She really likes him, Naruto. I think she thinks she's in love with him too," Ten ten told him seriously.
"I know."
"So what are you going to do?"
Naruto chewed his thumbnail down to the quick before he answered.
"I'm not going to tell her."
"Naruto..." Ten ten trailed off.
"I know, I know. But what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right? She doesn't need to know." he told her desperately. "I know its not fair of me to ask you to keep this secret for me but please, please don't tell her. Don't tell anyone. I'm begging you..."
Tenten sighed and wrapped her other arm around him as well.
"It's okay Naruto. I won't tell a soul. But I think you need to realize that they're going to find out eventually. You can't keep this a secret forever. What are you going to tell her if she finds out?"
"I don't know," he whispered, leaning his head against her arm. "I'll think of something."
"Naruto...I'm going to keep this secret with you. But I don't think that this is going to end well at all. What are you going to do when he goes back to University?"
"I'm not thinking about that right now. I can't. What am I supposed to do Ten ten? I love him. I can't give him up."
"Okay, okay. We'll think of something, alright? Don't upset yourself now. Go back to the happy person you were when you came in," she told him, hugging him tighter and resting her head against his. "We'll figure it out, Naruto. It'll be okay, you'll see."
Naruto closed his eyes and let himself sink into the comfort of her reassurances. Things might not work out that was true, and he'd already figured that out. But the thought of ending things now was more painful than wondering how things would end if they were allowed to run their natural course. Naruto was prepared to face their unknown future, he just wondered if Sasuke was too. And he was also wondering if Sasuke felt the same way about him, or if it was just attraction he felt.
And Sakura...that was a monstrosity of an issue that he was in no way prepared to address yet.
Naruto rested within the warmth of Ten-tens arms and comforted himself with the thought of Sora's arrival tomorrow.
A/.N: There you go! My ego was so well fed, and so impressed with it being spoiled by you lot that it wanted to gift you all with another update!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was surprisingly easy, considering all the technical mumbo jumbo. I was on a bit of a roll when I was writing it, and I hope that it shows. And I have a throat infection too! Aren't you all so very proud of little old me?
I hope that I explained all of the horse talk properly in the chapter, and that you understood it all. It makes sense to me, but maybe it doesn't to you. So if you need anything clarified, just let me know.
And yes, progress is being made, isn't it? The story is moving forward. And the coming chapters will be full of action packed, boy on boy fun! Aren't you all looking forward to it? Here's a little teaser for you.
1) Sasuke and Naruto take it to the next level.
2) Someone else finds out about the "secret" and is swept into a full blown masquerade in order to keep the relationship the secret it's supposed to be. I won't tell you who!
3) Someone has an accident. Also not telling you who!
4) Preparations for the upcoming show get well underway. We find out who else is going, and finding accommodation becomes as issue.
Stay tuned if all of that seems like the kind of thing that floats your boat!!!
Because my ego is a greedy little sucker, and because my muse seems to enjoy stuffing me full of ideas and inspirations at the moment, they both demand compensation for their hard work. The little purple button awaits!!!