The following months were somehow idle, though Naruto found himself growing even closer to the Uchiha. In fact, he found himself staying at the male's house more than he did at his own."Valentine's day is tomorrow" Sasuke said the night of February 13th, his expression rather blank. "Yeah, has to be our second 'date' huh?" Naruto said, lazing on Sasuke's couch in a pair of boxers. "Yup" Sasuke responded, a small smirk on his face as he studied the blonde. "I need to go out to the store first thing in the morning before anything though, okay?" Sasuke said as Naruto blinked. "O..kay" the blonde said with the nod of his head before rolling onto his side. "I'm going to get some sleep, I need to go somewhere too before anything.." Naruto said then closed his eyes, falling into a light sleep.
Morning came swiftly, just did as a light snowfall creating a perfect 'feel' to such a romantic day. Sasuke had already left when Naruto awoke, which of course worried him until he remembered their conversation last night. "Oh, that's right I need to pick up some stuff.." Naruto said to himself as he rolled off of the couch, stretching before going to shower and get dressed. When he finished he put on a black sweater with navy blue jeans, leaving his forehead protector on Sasuke's kitchen table. He slid into a pair of boots before slipping on his winter jacket, then soon after he was walking the streets of Konoha. It was more than obvious that this day was mushy, there were couples everywhere kissing, hugging and buying each other gifts. Naruto snorted, turning to the right as he entered a pet store, his sights set on a certain shelf.
"Looking for something?" Ino questioned Sasuke who was looking at each individual species of flower. "Ino.." Sasuke blinked, looking to the female who laughed softly. "Something for Naruto, huh?" she said, moving over to a Blue Orchid. "When Naruto was in here a few months ago he was showing interest in the Orchids.." Ino said, smiling to Sasuke who listened. "He might like it if you get him one" she said, giggling softly. "Hm, alright but.. Get me a bouquet of red and white roses too.." Sasuke said as Ino squealed in a girlish manner while getting everything ready. Meanwhile Naruto was eying the shelf in the Pet Store, his blue eyes scanning each item carefully. "Need some help?" Kiba asked as Naruto turned, nodding his head.
"Alright, thanks Kiba!" Naruto called to his friend before leaving, stashing something in his jacket as he walked outside into the snowy day. "Oh, Naruto!" Sakura came running over to the blonde, pink hair coated in snowflakes. "Sasuke told me he wants you to meet him at your apartment" she said, smiling brightly before handing him a small chocolate. "Happy Valentine's Day" she said then ran off leaving Naruto to head to his apartment. "I thought this was supposed to be a date.." he pouted while walking through the crunchy snow. When he at last reached his apartment he opened the front door but immediately got pushed outside by Sasuke. Naruto blinked, leaning back against the wooden railing as Sasuke smiled innocently. "What do ya wanna do today?" he said, causing Naruto to raise a brow in suspicion.
"You know what I really want to do?" Naruto said as he walked down the stairs from his balcony. "I want to fight you, fair and square" the blonde said, looking over to Sasuke who laughed. "Might be kind of hard in the snow buuut, okay" he said, tugging on Naruto's jacket before they took off towards the Konoha gates. Once outside of the gates they walked through the forest in silence though smiles were plastered on their faces. "Ready, idiot?" Sasuke asked Naruto who stood a few feet away from him, nodding his head. "Get ready, bastard" Naruto growled lightly as he took a step back, watching Sasuke's actions. It was then that as he began to form a rasengan he received a snowball directly in the face. "What the-" as he began to speak another one hit him.
"You bastard!" Naruto said, wiping the snow from his face as Sasuke smirked innocently. "I can't get into a serious fight with you Naruto, not again.." Sasuke said before chucking another snowball. Naruto growled, picking up a wad of snow as he threw it back, missing Sasuke completely. "Loooserr" the Uchiha teased as Naruto ran after him, growling like a rabid animal. "You know what?" Naruto pouted after tripping. "I'm not going to give you your gift now" Naruto said, sitting up as he brushed some snow off of his head. "Oh, a gift huh?" Sasuke said, sitting down in front of Naruto with a small smile. "Yes, a gift" Naruto repeated as he looked away from the Uchiha. "Give me it" Sasuke said simply, extending his hands but Naruto shook his head, trying to ignore him.
"Pleaassee" Sasuke began to beg in a playful way until Naruto got up and began to run, laughing the whole time. With a grumble Sasuke took off after him until he slammed into the blonde, both going down into the snow together. "Ow, damn it.." Naruto grumbled, laying on his back in the snow as he blinked - gazing up to Sasuke. "Give me my gift" Sasuke said, his pale features as pure as the snow as Naruto twitched. Pouting Naruto motioned to his jacket, his blue eyes flickering. "It's in there, so go ahead.. get it" he said as Sasuke rose a brow but unzipped the other's jacket, reaching his hand in. Feeling around he felt a plastic bag, immediately grabbing it as he held himself over Naruto with one hand, the other feeling inside the bag. "What the.." Sasuke blinked, holding up the gift in confusion. "Happy Valentine's Day, bastard" Naruto smirked.
"A CAT COLLAR?" Sasuke said, his one eye twitching as Naruto laughed. "Put it on, I dare you" he said, now pouting in case Sasuke were to deny. "You little.." Sasuke began but sighed, putting the leather collar on. "Aww!" Naruto exclaimed, touching the bell that dangled on the front of it. "I told you that you remind me of a Cat" Naruto said, continuing to stare up at Sasuke. "You idiot.." Sasuke sighed but leaned down, placing one hand on Naruto's face. In silence the two laid there, the snow beginning to fall harder. "I have a gift for you too, but it's back at your apartment" Sasuke said after he got up, his cheeks frost bitten as Naruto slowly got up. As they headed back to the village Naruto was lost in thought, curious as to what the almighty Uchiha could have gotten him.
"Happy Valentine's Day you two!" Iruka greeted them in the village as Kakashi clung to him like a leech. "Yeah" the silver haired male said, mauling poor Iruka. "Thanks, you two" Sasuke said as Naruto laughed, waving bye to them as they headed towards his apartment. Inside Naruto took his jacket and boots off but was stopped from going any farther into his apartment. "Stay here a minute, I need to get something ready.." Sasuke said as he hurried into Naruto's living room. Quickly the raven haired male tossed red and white roses across the floor while he picked the petals off of others, creating a 'romantic' atmosphere. "Okay, come in" Sasuke called from the living room as Naruto slowly entered. He blinked, looking to the ground as he took in the sight of everything. "Seriously..?" Naruto said, raising a brow as Sasuke looked to him with hopeful eyes.
"What's this for?" Naruto asked, throwing himself down onto his sofa as Sasuke scowled. "Ass" he said, mouthing the word as he tossed a single rose at the blonde. "Naruto, I have some confessions" Sasuke said, sitting directly in front of Naruto on the floor. "Oh great, did someone put you up to asking me out for them?" Naruto said, a frown on his features as Sasuke shook his head. "No, confessions from me" Sasuke said, adjusting himself as he gazed up to the blonde. "I want to tell you why I came back to Konoha" Sasuke said softly, Naruto's eyes widening with interest. "Go on then.." he said as he laid down on his side on the sofa. "Well, truthfully for starters I left to get more powerful.. Of course to kill my brother but that all went wrong" he explained, pausing a moment.
After what seemed an hour passed by Naruto adjusted himself on the couch, still listening. "I came back though because of.." Sasuke fell silent, fiddling with a red rose petal. "I came back because of you" he said to Naruto, his slate eyes seeming to turn to liquid as they locked with the blonde's blue ones. "Wait, because of me?" Naruto said, sitting up quickly as he gazed down to Sasuke. "Yeah" Sasuke simply responded. "So, I was able to convince you to come back after we last saw each other?" Naruto said as Sasuke shook his head. "No, but coming to realize my feelings really took a toll on me.." he said as Naruto stopped him from speaking any further. "Wait, your feelings?" he asked, sliding onto the floor in front of Sasuke. "Are you really that dumb?" Sasuke said as an overwhelming silence hovered above them.
"I'm not the one talking in riddles!" Naruto said, smacking Sasuke lightly on the head. "I love you" Sasuke said bluntly, his gaze matching Naruto's who froze up. "What?" he blinked, surprise filling his mind as he sat still. "I love you, and have ever since I realized that five years ago.." Sasuke said, keeping an eye on Naruto's response. "You're lying.." the blonde, clenching his teeth together as he slowly stood up. "Just like everyone else, you're lying" he said, heading towards the hallway as Sasuke grabbed his leg. In an instant Naruto was on the ground, Sasuke overtop of him like earlier. "Why else would I return to Konoha..? Who else devoted every single ounce of their training to me..?" Sasuke growled lowly, clenching Naruto's shirt.
"I love you Naruto" Sasuke said once again as Naruto twitched beneath him, his blue eyes flickering as they began to water. "Get out.." the blonde said darkly, pushing Sasuke off of him as he pointed to the door. "Don't you dare come back either.." he threatened as Sasuke scoffed, doing as told. Hearing the front door slam Naruto sat up, his eyes continuing to water as his stomach churned. "You love him, don't you?" Kakashi's words rang in Naruto's mind as he clenched his fists, growling to himself lowly. "I dropped those feelings long ago.." Naruto spoke to himself, his voice cracking as crystal tears stained his cheeks. Sasuke stood outside, leaning against the front door as he listened in silence - his heart wincing with pain.
That night Naruto laid motionless on his living room floor, the scent of roses clouding his thoughts. "Why.." he sighed, his eyes shutting after a moment. "I'm coming back in, Naruto" Sasuke said after about an hour of standing outside in the cold. "I told you to stay away.." Naruto growled as he looked up to Sasuke. "Kakashi told me about your.. Depression that followed after I left" Sasuke said, sitting down on Naruto's love seat. "You can't tell me that you didn't love me" the Uchiha said, eyes flashing a ruby red as Naruto shot up. "I did love you, okay?" he spat through more flowing tears. "But I had to move on, I had to let go.." his words grew silent as his body shook, his emotions twisting.
"Why don't you love me now..?" Sasuke said as he watched Naruto continue to cry. "Why?" Naruto said, looking at Sasuke with flickering red eyes. "Because you left me alone, you're a selfish prick!" he yelled, continuing on to curse Sasuke out until his mouth was covered. "That's why I returned, idiot.." Sasuke whispered gently, an arm snaking around the Uzumaki's waist. "I realized how much I hurt you, and more of a matter.. I realized just how strong our bond was" he said, his words flowing sweetly as Naruto tried pulling away from him. His mouth remained covered until Sasuke uncovered it, his lips lightly brushing against the blonde's. "I want you to know that no matter what, I'll love you for eternity.."
The evening grew longer as the two males stood in front of one another, eyes locked onto each other as the wind blew against the apartment outside. "I'm not like anyone else.." Sasuke protested until Naruto punched him, his fist impaling the Uchiha's stomach. "You're right.. You're worse..." Naruto said, his words like ice as Sasuke stumbled to his knees. "You are my reason..." Sasuke coughed the words out, wincing as his stomach tingled with pain. "If you weren't alive, I wouldn't of had a reason to live after killing Itachi.." Sasuke breathed lightly, gently pushing himself to his feet once more. "I know it's hard to believe, I've been so disloyal and pathetic.." he said, his voice only daring to break slightly as he turned his back to Naruto.
"What can I do to make you realize?" Sasuke said, facing the front door as Naruto stood in silence. "Get out of my life.." Naruto said, his words truthful as Sasuke flinched. "Just like that.. You want me to go?" Sasuke growled, punching the wall. "Go" Naruto said, not wishing to speak anymore as he sat back down on his couch. "Whatever.." Sasuke muttered and left, this time - not staying outside of the door. With a sigh Naruto stared down at the petal covered floor before curling up on the couch. He was exhausted, his head pounding from the uncontrollable and undesired tears that so boldly continued to fall.