Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. pout

Author's Notes: I know, it's been a while. But when you're babysitting a 4 year old and a 2 year old, it's a little hard to write my SasuNaru stories. This one is a little sad, and I hate the ending. But the rest of the story isn't bad, so I decided to post it anyway. Hope you like it!


Drabble #8
Ashamed

He just wanted people to know, was that so wrong? It wasn't to Naruto. Normal people wanted to show off their partners, their companions, their lovers. But, Sasuke wasn't normal, at least not to Naruto.

They'd been dating for three months, and no one in Konaha knew. Sasuke had made absolutely sure that everyone thought they had just gotten closer, 'best friend' closer. Nothing more, nothing less. And, it hurt Naruto more than he let on.

When they were alone, it was as if they were made for each other. Sasuke would smile, laugh, talk, and joke. Naruto could hold him, kiss him, and whisper things in Sasuke's ear that mixed company shouldn't hear. But, when they were in public, or on missions, it was if nothing changed between them. Hurtful words and arguments, just like it used to me.

But they weren't how they used to be.

They didn't used to hide in Sasuke's or Naruto's homes and make love.

They didn't used to drag each other down dark alleys just to put skin to skin.

They didn't used to call each other their lover.

They didn't used to love each other.

Or, at least, Naruto thought that last one had changed.

But the lack of displayed affection and the lack of people who actually knew the truth began to put a strain on their little pairing. A pairing, which at the moment, was slowly slipping away.

Naruto didn't want to hide in Sasuke's mansion anymore. He wanted to go to the festival, since it was their day off. He wanted to spend the entire day with his Sasuke.

But Sasuke refused.

"People will see us, Naruto. People will know."

That was when Naruto broke. When the sentence left Sasuke's lips, Naruto's world crashed. Everything fell down around him. His heart shattered.

"Are you ashamed of me?"

Sasuke couldn't answer him, the weight of what Naruto had practically whispered hurt. Ashamed wasn't the word. He just liked the feeling of being with Naruto, being completely himself with Naruto. And, he knew that his pride would never let him be that open in front of the entire village. He just hadn't expected it to actually hurt Naruto. He opened his mouth to answer, only to close it quickly. What words would tell the truth, but not hurt Naruto? The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Naruto again.

"You are, aren't you?" Naruto's voice was shaking, he could barely keep from crying. "You never loved me! What was I to you, Sasuke? A quick fuck on the side?"

"Naru, please?" Sasuke tried to soothe him, but advancing on Naruto only made it worse, only made Naruto back up toward the door.

"You won't be seen with me in front of anyone. You won't tell them that we're together. Do people even know you're gay?"

"Naru-"

Naruto was beyond furious, his pain and heartbreak overtaking his emotions. It was either he leave now, or risk putting Sasuke through a wall with his Rasengan. He opted for the first one and turned to leave.

"Naruto, please. You don't understand!"

Naruto stopped in the doorway, head turned to see a very shaken Sasuke reaching out to him.

"For once I do understand. You're no different than the rest of Konaha. You're ashamed I exist, too."

He barely got halfway down the street before Sasuke reached him. Sasuke's heart was racing in his chest. The one person who always believed in him was leaving. And the pain of it was slowly breaking Sasuke down. The Uchiha mask he wore slipped away, revealing a sixteen year old boy whose heart was breaking. He grabbed Naruto's arm, needing to hold the boy, to touch him again. But, all he got was pushed away.

The street was covered with people, the festival being a huge tourist attraction for the hidden village. But, at the moment, all Sasuke could see was Naruto. Just Naruto, and the expression on his face that screamed heartbreak.

And, for once, appearances didn't matter. For once, Sasuke didn't care what people thought of him. For once in his life, someone else was more important than him.

He reached for Naruto, his hands grabbing at anything they could get a hold of, and began kissing him. At first, Naruto tried to pull away, but Sasuke kept him still. When Naruto tried to protest, Sasuke saw that as an opportunity to dip his tongue in. After that, Naruto stopped fighting. His need to feel Sasuke became more important, and the village began to slip away.

It took the villagers a moment to notice exactly what was going on, but once they realized it, and who the two teenagers were, they began to talk. And, in a town like Konaha, talk flies fast.

Naruto was used to people whispering and pointing, and he could always tell what they were saying. But, instead of glares and hurtful words, they were pointing and laughing. And, somewhere in the distance, Naruto could have sworn he heard a voice, which sounded oddly like Kiba, holler "About friggin' time, you two!" He figured Sasuke heard it too, because a smirk formed on Sasuke's face, which Naruto could feel against his lips. But, at that moment, no one else mattered. At that moment, he was just happy Sasuke was there, kissing him, in front of a crowd of at least a hundred people.

Wait, what?

Naruto pulled away slowly, his head still uneasy from the dizziness of the kiss. And, looking around, his eyes confirmed what his senses had told him. There had to be at least a hundred people gathered around them, watching the spectacle they'd just put on.

Instantly, Naruto feared for what Sasuke was thinking. Wasn't this exactly what they were just fighting over? Isn't this exactly what Naruto just walked out on him for? He waited for Sasuke to run, or make a perfectly logical excuse. But, instead, Sasuke just stood there.

They had to be the strangest sight, both standing there holding on to each other as if their very lives depended on it.

He was sure the Uchiha would have been embarrassed. Hell, the cat was out of the bag now. But Sasuke just stood there. Like he was waiting for something. But, waiting for what?

Neither boy moved, or blinked, for what felt like an eternity. Until, finally, Sasuke found his voice.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I love you."

Sasuke studied Naruto's face, trying to find any expression. But, instead, he was meant with a blank stare. As impatient and uneasy as Sasuke felt, the crowd felt it ten-fold. They were all leaning in, waiting for Naruto's answer.

Naruto blinked.

Sasuke, beginning to feel the hurt well up inside him, tried to stand tall. He tried not to break…

Naruto blinked again.

He'd waited too long, Sasuke decided. Naruto had already given up on him, and now Sasuke was too late. He was too emotionally exhausted to hold his emotions in. And, allowing the last sliver of pride he had left vanish, Sasuke dropped his head and cried.

Naruto brushed the tears from Sasuke's face and whispered, "Thank you, Sasuke."

As his raised his eyes to meet Naruto's, Sasuke was still unsure of what he heard. Naruto was thanking him? For what?

"Thank you for finally showing me that you care. Thank you for not being ashamed to be with me, as the real you." Naruto leaned forward and kissed him, cupping Sasuke's face with his hands. "I love you."

And, as they walked back to Sasuke's house together, to allow Sasuke to hide his injured pride, Naruto caught a glimpse of shame cross his face.

"What's wrong?"

"I cried."

"…so?"

"In front of everyone."

Naruto just raised an eyebrow.

"Now I actually do feel ashamed."


So, what'cha think? More to come!

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