Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, Shippuden would already be in the US. So, as you can see, I do not own Naruto.

Author's Notes: This one is meant to be light and funny. Maybe a little crack-tastic. But, not much. And, the idea at the end was entirely my thought and does not necessarily reflect the views of the writing or art staff currently working on Naruto. No, it's not Sasuke bashing, I love him. It's just poking fun at my favorite character.


Drabble #9
The Truth

It had been a year, now, since Sasuke's return. Well, not so much of a return. It was more like a 'Naruto dragged Sasuke back by the shirt collar,' but he returned all the same. And, since the return, Sakura had gotten used to hearing Naruto complain. He complained about Sasuke being punished for leaving. Then he complained about Sasuke being forced to live in the Uchiha mansion again, because it was Naruto's thought that living in that mansion made Sasuke 'emo.' And, after some serious conversing, Naruto now complained about not being able to tell Sasuke the truth.

The truth, being, that Naruto was in love with Sasuke.

"Just say it, Naruto. You'll never know unless you just say it."

"Yeah, because it worked out so well for you." At that, Naruto got a well-deserved slap in the back of the head, courtesy of Sakura.

"At least I had courage and determination. What do you have?"

"Nausea." Naruto clutched his head in desperation.

"Oh, I didn't hit you that hard!" Sakura exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips.

"No, not from the slap. I'm nervous."

Sakura smirked and hugged him. He was so adorable when he was worried about something. But, she could tell that Naruto needed some help. And, the help was currently coming in their direction.

Sasuke stopped outside of the Ichiraku Ramen stand upon seeing a very distraught Naruto apparently confiding in Sakura. Crossing his arms over his chest, he began to walk though the curtain, when Naruto's words stopped him in his tracks.

"He'll never figure it out on his own. I mean, come on, I'm not that good at this whole flirting thing. It never worked on you."

"Yeah, well, got me there, don't ya?" Sakura smirked, playfully elbowing Naruto in the side. "Maybe you just need more practice."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What'dya mean, practice?"

"Well, pretend I'm him. What would you say to me?" Sakura crossed her arms and narrowed her eyebrows, in hope to come off as Sasuke's natural brooding stance.

"As much as you're trying, you won't look like him."

"Ah, well, only Sasuke can pull it off."

Sasuke, from his position of watching and listening outside of the curtain, raised an eyebrow. So, it was him they were talking about?

"Come on, Naruto. You just going to stand there and stare at him?"

"Well…"

"Naruto!" Sakura laughed. "I know he's hot, but that's pathetic."

"Come on, Sakura. This is a lot more nerve-racking than you telling him. I mean, if he's not gay than everyone will know I am. Not that I care if they all know, I just don't want him to totally stop talking to me. We just got him back, I don't want to lose him…again."

Sakura sensed how nervous he actually was, and dropped her hands to her sides and tried to think of something to cheer him up. "Naruto, you'll never know if you don't just say it. Come on, I can only keep this brooding appearance up for a while."

"Fine." Naruto looked at Sakura, trying to picture Sasuke sitting there instead and took a deep breath. "Sasuke, I…Sasuke, I-um… Sasuke, I love you."

If Sasuke had any resolve at all, he lost it at that point. His mouth dropped open and he just stared at Naruto. The dobe actually loved him?

"Naruto, maybe 'love' is a bit strong in the beginning. Try just telling him you 'really like him.' It has, almost, the same meaning, just not such a strong emotional word…"

"Yeah, uh, okay…" Naruto's voice trailed off as Ayame brought him another bowl of ramen. "I didn't order this, Ayame…"

"Yeah, hun, we know. But you're so nervous; he thought you deserved another one." She dropped her voice and added: "But you're doing a great job! I think he's got the point."

"Who?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow. A smirk playing on her face.

"Your Sasuke. He hasn't moved since you said the 'L'-word." She pointed toward the curtain, which still held a staring and open-mouthed Sasuke.

"Sasuke!" Naruto screeched.

"Oh, you two didn't know?" Ayame asked.

She didn't get an answer, however. Both of them were standing up, now, staring at Sasuke. Sasuke, however, had just gotten the use of his body back and tried to form words. Unfortunately, his mouth had yet to remember how to cooperate. Sakura smirked and leaned back up against the counter. Her plan was in motion, now if only Sasuke said just the right thing…

"You are a moron, dobe."

Sakura's face dropped. After all that, he could still be so cold? She opened her mouth to say something, but Sasuke opened his first.

"You should have just told me to my face."

"Sas-Sasuke…I-uh…" Naruto couldn't even breathe, let alone form coherent words.

"Then I wouldn't have to do this in front of everyone."

Sasuke crossed the distance between him and Naruto and kissed him. Naruto was frozen in place, he couldn't move. Until, that is, he felt Sasuke lick his lower lip. Then he opened his mouth and wrapped his arms around Sasuke's neck.

Sakura was entranced, and so was Ayame, who just stood there, staring at Naruto and Sasuke.

"You did good, Sakura." Ayame whispered. "How did you know Sasuke was gay?"

"Are you kidding?" Sakura whispered back. "When we found him, he was dressed like a gay pirate. It was obvious."

Apparently, they weren't whispering as low as they thought. Sasuke pulled away from Naruto and glared at both of them. Naruto, however, started to laugh uncontrollably.

"I was not dressed like a gay pirate!" Sasuke growled.

Sakura jumped back and began apologizing; Ayame just turned bright red and began cleaning the counter. Naruto, who was now rolling on the floor, still laughing, had a very angry Sasuke glaring down at him.

"Naruto!" Sasuke growled, making Naruto attempt to stop laughing and try sitting up. "You say you love me, yet you laugh at a comment like that?"

"Sasuke, I do love you." Naruto stood up and kissed Sasuke. "And I loved your gay pirate outfit. Do you still have it?"

This comment earned Naruto a punch in the head and having to chase Sasuke, whose face was red from anger, down the street.


Come on, people, you can laugh. It's funny. Or, at least, I hoped it was.

And, you know you were all wondering what was up with Sasuke's weird outfit, and that it looked a little like a gay pirate outfit. Go ahead and say it. I'm not afraid!