Here is the 3rd chap. Finally done. Change something a bit from the original. Though maybe not really matters.

P.S+: Perspective changes. But this time a bit different, like close to end section.

Happy Reading.

Blue and Yellow

He was feeling alive. It's been awhile the climate didn't lift the spirit of the people in the city, sunless cloudy gloomy, the familiar sunlight finally broke through the dam up clouds. All could spread to every corner of landscape depicting peace. All still felt the cold temperature, yet the sun here became new role as neutralizer. Comfortable impression as anyone who was walking at this very morning.

The spiky boy here was no exception. He seemed reborn. Goodbye shiver! Goodbye hypothermia! Sarcasm. His favorite sweater was always perched perfectly on his tall body. Hell no he wanted to change, he always proud. It's been became second skin to the boy after first purchase. Naruto took a deep breath. He was feeling alive.

He also randomly got information about today's horoscope, Libra, will feel sandwich. Of course he was like, 'come again?' for a moment. The speaker continued like expecting his expression until explained that Libra may have positive to negative to positive OR negative to positive to negative in his life. Could today, tomorrow, or the day after. He forgot the details. Honestly, Naruto just couldn't get the gist of it after all. However, sandwich might be good as breakfast.

PE could be fun for most of the boys at school, and a few for the girls. To Alice, she was simply neutral. Which had something to do to kendo as well. Depends on what topics will be practiced. The knight girl wannabe was more than happy with agility than physically. And Fortuna wasn't on her side that day because the topic was basketball, as well as merged with one specific other second year class.

'Wait a minute, this class..'

Sure enough, he's there in the corner of the gym with the rest of his classmates. His spiky yellow hair always might be the center of attention and sticks out. Then with that height, Alice realized that Naruto veritably taller than her ex crush. Speaking of Kirito, that same class as her, stood inches away from yellow head. Was chatting to his new brunette intimate companion, who same class as Naruto. Expected.

Although, she had apprehend that she completely forgotten about that ladies man recently. Didn't she like...cough...ever liked that guy? Where was those feelings that once welled up inside her? Yet Alice didn't able to see that. Didn't able to see that she could had chance. After all it's better if the golden haired laid her eyes on other than him, someone that better than him. Moreover, everybody knew Kirito was like magnet of girls, so it seemed Alice had to have more rounds for herself in dealing with every woman there was. Though apparently they were lessen since Kirito's declaration.

Then what's left for her? She wanted to be loved as well. Her youth even so as young. In train of her thought, Alice knew all along but never admit it about a certain someone. Always failed to disregard those trademark whiskers and the crisp laugh. Albeit she has Selka and Koujiro-san with no border to call them family, there still missing piece. Alice need someone, that someone other than her family to fill the piece. Think about him heated up her milky cheeks.

Shino as minute ago had been next to the girl looked at her close friend strangely. A worried look was etched. Unexpectedly to both, someone appeared.

"Yo, Alice!"

Alice almost cursed for the sudden approach, why this timing? Always when he crossed her mind.

"Hello, Uzumaki-san."

"N..Naruto. Morning."

Alice couldn't lift her head. Not even glancing at him. Everytime she rise, his calm sapphire eyes met hers. Was too sheepish, and she hated it. Come to think of it, what was she afraid about? Why this to be so complicated to understand? Why couldn't she understand it?

The timid blond could hear Shino was doing chatter with him. Alice sensed his gaze that able to see her oddball behaviour. "What are you doing, Alice?"

"It's...it's okay." She wrapped her other elbow. "Just didn't expect it to be PE with your class."

Naruto seemed to be stare in calculating gaze, but shrugged as smiled to the girls. "That is true."

Moments later Naruto was being called by his classmates, to which the spiky quickly excused himself and left. Leaving Alice breathed a sigh of relief then just noticed her former companion's eyes on her.

"What?"

Shino simply widened her smile, more to smirk. "Keep it up!"

"Huh?"

Footsteps echoed. It became livelier with squeal of shoes. The boys actively moving as sweat didn't forget to fall by g-force. Naruto drove with ease swift, left and right. Passed his guard in such dexterity. He stared at his raven partner who managed to dribble successfully, hands were in the air not after. "Sasuke, pass!"

The leather round object flew so smoothly that Naruto had no extra effort catching it with one hand. His foxy grin twisted while turned facing the rim, through all defenders but one, Kirito. Naruto didn't falter when stepped forward, making intermediate feint until Kirito couldn't reach, managed to jump as swipe up the ball. 2 points.

"Dang, you're really good at this, Naruto." He turned his head hearing that comment in the moment bumped fist with Sasuke.

"Hey! Nothing personal when this had to be about kendo sparring. Not at all."

The Naruto/Sasuke class and Kirito class still continued to clash with most of their might. Although in general the former was more superior due to Sasuke being a member of Basketball Club, though never reduce the intensity of the said match. In fact, everyone seemed enjoying it as there was some laughter accident one or two. The rest of the girls also didn't stop their cheering for respective classes, even though most of them shouted at the school's cold prince.

"Kyaa! Sasuke-kun! Very good!"

"I'm into you, Sasuke-kun!"

"Please date me Sasuke-kun!"

The others could only sweatdrop themselves. The man himself didn't really care, even snorted. Which that sole act made the roars even piercier.

"This is for you, Alice."

Sitting on one side of the gym, Shino handed her some water. A sweet smile rose on the girl's lips as she still scrubbing sweats, "Thank you, Shino!" Alice pondered a bit. Thank you? There seemed to be something that glued.

'Oh. How could I forget? I haven't retuned his favor. For the math.'

With Shino sat next to her, raised her eyebrow. "What's wrong? You got me weird."

"Huh? No! Not a big deal." In quick motion as Alice opened the bottle and took a sip quite deeply. Her cerulean eyes immediately turned to bustling cheers, across from them. Seriously, how could the boys still move like that after gym class? Maybe boys things.

"It's really crowded there."

"No wonder. Sasuke is prima donna, and also good at basketball."

Alice tilted her head, "Shino, you are one of the fangirls?"

If there was one thing that their school had, it's Sasuke fangirls. They're waves in every class that Alice almost called them a cult. Shino just laughed with the randomness from the golden haired. Because close to truth.

Shino smiled, "Not really, He's cold Alice don't you remember? How about you, about Sasuke?"

"Hmm...I don't really know either. I've only heard from blow by blow in some chatter."

"Even he is that handsome?"

"No, Shino. You sure you're not the cult?"

"Haha, of course not. But maybe..." hung for a while. In tease manner. Shino smiled again, but this time looked like a sneer, "...I prefer type like Naruto?"

"What!?"

Alice unaware with her raised octave. Then second later became dead mouth, more like she covered her lips. Shino giggled. Oh no, she's fallen into one of her friend trap. This was one of her joke that ever worked, thankfully not to her that time, but now yes.

"So Naruto really caught your eye, huh?"

"Why you use that trick on me, Shino!? Unfair! Uuuu..."

Shino lost it, unable to hold her blonde friend gave her. Alice should've known that Shino wasn't really untalkative. But with her, this black haired woman would become completely one-eighty. After regained some composure, she put more knifelike gaze.

"Wait, did I say right about you?"

Alice took another sip as staring at her own relaxed feet. It's expected Shino felt that way with Alice never ever told her about Kirito. Which she glad that she did. "Actually about Naruto.."

Thus for next five minutes Alice spent some time about what happened yesterday and the day before. The golden haired girl did tell about the broken heart apparently but with addition cover for here and there. "After I knew that guy with someone else, I felt something different from Naruto yet I couldn't place that."

Shino got the big line over her head, but it's not Shino had some experience with boys also. She just heard many stories to the extent she almost jealous. Though she never had someone to put interest in the first place, still Shino knew what to say.

"How do you feel around him?"

"Well, that's..." There's a pause, as Shino took it as brief stop for her to rearrange some words, patiently waited. "...Maybe I'm just afraid."

Shino with genuine curious tone, asked, "Afraid?"

"Yeah. Like, I don't know if I'm moving on too fast or...you know what I mean?"

Alice got the straight look and an 'o' expression from her. And her black haired friend decided to placed a hand on her shoulder as becoming softer. "I don't see a problem with that. You'll know it when the time comes. And you'll know it when it feels right."

Shino almost giggle when Alice just stare at her with her cutely cerulean blue eyes. "Okay, I'll think about it."

"It's better if we watch them play before going to class. We still have some time left." And also it's better to change the topic. Alice nodded and followed. They chose to sit across from the girls who were still busying themselves with chanting. All she could hear was 'Sasuke-kun!' until she almost unable to heard herself think.

The boys were thus far actively moving as if the crowd stimulating for more, even though mostly for Sasuke.

Naruto dived in with ball, then spun to past one, then two. Afterwards he threw the ball to the side, towards Sasuke outside of 2 points area. He jumped and shot. Trey.

Alice was impressed. He could do these stuff after all this time behind her back? Forget about his inferiority in kendo, basketball more like his things. Even that kind of movements might be on par with Sasuke when he literally a core member of highschool team. Some attacks would involve from the two of them which certain made Kirito et al were quite overwhelmed.

The blond girl was still watching his every actions in eyes full of meaning. The more she looked, the harder she tried to take eyes off from the spiky boy. His serious expression during some plays and his happy face when they scored. All just so captivating.

There's something that had been dwelling inside of her most of the time. Like? Or amazed? She just gave up on someone, but what about him? Could she has this feeling? Did she really deserve this? These mind became series, and it was natural for her to think so. She was down once. It would be a lie if she had already step ahead from the past. Big lie.

"Alice?"

A light tap dispersed her initially-become-bigger thought, "Oh..yeah. What?"

"We have to go. They also take the break."

Gazed away for a moment, and what she said was true. "Okay, let's go then."

They both got up and left. Unknowningly a pair of blue eyes examined from afar.

"I'm beat. You guys too?"

Not a few, most nodded. Agree to end their small brawl. Naruto tried to sit and relaxed, but instead he stumbled forward losing balance. "Wow! What's wrong with me?"

"You okay there?" Sasuke, who according to him was a man of few words, unusually asked in curiosity.

"I.. don't know." He tried to sit, yet it didn't enough. So he tried to lay down, which also it didn't. His entire body felt completely drained. But he unable to remember doing any taxing exercise except what he did this morning. Besides, he knew his own limit. When Naruto wanted to look at his friend again, he narrowed.

'Two Sasukes? No, my eyes...'

His conciousness seemed to drift away. He heard Sasuke's voice. Was it Sasuke's? It sorrounding him but felt remotely distant. His senses weakened, until his vision filled with blur.

The rest of the day wasn't really eventful. There's one though if she wanted to call it. Kakashi-sensei suddenly gave a number of assignments with the said teacher not going to class. Empty hours. Which Alice should also enjoyed that too. However, the girl took some steps into teacher's room. Skipping class wasn't the option. After all, it's counter the point to where she was going.

The class rep told her there was a phone call for her. Whatever it was, she got nervous but also made the golden haired think. She didn't do anything stupid unless yesterday doodle. Reached there, Alice was quite surprise who the hell had spent her precious time. None other than Kakashi himself.

"I'm just straight to the point. Naruto is under the weather. So he's not feeling well."

"Eh?" Wait what? How? What about this morning? With all that outstanding movements he did.

"No need to worry. This always happen in winter."

"But in PE, he was...umm..."

"I know. And I need a favor."

...

So here she was, after school. In front of the door whose address was quite close to her house. It's about four alleys on the same main road. That reason also why Kakashi had asked her, not his other friend. Where that come from? Where Sasuke or his classmates? Ultimately, how did he know her address?

Might be Naruto, the girl thought. After all, today also kendo training, and Alice was looking forward to train with the boy. Strange, she never really this enthusiastic before.

The bell pressed, while hoping she hit the right door. Kakashi gave clear instruction, or too detailed with addition of a photo. As if she would get lost so easily. Well, making sure.

After opened, Kakashi immediately told her to get inside. The apartment was expected. A large room with a restroom, and also a small balcony. The furniture was neatly arranged, yet in the corner there were several large plastic bags. Was Naruto too careless to throw it away?

"I should give you my gratitude."

Oh yes, Naruto. The man she waited for was lying on a single bed. Blanket almost covered his entire body displaying a paled face. Naruto was sleeping quite deep in rhythmic air circulation.

"Ah you don't have to. I also want to see him."

Kakashi smiled from behind the mask. "Then I'll have to go back to school. There's no need to stay over."

Alice slowly nodded, while remembering the conversation few hours ago. Kakashi didn't ask much. Just some little story like he had been taking care of Naruto since the parents passed away. And Alice was grateful, some people still cared about the yellow head. Which she decided to follow same ragard.

Alice took a stand to do some cleaning in the room, including the trash bags that had probably been left out quite a while. Didn't forget to scoop some sweat out of him with wet towel. No dirty clothes, maybe he was doing laundry.

She gazed the clock, still have time. Everything was done and Alice didn't know what to do. Finally, she chose to sit on the side of the bed while paying attention more to his room. She wasn't too familiar with so-called 'boy's room'. She heard many things about it, but none of it found in Naruto's place mostly.

Just as Alice stood to open the balcony window, she heard a groan. And she reflectively close the gap between them.

"...chan."

'Hm? He's saying something?'

"Kaa-chan."

Her eyes rounded. Naruto currently wasn't surely in good state either. His expression was worriying, brows furrowed, and stiff breathing.

'He having a bad dream?'

It's not uncommon nightmares came when one sick. Every person most likely had it. Then what. What should she do in this occasion? She thought about nothing. Alice quickly pulled his warm hand under the blanket, gripping it tightly. Along with tried to stroke his spiky hair which surprisingly smooth in her delicate fingers.

"It's okay, Naruto. I am here."

A while later, he calmed down. As he started to sleep peacefully again, his lids slowly rise. Revealing the blue ocean that had been hiding behind.

He knew. He knew this very.

He would definitely get this. At least once, in a year.

The dream that kept reminding him. Heart-wrenching memory.

Once. He ran. Laughed and happy. He went behind the wall then crouch. A little peek, if they were taking hint or not. Sometimes he almost failed to hold his giggles. Sometimes.

"Naruto! We already late! Don't you want to see the Kyuubi?"

"Come on, Naruto! Come out~~"

He jumped out, trying to surprise them. And he did, then they laughed.

"You're a big boy now. But still like playing hide and seek, huh."

"Now let's get to the car. It's late."

His innocent blue eyes perked, a bit curious, "Kyuubi will be angry?"

They smiled at him. The red haired woman patted softly, "No, if Naru not a naughty boy!"

How he should know. Was that the last trip they had. Calamity year of his life. Was drowning in hollow void.

"Otou-chan...Kaa-chan..."

"It's okay, Naruto. I am here."

He felt warm. Should thank to whoever made him feel that way. For a moment, he glad someone reached out to him.

"You're finally awake."

"Uhh.." He blinked a few times, moisturizing his eyeballs. The throbbing still hit him, didn't go away. Naruto saw a silhouette of gold out of corner of his eye. "Alice..?"

'Wait? Alice!?"

Then suddenly he opened wide, fully awake. "Hey there, why are you here?"

"Kakashi-sensei just asked me some favor. Also I want to see you myself." Naruto unconciously flattered with the last sentence. Felt warm, yet he already warmed. His gaze dropped to palm of his own hand, thus far gripped tightly by the girl. Alice, who had realized his eyes direction, reflexively released the skinship. She flushed, "I'm sorry, Naruto! I didn't mean to...I mean...I.. umm, sorry."

Naruto didn't stir. Paid no mind to his throbbing head, finally decided to get to sit position.

"No..." Then slowly took her white hand with caution, but this moment he put it close to his upper cheek. "...I like this."

Crimson facade never leave Alice's as she holding more heat that assaulted her frontage. She felt candy, butterflies spread inside. Yet she not in the least against the conduct of the boy. The girl could feel Naruto hadn't finished.

He wanted to shake his head because it became more painful. The throb also made him unable to think rationally as it was. But one thing he wished to be done, with he looked straight to her cerulean eyes, "I don't care anymore, Alice. I'm falling in love with you."

He didn't care. Glad he did. If Alice hate him after those words came out, he didn't care. Even if world againts it, didn't matter. His heart said so, and he will do it.

Alice boiled even more. He...he said what!? "Eh? I.."

"It's okay, Alice. I don't deserved to be by your side, but what I said is serious."

"I know, but..."

"Even after this you end up hate me, I will still-"

"Please hear me out!"

He got little smack, from her other hand that he didn't hold with. "Mou, you talk with that face. I...I just..don't know what to say."

Naruto decided to drop his voice, waiting for Alice.

Her head drifted to morning before. Maybe she never really realized it. Or maybe she just avoid to admit it. Was it him? The missing piece? She hoped, but afraid of the sorrow. She still new in this. It's been bugging her for some moments. And also sparked some shards.

"Yeah. Like, I don't know if I'm moving on too fast or...you know what I mean?"

"I don't see a problem with that. You'll know it when the time comes. And you'll know it when it feels right."

Alice took a breath. Their grip didn't loose.

"How can I hate you. You always help me. Makes me be able to forget the sadness I feel. Honestly, I was glad you were at my side that time."

Naruto raised his eyes, ray of hope could be felt. "Alice, so..."

"I want to ask one more time. Do you really serious about me?"

He halted a bit, more to why she asked. A little smile lifted, "Yeah. Because I always do."

What he got next was beyond the expectation. The next thing he knew after their hand released, his cheeks being cupped. And he could feel the warm from his lips. Eyes widened in disbelief, though closed them soon after. Deepened his embrace with her.

They had finished their little dinner. At first, Naruto wanted to just blast his favorite instant cup ramen, which Alice flatly refused not long after. Then finally agreed with online order.

"Next time I will cook for you."

"Is that so? You can cook, Alice?"

"Just some simple dish." She said with shyness. Naruto almost jumped for joy. His dream to get bento was in hand.

"I'm looking forward to it!"

"Thank you, Naruto."

Soon silence filled the room, unable to make some words.

'It's just the two of us.' each thought. Certainly they were same before, but this time it's their status that made them so dumbfounded by their current state.

"Umm, you not back yet? It's getting late." Naruto said as looked over the balcony. Alice took her phone out of her bag, typed something in, then put it back in.

"I'm staying."

"WHA-"

Alice got red and realized what she just said, "W..wait. Don't think anything weird! I'm just worried about you. After all, tomorrow also day off, right?"

"O..ooh, yeah. That's true." Naruto scratched his neck, a little bit disappointed about the idea that came up in his mind. 'NO. Get rid of that thinking!'

His temperature dropped significantly. The appetite was normal too, by the evidence of last dinner. He should get better next day.

"You always get sick like this every year?"

"Yeah, I rarely sick. But just in winter."

"You had a bad dream too..." Alice slid closer. She put her gaze in meaningful look. Naruto gave a faint smile, tried his best to hide a painful facade he made, though so impossible.

"There was Kyuubi festival. Three of us. I had a bad habit. Always stall my time. So whenever there any event, we always late."

Alice grasped the boy's hand, which he returned the grip gladly.

"My parent then came up with the idea. To told me the time earlier than current rundown. I also knew the trick. But at that day when we went to Kyuubi fest."

"I mean, if we got there with no stalling. Will they both still alive? I always blame myself. I also determined to value more of my time and never late."

"But...but...even so, they already..." Something ran down his cheek, dripping. Alice didn't say anything, not her place to say so. She tightened her arms around a fragile boy in front of her. What she could be done just told him that everything will be fine. And she would be there, for him.

"We'd better sleep. You should rest."

Naruto nodded. Released another pent-up feeling helped him calm down. He was glad Alice understand him.

"Where you sleep then?"

"I can deal with that, Naruto. The important thing is you. You should rest first."

However, Alice forgot the person she was talking to had a quite persistent temper. "No, I can't sleep if you laying on the floor."

"So what's the better idea?"

"Sleep with me?"

"..."

Alice glared. Naruto innocently received the striking look. She wanted to observe any kind of funny idea that came from his ocean blue eyes. But no, he was serious. So she gave up, also nothing wrong with this either. Just sleeping with his boyfriend after all.

Turned out they both fit in the single-bed. She could smell something from it. It wasn't bad at all, on the contrary she liked it. Because it reminded of him. The lights were off and blanket had lifted. The two haven't closed their eyes yet, staring at same ceiling. Naruto chuckled.

"Naruto?"

How he loved the way she called him. And how he loved every moment with her. "No, I didn't expect the girl I hoped the most really accept my feeling. It's a special day for me."

Alice couldn't hide her bashfulness. "Hmph, how long has it been?

"Since first year."

"That long?"

He nodded with the statement. "Wanna hear it?"

Alice turned to him, and she could feel the closeness at this second. Then he took that as a yes. Later he spent most of the time how he always admire her, that answer her yesterday's question, thereupon to his actual affection for her. And Alice never thought, that she really had someone who held really high regard for her. And all these times, she never realized?

"Sorry, I never know."

"It's alright. I knew it would be tough. I just never had a chance."

"But you know I'm right here now."

"Yeah. But...what about...him?"

She sensed the caution there. And Alice knew this question would come, by cause of she mulled over it. "Of course, I gave up."

"Can you...tell me the reason?" Well, with that kind of answer, it would be not enough. Alice then told him about it. Like when he escorted her that night together. Eventually, Naruto got drifted to slumber, leaving her still-talking. Resulted in her pouting, yet anyhow she smiled afterward at his peaceful dormancy. With a peck on his whiskered cheek, she also started to dozing off.

"Sleep well, Naruto-kun."

END

I don't really know what to do with the ending. But here's what I got.

Thanks to stay up til this chapter. Appreciate it!

Runa was here.