Chapter 9 –A Revelation

Sasuke turned round to glance and see what Naruto was referring to. His eyes widened and cheeks were dusted with a slight blush, "Oh," he turned around properly so his whole body was facing Naruto, "That's my current project I've been working on."

Naruto, not noticing Sasuke's embarrassment asked, "Can I see it?"

Itachi watched from behind the glass, he did not want this scene to happen; he didn't want Naruto to see what Sasuke was working on after all he feared that Naruto would misinterpret the situation and would assume that Sasuke was still obsessed with him, which to be perfectly honest wouldn't be a complete misinterpretation. After all, Sasuke was inspired by his ex to produce that painting and at the time Sasuke's intentions weren't exactly innocent. Itachi wouldn't be surprised if the blonde's reaction wasn't all that grateful. He bit his lip in tension as he watched the scene unfold.

Sasuke, a bit hesitant, walked calmly back over to the easel. He tugged at the corner of the tarp that covered the stand, before saying, "It's not finished yet okay?"

Naruto nodded and Sasuke threw the sheet aside, revealing a half finished sketch of Naruto from a side profile. It was beautiful, Sasuke had captured every curve and crevice of the singer's face, and the expression that he gave him was one of complete solace, almost as if he was in deep thought or sleeping.

"It's weird I know, I'm sorry," Sasuke hunched in shoulders.

Naruto stared in awe of the unfinished drawing before he snapped out of it, "No, no it's beautiful Sasuke, I'm touched, honestly. You made me, or it, look completely at bliss."

Sasuke looked up at Naruto, his eyes glistening, "Really, you like it?"

"Yes Sasuke, how, why, what made you decide to draw this, draw me?" Naruto asked looking bewildered.

"Well after the trial I saw how happy and peaceful you were, compared to before," he muttered, "And that expression you made, it was someone who had suffered, yet they have been able to find the ability to be content in life. It was someone so young yet also old in the sense that they had lived an entire life, for better or worse."

Naruto took a step closer towards the easel and he realised that Sasuke was right, there were faded age lines on his depicted image and the look of solace wasn't perfect, it was mature, something Naruto was not used to thinking of himself like that.

"I love it Sasuke, I mean I'll admit that it is a bit weird for my ex to be drawing pictures of me but oddly, knowing that it is coming from it makes sense somehow," Naruto laughed nervously.

Sasuke picked up the tarp and re-covered the drawing, as he was securing it Naruto said, "I hope you finish it Sasuke if that doesn't sound too self-centred of me?"

Sasuke paused for a second before replying, "Of course Naruto, it's the least I could do for you."

The two were silent again for a moment. Naruto frowned, not liking the quiet and lightly tugged at Sasuke's sleeve, Sasuke looked up at the blonde and Naruto gave a light smile, "I think we need some air, don't you?"

Sasuke knew that it wasn't really a question but more like a statement, nevertheless he nodded and grabbed his coat and followed the rock star into the hospital's garden. Itachi, on the other hand, waited a few moments before deciding to follow the pair, after all, he didn't want the two to be uncomfortable and he feared that his presence might trigger that discomfort.

It was a cold spring day but the flowers were in bloom. There were many cherry blossom trees in the garden, but Sasuke indicated for Naruto to sit under a specific one.

"This one is my favourite, I mean know Itachi likes to watch me from the window on the second floor when I'm out here but it doesn't mean I have to make it easy for him," Sasuke smirked a little mischievous smile.

Naruto looked up and saw the elder Uchiha brother; exactly where Sasuke said he would be he stood there watching the two calmly, still taking notes in his little booklet. As Naruto took a step closer to the tree it became more difficult to make out Itachi as the cherry blossoms blocked him from view.

He smiled slightly, "I understand, you must feel a little suffocated being watched all the time by your brother and the staff here." Naruto sat with Sasuke under the shade of the chosen tree.

"It is a little humiliating to have the staff that were once under you take care of you, and my brother can get a bit much at times but I bet it will be nothing compared to when your album comes out," Sasuke said quickly without thinking.

He realised his mistake and quickly apologised again but Naruto waved it off, "It's okay, I deserved that one." He sighed, "Have you and Itachi discussed what you will do when my album is released? I mean will you be…well will you be-"

"-Still in this 'lovely' establishment?" He gestured to the space around him indicating the hospital, "Am I right?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly.

Naruto quickly nodded slightly regretful and worried for asking.

Sasuke saw Naruto's anxiety and quickly reassured him, "It's okay Naruto; yeah we have discussed it a bit but we haven't really come to a decision. On one hand I am safe here from the media, but on the other hand, I am considered to be at the point now where I can leave the hospital-"

Naruto shocked, interrupted "Do you think you're ready for that?"

"I'm not sure," Sasuke replied oddly timid, "I mean just because I am physically fit enough to live on my own doesn't mean I am mentally ready you know? It's been hard, I've had to accept who I am and what I had done to you, so the idea of starting again seems a bit too lenient."

Naruto didn't know how to respond to that, he knew that Sasuke had learnt his lesson and learnt how to take care of himself and because of that he was a completely different person. It almost seemed unfair to him that he release this album, knowing now how well Sasuke has done for himself. It seemed unfair to deny him this new beginning that was starting to achieve.

"Sasuke, do you want this album to come out?" he asked.

Sasuke looked immensely confused and even shook his head a bit at the question, "Naruto you worked so hard and people expect-"

"I didn't what people expected of me Sasuke, I asked you. Do you want this album to come out? Would it interrupt the progress or cause you to regress-"

"Naruto I-"

"Because I won't release this album if it means that it hurts you." Naruto had tears in his eyes, "You may have hurt me, but I am not in the same place I was ten months ago, Hell, I am not the same person I was two or twelve years ago." He sighed, "Despite everything Sasuke, I have forgiven you, and I don't want to cause you pain."

Sasuke's eyes were wide at the scene and he was sure that his brother from the upstairs window was too, just because he couldn't see them, doesn't mean that he can't hear and he was certain that his brother heard Naruto's cries.

He took Naruto's hand once again, giving it a gentle reassuring squeeze, "Naruto, I love you and I hate myself for what I've done to you." Naruto sniffed and Sasuke placed his free hand on Naruto's cheek guiding him to face him. "That was my mistake and I have to live with that pain. I deserve far worse than a piece of art. And from what I've heard so far, this album, for all the agony it retells, is a masterpiece. You are telling your truth, and when you started writing it, it was your relief; I can hear it in your voice and see it in your body language. You're even happier than you were ten months ago and I can't help but feel like this album caused that.

I'm sure there were probably other factors to that as well," he smiled a small sad smile, "Naruto," he let go of the blonde's hand and placed it on Naruto's other cheek, "I can handle whatever you throw at me."

In the spur of the moment, Sasuke did the one thing that no one wanted him to do. He kissed Naruto straight on the mouth.