A/N: I hope you enjoy this! Don't forget to feedback and let me know your honest opinion! It meant the world to me and keeps me going!

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Chapter Eight: Come My Way

The Jounin station was abnormally noisy and crowded for such an important day. The Summer Matsuri*, one of the biggest events in Konoha, would take place later that night at the Onsen**. Considering it was the second holiday and that every merchant of the village was contributing to its execution, it would be expected that chaos and disorganization would be all over the streets; what with everyone carrying their goods all the way from their stores to the Onsen. Surprisingly, that year everything seemed to be going well since there had been no problems or complaints of any kind.

While every Jounin that was forced to work on a holiday did not mind all the unoccupied time they were spending at the station – where they were supposed to remain for the day in case the Hokage's orders came up – Naruto was having a particularly hard time staying there and being confronted with things he did not feel like dealing with: Sasuke.

Sasuke was just there, among other male and female Jounin, doing nothing special. He was sitting at a far corner of the main waiting room; talking to that tiny weird girl he had taken out just the day before. Naruto did not even know what the hell she was doing in a place that was not meant for civilians, but that was not the main thing that made his blood boil. Sasuke, who usually kept to himself or only spoke when he needed to, was being abnormally talkative. More than that, he looked extremely interested in whatever conversation they were having. Yes, he looked as professional and serious as always, but somehow the girl's delicate smile and those attentive eyes that watched the raven's every move made the blond teen's blood boil angrily in his veins.

Sasuke was looking particularly handsome that day. Not that he looked any different from usual, Naruto just thought so, and apparently so did the girl.

Did the priestess like Sasuke? Well, it was clear that the Uchiha was somewhat interested in her…

Was it true that they were trying to set them up?

"It's your move, Naruto." Kiba's bored voice said, across from him on the small table where they were playing Shogi. Naruto nodded absently and made a nervous move without really seeing what he was doing since his eyes were too focused on his rival to see anything else.

What the hell is that damn girl smiling so much about? I can't even remember her name…

Hatori? Hiromi? Maybe it was Hana? No, that's not right.

Whatever, it doesn't matter.

Why the hell am I getting so worked up for? It's so annoying feeling these damn things out of the blue. It's all Sasuke's fault!

Gaah, why doesn't he look at me? Look at me you damn bastard, you haven't even glanced my way ever since you sat at that damn table!

Look at me!

But then, Naruto's frantic thoughts came to halt as he pictured those dark, cold and intense orbs looking at him. Expressionless, in hatred, in exasperation, in mirth, in confusion, in pleasure…

Sasuke, moaning his name while…

No! If you were somehow listening and ignoring me, keep doing that! Do NOT look at me! Naruto thought desperately as the immediate rush of want ran through him, making his cheeks flush red and his heart race. What the fuck am I thinking? As if he could ever listen to what's inside my head!

Shit, I've got it bad…why the fuck can't I sort myself out?

"…spacing out a lot lately."

Naruto shivered and looked at Kiba's face, which was currently scrunched up in annoyance.

"What?" Naruto asked, forcing himself to let all thoughts of Sasuke go from his mind.

"I said, you've been spacing out a lot," Kiba replied, nodding negatively. "I mean, what the hell is wrong with you? You've been staring at the priestess for the gods know how long!"

"Priestess?" The blond muttered stupidly. Did Kiba just think he was looking at the girl?

"Look man, we're friends and all that, but if you hurt Hinata I'll kick your ass so badly the only way you'll eat ramen is through a straw," Kiba stated firmly, shaking his closed fist in front of his face. Akamaru, who was lying beside his chair got up and started snarling in Naruto's direction. "Do you understand? You have a beautiful, talented girl by your side and she loves you madly. Don't let it go for a crush on someone who'll leave sooner or later!"

Naruto almost laughed, unsure of if he should feel relieved Kiba had not noticed him staring at Sasuke or worried that he was threatening him not to hurt his teammate.

"It's not like that, I wasn't looking at anybody!" The Kistune assured him awkwardly. "I was just staring at nothing in particular, it just happened to be somewhere close to where she is, that's all!"

The brunet made a weird sound but nodded with his lips pursed and leaned back, patting Akamaru's back.

"Just don't screw up, man," He said, in a vicious way that made Naruto feel like he had just been slapped across the face. "It cracks my nerves thinking that someone would be so low as to hurt a person like her. I really hated Neji back in the days when he used to be cruel to her."

Naruto kept himself in terrified silence, noticing how, for some reason, the always so frontal Kiba had averted his eyes from him.

The blond had never noticed that protective side of him, and wondered if it was just because Hinata was his precious teammate, or for some other reason altogether.

Unsurprisingly, Naruto felt mortified but could not find the will to be jealous, and it made him feel nauseous with guilt, fear and a sudden disgust with himself as a harsh reality sunk in.

What the hell am I doing, playing around with Sasuke behind Hinata's back? He pondered, feeling miserable. When did I ever become this kind of person? Thinking about him every day, seeing him when I make love to her; completely disregarding how she might feel.

What the hell is wrong with me? I've been so focused on this I couldn't see it...

Naruto bit his lip and shut his eyes.

I wanted to make it work with her; I wanted to make her happy and I did. The way she smiled, the subtle changes on her confidence... I gave that to her and she received it because she loves me.

She improved herself and worked hard because of me.

She would be perfect. We…I wanted us to find a way to be together until the end. But it's me; I should have never let myself give in to make her happy.

I can't lie and force myself into thinking it'll be perfect just because she can provide what I want. I lied from the very beginning. Most importantly…I lied to her.

I can't lie to her; not when she gave everything and made me so happy just by knowing someone loved me.

Hinata deserves my honesty; she deserves much better than me.

Naruto stared into Kiba's face, feeling sick. The other boy was slightly flushed though it was almost impossible to see due to the paintings on his face.

Is he in love with her?

Then his eyes moved slowly to where his semi-lover was. Sasuke was still chatting with the girl, a cigarette now dangling from his slender ivory fingers.

Just looking at him made Naruto's heart clench with something so powerful it was agonizing.

Powerful and painful, but weirdly exquisite.

It's not just sex, you fool. A ruthless voice in the back of his head said. You don't even have sex with him and yet you feel happy just being around him. You don't feel such things in your heart if you're just turned on. You were angry, jealous, upset, but it's not something you feel just because you want to get into someone's pants. You know you've never felt this way before.

Naruto gulped, eyes going wide.

Sasuke has always been my special person. Naruto concluded, throat dry, panic and resentment starting to flood through him. My special person. I don't want him with Neji. Thinking about it makes me mad. I'm his best friend. After all we've been through, why should someone who was never there for him before suddenly have the right to see all of Sasuke?

Even if Neji is a match for him, he has no right to take him.

I don't care anymore. I hate them together.

I want to see Sasuke. I want to see all of him.

I want all he has to give…

I've always liked him more than anyone else, even when I hated him…

"Oi, Naruto, are you feeling ok?" Kiba's voice uttered worriedly. "You look kinda sick, man."

Suddenly, blue eyes opened as wide as they possibly could.

No way… I like him. I like him so much I can't stand to see him with someone else.

I actually fell for that bastard, I…

Grousing dramatically, Naruto let his head fall forward until his forehead hit the Shogi board violently, causing Kiba to gasp in horror. It did not matter; his head had felt so suddenly heavy he did not even feel any pain.

"Geez! What the hell?" The dog lover was exclaiming, reaching out to shake him worriedly. "Naruto, what's wrong! Speak to me, man! Why is everybody starring like idiots, go call a doctor or something!"

"I'm fine, Kiba…" Naruto replied, lifting his head up and bringing a Shogi peace glued to the side of his forehead. "I'm just having a bad day, that's all."

"Fuck, don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry."

But it was Naruto who was scared. So scared in fact, that for the first time he feared the outcome of his impulsiveness now that he had come to terms with what he felt and what he had to do from now on.

As he shakily removed the Shogi piece from his face, he felt those eyes he had come to know so well stick to him intently. He felt them like they were hands, tapping him on the shoulder, caressing every bit of him, calling for attention... And now it suddenly became too dangerous to look up.

How fucked up was that?

Sakura-chan… The blue eyed Shinobi thought, breathing deeply while realizing how much pain she should be in and how wrong it was of her to have accepted Lee just because she thought he would make her happy. We're the lowest of the low. Why did we do this? This stupid game of deceit, this blindness…

Why should we hurt people for fear of being alone? Fuzzy eyebrows loves you, but you…

I wonder what is more wrong – to force yourself to love someone, or to be with someone who doesn't love you and live in the illusion that they might fall in love with you.

Lies…

So many lies.

And now we're in big trouble. But I'll get us both out if it. I won't let you, or myself lie anymore.

At that same moment, Naruto was called by one of the messengers.

"Uzumaki Naruto, the Kazekage wants to see you." The young Chuunin had said from the entrance to the room, making him almost jump out of his shoes in marvelous relief. "Please follow me."

Naruto could not think about this right now and being in the same room as Sasuke was not going to help at all – he would just crumble down eventually from nerves, pent up frustration, energy, and would end up doing something really stupid, too early. He had to clear his head first, and hopefully, being away from the Uchiha and socializing with Gaara would help him cool down.

Feeling thankful that the man had come at exactly the right time, he got up like his ass was on fire and followed him without looking behind, promptly ignoring Sasuke's intense gaze on his back.

000

If Naruto had seriously believed that being with his companion from Suna would be helpful, he soon realized he had been terribly wrong.

"Excuse me, what?" He asked, praying that he had a serious hearing problem.

They were alone in the Kazekage's small but cozy chambers. Gaara stood before him, arms imposingly crossed over his chest, jade green eyes fixed emotionlessly in ocean blue.

"I said I would like it if you could escort me to the Matsuri tonight."

No such luck, he had heard him perfectly.

"Escort?" Naruto asked, dumbly.

"Yes."

They stared at each other, Gaara looking as calm and intimidating as always, Naruto finding it hard to understand what that situation meant and how he was supposed to react to it.

"I…It's not like I have problem with it, I just…I have the night off, I'm not supposed to work…" He said, not really considering his words since his mind was still too filled with thoughts of Sasuke and what he was going to do about it from now on.

"You said you wanted to hang out." Gaara pointed out dryly.

"Yeah, but on some other occasion, when I don't have any plans…this is really a bad day and I would be a terrible company."

Gaara did not answer to that, just kept staring at him, which made Naruto all the more frustrated.

"Look, what about Temari and Kankurou?" Naruto pressed on. "They're your bodyguards."

"Temari is going with that lazy shadow guy and Kankurou hates festivals," Was the red hair's reply. "I wanted to hang out with just you."

The rather childish remark made it click inside his mind and Naruto felt all his organs spasm with something very, very uncomfortable.

"Gaara… that would be like going on a date." He muttered, in a low, cautious voice. The blond could feel his warm, expectant chakra becoming a little uneasy.

The Kazekage blinked a few times without saying anything or showing any kind of facial expression before finally speaking again.

"I've never been on a date before." He said, simply.

"You're supposed to go on a date with someone you care about," Naruto explained, embarrassingly. "Even if you call it 'escorting' it's still a bit…"

"I don't mind calling it a 'date'." Gaara interrupted. His chakra boiled gently with pleasure when Naruto felt himself blush. "You are the only person I would consider for that."

The Jounin's chin fell. Gaara could not be serious, could he? No way, Naruto did not need such a thing at this point of his life! Not in a million years, let alone now!

"Do you even know what you're saying?" He asked, feeling barmy. "That's just…"

"The question is, Uzumaki, can you or can you not take me to the Matsuri?"

"No!"

Gaara's none existing eyebrows rose up in questioning, chakra becoming a little darker, more anxious, and more nervous.

"I mean…I didn't mean to yell," Naruto apologized, rubbing the back of his head nervously because really, he did not mean to be rude and in another occasion he would have dealt with it differently, but now it all seemed too absurd to consider. "I might have forgotten to tell you, but I have a girlfriend that I'm taking to the Matsuri."

Gaara became silent, disappointment evident.

"Oh." He said, after a while.

"Listen, things are a little complicated with me right now and I don't…It's just not a good day, I really can't… I'm so sorry."

"It's not like I told you to sleep with me or anything." Gaara's tone was suddenly cold, resented and it made Naruto tremble with remorse.

"I know you didn't, I just…"

"Don't make such a big deal out of it."

"I'm not," Naruto muttered between clenched teeth. "But if you don't want me to, then don't do it either. What's with that dark aura all of a sudden? I'll hang out with you anytime you want, just tell me about it beforehand. I'll talk to someone to take you today so you…"

"I am the Kazekage; I can easily find someone to take me without your help."

Oh. Gaara was mad. Not that it was visible in his young features, but it was definitely palpable in the way his chakra seemed to have gained a light electric touch.

Concentrating on keeping his increasing bad mood in control, the kitsune breathed in several times before answering.

"Alright, then. Since we've got that settled, I will see you around."

He did not want to hurt Gaara, but he did not feel capable of dealing with that kind of shit at the moment. He would have to speak to him and tell him all about what had been going on, to make up to him, to make him understand.

As he left the chambers and the Residence, Naruto felt emotionally drained as he wondered what else could happen to make his day even more awkward and confusing and turn it from bad to worse.

He was in love with his best friend and now he had to be honest with himself for once and act upon it. He also had to be honest with his girlfriend and had to be honest with Sasuke, even if that went against the Uchiha's initial plan.

Unless Sasuke was already in love with Neji, there was still a chance that they could…what, be together? That would be nice. Yes, that would be perfect. But somehow he knew Sasuke would not be easily lured and still, all he wanted to do was convince him to leave Neji so that all feelings of guilt could go away and they could really be free with each other. So that Sasuke thought of no one else. Yes, because the Uchiha would never do those things with him, his best friend, someone with whom he still had countless issues, if there were no feelings involved, right? Maybe that was the reason why he wanted to be with him but kept him away and did not allow anything more intimate.

Maybe Sasuke was afraid to fall in love with him. Not that Naruto could blame him anyway.

He had to think about what to say to Hinata and how to approach her on the subject. It would be difficult, but it was all for the best.

Then there was Gaara and his weird behavior. What the hell was wrong with him, being all flirty all of a sudden? Yes, because that's what he had done in his Gaara language.

He really, really needed to get his life back on track before he went crazy or it wouldn't be just Hinata that would be hurt by all of this. Naruto already felt hurt enough as it was.

Why did I even get myself into all of this in the first place?

000

Sakura could not remember a day when she had seen her best male friend this miserable while drunk.

Naruto had always been the type of person who seemed to have a bottomless stomach and he was not very different when it came to alcohol, reason why she was more than surprised and a little worried. How and why the hell did he get in such a drunken state without anyone noticing?

She and Lee had found the two couples together, while they watched the fireworks from the main garden in the Onsen. Everything had seemed alright enough back then. Hinata was as happy as ever, looking absolutely stunning in her lovely white Kimono, her hair tied from behind beautifully. Naruto had chosen a light blue yukata that looked rather cheap but enlightened his eyes, thus suiting him. Neji was also wearing a white garment, looking all mighty and imposing, but he looked nowhere near as good as Sasuke did with his own, beautiful dark blue silky yukata. The color contrasted with his fair skin and brought out the darkness of his eyes and the bluish highlights in his hair. He looked like one of those powerful feudal lords from the tales Sakura used to read about when she was younger.

The four seemed to be getting along just fine despite how detached they all looked considering how every couple in the Matsuri just could not break apart from their mates. They were like a group of friends hanging out and it was just fine since Sakura did not want to picture Neji and Sasuke being all lovey-dovey.

There had been nothing unusual apart from the fact that Naruto – who was always noisy and all enthusiastic about such festivities – was awfully quiet.

The six of them had watched the amazing display of colorful fireworks together until Neji had the brilliant idea of smooching his boyfriend. It was not even one of those mind blowing kisses, just a small peck on the lips that apparently had been a little too much for Naruto, who did not look pleased.

Sakura thought it was normal since they were always fighting, anyway, despite the fact that they seemed to be getting along better lately. However, when Lee got away for a while to go greet Gai-sensei, Naruto followed him, but did not come back.

The remaining four, noticing his absence, went looking for him and found him by a stand of beverages, literally nagging the hell out of Ino and TenTen, more than a little tipsy.

Since Lee was nowhere to be seen, an apprehensive Sakura offered to bring him home but Sasuke dismissed the thought saying there was no way she could take him that drunk all by herself. Hinata had been worried and shocked that Naruto had gone and done something like that with no apparent reason and wanted to go with them. Luckily – or so Sakura thought – Sasuke told her and Neji not worry and that he and Sakura would take care of it. After all, Sakura was a medic, she could easily do something for him if it was necessary, and Sasuke could carry him easily enough. Besides, he had added, having too much people in Naruto's small apartment would be troublesome.

Naruto was clearly not sober, but he spoke a lot about lots of stupid things and did it really fast, his words firm and only slightly slurred.

The way to his house seemed painfully long.

"Sakura-chaaaaan, I don't feel so good…" Naruto whined from his single bed where she and Sasuke had sat him down in hopes that he would calm down enough to take a shower. He had actually managed to stay still and stop jabbering for five whole minutes while Sakura tried to find out where everything was to make him tea and Sasuke checked his drawers in hope of finding some kind of medicine that would help him sober up.

Expectantly though, now the blond was clutching his stomach and looking absolutely nauseous.

"What, are you feeling sick?" She asked him from the stove where she was boiling water for the tea.

"I dunno…" He muttered.

"Damn it, you're such a pain in the ass!" Sasuke groaned, violently slamming shut the drawer he had been rummaging through and walking over to him, leaning over to help him get up by putting his arm around his shoulders. "Why can't you stay out of trouble for once?"

"Shut up you bas…ohhhh, It's coming…not…good…"

"I swear by the honor of my name, I'll kill you if you throw up on me!" Sasuke said menacingly, as Naruto made a choked sound like he was, indeed, about to let his guts out. "Fuck, hold it in, moron!"

"Sasuke-kun, make sure he doesn't pass out!" Sakura called over her shoulder as she watched Sasuke hurriedly and angrily dragging Naruto with him to the bathroom. Sure enough, a few seconds later, the disgusting sound of him disposing of all his drinking – and probably all the food he had in his stomach as well – filled the house, causing Sakura to shudder in revulsion.

Men and their stupid habits…

The sounds ceased a few moments later and Naruto moaned pathetically.

"I'm dying…"

"It's your own damn fault." Sasuke was saying, voice slightly softer but still annoyed. "Better?"

"Not really, but that thing you're doing is nice…"

"Shut it. Are you done?"

"I'm not sure…"

Sakura sighed loudly as the water began to boil lively in the kettle. While she looked for some tea around that messy house, Naruto heaved once more and Sasuke seemed to make soothing yet exasperated noises to help him.

She was happy the two most important men in her life had at least found some kind of truce stable enough for them not to constantly bicker at each other, even if the slight change was a little unsettling. At least it was good to know that Sasuke was more than capable of taking care of Naruto – his help had been precious to Sakura, who had not been sure how she would have carry him home if Sasuke had not offered to help.

The pink haired girl found a few leaves in a nearby cabinet and added them to the boiling water, watching impassively as they dyed the clear liquid in shades of brown.

The toilet was flushed and then came the sound of water running, not from the shower but from the sink. Sasuke muttered a few whispered words Sakura could not hear and Naruto made tired acquiesces and inaudible replies. When they emerged from the bathroom, the blond was already walking by himself – staggering would be the most proper word for his pitiful condition – but it was clear that he was still decadently drunk and not really himself.

As Sasuke helped him sit at the table he made a displeased face, but let himself be directed to where his friend leaded him, sitting down heavily and clumsily.

"Let me tell you you'll be having a terrible hangover tomorrow," Sakura said, setting down three mugs on the table and then filling them with tea at the same time that the Uchiha sat down on the remaining available chair beside him. "Now drink this."

The boy nodded but said nothing else, unfocused blue eyes fixed on Sasuke. The stoic man had picked up the mug and was blowing softly on his tea while watching him with a very small frown on his forehead. Sakura also grabbed her mug and leaned on the counter, a little relieved that her friend was at least stabilized.

Silently, she watched Naruto's dejected expression towards Sasuke with worry and curiosity. She had never seen him look at him like that but wondered what the hell was going through his drunken mind at the moment. Now that she thought about it, she doubted she had ever seen the blond show such a vulnerable expression.

"Stop staring and drink your tea, it'll do you good." Sasuke said, for some reason using a soft tone that Sakura had never heard before.

"I don't want to…" Naruto muttered, blinking several times as if he could not see his friend properly. "I'll just throw up again…"

"Even if you do, at least you'll be cleaning your stomach." Sakura said firmly. "Go on, don't be a baby."

"Where the hell do you keep your medicine?" Sasuke asked, setting down his drink.

"What damn medicine?" Naruto asked, confused. "I don't have any."

"Shows how irresponsible you are."

It seemed that Naruto was going to reply back but thought better of it, for he swallowed hard and rested his face clumsily on his wrist instead, still looking at Sasuke with those eyes that were now a little defiant.

Silence settled in and Naruto eventually sighed and tentatively brought the mug to his lips to take a tentative slurp. Confirming that in fact it did not make him feel sick, he took another sip of his tea before setting it down. Sasuke was watching him cautiously with some kind of awareness that he rarely showed.

"What are you thinking, Naruto?" Sakura asked gently, intending to understand what the hell was wrong with him for having behaved in such a way.

"I'm thinking that Hinata-chan must be really worried," The blond muttered, rubbing his face tiredly. "I didn't mean to get this drunk; I just wanted to calm down but got carried away."

"These things happen," Sakura assured him condescendingly, patting his back. "I'm sure she'll forgive you, you know how kind hearted she is."

"Yeah…" Naruto muttered, leaning back on his chair and staring at the ceiling. "But she shouldn't forgive me. I'm the worst."

"No, Naruto, you're not, don't say such things…"

"Yes, I am, and so are you. We are terrible, terrible people… the both of us."

Dear Kami, was he still that drunk? He was not making any sense at all, Sakura considered with an internal condescending sigh.

"You need to rest," She said, setting down her own mug on the table and ruffling his golden hair affectionately. "Please, finish that so we can help you take a shower and go to sleep."

"No…" He whispered childishly, shoving her hand away. "You don't understand, Sakura-chan. This is all wrong… me dating Hinata and you dating fuzzy eyebrows…it's all wrong. It's wrong to lie to them and it's wrong to pretend that this is what we want! It's unfair to all of us, we'll be miserable…"

Sakura felt a jolt of something very unpleasant run her over like a big, wild animal.

Why would he be saying those things, now of all the times? He had been with Hinata for six months now, and she was almost finishing her fourth month with Lee. Sure, it was not love from the beginning and it was progressing rather slowly, but eventually she would come to love him, right?

Right?

"Naruto…"

"It's wrong and it has to end…" He kept saying, closing his eyes. "I don't…I think it's wrong to look for love out of fear of being alone because…because it backfires, destiny takes its revenge. It's good to be loved, but is it worth it? The pain we're inflicting… It's wrong to betray your feelings. You should never be with someone if you still love Sasuke, Sakura-chan. Even if he doesn't feel the same way, you should live your life happily and freely until someone comes that'll make you forget him. That's what love is, and that's the right thing to do."

Opening stormy blue eyes, the blond stared into Sasuke's onyx conscientious ones.

"Because it's wrong to be with someone while thinking of someone else," He muttered. "Thinking how beautiful they are, and how we wish our partners could be them. It's not right."

Did that mean Naruto was in love with someone else too? That was new.

The Uchiha's expression did not change at all, but he stared back at Naruto unblinkingly as if he feared to break to contact. It was like he was trying to read him at the same time that he wanted to tell him something. This particular exchange of looks did not go unnoticed by the strawberry haired teen.

"I think," Sasuke said, very slowly. "That we should forget the shower and just take him to bed, Sakura. Right now."

"I don't want to, you bastard!" Naruto exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table. "I'm trying to make a fucking statement here, so don't shrug me off!"

"You're drunk, moron. It's not like anyone will take you seriously," Sasuke said coolly, standing up elegantly and going over to him to once again help him get up, not paying attention to his protests. "Sakura, please go and find something for him to sleep in; we have to get him out of his yukata."

"Nooo, Sas'ke, stop being a jerk!" Naruto mumbled, fighting off the raven's hands and numbly getting up on his own. Sakura bit her lip but hurried off to Naruto's commode to see if she could find a t-shirt or something for him to wear.

"Do you mind ceasing your ridiculous fighting and let me take your clothes off!" Sakura heard Sasuke groan, once again fairly aggravated.

The girl felt her cheeks redden a little because she actually was a little embarrassed by the thought that the Uchiha was actually going to help Naruto strip. She was rather happy that her back was now turned to them.

"Noooo, 'cause you're not listening to me!" Naruto mumbled, grumpily.

"And what is it that I'm supposed to listen to if you can't formulate a single coherent sentence?"

That wasn't really true because the blond might not be sober, but she did find perfect sense in what he had told her, which did not mean she liked hearing it.

And then there was silence. A sudden, deadly silence that fell upon the tiny apartment that froze Sakura from head to toe with fear. She turned around at once, expecting to find out that Naruto had fainted or that Sasuke had used some kind of Jutsu to silence him. Unfortunately for her, that was not what she saw.

Letting the orange t-shirt she had picked up slip from her fingers to the ground, her heart almost jumped out of her throat and her legs threatened to give away.

They…they were kissing.

Or better, Naruto had apparently grabbed the collar of the brunet's yukata and pressed his mouth clumsily over his in something that could not be called a kiss. Except the meaning was the same.

Sasuke looked somewhat mortified for the first time, hands reaching out for the blonde's shoulders to push him away slightly. They broke the contact and Naruto's blue eyes shone at him with such hopelessness it was heartbreaking.

Sakura could not breath, could not move, and too petrified to do anything at all.

"What the fuck are you doing?" The Uchiha hissed, almost inaudibly.

"Shut up, you're the worst person I've ever met!" Naruto said loudly, gulping in frustration and staring into Sasuke's terrifying eyes rebelliously. "How can you do this to me? You indulge me but expect me to keep away and play by your rules! Why won't you give yourself to me? Why can't I have what he has? I don't want your pretty ass; you can have mine for all I care! You owe me Uchiha, you also wanted it, so you better pay up or I'll be very angry."

Sakura did not understand a single word that her friend was uttering but was sure, deep inside her heart that she would rather not know after what she had just seen.

"Boys…" she called out weakly, to no avail since both seemed to have forgotten she was there.

"I owe you?" Sasuke whispered, venomously. More than just plain angry he looked something akin to horrified, scared, shocked. "You knew the rules from the start, it's nothing serious! There is no reason for it to be any different…"

"There is to me," Naruto spat, taking a step back and almost falling back on the process but quickly regaining his balance. "And maybe it was…is serious enough for me. I'm changing my life, I won't lie anymore. I want those nights, Sasuke, and I have the right to be given the same chance you gave Neji. I'm breaking up with Hinata and will fight for every bit of you I can get. You wanna know why? Because I hate seeing you and Neji together. I can't support your happiness, and I don't want to."

Sasuke's pale features turned paper white at that sentence, making him look like his soul had just been ripped out of his body.

Sakura, for her part, was feeling like the end of the world had just fallen upon her. She found it hard to even think straight as Naruto staggered towards his bed and started removing his clothes with shaky hands that were more than clumsy.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Sasuke said, watching his friend and forcing himself to keep his calm. "You're fooling yourself into believe something that's not there. Don't ruin everything for something physical, don't…"

"What physical?" The younger one replied back harshly becoming mad. "There is no physical! There is no actual sex! There should be if it was only that, right? You say how we're attracted to each other and how it's just that, and yet you just fuck around with me because you're scared of me or whatever, but there's something you don't want to let go. If it's just physical why is there no sex? You don't even let me touch you below the waist!"

"It's only been a week!"

"You fucked Neji right away, what the hell is your problem?"

"What the hell is your problem?"

"I like you!"

Sakura felt like she had just been hit by something very hard and very painful.

What was that about sex and attraction and…What the hell were they talking about? It made no sense! They were rivals, they didn't get along most of the times, and they hated each other.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Sasuke spat back. He was freaking out in a very cold, controlled way, but he was freaking out.

"I said I like you, you complete bastard, or is that too complicated for you to assimilate? Pfft, and I'm the one who's drunk…" Naruto grumbled, still fighting his yukata that refused to open. "Like as in, 'I fell for you'. Like as in 'I'm in love with you'. Like as in 'I'll fucking kill Neji if he makes you fall for him'. Like as in 'I'm fighting for you to make you feel the same way, whether you like or not'."

And Naruto started pacing and fumbling with his clothes in front of him.

And Sakura wished she had just dreamed everything that was being revealed in front of her, so shamelessly.

Was it really true? Her Sasuke and Naruto were…involved? Sasuke had agreed to such a thing? With…Naruto? Why? Why him? Why when he had Neji, someone with whom he obviously related with and clicked with.

Was Naruto in love with Sasuke? Really?

And then she realized that, as much as Sasuke showed how much of a sexual person he was, he would never, ever get involved with his best friend – with whom he had so many things to fix, whom he hated more times than he loved – unless there was something deep inside him to move him. Really move him. If he had sex with Neji right away but was keeping himself away from the blond then…

Sasuke liked Naruto too.

He was scared to admit it, and even more scared to act upon it because it was just that – they had so many things to settle, so many things that were unresolved that he feared it could ruin them forever.

But it was there nonetheless. Whether Sasuke knew about it or not, she did not know.

Hot tears welled up in her minty green eyes before she could stop herself.

Sasuke's mouth was hanging open as his eyes followed the mane of sunny hair. His fists were clenched and he was also shaking with controlled emotion. Sakura could not identify the look on his face, but he seemed thoroughly lost and yet…was that longing, or was it mortification?

Naruto successfully removed his garments and threw them to the floor, ending up only in his green boxers and white socks. He wobbled his way to the bed and got under the sheets, looking almost comically determined.

Sakura felt helpless. Once more she was being left behind. Everybody was moving on, finding their hopes, their dreams, where their hearts lay, and still…

Still they walked ahead of her. Still they fell into each other exclusively while she watched from the shadows.

Still, Naruto was able to be brave like she never could. For that, he had a part of Sasuke that she never had. Still, Naruto looked at Sasuke in such a different way that he looked at her.

Everything she had feared was now happening. All her dissimulated efforts to keep them emotionally away from each other were useless.

Maybe Neji had been right all along. You can't change your fate, no matter what you do.

Neither the Uchiha nor Sakura moved as Naruto snuggled in the sheets and quickly drift off to sleep like the whole weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. He immediately began snoring gently and peacefully, showing no more signs of his previous anger and determination.

His mind had been set. He would do everything he said he would do; there was no doubt about it. That certainty made him look as peaceful as he looked.

Would he be at peace if he went after what he had settled himself to accomplish? Would Sakura also feel at peace if she once and for all admitted to herself that she would never love Lee?

And that she would probably never forget Sasuke either?

She knew Sasuke did not love her, but only then did she realize what Naruto's words really meant. If Sasuke accepted to go out with her just to please her, she would always feel like he was doing her a favor.

Could she ever be happy, giving him everything and knowing he gave her nothing but his time in return? Could she live her whole life pretending to love Lee? Would Lee be always this happy and cheerful even if she never loved him back?

Sasuke was breathing hard, a disturbed frown painting his porcelain features. His eyes stared at Naruto's slumbering form like he was a demon, something ethereal and out of this world. Then he let out a defeated sigh and buried his eyes in his right hand, exhaustion emanating from him.

When Sakura's sobs could no longer remain silent, he looked up and turned around to look at her, surprise evident in his eyes. He had forgotten that she had been there all along. For some reason, he looked hurt to see those tears in her eyes.

"I…Sakura, I'm really sorry about this." He muttered, walking over to her hesitantly and placing a hand on her shoulder. Just listening to him apologize, made the girl want to forgive him and Naruto for keeping things from her. "This…this is not what you think, he's drunk…just…don't cry…"

"Drunk or not, he would never say things like this if he didn't mean it," She sobbed meekly, trying to clean her face with the back of her hands furiously. "He's in love with you. This is not a joke. I just…he's right, it's terrible when people hide things, when they lie…I can't do this anymore, I can't lie to myself either. He's so brave, you know? I could never be like that…"

Sasuke swallowed hard and squeezed her shoulder unsurely. His hand was still trembling.

"I only wish you guys could tell me these kinds of things…" She muttered, looking up at the love of her life angrily. "Why is it that neither of you can do it? We're family, damn it! I don't need to go through these unexpected things, it would be so much easier if we could just talk because…no matter how I feel, what I want I…more important than my love for you is the love I have for our team, for this family. I'd rather never have you than lose either of you."

"I know, and I'm sorry for underestimating you." Sasuke muttered. He was shaken but was doing his best to conceal it underneath a heavy frown. Sakura knew he was more upset by what had happened before than by her tears, which did not mean that he was not being honest about not wanting to see her cry. The raven might be cold and uncaring, but when he wanted he could show affection and worry. "I'm sorry for doing this to you. You are…you are a good person, and a good friend, I…"

"I want to know everything, Sasuke-kun." She surprised herself by how firm her voice came out. "Let me help you. Both of you. I want to be there for you! This is very serious! This could ruin everything between you guys, and I can't accept that!"

"I know, Sakura."

"Let me be there for you. Please, tell me what's going on…Let's be friends and act like it for once."

Sasuke stared at her gently, his lovely eyes tired and a little distant as his thoughts clashed between letting her inside that little confusion or not. What seemed like hours later, he nodded slightly.

"Alright." He accepted, brushing a few of her tears away with fingertips that felt so kind. "Let's be friends for once."

Sakura only smiled, knowing that it would be difficult to hear the whole story, knowing that that would not change the way Sasuke saw her but knowing that, at least, she could be there for him and Naruto; could protect them if she had to. If it was worth it, if they finally inserted her in their own little world, she would be happy. If Sasuke finally acknowledged her as someone worthy of his time…that would be more than enough.

She would just have to deal with it.

*Festival

**Hot Springs