Disclaimers: I did not create Naruto nor did I make Beauty & The Beast- a sad fact, but still a fact. This is purely a SasuNaru fanfic using someone else's characters.


Beauty & The Beast: A D-Rank Mission

Chapter 19

D~,'~~~

Naruto loudly slurped up a noodle as he stared after the Uchiha's retreating form. His brain was still trying to process what he had just heard, but his doubts and uncertainties questioned every thought he was able to put together.

Sasuke. THEE Sasuke Uchiha- in love with.. me?

That's.. that's impossible.

He said it, though. He literally said, 'I love you'.

But.. I mean.. it's Sasuke. Sasuke could have anyone! This whole freaking village would slaughter each other if the victory prize was Sasuke.

Naruto sighed. There's so many other people out there..

.. why would Sasuke want me?

It still blew his mind that Sasuke even liked him. He had started to just chalk that up to puberty, pent up Teme emotions, and- though it was hard to admit, he did think it was a factor- Naruto's more.. feminine physique.

He didn't love it, but he was very aware that he didn't look as masculine as Sasuke. I mean- big blue eyes, thin frame, small hands, and long blonde hair.. it didn't exactly scream aggro man-beast.

Definitely not in comparison to Sasuke's sharp, lean features and angry Uchiha eyes.

Put that smaller blonde in a freaking dress, and yeah- maybe that does something to Sasuke. Makes him want to..

.. to kiss me.

He blushed.

.. And touch me.

He blushed harder.

But, love?

No one has ever loved Naruto. He couldn't imagine why someone would start now.

D~,'~~~

The next morning Sasuke paced in front of the dressing rooms like no Uchiha has ever paced. He even caught himself chewing on his fingernails- like a freaking everyday Susan who got stood up at prom.

He forced himself to stop and drop his hands back down to his sides. When that didn't work, he crossed his arms tight across his chest and glared at every human who wasn't Naruto.

That blonde Dobe better show up..

There was already talk about who could take Naruto's place as Belle if he didn't, and it made Sasuke freaking livid.

He can NOT make me do this by myself, he thought angrily, picturing the Sasuke-fangirl he'd have to throw over his shoulder, and slow dance with, and..

oh god, the ending..

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. I am NOT kissing one of those banshee-she beasts.

I take back what I said. Naruto has to show up. He can not leave me here alone with these people.

"You know, everyone is super convinced by how calm and in control you are."

Sasuke whipped his head up to glare at Kakashi.

"Hmmm.. something's missing though.." The silver-haired jonin tapped on his chin, unconvincingly deep in thought. "Maybe if you paced more.."

"Did you just come here to mock me?"

"Pretty much."

Sasuke clenched his jaw and turned away. "If you're not here to help, then just go."

Kakashi paused. "Did you talk to him?"

"Hn."

"Did you talk with words or should I expect to see more love bites?"

Sasuke could feel his nerves stretched taut. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his rage in check. "I talked to him, ok. Can we just drop it."

A demand, not a question.

Kakashi wasn't great with those.

He studied the distraught raven, noting the clenched jaw and jittery posture, watching him struggle and fail to keep his fingernails from his teeth. "And it went well?"

Sasuke sighed. "I don't know.."

"We should have practiced what talking looks like."

That thin cord of nerve snapped.

"I did what you said, ok!!" Sasuke shouted, all of his frustrations and fears flying out at once. "I bought him the fucking ramen, I asked him how he felt, I told him that I love him, I-"

Kakashi's one visible eye widened. "You told him that you love him?"

Sasuke looked away.

"And..?"

"And.." he sighed, "I told him that I would understand if he didn't want to finish the play with me.."

"Hmm.."

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched.

Kakashi dropped a hand on his shoulder, not exactly consoling, but probably the most that one could do for a Uchiha. "Well.. you did what you could. All we can do now is wait."

"Thanks- that's incredibly helpful."

Kakashi leaned back against the wall, pulling out his copy of Icha Icha Paradise- preparing to spend time with a quietly stewing teenager.

"So.. think he'll show up?" he asked, flipping to the last dog-eared page.

A group of cackling fangirls walked by. They all waved, despite the daggers he glared at them, and giggled as they walked away.

"I really hope so."

D~,'~~~

Naruto paced in front of the theater doors, pulling at his disheveled blonde locks and mumbling to himself, alarming all who dared pass by.

"What do I do.. what do I do.. what do I do?!" He tightened his fists in his hair and came to an abrupt stop.

"UGHHH!!" he growled, squaring off against the building. A few villagers flinched and scattered, fearful of the fox-demon child, not used to seeing this side of him.

"I don't want to do that- Stupid. Freaking. PLAY!!"

He went back to pacing. "I don't want to sing in front of everyone, I don't want to get molested by Neji, and I don't want to wear the damn dress!!"

"Are you coming in or what, dobe?"

"Eeeeeehhh!!" Naruto shrieked, completely caught off guard. He turned and came face to face with a furry, expressionless Uchiha.

"Sasuke! God- you scared the shit out of me!"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Heh, what are you doing here?" The blonde scratched the back of his head nervously, half-laughing to mask his discomfort.

It wasn't working.

"Looking for you, obviously" he replied, deep inky-black eyes studying him closely.

"Heh, yeah.. yeah.."

He dropped his gaze.

"Does this mean you're doing the play?" Sasuke asked cautiously, trying not to get his hopes up, yet hoping nonetheless.

"Well. I- uhhh.. I was thinking-"

"Naruto." The blonde's eyes widened as Sasuke approached him, his eyes intense and locked onto his.

"Ye-yeah?" He could feel his face reddening.

Sasuke reached out and cupped his face in strong gentle hands. "Please" he whispered, "don't make me do this without you."

Naruto's breath caught in his throat. Blue eyes flickered between the raven's heavy gaze, and before he even spoke he knew without a doubt- despite his trepidation, frustrations, and fear- he would be his Belle.

"Ok", he whispered.

His Beast gave a small smile and, ignoring the watchful villagers around them, leaned in and kissed him.

He just couldn't help himself.

He slowly pulled back, hands still holding his blonde's face.

"Sasuke", his blonde said, his voice soft and breathy.

"Naruto", he breathed back, his voice low and husky.

Naruto opened his eyes, and Sasuke watched as those deep azure pools switched from uncertainty to determination.

"I-" Naruto's voice cracked. He cleared his throat and tried again. "I- I love you", he said shyly.

Sasuke smiled the biggest smile any Uchiha has ever revealed in public. Naruto stared in shock, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Sasuke leaned in and pressed his forehead against the blonde's closing his eyes, relishing in this moment. One he had dreamed of for years.

"I love you too, Naru."

".. really?"

"More than anything."

They stayed like that for a while, allowing themselves to be vulnerable and shy and.. happy- truly, utterly happy.

"Let's go, dobe" Sasuke whispered, not wanting to shatter this moment between them.

"Don't call me that, Teme."

He laughed and Naruto smiled, loving the sound of it.

And with matching grins, hand in hand, Belle and his Beast stepped into the theatre, ready to show the rest of Konoha just how close they had become.

D~,'~~~


Author Note:

And that is the end of my sweet little tale.

Thank you so so SO much for reading it! I truly appreciate it- like you have no idea. I am always anxious sharing my writing with anyone, and absolutely never will with people around me, but I love sharing it with all of you. I hope that you enjoyed it, and I hope you will come back for more stories in the future.

Take care everyone! Xoxo

~ Fukafukashita