Disclaimers: Naruto isn't mine. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, some forcefulness, & angst.. and later- some delicious yaoi lemon.

Like Night and Day

~

Chapter 4

The team left the Hidden Leaf early the next morning with tired eyes and low spirits. Silence fell between them, making the air feel thick and the minutes unbelievably long. The tension between Sasuke and Naruto was palpable- so much so that even Sakura became aware of it.

"What's going on with you two?" she finally asked, feeling uncomfortable with the long winded silence.

When no one responded she turned specifically to Sasuke. "What did Naruto do this time?"

The raven clenched his jaw. Usually he would just ignore her, letting her believe that Naruto was at fault, but this time he just couldn't stand it.

Not after fucking up so badly with him.

"Why are you always so quick to assume that it was Naruto?" he growled out.

Sakura's eyes widened. "What..?"

He looked away from her and noticed Naruto quickly turn his face away from him.

"None of this is his fault."

Naruto flinched, but said nothing.

Sasuke took that as a sign that he had not been forgiven yet, and fell back to give the blonde some space.

God.. you royally fucked up this time.

~

They took their time walking through the forest, moving off the path and into the dense woods. Tsunade had asked them to scout the area as they headed to the Hidden Mist, keeping their eyes out for any traces of a hidden base.

Orochimaru and Kabuto may be tormenting villagers from Kirigakure, but it was unlikely that that was where they were residing. Orochimaru would want a quiet, secluded place- possibly underground, but at the very least out of sight. It would take time scanning the area as they went, but Tsunade didn't seem to mind. Their focus was supposed to be on gathering intel, not necessarily on confronting the Sage head on.

Naruto had a feeling that they would end up needing to do both, but figured he would worry about that when it came their way, and not a moment sooner.

He had other things to worry about.

Like sharing a tent with Sasuke.

Kakashi had decided to make that announcement when they were too far from the Leaf to go back, and no where near any other villages.

"Sorry guys, we only have three tents. Guess a lot of people are making trips this time of year. Naruto, Sasuke- you'll have to share one."

Naruto froze misstep. Share a tent with Sasuke?! After everything that just happened..?

He could picture the raven pinning him down to the ground, kissing him with bruising force, moving his body against him while Naruto's muffled screams went ignored..

Sasuke saw the fear pass through Naruto's eyes and guilt dropped heavily in his gut. He hated seeing the blonde afraid of him.

"It's fine" he muttered. "I don't mind sleeping outside."

Naruto turned to look at the dejected raven. "Sasuke.."

Sasuke turned away, letting his hair cover the pain in his eyes. "I said it's fine, Naruto. You can have the tent."

Kakashi looked between the two, then shrugged. "Seems unnecessary, but you can do what you want."

He casually moved closer to the blonde as he mumbled to himself, making sure he was the only one who could hear him. "It's going to be especially cold tonight, but I'm sure he'll be fine out there.."

Naruto bit his lip.

He knew what he needed to do, and truthfully- he wasn't looking forward to it.

They made camp late afternoon. The sun set pretty early this time of year, and they didn't think it wise to travel in the dark. It didn't give Naruto much time to settle his nerves, but he didn't feel that he really had a choice. He had never been a heartless person, and leaving a comrade to face the frigid elements while the rest of them kept warm in their insulated tents just felt.. cruel.

No matter what the villagers said about him- Naruto was not a monster.

The team sat around a campfire for a while, dragging out a simple dinner and talking lightly about the mission and their surroundings, but exhaustion quickly spread among them. Sakura left first, slipping into her tent and zipping it up tight to shut out the chill night air.

Kakashi shivered next to them for a little longer before excusing himself as well. He gave Naruto the briefest look, clearly trying to gage whether or not the blonde was going to abandon his teammate to the cold, before going into his own tent as well.

Sasuke and Naruto stared at the fire in silence for a while, avoiding each others' eyes. They both felt awkward, both felt the need to speak, but neither knew how to start.

Naruto finally cleared his throat. "Should we.. should we go to bed too?"

Sasuke forced back the tantalizing images that went with the suggestion, and gave a slight nod.

Naruto cleared up the team's things while Sasuke doused the fire and went about setting up his sleeping bag on the forest floor.

Once everything was put away, Naruto took a deep breath and turned to face the raven. "You can sleep in the tent.." he swallowed, "with me."

Sasuke looked up at him, unsure on how to proceed. Naruto sounded genuine, but he still looked concerned. Sasuke sighed. "I can stay out here, Naruto. It's not a big deal."

The blonde surprised both of them when he walked over and grabbed Sasuke by the arm. "Come on, Teme. I'm not leaving you out here."

"Naruto-"

"Just grab your stuff already- I'm cold."

Sasuke slowly rose to his feet, very aware of the hand still clutching his arm. "You sure..?" he asked softly.

Naruto nodded, though he wasn't sure that he was.

Sasuke grabbed his things and let Naruto pull him over to the tent.

To our tent..

No. I'm not going to make the same mistake twice. He's trying to trust me again.

I can't let him regret it.

Naruto unzipped the tent, which Sasuke couldn't help but notice was smaller than the others, and stepped in. The raven quickly followed after him, zipping them inside.

A small portable lantern was turned on and tucked in the corner, sending a stream of warm light across the small confined space. Sasuke laid down his sleeping bag besides Naruto's, but it was a tight squeeze.

Naruto noticed, and anxiously chewed on his lip.

"Naruto, if you're not comfortable I can leave."

"When did I say I wasn't comfortable.." he muttered, dropping down on top of his sleeping bag.

Sasuke laid down on his own, then turned to face the blonde. "Naruto.. I'm not.." he sighed. "I'm not going to do anything to you. You don't have to worry."

Naruto looked over, blue eyes filled with so many different emotions that Sasuke couldn't pinpoint one. "Sasuke.."

The Uchiha started to prepare himself for the worst. He hates me. He fucking hates me, and he's going to tell me he wants nothing to do with me..

"Why did you kiss me?"

The Uchiha froze.

That.. was not what he expected.

He pushed himself up on his elbow, keeping his eyes locked onto Naruto's. "Are you sure you really want to know?"

Naruto propped himself up, keeping their eyes level. "I really want to know."

Sasuke ran his fingers through his hair, forcing back ebony strands as he forced back his nerves. He deserves the truth.

"It's because.." he looked at the beautiful blonde across from him, at his soft hair and innocent eyes, his whiskered cheeks, his exposed collarbone..

Dammit.. just say it.

"-because I like you."

He waited for the disgust to flash in those blue eyes, but it didn't, so he continued. "I've liked you for a long time.. I shouldn't have handled it like that.. I know that. And I'm sorry that I did., that to you. But the way I feel about you is real. I've been hiding it for so long it just kind of.. I- I lost control."

He realized he was rambling and quickly snapped his mouth closed.

Naruto, on the other hand, dropped his mouth open in surprise. "You like me.." he repeated, his voice far away. "Like.. like a friend?"

Sasuke looked at him, trying to read him, and failing at it. "No, Naruto" he said quietly. "Not as just a friend."

Naruto's throat clicked. "Then.. when you kissed me.. it's because-"

"I wanted to. I've wanted to for years."

Naruto just stared at him, trying to find the words. "But.. why?"

Sasuke reached out hesitantly, trying not to startle him. He tucked a stray blonde hair behind his ear, letting his fingertips linger along his jaw.

"Because I see the real you. And he is someone worth.."

Say it.

".. someone worth falling for."

Naruto shook his head. "You don't know what you're saying, Sasuke. Maybe you're.. maybe you're attracted to me for some reason, but that- that's not the same thing-"

"Can I kiss you?" Sasuke blurted out suddenly.

Naruto shot up and stared at the raven, clearly panicked. "W-what?"

"I want to kiss you.. the way you deserve to be kissed."

Naruto turned away, unable to face the lust building in those dark eyes. "I.. I don't know.."

Sasuke slowly sat up, eyes locked onto the nervous blonde. "If you don't like it, I'll stop."

Naruto bit his lip.

"I promise."

Am I really going to do this, Naruto thought. After what he did to me.. am I really going to let him do this..?

His first instinct was a resounding no.

Sasuke couldn't just have another go at it now that he's realized the error of his ways. It didn't work that way. He was only in this tent because Naruto felt guilty making him sleep outside in the cold. It was a mere courtesy, nothing more.

But.. he was curious.

He wondered what it would feel like to be kissed softly by someone who liked him. He had never imagined that anyone would, and so had never really put much thought into it. And he had to admit- he was drawn to Sasuke. He wanted to be his friend for a long time, and settled with being his rival.

But what if it's more than that.. he wondered. What if he means more to me and I just never realized it..

This would be my chance to find out.

"Ok."

Sasuke looked surprised. "Really?"

Naruto nodded, not trusting his voice.

Sasuke wasn't going to miss this opportunity. Don't fuck this up, he told himself. You've got one shot.

Don't. Fuck. This. Up.

He slowly slid closer to Naruto, scooting onto his sleeping bag. Naruto couldn't help but shift back, his nerves once more getting the best of him. Sasuke moved his hand over the blonde's, holding him in place.

Naruto stopped, but the desire to flee thrummed just beneath the surface. Sasuke could see it in his eyes- the sudden need to escape.

"I won't hurt you, Naru."

Naru?

The blonde blushed, and Sasuke offered a small smile. He gently brushed his hair back to get a better look at him. "Beautiful.."

Naruto's blush deepened.

Sasuke moved closer and kissed his forehead, and the blonde finally smiled back at him, albeit a hesitant one, but it was a start. Feeling encouraged, Sasuke kissed the tip of his nose, the corner of his eye, his jawline, his neck, the side of his mouth, and then finally found Naruto's lips.

At first Naruto felt a sharp pang of fear. He couldn't shake the feeling that Sasuke was going to be rough.. like before. He didn't want him to force him down, didn't want to feel overpowered by him again.

Sasuke noticed, and forced himself to go slow, to be as gentle as possible.

Naruto closed his eyes and cleared his mind, giving in the the sensation- of Sasuke mouth moving against him, his hand tucking into his hair, pulling him close. And as he did he could feel something swirl in his stomach and curl in his toes. It felt good.

It felt.. right.

Naruto hesitantly kissed him back, and Sasuke's gentle embrace grew firmer.

The raven wrapped a strong arm around the blonde's waist, pulling him closer, and for some reason Naruto let him. Sasuke squeezed his hip and groaned against his lips, sending a rush of pleasure throughout Naruto's entire body.

Don't move too fast, Sasuke reminded himself. Don't scare him off.

The raven ran his hand up his side, and instead cupped Naruto's face gently, deepening the kiss.

Naruto surprised both of them when he opened his mouth, inviting the Uchiha inside. Sasuke slipped his tongue in, this time with permission, and eagerly explored the warm wet cavern. He groaned as their tongues moved together, and when Naruto didn't stop him, he moved his hips forward, pressing flush against him. The blonde made a delicious sound at the contact and Sasuke couldn't help but want more. Keeping their lips together, he lowered Naruto onto the ground and crawled on top of him.

Which turned out to be too much.

Naruto pulled his face away, breathing heavily. "Wa-wait.."

Sasuke froze. "Are you ok?"

"I- I need to stop."

Sasuke looked down at the blonde's mussed hair, pink cheeks, and parted lips. He wanted him, so badly, but he had made a promise. And he intended on keeping it. He bit his lip hard, forcing his desire under control, then looked back up at the blonde's anxious face.

"Ok" he choked out. "Ok, yeah. We can stop."

He kissed the blonde's forehead, then dropped down beside him. "You don't need to be afraid" he said softly. "I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

The problem isn't that I don't want to, Naruto thought.

The problem is that I do..

Author Note:

"Dammit, Naruto!"

Sasuke sighs- "you're telling me.."

Me ducking out of the way- "Christ- will you take care of that thing already? I'm afraid you're going to stab my eye out."

A grinning Cinnamon peeks around the corner.*

"Absolutely not. This is no time for horsing around."

Sasuke deadpans.* "Really?"

"But he-! I was just.. uhhh- whatever. Let's just go to the next chapter."

~