Warning: boyboy sex. Enjoy~

Note: And sorry for taking long to update, really I am. D: This chapter was a pain in the ass to write because I take forever to write smut scenes... even if they are short... and there's also the fact that I've been working almost every day it's driving me crazy. xD And then me and my beta were having issues with gmail and attachments ahaha stupid gmail. Anyway, hope the smut makes up for the long wait.

Now it's time for me to do my history final oh boy xD

And as usual, thank you to the awesome El Gilliath for taking time to beta this!

for my pride and your promise | 13. i love you most of all | eftee

October 10, 1513 C.E.

It was a celebration.

A bonfire was lit in the traveling group's camp sight. The flames licked high into the desert night, embers cackling and glowing with the stars. It was a clear night. A beautiful night. The vast expanse of desert provided the gypsies with a sense of freedom and discreetness. There wasn't a town in sight, just a sea of sand and stars, and the heavens as their witness. The turmoil and struggles they've faced up to that point didn't matter. Nothing mattered at the moment save for the lively fire and the freedom and happiness that was settled in their hearts. They knew such a feeling was only temporary, for as soon as the sun would rise the following morning, the desert heat would kick in, as would the harshness of reality.

And once more they would have to carry on with heavy shoulders and heavier hearts.

But for that night they were free nomads. They were happy, celebrating nomads. For tonight a baby was born. A beautiful child of blond hair and eyes as blue as the evening sky. A beautiful baby boy.

The musicians of the group banned together to commemorate the birth. Drums were beating in the desert. Guitars were strummed playfully. Voices combined to make a glorified rhythm of hymns. The children of the group laughed and cheered as they played and ran freely about. The older, young adults danced around the bonfire. The elders sat in observation, smiling with wrinkles of their time showing as clear as day on their faces.

Inside a tent, the mother of the newborn lay tiredly amongst blankets and cushions. Exhaustion from the labor wore on her face, but there was also an expression of pure contentedness and motherly adoration aimed towards the beautiful blond baby boy in her arms. He was sleeping peacefully, a complete 180 compared to his screaming when he was born. She turned a loving smile to the man hovering next to her.

"Minato…"

"Kushina, he's lovely," the man breathed in awe, reaching a hesitant hand towards the bundle in his wife's arms.

"It's okay," Kushina gave him a reassuring smile.

He pressed his fingertips to the baby's chubby cheeks before sliding his palm against the side of his baby's head. The infant shifted before tiny lids fluttered open and blue met blue. Something welled inside Minato at that very moment as he gazed upon his baby boy. His and Kushina's. Minato couldn't help the large grin that suddenly spread across his face. "Hey there, Naruto."

Naruto blinked sleepily at his father.

"I'm your father," Minato continued. "And the pretty lady holding you is your mother. We're your parents."

"He looks so much like you," Kushina said warmly. She leaned down and rubbed her nose against Naruto's. "Don't you, Naru?"

A gurgle erupted from the baby as he waved tiny arms.

"I bet you're going to grow up to be like your father," Kushina said pleasantly.

"Hopefully not as obnoxious as his mother," Minato added in playfully.

Kushina stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh please. I am not obnoxious." She made faces at Naruto. "And it wouldn't be so bad to be like your mother. I am so kickass –"

"Language, Kushina," Minato scolded.

"It's okay. Naruto doesn't know what I'm saying," Kushina smiled sweetly at Minato, who shook his head in playful exasperation.

"What am I ever going to do with you?" Minato wondered out loud, leaning over to place a kiss on Kushina's forehead.

The following afternoon, the group of travelers reached Suna, a village in Wind Country. As far as the gypsies were concerned Suna was a haven, even if it was in the middle of a desert. Suna was where people like them came to when they had nowhere else to go; a place where people like them who were shunned by their own people could come to. Minato was originally from a Fire Country city known as Konoha, but Kushina and the other members of their group were from various villages in Fire.

Soldiers of Fire Country were being sent to certain villages throughout the country – villages that protested against their Leadership – and burnt the villages down. Those who survived the pillaging were brought back to Konoha where they were either locked in prison or forced into labor. Minato and the others escaped.

Some of the elders unable to handle the trek passed away during the journey to Suna, but the group continued on wearily, yet determinedly to escape the repression of their country.

As soon as Suna came into view, the travelers felt their spirits lift.

Present

The drive back to Ino's house had been quiet. Even though Sakura was ready and tempted to drill Naruto with questions, she kept them restrained for later. Naruto was exhausted – that much was obvious from the way he kept himself curled on Sasuke's lap, his face buried at the crook of the raven-haired male's neck as he slept during the ride home. The car ride had been so quiet and tense that Kiba shifted in his seat awkwardly and couldn't stand the tense atmosphere that he opened his mouth to speak. A feral growl from a certain possessive Uchiha silenced Kiba before he could even get out his first word. That one warning alone was enough to keep everyone quiet (well, Kiba and Sakura in particular, because Shino and Gaara had no qualms remaining silent).

Truth be told, Sasuke wanted to question Naruto as well, but refrained from doing so. All that mattered to the Keeper was that his Vessel was safe, in his arms, and as far as Sasuke was concerned, Naruto wasn't leaving his sight. The protective, almost possessive, hold he had around Naruto's waist would ensure so.

Sasuke made the car ride back to Ino's extremely awkward, but the one thing Kiba was at least glad of was that he wasn't sharing the same seat with the Uchiha (who was sitting at the far back of the jeep while he and Shino occupied the middle). Sakura offered to drive back that time around with Gaara sitting up front with her. She glanced at the rear-view mirror to see Sasuke reflected in it. Not once had the Keeper moved. He would only shift whenever the blond in his arms would, but other than that, the Keeper kept a blank, unreadable expression, but Sakura had an inkling that his expression was schooled firmly as to put silent emphasis that no one was to touch or talk to Naruto. His squared shoulders and scowl screamed possessive. It was endearing. Sakura smiled to herself as she averted her gaze forward.

It was one thing to remember the times Naruto told her about Sasuke when she was younger. There was always such love in Naruto's eyes – true, genuine adoration – and fondness in his voice whenever he spoke of Sasuke. It was another thing to actually witness it. Sure she's seen plenty of couples who were in love. But nothing compared to what Sasuke and Naruto had: the bond of a Vessel and Keeper.

Eventually Sakura found herself steering the vehicle into Ino's driveway. They made their way to the front door, Sakura leading and Sasuke right behind her, his arms full of a slumbering blond. The rest of the men made up the rear. Ino opened the door and was about to open her mouth, but instantly hushed herself when Sakura gestured at the sleeping Naruto. The blonde woman ushered them in and directed Sasuke to an empty guestroom upstairs. Naruto needed his rest, and Sasuke wasn't about to wake him so he could socialize. Besides, Sasuke thought as he followed Ino into a spare room, he wanted Naruto to himself for now.

"There's a private bathroom attached to this room," Ino whispered, "you'll find some towels in there if you wish to wash off. I'll go see if I have any spare clothes for the two of you." They were both a mess, so it was obvious they could use the spare clothes.

Sasuke nodded as he crossed the short distance to the bed and lightly placed Naruto down on the mattress. Luckily for them, Ino found old clothes of her father's – though they'd probably be too big for the blond, but they were all she had. Her fiancé never left any clothes at her place, since generally it was her going to his and crashing there. Not to mention she was going to move to his place as soon as they married, so him having his possessions at her place was pointless. Ino quietly padded into the guest room and set the spare clothes down on a chair with a soft, "The clothes are here for you. If you two get hungry, don't make yourselves a stranger now."

Sasuke nodded gratefully to her. With a smile, the woman lightly shut the door behind her as soon as she stepped out. He sat down at the edge of the bed and reached a pale hand out in order to brush aside blond bangs. "Naruto," he murmured, leaning down press his forehead against his lover's. "Naruto, wake up."

Said blond shifted before opening his eyes, normally bright blues darkened by the dim room as they stared tiredly into onyx. "Sasuke?"

"Stay awake for a little bit, Naruto," Sasuke said as he kissed his lips and pulled him up into a sitting position. "You need to shower and change."

"I just want to sleep," Naruto protested, trying to lay back down but Sasuke would have none of that.

"You are covered in blood, dobe."

That made him freeze. He didn't protest when Sasuke picked him up and carried him to the restroom. He didn't protest when Sasuke started the shower and stripped them of their clothes. He didn't protest when Sasuke led him into the shower and the warm water beat down on their tired bodies. He didn't protest when Sasuke started to wash him of the blood and death. He was too tired to protest. If anything, having Sasuke wash him, having Sasuke so close to him made him want to drift back to sleep. The Uchiha's presence was soothing to him, and being in close quarters made their blood hum contentedly, almost like the humming of a tuneless yet calming lullaby.

It wasn't long before Sasuke had them both clean and out of the shower, scrubbed and dry. Sasuke helped Naruto pull on a pajama top, dropping light kisses here and there on tanned flesh. On any other occasion Sasuke would have thrown Naruto's pajamas at him, told him to dress himself, but the Keeper in him thrived to please his Vessel, knew his Vessel was still in pain and that his Vessel needed what comfort Sasuke could give him. A gentle rumbling noise was coming from Naruto's chest, working its way to his throat. He was purring and Sasuke would be damned if he didn't find that incredibly sexy every time the blond made that noise.

Naruto's stomach muscles fluttered when Sasuke's fingers brushed over his abdomen, rough, pale fingers gliding up along his chest and the nape of his neck before cupping a whiskered cheek. "Naruto," Sasuke murmured against his lips, like his name was some kind of mantra. He placed a gentle kiss on slightly parted lips. "Naruto."

"Mm…" Naruto hummed with a contented sigh. "Sasuke… Make love to me, please."

"But you're tired," Sasuke pointed out, dipping his head down to run the wet muscle of his tongue along a sensitive earlobe. Naruto shivered.

"I just want…" the Vessel whispered, "I just want you to make love to me."

"Hn," Sasuke nipped his earlobe before pushing himself back on his arms so he was hovering over Naruto. He was glad he hadn't fully dressed the blond yet. This way he was able to admire his lover wearing nothing but the unbuttoned pajama top, spread opened so Sasuke could see his bare chest; so Sasuke could see his naked body exposed to his eyes. Both of their hairs were still damp from the shower, and besides Naruto's top, they were both still clearly naked. Sasuke knew Naruto was still tired from the earlier events, still exhausted both physically and mentally. But the way Naruto was looking up at him with darkened blue eyes… Sasuke knew he could never say no.

At that moment Naruto looked so utterly vulnerable. Sasuke thought such an expression didn't belong on Naruto's face because Naruto was invulnerable. He was invincible. At least, that's what the blond wanted people to see; wanted to believe himself. There were a few moments in their lifetime that Sasuke saw such a look on his lover's face, and every time was as painful as the last, knowing there was only so much he could protect Naruto from.

And unfortunately, the raven-haired Keeper had remained asleep while his Vessel suffered all those years.

Just thinking about it made Sasuke's blood boil all over again. It made him want to gather Naruto into his arms and hold him tight. It made him want to mold their bodies together. It made him want to kill someone. It made him want to never leave Naruto's side. It made him want to see blood. It made him want to console the blond in whatever way he could… So many emotions were raging in him, each one contradicting the next, his anger threatening to cancel all other emotions. But the look in Naruto's eyes overrode all else. All that mattered at the moment was Naruto. All that mattered was that he was safe now, and they weren't apart.

"I am still holding you up to earlier," Sasuke murmured, voice husky as fingers ghosted over a perk nipple. A small sigh flew passed opened lips, the body beneath him arching at the feathered touch. "I will make you scream, Uzumaki Naruto… But not tonight."

"I would hope not," Naruto jested, reaching his hands up to cup Sasuke's face in between them. He grinned. "I don't think Sakura-chan and the others would enjoy listening to us all. Night. Long."

"Hn." Sasuke smirked, tilting his head so he could kiss the back of Naruto's right wrist. The tanned hands on his face slid to the back of his head, entangling themselves in damp raven locks before pulling Sasuke down, their lips meeting. Sasuke wanted to say he wouldn't mind hearing Naruto all night long, but he saved such thoughts for another time. Now was about making love to his dobe. Because they both needed it. They needed it so undeniably bad.

The kiss was everything they remembered it to be. Naruto couldn't believe he had forgotten who Sasuke was – who he was – for all those years. How could he forget Sasuke, when every time they kissed, it was like every fiber, every cell, every part of Naruto's body was on fire? Even his heart warmed and raced in his chest, his insides swelling with unbelievable joy and love at the intimate contact. The touching, the kisses, the intimacy and close contact was like a drug to them; a good drug.

"So good," Naruto whispered, dark blues meeting hazed obsidians. Sasuke didn't hesitate to capture those moist lips again, a hungry, needy groan ripping its way through his throat. The kiss was slow and hot, tender and needy, loving and desperate. They took their time as pale hands glided over smooth, tanned flesh and tanned hands ran and explored smooth and scarred pale skin. Time for them was trivial, for they took their time reacquainting each other with their lips and hands. But even after sleeping for hundreds of years and being apart for a few more, the time never made them forget. Everything was as they remembered – with exception to Naruto seeming thinner from malnutrition.

But Sasuke chose not to think about the cause of Naruto's thinner state. He would interrogate the blond about everything that happened later. And the way Naruto was suckling at the bottom of his lip whilst running his fingers along his spine made Sasuke shudder and forget everything else but the man beneath him. Naruto's tongue flicked out against Sasuke's lip, tracing the bottom before the Keeper took that tongue in his mouth and between his teeth, drawing back gently with a suck. Naruto purred, fingers tracing the contours of Sasuke's strong jaw and neck with loving caresses.

The raven-haired male kissed the corner of his blond's lip, trailed down to kiss his chin, the nape of his neck, down the tantalizing jugular, passed his collar bone, until he came upon a dust-colored nipple. The wet tongue swirled around it, drawing a ragged gasp from Naruto that only urged Sasuke forward. His tongue moved around and flicked against the nipple in languid strokes that left Naruto panting breathlessly and writhing beneath Sasuke for more. His body arched off the bed when Sasuke took the nipple into his mouth and sucked on it, his tongue lavishing it with attention at certain intervals. Naruto gripped pale, broad shoulders with trembling fingers, his grip tight and nails almost breaking through flesh.

While Sasuke mouthed Naruto's nipple, a hand ghosted down a tight stomach, leaving a flutter of muscles in its wake. His hand ghosted over Naruto's erection – "Nngh…" – and slid lower until he cupped Naruto's balls, fondling them with expert hands. The demon bearer's breathing turned shallow as his mouth unhinged itself. His hips bucked involuntarily and his hands gripped raven locks, wanting more, wanting to feel more, wanting, wanting, wanting…

Naruto lowered a hand and pressed it over Sasuke's heart. His Keeper switched attention to his other nipple just as Naruto trailed his fingers down over one of Sasuke's, earning a hiss from the man above him. Naruto didn't stop his hand as he reached lower and lower until he was gripping his lover's erection. Sasuke sounded a throaty groan around Naruto's nipple as his fingers wrapped around the engorged cock, stroking it and pumping it just as languidly and slow as the movements of Sasuke's tongue.

Naruto spread his legs further and raised his hips, taking both of their erections in his hand as he rubbed them together. Electricity jolted through their bodies at the sudden contact, but neither made any effort to pull away as they rocked and grinded against each other. Sasuke had to pull his hand away from Naruto's nipple and balls in order to brace himself on his hands. They stared at the other with the same intensity before their lips met each other mid way, their pants and groans sounding silently and breathlessly in the room.

The rain fell outside on rooftops, windows and streets like the falling of sand. The angry storm faded away, and gentleness rained down, washing away the dirt, the rage. The rumbling of thunder rolled away in the distance.

Well you know I hardly speak.
When I do it's just for you.
I haven't said a word in weeks
'Cause they've been keeping me from you.

There's a way where there's a will.
You know I got no need for stairs.
Step out on the window sill,
Fall with me into the air.

Sakura stood at a window, her shoulder leaning against the sill with her arms crossed over her chest. Everyone else was gathered in the living room watching a movie on the television screen, with exception to herself and Gaara, who was sitting at the kitchen table. The sounds from the movie drifted faintly into the kitchen, but the pouring rain overpowered it, drowning out any other sound that could possibly break into Sakura's and Gaara's silent atmosphere.

The rosette found she didn't mind the silence so much. Standing there with Gaara and watching the rain was calming, if anything.

The rain made her remember her younger days, when lightning and thunder used to scare her, and how she would go running into Naruto's room during a storm. He would always comfort her and tell her a story to get her to fall asleep. They were usually stories about one of Naruto's and Sasuke's adventures. Just thinking about it made her close her eyes, a smile dancing fondly across her face. It was odd though how Naruto hadn't aged a bit since he was captured. But then again, Sakura wasn't that surprised. Once Vessels and Keepers reached a certain age, they stopped aging and lived the rest of their lives as immortals. It made Sakura wonder how long exactly Naruto and Sasuke have been alive.

She started thinking about everything that had happened from the point she went to Suna. It made her remember the fight between Sasuke and Gaara and the surrealism of watching it. It made her thoughts drift over to Gaara. She seemed to think about him a lot ever since they met.

What left her the most curious were the strange abilities he displayed during his fight with Sasuke.

It was as if… he was like Naruto and Sasuke.

Sakura's brows creased at the thought. Could it be…?

"Hey, Gaara?"

Sakura turned so she was facing him. Jade eyes lifted in order to meet hers inquisitively.

"Now that… we have Naruto, you can probably return home. But before you leave I will make sure you receive your payment for helping us."

Gaara remained silent.

The sky rumbled.

"Home…" the redhead murmured, as if the word were foreign to him. Maybe it was. Sakura wasn't sure. "…I cannot leave."

A perfectly arched eyebrow raised. "Your assistance is no longer necessary. Naruto is with Sasuke now."

"My intentions for staying have nothing to do with keeping the Uchiha in line," was Gaara's straightforward and monotone reply.

Sakura was confused now. "Then why stay? I am going to give you money, I give you my word…"

"No," Gaara said quietly. There was a flash of lightning that lit up the dim kitchen before Gaara was suddenly standing right in front of her, towering over her, invading her personal space. She would have taken a reflexive step back if she wasn't already leaning against the wall, her hands falling down her sides. Sakura stood her ground and met Gaara's fierce stare warily. "You are curious about me, are you not? How I was able to fight the Uchiha. If I am like him. If I am like Naruto. I am… like them."

Sakura's eyes widened at the revelation. Sure she had her suspicions a moment ago, but she never considered the possibility that there could be others like Sasuke and Naruto out there. And she knew he was telling the truth, otherwise how else would he have fought Sasuke the way he had?

"But I am more like Naruto. Naruto and I… we are the same."

Naruto felt so peaceful laying there, heart fluttering, the pit-pattering of rain sounding tranquil in his ears. He felt warm, safe, loved, needed, happy, content. It was overwhelming. It burned like a warm flame in his heart, fierce and tender all at once. It warmed him like a June, summer night. It rolled and washed over him like the light waves crashing along a beach shore. So warm. So calming.

He gazed up at Sasuke through the dimness of the room. They were both as equally flushed and breathy as the other. Something in Naruto's gut twisted at the look Sasuke was giving him passed dark bangs. It was such an open and genuine look in obsidians that made Naruto's breath catch in his throat. Because he knew, only for him, in the privacy of their quarters, of their love making, that Sasuke ever allowed Naruto to see him so open, that Naruto could really see how much Sasuke loved and needed him.

And so the blond allowed himself to be taken captive by his eyes; to fall further and further into Sasuke.

He laid a hand over Sasuke's heart where he could feel the organ racing against his palm. A pale hand gripped a tanned wrist and the two made eye contact once again as Sasuke pushed himself all the way into Naruto's tight heat. The Vessel grit his teeth at the intrusion. It was always uncomfortable at first, especially after sleeping for over a hundred years and his body gradually tightening over in time. His body trembled as he breathed shakily through gritted teeth, willing his body to relax.

Sasuke waited with what self-control he could muster. He lifted Naruto's hand from his chest in order to kiss the back of his wrist, swiping his tongue at the pulse before mouthing it. He heard Naruto's breath hitch. He saw Naruto's mouth fall open. He saw Naruto's eyes glaze over. He could feel Naruto start to relax at the sensual action. Sasuke didn't stop sucking until he knew it would leave a mark. Once he was satisfied, he kissed up and down Naruto's arm, moving back up until he was kissing his palm with gentle caresses of lips.

Naruto sighed his name in such a heartbreakingly needy way…

Sasuke moved.

Their bodies slid easily against each other with the added slickness of their sweat. They moved in sync, their bodies easily falling in the rhythm they had practiced for so many decades and centuries. Naruto's hands grasped the sheets beneath him, feeling the silkiness of his pajama top and bed sheet move beneath him as he rocked with Sasuke. His toes curled as he spread his legs and raised his hips, further inviting Sasuke in as the Uchiha moved in and out, his movements slow so his lover could feel every inch of him moving, so he could relish in the warm muscles wrapped around him.

Their hands sought each other as their fingers intertwined, Sasuke pressing Naruto's hands against the mattress on either side of his head. Naruto's breathy whines of his name and Sasuke's pants and groans silently filtered throughout the room, the pit-pattering of the rain against the window mingling with the noises of their love making. Tanned legs wrapped around Sasuke's waist, drawing them closer as their chests pressed together with Sasuke's face burrowed in Naruto's neck and shoulder. Sasuke dug his feet into the mattress in order to push harder into Naruto, his ragged breathing fanning the tantalizing skin beneath his lips.

"More, more, more," Naruto practically cried as he met Sasuke thrust for thrust. When they were like this, when they were physically connected, the fire in their hearts turned into a raging firestorm that raced heatedly through their veins. Everything they felt was ten times more sensitized, but only they could make each other feel the way they did.

And then Sasuke hit that sweet spot inside of him and Naruto whined and arched completely off the bed. Each time that spot was hit his body trembled. Naruto knew if he wasn't clinging to Sasuke, then surely he would have fallen over the edge. He chanted Sasuke's name like his name alone was everything to him – which it very well might as be because Sasuke was his life. Only Sasuke could take him the way he did, could push him so far the way he did, could love him the way he did, could reduce him to such a vulnerable state.

"I love you," Naruto whispered, and Sasuke whispered his love for him too as they moved. The sounds of the rain drowned out their whispered sweet nothings, drowned out the sounds of their love making, the sounds of them finally reaching their climax, the sound of Naruto murmuring Sasuke's name over and over as the Uchiha marked his neck.

Pit-pat, pit-pat.

"You…" Sakura started after a startled pause. "You're…a Vessel?"

The silent response was answer enough.

"Your Keeper…?" She started to ask, but stopped, because she saw the pain in Gaara's eyes, the physical and mental hurt. She didn't know why he was allowing her to see, but it broke her heart. "You two are separated as well?"

How come Gaara wasn't trying to find his Keeper?

"In a sense," Gaara said.

"I don't understand… why don't you try to find him?"

"Her," he corrected. "Currently there is something in-between us, blocking me from her."

Sakura furrowed her brows and didn't answer right away. Instead, she thought over what he said, and thought of how Sasuke's and Naruto's connection had been blocked for some time for Sasuke not to have woken up for a couple of years after Naruto. "Is it like how Sasuke and Naruto were blocked from each other?"

"Yes," was Gaara's monotone reply. "It is exactly like that."

"Then we must find her –"

"I already have."

"Then—"

"…My situation… is more difficult," Gaara explained slowly. "She… does not wish to remember."

Sakura's eyes widened at that. "Why?"

"Because she hurts."

"That's no reason --!"

"I would like to grant her wish," Gaara continued as if the woman before him didn't look so outraged and scandalized. "But I cannot. I need her too much. I do not want to grant her wish, even if it will make her even more angry with me."

"She should understand how you feel…" Sakura murmured heatedly. "How selfish of her."

Gaara was smiling. It was a wry, grim smile. "She is not selfish. I am. By not granting her wish, she will only continue to hurt more if she remembers."

"I suppose…" Sakura deflated. It still angered her. What Keeper would on purposely sever their connection with their Vessel? She saw what a blocked connection did to Sasuke, how desperate he was to find Naruto. It amazed her that Gaara was so calm and composed outwardly. She sighed. "That still does not explain why you are bothering to stay here."

"I have been acquainted with the Uchiha and Naruto long before now," Gaara answered bluntly.

"I see." Sakura nodded in understanding. It would only be natural Gaara would stay with familiar people. There weren't any words after that, just the sound of the pouring rain. They stood there in their respective silence, each gazing calculatingly at the other until Sakura suddenly raised a hand. Gaara stiffened when her fingertips hesitantly pressed against his cheek. Sakura refused to stand back or pull away as she fully pressed her palm against the side of his face. She had the insane feeling that touching Gaara was like poking a lion with a stick, and Inner Sakura was giggling quite madly and nervously in her head. "You're hurting… and I am sorry for that."

Gaara didn't say anything in response, nor did he move away, even if it hurt him to stand there. The demon inside of him clawed to get closer to her, and his body craved the same thing, craved to pull her in his arms and request forgiveness. But this woman wouldn't understand. She did not remember. And even if she did remember, she would probably push him away.

And it hurt, because though they were standing so close to each other, they were still so far apart.

And it felt like a knife stabbing him in his heart when Sakura smiled so gently at him. He could recall a time in the past where she smiled the same way, whilst saying, I love you the most, Gaara.

My heart is yours. Always.

But now her heart was closed off to him.

"Sasuke?"

"Hn."

"…missed you."

"…Hn."

"…Bastard would it kill you to say you missed me too?!"

"Hn."

"Damn it!"

Silence.

When Sasuke thought Naruto was asleep: "…missed you too, idiot."

"I knew it!" Naruto practically jumped on Sasuke, nearly giving the raven-haired male a heart attack in the process. "I love you, too, S'uke-chaaan~"

Sasuke stared disgruntled at the blond invading his arms. "I didn't say that, dobe!"

"But you were thinking it!" Naruto sang gleefully.

"Was not!"

"It's okay, S'uke-chan. I understand you're an emotionally stunted bastard. You don't have to say anything. I understand completely. I know you love me most of all. You even said so earlier during our hot love making."

Sasuke's brow twitched.

Naruto suddenly frowned. "Now that I think about it, you only ever say it when we're having sex. Gaaah! Sasuke-bastard! You just use me for sex!"

Next thing Sasuke knew, his face was implanted in the hard, cold ground.

And that was how Sasuke ended up sleeping on the floor after their one-sided argument.

So, here we go.
Hold on tight and don't let go.
I won't ever let you fall.
I love the night.
Flying o'er these city lights.
But I love you most of all.
A Song for Milly Michaelson - Thrice