Thoughts

"Conversation"

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN: This is it…The moment we're waiting for, the final chapter of Hatsukoi Elegy. I thanked you for all the reviews I received. They are really great and helpful. I'm really glad that you all like my works. You all make me feel more confident in writing this story. I thank you once again. And for those who expected another ending, I'm afraid that I can't fulfil your request because my class has started so I don't think I have time to write it. I know I'm a lazy bum. I'm so sorry (T,T)

Anyway, enough for the dramatic section, let's go on with the story.

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"You are too careless, Sasuke. Naruto and his underlings are always around you. And yet, we managed to lure you here." Kabuto smirked. He had waited long for this opportunity to arrive. Ever since he laid his eyes on Sasuke, he had always wanted to taste him. The other seniors, Sakon, Ukon, Kimimaro and Suigetsu had already surrounded Sasuke in every direction so he couldn't escape.

"What do you want? Where's Neji senpai?" Sasuke's voice didn't betray any emotion.

"You really thought that Neji called you here? You didn't even know who tricked you here." Kabuto laughed at Sasuke's naiveté's or dare we say, stupidity.

"Hn. Of course I do, Ka-bu-to senpai. You are in third year class C." Sasuke stressed Kabuto's name. He then pointed at Sakon and Ukon.

"Same year, class C, Sakon and Ukon senpai." He moved his finger to Kimimaro and Suigetsu.

"Class D, Suigetsu senpai, and class A, Kimimaro senpai. Am I right?"

Surprised looks were crafted on the seniors' faces. Sasuke smirked at the reaction.

"I have the entire whole directory memorized. What do you want from me MISTER SENPAIS?"

Sakon and Ukon looked a little bit intimidated by Sasuke.

"Too bad you don't even look scared. We might take pity on you and let you go." Sakon said this to hide his uneasiness under Sasuke's stare.

Kabuto was the only one who seemed to overcome his nervousness and quickly grabbed Sasuke's wrist from behind, making Sasuke turned around and glared at him.

"We just want to play with you for a bit." Kabuto whispered huskily near his ears, alerting Sasuke.

"GET THE CAMERA READY!" Kabuto yelled at Ukon who stood there like a statue. Ukon came to his sense when he heard the yell and he went to get the camera.

Sasuke didn't show any sign of fear through the whole thing. Sai and Chouji should have notified Naruto already. I'll just stall in the mean time. Not that I can't handle these losers. But I need to prove something.

However, his plan had to change when he felt Kabuto's other hand slowly crawling to his hips. Oh, no you don't. No one messes with an Uchiha!!

In the mean time, Neji, Naruto, Kiba and Shika were in the office, finishing every report so they could enjoy their holiday without any disruption. Naruto could already imagine the romantic Christmas he planned to spend with his beloved Sasuke. Neji also started to daydream about his romantic getaway with Gaara this Christmas. He already booked two tickets to Hokkaido to spend Christmas and New Years so they won't be disturbed by Gaara's annoying brother.

Shikamaru and Kiba were left to do everything for their lovesick Pres and VP. Well, to be precise, it's only Kiba who did the work, because Shikamaru was already in his own lala land. Kiba grumbled; he already accepted his fates that he was working under a stupid lovesick dono and his lazy ass partner, but hey, a guy still can complain, right?

The sound of Naruto's ringtones woke everyone out of their slumber, well basically, one slumber and two daydreams.

Annoyed because someone disturbed him from his fantasies, Naruto abruptly picked up the phone.

"What! Oh?"

"I think they took him behind the gym. Sorry, I couldn't find out for sure." Sai informed Naruto.

"It's alright. I'll go there and check. You guys just concentrate on your exams. Everything will be alright." With that, Naruto hung up. He moved towards the window, opened it, and prepared to jump down. Before Shikamaru could warn him that Neji was in the room, Naruto already jumped and landed safely. Neji, who thought that Naruto wanted to commit suicide, stared at Naruto's retreating back in disbelief. Naruto…fourth floor…jumped…suicide…unsuccessfully.

This thought is repeated in his head. He stood there dumbfounded.

"We should follow him…"Kiba said worriedly.

"Don't worry, Kiba. Sasuke can handle it." Shika said in a bored tone.

"The problem at hand is Pres." He pointed at the stoned figure near the window. Kiba panicked and tried to explain things to Neji.

I'm more concerned about Sasuke's opponents. Shika thought before he helped Kiba with the explanation.

Naruto ran as fast as he could. He was really worried. Please don't let anything bad happen to him. Naruto prayed.

When he was around the corner, he shouted, hoped that the attackers would stop whatever they were doing to Sasuke.

"SASUKE!"

When he arrived, to his relief, Sasuke was alright. But his attackers were not. Sitting on a pile of what looked like the human body, Sasuke just looked at Naruto.

"Hn."

"Er…I heard from Sai a third year dragged you away. Is…everything alright?" Naruto fluttered his hands when he spoke.

"…Me or them?"

Naruto looked at the pile and sweatdropped. He could hear moans and groans coming from the defeated seniors. He really felt pity on them. Note to the self, never ever EVER made Sasuke angry if you don't want to end up like that.

Sasuke stood up, patting his pants and sighed. "I was hoping to see you in action. But I got impatient."

Sasuke just walked away without waiting for Naruto. He's sure that Naruto would follow him. He was right. Naruto immediately turned around and walked beside him.

"Too fast." Sasuke said after a while.

"Huh?" Naruto stared at him questioningly.

"Weren't you in the Student Council's office? You made it here too fast." Sasuke turned around and stared.

"No kidding…I was running for my life, worrying about you." Naruto pouted because Sasuke seemed not to appreciate his effort.

"Yet, you aren't even out of your breath." Sasuke pushed.

Shit. Naruto realized his mistakes and quickly covered it up.

"Ahahaha…I'm a marathon champion twice. Don't you know?" Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, laughing nervously. To add more effect, he put on innocent puppy look on his face.

Sasuke didn't seem to buy it. He just glared at Naruto.

"How long…do you plan hiding from me?" Sasuke practically growled, you can sense hurt in his voice.

"You don't think I know? Do you think I'm that oblivious?" Sasuke asked again.

"What are you talking about, teme? I don't understand, but anyway, this Christmas, let's…" Naruto still feigned innocent. He started to get a little bit panic because Sasuke knew. Before he can finish his sentence, Sasuke yelled.

"AM I NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME?!" Sasuke didn't even try to cover the hurt laced in his voice anymore.

"I NEVER SAID THAT!" Naruto shouted.

"You always pretend to be a klutz, an ignorant outsider. Do you think I'm stupid? You think it's funny!?"

"I never thought it that way!"

"Then why don't you acknowledge me? Why did you lie to me?! Why did you call me here if you wanted to hide?!" Sasuke almost cried but he held back. Uchihas don't cry! He stubbornly reminded himself.

Naruto was stunned at Sasuke's outburst. He never knew that his actions could hurt Sasuke this much.

I hid because I wanted us to meet like a normal couple.

"I…I wanted to show you the outside world. I wanted you to want me as a person." Because your true feelings are important to me. Naruto was at the verge of tears but he still refused to let it fell.

Sasuke stared at him, unable to process Naruto's statement. He then covered his face with his hands, tried to stop himself from crying.

"Heck?! Why didn't you just order me?!"

Naruto clenched his fist. He was really upset because Sasuke didn't seem to understand his feelings. Finally, His resolves crumbled. His tears dripped off his eyes.

"I only want you to love me on your own. I don't want to command you!"

Sasuke was shocked to see Naruto crying. He felt really hurt when he saw the tears.

"Why the hell are you crying?!" Sasuke shouted.

"Because you don't understand me!!" Naruto shouted back.

"Sasuke you bastard! How could I say, 'I command you to love me'?! Would you trust someone issuing that command?!" Naruto rubbed his eyes to try to stop the tears.

Sasuke felt a tug and warm in his heart at the same time. Tug because Naruto was still crying. Warm because Naruto really cared about him.

"Acknowledge me!"

"No!" Naruto said stubbornly.

"You are putting me on a spot…If my number-one person isn't the Fox Lord…" Sasuke covered his face with his hands to hide his embarrassment for revealing his emotions.

Naruto just stared at Sasuke. He sniffled, now that his tears had stopped.

"You mean…'Naruto' being your number one person is putting you on spot?"

"I-I never said that." You can notice a slight tinge of pink on Sasuke's cheek when he denied it.

"…It sounds like a love confession!"

"IT'S NOT! USURATONKACHI!" Sasuke shouted to hide his embarrassment.

With that statement, Naruto changed to his bright self again, sunny smile on his face.

"Oh yes, it was." Naruto said lovingly, imagining what they would do since now they were official.

"WIPE THAT STUPID LOOK ON YOUR FACE! I already told you it's not a love confession!" Sasuke's voice was tuned out, but he didn't care. He just continued to snarl.

"YOU'RE NOT WHAT I IMAGINED! YOUR BLOND UNRULY HAIR! YOU'RE CHILDISH! IMMATURE! PRACTICALLY A DOBE!!" Each word Sasuke uttered stabbed Naruto. He now sulked because Sasuke didn't seem to accept his physical appearance. I can't help it. I look more like my mother.

"Totally different…" Sasuke mumbled to himself. From what I imagined. Indeed I keep telling myself. This dobe can't be the next Fox Lord.

"Yet…" Was our relationships based on lies? "Everything you said and did for me, I really want it to be the truth. Why is that? I'm so confused. Do I really want you to be my Fox Lord? Or not?"

Naruto was really rendered speechless by Sasuke's confession. He then smiled warmly and hugged Sasuke tightly. Sasuke's eyes widen for a second, and then he hugged back. I don't dislike this. In fact, I think I enjoy this more than I imagined I would.

"I am who I am." Naruto said tenderly. He brushed the raven's hair lovingly, kissing his forehead. Then he cupped his face and leaned in for a kiss. The first kiss they shared as a couple. Sasuke closed his eyes when Naruto was an inch closer to his face. Then, lips met lips. It only lasted for a few seconds because Sasuke broke the kiss first.

"Eh? Teme? What's wrong?"

Sasuke didn't answer. He just stared at him.

"Oh well. Let's go." Naruto dismissed it because he assumed that Sasuke might be embarrassed or something. He turned to walk towards the school building when Sasuke called him.

"Oi, dobe. During the holidays, would you come and meet my parents?"

"Huh? OH! Are we getting married after high school? Wow, teme, never knew you are the type that moves fast."

"You wish. I need you to sign off the mission."

"Tck, just like that, you were back to normal again."

"Hn."

"By the way, did you know me…before I came to this school?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke and sighed.

"You totally forgot. We used to play together." Naruto said with a nostalgic look on his face.

-Flashback-

Little Sasuke was at the river, playing with water, while little Naruto sat on a tree branch, looking down at Sasuke. Both of them were wearing yukata.

"I want to become strong so I can serve my Fox Lord. I want Fox Lord to like me." Little Sasuke said.

Naruto smiled and inwardly squealed at Sasuke's cuteness. Then he jumped down and approached Sasuke to tell him that he was his Fox Lord. However, just as Naruto wanted to show his Light Blue Hook that identified him as the successor of Fox Lord, the current Fox Lord a.k.a Naruto's father passed by.

Sasuke was dazed by the beauty of Naruto's father and his eyes turned into love shapes.

"I saw the current Fox Lord…So beautiful…Long black hair…My Fox Lord must look like him…" Sasuke said in an admiration voice. Naruto who saw Sasuke's admiration expression, was too dumbfounded to show his Light Blue Hook.

-End of Flashback-

"I was too embarrassed to show you my hook, because you only saw my Dad." Naruto said, sulking as he remembered the resentment he felt for his physical looks for the first time as he was a very confident child since he was young.

"Hn. That was a long time ago. I didn't even recall anything." Was Sasuke's response to Naruto's story. Inwardly, he felt embarrassed for the fact that he acted like that in front of the dobe.

"Come to think of it, isn't Namikaze your mother's surname before she was married to your dad? Hn, you really are a dobe. It's so obvious." Sasuke didn't realize that he took a long time to figure this out. Curse the Uchiha pride.

"Teme! You should talk. You didn't even bother to change your name."

"Hn. Uchihas don't hide from anything." Sasuke said a-matter-of-factly.

Their bickering came to stop when they heard a very familiar voice.

"I see that you never change, Naruto." Naruto swallowed and turned around to the source of the voice. Sasuke followed Naruto's vision and gasped. A beautiful figure with long black silky hair and red eyes stood before them and smiled.

"Fox Lord!" Then he also noticed another figure standing behind the said Lord. "Father!"

Naruto noticed Sasuke's dumbstruck expression when he saw Naruto's dad and scowled.

"History repeats itself." Naruto mumbled but loud enough for Sasuke to hear. But, he just ignored it. He was too excited to meet the Fox Lord that his heart thumped faster and faster. He kneeled down to show his respect to the Lord.

"Your Highness looks exactly the same as I remembered."

"Oh, no need to be so formal, Sasuke. I'm sorry my baka son made you go through this ordeal. This school is closely connected to the Uzumaki tribe. Moreover, it was Naruto's idea to meet you this way." Kyuubi, the current Fox Lord, told Sasuke. Hearing this, Sasuke turned around and glared at Naruto.

"Only you could come up with this stupid idea." Sasuke hissed.

Naruto pouted at Sasuke's accusation. "Hmph. Who said this was stupid, teme?!"

Kyuubi continued with his explanation, immediately stopping Sasuke and Naruto's bickering.

"Although Naruto came up with the idea, I was the one who asked Fugaku to issue this mission. I wanted you to judge if your future leader is befitting to be the next chief. So, do you think he is good enough?" Kyuubi explained.

"Pardon my forwardness, he indeed excels in leadership and is well-respected, yet sometimes he abuses his power for personal reasons…" Sasuke said. Naruto just grinned when he heard this, while Kyuubi laughed. Fugaku, on the other hand, was shocked at Sasuke's forwardness.

"Sasuke!" Fugaku warned.

"Hahaha…It's alright, Fugaku." Kyuubi chuckled at Sasuke's report.

"Sasuke, you have accomplished your mission. After the end of term ceremony, return to the village with me." Fugaku said.

Sasuke remained silent. Then he turned to look at Naruto. Naruto just smiled, as if to encourage Sasuke to say what's on his mind. Sasuke took hold of Naruto's hand and shifted his gaze back to his father and said.

"Father, I…I want to stay." Sasuke said, although inside he was scared shitless.

Fugaku and Kyuubi were surprised with Sasuke's request. Naruto just continued to smile, as if he already knew that Sasuke would say that.

"Per Naruto's order?" Kyuubi asked.

"No." Sasuke said. Kyuubi stared at Sasuke for a while and chuckled.

"Then, are you both getting married after graduation?" Kyuubi couldn't help but teased.

"NO!"

"YES!"

Sasuke and Naruto shouted at the same time, but you could notice a blush on Sasuke's pale skin. Naruto was clasping his hands with his teme's hand, smiling so brightly.

"My Lord, you…Father!" Sasuke tried to ask for help from his father but Fugaku just turned around, sighing and pretending not to hear anything.

"That's great. You have chosen Naruto on your own." Kyuubi said with a warm look on his face.

"Don't worry, teme. I'll be a good son-in-law. I told you before that men couple can adopt children." Naruto winked. Sasuke shuddered when he remembered Naruto's confession not so long ago.

"You…Are you aware of your duty as the chief of Uzumaki tribe?" Sasuke grabbed Naruto's collar and shook him back and forth.

Naruto's smile never faltered. "Calm down, teme. Once I become the chief, I'm abolishing feudalism."

Before Sasuke could say anything, Kyuubi decided to help his son with another explanation.

"400 years has passed since the Uzumaki tribe saved the Uchiha clan during the ninja war. All these years, the Uchiha clan has dedicated themselves to us. As the chief of Uzumaki, I don't know how to thank you enough."

"Why thank us? We did it out of our free will!" Sasuke tried to change his mind.

"And it's time we do it on our free will too." Kyuubi's statement made Sasuke speechless. Yet, he didn't seem to be satisfied with it but he decided to let it go, for now.

"Well, we need to head back to the village before it gets too dark. See you around Sasuke. Oh, and Naruto, don't cause too much trouble." Kyuubi said.

"Yes, my Lord."

"What?! Just so you know, I never caused any trouble so far, you old man!" Naruto snarled. Apparently, Naruto still found it hard to forget all the troubles his old man caused for him and Sasuke because of his physical looks. Kyuubi just smiled and moved to ruffle Naruto's unruly hair which made it more unruly (if that's possible).

With that, Kyuubi and Fugaku departed.

"Is this really fine?" Fugaku asked as he and Kyuubi jumped from trees to trees.

"Why do you ask?"

"Your bloodlines will stop in this generation. Naruto is your only child. I still have Itachi. What will your ancestors say?"

"Hahaha, are you afraid they'll come haunt me from their graves?" Fugaku remained silent.

"If they really come back, will you protect me?"

"Of course." Fugaku didn't hesitate to answer.

They didn't say anything else after that.

Sasuke was still feeling the after effect of the meeting.

"My brain is still in a muddle. Everything happened so quickly." Sasuke admitted. He still couldn't believe he just met the current Fox Lord and that his mission was completed.

"Hahaha. Sorry I took the liberty of making decisions. From now on, I won't issue anymore orders. Only give out options." Naruto said sincerely.

"By the way, who attacked us on the rooftop that day?" Sasuke had a curious look on his face.

"That would be Shikamaru. He's my bodyguard and my tutor. He wanted to test you. I guess you could say that he's like the nosy mother-in-law since he was always with me since we were very young."

Sasuke couldn't believe it. Who knew the lazy bum was actually a very good ninja.

"Anyhow, the Fox Lord hasn't changed at all. He's still so striking." Sasuke said with adoration laced in his voice.

Naruto pouted when he heard this. "I can't help it. I look like my mom. She's a great beauty." (Ever wonder who his mother is?)

Sasuke looked amused. "So, it really bothered you that you don't look like your dad?"

"What do you think?!" Naruto's vein popped on his head.

"You said 'history repeats itself', did you mean my crush toward the Fox Lord?"

"I didn't know you heard that. Yes, in a way." Naruto pretended to sound mad.

"Hn. You don't trust me, dobe?" Naruto sighed.

"I do, Sasuke. But I don't have any self confidence where you're concerned."

Sasuke's eyes softened when he heard this. The fact is that he felt so warm inside ever since he heard that Naruto was willing to go this far just for his love. He never felt so wanted before. His father always demanded perfection from him. He never met someone like Naruto who liked him for him.

"Baka." The tone in his voice didn't have any malice in it.

"Maybe, but I'm also faithful." Naruto turned to look at Sasuke and smiled.

"Baka." This time Sasuke replied the smile. Naruto was stunned by the rare smile that graced Sasuke's face. He felt so touched that Sasuke was willing to trust him enough to let him see the gentle side of him.

"Anyway, that was the first time I talked back to my father. My hands are still shaking." Sasuke looked at his trembling hands.

"But that makes me so happy." Naruto smiled so wide that people might think he had broken his jaw.

"I thought I had self control. I guess I discovered a different side of me."

Naruto interlaced his fingers with Sasuke's and said with a very gentle voice and warm gaze towards the raven.

"Like you have seen a new side of the world, right? It's called hatsu-koi (first love)."

First Love. Sasuke locked his eyes to Naruto's. They drew closer until their nose touched. Then, Naruto captured Sasuke's lips in a kiss. Sasuke closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Naruto's soft lips against his own.

Kiss goodbye our old selves who were ignorant to the bitter sweetness of the elegy of love.

They kissed until the need for air became too much and then they broke the kiss. Naruto's forehead was still attached to Sasuke's and they smiled to each other.

"What if I didn't choose you? What would you have done?" Naruto shifted his gaze to his right.

"Well…Upon becoming chief, I'll order the two tribes to become one." Sasuke sighed. He just knew Naruto would do this.

"Dobe."

"Teme."

Then they laughed.

-FIN-

What can I say? I finally finished it!! Yay for me!! If you would kindly review for this chapter, I would really appreciate it :D