Archive of Our Own ^beta

The forest felt even eerier the next day. Like a film of gossamer overlaid the trees tops, obstructing the airflow enough to make Sasuke have to inhale a little harder, the heat of their breaths not fully dissipating, trapped along with every pull of fresher air. The shadows did not seem to shift as much as they should as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Sasuke was reminded of when he’d witnessed an eclipse once as a boy. The effect had bled all the colors around him of their contrasts, and the shadows had sharpened into a strange dusk, and the chatter of birds had ceased, only for crickets to pick up the song.

The crickets weren’t even chirping now, the wildlife, the air, the trees all far too still for Sasuke’s liking, and Naruto seemed muted by it, not speaking much as they trudged over the forest floor. The only sound was their slightly labored breathing.

He found himself wishing for, perhaps the first time, that his companion would prattle on like he often was wont to do. He may have even preferred the unsettling rustling of the branches that haunted them at night.

At this point in their search for Princess Sakura was secondary. Their priority now was to get out of this hellish wood before its tricks turned more sinister.

“How much further do you think we have?” Naruto asked in a quiet rasp in the early afternoon.

Sasuke glanced at him, noticing the worry in his creased brow. Like Sasuke, he was hoping to not have to make camp another night. His tale of the fog from last night, luring Naruto into sleepwalking toward it, had rattled him. And daylight was burning now. Sasuke focused his eyes ahead, frowning as only dense trees and foliage waited ahead of them.

“I am not sure. We must be past the center of the forest now, but given it took us two days to reach it, I have reason to believe we may have another day yet. But by tomorrow morning, we should reach the edges of the other side.

Naruto sighed.

“I was afraid you would say that,” he grumbled. “I worry the forest will not give us another day.”

Sasuke nodded. Their bodies were both tight with tension, constantly on guard as leaves hardly stirred and no skittering of squirrel’s feet were heard. They’d decided to keep their swords sheathed still. For one, it would be tiresome to carry it all the while, but two, they didn’t want to be viewed any more threatening by whatever watched them in the woods than they already were. But Sasuke’s hand itched to have the weight of his weapon in his hand, to wrap his fingers around the grip and trust in it like an extension of his very arm.

He settled for resting his hand on the hilt, at the ready for any new provocation.

They soon had to take a break from walking but knew to make it quick. Sasuke grimaced at the damp feeling of his clothes as he sat on the ground, his body streaked in sweat, and Naruto heavily came down beside him, wiping at his face. Sasuke watched him out of the corner of his eyes, taking slow sips from his water gourd. Naruto didn’t notice as he reached back to gather his long hair at the base of his head and held it off his neck with one hand, exposing it to air. He sighed as he wiped away the dampness, closing his eyes in relief, and Sasuke took the opportunity to study his upturned face unwatched.

Color was high on his scarred cheeks from exertion, and his light eyelashes fanned and curled against them. His golden hair, though now dark with sweat, still shone like bronze in the strange sunlight. His tan skin added to the glow, mostly smooth and clear, but even though he was young, the start of laugh lines had started around his mouth. Sasuke couldn’t help but let a smile twitch his own lips, finding he approved of them. They were proof of how often Naruto was merry, not at all reserved like Sasuke was.

His expression slackened though as he continued to stare at Naruto’s lips.

They were parted, and Sasuke followed the motion of a pink tongue darting out to moisten them, his fuller bottom one now shining. He felt a tug low in his abdomen. The sensation startled him with its intensity, and he realized then just how beautiful Naruto looked.

Not like the princess, who he admired in a different, more detached way. He’d never given much stock to looks, given how he hated the way others’ eyes lingered on him, desired his attention simply for a face he was born with.

But right now, in this dreadful place, Sasuke sat, roving his gaze over Naruto’s features in wonder. How had he never thought so before? Or had he, on some level, chosen to blind himself to it?

Naruto’s eyes began to flutter, and Sasuke forced his head to turn away, a rush of heat tingling in his cheeks, and took a long swig of water.

He heard Naruto grunt and the rustling of his movements, and when Sasuke believed his expression was composed enough, he turned to find Naruto rummaging through his pack.

“Ah ha!” he cried triumphantly as he pulled his hand out, and there in his palm sat a cloth that he made quick work to undo around a dark plum, the skin glossy despite looking a little bruised from travel.

“Knew there had to be one left,” Naruto giggled with a childish delight that had Sasuke biting his cheek to stave off another smile. It was hard not to see the silly boy he’d roughoused and grown up with, transposed over the adult Naruto who sat before him. Naruto’s warm blue eyes blinked his way then, and Sasuke made a “tch” sound and busied himself with sliding off his own pack for a couple of strips of dried venison.

When he righted himself, sustenance in hand, he saw that Naruto now had a paring knife and was peeling the skin from the plum with slow, careful movements. His expression was concentrated, absorbed with his task, and Sasuke watched his progress while still taking stock of their surroundings. There wasn’t much else to occupy him here. He ripped a piece of meat with his teeth and chewed thoughtfully, the venison tough and gamey.

Naruto removed the last of the skin and began slicing around the circumference of the fruit before wiping the knife off with the edge of the cloth over his knee and slid it back into its holding place in his sack.

Upright once again, he gathered the folds of the cloth and gently gripped each side of the plum with his fingers through the fabric. His hands twisted, and the plum pulled apart into two halves, one still clinging to the pit.

Sasuke half expected him to pop the pitless side in his mouth whole, as he tended to eat quickly and with relish, but instead, Naruto looked to him again and held out the cloth to him, the pitless half sitting in his palm. The other half was between his other hand’s fingers, and Naruto smiled at him, expression expectant.

Sasuke looked down at the purple flesh of the now skinless plum, its surface glistening with the juice it held.

“What are you doing?” he asked, glancing from the plum to Naruto.

A snort erupted from Naruto as he rolled his eyes. He gestured with his outstretched hand.

“I’m sharing, you dunderhead! Now take it,” he stated with a chuckle, and Sasuke’s brow furrowed as slowly, he raised his hand to pluck the plum, cradling between his fingers carefully.

Naruto shook his head and began muttering about Sasuke acting like he’d never seen fruit before as he dug his free fingers into the pit to tear it out. Sasuke still held the plum half up, watching beads of juice bead down his palm.

It was a beautiful offering. Simple but thoughtful. A gift of effort and of… Sasuke’s mind hesitated over the next word but could find no other that fit. It was a gift of intimacy. Preparing fruit was an action of affection in his family. It was a rare display of caring his father had ever shown, peeling apples when Itachi or Sasuke fell ill. He would barely ask how they fared but would leave a plate of perfectly pared slices on their bedside table. And his mother expertly core and cut strawberries to add to their porridge on summer mornings.

“To sweeten the day,” she would always say when he’d ask why as a child.

He’d watch when Itachi painstakingly peeled oranges, not leaving a trace of the white, spongy pith. The smell of citrus mist would perfume the air. Then Shisui would come by, and Itachi would give him perfect segments along with a shy smile, not a single tear in any one of them so that all the juice was left, just waiting to burst.

Naruto probably had no idea what his actions signified for him, but Sasuke did not know what he had done to merit Naruto sharing what was most likely his last plum.

“Thank you,” he said then, his voice pitched low and sincere, and kept his eyes averted from Naruto. He ate the fruit slowly, reverently, rolling it around on his tongue, savoring the juice that pooled there.

He heard Naruto clear his throat, mumbling a “You’re welcome,” and they spent the remainder of their rest in familiar quiet before they stood up, shouldered their packs, and moved on.

They walked as long as they could, their feet aching in their boots from navigating the uneven, branch and vine strewn terrain. But the sun’s rays were fading into twilight, and the gloom of night lurked near when they finally had to admit they weren’t making it out of the forest today. They hurried to set up their basic camp, huddling close to their chakra crystals as they ate hardened bread and cheese for their meal. Naruto hugged his knees to his chest as the shadows deepened and descended, and Sasuke kept a watchful eye on the trees around them. Uneasiness prickled the back of his neck as wisps of fog began to trail in.

The coolness of the mist rising would have been relieving, but the branches stayed silent as they had all day. No whispers of bark against bark came. The silence made Sasuke grind his teeth. This deviation from the pattern of the previous two nights did not bode well.

He instructed Naruto to sleep so he could take the first shift, and he tactfully did not comment when Naruto positioned his bed roll right beside him. They would need to stay close tonight. Two swords were much better odds than one, and Sasuke wanted to ensure there wouldn't be a repeat of the man's sleepwalking.

When Naruto appeared to doze into a shallow sleep, he shifted from his side to more halfway on his stomach, and one of his legs slid forward from his bed. It pressed Sasuke’s leg, outstretched before him while his arms rested on the other bent knee. Sasuke let his leg remain there, the warmth of shared heat comforting. His thoughts drifted to the night before, when Naruto’s sleeping form had pushed against him, the lines of their bodies together.

It had felt natural, comfortable the way Naruto fit into his arms, and Sasuke knew he was turning into a fool. Because he was becoming alarmingly sure that even if Sakura were to be his bride, even if they were married for twenty years, him holding her would never feel like that.

He had been aware that marrying a princess would entail them providing children. It would be his duty as it would be hers to continue the royal line. But Sasuke never dwelled over the details of how said children would come into this world, though he knew, in theory, the intricacies and details of sex. It had seemed crass to do so, disrespectful to imagine Sakura in that way. There was no use in thinking about it until the time came.

With Naruto, however… he felt his body warm and tighten with interest at the merest suggestion of them in a proper bed instead of the cold packed earth, thoroughly crushed together under different circumstances. That tongue peeking out to wet Naruto’s lips as he peered up at Sasuke under lowered blond lashes. How Sasuke would drown in those blue irises as they moved together, those broad back muscles rippling under his hands.

A shudder not born entirely from the dropping temperature racked his spine. His breath showed in a cloud as he exhaled, long and slow.

Yes, he was now a damn fool.

The hours of his watch passed miserably as the cold bit at him, zapping feeling from his extremities, and with nothing to distract himself but increasingly untoward thoughts of his rival snoring lightly beside him.

A soft crunch drew Sasuke’s attention to the left, and he listened for the snap of a stick or a crackle of a dead leaf. He narrowed his eyes, peering hard into the darkness, and though he’d felt like they were being watched the entire time they had been in this forest, he got the distinct impression that this particular darkness was peering right back.

Someone, or something, was lurking just out of sight. With care, he slowly reached over and shook Naruto’s shoulder gently. The snoring tapered off.

“Wake up, Naruto,” he whispered when he felt Naruto tense under the blanket. “And stay quiet.”

Naruto’s hand snaked out of the blanket to rest on his forearm, pulling back when Sasuke glanced at him to see him nod. He raised an eyebrow in question.

“There’s something there,” he answered, keeping his voice low. “I have a bad feeling.”

Naruto’s eyes widened for a fraction, and he quietly sat up and uncovered himself, reaching for the sword beside him on the right. Sasuke returned to searching for any change in the shadows, any movement. Naruto was rolling up his bed and strapping it to his pack in quick, efficient motions, mostly one handed, as he kept his sword in the other.

Another thud, barely heard, came from the distance, a little off from the first sound. He flung his own pack on in a fluid motion as he rose to stand, and Naruto followed suit, both of them straining their ears for another sound.

Adrenaline crashed through him like a lightning bolt, pumping in his blood, and he couldn’t quite tell if he imagined the heavy pant of breath or a flicker of gray amidst the other shades of shadow and blackness around them.

Sasuke slid his left foot forward, bending his knees slightly, to get into position. His fingers curled loosely around his hilt, wrist relaxed, as anticipation coiled in him, readying him to strike. He trickled chakra into his blade, purple lightning arcing down the center, glowing brighter than crystal lamps, illuminating the circle they were in, and orange light pulsed into life to join it. Naruto’s wind-infused sword was prepared for battle as well.

The chakra glow caught the glint of eyes for moments in the dark. A low growl reached them now, the sound ricocheting off the tree trunks around them, and then Naruto was yelling, “Look out!” as a shadow darted.

Flying on four large paws, the head of a wolf, teeth bared, lunged at Sasuke through the trees, and Sasuke slashed his sword in a hard downward stroke to fend him off, guarding his vital organs as the beast snapped and then exposed a gaping maw to him, gums black where sharp, long canines descended.

Another growl came, not from the wolf in front of him, and more gray forms flashed around them as the pack closed in.

“Run, Naruto! We can’t fight them all!” he ordered and thrusted and cut at the attacking wolf, shuffling on his feet to give space so that he could retreat, Naruto right behind him after a vicious blow on a wolf’s skull with the blunt of his hilt, his wind compounding the force.

They ran together, channeling more chakra into their legs as they did. It was not easy to control when their focus was split between their weapons and running, but they dared not stop. Sasuke did not believe for one moment that those wolves found them by accident. A lone, chilling howl came, and a chorus of answering howls followed. The pack was moving.

The forest had sent them, and branches and thorns seemed to claw and grab at them as they tore through the woods,trying to slow them down. The mist covered their feet, and Sasuke warned Naruto not to stop directing chakra to his running. If either of them did, they’d trip or twist their ankle, and the wolves would be on them. A springy limb whipped the side of his face, and Sasuke clenched his jaw against the sting as sweat rolled into the fresh cut.

Howls and snarls were at their back as the wolves made chase, and Sasuke’s lungs burned and his heart bounded as he pushed his body to work harder, to run faster.

One wolf pulled ahead, and Sasuke watched in horror as it lunged for Naruto’s legs. A quick jump saved Naruto, but he stumbled, and the wolf came at him again, this time, locking its teeth on his pack, jerking its head to drag Naruto back. Naruto cried out.

“No!” Sasuke bellowed and grabbed a hold of Naruto’s forearm, keeping him upright as Naruto still tried to run. His movement was now hindered, but he twisted until the pack slid from his shoulder and the bag fell, causing the wolf to fall back with the momentum. Sasuke held his arm in a vice like grip, swinging him forward, propelling them both along.

“I’m okay!” Naruto yelled out beside him as they continued, but Sasuke did not let go. He forced Naruto to keep pace with him. They’d run all night if they had to.

The trees seemed to have been waiting with held breath for the wolves to attack them, but now they broke their silence, creaking and rustling and shaking their leaves. All the trees ahead of them swayed threateningly in the dead air, but Sasuke led them, dodging and zigzagging their way through a cursed path, the sound of heavy paws still pounding the ground after them.

“Just a little further,” he would grit out, every time Naruto almost stumbled or he became aware of harsh breathing. He lost count how many times he repeated it, like a prayer, his muscles aching, a stitch in his side making him wince as he fought to breath through it. It felt like hours until, the prayer answered, he could make out the thinning of trees from the glow of his sword.

“There!” Naruto shouted, noticing at the same time! “The treeline!”

Growls intensified behind, the two men having managed to stay just out of reach, and if they could just make it out, maybe the forest would call for them to retreat once they were no longer trespassers.

With every last bit of speed and chakra they could summon, the knights hurled themselves to the opening air, they broke out into an open field. The sky arching above them nearly had Sasuke stopping dead still in surprise as the vast inky black was glittering with starlight. There had been no stars to be seen in the forest. As he ran looking up, his path no longer blocked by oppressive, looming trees, he did not see the hole his foot stepped in, only felt the jerk of his body go down as it caught, fast and hard from the wild pace he’d set. His chakra sputtered, and he only managed to roll to avoid his sword and hitting head first just in time, his shoulder taking the brunt of his fall instead, and he flung himself on his back quickly, ready for a wolf to pounce.

They were still only feet away, growling and barking from the trees, looking like they would decide to continue chase at any moment. But before he could raise his sword, Naruto had doubled back and was standing in front of him, both hands on his hilt, stance wide and firm, his sword poised to defend.

“Come at me, you mangy curs!” Naruto bellowed, and Sasuke stared wide eyed at his back muscles, quivering with anger and fatigue, seen beneath his sweat soaked shirt, at the way his ribs expanded and collapsed with every gasp of air. “I’ll cut you down!”

His legs looked strong, like tree trunks themselves planted in the ground. He was larger than life right now, all righteous fury as one wolf slowly padded its descent from the overgrowth, saliva foaming and dripping from its muzzle.

Naruto bent his knees and Sasuke was shouting for him to stop, to go as the wolf’s trot picked up to a run, as the others watched on for an opening.

A strangled yell came out of Naruto’s throat, and his sword flared with orange as he lifted it high. The wolf bounded straight toward him, and Sasuke was struggling to get on his feet, to reach Naruto, but it was too late.

The wolf jumped in for the attack, teeth aimed straight for Naruto’s bared throat, and Naruto swung his sword down a smiting deity, wind whirling all around it. Sasuke had only managed to get on his knees, and he fisted the grass, tearing it from its roots as he could do nothing now but watch. The sword careened at an angle, the wolf in mid air, and the strike hit true. The glowing blade went into and right through the wolf, and the animal burst apart, disappearing into a cloud of mist.

Dumbfounded, Sasuke stayed there, half bent, ankle throbbing, staring at the place where the wolf existed only moments ago. Tendrils of fog now slunk back toward the forest, and the reflective eyes of the other wolves stared at them, their growls trailing off as they stood tall and watchful like sentinels. As the fog rejoined and lost itself to the trees, the wolves backed away, their eyes glowing in the shadows for a few more breaths before completely winking out of sight.

Naruto’s arms still hung down where his sword had hit the ground, panting and swallowing audibly, his head pointed and fixed to where the wolves had just stood. Sasuke got to his feet, shaking, his entire system drained now that the adrenaline was ebbing away, leaving only the cold, metallic taste of fear. He only paused to test the weight on his ankle and only found it strained but fine. The pain was insignificant to him now anyway. His fists could not unclench as he stared at Nartuo’s unmoving form.

“You,” Sasuke said, his voice unsteady as he trembled. “You complete and utter ass!”

The last two words boomed out of him as emotion overtook him, and he moved then, pushing Naruto from behind hard.

Naruto lurched forward, stumbling with his sword. He spun around, face flushed, sweat pouring ribbons down his brow. His hair hung lump and wet around his face, neck shining with more perspiration.

“Have you gone mad?!” Naruto sputtered, eyebrows pulled down as he frowned at Sasuke’s angry expression.

“No! You have!” Sasuke accused, pointing at him. “What were you thinking? That wolf could have killed you! You should have kept running!”

Naruto laughed scornfully, eyes hardening, taking his time to slide his sword in its scabbard.

“Is that what you would have had me do? Abandon you like a coward?!” he demanded, shaking his head angrily as if flies buzzed around him. “I am no coward. The wolf was nearly upon you. My body moved of its own accord. We are both safe, so be grateful.”

“I could have handled myself,” Sasuke snapped, striding forward. He raked a hand through his hair jerkily, a stray leaf coming away with it.

Naruto crossed his arms, looking unimpressed. Sasuke’s blood boiled.

“Sasuke, we have fought together,” he said, stepping up to Sasuke, eyes narrowed. “Protected each other as brothers in battle, and this is what shakes you?”

“I do not want to see you mauled because of me!” Sasuke seethed in frustration.

“Nor do I!” Naruto shouted back, flinging out his arms.

“Damn you!” Sasuke screamed, feeling completely out of control as he reared his fist back and slammed it into Naruto’s jaw. He watched in satisfaction as Naruto staggered from the unexpected attack, hand to his cheek, bent at the waist. When he’d caught himself, Naruto slowly turned his eyes to glare up at Sasuke, his nostrils now white and flaring. His bottom lip was bloody where Sasuke’s knuckles hit.Sasuke pressed his lips in a thin line, jutting his chin out in defiance.

He was ready for Naruto’s counterattack, and he tried to grapple him as Naruto tackled his middle, leveraging his full weight to take him down. Sasuke held his ground, digging his heels into the ground, but Naruto grabbed at the back of his calf and pulled his leg out from under him. They both went down hard, Sasuke’s ankle twinging from another fall, along with the shoulder he’d landed on previously. He gripped onto Naruto’s shoulders, trying to wrestle him off and Naruto pushed down on his biceps, his teeth gritted and eyes burning as he fought to maintain the advantage.

His wide palm slid to push down hard on Sasuke’s chest, his sternum protesting. Pinned in place, Sasuke brought up his arms to block his face, but Naruto’s fist was quick and punched his cheekbone hard.

“Bastard,” Naruto spat as he wrestled Sasuke’s arms down to punch him again. “I saved your life, and you punch me!”

Sasuke snarled with anger, using a free knee to assault Naruto’s kidneys again and again, making the blonde grunt, and he used the distraction to roll them over. Naruto’s head snapped to the side with Sasuke’s next blow, freeing a hiss of curses from Naruto’s busted lips.

“Why?!” he roared in Naruto’s face as the man thrashed underneath him. “Why do you go so far for me?!”

Naruto had wigged an elbow out enough to press it against Sasuke’s throat, pushing up into his wind pipe, Sasuke pushed his down hard on Naruto’s knee, making him cry out in pain.

“To hell with you, Sasuke!” Naruto grunted out, and Sasuke wrestled Naruto’s arms back down, his nails digging into his biceps, smearing them both with dirt and blood. Naruto snapped his teeth at him, trying to bite anywhere he could reach. Sasuke shook him until he stopped.

“Why? Answer me!” Sasuke demanded, and Naruto arched his back to try and buck Sasuke off. Sasuke gripped both sides of his head, forcing him to look directly at him.

“Because I’m your friend!” Naruto shrieked, and they both stilled, already exhausted before this fight. They breathed roughly into each other’s faces, chests pushing against each other. Naruto shifted and Sasuke became aware of how he was practically between Naruto’s legs, his weight pressing into his hips as now stormy blue eyes whirled below him, pulling him in. He felt a wildness over take him, as his fingers still bracketed Naruto in place.

“Not good enough,” he croaked out, his throat raw, and then he was lowering his head, crashing their mouths together.

He kept his eyes open, feeling Naruto stiffen underneath, his own eyes wide and surprised, and he knew he was crossing a line, making a grave mistake, but he’d left that forest a different man than the one that entered, and if this wasn’t welcome, then Naruto could punch him some more. For now he relished the feel of warm chapped lips against his, the faint taste of copper from blood.

But those lips had not moved, and he dared not take any more than this. Punching was different, had been the way they communicated as children when they were not crossing blades. But to force unwanted advances was another. The anger and fire had burnt out of him, and he felt the charred hollowness as he ended the kiss and rolled away into the grass.

The stars leered in judgment down at him, and he covered his eyes with a trembling hand. He could feel Naruto shift beside him, most likely moving away.

He couldn’t blame him. He’d been foolish, impulsive, too bold. He had picked a fight, hurt and then kissed the man without asking.

“Forgive me, Naruto,” he said just above a whisper, unable to face the man just yet. “That was dishonorable, and I should have—”

His next words were cut off with an “oof” as rough lips captured his, and he felt calloused fingers cup his chin.

He let his hand fall away above his head and stared with startled, wide eyes as Naruto pulled back to look down at him, hair hanging in his face, the starry sky behind him. He looked like a painting staring at him.

“Is that answer good enough, jackass?” he asked, his raspy voice soft in tone, but his expression was roguish as a smirk lifted his mouth, his scars stretching over the cheek on that side.

Sasuke swallowed hard, his throat contracting, and he nodded, the barest tilt of his head as the finger on his chin began tracing the line of his jaw.

“It better be,” he said and his expression sharpened while he sat up. His hand still cradled Sasuke’s face with his fingertips, and Sasuke felt some knot in his chest loosen, a knot he’d not known was there before.

Thud!

The ridges of Naruto’s knuckles connected with Sasuke’s chin. His eyes watered, and a ringing was in his ears as his skull vibrated with the impact, coalescing into the bursting white of shock. Grass prickled and poked his face and hair as his cheek and temple pressed into it. The ground and stars swam in his vision for a few minutes before he blinked the world back to right.

Naruto pushed up from his knees to stand, wobbling a little, but still tall and proud.

“Ask me next time instead of punching me,” Naruto said smugly, towering over Sasuke rubbing his chin. He leaned down to hold out his hand to help Sasuke up. Sasuke stared at it blankly before he moved his hand from massaging his bruised chin bone to reach out, hand clasping Naruto’s wrist, and with a grunt, Naruto pulled him up.

Sasuke swayed on his feet, and Naruto clasped down on his arms to hold him steady.

“Alright?” Naruto asked, still holding him, and peered into his eyes, studying him. Sasuke nodded again, though his swimming head protested the movement.

Naruto pulled him forward then, and Sasuke fell against him, feeling well trained arms wrap around him firmly. Sasuke found his cheek pressed against Naruto’s collarbone, the scent of dirt, blood and drying sweat enveloping him. But underneath it, there was Naruto’s personal smell, sparking memories of long days of training in their youth, getting close to each other to find an opening or to block the other.

His emotional state was a wreck, oscillating wildly from fear to anger, the thrill of the kiss and then the shock of a hard knock to the jaw. And now his confusion at this embrace.

He kept his arms at his side, not sure what Naruto’s hug meant. Was it forgiveness? Was it because they both were struggling to stay on their feet? Or was it out of tenderness?

He was too tired to work it out. He simply leant on Naruto and waited for him to release him when he was ready. He heard Naruto release a loud sigh above his head, the breath stirring strands of his hair.

“I didn’t mind the kiss, Sasuke,” Naruto said softly, and Sasuke held his next breath, listening as his pulse hammered in his throat. The knot loosened just a bit more in his chest.

“You know,” Naruto murmured, teasing in his tone. “Just because you are my friend, doesn’t mean that is all you are. All you could be.”

Sasuke closed his eyes at those words, the knot fully coming undone now. He said nothing, could say nothing, just kept his cheek pressed to warm skin, and with hesitant movements, he brought his hands up and lightly placed them on Naruto’s hips, letting himself return the embrace for a moment.

Naruto squeezed harder and pounded a fist lightly against Sasuke’s back in affection before they stepped away from each other. Sasuke shied away from eye contact when they parted, looking at the ground off to the side. He was not yet ready to see the truth so plainly there on Naruto’s expression.

Naruto cleared his throat and coughed before speaking in his usual brash volume.

“Now, I could pass out right here,” Naruto said, tone forcefully bright, smacking and then rubbing his palms together. “But I would prefer we go at least to the other side of the field. I want to get as far away as I can from this damned forest.”

Sasuke agreed, voice gruff, and together they collected their weapons and Sasuke’s pack. Naruto groaned as Sasuke looped it across his shoulder.

“I forgot I lost my pack!” he complained, clutching his hair. “I don’t have any supplies now!”

Sasuke used the hem of his tunic to wipe down his blade, long darkened from lack of chakra.

“We’ll make do,” Sasuke said lowly as he sheathed the sword. “We can replace it in the next town.”

They slowly picked their way across the field by starlight, Naruto slumping his shoulders beside him. When they reached closer to the edge, Naruto dropped down with little grace. Sasuke wanted to sit too, bone tired after the last few hours. He needed to sleep, but he needed a meal first.

At least, he thought, they could now build a fire. He forced himself to gather kindling and the biggest sticks he could find in the radius of their camping spot, moving quickly as Naruto seemed to be sleeping while sitting up, his head nodding off.

The fire would be small, but it would be enough to heat some of the rations and let them sleep with warm stomachs. He sat near his woodpile on his knees and grabbed handfuls of dry stems and leaves before arranging sticks in a tent pattern around them.

He started the flame with the tinderbox from an inner pocket in his rucksack, and blew on the flame once it sparked, feeding it more leaves and sticks to build it up before adding heavier wood.

The crackles and popping soothed him, and he got to work with his bare cooking utensils and the water he could spare to soften the peeled carrots he added with his thumb after every slice of his knife. He still had two turnips too, so he added those with the salted pork, letting the fat help with the cooking and flavor. In time, taking pauses to feed more wood to the flames, he had a bastardized version of stew that would at the least strengthen them if it didn’t satisfy.

He only had one plate, but he could eat directly from the pan if he was careful, so he divided the meager meal and tore the last of his stale bread into pieces to serve with it and soak up the juices.

Giving a small kick to the bottom of Naruto’s boot, who woke with a start. He blinked blearily at Sasuke and at the plate he offered. He rasped out a thanks as he reached, and their fingers brushed, sending tingles skittering up Sasuke’s arms, and Naruto’s smile directed at him was soft though wan. Sasuke turned back to his own food while Naruto scooted closer to the fireside. They ate with great appetite and little words, passing Sasuke’s water gourd back and forth as they watched the smoke trail up to the stars.

Sasuke cleaned up his gear as best he could until they found a stream or town, and set about unrolling his bed mat as Naruto stared off into the flames. They were already much lower, burning out quickly, and Sasuke did not have the energy to find more wood.

He knew it was still a good idea to set a watch, but neither of the were in the shape to go without sleep at this late into the night. Naruto had only had a couple of hours, and Sasuke had yet to sleep at all.

Dusting off debris and grass from himself as best he could, he pried off his boots with a soft grown before arranging himself on his side under the scratchy blanket. Glancing at Naruto, he sunk his teeth into his bottom lip, considering.

They both were no strangers to sleeping on the ground, but even the small comfort of a bed roll would be appreciated after a night like this. And Sasuke was so very aware of the space between them, and he would be a liar if he said he didn’t want to close it. Their kisses and embraces had not been far from his thoughts, even as he performed the mechanical tasks of preparing the fire and food.

He’d faced much worse, but still, he felt nerves grip him as he raised his blanket and called out.

“Naruto,” he said slowly, drawing out the syllables, and Naruto’s daze was broken as he looked over at Sasuke lying on the ground. Sasuke moistened his dry lips.

“Let’s sleep,” he said, and Naruto jerked where he sat, staring, before he slowly crawled over.

“Are you sure?” he asked, leaning on his arms, uncertainty flashing across his face.

“Tch. Do you want to sleep on the ground?” he snapped, more out of nervousness than being truly annoyed, and Naruto snapped back with a no.

Sasuke strove to keep his voice steady then as he answered, “Get in here already.”

He held the covers high as Naruto sat on the edge of the bedding to pull his own filthy boots and waited until he shifted to lie on his side before covering them, elbows and knees awkwardly bumping until they faced each. Sasuke crossed his arms below his chest, trying to take up less room. They were inches apart now, and Sasuke’s heart was drumming against his ribs again. The dying fire danced with shadows on Naruto’s hair and the curve of his cheek, and Sasuke followed the movements instead of looking directly at the man.

“You don’t really expect either of us to fall asleep like this, do you?” Naruto blurted out, breaking the spell the flickering flames were casting, and Sasuke held onto his elbow tighter as their eyes met, Naruto’s crinkled with amusement. He raised a questioning eyebrow.

Naruto laughed and gestured between them.

“I mean, like this. You know, all stiff and uncomfortable.”

Sasuke’s heart thumped at a faster tempo now.

“Here,” Naruto said, propping up on his elbow. “Lay on your back.”

Sasuke let Naruto push his shoulder and guide it to the ground.

“And put your left arm up and under your head,” Naruto ordered, and Sasuke obeyed warily, bending his arm and pillowing his head with his hand.

Naruto scooted down, wiggling as he went before he lay back down, only this time, his head resting under Sasuke’s chin and on his chest. Sasuke’s face heated up as he knew Naruto would now be able to hear how hard his heart was beating, but the man was busy getting comfortable, fiddling with the blanket until it covered them both fully again.

Fully relaxed now, he slipped an arm around Sasuke’s waist then straightened his legs out along Sasuke’s. Sasuke could scarcely let himself breathe feeling the lines of their bodies pressed in tight.

Instinctively, his other arm moved to hold Naruto’s shoulders, and Naruto sighed, nuzzling a cheek against him.

“See?” he murmured into Sasuke’s shirt. “Much better.”

And it was. Again, Sasuke marveled at how easy it felt to be like this, huddled together under one blanket. His rival who’d been his friend at the same time, though Sasuke hadn’t realized.

He stared up at the night sky spread out before him now, the warm weight of Naruto against him. The fire snapped as it ate itself down to a soft red glow. It’d be embers soon. The stars glittered, and Sasuke’s thumb began rubbing circles over Naruto’s shoulder, and Naruto hummed, his breathing starting to slow and even out.

“Night, Sas,” Naruto’s voice grumbled, sleep overtaking him.

“Goodnight,” Sasuke said, letting the rhythm of Naruto’s breathing and the gentle sputtering of the fire lull him.

He woke up to mist–the natural kind instead of the cursed fog of the forest. It was not yet evaporated by the weak light of dawn. The first thing he registered was how his whole body felt rough and sore, muscles wrung out like a damp cloth. The second realization was that he had changed positions in his sleep, facing outward while a firm warmth was pressed into every curve of his body. His hand slowly slid down to rest atop the arm wrapped around his waist. Naruto’s puffs of breath were hitting the back of his neck in a pleasant rhythm. Sasuke rested his fingers in the grooves where Naruto’s met.

The chirps of birds were heard in the distance, a sound he’d scarcely heard in three days, and he allowed himself to linger in the moment a little longer, to delay continuing their quest to find Princess Sakura and Lady Ino. The dawn breaking had not brought change to their situation, even if his feelings certainly had. They were to bring her back to the castle, one of them was to be her betrothed, probably would be as soon as they returned.

But it was still early in the day, earlier enough for Sasuke to pretend that he could afford the costs of the kiss they’d shared.

Naruto sighed in his sleep, then smacking his lips before stilling once more, and Sasuke was pulled from his regrets and struck with an old memory.

He’d once found Naruto sleeping in the stables as a boy. He’d arrived for his turn at mucking out the stalls that morning. The blonde idiot was half propped up on the wall, half in the hay, snoring away. A newborn colt was stumbling around by its mother inside with him.

Sasuke had chided him for being lazy, but later, Kakashi told him Naruto stayed up most of the night with a pregnant mare in the foaling stall. She’d had a difficult pregnancy, and he’d wanted to be there just in case. Sasuke smiled to himself as he imagined a young Naruto stroking the mare with a gentle hand as she lay on a bed of straw, speaking in soft tones to ease her distress.

He lightly squeezed the hand under his and slowly removed it from him. He may not yet have to worry about what would happen between them once they were back in Konoha, but he could no longer ignore his full bladder.

He put on his boots and walked a few feet from camp to relieve himself in the field before he began looking around. In the daylight, he crept further from the field to see in the distance, downhill, a speck of a town, and before that a bend of a main road. Perhaps their fortune was turning. They could replace supplies and hopefully acquire a horse. They’d lost time, but the princess still would have had to go around the forest, a longer route, so Sasuke and Naruto may not be too far behind yet.

Breakfast was cold pork as he roused Naruto, who stretched and groaned as he got up. Sasuke had been slammed with terrible guilt at seeing his face. The skin beneath his eye was bruised and blood crusted on his lip. And the forest had left scratches that had bled and caked in strands of his hair.

Naruto had cackled at Sasuke’s remorse when pointed it out.

“You should be sorry,” he teased as he chewed slowly. “But don’t feel too bad. I gave you just as good. Your chin’s all swollen, and you’ve got a nasty gash on your eyebrow.”

Sasuke’s fingers flew up to touch gingerly at the places on his face, and he hissed at the pressure.

Naruto grinned at him with a mouth full of pork, and Sasuke rolled his eyes. No matter his feelings, Naruto was still Naruto. He’d always been rough around the edges, and Sasuke thought it reflected worse on himself that he still wanted to kiss someone who could not chew with his mouth closed half the time.

Maybe Sasuke was rough around the edges too, no matter how much his family had tried to polish him up.

He told Naruto then about seeing a village nearby, and Naruto perked up at the news.

“We should make it there by midday if we leave soon,” Sasuke advised, and Naruto shoved the rest of his food in his mouth, standing up.

Naruto swallowed the large bite before declaring, “The let’s go!”

It did not take them long to be ready. There was only the one bed to pack and a few stomps to the fire’s ashes, just in case any embers had survived. Together they followed the slope to where they would meet the road.

They still had several hours of walking ahead, which Sasuke’s legs protested. However, he guiltily took comfort in the brief brushes of Naruto’s against his arm, creating tingles where they touched. He felt his cheeks heat most times it happened, and he caught Naruto looking down one time, biting his lip in what appeared to be an attempt to hide a smile. Despite himself, the reaction buoyed Sasuke’s mood through the morning.

____________

When they entered the town just half past noon, they first stopped in the rundown tavern in the center. There they were able to get ale to quench their thirst after such a long walk, along with bowls of a proper stew. Naruto ordered a second helping while Sasuke inquired about where they could find a shop for supplies and horses to rent. It was a good thing Naruto had looped his ryo sack on his belt instead of keeping it in his pack. With their combined coin, they would able to cover his new supplies with no trouble.

The barkeep had a weather worn but kind face, and she answered his questions while smiling at Naruto’s praise of how delicious the food was. Leaving ryo on the bar, they ventured out to the shop she’d directed him to.

Sasuke went through his mental list as he helped Naruto collect what he needed for the journey around the shop. Naruto was at the front, speaking with the clerk about what rations he had available. He picked up a chakra crystal lamp from a shelf and knitted his brows as a new realization hit him.

Now that they were out of the forest and Naruto was securing what he needed, there was really no logical reason for them to continue traveling together besides that they would head in the same direction. They’d cover more ground apart, and they were still rivals in name. They were supposed to be competing to find the princess first. However, based on Naruto’s words in the woods, he already counted himself out as Princess Sakura’s real choice. And Sasuke did not feel one tenth of smugness about it. Instead, he felt the kno was tying back into place in his chest, making a return since last night, spreading an ache through him.

He saw Naruto shooting curious glances his way as Sasuke only hmmed in acknowledgement as Naruto chattered as they left the shop. He only had a short time to decide, and he warred with himself on if should go ahead and suggest going their separate ways the whole time they walked to the edge of the village where their next stop, the rental stables, stood.

In the end, it mattered not as the choice was taken out of Sasuke’s hands. The stable owner smiled apologetically when they asked for two horses.

“I’m afraid we have just one right now,” she said, plucking a piece of straw from her dark hair. “I rented out three last evening, and the day before that, two for a pair of ladies. Susanoo is all that’s on hand until the rest are returned.”

The knot pulled hard, and he schooled his expression to hide the grimace that wanted to cross his face. Which one of them should take the horse then? Naruto would be too proud if he offered, but he also didn’t want to just take it. Not now.

“Oh! That should not be a problem. We’re traveling together,” Naruto piped up before his thoughts could go further. “Can the horse carry the two of us?”

Sasuke eyed Naruto from the side, caught by surprise.

The owner looked them both up and down and nodded. “Yes, Susanoo is as strong as any oxen. You should be able to ride him without issue.”

“Thank you,” Naruto said and began discussing how many days they would need the horse and the fee for that time. As they talked, Sasuke’s brain caught up to what the stable owner had said before.

“Wait, you said you lent horses to two ladies two days ago. May I ask of their appearance? We are looking to meet up with friends who may be them.”

Naruto smiled at him. She rubbed her chin and looked up at the ceiling while she thought.

“Hmm, well I can tell you they seemed very fine. Not telling from their cloaks, but it was the way they carried themselves. One of them kept their hood up, so I could not see her well, but her companion was a pretty sight. Hair a paler gold than yours,” she said, motioning to Naruto. “Down to her waist. And such fair skin. They seemed to be in a hurry though. The woman with the hood insisted they would take the first horses that were ready to be saddled. They took the northern road. ”

She shrugged.

“Not much more to tell. That help any?”

Sasuke nodded.

“Yes, I thank you. That indeed sounds like our friends,” Sasuke said, and she waved him off before showing them to Sasunoo’s stall.

Naruto and Sasuke followed behind, and Naruto subtly elbowed him and mouthed, “Well done.”

Sasuke shared the barest of smiles. He was relieved to have a lead on the Princess, having trained his whole life to keep her safe, but now he was sticking with Naruto for the journey, and he knew he would only feel even more conflicted. He pulled himself out of his thoughts as they rounded the corner to where one horse stood with his head stuck out of the stall window.

Susanoo was a large roan stallion with such a dark chestnut mixed in its coat that it appeared a light purple, almost lilac, at some angles the closer they drew. The creature seemed to appraise them as they approached, swishing his long tail. Naruto immediately held out a hand to the side for Susanoo to inspect, greeting the horse in a friendly tone. Sasuke watched as Susanoo sniffed and turned his head toward Naruto, letting Naruto stroke his neck gently.

“You are a strong fellow,” Naruto cooed, giving the horse a good scratch on his withers, and he turned to beam at Sasuke as the owner called for a stable hand to fetch the pillion saddle.

They left within the hour, following the northern road as the stable owner had said. Naruto had called the first turn of directing Susanoo, giving Sasuke no choice but to mount his seat behind him. True to the owner's word, Susanoo didn’t seem at all affected by carrying two men, and Naruto kept him at a good, steady pace. Sasuke held to the cantle for a while as they rode well into the afternoon.

“You know, you can always hold on to me,” Naruto said eventually, his tone teasing while he glanced behind his shoulder at him. “I would not think you would be so shy after sharing a bed.”

Sasuke blanched, turning his face away, even though Naruto now had his eyes up front, guiding Susanoo. The way Naruto said sharing a bed conjured thoughts not as innocent as their embracing had been.

“I am alright this way,” he answered finally, and Naruto chuckled.

He feared resting his hands on Naruto’s waist. The temptation of it was too strong, to feel the heat of his skin through his shirt again. Even now, he wanted to lean forward and press his nose into Naruto’s hair, drink in his scent. He had caught himself staring at most of the ride, the urge bubbling up to run his hands through it and watch it catch the light. Or to move it aside and reveal that tanned column of neck.

He gripped the cantle harder. He needed to distance himself again. They could not be more than a few days behind the Princess, and Sasuke cursed himself for letting the stress in the forest crumble his mental barriers, make him act rashly. But it was like he was seeing the world with new eyes. Seeing Naruto.

He was now a man possessed, as if Naruto was really a fox fairy from the old tales–his scarred cheeks even resembling whisker marks–and had bewitched Sasuke.

But, of course, the blame lay with Sasuke, not with Naruto. He’d initiated the kiss, and now he was determined to conduct himself like a knight and not some lecher like Lord Jariaya.

Quiet had fallen between them for some minutes, and when Naruto spoke again, it was only to comment on the wildflowers that had cropped up along this stretch of the road.

Naruto hummed a tune on and off as they continued until sunset approached and quickly picked a comfortable campsite off the road. Naruto tied Susanoo’s reins to a tree surrounded by thick grass. Sasuke went about fetching the firewood again as Naruto continued to tend to the horse, and by the time he had kindled the flame, Naruto had set out his own bed roll and began preparing their food stock for dinner.

The exhaustion was draining them both, having had only scant hours of sleep after running through the forest, followed by a long day of walking and riding.

Naruto retired to his bed roll first, lying down to face the fire with his cheek pillowed on his hands. Sasuke sat for a while after, putting off setting up his own bedding despite how his body longed to sleep. He absently poked at the fire with a stick, watching the flames break down leaves and sticks, flaring brightly to life momentarily as it conquered another piece of debris. When his eyelids felt like stones were attached to them, he sighed to himself and got up, feeling heavy. He knew Naruto was still awake, that he was following Sasuke’s movements now. He’d hoped his companion would fall asleep before him, but Naruto seemed determined to wait on him, even if he hadn’t said.

He’d thought about how he should continue to pull back from Naruto while he built the fire, and his food, though warm and hearty, had been tasteless in his mouth as he knew this was the next step he needed to take.

He untied his bed from his pack, and, instead of settling near Naruto, he walked to the other side of the fire and unfurled the mat and blanket there. He caught Naruto’s eyes for a moment as he sat to remove his boots. Naruto’s expression was one of confusion, but his eyes dropped away when Sasuke called a gruff good night before he laid down, turning his back to him.

He pulled the covers up around his chin and closed his eyes, sensing Naruto’s stare burrowing between his shoulder blades. The air around them felt drastically different from the previous two evenings, where Sasuke had Naruto pulled into his chest. It felt wrong to have his bedroll to himself, but Sasuke ignored the unease of it, squeezing inside his chest. He had to.

“Goodnight,” Naruto said faintly, several long minutes later, and Sasuke forced himself into a fitful sleep.

Waking the next day, his hand came up to rub at his eyes. They were so dry, they felt like they were filled with sand and gravel. His rest had not refreshed him.

Naruto spoke little as they packed up and mostly responded only when spoken to. Guilt was already plaguing Sasuke at how the man shifted his gaze away from him, and he did not argue when Naruto declared he wanted to ride in front again. As they began their journey, they both only touched where absolutely necessary. Some contact was unavoidable sharing a saddle, but Sasuke thought Naruto’s posture was straighter than yesterday’s, more rigid.

What’s more, Naruto did not comment on the flowers blooming today, or the birds flitting through the trees. He did not tell rambling stories about some sneaking into the kitchens with Sirs Akimichi and Nara or the little pranks he’d roped Lieutenant Umino in. He did not sing bawdy songs Jariaya had taught him. He mostly murmured to Susanoo occasionally, smoothing a hand down the horse’s neck.

Sasuke was comfortable with silence usually, but Naruto was more often not. He was friendly and full of vigor, chatting with strangers with ease. But still, Sasuke did not strike up conversation either except sparse comments on how far they should have left to the next town. What could he say?

They were headed to Tanzuka. Itachi had been through there once and had told Sasuke of it. It was a much larger town than any Sasuke had passed in his search and had a reputation for its lively atmosphere, catering to entertainment seekers and attracting gamblers.

It also definitely would be easier for two women to go unnoticed there if they didn’t want to be found.

However, they would need to camp for at least three more nights before reaching the gates by evening the fourth day. And once they had dismounted, Naruto had walked off to gather firewood this time, dropping his pack roughly on the ground as he went. Susanoo whinnied after him and then he turned to Sasuke.

Sasuke whispered a couple of soothing words to the stallion and began securing his reins and unbuckling the saddle.

When Naruto came back with his arms filled with wood and kindling, he let Sasuke take it to make the fire, dropping the pile harder than Sasuke found necessary, but Sasuke stayed silent. He let Naruto flit from one task to the next, checking on Susanoo, unpacking the food, then sorting his pack again. He left his bedding rolled up on the ground.

He did not touch it even after they had an awkwardly silent dinner. He just got up to rinse his dishes with water from his gourd and then dried them off with his shirt, placing them back in his pack. He came back with a knife he’d procured at the shop and a thick piece of wood, starting to whittle it with complete concentration.

Sasuke studied Naruto’s movements warily, and he cleaned up his own belongings as quietly as possible. He was afraid any sharp sound would set Naruto off, his anger having brewed all day long.

When he laid down to sleep, he only offered a low goodnight. Naruto had not returned it. He kept by the fire, his knife biting into the wood again and again. Sasuke did not hear when he finally went to his bed.

Before Sasuke had even opened his eyes, he knew something was off. He jolted up and looked around, eyes scanning quickly over the camp. The fire had died in the night, and Susanoo was grazing on the thick grass around him. He shook his head, his mane tossing. Sasuke’s eyes slid to where Naruto’s pack had been, but it was no longer there. He sat up straighter, searching, but he did not find Naruto’s sleeping form bundled up anywhere nearby. None of Naruto’s belongings were on the ground, and Sasuke’s pulse thudded harder as he stood up, circling the area, calling Naruto’s name, but the only response was the sound of two startled birds taking flight.

He was alone. Naruto had left, and Sasuke stood there, arms limp at his side as his eyes fell back Susanoo. He’d left Sasuke with the horse. That meant he was on foot and could not have gotten too far on the road unless he’d never slept.

Snapping to action, Sasuke quickly packed up, not bothering with breakfast and saddled Susanoo. He hitched the reins once he was mounted and set off at a brisk trot, his eyes trained on any movement or figure up ahead.

He’d expected to wake up to Naruto snapping at him with every word, his anger often explosive if he was left to it long enough. He was not prepared for Naruto to leave without no warning. And the longer Sasuke saw no familiar blonde locks, the more his anxiety increased. Susanoo seemed to understand the urgency, keeping his pace quicker than normal.

Naruto must have left quite some time before dawn because it was only in his second hour of searching that Sasuke spotted him, pack over his shoulder, walking on the side of the road in the softer grass.

He pushed Susanoo to catch up to him, calling out his name.

“Naruto!” he said, his tone stern and hard as he gained on him.

Naruto stopped to look over his shoulder but then turned back and kept walking away.

“Na-ru-to!” he yelled, anger rising in him now at the clear dismissal.

He pulled Susanoo to a walk as they finally were at his side. Naruto kept his head resolutely looking forward, a frown marring his face.

“You just left!” Sasuke reproached, the first thing out of his mouth an accusation. He’d had a terrible gnawing hollowness in his stomach from fear since he woke up.

“Piss off!” Naruto growled hotly, jutting his chin as he continued walking.

“Don’t be childish,” Sasuke snapped, and Naruto’s answering laughter held no humor.

“Why not?” Naruto goaded. “You are. Kissing me and then not talking to me.I thought you’d prefer this, me leaving. I’m doing you a favor.”

Sasuke shut his mouth, pressing his lips tight as his fingers flexed on the reins.

“I did not ask you for that,” he said, and Naruto snorted.

“You didn’t have to,” Naruto retorted. “Your actions were loud enough. Now leave me be and be grateful I didn’t take the horse, too.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and wheeled the horse to move and stand in front of Naruto, blocking the path.

“The kiss was a mistake,” Sasuke said. “I was trying to make it right by not giving myself the opportunity to repeat it. I don’t want to cause more harm than I already have. For both of us.”

Naruto reeled back like Sasuke had slapped him, and when he spoke again, his voice sounded twisted and wrong.

“A mistake,” he repeated slowly. “Understood then. You’ve explained now.”

Sasuke cursed as Naruto stepped around him and walked faster, his boots hitting the packed earth harder now. That had sounded harsher than he’d meant. He needed Naruto to understand.

“I acted… impulsively,” he stammered out to Naruto’s back. “Letting myself… I’m sorry. I thought putting distance between us would help.”

Naruto paused but didn’t turn to face him.

“Help what?” Naruto scoffed.

“The reality of our circumstance. We have responsibilities to Princess Sakura. To the kingdom,” Sasuke defended. “One of us will be her husband, for Sage’s sake! Even if I…”

Sasuke’s hand flew up to tug at his hair as he trailed off.

“What would you have me do?”

“So, you decided to give up at the start?” Naruto called. “Don’t be a coward. That’s not the Sasuke I know!”

“We are pledged to obey the king,” he hissed, Suasnoo dancing a step back, responding to his agitation. “How would we explain ourselves? What would our family say? My father would never accept it. It’s not that simple!”

“Yes, it is!” Naruto argued, his back rigid. Sasuke saw how his hands balled into fists.

“How?!” Sasuke demanded, and Naruto whirled around to face him, face flushed and eyes burning.

“Because I love you!” he exclaimed, dashed his arm out at his side like he would cut the air, his voice ringing out in the open road.

Sasuke gaped at him, caught completely off guard. Their chests both heaved with heavy breaths. Naruto’s hand went up behind his neck to knead at the muscles.

“Sage help me, but I love you, you dim bastard,” he said, no longer shouting. “I have been yours for a long time now.”

Sasuke felt his eyebrows rise high as his eyes grew large.

“B-but,” Sasuke croaked out. “What about Princess Sakura?”

He did not understand. Naruto had spent half their childhood bragging about how he was going to capture Sakura’s heart by being the best knight in Konoha. And now he was confessing that he loved Sasuke. Had loved Sasuke. This was not a new discovery for him, unlike Sasuke. And he’d kissed Sasuke back.

Naruto seemed to misunderstand his stunned silence though, as his expression drooped.

“If that is your worry, then she is yours to win,” he sighed, shaking his head. “I only want to find her as my friend. When we all return, I will leave the credit to you.”

His mouth twisted up in a bastardization of his true smile.

“You will live up to your duty. I’m sure your family will be proud.”

Sasuke felt pinned to the spot with those words, as if Naruto had run his sword clean through.

“Wait, Naruto…” Sasuke began, not sure what to argue or why it would matter, but Naruto held up a hand.

“Let’s just put our mistakes,” Naruto said with emphasis, and Sasuke felt the figurative sword twist as it was pulled out. “Behind us.”

He rolled his shoulders back then and lifted his head high. Sasuke swallowed as he watched Naruto transform himself like he was putting on his armor.

“I will go as far as Tanzuka with you. We should split up there. We can search faster that way,” he said, walking to Sasuke and Susanoo now.

He rubbed a hand on the horse’s neck before lifting his hand to Sasuke to take. Sasuke’s brows furrowed as he stared down at Naruto, a polite smile plastered on his face, his blue eyes looking dim, but he extended his hand, helping swing Naruto up behind him on the saddle.

Susanoo pawed a hoof on the ground, and mechanically, Sasuke raised the reins, signaling for the horse to move on.

Naruto began humming softly as they made way down the road, but it was slower than his usual jaunty melodies. There was a sadness to it, even though Sasuke did not recognize the song outright. Then again, Sasuke could be coloring it with his own mood. They had cleared the air, it seemed, but Sasuke did not feel settled at all. Naruto had spoken reasonably, just as Sasuke had tried to. And yet, Sasuke could not help but find the words tasted bitter as they echoed in his mind.

Because I love you, he heard Naruto repeat in his mind. The knot in his chest wound itself tighter than ever. He had confessed, and Sasuke had just stood there fumbling a response. He’d not even been able to acknowledge Naruto’s words.