Countdown before a kiss mark fades

Anyway if any of you guys want to request a story or advice something just mail me, yaoi_zeronoai@yahoo.com, I have a friendster too. My first e-mail address just deactivated arrrgh!

II
Fragments of an unblemished memory

Shhh… it’s okay, it’s okay… I’m here right? I’ll never leave you… you’re stuck with me even if you don’t want it. Let’s take care of each other just like we used to. I’ll never leave you…

Sasuke lifted a sleepy bandaged head from lying on the fleshy warmth under him, pale cheek filled with healing scratches, it was moving, up and down with his steady breathing, he could hear his heartbeat, every movement of his limbs, his unconscious moans from sleep, a mass of thick silky fair hair pooling on the big pillow while his own thin black ones resting on the blonde’s chest and he went back to lying again with a sigh, bloodshot eyes that still hurt closing and not wanting to open for another couple of hours.

Shielded from the harsh realities by a pair of thin tanned arms resting on his back and thighs on either side of his hips, all sorrows seemed to fade into nonexistence, in a small studio apartment, Naruto’s even breathing drowned his loneliness and the thought of being left alone quickly leaving his mind. And he embraced him, pale arms sliding under the small of the blonde’s back he buried his face on a hard skinny chest, inhaling the faint scent of his perfume, he embraced him tight.

“You’re not going to leave me. It’s too late for you to do so even if you regret it. I won’t allow you to leave me Naruto…” Sasuke muttered through the blonde’s shirt clad chest.

Three years ago, he was the one who had been saying those comforting things, whispering gentle words that seemed nonsense to the blonde’s ears but the tenderness in his voice the only thing keeping him from totally shutting himself out. That time, he was the one who was being desperately clung to, cried to, three years after he had never expected to find himself in the self same situation as him. He had never, in all his life expected to lose his loved ones in the brink of an eye all at the same time.

Was Naruto’s face that day, the same expression that Naruto was seeing on him now?

+++

Naruto’s father and Sasuke’s worked in the same university together as lecturers, both being prominent in each of their fields and unexpectedly finding the same interests more than they had thought of having, they easily captured the eyes of both students and professors alike with admiration and envy. If the stoic Fugaku wasn’t dating your daughter, then the happy-go-lucky Arashi is, being the two known playboys of their time who would have thought that they would be tamed by only a long-haired blonde woman who’s overly cheery for her own good and a strict raven who’s pretty much stuck with the blonde as classmates in the same university they were teaching.

The two pairs hit it off quite significantly with each other, easily becoming acquaintance with the other’s lover they had decided to live together and become neighbors.

“Aww… Honey look at Naru-chan isn’t she cute?” Ume looked down on the blonde one year old sleeping soundly on a crib, fighting with difficulty the urge to just pinch round fox-like cheeks.

“How many times do I have to tell you he’s a boy! A boy!” Arashi insisted, finger darting sharply at the baby’s crotch covered with a diaper.

“Psh, so what, can’t I dream he’s a she even for a while? Ah my dream of shopping together with my baby, tie her first ribbon, put on her first make up…” As Arashi shook his head hopelessly with a palm over his forehead he prayed on all things holy that he could endure his beloved wife’s rants and permanently stop attempts to make his son, the pride of the Uzumakis a full pledged transvestite. The boy was a spitting image of him, and he just couldn’t imagine for all he was worth his little version in a dress, flicking his little pinky finger and winking.

“Ma! Ma! Ma! Ma…” Beside Arashi, Fugaku could just snigger mischievously while holding in his arms his own one year and two month old son, Sasuke who unlike Itachi inherited his wife’s features. The boy kept pointing at Naruto’s sleeping form, leaning down and squirming out of his father’s grasp as if wanting to join Naruto in the crib and wake him up.

“Hn, looks like our plan to marry our children’s going to have to wait Ume.” Beside Ume, Mizuki appeared smirking, a hand holding on a five year old silent Itachi whose attention was with the baby too.

“Hey! Sasuke wha-hold on stop squirming you’re going to wake Naruto up-” As if that was what exactly Sasuke wanted to do, he threw his rubber toy down the blonde hitting him on the forehead and soon they heard a stream of whines and cries coming from Naruto.

“Sasuke what’s wrong with you, being mean to him like that?” Mizuki took hold of Sasuke who seemed unaffected by the scolding but just stared at the crying baby inside the crib who was being petted by his father while Ume has gone to fetch the milk.

“Do-be!” Sasuke pointed a stubby little finger towards the crying baby, who cried even further at the action, Fugaku burst out laughing ignoring Arashi’s string of curses.

“It’s your fault for always calling me that you-”

“Te-Teme!!! Teme!!!” Arashi whipped his head towards the half crying baby retreating from starting a fight with Fugaku which they had been regularly doing ever since they first met in high school, the blue eyes squinted in anger and snivel running down both his little nostrils, the first three things that Naruto learned are the words papa, mama and teme, pft… even before he realized just what that word meant.

Naruto quickly got up, small feet balancing on little toes as he reached towards Sasuke who was squirming to be let out of Mizuki’s grasp and then the blonde boy pulled Sasuke’s diapers, Mizuki’s hold entirely loosening as she felt her stomach get kicked by her little Sasuke and the dark-haired boy plummeted down on Naruto, the two falling on a heap on the crib.

“Ahh geez, let them already.” Arashi sighed, approving of the encounter and Mizuki scolding the two men of their choice of words. And then they were shouting at each other, pulling, stumbling and then seconds after the giggles of the two children echoed inside the room.

“Arashi, in Canada I heard males can get married.” Mizuki said in a suggestive voice but her expression the same, deadpan.

“Mother, according to the news it’s still undecided.” Itachi spoke monotonously for the first time, followed by Fugaku.

“By the time they grow up maybe the laws had been amended.”

“Don’t talk as if we’re not going to have any girls after!” And Fugaku could just smirk by the way the squeal of his friend sounded pretty much comparable to that of a whining girl.

+++

Sasuke’s hand slowly traced up the blonde’s arm, closed eyes squeezing a little as he felt that familiar tightening of his groin, up the shoulder slender fingers went to tug the wide neckline to expose a bit of tanned flesh, feeling the smoothness under deft fingers, the hand traveled all the way to the crook, up the neck to the soft featured jaw bone until those fingers touched slightly parted lips, felt the hot breath coming out of it as he nuzzled his nose on the soft nub on Naruto’s chest, rubbed his lips against it, felt it grow stiff eliciting a moan from the unconscious blonde.

Great. His family just died a week ago and now he wants to fuck Naruto?

“I’m the worst…”

Looking back he had never thought that he would like Naruto that way, or that he of all people would like a guy, he had realized it first in his third year of middle school, but… since when had he started falling for him?

Sasuke grew up inside the neighborhood of a small apartment along with Naruto who lived just opposite their own, so naturally they had attended the same municipal nursery and kindergarten together. They would often sleep over at the other’s place, study together and play afterwards, those were carefree days that would make Sasuke smile every time the memory visits him, even the quarrels makes him want to laugh now and then, how they would fight with the simplest of things, and not talk with each other over Sasuke’s own childish possessiveness, he didn’t know it at the time, but Sasuke thinking about it now, was his attitude then a display of his affection for the blonde?

“Naruto where are you going?” A stoic faced raven haired boy clutched with his small hand the hem of the blonde boy’s white sailor top the same as his own, Naruto turning around with a big grin showing his teeth as he answered excitedly. They had just finished building sand castles on the school playground and it was already time for Sasuke to go back, but he was surprised when Naruto turned to the opposite side of the road.

“Kiba-chan and I are going to a store! He said he’s going to show me cute puppies and kitties! You can go home without me.” A deep scowl surfaced on the dark haired boy, hand clutching tighter on the white material of Naruto’s clothes. Wasn’t he always going home together with Sasuke?

“Inuzuka? Why are you together with him? He’s always mean to you isn’t he? Didn’t he break the teacher’s vase and put the blame on you?” Why are you going with him? I’m your best friend right? You said you like me the best right?

“But it was partly my fault too since I was chasing him, I deserved the scolding and Kiba-chan said he’s sorry and he wants to be friends with me.” One second you hate him and now you’re friends with him? Weren’t you always by my side no matter what happens? You promised!

“Let’s go back. Uncle Arashi will be worried.” The dark-haired boy’s hand moved to close on the blonde’s wrist, tugging him lightly to his direction but the blonde didn’t budge.

“But I already asked papa’s permission. Kiba-chan will be disappointed if I don’t go. We’ve been talking about it for a time now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? You liar I thought you said no secrets.”

“Yeah so I’m telling you now.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Huh?”

“You’re talking with Inuzuka behind my back, so he’s your best friend now?”

“No! It’s not like that! Sasuke’s still the best, but I want to have other friends too…”

“So I’m not enough? You’re tired of me now?”

“No! Idiot! I just want to be friends with everyone else… I just want them to like me… Just like everyone likes Sasuke. Hey if you want you can come along too! Kiba-chan has sparrows as pet, you said you liked them right? And then we could go play after… he also said we could feed them!” Naruto tried to smile, wincing with the tight grip on his wrist.

“You don’t need them to like you. We’re together right? They’re not important, let’s go.” Adding more force he yanked the blonde’s hand, dragging the uneasy boy to his direction but was taken aback when Naruto twisted his wrist free from Sasuke’s grasp and the raven turned disbelieving eyes at him.

“Why!? I want to go! What’s wrong with wanting them to like me? Sasuke doesn’t understand! Because even if you don’t do anything, or even if you do mistakes they’ll forgive you… but me they treat me differently, because they say I have different hair and eyes… they say I’m weird… that I look like a girl…” The scowl deepened if not more towards the near crying blonde, grabbing hold of Naruto’s wrist and yanking him with him with the idea of letting go not even crossing his mind.

“Sasuke! Sasuke ow! You’re hurting me! It hurts! Stop it leggo!” As Sasuke ignored his best friend’s string of protests, one familiar irritating voice echoed in the background.

“Hey what are you doing to Naru-chan!” A hand gripped on Sasuke’s shoulder, turning him to face a boy three feet tall just his height and with chestnut brown hair spiking on all sides and scowled.

“What do you care? We’re going home.”

“Kiba-chan…”

“You’re making Naru-chan cry! Let go, we’re going to see our pet store!” The boy whose teeth on both sides grew over the other giving it the impression of a dog’s fangs grabbed hold of Naruto’s other wrist, prying Sasuke’s hand to leave his hold on the blonde’s other.

“Shut up. He’s going with me.”

“But Sasuke I really want to-”

“Don’t you see he doesn’t want to go with you? We’ll go home later antisocial chicken butthead.” Kiba yanked Naruto towards him, the boy landing on his chest as he stumbled on his way, blue eyes slightly going wide at Kiba’s retort… oh… suddenly Kiba’s future wasn’t going all too bright, Sasuke hated it when someone calls him that, but in Naruto’s case he guessed Sasuke was just going easy on him, but it still pissed Sasuke off none the less.

“Don’t you touch him dog breath!!!” At that Sasuke totally snapped, tugging the frantic blonde his way with so much force the blonde’s wrist was forced free of Kiba’s hold and Naruto was somehow pushed down on the ground, his canvass bag thrown on his side and blue shorts along with his knee high white socks covered in dirt.

“Sasuke! Kiba-chan!” Naruto didn’t know what to do, afraid to get in the middle of the heated brawl between the two boys, Kiba threw himself towards Sasuke shouting out a war cry as he put a solid punch across the boy’s face, the both of them plummeting down the ground. Sasuke kicked Kiba’s side to get him off of him and their positions flipped, Sasuke sitting on the boy’s stomach as he threw each punch with vigorous strength.

Naruto stared at the two in dismay, not knowing what to, he put on a brave face, taking in a lungful of air he held his breath, little hands clenching into tiny fists he ran towards the two.

“Stop it you two idiots!”

It was already sunset when the three had already finished, Kiba sprawled panting on the ground, Naruto nursing a black eye and a ripped shirt on his collar beside Kiba and Sasuke who got away with the least injuries sitting quietly on the swing beside them.

That was the first time Naruto had actually participated in a fight, and it hurt all over, he was going to get an earful from Ume later. Weird. He didn’t get to hit anyone but why was his body hurting the most?

“Teme…” The blonde sniffled, standing up to go to the nearby faucet to wet a face towel from his bag and wipe his dirty and tear streaked face, bruised arms and legs, wincing at the pain around his swelling eye.

Sasuke kept staring on the ground, the silence hinting of his anger still not subsiding, he just used Kiba’s insult earlier so he could beat the guy up, who would’ve thought that the dobe would be such an idiot to get in the middle of it, it wasn’t his fault, it was an accident, he didn’t see the blonde approaching so he kind of elbowed him on the eye when Naruto ran behind him trying to keep his hands from doing more damage to Kiba’s face earlier.

“He deserved it. The liar.” Sasuke growled, glaring at Naruto’s back who was wiping the inner side of his slight parted thighs as his other hand was braced on the sink, back bent low. Sasuke cautiously looked away, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he was caught staring at him by the blonde himself.

He saw Naruto’s feet slowly make its way towards Kiba and he grit his teeth, hands clenching on the chain attaching the swings together on each side, he looked down and stared hard on the ground.

You’ll choose him over me you dobe!? I’ve always been with you! I listen to your complaints! I help you study! We always go home together! You said I was your number one!

A couple minutes later he heard the faucet turn, seconds he heard the rushing of water and then the same sound of the faucet being turned off, he didn’t realize that he was so caught on his own brooding that Naruto was already in front of him. He stared at the pair of little white dusty shoes, looking up his eyes trailed on the usually unmarred pearl complexioned skin of his now bruised knees, lacerated thighs and dirty shirt, and he looked away guiltily once he set eyes on the violet patch staining the area around a swelling eye.

The cold wind bit on each of their skin and Sasuke winced as Naruto’s wet hand gently held on his chin, instructing him to face about, which he did gingerly.

“This is gonna hurt so endure it.” Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth as the cold damp towel made first contact with his skin, Naruto wiping the dirt off his face as gentle as possible, then down his neck, his arms, his knees and legs.

“I’m sorry.” And Sasuke’s eyes widened.

“I should have come with you instead. I just want to be friends with them… Sasuke,” And eyes already welling up with tears looked up to meet his. “Is it selfish to want to be friends with many people like you? Don’t you like it?” Naruto slowly stood up from squatting as he finished wiping the dirt on Sasuke’s legs, already turning towards the faucet to rinse the towel but a hand closed in on his elbow loosely, he turned, only allowed to see the top of Sasuke’s head when it was lowered like that.

“Sasuke?”

“…’n’t wan ‘it…”

“Huh?” Suddenly his head whipped up to face the confused blonde, black eyes glaring towards Naruto as he shouted. “I don’t want it! You only have to be together with me! Don’t think of anyone else! You’re mine! So be with me forever!”

Kiba stared incredulous towards the two, shaking his head as he sat up, he was going to get an earful from his mom later, but it’s not like he’d stay long enough to hear it, so he just watched the two. ‘Monopolistic chicken butthead. Naru-chan’s got his own life, what’re you, husband and wife? We’re gonna be freshmen next year… you can’t keep him to yourself forever.’

Naruto blinked down on Sasuke, the words still not sinking in but because Sasuke was looking comparable to that of a puppy begging his master not to go he just grinned boyishly. “Sasuke you idiot, who says I’m gonna leave you? Sasuke’s the best!” He put on a thumbs up, chuckling as he watched the raven’s face relax.

“Hmph…” Sasuke looked away, blushing darkly at his sudden outburst as he folded his arms over his chest.

“Hey, hey Kiba-chan! Let’s all go home together, Mama’s cooking curry as dinner!” Naruto turned around, hand waving up and down with a smirk as he coaxed the brunette and ignored Sasuke’s glare.

“Really!? It’s my favorite!” Kiba’s face suddenly brightened up, although he couldn’t help wincing as his side throbbed with the strength of Sasuke’s kick earlier as he stood up.

“Kiba-chan as long as it’s edible it’s your favorite!” Naruto chuckled, pulling Sasuke up by the arm.

“Hey!” Giggling in his childish voice as Kiba moved to chase him, Naruto tugged Sasuke’s hand with him as he ran, the raven smirking, he kept his pace beside the blonde.

“Let’s all get scolded together Sasuke! Kiba-chan!”

It would be nice to go back to those carefree days.

Sasuke sighed quietly, the hand hovering over the blonde’s lips lowering to caress the man’s chest, down a plane stomach, underneath the cotton shirt.

Where both our families are intact.

He stopped, body tensing as the body beneath him squirmed a little, groaning in his heavy sleep and Sasuke’s hand went up again.

Where I am not lusting after my best friend.

He lifted himself off the blonde, moving forward and then resting himself over him again so that his head was resting on the pillow beside Naruto, he flicked his tongue over the skin there at the crook of the blonde’s neck, before his lips closed in, sucking it lightly.

Where I do not suffer the guilt of taking advantage of your trust and kindness.

“Dobe…” Sasuke whispered in a raspy voice against the skin, pulling the covers pooling on his waist to cover the both of them from the biting cold of winter.

And where I am not hurting you over and over with my desire to keep you with me. Why do you stay with me?

And he closed his eyes.

You are the only string still binding me to reality. I won’t let you go. Because deep in the back of my mind, I had somehow wanted it, wanted us to be like this.

*Ahn… I hope whatever inadequacy I had in making the first chapter I already made up with this one. Alright, my mind’s warming up… the inspiration’s settling in… oops, wait, shouldn’t forget about (A grain of truth)… Don’t you just love those sailor uniform tops and short blue navy shorts? And oh, oh! Those knee high socks! I’ve always wanted to picture those two guys in those outfits… talk about fetishes…