The Café

A/N: The long awaited Chapter 7! Thank you all for your patience! Exams are over, summer is just beginning. I'll be writing a lot more now. :) Enjoy!

Also, I don't own Smirnoff. *yummy stuff*

****************
Ch. 7
*********

Sasuke took a deep breath and looked down into his black coffee. Old feelings of bitterness and hurt rose up within him. He tried to push them back down, but they managed to seep through.

“You should know.” He said quietly.

Naruto was taken aback at that statement. He really had no clue.

“Sasuke, I don’t know. Why else would I be asking?” Naruto pleaded with wide eyes. “Please, I’ve wanted to know since I read that note. Please tell me so I can finally move on.” Naruto shut his eyes and sighed.

Sasuke felt a pang in his chest. He didn’t want Naruto to move on. He couldn’t very well tell Naruto that though.

“Do you remember where you were that night?” Sasuke asked.

“Yeah, I was with Gaara.” Confused, Naruto looked at Sasuke with a frown. “Why?”

Now Sasuke was confused. Why would Naruto be telling him he was with Gaara? Feeling offended that Naruto would possibly flaunt his affair in Sasuke’s face, Sasuke felt anger grow inside him.

“You were with Gaara!” Sasuke said lowly, but powerfully. “I saw you two.” Anger made his eyes turn an incredible red hue.

“Sasuke? What do you mean?” Naruto’s eyes widened when he saw the red in Sasuke’s eyes. He remembered what that meant and how significant it was that he got Sasuke that angry over what he thought was nothing. “He’s my friend! I was helping him out.”

Sasuke grew interrupted. “Oh, that’s rich! Is that what they’re calling it now?”

“Calling what now?” Naruto exclaimed. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

At that point the waiter came by, hearing the commotion. “Excuse me gentlemen, I don’t want to disturb you two, but you’re starting to upset some of our customers. Is there anything I can get for you?”

“Yes, the check, please,” Sasuke snarled.

Naruto made eye contact with the waiter, trying to send an apology through his eyes. The waiter nodded slightly toward Naruto.

“Yes, sir,” he said to Sasuke, and left the table in a hurry.

Silence dropped over the table. Naruto desperately wanted to talk to Sasuke, but he was afraid of a full on fight breaking out in this nice restaurant. Soon, the waiter returned with their check. Sasuke handed the waiter his credit card, not even glancing at the total. Bowing, the waiter left again.

Naruto sighed. “You should have let me pay for my meal at least.”

Sasuke’s eyes clashed with Naruto’s. “You’re my guest. Even if we are having a dispute.”

Naruto felt incredibly guilty. “I’m sorry, Sasuke. I shouldn’t have brought it up here. I hope we can talk about this though. I feel like there was something misunderstood somewhere.”

Sasuke nodded. “We’ll go for a walk in the park to talk about this.”

Naruto nodded in agreement. The waiter was back with the receipt. Sasuke wrote out a tip and signed the small slip. Taking his copy, he stood up and made eye contact with Naruto.

“Let’s go.” Sasuke’s voice was cool and indifferent. Naruto hated when Sasuke did that.

Naruto stood up and followed Sasuke out into the cool night air. The sky was an inky black cover over the lights and sounds of the city. Sasuke began to walk down the street, heading toward the nearby park, with Naruto right behind him.

Once there, Sasuke stopped. “Naruto—”

It was Naruto’s turn to interrupt. “Sasuke, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I did. Please, I’m begging you to tell me.” Distraught, Naruto felt tears burn his eyes. He did his best to push them back, but one fell down his cheek.

Sasuke sighed, his back turned to Naruto. “You were with Gaara that night. You had left your phone at home that night and I knew you were expecting an important phone call. I went over to Gaara’s house to give you your phone.” Sasuke paused, taking a deep breath. The memories felt suffocating. “I saw you with him.”

Naruto was confused. “What about it? He’s my friend. I was helping him out.”

Sasuke shook his head. “No, Naruto. I saw you with him,” putting emphasis on ‘with’. Turning around, he saw Naruto’s face was still lost in confusion. “You were hugging him! What was I supposed to think?” Sasuke shouted.

Naruto’s mind whirled. ‘What is he tal—,’ his thought process stopped as something occurred to him. “Oh my God, Sasuke!” Naruto couldn’t believe it. His heart broke into a million pieces again, but this time at the idea that he had lost Sasuke over something so stupid.

“Sasuke, Gaara’s parents had died in a car accident that day. I was hugging him for comfort. Nothing happened.” Naruto’s eyes overflowed. “I’m sorry.”

Sasuke froze. He felt his insides still. ‘What?’ Sasuke thought. ‘No. I would have known. I could have—,’ “No, you’re lying.”

Broken, Naruto lowered his gaze, tears flowing freely. “You don’t trust me anymore. I can understand that. But I’m telling the truth. Call Gaara and ask him if you’d like. He’d want to kill you, but he’ll tell you the truth.”

Sasuke knew on a subconscious level that Naruto was telling the truth. He just didn’t want to admit he was wrong in assuming that Naruto was having an affair. He didn’t want to admit that this eight year separation was really his own fault.

“I don’t care what Gaara will say! He’ll probably cover his own ass anyway!” Sasuke was near shouting again.

“Don’t you dare say that about Gaara!” Naruto shouted back, feeling anger rise up in him.

“I’ll say whatever I damn well please! You’re not my boyfriend anymore, Naruto, and you never will be again!” Sasuke’s eyes were glaring and his breath rushed in and out of his lungs through parted lips.

Naruto felt like a river of ice cold water just poured over him. ‘Not his boyfriend anymore,’ Naruto thought. ‘Did some part of me believe that we were still lovers? Or that we would be able to work everything out again?’ Naruto’s heart screamed an affirmative. The pain that laced through his heart was very real. Naruto knew that the only way to get rid of the pain was to distance himself. But he couldn’t let Sasuke go.

Clearing his throat, Naruto took out a pen and business card. He scribbled something onto the back and handed it to Sasuke. “I’m going to go back to my place now. I’m leaving first thing in the morning. I suggest that you go home and we’ll talk at a later time when we’ve both calmed down. Here’s my card; I’ve added my e-mail address to the back.” Naruto turned away briskly and started to walk, praying that he looked strong enough to Sasuke. As soon as his back was turned, the tears fell in rivers.

Sasuke stood there, partly in shock of what he had shouted to Naruto just now. He felt the pain stab through his chest, knowing that what he had said was false. He clutched the business card, hoping that one day he and Naruto would be able to talk about the past and come to be friends again.

Maybe.

********************
4 Days Later
***********

“Fill up your lungs from the bottom up. Remember, once you start filling up the top part of your lungs, nothing will go to the bottom part. Direct your air to your stomach. Envision a balloon in there.” To demonstrate, Naruto placed one hand on his stomach and one hand on his side. Taking a slow “filler-upper” breath, he showed his student just how they should be breathing while playing the flute.

After watching his obedient student copy his movements, Naruto nodded in satisfaction. “Good! Now focus your air, and play middle G.”

Kiyoshi took his deep breath, focused his embouchure, readied his air, and played the most full and brilliant middle G he had ever played. It even lasted for fifteen counts!

“Well done, Kiyoshi!” Naruto was very proud with how quick his student was. “Just keep practicing that and focusing. We need to work on expanding your lung capacity. We’ll aim for twenty counts as our next goal. Here are some breathing exercises to help with that.”

The rest of the afternoon filtered away, one student after the other. At five o’clock, Naruto ushered his last student out. As soon as he closed the door, he took his own deep breath and leaned against the door.

“I swear, if I hear one more G major scale today—,” Naruto sighed.

“Oh, you know you enjoy it! Quit pretending like it’s the hardest thing in the world.” A tall blonde woman walked into the foyer.

Long legs encased fishnets, short leather skirt, skin tight white button up shirt, and red finger nail polish were what people remembered when encountering Temari. Temari was technically Naruto’s secretary/receptionist extraordinaire, but Naruto had yet to see Temari answer a phone and make appointments for Naruto. Appointments were made, sure, and that was Naruto’s only clue that Temari actually was doing her job.

“Please tell me I’m done for today.” Naruto made sure to exaggerate his panting.

“Yes, handsome. No more for today.” Temari smirked. “Go get a shower and I’ll cook you dinner.”

Naruto gave Temari a grateful smile and headed toward the stairwell. Temari clipped her way toward the kitchen area, the sway of her hips very natural. ‘If only I were straight… or bi,’ Naruto thought as he admired Temari’s ass and legs.

“You’re gay, Naruto. That’s the only reason why I let you look at my legs and ass,” Temari called out behind her, as if knowing that Naruto was staring.

Naruto snorted. “You just want the attention, sunshine. Doesn’t matter if I’m gay or not.”

Temari threw a smoldering look over her shoulder. “Don’t ‘sunshine’ me, turbo. Off to the shower with you or no ramen tonight.”

Naruto face-dropped. “Okay, okay! I’m going!”

Ten minutes later found Naruto in a hot, steaming shower. Groaning, Naruto closed his eyes and let the water pound out the stress of the day. It was hard molding the minds and fingers of young musicians. Tomorrow it was one of his music therapy days. ‘Nah, don’t think about that, Uzumaki,’ Naruto thought. ‘Take it one day at a time.’

Naruto grabbed his shampoo and began his routine. Shampoo, maybe twice if it was really bad, conditioner, exfoliating body wash, and face wash. While mindlessly following his pattern, Naruto’s mind traveled to Sasuke, again. It had been rotating around the idea of Sasuke for the past four days.

‘I wonder if he’ll e-mail me,’ Naruto thought as he washed his body off.

Later that night, with his tummy full of ramen, Naruto was sitting in front of his computer screen. Signing on to his G-mail account, he saw a couple of messages from his students, but no e-mail from Sasuke.

‘God, what a horrible misunderstanding,’ Naruto thought. ‘We lost eight years together.’ That thought depressed Naruto to no end. He couldn’t stop thinking about how easy it could have been to fix the situation before it happened so long ago.

‘If only he had talked to me.’

While staring blankly at his open G-mail account inbox, Naruto saw the page refresh.

Inbox (1)

Sasuke Uchiha Hi, Naruto.

Naruto couldn’t believe his eyes. Feeling his heart start to race, Naruto hastily clicked on the message.

***********
Sasuke’s POV – 30 minutes earlier
*******

‘Just because I’m writing an e-mail doesn’t mean I’m going to send it,’ Sasuke thought to himself.

Sasuke was nearly bursting at the seams with all of the conflicting thoughts and feelings in his system. He wasn’t stupid. He realized that Naruto must have been telling the truth about Gaara that night all those years ago. The real question was, what did he do now? Did he still want Naruto? Did they still have a chance? Did he just want to forget all about the blond dobe?

After staring at Naruto’s business card for the past few days, Sasuke finally decided that he would write an e-mail. Currently, Sasuke was trying to convince himself that he could write the e-mail, but not send it. It wouldn’t be so bad.

‘It’s just to get my thoughts and feelings out into the open. It won’t hurt anybody.’ Sasuke nodded.

After taking a deep breath and a swig of his Green Apple Smirnoff, Sasuke began typing.

‘Dear Naruto,

Remember all of those years ago, when I first left you a note on a table in that damned café? Remember when we first kissed? Remember the first time I came to one of your concerts? Remember when we moved in together? Remember our life together?

Naruto, I’ve never been that happy again. Ever since I left, I never wanted to be that happy again. To me, being with you was the only thing allowed to make me that happy.

I messed up.

All those years ago, I thought I saw you with another. Now, I realize that I was wrong.

I hated you for the longest time, yet I loved you.

Perhaps I still love you.

I’m so frustrated at myself and so confused. If what you said is true, and I believe what you said was true, then what happens now? We can’t just start over. Or can we?

We’re on opposite sides of the country. It’s been eight years.

But I still love you, Naruto. Some part of me has been waiting to say that to you after all of this time.

What I did was horrible. Why didn’t I just wait for you to come home that night and fight with you first and find out what really was happening?

We fought about everything. But I felt like I couldn’t fight you if you wanted somebody else so badly.

I understand if you hate me. I understand if you don’t want to talk to me. I understand that you probably can’t stand the idea of ever being with me again. What happens if I run out again?

How could you ever trust me again?

I’m so sorry, Naruto. I love you.

I’m probably not going to send this e-mail. I really did just write this to understand what I was feeling. Maybe I’ll send it. But since when can I swallow my pride and just click send?

Maybe I’ll have the guts to finally talk to you again. Maybe something divine will happen and we’ll have our second chance.

I’ve missed you so much, Naruto. Your sunshine, your loudness, your music. Did I ever tell you that the only flute I listen to now is you? I can’t stomach listening to anybody else playing that goddamn instrument. I have all of your albums. Sometimes, I allow myself to listen to them. Then I would hate you because I thought you were loving another man.

Now, I can’t hate you. I can only hate myself for doing something so selfish.

I think that’s enough for now. I don’t think I’ll send this. Yet.

Yours forever,
Sasuke’

Sasuke read it over at least five times, editing and adding a few things here and there. Finally, he was going to save the e-mail to his account and close the browser when his hand automatically hit ‘enter’ on the keyboard.

The webpage reloaded as Sasuke’s blood ran cold.

‘You’re message has been sent.’

**************
Back to Naruto
********

Silent tears flowed down Naruto’s cheeks. Was this really what Sasuke thought?

‘I still love him, too. What can I do? Maybe I can move to New York, but what about my students? Maybe I can—,’ Naruto’s thoughts were interrupted by Temari walking into the room.

“Naruto, love, did you want any coff—,” Temari halted at the sight of Naruto’s tears and panicked state.

“What’s wrong, hon?” Temari immediately walked over to Naruto and started to rub his shoulders.

“Just read,” Naruto said softly. Tears flowed freely while Naruto’s breath hiccupped.

After a minute, Temari let out a low whistle. “Wow.”

“Yeah. I don’t know what to do! I still love him, I want to be with him, but I can’t give all of this up, and I want to be able to live my own life here, yet I still want him and—,” Naruto was rambling in his panic.

“Yo! Turbo! Calm down.” Temari ran her hands through Naruto’s hair, guiding his gaze to hers. “You’re thinking too fast. First, how do you guys know it will work between you two again?”

Naruto dissolved into hysterics. “I don’t! What if he does this again? I don’t know if I can trust him again.” Sobbing uncontrollably, Naruto buried his head into Temari’s shoulder.

Temari rubbed Naruto’s back and hair, waiting for his episode to pass.

Soon, Naruto lifted his head and smiled apologetically. “Sorry.”

Temari smiled back. “No prob. That’s what I’m here for. Now, want to listen to me?”

At Naruto’s nod, Temari began. “Why not invite him here for a couple of weeks?”

Naruto thought about it for a second. “Well, he did say he needed a vacation.” Naruto smiled softly. “It would be nice to be with him again. We had such a good time in New York.” Naruto paused. “When we weren’t fighting, that is.”

Temari chuckled. “So, it’s settled. Give him a call tomorrow morning and invite him, k?”

Naruto nodded. “Okay. Then we’ll see how it goes from there?”

“Yeah.” Temari winked. “Remind me to make hotel reservations.”

“Why? Isn’t Sasuke going to stay here?” Naruto was confused. He wanted Sasuke here!

“Not for him, for me!” Temari laughed.

“Uh, why?” Naruto’s brow was furrowed in confusion.

“Well, I don’t exactly want to be hearing make-up sex that has been waiting for eight years now, do I?” Temari wriggled her eyebrows.

“Temari!”
*******************

A/N: Reviews are appreciated! Keeps me going! I swear! :)