The Café

AN: This is it! The final chapter! I know you've all been waiting a loooooooong time for this.... I'm sorry it took forever.... I will hopefully be adding an epilogue later.

To everybody, thank you for reading and reviewing... It means the world. For those of you who don't haunt Aarin... this story was posted up there as well. It actually won Fanfic of the month of January! YAY!! I hope this is a decent ending for you all.... Remember, an epilogue may be added. Drop a review if you think I left something open and I'll be sure to address it in the epilogue.

Enjoy the last chapter!

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Chapter 9
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It was hours later when cornflower blue eyes opened. At first, it was only a moment of contentment. Then the memory of what had happened the previous night erupted into his head. Smiling, Naruto turned over, gathered his lover in his arms and fell asleep again.

Sasuke awoke to the feel of Naruto’s arms around him. Loving the feel of being safe and warm in his lover’s arms, Sasuke drifted to sleep again.

Both men didn’t stir again until a loud banging sounded on Naruto’s bedroom door.

“Naruto! Your first lesson is here! Get up!” Temari’s voice could penetrate through anything, including Naruto’s dream.

In his mind, Naruto was flat on his back again, watching Sasuke’s gorgeous mouth cover his erection. The soft, wet heat was nearly enough to bring Naruto to completion again, but suddenly, Sasuke’s mouth lifted off and said, “Your first lesson is here.” Sasuke smirked.

It took a few seconds to register, then Naruto shot up in bed, wide awake, dream Sasuke disappearing.

“Shit!” With that, Naruto scrambled out of bed. “Uh, yeah, Temari! Tell them I’ll be right down. Offer them anything they want! Tell them that this lesson is on me because of my tardiness.” Naruto’s big toe slammed into the bedpost. “Fuck!”

Chuckling could be heard from the bed and from outside the door. “I’ll tell them. Don’t think about morning sex right now. Just hurry up!” Naruto blushed crimson.

There was still chuckling from the bed. Naruto threw on his boxers, pants and a shirt, not really caring at how disheveled he looked. “Teme, I swear to God, you better shut up now.”

Suddenly, arms wrapped around Naruto from behind. Comfort entered his body, relaxing him, taking away the stress of waking up late. “Deep breaths. Common. You don’t want to go down there looking thoroughly laid now do you?” Sasuke drew away, turned Naruto around, and began to straighten out Naruto’s clothing.

“Thanks.” Naruto gave a huge sigh. “I’m never late…”

“There’s a first for everything.” Sasuke smiled. Kissing Naruto’s nose lightly, he added. “Now, enjoy your lessons. I’ll still be floating around the house if you need me.”

Naruto smiled. “OK. But you should try to get out and see the city. It’s beautiful today.”

“I’ll wait until you’re available. I want to see the city with you. It’s not like it’s going away.”

“Fine. Now, let me leave!” Naruto kissed Sasuke firmly on the lips. “See ya, handsome.”

“Bye,” was Sasuke’s response.

Just as Sasuke turned to grab some clothes for himself, Naruto stopped at the doorway.

“Sasuke,” Naruto’s face was twisted with concern. “You don’t regret last night, do you?”

Wanting to relax his lover, Sasuke smiled. “It was the most beautiful night of my life. We’ll do a repeat performance tonight. Now go!”

Grinning broadly, Naruto turned and slammed the door in his haste.

**********

The day crawled by at a snail’s pace. Sasuke had haunted all areas of the house, including eavesdropping on Naruto’s lessons. Not understanding a lot of the flute world language, Sasuke quickly gave that up and decided to call Neji. Sasuke pulled out his cell phone as he entered the living room area.

“Hyuuga.” The voice was clipped on the other end.

“Good afternoon to you, too,” Sasuke smiled.

“Well, don’t you sound like the cat that just got into the cream. Did things work out that well for you, my friend?” Neji was amused.

“If you must know, yes, they did.”

“Then why are you on the phone with me and not fucking like rabbits?”

“He has lessons right now.” Sasuke sighed. “Believe me, I’d rather we were.”

“Ah, I see.” A pause. “When are you coming home?”

“I don’t know. I have some things to work out over here.” Sasuke frowned. “Why? Is everything OK over there?”

“Oh, yeah. Everything is running smoothly. I was just curious on when I could see your beautiful face again.” Neji smiled and the snort he heard on the other end of the line.

“Sure.”

“Are you going to stay with him?” Neji asked.

“If he wants me. I would love nothing more than to stay with him until we’re old and grey. You know this.” Sasuke looked out the window. It really was a beautiful day. So clear and bright.

“Yeah, I know.” A sigh. “Well, best of luck to you. I’ve got reports piled on my desk like you wouldn’t believe. I can’t wait until our companies are joined. It will make everything so much easier.”

“It may happen sooner than later,” Sasuke added cryptically.

“Let’s hope it does.”

Sasuke ended the call and continued to look outside the window. Maybe he should get out into the fresh air.

“Idiot. You didn’t stay in here all day, did you?” Naruto had entered the room.

Turning around, Sasuke smirked. “So what if I did?”

Naruto rolled his eyes. “Go get your jacket. I finished my lessons for the day. We’re going out.”

Sasuke gave Naruto a look that said that he’d much rather eat him up in bed than go out.

“Teme! There’s more than enough time when it’s dark to do that stuff. Let’s go out. I’ve been cooped up today just like you. It’ll be sunny for a few hours still. We’ll go out to dinner and give Temari a break.” Naruto was already heading out of the room. Having no choice, Sasuke followed.

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They found themselves that evening in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Having never been there before, Sasuke found it difficult to absorb everything. They walked leisurely, with Naruto pointing out all sorts of different things before dragging Sasuke on to a new area.

After a brief stop in the Shakespeare Herb Garden, Sasuke forced Naruto to pick a place where they could relax for more than one minute.

“Oh, I know!” And with that, Naruto bolted further down the road, dragging Sasuke with him.

‘Japanese Tea Garden,’ Sasuke thought. How interesting. Sasuke entered under the main gate.

Inside was breathtaking.

Luscious green met his gaze everywhere. The lowering sun threw the sight into an ethereal plane, giving Sasuke an out of world experience. Sakura trees, the Drum Bridge, the calm pond water. All of it took his breath away.

Naruto walked up softy next to him. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I love it here. It’s one of my favorite places to go when I’m not feeling too hot.”

Sasuke nodded. He couldn’t bring himself to utter a single syllable in this haven. Distantly, he heard what he thought was a flute in the distance.

“Ah,” Naruto sighed gently. “Tanaka-san must be playing his shakuhachi.” At Sasuke’s inquisitive glace, Naruto elaborated. “Tanaka-san is a frequent visitor of these gardens. He says it reminds him of home. I heard him playing the shakuhachi once and begged him to teach me. It was sort of easy to catch onto since I already play the flute. Sometimes I’ll visit and he’ll play his koto while I play the shakuhachi. The visitors love it.”

Familiar with the instruments of his native land, Sasuke nodded in appreciation. It figured that Naruto would try to play everything he could. He was like that in college.

Playing the devil’s advocate, Sasuke couldn’t resist asking, “How does Tanaka-san carry that huge koto here all the time?”

Smiling, Naruto told him. “He has this case that straps it to his back. It’s quite neat actually. He switches between playing that and his shakuhachi. I could sit here for hours and listen to him.”

With the setting sun, outlining Naruto’s profile, Sasuke was reminded of that wonderful sunset, after their first night together. Thinking of that young man and seeing the grown adult he had become, Sasuke realized that he wanted to have more of these moments together, preferably for the rest of their lives.

“I love you.” It slipped out before Sasuke realized he had thought it. He didn’t even realize that he had said it at first. A rush of euphoria flowed through him before the shock of anxiety followed.

Naruto turned his head toward Sasuke, meeting his eyes. In that moment Sasuke saw the vulnerability, the hurt, and the love Naruto had stored up inside his heart.

“Sasuke,” Naruto began. He was abruptly interrupted.

“Just forget I said that. I… I got caught up in the moment.” Sasuke shrugged, turning his head away. ‘I just fucked up,’ he thought.

“Sasuke, shut up. Listen to me. We need to talk.” Naruto grabbed his hand and lead him to the closest bench.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto began.

“Before I start babbling, I want you to know that I love you, too. I never stopped.” At this, Sasuke’s heart swelled. “But that’s not enough to make this work.”

Nodding, Sasuke looked down.

“I need to know that you’ll trust me, that I can trust you to confront me if you think something is going on. No more of this running away before you know what’s going on. I want to be with you, but I don’t think I could deal with wondering if you really trust me or wondering if you’ll be gone the next time I open the front door to my home.” Another deep breath. “And I’m sure you’ll ask the same of me. I’m willing to prove to you that you can trust me.”

It became apparent that Naruto was done and it was Sasuke’s turn to speak.

“Naruto, you don’t need to prove that I can trust you. You never did anything wrong. I was stupid and overly cautious with our relationship. I’m willing to try my best, to put the past behind us, to start over, whatever you want. I really need you in my life. I can’t be without you anymore.” A sigh. “Dobe.” Sasuke smirked in good humor.

A chuckle was heard from the blond. “Teme. Then I guess we agree. It will be tough in the beginning, but I’m sure we’ll grow to be just as strong as we were before all of this happened.” A brilliant smile appeared on Naruto’s face. Sasuke was glad he glanced up to see it.

“Yes. I know we’re strong enough. Besides,” a small ‘hmph’ made its way out, “the make-up sex will be worth it.”

“Teme!”

************

Over the course of a few months, Sasuke was living with Naruto again. The Hyuuga and Uchiha companies had combined, with Neji as the new President. Sasuke was going back to school, medical school specifically, which was a fact that both Sasuke and Naruto were proud of.

“Now, don’t let the bullies stop you from you studies.” Naruto stuck out his tongue.

“Dobe, this isn’t elementary school. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you when I’m done.” Sasuke shook his head.

“Alright. Give me a kiss.” Naruto leaned over, lips puckered in an exaggerated fashion.

“Tch, dobe.” But Sasuke leaned over. Their lips met on a sigh as both relaxed into the intimate touch.

“Now, hurry and get out of here before I toss you in the backseat and have my way with you.”

“As if you could.” Smiling, Sasuke gave Naruto another peck and exited the car. “See you later.”

“Enjoy class, teme!” Naruto tossed back.

As Sasuke walked away from the car, toward his first class of medical school, Naruto found himself staring as the Uchiha’s ass. It was such a lovely one…

Making up his mind, Naruto stuck his head out of the sun roof of his car. “Hey, Uchiha! Nice ass!”

Naruto caught the murderous look his lover gave him as he spun around rapidly. Then Sasuke shook his head in reluctant acceptance.

“I love you, too, dobe!”
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The End!