Youthful Stages

C1

Naruto POV

As we sparred I couldn’t help but get caught up in the fluid movements of Sasuke’s fighting style, so much so that I spent most of the afternoon lying on my back.
“What is wrong with you stupid?” Sasuke cried in annoyance “You’re fighting like Sakura”
“I’m sorry Sasuke I’m not feeling to well”
“That’s no excuse for a ninja Naruto” he shot back as a low kick connected with the side of my head. I fell back to the ground with a hard thud as the world began to spin around then faded into darkness.

I was awoken by a sharp pain in my side I hesitantly opened my eyes as another kick connected with my side. I stared up in surprise to see Sasuke tied up to a post which he had obviously been trying for a while to get my attention from the way his face looked flushed.
“Untie me”
“What?”
“Are you deaf I said untie me from this post”
I looked around trying to figure out what had happened as the day had begun to fade into late evening.
“Where’s Kakashi-sensei?” I asked confused “Why are you tied up to that post?”
“Dammit Naruto just untie me”
I slowly moved to a kneeling position rubbing both my side and head ‘they sure throbbed from the repeated pounding of Sasuke’s kicks’ I thought as I slowly moved closer to him. I continued to rub my side with my head lowered watching my hands, as I walked straight into Sasuke.
“Watch it stupid” he cried out
“I’m sorry” I looked up to see Sasuke’s face mere centimetres in front of me “I … wasn’t paying attention” I stammered as I swayed forward the tips of our noses brushing.
“Get away from me” Sasuke’s kick caught me square in the chest knocking all the air out from my small frame. I leant forward trying to balance myself as stars flew in front of me blinding me from the realization that I was now resting against Sasuke’s ridged body. I let my head rest on his shoulder as I panted trying to get air back into my lungs, I was vaguely aware of a distant voice calling my name. I was pulled back to reality by a strong hand grabbing my shoulders pulling me backwards.
“Naruto are you ok?” my vision slowly returning to normal “Naruto”
“I’m fine Kakashi sensei” I turned my head to see Sasuke blushing bright red
“He’s awake now, can you please untie me?”
“Naruto” he turned my head “Listen to me for a second” I stared into his sole grey eye
“What is it Kakashi-sensei?”
“You are not to untie Sasuke under any circumstance” he watched me intently, waiting for my reply “I mean this Naruto, Sasuke’s tied to the post as punishment for trying to kill you during your sparring session”
“I did not try to kill him” Sasuke screamed from behind me “He was being weak and was distracted the whole day”
I could hear him kicking against the post trying in vain to get out of his bounds, Kakashi watched him with a distant stare before returning his attention to me.
“Disobey me and you too will be punished” I cautiously nodded in understanding “However I must have you sit here until I return to watch over him”
“Ok” I slowly replied as he disappeared

Sasuke POV

I continued to kick at the post hoping to get the rope to loosen enough to allow me to slide my way out. I could see Kakashi talking to Naruto his face looking serious as I was absolutely sure he was speaking about me, and then Kakashi disappeared leaving Naruto standing alone.
“Hey Naruto quickly untie me” I called trying to get his attention “Hey stupid” Naruto turned his head looking at me with confusion.
“Is it true you tried to kill me Sasuke?” the look in his eyes showed hurt
“I wasn’t intentionally trying. You weren’t fighting back and I just got carried away”
Naruto watched me blankly for a moment before walking back towards me hesitantly his face showing mixed emotions.
“I wouldn’t try to kill you Sasuke” he mumbled as he came to a sitting position directly in front of me. I watched him as he began to draw circles in the dirt like a sulking child, I slowly become drawn into the way he looked so innocent. I could feel my face start to become warm as I realized that I was beginning to blush ‘why am I blushing’ I tried to calm myself down hoping to stop my face becoming any more obvious.
“Sasuke … do you think of me like a brother?” he kept his gaze to the ground as he spoke “Cause …” he trailed off obviously unsure of what to say
“If you want to know if I hate you like my brother, I don’t”
“Hmmm that’s good to know” he mumbled continuing to focus his attention on drawing in the dirt
I continued to watch forgetting my vain attempts at freedom I couldn’t help but loose myself in the vulnerability that was Naruto. He looked so pained from some unknown emotional source that I then noticed that he had begun to nibble his lower lip.
“You know that there are rumours that you’re not interested in girls” my body tensed from his direct attack on my sexuality “That you’re more interested in getting revenge” he lifted his head up “Is that why you fight me so hard?”
“I don’t understand what you mean” I replied confused
“You fight me so hard because you want to punish me for something, or punish yourself for something?” he stood up “Cause you have nothing to fear from me, I won’t ever hurt you Sasuke” he started to walk towards me
“Naruto you’re making no sense” he finally stopped inches away from my face
“Naruto ….” His breath warmed my cheeks as he watched me with mixed emotions “Get away from me” I stuttered as I realized I was blushing red again
“No” he leaned forward letting our noses touch “I have something I want to say to you”
I could feel my entire body become tense from the close proximity of Naruto I continued to blush ‘shit’ without control I started to become arouse.
“Please get away from me Naruto” I begged
“I love you Sasuke” he whispered his deep blue eyes directly staring into mine “And …” I cut him off with a kick to his stomach
“Don’t say that Naruto” I screamed as I returned to kicking my way out of the ropes “Just untie me and fuck off” my voice revealing my desperation to avoid the situation
Naruto stared up at me hunched over holding his ribs as he wheezed for air any form of air available, once he had recovered from another one of my powerful kicks he walked back over to me.
“Stop kicking me” he hissed
“Then stop acting stupid” I shot back
He walked up to me again and once again positioned his body close to mine his nose resting against mine. I couldn’t stand watching his blue eyes staring into mine looking from a response.
“Please Naruto… leave me alone” I whispered as he leant forward and kissed me gently, I let out a whimper as it registered in my mind that I was kissing Naruto, no he was kissing me. He stepped back awkwardly realizing that he had just revealed his true feelings for me.
“Naruto …. Why did you … why couldn’t you have just untied me?” I stammered overwhelmed by the mixed emotions swirling in the pits of my stomach. He turned away blushing red from embarrassment his hands resting on the ropes fidgeting with the knot.
“Sasuke…”
I stood unsteadily my legs weak from a feeling of fear as I rested my weight against the tight bindings.
“Why did you have to go and do a stupid thing like that for?” I whispered
“I’m sorry Sasuke. Having you tied up here unable to move…I wasn’t thinking”
The world began to spin around me as I realized that I was glad that he had shown that he had been feeling the same emotions as myself I lowered my eyes avoiding any eye contact lost in deep thought over what had just happened.
“How long have you been…What I mean is how long have you had these feelings?” I kept my eyes lowered “We never really got along so how could you…?”
He turned back towards me slowly moving his hands away he looked awkward as he placed his hands behind his head.
“Too long to remember” he replied as he gave a wide grin
“Can you untie me please Naruto” he stopped grinning as he thought about my request
“But Kakashi sensei said not to” he replied hesitantly
“I don’t care what he said, untie me or I’ll tell everyone you’re gay” I threatened
He began to stare at me in shocked fear after a moments thought he slammed his hands against the post grazing my ears.
“You wouldn’t dare”
Deep down inside I knew I couldn’t, no wouldn’t bring myself to reveal his secret so I did the only thing I could think of I returned his stare hoping to continue my bluff.
“What punishment could be worst then being revealed…?” I was cut off by the sound of someone approaching
“Revealed as what Sasuke?” Naruto spun around to see the outline of a blue figure with white hair approaching them.
“Nothing Kakashi sensei” Naruto responded instinctively from fear
Kakashi looked between Naruto and me trying to decipher what little secret he had walked in on.
“Well it doesn’t matter I guess” he gave them a dopey smile before continuing “Well looks like you two have made up” he knelt down in front of me and untied the ropes
“Thank you Kakashi sensei”
“Sasuke, Naruto. I want you both to do training together” he moved us in front of him
“But we already do training together” I replied confused
“Yes but this time you’ll be doing it by yourself away from the village. I want you both to learn to trust each other” he looked down on us with a caring eye
“So where are we suppose to go?” Naruto asked slightly worried, Kakashi placed his hands on our shoulders
“Firstly go home and get some sleep, I’ll come by and pick you up in the morning” he patted us both on the head then turned leaving us alone again.
I watch as he disappear into the trees out of sight forgetting that Naruto was standing next me, forgetting that I had been kissed by Naruto. I brought my attention back to him as he stared at me looking confused, he stood fidgeting as if he expected something to happen.
“I not going to attack you Naruto” I responded to his tense stance, I began to walk off when Naruto suddenly grabbed my hand. I lost my balance as I spun around falling into Naruto’s surprised body. We landed on the ground with a hard thud, my fall cushioned by Naruto underneath, I laid on his chest motionless frozen in fear.
“Naruto…what do you think you’re doing?”
“I just wanted to ask you something before you went home”
I stared down into his deep blue eyes wide from surprise, his breathing slightly faster then normal and couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t making any attempt to move me off.
“Sasuke would you like to get some Ramen with me?”
“What?” he smelt so good
I watched as he continued to look nervous ‘he looks so adorable’ I thought ‘wait what am I thinking’ I moved to get off him before I started to speak my thoughts, but Naruto held my arms restraining me from moving.
“Naruto let me go”
“No. I can’t if I let you go I wont be able to speak to you freely again” I tried to pull away but it was all in vain finally I gave up
“What do you want from me Naruto? I’m not interested in having a relationship wit…” I was cut off by the sensation of warm pressure against my lips.
Naruto had once again taken advantage of an opening and was once again kissing me. I could here his sub consciousness pleading for me to react ‘I can’t do this’ I began to loose myself in the sensation ‘Stop it Sasuke’ before I could stop myself I was returning his kiss. I let my now free hand run along the side of his face feeling the relief flowing from both our bodies as we continued more willingly to kiss.
“Can I come home with you?” I whispered as our kiss broke
“What? You want to come home with me?” he replied surprised
“Yes” I could feel my face begin to burn from embarrassment, Naruto wrapped his arms around my shoulder pulling me into a hug.
“You don’t know how many times I have wanted to hear you say those words” he whispered in my ear.
“I take that as a yes then?”
“Of course”