Title: Spiral Falling
Author: BeccaAmon
Genre: AU
Pairings: Naruto and Sasuke
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.
AN: Thank you for waiting.

Chapter 30 – Endless spiral



Chapter 30 – Endless spiral


*

The flower vase clacked softly against the smooth marble sill as Naruto set it down. The water contained within sloshed around the cut stems and then settled in calm ripples. With gentle fingers he arranged the vibrant bunch of yellow zinnia, straightening the petals and leaves. Naruto knelt down and removed a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe off the dirt that had gathered on the marble tribute. He leaned forward and caressed the engraved names fondly. Taking a deep breath, he caught the thick fragrance of flowers and wet earth that had saturated permanently in the peaceful place.

After a moment of gathering himself, he cleared his throat to speak, “Ran picked those from Auntie’s garden. They’re pretty. I thought you guys would like them.”

He bowed his head and rose slowly, patting dust from his pants. Tiny leaves blew past, swirling about him. The graveyard invoked humility and silence.

“I’m doing fine. I keep the apartment clean. Sasuke makes sure of it.” He chuckled softly. “Umm, and old lady Tsunade keeps me fed. Sasuke and her don’t get along that well, I don’t know why. She said he reminded her of someone. It’s funny to see them argue like cats though.”

He rocked his heels back and slipped his hands in his pockets. “There’s this old man at the bridge who reminds me of grandpa. Maybe that’s why I listen to what he has to say sometimes.” Naruto pondered out loud, “He sure likes women. Maybe I should introduce him to old lady Tsunade.”

A cloud’s shadow sheltered him from the soft rays of the morning sun. His amusement gentled; his expression sobering. “I’m doing alright, mom, dad. I’m not by myself anymore. I have friends. I hope you like the flowers. I’ll bring you some more next time. Also…” He bowed his head. It was still embarrassing to say. “I hope you like Sasuke when you meet him.”

Blinking back the sharp stinging around his eyes, Naruto grinned as he looked up. He sighed with relief, glad to get a few things off his chest. Running his fingers through his hair, he looked at his parents’ and grandparents’ resting place one last time. “I have to go.”

And he left.




“Hee! Oh, Neji-sempai! Can we sit with you? Please? Please?”

The cheery request pierced the air. Naruto looked outside his group of friends as they stood in front of the desserts shop to see what the commotion was about. Neji, along with Lee and Ten ten were quickly approaching. Following them were three members of Neji’s fanclub, desperately vying for his attention.

Sasuke snickered beside Naruto, while Ino and Sakura tsked in understanding.

Reaching the shop’s door, Neji paused and eyed the group with obvious contemplation. Looking beyond him, Neji met Sasuke’s eyes and everyone waited for what he had to say.

“I don’t know how you tolerate this sort of thing, Uchiha.” Neji wondered, with a touch of exhaustion at the end.

Naruto squawked undignified when Sasuke’s arm suddenly came around his waist and he was pulled up against the other boy. “Easy. Just get a boyfriend, Hyuuga.” Sasuke recommended; his lips very close to Naruto’s ears.

Naruto shivered and pushed Sasuke away, annoyed. Ino and Sakura giggled along with those present.

Neji’s eyes narrowed .They watched as a slow, almost creepy grin lifted one side of his lips. “Well, I should start plotting a way to take Naruto from you then.”

A series of gasps went around and Naruto once again found himself in Sasuke’s possessive arms. He tried to break free, but Sasuke held on tight. He chuckled into Sasuke’s shirt when the boy began growling.

With a pleased smile, Neji opened the doors and seemed to glide in.

Sakura shook her head. “Damn, my shift starts in a couple of minutes, see you guys inside.” she announced after glancing at her watch. Ino saluted them and followed Sakura into the shop.

“Uhh, Sasuke, let go.” Naruto protested; his nose buried in Sasuke’s hair. Sniffing, he smelled his shampoo. That was…Kinda nice.

“Hyuuga thinks he’s funny.” Sasuke grumbled as he released Naruto.

“Relax, he’s joking.”

Sasuke cast a suspicious glare through the shop’s window, mainly in the direction where Neji sat surrounded by his fangirls. Before Naruto could say anything, Shikamaru popped his head out of the door and called to them. They made their way inside and took the usual seats. Kiba, Shino and Hinata arrived late. Shortly after everyone claimed a spot, conversation began. As an excuse to talk to them, Sakura came to their table to take orders.

“I want a piece of cheesecake, that slushy drink I tried yesterday--you know which one, Sakura?” Ino skimmed through the menu as she read out her orders. “Oh! Oh! And a banana split, with three ice cream flavors and--”

“—Ino, remember when you asked me to tell you whenever you were being a pig?” Sakura cut in chidingly. “You’re being a pig.”

“Shove it, Sakura.” Ino shushed her and called out another drink for Sakura to take down.

Sucking her teeth and raising an annoyed eyebrow, Sakura dutifully jotted down Ino’s order. “Sure thing. Would you like extra whip cream on that, Porky?”

“I’d appreciate it?” Ino thanked her with a smile.

Shikamaru shook his head and made sure to have a hand over Chouji’s mouth in case the other had something helpful to add to the situation.

The rest ordered eventually, after Ino had a chance to look the list over one last time. She decided it would be better to see if there was still room for more after the first round of desserts. Jotting everything down, Sakura went back around the counter to tend to their orders.

“Hungry, Ino?” Shikamaru ventured behind the protection of an oblivious Chouji.

“Well,” The blond girl threw a dramatic hand over her eyes and released a deep sigh. “Oh! I was just thinking earlier how it was hopeless.”

“What is?” Sasuke asked beside Naruto, their feet touching.

Pulling her arm away suddenly, Ino glared with mock-contempt. “That you, Sasuke-kun, no matter how much I try, wish and pray, will never return my feelings.”

Taken aback, Sasuke, whether he was conscious of it or not, sidled up closer to Naruto.

“So!” Ino punctuated with a fist slammed against the tabletop, making spoons clatter. “It’s inevitable that I will become a bitter spinster with a dozen cats, living with Sakura until we’re old and gray. We’ll sit on our rocking chairs knitting and talk about the good ol’ days. When we still thought Sasuke-kun liked girls and was only restraining himself because he wants to keep to his studies and graduate top of the class. Only to become a rich, successful and famous bachelor and have Sakura and I fight over him. Oh, Alas,” she clutched at air fruitlessly and drew her hand into a dramatic fist. “It’s hopeless.” She ended in an exaggerated tone.

“Tragic.” Shikamaru consoled dryly.

“But Ino, there are other guys--” Chouji tried to say.

Waving her hand to cut him off, she moaned, “Don’t even say it, Chouji. With Sasuke-kun gone, there is no hope for us girls.”

Both Shikamaru and Naruto snorted. Sasuke said he was touched and wished her luck with the knitting. He was a bastard; no one batted an eyelash at what he had said. Sakura arrived with their desserts minutes later. Ino was still ranting about the unfairness of it all. When asked for her opinion, Sakura said they would eventually get over it, maybe in college they’ll meet someone cool. Lee offered himself bravely and only got his kiwi and strawberry sherbet in return. Ten ten cheered him on for his courage and told Ino not to give up. Neji suggested Sakura and Ino hook up as he took a sip of his milkshake. Naruto hoped Neji would be careful next time Sakura made something he ordered. The way the girl’s eye twitched wasn’t a good sign.

Kiba tried to strike up a conversation about the merits of having a boyfriend, but was aptly ignored. Shino seemed a willing listener though. Hinata, at every point Ino made, nodded her head sympathetically. She would glance now and then at Naruto and nod some more at Ino’s rant.

An hour and a half later, as Ino swirled her spoon around in another tall latte, she announced there was nothing great about guys anyways. That she didn’t need them and she should focus more on her studies so she can become rich, famous and successful. And maybe then, she’ll meet the right man.

They nodded their heads encouragingly. Chouji offered her the strawberry on his shortcake. She popped it into her mouth and thanked him. He was a great friend she said and he nodded happily as he finished the cake in three consecutive bites.

When Sakura got off her shift, they headed over to the arcade and karaoke. The girls and Lee sang, while Naruto, Sasuke and the rest competed obsessively on several choice games. When the competition got too heated, the girls dragged all of them away from the consoles to cool off. By the third intense match, Sakura forbade any of them to even come near the game stations.

They were forced to sit and listen to the girls and Lee butcher songs. They weren’t bad singers--really, Naruto was just bitter about almost defeating Sasuke only to get interrupted and lose. At one point, when no one was looking, Sasuke sang softly to his ear. Naruto choked on his drink laughing. Then he was forced to contain a groan, when Sasuke nipped his ear lobe and told him it was time to leave.

A half an hour later, the group stood outside the arcade. The sharp swish of automatic doors sounded as people continued to pour inside. Kiba invited them to his house to play some more games, but Naruto had to refuse as he was dragged away by Sasuke. The group gradually dispersed and disappeared into the early evening traffic.



Under a full moon’s light, on his balcony, Naruto and Sasuke leaned against the cement banister watching cars drive pass below. They sipped juice boxes. The thin straws gnawed on at the end. The breeze was calm, but a definite chill hung in the air. They remained close to each other, arms occasionally brushing. Conversation picked up once in awhile, but most of the discussion happened through actions: a kiss, a touch, a jab to the stomach for a badly made joke.

Sasuke draped his arm around Naruto’s waist and eventually came up behind him so he could use both arms to hold him. Naruto protested for the sake of protesting, but didn’t really mind, since Sasuke was warm and he was getting cold anyways.

Sasuke’s lips on his neck and behind his ear warmed him up better than a sweater could. He was too lazy to go inside for something warm so, he figured Sasuke’s kisses would do. The fluttering in his stomach and the tightening behind his throat compelled him to grab hold of Sasuke’s hands. But it did nothing to calm the butterflies. His heart joined in with faster beats. Next, his breath betrayed him by catching and coming out in swift and short exhales. Sasuke’s solid chest against his back allowed him to feel every rise and fall for breath from the boy. The silent, sucking noises Sasuke’s kisses made raised the short hair of his arms.

Naruto pursed his lips. He collected all of his feelings together, and made it short, “I love you.”

Sasuke stilled—froze behind him.

He turned in Sasuke’s arms and tried to peer beneath the drape of dark bangs. Slipping his hand between their bodies, he pushed the hair away from Sasuke’s face.

“I think…Even though I knew,” Sasuke murmured, gaze meeting his. “I’ve been waiting to hear it.”

Naruto lowered his head and nodded twice. His smile was wide, while his insides twisted in nervousness. He had whispered it. His lips had shaped the words into Sasuke’s hand. He had screamed it out loud, but…

“I’m sorry, I made you wait.”




Hidden in part shadow, the wall was a comforting support against his back. The rubber soles of one shoe rested against the firm surface, once in awhile shifting for a better position. Naruto fingered the lint in his pocket as he waited. Eyelids closed, breathing even, he nursed the slight anticipation simmering at the back of his mind.

The school halls silently waited for the countless students that would soon fill its marbled length. The ends of his hair brushed the back of his neck as he opened his eyes and looked down the dim corridor. He bit his bottom lip and allowed a grin to stretch it when he heard the familiar footfalls he’s been waiting for.

Naruto let his prey pass him before setting his legs in motion. Careful to not make a noise, he shadowed the unsuspecting arrival stealthily. His eyes traced the strong, slim frame. He wet his dry lips.

Preoccupied with the papers in his hand, Sasuke used the other to adjust the straps of his bag to rest better on his shoulder.

Naruto saw his chance. Speeding up, he reached out and around Sasuke until he had shirt fabric in his hands. Sasuke grunted in surprise as he was pushed against the wall. Papers flew and scattered, drifting down around them in a white mess.

“Oof!” Dark hair swung back and forth at the light impact. Sasuke scowled.

“Morning,” Naruto growled softly into Sasuke’s ear. His body cupped Sasuke’s, fitting comfortably. A leg easily settled between Sasuke’s strong thighs and rocked up against the pants’ crotch. His hands released the shirt only to bring Sasuke’s wrists up against the wall.

Sasuke moved against him. His dark eyes amused under the hallway lights. “Uzumaki,” Sasuke gasped a little breathless, “you’re early today.”

END
***







Author’s note:

Thank you so much for reading and supporting me all the way. I have enjoyed writing this story and I hope you have enjoyed reading it. It was fun playing with the boys and seeing their lives and relationship evolve in such a (love/friendship/lemon –filled) way. I know I could have gone on with the story. They had so much more to go through. But you know, life goes on and I think this is a good place to stop. I may come up with a one-shot or two in the near future, depending on whether an idea hits me. So it’s not really the end.

Thank you to my wonderful beta-readers, the story is better because of you. For the kind people who hosts my story, Thank you! And for the readers, thank you so much for the amazing reviews, e-mails and support!

Please look forward to my future stories. ^_^

~Beccaamon