Chapter 2 (III)

Sasuke flicked his eyes back up to the tree at the mention of the woman. She was still there. Konan was probably an excellent fighter but she had made one fatal mistake. By trying to hide herself from Naruto she had put too much distance between them. She could see Naruto perfectly but she couldn't hear a word he or Naruto said to each other. It was perfect, this way she wouldn't have a clue about anything.

"Meet me here tonight after everyone falls asleep, make sure no one follows you and I'll give you your first lesson."

"Understood, Sasuke-kun." Naruto smiled and Sasuke swore the sun shone brighter because of it. "Ah, but won't your wife notice if you aren't there next to her at night?" Naruto's cheerful expression vanished. He sullenly looked down.

"If she does she knows not to question me."

"It sounds like Sasuke-kun isn't very fond of Sakura-chan." Naruto murmured, a pleased smiled bloomed across Naruto's lips.

"Your assumption is correct, my marriage to Sakura is nothing to me. Her pregnancy has made my dislike for her grow even more."

Naruto smiled brightly. Sasuke didn't understand Naruto's sudden mood changes.

"Sakura-chan is so beautiful when I first saw her I thought you'd be absolutely in love with her-I'm happy to see that Sasuke-kun hasn't changed too much. You still have that moody look on your face. I really like it." Naruto blushed.

"About that..." Sasuke took a deep breath. He had been internally practicing this apology for the past five years; it was about time to finally deliver it to Naruto. He couldn't stall any longer. "I want to apologize."

"I already said don't worry! You didn't offend me-" Naruto interjected.

"-No, not about that," Sasuke took a step closer. "I want to properly apologize about what happened the last time you were here."

"Oh." Naruto's eyes widened.

"The way I acted was childish. I was jealous of you and said things that I should've never said. I regret my actions, everyday I wish that I could go back and change how things played out. I hope you'll be able to forgive me again."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You know...my language? Naruto smiled softly; he closed the small space between him and Sasuke and hugged him to his body. "Of course I'll forgive you, Sasuke-san, I'll always forgive you."

Sasuke said nothing. Even after all these years Naruto's body against his still felt so right. It was so small and warm he wanted to protect it. This was definitely the only submissive in the world that he wanted. How could he make Naruto his? It seemed hopeless-without his childish optimism to cloud his reasoning he now knew that what he wanted was impossible because it already belonged to someone else.

It was purely coincidental that Sasuke ran into Naruto in the garden that day but somehow it felt like fate. Like this meeting was destined to happen long ago and things were falling into place for something greater.