It Can't Be Helped
Author: Mask of Mirage
Rating: T
Comments: This is the final chapter to It Can't Be Helped. I don't plan on doing a sequel anytime soon. This was purely a one-time thing.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did… well you don't want to know if I did.
Mood Song: Before I Forget by Slipknot
Chapter 10: The Now
"Damn't Naruto, quit stepping on the back of my heels!"
"Well, if you would walk the same speed as everyone else, then I wouldn't," the blond whispered back just as fiercely, blowing a piece of fringe from his face.
"I cannot believe you talked me into doing this," Sasuke said, stepping over some old gum.
"Shut up and move."
It was the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival and Naruto and Sasuke were stuck being the dragon. Tsunade had got it in her head that they needed to work on their teamwork. She was probably the only one still clueless about their relationship. Upon returning to Konoha, Naruto decided to move in with the Uchiha, a death wish that may be.
The boys could hear the excited whoops and cheers of the crowd from under their heavy fabric prison. Suddenly, Naruto burst out in fits of laughter, causing Sasuke to almost trip over his own feet. "And what is so funny?" Sasuke questioned irritably.
"I-I just realized…that your clan…symbol looks like a…bloody, inflated…tampon," he managed to get out between gulps of air.
Sasuke looked over his shoulder and glared at the kitsune, who just shrugged. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."
"I'll show you what can't be helped," Sasuke murmured huskily.
Naruto then found himself on his back, Sasuke's tongue snaking into his mouth.
Meanwhile, Rookie 9 -who had been watching the parade- stared dumbfounded at the scene before them. The dragon had abruptly stopped, causing everyone behind it to come to a crashing halt.
"Why the hell did they stop?" Sakura exasperated, quite annoyed. "Lee, go get me a water," she ordered not seconds later.
Lee sighed. They had just recently found out that Sakura was with child, his child, and already the mood swings had started. "Yes, my beautiful Cherry Blossom," he mumbled obediently, always the gentleman.
"Isn't that Sasuke and Naruto's costume?" Shikamaru drawled, leaning against the light post near him to avoid being shoved by the crowd that was pressing him from behind.
"I think so," Gaara replied, standing on his tiptoes to see over the heads of the people in front of him.
"What do you think is wrong?" his date asked, tugging on his sleeve. It was Abi, the girl from the market. Gaara had come through with his promise and they had been dating almost a whole month.
"I'll check it out," Neji said, activating his Byakuugan and scanning the floats. "Uh…it's Sasuke and Naruto all right," he murmured catching sight of something he really could have gone without seeing.
To make matters worse for the once-happy parade-goers, it began to rain. Everyone rushed to a dry area to escape the tormenting downpour. Everyone but Sasuke and Naruto who lay under the dragon costume, completely dry.
Sasuke broke for air, staring into the deep blue of his lover's eyes. He was aware of the cold wetness that was seeping through the cloth, the wind that whipped causing the gold fringe to form a sort of halo about his face and the smell of the leaves around him that were becoming wet and soggy. None of this mattered to him. He could have been thrown deep into Dante's Inferno, to reside in the 9th level of Hell where Satan himself stays and Sasuke would've cared less.
All that mattered to him was now; the cobalt of Naruto's eyes, the gold tints that spun through his hair, the sweet smell the boy gave off, the look of absolute happiness that crossed his face when Sasuke looked at him. These were the moments he wanted, the moments to live for.
"I love you," he whispered to the fox.
"Stop talking, Teme," Naruto replied, raising his head to meet Sasuke.
There are things you can control. And then there are those you can't. Pride is a monster, devouring souls to live. Love is an angel, resurrecting those fallen lives.
And above all, some things just can't be helped.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed writing it. I hope the ending wasn't too sappy. Thank you all loyal readers.
Mask of Mirage