Ch4: A Ripple In The Pond

Inspiration: The incessant chanting of "Must not let down fans…must not let down…fans…" in my head…
Recommended Song: Lolipop – Mika

Ch 4: A Ripple in the Pond

-POV Naruto-
When Naruto woke up he noticed that Sasuke was still asleep. He got up silently and peeked out the blinds. Light streamed into the room.
'That's weird. Didn't Sasuke say he gets up really early?' Naruto spared a glance at the other boy's face. It looked upset, scrunched up. 'I guess the whole Sakura ordeal took a lot out of him.' Naruto shivered.
Suddenly, Sasuke sat up, sweat running down his face. He ran from Naruto's bedroom, skidding into the bathroom. Naruto followed quickly. The retching could be heard from the bedroom.
When Naruto reached Sasuke, he saw the older boy bent over the toilet puking his guts out. Naruto walked over and pulled Sasuke's hair out of the way so it wouldn't get vomited on. When Sasuke was done, Naruto reached out to the cabinet and grabbed a cup. He filled it with water and handed it to Sasuke.
Sasuke stood up and poured the water into his mouth. Naruto watched, worried, as his friend washed the acidic bile from his mouth. When Sasuke was done, Naruto put the cup back in the cabinet.
"Was it – ?" Naruto left his question open.
"Yeah," it was all that was needed to be said.
Sasuke looked so distressed. His eyes were big and bloodshot. It looked like he'd gotten very little sleep. 'It couldn't hurt,' Naruto thought, 'if I just…'

-POV Sasuke-
Naruto reached up and put his palm on Sasuke's cheek. Surprised, the older boy looked into Naruto's eyes. All he saw was concern. And was that…compassion?
Sasuke smiled weakly back, taking the hand in one of his own, putting the other one on Naruto's shoulder.
"I have to go," Sasuke said. "I shouldn't be here. I can't push my demons onto you." He turned to leave, but Naruto stopped him, not letting go of Sasuke's hand.
"I chased you all over when you left to Orochimaru," Naruto looked straight at his companion, piercing his soul. "I'm not leaving you now. Demons," Naruto spat. "That's a load of crap, and you know it."
Sasuke's eyes flashed. He pulled his hand free. Quickly, Sasuke packed his stuff up in his bag and dressed.
"Thank you for having me," he muttered, just loud enough for Naruto, who was watching with a strange expression, to hear.
When Sasuke finished, he stopped at the door. He motioned Naruto over, who scrambled over quickly.
"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, worry in his voice, "you don't have to be alone. Kakashi's here for you…I'm here for you…"
Sighing, the older boy turned to face the younger.
"You want to be a part of my life?" Naruto nodded vigorously. "Then you'll have to have all of me."
Sasuke leaned down and pressed his lips to Naruto's. Naruto's mouth opened with a gasp, but Sasuke didn't take advantage of it, not wanting to scare Naruto away. But the warm lips against his own were bliss.
Sasuke pulled away, leaving Naruto alone.

-POV Naruto-
When Naruto opened his eyes, 'When did I close them?,' Sasuke was gone. The only evidence he was ever there were the Silk cartons and the empty feeling on Naruto's lips.
'Whoa.'