User blog:Sukiina/Setting of the Sun (Saizo x Sasuke)

Warning: This story contains BL so if you don't liek it then the backbutton is there...

This fanfiction was meant for Kazuuuki, so... I feel bad for posting it here, but some of you said you wanna read it, so here you go... :x

Forgive me Kazuuuki QAQ

--

Setting of the Sun

Summary:

Having promised Sasuke to watch the sunset with him, Saizo goes along while harbouring strange feelings that he had never felt before towards him. SaiSasu, contains BL

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">--

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Saizo!” Sasuke Sarutobi yelled out in excitement as he leapt his way up the hell, leaving Saizo Kirigakure, who was slowly taking his time to walk, behind. “Hurry up! You’re so slow, stupid Saizo!” The said ninja shook his head as he watched the monkey ninja sprinting along the inclining slope of grass and flowers.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“You idiot,” the chestnut-haired ninja shouted out in annoyance. “I won’t be there to help your sorry ass if you ever trip on a rock, fall, then hurt your knee. And I’ll laugh at you,” he added in a soft mocking voice. He then stared at Sasuke in disbelief as the latter ignored his words and did not even stop to slow down. In fact, out of excitement, the blonde ninja actually became faster.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">Just yesterday, the ninjas were given permission to take a break from their daily duties. Being the best of ‘friends’ (and enemies), Sasuke had pleaded with Saizo to watch the sunset and the stars on the hill near the village.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Pretty pleeeaaaassseeee?” <span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">the monkey ninja had begged him with sparkling topaz eyes. “I promise I’ll do your bidding for a month!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">He could never say no to that adorable face of Sasuke.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Plus, I have something really important to tell you too,” <span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">Sasuke had added with somewhat of a wistful look before he left for his patrolling duty. Till now it had been silently bugging Saizo.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">What was so important that you had to tell me personally, Sasuke? ''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">Saizo always had this thought wandering around in his mind. Strangely enough, it had bothered him to the extent of actually piquing his curiosity. He felt his face turning hot as the very image of Sasuke popped up in his mind.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">No! ''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">He profusely shook his head. ''That’s silly! Why am I even thinking of that idiot? It’s not like I like him or anythin – ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">He suddenly stopped in his tracks as he absorbed what he had just thought. Did he like him as a normal friend, or was it actually something more than that?

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">Even he himself could not be so sure.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">After all, they were both guys. It would be extremely awkward, and their friendship might probably come to an end.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Besides, who on earth would fall in love with that bumbling idiot monkey!?” he thought, furiously rejecting his thoughts about his partner-in-action. He was then abruptly interrupted by a loud thud, an “oof!”, and then a loud familiar squeal of pain which always brought him annoyance without fail. Immediately responding, Saizo swiftly turned around and glanced at where the monkey ninja was standing.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">That idiot! ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">He swiftly darted across the lush green grass in panic, and up the hill. The grass made a soft crunching noise under his foot as he dashed up the slope. He then saw Sasuke lying on the grass, his shuriken-embossed pants showing evident stains of blood. He shook his head in sheer resignation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“You always never listen to me, you stupid, hopeless monkey,” he muttered angrily as he held out his hand. “Are you okay?”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… I thought you said you’d laugh at me,” the blonde ninja stated in confusion as the pain in his knee jolted, resulting in a sharp wince of pain escaping from his throat. A hiss of agony accompanied it as Sasuke clawed at the grass tightly, trying to burn the pain away through sheer force.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… You know I don’t mean it, right?” Saizo sighed. “Get up already, you idiot.” For some reason, as he said this with much irritation and annoyance, he felt relief washing over him at the same time.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">How strange… <span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">The Koga ninja then turned his head away, trying his best to avoid the other ninja’s sparkling green gaze, as if he was trying to hide something. Saizo squinted his eyes, and could just barely make out the injured male’s ear turning cherry red. Somehow, it actually made him more curious about Sasuke. He wanted to know more about him, but could not do so because of the spark of rivalry between them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">… What is Sasuke thinking now…? ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">In an attempt to cover up his spacing-out, the Iga ninja then impatiently knelt down, planted his hands on both Sasuke’s back and thighs, and then lifted him up bridal-style.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“H – hey!!” the blonde ninja protested. “Let me down, Saizo! Let me dowwwwnnnn!!!” Without even realising it, his face had gone all red in embarrassment, making the emerald-eyed male reply with a sadistic smirk.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Oh? I’m just helping you, my best friend,” he said. “Plus, your face is really red. We should really find a river soon so I can throw you inside and purge the monkey odour from you,” he added with a scowl.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“It – it’s nothing, you idiot!!” Sasuke shot back as he became more flustered. “It’s just my scarf! I’m just feeling hot, th – that’s all!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Then you should take it off, stupid~”

“Then shouldn’t you take yours off too!??”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">"No way!” Saizo glared at the blonde ninja. “I totally have more exposed areas of my body, unlike you, you fully-clothed idiot!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“That just sounds totally wrong, Saizo!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Then just shut up and let me help you up, you ass!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Fine!!” the blonde ninja spluttered as his cheeks turned cherry pink in embarrassment and looked away again. Saizo felt an inner warmth of triumph smiling inside of him as Sasuke began to relax his muscles, which, somehow, was able to put his mind at ease. At the very least, his injuries would not worsened with a successfully prevented aggravated state of him, for a while…

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">All of a sudden, the monkey ninja started to squirm about in the unscathed ninja’s muscular arms, which almost threw the latter off his balance. “Keep still, you idiot!” the Iga ninja growled.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">However, his rival seemed to take no notice of his annoyance as he exclaimed, “Saizo, hurry up!” He thrust his arm forward, pointing towards the sky. “The sky is turning orange!” The said ninja then shot a glance upwards, and sure enough, he was greeted by a sea of sparkling amber.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">Holy shurikens.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Go faster, Saizooooo!! We can’t miss this sunset!” Sasuke whined in a protest as he looked up at the chestnut-haired male’s jade eyes with a sense of urgency in his amber ones.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Are you an idiot!?” Saizo shot back in frustration with a frown of exasperation. “It’ll just make your knee even worse, idiot!” He did try to quicken his steps, but he was actually deathly afraid that his injured comrade would slip out of his arms, and fall away from his grasp.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“It’s okay! This is nothing!” the Koga ninja yelled back. His topaz eyes seemed to glimmer with a sense of determination. “I refuse to break our promise just because of my injury, stupid Saizo!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">The black-clothed ninja blinked in astonishment at the word ‘promise’, as his steps slowed down to the speed of a snail.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">Promise… 

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">How long has it been since he had come into contact with the utmost important meaning of it…? ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“…Saizo…?” Sasuke asked, a hint of genuine worry laced in his tone. “Are… are you okay…”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Yeah, you’re right…” Saizo mumbled. He then directed his glance towards the front. “Hang on tight, I’ll get you there in no time,” he murmured before he leapt into the air, and swiftly darted through trees skillfully, while at the same time, hanging onto Sasuke for dear life.

<p style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">--

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">On the (fabulous) hill… 

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">“OUUCCCHHHHH!!” Sasuke yelped out from sheer pain as Saizo attempted to examine the shorter male’s injury. He frowned with a pout. “Dammit, Saizo, couldn’t you be a little bit more gentler!??”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-themecolor: background1;">‘It’s your fault for not listening to me, idiot monkey!” the devil-masked ninja lashed back with a snarl. “So just quit your damn stupid monkey whining already!” He then rolled the blonde ninja’s pants up, revealing a deformed-looking kneecap, blood, and more <span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">blood.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“How the hell did you even manage to injure your knee to this extent, just from tumbling down the hill!?” He glared at the Koga ninja, who had a sheepish apologetic grin gracing his lips. “… Never mind…” Saizo then frowned at the deformed body part while his hands gingerly glided across Sasuke’s skin. “… Damn, it’s broken,” he muttered under his breath, along with some cursing. Swiftly, he discarded the latter’s tennis shoes to one isolated corner. Then, with a pull, a twist, a yank, and more of Sasuke’s blood-curdling screams, his knee was finally fixed back to its original position.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Now, about the blood…” Saizo’s fingers then closed around his scarf. With a swift flourish, the fabric came off easily, its extended ends fluttering in the air. He then took both ends of it and began to wrap the scarf around Sasuke’s knee as a bandage for the overflowing blood.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Saizo… your scarf…” the monkey ninja murmured as a look of guild flashed across his face.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“It’s okay,” the chocolate-haired ninja replied without looking up. “It’s washable.” He found his cheeks burning ever so slightly as his fingertips accidentally brushed against the blonde’s pallid skin.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“I… Thank you, Saizo.”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">At the work of thanks, Saizo looked up and saw a gentle, beautiful smile lingering on Sasuke’s thin lips, and silently wished that time would freeze at this very moment. His heart skipped a beat as he turned away from the topaz-eyed ninja, hiding his scarlet cheeks from sight. Unfortunately, the monkey ninja, with his adept senses, had very sensitive eyesight and instantly spotted the blushing ninja’s face. Being the usual dimwit, he asked without thinking, “Hey, Saizo, are you… blushing…?”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“N – no way!” the Iga ninja spluttered. “Why would I!? I’m just feeling hot, that’s all!”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Right…” Sasuke looked at the other ninja, his eyes filled with doubt. There was simply no way Saizo Kirigakure, being the ever thick-skinned person he was, would use such a lame excuse. Unless…

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">A stream of sunlight beaming before his eyes caught his attention. He gripped the devil-masked ninja’s hand tightly as he exclaimed, “Look, Saizo, it’s the sunset!” He tugged at the said ninja’s glove hem persistently, trying as hard as he could to grab his attention.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“I’m watching, I’m watching,” Saizo muttered in slight annoyance. However, he could feel himself smiling inwardly for some reason. ''Was it because their promise had been fulfilled? ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Or was it… 

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">… No way… Is he…

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Is he falling in love with Sasuke…? ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">He looked down at the shorter ninja, who was greatly immersed in the astounding beauty of the sunset. Impossible, he told himself. There was no way he would fall for that idiot!

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Then again, love never fails to overcome boundaries.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Saizo?” The now quiet and serious voice of Sasuke abruptly shattered the demon ninja’s thoughts, waking him up from his reverie.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">In fact, it was actually scaring <span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">him, hearing such seriousness from the idiot himself.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… I’m listening,” Saizo muttered. Unconsciously, he clenched the amber-eyed ninja’s hand tightly as he felt his heart race, beating itself against his chest with such a great force that he actually felt pain from it.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">What is he going to say…? ''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Please don’t feel disgusted about what I’m going to say…” He hesitated for a moment, before taking a deep breath, and continuing, “I… I’ve been meaning to tell you this all the while, but I never had the courage to do so, so… erm… Promise you won’t get mad or anything, will ya…?”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">There it was again. Promise.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“I promise I won’t,” he assured, adding, “… idiot.” He watched Sasuke pout in protest with much amusement, before the latter looked away, avoiding his gaze.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… I like you.”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Upon hearing this, Saizo was thrown into a state of mixed confused feelings almost immediately. Did I… hear him correctly…?

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">What should I be feeling? Happy? Sad? Angry…? ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“I like you, Saizo,” Sasuke repeated, louder and firmer this time. He stared directly into the forest green eyes of the Iga ninja, his eyes seemingly to be burning with affirmation. “Not just as a friend, but something more.” As he said this, his cheeks became a dark hue of crimson. I’ve always thought of you as more than a friend, and even when you call me an idiot most of the time, I don’t really mind. Because this is the Saizo I’ve gotten to know in my life.” He gave a warm smile towards a shocked Saizo Kirigakure as he directed his gaze towards the setting sun, his smile fading away. “I didn’t want to tell you in the past, because I was afraid that we wouldn’t be friends like this anymore… and it’s pretty… embarrassing…”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">He scratched the nape of his neck with a small sheepish smile. “I just wanted to tell you how I really felt about you when the time is right…” He then covered his face with his palm, as if he was hiding something. A sniffle erupted from him. “Goodness, what am I saying… I’m really one hell of an idiot…”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">All of a sudden, Sasuke felt muscular arms circle his frame, bringing him into a tight embrace. He felt his hand being forced away, and was greeted by Saizo’s face, close up. There was something different about him, though. His normally stoic emerald irises were now bursting with emotion, and his usual lips which were either pursed together or forced into a snarl, were now quivering, as if he was desperately wanting something.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">A tear dripped from his eye. “S – Saizo…?”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… You’re really an idiot, you know?” Saizo murmured, avoiding the blonde’s gaze.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“W – wha?”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Why do you always pull at my heartstrings everytime?” He hid his face in the crook of the monkey ninja’s neck, hiding his agitated facial expression. He gritted his teeth. “Dammit… Of all people, why do I have to fall in love with you!?”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Wait, you love me?” Sasuke stared at him through his tears in shock and disbelief.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Do you have any idea… how long I’ve been trying to control myself?” The demon-masked ninja tightened his grip on Sasuke. “I keep telling myself not to fall for you, because you are seriously such an idiot!” Words tumbled out from his mouth uncontrollably as he pulled back and looked at the Koga ninja in the eye. His jade eyes were now brimming with tears of agitation and disbelief.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Saizo…” the blonde ninja breathed with a wobbly croaky voice.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“For days, I’ve been trying so hard to push these feelings away and give you the cold shoulder. But I couldn’t help it. Somehow, I wanted to know more about you. I hated the fact that we were actually born to be rivals in this life. I don’t even know when I’ve started liking you this way despite the differences between us, or whatnot,” he spluttered. His cheeks glowed pink as he sniffled rather loudly, trying not to let his emotions get the better of him. He then continued in a much calmer voice, “You were always so lively and positive during patrolling and missions, and it was so damn hard to not fall in love with you, you damn idiot…”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Sasuke blinked. He could not imagine how much Saizo had actually tried to control himself. He leant in and lightly punched the demon-masked ninja’s well-toned chest. “Then, why…? Why are you telling this to me, a downright idiot who has fallen for you? You… you could have simply rejected me and we… we could be rivals… Just like the way we were born, and then meant to be…” His voice trailed off into silence. He knew that it sounded really harsh, but he wanted to know Saizo’s answer.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">How he would react to his everyday idiocy in such a delicate matter like love.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“You idiot Sasuke, don’t you get it?” Sasuke widened his eyes in shock as Saizo said this in exasperation.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">It was the first time in a long while… that he had been addressed by his name... ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">He had expected Saizo to frown at him and shake his head, while saying, “Never mind, you’re such an idiot” and all. However, instead, Saizo gave him a thin smile that was radiating brightly with warmth.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Because I lik – no, I love you, you bumbling idiot Sasuke.”

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Sasuke brought a hand to his mouth as a gasp failed to escape from his vocal cords. Tears were flowing freely down his cheeks as emotions began to overwhelm his senses.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Saizo had just said I love you. ''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">Unaware of the blonde ninja’s tears, the chestnut-haired ninja faced the setting sun, and softly said, “You know, sometimes I really wonder if it was actually possible for us to be together in a relationship. It isn’t right, but it isn’t wrong either.” His green eyes gave out a small twinkle as he turned to Sasuke. “What do you think, Sasuke…?” His voice then hushed down to a whisper of concern as he finally noticed the now sobbing ninja. “… Are you okay, Sasuke?” he asked as his hand began rubbing the monkey ninja’s back, in an attempt to comfort him.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“… Stupid Saizo…” the blonde sniffled. “Dammit, of course I want to be with you! Haven’t you been listening to my confession earlier!?” Crystalline tears streamed down his cheeks profusely. “Dammit, you really are stupid, Saizo…” Through Sasuke’s tears, Saizo could see a bright smile of happiness on his lips.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">He smiled. This idiot, he really is adorable…

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">“Idiot, don’t cry,” the jade-eyed ninja muttered with a small smile as he lifted Sasuke’s chin with a gloved hand. He then leant in closer and gently pressed his lips against the blonde’s pinkish ones. Sure, he had kissed other women several times during his missions in the past, but they were just for the sake of getting new leads to complete the mission.

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">They never meant anything. But not this one.

''<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">I love you, Sasuke. ''

<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: background1;">A bright amber beam from the sunset bathed the couple in shimmering gold.