Eclipse

Part 4

Sasuke's first day came and went. He has two lives of experience as a ninja - which is more than anyone else can say. He knows he is capable of this job, but he hopes he won't come off as too cold. After work, he picked Sarada up from daycare and the two of them went home.

Naruto shows up at the Uchiha compound at the end of the week, asking how Sasuke's is finding his new work.

"I think the children are very much afraid of me," Sasuke says to Naruto.

"That's not a bad thing," Naruto responds with a chuckle. "That means they won't try to walk all over you. They will take you seriously."

"Are people bothered by my presence?" the dark haired male questions. "Teachers are influential. I know that there will be people who are afraid I will be a bad influence on their children. It's inevitable."

"No -" Naruto starts, but Sasuke cuts him off. "Lying doesn't become you, Naruto. And you're not very good at it."

Naruto smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, yeah... I got a few complaints from concerned parents.

"Of course," Sasuke murmurs, trying not to let his discourage him. "How did you handle the complaints?"

"I told them that I know what I'm doing, Naruto assures. "I didn't force you into a job I didn't think you'd be a good at. I know you'll be good at this. You have a lot to offer. Eventually, everyone will see that."

Sasuke smiles bleakly. "You have too much faith in me." "No," Naruto disagrees. "I have the right and fair amount of faith in you."

Sasuke still feels like it is too much. He remembers how Naruto's faith in him dwindled as the years went on. He is determined not to let that happen this time. He wants for Naruto to always think good thoughts about him.

"What is it?" Naruto asks when Sasuke is silent.

"I'm just thinking," Sasuke says vaguely.

"Want to talk?" Naruto offers.

"You always want to talk," Sasuke points out.

"And you never do," Naruto retorts. "I feel like you have so many secrets. It bothers me that you keep them from me, but I understand... I know that there are things too difficult to talk about. I know I shouldn't keep pushing you, but I get curious." "I know," Sasuke says with a weary smile.

Naruto hesitates for a moment before once again bringing up the topic of dating. "You should ask Sakura out. Do you know how happy it would make her?"

Sasuke wants to groan, but he keeps it in. "It's complicated, Naruto," he says yet again. He feels like he has to keep saying because Naruto won't stop prying.

"You keep saying that..." Naruto points out.

"Because it is true."

"Then un-complicate it," Naruto challenges.

For a while, they're both quiet. Sasuke nods for Naruto to follow him out of the hallway and into the living room. Once seated, Sasuke closes his eyes, feeling truly afraid for the first time in a while. He doesn't want to change the way Naruto sees him, but it might be inevitable. Things like this always change people. Things like this always change the way one is seen. The last thing Sasuke wants is for Naruto to think less of him.

"I... I am not attracted to women..." he whispers the confession for the first time, needing Naruto to understand. "I am attracted to men. I don't know why. I just am. So, it doesn't matter what Sakura feels for me. It won't ever work out because I can't fall in love with her. She wants something from me that I can't ever return. It wouldn't be fair to her or to myself."