No Need for Love

C h a p t e r 22 - Too Close

Everything comes to a complete stop as I continue to replay the following words in my head. I know I'm not hearing things, but it's hard to believe what Sasuke just said.

'Is he serious?'

A storm of swirling thoughts reek havoc within my mind. These thoughts don't stop, and maybe it's because I have no idea how to go about dealing with this situation. Things like this confuse me. A part of me wishes I could disappear, but I know I can't...well technically I can (substitution jutsu) but I won't. That's because the other part of me doesn't want to.

I can't deny the fact that I enjoy being hugged by Sasuke. The feeling of his arms wrapped around me is so comforting. I want to stay this way. I place my arms around Sasuke and hug him back tightly, responding to his confession in two words.

"I'm glad."

We stay like that for another moment before I slowly pull away from the hug and look at him with a smile. Sasuke looks back at me with a sincere look on his face, and at that moment, I can't help but ask...

"Why? I never would've guessed you felt the same way. I was always sure you hated me, so what changed?" I finish while staring at our interlocked hands.

"I never really hated you (Name). Before I was simply mad at the fact that I had developed feelings for you. I didn't want to believe it, so I kept denying it over and over again, but it wouldn't work. Those feelings were still there, and I was upset because of it. I was upset that you could make feel that way. That's why it always looked like I hated you. When the truth was, I envied you."

My eyes suddenly widen at his last statement. I keep hearing things I can't seem to comprehend. My face holds a blank expression while my eyes remain wide.

'Sasuke envied me? It's shocking he'd envy anyone, but me of all people...it's unbelievable.'

Before I can even ask why, he continues talking.

"It wasn't just you're personality but I envied your strength and ability, your ambition to be the strongest. I think that's why you stood out to me in the first place. Besides the fact that you were indifferent to me. You treated me like any other person and that's what I like about you..." He finishes while slowly leaning closer to me.

Being thrown off by his sudden movements, I stay still. Now completely hypnotized by his actions, I begin to move forward as well. I watch as everything seemingly moves in slow motion. We keep going until our noses touch.

'This situation escalated quickly, is Sasuke actually going to kiss me? I don't know what's going through his mind right now but I'm not complaining...This is really happening.'

I can feel his soft breath as his lips are now mere inches away from mine. Keeping my eyes closed, I feel my heart rate increase even more. The rush of my pulse pounds through my ears as our lips graze each other before we're interrupted. The door in front of us slides open with a loud impact. A loud voice soon follows after.

"Hey guys, we're back!!!" Naruto shouts as I quickly pull away from Sasuke pretending as though nothing was going on. I watch Sasuke do the same, all while trying to hold back a faint blush.

I begin to scold Naruto for being so loud, when in all honesty I'm just upset he ruined what could've been my first kiss.

"-and it wouldn't kill you to knock before you enter a room. What if Sasuke was still sleeping!?" I finish, giving him a slight glare.

"Oh, don't worry about it. When we got here Kakashi sensei had told us you guys had already woken up." Naruto states while rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Besides what's the big deal? It's not like you guys were doing anything..." He mumbles to himself, completely oblivious.

Though Sakura, who was behind Naruto this entire time, seemed to catch wind of what was happening before hand. I can easily tell by the expression that's plastered on her face. I suddenly feel guilty and look down in order to avoid eye contact, but she simply walks away from the room.

"(Name)?"

"Huh?" I say after realizing Naruto had been calling my name.

"You should start packing your things, it was decided that we'd head back to the Leaf as soon as you and Sasuke were feeling better. Our mission is over after all."

"Oh ok, I'll see you guys once I'm ready." I say before leaving the room, giving Sasuke a glance before closing the door.

Letting out a deep sigh, I walk towards the room that contains all my belongings.

'We're finally going back home, what a relief. Besides, that's where I need to tell him. At least one person should know, and I think I can trust him... I can't keep it a secret any longer.'