May I remind you, this is YAOI, my friend. Don't want, don't read. Simple as that. And btw, the setting is in a modern version of Konoha, which is more likely a city, to suit the plot. No ninjas but street fighters instead. Rated M for strong language, suggestive scenes and violence.
If you have something in mind, please feel free to say it. You know the way to the send-me-a-review page.
Alright, alright. No more dilly dallying. Let's get this done.
Chapter I: Night Life
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Night. It was a fraction in time that lasted only for moments. And the hours would seem like fireworks - wild, uncaring, dancing in the dark sky. But soon after they've dramatically started, they would vanish traceless in the thin air, right when the excitement had just begun. But come to think of it, these fleeting things were always the favorites.
And for the same reason, this was the kind of life a certain Uzumaki Naruto chose for himself. To him, it was the only way to live. And maybe this kind of living-for-the-moment wasn't as bad as it sounded.
Night was the only time he ever felt so alive.
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"Till the Night is Over"
(SFX: Rose by Anna Tsuchiya)
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The kick of vodka, a crowd of loud nocturnal beings, the faint scent of sin everywhere, some sensuous bodies dancing sweat to sweat... Everything seemed to linger forever – but only till the night was over. And it would be a pity to miss out on this piece of life.
Too damn good?
If there was someone to envy, it was the pair of sapphire eyes that had every bit of these laid right before it. Oh well. Uzumaki Naruto was at his favorite table at the far end of the club, waiting for somebody. He had ruffled golden hair that shone like neon lights against the dimness of the club and no matter how much he tried to blend into the place, his hair was giving away his location, like it was screaming hey, I'm right here.
He really wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
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When I was darkness at that time
Trembling lips
In the corner of my room I cry
The more I struggle, the more these wounds stab me
That broken promise hurt me
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The black leather jacket that usually hung around him was carelessly tossed behind his head, revealing a plain navy blue shirt and a cheap crocodile-tooth necklace. Yes, it was dim, but the well-rounded muscles in his chest and arms couldn't be mistaken. A number of ladies would give glances of approval, but he didn't pay notice. He was lazily slumped onto the red couch (tables near the wall had couches) which was directly opposite to the dance floor (that's why the table had been a favorite) as he quietly watched a slammin' pretty Eurasian girl dancing beat per beat, his eyes tracing her features like any man would. It felt like she was dancing for him – or maybe he was imagining that – and that every movement of her petite body was calling for him.
But tonight was pretty much like yesterday for the solitary guy.
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Nobody can save me
God, I ask just one thing
Stop this love of mine that's tearing me up
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The music reached the chorus and the rhythm unexpectedly quickened. He grunted inwardly. The stereo banged against his chest, creating a pulse that rocked his ribcage. The song was way too fast for his taste. But he couldn't help but enjoy nonetheless – with the help of a good companion, a bottle of strong drink.
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I need your love. I'm a broken rose
The sadness of your song falls down on me
My life is lonely and I've nowhere to go
I need your love. I'm a broken rose
Oh baby, help me from frozen pain
With your smile, your eyes
And sing me, just for me
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Gulp. The beer set a path in his throat ablaze. And with a few more shots, the flame had already crawled into his entire system. After a good ten minutes, he was done with another bottle and had started to take down another. You could tell who really are adept to drinking, god.
"Hey Naruto, playing Mr. Lonely?" Cheeks a bit flustered from the beverage, he averted his gaze from the graceful girl to the intruder.
"Kiba, man, finally." The blond greeted his buddy with his trademark, a wide, wide grin.
"Missed me?" The dog-face returned the smile and made himself comfortable on the couch.
"Yeah right." The blond hit the guy in the head (Kiba: Aww!). "Where are the others?"
"Oh them? Good as dead - nah, just kidding. Lookin' after the customers while YOU're slacking off." Kiba pressed on the word. (one of their buddies owned the club and they look after it for extra income)
"Whatever... So how's it going? I mean the deal?"
"Ah. Thought you'd ask that. It's set. 7pm tomorrow, at the cemetery." Kiba gestured at the word cemetery. He didn't miss the interest he had ignited in the blond.
"Jeepers, that's some style, man! A rumble at the cemetery!"
"That's some action, yeah. Thought so." Really, the blond's reactions are so predictable.
Kiba, adjusted his hoodie down and his gray fur coat to let in some air. The dog-face had been noticing how Naruto's eyes flicked back to the dance floor a couple of times now. And after checking out who the rival for the golden-head's attention was, it sure as hell dawned to him what was running into the dobe's head.
"Say, Naruto, we always argue at anything," A blond brow cocked. "but we perfectly agree on one thing."
"And what does that mean?"
The dog-face snatched a bottle of beer and offhandedly poured some into his throat. "Come on. I mean that thing."
The blond flashed a puzzled look.
"Come on, don't be thick."
"Hey, who's thick, dog-breath?!" Their table earned curious glances for the sudden outburst. Who cares? He just called me thick.
"Damn it. Really, we could only agree at one thing."
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Silence.
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"Ow. You couldn't mean that?"
"Jesus! Yes, yes, dickless! That one. Now state our favorite saying."
"Hah! A good rumble in bed –"
" –makes a good rumble ahead." Kiba continued then jumped to his feet.
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"LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE--------!"
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Another thing Naruto loved about night life was that whatever he chose to do would ONLY be remembered till the night was over. And everyone who chose this kind of life should have mutual understanding of this rule - else, they get hurt. If a man promised a woman anything, his words were empty. And she had to know that. Things like these didn't matter to Naruto anyway. It didn't matter to anyone.
(7:45pm at the club's main office...)
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"Oh dear, look at her. Such a beauty! Are you sure about this?" Mrs. Nara eyed the applicant both in awe and worry.
The teen stared blankly.
"Don't get me wrong. I really don't mind giving you work in our club, of course I want to help you, but, seriously, what if some jackass harasses you? Oh, no, no, I'm not trying to scare you but –"
"Drop it," Mr. Nara interjected then faced the teen. "You'll start working tomorrow from 7 to 10pm. No worries, the boys would look after you. And with taking orders, just bat your lashes and speak politely. You're a potential asset for our business, with that face you got. So if you could increase the number of customers, I promise to double your pay immediately. That's all... So do you have any problem with that?" When he said the boys, he was referring to his son and his company that were looking after the club.
The teen only kept staring impassively.
"So it's settled. The uniform." Mr. Nara signaled to his wife.
Like a robot given a command, his wife immediately reached for the lump of clothes on the side table. "Here. All set." Mrs. Nara beamed sweetly and handed the uniform to the oddly quiet teen.
This is shit.
All pissed off, the raven-haired teen opened his mouth for the very first time after entering the room and pointed his index finger at the resume. In a deep, not-so-female voice, Uchiha Sasuke said "Thank you. I can take care of myself." And damn it, "I'm a guy."
After giving the two a don't-dare-forget-what-I've-said look, the teen left the office in eerie silence.
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"Just now, what was THAT?"
"Oh dear." Mrs. Nara stared at the checked box indicating M for gender on the resume.
End of chapter
This is more of a prologue, actually. Hope you like it.