Author's Note: Hry guys! So first of all I am SO sorry that it's been so long since I first started this story. I am sooooooo sorry! But, before I continue I decided to change the story telling from third to first person in Naruto's point of view. I feel that this idea made the story go in the direction that I had wanted since I first started this story. Thank you for all the support you have given this story, and I hope that you feel the same way I do about it now. Enjoy! ^_^
"-And if you subtract the quotient and add-"
"Naruto! Pay attention!" My mom scolded, completely interrupting my day dream.
"Huh?" I replied in a daze. Give me a break, I've been listening to my dad talk for like, five hours now. This guy needs a break and he needs it bad.
"Quit daydreaming! Your father is trying to teach you something." My mother insisted, glaring at me. A long time ago I used to be intimidated by that look. Unfortunately for her, at nineteen I have far outgrown my ability to give a single fuck about her tantrums.
"I'm tired of this stuff." I whined, unable to keep my gaze from drifting back to the forest beyond our backyard.
"I don't want to hear it Naruto. You are here to learn something so shut up and pay attention." I glared at her without any reservations. Like I said, no fucks to give.
"I'm sick of it. Just once can't I do what I want to do? I'm nineteen for god's sake!"
"I don't care how old you are. Our family laws state that you can't live independently until you get married." I growled under my breath at that one.
"That law wasn't even meant for guys in the first place, so why the hell should it apply to me? That makes no goddamn sense!"
"Naruto Uzumaki-"
"Kushina, it's fine." My dad interrupted calmly, quite used to our loud outbursts by now. "Why not let the boy stretch his legs for a while, and when he comes back he'll be refreshed and ready to learn."
God, please bless my father, because he is officially the best in the world, just saying. Mom looked like she wanted to say something else but I guess she changed her mind and just let it go. I immediately jumped out of my seat and was about to leave when I heard my mom call over my shoulder, "Go on and play then."
I just knew that she was mocking me, but I chose to ignore it in favor of my temporary freedom. I got out of there as fast as I could, worried that she might change her mind and whip out some creepy ass cage and lock my sorry ass in there…. I shivered at the thought.
As I kept going my mind wandered back to the route of my problems, which was that god awful law.
The law was put in place because the Uzumaki family bloodline for some reason could only produce one girl each generation. Since my mom was an only child, it was up to her to produce at least one girl, otherwise the family line would die out. Unfortunately for the Uzumaki's, I am an indisputable male. And after me, for some reason her uterus just couldn't handle having another child. Needless to say, the family heads have now put all the pressure of making babies on me. However, there's a slight problem with the plan that they still have yet to figure out;
I'm gay.
So unless there's some magical pill that can make a guy preggers you can bet that I sure as hell won't be producing heirs anytime soon. I'd be lying if I said that the fact that they automatically assume that I would "do the right thing" and continue the blood line didn't make me feel insecure, but I can't change the law, so I'll just have to figure out another way around it.
I shook my head and kept hiking through the dense forest, easily avoiding the occasional exposed root of a tree before I finally made it to my favorite place. It was a clearing that I had stumbled upon a few years ago that was full of flowers and occasionally small animals, though they never ever gave me any trouble. There was a river that ran right through the middle of the place too, so whenever I was stressed the sounds of the water never failed to calm me down. No one ever dared to come this far into the forest, so I had the place all to myself.
Smiling broadly, I sauntered over to my favorite willow tree. There was a little nook in the tree that was perfect for lounging and watching the river flow by. In my opinion there is nothing better than unwinding next to this river after a long and stressful day.
I had just sat down when I heard rustling somewhere in the distance, but I just dismissed it as a small animal rummaging in the bushes somewhere. I had just settled in and closed my eyes when I heard a small thump directly behind me.
Okay, that definitely wasn't a chipmunk.
I rolled over and got up quietly, determined to catch whoever decided it would be a great idea to invade my personal hiding place. I flipped around the tree but the rant I was going to start died in my throat when I saw the person lounging against the tree.
He was pale, and had black hair in a style that kind of reminded me of a duck's ass, but somehow it worked for the guy. His bangs fell on either side of his face, perfectly framing his sculpted jaw. I couldn't help but ogle him, and I wondered what his eyes looked like.
My silent question was answered when he opened his eyes, revealing black irises. I was surprised to say the least. I have never seen eyes that intense, even when he seemed bored.
"Like what you see?" he drawled, a smirk on his face. I tried to muster up a glare, but it was a hard look to pull off when I probably resembled a cooked lobster.
"Why are you here?" I managed to say. I gave myself a little pat on the back for not stuttering. This was after all the first time I had ever seen a guy this hot after all. Damn him.
"I asked you first Dobe." Any thought of attraction immediately went out the window at the insult.
"What did you call me?" I growled. Nobody and I mean nobody got away with calling Naruto Uzumaki stupid. I don't care how attractive he thinks he is, the bastard.
"I don't need to repeat myself." He said simply. I could practically feel the steam coming out of my ears. What the hell was this guy's problem? Seriously!
"Look you-"
"Sasuke."
I blanched, "What?"
"It's my name idiot." The man replied patiently, as if he were talking to a child, which irked me even more.
"What the hell is your problem? I just met you and already you're being a stupid bastard."
"I didn't hear you complaining earlier." he remarked, a smug smirk creeping on his face. Bye dignity, I knew thee well. I was blushing so hard, tomatoes would be jealous of the color in my cheeks.
"Sh-Shut up!" Of course I stuttered. Of course I make a complete fool of myself. I'd be more upset if I cared what people thought of me. Which I don't… Mostly… Regardless, I decided that maybe I should try a different tactic "Look, we got off on the wrong foot, so let's just start over."
"Hn." Sasuke grunted. I scowled, but decided that it would be better to just let it go for now. I held out my hand for him to shake, which he took hesitantly.
"I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki." I said, trying to cover my nerves with an obnoxious smile. He blinked at me, and I couldn't help but feel that I had seen that look somewhere before… A dream maybe? I don't really get it, but whatever, moving on.
"Hn." Sasuke mumbled, seeming distracted. He brushed his fingers over the scars on my cheeks, making me flinch. His eyes widened for a second, but he immediately schooled his expression.
"When did you get these?" he asked quietly, so quietly I almost didn't catch it.
"I was attacked by a fox a few years ago." I whispered back. Why I was whispering I have no idea. Maybe because we were so close I could practically feel his breath on my nose.
Sasuke didn't comment further. Instead, he kept staring at me, his thumb gently tracing the scares on my cheek. I stood there frozen. What the hell was going on? Why was I letting him get so close to me so soon, and why…. Why did he seem so familiar?
A loud ringing jolted me out of the trance. I shook my head in an attempt to clear it of its confusing thoughts. Sasuke just sighed, pulling out his phone and silenced it. I stepped back, but kept my gaze firm, waiting for him to say something
"Dobe." Well that wasn't what I expected. Apparently I was mistaken. There was nothing attractive about this guy at all, not one little thi- "I have to go." he said gently.
"You're leaving?" I found myself saying. Why that skimmed over the filter in my mouth I will never know, but I just didn't want to let him go until I found out more about him.
"I'm sorry Naruto," he whispered in my ear, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
I froze, unable to move. What the fuck just happened? One minute he was there, the next minute he was gone in a puff of smoke. In fact the only clue that Sasuke had been there at all was the trail of smoke – Oh wait.
Smacking my forehead at my own stupidity, I followed the fading trail of smoke that lead back through the woods, hoping to find Sasuke and get some answers.
It didn't take very long to find him, though the view was very confusing. Sasuke was crouching next to the hollow of a tree, pulling something out of his pocket that glowed a little bit. What the hell was he doing? Granted, I couldn't get any closer than the bush I was hiding behind.
Sasuke looked around cautiously before he crawled into the hole. I blinked for a minute, and hesitantly stepped out of my hiding place.
"Sasuke?" I called softly, "You in there?" I asked, but there was no response. I edged closer to the hole, and poked my head in side of the tree.
"Hello?" I called again, but still no response. Ignoring the little voice inside my head that climbing after bastards into tree hollows was a bad idea, I crawled even further into the hole.
My hand slipped on some moss, and I immediately fell into a gap in the ground, falling faster and faster. I freely admit that I was scared, but just a little bit…. I think as I'm screaming like a lunatic.
I squeezed his eyes shut, preparing for the impact I knew was coming.
Let me know what you think! :)