(cackles) Nya-ha-ha!! Sorry for the wait, I was off visiting some of mi familia for x-mas break and there was, like, absolutely no way I'm asking my grandfather if I can use his internet to post the update (the very very late update) to one of my boy-love stories. Sorry, just was not happening. Nya! Here is Chapter Two! Thank you very much, all of you who review. Well, there were only three reviews...but! I appreciate them non-the less!
Disclaimer/Warning: Strong language and random bouts of boy loves! I do not own these ppl. Well, except for Aniha and the Hot Shot gang, as well as the two girls in here. I may have to post their story on fictionpress...ah well; I'll let ppl know on my profile when the time comes.
Chapter 2: Fox Hunt
Second semester, class changes and two months after making friends with the "outcasts"
"Naruto, what are you doing next Saturday?" Aniha-sensei asked.
"Nothing as far as I know. Do you need me to come in?" he set the cups carefully on their shelf.
"Well, I was rather hoping you'd help me with a surprise party for Gaara? He seems to like you and I'd like it if you'd come. Will you help?"
"Yosh!" Naruto saluted "I will do whatever is in my power to make the birthday boy happy!"
"Well, I wouldn't go that far..." Aniha smiled knowingly.
- - - - - - - - -
"Gaara, did you hear? Aniha is closing the shop tomorrow. I wonder why..." Shikamaru nudged the red-head.
"Oi. I'm trying to mix these chemicals. Do you want to singe my eyebrows off?" Gaara frowned, holding the green tube over the red one.
"...what eyebrows?"
- - - - - - - - -
"Hey Sasuke, Aniha asked me to help with Gaara's birthday party. You wanna come? This weekend...it's a suprise though." Naruo whispered as their Japanese history teacher passed back tests.
"Can't. Family reunion bullshit." 'and we hate eachother' he didn't add.
"Oh. Can you think of anyone who could? I know Choji and Shikamaru and the girls but-"
"Uzumaki Naruto. Come to the principles office please, Uzumaki Naruto. Thank you." the loud speaker chimed.
"Ooooh, in trouble Naruto?" Yato giggled, not even attempting to hide her outburst from the sensei.
"Nope. I know exactly what it's about. See you later." and out the door he tromped.
- - - - - - - - -
"Ah Naruto-kun! Have a seat, have a seat. Well," the midget principle looked up from behind his large oak desk "I see you've managed to make some real friends this year. How are you doing now, Naruto-kun?"
"Can't complain. Mostly just working and hanging out."
"Yes yes about that. Now this is our third check up isn't it? Have your grades improved at all?"
"Mr. Principle!" the VP interrupted "You cannot take such a languid position with this boy. His grades are barely passing; he will never get into college! And he is 'hanging out' with delinquents!!"
"Now now, I'm sure Naruto-kun is doing what he can. Although," the light shining off his baldhead struck Naruto in the eyes as the principle leaned forward. "I think perhaps he can do better, eh?"
"I have no interest in going to college, Sensei." Naruto informed them "I plan on working right away, as soon as I graduate."
"But at a sensible job? Noooo, you insist on working at that little second rate coffee shop!"
"Vice Principal!" the principle warned, wanting to speak before Naruto lest the boy say something he would regret. "That is quite enough. Naruto, I understand how you must feel about work after having found such a stable environment but…" he paused "perhaps it would be best if you went to school for a little while. You could go to…ah…culinary school! Yes, it would help the shop nicely if you learned to cook."
"You think so?" he lifted curious eyes. "I'd never thought of that. Is it hard to do?"
"Yes!" the VP jumped in again "It's very hard to do. And baking is even harder."
"Really?" Naruto studied his clasped hands "Then I'll become a baker and help Aniha-sensei!!"
"Wha-?"
"Very good Naruto! I'll have the councilor send some things for you to look at to your house. Take care." The principal's eyes gleamed as Naruto rushed out the room "You see Mr. VP," he chuckled "Naruto loves a real challenge."
- - - - - - - - -
"You what!?" Sakura yelped, spilling hot tea on her lap.
"That's right! I'm going to learn to bake so I can help Aniha and Hatori-nii-san." Naruto announced proudly, biting into the cold soba-pan.
"But…do you even know how to cook Naruto?" Gaara found himself asking. It was unusually but at least everyone had stopped gasping in unison every time he opened his mouth.
"Well no…" he paused, "Ah technicalities! I can always learn. Besides, how hard could it be?"
"Hey Naru-to!" Yato threw her milk at him "Gaara knows how to cook! Maybe he can help you." She smiled, completely ignoring the cold chills coming from behind her.
"Yaaatoooo…" Gaara hissed.
"What? You won't help him?"
"Yeh, come on. Why not?" Naruto widened his eyes "Pleeeeease?"
"I….I didn't say I help." He grumbled, entirely unable to resist the blonde boys pleadings.
"Yata!! Arigato, Gaara!" he danced, jumping up and hugging the red-head.
"Be sure to teach him properly!" she giggled as Naruto yanked Gaara toward his home, regardless of the fact school was still in session.
- - - - - - - - -
"Have you seen Gaara?" Inu asked Yato during their fifth hour study hall. Sasuke barely tuned in for a chuckle at the punk's random bout of illness.
"Yeh, he's skipping with Naruto. I have no clue where they went."
"Wh-" Sasuke caught himself before the actual question was voiced, turning his wh- into a cough. Skipping with Naruto? Alone!?
"Really? I didn't think Naruto would skip. Gaara yes, but Naruto?"
"Yeh, I know. But the boy was just so damn excited. He practically dragged Gaara outta' here."
"What was he excited about I wonder?"
"Don'tcha just? Hey Sasuke-san, your bleeding."
- - - - - - - - -
After excusing himself to get a band-aide, courtesy of the knife he'd been chopping garlic with, Sasuke sat in the nurses office brooding. Why in gay hell –or any hell really- would Naruto go anywhere with that…punk!? Sure he was a little attractive but Sasuke himself was…what could blondey see in him!?
"Hey Sasuke-Kuuun!" Yato pulled the curtain back. "What, you afraid of blood or something? Or is it the Naruto/Gaara excursion that's got you down?"
"What the fuck do you want?" he hissed.
"Damn but you are one catty bitch! Look," she sat on the edge of the bed "Naruto is cute, hot, and funny. If you want him you gotta fight for him."
"Who said I wanted him. Maybe I'm just-"
"-Dicking around? Oh honey please, do I look that stupid to you? You want him and you're uber pissy about the fact that he's out with another guy. So fess up, cheer up, and don't give up. Or I'll kick your ass." She winked.
"Why do you care anyway? What's in it for you?" he turned back around to face her. She smiled wider and winked again.
"Maybe I wanna see Gaara have to fight you for it. Or I just wanna see him struggle. Or maybe," she giggled "I just like watching gay boys fight. Kinda like straight dudes like chick fights I suppose. In any case what does it matter so long as you win, neh?"
"I suppose."
- - - - - - - - -
"So Gaara, what are you gonna teach me?" Naruto danced around the cute, tidy kitchen. Gaara tried not to smile as he took in the fox's home. It was actually kinda neat, not much mess anywhere. Except, according to Naruto, his room. "A disaster." Were the exact words.
"How about we start it simple. Cookies?"
"Um…okay. The last cookies I made were actually pretty good…" he sighed, "Once you scraped the burnt stuff off."
"All right…what kinda' supplies do you have?" he asked. And was greeted by a dumbfounded stare. "Hm?"
"Nothing I…" he blushed a little "I have flour and sugar and stuff but anything specific…I really don't know. I usually eat ramen or something simple like that." He explained.
"O…kay. So we may have to go shopping after this-what?" Naruto's face lit up a little at the mention of shopping.
"Nothing." He said quickly. "What's a really…obscure cookie?"
"Well…I dunno' about obscure but…Ginger Snaps would be difficult considering you have no ginger or brown sugar." He opened the fridge "Or butter."
"I guess we're making Ginger Whatsits, lets go!"
'How did he manage to stay in the closet so long?' Gaara wondered as he followed the shopping freak out the door.
- - - - - - - - -
Sasuke pouted mentally on his way to the store. Not only had Naruto Abandoned him (alright not really but that's how he felt) but now he had to go out and buy some food because his fridge was freaking empty. His parents paid these people enough, why couldn't they keep the damn house stocked!? He grabbed a hand basket, not even sure where to start. Chicken, eggs, bread…why the fuck was there no rice or miso on the goddamned shopping list!?
"Have we gone completely European?" he grumbled, heading for the giant freezers.
"Naruto, you don't need that much ginger." He heard a voice, a very annoying, familiar voice say.
"Well how the hell much is enough? You didn't exactly tell me." Another voice whined.
'…they're shopping together.' Sasuke's mind stopped.
"You only need one bottle. And you also only need two packs of butter and…what is with the ten pound bag of sugar?" Gaara lifted the giant bag.
"I figure I may as well stock up now since I'll be doing this a lot! And since some of my friends really like sugar," he shrugged, blushing slightly "it'd be good to have some on hand."
"Oh I see…do you plan on kidnapping me from school every time?" Gaara folded his arms.
"Maybe!" he grinned. Sasuke was torn. Step out and reveal himself or wait to see what the hell they were talking about. And what was with the flirting!?
"Hmm. If that's the case then you may not get into college. You do need to pass with semi-good grades."
"Have you got good grades Gaara?"
"…I don't actually need to graduate for the job I want but yes, I do."
"Thanks to Shikamaru bet!"
"Hey Naruto. Gaara." Sasuke stepped out from behind the crackers, flashing a very small smile for the shorter boys benefit. "I thought you might have gone home sick or something." Sasuke waited for him to ask why he'd just randomly popped up. He didn't, of course.
"Sasuke! Hey! Nope, I just wanted Gaara to teach me how to make stuff. I'm gonna' be a pastry chef! Or something like that. I guess I got a little excited…" he laughed, running a hand through the spiky hair.
"So you skipped the rest of the day. Can't say I blame you. But Gaara's right." He reveled inwardly at the obvious look of confusion on the redhead's face. "If you want to get into a good college you need to work on your grades."
"Yeh." Naruto hung his head "You're totally right. Hey," his face lit up "You can tutor me!" and before Sasuke had time to gloat with a triumphant smirk he added "Both of you!"
"What!?" they howled in unison.
- - - - - - - - -
"So Naruto," Aniha approached him the next day at work "I hear you got little Gaara teaching you to cook. And Sasuke-san to tutor it seems."
"Yup! Gaara is really good and Sasuke is smart." He grinned "They're the perfect two for me!"
"You playa'!" Hatori cheered from the back room. Naruto just smiled and continued to clear tables, unawares to the true nature of the outburst. Aniha smiled indulgently.
"Have you come up with some idea as to what to do for his birthday?"
"I have actually!"
- - - - - - - - -Continued
Pan: means bread. And speaking of bread (dances) I just started reading Yakitate! Japan again and I highly recommend it for anyone with a sense of humor. And there are some nifty recipes too. w00t for baking!
Soba: A type of noodle
If you have never see Gokusen the principal in this is modeled after him. If you have then tell me: did I get the personality? And I'm sorry, not even a little yummyness…but just you bitches wait!! And please don't be offended, I call everyone a bitch. It's my random term of affection ;3 Comes from having too many gay men go shopping with me But I ended up with some seriously cute stuff
