Disclaimer: Naruto is something I do not own.
Stuff you need to know before reading this: This is my first SasuNaru fic, so please offer some reviews of criticism, praise, ideas, or even flames that go along the lines of "I hate this story because Sasuke seems to OOC", etc. Also, Sasuke and Naruto are both 16, and Naruto has brought Sasuke back from Orochimaru.
Warning: This contains Shounen-ai.
A/N: I love my reviewers! Thank you, Ketsueki Kaen, Sachiel Angelo, and SilverxStarlight!
Uchiha Sasuke woke up, feeling a huge, throbbing pain in his head. Wincing, he rubbed his eyes—why was it so goddamn bright?—and stumbled out of bed. "Kami…" he groaned as he saw himself in the mirror. Not even the fangirls could like him in this state, he thought wryly. His face was paler than ever, and the black hair stuck up in all different places, making him look more like Naruto than himself. An emo version of Naruto. His eyes were dull and he had huge bags under them. "I shouldn't have drunk all that sake," Sasuke thought woozily. "And I'm still underage, too."
Groaning, he buried his head in his hands. How could he have drunk so much sake? Thank Kami he had gotten home safely while drunk last night, without being assaulted by a rabid fangirl…
Let's see, he thought in his usual methodical manner, let's start from the beginning to see how I could've been so idiotic…so yesterday Naruto told me he was going out with Sakura…and I went to see Tsunade right after…for what? But I remember what happened after clearly enough…I stole some of her sake and got drunk to drown my misery…but what did I see Tsunade for? Sasuke frowned. Think, Sasuke, think!
Finally, Sasuke's woozy mind was able to garner some answers."I went to see her, because I needed to start my plan of capturing Naruto!" He slapped his hand to his mouth as he said that, flushing deep red. Thank Kami, once again, that he had not said that in front of a fangirl. Who knew how far the news would travel?
"So I went to ask her if there were any public events, and she said yes, there was a ball coming up…" Sasuke said out loud, trying to force himself to think. "Yes!" He shouted uncharacteristically. "I am smarter when I'm sober, after all." Smirking to himself, he went into the bathroom to make himself presentable before starting phase 1 of the plan.
"Sasuke-kun!" A shriek came from behind Sasuke as he strolled toward Team 7's meeting place.
Why of all times? Sasuke slowly turned his head around to see the newly-proclaimed leader of his fanclub.
She skidded to a halt, and flung her arms around his neck.
…Disgusting. She puts on way too much perfume. Probably not training hard enough—were the thoughts of a very disgruntled Sasuke Uchiha. Well, at least she's not Ino. Ino would probably stab me.
Suddenly, Sasuke did feel a stab of regret. After coming back, the only person out of the Rookie Nine who hadn't forgiven him was Ino. He couldn't forget her screaming at him—"You hurt everyone here, including Sakura and Naruto! How could you just come back and just assume everything would be back to normal? You're not the Sasuke I knew!"
He had remembered saying—"You're right. I'm not the Sasuke you knew, because the Sasuke you knew never existed. He was simply your ideal."
And while what he had said was true, Sasuke still felt abnormally guilty, because part of what Ino had said was true. No one had truly forgiven him for betraying them all, not even Naruto. If Naruto had forgiven him, Naruto would laugh more around him, he'd challenge Sasuke more and be closer to Sasuke. No…none of his old friends could trust him yet. Sasuke wanted to change that. He wanted to prove himself to everyone and earn Naruto's true respect…and possibly…
"No, don't think that way!" He said out loud. I can't get my hopes up.
"Huh?" The leader of his fanclub said, still clinging to him. "Oh, Sasuke-kun, you know I love you!"
"…Get off." And he pushed her squealing figure off, rolling his eyes at the "Sasuke-kun, wait for me!" behind him. People like her would never be able to understand him. When he said he wanted to be left alone, he meant it.
"Hello, Sasuke!" Sakura greeted him warmly as he strolled up to Team 7's meeting place, but with no love in her eyes when she saw him, only the eyes acknowledging a teammate. "Ohayo." He said shortly.
"Sakura! Sasuke!" Naruto shouted happily, bounding toward them from the distance. Sasuke noticed Sakura rolling her eyes affectionately at the hyperactive blond, and felt horribly jealous.
Taking advantage of the fact that he and Sakura were alone for about 30 seconds still, he quickly turned to her.
"Huh? Sasuke?" Sakura turned to him, a confused look on her face.
Time for Phase 1 to begin. Sorry, Sakura. "Hey, Sakura, can you come with me to the International Ball in two weeks?" Say yes, say yes, say yes!
Sakura looked flabbergasted. "A-ano, Sasuke, I'm going out with Naruto now…" her face was uncertain, but also guarded at the same time.
Sasuke almost punched himself. He should choose his words better! "Just as friends." He added.
Sakura's face cleared up, luckily. "Oh! That's fine then. But, Sasuke, I didn't know you liked going to balls…"
"Uh, uh…" Sasuke tried to think of an explanation. "I, uh, I mean, Tsunade-sama is making me go to a few public events to prove that I'm trustworthy before she'll let me go on missions again."
That was true. Sasuke had been on a sort of "probation" once he had gotten back. But, he decided not to tell her that he could choose whatever public event he wanted. Luckily, Sakura seemed to swallow up his story.
"Sure, I'll go with you, just as friends." Sakura relented, but emphasizing "just as friends."
Whew. Sakura's gotten tougher over the years… Sasuke pondered. She doesn't like me anymore, but that's a good thing. "Good." He said out loud. Phase 1 was successful. Sasuke let out a tiny smirk of relief, until, of course, he was nearly knocked over by his exuberant blond crush.
Hmm…what's Sasuke-teme's plan? Review to find out!
