Maybe a Caravan is not so Bad

Chapter Two

Naruto x Sasuke

AU

I do not own Naruto or anything related to the series. No copyright infringement intended

Dinner with the family was quite uneventful for Sasuke. They conversed, or at least everyone else did, before going their separate ways until it was time for bed. The time he most dreaded. After slipping into the grey jogging bottoms that he slept in Sasuke climbed into bed closing his eyes. If he lay extremely still and acted like he was asleep maybe Itachi would not bother him. It was ten minutes later that he heard the door open and his older brother crept in. The ruffle of bed sheets informed him that Itachi was now in his bed and the punching of keys that he was now texting on his blackberry. Probably someone from the college 'gang' he was in. Akatsuki they called it. Sasuke thought it was a load of bull, they were all freaks.

"So what did you do when you buggered off earlier?" Itachi asked casually. Sasuke remained still and silent, and his brother sighed. "I know your not asleep. You always do this. Got to talk sometime, you have to learn to socialise in this world."

"Shut the crap about socialising, I'm sick of it." Sasuke half yelled remembering his parents were in bed, "go back to texting whichever weirdo friend it is this time."

"At least I have friends." Itachi said coolly, "listen, Neji is coming over tomorrow an-"

"not doing it."

"Sasuke this will be good for you, he is your age and if jus-"

"FORGET it."

Itachi rolled his eyes and ran his fingers through his long hair that he kept down for sleeping. He looked at Sasuke who was not even facing him, lying on his side staring at the wall.

"Sasuke, I am only saying this because I care." Itachi insisted , "you need to make a friend." He was greeted with silence. "Seriously, you're my brother. I can tell that often you get lonely. This summer is a great opportunity for you."

"Oh just shut it," Sasuke replied trying unsuccessfully to keep his temper under check, "you are sounding exactly like that idiot from earlier."

"Idiot? What Idiot?" Itachi asked raising his eyebrow.

"A complete do-" Sasuke started but stopped. Suddenly Naruto's wide bright smile and large eyes appeared in his mind. He could not shake the image. The way he did not judge him when all others did. Saw him as a person and not a Uchiha.

"Yes? Who?" Itachi pressed.

"No one."

"But you just sa-"

"NO one."

Itachi bit his lip impatiently. He hated Sasuke's bad habit of cutting people off mid sentence. Usually when it was a topic he did not want to talk about.

"When you left earlier, did you meet someone then?" Itachi asked. He got no reply. Sasuke had already pulled the covers over his head and given up on the conversation. He sighed. "Well give them a chance anyway." He muttered before lying down and closing his eyes himself.

A large blast of light from the windows awoke Sasuke who struggled to open his eyes to the brightness of the room. When they finally managed to open he saw Itachi, fully dressed and made up, opening the curtains. Always the morning person. Sasuke checked the alarm clock. 9:25. That meant Itachi must have been up for at least a few hours now.

"Good morning, and our guests will be here in just over half an hour," Itachi said flashing his small 'charismatic' smile, "get ready. You don't want to get seen like that."

Sasuke growled but got up anyway. He knew he did not look perfect fresh from bed like his brother did, and he knew very well that he took longer to get ready. Sasuke showered, dressed and faced the mirror to spike his hair and use his products. He did not use much makeup. Just moisturiser, never foundation, eyeliner when he felt like it which was not today, and occasionally mascara. It was enough to earn him the name of 'pretty boy' at school. He hated that name.

When Sasuke finally got into the caravan lounge the 'guests' were already there sitting on the sofa chatting with the rest of his family. As well as the Hyuuga family there was a new girl who he did not recognise. She had her hair piled into two buns on the side of her head and wore Chinese style clothing. Her hand was locked with Neji's. When his father spotted him come in he stood up, hurrying over to Sasuke and pulling him into the discussion.

"Sasuke, this is Tenten." Fugaku said with a large smile on his face, "she is Neji's new girlfriend so we thought it would be nice for you to meet her." Tenten smiled and waved her hello and Sasuke mumbled one back. "She is also the daughter of a top Chinese lawyer who has just moved into the country," Fugaku muttered into Sasuke's ear as everyone else turned back to their conversation, "it would be a powerful connection to our family. Befriend her."

Sasuke grunted. To his father friends was another word for business associates. Someone to strengthen his position in the world. The Hyuuga family owned another business empire that were rivals to the Uchiha's. But Itachi managed to use his charm to strike a friendship between the families and deals were made. They had many connections that were formed that way, and Sasuke was expected to do the same. He did not want anything to do with people like that, he was not going to fake a friendship for his fathers wishes.

"Well, we will be going now!" Mikoto said brightly grabbing her purse, "you all behave while we spend the day off site."

"Yes, Itachi you are in charge." Fugaku said to which Itachi nodded, "keep an eye on your brother." Sasuke heard him ask quietly and he scowled.

The parents all left leaving behind just Neji, Hinata, Tenten, Itachi and himself. An awkward silence fell amongst them as the main topic starters had gone. Sasuke realised they really did not have anything in common apart from money and status, a relationship based on power.

"Well why don't you sit down and join us properly Sasuke." Itachi asked flashing him a warning look. Sasuke hesitated but perched on the end of the sofa next to Hinata who gave him a small shy small. Sasuke nodded slightly at her. He had nothing against her.

"So…how did you and Tenten meet?" Itachi enquired an mock interested expression on his face.

"Well that's a funny story, I was…" Sasuke rolled his eyes as Neji started one of his stories that he knew went on forever. "…then I asked her on a date and to my delight she agreed. Sasuke how about you, do you have a special girl yet?"

"No." Sasuke said slightly annoyed he was being brought into discussion.

"Well that's no surprise, I think your personality would put anyone off."

"What the hell was that?" Sasuke said testily breathing deeply to try and remain calm, "What the hell do you mean by that genius boy?"

"Just giving you friendly advice Sasuke," Neji said faking a sweet smile that Sasuke could see through. They never got along, " Maybe you should stop acting like a ice princess and actually start being nice."

"Say that again you bastard!" Sasuke fumed rising from the sofa and slamming his hands into the coffee table, "I am no effing princess!"

"Sasuke please…" Itachi tried but his younger brother shot him a death glare.

"Want a bet pretty boy," Neji said standing up himself and squaring up to him, "you look like a princess to me. A spoilt pampered one. Surprised your not all dolled up today, where is your usual eyeliner? Aw didn't your daddy buy you a lip-gloss to match yet pretty boy?"

Neji went a step too far. Sasuke's fists smashed hard into his face. Tenten screamed. Before he could land another blow he felt a force pulling him hard from behind and restraining him.

"STOP Sasuke, CALM down!" Itachi yelled, managing to keep him at bay. He was stronger than his younger brother and despite his efforts to leave his restraints he knew the fight was over. Blood was dripping from Neji's nose and a drop was on his fist. The girls were attending to him, Hinata was used to Sasuke's temper and did not seem to think it was strange while Tenten looked at Sasuke clearly disgusted.

"Sasuke apologise to Neji." Itachi said calmly, finally thinking it safe to let him go.

"Hell. No." Sasuke said through gritted teeth before dashing into the porch, gabbing his shoes and running.

"Sasuke get back here NOW!" He heard Itachi call after him but he could tell it was half hearted and he made no attempt to run after him.

Sasuke carried on going until his feet began to hurt from slamming on grass and gravel without shoes on. He sat down, giving himself time to breath and to pull on his trainers. He had not actually gone far, he didn't need to. He just ran around the site to let off steam and loose any potential tails which turned out was unnecessary. Sasuke was almost back where he started but he was not going back into the caravan. It would be suicide. He wanted to go to his lake. Although he brought no music to distract him this time, Sasuke could sit near the edge and reflect. Sasuke got near to his place when he saw a familiar blonde sitting up against the tree he always chose, head down focused on a Gameboy micro. He froze. Did he move any closer and have to risk socialising, or should he turn back. But where else was there to go? Still debating with himself Sasuke did not notice Naruto lift his head and spot him, leaping up grinning.

"Hey Sasuke I knew you would turn up!"

Sasuke sighed. There was no escaping now, the boy was like a leech.

"I did not want to see you," Sasuke said taking a step back from the boy hurtling towards him, "you just happened to be here, dobe."

"You have blood…" Naruto frowned pointing to the stain on Sasuke's fists, trailing off.

"I'm not in the mood for you right now," Sasuke said glaring at Naruto I won't be in the mood ever. "Go elsewhere."

"Did something happen?" Naruto continued to press seemingly genuinely concerned.

"No. Get the hell away."

"Why do you always talk to me like that teme!" he yelled, "every time I try to be nice and make friends you act like your too above anyone! Your so cold your like an ice-"

"Finish that sentence and I will punch you as well." Sasuke said coolly surprisingly more calm than he thought he would be.

"Prove me wrong then."

"I don't need to prove anything to you."

"Guess your right…" Naruto started but then his wide grin cracked on his face again, "so how about that campsite tour you promised me?"

"I promised you nothing idiot!"

"Well, got anything better to do teme?"

Sasuke thought for a moment. He could not go back to his caravan. He doubted Naruto would leave him alone now.

"Just a short one."

"Yes! I knew you liked my company!" Naruto cried happily punching the air before grabbing the unsuspecting Sasuke by the arm, "lead the way!"

"Don't touch me!" Sasuke yelled, shoving him off but nevertheless moving in the direction of the swimming pool.

An hour later even Sasuke with his high stamina felt quite exhausted. Naruto was an endless bundle of energy who just wanted to leap and bound around everything without ever getting worn out. He asked tireless questions that at first he refused to answer but in the end gave in, discovering they had a few things in common such as music taste and films. Sasuke could even say Naruto had not entirely annoyed him. Yes, he was a bit too much, loud, annoying, energetic, cheerful, smiley and cute. But strangely Sasuke was able to stand his company. Did I just think he was cute?

"Sasuke-teme!" Naruto called running up to him, "there is still somewhere you have not taken me!"

"…Where?" Sasuke asked, he had already been around the entire site.

"Your caravan! Show me show me!"

"Forget it." Sasuke said quietly. He had to return at some point. He knew that. He just was not ready to face his family yet.

"C'mon, I reaaally want to see which is yours!"

"NO!" Sasuke yelled trying not to completely get angry, "I am NOT going back there yet!"

"Ah, so something did happen didn't it," Naruto grinned despite Sasuke's glaring looks, "spill."

"Why the hell should I?"

"Because I am your friend, friends should help." Naruto said sincerely.

"Dobe, we have known each other two days, how could it possibly make us friends?" Sasuke said testily.

"Why not? Am I too low for a Uchiha's friend, not elite enough?"

"That's not it…can't stand rich, high class…"Sasuke muttered. Naruto swallowed almost nervously and shifted uncomfortably as though he had something to hide.

"What are you other friends like?" Naruto asked. Sasuke did not answer. He looked away moodily but Naruto was sure he caught a glimpse of loneliness in his coal eyes. Naruto nodded. He understood what he was not telling him. "Did you get in a fight with someone?"

"Neji." Sasuke paused, "the little bastard."

"Neji…Neji…Hyuuga?" Naruto asked. Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah."

"I see. Well that makes sense, I have never liked him, soo annoying!" Naruto gushed, "at school he is such a teachers pet!"

"Wait…you go to school with Neji?" Sasuke asked completely surprised, "doesn't he go to an expensive private school in Konoha?"

"Oh well fancy that hahaha!" Naruto put on a strange high pitched laugh and rubbed his blonde mop furiously, "gonna tell me what happened?"

Sasuke gave Naruto a strange look but explained what happened. The blonde nodded and tutted in occasion always muttering something about being a cocky jerk.

"So, you wear eyeliner?" he asked in the end laughing, "wow bet that will look hot."

"Did you just call me hot dobe?" Sasuke asked taking a step back and screwing up his face.

"Not quite, wouldn't wanna inflate a Uchiha ego any more!" Naruto said sticking out his tongue, "anyway I feel that you pouring out your emotions like that has brought the two of us closer! Let us be friends now!"

What is with this guy…I shared no emotions what-so-ever.

"Friends." Sasuke almost spat the word as though it was tainted with his father's image of the word, "It is not something I do…and why would I chose you out of everyone?"

"What is WRONG with me teme?" Naruto said loudly but still had a wide grin on his face, "I am funny, cute and gonna tail your ass all holiday anyway."

Sasuke sighed but accidentally let a small smile slip on to his face that he immediately wiped off but Naruto spotted it and grinned wider which was seemingly impossible. Sasuke could not help but be drawn to the blonde, he was not sure why. He had never felt that way about anyone else before and he usually just saw other people in general as annoying pains. Naruto was annoying, but annoying in a different sort of way. A bearable way. An addictive way.

"Friends…" Sasuke said again, "I guess…I will give it a try."

Thank you to everyone who enjoyed the last chapter, this one was fairly long haha, but the story will get into full swing from the next chapter so please keep reading and I hope you liked it! Reviews are welcome :)