Kiss Me Deadly Chapter 2: The Devil Deals, a naruto fanfic

Gah! Sorry for the lateness but it's been a real drag trying to get everything done around here. ;;

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to the world!...But the copyright goes to Masashi Kishimoto. -sniff-

Chapter Summary: The deal is created and executed.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight.

-Switchfoot's 'Shadow Proves the Sunshine'

"I can't do anything, Naruto," she muttered in a low tone," But it doesn't mean anything can be done."

Chapter Two: The Devil Deals

The door to the Student Council office was definitely more ominous looking than the other doors. Something about its bare smooth surface and its immaculate brass doorknob made Naruto feel like he had stumbled upon the lair full of blood-thirsty dragons and demons. Unlike the other rooms of the school, this one was absolutely off limits to anyone who didn't have expressed permission from select members of the school. It was a place where the absolute elite breathed important and meaningful things; they needed the room to not be loud and distracting. Naruto was practically the embodiment of both.

There was a moment of hesitation when his hand lifted itself shakily to the doorknob. Uncertainty exploded and the space between his shaking fingers and the cool metal seemed to close in of their own free will. He gulped and pushed his growing anxiety back deep into his gut. He couldn't be afraid now; too much was on the line! Shika, Kiba, and Chouji all depended on him. Naruto stiffened his fingers and curved them mechanically over the knob. Damn it, even if he was going to have to go on his hands and knees-!

Suddenly, the door opened and a tall shadow emerged from the room, spilling into the hallway and onto Naruto. A warm lithe body stopped when it lightly bumped into the frozen blond.

"Naruto? What are you doing here?" The tone was familiar. Soft and deep with a hint of mild surprise.

Startled, Naruto stepped back. His face broke into a relieved grin when he realized who it was or, more accurately, who it wasn't. Naruto hadn't quite mentally prepared himself yet and was grateful for the any excuse to stall. "N-Neji!" the younger boy rattled, face breaking into a large shaky grin. Oh god, please be leaving, he thought wildly, I don't want anyone to finding out I'm doing this. He hoped the long haired senior was on his way home or work or anywhere else but here.

It wasn't because Naruto and Neji had a particularly bad relationship. In fact, one may say they were almost friendly towards one another, but Naruto had always felt some tension between them. The Hyuuga had always kept his distance but remained one of the few who treated him with any amount of decency. The blond often wondered if it had something to do with what had happened the previous year when they had fought and, in a miraculous turn of events, he had won. After the initial shock and excitement by the school, most had chosen to chalk up the victory as a fluke and made it out as another reason to outcast Naruto even further. On the other hand, Neji had gained a substantial amount of admirers when girls fawned over his injuries. Though he never personally witnessed it first-hand, Naruto could imagine the numerous girls who begged a chance to 'nurse' him back to health.

All in all, the last thing Naruto expected was for Neji to actually become...kinder. For weeks, Naruto had avoided him (and his flock of murderous fans). But in such a close-knit school, their meetings were inevitable. Eventually, those coincidental passings in the hallways and the quick glances across the room turned into friendly greetings and even an exchange of smiles and waves. The blond was utterly lost at the change of character in Neji but when a slightly awkward smile aimed his way, Naruto never hesitated in returning it. It was a reflex.

Though he knew very well that it was foolish to think this way, Naruto didn't grow suspicious of Neji's motives or reasons. If Neji wanted to some sort of revenge, he reasoned, it was easier and quicker to be straightforward of it. God knows the Hyuuga genius had the means and influence. Fortunately for him, there didn't seem to be any malicious motives at all.

The simple gestures of Neji discretely delivered combined with Naruto's eagerness to return it lead both youths to create a strange understanding between them. In front of large crowds, they acted quite impassively towards one another but, in between classes and in places with little attention, the two would give a friendly wave and even chance a warm greeting. Their relationship was steering itself into a positive direction and Naruto made sure to handle the situation as delicately as he could. Slowly but surely, this must be the beginnings of a strong friendship. At least, he hoped it was.

However, all the progress they made this year could be likely lost today. Once Naruto confronts Sasuke, he could very easily be forced into something that would completely destroy any respect he had gained from Neji. This both worried and angered him. Sasuke, his rival and all-out bastard, had this much control over his relationships but it couldn't be helped. Whatever happened, Shika, Chouji, and Kiba would still stick with him (They better. After all, I'm doing this for them.). If Neji reverted back to rejecting him, than maybe they were not meant to be friends.

It was a very depressing thought.

"H-hey, Neji! What are you up to?" Naruto began nervously, scratching the back of his head.

"The school council meets every Thursday to bring up new issues concerning the school. I stay behind to properly document and file our meetings," Neji replied calmly, giving a small reassuring smile. "What about you, Naruto? Do you have a complaint of some sort...?"

"No!" the blond quickly said, meeting the pale eyes of the older boy, "I-I just wondered if...Sasuke's still here...?" There was a forced laugh afterwards, knowing fully well how strange it was for him to ask the question. He let out a deep breathe, to relax, and started to talk more hurriedly, "I-Its okay if he already left, ya'know! 'Cause I can always come back-".

As if in answer, a distinct voice called over Neji's shoulder. "Move, Hyuuga. You're blocking the exit." Naruto's face visibly paled as the familiar dark spikes of hair appeared. Neji let out a scowl at being addressed so rudely before stepping to the side of the doorway. The senior morphed the formerly pleasant smile into a worried frown when he glanced back and forth between the two juniors.

"Seems like you have a visitor, Uchiha," the senior informed, waving his right hand in Naruto's direction.

Naruto could see Sasuke's eyes widen just a fraction in mild astonishment before settling back down to its original aristocratic form. "Uzumaki." Black onyx eyes regarded him coldly, momentarily glancing at Naruto's empty hands before traveling up to the whiskered face and resting on his azure eyes. If it weren't for the predicament, the blond would've responded with an intense glare and a deserving insult or two. But, the fact of the matter was, he needed the bastard's help. If only it was possible for him to get the favor by punching that pretty little face in and leave it so bruised, swollen, scarred, maimed-

"Idiot." Sasuke interrupted, glowering at the blond while Neji stiffened nearby, "As interesting as it is seeing you make those happy faces, I have more important things to do. What do you want here?"

"I-we need to talk," Naruto managed to say, his voice shaking just a bit. Partially from being understandably flustered and partially from swallowing down his own retorts back at the paler boy. "I-I mean...I want to talk to you...about something." He gave an apologetic glance at Neji, who was watching rather closely. Too closely. "Um...alone." Neji looked carefully at the pleading blue eyes aimed his way. His pale purple-tinted eyes turned to glimpse at Sasuke before lowering themselves back at Naruto.

"Are you sure you don't...?"

"Thanks but its okay," Naruto said, laughter lacing his voice at Neji's cautious attitude, "Talking and just talking. That's it. Promise." His eyes stared pleadingly until the long-haired boy finally sighed and moved himself into the middle of the hallway, leaving the doorway clear for the junior. Over Naruto's shoulder, he gave a meaningful look towards the Uchiha who didn't quite catch the emotion in his white eyes. The tanned boy turned to say his goodbye to the parting Hyuuga, who had already placed on a melancholy expression. "Thanks Neji! I owe you one!" In response, the senior class president gave an awkward wave before leaving.

"Take care, Naruto."

Blue eyes looked appreciatively onwards on the back of the parting Hyuuga. Even after the boy vanished around the corner, his face didn't turn back to Sasuke until the echo of the footsteps grew very faint. When it finally did so, Naruto met a very annoyed Uchiha who held all the markings of a long exhausting school day. Great, a grumpy Sasuke would be so much easier to handle, he thought sardonically.

"What exactly is so important, Uzumaki?" The paler junior scathingly asked, leaning his weight on one leg as he readjusted the strap of his leather case. Naruto distracted himself on the delicate fingers struggling with the metal buckle, purposely avoiding Sasuke's face as he spoke.

"I need to talk to you," he started, slightly surprised at how steady his voice had become, "Can we...can we go somewhere more private?"

Sasuke furrowed his brows at Naruto, who stood firmly rooted in front of him. For a moment, the blond worried that the spiky haired boy would simply refuse to listen and brush off anything he had to say. If that were to happen, they would quite possibly end up in another fight. It certainly wouldn't be out of character for them, to say the least. Though, as Naruto grudgingly reminded himself, he had promised Neji that all he was there to do was talk.

Before the whiskered teen could think any further, a slight shift of movement caught his eye. "Hn. Fine, Uzumaki." Sasuke said tiredly, still holding on to smugness with a well placed smirk. He had finished with the buckle of his case and was now backing into the room, leading the way for a surprised Naruto to follow. "Don't touch anything." Naruto grinded his teeth for a moment but kept his mouth tightly shut and followed.

He gingerly stepped onto the squeaky linoleum floor and couldn't help but gape around the infamous council room. It was meticulously kept up with shining windows and floors. Though mostly bare, the walls seemed freshly painted and free from marks and punctures with hanging shelves of trophies and books. There were also a few pieces of student artwork throughout the room alongside vases of blooming flowers. A large table was in the farthest corner, surrounded with tall cushioned chairs and covered with neatly stacked folders and files. In the corner of his eye, he would see a mini fridge and even a small television set neatly on top. Naruto wondered if Tsunade knew about the luxury of the student council. He remembered the prestige of the members themselves and grudgingly reasoned that the room must've been supported by them and not the school.

As he thought this, Tsunade's earlier words rang into his head.

...because he's an Uchiha.

Yeah, that's why, the young tanned boy reasoned bitterly as he watched Sasuke settle himself comfortably against the opposite wall, because he's a freakin' Uchiha. Naruto, though impossibly oblivious at times, was not a complete idiot. He could see why the Uchiha Sasuke was the most beloved character in the entire school. The boy, with his contrasting pale skin and dark hair and sharp features, was abnormally handsome. He was leaned and toned from years of school athletics and had proven exceptional in every area he showed the most remote interest in. Naruto had to be an utter dimwit to ignore those highly attractive qualities in the pale boy. Talented. Intelligent. Handsome. Rich.

Naruto simply wasn't any of those things.

...all that admiration.

...all that wealth.

...all that power.

Naruto simply didn't have any of those things.

With his laughable grades and hyper personality, he was far from being considered talented or intelligent. Few girls ever gave any indication of his forever sun-kissed skin, the unruly golden hair, or his small stout body was anything even close to 'hot'. It was a lucky day if he found more than ten bucks in his ragged wallet.

No. He was not any of those things. Naruto and Sasuke were total opposites in every way, shape, and form. They represented a unique combination of balance and conflict with each other, as if born to act as counterparts in a demented play. It was a part they both played well in the world. Day in and day out without fail. Until the scent of their mingled blood and sweat filled ever fiber of their being, it will never be enough. Naruto couldn't remember when all of this first started and, staring back into the inky eyes of his rival in that dimly lit room, he doubted Sasuke did either. Proven genius be damned.

Because it was a lot easier to hate when they both thought this way.

I didn't like you because you didn't like me first.

It was really that simple.

Naruto was abruptly broken out of his thoughts at a familiar 'Hn' from across the room. He looked up and saw Sasuke regarding him expectantly with one fine brow tilted up as if to say 'Well? For a moment, the silence flooded the room as the air thickened with tension. Amusingly, Naruto noted this was probably the longest time the two had ever been alone without getting into either a verbal or physical fight. They would've gone after each other's throats within ten minutes without a teacher present. An hour tops with one.

Naruto moved his face so that his eyes locked unblinkingly onto Sasuke. For a moment, he was lost in those unfeeling eyes staring lazily back into his. It sent a shudder down his spine at how cold those black obsidians could become, especially compared to his own warming eyes in reflection. However, he tucked away the nervousness and began in what was sure to be an awkward conversation. "I want. To make. A deal. With you." Each syllable had been carefully emphasized and Naruto could hear his own pronunciation faintly echo off the walls of the room.

Another silence. And then-

"Care to repeat that, Uzumaki?"

There was a slow exhale from the other as his eyes narrowed murderously at the class president. Both knew Sasuke's hearing was perfect but Naruto decided to continue for the sake of being civil. Beating the guy into an oozing bloody pulp might ruin his chances of getting the favor. "My friends are in really deep shit now, Uchiha," Naruto explained patiently," And I need you to tell the school board to lay off." He was careful to keep his voice uncharacteristically low and controlled. It would capture more attention.

There was silence as Sasuke fully absorbed the words that came from the blond's mouth. Whether bewildered or devious, his true feelings were expertly concealed over a face of blank emotion. Naruto's eyes stared unblinkingly on his face, all seriousness in his bright azure eyes, ready to catch any slip of the cool facade. Finally, the hardened black eyes, half-lidded, met straight into the blue.

"What makes you think I'll help you?" Sasuke started softly, "If you haven't noticed, we aren't exactly on friendly terms."

Of course, he had expected this. Naruto knew Sasuke was not the type who did favors or acts of charity without gaining something in return, something many of his blinded fans would surely dismiss. His throat suddenly parched, the blond readied himself for the impact of his next few words, knowing fully well it had the high possibility of ruining his life. But, in that same thought, he knew it was the only way to help his friends. "I don't have a lot," he said carefully, "B-but I'll do one thing for you. A favor. As long as it doesn't involve anything illegal or hurt anyone." The last bit was added underhandedly out of caution.

Sasuke had immediately straightened up his posture, a disgustingly smug look on his face. Naruto chewed on his tongue, trying to scrape the developed fuzziness off itself. He focused his concentration back at Sasuke, grimly noting the superior look he had on his face. The bastard was enjoying all of this, no doubt about that. But it was still unsure if the school prodigy would accept the offer, even if it did give him free reign over Naruto. Handling the school board to release three adolescences who have had a past record was going to be tricky even with his family persuasion, though not entirely impossible. Whatever Sasuke was going to ask, Naruto already knew he was going to hate it just as much as he hated him.

The anticipation for an answer was killing him. The Uchiha was taking a much longer time with deciding than he originally planned and that unfamiliar glazed look as they watched each other forced Naruto to shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "Well?" he finally asked, minutely flinching at the harsh echo of the room, breaking the still silence. Sasuke seemed to have broken out of his previous distracted state and was now calmly straightening himself off the wall. Careful as if not to scare the blond away, he approached Naruto with predetermined steps and stopped a suitable but close distance. Exactly three floor tiles, Naruto counted subconsciously.

"What I want," Sasuke began, purposely drawing out each syllable in poisoned honeyed tones, "Is that necklace." A hand gently lifted itself up and a finger pointed at the thin chain around his tanned neck.

Naruto's heart stopped.

"No way!" he said reflexively, raising both hands protectively along his neckline. He coiled his fingers over the chain and centered jewels, trying to shield itself from Sasuke's satisfied gaze. His face turned out a deep scowl when he realized the fault of his action. With all the time spent together fighting and cursing each other's existence, the taller boy would've noticed how cherished the necklace is to the blond and his outburst provided the reassurance.

"A-anything else, Uchiha," Naruto said, voice hopeful, "How about me not bothering you? No talking back, no insults, no stealing your stuff and selling it off to your fans. I won't even fight you for the rest of the year!"

At this, Sasuke's eyes narrowed and his smirk faltered ever so slightly. "No, thank you, Uzumaki. The necklace, I happen to like it-"

"Then why don't you just get your own!" he shouted back, fingers tightening. His words echoed along the walls and he could see those deep onyx eyes harden.

"Because I want yours," the other replied plainly, leaning closer into the despairing boy, "Hand it over...or your friends are gone." The tone had become as soft and dangerous as a snake's hiss.

Naruto grinded his teeth. The choice was painfully obvious but it didn't make it any easier to make. Handing over the necklace felt like he was betraying Tsunade's trust of him in protecting it. Would she mind knowing the situation? In his mind, he reasoned she would be completely understanding. However, in the all the time he had taken care of it, the necklace had become a cherished part of him. During the lonely hectic times at work or in his apartment with nothing warm but a cup of ramen, he had traced the outline of the chain, both comforted and content. It represented something much more than his bond with Tsunade. It embodied his bond with everyone who was ever close to him.

And Sasuke wanted it. Naruto could see it in how the corners of his pale thin lips curl casually underneath the sharp shadows of his bangs. But the circumstances were completely against him to refuse the Uchiha. His friends...will come first.

Afterwards, the blond would make sure the pale boy would regret not taking up the 'no fights for the rest of the year' deal.

With a defeated growl, his fingers loosened its grasp and slowly made its way to the back at the clasp. He avoided the gaze of the other, concentrating his attention of the floor instead. With the clasp undone, the necklace fell daintily to the awaiting palm of his other hand. The junior rubbed the back of his tanned neck, brushing away the naked feeling without the familiar weight. He gazed sadly at the pretty thing in his hand, letting his eyes glazing over at the shimmering crystals and admiring the simplistic beauty of the jewelry. It was likely the last time he'd ever see it again.

An impatient hand, palm up and fingers slightly curled, reached out for the jewelry. Naruto glared at the Sasuke before roughly shoving the item into his hand, hoping his unevenly bitten nails would leave sharp scratches on the skin. Unfazed, the taller boy delicately raised the necklace to eye level, allowing the natural sunlight from the windows to capture it in tiny reflecting rainbows. Satisfied, he brought the ends of the chain around his neck and did the clasp securely behind the soft tufts of black hair.

Naruto had to admit, very reluctantly, that it somehow suited his class president. The pale skin with the aged silver made a good match. The three pieces of crystal in the center caught colors and gave life to the overall dark look of the Uchiha. The refined elegance his rival always carried had been increased by the simplistic charm of it all. Naruto was so preoccupied with this loathing admiration, he didn't notice the calculated gaze Sasuke aimed at him.

"You really like this thing, don't you, Uzumaki?" he asked with a smug note. Teasingly, he brushed his fingertips gingerly around his neck and around the side of the chain. Blue eyes trailed close behind, hypnotized.

"Just-Just remember our deal, bastard," Naruto muttered, blue eyes leaving the neck and locking themselves back onto dark eyes, "And don't leave it in salt water too long."

"Hn, and what if I do?" Sasuke replied carelessly, "It doesn't seem to be too expensive to replace and, now that I have it, doesn't seem very attractive at all." A sly smirk appeared at Naruto's widened eyes. "Don't worry, I'll still help your friends as par our deal...but I can't very well walk around with something this gaudy around my neck. I do have some amount of self-dignity."

"Than why the hell did you ask for it! What the hell did you want with it! If I knew you didn't even care about it, I wouldn't have given it to you, bastard!" Naruto slammed a fist back at the wall behind him. Sasuke gave a slight shrug of the shoulder in reply, a smirk hinting his lips. It infuriated the blond knowing how his precious thing was at the disposal of his rival. But it was worse knowing his rival didn't give a shit about what happened to it.

"...I don't know what I'll do with it," admitted the other, "Should I'll give it to one of my many admirers, donate it to a worthy charitable cause, pawn it in some remote shop somewhere, or maybe-"

"Fuck you, Uchiha! I hope you choke to death in your own pile of cra-!"

"-give it back to you."

"...what?" Naruto had stopped suddenly, his body frozen in what seemed to be a threatening gesture. Sasuke cocked his head amusingly, his signature smirk ever widening, eyes glinting predatorily.

"I said, moron," he continued, "That I might give it back to you."

It took a few more moments for Naruto to fully understand what had come out of Sasuke's mouth. Usually, the blond's personality didn't see the point of being suspicious of anyone's actions, thinking that taking things directly was the best way to deal with a situation. However, it was not usual for his rival to offer something...like this. Naruto was sure there was some sort of trickery involved so he chose to approach with the utmost caution. Even so, a little piece of him hoped Sasuke was serious. Maybe the Uchiha, possibly the most cold-hearted person in the entire school, was not the-

"Provided you do me a service, of course."

-biggest asshole in the history of the universe!

Naruto crossed his arms lossely over his chest and frowned at the smirking Uchiha. "What kind of 'service?" he asked curiously.

There was an uncharacteristic hesitation wherein black onyx eyes bore onto cautious blue.

"Well?" He could see the necklace taunting him along the pale neckline and it was testing his patience, or lack thereof, for the Uchiha.

"One kiss. Everyday. For the rest of the school year. Those are my terms, Uzumaki."

"What!"

The surprise outburst seemed to have been expected since Sasuke had a controlled smirk on his features. "Let me kiss you, without any resistance, everyday for the rest of the school year. On the last day, if you keep your end, I shall hand it over to you. Miss a day that isn't a fault of my own and the deal is off."

"..."

"Its all very simple, Uzumaki. Even an idiot like you should understand this."

Naruto broke out of his trance and was now had an skeptical look dawning his features. "A-are you sure...?" he asked, slightly flustered, "B-but why...would you want to-?"

There came harsh scoff from the other. "If you're thinking that I have any of those tender feelings for you, Uzumaki, then you are more thick-headed than I thought."

Naruto swallowed hard. Truthfully, he had thought that way for a second and he felt himself blushing at how stupid he had been to think that way of his vowed rival. Still, out of all the things to ask..."Why that?" he muttered uncertainly at the class president, "Why would you-?"

There was a dark chuckle. "Think about it, stupid. It isn't that complicated my reasonings for doing this to you. Just answer quickly. I'm already as late as it is."

"Shut up bastard!" It was all too confusing for the blond and the obvious smugness of the other didn't make it easy for him to focus. Kissing? The last time he checked, Naruto was sure those were acts between friends, families, or lovers. It wasn't supposed to happen between blood rivals who beat each other to a pulp every other day. But then, what could it be? He looked over at Sasuke, scanning his face for the answers. Those inky condescending eyes stared back, daring Naruto to come up with the reasons himself.

Then it clicked.

Fighting was apparently no longer enough. They had passed beyond degrading and demeaning each other with mere taunts and jeers. Sasuke wanted more. He wanted to make Naruto helpless and embarrassed. He wanted to mortify the blond and, with the set conditions, make it impossible for him to seek the comfort of his friends. It was meant to be kept as a secret between them and give a daily dose of dominance for Sasuke over his rival.

The cold-hearted bastard had managed to twist an act of love into an act of perfectly fitted vengence for Naruto.

That bastard.

It was a good plan. An exceptional plan worthy of being created by the proclaimed Uchiha genius. Even as the victim, Naruto felt some sort of begrudging admiration for him to come up with it. For the necklace, would he go through with it? Would...could he make that decision? His mind carefully contemplated his options.

A few sacrificed seconds a day wasn't too bad, especially considering what was at stake. It was a strange ordeal, yes, but nothing that the stubborn boy couldn't handle in order to get his precious item back. Besides, once he was able to get the necklace and fulfill his end of the bargain, they only had one more year of high school before never having the 'pleasure' of seeing each other ever again. Once this relatively short time in his life was over, it was over for good. This was to become a forgotten memory, only to be relived on his deathbed as a moment of necessary evil.

Yes, he will be mortified.

Yes, it was a horrible situation.

Yes, it was going to make his junior year absolutely suck.

But, it was what had to be done. To get his friends and his necklace back.

"I-if I did it-!" Naruto muttered roughly, an easy flush gracing his cheek, "If I...if I let you kiss me, would you give it back?" There was a noticeable shudder in his words as the sentenced awkwardly fell off his lips.

"Yes, I'll give it back to you at the end," the other repeated," When you and I are done, I'll give this gaudy piece of trash back to you."

"Fine," he muttered in relunctant defeat. He kept his eyes away from the Uchiha, who was no doubt highly pleased with his answer. There was a stillness in the air as Sasuke memorialized the moment of victory. After a minute, he shifted himself up and moved towards Naruto. The blonde stood still, telling himself that in a few short seconds it would be over. No one but them would know about this and he could still fight with the Uchiha as usual (and oh boy, he couldn't wait until then). The thought provided little comfort as he concentrated on Sasuke, slowly closing the distance between them.

As he inched closer, purposely stretching the seconds to their full worth, Sasuke noticed amusingly the tightly clenched fists by Naruto's side. They were shaking in anger at the helplessness of the situation. He soaked up the full fury emitting from the shorter boy like a sponge before leaning closer and closer. Then, finally, Naruto could feel the initial contact. It was a bare brush of the lips but the unfamiliar touch made Naruto flinch. It was a soft pressure; cool and maybe even pleasant if circumstances were different. But only one repetitive thought burned through his mind as Sasuke continued. It repeatedly banged itself in against one side of his skull and echoed off toward the other in a nauseating rhythm.

This was wrong. This was completely gross and sick and disgusting and weird and wrong.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Sasuke was his rival. He was a jerk and an asshole and a bastard. This prissy pale boy with dark duck butt hair was everything Naruto hated. He had everything but valued nothing. He had everyone's admiration and friendship but treated them all like trash. Sasuke Uchiha was the blood rival. The enemy.

And he was kissing him.

Slightly chaste lips gently suckling his own.

A smooth wet tongue bidding for entrance.

Cool fingers held tightly onto the back of his neck and lacing themselves possessively in the hair.

Naruto could even feel the other's oppressive body heat through the thickness of their clothes.

Everything. Sasuke didn't hold back. Naruto, in opposition, stiffened like a statue; his eyes glued shut.

When they finally separated, Naruto had immediately exhaled the breath held in during the kiss after opening his eyes. His face had become dark red from both the lack of oxygen and the humiliation of allowing the Uchiha to kiss him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the blond noted the prickling of goosebumps spreading across his skin. Almost immediately, he brought up the back of his right hand to wipe away the remnants of Sasuke from his tingling lips and made sure to make a show of spitting at the other's feet.

Complete Revulsion. Utter disgust. Naruto hoped to clearly portray those things in his eyes. He didn't want to let the bastard think for a second that the kiss was enjoyable at all. That would destroy the last piece of dignity he had in this situation and he would no sooner walk around stark naked than let Sasuke think otherwise. He refused to allow Sasuke to take that last piece away from him.

Trying to disguise his own shaking hands, the Uchiha brushed his fingers through the thick of his bangs before letting them fall down over his face again. Darkened eyes held a look of blank emotion as they traveled over Naruto's slumped form. Naruto tried to distract his own uneasiness by straightening up and subconsciously straightening his clothes and flattening his hair. However, try as he might, he could do nothing against the fixed heat on his cheeks. Numbly, he straightened his back and lifted his chin higher than he would normally. His eyes managed to catch the last rays of light and it highlighted the bright azure dancing in his pupils. Sasuke stared, half-lidded and unfocused.

"What are you looking at!"

Since the first time since they entered the council room together, Sasuke did nothing in response to Naruto. Not a smirk. Not an insult. Not even a scoff. Nothing. Instead, the Uchiha shook himself out of his trance and gathered his attention to the almost forgotten leather case on the desk nearby. After lifting the bag up and resting the strap comfortably against his shoulder, the pale boy strided off to the door, skillfully passing and ignoring his fuming classmate.

"I-I hate you, bastard," Naruto snarled, hands tightly fisted to his side.

Sasuke stopped mid-step. For what seemed to be the umpteenth time that afternoon, a deathly silence gathered around the two and wrapped around their stiffened figures. This time, it was Sasuke's turn to break it. "See you tomorrow, Naruto." Even in the moment of blinding cloud of fury and humiliation, the blond couldn't help but whirl around and pierce with widened blue eyes at the Uchiha's retreating back.

In all the years of knowing, brawling, and insulting one another, it was the very first time Sasuke had ever used Naruto's first name.

-To be continued-

Author's Note: Oh, boy. Where do I start? The expectations were high, I can feel it in all of your reviews, and I hope this chapter meets that criteria. The first time I opened my email and...wow. Though, I can't name and respond to all directly, I do appreciate every one of you for reviewing. Thank you for all the support! I'm really glad my story holds your interests.

Another thing someone brought up is that this fiction will be officially a SasuNaru pairing but as the storyline moves further, I will try to make them as I can write so it'll make some NaruSasu fans happy. They will both have their own weaknesses and problems to angst over with each other providing some sort of support as partners of relationship. :3

Please be patient with this slow writer till the next chapter? Till then, here's a snipit of it to hold you guys over:

"I'm not anything like you," came the low snarl. The young Uchiha finally took a step back and regarded Naruto with a fierce glare. He smirked wildly when he found the glare returned with equal passion. With full grace, he stepped towards the shorter boy, a wild grin of malice on unblemished features. Naruto, never one for the defensive, stood firmly rooted where he stood with Sasuke boring down on him inches away. His heart thumped savagely in his chest. His breathing shortened drastically.

Remember to review, please. D;