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Edit: July 2008

Disclaimer- I don't own Naruto.

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Sasuke and I turn around and look directly at Ino. I don't know whether to laugh or frown. How the hell did she get here so fast? That's some fucking amazing timing. . . . And better yet, why is she in my conversation?

Her face is a bright red. She must be pissed. Although, it would be more ladylike of her to just accept the fact that Sasuke freaking hates her ass. But please, someone tell me the downside to this?

Sasuke starts, "Ino—"

Ino shakes as she cuts over his impending line of excuses. That's right bitch, squirm. You are so fucking out of here.

"Sasuke, how could you? You . . . you asshole! . . . I thought we shared something special? Didn't we!?" She keeps shaking and I think she might actually start to cry. "I guess I was wrong."

I cough to cover my laugh. "You got that right." Sasuke nudges me in the shoulder. What? He was thinking the same thing. Don't hate me because I'm braver.

"Just let me explain, Ino." She stands motionless with her arms crossed over her chest. Hey, it's her fault for not falling in the well like I suggested. You'll just have to deal with the consequences of your decisions. "I like you and all but I don't have that same spark for you I had in the beginning. It's me, okay? It's not you."

. . . Well if that isn't the most ancient fucking line in the book. It's not you, it's me? Really, like when is it ever really not you? If we break up with you, you're obviously fucked to the core. Suck it up and take it like a man!

But nonetheless, Ino begins to tear up. "That's bullshit Sasuke and you know it!" At least she appears to have a brain. But you can't fool me, darling.

I agree with her though. (Say hi to the apocalypse.) Sasuke's being a complete coward right now. He's usually able to tell people off without so much as a thought to their feelings. What's so fucking special about her? I involuntarily scowl, my face twisted. I'm losing my patience for all this.

"Please Ino, don't take it personally. It's me. I just have some stuff to think about." Tell her you hate her! Come on, you ignorant supposed-best friend! Tell her you never want to see her again!

"Well, if you didn't like me, then why did you continue to act like it?" I don't fucking know. But I'm interested to find out.

"I don't know. I guess I was hoping this feeling would go away, but it didn't. I'm sorry." WHY ARE YOU SORRY?!

I take a minute to breathe before I hear Ino ask the question I've been dying to ask.

She seems to calm down before she says, "So . . . what is that feeling anyway? I mean, what chick do you have your eyes on?" What, does she expect to get in a good word for him? Girls are so fucking screwed in the head! Will they not do anything to control a man?

I get jittery as I anxiously wait for his answer. I want to know. I deserve to know.

Sasuke looks vacantly over her shoulder. He's not going to tell her. He shouldn't have to . . . I sigh, feeling defeated. He shouldn't have to tell anyone. Even me . . . But fuck if he drapes himself over another tramp! . . . Fuck if he drapes himself over anyone else.

"Look—"

It's easy to see how uncomfortable he is. We all need to lay off . . . But this bitch still needs to just jump out the window and die. I intervene, "Leave him alone. If he doesn't want to tell you, then drop it."

"Shut up Naruto!" she snaps.

. . . Damn skank did not just tell me to shut up. I will put you in the fucking wall, bitch.

Sasuke reels, beginning to say something. I'm not even sure I want to hear the answer anymore. "I'm not interested in any girl."

"Don't lie to me Sasuke!"

"I'm not lying." Sasuke distantly looks to his shoes. I hate it when he does that. It means he's telling the truth.

". . . Are you really saying what I think you're saying?" And Ino just bursts out laughing. Seriously . . . if I got dumped by Sasuke I wouldn't be laughing. I would be crying for months.

But . . . is he really saying what we think he's saying? I laugh sardonically. Just . . . fuck me and all this crap. Life can't really be this complicated.

I reluctantly look at Sasuke and wait for him to deny the statement, but nothing comes. Oh shit—is he really, truly gay?

Sasuke looks up with fury and sadness in his eyes. Apparently he isn't too keen with the realization either. His hands clench at his sides. "I'm not lying. I'm gay, Ino. Are you happy now? I don't like you because I'm interested in guys. Is that clear enough?"

A fit of giggles hides behind my mouth and my hand keeping it that way. That was classic. But I honestly feel like I'm watching the twilight zone. Big player on campus-Sasuke likes boys? Like, who knew? Duh, I did. The giggles are becoming uncontrollable. I love irony.

Ino was shocked. Oh I love that expression. Where is my camera when I need it? Kodak moment! This entire lunch is. Lunch . . . Oh my God; we're in the food court. My inane giggling escapes after she asks, "You're gay? But . . . but . . . how? I mean—"

And he answers, "I don't know myself. I hope we can still be friends Ino."

The hurt look on her face deepens as my laughing fills the circle. This is downright hilarious. Did he take out a book on old breakup lines from the library?

"How did this happen?" she asks, looking vulnerable.

He shrugs. "I guess I just fell for someone else."

". . . Friends," she finally repeats and laughs. Ino looks as if she never heard of the word before a sudden flash of jealousy takes over. Now she looks like she could throw a car. "Yeah, friends for now Sasuke . . . but I will find your little lover boy and you better believe he'll wish he never took you away from me. You'll be mine again Sasuke. Just you wait." With that said she picks up her shopping bags and walks towards the other end of the mall.

Okay, that is one PSYCHO-ass bitch! You can really pick 'em Sasuke!

With a burst of courage, (I'm actually immensely afraid) I look to my counterpart. He's frozen to the ground, his eyes staring after the departing psycho-bitch.

So I kind of want to pop the question 'Who's the guy?'. But part of me is afraid to know. Liking a skank is one thing, but liking another guy? Dating him? Making out with him? Right in my face? I'm not sure I could handle that. Plus, I don't think it wise to make matters worse, so I just stand still.

He suddenly shifts and grabs my arm. "Let's go home, dobe."

"Alright, teme."

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We drive in silence. Not that he's ever the most talkative guy but . . . I'm not used to this kind of silence. It feels awkward. I uncomfortably shift in my seat and take to just staring out the window. I wonder if he's taking me home but I guess not. We seem to be heading to his house. I don't complain. I guess he doesn't want to be alone.

He finally breaks the silence. It feels as if air cracks between us. "Do you want to come over?"

I don't look at him. Looking at him will just make me all the more curious. Who is he? Does he really have a chance with Sasuke? More of a chance than me? . . . Do I even have a chance?

We continue to speed in the direction of his house and it doesn't seem like I actually have a choice. "Yeah, sure." My body stays rigid.

"Good, 'cause I don't feel like turning around." He sounds moody. This is as tough on me as it is on you, buddy . . . Even if I'm not the one who came out today. I sigh. I'm one lousy friend.

I just nod and keep my head turned toward the city lights. This just feels so awkward. I can't just act like nothing happened.

"Dobe, why aren't you talking?" His perceptisism isn't too on the ball suddenly. He must really be shaken up . . . Well duh, Naruto. Your best friend just came out of the closet to his ex-girlfriend and his best friend. Did you expect smiling faces and sing-along's?

"Sorry. I was thinking."

"About what?" His hands clench the wheel. I opt to move my stare from the window to straight ahead.

About you, obviously. "My homework. I have like a ton to do tonight." Oh yeah, my best friend just came out of the closet and all I can think about is homework. Amazing right?

"Oh . . . I can help you if you want. I have nothing else to do." He seems defensive. I would be too if I felt as vulnerable as he looks right now.

I almost have to force myself from not hugging him. Despite just wanting to kiss it all better, I suck at all things school. No subject agrees with my brain. He is like the smartest person ever so helping me with my homework is like heaven. Sometimes I don't know what I'd do without this kid. "Thanks."

"No problem . . ." I see his hands starting to shake from the hold he has on the wheel. Come on, Sasuke. Spit it out. You're making me nervous. "Naruto . . . I hope this doesn't change anything between us."

Not the comment I was expecting. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean with me being gay and all . . . I don't want this to affect our friendship." He looks really scared. It's weird coming from him.

I put on a big smile and smack his arm. "You idiot, I don't mind." Like literally. I'm so fine with things getting back to normal. "I'll always love you the way you are—" I blink. That didn't come out the way I planned. "I mean . . . I'll always—I'll like you…fuck."

Sasuke laughs; at least I got him to do that. I always loved his laugh. "Calm down, dobe." I laugh too. Well aren't I just the biggest moron ever.

"Sorry . . . my mind was just lost."

"If you say so." Sasuke pulls up in front of house and turns the car off. "Let's go in and get something to eat. I'm starving." Didn't we just eat in the food court before everything went down?

I smile. "Me too."

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I'm up in Sasuke's room eating pizza. It's the oven baked kind, but it taste so delicious. Sasuke truly knows how to keep a guest. His room is nice too . . . like his bed is so comfy. I love his bed so much that I basically sleep in it every time I spend the night. He doesn't mind as long as I don't get clingy. I try not to, but with a sex god right next to you, it's really hard. Among other things being hard. God help me.

Sasuke comes back from the bathroom in his night clothes. White wife beater and boxers. I try not to stare but my eyes can't seem to move. He has got the most amazing fucking arms on this planet. I never bothered to ask him how much he benches. I silently chew my pizza.

"Dobe, stop staring." He smirks.

I blush and look down at the plate. "Sorry . . ." my eyes go back up as I place down my pizza slice, "so you gonna help me with my homework or am I going to have to go home and ask my sexy neighbor to help me?" Don't ask what made me say that. But that kid who lives next to me is pretty damn hot.

"No," he immediately cuts in. He looks down and begins walking over. No comment about his jumpiness . . . "I mean, yeah I'll help you. Only I can unravel that knot of a brain of yours."

I dust the powder from the pizza off my hands and roll my eyes. He's such a twit. "Fine, we'll start with math. Teach me to do this long division problem."

"Okay, let's see . . . you take the number 5443 and multiply it by the closet number . . ."

His voice seems to fade off as I tune out. I just can't think about math. He smells so good and looks so hot in that shirt . . . it's way too hard to concentrate . . . No fricken pun intended, shut up.

"Dobe, pay attention."

"Sorry . . ."

"What were you thinking about? And don't lie." The jig is up. He's onto me.

"I . . ." I start to fidget. This isn't math. I came here for math.

Sasuke sighs. "Come on, out with it already." Fucker! Just because you came out today doesn't mean the rest of the world has to!

"Well . . . I was wondering about the guy you like. Like do I know him?" Who said I'm not good under pressure?

I can sense him get guarded even before it happens. I just lost insight into his mind. He's shut himself off once again. He looks over my shoulder. "Naruto, just forget it. I don't want to talk about it."

I can't help but pout. I freakin' hate secrets. He knows that. "But Sasuke—"

He gets up and stretches, turning away from me. "Sasuke nothing. Get back to work so I can go to bed. I'm tired. You're sleeping over right? You can borrow my clothes." Guarded Sasuke is not my favourite Sasuke. He just hates talking about himself. Who could hate that? I love to talk about myself. I know I'm amazing, so, so should everyone else.

I try to get him to open up as I put my book down. I stare up at him pleadingly. "Yeah . . . but Sasuke . . ." Damn brat, he's not going to tell me. I pout again. "You're such a fucking party pooper."

"I seem to poop on everyone's parties these days," he says as he disappears into the bathroom.

I sigh and take a sip of my drink. Poop. Hah, what a funny word.

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2nd chap. Done.

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